Norton VPN vs NordVPN: which VPN is better in 2025

NordVPN and Norton VPN are two popular Virtual Private Network service providers. They offer seemingly similar products that differ a lot with a deeper look. At first glance, they both offer traffic encryption and a secure network connection, but that’s where the similarities end. Norton Secure VPN does work well in some scenarios, like casual browsing, but NordVPN’s wide server network, extremely fast connection speeds, and high-end security features make it the better VPN overall.

NordVPN vs NortonVPN compared

Since 2018, VPNpro has specialized in VPN testing and analysis, conducting in-house tests with hundreds of various VPN providers. We thoroughly test each provider, looking into their security features, privacy policies, server fleets, connection speeds, pricing, and unblocking capabilities, just to name a few. For this review, the VPNpro team of experts has conducted in-depth testing of NordVPN and Norton VPN to provide you with an unbiased comparison of the two well-known providers.

NordVPN and Norton VPN are not owned by the same company. NordVPN is owned by Nord Security, founded in 2012, and operates in Panama's data-friendly jurisdiction. Norton VPN belongs to Gen Digital, although the brand Norton itself was founded in 1982. Gen Digital is based in the US and is a key player in the Five Eyes surveillance alliance.

Key differences between NordVPN and Norton VPN explained

NordVPN is a slightly older VPN service, first launched in 2012, while Norton added a VPN to its cybersecurity suite a bit later, in 2019. Today, both VPNs are extremely popular and share a multitude of advanced features. However, the strength and robustness of a VPN depends on several factors. For one, companies must constantly invest in their product to ensure optimal performance, adapt to consumer needs, and regularly incorporate new features to guard against ever-evolving cyber threats. This is exactly where the differences between NordVPN and Norton VPN begin, as they do not focus on the same exact priorities.

• Pricing: NordVPN subscription prices start at $3.09/month, and Norton VPN at $1.67/month. However, even though they’re both priced very similarly, NordVPN offers a better price-to-feature ratio, including more and faster servers and advanced security features. Winner: Norton VPN.
• Servers: NordVPN has more servers in more countries than Norton VPN. NordVPN has over 7400 servers in 118 countries, while Norton VPN has 2000 servers in 30 countries. A bigger server fleet allows you to access more geo-restricted content and ensures you’ll always be able to find the best server for your needs (like gaming, P2P file sharing, or streaming). Winner: NordVPN.
• Speed: NordVPN is faster than Norton VPN. During my in-house tests of both providers’ speeds, I found that NordVPN showed an average speed of 468 Mbps with a 94% initial speed retention rate, while Norton VPN averaged 393 Mbps with an 80% initial speed retention rate. These slower speeds might not be ideal for streaming or gaming, but they are enough for casual browsing. Winner: NordVPN.
• Security: Both providers offer AES-256 encryption, modern tunneling protocols like NordLynx (NordVPN) and WireGuard (Norton VPN), a kill switch feature, and additional IP, DNS, and WebRTC leak prevention measures. However, NordVPN offers more advanced security features than Norton VPN, which include Nord Threat Protection, Dedicated IP, Tor over VPN, Double VPN, and Dark Web monitoring. Additionally, NordVPN has a 5-times independently verified no-logs policy, while Norton VPN only got its first audit in 2024. Winner: NordVPN.
• Streaming: NordVPN is better for streaming than Norton VPN, as it offers faster connection speeds and can unblock popular streaming platforms like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and HBO, with all its available servers optimized for streaming. On the other hand, Norton Secure VPN has slower connection speeds, is not as reliable at geo-unblocking, and does not offer any streaming-optimized servers. Winner: NordVPN.
• Torrenting: Again, NordVPN proves to be a better choice for torrenting or P2P file sharing, as it offers faster speeds and allows P2P traffic on all of its servers. Norton Secure VPN blocks P2P traffic on all its servers, making it unsuitable for torrenting. Winner: NordVPN.

Overall, NordVPN outperforms Norton VPN in almost all areas, including security, speed, usability, and geo-unblocking. However, Norton VPN can also be a suitable option if you need a VPN to encrypt your traffic while casually browsing.

Norton vs NordVPN server fleet overview

A larger server fleet has several benefits, including faster speeds, better global coverage, improved reliability of the servers, better load distribution, and enhanced privacy with more IP addresses available. Here, NordVPN wins over Norton VPN with 7400+ servers across 118+ countries, compared to Norton’s 2000+ servers in 30+ countries.

As you can see from the table, NordVPN offers servers in more countries, including the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa. Additionally, NordVPN is clear about the number of servers available in each country, while Norton VPN does not disclose this. I tried to get a comment on the server numbers from a Norton VPN representative but was unsuccessful in finding out any more details.

Is NordVPN better than Norton for streaming?

I tested both providers’ capabilities of unblocking geo-locked streaming platforms and how well they performed in the actual streaming of content. The sites I tested these VPNs with included various Netflix libraries, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, Paramount+, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and others, like ESPN+ and SlingTV. Overall, I found NordVPN to be better for streaming as it has faster speeds and more consistent access to streaming services. Additionally, while NordVPN was capable of unblocking all of the platforms I tried it with, Norton VPN struggled to unblock Netflix, Hulu, ESPN+, Disney+, and Peacock, even when I tried it with different servers and switched around the tunneling protocols.

Since Netflix is the most popular streaming platform globally, I first tried to find out if I can use Norton VPN to watch Netflix in other countries and how well NordVPN performed on the same task. My findings show that I was incapable of accessing the US Netflix library with Norton VPN, but it did work with some, like Spain and Germany. On the other hand, NordVPN successfully bypassed Netflix geo-blocks in every library I tried it with, including the US, Japan, Brazil, and European countries.

Besides Netflix, I tried the two VPNs with Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Peacock, ESPN+, and SlingTV. With NordVPN, I easily got into all of the platforms on the first try. However, I wasn’t as successful with Norton VPN; sadly, it couldn’t bypass the geo-restrictions of Disney+, Hulu, Peacock, and ESPN+. Additionally, with Norton VPN and the platforms I managed to get into, I often had to switch my servers until I got it.

As for the actual streaming, NordVPN’s fast speeds and well-maintained servers allowed me to watch content in full HD with no lagging or buffering, making it a great streaming VPN. Yet, that was not the case with Norton VPN, as the lower connection speeds meant I ran into some lagging and slow loading here and there.

Norton VPN vs NordVPN speed test

During my speed tests, I found NordVPN to be faster than Norton VPN. NordVPN showed an average connection speed of 468 Mbps with a 94% initial speed retention rate, while Norton VPN showed a 393 Mbps average connection speed with an 80% initial speed retention rate.

I conducted my tests using the speed test by Ookla tool and checked the average speeds with servers in my location and then internationally by connecting to US, UK, Germany, Japan, Canada, Australia, the Netherlands, and a couple more servers, and then drawing the average of the connection speeds. To make the test fair, I used fastest available tunneling protocol with both providers. So, NordVPN with NordLynx and Norton VPN with WireGuard.

Remember that speed test results may vary depending on your proximity to the server you’re connected to, server speed, congestion, your internet server provider, and time of day.

Comparing the download speeds on my local server, I found NordVPN to be slightly faster, with an average speed of 485 Mbps, while Norton VPN showed 452 Mbps. Here, the difference is close to insignificant, and such speeds are great for all sorts of activities, including streaming, gaming, and torrenting (remember, though, that Norton VPN does not allow P2P traffic on its servers). The upload speeds on the local server were also quite similar, with 473 Mbps from NordVPN and 421 from Norton VPN. As for ping, NordVPN showed 29 ms and Norton 41 ms. The ping metric is especially important for gamers, as longer ping times might cause rubberbanding and lagging. Here, both providers showed good results.

When comparing the international server speed averages, the difference was much more pronounced. Here, NordVPN showed an average speed of 468.20 Mbps, while Norton was at around 398.90 Mbps. This means, that if you’d like to stream on an international platform or get into some gaming, you’ll be very likely to feel significant slowing down when with Norton VPN. However, Norton VPN showed a bit faster upload speed on international servers, compared to NordVPN, as well as an insignificantly lower ping. That said, download speed is still the most important factor for streaming, browsing, gaming, and torrenting.

Which is more secure: NordVPN or Norton VPN

Both Norton VPN and NordVPN have AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryption, a kill switch, and IP & DNS leak prevention features. Strong encryption is the basis of making your network connection secure. A kill switch is very important in keeping your real IP address hidden as it terminates the network connection if a sudden VPN drop occurs, while additional IP & DNS leak prevention features further ensure your IP address is kept anonymous. However, while the two VPNs share these base features, NordVPN offers more advanced security features, such as obfuscated servers, double VPN, Tor over VPN, and NordWhisper tunneling protocol.

Although NordVPN and Norton VPN offer similar security features, including AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryption, both have modern tunneling protocols, like NordLynx and WireGuard and offer a kill switch; the main difference is the jurisdiction.

Encryption & protocols

Both NordVPN and Norton VPN use AES-256 and ChaCha 20 encryption protocols. This is good news, as both are deemed very safe, with the AES-256 often used by governments, militaries, and banks. The ChaCha20 encryption is also highly secure and is more used for mobile devices, as it is more lightweight and a bit faster.

As for tunneling protocols, NordVPN offers NordLynx, NordWhisper, OpenVPN, and IKEv2. Both NordLynx and NordWhisper are proprietary protocols unique to NordVPN. The NordLynx is based on WireGuard and constructed to work optimally with other NordVPN features. NordWhisper is another unique NordVPN tunneling protocol. It makes VPN traffic seem like regular HTTP traffic, which is particularly useful in bypassing strict internet restrictions and censorship.

Norton VPN also offers 4 tunneling protocols to choose from – IPsec, OpenVPN, WireGuard, and Mimic. Out of this list, WireGuard is the fastest, OpenVPN is the most secure but a bit flowers, and Mimic is a proprietary Norton VPN tunneling protocol meant to mask VPN use. Although IPsec is also on this list, I do not recommend using it, as it is an outdated tunneling protocol that is no longer deemed safe.

Lastly, NordVPN is based in data-friendly Panama, where the law does not allow for data and information collection. Meanwhile, Norton VPN is based in the US, which is a part of the Five Eyes intelligence sharing alliance. This means, that Norton VPN may collect some of its users’ data if asked by the US government.

So, even though these two VPNs share similar features in this area, if you’re very particular about the security of your data, NordVPN’s jurisdiction makes it a safer choice.

Logging policy

NordVPN has 5-times independently-verified no-logs policy. This means, that none of your data is ever tracked and logged, no matter what. Plus, NordVPN relies on RAM-only servers, which makes data collection virtually impossible.

As for Norton VPN's privacy policy, the provider got its first third-party verified no-logs policy. However, let’s not forget that this is a US-based company that must submit to the country’s law. And since the US is a part of the Five Eyes intelligence sharing alliance, Norton VPN might collect some data if asked to do so.

Third-party performed security audits are capable of proving if a certain VPN actually has the security features it advertises and if it follows the no-logs policy it claims. The more these audits a provider has, and the more often they are performed, the better it reflects on data safety and security.

Kill Switch & Leak Protection

A kill switch is a VPN feature designed to terminate network connection if a sudden interruption in VPN traffic occurs. By acting in this way, kill switch ensures that your real IP address won’t leak and it will stay hidden even if you get disconnected from the VPN server you’re currently using.

IP, DNS, and WebRTC leak protection features further ensure that important information such as your real IP address, DNS, and WebRTC information does not become visible when using a VPN connection.

Both NordVPN and Norton VPN have kill switches and leak protection features to prevent any data exposure during connection interruptions. However, the kill switch is unavailable for Norton VPN macOS users.

Advanced security features

Besides the mandatory security features I’ve already discussed, I usually look at the advanced additional security features a VPN service offers to understand its capabilities better. Let’s take a look at some of these features and which of the two VPNs has them:

As you can see, NordVPN offers more advanced security features than Norton VPN, including Dedicated IP and Tor over VPN. So, having in mind that both VPNs share an identical monthly price, I say you get a better price-to-feature ratio with NordVPN.

NordVPN vs Norton VPN device compatibility

Both NordVPN and Norton VPN offer well-designed, intuitive apps for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices, such as laptops and smartphones. However, when comparing device compatibility, NordVPN offers wider support for various devices, including routers, gaming consoles, Linux, and more. So, if you were to choose Norton VPN over NordVPN, make sure it supports your device first.

As for the usability of these VPNs, both offer nice-looking, easy-to-follow apps for laptops and smartphones.

In the image below, you can see what the NordVPN desktop app looks like. I liked having a clear list of servers to choose from, as well as the map interface of server locations. In my opinion, this app is very easy to navigate and understand, even if you’re using a VPN service for the first time.

Norton VPN offers an even more minimalistic app interface that shows the server you’re connected to and the status of your connection. I liked the clean design and how well it reflects the overall brand look.

Customer support test

NordVPN and Norton VPN offer several ways of contacting customer support, including live 24/7 chat, which is usually the fastest way to reach out to customer care professionals if you have issues with your VPN. Both providers offer three different ways of reaching out to support, but while NordVPN does not offer a phone line, Norton VPN does not offer email support. Overall, it’s a similar situation with both of these providers.

I always start my customer support tests by using the fastest way to reach out to them, the 24/7 live chat if it is available. In NordVPN’s case, you can easily find the chat on the website and start a conversation with an agent almost instantaneously. Norton VPN’s 24/7 live chat is a bit hidden and does not immediately pop out on the website, but once I found it, I got through to an actual person in a couple of minutes. Here, the level and the speed of support I got were similar, as both solved my issues politely and in a timely manner.

However, Norton VPN customer support chat first tried to guide me to its knowledge base and FAQ section instead of connecting me to a representative, but it didn’t take long to get through.

As for the knowledge base, both providers offer well-organized pages with much interesting information. If you have the time for it, rummaging through the articles might be quite interesting.

NordVPN does not offer a phone line but offers email support, while Norton VPN does have a phone line but not email support. Even without these things, both providers offer well-rounded customer service with a lot of different ways to contact a representative.

However, during my test chats, I got a bit quicker answer in NordVPN’s customer support chat than in Norton’s. Thus, even though by a slim margin, NordVPN wins in this area, too.

Norton vs NordVPN price overview

Norton VPN is a bit cheaper than NordVPN, with subscriptions starting at $1.67/month. However, while NordVPN is a bit more expensive at $3.09/month, one subscription covers up to 10 devices, while Norton’s cheaper subscription starting at $1.67/month only covers up to 10.

As you can see from the table, Norton VPN is an overall cheaper choice; however, the provider only offers a 1-year plan, while NordVPN offers more flexibility with 1-month, 1-year, and 2-year plans. The Norton VPN 1-year Standard plan, which covers up to 10 devices, costs $1.67/month or $39.99/year. Meanwhile, the cheapest NordVPN plan option is the 2-year plan, which costs $81.36/year or $3.09/month.

Because Norton VPN does not offer any monthly plans, NordVPN might be a better option if you’re looking for something short-term and still not too expensive. As for a 1-year plan, Norton VPN is cheaper, but since it does not offer a 2-year plan, NordVPN also emerges as the more economical choice for long-term use. Lastly, if you want more device coverage, the Basic NordVPN plan covers up to 10, while a similar Norton VPN plan only covers 5.

Both providers offer a 7-day, full-featured free trial. That said, NordVPN is only available for Android users, while Norton’s is available for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices. So, Norton VPN offers a bit more flexibility here. Similarly to a free trial, both services also offer money-back guarantees. NordVPN extends to 30 days, while Norton’s is longer with a 60-day guarantee.

However, NordVPN offers more flexibility with plan choices and covers more devices. So, while Norton VPN offers an insignificantly lower price, a 7-day free trial that covers more devices, and a longer money-back guarantee, NordVPN is still a bit more convenient, considering plan choices and pricing.

Final verdict: Which is better, Norton VPN vs NordVPN?

NordVPN emerges as a clear winner in all categories compared to Norton VPN due to having a wider server net, more flexible plan choices, faster connection speeds, better compatibility with streaming, torrenting, and gaming, and more advanced security features. That said, Norton VPN is not a bad choice; it’s simply better suited for casual browsing and ensuring coverage of essential cybersecurity points.

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FAQ

Is Nord owned by Norton?

No, NordVPN is not owned by Norton. NordVPN is owned by Nord Security and was launched in 2012, while Gen Digital, a US-based company, owns Norton VPN, which was launched in 2019.

Is Norton VPN better than NordVPN?

No, Norton VPN is not better than NordVPN. In fact, during our in-house testing, we found that NordVPN outperforms Norton VPN in all possible areas, including global server coverage, connection speeds, suitability for gaming, streaming, torrenting, privacy, and security features. That said, Norton VPN can still be a good choice if you need a VPN strictly for casual browsing.

What is the difference between NordVPN and Norton VPN?

NordVPN offers more servers, faster speeds, better compatibility, and advanced security features, making it a more versatile choice. Meanwhile, Norton VPN offers fewer servers, is incompatible with P2P traffic, and does not offer as many security features, making it a more suitable choice for casual browsing.

Does NordVPN work with Norton antivirus?

Yes, NordVPN can be used with Norton antivirus without issues. Because these programs serve different functions – one is a VPN, and the other is antivirus software – using both of them at the same time does not cause any conflict and can greatly enhance your cybersecurity.