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NordVPN vs. PureVPN: Which VPN is Better?

PureVPN and NordVPN are two of the common options that people will recommend if you ask them for a good VPN service. But which of these VPNs should you really sign up for? We’ll help you decide in this NordVPN vs. PureVPN comparison. NordVPN vs. PureVPN: Features The two providers share the same basic features, […]

NordVPN vs. PureVPN: Features

The two providers share the same basic features, but NordVPN offers some extra security elements, including DNS leaks protection and SmartDNS. These additions make NordVPN effective in providing basic protection when you surf online.

PureVPN gets a leg up in terms of supported platforms; it also supports VPN installations for the Xbox game consoles. Since some Xbox owners also use their machines for other activities (like video streaming and Internet browsing), PureVPN’s dedicated support makes things easier to protect the device when it is used as an online entertainment center.

NordVPN’s unique features

Building from its basic security features, NordVPN offers several unique features for added protection. One of these is their Double VPN feature, more commonly called VPN server chaining, that passes your Internet traffic through two servers in chained event. This grants you greater encryption, making it harder for others to track your activities.

The feature is easy to use since the app shows which servers can be used with it. Just click on the servers, and your traffic automatically gets routed. The combinations of countries are also good since most of them have strong privacy policies.

Another of NordVPN’s unique security features is CyberSec, which the company says will block both ads and malware. CyberSec works by cutting access to identified dangerous sites right on the DNS server. You can turn the feature on and off with a single click on the app.

PureVPN’s unique features

When it comes to advanced security features, PureVPN is not to be outdone. In fact, the company is recently rolling out new features, including:

App blockers: This feature lets you temporarily block specific apps on your device. PureVPN says that the feature also helps you keep your focus on work.
Smart antivirus: PureVPN’s antivirus and anti-malware program works on the server level, removing threats like trojans, viruses, and ransomware.
URL filtering: The is PureVPN’s built-in filtering feature meant for organizations, providing several blocking levels to suit organizational needs.
IDS and IPS solutions: These features actively detect exploits in the sites you visit and warn you immediately. PureVPN can also block these exploits from running when you connect to sites.

These features are bundled together in PureVPN’s Ozone security suite that’s included in the client app.

Outside security, PureVPN has a split tunneling function that helps you manage your traffic. It lets you designate which apps will access your VPN, and which apps will use the regular Internet connection. You can easily modify app permissions for this feature in the client dashboard.

NordVPN vs. PureVPN: Servers and reach

Continuing with our NordVPN vs. PureVPN comparisons, we look into the size of their networks. NordVPN has a larger network with over 5000 servers, as compared to PureVPN’s 2000. However, the latter has greater coverage, offering locations in 140 countries. NordVPN covers only 61 countries.

One advantage that PureVPN has over its competitor is that it owns its servers. This provides a variety of benefits, including:

No third-party interference: You can be assured that no other groups are viewing your personal information and Internet traffic.
More consistent performance: Since the whole network is under PureVPN’s control, you can expect less variation in the level of performance for individual servers.
Greater security: With its network being entirely self-managed, PureVPN guarantees that all its security features are properly implemented on its servers.

All these benefits make PureVPN a good option despite having a smaller network of servers.

P2P/torrenting

Both providers allow torrenting on their networks to different extents. With PureVPN, you can torrent on all servers and take advantage of the unlimited bandwidth. The only downside is that there are no dedicated torrenting servers which might affect the torrenting speeds you get.

On the other hand, NordVPN only lets you torrent on certain servers that are located in 47 countries. However, these servers are dedicated to handling P2P traffic, giving you faster speeds. For easier access, these servers are indicated on NordVPN’s server selection list.

Streaming

As of 2019, the two VPN services can unblock Netflix, differing only in the specific regions they can access. In the case of PureVPN, you can only access the US, UK, and French servers. Still, this is good for users who just want to access the US servers. If unblocking Netflix is important to you, here are the top two providers we recommend right now:

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With NordVPN, you can also access servers in Japan, Canada, Australia, and the Netherlands. The VPN service has a special feature called SmartPlay; NordVPN says the feature works similarly to a dynamic DNS server, giving you a more stable connection to the streaming site.

NordVPN vs. PureVPN: Performance

For our NordVPN vs. PureVPN performance comparisons, we looked into the two providers’ claims about their connection speeds. In its information page, PureVPN claims that it can maintain more than 90% of the regular connection speed.

The best numbers come when connecting with servers in the United States where you can get 95.1% of the regular speed. This will be enough for most web browsing applications.

PureVPN maintained a similar performance when connecting with international servers. The data did show some significant drops in speed when connected to the Brazil server, but this can be due to the overall quality of the Internet connection in that region.

One of the main reasons why PureVPN can deliver consistent performance is that it owns its whole network. This allows the company to implement the same level of maintenance across all servers, instead of relying on different third-party groups.

NordVPN claims to offer similar server speeds, which are backed by our initial tests.

P2P use

One great thing about PureVPN is that you can use P2P on almost all of its servers. Note that the provider might opt to restrict traffic in regions where torrenting is declared illegal (like in the UK), but these restrictions are very few and will not impact your torrenting experience.

On the other hand, NordVPN’s dedicated torrenting servers will give you more optimal performance and slightly faster download speeds. The only real downside to NordVPN is that you get a limited number of servers to choose from, which can lead to crowding.

NordVPN vs. PureVPN: Usability

While both providers have easy-to-use client apps, they have different approaches in setting up and managing your connections. This makes testing usability for the two apps a bit more subject to personal preferences.

NordVPN’s app

The most distinct feature of the NordVPN app is the interactive home screen map. This is where you manage your server connections, with the available ones indicated by an icon. You can also search for specialty servers with Double VPN and P2P capabilities using the column on the right.

NordVPN’s app also has an easy-to-use settings panel for tweaking your connections. Some of the options you have are:

Auto connect: Using NordVPN’s selection algorithm, you can set the client app to connect to a server during startup.
Invisibility by LAN: This makes your device invisible to others on your local network.
App kill switch: You can add any app that you want disabled whenever your connection gets disrupted.
CyberSec: Turn the CyberSec feature on or off.

All the options can be activated using a simple toggle button, letting you quickly set up a connection according to your preferences

PureVPN‘s app

When using PureVPN’s app for the first time, you might need some time familiarizing with it. This is because the app is less straightforward than other VPN apps. For instance, you need to specify your connection details manually before you connect. The setup process for various platforms and protocols are also different, which might make it cumbersome if you plan on using PureVPN for multiple devices.

One great thing about PureVPN is that it gives you five different connection modes. These are:

Streaming: This lets you stream content in private and provides you with unlimited bandwidth for faster download.
Internet Freedom: This mode automatically turns on various anonymity features and lets you go around Internet censorship.
Security/Privacy: With this mode, you can enable the encryption features to provide you with additional protection when browsing.
File-sharing: This mode will ensure that your file transfer activities will not be traced online.
Dedicated IP: This lets you use a unique IP address for additional protection when accessing online content.

To switch modes, just click on the Change Mode option on the home screen and select your desired mode.

Logging policies

Both providers claim to have zero-log policies, but they have different stances when it comes to other pieces of information that they get from you. In the case of NordVPN, it stands by its claims, adding that independent auditors have reviewed the company’s policies and that the reports are available to paying users.

On the other hand, PureVPN does state that it collects network logs for maintenance purposes. The company states that these network logs do not store any personally identifiable information.

NordVPN vs. PureVPN: Pricing and plans

When it comes to plans, the two companies have different orientations. NordVPN can be seen as more directed towards long-term users with these plans:

Monthly: $11.95 per month
Yearly: $6.99 a month, billed $83.88 yearly
Two-year: $3.99 per month, billed $95.75 every two years
Three-year: $2.99 per month, billed $107.88 every three years

On the other hand, PureVPN offers plans that have shorter terms:

Monthly: $10 per month
Three-month: $8 per month
Yearly: $3.33 per month

PureVPN does offer a three-year plan at $1.95 per month, but this is only a promotional one that the company gives from time to time. Even with its shorter plans, PureVPN is still the more affordable option. It also gives you a free three-day trial when you sign up.

The two providers have the same length of money-back guarantees, with PureVPN’s offer being one day longer at 31 days. You can easily claim the refund by contacting their customer support departments.

Who wins in this NordVPN vs. PureVPN faceoff

Our NordVPN vs. PureVPN comparisons turned out to be close, with the two providers being evenly matched in certain features. We’re going to give the win to PureVPN for the following reasons:

Versatility: The different VPN modes available makes it easier for you to adapt your connection to different uses.
Security: The fact that PureVPN owns its entire network complements its various security features.
Pricing: The provider has a lower cost, and is well-suited for those who don’t want to sign up for long-term plans.

They are both great providers, and NordVPN is worth checking and even using if it’s features closer match your needs. Both coices are good, PureVPN wins by a small margin here.

Still not convinced? Check out our full review of this provider to get more details. If neither VPN is really grabbing you after all this, check out our top three best VPN providers below: