NordVPN vs VyprVPN 2024

James Everard

Senior Writer

If you follow any vloggers or you’ve switched on the TV, you’ve probably heard of NordVPN. It seems to sponsor everything in sight, from podcasts to sports. On the other hand, VyprVPN might not sound so familiar. This got me thinking — can a smaller service outmuscle one of the biggest and loudest VPNs on the market?

We subjected both VPNs to our rigorous testing strategy. We scrutinized everything from top to bottom and compared every detail. And, although it didn’t win every category, we found an overall winner.

NordVPN isn’t just bigger; it’s faster, more secure, and has better features. However, there may be some circumstances where VyprVPN is the preferable service. The app is more compact and a little simpler, but that’s mainly because there aren’t as many features to get stuck into.

Short on Time? Here Are My Key Findings

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Streaming — NordVPN Works With More Platforms

Both of these VPNs can stream in Ultra HD with minimal buffering and no lag. The difference comes in the platforms that each service works with. NordVPN is a streaming heavyweight and had no issues with most of the platforms we tested.

However, we found that VyprVPN didn’t even work with Netflix. We got the dreaded proxy error while testing every Netflix library, no matter the time of day.

All of NordVPN's UK locations worked with iPlayer in our tests

Smart DNS is another factor in which NordVPN is way ahead. This is built into the VPN’s regular apps, but you can still use it if you use a device that doesn’t support them (like smart TVs or game consoles). With a few clicks, you can watch a variety of content in HD from anywhere on all your devices.

Once we found a platform that worked with VyprVPN, such as Disney+, it streamed smoothly in HD. But be prepared for many major services to block you out. That said, both services worked well with UK platforms such as ITVX, Channel 4, and My5.

VyprVPN only has one UK location but it worked with Disney+ and iPlayer

Winner

NordVPN edges out VyprVPN as the better choice for streaming due to its robust performance across both major and lesser-known platforms. Plus, you get a nifty smart DNS feature for more extensive device support. These features make NordVPN particularly effective for streaming enthusiasts looking for uninterrupted, high-quality viewing from anywhere.

Server Network — NordVPN is Bigger and Better

NordVPN boasts a massive server network with 111 servers across 6,700 countries, which supports a range of activities from streaming to secure browsing without lag, even at peak times. On the other hand, VyprVPN operates a smaller network but maintains full control over all its servers, which enhances security and potentially increases reliability.

When it comes to obfuscation, NordVPN provides servers that help bypass network restrictions effectively, maintaining speed and accessibility. VyprVPN answers with its Chameleon protocol, designed to break through tough blocks on college and workplace networks.

NordVPN shines with its specialized servers like Obfuscated, P2P, Double VPN (for double encryption), and Onion Over VPN. The latter lets you access the dark web on a regular browser without the notorious additional slowdowns of the Tor browser. VyprVPN offers no such specialty servers.

Winner

NordVPN takes the lead with its larger and more diverse server network. Its robust server infrastructure ensures that you can enjoy consistent and fast connections, which is ideal for everything from streaming in Ultra HD from anywhere to secure and private browsing.

Speed — NordVPN Is Far Faster

We subjected both VPNs to a stringent set of speed tests to determine the fastest. We used NordLynx for NordVPN and WireGuard for VyprVPN since those are the fastest. Our tests were carried out from Glasgow in the UK and proved conclusive, especially in the all-important download category. Our starting speeds were circa 250 Mbps.

On local UK tests, NordVPN gave an 11% reduction, which was barely noticeable. VyprVPN’s slowdowns were double, at 22%. But the gap was even more dramatic over longer distances.

NordVPN's ping was also notably quick

When connecting to a server in New York, NordVPN’s reduction was just 14%, whereas VyprVPN shaved off a massive 61%. The most significant reduction was a whopping 92% from Singapore, whereas NordVPN’s drop was just 27% over the same distance.

VyprVPN's ping was also very sluggish

The difference in upload speed was less sharp, with only a few percent separating the services across most distances.

Winner

NordVPN is noted for its fast speeds, and it had more bite than VyprVPN across most of our tests.

Gaming — NordVPN Takes the Win With Faster Ping

Ping is the all-important stat when it comes to gaming. It measures the latency between your commands and the on-screen action in milliseconds. We examined the ping of each service from the UK with a base of around 24 ms. Under 100 ms is considered optimum for responsive gameplay.

Both services performed well from nearby UK servers, although NordVPN was notably quicker. But the difference was more acute over distance. When connecting to a server in New York, VyprVPN’s ping of 174 ms wasn’t practical for responsive gaming. Conversely, NordVPN performed much better at 95 ms.

NordVPN's superior download speeds are also an advantage for online gaming

Winner

NordVPN offers faster speeds and quicker ping across almost all distances. Meanwhile, its Threat Protection malicious content blocker offers defense against DDoS attacks, whereas VyprVPN offers no such equivalent.

Torrenting — NordVPN Offers Faster Downloads

If you prioritize quick download speeds and an extensive server selection for P2P activities, NordVPN provides a clear advantage.

VyprVPN supports torrenting on all its servers, offering you flexibility without the need to select specific P2P options. However, NordVPN’s specialized torrenting servers enhance your download speeds, which we found was particularly noticeable during peak hours.

NordVPN also offers a SOCKS5 proxy that you can configure to a P2P download client. It doesn’t encrypt your data, so it’s not as safe as a VPN, but it offers faster speeds when security isn’t your main priority. While VyprVPN provides a proxy, it’s only a browser extension for Chrome and can’t be configured to download clients.

While NordVPN includes an ad and malware blocker, VyprVPN does not, leaving you to rely on external software for these protections. This could sway your decision if you are concerned about encountering ads or potential threats during your torrenting sessions.

Please note that while torrenting is legal in most regions, downloading copyrighted material is not. Please use your VPN responsibly and within the laws of your region.

Winner

NordVPN edges out VyprVPN in the torrenting sphere due to its enhanced security features, superior server speeds, and additional protections like its integrated ad blocker.

Security — NordVPN Offers More to Keep You Secure

Both VPNs offer a good range of protocols. VyprVPN offers the open-source, industry-standard built-for-speed protocol, WireGuard. NordVPN improves on this offering by fixing a security flaw via double-NAT technology to bring you NordLynx. Meanwhile, VyprVPN offers its own proprietary protocol, Chameleon, to bypass strict firewalls.

For a more in-depth guide on protocols and how they differ, check out our VPN protocol comparison guide.

Regarding leak protection, NordVPN and VyprVPN ensure your personal information is shielded from IPv6, DNS, and WebRTC leaks. NordVPN further secures your data by routing DNS requests through its own servers, which adds an extra layer of protection.

Both providers are serious about their no-logs policies, supported by independent audits. However, the frequency and recency of NordVPN’s audits convey a stronger commitment to privacy. This is complemented by its RAM-based servers that guarantee data is wiped every reboot, a safeguard not implemented by VyprVPN.

NordVPN blocked an impressive 91% of ads and malicious content

Most impressively, NordVPN offers its highly adjustable Threat Protection ad and malicious content blocker. This proved to be highly effective in our tests, blocking considerably more online threats and annoyances than VyprVPN could with encryption alone.

VyprVPN's encryption blocked just 4% of online threats in our tests

I need to note, however, that NordVPN was the victim of a breach in 2019. Only one server was affected, and the hacker never obtained any user logs or credentials. It’s also important to know that the attack occurred as a result of a third-party data center being misconfigured, not NordVPN itself.

When NordVPN was made aware of the breach, it removed the server from its network, stopped working with that provider, and launched an internal infrastructure audit. Since then, it has taken steps to improve its security, and a breach hasn’t occurred since.

Personally, I feel confident that NordVPN’s secure environment will keep my data safe, but this might not be the case for everyone. VyprVPN hasn’t fallen victim to any breaches yet, which I find surprising given the rise of attacks worldwide.

Winner

NordVPN wins again with a more versatile security package that adapts to a variety of needs and threats. Its extensive features, such as Double VPN, Onion Over VPN, and Threat Protection, offer layers of security that VyprVPN lacks.

Privacy — NordVPN Has You Covered

You might appreciate the strong no-logging policies of both NordVPN and VyprVPN, each offering robust no-log practices. However, NordVPN's operation out of Panama gives you the edge in privacy over VyprVPN's US base, in the heart of the 5 Eyes Alliance.

Privacy audits are a critical area for both VPNs, undergoing regular checks by third parties. NordVPN’s audits extend to its server infrastructure, giving you additional peace of mind about the security and confidentiality of your data. On the other hand, VyprVPN’s focus on app and system audits assures you that it adheres to strict privacy standards.

Another bonus for NordVPN is that it offers crypto payments, so you can leave no trace of your subscription. VyprVPN doesn’t currently offer such an option.

Winner

NordVPN beats VyprVPN in several key areas. Its jurisdiction in Panama offers fewer legal risks compared to the US, and its comprehensive infrastructure audits demonstrate a deeper commitment to privacy protection.

Works in China — Draw

Most VPNs simply don’t have the infrastructure nor the customer demand to provide a service in China, and that’s the case with both of these. Therefore, we don’t recommend using NordVPN or VyprVPN in China.

While both services include some troubleshooting tips on their respective websites, neither guarantees a consistent service. If you need a VPN in the country, check out our top-rated VPNs for use in China.

Winner - draw

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You may have intermittent success with each in China, given NordVPN’s Obfuscated servers and VyprVPN’s Chameleon protocol. But, we recommend neither service as a viable option for use in the country.

Installation & Ease of Use — Both Are User-Friendly

Both NordVPN and VyprVPN offer intuitive installation processes. However, you might appreciate that NordVPN provides clearer guidance through its setup steps, especially on mobile devices, making it slightly more accessible for you if you are not as tech-savvy.

When considering APK availability, both VPNs provide direct downloads from their websites. Both VPNs ensure that installing via APK is secure and reliable, helping you set up the application without needing to use app stores.

NordVPN's settings may look complex but you can configure them with a few clicks

In terms of usability, NordVPN’s large map is a bit clunky and annoying. You can choose to use a more typical dashboard, though, and I like that every other menu is easier to find your way around. NordVPN also offers extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, so you can also choose to use a simpler app to protect only your browser traffic.

In comparison, VyprVPN’s app is compact and sleek, and it’s a bit more obvious where you need to go for certain features.

VyprVPN's app is sleek and compact

Winner

It’s a close call, but NordVPN wins thanks to its browser extensions that make life a little simpler if you’re less tech-savvy. However, both services can be installed on mobile and PC in under 2 minutes, and both have user-friendly apps. They look quite different, and which you prefer may be down to personal preference.

Reliability & Support — VyprVPN’s Agents Are Friendly and Fast

First up, I highly value human agents when it comes to live chat. VyprVPN’s service is fast and friendly, and answered some highly technical questions during my testing. NordVPN’s agents are also good once you get to speak to them, but you have to go through a chatbot Q&A session first. I rarely get the answers I need from chatbots, so I found this a little tedious.

Live chat aside, both VPNs offer solid knowledge bases on their websites.

Winner

This is another close-fought battle, but the ease of accessing VyprVPN’s live agents swung it for me. Otherwise, both VPNs offer plenty of options if you run into any issues.

Pricing

	NordVPN	VyprVPN
Starting Price	$2.99/month	$3/month
Price (On Renewal)	$139.08 per year (subject to change)	$60 per year (subject to change)
Money-Back Guarantee (Days)	30 days	30 days
Number of devices per license	10	5
Router Setup (for Unlimited Devices)	Extensive router support	Limited router support

If you’re concerned about how much NordVPN invests in its advertising and promotion, you can relax. It offers far more than VyprVPN for a comparable price. Both VPNs offer 1-month, 1-year, and 2-year plans that are similarly priced. As such, NordVPN offers considerably better value, given you’ll get far more features for your money.

However, beware of NordVPN’s hefty price hike on renewal. Because of this, I recommend canceling your contract and resubscribing if you choose to go with NordVPN (there’s nothing in the T&Cs to prevent you from doing this, but it may be subject to change, so be sure to check for yourself).

If you just want to subscribe and stick with autorenewal, there’s something to be said for VyprVPN. It’s far cheaper in the long run, and while NordVPN is better, it’s debatable if it’s worth the price hike.

1-month plans are similarly priced, so if you’re looking short-term, NordVPN is again by far the better option.

Winner

NordVPN is considerably better value, with a wider range of features features and a more powerful service. But beware of the autorenewal price if you want to use it long-term.

Our Methodology for Testing NordVPN vs VyprVPN

We subjected both VPNs to a rigorous testing process. We analyzed each service for specific use cases like streaming, torrenting, and gaming, plus we took a broader look at speeds, security, and privacy credentials. We took all of this into context when analyzing the cost of each service.

For further details on our criteria, take a look at our testing methodology page. Here, you’ll find a breakdown of our processes, which you can use as the basis for your own testing.

NordVPN vs. VyprVPN — Reddit Opinions

Both VPNs have fans on Reddit who praise them for their torrenting capabilities. There are also numerous long-term users of both services who vouch for their reliability. There were, however, a few long-term users of VyprVPN who found it had stopped working with major streaming platforms, which tallies with our findings.

Many fans of NordVPN and VyprVPN on Reddit are long-term users