Norton VPN vs NordVPN in 2023

NordVPN and Norton Secure VPN are two well-known VPN providers that have some similar features. In addition, they both come with solid security measures, such as a kill switch, split tunneling, and an ad blocker.

However, they still differ, and therefore, one is the better choice. NordVPN has faster speeds, a more extensive server fleet, and various advanced features, for one. So, let’s find out if Norton Secure VPN stands a chance against this industry giant by going through our detailed NordVPN vs. Norton VPN comparison!

Norton VPN vs NordVPN: specifications

NordVPN comes with a vast server fleet, the fastest speeds in the industry, and top-notch security features. Moreover, it hails from a privacy-friendly country and boasts an independently-audited no-logs policy. Not to mention affordable pricing, great streaming capabilities, and P2P-oriented perks.

On the other hand, Norton VPN only has less than half of NordVPN’s server range, average speeds, and no proof of their no-logs policy’s veracity. The pricing isn’t great either, especially considering the VPN’s limited capabilities and minimal device support.

Although these VPN services may seem similar at first glance, we can say that NordVPN is clearly the winner in our Norton VPN vs. NordVPN comparison.

⭐Our rating	9.6 ⭐	7.3 ⭐
💸Current offer	Get NordVPN 68% OFF!	Get Norton VPN 40% OFF!
💰Price starts from	$3.49/month	$3.33/month
💳Money-back guarantee	30 days	60 days
📖No-logs policy	Independently-audited	Not audited
🎮Simultaneous connections	6	1, 5, or 10
🌐Servers	5800+ servers in 60+ countries	2000+ servers in 30+ countries
🔒VPN protocols	NordLynx, OpenVPN, IKEv2	L2TP/IPSec
🍿Streaming	Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, and more	BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, Disney+
🖥️Platforms	All major OS, Linux, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Kodi, routers, firewall, NAS, Roku	Windows, macOS, Android, iOS

Winner:

Visit NordVPN

NordVPN vs Norton VPN: pricing

In terms of pricing, NordVPN emerges as the overall winner. It comes with drastically more affordable prices than Norton VPN, various payment methods, and a 7-day free trial for testing the service. Meanwhile, Norton VPN ups the pricing the more simultaneous connections you pick. And there aren’t any longer plans than the 1-year one. Let’s get into more details below.

Winner:

Visit NordVPN

NordVPN pricing

NordVPN has a 7-day free trial for Android users that you can use on other devices once the signup is complete. And a 30-day money-back guarantee protects all plans, letting you get a refund in case you end up not liking the service. Here are the subscription options for the Standard tier:

• $12.99/month for a monthly subscription
• $4.59/month on a yearly subscription
• $3.49/month for a two-year plan

The other two tiers are Plus and Complete. With the former, you additionally get the NordPass password manager and a data breach monitor. The latter throws in 1 TB of secure cloud storage on top of everything else.

When it comes to payment methods, NordVPN allows you to make a purchase with credit cards, Google Pay, Amazon Pay, ACH Transfer, UnionPay, and cryptocurrencies. Thanks to crypto support, you essentially benefit from anonymous payments.

Norton VPN pricing

Compared to NordVPN, Norton doesn’t have a free trial, but it comes with a 60-day money-back guarantee. It leaves you more time to test its services. However, this VPN is quite expensive:

Regarding payment methods, you can utilize your credit card or send the right sum of money via wire transfer. It only covers the bare purchase methods, with no option to pay for your subscription anonymously. The fact that you’re only paying more only to get more simultaneous connections isn’t the best business practice, either.

Speed comparison

The next section of our NordVPN vs. Norton comparison is speed. Once again, NordVPN performed better and surpassed its rival. More precisely, NordVPN has lightning-fast speeds as it employs its unique NordLynx protocol. Also, its server network range provides global coverage and consistent connections.

On the other hand, Norton Secure VPN utilizes OpenVPN and IPsec protocols, which are far from bad but are not as effective as WireGuard. As a result, this VPN provider comes with slower and inconsistent speeds. The considerably lower server count also might lead to congestion, negatively affecting users across the board.

To get the latest scoop on the performance of the most well-known VPN providers, check out the results of our VPN speed test.

Winner:

Visit NordVPN

NordVPN vs Norton VPN: which is more secure?

At first sight, this round from the Norton VPN vs. NordVPN comparison may look like a tie, but NordVPN is again the winner. Before we get to the differences, let’s see what they have in common:

• AES-256 encryption
• Kill switch
• IP and DNS leak protection
• No-logs policies

However, NordVPN is located in a privacy-friendly country, has had its no-logs policy audited multiple times, and utilizes RAM-only servers to prevent any data storage.

Meanwhile, Norton Secure VPN is based in the US, the no-logs policy is unclear, and their servers run on regular hardware. Worst of all, the iOS and macOS applications lack a kill switch, which is crucial in keeping your browsing activities secure and anonymous.

Winner:

Visit NordVPN

Privacy

If we have a look at anonymity, NordVPN belongs to a privacy-friendly country. Its headquarters are in Panama, meaning it’s outside of the 5, 9, or 14-Eyes Alliance. As a result, it doesn’t have an obligation to log, collect, or share any of your activities with the government.

Unfortunately, Norton VPN is located in the USA, which is a core member of the 5-Eyes Alliance. As a result, your confidential data may get to the government. And there are no RAM-only servers to prevent any sort of data logging from happening.

Logging

Choosing a VPN with a no-logs policy is a must. However, you also have to make sure it was verified by a reputable third party. Luckily, NordVPN has an independently-audited no-logs policy, which ensures the provider doesn’t gather any personal information. Moreover, it was checked three times by now, and nothing suspicious was ever found happening behind the scenes.

On the other hand, Norton VPN claims to have a no-logs policy, but there isn’t any proof of its audits, making it a bit suspicious. The US jurisdiction, and again, lack of RAM-servers, certainly doesn’t help their case.

Servers location

When comparing these VPNs’ server fleets, the difference is evident. NordVPN comes with over 5800+ servers in 60+ countries worldwide, while Norton VPN is a bit more limited, with 2000+ servers in 30+ countries.

However, not only does NordVPN stand out with its coverage, but it also runs on RAM-only technology. In other words, it doesn’t store data on its drives and everything gets wiped with every reboot.

Furthermore, with Norton Secure VPN, you can’t actually pick a specific server to connect to. You can select a country at most, and the app will pick a server from the pool itself. That’s not the case with NordVPN, though, and you can connect to a specific server anytime you want. As such, NordVPN is the clear winner.

Winner:

Visit NordVPN

Features comparison

The feature comparison segment is pretty straightforward – NordVPN is more versatile and feature-packed than Norton VPN. Let’s dig deeper.

Winner:

Visit NordVPN

Smart DNS

Smart DNS is crucial for using a VPN on a device that doesn’t support it. It lets you change the location on such devices where installing a VPN isn’t really a possibility. Thus, it’s incredibly useful for streaming peripherals.

As you may guess, NordVPN has a Smart DNS feature which is called SmartPlay. Besides allowing you to use the VPN on your preferred device, this feature also enhances your security by adding an extra encryption layer. Which isn’t usually included with your regular Smart DNS functionality.

Unfortunately, Norton VPN lacks this feature, so you might have a limited VPN experience.

Ad & malware blocker

The ad & malware blocker feature is essential for stopping suspicious and malicious websites and ads from plaguing your device. Luckily, both VPNs have this feature.

With NordVPN, it’s called Threat Protection, and it takes down ads, user trackers, and malicious websites. Furthermore, this feature scans all downloads for malware. You can use it on PC, mobile, and NordVPN browser add-ons. The best thing about it is that you don’t have to enable the VPN connection for it to work.

Norton Secure VPN also comes with an ad blocker. It’s able to block intrusive advertising and ad trackers. Furthermore, it’s available on all platforms that this VPN is available on.

Split tunneling

NordVPN comes with a split tunneling feature for Windows, Android, and Android TV. Therefore, you can choose which VPN apps will use the encrypted VPN traffic and which won’t.

In comparison, Norton VPN also has split tunneling that allows you to route your traffic. Sadly, it’s only available for Windows and Android.

Obfuscated servers

Obfuscated servers are a must for bypassing geo-restrictions in countries where your favorite show is not available. Or you want to bypass online censorship in your country.

NordVPN comes with robust obfuscated servers that make your VPN traffic indistinguishable from regular internet traffic. So, you can easily break through Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) even in the most restrictive countries.

On the contrary, Norton VPN doesn’t have obfuscated servers or any sort of Stealth VPN feature. Thus, you’ll have trouble using this service in countries where VPN software is restricted or outright blocked.

Specialized servers

Only NordVPN comes with specialty servers in this case. Namely, these are:

• Dedicated IP. Here, you’re the sole holder of a specific IP address, which is useful for such things as remote work or online banking. It costs extra, though.
• Double VPN. These encrypt your internet traffic twice by passing the connection through two VPN servers instead of one. Naturally, this slows down connection speeds a bit.
• P2P-optimized. These provide faster speeds while torrenting.
• Onion over VPN. These route your encrypted traffic through the Tor network, making you virtually untraceable. Should be used for anonymity purposes only, as it affects speed greatly.

Other features

As for other perks, NordVPN just doesn’t stop giving. Subscribers also get a SOCKS5 proxy, Invisibility on LAN, Dark Web Monitoring, Meshnet, and so on. And the only other perk that Norton Secure VPN has is the Wi-Fi Security feature which automatically enables the VPN if you connect to an unsecure network. It should be apparent that you’re not getting much with Norton VPN.

Netflix and streaming comparison

As we progress with our Norton VPN vs. NordVPN comparison, NordVPN stands out again. And as you can see, we recommend it as the best VPN for streaming for a good reason.

NordVPN is an exceptional service that implements the SmartPlay feature, which enables streaming on virtually any device. Furthermore, you can easily access all Netflix libraries, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and HBO Max. There’s even a Kodi add-on for those that frequently use this software.

On the contrary, Norton VPN falls way behind as it can’t unblock Netflix or any of its foreign libraries. Furthermore, it couldn’t circumvent the quite strict geo-blocks on BBC iPlayer. Also, it doesn’t come with a Smart DNS feature and has slower speeds, which can lead to a less than subpar viewing experience.

Winner:

Visit NordVPN

Device compatibility

Can you guess the winner? Of course, NordVPN takes the lead again. It is simply compatible with more devices than Norton VPN, so let’s see the overall situation in more detail.

Winner:

Visit NordVPN

Desktop applications

Both providers have apps for Windows and macOS. NordVPN’s clients are streamlined and very user-friendly, and there’s even a visual server map to make everything that much easier. Whether you pick the Windows app or macOS one, the level of security remains the same. The only feature missing on the latter is split tunneling.

Norton VPNs applications are also simplistic, so using them is pretty straightforward. There’s not much there feature-wise, which is a bummer. Furthermore, the macOS client straight up doesn’t have any perks apart from the ad blocker. What’s more, the kill switch is missing, which is a big no no in our books.

As for Linux, only NordVPN supports this operating system and several of its distros. Norton Secure VPN doesn’t offer anything in this regard.

Mobile applications

Regarding mobile apps, both NordVPN and Norton VPN offer dedicated apps for Android and iOS users. NordVPN’s clients look almost identical to their desktop counterparts, and have a variety of features. The iOS is missing the split tunneling functionality, which isn’t surprising.

Norton Secure VPN’s mobile applications are very similar to the Windows and macOS clients. Just like with their desktop counterparts, the iOS app is severely neglected, with no split tunneling, kill switch, ad blocker, or such. Again, you aren’t getting much with this VPN provider.

Torrenting

Torrenting is another online activity that many people utilize a VPN for. Therefore, you need either a VPN that supports torrenting or a VPN with specialized P2P servers. Following this logic and a couple of other nuances, it shouldn’t be surprising that the winner is NordVPN again.

NordVPN allows P2P on all servers and offers specialized P2P servers that boost download and upload speeds further. And there’s a free SOCKS5 proxy that you can configure on your torrent client. Finally, this VPN comes with much better connection speeds, meaning your downloads don’t take too long to finish.

On the other hand, Norton VPN doesn’t have any specialized P2P servers, and torrenting is only available on select servers. It doesn’t come with SOCKS5 proxy and has significantly slower speeds. Furthermore, we’d think twice before using this service to torrent as it’s based in the US.

Winner:

Visit NordVPN

China

The winner in this part of our NordVPN vs. Norton comparison is clear – NordVPN. It is primarily due to Norton’s lack of obfuscated servers which are crucial if you want to bypass China’s strict censorship.

On the contrary, NordVPN has strong obfuscated servers that hide the fact you’re using a VPN in the first place. But that’s not all. This VPN provider comes with the Onion over VPN feature that adds an additional anonymity layer by routing your traffic through the Tor network. As a result, you can bypass The Great Firewall of China without breaking a sweat.

Norton VPN just can’t compare in this case as it doesn’t come with any obfuscation features.

Winner:

Visit NordVPN

Customer support

Finally we have a draw in this NordVPN vs Norton VPN comparison. Both VPNs come with extensive support options, and, in this case, each service fills a gap that the other lacks.

The VPN services include vast knowledgebases, helpful guides, and 24/7 live chat support. However, only Norton VPN has a phone line (US-only), but it lacks an email ticketing system. And NordVPN doesn’t have a way to contact them via phone but at least emails are an option.

Norton VPN vs NordVPN – which is better?

After a lot of testing and comparing, we have our winner – NordVPN! This VPN showcased some fantastic benefits, such as fast speeds, an extensive server fleet, superb torrenting and streaming capabilities, and robust security features. What else can you ask for?

Unfortunately, Norton Secure VPN just couldn’t keep up with NordVPN. The speeds are average at best, there’s a big lack of features that could improve the service’s versatility, and it’s not great neither for torrenting nor streaming. The fact that the subscriptions cost extra depending on the chosen simultaneous connection count is simply criminal, especially when device support is so abysmal.

Winner:

Visit NordVPN

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FAQ

Is NordVPN better than Norton VPN?

Yes, NordVPN is better than Norton VPN. It offers a lot of benefits, such as robust security features, impressive speeds, strong streaming and torrenting capabilities, and effective bypassing of online censorship.

Which is faster – NordVPN or Norton VPN?

NordVPN is faster than Norton VPN as it has a more extensive server network, meaning it can establish fast and stable connections even over long distances. Additionally, it utilizes the proprietary NordLynx protocol that enhances speeds even more.

Is NordVPN the same as Norton VPN?

While the names sound similar, NordVPN is not the same as Norton VPN. NordVPN is based in Panama and is one of the best VPNs for streaming, torrenting, and security. Meanwhile, Norton VPN is based in the US, doesn’t allow torrenting, has few features, and isn’t great for streaming.

Is Norton VPN a good VPN?

Norton VPN is below average when compared to other VPNs on the market. It doesn’t have any apps for streaming devices, lacks security features, and is overpriced.

Which VPN is the most secure?

The most secure VPN currently available is NordVPN. It’s based in Panama, has an audited no-logs policy, uses RAM-only servers, and utilizes secure tunneling protocols.