Updated September 29, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
MEGA vs NordVPN
NordVPN
MEGA
Higher score in this comparison
MEGA vs NordVPN: the differences
| Compare | MEGAReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | NordVPNReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| Free storage | 20Higher | 3 |
| Price per TB per year | €15Lower | €77.88 |
| Jurisdiction | HU | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Zero-knowledge encryption (Yes).
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Key differences
- MEGA scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 9.1.
- Free storage is higher at MEGA: 20 vs 3.
- Price per TB per year is lower at MEGA: €15 vs €77.88.
- Support channels: only NordVPN offers Chat.
- Founded is lower at NordVPN: 2012 vs 2013.
- Pricing model: only MEGA offers Budget.
Our verdict on each
MEGA
MEGA suits people who want generous encrypted storage with a VPN and an ad-blocker folded in, and who will read the metadata clause before paying. Storage costs €15 per TB per year, and the free tier gives 20 to try before committing.
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 | MEGA | NordVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.9HigherStorage at €15 per TB per year and 20 of free storage keep the entry cost low. | 8.7Monthly plan runs at €14.99 and the longest plan at €3.49 a month, with €139.08 billed on renewal. |
| Offer | 9.3Wide bundle: kill switch and split tunnelling, Android, iOS and Windows and an ad-blocker on the storage account. | 9.6HigherCovers 150 server countries, 10 devices and features including kill switch, split tunnelling and multi hop. |
| Privacy | 9.1Higher | 9.0 |
Which one suits you
Pick MEGA if cost, free storage, and price per tb per year matter most.
Pick NordVPN if offer matter most.
By the numbers
| Fact | MEGA | NordVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Free storage | 20 | 3 |
| Price per TB per year | €15 | €77.88 |
How they place
| Ranking | MEGA | NordVPN |
|---|---|---|
| VPNs | 64 of 232 | 1 of 232 |
| Privacy tools | 48 of 281 | 1 of 281 |
| Ad blockers and private DNS | 17 of 63 | 1 of 63 |
| Secure cloud storage and backup | 13 of 70 | 1 of 70 |
| Free VPNs | 43 of 189 | 1 of 189 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | MEGA | NordVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free, BudgetCovers more | Free |
| Legal entity | MEGA Privacy Kft | Nord Security |
| Headquarters | Hungary | Lithuania |
| Founded | 2013 | 2012Lower |
| Support channels | Email, Help centre | Email, Chat, Help centreCovers more |
VPN
| Fact | MEGA | NordVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | $3.99 | €14.99 |
| Long-term plan price | $1.67 | €3.49 |
| Devices | 10 | 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 | No logs, Streaming, TravelCovers more |
| Audience | Business | Not confirmed |
| Renewal price | $3.99 | €139.08 |
| Money-back period | Not confirmed | 30 days |
| Protocols | Not confirmed | OpenVPN, NordLynx, NordWhisper |
| Features | Kill switch, Split tunnelling | Kill switch, Split tunnelling, Multi hop, ObfuscationCovers more |
| Platforms | Android, iOS, Windows, MacOS, Web | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Android TV, TvOS |
| Owner | MEGA Networks LLC | Nord Security |
| Longest plan (months) | 24 months | 27 monthsHigher |
Privacy tools
| Fact | MEGA | NordVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | €15 | €14.99Lower |
| Free plan | YesHas it | No |
| Free plan limits | 20 GB storage, limited transfer | Not confirmed |
| Logging policy | Zero-knowledge: cannot decrypt files or chats; retains unencrypted metadata such as IP address, device ID, browser and OS type, file sizes, chat times and participants | No logs: VPN servers keep no logs, with independent no-log audits |
| Open source | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Privacy tool type | Ad blocker | Ad blocker |
Password managers
| Fact | MEGA | NordVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Security audit | Not confirmed | Regular independent third-party security audits; ISO/IEC 27001 and SOC 2 |
| Encryption | Zero-knowledge (user-controlled) end-to-end encryption | Not confirmed |
Identity protection
| Fact | MEGA | NordVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Credit bureaus monitored | Not confirmed | 1 |
| Insurance amount | Not confirmed | $2,000,000 |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | MEGA | NordVPN | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free storage | 20highest quarter | 3below the median | 5 |
| Price per TB per year | €15lowest quarter | €77.88below the median | €98.88 |
Median across 36 listed providers.
Pros and cons
MEGA
Pros
- The free plan is usable rather than token: 20 of storage, with the stated limits 20 GB storage, limited transfer.
- Encryption is user-controlled and end-to-end, listed as yes, the app is open source, and the same account carries the VPN and the ad-blocker.
- A VPN that covers 10 devices and adds kill switch and split tunnelling on top of the storage.
Cons
- Transfers on the free tier are capped, with the stated limits 20 GB storage, limited transfer, so it works as a working folder rather than an archive.
- The MEGA VPN monthly plan renews at $3.99 while the long-term plan sits at $1.67, so the low figure comes with a longer commitment.
- Support runs on email and help centre only, with no live chat or phone line in the mix.
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
MEGA
Who it suits
- People who want storage, a VPN and an ad-blocker under a single login rather than separate subscriptions.
- Readers who weigh entry price and free allowance before they look at anything else.
- Business users, the audience MEGA names for its VPN, working across 10 devices.
Who should look elsewhere
- Apple users who only want 5 of synced space inside the ecosystem they already own.
- Degoo shoppers after a plain backup bucket priced at $23.98 per TB per year and nothing more to learn.
- Acronis users who want 50 of free space or full system imaging, where MEGA's free allowance is smaller.
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
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 | MEGA | 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
MEGA
What does MEGA cost for storage and for the VPN?+
Storage starts at €15 and works out at €15 per TB per year. The VPN is priced separately: $3.99 monthly, with a long-term rate of $1.67. A free plan sits alongside both, so the bundle can be checked before any of those figures reach a card.
How much space do I get on the free plan?+
The free plan comes with 20 of storage, and the stated limits are 20 GB storage, limited transfer. Transfer is the part that ends first, so treat it as a working folder rather than an archive. For comparison, Apple hands out 5 and Acronis 50 at no cost.
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
MEGA