


Choosing the right VPN can feel like navigating a minefield.
You want something that keeps your online activity private and secure, but you don’t want to break the bank.
Two popular options often pop up: NordVPN vs FastestVPN.
They both promise to protect your data, but which one actually comes out on top regarding security?
In this post, we’ll break down the key security features of each VPN to help you make an informed decision.
Overview
To give you the most accurate comparison, we’ve spent weeks testing both NordVPN and FastestVPN.
We’ve evaluated their performance in real-world scenarios, examining everything from speed and security to streaming capabilities and customer support.
This hands-on experience allows us to provide an insightful look at how these VPNs stack up against each other.
NordVPN has over 5,700 servers in 60 countries and boasts an average download speed of 360 Mbps!
Pricing: 30-day money-back guarantee. Plan Starts at $3.39/month
Key Features:
- Military-grade encryption
- Threat Protection
- Dark Web Monitor
FastestVPN protects your privacy with 550+ servers and a no-logs policy. Enjoy the features!
Pricing: 31-day money-back guarantee. Plan Starts at $0.83/month
Key Features:
- NAT Firewall
- P2P Optimized Servers
- Internet Kill Switch
What is NordVPN?
Ever heard of NordVPN? It’s one of the biggest names in the VPN world.
And for good reason. They’ve been around for a while and have a solid reputation.
NordVPN offers a huge network of servers. We’re talking over 5,700 servers in 60 countries.
This means you can get around those pesky geo-restrictions and access content from anywhere.
Plus, they have some pretty impressive security features.
Also, explore our favorite NordVPN alternatives…
Our Take
NordVPN gets a 9/10 because it offers a fantastic combination of security, features, and ease of use. The massive server network and strong security features make it an excellent choice for most users
Key Benefits
- Massive server network: Boasts over 5,500 servers in 60 countries.
- Strong security: Uses AES-256 encryption and a variety of security protocols.
- Specialty servers: Offers dedicated servers for streaming, torrenting, and extra security.
- Strict no-logs policy: They don’t track your online activity.
- 30-day money-back guarantee: Plenty of time to try it risk-free.
Pricing
- Basic: $3.39/month – 1GB of free eSim Data, Secure, high-speed VPN.
- Plus: $4.39/month – 5GB of free eSim Data, Secure, high-speed VPN.
- Complete: $5.39/month – 10GB of free eSim Data, Secure, high-speed VPN.
Pros
Cons
What is FastestVPN?
Now, let’s talk about FastestVPN. It’s a newer player in the VPN game.
But don’t let that fool you. They’re quickly making a name for themselves.
FastestVPN aims to provide a simple and affordable VPN service. They have over 550+ servers in 40+ countries.
While this isn’t as extensive as NordVPN, it still covers various locations.
Also, explore our favorite FastestVPN alternatives…
Our Take
FastestVPN is popular because it delivers on its promise of fast speeds. It’s a good option for performance-critical tasks like gaming and torrenting.
Key Benefits
- Fast speeds: Fully optimized for performance.
- P2P optimized servers: Good for torrenting.
- Affordable pricing: Offers competitive plans.
- 15-day money-back guarantee: Try it risk-free.
Pricing
- Exclusive Offer: $0.83/month
- 1 Month Plan: $5/month
- Lifetime Plan: $40 For Lifetime.
Pros
Cons
Feature Comparison
Let’s dive into a detailed comparison of NordVPN and FastestVPN’s features.
We’ll look at what each VPN has to offer to help you decide which virtual private network is right for you.
1. Server Network & Locations
- NordVPN: This vpn provider boasts a massive network with over 5,700 servers in 60 countries. This wide array of nordvpn servers makes it easy to find a fast and stable vpn connection.
- FastestVPN: Fastestvpn servers are much more limited, with around 550 servers in over 40 countries. This smaller network offers fewer choices for connecting to a specific location.
2. VPN Protocols
- NordVPN: NordVPN uses a variety of VPN protocols, including the OpenVPN and its own WireGuard-based protocol, NordLynx. NordLynx is a major reason why the nordvpn review scores often mention it as one of the fastest.
- FastestVPN: FastestVPN supports the OpenVPN and IKEv2 vpn protocol. While effective for privacy and security, this selection isn’t as diverse as what NordVPN offers.
3. Advanced Privacy Features
- NordVPN: The service offers advanced privacy features like Double VPN and Onion Over VPN. The Tor Network integration provides an extra layer of anonymity. It also has a strict no-logs policy, which has been independently audited.
- FastestVPN: FastestVPN also has a no-logs policy and a kill switch to prevent data leaks if your vpn connection drops. However, it lacks the advanced features like Tor over VPN or Double VPN.
4. IP Addresses & Dedication
- NordVPN: When you use a VPN connection, NordVPN encrypts your traffic and assigns you a shared IP address. They also have an option for a dedicated IP address for an extra fee.
- FastestVPN: FastestVPN also assigns you a shared IP address. It offers a dedicated IP address as an add-on, giving you a consistent vpn ip address.
5. Streaming & P2P
- NordVPN: NordVPN is excellent for streaming, consistently unblocking major streaming services. It has streaming optimized servers that ensure a smooth experience.
- FastestVPN: The fastestvpn review on streaming is mixed. It works with some services but is not as reliable as NordVPN. It does, however, support P2P file-sharing on all servers.
6. Simultaneous Connections & Apps
- NordVPN: A standard nordvpn subscription allows for 6 simultaneous connections. The nordvpn app is available on a wide range of devices, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and more.
- FastestVPN: FastestVPN offers 10 simultaneous connections, which is a great value. The vpn app is available on most platforms and also has browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox.
7. Pricing & Money-Back Guarantee
- NordVPN: The price for a nordvpn subscription is generally higher than FastestVPN, especially for its monthly plan. However, they have a very generous 30 day money back guarantee.
- FastestVPN: FastestVPN comes in at a much lower price point, making it a budget-friendly vpn offer. They also have a money-back guarantee, though it’s typically shorter than NordVPN’s.
8. Additional Services
- NordVPN: NordVPN offers a suite of cybersecurity tools. This includes NordPass, a password manager, and NordLocker, a service for encrypted cloud storage.
- FastestVPN: FastestVPN includes features like an ad blocker, malware protection, and NAT Firewall. It also offers optional port forwarding for an extra fee.
9. Smart Tunneling (Split Tunneling)
- NordVPN: NordVPN includes a split tunneling feature, allowing you to choose which apps use the virtual private network and which ones don’t.
- FastestVPN: The FastestVPN app also includes a split tunneling feature on some of its applications, giving you more control over your vpn usage.
What to Look for When Choosing a VPN?
- Specific Needs: Consider what you’ll primarily use the VPN for. Streaming? Gaming? Remote work? Bypassing censorship? This will help you prioritize features like speed, server locations, and security protocols.
- Device Compatibility: Ensure the VPN supports all your devices (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, etc.).
- Simultaneous Connections: Check how many devices you can connect with a single account.
- Logging Policy: If privacy is paramount, opt for a VPN with a strict no-logs policy.
- Customer Support: A responsive customer support team can be invaluable if you encounter issues.
- Free Trials and Refunds: Before committing to a long-term plan, you can test the VPN using free trials or money-back guarantees.
- Independent Audits: Look for VPNs that undergo independent security audits to verify their claims.
Final Verdict
So, which VPN comes out on top? For us, it’s NordVPN. It offers a fantastic balance of speed, security, and features.
NordVPN is one of the best VPNs in 2025. It has a huge network of servers, strong security, and can easily unblock streaming services.
Plus, it’s super easy to use. While FastestVPN is a decent and affordable option, it doesn’t quite measure up to NordVPN’s overall performance and features.
We’ve tested many VPNs, and NordVPN consistently ranks among the best.
If you want a reliable VPN connection that you can trust to protect your privacy and security, NordVPN is our top recommendation.
More of NordVPN
We’ve looked at NordVPN alternatives, so how does NordVPN stack up directly against them?
Here’s a quick comparison:
- NordVPN vs PureVPN: PureVPN can be more affordable, but NordVPN is generally seen as more reliable with a larger server network and better streaming capabilities.
- NordVPN vs ExpressVPN: Both are top-tier, but NordVPN often comes out slightly ahead with more features and sometimes better speeds for the price.
- NordVPN vs SurfsharkVPN: Surfshark allows unlimited connections and is often cheaper for long-term plans, while NordVPN boasts a larger server count and sometimes faster speeds.
- NordVPN vs ProtonVPN: ProtonVPN focuses strongly on privacy and even offers a free plan, but NordVPN tends to have more features, better speeds, and wider server availability.
- NordVPN vs PrivadoVPN: PrivadoVPN is a newer option that’s often budget-friendly, but NordVPN has a more established reputation, larger server network, and more advanced features.
- NordVPN vs AdGuard VPN: AdGuard VPN integrates with an ad blocker, which is unique. NordVPN is a more comprehensive VPN with a wider range of servers and features.
- NordVPN vs Virtual Shield: Virtual Shield aims for simplicity. NordVPN offers more advanced features and customization options.
- NordVPN vs StrongVPN: StrongVPN is known for strong encryption. NordVPN offers a larger server network and a broader feature set.
- NordVPN vs FastestVPN: FastestVPN is budget-friendly. NordVPN is generally faster and has more features.
- NordVPN vs AuraVPN: AuraVPN includes identity theft protection. NordVPN focuses on VPN features and often has better performance.
- NordVPN vs CyberGhost: CyberGhost is user-friendly with specialized servers. NordVPN often has better speeds and more advanced features.
- NordVPN vs McAfee VPN: McAfee VPN is bundled with security software. NordVPN is a dedicated VPN service with more extensive features and better performance.
- NordVPN vs Private Internet Access: PIA is known for privacy and customization. NordVPN often has a more user-friendly interface and better streaming capabilities.
- NordVPN vs Mysterium: Mysterium is a decentralized VPN. NordVPN uses a traditional server network known for its speed and reliability.
More of FastestVPN
We’ve explored alternatives to FastestVPN, so how does FastestVPN stack up directly against them?
- FastestVPN vs NordVPN: FastestVPN offers more simultaneous connections. NordVPN counters with a much larger server network and faster speeds.
- FastestVPN vs ExpressVPN: ExpressVPN is known for its consistently fast speeds and user-friendly interface, often outperforming FastestVPN in speed and server reliability.
- FastestVPN vs PureVPN: PureVPN boasts a larger server network. FastestVPN is recognized for its budget-friendly plans.
- FastestVPN vs SurfsharkVPN: Surfshark typically offers more features and unlimited connections. FastestVPN focuses on being an affordable option.
- FastestVPN vs ProtonVPN: ProtonVPN emphasizes strong security and privacy. FastestVPN is known for its low-cost plans.
- FastestVPN vs PrivadoVPN: PrivadoVPN often provides more consistent speeds and a stronger focus on privacy. FastestVPN is positioned as a budget-friendly choice.
- FastestVPN vs AdGuard VPN: AdGuard VPN excels in ad and tracker blocking. FastestVPN is a general-purpose VPN with an emphasis on affordability.
- FastestVPN vs Virtual Shield: Both are relatively basic VPNs, though FastestVPN may offer slightly better speeds.
- FastestVPN vs StrongVPN: StrongVPN is known for robust encryption and reliable connections. FastestVPN focuses on being an affordable option.
- FastestVPN vs AuraVPN: AuraVPN includes identity theft protection. FastestVPN is a VPN provider known for its low prices.
- FastestVPN vs CyberGhost: CyberGhost offers a larger server network and specialized servers. FastestVPN is marketed for its affordability.
- FastestVPN vs McAfee VPN: FastestVPN is a dedicated VPN service focused on cost. McAfee VPN is often bundled with antivirus software.
- FastestVPN vs Private Internet Access: PIA offers a significantly larger server network and allows unlimited connections. FastestVPN is known for its budget-friendly plans.
- FastestVPN vs Mysterium: Mysterium is a decentralized VPN. FastestVPN uses a traditional server network with a focus on affordability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best VPN overall?
NordVPN consistently ranks as one of the best VPNs due to its strong security, fast speeds, and large server network. It’s a premium VPN with a wide range of features.
Is FastestVPN really faster than NordVPN?
Despite its name, FastestVPN isn’t actually faster than NordVPN. NordVPN offers more consistent and reliable speeds, especially for demanding tasks like streaming.
What are the key differences between FastestVPN and NordVPN?
NordVPN has a larger server network, better performance, and more advanced features like Double VPN and Onion Over VPN. FastestVPN is more affordable but lacks some of NordVPN’s advanced features and performance.
Can I use a free VPN instead of NordVPN or FastestVPN?
While free VPNs exist, they often have limitations like data caps, slower speeds, and fewer server options. Some free VPNs might even log your data or display ads. For better security and performance, a premium VPN like NordVPN is recommended.
How do I choose the best VPN for me in 2025?
Consider your needs and priorities. If you value speed, security, and streaming capabilities, NordVPN is a great choice. If you’re on a tight budget and need a basic VPN for simple tasks, FastestVPN might be sufficient. Reading user reviews and comparing features can also help you make an informed decision.