Anybody who understands how the web works would let you know to get a digital non-public community if you wish to preserve some parts of privateness and safety whereas browsing the web. However how have you learnt which VPN to make use of?
I’ve used and reviewed a number of VPNs lately and may say for positive that the easiest way to make that alternative is to check prime VPN service suppliers — which is what we might be doing with Bitdefender VPN and NordVPN on this article.
SEE: 10 Myths About Cybersecurity You Shouldn’t Imagine (TechRepublic Premium)
Bitdefender is a Romania-based cybersecurity agency providing VPN companies as a standalone resolution in addition to an choice to incorporate it in its broader cybersecurity choices, whereas NordVPN is a Lithuania-based VPN companies supplier recognized for its torrenting options and aggressive speeds.
- Bitdefender: Greatest for streaming and torrenting, with options to bypass geo-restrictions and entry well-liked platforms like Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer and Disney+.
- NordVPN: Greatest for customers looking for an reasonably priced VPN resolution, particularly if they’re already utilizing different Bitdefender cybersecurity merchandise.
Each provide sturdy options, however here’s a breakdown of how they examine.
Bitdefender VPN vs NordVPN: Comparability desk
This desk sums up the core options accessible in each VPN companies.
| Function | Bitdefender VPN | NordVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Server places | 50+ nations | 111 nations |
| Simultaneous connections | 10 gadgets | 10 gadgets |
| Servers | 4,000 | 6,000+ |
| Encryption normal | AES-256 | AES-256 |
| No-logs coverage | Sure | Sure |
| Protocols | Catapult Hydra | NordLynx, OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec |
| Kill swap | Sure | Sure |
| Break up tunneling | Sure | Sure |
| Pricing | Begins at $3.33/month when billed yearly | Begins at $3.69/month for a 2-year plan |
NordVPN and Bitdefender pricing
Each VPN suppliers provide aggressive plans tailor-made to completely different person wants and budgets.
- Bitdefender VPN plan begins at $3.33/month (billed yearly) or $6.99 for a month-to-month billing cycle.
For NordVPN, the pricing construction is broader and covers the next plans:
- Fundamental: Begins at $3.69/month for 2-year plan; $4.59/month/12 months; $12.99/month for month-to-month plan.
- Plus: Begins at $4.69/month for 2-year plan; $5.49/month/12 months; $13.99/month for month-to-month plan.
- Final: From $6.69/month for 2-year plan; $7.49/month/12 months; $15.99/month.
Whereas Bitdefender affords a seven-day free trial for its Premium VPN, NordVPN doesn’t provide a free trial. Each VPNs provide a 30-day money-back assure.
NordVPN vs Bitdefender: Function comparability
Under is a extra in-depth information and evaluation of each VPN options
Streaming and torrenting help
Winner: NordVPN
NordVPN and Bitdefender VPN cater to completely different priorities so far as streaming and torrenting are involved.
NordVPN can unlock well-liked platforms like Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer and Disney+, permitting you to bypass geo-restrictions and entry your favourite content material anyplace. Bitdefender, then again, affords extra restricted streaming help, primarily for BBC iPlayer and YouTube.
SEE: NordVPN vs. ExpressVPN: Which VPN Is Greatest? (TechRepublic)
For torrenting, each VPNs are viable choices. Whereas Bitdefender permits torrenting on all its servers, you could expertise DNS leak points throughout torrenting. NordVPN, then again, works effectively for torrenting and affords a major benefit with over 4,500 specialised servers. Once more, NordVPN additionally works with BitTorrent and different peer-to-peer platforms.
So, if streaming and torrenting are your main issues, NordVPN’s wider platform entry and intensive server protection make it the clear winner.
Safety and privateness
Winner: NordVPN
NordVPN and Bitdefender VPN each run on AES-256-bit encryption, which is essentially thought-about the business normal for offering safe web visitors. Additionally they provide kill swap performance to forestall information leaks in case your VPN connection drops, cut up tunneling and advertisements/trackers blocker function. Nevertheless, the one distinction right here is that with the NordVPN kill swap perform, you possibly can customise for particular apps, when you can’t do the identical on Bitdefender.
Past the above safety features, NordVPN affords a number of superior safety features that Bitdefender lacks, akin to double VPN servers for an additional layer of encryption, obfuscated servers, and RAM-only servers that don’t retailer any information on onerous drives. Moreover, NordVPN has undergone third-party audits of its no-logs coverage, whereas Bitdefender’s safety has not been independently audited.
Server places and simultaneous connections
Winner: NordVPN
Bitdefender VPN offers greater than 4,000 servers throughout over 50 nations, which isn’t as much as par with prime VPN suppliers like ExpressVPN and Surfshark.
Alternatively, NordVPN boasts a community of over 6,300 servers unfold throughout 111 nations, offering extra choices for customers.
SEE: Surfshark vs. NordVPN: Which VPN Is Higher in 2024? (TechRepublic)
When it comes to simultaneous connections, each VPNs help as much as 10 gadgets, permitting you to safe a number of gadgets directly, together with your smartphone, pill and pc. Nevertheless, I came upon Bitdefender VPN can not run on a router, which provides NordVPN the sting on this metric.
VPN Protocol
Winner: NordVPN
NordVPN and Bitdefender VPN provide completely different VPN protocols. NordVPN affords a number of protocols, together with NordLynx (based mostly on WireGuard), which offers quick speeds and robust safety. It additionally employs OpenVPN, a broadly used protocol, and IKEv2/IPsec, which is quick, secure and perfect for cellular gadgets.
As compared, Bitdefender VPN solely depends on its proprietary Catapult Hydra protocol, which relies on OpenVPN TLS.
SEE: Free VPN vs Paid VPN: Which One Is Proper for You? (TechRepublic)
NordVPN’s use of the trendy WireGuard-based NordLynx protocol, together with the tried-and-tested OpenVPN, provides it a bonus when it comes to velocity, reliability and safety choices. The shortage of open-source audits for Bitdefender’s Hydra protocol raises some issues about its trustworthiness in comparison with extra established protocols.
Determine D: NordVPN protocols
Bitdefender VPN execs and cons
Professionals
- Reasonably priced pricing plans.
- Permits torrenting on all servers.
- It may include different Bitdefender merchandise or be downloaded as standalone software program.
- Independently audited.
- Wealthy neighborhood for each Mac and Home windows customers.
Cons
- No devoted Linux app.
- Unblocks only some streaming companies.
- No Chrome extension.
- App freezes when downloaded on a Mac.
NordVPN execs and cons
Professionals
- Intensive international server community.
- Dependable streaming and torrenting help.
- Sturdy safety features with an audited no-logs coverage
- Wide selection of platform compatibility.
- Presents Incogni function — a private information elimination instrument.
- Devoted IP.
- Versatile pricing choices.
Cons
- Dearer than Bitdefender.
- Fundamental plan could also be too restricted in options.
- Devoted IP function comes at an additional value.
Ought to your group use NordVPN or Bitdefender?
The selection comes right down to particular VPN preferences wanted in your group.
In case your group prioritizes affordability and seamless integration with present Bitdefender safety options, you could discover Bitdefender VPN (not the standalone software program) a sexy choice. Its decrease pricing plans and compatibility with different Bitdefender merchandise can streamline deployment and administration inside your present ecosystem.
Nevertheless, for organizations with extra demanding safety and privateness necessities, I’ll suggest NordVPN resulting from its superior options. Along with that, NordVPN’s wider server community can be a precious asset if your corporation has distant groups with particular content material entry wants scattered extensive and close to.
For extra info on NordVPN, try our in-depth assessment.
Evaluate methodology
To offer an goal and complete comparability, I completely evaluated each NordVPN and Bitdefender VPN via intensive analysis.
Safety and privateness options had been scrutinized, with specific consideration paid to encryption protocols, impartial audit paperwork and person suggestions on their respective neighborhood boards. Buyer help responsiveness and the depth of accessible sources had been additionally evaluated via direct interactions with buyer help and exploration of help channels on their web sites.
