Updated September 29, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
Apple Inc. vs NordVPN
NordVPN
Apple Inc.
Higher score in this comparison
Where Apple Inc. and NordVPN differ
| Compare | Apple Inc.ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | NordVPNReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $0.99 | €14.99 |
| Free plan | YesHas it | No |
| Platforms | iOS, IPadOS, MacOS, VisionOS, TvOS, WatchOS, Web | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Android TV, TvOS |
| Logging policy | Apple does not read or process relayed message content except standard spam filtering; messages deleted from relay servers after delivery, usually within seconds | No logs: VPN servers keep no logs, with independent no-log audits |
| Free plan limits | Aliases via Sign in with Apple are free with an Apple Account; changing the Forward To address requires iCloud+ | Not confirmed |
| Protocols | Not confirmed | OpenVPN, NordLynx, NordWhisper |
| Jurisdiction | US | Not confirmed |
| Privacy tool type | Not confirmed | Ad blocker |
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings. Partners with a live offer in your country come first, then every other brand by score.
Key differences
- Apple Inc. scores higher overall: 9.7 vs 9.1.
- Free plan: only Apple Inc..
- Platforms: only Apple Inc. offers IPadOS, VisionOS, WatchOS.
- Platforms: only NordVPN offers Windows, Linux, Android.
- Support channels: only Apple Inc. offers Phone, Community.
- Support channels: only NordVPN offers Email.
- Founded is lower at Apple Inc.: 1976 vs 2012.
- Pricing model: only Apple Inc. offers Budget.
Our verdict on each
Apple Inc.
Apple folds relay aliases, 5 gigabytes of free iCloud+ storage and passkeys into the platforms most people already own. It suits Apple only households wanting private storage in a single account, while readers who need storage they alone can read or end-to-end encrypted mail should look elsewhere.
NordVPN
NordVPN suits people who want broad server reach and a no-logs policy under independent audit, and who can commit to a long plan. The catch is entry price: €14.99 a month on the monthly plan, with €139.08 due at renewal.
Score breakdown
| Area | Apple Inc. | NordVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.5HigherEntry starts at $0.99 and monthly runs $0.99, under the €7.89 site median, with storage at $119.88 per terabyte per year. | 8.7Monthly plan runs at €14.99 and the longest plan at €3.49 a month, with €139.08 billed on renewal. |
| Offer | 9.6 | 9.6Covers 150 server countries, 10 devices and features including kill switch, split tunnelling and multi hop. |
| Privacy | 10.0Higher | 9.0 |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | Apple Inc. | NordVPN |
|---|---|---|
| VPNs | 63 of 232 | 1 of 232 |
| Password managers | 26 of 69 | 1 of 69 |
| Privacy tools | 43 of 281 | 1 of 281 |
| Secure cloud storage and backup | 11 of 70 | 1 of 70 |
| Free VPNs | 42 of 189 | 1 of 189 |
Availability and regulation
| Country | Apple Inc. | NordVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | United States | Lithuania |
Where these facts come from
Apple Inc.
- apple.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- support.apple.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- en.wikipedia.org: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
NordVPN
- nordvpn.com: 10 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- nordlocker.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Apple Inc. | NordVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free, BudgetCovers more | Free |
| Legal entity | Apple Inc. | Nord Security |
| Headquarters | United States | Lithuania |
| Founded | 1976Lower | 2012 |
| Support channels | Phone, Chat, Help centre, Community | Email, Chat, Help centre |
Password managers
| Fact | Apple Inc. | NordVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Passkeys | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Security audit | Not confirmed | Regular independent third-party security audits; ISO/IEC 27001 and SOC 2 |
| Encryption | Encryption and Data Protection | Not confirmed |
| Features | Screen time, Web filter | Kill switch, Split tunnelling, Multi hop, Obfuscation |
| Zero-knowledge encryption | No | YesHas it |
VPN
| Fact | Apple Inc. | NordVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | $0.99 | €14.99 |
| Long-term plan price | Not confirmed | €3.49 |
| Devices | Not confirmed | 10 |
| Server countries | Not confirmed | 150 |
| No-logs audit | Not confirmed | Independent no-logs verification, first in 2018 and verified four more times since; auditor not named on the page |
| Features | No logs, Travel | No logs, Streaming, TravelCovers more |
| Renewal price | Not confirmed | €139.08 |
| Money-back period | Not confirmed | 30 days |
| Owner | Apple Inc. | Nord Security |
| Longest plan (months) | Not confirmed | 27 months |
Secure email
| Fact | Apple Inc. | NordVPN |
|---|---|---|
| End-to-end encryption | None of the mail is end-to-end encrypted: aliases are relayed and forwarded by Apple, which states it does not read or process message content except spam filtering | Not confirmed |
| Custom domains | No | Not confirmed |
Encrypted storage
| Fact | Apple Inc. | NordVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Free storage | 5Higher | 3 |
| Price per TB per year | $119.88 | €77.88 |
Parental controls
| Fact | Apple Inc. | NordVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Yearly price | $0 | Not confirmed |
Identity protection
| Fact | Apple Inc. | NordVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Credit bureaus monitored | Not confirmed | 1 |
| Insurance amount | Not confirmed | $2,000,000 |
Pros and cons
Apple Inc.
Pros
- Sign in with Apple issues relay aliases at no cost to Apple Account holders, so the free plan is a real starting point rather than a trial.
- Entry sits at $0.99, below the $19.99 and $14.99 starting prices of the two paid alternatives here.
- A single subscription spans iOS, iPadOS and macOS, so storage and aliases need no extra purchase per device.
Cons
- iCloud+ storage is not sealed so that only the account holder can read it, and what is stored stays within Apple's reach under Encryption and Data Protection.
- End-to-end encryption is not offered for alias mail, since Apple Inc. relays and forwards it, so an alias is not a private channel for sensitive messages.
- Custom domains are not available, so an alias cannot sit on a domain you own.
NordVPN
Pros
- Covers 150 server countries, the highest count in the ranking, with 10 devices per account
- Features include kill switch, split tunnelling and multi hop alongside the stated no logs, streaming and travel use cases
- Protocol choice covers OpenVPN, NordLynx and NordWhisper
Cons
- Entry price is high: €14.99 a month on the monthly plan puts it near the bottom of the monthly price ranking
- There is no free plan, so the free version comparison starts with nothing to test
- Renewal is charged at €139.08, a jump from the €3.49 monthly rate on the introductory long plan
Who each suits
Apple Inc.
Who it suits
- Apple households that already pay for iCloud+ and want more capacity plus relay aliases from the same account.
- Readers who want one subscription across iOS, iPadOS and macOS instead of separate tools per device family.
- People willing to trade storage their provider can still read for low entry pricing and broad platform reach.
Who should look elsewhere
- Readers who need end-to-end encrypted mail or storage only the account holder can read, since neither is part of what the plan includes.
- Buyers shopping for a free standalone security toolkit, since Token2 hands over an in-browser authenticator toolset and a QR decoder without creating an account.
- Shoppers who want a priced privacy product outside the Apple ecosystem, where EasyOptOuts at $19.99 and Vipre Security at $14.99 are the paid comparisons here.
NordVPN
Who it suits
- People who need coverage across 150 server countries rather than a handful of nearby ones
- Households or small teams that need 10 connected devices on one subscription
- Subscribers comfortable committing to a long plan, since €3.49 is only reached on the longest term
Who should look elsewhere
- People wanting a free tier, since there is no free plan to start on
- Anyone who needs to pay month to month on a small budget, as €14.99 a month is the priciest end of the monthly ranking
- Readers who need phone support, since the listed channels are email, chat and help centre
Current offers
Apple Inc.
Current offer
Free trial
Get 3 months of Apple One free with any new iPhone, iPad, or Mac: 3 months free
New and qualified returning subscribers only. $21.95 or $27.95 or $39.95 per month after trial based on plan selected. Only one offer per Apple Account and per family. Not available if a previous three-months-free offer was accepted. Offer good for three months after eligible device activation. Plan automatically renews until cancelled.
Source, checked September 26, 2026
NordVPN
Current offer
Discount code
75% off + 3 months extra: 75% off
Intro offer on the 2-year plan (first 27 months), VAT may apply, savings versus renewal price
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Bonus
+ 3 EXTRA months on 2-year plans: 3 extra months
Offer terms apply, additional terms apply to Ultra plan, VAT may apply
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Free trial
Free trial for new users on Android: 3 days free
New users, Android app via Google Play; not available in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and South Korea
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Apple Inc. | NordVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | No | Yes |
| Aland Islands | No | Yes |
| Albania | No | Yes |
| Algeria | No | Yes |
| American Samoa | No | Yes |
| Andorra | No | Yes |
| Angola | No | Yes |
| Anguilla | No | Yes |
8 of 250 countries where either is available.
Questions about each
Apple Inc.
What does iCloud+ cost to start?+
iCloud+ starts at $0.99, and the monthly rate is the same figure, $0.99. Storage is the only part that carries a charge; Sign in with Apple aliases stay at no cost to Apple Account holders. For context, the median entry price across the brands compared here is €6.84.
Is there a free plan and what does it cover?+
A free plan is part of the service. Sign in with Apple issues relay aliases at no cost to anyone holding an Apple Account, and free storage stands at 5 gigabytes with a yearly price of $0. The limit: repointing an alias at a different inbox needs iCloud+.
NordVPN
How much does NordVPN cost to start with?+
The monthly plan is priced at €14.99. Committing to the longest term, 27 months, brings the monthly figure down to €3.49. That lower rate is introductory, and the 30 money back window still applies if the subscription is not a fit.
What do I pay when the plan renews?+
Renewal is charged at €139.08 for the long term, against the €3.49 monthly rate that applies at the start. Budget for the renewal figure rather than the headline monthly number, since the per month rate is the part that is promotional. The two prices together tell the full cost of staying.
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NordVPN
Apple Inc.