Updated September 29, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
NordVPN vs Proton Drive
NordVPN
Higher score in this comparison
Proton Drive
Where NordVPN and Proton Drive differ
| Compare | NordVPNReviewVisitVisit | Proton DriveReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | €14.99 | $4.99 |
| Free plan | No | YesHas it |
| Platforms | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Android TV, TvOS | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Web app, Command line interface, Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge, Brave |
| Logging policy | No logs: VPN servers keep no logs, with independent no-log audits | No permanent IP logs by default; temporary IP logs kept to combat abuse and fraud; authentication logging off by default; Proton states it has no technical means to access encrypted passwords or notes |
| Free plan limits | Not confirmed | Unlimited logins, notes, credit cards and devices; 10 hide-my-email aliases; passkeys and password health alerts; no 2FA authenticator, secure sharing, file attachments or dark web monitoring |
| Protocols | OpenVPN, NordLynx, NordWhisper | Not confirmed |
| Jurisdiction | Not confirmed | CH |
| Open source | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Privacy tool type | Ad blocker | Not confirmed |
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
- NordVPN scores higher overall: 9.1 vs 8.8.
- Free plan: only Proton Drive.
- Platforms: only NordVPN offers Android TV, TvOS.
- Platforms: only Proton Drive offers Web app, Command line interface, Safari.
- Support channels: only NordVPN offers Email, Chat.
- Support channels: only Proton Drive offers Community.
- Founded is lower at NordVPN: 2012 vs 2014.
- Pricing model: only Proton Drive offers Budget.
Our verdict on each
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.
Proton Drive
Proton Drive suits people who want encrypted storage with a bundled password manager and open source code. It ranks 18 of 31 on yearly cost per TB, so value sits in the bundle rather than in raw storage price.
Score breakdown
| Area | NordVPN | Proton Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.7Monthly plan runs at €14.99 and the longest plan at €3.49 a month, with €139.08 billed on renewal. | 8.9HigherEntry at $4.99, storage at $95.88 a year, free tier at 5. |
| Offer | 9.6HigherCovers 150 server countries, 10 devices and features including kill switch, split tunnelling and multi hop. | 8.7Encryption Proton says it cannot break, open source and ISO 27001 and SOC 2 Type II, set against thin free storage at 5. |
| Privacy | 9.0Higher | 8.7 |
Which one suits you
Pick NordVPN if offer and privacy matter most.
Pick Proton Drive if free plan matter most.
Availability and regulation
| Country | NordVPN | Proton Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | Lithuania | Switzerland |
Where these facts come from
NordVPN
- nordvpn.com: 10 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- nordlocker.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Proton Drive
- proton.me: 11 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- privacyjournal.net: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | NordVPN | Proton Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy tools | 1 of 281 | 13 of 281 |
| Secure cloud storage and backup | 1 of 70 | 3 of 70 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | NordVPN | Proton Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free | Free, BudgetCovers more |
| Legal entity | Nord Security | Proton AG |
| Headquarters | Lithuania | Switzerland |
| Founded | 2012Lower | 2014 |
| Support channels | Email, Chat, Help centre | Help centre, Community |
Password managers
| Fact | NordVPN | Proton Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Security audit | Regular independent third-party security audits; ISO/IEC 27001 and SOC 2 | Not confirmed |
| Features | Kill switch, Split tunnelling, Multi hop, Obfuscation | Not confirmed |
| Zero-knowledge encryption | Yes | Yes |
Encrypted storage
| Fact | NordVPN | Proton Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Free storage | 3 | 5Higher |
| Price per TB per year | €77.88 | $95.88 |
| Compliance certifications | Not confirmed | ISO 27001, SOC 2 Type II |
Identity protection
| Fact | NordVPN | Proton Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | €14.99 | Not confirmed |
| Credit bureaus monitored | 1 | Not confirmed |
| Insurance amount | $2,000,000 | Not confirmed |
| Money-back period | 30 days | Not confirmed |
Pros and cons
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
Proton Drive
Pros
- Encryption Proton says it has no technical means to access
- Open source, audited under ISO 27001 and SOC 2 Type II
- Bundled password manager alongside the drive
Cons
- Free tier holds only 5 of storage
- Support runs on help centre and community only
- The free password plan caps hide-my-email aliases and leaves out secure sharing, file attachments and dark web monitoring
Who each suits
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
Proton Drive
Who it suits
- People who want encrypted files and passwords under the same account
- Readers who put open source code and outside audits ahead of the cheapest storage rate
Who should look elsewhere
- Storage buyers chasing the largest free allowance, where MEGA offers 20 and Degoo 20
- Apple iCloud users already inside their ecosystem, where storage runs $119.88 a year
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 | NordVPN | Proton Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | Yes | No |
| Aland Islands | Yes | No |
| Albania | Yes | No |
| Algeria | Yes | No |
| American Samoa | Yes | No |
| Andorra | Yes | No |
| Angola | Yes | No |
| Anguilla | Yes | No |
8 of 250 countries where either is available.
Questions about each
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.
Proton Drive
How much does Proton Drive cost?+
Plans start at $4.99. Priced by storage, that works out to $95.88 a year, close to the €82.87 typical across this group. Paid tiers are the way most people reach more space, while the free tier covers 5.
Is there a free plan, and how much space?+
There is a free plan, and it includes 5 of storage, which matches the 5 median for this group. Alongside it sits a free password manager that covers as many logins, notes, payment cards and connected devices as needed, with a cap on hide-my-email aliases.
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