How PlanckVPN compares. Honestly.
We included the categories where we lose. Because you deserve to know.
Most VPN comparison pages are written by the companies being compared, or by review sites owned by those same companies. This one is written by us. We have included every category that matters — including the ones where NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or Proton VPN beat us. If something changes, we update this page.
| Category | PlanckVPN | Proton VPN | NordVPN | ExpressVPN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parent company | None. Fully independent. | Proton AG (Swiss non-profit) | Nord Security | Kape Technologies (formerly Crossrider) |
| Ownership transparency | Cofounder named publicly. Full transparency page. | Team and company structure published | Parent company disclosed. Founders not prominently named. | Owned by Kape Technologies. Not disclosed on homepage. |
| Protocol | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, Stealth | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, Stealth (proprietary) | NordLynx (WireGuard-based), OpenVPN, IKEv2 | Lightway (proprietary), OpenVPN, IKEv2 |
| Logging policy | Zero logs | Zero logs. Independently audited. | No activity logs. Audited 5 times by Deloitte. | No activity logs. Independently audited. |
| Independent audit | Not yet | Yes — apps and no-logs policy | Yes — 5 audits by Deloitte | Yes — multiple audits |
| Open source | No | Yes — all apps open source | No | No |
| Free tier | No — one paid plan | Yes — no ads, limited to 1 device, 10 server locations | No | No (7-day trial only) |
| Funding model | Subscriptions only. | Funded by paid subscribers | Funded by paid subscribers | Funded by paid subscribers |
| Monthly price | $7.99/month | $12.99/month (Proton Unlimited) | $29.99/month (NordVPN Prime) | $22.99/month (ExpressVPN Pro) |
| Renewal price transparency | Same price on renewal. No bait pricing. | Publishes renewal pricing upfront | Introductory price. Renews higher. | Introductory price. Renews higher. |
| Server count | Small network (growing) | 18,100+ servers, 129 countries | 8,000+ servers, 178 locations | 3,000+ servers, 105 countries |
| Platforms | iOS, iPadOS, Apple Silicon Mac, Windows, Android, Linux | iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux, browser extensions | iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android TV, browser extensions | iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux, browser extensions, routers |
| Warrant canary | Yes — updated every 90 days | Yes | Not published | Not published |
| Jurisdiction | Virginia, United States | Switzerland | Panama | British Virgin Islands |
Parent company
PlanckVPN
None. Fully independent.
Proton VPN
Proton AG (Swiss non-profit)
NordVPN
Nord Security
ExpressVPN
Kape Technologies (formerly Crossrider)
Ownership transparency
PlanckVPN
Cofounder named publicly. Full transparency page.
Proton VPN
Team and company structure published
NordVPN
Parent company disclosed. Founders not prominently named.
ExpressVPN
Owned by Kape Technologies. Not disclosed on homepage.
Protocol
PlanckVPN
WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, Stealth
Proton VPN
WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, Stealth (proprietary)
NordVPN
NordLynx (WireGuard-based), OpenVPN, IKEv2
ExpressVPN
Lightway (proprietary), OpenVPN, IKEv2
Logging policy
PlanckVPN
Zero logs
Proton VPN
Zero logs. Independently audited.
NordVPN
No activity logs. Audited 5 times by Deloitte.
ExpressVPN
No activity logs. Independently audited.
Independent audit
PlanckVPN
Not yet
Proton VPN
Yes — apps and no-logs policy
NordVPN
Yes — 5 audits by Deloitte
ExpressVPN
Yes — multiple audits
Open source
PlanckVPN
No
Proton VPN
Yes — all apps open source
NordVPN
No
ExpressVPN
No
Free tier
PlanckVPN
No — one paid plan
Proton VPN
Yes — no ads, limited to 1 device, 10 server locations
NordVPN
No
ExpressVPN
No (7-day trial only)
Funding model
PlanckVPN
Subscriptions only.
Proton VPN
Funded by paid subscribers
NordVPN
Funded by paid subscribers
ExpressVPN
Funded by paid subscribers
Monthly price
PlanckVPN
$7.99/month
Proton VPN
$12.99/month (Proton Unlimited)
NordVPN
$29.99/month (NordVPN Prime)
ExpressVPN
$22.99/month (ExpressVPN Pro)
Renewal price transparency
PlanckVPN
Same price on renewal. No bait pricing.
Proton VPN
Publishes renewal pricing upfront
NordVPN
Introductory price. Renews higher.
ExpressVPN
Introductory price. Renews higher.
Server count
PlanckVPN
Small network (growing)
Proton VPN
18,100+ servers, 129 countries
NordVPN
8,000+ servers, 178 locations
ExpressVPN
3,000+ servers, 105 countries
Platforms
PlanckVPN
iOS, iPadOS, Apple Silicon Mac, Windows, Android, Linux
Proton VPN
iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux, browser extensions
NordVPN
iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android TV, browser extensions
ExpressVPN
iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux, browser extensions, routers
Warrant canary
PlanckVPN
Yes — updated every 90 days
Proton VPN
Yes
NordVPN
Not published
ExpressVPN
Not published
Jurisdiction
PlanckVPN
Virginia, United States
Proton VPN
Switzerland
NordVPN
Panama
ExpressVPN
British Virgin Islands
A note on this table: We built this comparison ourselves. We have tried to be accurate and fair. If you believe any cell is incorrect, email us at support@planckvpn.com and we will review and update it. Data sourced from each provider's official website and verified third-party reporting as of March 2026.
Why we showed you where we lose
PlanckVPN is newer and smaller. Proton VPN has open-source apps. NordVPN has been audited five times. ExpressVPN has been around since 2009. These are facts, and you should know them.
What we have that none of them can claim: no parent company with a conflicting business model, a founder whose name and story are public, a warrant canary updated every 90 days, and renewal pricing that does not change after your first term.
We are growing quickly. The app is on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Windows, Android and Linux, it speaks WireGuard, OpenVPN and IKEv2, and new server locations land every month. What we do not have yet is an independent audit and a network the size of theirs. We would rather tell you that directly than hide it in a table that only shows categories we win.
One plan. Up to four devices.
WireGuard, OpenVPN and IKEv2. Zero logs. Honestly funded. Independent.
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