NordVPN vs Kaspersky VPN in 2024

Nord Security and Kaspersky Lab are well-established names in the cybersecurity industry, that offer Virtual Private Network (VPN) services. While both are supposed to provide online security and privacy, NordVPN is a much safer option than Kaspersky VPN. NordVPN is a top-notch service provider with a flawless reputation and reliable performance, while Kaspersky has been flagged by the US government as a security risk, resulting in a ban on the sale of its products.

I conducted a comparison between NordVPN vs Kaspersky VPN using the information provided on each VPN’s official page. While I performed some tests with NordVPN, I did not test Kaspersky VPN, as it’s considered unsafe, and we don’t support Russian services. Based on my findings and the current concerns about Kaspersky’s safety, I recommend choosing NordVPN for its superior security, performance, and reliability.

NordVPN vs Kaspersky VPN: specifications

Even at first glance, NordVPN is a much better VPN provider than Kaspersky VPN. NordVPN takes the lead in almost all important categories, such as server network (almost three times bigger than Kaspersky VPN), speeds, compatibility with devices, and simultaneous connections.

Regarding security and privacy, NordVPN’s no-logs policy has been audited four times, while Kaspersky VPN has no proof of being audited. Its jurisdiction is also in Russia, and that doesn’t add extra security.

Here’s a quick comparison of both service providers below. However, I will provide more in-depth arguments, on why NordVPN is better than Kaspersky VPN later in the article.

NordVPN vs Kaspersky VPN: pricing

NordVPN starts at $3.89/month, while Kaspersky is more budget-friendly at $2.84/month. However, choosing Kaspersky comes with privacy concerns. Since it operates under Russian jurisdiction, Kaspersky is required to comply with government requests for information. This could potentially grant the Russian government access to sensitive data, posing a significant risk, especially for U.S. organizations. While cheaper, Kaspersky’s ties to Russia may compromise privacy in ways that NordVPN does not.

Plus, if you compare all the features and performance that you get for each service provider, NordVPN clearly has a better value for money. Also, the free version of Kaspersky VPN is very limiting, with a small data cap and no option to choose a server, so it’s just better to try NordVPN free trial for 7 days without any limitations.

Speed comparison

NordVPN is arguably the fastest VPN provider, thanks to its proprietary NordLynx tunneling protocol. It’s based on the open-source WireGuard protocol, which is currently the de facto standard when aiming for blazing-fast connections.

According to information from Kaspersky’s official site, the VPN’s tunneling protocol depends on the device. On Windows, Kaspersky uses Hotspot Shield’s Hydra protocol, while Android and iOS devices utilize the more traditional OpenVPN. For those using Windows and macOS, WireGuard is available as well, offering another option for secure connections.

Although the Hydra protocol is pretty swift, its absence from mobile devices means that Kaspersky VPN can’t provide consistently fast connections across the board, unlike its competitor.

NordVPN vs Kaspersky VPN: which is more secure?

Regarding security, NordVPN is a much safer option than Kaspersky VPN. While both services share certain similarities—AES-256 encryption, a kill switch, IP & DNS leak protection—they’re not on equal footing in terms of security and reliability.

Kaspersky VPN is headquartered in a very questionable jurisdiction. The fact its no-logs policy is dubious and there are no RAM servers to prevent data collection certainly doesn’t help matters. Meanwhile, NordVPN’s no-logs policy has been audited 4 times, and it is based in Panama, away from the 14-eyes alliance.

Privacy

For starters, NordVPN is located in privacy-ensuring Panama. The country is away from the Five Eyes alliance and doesn’t bend the knee to government overreach. There’s no incentive for the provider to snoop on what you’re doing while connected to the VPN or report it.

With Kaspersky VPN, it’s difficult to overlook the numerous red flags. Firstly, the provider is based in Russia, a warmongering dictatorship notorious for online censorship and surveillance. Additionally, the country blocks VPNs that aren’t approved by the government. That leads me to believe that Kaspersky VPN is in cahoots with the Kremlin.

Additionally, all Kaspersky Lab software is prohibited from use in US government institutions since 2017. This is because of alleged confidential data theft from an NSA contractor via antivirus software. Unsurprisingly, the company denies any ties with the Russian government and foul play. For a more detailed discussion of this situation, refer to our Kaspersky antivirus review.

Logging

When it comes to the no-logs policy, NordVPN went through multiple independent no-logs policy audits to prove that user confidentiality is of the utmost importance. To further illustrate this, customers can pay for a VPN anonymously using various cryptocurrencies or even cash. And the whole server network runs solely on RAM modules.

On the contrary, Kaspersky claims to have a no-logs policy, but there isn’t any record of it being audited. And the company discloses that they do tend to collect identifiable data about you when you’re installing the software for the first time.

Kaspersky VPN may collect device ID, OS ID, OS edition, unique device ID, software installation ID, country code, installation date and time, time when the software was activated, software localization, flag indicating whether the software is connected to Web-Portal, your device’s network activity and activity on the internet, and so much more.

Kaspersky vs NordVPN: servers location

When comparing server amounts, I immediately noticed that NordVPN has almost three times more servers than Kaspersky VPN. It’s an impressive number considering the fact that the bigger the server network, the fewer chances that you’ll face blocked and overcrowded servers. Plus, a diverse selection of geographical regions unlocks more foreign content that’s normally unavailable in your home country.

NordVPN is responsible for 7000+ servers in 118+ countries. Most of its hardware is located in the same region that you’re connecting to, and only a few servers are virtual, allowing you to the regions affected by censorship. Additionally, privacy is guaranteed, thanks to all servers utilizing RAM-only technology to prevent data storage on hard drives.

Kaspersky VPN users can select from 2000+ servers in 72+ countries. Besides the proprietary tunneling protocol, the service also makes use of Hotspot Shield’s server infrastructure. This could result in faster connectivity, but renting hardware from third parties is not ideal.

Features comparison

Kaspersky VPN is pretty barebones on the feature front. It appears that customers will have to buy separate products if they need well-rounded security. That’s not the case with NordVPN, as it includes an expansive arsenal of features for protection against various online threats.

Smart DNS

NordVPN has a SmartDNS feature known as SmartPlay. In other words, it lets you bypass geo-blocks on devices and streaming peripherals that don’t support VPNs natively. Its SmartDNS feature also comes with an extra security layer, which ensures a high level of protection across all devices.

Kaspersky doesn’t have a SmartDNS feature, limiting its usage only to devices that this VPN officially supports. Which isn’t much.

Ad & malware blocker

Ad & malware blockers help you stay safe online by preventing you from clicking on suspicious links and websites. Depending on the provider, you may get other perks with this feature. Only NordVPN offers this.

It’s called Threat Protection and it works both on PC and mobile. It blocks instructive adware, user trackers, and malicious websites. Even your downloads (up to 5 Gb) get scanned for malware. It’s one of the best ad & malware blockers out there, and you can leave it to run silently in the background.

Split tunneling

It’s nothing surprising that NordVPN has a split tunneling feature for Windows, Android, and Android TV. As a result, you can route your traffic through a specific tunnel and choose which apps work only when the VPN is turned on.

Compared to NordVPN, Kaspersky offers split tunneling only on Windows, however, I still don’t recommend it for your own safety.

Specialized servers

Both services offer specialty servers for different online activities. NordVPN includes:

• Obfuscated servers. Circumventing online censorship requires specialized technology that can deal with DPI (Deep Packet Inspection) and VPN blocks. And these servers are capable of just that by masking your VPN traffic as regular HTTPS traffic.
• Double VPN. Redirecting your web traffic through multiple VPN servers grants greater security and nullifies the risk of IP or DNS leaks. Keep in mind that performance can plummet significantly with this feature.
• Onion over VPN. NordVPN provides servers that are integrated with the Tor Network. Using them grants exceptional privacy and easy access to the Tor Browser.
• P2P-optimized. These boost torrenting traffic for faster downloads and uploads.

Kaspersky VPN has the For Streaming servers optimized for unblocking streaming platforms. And there’s For Torrenting that automatically selects the best server for P2P file-sharing. However, since we can’t test their performance, it’s uncertain how well they work. It’s always better to prioritize safety than risk your privacy.

Other features

If you want a more versatile security toolkit with Kaspersky VPN, it will cost extra. NordVPN doesn’t do this, instead including various perks with the regular subscription. I’m talking about a SOCKS5 proxy, Invisibility on LAN, Dark Web Monitoring, Meshnet, etc.

NordVPN vs Kaspersky: Netflix and streaming comparison

Besides privacy, users often purchase a VPN for unlocking bonus TV shows and movies on geo-restricted streaming platforms.

NordVPN outperforms Kaspersky VPN when it comes to streaming, and it’s no surprise—NordVPN is recognized as the best VPN for streaming for a variety of reasons. First off, it’s wicked-fast and has no trouble loading UHD video content without buffering. Additionally, the vast server network enables users to access content from anywhere globally. Besides Netflix, NordVPN works wonderfully with platforms like BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, Disney+, and many more.

In contrast, I don’t recommend Kaspersky for streaming, especially considering the current regulatory environment in the U.S., which raises concerns about data privacy and security. Users need a VPN they can trust, and NordVPN consistently proves to be the safer choice.

Device compatibility

A versatile VPN is usable in many scenarios and with practically any device from your household. NordVPN fits this description perfectly, while Kaspersky VPN is left in the dust.

Desktop applications

Although I couldn’t test Kaspersky, I found NordVPN to be user-friendly, with an intuitive design and strong security features. Additionally, NordVPN includes a visual server map, which I found to be particularly helpful.

NordVPN’s Windows and macOS clients look identical, and you get the same perks across the board. All the features are easy to find and use. NordVPN also includes some statistics on how long the VPN was activated. Also, Dark Web Monitor alerts about leaks, and I got my overall security score.

Mobile applications

NordVPN and Kaspersky VPN also include apps for Android and iOS.

When using the NordVPN mobile app, I was satisfied with the same level of functionality between the operating systems. The world map with the servers takes half the screen when you open the map, but all the other features are easily accessible. The interface is intuitive and easy to use, so I overall enjoyed the mobile app experience.

In contrast, I couldn’t test Kaspersky’s mobile app due to security concerns, and I wouldn’t recommend others do so either. Given the current regulatory environment and potential privacy risks associated with Kaspersky, it’s best to prioritize a VPN that ensures robust security and user trust, like NordVPN.

Kaspersky VPN and NordVPN for torrenting

NordVPN is superior to Kaspersky VPN in torrenting due to P2P servers, free SOCKS5 proxy, and split tunneling feature available on all devices.

While Kaspersky VPN also has P2P servers, its failure to offer free SOCKS5 proxy and split tunneling on all devices (now it’s only available on Windows) makes it less attractive for safe torrenting. NordVPN users can utilize a SOCKS5 proxy to secure their torrenting activities and enable split tunneling to run exclusively on a particular app, e.g., a torrent client. Also, Kaspersky VPN is not recommended for torrenting due to its alleged ties with the Russian government.

For more information about torrenting, check out the best torrenting VPNs article.

China

Circumventing online censorship with a VPN is a delicate game of cat and mouse since both parties are trying to outplay each other. NordVPN takes this game seriously and provides numerous options for dealing with obstacles like the Great Firewall of China. Meanwhile, Kaspersky VPN Secure Connection concedes from the start and clearly states that it doesn’t work in countries where VPN technology is restricted.

However, no VPN is 100% reliable as the CCP works diligently to block any means of avoiding surveillance and censorship. The best way to improve your chances in the region is to arm yourself with multiple VPNs for China. Naturally, you also need to install the software before entry as VPN websites are blocked in China.

Customer support

When comparing customer support between NordVPN and Kaspersky, NordVPN stands out for its superior service. Only NordVPN offers 24/7 live chat support, which is crucial when you encounter critical issues and need immediate assistance. I contacted NordVPN’s live chat and got answers to my questions almost immediately, without having to wait hours or even days. They were also very precise and helpful, which made the customer support experience even more delightful.

Other than this, both NordVPN and Kaspersky VPN have email support, along with a knowledgebase and other guides and tutorials.

NordVPN vs Kaspersky VPN – which is better?

After various tests and comparisons, it’s obvious, that NordVPN is better than Kaspersky VPN. Not only does NordVPN top Kaspersky VPN in every category, but it’s also a much safer choice considering the fact that NordVPN is based in Panama. Meanwhile, the Russian-based Kaspersky VPN service has too few perks and a questionable history to be worth considering.

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FAQ

Is Kaspersky VPN better than NordVPN?

No, Kaspersky VPN is not better than NordVPN. NordVPN outshines Kaspersky VPN with stronger security features, faster speeds, better streaming and torrenting capabilities, and effective bypassing of online censorship.

Which is faster – NordVPN or Kaspersky VPN?

NordVPN is faster than Kaspersky because of two things. Its bigger server range of 7000+ servers in 118+ countries and the superb NordLynx protocol that ensures fast and consistent connections.

Is Kaspersky VPN a good VPN?

While Kaspersky VPN is a good service provider, there are plenty of better options in the market. It has all the necessities as military-grade encryption and a kill switch, but nothing else more noteworthy except a questionable reputation.