NordVPN vs OpenVPN: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for NordVPN and OpenVPN side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, NordVPN leads on lower entry price; OpenVPN leads on higher user rating and a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
NordVPN
Online VPN service for privacy
Best for you if:
- • You want large server network
OpenVPN
Open-source VPN protocol and software
Best for you if:
- • You want a free tier before you commit
| At a Glance | NordVPN | OpenVPN |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | From $3.49/mo, billed monthly Basic 2-Year plan | Free plan, paid from $7/mo, billed monthly Growth plan |
Category | VPN Security | VPN Security |
Rating | 4.0/5 Trustpilot 4.1 · Capterra 4.6 · G2 4.4 18,319 reviews | 4.3/5 G2 4.5 · Capterra 4.5 · Trustpilot 2.7 574 reviews |
Free plan | No | Yes |
Watch out for | Renewal is higher than the intro price: Basic renews at $139.08/year after the first term. | n/a |
Choose NordVPN or OpenVPN?
Choose NordVPN if
- You want large server network
- You want fast speeds
- Budget matters ($3.49/mo, billed monthly vs $7/mo, billed monthly)
Choose OpenVPN if
- You want a free tier before you commit
- You want industry standard VPN
- You want self-hostable
In-Depth Analysis
NordVPN
Online VPN service for privacy
There is no free tier, only a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Watch out
Renewal is higher than the intro price: Basic renews at $139.08/year after the first term.
Strengths
- Pro: Large server network
- Pro: Fast speeds
- Pro: Strong security
Weaknesses
- Con: Pricey monthly
- Con: No free tier
Key features
OpenVPN
Open-source VPN protocol and software
OpenVPN offers a very generous entry point with its free Community and Access Server tiers, making it highly accessible.
Strengths
- Pro: Industry standard VPN
- Pro: Self-hostable
- Pro: Good security
- Pro: Open source
- Pro: Wide compatibility
Weaknesses
- Con: Complex setup
- Con: Performance vs WireGuard
- Con: Learning curve
- Con: Manual management
- Con: UI dated
Key features
Plans and prices: NordVPN vs OpenVPN
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| NordVPN |
| nordvpn.com read Sep 29, 2026 |
| OpenVPN |
| openvpn.net/pricing read Nov 1, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on NordVPN pricing and OpenVPN pricing.
Key Takeaways
NordVPN
- Lower entry price: $3.49/mo, billed monthly vs $7/mo, billed monthly
OpenVPN
- Higher user rating: 4.3/5 vs 4.0/5
- Has a free plan
What the data shows
On the data below, NordVPN leads on lower entry price; OpenVPN leads on higher user rating and a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- OpenVPN has the higher user rating (4.0/5 from 18,319 reviews for NordVPN, 4.3/5 from 574 reviews for OpenVPN).
- NordVPN has the lower entry price: $3.49/mo, billed monthly (Basic 2-Year) against $7/mo, billed monthly (Growth) for OpenVPN.
- Only OpenVPN has a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do NordVPN and OpenVPN compare in 2026?
On the data below, NordVPN leads on lower entry price; OpenVPN leads on higher user rating and a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. OpenVPN has the higher user rating (4.0/5 from 18,319 reviews for NordVPN, 4.3/5 from 574 reviews for OpenVPN). NordVPN has the lower entry price: $3.49/mo, billed monthly (Basic 2-Year) against $7/mo, billed monthly (Growth) for OpenVPN. Only OpenVPN has a free plan.
What are NordVPN and OpenVPN used for?
NordVPN: Online VPN service for privacy. OpenVPN: Open-source VPN protocol and software.
What does NordVPN cost vs OpenVPN?
NordVPN's cheapest paid plan is Basic 2-Year at $3.49/mo, billed monthly. OpenVPN's cheapest paid plan is Growth at $7/mo, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Nov 1, 2026.
What's the main difference between NordVPN and OpenVPN?
NordVPN's main strength: large server network. OpenVPN's main strength: industry standard VPN.