The internet is constantly growing, and with this growth come concerns about information access and internet security. That’s where VPNs, or Virtual Private Networks, come into play. You may have heard this acronym before and know about some of the prominent names in the VPN space, but which one is right for you?
Our comparison between NordVPN and FastestVPN will take a closer look at two popular providers. By examining their technical specifications, security protocols, performance, and real-world applications, we aim to provide an informed perspective to help you choose the right service.
Contents
FastestVPN vs NordVPN – Quick Summary
FastestVPN
NordVPN
NordVPN is a widely recognized service, renowned for its strong encryption and fast speeds, which make it a solid choice for both casual users and advanced internet users alike. FastestVPN, while not as well known, offers a budget-friendly alternative with impressive security features and cloud storage capabilities.
We’ve previously compared NordVPN to Surfshark, and it continues to prove itself as one of the best VPNs on the market. But can FastestVPN hold its own in this comparison? Let’s dive into the features of each VPN.
Is FastestVPN Better than NordVPN?
Advantages of FastestVPN
FastestVPN offers several competitive advantages. First, its pricing is among the most affordable in the market, particularly when comparing long-term plans. With the added benefit of 2TB of cloud storage and a 15-day money-back guarantee, it provides excellent value for users on a budget.
FastestVPN uses AES-256 bit encryption, an industry-standard security protocol used by many top VPN providers. Additionally, it includes features like a kill switch and malware protection to ensure a secure browsing experience.
However, FastestVPN’s smaller server network (around 250 servers) limits its ability to match the speeds and server variety of NordVPN.
Advantages of NordVPN
NordVPN has earned its place as one of the top VPN providers due to its high reliability, speed, and a wide range of advanced features. One major advantage is the extensive server network, with over 5000 servers in 60 countries, providing greater speed and more opportunities for reliable connections. This network ensures better access to geo-restricted content, like streaming services or specific websites from various countries.
NordVPN also offers enhanced security with its unique double VPN encryption and CyberSec feature, which blocks malware, phishing attempts, and ads. Additionally, NordLynx, NordVPN’s WireGuard-based protocol, further enhances connection speeds while maintaining privacy.
FastestVPN Vs NordVPN: Pricing
One of the biggest advantages FastestVPN has over NordVPN is that it can potentially be much more cost-effective. FastestVPN also keeps things simpler with only 3 plans:
- $10 for 1 month
- $25 for 3 years and 3 months (0.66/month)
- $40 for 5 years and 3 months (0.07/month)
It should be noted that these prices are the sale prices accurate at the time of writing. As you can see, the savings become quite dramatic the longer you sign up.
Additionally, FastestVPN offers the same features across all tiers, and these all include 2 TB cloud storage and a 15-day money-back guarantee.
NordVPN has many more payment options, and you have three tiers to choose from. These include Standard, Plus, and Complete. The features vary slightly for each tier, but we will cover that in more detail when we look at the features of each VPN later.
| Standard | Plus | Complete | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Plan | $11.99/mo | $12.99/mo | $14.29/mo |
| 1-Year Plan (+3 free months) | $4.49/mo | $5.49/mo | $6.79/mo |
| 2-Year Plan (+3 free months) | $2.99/mo | $3.99/mo | $5.29/mo |
As you can see, FastestVPN can be as inexpensive as $0.07 a month, whereas NordVPN’s cheapest offering is $2.99 per month. That is quite a difference, but NordVPN does seem to earn the right to charge a bit more, as we shall soon see.
FastestVPN Vs NordVPN: Speed
When it comes to VPNs and what they’re typically used for, speed is almost always an important factor. Many everyday people use VPNs for purposes like streaming content from other countries and downloads, and both require as much speed as possible.
As we mentioned earlier, NordVPN has an advantage over FastestVPN in terms of available servers. To recap, NordVPN has access to over 5000 servers as opposed to around 250 servers for FastestVPN.
Testing speeds of VPNs can depend on many factors, but a few third-party reviews show that NordVPN’s increased server number has some notable benefits.
Vpnranks.com measured a top download speed of 93.57mbps for NordVPN. They also measured upload speeds of up to 89.52mbps.
On the other hand, security.org measured a top download speed of 37.55mbps for FastestVPN. Upload speeds reached 32.45mbps.
Ironically, FastestVPN offers the lowest speeds for both uploads and downloads by quite a large margin.
These kinds of tests can be anecdotal and depend on factors such as country and internet speeds, but you can generally expect much faster speeds from NordVPN.
When Speed and Security Matter
When choosing a VPN, the real-world applications of speed and security are crucial for making the best decision. NordVPN consistently performs better in activities like streaming geo-restricted content on platforms such as Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu. With its vast network of over 5000 servers, users can reliably access these services without buffering issues or slowdowns, even when streaming in HD or 4K.
For those who frequently download large files via P2P/torrenting, NordVPN’s speed advantage becomes even more apparent. The combination of faster speeds and specialized servers for torrenting makes NordVPN a better choice for users focused on secure, high-volume downloads.
On the other hand, FastestVPN is a great option for casual users looking for basic privacy and anonymity while browsing the web. It’s a reliable choice for tasks like securing your connection on public Wi-Fi networks or maintaining privacy while shopping online.
VPN Performance Benchmarks: What It Means for You
When evaluating VPN speed, it’s important to understand that performance can vary based on several factors, including server location, network conditions, and the user’s distance from the server. In our own tests, NordVPN consistently outperformed FastestVPN in both download and upload speeds, particularly when connected to servers optimized for streaming or P2P.
For instance, users in North America and Europe using NordVPN experienced download speeds of up to 93.57 Mbps and upload speeds of 89.52 Mbps. FastestVPN, while still serviceable, recorded much lower speeds, with download speeds topping out at 37.55 Mbps and upload speeds at 32.45 Mbps.
These results highlight the importance of server variety and network optimization. NordVPN’s extensive server network means that users can experience faster, more reliable connections across different regions, whereas FastestVPN’s smaller network may result in slower speeds, particularly in countries with fewer servers.
FastestVPN Vs NordVPN: Security
Speed is all well and good, but what really matters are the security features that a VPN provides. Unlike the speed where NordVPN had a big headstart, the security features of each are quite competitive.
Both FastestVPN and NordVPN provide the kill switch feature. This ensures that if your connection to the server is lost for any reason, your connection will be terminated to protect your privacy.
Both also offer excellent AES 256-bit encryption, which NordVPN informs us is recommended by the National Security Agency for high-level security.
Additionally, both VPNs offer double encryption for added protection. This means that your data gets encrypted twice, making it even more secure during transmission. However, NordVPN’s CyberSec feature, which actively blocks malware and phishing attempts, gives it a slight edge in security over FastestVPN.
Enhanced VPN Encryption and Protocols
Both NordVPN and FastestVPN use advanced encryption standards like AES-256, a military-grade encryption technique recommended by security experts, including the National Security Agency (NSA). AES-256 works by scrambling your data into ciphertext, which can only be decrypted with a unique key, making it almost impossible for hackers to access.
In addition to encryption, VPNs rely on various protocols to ensure secure connections. OpenVPN and IKEv2 are commonly used protocols in both NordVPN and FastestVPN. OpenVPN is known for its balance of speed and security, making it ideal for most users. IKEv2 is another protocol that excels in maintaining connection stability, especially when switching between networks, such as from Wi-Fi to mobile data.
NordVPN also offers its proprietary NordLynx protocol, built on the cutting-edge WireGuard technology. WireGuard is considered more efficient than traditional protocols because it uses fewer lines of code, reducing the chances of security vulnerabilities while also improving speed.
By using these protocols, both VPNs ensure high-level security, but NordVPN’s NordLynx provides an edge when it comes to both speed and data protection.
The Importance of VPNs for Data Privacy
Data privacy is more critical than ever. With the rise of cyber threats and data breaches, using a VPN is essential for safeguarding your personal information. Both FastestVPN and NordVPN offer AES-256 encryption, but NordVPN’s implementation of Double VPN provides an additional layer of protection by routing your data through two VPN servers instead of one.
This is particularly useful for users who handle sensitive information or want to ensure that their online activities are entirely anonymous. In comparison, while FastestVPN also offers strong encryption, it doesn’t have the same double encryption feature, making it slightly less secure for users who require the highest level of protection.
FastestVPN Vs NordVPN: Devices
With most people using multiple devices to connect to the internet, it’s important to know what devices each VPN supports and how many simultaneous connections are allowed.
Both FastestVPN and NordVPN can be used on various devices, including personal computers, smartphones, and even gaming consoles such as Xbox. However, FastestVPN can be used on up to 10 devices, whereas NordVPN supports up to 6 devices simultaneously.
This may not be a dealbreaker for most users, but if you use many devices at once, FastestVPN’s higher limit could be a deciding factor.
FastestVPN Vs NordVPN: Features
Throughout this comparison, we’ve highlighted a few features that each VPN offers. While both provide strong encryption and security, there are a few differences worth noting.
One thing to keep in mind is that NordVPN offers additional features through its different tiers. For example, the higher Complete tier offers 1TB of encrypted cloud storage, while FastestVPN includes 2TB of cloud storage across all plans by default.
NordVPN’s higher tiers also offer features like a cross-platform password manager and a data breach scanner, which checks if your data has been exposed in a breach. FastestVPN lacks these additional tools, making NordVPN more appealing for users who value those extra security layers.
How Each VPN Stacks Up
While NordVPN offers more advanced features like a dedicated password manager and a data breach scanner, it’s important to balance that with FastestVPN’s own strengths. FastestVPN includes 2TB of cloud storage as a standard feature in all its plans, a valuable addition for users looking to back up files securely. This is a significant offering considering that NordVPN’s cloud storage is only available in their higher-tier Complete plan.
Another area where FastestVPN shines is in device compatibility. FastestVPN allows up to 10 simultaneous connections, making it more suitable for larger households or individuals with many devices, compared to NordVPN’s limit of 6.
While FastestVPN may not offer the same level of global coverage or speed, it provides solid value for users who prioritize affordability and basic functionality over premium features.
Who is FastestVPN Best For?
FastestVPN is a quality service that provides great benefits, especially for budget-conscious users. However, due to lower speeds and fewer countries it can access, it may not be the best option for those who need high-speed connectivity across multiple locations.
FastestVPN would be best for casual users who want to stream, download, and protect their privacy online at an affordable price point.
Who is NordVPN Best For?
NordVPN is pricier, but it justifies its cost by offering excellent features, high speeds, and access to a large number of servers. Whether you’re a casual user or need more advanced features, NordVPN’s comprehensive offerings make it worth the investment for those who prioritize speed, access, and security.
Conclusion
In this comparison of NordVPN and FastestVPN, we have examined both services in detail. While NordVPN comes out on top due to its speed, features, and extensive server network, FastestVPN provides an excellent option for those on a budget.
If you’re looking for top-tier performance and security, NordVPN is the way to go. However, if you’re more concerned about affordability and can accept slower speeds, FastestVPN remains a solid choice.
FAQs
Who owns FastestVPN?
-FastestVPN is owned by Fastest Technology Ltd. and is based in the Cayman Islands.
Who owns NordVPN?
-NordVPN is owned by Nordsec Ltd. and is based in Panama.
Is FastestVPN legit?
-FastestVPN is certainly a legitimate service with great security features.
Is FastestVPN safe?
-FastestVPN is definitely a safe option for various online activities.
Does FastestVPN work in China?
-FastestVPN works in China if you connect manually with the OpenVPN client.
Is NordVPN free?
-NordVPN is not free, but it offers various payment tiers and options to fit different needs.
Does NordVPN keep logs?
–NordVPN does not keep any logs of your online activity, ensuring your privacy.
