We review vendors based on rigorous testing and research but also take into account your feedback and our affiliate commission with providers. Some providers are owned by our parent company.
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vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.
Advertising Disclosure

vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

NordVPN vs PrivateVPN 2024

Table of Contents
    Our Score: 9.4/10
    %s User Reviews
    More Info
    Our Score: 9.2/10
    %s User Reviews
    More Info
    Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, Cyberghost and Expressvpn are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company.

    Which VPN is better?

    Author Image Kristina Perunicic
    Kristina Perunicic

    Managing Editor

    These two VPNs share many similar features, including log-free policies, kill switches, DNS leak protection, torrent support, multi-platform compatibility, and a variety of protocols. In addition, both providers offer six simultaneous connections with one subscription, which is great for families. Sweden-based PrivateVPN battles hard in this comparison as a reliable tool to sail across the web anonymously, with strong encryption and stable connections. Nevertheless, it falls behind Panamá-based NordVPN’s almost flawless performance and vast array of features and add-ons. NordVPN gains an edge with Double VPN (two-layered) encryption and advanced security tools such as malware protection, an ad blocker, and Tor over VPN. On the other hand, PrivateVPN beats NordVPN’s prices by keeping its service simpler without sacrificing reliability. While both VPNs bypass tough geo-restrictions and work in China, NordVPN has a far larger server network – over 5,000 servers, compared to about 100 for PrivateVPN. It’s also easier to get support with NordVPN, which has an excellent live chat channel. However, only PrivateVPN offers a TeamViewer feature, which gives you direct access to tech staff for remote installation and setup help.

    Our Score

    Features 9.4/10
    Pricing 7.5/10
    Ease of Use 10.0/10
    Reliability & Support 10.0/10
    Features 9.2/10
    Pricing 9.2/10
    Ease of Use 8.8/10
    Reliability & Support 9.2/10

    Reviews

    Review by our expert
    Author Image Angela Jovanoska
    Angela Jovanoska

    Cybersecurity Researcher

    Our Score: 9.4/10

    On the surface, NordVPN looks like a really impressive service. It claims to have a huge global server network, a speedy and reliable connection, and iron-clad security and privacy features. Plus, you can get it all for just $3.09/month. That all sounds great, but is there a catch? To find out, I did an in-depth analysis of NordVPN. I tested its speeds and how well it performs when you’re str...

    Read all
    Latest positive user review
    2
    210493Lu
    10.0/10
    The Best of The Best

    I simply tested all VPNs looking for cutting-edge online security, I tested the most expensive and the...  most talked about virtual anonymity, none made me as happy as NordVPN, it stands out for several reasons that the much more expensive ones it doesn't have, its double encryption, dedicated IPs, onion VPN, makes NordVPN unique, with almost 6,000 servers around the world and 12 million customers like me, you can see that NordVPN is not playing games with its customers and their online security , it always innovates to keep you more secure day after day, for a fair price in the long term and without sacrificing the speed of your connection, recently Nord is developing a new VPN protocol, Nordlynx a version still under construction derived from the Wireguard protocol, if you want to have a VPN of last security that think how it will make you more secure in the next month NordVPN is the right choice, I am completely thankful for being a customer and for finding what to me is the perfect VPN.More

    Latest negative user review
    S
    SAM
    2.0/10
    BUYER BEWARE!

    BUYER BEWARE! If you purchase NordVPN, it will throttle your interned speed/connectivity by 50%, like ... it did to mine. I pay $100/month to get speeds of nearly 600mbs. With NordVPN turned on, my speeds decrease to 250mbs. Nord’s “customer support” is useless and unprofessional, and, after nearly 3 weeks of endless “try this, try that”, they were unable to resolve the issue and blamed it on everything under the sun except their product, when it is OBVIOUS that, since I have zero speed issues with Nord turned off, and ONLY experience the issues with Nord turned on, it is NordVPN that is causing the issue. When I asked them for a refund of my one year subscription paid in advance and in good faith, they refused, and have now decided to ignore me. So, YOU’VE BEEN WARNED. Their VPN will devastate your internet speeds, their “support” is ridiculous, they are in denial, and they will not refund your money, even if their product is a failure…More

    Read the full review
    Review by our expert
    Author Image Matthew Amos
    Matthew Amos

    Senior Editor

    Our Score: 9.2/10

    PrivateVPN advertises itself as one of the best VPNs for streaming at a low price. It also claims to have great torrenting support, strong security features, and a true no-logs policy. But PrivateVPN is a small company, so can it compete with the biggest VPNs? To learn the answer, I tested out everything it offers. My global team and I found out if it really lets you stream securely in the bes...

    Read all
    Latest positive user review
    D
    Daniel Andersson
    10.0/10
    Works Great for many years.

    I've been using their service for a great many years, and I'm very pleased indeed. Great service and s... upport, and more than enough speed for covering my needs. As long as they have coverage in countries I need to connect to, the number of servers in total is less relevant, as long as the servers they Do have provide enough speeds. They also support Wireguard, which is seldom mentioned in these reviews, probably since they don't have it in their native app, but they do and it's rock solid using that with their provided config files, and that in and of itself also increases the connection speeds, at least for me. All in all, they provide anything and all I want from a VPN provider. What others see as a downside, split tunneling and such, I see as a strength. I want my VPN provider to stick their nose in my business as little as possible, but rather provide a "clean VPN line" and then let Me decide what to do with my routing table. In short, they're Great, for my needs, but others will have to test and make up their own minds. :-DMore

    Latest negative user review
    E
    Emil
    2.0/10
    Been There

    I've been using PrivateVPN for a year. The main reason was due to good price. It's slow, on certain ho... urs of the day you can't watch video smoothly. They have down time or some other problem frequently and it take ages to fix it. Customer support are so poor that my mum without IT knowledge could probably do a better job. Now I switched to another one and feelings for PrivateVPN is much worse because I have something to compare withMore

    Read the full review

    Pricing

    Starting price $3.09/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 30 Days
    Number of devices per license 10 devices
    Starting price $2/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 30 Days
    Number of devices per license 10 devices

    Best VPN by Category

    Best VPN Overall

    NordVPN has been our Editor’s Choice for two years thanks to its impeccable performance, sturdy security measures, and long list of user-focused features. It also give you access to an enormous number of ultra-fast servers optimized for different activities. Meanwhile, PrivateVPN is a small wonder, delivering consistently high speeds and reliable geoblock bypassing with a network of only about 100 servers across 56 countries.

    Best VPN for Torrents

    PrivateVPN supports torrenting on all its servers, while NordVPN allows torrenting only on specific servers. However, because NordVPN has a much larger server network overall, it actually offers more servers for P2P activities than PrivateVPN, and these servers are optimized for file sharing. In addition, NordVPN delivers higher connection speeds on average.

    Best VPN for Windows

    Both PrivateVPN and NordVPN rely on simple design for their Windows apps. Both apps are user-friendly and equipped with key security features like DNS leak protection and a kill switch. However, NordVPN takes ease of use a step further with a map display that makes choosing a server location one-click simple.

    Best VPN for Android

    NordVPN and PrivateVPN have dedicated Android apps that are easy to install and use. Both support OpenVPN and have public wi-fi protection. However, NordVPN pushes ahead in this category with a more stable and feature-rich Android app that works equally well for secure browsing, torrenting, and HD streaming.

    Best VPN for Mac

    Both NordVPN and PrivateVPN have MacOS apps that closely resemble their Windows clients in features and interface. However, NordVPN’s SmartPlay feature makes it easy to get the most out of your Mac’s HD display when you stream geo-restricted content.

    Best VPN for iOS

    Private VPN surpasses most VPNs by combining most of the VPN’s features into a user-friendly iOS app. The app’s layout is clean and basic, giving you easy control over connections and other settings. NordVPN, on the other hand, raises the bar even higher with an iOS app featuring one-click server selection on a world map display. Both apps use the secure IKEv2 protocol and allow you to create an OpenVPN connection manually.

    Best VPN for USA

    Both NordVPN and PrivateVPN facilitate uncomplicated access to American streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu, which are typically geoblocked. Nevertheless, NordVPN runs more than 1,800 servers exclusively in the US, compared to PrivateVPN, which has a less expansive US server network spread over nine locations. This larger server base of NordVPN helps avoid high server loads, offering the service provider a noticeable edge in terms of connection speed.

    The Bottom Line

    See Plans & Pricing

    Private VPN is a strong contender with a dependable, swift, and cost-effective VPN service. It's an excellent option for those on a limited budget who are content with a somewhat pared-down service offering military-grade encryption, leak protection, and a kill switch. However, it lacks the extensive feature set provided by a behemoth like NordVPN. NordVPN's Panamanian location is perfect for privacy enthusiasts, and its remarkable array of built-in cybersecurity features, including ad blocking, is well-suited for both personal and business use. Online streaming fans appreciate NordVPN's SmartPlay feature for its speed and ease of use, while torrenters benefit from double encryption and access to numerous P2P-optimized servers. VPN novices also find NordVPN's feature-rich apps more visually appealing than Private VPN's comparatively basic interface. Although PrivateVPN ranks highly among providers for good reasons, it's challenging to outshine a VPN with virtually no shortcomings. As per usual, NordVPN emerges as the victor.

    Time to decide which one is best for you

    Go with NordVPN
    Go with PrivateVPN
    Or click here to check best VPNs, rated by {{review_count}} users

    FAQ

    Is NordVPN better than PrivateVPN?

    Yes, NordVPN is better overall than PrivateVPN. It has 6327 servers in 111 countries, fast speeds, and impressive security features.

    Best of all, you can take advantage of its latest discount and get it for only $3.09 a month.

    What should I keep in mind when choosing between NordVPN and PrivateVPN?

    When choosing a VPN, you want to pay close attention to its number of servers, overall speed score, pricing, and the number of simultaneous device connections it offers. While some VPNs provide a flawless online experience, others will really slow you down.

    If you’re ready to commit, then NordVPN may be perfect for you due to its performance during the tests .

    Is NordVPN faster than PrivateVPN?

    Yes, NordVPN is faster than PrivateVPN. Since your VPN is your computer’s main connection to the internet, you need to use a service that won’t slow you down by more than 20%.

    If speeds are important to you, then I recommend you take a look at ExpressVPN. It’s the fastest service out there, provides unlimited bandwidth, and you won’t experience any slowdowns even when you connect to the other side of the planet. You can try it out risk-free. It’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can get a full refund if you don’t like it.

    Do NordVPN or PrivateVPN offer any deals?

    Both NordVPN and PrivateVPN offer deals on occasion. You can check out the current coupons and discounts here. However, ExpressVPN has the best deals. Right now, you can get a 49% discount and up to 3 months for free with a new subscription.

    We review vendors based on rigorous testing and research but also take into account your feedback and our affiliate commission with providers. Some providers are owned by our parent company.
    Learn more
    vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

    About the Author

    Kristina Perunicic is a former editor for vpnMentor. She’s a cybersecurity expert with an interest in VPNs and their importance in the digital privacy landscape.