NordVPN will prove attractive to users with multiple devices looking for top-notch encrypted protection for their internet connections.
NordVPN is a great option for users looking for a VPN service that takes your privacy seriously.
How to Choose a VPN
In this round of one-on-one action, I’ll be pitting NordVPN against VyprVPN.
I’ll cover the 10 most important factors to consider when searching for the right VPN provider. I’ll explain why each category is important and reveal how well each provider performed in each category. I’ll also declare a winner for each category.
At the end of the article, when I declare an overall champion, you should have enough information on hand to make a well-informed choice between the two providers.
Connection Speed
You do work on your Windows 10 computer, conduct Skype calls on your iPad and watch 4K video on your Apple TV 4K. So, you tell me: Is connection speed an important consideration when searching for a VPN provider? (The correct answer is “yes.”)
Pixel Privacy uses the Speedtest.net app to test VPN connection speeds. (The app generally provides more accurate test results than the browser-based test available on the Speedtest website.)
We perform our VPN connection speed tests as follows:
- We run the tests using a Windows virtual server with a gigabit Ethernet connection, which is based in North America.
- 3 different users connect to 3 different VPN locations for each provider – the United Kingdom, the United States and Hong Kong – at 3 different times of day for 3 days.
- We use the Windows version of the provider’s app, connecting using the OpenVPN protocol over UDP.
Average Connection Speed
In our latest connection speed tests, our providers were a study in contrasts. While one provider was a bit lacking in this department, the other delivered above-average download speeds.
VyprVPN supplied an average download speed of 37.44 Mbps, providing plenty of speed, able to handle any online activity I can think of.
Meanwhile, NordVPN’s average download speeds measured in at less than a third as fast as CyberGhost. However, their 17.90 Mbps download speeds can handle most online activities.
Please note that your download speeds will vary due to your usual ISP-provided connection speeds, as well as your location and that of the VPN server you’re connecting to.
Average Connection Speed Winner: VyprVPN
Pricing
Both providers offer annual subscription rates that should be attractive to bargain shoppers who don’t want to sacrifice a high level of VPN service in order to save their wallet.
VyprVPN’s month-to-month tariff will run about the same as a “Movies Under $10” purchase from iTunes, while its annual subscription price averages out to around half that per month.
Meanwhile, NordVPN charges a couple of dollars more per month than VyprVPN for both their monthly and annual subscription options.
Many VPN services offer special pricing on a regular basis. So, visit a provider’s website to find out their current pricing.
Pricing Winner: VyprVPN
Privacy
Let’s keep this simple: if you’re online, someone is watching you.
Be it your ISP collecting information about your online travels for sale to their advertisers or a hacker looking to snag a credit card number or five – no matter who it is, someone is watching your every online action.
Always consider the following when researching a VPN provider’s privacy protections:
- How do the privacy laws look in the country the provider is based in?
- What type of customer usage logs, if any, does the provider save?
- Does the provider accept Bitcoin or other private payment options for a subscription?
Panama-based NordVPN follows their home country’s privacy-friendly data retention laws and keeps no logs of any kind. They also happily accept Bitcoin as payment for their considerable services.
Although VyprVPN is based in Switzerland, where VPNs are not required to save logs, they used to keep limited logs for up to 30 days. However, since I last featured VyprVPN in a head-to-head matchup, VyprVPN has gone totally “no logs” on their servers. They also now own and operate all of their server farms.
VyprVPN still doesn’t accept Bitcoin or any other forms of privacy-protecting payments.
Privacy Winner: Tied!
Features
When you’re researching a VPN provider, it’s easy to get hung up on just one or two features. That’s never a good idea.
Even if you’re considering a VPN for one particular reason, you’ll soon learn that VPNs are an excellent tool for protecting and enhancing numerous online activities.
So, pay attention to all of the features I’ll be covering here, which will allow you to make a well-considered buying decision. In each section, I’ll consider how well both providers perform and then reveal the top provider for that category.
Security
Encryption is how a VPN provider keeps your online activities from prying eyes. Encryption acts like a tunnel, shielding the internet traffic inside from being tracked.
NordVPN offers government-grade AES-256 encryption for their customers’ connections, using OpenVPN with TCP/UDP, IKEv2/IPsec, L2TP/IPSec, PPTP and SSTP protocols. Also available are kill switch protection, malicious website blocking, DNS leak and IPv6 leak protection, as well as Double VPN and obfuscated connections options.
VyprVPN also encrypts their connections using AES-256 encryption and offers the PPTP, OpenVPN and L2TP/IPsec protocols. An optional “Chameleon” protocol, which “scrambles” data, is available for an extra fee. The provider offers kill switch protection, as well as DNS leak and IPv6 leak prevention.
Encryption Winner: It’s a Tie!
Simultaneous Connections
You probably have multiple devices, and you’ll likely find that many of those devices will need to be protected at the same time.
NordVPN allows 6 simultaneous connections. VyprVPN allows only 3 connections at once, unless you opt for their “Premium” plan, which allows 5.
Simultaneous Connections Winner: NordVPN
Streaming Support
You likely subscribe to multiple streaming services. I myself have lost count of the streaming services I subscribe to, yet I just recently added to the list Apple TV+ (I scored a free year when I bought a new iPhone) and Disney+ (I have a 3-year-old granddaughter – YOU tell her she can’t watch “Frozen” at Pop-Pop’s house).
You’ve also likely noticed that many streaming services are only available in certain regions, or that the streamers will restrict their content on a country-by-country basis. That’s why it’s so important to subscribe to a VPN.
NordVPN unblocks numerous streaming services, both in the U.S. and around the world. Unblocked services include: Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, HBO, Showtime, Hulu, Disney+ and others.
VyprVPN also offers access to a large number of streaming services, both domestic and international. Unblocked services include Netflix, Hulu, ESPN+, CBS All Access and many more.
Streaming Support Winner: It’s a Tie – it all comes down to which streaming services you subscribe to.
BitTorrent Support
Peer-to-peer (P2P, also known as BitTorrenting) file sharing is a popular activity on the web. However, it’s also a controversial one.
File-sharing technology is not illegal in itself. (Many businesses use it to share files among their personnel, and some game publishers use the technology to distribute game updates).
Unfortunately, many P2P users share copyrighted files, including movies, music and apps. This activity is why some ISPs either throttle or completely block P2P activity on their networks. A VPN can be used to prevent this.
A VPN keeps your online activities safe from observation by your ISP (and other third parties), encasing your internet connection in a layer of protective encryption.
Are you one of the millions of online users who share files via P2P/BitTorrent?
If so, you’ll appreciate a VPN provider that allows you to engage in the activity while connected to their servers. Without a VPN protecting you, your ISP could block you – or worse, a movie studio lawyer could come looking for you!
NordVPN allows BitTorrenting on servers in 46 countries.
VyprVPN allows P2P/BitTorrent connections via all of their servers, in all 64 counties where they have servers.
BitTorrent Support Winner: VyprVPN
Global Server Coverage
If you’re looking to unblock the greatest amount of streaming video and audio content, or gaming servers that aren’t usually available in your area, a VPN provider’s global server coverage will be an important consideration. More servers equals more unblocking power.
NordVPN has over 5,400 servers positioned in 59 countries around the world.
VyprVPN’s server coverage consists of 700+ servers located in 64 countries.
Global Server Coverage Winner: VyprVPN
Multi-Platform Support
You’re sitting in front of your desktop or laptop right now, with your tablet sitting within reach, while your iPhone checks your email account for new messages. Oh, and the kids are enjoying a Disney movie in the front room on an Apple TV.
Yeah, a VPN provider that supports as many device platforms as possible is important.
VyprVPN offers native app support for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Android TV and Linux devices, and an app for some Tomato-flashed routers. No browser extensions are available.
NordVPN’s native app support includes apps for the Android, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android TV and iOS platforms.The provider also offers support for Tomato and DD-WRT-flashed routers, as well as certain other brands of routers. Also available are Firefox and Chrome browser extensions.
Multi-Platform Support Winner: NordVPN, thanks to its browser support.
Customer Support
Customer support is like a Band-Aid. It sucks when you have to use it, but it’s a real help with fixing things when you need it.
VyprVPN offers a 24/7 live support chat option, a trouble ticket system and an easy-to-use knowledge base.
NordVPN provides email support, a searchable support library and 24/7 live support chat.
Customer Support Winner: Tied
And The Winner Is…
VyprVPN proved to be the victor of this one-on-one battle, thanks to the fact that it performed best in 4 VPN service categories.
VyprVPN proved to be the victor in the connection speed, pricing, BitTorrent and global server coverage categories.
As for NordVPN, it came out on top in the simultaneous connections and multi-platform support arenas.
The competitors were dead even in the privacy, streaming, security and customer support categories, where both offered excellent protection.
While both providers deliver satisfactory VPN protections, VyprVPN is the victor of this head-to-head runoff, and should be particularly attractive to users that appreciate a low price, fast connections, and optimal customer support.
