Which VPN Is the Best?

Anybody who understands how the web works would let you know to get a digital personal community if you wish to keep some parts of privateness and safety whereas browsing the web. However how have you learnt which VPN to make use of?

I’ve used and reviewed a number of VPNs in recent times and might say for positive that one of the simplest ways to make that alternative is to match high VPN service suppliers — which is what we will probably be doing with Bitdefender VPN and NordVPN on this article.

SEE: 10 Myths About Cybersecurity You Shouldn’t Imagine (TechRepublic Premium)

Bitdefender is a Romania-based cybersecurity agency providing VPN providers as a standalone answer in addition to an choice to incorporate it in its broader cybersecurity choices, whereas NordVPN is a Lithuania-based VPN providers supplier identified for its torrenting options and aggressive speeds.

• Bitdefender: Greatest for streaming and torrenting, with options to bypass geo-restrictions and entry common platforms like Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer and Disney+.
• NordVPN: Greatest for customers in search of an reasonably priced VPN answer, particularly if they’re already utilizing different Bitdefender cybersecurity merchandise.

Each provide strong options, however here’s a breakdown of how they examine.

Bitdefender VPN vs NordVPN: Comparability desk

This desk sums up the core options accessible in each VPN providers.

NordVPN and Bitdefender pricing

Each VPN suppliers provide aggressive plans tailor-made to totally different person wants and budgets.

• Bitdefender VPN plan begins at $3.33/month (billed yearly) or $6.99 for a month-to-month billing cycle.

For NordVPN, the pricing construction is broader and covers the next plans:

• Primary: Begins at $3.69/month for 2-year plan; $4.59/month/12 months; $12.99/month for month-to-month plan.

• Plus: Begins at $4.69/month for 2-year plan; $5.49/month/12 months; $13.99/month for month-to-month plan.

• Final: From $6.69/month for 2-year plan; $7.49/month/12 months; $15.99/month.

Whereas Bitdefender provides a seven-day free trial for its Premium VPN, NordVPN doesn’t provide a free trial. Each VPNs provide a 30-day money-back assure.

NordVPN vs Bitdefender: Function comparability

Under is a extra in-depth information and evaluation of each VPN options

Streaming and torrenting assist

Winner: NordVPN

NordVPN and Bitdefender VPN cater to totally different priorities so far as streaming and torrenting are involved.

NordVPN can unlock common platforms like Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer and Disney+, permitting you to bypass geo-restrictions and entry your favourite content material anyplace. Bitdefender, however, provides extra restricted streaming assist, primarily for BBC iPlayer and YouTube.

SEE: NordVPN vs. ExpressVPN: Which VPN Is Greatest? (TechRepublic)

For torrenting, each VPNs are viable choices. Whereas Bitdefender permits torrenting on all its servers, you could expertise DNS leak points throughout torrenting. NordVPN, however, works effectively for torrenting and provides a big benefit with over 4,500 specialised servers. Once more, NordVPN additionally works with BitTorrent and different peer-to-peer platforms.

So, if streaming and torrenting are your major issues, NordVPN’s wider platform entry and intensive server protection make it the clear winner.

Safety and privateness

Winner: NordVPN

NordVPN and Bitdefender VPN each run on AES-256-bit encryption, which is basically thought-about the trade normal for offering safe web visitors. Additionally they provide kill swap performance to forestall information leaks in case your VPN connection drops, break up tunneling and adverts/trackers blocker function. Nonetheless, the one distinction right here is that with the NordVPN kill swap perform, you possibly can customise for particular apps, when you can’t do the identical on Bitdefender.

Past the above safety features, NordVPN provides a number of superior safety features that Bitdefender lacks, reminiscent of double VPN servers for an additional layer of encryption, obfuscated servers, and RAM-only servers that don’t retailer any information on arduous drives. Moreover, NordVPN has undergone third-party audits of its no-logs coverage, whereas Bitdefender’s safety has not been independently audited.

Server areas and simultaneous connections

Winner: NordVPN

Bitdefender VPN supplies greater than 4,000 servers throughout over 50 nations, which isn’t as much as par with high VPN suppliers like ExpressVPN and Surfshark.

Then again, NordVPN boasts a community of over 6,300 servers unfold throughout 111 nations, offering extra choices for customers.

SEE: Surfshark vs. NordVPN: Which VPN Is Higher in 2024? (TechRepublic)

By way of simultaneous connections, each VPNs assist as much as 10 units, permitting you to safe a number of units without delay, together with your smartphone, pill and laptop. Nonetheless, I came upon Bitdefender VPN can not run on a router, which supplies NordVPN the sting on this metric.

VPN Protocol

Winner: NordVPN

NordVPN and Bitdefender VPN provide totally different VPN protocols. NordVPN provides a number of protocols, together with NordLynx (primarily based on WireGuard), which supplies quick speeds and robust safety. It additionally employs OpenVPN, a broadly used protocol, and IKEv2/IPsec, which is quick, secure and very best for cell units.

As compared, Bitdefender VPN solely depends on its proprietary Catapult Hydra protocol, which is predicated on OpenVPN TLS.

SEE: Free VPN vs Paid VPN: Which One Is Proper for You? (TechRepublic)

NordVPN’s use of the fashionable WireGuard-based NordLynx protocol, together with the tried-and-tested OpenVPN, provides it a bonus when it comes to pace, reliability and safety choices. The shortage of open-source audits for Bitdefender’s Hydra protocol raises some issues about its trustworthiness in comparison with extra established protocols.

Determine D: NordVPN protocols

Bitdefender VPN professionals and cons

Professionals

• Reasonably priced pricing plans.
• Permits torrenting on all servers.
• It could actually include different Bitdefender merchandise or be downloaded as standalone software program.
• Independently audited.
• Wealthy neighborhood for each Mac and Home windows customers.

Cons

• No devoted Linux app.
• Unblocks only some streaming providers.
• No Chrome extension.
• App freezes when downloaded on a Mac.

NordVPN professionals and cons

Professionals

• Intensive world server community.
• Dependable streaming and torrenting assist.
• Strong safety features with an audited no-logs coverage
• Big selection of platform compatibility.
• Affords Incogni function — a private information removing software.
• Devoted IP.
• Versatile pricing choices.

Cons

• Costlier than Bitdefender.
• Primary plan could also be too restricted in options.
• Devoted IP function comes at an additional value.

Ought to your group use NordVPN or Bitdefender?

The selection comes all the way down to particular VPN preferences wanted in your group.

In case your group prioritizes affordability and seamless integration with current Bitdefender safety options, you could discover Bitdefender VPN (not the standalone software program) a sexy choice. Its decrease pricing plans and compatibility with different Bitdefender merchandise can streamline deployment and administration inside your current ecosystem.

Nonetheless, for organizations with extra demanding safety and privateness necessities, I’ll suggest NordVPN because of its superior options. Along with that, NordVPN’s wider server community can be a priceless asset if your online business has distant groups with particular content material entry wants scattered large and close to.

For extra info on NordVPN, try our in-depth evaluation.

Assessment methodology

To supply an goal and complete comparability, I completely evaluated each NordVPN and Bitdefender VPN via intensive analysis.

Safety and privateness options have been scrutinized, with specific consideration paid to encryption protocols, unbiased audit paperwork and person suggestions on their respective neighborhood boards. Buyer assist responsiveness and the depth of obtainable assets have been additionally evaluated via direct interactions with buyer assist and exploration of assist channels on their web sites.