NordVPN vs CactusVPN – Which VPN is better?
In the 2026 VPN market, NordVPN and CactusVPN are popular options. Our comparison highlights the differences in speed, encryption and price.
Our winner
NordVPN
In this head-to-head comparison NordVPN delivers the better overall performance.
See NordVPN deal →Comparison table
Speed – NordVPN vs CactusVPN
NordVPN leads our speed test (92 vs 66 Mbit/s). The gap is most noticeable during 4K streaming and large downloads.
Security – NordVPN vs CactusVPN
Security comes first at NordVPN and CactusVPN. Both providers use AES-256, a kill switch and a strict no-logs policy – the differences are in the details.
- No-logs policy
- AES-256 Encryption
- Kill Switch
- DNS Leak Protection
- No-logs policy
- AES-256 Encryption
- Kill Switch
- Smart DNS Proxy
Streaming – which VPN works better?
NordVPN supports Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+. CactusVPN supports Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Hulu, BBC iPlayer. Both VPNs work for streaming, with NordVPN being slightly more reliable.
NordVPN
CactusVPN
Pricing
Which VPN is better for…
Streaming
NordVPN
NordVPN unblocks streaming services slightly more reliably.
Security
NordVPN
More security functions and features.
Value for money
CactusVPN
Lower price with comparable performance.
Our verdict – NordVPN or CactusVPN?
After our test the verdict is clear: NordVPN is the stronger provider in this duel. CactusVPN still has solid arguments and suits users with more specific requirements.
FAQ – NordVPN vs CactusVPN
Is NordVPN or CactusVPN faster? +
NordVPN is a bit faster on average (92 Mbit/s vs 66 Mbit/s). Both deliver good speeds for streaming and downloads.
Which VPN is cheaper – NordVPN or CactusVPN? +
CactusVPN is cheaper (from 2,77 €/month). NordVPN starts at 3,49 €/month.
Which VPN is more secure? +
Both offer AES-256 encryption and no-logs policies. NordVPN packs a few more security features.
Which VPN is better for streaming? +
NordVPN unblocks streaming services slightly more reliably in our test. Both VPNs work with Netflix and other platforms.
Should you still go with CactusVPN? +
Yes, in some scenarios. CactusVPN convinces with its own strengths and can be the more fitting choice depending on your needs.
