While we strongly advise using Brave as your browser, its VPN is somewhat underwhelming. In our Brave VPN vs NordVPN comparison, we enjoyed the latter much more. Strangely enough, NordVPN was also cheaper, while simultaneously providing more features and faster speeds.
Does Brave VPN offer anything valuable? Yes, and we highlighted that in our comparison. However, at the end of the day, we believe NordVPN will satisfy you much more. If you’re still interested in our NordVPN vs Brave VPN comparison, we suggest not leaving. It’s going to be interesting.
At the end, you’ll know all their differences and why we recommend siding with the blue team. Before we proceed, you may as well examine our individual reviews of NordVPN and Brave VPN, where we provide more detailed information about each provider. Now, onto the comparison.
Brave VPN vs NordVPN: Key Features Compared
| Brave VPN | NordVPN | |
| 💰 Starting price | $99.99 annually | $3.09 monthly |
| 💸 Money-back guarantee | No ❌ | 30 days |
| 🆓 Free version | No ❌ | No ❌ |
| 📺 Working with Netflix | No ❌ | Yes ✅ |
| 🔽 Torrenting allowance | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| 🔟 10 Gbps servers | Yes (500 Mbps speeds) ❌ | Yes ✅ |
| 🥸 No-logging policy | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| 🌐 Jurisdiction | USA | Panama |
| 📱 Simultaneous connections | 10 | 10 |
| 🛜 Protocols | WireGuard, IKEv2 | NordLynx, NordWhisper, OpenVPN, IKEv2 |
| 💾 Servers | 300+ in 20+ countries | 8,100+ in 125+ countries |
| 💯 Best for | Ease of use and P2P | Privacy, security, bypassing censorship, torrenting, and compatibility |
| ☎️ Customer support | Ticketing, knowledge base, community | 24/7 live chat, email, knowledge base, FAQs |
Price Comparison
Let’s immediately discuss their pricing and set the tone for the rest of this Brave VPN vs NordVPN battle. This time, we’ll start with the former, which has a more flexible pricing structure. It offers four tiers: Basic, Plus, Complete, and Prime. The first is the least expensive, at a smidge over $3.00 monthly.
Beware that these are biennial plans, so there’s an upfront payment for 27 months (three free months are included). NordVPN emphasizes its Plus plan as the best pick, with NordPass, Threat Protection Pro, and a price of under $4.00 monthly. The rest of the NordVPN pricing is above.
We can also mention annual plans, but their discounts are much lower, and in most cases, you won’t get three free months. Monthly plans are exorbitantly expensive, and unless you’re Rockefeller, we don’t recommend them. Finally, NordVPN has a 30-day money-back guarantee covering all plans.
Brave VPN’s prices are straightforward but by no means cheap:
You can spend $9.99 monthly or splurge $99.99 annually. There’s nothing in between. Brave VPN initiates you with a 7-day free trial and charges you after that. You only must provide an email address and a valid credit card. Unlike NordVPN, Brave VPN doesn’t have a refund policy, so all purchases are definitive.
While this is a solid free trial VPN deal, we believe NordVPN is better for its 30-day refund policy and a 7-day free trial on Android. NordVPN is also cheaper to start with, providing better value for money.
Features and Security
Value for money has two components: price and features.
A VPN can cost a lot but also provide little. However, it can also cost little but provide ample. What’s the situation with Brave VPN and NordVPN? Coincidentally, we have both examples. Can you guess which VPN belongs in which category? Take a guess: we believe in you.
Brave VPN
That title goes to Brave VPN.
For the price, you’d expect a bit, or better said, a lot more. Instead, you get a basic in-browser app, which offers almost no features. We noticed that the VPN uses 256-bit encryption and WireGuard as its main protocol. IKEv2 is sometimes used, but it’s mostly for iOS VPN users.
The provider offers a firewall, which blocks ads, trackers, and malware. However, it’s not customizable, and you can’t see which threats it blocked. Brave VPN includes a kill switch, though only on iOS. If your VPN breaks on other devices, expect unwanted IP and DNS leaks, so keep an eye out for that.
Other than these, Brave VPN offers built-in DNS and IP leak protection, which, as you’ll see, works well, unless the VPN malfunctions and you’re left stranded.
As you can see, these are basics, and you can’t customize anything! The app is barren. Devoid of tangible VPN features. While the VPN fulfills the basic standards of online security, ultimately, this price should buy you something nicer. Something you should be proud of.
NordVPN
If nothing, you can always spend a bit less and get NordVPN.
This VPN offers many features, and discussing them in-depth would take more time than we’re willing to take from you. We’ll mention that NordVPN offers everything from Brave VPN does and doubles it. Instead of WireGuard, it uses NordLynx, which is an enhanced version of WireGuard.
It also employs NordWhisper, a protocol designed to overcome network filtering.
Moving on, NordVPN offers a kill switch on all devices, with the ‘advanced’ option that works on a per-app basis. Meanwhile, there’s split tunneling, adding more customization to the experience. But wait till you hear about a Double VPN, which routes traffic through two servers, doubling your encryption.
If this is insufficient, prepare for Threat Protection Pro to block malware, trackers, and ads. With real-time malware scanning, you can keep your device whistle-clean and safe from harm, be it a phone, tablet, or computer. Should you buy the Complete plan, you’ll get even more.
NordPass will create and manage your passwords, while NordLocker will inject 1 TB of encrypted cloud storage into your online experience, allowing superb file protection. All features are fully customizable and found in NordVPN’s apps on all devices, making this VPN an absolute unit.
Because of this, NordVPN is far ahead of Brave VPN regarding security advancements.
DNS & IP Leak Test: No Detected Leaks
During our Brave VPN vs NordVPN security assessment, we also checked for leaks.
That’s what every VPN should take care of. Luckily, after examining a few of their server locations, we detected no IP or DNS leaks that would spoil the fun. Here are NordVPN’s results:
And now, let’s examine Brave VPN.
We used ipleak.net for these tests, but have also repeated them on browserleaks.com and a few other websites. Every time we did this, we achieved the same phenomenal results, making both VPNs safe for those worried about exposing their privacy.
Do Brave VPN and NordVPN Retain Logs?
We touched on privacy, so we believe it’s a good time to discuss logging practices.
We’ll be succinct and immediately bear some good news: these VPNs store no logs of your IP address, online history, DNS requests, originating IP, location, etc. We examined both privacy policies and found no plot holes. More importantly, they were easy to understand even for newbies.
You can see this in the excerpt of Brave VPN’s privacy policy in the screenshot above. While we’re at it, Brave VPN is based in the USA, while NordVPN is from Panama. Both VPNs have multiple third-party audits; however, NordVPN uses diskless or so-called RAM servers, which provide more privacy.
During our further examination, we struggled to find anything shady or suspicious about NordVPN and Brave VPN. With third-party audits and clear-cut no-logs policies, you can only brag about so much. However, you’d be crazy, when renowned third-party companies that have already proved everything.
One thing we haven’t addressed is their logged data, since no VPN is truly no-log.
There’s nothing to worry about. These providers store only technical data used for troubleshooting and fixing network issues. All information is anonymized and cannot be traced back to you. Thus, this part of the comparison ends in a tie, the first one for Brave VPN today.
Device Compatibility and Ease of Use
Imagine a VPN you could use on all systems without restrictions.
NordVPN is exactly that. It offers apps for all systems and devices. Most are native apps, including those for Apple TV, Fire TV Stick, and various Smart TVs. NordVPN is also fully compatible with routers, but it also offers Smart DNS, which allows streaming on non-VPN-compatible devices.
NordVPN’s apps are state-of-the-art, blending functionality with modern features and an interactive interface. The world map takes the center stage, while all settings are on the left. iOS and Android versions have the same design language, ensuring one-click connections for maximum efficiency.
Brave VPN works only on macOS, Windows, Android, and iOS, and strictly as a browser VPN. Again, it protects all traffic, but you can start it only from the Brave Browser. This limits the compatibility to only four systems, meaning you can’t use it on a Fire TV Stick or a router, for example.
As you can see, Brave VPN looks incredibly simple. The connection button and the server list are all you get. No settings, no interactive world map: it’s naked as a gun! We appreciate the simplicity, but we believe its background is ‘wrong’. It shouldn’t be simple just because it lacks features! Yet, it is!
Noteworthy is that both VPNs support ten simultaneous connections. In 2026, that’s an industry standard, although some VPNs, like ExpressVPN, offer up to 14, while others even go up to unlimited (Surfshark).
Speed Comparison: Which VPN Is Faster?
Let’s jump into the speed tests and determine which VPN is faster, NordVPN or Brave VPN.
To do this, we’ll first set a reference point. Luckily, we’ve established it with a speed test of our internet connection without a VPN. At the time of writing, we were in Belgrade, with an internet connection speed of 50/10 Mbps (DL/UL). This was the best result we achieved at the time.
After that, we tested NordVPN vs Brave VPN with their default settings. All tests were performed for three days in a row (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday), three times a day (morning, midday, and evening), and on three server locations, which included the UK, the USA, and Japan.
We compiled their best results into a comprehensive table. Let’s examine it:
| NordVPN | Brave VPN | |
| UK Speed Test Results (DL/UL) | 49.23/9.60 Mbps | 36.99/9.12 Mbps |
| US Speed Test Results (DL/UL) | 43.65/9.11 Mbps | 22.74/7.44 Mbps |
| JP Speed Test Results (DL/UL) | 37.98/8.52 Mbps | 17.54/8.23 Mbps |
Here are our latency test results:
- NordVPN: UK – 51 ms, US – 302 ms, Japan – 346 ms
- Brave VPN: UK – 67 ms, US – 345 ms, Japan – 430 ms
Finally, here are their average download and upload speed retention rates based on the best results achieved in our previous speed tests:
| NordVPN | Brave VPN | |
| DL Speed Retention Percentage | 85% | 50% |
| UL Speed Retention Percentage | 93% | 74% |
All roads lead to the same conclusion: NordVPN is considerably faster.
The difference is staggering, and NordVPN’s 10 Gbps servers shine here. Brave VPN claims to offer 10 Gbps servers, but explains that realistically, you can enjoy up to 500 Mbps speeds, which is a lot lower than 10 Gbps. At least they’re honest, and their claims are true, as exemplified by our tests.
Drastic speed reductions killed the mood when we used Brave VPN, while NordVPN’s superb all-around performance never ceased to amaze us. No wonder it tops our list of the fastest VPNs in 2026.
Brave VPN vs NordVPN: Streaming Test Results
What’s the situation when trying to stream region-locked content?
Our speed test results demonstrate a strong inclination towards NordVPN. Brave VPN’s servers are poorly optimized, and they couldn’t unblock Netflix libraries, BBC iPlayer, and ESPN+. We have tested a few TV channels from Europe and the US, and some of them worked (primarily European).
However, for the most part, Brave VPN struggles with streamers with stringent anti-VPN measures. As you see in the screenshot above, BBC iPlayer was particularly tough and never worked, no matter which server we used. We even tried using another browser, and still saw the geo-restriction message.
NordVPN was much more capable.
This VPN unblocked everything we threw at it, and we didn’t need to use any tricks or special tweaks. During our examination, NordVPN also unblocked popular Netflix libraries and worked with more than twenty (it’s the best Netflix VPN for a reason). In particular, you can use it to access American Netflix abroad or enjoy anime on the Japanese version.
You also have NordVPN’s competent browser extension with location spoofing, which easily sidesteps ‘stubborn’ geo-restrictions, providing access to seemingly inaccessible platforms. All in all, NordVPN is again more reliable, both unblocking-wise and performance-wise, with nearly no buffering.
Do They Work for Torrenting?
Yes, they do, but again, we believe NordVPN goes a few steps ahead.
So, when we connected to Brave VPN, we could download torrents on all servers. Since its encryption wraps all traffic, you can use any torrent client and enjoy privacy. Brave VPN’s torrenting speeds were decent, as we mostly stuck to European servers in Romania, Croatia, and other countries.
But when we switched to servers overseas, we did notice a more dramatic speed drop. Upload speeds were nearly zero in that case, making seeding virtually impossible.
However, NordVPN offers specialized P2P servers, providing exceptional performance, privacy, and security, all aimed at maximum torrenting efficiency. Connect to any, even one farther away, and NordVPN will push itself to its limits, with almost no speed reduction.
NordVPN also supports SOCKS5 and allows you to configure it in the torrent client. Honestly, we’re not huge fans, and we believe you don’t need this proxy to torrent safely and with excellent speeds. However, it’s noteworthy that you get more freedom to choose your approach.
For this reason, and for superior P2P performance, NordVPN takes this round.
Server Locations
Onto the servers. Which VPN offers more servers and locations? Here’s an overview:
- NordVPN: 8,100+ servers in 125+ countries and 165+ locations
- Brave VPN: 300+ servers in 23+ countries and 40+ locations
The difference couldn’t be more obvious, but can Brave VPN match NordVPN in terms of variety and network quality? Hardly.
NordVPN uses 10 Gbps server ports and relies on diskless (RAM-based) servers. Brave VPN uses traditional HDD servers with 10 Gbps ports, but as mentioned earlier, it provides 500 Mbps speeds. That’s less than 1 Gbps, which, for instance, free VPN services often use.
NordVPN strikes further, introducing many types of dedicated servers, such as:
- Double VPN servers
- P2P/torrenting servers
- Onion over VPN servers
- Obfuscated severs
- Dedicated IP servers
NordVPN’s server variety and distribution are unbeatable. You can choose from over twenty locations for a dedicated IP, and get each for about four quid. Additionally, you can use obfuscated servers to sidestep censorship, and, in some instances, even use NordVPN in China in 2026.
NordVPN excels in server quantity and quality, beating Brave VPN once again in this duel.
Customer Support Comparison
Before we sign off, we’ll quickly compare their customer support teams because it’s another NordVPN vs Brave VPN difference we uncovered in our testing.
Brave VPN relies primarily on ticketing, while also using a knowledge base, FAQs, and an active community. All methods work well, but don’t provide instant help. Ticketing is slower, and you have to wait for a few hours to get proper help. When the team responds, it’s at least helpful.
You’re better off with the community, where you can get in touch with other Brave VPN users and discuss certain issues. Or, you can simply use NordVPN, get in touch via 24/7 live chat, and receive coveted help in no time. NordVPN also uses email support, but it’s blazing-fast, with responses in about 10-20 minutes.
NordVPN doesn’t have a community, but there’s a comprehensive help center with a head-spinning number of FAQs, guides, and tutorials. In most cases, you don’t even need to chat with the support to fix the problem. It’s clear as day that NordVPN offers superior customer support.
NordVPN vs Brave VPN: Final Verdict
Our Brave VPN vs NordVPN battle has come to an end, and the winner couldn’t be more obvious. NordVPN made short work of Brave VPN, which ultimately lost nearly every possible comparison. We could only say it offers the same number of simultaneous connections and ease of use.
Everything else, and we really mean everything, including pricing, is on NordVPN’s side.
So, does getting Brave VPN make any sense in this case? Given NordVPN’s cheaper prices, faster speeds, more features, better streaming abilities, and everything else, you’d be crazy for picking Brave VPN instead. Imagine spending more and getting less: who the hell wants that?!
Meanwhile, you can save money, get a few free months, and enjoy NordVPN’s excellent-value biennial plans. Click below and try NordVPN risk-free for 30 days. It’s a far more compelling choice.
