NordVPN vs. PureVPN 2024: Nord Offers Smoother Streaming and Better Security
NordVPN is like a solid investment in the currency of online security. With its robust encryption, global server network
PureVPN and NordVPN are two virtual private network (VPN) services that offer users online privacy and an encrypted internet connection in addition to several more features. NordVPN is one of the most popular VPNs on the market while PureVPN’s subscription fees are slightly more affordable. However, both can be solid choices depending on your individual needs.
In this guide, we compare PureVPN vs. NordVPN and the factors to consider before choosing one, including cost, device compatibility, additional features and more. Read on to find out which option is right for you.
PureVPN vs. NordVPN: At a Glanc
PureVPN operates from the British Virgin Islands, whereas NordVPN is headquartered in Panama and stands among the leading VPN providers. Despite being slightly more cost-effective for monthly, annual, and two-year plans, PureVPN competes with NordVPN. Both offer add-ons for a dedicated internet protocol (IP) address at an additional cost, and provide business VPN solutions. Notably, PureVPN allows connection for up to 10 devices, while NordVPN limits it to six. Both boast an extensive server network, with PureVPN surpassing 6,500 servers and NordVPN exceeding 6,000 servers.
How PureVPN and NordVPN Stack Up
To get a more complete understanding of the differences between PureVPN and NordVPN, let’s compare the specific features.
| PureVPN | NordVPN | |
| Month-by-Month Plan Costs | $12.45 per month | $12.99 per month |
| Annual Plan Costs | $3.13 per month, plus three extra months ($46.95 for 15 months) | $4.49 per month, plus three extra months ($67.35 for 15 months) |
| Two-year Plan Costs | $1.97 per month, plus three extra months ($53.19 for 27 months) | $2.99 per month, plus three extra months ($80.73 for 27 months) |
| Number of Servers | 6,500-plus | 6,037 |
| Countries Where Servers Are Available | 70-plus | 61 |
| Maximum Number of Devices | 10 | Six |
| Dedicated IP Server | Add-on | Add-on |
| Split Tunneling | Yes | Yes |
| Kill Switch | Yes | Yes |
| Money-back Guarantee | 31 days | 30 days |
| Payment Options | PayPal, credit card or debit card, Google Pay, CoinGate (cryptocurrency) and Payment Wall | PayPal, credit card or debit card, Amazon Pay, Google Pay, automated clearing house (ACH) transfer and cryptocurrencies |
| Learn More | On PureVPN’s Website | On NordVPN’s Website |
Plan Costs
Opting for a month-to-month plan, PureVPN is marginally more budget-friendly at $12.45 compared to NordVPN’s $12.99. However, for those prioritizing long-term privacy in their VPN choice, investing in a multi-year subscription becomes a more cost-effective option.
NordVPN’s monthly expense significantly decreases to $2.99 when opting for the two-year Standard plan. Similarly, PureVPN offers substantial discounts, reaching an even lower price of $1.97 per month for a two-year commitment. Choosing a multi-year subscription not only provides enhanced privacy assurances but also proves more economical in the long run for both VPN services.
Number of Servers
When selecting a VPN, it’s beneficial to factor in the server count, as a greater number contributes to faster internet speeds. PureVPN surpasses NordVPN in this aspect, boasting over 6,500 servers compared to NordVPN’s 6,037. Nevertheless, both companies maintain a substantial server infrastructure, outperforming many competitors in the VPN market.
Countries Where Servers Are Available
NordVPN operates servers in 61 countries, encompassing regions such as the United States, Canada, the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. In contrast, PureVPN boasts a server network exceeding 6,500 spread across 70+ countries, covering Europe, North America, and the Middle East. However, it’s worth noting that a considerable portion of PureVPN’s servers are virtual, implying that their listed physical locations may not align with the actual server placement, potentially leading to slower connection speeds.
Maximum Number of Devices
NordVPN allows connectivity for up to six devices simultaneously, while PureVPN offers a higher limit of 10 devices. Notably, both companies offer the option to configure the VPN on your router, providing the capability to connect an unlimited number of devices through the router.
Dedicated IP Server
Both VPN providers present the opportunity for users to acquire a dedicated IP at an extra expense. Opting for a dedicated IP allows individuals and businesses to have exclusive access to a single IP address, enhancing control and security within their network.
NordVPN provides a dedicated IP option, commencing at $3.79 monthly when integrated into any of the two-year plans. Conversely, PureVPN offers a dedicated IP starting at $2.49 per month when added to the two-year plan, presenting a slightly more economical alternative compared to NordVPN.
Split Tunneling
NordVPN and PureVPN both provide the feature of split tunneling, allowing users to selectively include or exclude specific websites from the VPN connection. This functionality proves beneficial for accessing websites that typically restrict VPN access, such as banking platforms.
Kill Switch
In the event of a VPN disconnection, a kill switch is employed to automatically sever your internet connection, averting the exposure of your IP address or other sensitive data. This crucial safety feature is incorporated by both PureVPN and NordVPN in their services.
Money-back Guarantee
Both NordVPN and PureVPN offer a window for returning their VPN services without commitment within a month. NordVPN provides a 30-day money-back guarantee, whereas PureVPN extends its assurance with a 31-day money-back guarantee policy.
Payment Options
Both PureVPN and NordVPN provide a variety of payment choices, including anonymous alternatives to safeguard your privacy.
NordVPN supports payments through PayPal, Amazon Pay, Google Pay, ACH transfer, and cryptocurrencies via CoinGate. It’s worth noting that cryptocurrency payments are facilitated through CoinGate and do not renew automatically. However, other payment options are subscription-based and renew automatically, necessitating cancellation if service discontinuation is desired.
On the other hand, PureVPN accepts credit cards, debit cards, Google Pay, cryptocurrencies through CoinGate, and Payment Wall, a global payment processor accommodating transactions from over 200 countries and territories. This diverse array of payment options allows users to choose methods that align with their preferences and privacy considerations.
Types of Servers: PureVPN vs. NordVPN
Beyond the standard VPN servers, both PureVPN and NordVPN provide various server types at specific locations. Here are the additional servers offered by these companies:
- Peer-to-peer (P2P) servers: Meant specifically for fast file sharing
- Obfuscated: Meant to prevent your traffic from being blocked in countries with high restrictions
- Double VPN: Obfuscates your traffic twice, providing double encryption
- Dedicated IP: A user can purchase their own IP meant for faster connection
Cost of PureVPN vs. NordVPN
The cost-effectiveness of the options relies on the duration of the desired VPN service. NordVPN’s monthly plans tend to be more budget-friendly compared to PureVPN’s. However, when considering annual plans, PureVPN generally offers lower prices. For a two-year commitment, PureVPN emerges as the more economical choice, boasting rates that are consistently cheaper than NordVPN’s across various plans.
Compatibility Across Devices: A Comparative Analysis of NordVPN and PureVPN
NordVPN and PureVPN are both compatible with a range of platforms and devices, including:
- Desktops and laptops: PureVPN and NordVPN are both compatible with Windows, macOS and Linux operating systems.
- Smartphones and tablets: Both VPNs are compatible with Android and iOS devices.
- Routers: Both PureVPN and NordVPN can be installed on certain routers that will protect all devices connected to the router.
- Streaming devices: Both companies are compatible with streaming devices, such as Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV and Chromecast.
- Gaming consoles: Both companies are compatible with gaming consoles, including PlayStation, Nintendo Switch and Xbox.
Customer Reviews & Reputation
Both enterprises provide a business-oriented iteration of their VPN services, with NordVPN’s business version titled NordLayer and PureVPN’s known as PureDome. Both alternatives present security solutions tailored for businesses and teams, catering to varying sizes. Implementing a business VPN guarantees that only authorized personnel within the company can access resources on the corporate network.
Entrepreneurs can effortlessly establish and oversee VPN connections for their team members, encompassing those working remotely.
Here’s how the cost and different features stack up for each plan:
| NordLayer | PureDome | |
| Price for Monthly Plan | Lite: $10 per user per month Core: $14 per user per month Premium: $18 per user per month Custom: Prices available upon request | $8.45 per user per month |
| Price for Annual Plan | Lite: $8 per user per month Core: $11 per user per month Premium: $14 per user per month Custom: Prices available upon request | $6.76 per user per month |
Both NordLayer and PureDome implement the industry-standard AES 256-bit encryption. NordLayer boasts unlimited data usage and gateway locations exceeding 30 countries (compared to the consumer plan’s 60+ countries). The Premium plan offers valuable features for businesses, such as a custom domain name server (DNS) and a dedicated account manager.
In contrast, PureDome offers a singular subscription option featuring an intuitive dashboard for seamless business network security management. This plan includes single IPs for teams, a dedicated account manager, 30 dedicated IP locations, and additional benefits. Notably, PureDome ensures round-the-clock support for its users.
Top PureVPN and NordVPN Alternatives
Comparing NordVPN and PureVPN with other leading VPN services in the market, let’s take a brief glance at some well-known alternatives.
| Lowest Monthly Price | Number of Servers | Dedicated IP Server | Money-back Guarantee | |
| TorGuard VPN | $2.49 | 3,000 | Yes | 7-days |
| ExpressVPN | $8.32 | 3,000 | No | 30-days |
| Surfshark | $1.99 | 3,200 | Yes | 30-days |
| Private Internet Access | $1.98 | 35,000 | Yes | 30-days |
Renowned for its extensive server network, Private Internet Access stands out among VPN providers, boasting an impressive 35,000 servers—surpassing both NordVPN’s 5,000 and PureVPN’s 6,500. Its popularity is further amplified by offering some of the most competitive monthly prices for extended plans.
TrGuard VPN and Surfshark are three more good options. While TorGuard VPN, Surfshark and Private Internet Access all have very low monthly fees for longer-term plans, ExpressVPN is on the higher end. All four of these VPNs made our list of the top 10 VPN services.
Bottom Line
When contemplating VPN options, NordVPN and PureVPN emerge as robust choices. While NordVPN boasts a more established reputation, PureVPN, though less recognized, stands out with a lower subscription fee. In terms of cost-effectiveness, PureVPN offers savings. Both companies deliver essential VPN features, encompassing a kill switch, optional dedicated IP at an extra charge, and split tunneling.
PureVPN is best for users who want to save:
- PureVPN generally offers more affordable prices compared with NordVPN.
NordVPN is best for users who want a reputable VPN:
- NordVPN enjoys more popularity among VPN users.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is PureVPN a reliable and trustworthy service?
Certainly, PureVPN proves to be a dependable VPN service. It employs industry-standard encryption for safeguarding user data and upholds a strict no-log policy, ensuring the non-collection of users’ activity or connection logs.
Which VPN outpaces NordVPN in terms of speed?
VPNs commonly result in reduced internet speeds, dissuading many users from utilizing them for streaming. Nevertheless, NordVPN stands out as a reliable option for streaming, thanks to its extensive server network and swift internet speeds.
The speed of your internet connection while using a VPN is influenced by various factors, encompassing your initial internet speed, the server’s location, the distance between you and the connected server, and the VPN protocol in use.
Does PureVPN have obfuscated servers?
Indeed, PureVPN provides obfuscated servers utilizing the OpenVPN protocol. These specialized servers are designed to conceal the VPN usage, simplifying the process of circumventing restrictions.
Where is NordVPN based?
Being headquartered in Panama, NordVPN benefits from the absence of data retention laws in the country. This advantageous legal environment enables the company to steadfastly uphold its no-logs policy. The location of a VPN provider plays a crucial role in determining its commitment to a no-logs policy, as it adheres to the data laws of the nation where it is established.
Which is better, CyberGhost or PureVPN?
Selecting the optimal VPN hinges on individual preferences. CyberGhost presents plans starting at $12.99 per month or $56.94 for the initial two years (inclusive of four additional months). Boasting servers in over 100 locations, CyberGhost allows connectivity for up to seven devices, surpassing many competitors in server coverage.
In contrast, PureVPN accommodates a maximum of 10 devices and offers a broader reach with more than 88 locations across 70+ countries. While PureVPN’s monthly subscription rate is marginally lower at $12.45, it doesn’t provide comparable steep discounts for extended commitments. The annual cost stands at $37.56 per year (with an additional three months), and the two-year plan costs $78.96 (with an extra five months).
NordVPN – 3 month Best Values
