NordVPN vs Proton VPN in Australia: Facts Side by Side

NordVPN and Proton VPN are two of the names Australians come across most when they look for a VPN. This page sets out what each company says on its own website about the things that matter here: Australian servers, a free plan or trial, independent no-logs checks, devices and refunds. We read every page on 30 October 2026. We don't pick a winner, and we don't list prices, because we didn't verify them in Australian dollars. The right choice depends on what you need, and the last sections help you work that out.

SecureCheck.com.au is an independent guide operated by Dominet BV. This page is general information, not legal or technical advice for your situation. We don't sell VPNs or security software. No link on this site is an affiliate link right now. We may earn a commission from VPN or security companies in future when a reader buys through a link on this site. If that happens we'll label those links and explain it in our affiliate disclosure, and it won't change the facts we publish. Facts were checked on official and company websites on 30 October 2026. Read our general information notice. We list the two companies in alphabetical order. Neither has paid to appear here.

Side by side

Sources for every row are in the sections below.

Australian servers

NordVPN lists 237 servers in Australia across 5 Australian locations, and more than 7,200 servers worldwide (NordVPN).

Proton VPN lists Australian servers in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney, and more than 20,000 servers in over 140 countries (Proton VPN).

A bigger server count isn't the same as a better service for you, so don't read too much into the raw numbers. What matters more for most Australians is having a server close to where you are, because a nearby server usually means less delay. Both list servers in several Australian cities. Test the speed from your own home during the refund window.

Free plan and free trial

Proton VPN has a free plan. It covers 1 device, shows no ads, has no data cap, and connects to servers in 10 countries that are randomly selected (Proton VPN, pricing). Because the countries are random, you may not be able to choose an Australian server on the free plan.

NordVPN doesn't have a free plan on the pages we read. It offers a 7-day free trial on its 1-year and 2-year Prime plans for people who haven't bought NordVPN before. You pay by card or PayPal, and you're charged for the plan automatically when the 7 days end unless you cancel first. NordVPN lists Australia among the countries where the trial is available (NordVPN).

A free plan and a free trial work differently. The free plan costs nothing but has limits. The trial gives you the paid service for 7 days and then charges you unless you cancel. If you start a trial, put a reminder in your calendar a few days before it ends. Our free VPN guide covers this in more detail.

Independent no-logs checks

Both companies say they don't log your online activity, and both have paid outside firms to check.

NordVPN says Deloitte Lithuania carried out its sixth independent no-logs assurance engagement under the ISAE 3000 (Revised) standard, from 10 November to 12 December 2025. The report was issued on 12 December 2025 and is available to subscribers in their account, not published publicly (NordVPN).

Proton VPN says the security firm Securitum completed its fifth consecutive annual no-logs audit, with a 2026 report, and that it publishes the full report openly for anyone to read. The page was updated on 16 June 2026 (Proton).

The difference that matters for most readers: you can read Proton's report before you pay, while NordVPN's is available once you subscribe. Neither check is a guarantee about the future. They're snapshots of what the auditor found at the time.

Devices

NordVPN's Australian server page lists 10 simultaneous connections (NordVPN).

Proton VPN says its Plus plan covers up to 10 devices (Proton VPN). Its free plan covers 1.

Count the devices in your household that you'd want covered: phones, laptops, tablets, perhaps a smart TV. Limits can change, so check the plan page before you buy.

Refunds

NordVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for first-time customers, separate from its free trial. If you bought through Apple's App Store, the refund goes through Apple (NordVPN).

Proton VPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee if you subscribed in the last 30 days. It can't refund payments made by bank transfer or cash (Proton VPN).

Read the conditions before you pay, especially how you paid. A refund that has to go through an app store, or a payment method that can't be refunded, changes how much of a safety net the guarantee is.

Why we don't list prices

VPN prices change often, depend on how long you sign up for, and can be shown in a currency other than Australian dollars. It's also worth checking whether the renewal price matches the first payment. We didn't verify either company's prices in Australian dollars on 30 October 2026, so we've left them out rather than risk getting them wrong. Check the price, the currency and the renewal price on each company's checkout page before you pay.

Which questions decide it for you

Instead of a winner, here are the questions that tend to decide it:

• Do you want to pay at all? If not, Proton VPN's free plan is the only free option of the two on the pages we read, with its limits.
• Do you want to read the audit before you buy? Proton publishes its report openly. NordVPN makes its report available to subscribers.
• How do you plan to pay? Proton can't refund bank transfer or cash payments. NordVPN App Store purchases are refunded through Apple.
• How many devices? Both list 10 on their paid plans.
• Is streaming your main reason? Then a VPN may not be the right tool. Stan, ABC iview and SBS On Demand say they're for Australia only and can block VPNs, and Netflix says VPNs can cause errors. See our streaming guide.

The Australian Cyber Security Centre's advice applies to either: use a reputable VPN provider, and remember a VPN won't protect you from malware, phishing or software flaws (ACSC). For the full list of checks, see how to choose a VPN.

How to test before you commit

1. Check the conditions of the trial or money-back guarantee, and note the deadline in your calendar.
2. Test an Australian server at home, on mobile data and on a public network.
3. Open the apps you rely on with the VPN on: banking, work tools, streaming.
4. Install it on every device you want covered.
5. Decide before the deadline. If it doesn't suit you, cancel or ask for the refund in time.

Frequently asked questions

Which is better, NordVPN or Proton VPN?

We don't pick a winner. Both list Australian servers, independent no-logs checks and a 30-day money-back guarantee. The differences are in the free plan, how the audit report is shared, and refund conditions.

Does NordVPN have a free plan?

We didn't find one on the pages we read. NordVPN offers a 7-day free trial on 1-year and 2-year Prime plans for new customers, which charges you unless you cancel.

Does Proton VPN have Australian servers?

Yes. Proton VPN lists servers in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.

Can I read the no-logs audit reports?

Proton says it publishes its full report openly. NordVPN says its 2025 report is available to subscribers in their account.

How many devices can I use?

NordVPN lists 10 simultaneous connections. Proton VPN says its Plus plan covers up to 10 devices, and its free plan covers 1.

Why don't you show prices?

We didn't verify either company's prices in Australian dollars, and VPN prices change often. Check the checkout page before you pay.