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Best for Advanced Features
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Ultra-secure, high-speed VPN complete with malware protection and automatic blocking of intrusive ads and third-party trackers
Other benefits include a premium password manager, dark web monitoring, and access to IP-restricted content
3 plans to choose from for custom protection on up to 10 devices
Best for Bundled Protection
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VPN part of the trusted Norton security suite
Unblocks multiple streaming services
If you’re wondering what some of the key differences between NordVPN and Norton Secure VPN are, we’ve broken it down for you. NordVPN offers more features, compatibility, and security. Norton Secure VPN can come pre-bundled with your Norton 360 account.
We think NordVPN has more to offer as far as a standalone product, but you may feel differently when you see how everything looks side by side.
Different virtual private networks (VPNs) have their strengths and weaknesses, and not every VPN is right for every person. If you’re looking to bypass geo-restrictions, want advanced features like an Onion over VPN, or want a service that has a variety of servers, then NordVPN is going to be for you. If you’re more focused on bundling your VPN into a security product for increased protection, Norton Secure VPN can be bundled into Norton 360.
You should always use a VPN when connected to public networks like coffee shops or hotel Wi-Fi, but a VPN on your home network can help thwart ISP throttling and provide additional security.
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| Price | From $3.99/mo | From $2.49/mo |
| Max # of connected devices | 10 | 10 |
| 24/7 customer support | ||
| Compatibility | Android, iOS, Windows, macOS | Android, iOS, Windows, macOS |
| # of servers | 6,300+ in 111 countries | Unknown amount in 29 countries |
| VPN protocol | OpenVPN, NordLynx (WireGuard), IKEv2/IPsec | OpenVPN, L2TP/IPsec |
| No-logs policy | No logs | No logs |
| Unblocks Netflix? | ||
| Learn more | Get NordVPN | Get Norton Secure VPN |
Best Value
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| Price range | $3.99–$15.99/mo | $2.49–$4.99/mo for the first yr |
| Best value plan | Standard 2-year plan for $3.99/mo | 1 Device Annual plan for $29.99/yr |
| Money-back guarantee | Yes — 30 days | Yes — 60 days |
| Learn more | Get NordVPN | Get Norton Secure VPN |
When you look at the differences between NordVPN and Norton Secure VPN, it may look like NordVPN costs more (which it does), but that’s only because there are more features. If you’re looking for security only — and are not interested in unblocking geo-restricted areas or torrenting — then Norton Secure VPN is the less expensive choice. It also offers an extended 60-day trial period for you to decide if it’s for you.
NordVPN does offer more variety with pricing than Norton. Also, NordVPN offers the same amount of device coverage on its lowest-priced plans as it does on its highest-priced plans. Conversely, Norton charges you more for the number of devices you want covered, and that pricing can get high. Also, you’ll need NordVPN’s features if you want more from your VPN than Norton can offer.
As far as value for the product, NordVPN definitely wins with its coverage of 10 devices and more included features at every price point. If you’re strictly looking for a single-device VPN for security, Norton would be the better choice, especially if you’re trying to save money on a VPN and only need limited ability. We prefer the features and functionality that come with NordVPN, even though we’re shelling out a little more upfront.
Our Pick
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| Number of servers | 6000+ servers in 61 countries | Unknown servers in 29 countries |
| No-logs policy | No logs | No logs |
| VPN headquarters | Panama City, Panama | Tempe, AZ |
| Encryption | AES-256 | SSL |
| VPN protocol | OpenVPN, NordLynx (WireGuard), IKEv2/IPsec | OpenVPN, L2TP/IPsec |
| Kill switch | ||
| Split tunneling | ||
| Netflix support | ||
| Torrenting support | ||
| Learn more | Get NordVPN | Get Norton Secure VPN |
A big difference between these two VPNs is where they’re headquartered. NordVPN is in Panama, a privacy-friendly country outside of the 14 Eyes Alliance, while Norton is headquartered in the United States, which is notorious for spying on its citizens. If privacy is a top concern, where a VPN is headquartered should be considered when you’re choosing between services. Both products claim no logging, but NordVPN provides regular audits of its policies; we were unable to find any independent audits of Norton’s policy. Plus, you get advanced security features with NordVPN’s encrypted double VPN technology. With double VPN servers, your traffic is routed through two VPN servers instead of just one.
Both services offer a variety of servers, but it’s unclear as to how many servers Norton actually has while NordVPN publishes its server availability. NordVPN has a larger server network with server locations in over 60 countries. Additionally, it offers more VPN protocols, which are different security options you can use for your VPN connection. NordVPN offers multiple P2P servers for torrenting, while Norton doesn’t have the same offerings. Neither service officially supports Netflix. Norton actually discourages the use of a VPN with streaming and suggests split tunneling your connection to stream without a VPN, while NordVPN offers support for major streaming services outside of Netflix.
Overall, NordVPN provides you with more options and support for features than Norton. It also provides more security options and regular third-party audits of its policies. In our testing, even without the support for Netflix, we found that NordVPN can usually stream Netflix while Norton is spotty.
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Our Pick
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| Netflix | ||
| Amazon Prime Video | ||
| Hulu | ||
| BBC iPlayer | ||
| Disney+ | ||
| HBO Max | ||
| Learn more | Get NordVPN | Get Norton Secure VPN |
A few years ago, premium VPN options like NordVPN would all offer support for most streaming services, but as laws have become more complex, many have removed support. That doesn’t mean the VPN won’t work with streaming; it just means that some services are too volatile. In our testing, NordVPN did work with both Netflix and HBO’s new Max services. We couldn’t find actual support guides for those specific streamers, but NordVPN offers support for the others.
Norton will work some of the time with streaming but openly discourages you from using its VPN with it. Instead, it suggests you split tunnel your connection to watch your favorite services without a VPN, which isn’t helpful if you’re trying to access geo-restricted content. It’s also unhelpful, given Norton’s split tunneling only works on Windows and Android. Overall, we found NordVPN to be much more streamer friendly than Norton.
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You want a VPN to protect your data, stop ISP throttling, access geo-restricted content, transfer large files, or many other reasons. That only works if the VPN doesn’t slow you down. That’s why we test the speed of each VPN we review and make sure you can do all those things you want without noticing glitching, lagging, or buffering.
NordVPN speed test UK: speeds are reflective of the individual tester’s internet speeds at the time of testing. /images/2024/01/12/a_screenshot_of_nordvpn_speed_test_uk.jpg)
NordVPN speed test AU: speeds are reflective of the individual tester’s internet speeds at the time of testing. /images/2024/02/22/nordvpn_speed_test_au.jpg)
| Server location | Our Pick
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| US | 9.1% slower | 17.18% slower |
| UK | .03% slower | 13.47% slower |
| AU | 14.9% slower | 13.47% slower |
| Learn more | Get NordVPN | Get Norton Secure VPN |
NordVPN was considerably faster overall than Norton Secure VPN. While we did experience more slowdown on the Australian server with NordVPN than Norton, NordVPN won out with the other locations. The further you are from the server you’re trying to access, the slower the speed. Depending on the speed of your internet connection to start with, this could be the difference between a slower VPN working for you or being unusable.
Our Pick
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| Windows | ||
| macOS | ||
| Android | ||
| iOS | ||
| Linux | ||
| Routers | ||
| Smart devices | ||
| Browser extensions | Yes — Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge | |
| 24/7 customer support | ||
| Customer support options | 24/7 live chat, online guides, social media channels | 24/7 live chat, online guides, phone, forums |
| Learn more | Get NordVPN | Get Norton Secure VPN |
Both NordVPN and Norton Secure VPN offer user-friendly dashboards that make using the services easy. We found both to be modern, with features easily accessible from the main screen. NordVPN does offer more compatibility options than Norton, though, which means you can use it on more devices. NordVPN also offers browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge, which offer protection against malware and other threats. This is included in the service you purchase, while Norton requires you to purchase a Norton 360 subscription to get internet security.
As far as customer support is concerned, neither service has a fully-rounded support system. Both have live chat features, which is great if you’re stuck. Norton’s is a bot only, which will redirect you to call the support line if it can’t answer your questions. NordVPN also starts off with a bot but gives you the option to switch to a live agent if you prefer that instead.
We do appreciate a good chat feature, which means you can usually get your issue dealt with quickly and be able to get back to your day. If you’re more of a phone support kind of person, then NordVPN does not have options for you. Either way, you should make sure you’re only going through verified support from the company’s website. There are too many support scams out there willing to steal your money or credentials and leave you in more trouble than when you started.
If you’re looking for ultimate privacy, a VPN that allows you to pay with private options like crypto is a nice touch. Even if you don’t mind your name being tied to your VPN, having options for payment makes it easier to check out. We prefer payment methods that are authenticated with biometrics, like Apple Pay with FaceID, so they’re more secure. Typing our debit card numbers into a payment section always comes with risk, so having the option to bypass that is nice.
NordVPN allows subscribers the ability to pay with credit or debit cards, Apple Pay, PayPal, Google Pay, Amazon Pay, and even cryptocurrencies. Most of these methods employ biometric authentication, which is safer to use than entering your debit or credit card information.
Norton Secure VPN allows subscribers the ability to pay with credit or debit cards, Apple Pay, PayPal, and Google Pay. There are no crypto options, so all of your payment methods are tied to your personally identifiable information. Most of these methods employ biometric authentication.
No, NordVPN is not a product of Norton. Norton is a security company that creates its own security products. Nord is a separate security company with its own set of security products. The two are not owned by the same parent company.
NordVPN is better than Norton VPN based on features, performance, speed, support, and security. While Norton is a leader in the security space, it doesn’t offer nearly as much as competitor NordVPN as far as its virtual private network is concerned. If you’re looking for a VPN with a variety of features, your money is better spent on NordVPN.
NordVPN has been at the forefront of virtual private network technology for several years, but competitors like ExpressVPN, Surfshark, and Private Internet Access are all equally as secure and comprehensive. CyberGhost is fast becoming a leading contender in the space as well, particularly for its robust streaming offerings. If you’re looking for a quality VPN, you can’t go wrong with any of these options.
Norton Secure VPN is a good addition to your Norton 360 account if you aren’t interested in purchasing a separate VPN. It can provide you with the security that’s essential for using public internet, such as coffee shops or hotel Wi-Fi. If you want robust features or streaming support, however, you’ll need a different option.
Yes, Nord is still a good VPN. It’s secure and comprehensive, and we’ve seen its server count grow over the past year alone, which means it’s actively investing in improving its service. In addition, the Nord family of products includes Meshnet, which can help you create a space that makes all your devices appear to be on the same network. This can help with Disney+ and Netflix password-sharing bans, as well as provide additional security that disguises your whereabouts.
NordVPN is one of the most secure VPNs in the industry. While there are several solid choices if you’re looking for a VPN, you won’t go wrong if you decide to go with NordVPN. We also suggest checking out Surfshark, ExpressVPN, and CyberGhost. All of these options are fast and secure, and they serve up a variety of features.
NordVPN is the clear winner when comparing the two VPNs. If you’re already using Norton security products and Norton Secure VPN is an option, you should definitely activate it rather than having no protection. If you’re shopping for a VPN, however, NordVPN is the better choice. It offers more features like torrenting and streaming support as well as faster speeds and third-party audits of its security policies. NordVPN only offers 6 simultaneous connections, while Norton offers up to 10, but that’s the only real drawback. In every other respect, NordVPN is the clear winner.
Connection limits and additional features could be keeping you from committing to NordVPN or Norton Secure VPN. If that’s the case, we have some suggestions below that may better fit your needs. If you want the best VPN service on the market, you can’t go wrong with any of these suggestions.
Ultra-secure, high-speed VPN complete with malware protection and automatic blocking of intrusive ads and third-party trackers
Other benefits include a premium password manager, dark web monitoring, and access to IP-restricted content
3 plans to choose from for custom protection on up to 10 devices
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