Bitdefender VPN vs. NordVPN

It can be challenging to compare VPNs. They don’t all have the same features or use the same security technology. So, if you see ChaCha20 listed as a feature and think it’s a TikTok dance move, then you might end up picking the wrong one. You could just subscribe to NordVPN. It’s been our top-ranking VPN for several consecutive years. But maybe it’s not the best choice for your needs. Maybe you like Bitdefender.

Bitdefender came onto the cybersecurity scene in 2001 as an antivirus company, but just as consumer VPNs were becoming mainstream, it added VPN features to its highly-rated antivirus software. Now, it also offers the VPN as a standalone product.

We’ve tested Bitdefender VPN and NordVPN to find out which one offers better value for security features, pricing, and global coverage. We even factored in each company’s headquarters location. NordVPN came out on top, but not in every category. Let us walk you through our findings.

Price Comparison

Pricing often becomes the deciding factor between two otherwise solid options, and there’s a clear winner here.

Looking purely at the numbers, Bitdefender is more affordable. Bitdefender costs just $6.99. NordVPN is almost twice as much. The savings continue with annual subscriptions. Bitdefender’s yearly plan breaks down to $2.92 monthly, while NordVPN costs $4.59 per month. NordVPN also offers a two-year option, but Bitdefender’s annual pricing is still cheaper.

Head-to-Head Pricing

Before you run off half-cocked, ready to sign up with Bitdefender, it’s worth keeping in mind that price is just one factor when considering which VPN is right for you. It’s a compelling factor, to be sure, but it’s still just one among many. Plenty of free VPNs, for instance, are willing to sell your personal data to the highest bidder.

We would expect Bitdefender to be the cheaper option, since it’s the newcomer. The big question is whether Bitdefender can protect you for that relatively lower price. Let’s find out.

Safety Issues

Let’s break this comparison down into two basic categories — two standards by which to compare VPNs — and see how they measure up.

Security

VPNs create an encrypted tunnel between your device and a remote server. They also give you a new IP address to mask your real location and identity. This keeps your data safe from hackers, ISPs, and anyone else trying to snoop on your online activities.

Does Bitdefender keep you just as safe as NordVPN?

• Encryption methods: Both VPNs offer AES-256 encryption. That’s military-grade protection that would take billions of years to crack with current technology. It’s the same type of encryption the U.S. military uses for covert transmissions and for keeping secret files safe. It’s also the encryption standard for both NordVPN and Bitdefender. So here, the two VPNs are equally impressive. NordVPN also has ChaCha20 as an alternative. It’s equally secure, but ChaCha20 runs better on mobiles. We use it on our phones and tablets when we need to save battery life. So if those are the main devices you’ll use a VPN on, we’d say go with NordVPN.
• Kill switch: A kill switch shuts down your internet activity any time you lose your VPN. It may be inconvenient, but it also keeps your browsing activity hidden. When your VPN goes down – as they all do from time to time – your traffic becomes exposed. The kill switch is a way for VPNs to notify you that you’re not connected anymore, and protect you from unknowingly browsing without encryption. Once again, both VPNs offer this feature.
• Location: If you’re new to VPNs, you may never have heard of Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, or 14 Eyes. They’re alliances between countries that have agreed to trade surveillance information with one another, including surveillance information about their own citizens. The best VPNs are located outside those allied countries. Bitdefender is located in Romania. That’s not an alliance country. NordVPN is located in Panama. That’s not an alliance country either.

Bitdefender matches NordVPN step-for-step. However, NordVPN takes it further with features like Double VPN (multihop) and obfuscated servers. Bitdefender still has its own advantages, which we’ll explore next. First, let’s talk about convenience.

Convenience

Job No. 1 for a VPN is security. Both NordVPN and Bitdefender do a pretty good job on that front, but what other benefits do the two companies offer?

• Plenty of servers: NordVPN’s network has exploded to over 8,000 servers across 127 countries. That dwarfs Bitdefender’s 3,000 servers in over 100 countries.
• Fast speeds: We regularly test and compare VPN speeds, and one thing we can say is that NordVPN is one of the fastest VPNs. Our speed barely slowed down while connected to NordVPN, whereas Bitdefender slowed our download speed down by 18 percent. That’s not too bad – 40 percent is our maximum threshold – but it wasn’t faster than NordVPN.
• Lots of streaming options: Both VPNs reliably unblock major platforms like Netflix, Disney+, Max, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu. We were able to access our home country’s content while traveling. NordVPN’s larger server network gives you more location options, but both get the job done.

NordVPN Strengths

NordVPN is constantly expanding its infrastructure to meet growing demand.

Plus, NordVPN packs in premium features that most competitors, including Bitdefender, can’t match.

• Double VPN (Multihop): This feature routes your traffic through two separate VPN servers, applying double encryption. Each one uses different encryption keys, making it virtually impossible for anyone to trace activity back to you. We recommend it for journalists, activists, or anyone handling sensitive data.
• OpenVPN: NordVPN also employs the industry-leading protocol OpenVPN. A VPN’s protocol tells all the bits and pieces when to do what, and no protocol has been more tested and verified than OpenVPN. Bitdefender offers a proprietary protocol known as Hydra Catapult, and, as its name suggests, it’s fast. Independent audits have found no vulnerabilities, but it lacks obfuscation capabilities.1 This means some services like Netflix might see that you’re using a VPN.
• Obfuscated servers: These specialized servers hide that you’re using a VPN. You can bypass VPN blocks in restrictive countries like China, Russia, and the UAE. They also prevent streaming services from blocking your connection.
• Split tunneling: NordVPN offers another handy feature known as split tunneling. It lets you access the regular internet while using a VPN. You might want your banking app to recognize your real location while keeping your torrenting activities encrypted.
• Zero-logs policy: NordVPN’s privacy policy is independently audited and verified. They keep absolutely nothing: no connection timestamps, no bandwidth usage, no IP addresses. Bitdefender, meanwhile, admits to logging your originating IP address “for network optimization purposes.” They claim not to share this data, but it would be better if it were not collected in the first place.

Bitdefender Strengths

While it may not match NordVPN feature-for-feature, Bitdefender offers several features that some people will appreciate.

• 7-day free trial: Bitdefender offers a 7-day free trial through their mobile apps. You don’t even need a credit card. You get full access to test speeds, streaming capabilities, and features without spending a dime. For desktop users, Bitdefender includes 200MB daily of VPN data free with their antivirus suites.
• Rotating IP addresses: Bitdefender automatically rotates your IP address during sessions. This makes tracking even harder. There is a downside. Some websites might log you out or trigger security checks when your IP suddenly changes.
• Antivirus integration: If you’re already using Bitdefender’s excellent antivirus software, you’ll be familiar with the VPN interface. Everything runs in one app, with one account, and one billing system. We find it much simpler than juggling multiple security subscriptions.

The Bottom Line

This matchup played out pretty much the way we expected. There’s a reason NordVPN is at the top of our list of best VPNs. Packed with security features such as multihop technology and obfuscation, it’s the safest VPN on the market. It also offers access to all the best streaming services, and it’s fast enough that you won’t notice you’re running it.

That’s not to say Bitdefender isn’t a good deal. It certainly has the requisite security features to keep you safe in most circumstances, such as AES-256 encryption and a kill switch. We worry about the fact that it records IP addresses, but it’s located in a country outside the reach of Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, and 14 Eyes, so the information is probably safe enough. Bitdefender also offers its VPN at a very competitive price point.

Ultimately, we have to go with NordVPN, but Bitdefender is a solid choice if you’re looking to save a little money. If you want to dig deeply into these two VPNs, you can always check out our Bitdefender VPN review and our NordVPN review.

Get NordVPN if:

• You want top-of-the-line security
• You prefer no one to know you’re using a VPN
• You’re looking for an iron-clad privacy policy

Get Bitdefender if:

• You need to save a little money
• You like the added security of dynamic IP addresses
• You want to test out the VPN before committing to a subscription