Onto the day's main business, how does NordVPN compare to Bitdefender VPN? To help you understand them better, we have stacked them up based on the factors considered when buying VPNs. Without further ado, let's get into it.
This NordVPN vs. Bitdefender VPN comparison review explains the similarities and differences between these two VPN providers. Find out how they compare and, importantly, the best bang for the buck.
NordVPN and Bitdefender are two trusted brands in the cybersecurity space. While both are VPNs, with several similarities, a couple of differences set them apart, ultimately making one a better option than the other.
In the contest between NordVPN and Bitdefender VPN, the former takes the crown. It offers better speeds and performance. It is also the best when it comes to online security and privacy. What’s more? NordVPN is specialized for streaming and torrenting. So if you are looking for a robust VPN, NordVPN is the best. But still, Bitdefender is a worthy option for the average user. It offers some level of security and privacy, is cheaper (includes a free version), and allows for more simultaneous connections.
The above are the main highlights of the two VPN services. For more, read along.
NordVPN is arguably the best VPN brand. Started in 2012 today, the award-winning brand is a market leader in internet security and serves over 14 million users. It is owned by Nord Security, a renowned cybersecurity software firm.
NordVPN receives praise from top tech blogs and consumer review sites. On TrustPilot, for example, it has an excellent rating of 4.3 after 13,000+ reviews.
Bitdefender is among the household names in the online security industry. The company established in 2001 is owned by BitDefender, LLC, a Romanian cybersecurity technology company. The company started as an internet security software with antivirus and IoT security products.
Later on, Bitdefender introduced a VPN (Bitdefender VPN) as an addon. Bitdefender is a trusted brand with a Trustpilot TrustScore of 3.9 after over 6,000 reviews. But then, its VPN service is not praised at all, like the antivirus software.
Bitdefender is not the best when it comes to supported devices and platforms. The VPN is compatible with PCs (Windows and macOS) and mobile (iOS and Android).
Unfortunately, that locks out users who want to protect their routers, consoles, TVs, etc. The only good thing here is that Bitdefender VPN Premium supports up to 10 simultaneous connections.
On the other hand, NordVPN is excellent. This is a versatile VPN that goes the extra mile to protect anything and everything that requires uptight security and privacy. It also opens up a whole new world of entertainment opportunities.
NordVPN is compatible with PCs (Windows, macOS, and Linux) and tags along with Chrome, Edge, and Firefox browser extensions. NordVPN also protects mobile devices (iOS and Android).
Besides, NordVPN works with routers, smart TVs, Android TVs, TV sticks, etc. As for the number of connections, NordVPN supports a maximum of 6 simultaneous connections.
Getting started with NordVPN is also straightforward. In the first step, click the ‘Get NordVPN’ option, and you will be redirected to the plans page.
Here, you need to select a plan and purchase the subscription. After purchasing a subscription, download the app, sign in, and you will be ready to rumble.
To get started with Bitdefender VPN, the first step is to head to the plans page, select your preferred plan, and click ‘Buy Now.’ You will be redirected to the billing section when you make the payment.
Once you have made the purchase, download the Bitdefender VPN app, sign in, and you are good to go. The company has provided a detailed user guide to help out users.
NordVPN also uses Advanced Encryption Standard 256-bit keys to encrypt all your data. There is not much difference between the two VPNs in terms of encryptions, as it’s also impossible to perform a brute force attack on NordVPN.
Bitdefender is a robust VPN that uses Advanced Encryption Standard 256-bit keys to keep all your data safe. For starters, this is the industry’s best encryption at the moment. It’s so secure that it’s impossible to perform brute force attacks on systems secured using AES-256.
Bitdefender VPN tags along with just one VPN protocol dubbed Catapult Hydra. It uses various algorithms to establish a tunnel, perform authentication and establish direct client connections. While it’s fast, it can’t compare to some of the fastest protocols available.
On the other hand, NordVPN supports OpenVPN, one of the most versatile protocols. Besides OpenVPN, there’s the option of IKEv2/IPsec, which offers enhanced security and privacy drastically courtesy of cryptographic algorithms and keys. Last is NordLynx, an ultra-fast tunneling method based on WireGuard.
Bitdefender VPN is an average provider when it comes to security extras. Bitdefender, just like most VPNs, comes with a kill switch. This is a great feature that shuts down internet traffic whenever the VPN connection drops, thus preventing your online activity from leaking. Unfortunately, Bitdefender lacks some critical security extras such as split tunneling and multihop. The VPN only allows you to select which websites can bypass the VPN connection. But the good thing is that you can choose when the VPN should connect automatically.
On the other hand, NordVPN comes packed with several security extras. First, the IP addresses can be static, shared, or dedicated. It also features a kill switch that protects your data in the event the VPN connection drops inadvertently. There’s also split tunneling that allows users to choose which traffic should go through the VPN and which one shouldn’t be routed through the VPN. Other security features worth mentioning include DNS and IPv6 leak protection, SOCKS5 proxy, and double VPN.
Bitdefender is a Romanian company, and now that Romania is not part of any surveillance alliances, users can be sure of their online privacy and confidentiality.
That said, the company is not under any obligation to submit any users’ data to the authorities.
Like Bitdefender VPN, NordVPN also guarantees online privacy and confidentiality.
It is based in Panama, a country that is not a member of any surveillance organization, be it the 5-Eyes, 9-Eyes, or 14-Eyes.
Bitdefender VPN claims to have a 100% no logs policy, but from all indications, the company saves logs of some critical details that can identify users.
The company’s privacy policy confirms that personally identifiable information is collected, for example, your IP address (encrypted), timestamps, bandwidth, web logs, and device information.
NordVPN also has a strict no-logging policy.
The company doesn’t collect or store any personally identifiable information, so it’s best for online privacy and confidentiality.
Bitdefender VPN doesn’t have a robust server network. When it comes to their number, 4,000+ servers in more than 49 countries is such a good number but not up to the mark.
This is an average server network with no extras such as RAM servers or specialized servers.
One of the strengths of NordVPN is the robust server network that consists of over 5,300 servers spread in over 60 countries.
These are high-speed servers with unlimited bandwidth, highly specialized servers including dedicated IP servers, Onion over VPN servers, P2P servers, Double VPN servers, and Obfuscated servers.
Starting with Bitdefender VPN, the speeds were not up to the mark. It ranks among the worst in the VPNs we have tested. The problem with Bitdefender is that you can’t alternate between different protocols to find the best tunneling method.
This is because it relies on just one protocol Hydra, which is fast, but not anywhere near NordVPN.
On the other hand, NordVPN offers fast speeds and excellent performance and reliability. Moreover, you can alternate between the different protocols to find the most suitable one depending on your activity, be it streaming or torrenting.
What’s more? NordVPN boasts NordLynx tunneling protocol, which is basically WireGuard on steroids.
Bitdefender VPN is not the best for streaming and unblocking geo-locked content. We tried unblocking several Netflix libraries, but our attempts were unsuccessful as Netflix blocked the IP.
Besides Netflix, this VPN can’t be relied upon to unblock the likes of Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Popcorn Time, and Kodi.
When it comes to torrenting, P2P traffic is not restricted, but again, you can’t rely on it for heavy P2P sharing. Lastly, on gaming, Bitdefender doesn’t work with consoles or routers, so it’s not anywhere near a good VPN for gaming.
As for NordVPN, streaming is a buzz. It managed to unblock several Netflix libraries without a problem, so it’s safe to say that this VPN is best for streaming.
Besides unblocking Netflix, NordVPN unblocked several other streaming sites, for example, Hulu, Popcorn Time, BBC iPlayer, and Kodi, just to mention a few. Regarding torrenting, NordVPN comes with dedicated P2P servers that offer optimal download performance. This is alongside the SOCKS5 proxy that secures your torrent client.
The only problem here is the lack of port forwarding. Finally, regarding gaming, NordVPN prevents bandwidth throttling, malware attacks, and DDoS attacks. You can also rely on it to access geo-blocked gaming content.
One of the areas Bitdefender scores highly is the level of customer support. The company has multichannel customer service. The best option is live chat, available 24/7. One thing we were glad about Bitdefender is the fact that the support agents are very knowledgeable regarding the VPN.
Besides live chat support, users can get help via telephone and email. There’s also a resourceful knowledgebase with tonnes of guides and FAQs.
NordVPN also has resourceful customer support but not at the level of Bitdefender VPN. The company also allows users to contact support via 24/7 live chat.
Besides, there is an email address though feedback is not immediate. This is alongside a knowledgebase. What Bitdefender doesn’t offer is a telephone line, and that’s why we have ranked Bitdefender ahead of NordVPN.
Bitdefender VPN is available as a free service and a paid subscription. However, the free service limits users to 200MB daily, and it’s not possible to select a server. There is also a 7-days free trial for Bitdefender VPN Premium that lets users access all the features. Regarding the plans, Bitdefender VPN starts at $2.49 a month, backed by a 30 days moneyback guarantee. The payment options include Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, PayPal, and Wire Transfer.
NordVPN, on the other hand, doesn’t come with a free version, but users can take advantage of the 30-day moneyback guarantee to try out the service. When it comes to plans, NordVPN is more expensive than Bitdefender. Plans start at $3.99 a month. Regarding the payment options, the list includes Maestro, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and JCB Discover. NordVPN also accepts crypto payments (Bitcoin, Ripple, and Ethereum).
That’s the end of this NordVPN vs. Bitdefender VPN comparison review. So, what’s the best bang for the buck? Well, NordVPN is the winner because it offers fast speeds and performance. It also supports multiple tunneling methods, has a wider server network, optimized for streaming, torrenting, and gaming.
Importantly, NordVPN supports all devices, from PCs and mobile devices to routers, consoles, and TV sticks. Even though it’s expensive, NordVPN is the best choice overall. However, if you are on a budget and want a basic VPN that supports more simultaneous device connections, Bitdefender VPN is still a worthy choice.
NordVPN is the winner because it offers fast speeds and performance. It also supports multiple tunneling methods, has a wider server network, optimized for streaming, torrenting, and gaming.