Amnezia VPN vs NordVPN

Amnezia VPN is an open-source client for using a VPN service or setting up a VPN server on a server you control. Its self-hosted setup connects to a VPS over SSH, installs Docker, and runs separate containers for protocol connections. The app supports OpenVPN, OpenVPN over Cloak, WireGuard, AmneziaWG, IKEV2, XRay Reality, and ShadowSocks. AmneziaWG adds protection against detection and blocking. Split tunneling varies by platform: Android supports IP and app controls, Windows supports IP and limited app controls, and iOS, macOS, and Linux support IP-only controls. Amnezia Free provides access to Instagram, Facebook, X, and other blocked resources, but not YouTube; speeds are limited to 8 Mbps and location selection is unavailable. Premium offers 20 connection locations, streaming support, P2P on its Switzerland location, and up to seven simultaneous devices. Premium says it does not store visited sites, IP addresses, or session data, and uses RAM-only servers. The client and server are open source. Amnezia says its products passed independent security audits in 2022, 2024, and 2025.

NordVPN is a paid VPN service with apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Android TV, and tvOS. It supports streaming, torrenting, WireGuard, and a kill switch, and one account allows 10 simultaneous connections. The service lists servers in 167 countries, while its network description states more than 7,600 servers across more than 225 locations. All NordVPN apps support post-quantum encryption, and a verified no-logs audit is listed. Browser proxy extensions are available for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. Paid plans start at $3.49 per month on a 2-year plan; the listed one-month Basic plan costs $14.69 a month. There is no free plan, though Meshnet is available at no cost for file sharing, LAN gaming, traffic routing, and remote device access. Plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee, and a 3-day trial is listed. Additional offerings include antivirus protection against scams, phishing, malware, intrusive ads, and trackers, plus Dark Web Monitor Pro for scanning leaked credentials, payment details, and personal IDs. Complete and Complete Max include 1 TB of encrypted cloud storage. NordVPN was founded in 2012 and is headquartered in Panama; its parent company, Nord Security, is headquartered in Lithuania.