Intro & Overall Ratings
Our Ratings
Proton VPN and TorGuard are both affordable VPN options. Proton VPN, sourced from Switzerland, has an overall user rating of 80.8%, offers a 30-day refund policy, and can unblock popular streaming platforms. In contrast, TorGuard, based in the United States, scores 43.2% and offers a smaller refund window of 7 days, with limited streaming unblocking capabilities. With this comparison, Proton VPN proves more beneficial for user’s privacy protection, cost-effectiveness, and content accessibility.
About Our VPN Rating Systems
Our reviews delve deeply into each VPN service, scrutinizing aspects such as privacy, customer feedback, pricing, and usability to provide well-rounded insights.
Ratings are based on our comprehensive research of 96 VPN companies. Out of 96 VPNs we reviewed, only 11 surpass the 75% threshold in our evaluation, while half of the reviewed services score below average (54.1%).
Why Read Our VPN Guide?
- Our VPN reviews are unbiased and data-driven. We are not affiliated to any of the VPN companies listed on this website.
- Our rating system covers diverse user needs. We delve deeply into each VPN service, scrutinizing aspects such as privacy, customer feedback, pricing, and usability to provide well-rounded insights.
Specifications: Proton VPN vs TorGuard
| VPN Company | Proton VPN | TorGuard |
|---|---|---|
| Jurisdiction Country | Switzerland | United States |
| Cheapest Price | $4.99/mo over 24-month subscription | $5.00/mo |
| Monthly Price | $9.99 | $9.99 |
| Money Back Guarantee | 30 days | 7 days |
| No Logging Policy? | Yes | Yes |
| Encryption | AES-256, and ChaCha20 | AES-128, and AES-256 |
| Protocols | OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2/IPSec | IKEv2/IPSec, L2TP/IPSec, OpenVPN, WireGuard, PPTP, and SSTP |
| Servers | 2,970 | 3,000 |
| Servers Countries | 68 | 50 |
| Simultaneous Connections | 10 devices | 8 devices |
| Works in China? | No | Likely |
| Smart DNS | No | No |
| Kill Switch | Yes | Yes |
| Browser Extension | Yes | Yes |
| Double VPN | No | No |
| Ads Blocking | Yes | Yes |
| Split Tunneling | Yes | Yes |
| Third Party Audit | Securitum | 0 |
| Customer Support | 24/7 Live Chat, and Email | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Unblock Streaming | Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Netflix, Hulu, and HBO | – |
| Learn More | Visit Online | Visit Online |
Cruical Features & Key Differences
Plans & Pricing: Tie
Searching for a VPN that marries cost-effectiveness with reliable performance? Both Proton VPN and TorGuard are priced affordably. Proton VPN costs $4.99/mo for its 24-month plan; while TorGuard cheapest 12-month plan starts at $5.00/mo. These VPNs exemplify the possibility of obtaining superior online security and privacy without a significant financial outlay. Both services highlight that accessing top-tier VPN features can indeed be budget-friendly
Jurisdiction: Proton VPN Better
For those prioritizing online privacy, the jurisdiction of their VPN provider is a critical consideration. Proton VPN, with its base in Switzerland, offers a substantial privacy edge over United States-based TorGuard. Not part of the EU or US jurisdiction, Switzerland is known for its neutrality and strict privacy regulations. This provides a robust legal framework that benefits ProtonVPN users.
On the other hand, TorGuard is based in United States, a member of the 14-Eyes Alliance. The 14-Eyes Alliance, an expansion of the Five- and Nine-Eyes intelligence collaborations, includes countries like the USA, UK, Canada, and several European nations. These member states are known for their extensive surveillance activities, as highlighted by disclosures from figures like Edward Snowden (watch video below). Such surveillance extends to the sharing of collected data among member countries. In other words, company like TorGuard could be legally obligated to comply with government requests for user data, with the potential for this data to circulate among the alliance members. This surveillance culture not only compromises personal privacy but also raises concerns about digital security.
Comparing the two, ProtonVPN’s Swiss base generally offers a higher level of privacy protection. However, it’s important to consider other factors such as the VPN’s own privacy policy, encryption standards, and track record in handling user data. Both VPNs have their own merits, but for strict privacy considerations, being based in Switzerland gives ProtonVPN an edge.
Servers Count & Geographical Coverage: Tie
Proton VPN and TorGuard are both noteworthy for their extensive networks. With Proton VPN, users benefit from an expansive server network, facilitating connections from 68 countries and ensuring a smooth and speedy online experience. TorGuard mirrors this capability, boasting a sizeable server fleet of 3,000 servers spread over 50 countries.
The broad reach of both Proton VPN and TorGuard means that they are capable of providing dependable and swift connections for users globally, making them top contenders for those in search of a VPN with extensive worldwide coverage.
Money Back Guarantee: Proton VPN Better
Proton VPN extends a reassuring 30-day money-back guarantee to its users, providing a substantial period for a full assessment of its services. TorGuard, on the other hand, opts for a more condensed money-back guarantee period. While this shorter timeframe does offer a window for service evaluation, it might be a point to consider for users who are looking for a longer duration to thoroughly test the VPN’s fit with their needs.
Unblock Streaming Platforms: Proton VPN Better
One noteworthy distinction between Proton VPN and TorGuard lies in their performance regarding the unblocking of popular streaming platforms. Proton VPN excels in this regard, consistently providing access to a wide range of streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime. Nord users can reliably enjoy their preferred shows and movies from various locations.
However, it’s important to note that TorGuard encounters difficulties in this aspect. Despite having servers in 50 countries, the VPN struggles to consistently unblock major streaming platforms. This limitation is a crucial factor for users who prioritize access to streaming content and are seeking a VPN service that can effectively bypass geo-restrictions.
Performance in China: TorGuard Better
Proton VPN faces challenges operating reliably in China due to its stringent online restrictions. In contrast, TorGuard currently demonstrates a higher likelihood of functioning effectively within China. However, given the dynamic nature of China’s firewall policies, this advantage may not be sustainable in the long term. Users requiring consistent VPN access in China should consider these changing variables when choosing between Proton VPN and TorGuard.
Bottomline
In conclusion, both Proton VPN and TorGuard offer strong VPN solutions, with Proton VPN standing out for its superior privacy protection, greater money-back guarantee period, and consistent unlocking of numerous streaming platforms. Meanwhile, TorGuard comes with the potential advantage of more effective functionality in China, making both suitable depending on user needs and priorities.
About Proton VPN & TorGuard
TorGuard
TotalAV is a well-established VPN company founded in 2016 by a group of cybersecurity experts. The company is headquartered in the UK, but provides VPN services to customers across the globe. TotalAV’s top priority is to offer a reliable, fast, and secure VPN solution to protect users’ online privacy and security.
To learn more, read our TorGuard review.
Proton VPN
Proton VPN is a virtual private network service operated by Proton AG, a Swiss company renowned for their secure email service – Proton Mail.
Proton VPN and Proton Mail share the same management team, offices, and technical resources, and are operated from Switzerland. The VPN service currently has 2,970 servers in 68 countries. Although ProtonVPN owns and operates some of its servers, the majority are operated by ASNs such as Datacamp Limited. The service is available for Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, as well as ChromeOS and can be used on smartphones, personal computers, and even installed on a wireless router.
Proton VPN is one of the most secure VPN services available in the market. It utilizes OpenVPN (UDP/TCP), IKEv2, and WireGuard protocols with AES-256 encryption. In addition to this, Proton VPN has a no-logs policy that has been independently audited by Securitum, a European security auditing company. In October 2022, Proton VPN released their Stealth Protocol that disguises VPN traffic as HTTPS traffic.
To learn more, read our Proton VPN review.