Mozilla VPN vs NordVPN – VPN Comparison Guide

Trying to decide between NordVPN vs Mozilla VPN? Both VPNs prevent online tracking, government surveillance, and hacking on public wifi, but one stands out as superior. In this 2026 VPN comparison, I tested each VPN across 8 key categories: features, pricing, speed, server locations, app support, privacy and security, streaming, and customer support to determine the winner.

Keep reading to find out more about each VPN’s no-logs policy, VPN jurisdiction, and whether they have undergone independent audits. You’ll learn which has better VPN speed test results, and whether Mozilla competes with NordVPN when it comes to watching Netflix abroad.

Let’s get started.

Summary: NordVPN vs Mozilla VPN

NordVPN and Mozilla VPN are both highly reliable VPNs with a wide feature set. Both protect against tracking by ISPs, websites, and government agencies. They also encrypt your data to keep you safe from hackers on public wifi.

NordVPN is one of the best VPN services on the market. It has apps for all platforms that are exceptional for streaming, torrenting, and bypassing geoblocks. NordVPN offers advanced features like RAM-only servers, a choice of protocols (including OpenVPN and NordLynx), Meshnet, and Threat Protection to block ads and trackers. You also get split tunneling, obfuscated servers, Double VPN, and a kill switch – making it superb value for money.

Mozilla VPN competes with Nord on most levels. The VPN supports WireGuard with ChaCha20 encryption, and includes advanced features like split tunneling, multi-hop, RAM-only servers, ad and tracker blocking, DNS leak protection, and a Firefox browser extension. It even lets you set a unique VPN location for each Firefox container. However, it lacks 24/7 live chat support, has fewer locations, and is based in the US, which may put some users off.

Conclusion? 

If you want a simple VPN offered in cooperation with a trusted VPN brand (Mullvad), Mozilla VPN is fantastic. However, users who want a better all-rounder with impressive streaming access – and no links to the US – will prefer NordVPN.

NordVPN vs Mozilla VPN: Highlights

Methodology: How I tested NordVPN and Mozilla VPN

I understand that choosing a VPN can be tricky for beginners. There are dozens of competing services to choose from, and understanding the technical nuances between them can be confusing.

The important thing to remember is that some deciding factors are subjective. If you only need a VPN to hide your activities from your ISP or to stop websites from tracking you online, you may not be interested in a VPN that can reliably access Netflix.

That said, the best VPNs on the market now usually manage both. This makes paying the same price (or more) for a VPN with fewer capabilities a total waste of cash.

Beyond that, the design of a VPN’s apps and how it implements its network plays a big role in its performance. That’s why I use specific metrics to compare VPNs directly.

Here’s how I compared these VPNs scientifically:

• Speed: I tested both VPNs using a dedicated gigabit connection alongside a standard home broadband line. This allowed me to discover the top speed and the average speed of each VPN under everyday conditions. I ran tests across multiple regions and at morning, noon, and night to allow for network congestion and arrive at reliable averages.
• Network size: A large network matters for users who want to access a wider selection of IPs. These can help maintain faster speeds while traveling and improve access to region-locked platforms across multiple countries. I evaluated each VPN’s server coverage while also checking for leaks and stability issues.
• Security and privacy: Each VPN was assessed by reviewing its privacy policy and core security features. I checked encryption implementation, DNS leak protection, and kill switch implementation. Extra credits for tools like multi-hop connections, obfuscation, and other advanced privacy-enhancing options.
• Streaming performance: Many users nowadays want a VPN that functions as a handy travel tool in addition to a privacy service. To this end, I tested NordVPN and Mozilla VPN with major streaming platforms, including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and Disney+.
• Value for money: I compared pricing plans, connection limits, included features, and money-back guarantees to determine which VPN delivers better overall value.
• Ease of use: VPN software can be confusing for tech novices. I checked each VPN’s apps to see whether one VPN is better for beginners. This included checking the simplicity of the user interface, settings accessibility, and whether it is easy to get help if something goes wrong.

This is just an overview, but you can read in more detail about how I test and rank the VPNs I recommend in Comparitech’s detailed VPN testing methodology article. For now, let’s dive deeper into this comparison.

NordVPN vs Mozilla VPN: Features

NordVPN and Mozilla VPN both offer wide feature sets that allow for high levels of privacy and customization. Whether you want to prevent government surveillance, tracking by ISPs, or the possibility of data theft on public wifi, you will be safe with either VPN.

To give you a clear picture of what you get with each VPN, I’ve included their features below:

Winner: NordVPN offers greater flexibility, wider platform support, and more advanced features than Mozilla VPN. The inclusion of obfuscation makes it more reliable for connecting at work or in countries that block VPNs.

NordVPN vs Mozilla VPN: Price comparison

When it comes to pricing, NordVPN is much better value. Not only does it have more features than Mozilla VPN, but it also costs significantly less over the long term. This makes NordVPN a no-brainer for consumers seeking a VPN for long-term use (one year or more).

That said, the monthly pricing of these VPNs could make Mozilla VPN a better option for some users. If you only need a VPN for a short trip abroad, or for another reason that requires just a single month of use, Mozilla VPN will save you around US$3. A single month of NordVPN with no recurring contract costs $12.99, while Mozilla VPN costs $9.99.

However, there is a major caveat. If your main reason for needing a VPN while traveling is to access home streaming services, the savings are largely meaningless, as Mozilla VPN fails to access most popular streaming platforms (more on this below).

The good news for users who want the best possible VPN at the lowest cost is that NordVPN becomes far more affordable when you commit to a longer subscription. A one-year NordVPN plan costs US$4.59 per month, which is 41 cents cheaper than Mozilla VPN.

The gap between these VPNs becomes even more substantial if you are willing to commit for longer. NordVPN’s two-year plan reduces the price to US$3.39 per month. Mozilla VPN does not offer a two-year plan, meaning its lowest available price remains US$4.99 per month.

Winner: NordVPN represents better value for money for long-term VPN users.

NordVPN vs Mozilla VPN: Speed and reliability comparison

For a VPN to provide the privacy services it is built for, it must do two things. It must encrypt your traffic, and it must route that traffic through a VPN server before it reaches its final destination. Both of these steps introduce latency, increase ping, and can slow down your internet speeds, depending on the quality of the VPN’s servers and how well they handle traffic at scale.

Many people pay for faster internet because they want to stream in HD or 4K, play games, download files, and carry out other data-intensive tasks without waiting for buffering wheels. The problem with many VPNs is that they undermine the point of paying for faster internet, sometimes reducing speeds by as much as 90%.

I understand that users want a VPN that keeps their connection running as fast as possible. While VPNs cannot speed up your internet under normal circumstances, there is no reason they should not be able to keep speeds close to your baseline.

To see whether these VPNs manage that, I tested each service using a dedicated test server in Manchester, UK, with download speeds of 250 Mbps. I also tested each VPN on a standard home broadband connection to see how it performs in a typical household environment.

So, how did each VPN fare?

NordVPN had an average top speed of 163.97 Mbps. This puts it in the top echelon of VPN providers, making it ideal for any tasks that need raw speed.

Mozilla VPN reached a top speed of 178.75 Mbps in my tests, making it slightly faster than NordVPN, albeit in a very similar performance range.

So what about my home tests? During testing on Cogeco broadband in Canada, I experienced a speed drop of around 28% with Mozilla VPN and 19% when using NordVPN. This demonstrates that, despite having a lower top speed, NordVPN kept traffic more stable in real-world testing.

Winner: It’s a draw. Both of these VPNs offer exceptional speeds.

Network and server locations

Having a wide choice of servers makes a VPN much more useful. The good news is that NordVPN has one of the farthest-reaching networks I’ve ever reviewed. Subscribers get access to servers in 120+ countries. In addition, you can connect to servers in 21 US cities, which makes it a top choice for bypassing blackout games, accessing regional bookies, or avoiding age verification.

Mozilla is a white label of Mullvad VPN, so naturally, I expected it to have a similar number of servers. Sadly, this isn’t the case. Despite running on Mullvad’s reliable bare-metal network, the VPN only offers connections to around 500 servers in 31 countries. A closer look reveals that this is primarily due to Mozilla VPN only offering the WireGuard protocol. The 20 additional server locations Mullvad users get are reserved for other protocols, such as OpenVPN.

Besides offering a wider selection of server locations, NordVPN also provides access to specialty servers. When you click this tab, you’ll see servers optimized for the following activities:

• P2P: Optimized for torrenting and file sharing (higher bandwidth, peer-friendly configs).
• Double VPN: Multi-hop routing (two servers) for extra privacy.
• Onion Over VPN: Tor integration for maximum anonymity.
• Obfuscated: Hides VPN usage to bypass blocks and censorship.
• Dedicated IP: Static IP add-on (extra cost, fewer CAPTCHAs).

One slight caveat worth mentioning is that some of NordVPN’s country locations are provided using virtual servers hosted elsewhere. These are clearly labeled in the app, allowing users who prefer physical servers to avoid them. Mozilla, by contrast, only uses bare-metal locations with no virtualization.

Finally, it is worth noting that NordVPN allows users to connect to 10 servers simultaneously. This makes it suitable for larger families or people who own many devices. Mozilla is more restrictive, with just 5 simultaneous connections allowed.

Winner: NordVPN offers a larger network with more than 7,400 servers in total.

App interface and multi-platform support

NordVPN app support and ease of use:

NordVPN has spent a great deal of time and effort making its apps accessible across all the devices it supports. Subscribers get access to custom apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Fire TV/Firestick, tvOS, and Linux. These apps are easy to get started with, thanks to the inclusion of a “Quick Connect” button and a map interface for choosing the location you need.

The specialty servers menu also makes it easy to find servers for streaming, torrenting, multi-hop connections (Double VPN), and Onion over VPN, which helps hide Tor usage from local networks and your ISP.

Although Nord has a slightly wider feature set than Mozilla VPN (and many other competitors), the apps remain easy to navigate. The settings menu is clearly laid out, making it simple to enable advanced features like split tunneling, the kill switch, post-quantum encryption, and auto-connect, which protects you automatically when you join new wifi networks.

One small thing to note is that on Android, you need to tap the profile button in the bottom right and then select Settings, which can be easy to miss the first time you look for it. The apps are available in multiple languages and include a dark mode for nighttime VPN sessions.

NordVPN also offers router support, which means you can protect every device in your home without installing the VPN on each one individually. This extends VPN protection to IoT devices and helps you make the most of the 10-device limit by covering your entire household with a single connection.

Just bear in mind that some of its features are device-specific:

NordVPN app features by platform

MozillaVPN app support and ease of use:

Mozilla VPN has been designed with ease of use front and center, which makes sense for a VPN marketed to a broad audience through the Firefox browser. Subscribers get apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux, which means it works on most popular devices. However, there are no apps for Fire TV, Apple TV, smart TVs, gaming consoles, or routers, so if you need VPN coverage on those platforms, NordVPN is the better pick.

The Mozilla VPN apps have a clean interface, a simple server list, and a large connection toggle that makes it easy to get started. I found the app straightforward to use, and I was glad to see that it includes a Firefox browser extension. Just bear in mind that this is the only extension available, so if you use multiple browsers, that could be a limitation.

Platform support is also more restricted than NordVPN’s in other ways. Linux users are limited to a command-line interface, and feature availability varies by device. The Windows app is the most complete, while the macOS and iOS versions lack tools such as split tunneling.

The kill switch is always on and cannot be disabled, which is good for security. However, it can be confusing for beginners if the connection drops and internet access suddenly stops. In most cases, reconnecting or closing the VPN fixes the issue.

Firefox integration

The most unique feature of Mozilla VPN is its Firefox integration. I was able to assign different VPN locations to specific Firefox Containers, allowing work, shopping, and browsing sessions to route through different countries. Just note that the VPN has to be enabled globally – you can’t apply it to just one container on its own.

Some Reddit users have said they are disappointed by the lack of URL-based split tunneling for Mozilla VPN in Firefox, but personally, I didn’t miss it. You may feel differently.

Overall, Mozilla VPN is easy to use and covers the essentials. However, it lacks some of the advanced customization available with NordVPN, which makes it less appealing at its higher price point.

Mozilla VPN – app features by platform

Winner: NordVPN combines advanced control with ease of use.

Security and privacy

It’s important not to overlook a VPN’s privacy credentials just because you primarily want to use it for streaming. A VPN that leaks data could allow your employer to see that you are bypassing restrictions to stream YouTube, which is the last thing you want.

The good news is that both NordVPN and Mozilla VPN put user privacy front and center. Both services have been developed to offer robust protection that conceals your data from local networks, ISPs, hackers lurking on public wifi, and even government snoops.

That said, some drawbacks with Mozilla VPN may sway you toward Nord.

Mozilla VPN’s data collection and jurisdiction explained

Mozilla is a white-label of Mullvad VPN, which means it runs on servers provided by this third-party provider. I consider this a benefit because Mullvad is reputable and based in Sweden, a location with no mandatory data retention laws that apply to VPNs.

That said, Mozilla VPN collects more identifying metadata than Mullvad and NordVPN, including email addresses and source IP addresses. While this data cannot link VPN traffic to specific online activity on its own, it does reduce anonymity compared to providers that collect no identifying information at all.

Users with a higher threat model may prefer services that minimize entry-point metadata and have independently audited no-logs policies.

It’s also important to be precise when evaluating Mozilla VPN’s privacy trade-offs, as many reviews overstate the risks. A common mistake is assuming that Mozilla’s storage of source IP addresses enables US authorities to carry out time-correlation attacks against its VPN users. This is incorrect and reflects a misunderstanding of how VPN routing works.

Any browsing or network activity performed while connected to Mozilla VPN appears to originate from Mullvad-controlled VPN IP addresses, not from the source IP addresses held by Mozilla.

This means that without Mullvad’s cooperation, Mozilla cannot access info regarding exit IP usage, destination traffic, timestamps tied to specific VPN IPs, or link activity back to a user. Correlation attacks require visibility at both the entry and exit points. Mozilla only controls the entry point, while Mullvad controls the exit infrastructure.

Mozilla’s practice of storing email addresses and source IPs for a limited period means it collects more metadata than audited no-logs VPNs like NordVPN. Thus, users with an elevated threat model will still prefer Nord.

NordVPN jurisdiction and audit

NordVPN is based in Panama, a country with no mandatory data retention directives or surveillance ties to the US, UK, and EU (It is not a member of the 14 Eyes). This makes it a more reliable location for a VPN to be based, because it is less likely to ever receive a government warrant for data.

The VPN has also undergone numerous audits of its apps, policies, and infrastructure, which means you can trust it to run its VPN exactly as advertised. These third-party audits, carried out by Deloitte and PwC, help ensure the VPN stays ahead of emerging threats and vulnerabilities, while also offering users an extra layer of transparency.

Mozilla VPN has not had any audits itself. However, the underlying service it runs on (Mullvad) has been audited, which means the VPN itself is high quality and trustworthy. So Mozilla has this on its side.

Protocols

Mozilla only offers the modern VPN tunneling protocol WireGuard. Although this is more limited than what you get with Nord, it is worth noting that this protocol is the most modern and trusted protocol out there. Its small, open source code base makes it easy to audit, and the cryptographic primitives it uses are highly trusted, which makes Mozilla fit for purpose when it comes to encrypting your traffic to prevent data theft and surveillance.

NordVPN offers more options, which may suit some users. In addition to Nordlynx, which is a custom implementation of the WireGuard protocol, with a few extra safeguards, you also get OpenVPN with obfuscation options and IKEv2. This gives users extra options for bypassing VPN blocks, which can be necessary on some networks (and in some countries that block VPNs).

Advanced VPN features

NordVPN also offers a multi-hop VPN (DoubleVPN), which means you can bounce your traffic through two servers for added protection. You also get RAM-only servers, a feature that means data passing through its servers is never written to a disk. Keeping VPN data in RAM means it is cleared every time the VPN reboots. It also means the VPN can clear all data on a server quickly in case of an emergency.

Other features that NordVPN includes, not available with Mozilla VPN:

• Threat Protection, which blocks malicious domains, trackers, and intrusive ads at the DNS level.
• A fully customizable kill switch, allowing users to apply it system-wide or only to specific apps.

Winner: NordVPN has a better privacy policy, has completed additional audits, and offers more advanced privacy features.

NordVPN vs Mozilla VPN: Streaming and unblocking

Many internet users want a VPN to access region-locked streaming platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, and HBO Max. Unfortunately, most streaming services work hard to block IPs associated with VPNs. This means many VPNs struggle to offer international streaming. Whether you need a VPN to access streaming accounts on vacation (abroad), or you simply want to watch your streaming service at work within your own country (which is fully in line with streaming provider Terms of Service), you will need a VPN that knows how to stay one step ahead of streaming provider blocks ( by rotating IPs and regularly monitoring streaming server access).

So, how do NordVPN and Mozilla VPN compare when it comes to streaming and unblocking?

Streaming performance: NordVPN

NordVPN is one of the most consistent VPNs I’ve tested for streaming. In my tests, it worked to watch all major platforms. It also delivered ideal speeds for HD and 4K playback.

NordVPN had no trouble accessing Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, YouTube TV, and DAZN USA. This is impressive. Streams loaded quickly, and I rarely experienced any buffering, which is great.

Netflix performance was also impressive. In testing, I accessed Netflix libraries in the US, UK, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, and Australia.

NordVPN also includes SmartPlay (Smart DNS) for devices that don’t support VPN apps. This lets you stream US content on smart TVs, consoles, and set-top boxes without installing a VPN directly.

NordVPN is also reliable for watching international TV platforms. I used it to watch ARD Mediathek, France.tv, CBC Gem, Globoplay, and Australia’s 10Play for free. This makes it a fantastic option for travelers and anyone interested in watching other countries’ TV services

Streaming performance: Mozilla VPN

Mozilla VPN is more limited when it comes to unlocking region-locked streams. In my tests, it struggled to bypass the VPN blocks enforced by major international streaming platforms.

For example, Mozilla VPN failed to access Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+ reliably. Some regional libraries worked occasionally, but access was inconsistent.

UK services such as BBC iPlayer, ITVX, and Channel 4 were also hit or miss. And free international platforms like Globoplay and Australia’s 10Play were frequently blocked. This makes Mozilla a poor choice for streaming.

Is a lack of obfuscation the reason why Mozilla struggles with streams?

I have noticed a growing number of VPN reviewers claiming that some VPN services are unable to access streaming platforms because of a lack of obfuscation. This is a fundamental misunderstanding of how a VPN works.

Obfuscation happens between the user and the VPN server, where it is used to prevent local networks, ISPs, and government agencies from detecting VPN use. This ensures that the VPN can connect reliably and makes VPN traffic appear to be normal HTTPS traffic, which is hard to block and non-suspicious (important for users in countries where VPN use alone could be enough to raise flags).

Once traffic leaves the VPN server and is sent to the website or streaming service in question, it is regular HTTPS-encrypted traffic with no obfuscation applied. This means the absence of obfuscation has no bearing on a VPN’s ability to unblock streaming platforms.

The only time obfuscation can help with streaming is not related to access to the service itself, but to throttling by an ISP. Some ISPs throttle encrypted tunnels aggressively, which can reduce speeds and lead to heavy buffering when you try to watch video content. In these situations, obfuscation can hide VPN use and stop automated throttling systems from slowing the connection down, allowing videos to load faster.

Mozilla VPN’s inconsistent streaming performance is primarily due to its smaller server network and shared IP address pool, rather than the absence of obfuscation/stealth.

Torrenting

Both NordVPN and Mozilla VPN allow torrenting. With Mozilla, P2P file sharing is supported on all servers. NordVPN, by contrast, offers specific servers that are optimized for torrenting, which can help downloads arrive faster.

Both of these VPNs offer split tunneling on select platforms, which can be useful if you want to route torrents through the VPN while keeping other traffic local.

The drawback? Neither VPN offers port forwarding, which can make seeding more difficult with some torrent clients. Users who torrent regularly may prefer to opt for an alternate VPN with port forwarding, such as Proton VPN.

Winner: NordVPN is better for streaming access and torrenting

Customer service

If you are new to VPNs, you may prefer a service that offers reliable customer service. This will ensure that you can easily get help with setting up and using your VPN. Unfortunately, this is an area where Mozilla VPN struggles.

Mozilla offers no 24/7 live chat, which means that users must rely on email tickets, knowledge base articles, and community forums for help. While Mozilla does provide tutorials and FAQs, support is largely self-service, which means you can’t get much hands-on help.

With NordVPN, customers gain access to 24/7 live chat and email support. This makes it easy to get quick answers to setup questions, connection issues, or feature-related problems. Live chat is especially useful, and the agents I spoke with were both helpful and knowledgeable. Response times were also great, which is not the case with email support requests you send to Mozilla, which can take days to resolve.

NordVPN also provides detailed FAQs and troubleshooting guides designed specifically for VPN users. And you can even contact live chat before subscribing, which makes it easier to do your research and make sure the VPN will work for your specific needs.

Overall, I consider Mozilla VPN’s support better suited to users who are comfortable fixing issues on their own. If you prefer fast access to human support agents, NordVPN is much better.

Winner: NordVPN is far more responsive and easier to reach when you need help.

Which is better overall: NordVPN or Mozilla VPN?

Based on my head-to-head comparison across security, privacy, speed, streaming, features, server coverage, app support, and customer service, NordVPN has better performance, especially for streaming. In fact, NordVPN outperformed Mozilla VPN in nearly every category. It has a larger server network, stronger privacy tools, and better customer support. The only area where the two services were even was speed, where both VPNs performed exceptionally well.

NordVPN has completed independent audits by leading companies (Deloitte and PwC). This creates transparency and allows users to fully trust the VPN’s no-logging claims. It’s also based in Panama, a country outside the Five Eyes with no mandatory data retention directives. And it comes with OpenVPN with AES-256 encryption.

NordVPN’s audited no-logs policy, Panama jurisdiction, diskless server infrastructure, obfuscation, and Double VPN feature make it a better option for users living in restrictive regions. And for people who want to bypass blocks at work without being tracked.

Mozilla VPN does have some useful Firefox integration for changing container regions. However, its smaller server network, weaker streaming performance, lack of live chat support, and US jurisdiction are going to put some people off.

Overall, the fact that NordVPN is not just better in most categories but also cheaper makes it a no-brainer in my opinion.

Finally, both services include a 30-day money-back guarantee. This means you can test either VPN and compare the two yourself, risk-free, to decide which one you prefer.

Want to know more about the winning VPN? Read our detailed NordVPN review.