NordVPN vs PureVPN 2024

Doris Muthuri

Former Senior Writer

Picking a winner between NordVPN and PureVPN is challenging because both offer valuable features, but they also differ in several areas. The differences in performance, privacy policies, and overall functionality make a direct comparison more complex.

My team and I tested multiple aspects of both services, including speed, gaming and streaming capabilities, torrenting, and customer support. NordVPN consistently offered faster speeds, while PureVPN occasionally slowed down during peak times. Torrenting was smooth with both, but PureVPN had more speed fluctuations. We also evaluated their device compatibility, pricing, and privacy policies.

I recommend NordVPN for its faster speeds, better privacy, and strong gaming and torrenting performance. Both VPNs are easy to use with solid customer support, but NordVPN covers more countries and offers stronger security features. If you want to test NordVPN yourself, you can take advantage of its 30-day money-back guarantee and receive a full refund if it doesn’t meet your expectations.

Short on Time? Here Are My Key Findings

Best alternative to NordVPN

Our Score: 9.9

While NordVPN is great, ExpressVPN is my top choice. It's considerably easier to use. Plus, it has the fastest speeds of the VPNs we’ve tested, so it’s ideal for gaming, streaming, and torrenting. Plus, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it without any risk.

Our Score: 9.9

Read more about ExpressVPN

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Compare ExpressVPN vs NordVPN

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Streaming — NordVPN Wins by a Narrow Margin

Both VPNs are reliable for streaming, but NordVPN is more consistent. My team and I tested each VPN with popular platforms from across the globe. We found that NordVPN consistently performed well, not only for major platforms but also for regional services. PureVPN, while effective, showed occasional inconsistencies during these tests.

The table below illustrates the performance of each VPN with popular streaming platforms:

We tested both VPNs with several Netflix regions, and NordVPN proved more reliable. Plus, it provides fast, smooth connections for content on platforms like Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and Max in HD from anywhere.

It's easy to find a fast server for streaming in HD

On the other hand, PureVPN worked well with most of the streaming services, but it didn’t work with Hulu at all. We also experienced some speed inconsistencies. This was not the case with NordVPN.

PureVPN has fewer servers in the US

Winner

NordVPN could securely access every platform we tested it with and provided buffer-free HD streaming.

Server Network — NordVPN Has More Servers

NordVPN has a more widespread network with over 6,800 servers distributed in 113 countries worldwide. A bigger server network reduces load, leading to faster speeds for streaming, gaming, and downloading. Its connections are well distributed across the globe, with many in Africa and Asia — something that many VPNs lack. On the other hand, the majority of PureVPN’s servers are in Europe.

It’s also commendable that NordVPN has some self-owned (colocated) servers. This approach offers greater security than renting servers from third parties.

Both offer a small network of specialty servers, including options for P2P. However, NordVPN stands out with its Double VPN (for double encryption) and Onion Over VPN servers (for safe access to Tor). On the other hand, PureVPN offers port forwarding, which NordVPN lacks.

Winner

NordVPN offers a more reliable server network with better speeds and more specialized server options.

Speed — NordVPN Comes Out on Top

NordVPN is faster than PureVPN. Our UK-based speed tester, starting with a baseline of 263.63 Mbps, conducted tests using each VPN’s fastest protocol — NordVPN’s proprietary NordLynx and PureVPN’s WireGuard.

NordVPN consistently delivered higher speeds, with only an 8% drop on nearby UK servers and a 27% reduction on long-distance connections to the US.

Our tester lost minimal speeds from their base connection

PureVPN lagged behind on most servers. On nearby London servers, we experienced a speed drop of up to 25%. The decline was even more noticeable over long distances — speeds fell by 37% when connecting to Japan, and Nigerian servers saw a significant 67% drop.

The speed drop on faraway servers was significant

The only time PureVPN came out slightly on top was with one of the US servers. However, in all other cases, it was quite a bit behind NordVPN’s speeds.

Here’s an overview of our speed test results:

Winner

NordVPN provides faster and more consistent speeds even on distant servers.

Gaming — NordVPN Is the Better Option for Gaming Internationally

Ping measures the response time between your device and a server, making it a critical factor for gaming performance. For smooth gameplay, a ping below 100ms is ideal, with lower numbers being even better.

The table below shows that NordVPN consistently achieves lower ping times across all tests, making it an excellent choice for gamers seeking optimal performance.

PureVPN performed adequately for basic cloud gaming but experienced more frequent server instability. On the other hand, NordVPN managed high-bandwidth cloud gaming sessions more reliably, providing a smoother overall experience.

I could play Roblox on most servers with minimal lag with NordVPN. The servers nearest to my location provided the fastest speeds. Games loaded quickly, and I had no trouble chatting with friends.

It was fast enough for a smooth Roblox gameplay on nearby and faraway servers

I experienced no lag using PureVPN on nearby servers, but when I connected to servers over 5,000 km away, my character had trouble responding to commands. While NordVPN’s distant servers were also slower, PureVPN’s performance was noticeably worse. This is common with distant servers, as the greater distance causes a longer data transfer time, which slows down the connection.

Winner

With lower ping and better stability on distant servers, NordVPN was the better choice for gaming.

Torrenting — NordVPN Offers Faster Downloads

Both VPNs allow torrenting on just a select set of servers. However, they both offer specialized P2P servers that are optimized for faster speeds and stronger security. When we tested them, we found NordVPN to deliver faster speeds and greater stability.

PureVPN's P2P servers were dependable, though we noticed more slowdowns during peak traffic times. When downloading large files, NordVPN consistently delivered better speeds, particularly on distant servers, while PureVPN maintained stable performance on nearby ones. Surprisingly, we could download using PureVPN’s regular servers as well, but the speeds were significantly slower compared to its P2P-optimized servers.

Using NordVPN P2P-optimized servers, we downloaded a 1.76 GB copyright-free file on uTorrent in around one minute, nearly matching our speeds without a VPN. PureVPN’s optimized servers weren’t far behind, completing the same download in 2 minutes. We used nearby servers for both tests.

Both VPNs come with essential security features like encryption, a kill switch, and leak protection to safeguard your data while torrenting. NordVPN lacks port forwarding, which PureVPN offers, but this feature has its pros and cons when it comes to torrenting, and it's not completely necessary anyway.

Note that while torrenting is legal almost everywhere, downloading copyrighted materials isn't. The team and I advise you to stay up to date with local laws and only download files from the public domain (copyright-free).

Winner

Although PureVPN offers port forwarding, NordVPN performed better for uninterrupted downloading.

Security — NordVPN Wins With More Security Features

Both VPNs provide strong security features, including military-grade encryption and various protocol options. NordVPN’s proprietary NordLynx protocol improves on WireGuard by using Double NAT technology. This ensures that none of your identifying data ends up on the server. On the other hand, PureVPN relies on the standard WireGuard protocol.

When simulating network interruptions, I found that NordVPN’s kill switch activated more quickly, cutting off my internet connection without delay. PureVPN’s kill switch also worked, but it sometimes lagged before fully disconnecting, which posed a slight risk.

Both VPNs provide obfuscation technology, which scrambles your metadata to prevent tracking or interception. However, NordVPN takes it a step further with its Double VPN feature, routing your traffic through two servers for an added layer of encryption and security. This makes NordVPN a better choice for users who prioritize maximum privacy, especially in restrictive regions or during sensitive activities.

Simply click the name to connect to Double VPN or Obfuscated servers

PureVPN also offers additional features, such as DDoS protection and its PureKeep password manager, but these are only available as add-ons.

You also get end-to-end file encryption with the add-on

Winner

It offers a faster kill switch activation and more advanced security features, such as Double VPN servers.

Privacy — NordVPN Has an Advantage With RAM-Only Servers

Both NordVPN and PureVPN offer strict no-logs policies, but NordVPN’s commitment is supported by multiple independent audits, verifying that it doesn’t store any user data.

PureVPN has improved its logging practices after the 2017 incident in which it shared information with authorities — it provided the FBI with the individual's logs to catch an alleged criminal.

However, PureVPN's transparency still falls short of NordVPN's. I trust NordVPN more due to its regular and thorough audits, which demonstrate a stronger commitment to user privacy. While PureVPN has also undergone audits, they have been less frequent and detailed.

Both VPNs are based outside the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance jurisdiction. While NordVPN is based in Panama, PureVPN sits in the privacy-friendly British Virgin Islands.

That said, NordVPN comes ahead with its RAM-only servers, meaning no data is stored permanently, as all information is wiped with each reboot. PureVPN, on the other hand, doesn't offer the same RAM-only server technology.

Winner

NordVPN provides stronger privacy protection through its RAM-only servers and more frequent audits.

Works in China — Both Aren't Guaranteed to Work

I reached out to the support teams of NordVPN and PureVPN to confirm whether their services function in China. According to their representatives, both VPNs may work, but there’s no guarantee. China's VPN-blocking efforts have become more advanced over time, so some troubleshooting might be necessary to get either service running.

It’s also important to note that both websites are blocked in China. This means it’s not possible to download or install the apps after entering the country. The VPN’s most up-to-date software should be downloaded before travel. Plus, any server configuration files should be downloaded in advance so that the VPN has the best chance of working in China.

Winner - draw

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Both NordVPN and PureVPN claim to work in China but do not guarantee consistent performance. If this is a priority for you, you can check out this list of top-rated VPNs for China.

Installation & Ease of Use — PureVPN Is Cleaner and More Intuitive

Both are easy to install and use, but I found PureVPN much more intuitive. I appreciate that NordVPN organizes its servers by usage, which should typically make them easier to find. However, this setup can be confusing, especially for beginners.

You can favorite a server by clicking the star button next to the server name

Both VPNs are compatible with popular devices such as Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and Linux. The process of downloading the app and connecting to a server is straightforward with either option. I also noticed that NordVPN mobile apps are rated higher than PureVPN apps, which reflects better user satisfaction.

I like that both VPNs are compatible with nearly all types of routers, making it easy to protect IoT devices like smart home systems and security cameras. NordVPN offers faster speeds, so it has less impact on device performance. However, while PureVPN is good for security, its smaller server network may cause slight slowdowns.

Winner

Both VPNs are easy to set up, but PureVPN stands out as more beginner-friendly.

Reliability & Support — Draw

Both NordVPN and PureVPN offer 24/7 support via live chat, email, and tickets. You can get assistance from both services without signing in or creating an account. However, you must interact with a chatbot (with both VPNs) before being connected to a live agent, which can be a bit frustrating. That said, I never waited longer than 3 minutes with either VPN.

Both VPNs also feature a comprehensive help center with detailed guides and FAQs that are easy to follow, whether you're a beginner or an expert. These resources cover the most common issues, though video tutorials would be a welcome addition.

Winner - draw

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Both offer reliable and efficient customer support experience.

Pricing

	NordVPN	PureVPN
Starting Price	$2.99/month	$2.14/month
Price (On Renewal)	$139.08 per year (subject to change)	$143.4 per year (subject to change)
Money-Back Guarantee (Days)	30 days	31 days
Number of devices per license	10	10
Router Setup (for Unlimited Devices)	Manual setup with extensive how-to guides	Manual setup with extensive how-to guides

Both NordVPN and PureVPN provide excellent value for money, but PureVPN is slightly more budget-friendly, starting at $2.14/month. PureVPN lets you subscribe monthly, annually, 2 years, and 5 years.

It also gives you the option to add features like a Secure Password Manager, File Encryption, and Privacy Manager for extra customization. Additionally, it offers a business plan designed to secure remote teams and offers essential business features like dedicated IPs and dedicated servers.

On the other hand, NordVPN’s plans are monthly, annually, or for 2 years. The longest plan is the most affordable. It also offers NordLayer (formerly NordVPN Teams), which is designed for organizations needing enhanced security and scalability.

NordVPN provides a wider range of payment options compared to PureVPN. While both accept credit cards, PayPal, and cryptocurrency, NordVPN goes further by accepting payments through third parties such as prepaid cards, iTunes, and even gift cards.

Winner

PureVPN is cheaper for new users and stays more affordable at renewal.

Our Methodology for Testing NordVPN vs PureVPN

We used a strict set of criteria to compare NordVPN and PureVPN. First, we ensured both VPNs provide strong security and privacy features, including military-grade encryption, data leak protection, and kill switches. Next, we tested their speeds at different times of the day to ensure consistent performance. Finally, we evaluated their customer support to ensure you can get prompt and helpful assistance.

If you’re interested in learning more about our testing process, feel free to visit our methodology page. It provides detailed insights into how our expert team rigorously tests and reviews each VPN to provide you with the most accurate and current information.

NordVPN vs PureVPN — Reddit Opinions

NordVPN generally receives positive reviews on Reddit. Many users praise its fast speeds, large server network, and strong security features. Redditors frequently recommend NordVPN for streaming, torrenting, and overall privacy protection. Some users note that while it's not the cheapest option, they feel the service provides good value for the features offered.

PureVPN receives mixed reviews. Redditors appreciate its affordability and server coverage but criticize inconsistent performance and questionable privacy practices. There are also discussions about PureVPN's logging policies, with some users expressing skepticism about the company's claims of maintaining user privacy.