NordVPN vs. TorGuard 2024: Is It Too Close to Call?

NordVPN and TorGuard are two solid VPN options that can keep your data encrypted, but which one wins out in this tight race?

Mary James, Author

Steph Trejos, Editor

Last updated Apr 10, 2024

We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies.

4.9

Editorial Rating

On NordVPN's website

VPN

NordVPN

Up to 66% off 2-year plans + 3 months extra

Ultra-secure, high-speed VPN complete with malware protection and automatic blocking of intrusive ads and third-party trackers
Other benefits include a premium password manager, dark web monitoring, and access to IP-restricted content
3 plans to choose from for custom protection on up to 10 devices
Too many confusing plans

4.3

Editorial Rating

On TorGuard's website

TorGuard

High server count
Strict no-logs policy
Limited device support

We reviewed NordVPN and TorGuard to determine which is a more user-friendly virtual private network (VPN), has a more robust server network, offers faster connections, and supports unblocking streaming services.

While NordVPN offers more VPN servers, TorGuard can connect more devices simultaneously. They both encrypt your IP address so you can browse the web safely or stream geo-restricted content. Each VPN provider has its merits, which is why this was such a close race when we compared the two. There are a few notable differences, so you’ll have to decide which one works better for you.

In this article

NordVPN vs. TorGuard at a glance
NordVPN vs. TorGuard: prices
NordVPN vs TorGuard: features
NordVPN vs. TorGuard: internet speeds
NordVPN vs. TorGuard: compatibility and customer support
NordVPN vs. TorGuard FAQs
NordVPN vs. TorGuard: which is better?

NordVPN vs. TorGuard at a glance

We found NordVPN and TorGuard VPN to be excellent VPN services with a few differences. However, the security features, speeds, functionality, and online privacy offered by these providers are so similar that we had a hard time deciding which we liked better.

NordVPN definitely has more pricing plans, while TorGuard offers an easy way to get a temporary VPN. It’ll be up to you to decide which is best for you.

NordVPN: Best pricing
TorGuard: Best for short-time use

How do NordVPN and TorGuard compare?

	NordVPN	TorGuard
Price	$3.99–$15.99/mo	$2.49–$14.99/mo
Max # of connected devices	10	12
24/7 customer support
Compatibility	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and more	Windows, macOS, Linux Android, iOS, and more
# of servers	6,300+ in 111 countries	3,000+
VPN protocol	OpenVPN, NordLynx (WireGuard), IKEv2/IPsec	OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2
No-logs policy	No logs	No logs
Unblocks Netflix?*
Learn more	Get NordVPN Read NordVPN Review	Read TorGuard Review

During our testing, NordVPN and TorGuard had some luck unblocking Netflix but it’s not guaranteed by either service.

NordVPN vs. TorGuard: prices

	Our Pick
Price range	$3.99–$15.99/mo	$2.49–$14.99/mo
Best value plan	NordVPN Plus 2-year plan for $4.99/mo	TorGuard Anonymous VPN Pro plan for $12.99/mo
Money-back guarantee	Yes — 30 days	Yes — 7 days
Learn more	Get NordVPN Read NordVPN Review	Read TorGuard Review

TorGuard offers more devices per subscription, between eight and 12, but only offers a seven-day money-back guarantee. NordVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee but can only cover 10 devices simultaneously.

With NordVPN, you can purchase multi-year plans upfront, saving you money in the long run. TorGuard offers an annual plan but no two-year plan. It only gives you a seven-day money-back guarantee to test the annual plan, so we recommend trying it for a month before committing to a year. You’ll get a longer testing time without the commitment.

If you know you’re going to want to use a VPN long-term, NordVPN’s prices are better. If you’re looking for a short-term VPN for something like football season, TorGuard is a good choice.

It’s important to compare features versus pricing for VPNs. With NordVPN, you may get fewer simultaneous connections, but it comes with the ability to bundle Nord’s password manager and cloud storage in one convenient location. TorGuard might not have those features, but it allows people who need more simultaneous access to connect with up to 12 connections on the Anonymous Pro plan. We just wish we had the option to add additional features.

Winner: NordVPN. It offers more flexibility with pricing depending on what additional features and term lengths you want.

NordVPN vs TorGuard: features

Feature	Our Pick
Number of servers	5,900+ servers in 60 countries	3,000+ servers in 50+ countries
No-logs policy	No logs	No logs
VPN headquarters	Panama	United States
Encryption	AES-256	AES-256
VPN protocol	OpenVPN, NordLynx (WireGuard), IKEv2/IPsec	OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2
Kill switch
Split tunneling
Netflix support
Torrenting support
Learn more	Get NordVPN Read NordVPN Review	Read TorGuard Review

We’ve noted it several times in this comparison review, but it’s worth repeating regarding Netflix. Just because there’s no official support doesn’t mean you won’t be able to use either of these VPNs with Netflix. Netflix is constantly trying to block VPNs, and VPNs are constantly fighting back. There may be times when your VPN doesn’t work and other times when it does.

As far as the difference between NordVPN and TorGuard with servers, anything over 2,000 servers is amazing, but you could get away with even less as long as they’re quality. The country count may be a deal breaker if you’re trying to access geo-restricted content in a country that NordVPN offers and TorGuard doesn’t. Otherwise, these two are neck and neck.

The only real difference between these is each VPN’s home base. NordVPN is based out of Panama, which is a privacy-friendly country. TorGuard is located in the U.S., part of the Five Eyes alliance. The 5, 9, and 14 Eyes countries are notorious for surveilling each others’ citizens and then sharing the information.

The U.S., in particular, conducts an aggressive amount of mass surveillance on its citizens. While TorGuard operates with a no-logs policy, privacy aficionados still dislike anything U.S.-based regarding encryption software.

NordVPN vs. TorGuard: streaming support

Platform	Our Pick
Netflix*
Amazon Prime Video
Hulu
BBC iPlayer
Disney+
HBO Max
Learn more	Get NordVPN Read NordVPN Review	Read TorGuard Review

*There’s no guarantee Netflix will work, but many quality VPNs do unblock Netflix.

It seems more and more people are using VPNs to access streaming services. Whether you want to watch movies on Netflix or the Cleveland Browns while on vacation in Florida, geo-restricted content can be frustrating to access. Hence, the rise in VPN usage.

Both NordVPN and TorGuard have a great track record with streaming services. TorGuard, however, makes you buy the Pro plan for included streaming. Nord also has the upper hand with streaming services, providing additional support for Disney+ and HBO Max.

Winner: NordVPN. Streaming support is included on all plans, not just the most expensive, and its headquarters are in privacy-friendly Canada.

NordVPN vs. TorGuard: internet speeds

There’s no point in having a VPN if it slows your computer down to unusable speeds. Speed is even more important when using public Wi-Fi because you’re often sharing bandwidth with a lot of people, and it’s a relatively unsafe environment.

Even if you have great antivirus software on your computer, hackers can still get into your computer or phone over public Wi-Fi, which is why a VPN is essential. We test speeds to make sure you can actually use the VPN you’re purchasing.

NordVPN vs. TorGuard download speeds

Server location	Our Pick
US	11.92% slower	51.07% slower
UK	21.69% slower	81.03% slower
AU	28.19% slower	80.05% slower
Learn more	Get NordVPN Read NordVPN Review	Read TorGuard Review

TorGuard speeds were significantly less than NordVPN and created a noticeable slowdown. When your VPN slows down your internet speed that much, it can render it unusable. Some slowdown is expected because you’ve put another process in place to get your data from point A to point B. Unfortunately, in TorGuard’s case, it creates too much interference.

That’s not to say NordVPN is going to slow you down. In fact, NordVPN is almost completely unnoticeable when activated, so you don’t need to worry about having any issues when using it. The percentages stay under 30%, which is pretty good.

NordVPN's speeds remained fairly fast even when connected to a far away location in Australia.

No matter if you want to torrent, stream, or share peer-to-peer files, NordVPN will keep your traffic encrypted and moving quickly.

Winner: NordVPN. It’s faster.

NordVPN vs. TorGuard: compatibility and customer support


Windows
macOS
Android
iOS
Linux
Routers
Smart devices
Browser extensions	Chrome, Firefox, Edge	Chrome, Firefox, Edge
24/7 customer support
Customer support options	Live chat, email, online guides	Live chat, email, forums, online guides
Learn more	Get NordVPN Read NordVPN Review	Read TorGuard Review

Both of these VPNs are easy to use and offer clean dashboards. They offer equally great compatibility and useful customer support options. As far as the browser extensions are concerned, if you’re an iOS or macOS user and you’re wondering why Safari isn’t listed, it’s not that big a deal, considering there are apps available for each operating system. For anyone else, you can install the browser extension directly into your browser for the option to control your VPN from there.

They each have an ease of use that makes them perfect for novice users as well as a ton of support online in the form of guides. TorGuard does have a user forum you can tap into, but it’s so vast it may be difficult to get an actual answer. When we tried to access the forums, we got lost in an endless loop of loading, so we aren’t sure that’s a viable option. Next, we tried checking out the chatbox options on both sites. You’ll need to be logged into your accounts to access live chat. Each service offers the chat bubble in the bottom right corner of the dashboard. If you don’t yet have an account, you won’t be able to access live chat for general questions.

A screenshot of the NordVPN server list, showing a partial list of countries, including South Africa, South Korea, Spain, and Sweden, as well as a map of the United States.

NordVPN vs. TorGuard: payment options

For anyone looking for true anonymity, the ability to pay with cryptocurrency is essential. For anyone else who just wants multiple options, having access to services like PayPal and Apple Pay can mean extra protection online for your debit or credit card. Either way, we love the payment options offered by NordVPN and TorGuard.

NordVPN payment options

Credit or debit card
Cryptocurrencies
PayPal
Apple Pay
AmazonPay
Google Pay
ACH transfer via Plaid

TorGuard payment options

Credit cards
Cryptocurrency (via CoinPayments)
BTC and LTC through BTCPay Node
PayPal through Paddle and gift cards
Other payment options via PaymentWall and PayGarden

Winner: Tie. Neither stands out as being better than the other.

NordVPN vs. TorGuard FAQs

Is there a VPN better than NordVPN?

There may be a better VPN than NordVPN if you want specific features. We also find Surfshark, ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access to be excellent VPN options, as well as TorGuard. If you’re looking for streaming support, all of the options we listed can help you stream content.

Can TorGuard be trusted?

Even though TorGuard is a U.S.-based VPN, its no-logs policy helps us feel better about trusting it. Depending on your view of the 5 Eyes countries and National Security Agency (NSA) surveillance, you may want to avoid TorGuard because it’s based in the U.S. If that’s not something you’re worried about, you should be able to trust TorGuard.

Does Nord have a trial?

NordVPN doesn’t have a trial per se but offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it for 30 days and request a full refund if you aren’t happy.

What are the benefits of using TorGuard?

TorGuard offers a lot of compatibility and allows you to connect up to 12 devices simultaneously. It’s a great VPN option, especially if you’re not sure you want to use a VPN long-term. Either way, you should have a great experience with TorGuard.

NordVPN vs. TorGuard: which is better?

NordVPN comes in ahead of TorGuard. We think the extensive pricing options, consistently fast speeds, and variety of payment options available for NordVPN give it a slight edge. Otherwise, these two VPNs are very similar. We think you’ll be happy with either.

NordVPN vs. TorGuard alternatives

NordVPN and TorGuard are two of the best VPNs available, but there are a variety of other top-tier VPNs available as well. If you’re looking for a VPN that also offers an antivirus bundle, Surfshark has you covered. For a VPN-enabled router that you don’t have to configure, check out ExpressVPN. And if you want support for any streaming platform you can imagine, CyberGhost has your back.

Surfshark: Offers a highly-rated VPN with options to bundle in antivirus and identity theft protection into one powerhouse of security.
Get Surfshark | Read Our Surfshark Review
ExpressVPN: Strong and reliable, this VPN even created its own proprietary router so you can cover every device in your home without having to scour the internet for a tutorial on adding a VPN to your current router.
Get ExpressVPN | Read Our ExpressVPN Review
CyberGhost: Includes an extensive list of supported streaming services that allow you to watch basically anything your heart desires.
Get CyberGhost | Read Our CyberGhost Review

Customizable Coverage That is Simple to Use

4.9

Editorial Rating

On NordVPN's website

VPN

NordVPN

Up to 66% off 2-year plans + 3 months extra

Ultra-secure, high-speed VPN complete with malware protection and automatic blocking of intrusive ads and third-party trackers
Other benefits include a premium password manager, dark web monitoring, and access to IP-restricted content
3 plans to choose from for custom protection on up to 10 devices
Too many confusing plans

Author Details

Mary James

About the Author

Mary is a seasoned cybersecurity writer with over seven years of experience. With a B.S. in Liberal Arts from Clarion University and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Point Park University, she educates audiences on scams, antivirus software, and more. Her passion lies in educating audiences on helpful ways to protect their data.