NordVPN vs. TorGuard 2024 — Which VPN Wins the Race? by Danica Djokic

Danica Djokic

Updated on: December 25, 2023

NordVPN and TorGuard are among the top providers in the VPN industry. They are both very fast, offer great security and privacy features, and work well for torrenting.

Both providers come with industry-standard security features, including 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and a no-logs policy.

In addition, NordVPN and TorGuard also have:

• Perfect forward secrecy.
• RAM-only servers.
• Obfuscation.
• An ad blocker.
• Split-tunneling.
• SOCKS5 support.
• Full leak protection.

However, there are some differences that make NordVPN the better choice. NordVPN stands out with its easy-to-use interface and access to 6,036 servers in 61 countries. NordVPN also has more extras, such as SmartPlay, dark web monitoring, and double VPN servers. It also offers better streaming support. TorGuard, on the other hand, has 3,000+ servers in 50 countries, doesn’t work with Netflix, and its desktop and Android apps are confusing. Plus, it’s way more expensive than NordVPN. On a positive note, it works in most restrictive countries.

I used several metrics to compare NordVPN and TorGuard, including speed, security, privacy, server network, extra features, streaming, torrenting, gaming, P2P support, bypassing censorship, ease of use, pricing plans, and customer support. While both providers perform well, NordVPN comes out on top in several key areas. Read on to find out which VPN better fits your needs.

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NordVPN vs. TorGuard — Quick Overview

Security — Both VPNs Are Very Secure

Whichever provider you pick, you’ll get excellent security. Both NordVPN and TorGuard come with industry-standard VPN security features, such as:

• 256-bit AES encryption. This military-grade encryption method scrambles your data, so only someone with the right “key” can understand it.
• No-logs policy. Makes sure the provider won’t collect and store your data and IP address.
• Kill switch. Cuts off your internet if the VPN connection drops to protect you from data leaks.

I like that NordVPN and TorGuard both have an app-level kill switch along with the regular one. It shuts down selected apps if the VPN disconnects. I tested the feature with 4 P2P clients, and it never failed to close down each app when I disconnected from NordVPN and TorGuard.

Both NordVPN and TorGuard offer full leak protection. They’ll protect your device against DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks. When I tested it on over 10 servers from each provider, I didn’t experience any leaks.

NordVPN and TorGuard offer advanced security features, like RAM-only servers and perfect forward secrecy. RAM-only servers ensure that all data is wiped clean after every reboot, while perfect forward secrecy makes sure that even if a session key is compromised, it can’t be used to decrypt past or future VPN sessions.

Also, both VPNs come with OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPSec protocols that provide fast speeds and advanced security. TorGuard also has OpenConnect and WireGuard (the fastest protocol), while NordVPN has its own proprietary protocol, NordLynx, which is based on WireGuard.

NordVPN also lets you secure your account with two-factor authentication, a feature that adds an extra layer of security by requiring two types of identification to log in, usually a password and a time-sensitive code.

Extra Features — NordVPN Is the Better Option

Both VPNs come with a range of extras, yet NordVPN takes the lead with some superior additional features.

Both VPNs provide split-tunneling, allowing users to specify which apps or websites use the VPN connection, and which should stick to the local network. However, TorGuard’s split-tunneling isn’t user-friendly.

Each service offers obfuscation, a feature that masks your VPN traffic to make it look like regular internet traffic. This is particularly useful in areas where VPN use might be restricted, or if you’re looking for a way to hide your VPN usage to get more privacy.

While both VPNs offer ad blockers, NordVPN’s Threat Protection is much better. Apart from ad blocking, third-party tracker prevention, and protection against malicious sites, Threat Protection also blocks pop-up ads and guards against malware-infected downloads. Best of all, it runs even without being connected to a NordVPN server.

NordVPN and TorGuard both offer dedicated IP addresses, which are IPs that are only assigned to you that can help avoid reCAPTCHAs and ensure access to sites that block shared VPN IPs, such as banking sites.

Both providers come with SOCKS5 proxy support. These proxy servers change your IP address without encrypting your traffic, typically providing faster speeds, which is good for torrenting. TorGuard also comes with port forwarding, which lets you connect to more peers for faster speeds.

Also, both VPNs have a smart DNS, which enables users to use the VPNs on devices without native VPN support, like gaming consoles or certain smart TVs.

And both providers support Tor traffic, meaning you can surf the dark web connected to their servers. But NordVPN also has Onion Over VPN servers, which let users access the dark web via standard browsers so that they don’t need the Tor browser.

However, NordVPN has a few more additional features that TorGuard lacks:

• Double VPN connections. These servers send your data through 2 VPN servers instead of 1, adding an additional layer of security.
• Dark Web Monitor. This feature scans the dark web and alerts users if their NordVPN account credentials have been leaked.
• Tapjacking Protection. It alerts you if a malicious app on your Android device tries to trick you into clicking something you didn’t intend to by overlaying the screen.
• Meshnet. Allows connection of up to 60 devices over encrypted VPN connections, which is perfect for secure virtual LAN parties or secure file sharing.

Privacy — NordVPN Wins the Race

NordVPN is slightly better when it comes to privacy. Even though both VPNs have a strict no-logs policy, only NordVPN has passed independent security audits in 2018, 2020, and 2022. TorGuard doesn’t collect users’ IP addresses or traffic, but it’d be easier to trust the provider if its no-logs policy underwent security audits.

In addition, NordVPN passed other security audits. Its mobile and desktop apps were audited in 2019, and the audit concluded that there aren’t safety issues. Also, its NordLynx protocol, Threat Protection, and more passed an independent security audit in 2022.

NordVPN is based in Panama, which is outside of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances, a group of countries that share surveillance data. This strategic location means that NordVPN is not legally obligated to retain user data or comply with data requests from these alliances. In contrast, TorGuard is based in the US, which is a member of the Alliance. However, even if it is asked for data, it won’t have any to share because of its no-logs policy.

I like that both NordVPN and TorGuard accept cryptocurrency payments. This payment method is great for user privacy because it allows for anonymous transactions, unlike credit cards or traditional bank transfers.

Servers — NordVPN Comes Out on Top

Both providers offer a vast server network, but NordVPN outperforms TorGuard — it has 6,036 servers in 61 countries, while the latter has 3,000+ servers in 50 countries. More servers mean better speeds because none of them get too busy, even during peak hours.

NordVPN and TorGuard both allow P2P traffic on their servers. Even though NordVPN wins the race with 4,500+ P2P servers in 45+ countries, TorGuard puts up a tough fight, as it offers P2P support on all servers except for the US ones.

Each provider supports obfuscation on their servers. I like that NordVPN provides access to 100+ obfuscated servers in 15+ countries, but TorGuard has slightly better support since it allows obfuscation on all servers via different obfuscation methods.

You’ll also get dedicated IP servers with both providers for an extra cost. NordVPN has dedicated IPs in 10+ countries, while TorGuard provides dedicated IPs in 30+ countries.

What’s more, NordVPN offers other types of servers — double VPN servers in 5+ countries for extra security, and Onion Over VPN servers that let you access the Tor network while also using a VPN.

Speeds — Both VPNs Are Really Fast

Both NordVPN and TorGuard deliver fast speeds, so they’re both good for all types of online activities.

I ran multiple tests with both VPNs on nearby and distant servers. On nearby servers, websites, HD videos, and 4K videos always loaded instantly, and it also only took around 10–13 minutes to torrent a 20 GB file with either provider. And on their distant servers, sites and HD videos loaded in around 2 seconds, 4K videos took up to 3 seconds to load, and it usually took an average of 19–23 minutes to download the same 20 GB file.

Streaming — NordVPN Has Much Better Streaming Support

NordVPN is a better choice for streaming compared to TorGuard. My colleagues and I found it consistently worked with the popular streaming platforms in our regions, such as BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Disney+, Max, and Amazon Prime. Meanwhile, TorGuard only works with Max, Amazon Prime, and Disney+, and my UK colleague found it only occasionally works with BBC iPlayer.

Unlike TorGuard, NordVPN works with Netflix — its support reps confirmed that it’s compatible with 10+ Netflix libraries globally, including Netflix US, UK, and Japan. Both VPNs also come with a smart DNS, which allows you to use a VPN on devices that don’t work with VPN apps, like certain smart TV models.

In addition, NordVPN also has SmartPlay technology on all servers, which combines VPN and Smart DNS technologies.

Torrenting — Both VPNs Are Good Picks For Torrenting

Both NordVPN and TorGuard offer robust support for P2P traffic, with each providing unique advantages. NordVPN permits torrenting on 4,500+ of its servers across 45+ countries, while TorGuard allows P2P traffic across its entire server network, except for those in the US.

These VPNs are compatible with popular P2P clients, like qBittorrent and Vuze. I tested 3+ different P2P apps while connected to these VPNs and had no issues.

Also, both providers offer SOCKS5 proxy support. These proxy servers alter your IP address without encrypting your traffic, resulting in faster P2P speeds. On the other hand, only TorGuard has port forwarding, allowing users to connect to more peers to get faster downloads.

Both providers are solid when it comes to security and privacy for torrenting. They both employ a kill switch (including an app-based one), full leak protection, and a no-logs policy, although NordVPN has its no-logs policy independently audited. Plus, NordVPN’s Threat Protection blocks malicious ads on P2P sites and protects users from downloading malware-infected torrents.

Gaming — Either VPN Is Good For Gaming

My gaming experience with NordVPN and TorGuard was similar. Whether I was playing fast-paced games like Dota 2 or Call of Duty, both VPNs maintained low ping and high speeds on nearby servers. However, on distant servers, I experienced a slightly higher ping and minor lag with both providers, though it didn’t affect the gaming experience too much.

Both VPNs protect you from Distributed-Denial-of-Service (DDoS attacks), which force you offline. That said, neither has built-in anti-DDoS protection, which might be a concern since it’s theoretically possible to be disconnected from the VPN if someone DDoS-es your VPN connection.

An advantage of NordVPN is its Meshnet feature, which allows the connection of up to 60 devices via VPN-encrypted connections. This is great if you’re planning a virtual LAN party and want to secure connections to your friends’ devices.

Both VPNs can be set up on your router, which is useful for gaming on devices that don’t natively support VPN apps, such as Xbox and PlayStation consoles. However, neither provider guarantees support for cloud gaming. In my tests, they worked with GeForce Now, but I can’t guarantee you’ll get the same results.

Bypassing Censorship — I recommend TorGuard

	Obfuscation	Works in China	Works in Russia	Works in Iran	Works in Indonesia	Works in Saudi Arabia
NordVPN	✅	❌	❌	❌	❌	❌
TorGuard	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅

My top pick for bypassing censorship in highly restrictive countries is TorGuard. While both providers support obfuscation, TorGuard actually works in censorship-heavy nations, including China, Russia, Iran, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia. On the other hand, NordVPN’s reps confirmed that the VPN won’t work in restrictive countries.

Apps & Ease of Use — NordVPN Is More User-Friendly

My top choice when it comes to user-friendliness is NordVPN. Both NordVPN and TorGuard offer impressive cross-platform support, with applications for iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android TV, and Fire TV. However, only NordVPN has support for Chromebooks. Also, both VPNs work on routers.

The mobile applications for NordVPN include quick-connect features that automatically connect you to the fastest server. They are intuitive, easy to navigate, and provide clear explanations for all settings and features. However, TorGuard’s mobile apps lack the quick-connect tool and aren’t user-friendly.

NordVPN provides efficient desktop apps, allowing server connections through a digital map, which can be quicker than scrolling through a server list. During testing, I didn’t experience any bugs or crashes with either provider’s desktop apps. However, TorGuard’s desktop apps are confusing and more suitable for tech-savvy users, with tons of settings to change and a lack of helpful explanations.

Lastly, both VPNs support manual router setups, with helpful tutorials to make setup as easy as possible.

Plans & Pricing — NordVPN Is More Affordable

NordVPN is not only more cost-effective but also provides better value. However, unlike TorGuard, which permits up to 8 connections, NordVPN offers only 6 device connections.

NordVPN offers monthly, annual, and biennial subscription plans. Its recommended Standard subscription starts at $3.39 / month and includes access to all VPN features. Additional subscriptions like the Plus and Complete plans add services such as a password manager (NordPass) and cloud encryption platform (NordLocker).

TorGuard, in contrast, offers 2 tier-based subscriptions with monthly, yearly, and multi-year plans. Its Anonymous VPN subscription is the cheapest one, and it starts at $9.99 / month.

Both VPNs accept a range of payment options, including credit/debit cards, and cryptocurrencies, which offer an additional layer of privacy. NordVPN also accepts PayPal and Google Pay, while TorGuard offers Amazon Pay and Paymentwall.

Lastly, NordVPN comes with a standard 30-day money-back guarantee, while TorGuard’s refund policy is more restrictive and lasts only 7 days.

Customer Support — NordVPN Has Better Customer Support

Both NordVPN and TorGuard provide a range of customer support platforms, including robust support libraries with FAQs, tutorials, troubleshooting guides, and support articles, some of which contain screenshots and video guides.

However, there are notable differences in their live chat support. While NordVPN offers genuine 24/7 live chat support with friendly representatives who promptly and accurately respond to all inquiries, TorGuard’s claim of 24/7 support isn’t quite accurate. Although they promise round-the-clock assistance, responses can be slow, and the quality of support varies, with some representatives lacking the ability to resolve complex queries efficiently.

In terms of email support, both VPNs performed well. Responses usually arrived in less than a day, and the information provided was always detailed and helpful. However, again, NordVPN was more consistent in delivering high-quality, informative replies.

On the plus side, TorGuard also has a forum that’s pretty active. When I asked a question there, I received an informative reply in around 2 days.

NordVPN vs. TorGuard: Overall Winner

NordVPN stands out with its high security and privacy standards, extensive server network (6,036 servers across 61 countries), and excellent streaming service compatibility, including 10+ Netflix libraries. It also excels in extra features, offering better split-tunneling, Threat Protection, double VPN connections, and more, all at a reasonable price.

TorGuard has great speeds and excellent capabilities for bypassing censorship. It allows up to 8 simultaneous connections and comes with robust security features and P2P support, making it suitable for torrenting. It offers a significant server network with 3,000+ servers in 40+ countries and offers a good gaming experience.

However, NordVPN ultimately delivers superior value, with more server options, excellent privacy measures, broader streaming service access, and more additional features than TorGuard. Both VPNs have their strengths, but NordVPN edges out in overall performance and functionality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is NordVPN better than TorGuard?

In my tests, NordVPN was better in terms of its user-friendly interface, extra features, server network, streaming support, pricing, customer support, and privacy. However, TorGuard is better at circumventing government censorship, and I also couldn’t choose a winner when it comes to speeds, security, torrenting, and gaming.

Are NordVPN and TorGuard safe to use?

Yes, both NordVPN and TorGuard provide excellent security features. They use 256-bit AES encryption, a no-logs policy (NordVPN’s no-logs policy is also independently audited), and a kill switch to prevent data leaks if the VPN connection drops. Both NordVPN and TorGuard offer full leak protection, RAM-only servers, and perfect forward secrecy for advanced security.

Which has better streaming support — TorGuard or NordVPN?

NordVPN is superior to TorGuard in terms of streaming support. It consistently works with 10+ streaming platforms, including BBC iPlayer, Netflix, Disney+, Max, and Amazon Prime, while TorGuard has more limited and inconsistent access. Notably, NordVPN works with Netflix libraries globally, which TorGuard can’t do.

NordVPN also has SmartPlay technology, which merges VPN and Smart DNS technologies.

Which is better for torrenting — NordVPN or TorGuard?

Both NordVPN and TorGuard are well-equipped for torrenting, but they each have their own strengths. NordVPN allows torrenting across an extensive network of 4,500+ servers in over 40 countries. On the other hand, TorGuard permits P2P traffic across all its servers, except those in the US. Both VPNs are compatible with popular P2P clients and offer SOCKS5 proxy support for faster speeds. However, TorGuard also has port forwarding for faster downloads.

Read more about the best VPNs in 2024