NordVPN vs PrivateVPN 2024

Doris Muthuri

Former Senior Writer

NordVPN and PrivateVPN are both strong tools on paper — they both offer user-friendly apps, obfuscation tools, and robust kill switches. However, they’re certainly not equal within the VPN market.

In our tests, we compared their speeds, streaming, torrenting, gaming, pricing, and data privacy practices. While it almost feels unfair to put a feature-heavy giant like NordVPN against a smaller service, our tests quickly showed that there was a reason the former is so heavily recommended.

Overall, I recommend NordVPN. It offers faster speeds, more robust security and privacy features, and highly responsive customer support. Plus, it also comes with a trustworthy 30-day money-back guarantee, meaning you can effectively try it for free.

Short on Time? Here Are My Key Findings

Best alternative to NordVPN

Our Score: 9.9

NordVPN is a solid option, but ExpressVPN is the better overall choice. It consistently tops our speed tests, offers some of the best security and privacy features on the market, and its apps are more intuitive and user-friendly. Plus, you can try it risk-free as it’s backed by a trustworthy 30-day money-back guarantee.

Our Score: 9.9

Read more about ExpressVPN

See ExpressVPN's Best Deals

Compare ExpressVPN vs NordVPN

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www.expressvpn.com

Streaming — NordVPN Wins by a Narrow Margin

Both VPNs are strong choices for streaming securely and in HD from anywhere. However, NordVPN was more reliable overall, and it had more consistent speeds for uninterrupted streaming.

Both VPNs work with all Netflix libraries, but NordVPN was more reliable for HD streaming. Additionally, it performed well for secure streaming across more than 30 global platforms that we tested, including Hulu, Max, Amazon Prime Video, ITV, and BBC iPlayer.

A large reason why it’s so reliable is its SmartPlay feature, which is built into the VPN. It's a combination of smart DNS and VPN functionality that provides better streaming stability. PrivateVPN doesn’t offer a smart DNS service or a feature similar to SmartPlay.

Videos always loaded instantly and the video quality was perfect

PrivateVPN also worked with all the streaming platforms that we tested, but we experienced slowdowns on some of them. When testing it with Amazon Prime Video, it always took more than 5 seconds for our videos to load. Occasionally, we had quality drops mid-stream, which we never experienced with NordVPN.

Sometimes we needed to reload the page to get the video to continue playing

Winner

NordVPN was able to securely access every platform we tested, and we could always watch in HD without buffering. PrivateVPN’s inconsistent speeds meant we had lag and quality drops while streaming.

Server Network — NordVPN Has a More Extensive Server Network

PrivateVPN offers only 200 servers in 63 countries worldwide, which is limited compared to NordVPN. NordVPN’s larger server network provides more connection options and reduces the likelihood of server overcrowding.

I appreciate that NordVPN owns most of its servers, while PrivateVPN relies on rented ones. Owning servers provides better security compared to renting from third parties, as it can reduce the risk of third-party interference.

NordVPN's specialized servers, including Double VPN and Onion Over VPN, are a fantastic option if you need extra security. Unfortunately, this is something that PrivateVPN can’t match.

Winner

NordVPN’s larger server network and specialized options make it the better choice.

Speed — NordVPN Is Faster on Both Nearby and Faraway Servers

Both VPNs provide good speeds on nearby servers, but NordVPN is more consistent over long distances. Our UK-based tester, with a baseline of 270.55 Mbps, ran speed tests using each VPN's fastest protocol — NordVPN's proprietary NordLynx and PrivateVPN's implementation of WireGuard.

NordVPN delivered consistently high speeds, with only an 11% drop on nearby UK servers and 14% on long-distance US connections. Some servers in nearby countries had speed drops of less than 10%.

The speed drop was minimal, even on servers thousands of kilometers away

While PrivateVPN delivers decent local speeds, it struggles with maintaining performance over longer distances. During testing, we had a 16% drop on nearby servers, but our results were far worse on connections more than 5,000 km away. For example, speeds on servers in Brazil fell by over 49%.

If you have a slower baseline connection, you might struggle

Here’s a brief summary of our speed tests:

Winner

NordVPN’s faster protocol ensures consistently high speeds, regardless of distance. In comparison, you may struggle to use PrivateVPN’s long-distance servers for high-bandwidth activities like gaming or video calls.

Gaming — NordVPN’s Lower Ping Steals the Win

While they both performed well, NordVPN offers slightly lower ping on most servers. Ping measures how quickly your device communicates with a server, which is crucial for gaming performance. A ping rate of lower than 100 ms is ideal for smooth gameplay — with lower values providing even better results.

NordVPN proved more reliable for high-bandwidth gaming on nearby servers and performed well even on distant ones. I could easily play games like Call of Duty: Warzone and Valorant without any lag. Even on servers nearly 5,000 km away from me, my character responded smoothly without any issues.

I could also play without lag on most servers in Africa and Europe

I always experienced significant lag with PrivateVPN, and my actions were delayed. This might be because the nearest server to me is about 4,500 km away, but even then, NordVPN performed well at this distance. However, our speed tester only noted a minor difference in ping between the two VPNs, so your experience may vary, as mine did.

Winner

NordVPN’s superior performance, even on mid-distance servers, makes it the better choice for gaming.

Torrenting — PrivateVPN Supports P2P on All Servers

PrivateVPN allows torrenting on all of its servers, whereas NordVPN restricts it to dedicated P2P servers. However, the upside is that these connections are optimized for better speed and security. In my tests, NordVPN's specialized servers performed slightly better than PrivateVPN's general servers.

With NordVPN's P2P server, I downloaded a 1.16GB file on qBittorrent in just 2 minutes. PrivateVPN’s general servers were not far behind, taking about 4 minutes for the same file. In both cases, I used the closest available servers for testing.

Both VPNs include robust security features like encryption, a kill switch, and IP/DNS leak protection to protect your data while torrenting. NordVPN adds extra privacy with features like Double VPN and Onion Over VPN. However, it doesn’t support port forwarding, a feature available by default with PrivateVPN.

Torrenting is legal in most jurisdictions, but downloading copyrighted content is not. At vpnMentor, we do not condone copyright infringement. Always check that the files you want to torrent are in the public domain before you start downloading.

Winner

PrivateVPN just steals the win with its port forwarding feature and solid P2P support on all servers, giving you more control over torrenting connections. However, NordVPN did provide faster download speeds.

Security — NordVPN Wins With More Advanced Features

While PrivateVPN is a solid option for basic encryption and security, it falls short when compared to NordVPN’s robust suite of features. For instance, NordVPN’s proprietary NordLynx protocol fixes a vulnerability in WireGuard by using double NAT technology to prevent your IP from being stored on its servers.

Both VPNs offer obfuscation technology to hide your metadata and prevent tracking or interception. PrivateVPN uses a feature called Stealth VPN, which works on every server. Alternatively, you can use one of NordVPN’s Obfuscated servers. During our tests, both worked well in unblocking social media sites on a local library network.

You will find more configurations by clicking the Settings button

NordVPN also offers a powerful ad and malware blocker called Threat Protection. It scans downloaded files for malware and continues to function even when the VPN is disconnected. I was impressed by how effectively it blocked all ads on the websites I visited. Take a look at our full guide to NordVPN’s Threat Protection for a deeper dive into this feature.

I very rarely saw an ad slip past Threat Protection

This is just one of NordVPN’s unique features that PrivateVPN can’t match. It also offers a Dark Web Monitor, which notifies you if your information is found on the dark web after a breach. Plus, Meshnet lets you set up secure LAN connections with your other devices so you can securely share files with your friends and family.

The only area where PrivateVPN stood out is its Application Guard. This acts like a light kill switch, and it terminates specific apps if the VPN loses its connection. This is useful for apps like banking software or torrent clients, where maintaining privacy is crucial.

Winner

NordVPN’s extensive features give it the win here, as its proprietary NordLynx and Double VPN servers provide a superior level of protection.

Privacy — NordVPN Has a Third-Party-Verified No-Logs Policy

Both VPNs have strict no-logs policies, but NordVPN's is reinforced by multiple independent audits, adding a layer of trust. Not only that, but it regularly publishes a warrant canary detailing any requests for data that it’s received. While PrivateVPN also claims a no-logs policy, the absence of third-party audits makes it seem less verifiable.

NordVPN is also headquartered in Panama, outside of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance. This means that it’s under no obligation to share data with any government bodies. On the other hand, PrivateVPN is based in Sweden, which is part of the 14 Eyes Alliance.

Plus, NordVPN's use of RAM-based servers boosts privacy since they don’t store data after a reboot, which gives it a solid advantage. PrivateVPN doesn’t clearly state if it uses RAM-based servers, which makes me wonder what else it’s hiding.

Winner

NordVPN’s transparent no-logs policy, regular independent audits, and jurisdiction make it the superior choice for privacy-conscious users.

Works in China — Both Might Work in China

NordVPN claims it can work in China, but with certain configurations, so it's not guaranteed. When I contacted PrivateVPN's customer support, they suggested it works but switching to SSL encryption will give you better results.

So, it's a bit of a tie, but PrivateVPN is generally known to work more reliably, though with some downtime. For alternative options, check out this list of VPNs that work in China.

Winner - draw

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Both NordVPN and PrivateVPN claim to function in China, though they don’t guarantee consistent service.

Installation & Ease of Use — PrivateVPN Is More User-Friendly

Both VPNs are easy to set up and use, but PrivateVPN’s apps are a little more user-friendly, especially if you're new to VPNs. Its Simple View offers a clean interface that allows you to quickly choose and connect to a server with minimal effort. If you need more advanced options, you can switch to the Advanced View to configure your connection settings for greater control and flexibility.

I really liked PrivateVPN's clean, no-nonsense interface

Compared to PrivateVPN, you might find NordVPN’s interface a bit clunky, with some advanced features harder to locate. For instance, it took me a few minutes to figure out how to activate Threat Protection.

You can connect to a server by clicking on the pin in the map

Both VPNs support popular operating systems like Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux. However, NordVPN supports more devices, including Apple TV, Amazon Fire Stick, and more. Both are router-compatible, which means you can use them to protect your Internet of Things (IoT) smart devices.

Winner

Both VPNs are straightforward to set up, but PrivateVPN offers a more user-friendly experience, particularly for beginners.

Reliability & Support — NordVPN’s Support Is More Responsive

Both VPNs offer live chat, a knowledge base, FAQs, and email support. You can access the live chat without an account, but both require interacting with a chatbot before reaching a live agent. This can be a bit inconvenient, but NordVPN’s bot always connected me to a human agent more quickly.

NordVPN's knowledge base is well-organized and comprehensive, making it easy for me to find answers without additional help. PrivateVPN’s knowledge base, while useful, is smaller and less detailed, which means you might often need to contact support for assistance.

Winner

NordVPN’s customer support is more responsive and has a more extensive knowledge base.

Pricing

	NordVPN	PrivateVPN
Starting Price	$2.99/month	$2/month
Price (On Renewal)	$139.08 per year (subject to change)	$72 per year (subject to change)
Money-Back Guarantee (Days)	30 days	30 days
Number of Devices per License	10	10
Router Setup (for Unlimited Devices)	Manual setup with extensive how-to guides	Manual setup with guides

NordVPN is more expensive than PrivateVPN, but it’s more feature-rich; in my opinion, you get far more for your money. It offers more advanced security features, and its privacy policy has been verified several times, so it’s clear that the money you spend is invested in improving the service. While PrivateVPN is more affordable, it lacks in a few key areas.

Neither VPN offers a free plan, but instead, each provides a money-back guarantee, allowing you to test their services risk-free. NordVPN supports a wider variety of payment methods, including multiple cryptocurrencies, which gives you more options for anonymous payment compared to PrivateVPN.

NordVPN offers three payment tiers. Basic just provides you with the VPN, Plus includes NordPass (password manager), while the Ultimate plan includes all of the above and NordLocker for secure cloud storage. All of these are ultimately optional, but it might be worth it if you’re looking for a more holistic security solution. PrivateVPN, however, doesn’t offer any extras.

Winner

NordVPN offers far more features for your money, which is impressive given its higher cost compared to PrivateVPN. You really do get the service you pay for when comparing these two options.

Our Methodology for Testing NordVPN vs PrivateVPN

We used a detailed set of criteria to evaluate NordVPN and PrivateVPN. First, we checked that both VPNs offer robust security and privacy features, such as military-grade encryption, data leak protection, and kill switches. We then tested their speeds to assess their usefulness for high-bandwidth activities like streaming and gaming. Lastly, we reviewed their customer support to ensure you receive timely and effective assistance.

For more details about the testing process, you can refer to our methodology page. It outlines how our team of experts rigorously tests and reviews each VPN to deliver accurate and up-to-date information.

NordVPN vs PrivateVPN — Reddit Opinions

NordVPN generally receives positive feedback for its speed, security features, and ability to work with a variety of streaming services. Many users consider it a reliable choice, though some mention it can be pricier than alternatives, particularly on renewal.

PrivateVPN is valued for its affordability and streaming capabilities, with users noting good speeds and ease of use, though its smaller server network is a drawback compared to NordVPN.