NordVPN vs PureVPN
We give NordVPN a 2.4 GPA and PureVPN a 2.2, out of 4.0. NordVPN grades higher on the free plan and ease of use. PureVPN grades higher on value for money. They get the same grade on features and platforms.
Price, platforms and features side by side. The table says where each price was read and when.
NordVPN
Subscription VPN with threat protection and Meshnet device links
PureVPN
VPN sold in three tiers that add a password manager and data removal
How we grade them
| 2.4GPANordVPNFair | 2.2GPAPureVPNFair | |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | DOnly Nord's renewal prices could be read: Basic renews at $139.08 a year, so two years on record come to $278.16, about $11.59 a month, the dearest in this category. The first-term price for new customers wasn't readable, so a first purchase may cost less. | BThe 2-year Standard plan bills $58.20 for the first 27 months, so two years cost about $2.43 a month, inside the cheaper quarter of VPNs. It then renews at $47.95 a year, below the middle. Monthly is $12.95. |
| Free plan and trial | DA 7-day free trial of the 1- and 2-year top-tier plans, but only for new customers in the US and 14 other countries, and it needs a card or PayPal. The 30-day money-back guarantee isn't a trial. | FNothing free: no free plan, and the 7-day trial costs $0.99, then bills $47.95 for a year unless you cancel. The 31-day money-back guarantee isn't a trial either. |
| Features | BNordLynx, NordWhisper, OpenVPN and IKEv2 with a kill switch, malware and ad blocking, Double VPN, Onion Over VPN, obfuscated servers, Meshnet, Dark Web Monitor and dedicated IPs. Nothing in the listing is missing from a VPN's job. | B10 devices, WireGuard, OpenVPN and IKEv2, obfuscated servers, a kill switch, split tunneling and a tracker blocker on every plan, plus a password manager on Plus. Port forwarding and dedicated IPs cost extra, but the core job is covered. |
| Ease of use | A4.7 from about 709,000 App Store ratings, the biggest crowd in this category. Install, sign in, tap connect. | C4.36 from about 7,900 App Store ratings, under the 4.5 a B needs, and short of the 10,000 ratings that would let a 4.3 count. |
| Platforms and integrations | BMac, Windows, Linux, iPhone and Android, plus Chrome, Firefox and Edge extensions. There's no integration list or API on record, so it stops at B. | BWindows, Mac, Linux, iPhone, Android, and Chrome and Firefox extensions. There's no integration list or API on record, so it stops at B. |
| Best for | a big-name VPN for up to 10 devices | a VPN with privacy extras on the same bill |
The GPA is the average of the five grades: an A is 4 points, an F is none. The full reasons are on each tool's page: NordVPN and PureVPN. How we grade
Price against what you get
NordVPN starts at $11.59 a month when paid by the year and scores 3.3 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. PureVPN starts at $4 a month when paid by the year and scores 2.7.
NordVPN scores higher, and starts $7.59 a month higher: the question is whether the extra is worth that to you. Of the other VPNs on the chart, none scores higher than NordVPN for less, and 3 score higher than PureVPN for less.
Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
- The best score at each price
- Has a free plan
- No free plan
Where they differ
- NordVPN starts at $139.08 per year at renewal (Basic 1-year plan). PureVPN starts at $47.95 per year at renewal (Standard), after a first 27 months for $58.20.
- PureVPN also covers password manager.
At a glance
| NordVPN | PureVPN | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free trial | Paid |
| Starts at | $139.08 per year at renewal (Basic 1-year plan) | $47.95 per year at renewal (Standard), after a first 27 months for $58.20 |
| Free plan | None | None |
| Free trial | 7-day free trial of 1- and 2-year top-tier plans for new users in the US and 14 other countries | None listed |
| macOS | ||
| Windows | ||
| Linux | ||
| iOS | ||
| Android | ||
| Browser extension | ||
| Made by | Nord Security | GZ Systems Limited |
| Price read from | my.nordaccount.com | purevpn.com |
| Checked | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 17, 2026 |
Who each one suits
NordVPN
- Households covering up to 10 devices on one account
- People who want ad and malware blocking in the VPN app
- Linking home devices to each other privately with Meshnet
PureVPN
- Households that need a VPN on up to 10 devices
- Buyers who want a password manager and data removal billed with the VPN
- People who need a dedicated IP or port forwarding as an add-on
Worth knowing
NordVPN
- Nord's pricing page turned away automated readers, so the first-term prices it advertises are missing here; only the US 1-year renewal prices could be read.
- Nord's renewal list also names an Ultimate 1-year tier at $256.68 for the US; plan names vary by country.
- The 30-day money-back guarantee covers the first purchase only; renewals are not refundable under it, and App Store purchases go through Apple.
- The free trial is limited to new customers in 15 countries and needs a credit card or PayPal.
PureVPN
- Advertised prices cover the first 27 or 16 months only; plans then renew yearly at $47.95 to $89.95, depending on tier and term.
- There is no free trial. A 7-day trial costs $0.99 (Standard) or $1.99 (Max), then bills $47.95 or $89.95 for 12 months unless cancelled.
- Refunds fall under a 31-day money-back guarantee, subject to PureVPN's fair-use terms.
- PureVPN for Teams is sold separately, at $7 per user a month on annual billing, with a central dashboard.
Key features
NordVPN
- Protocols
- Choose between NordLynx (built on WireGuard), Nord's own NordWhisper, OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPsec, with an automatic kill switch and DNS leak protection.
- Real-time protection
- Scans files for malware and blocks harmful websites; the App Store listing adds tracker and ad blocking, depending on device and plan.
- Specialty servers
- Double VPN sends traffic through two servers, Onion Over VPN adds the Tor network, and obfuscated servers make VPN traffic look like ordinary traffic.
- Meshnet
- Links your own devices into a private network so they can reach each other without exposing your real IP address.
- Dark Web Monitor
- Watches for your email address and other personal details turning up in data leaks and alerts you when they do.
- Dedicated IP
- A fixed personal IP address, bought on its own or in a bundle, for services that only accept allow-listed addresses.
PureVPN
- Up to 10 devices
- One account can be logged in on 10 devices at once. A Multi-login add-on gives 10 more.
- Protocols and obfuscation
- WireGuard, OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPSec, plus obfuscated servers that make VPN traffic look like ordinary HTTPS on networks that block VPNs.
- Kill switch and split tunneling
- The kill switch cuts the internet connection if the VPN drops, and split tunneling picks which apps go through the VPN.
- Tracker and ad blocker
- Included on every plan, to block ads and the trackers that follow you between sites.
- Privacy extras on higher tiers
- Plus adds a password manager. Max adds requests to remove your data from data brokers, dark web alerts, and a 3GB eSIM valid for 30 days, resold from Truely.
- Paid network add-ons
- Dedicated IPs, port forwarding, a dedicated server, DDoS-protected IPs and a US residential network are sold as extras.
Plans
NordVPN
Basic 1-year$139.08
per year, the US renewal price of a 1-year plan
The VPN-only tier. Nord's first-term price for new customers could not be read, so only the renewal price is shown.
Standard 1-year$149.88
per year, the US renewal price of a 1-year plan
Priced between Basic and Plus at renewal. Nord's first-term price for new customers could not be read.
Plus 1-year$179.88
per year, the US renewal price of a 1-year plan
Priced between Standard and Complete at renewal. Nord's first-term price for new customers could not be read.
Complete 1-year$219.48
per year, the US renewal price of a 1-year plan
Adds NordPass and NordLocker to the VPN. First-term price not readable; this is the 1-year renewal price.
Ultra 1-year$269.88
per year, the US renewal price of a 1-year plan
One of the top tiers that the 7-day free trial covers. First-term price not readable; this is the renewal price.
Prime 1-year$296.28
per year, the US renewal price of a 1-year plan
The dearest US tier on Nord's renewal list, and one the free trial covers. First-term price not readable.
PureVPN
Standard, 2 years$47.95
per year at renewal, after a first term of 27 months
VPN and tracker blocker. The first 27 months cost $58.20 ($2.15 a month), then it renews each year at $47.95.
Standard, 1 year$57.95
per year at renewal, after a first term of 16 months
VPN and tracker blocker. The first 16 months cost $40.80 ($2.55 a month), then it renews each year at $57.95.
Standard, 1 month$12.95
per month
VPN and tracker blocker, renewing monthly at the same price.
Plus, 2 years$69.95
per year at renewal, after a first term of 27 months
Adds the password manager. First 27 months $73.80 ($2.73 a month). Also 1 year ($72.80 for the first 16 months, then $69.95) or $17.95 a month.
Max, 2 years$84.95
per year at renewal, after a first term of 27 months
Adds data removal, dark web monitoring and a 3GB eSIM. First 27 months $95.85. Also 1 year ($88.80 for 16 months, then $89.95) or $19.95 a month.
Ways to pay less
NordVPN
- Education
Student discount for ages 18 to 26
Nord's help center says students and apprentices aged 18 to 26 can get an additional discount. The size of the discount is not stated there.
PureVPN
- Other savings
First 27 months of a 2-year plan from $58.20
Standard costs $58.20, Plus $73.80 and Max $95.85 for the first 27 months (24 plus 3 extra). They then renew every 12 months at $47.95, $69.95 and $84.95.
- Other savings
First 16 months of a 1-year plan from $40.80
Standard costs $40.80, Plus $72.80 and Max $88.80 for the first 16 months (12 plus 4 extra), before renewing yearly at $57.95, $69.95 and $89.95.
