NordVPN vs FastestVPN in 2023

NordVPN is often hailed as one of the best VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) in the market. And it’s hard not to see why since it boasts lightning-fast speeds, robust security features, and reliable privacy.

FastestVPN, as the name suggests, aims to take first place by outperforming its competitors. But does this provider live up to its promises, especially compared to an industry veteran?

It’s what we aim to find out in this NordVPN vs FastestVPN comparison. Which service offers better speeds, features, device compatibility, protection, and more? Let’s find out below.

NordVPN vs FastestVPN comparison highlights

		FastestVPN
Our rating	9.6 ⭐	9.0⭐
Current offer	Get NordVPN 63% OFF!	Get FastestVPN !
Price starts from	$3.29/month	$1.11/month
Money-back guarantee	30 days	15 days
No-logs policy	Independently-audited	No-logs
Servers	5700+ servers in 60+ countries	500+ servers in 40+ countries
VPN protocols	NordLynx, OpenVPN, IKEv2	OpenVPN, IKEv2, IPSec, OpenConnect, L2TP
Streaming	Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, and more	Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and more

Winner:

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Speed

You can theoretically judge potential performance based on the kind of tunneling protocols a service offers. And in this FastestVPN vs NordVPN debate, there’s already a clear winner.

NordVPN, considered one of the fastest VPNs, includes IKEv2, OpenVPN, and the in-house NordLynx tunneling protocol. What’s notable about the latter is that it is an improved version of WireGuard, an open-source protocol that boasts superb speeds as is. NordLynx takes it a bit further by enhancing the code and plugging some of the known security concerns.

FastestVPN, on the other hand, is arguably much slower. It is due to the fact the provider has older tunneling protocols, namely OpenVPN, IKEv2, IPSec, L2TP, etc. We find it alarming that L2TP/IPsec protocols are even included, as they are outdated in terms of security. OpenVPN is reliable, but it can’t compete with NordLynx.

Throw in a considerably smaller server network in the mix, and FastestVPN becomes a subpar choice for those seeking top-notch speeds for all online activities. You can also check out our VPN speed test tool for more conclusive data on how each provider fares performance-wise.

Servers

The size of the server fleet determines how excellent the service is regarding speeds and unblocking foreign content. Having appropriate connection points close to you also plays into performance, as shorter distances result in fewer routing hops, netting better latency.

NordVPN’s global network includes 5700+ servers spread across 60+ countries. Notably, there are plenty of servers on all continents, and the entire network runs solely on RAM modules. It means no data can be stored long-term or retrieved later, ensuring total anonymity. And because there are no virtual servers, you can expect better speeds.

FastestVPN boasts a smaller network of 500+ servers in 40+ countries. Sadly, that’s all the information we get from this provider. It’s unclear if the hardware is all physical or not, whether the company runs them itself or outsources the task to third-party data centers. This lack of transparency makes NordVPN come out on top yet again.

Pricing

Both services offer your standard VPN pricing options. You can choose from monthly plans or discounted long-term subscriptions, depending on your needs. NordVPN and FastestVPN also protect them with money-back guarantees, but only the former allows users to try the service beforehand with the 7-day free trial.

Notably, FastestVPN comes with a shorter money-back guarantee duration – just 15 days. Its prices are also lower, making it a cheaper VPN service than NordVPN.

NordVPN pricing

This provider offers an abundance of plans, each tier coming with different perks. If you only need the VPN, NordVPN has three Standard subscription options:

• $12.99/month for the monthly plan
• $4.59/month for the annual plan
• $3.29/month for the two-year plan

Of course, there are other tiers with distinct features. The Plus plans include the NordPass password manager and a data breach scanner. Then there’s the Complete tier which has the same perks, plus 1 TB of encrypted NordLocker cloud storage. The prices vary accordingly, as you can see from the table below.

The great thing about NordVPN is that you don’t have to commit from the get-go. You can test it with the free 7-day trial by downloading it from the Google Play Store. It requires an Android device to sign up for it, but you can use it on other devices after. You can’t forget about the 30-day money-back guarantee, as it allows you to extend the testing period even longer.

It’s possible to lower the subscription costs by utilizing some of the NordVPN discount codes. And if you’re happy with what you’re getting, you can complete the purchase with your chosen payment method. Currently, NordVPN supports credit cards, Google Pay, Amazon Pay, cryptocurrencies, and cash.

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VPNpro rating: 9.6 / 10

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FastestVPN pricing

FastestVPN offers only 3 subscription options:

• $10.00/month for the monthly plan
• $2.49/month for the annual plan
• $1.11/month for the three-year plan

All plans come with 2 TB of Internxt cloud storage and a password manager, at no extra cost. You can also add more Multi Logins, but you’ll have to pay $6 for an additional device.

There’s no trial version, so users have to purchase a plan and hope the service suits their needs. The 15-day money-back guarantee is also noticeably shorter than most VPN providers offer nowadays. Lastly, payment methods are limited to credit cards, Paypal, and cryptocurrencies.

Security

Every premium VPN must come with the essential protection feature trifecta:

• AES-256 encryption
• Kill switch
• IP & DNS leak protection

These ensure your online identity remains hidden, so never go for a service that lacks any of them. NordVPN and FastestVPN include all three. There’s a big but, though – NordVPN offers significantly more features that boost the provider’s versatility.

NordVPN security features

NordVPN boasts a considerable feature roster, which is great for keeping yourself protected in all situations. To understand the full scope of the service, we recommend checking out our NordVPN review.

Some of the more notable tools are:

• Threat Protection. It blocks malware, intrusive ads, and user trackers and prevents users from entering dangerous websites. Threat Protection works even if you’re not connected to the VPN.
• Obfuscated servers. Allows you to use a VPN in internet-restrictive regions like China, where this technology is blocked. Achieved by masking all VPN usage tracks as regular traffic.
• Double VPN. Also known as Multihop, this feature routes internet traffic through two VPN servers instead of one. It provides double the encryption (hence the name) and significantly increases untraceability.
• Split tunneling. Lets you pick which applications get protected by the VPN and which do not. Useful when you want to mask stream or torrent but still be able to view content from your original location.

FastestVPN security features

Feature-wise, FastestVPN doesn’t offer much, but you’re not paying much for the service either. Check out our FastestVPN review for a deeper dive into this provider.

• Ad Blocker. As the name suggests, it blocks annoying advertisements and pop-ups from ruining your browsing experience.
• Anti-Malware. Prevents malware from infecting your devices. You don’t have to enable it separately, as it runs by default when connected to a VPN server.
• Smart tunneling. FastestVPN’s name for their split tunneling feature. As we covered earlier, it allows you to route VPN traffic via select apps only.
• NAT firewall. It blocks unwanted incoming traffic, which helps prevent viruses from infecting your device.

Privacy

VPNs were created to shield you from all kinds of online surveillance. But these tools, unfortunately, can also be used by the provider to collect data about you. For this reason, it’s necessary to pick a service that’s transparent about its practices and adheres to a strict zero-logs policy. Especially if it’s based in a Fourteen Eyes alliance country.

NordVPN is one of the most trusted VPNs with a zero-logs policy. And this policy has been independently audited twice by the reputable cybersecurity consulting firm – PwC.

Furthermore, the provider is based in privacy-respecting Panama, far from the reach of the Eyes alliance. Lastly, you can remain virtually untraceable by utilizing supported anonymous payment methods, such as crypto.

FastestVPN isn’t that far behind either in terms of anonymity. This provider upholds a zero-logs policy, but there’s no information on whether it was ever audited to confirm its veracity.

The company operates from the Cayman Islands, though, so there’s no incentive to spy on its users. And finally, you can pay with cryptocurrencies to avoid leaving a digital track. Still, NordVPN proves to be a better choice due to the audits.

Device compatibility

Being able to secure every device that’s connected to the internet is essential for maintaining privacy. So that you’re covered on all fronts, as they say. But the VPN setup process shouldn’t be unnecessarily complicated, either.

When comparing FastestVPN vs NordVPN, both services offer broad device compatibility. You can install them on all major operating systems, routers, Android TV, Roku, and Amazon FireStick devices. They even support Kodi and have browser extensions, the difference being that NordVPN has an add-on for the Brave browser.

Still, NordVPN has a slight edge by additionally supporting Raspberry Pi, Chromebook, Chromecast, plus Kindle Fire. There’s also an option to manually set it up on firewalls and NAS, which is always welcome. It falls short regarding the simultaneous connection count, the maximum being six.

FastestVPN, like its competitor, allows manually configuring the VPN on a router. And that’s it as far as compatibility goes, but it does support more simultaneous connections – ten. Alas, that’s not enough to beat NordVPN in this category.

Streaming

It’s no secret that people primarily utilize VPNs for streaming purposes. Whether getting access to foreign libraries or geo-blocked services, these tools are the go-to choice for expanding your entertainment possibilities. The tricky part is that not every service is capable of bypassing streaming platform restrictions. So, who wins in this case?

Well, both NordVPN and FastestVPN are strong on this front. You’ll get access to Netflix US in no time, and it is possible to view other regional libraries, like Poland, France, Brazil, etc. There are no issues entering other streaming services, such as BBC iPlayer, Disney+, HBO Max, and more.

You’ll be better off with NordVPN, though, since it offers the SmartPlay feature. Also known as Smart DNS, it allows you to change your virtual location on devices that don’t natively support VPN software. This way, you can use this tool on basically anything you want.

Torrenting and P2P

When it comes to file-sharing via P2P, utilizing a VPN is crucial. Many Internet Service Providers (ISPs) restrict and even throttle user bandwidth if they detect that a person is downloading torrents. The other reason is that some countries deem torrenting illegal because, in most cases, it’s used to obtain copyrighted material.

NordVPN and FastestVPN are suitable VPNs for torrenting as the providers allow P2P on all servers. With the former, you can connect to servers optimized for this activity, significantly boosting downloads and uploads. With the former, the whole server fleet is optimized for P2P.

As for other perks, both providers offer the split tunneling feature for customizing the VPN connection. NordVPN is better, though, as you can use it on more operating systems – Windows, Android, and Android TV. Furthermore, this service also gives you a free SOCKS5 proxy, which enhances the security of torrent clients.

China

Some countries are notoriously strict about what their citizens can access and see on the web. The most egregious case is China, which doesn’t shy away from surveillance and even has the Great Firewall of China put in place to limit internet exploration. Only a few VPNs can bypass Deep Packet Inspection (DPI).

In the case of NordVPN, it’s an excellent VPN for China due to several features. First is the obfuscated servers (Stealth VPN) that effectively hide all VPN usage if you browse the web while connected to them. The second is Onion over VPN (Tor over VPN), which sends traffic via the Tor network, making it extremely tough to track you back.

As for FastestVPN, it doesn’t offer much in terms of DPI circumvention. It’s very unlikely that users in China will be able to crack the firewall and escape internet restrictions.

Customer support

Not everyone can troubleshoot VPN issues themselves, especially if you’re new to the whole Virtual Private Network field. Having on-hand assistance from experts is always a must, even better if you can contact them anytime.

NordVPN offers 24/7 live chat support and the option to get in touch with professionals via email. Another big plus is the extensive knowledge base that includes a FAQ, general info, explanations about the billing process, and how to troubleshoot connectivity issues.

FastestVPN offers the same things, albeit its knowledge doesn’t cover as much ground. It includes a FAQ section, VPN setup tutorials, answers about the server list, and info about Kodi.

Best VPN by category

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NordVPN vs FastestVPN – which is better?

As the comparison comes to an end, it’s pretty clear who the winner is – NordVPN. While it didn’t dominate all categories, it surpassed FastestVPN in many aspects that matter to the average user. We’re talking about speed, security & privacy, geo-block bypassing capabilities, P2P, and even DPI circumvention.

FastestVPN isn’t a bad service, per se, but it fails to provide worthwhile features, the server list isn’t exactly spectacular, and it doesn’t deliver performance-wise. Sure, it’s a cheaper option, but you’re not getting much, either. That’s why we recommend going with NordVPN.

9.6 /10

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FAQ

Is FastestVPN any good?

FastestVPN is a decent service that provides average speeds, robust security features, and a sizable server list across the globe. Users get 10 simultaneous connections, broad device compatibility, secure cloud storage, and a password manager with any subscription.

Which VPN is the best?

NordVPN is the best VPN service overall. It comes with lightning-fast speeds, versatile features, and a vast network with suitable connection points on all continents. What’s more, it has solid privacy credentials, as it adheres to an independently-audited no-logs policy and is based in privacy-friendly Panama.

Is NordVPN better than FastestVPN?

Yes, NordVPN is better than FastestVPN. It offers modern & secure tunneling protocols, a significantly larger server fleet, more features, and is compatible with a broader device spectrum.