Updated October 14, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
Proton AG vs NordPass
What sets them apart
| Compare | ||
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Chromebook, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Android TV, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Web vault, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, Opera, Brave |
| Family plan | Pass Family: up to 6 users, 6 Pass Plus accounts, admin panel | Family plan with 6 encrypted vaults shared with family and friends |
| Security audit | Independently audited by third-party experts; audit reports public | Desktop app and browser extension independently audited by Cure53 |
| Encryption | Zero-knowledge end-to-end encryption, 256-bit AES-GCM vaults, OpenPGP with ECC Curve25519 for vault keys | XChaCha20 with zero-knowledge architecture |
| Features | Kill switch, Split tunnelling | TOTP |
| Price from | Not confirmed | €1.23 |
| Open source | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Zero-knowledge encryption | Yes | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Free plan (Yes), Passkeys (Yes).
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings.
Key differences
- Proton AG scores higher overall: 9.3 vs 9.2.
- Platforms: only Proton AG offers Chromebook, Android TV, Apple TV.
- Platforms: only NordPass offers Web vault, Safari, Edge.
- Support channels: only Proton AG offers Community.
- Founded is lower at Proton AG: 2014 vs 2019.
- Features: only Proton AG offers Kill switch, Split tunnelling.
- Features: only NordPass offers TOTP.
Our verdict on each
Proton AG
Proton AG suits readers who want a published no-logs audit, a free tier and a bundled privacy suite rather than a bare tunnel, with the company based in Switzerland. Paid plans reach servers in from 140 countries and cover 10 devices, alongside free storage of 5 GB.
NordPass
NordPass presents separate password-management services for personal users and businesses. Its personal offer centers on storing and autofilling passwords, payment cards and documents across devices. For organizations, the homepage describes employee password and passkey management, access permissions, shared credential oversight, dark-web alerts, audit trails and an integrated two-factor authentication feature. This makes the product relevant...
Score breakdown
| Area | Proton AG | NordPass |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3 | 9.6Higher |
| Offer | 9.4HigherTerm choice runs to 24 months with a 30-day refund window, and a free plan anchors entry pricing. | 9.3 |
| Privacy | 8.9Higher | 8.2 |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | Proton AG | NordPass |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | Switzerland | Not confirmed |
How they place
| Ranking | Proton AG | NordPass |
|---|---|---|
| Authenticator apps | 13 of 55 | 4 of 55 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Proton AG | NordPass |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free | Free |
| Legal entity | Proton AG | Not confirmed |
| Headquarters | Switzerland | Not confirmed |
| Founded | 2014Lower | 2019 |
| Support channels | Email, Chat, Help centre, CommunityCovers more | Email, Chat, Help centre |
Privacy tools
| Fact | Proton AG | NordPass |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan limits | No data or speed limits, no ads, no time limit, 1 device, servers in 10 countries randomly selected, medium speed. | Not confirmed |
| Protocols | WireGuard, OpenVPN | Not confirmed |
| Logging policy | No activity logs | Not confirmed |
| Jurisdiction | CH | Not confirmed |
| Privacy tool type | Ad blocker | Not confirmed |
Secure email
| Fact | Proton AG | NordPass |
|---|---|---|
| End-to-end encryption | The VPN connection from the user's device to Proton's servers; Proton also markets Proton for Business with end-to-end encryption. | Not confirmed |
Encrypted storage
| Fact | Proton AG | NordPass |
|---|---|---|
| Free storage | 5 | Not confirmed |
| Compliance certifications | GDPR, HIPAA, ISO 27001 | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Proton AG | NordPass | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price from | Not confirmed | €1.23lowest quarter | €9.99 |
Median across 15 listed providers.
Pros and cons
Proton AG
Pros
- No-logs claims are audited rather than asserted: Securitum's audit (Securitum, 2026) sits behind a No activity logs policy.
- Free limits come with no caps on data or speed, no ads and no time limit.
- 10 simultaneous devices, above the ranked VPN median of 8.
Cons
- Support runs on email, chat and help centre, and there is no phone line among them.
- The free plan limits put you on a single device at medium speed with randomly selected countries, so constant use points at a paid plan.
- End-to-end encryption is marketed for Proton for Business, while the consumer plan encrypts only the connection from your device to Proton's servers.
NordPass
Pros
- The homepage describes distinct personal and business credential-management use cases.
- Business features listed include access permissions, audit trails and credential exposure alerts.
- The vendor describes autofill and synchronization across devices.
Cons
- Confirm the current plan price and feature availability for the controls your team needs.
- Security architecture and audit claims are vendor descriptions, not independent test results.
Who each suits
Proton AG
Who it suits
- Readers who want a VPN, a passkey vault and encrypted storage under a single account instead of separate subscriptions.
- Families sharing storage, since Pass Family covers several users and Pass Plus seats through a single admin panel.
- Teams buying under a business audience (business) who need GDPR, HIPAA and ISO 27001 certifications on file.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone needing more devices on a single account: Proton covers 10, while ESET Brasil plans run 3 to 25 devices.
- Readers choosing purely on server spread: AVG lists from 100 countries, a base close to Proton's from 140.
- Readers who want a different audit trail to compare: Session Technology Foundation lists Quarkslab 2021 against Proton's Securitum, 2026.
NordPass
Who it suits
- Individuals organizing logins across devices and organizations managing shared employee credentials.
Who should look elsewhere
- Organizations needing a confirmed integration, control or compliance requirement before selecting a plan.
Current offers
NordPass
Current offer
Free trial
Business free trial for Teams, Business and Enterprise plans
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Proton AG | NordPass |
|---|---|---|
| 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
Proton AG
What does Proton VPN cost, and how long are the commitments?+
The longest plan runs 24 months, the service is listed on a free model, and paid plans carry a 30-day money-back window. Across the ranked VPN field, monthly pricing has a median of €7.02 and long-term pricing a median of €3.97, which frames any quote you see.
Is there a free plan, and what are its limits?+
Yes. The free plan has no caps on data or speed, no ads and no time limit. It runs on a single device, reaches servers in a randomly selected group of countries and delivers medium speed, so the paid tier, which covers 10 devices, is the practical step for constant use.
NordPass
Does NordPass serve personal and business users?+
Yes. the homepage describes personal credential storage and separate employee credential-management features for businesses.
What team controls are listed?+
The page names access permissions, shared-credential oversight, dark-web alerts and audit trails. Confirm plan availability with NordPass.
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