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Mozilla VPN vs. NordVPN—Which To Pick?

Ashley Ferraro, Product
Jul 1, 2024
 • 
10
 Min Read
Protect Your Payments

Data breaches are a growing concern globally, with over 8.17 million data record leaks reported in the fourth quarter of 2023 alone. This statistic underscores the importance of online privacy and security tools such as virtual private networks. Among the many VPN services available, Mozilla VPN and NordVPN have emerged as leading choices. 

This comparison of Mozilla VPN vs. NordVPN will describe each service's offerings, helping you decide which best meets your needs. If you want to reinforce the security even more, this article will also introduce an effective way to shield your payment card details when making purchases online.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this review is accurate and up-to-date as of April 2024. Features and performance may vary over time. 

Mozilla VPN vs. NordVPN—Comparing the Features

A photo of a person’s hand holding a smartphone with a VPN’s interface indicating “Protected”
Source: Privecstasy

From cutting-edge encryption protocols to ad blocking, Mozilla VPN and NordVPN offer various features to address different users’ needs. These features typically fall into five categories:

  1. Privacy and security
  2. Connection speed 
  3. Server network
  4. Device compatibility and support
  5. User experience

Privacy and Security

Mozilla VPN and NordVPN offer robust security features and practices. Both services promise not to keep logs of your internet activity, ensuring your browsing history remains private[1][2]. They also have a kill switch that disconnects you from the internet if your VPN connection drops, reducing the risk of data exposure[2][3].

Also, both VPNs use their own DNS servers, reducing the risk of DNS leaks that could expose your online activity[1][2].

Regarding VPN protocols, both services use the modern WireGuard protocol, known for its speed and performance. NordVPN offers it via NordLynx, the VPN’s implementation of the WireGuard protocol. It also supports OpenVPN and IKEv2, offering its users plenty of choices to ensure they can access all the content they need through the protocol that suits them best[1][4].

The services provide split tunneling, allowing users to choose which apps to protect with their VPN and which to connect directly to the internet. They also operate RAM-only servers, which offer enhanced security as they don’t store data permanently.

Here’s a quick comparison of the two services based on other essential security features:

Feature Mozilla VPN NordVPN
Camouflage mode No Yes
Multihop Yes  Yes
Onion Over VPN Not specified Yes
Ad blocking Yes Yes
Remote file access No Yes (Meshnet)

Connection Speed 

When it comes to connection speed and performance, both Mozilla VPN and NordVPN can deliver impressive results. Still, the results may vary depending on the protocol used. Here's how their speeds compare:

  • NordVPN can reach a speed of up to 341.5 Mbps[5], with an average 10% drop in the base (internet) speed when using the service. This high-speed performance is great for activities that require a lot of bandwidth, such as high-definition videoconferencing or online gaming.
  • Mozilla VPN uses Mullvad VPN servers, which previous users suggest typically attain an average speed of 75–260 Mbps[6]. While this is lower than NordVPN's peak speed, it can be sufficient for most online activities, including protecting normal browsing and light gaming.

Users looking for the fastest VPN might also consider looking up Surfshark VPN and ExpressVPN, both of which have been noted for their speed. 

Server Network

Mozilla VPN operates over 680 servers across 44 countries, while NordVPN boasts over 6,300 servers in 111 countries[1][7]. The latter's extensive coverage provides users with more options for bypassing geo-restrictions. 

With a larger server network, NordVPN users have a higher chance of finding a less crowded server, potentially leading to better performance. Having servers in numerous countries makes it more likely for users to find a server near their physical location, which can also improve speed and performance. 

Other VPNs with a large number of servers or server locations in many countries include CyberGhost VPN, Proton VPN, or Bitdefender Premium VPN. 

Device Compatibility and Support

Mozilla VPN and NordVPN offer extensive device compatibility. Both are compatible with the following operating systems:

  • Windows
  • macOS
  • Linux
  • Android
  • iOS

NordVPN extends its compatibility to a wider range of devices, supporting certain routers and allowing up to ten simultaneous connections. Mozilla VPN isn’t compatible with routers and supports up to five devices simultaneously, which can be limiting for users with multiple devices or large households wanting to secure all their devices simultaneously.

User Experience

Mozilla VPN and NordVPN strive to provide a seamless experience for their users. They offer:

  • Simple user interface
  • Straightforward setup and installation
  • Quick server connection
  • Reliable app performance

The main difference is their approach to customer support—NordVPN provides 24/7 live chat support, offering immediate assistance for any user inquiries or issues. Mozilla VPN offers email support, potentially resulting in longer waiting times.

A photo of a smartphone displaying a white lock against a purple background
Source: Franck

Are VPNs Enough To Keep You Safe Online?

Mozilla VPN and NordVPN offer robust features and strong security, but they’re not the solution for every security threat you may be exposed to online. A VPN won’t protect you from a sophisticated social engineering attack, for example. 

Hackers don’t have to attack you directly, either. If you share your financial details with a merchant and their server suffers a breach, the card information can end up in the hands of hackers

To stay safe online, you should consider using more than a VPN. Virtual cards can help protect your card numbers even in case of merchant server breaches. While reputable banks and card issuers like Capital One® and American Express® offer virtual cards, specialized card providers like Privacy offer robust security, customization, and control over spending, providing the ultimate online shopping experience.

A close-up photo of a person’s looking at a payment card in one hand and typing with the other
Source: rupixen

Protect Your Sensitive Details With Privacy Virtual Cards

Privacy Virtual Cards are an effective way to bolster your defenses against hackers who may try to obtain your card details from online stores and services. Privacy allows you to connect a source of funding—a debit card or a bank account—and create virtual cards you can use whenever you have to pay for something online. Your virtual card numbers, associated CVVs, and expiration dates are the only information Privacy shares with the merchant.

The company employs many security features and practices that follow the same security standards as banks. Some of the ways Privacy protects your information include: 

  • AES-256 encryption—Your card details are secured with AES-256, one of the strongest encryption standards typically used by governments and militaries.
  • Two-factor authentication—You can choose between email, SMS, or authentication apps as the second factor. 

Privacy Card Types and Features

A photo of a cropped laptop keyboard with a payment card placed on the edge, next to another payment card and a miniature cart
Source: Nataliya Vaitkevich

Privacy currently offers three types of virtual cards: 

  1. Single-Use Cards
  2. Merchant-Locked Cards
  3. Category-Locked Cards

Here's a breakdown of how each type works:


Card Type Description 
Single-Use Cards
These cards are designed for one-time purchases. They become inactive shortly after the transaction, blocking further charges. Single-Use Cards can be useful when shopping on a site you're unfamiliar with. 
Merchant-Locked Cards
These cards “lock” to the first merchant they're used at. Any subsequent attempts to use the card with a different merchant will be declined, eliminating the risk of your card being used elsewhere. They can be useful when signing up for recurring payments, such as subscriptions.
Category-Locked Cards
These cards “lock” to a specific merchant category rather than a single merchant. This mechanism makes them ideal for budgeting or managing spending within categories like retail or travel.

Privacy allows you to set spending limits on your virtual cards. Any transaction that exceeds the set limit is automatically declined, offering protection against potentially unauthorized charges. 

You can also pause or close your virtual cards at any time, reducing the risk of accidental charges and further boosting the security of your funds.

Additional Convenience Features 

Privacy Cards offer several features that make transacting online seamless, such as:

  • Mobile app—Available on iOS and Android, the Privacy App allows you to create, manage, and delete virtual cards directly from your phone. With this feature, you can handle online transactions anytime, anywhere.
  • Browser extension—Privacy offers a browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Safari for iOS, and Edge. The extension lets you auto-fill card details during online transactions, saving you the hassle of manually entering card information.
  • Shared Cards—Privacy allows you to securely share card details with trusted individuals, such as family members and employees (for businesses). It can be useful when you need to share payment details but want to maintain control over the card's usage.
  • 1Password integration—You can integrate your Privacy Virtual Cards with 1Password. This feature allows secure storage and management of your virtual card details for a seamless experience when accessing your cards.

How To Get a Privacy Virtual Card

To get a Privacy Card, all you have to do is:

  1. Visit the signup page
  2. Verify your identity by providing the required details
  3. Connect a funding source, such as a bank account or debit card
  4. Request and generate your first card

Privacy offers four monthly plans you can choose from:

  1. Personal—This is the basic plan that is free for domestic purchases. It includes Single-Use and Merchant-Locked Cards, allows you to create up to 12 new cards per month, and lets you access core features such as the mobile app and browser extension.
  2. Plus—A step up from Personal, at $5/month, the Plus plan includes all of the same features, 24 cards per month, Category-Locked Cards, Card Notes, Shared Cards, and priority customer support.
  3. Pro—At $10 per month, the Pro plan includes all features of the Plus plan. It allows you to create up to 36 cards per month, offers 1% cashback on eligible purchases up to $4,500 per month, and doesn't charge foreign transaction fees.
  4. Premium—At $25 per month, the Premium plan includes all the features of the Pro plan. It allows for up to 60 unique cards per month.

You can use Privacy Cards at most vendors and websites that accept Visa® or Mastercard®. They are available to U.S. residents over 18 who have a checking account at a U.S. bank or credit union.

References

[1] Mozilla. https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/products/vpn/features/,  sourced April 10, 2024
[2] NordVPN. https://support.nordvpn.com/hc/en-us/articles/19559429814545-List-of-NordVPN-features, sourced April 10, 2024
[3] Mozilla Support. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/mozilla-vpn-kill-switch, sourced April 10, 2024
[4]NordVPN. https://nordvpn.com/features/next-generation-encryption/, sourced April 10, 2024
[5] CNET. https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/fastest-vpn/, sourced April 10, 2024
[6] Reddit. https://www.reddit.com/r/mullvadvpn/comments/im5j06/mullvad_max_speeds/, sourced April 10, 2024
[7] NordVPN. https://nordvpn.com/features/fastest-vpn/, sourced April 10, 2024
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