Mozilla VPN vs NordVPN: Which is better?

When we talk about Mozilla VPN vs NordVPN, it’s normal to ask which one protects you better for remote work, global travel, or public WiFi. Both options feel reliable, yet they take very different approaches to privacy, security, and performance.

Mozilla VPN comes from a brand known for defending digital rights, with a simple service focused on the essentials. NordVPN, however, ranks among the most complete VPNs available: Fast, stable, and packed with advanced features for users who need strong connectivity wherever they go.

Although both do their core job (protect your connection), they use solutions, reach, and performance levels that can vary greatly. This guide will help you understand which one fits a digital nomad or frequent traveller best and what you can expect from each one in daily use.

Mozilla VPN vs. NordVPN: General comparison

Before we compare each VPN, we’ll briefly introduce both services, so you know who we’re talking about.

Mozilla VPN is a relatively new service within Mozilla’s ecosystem. Mozilla runs Firefox and people recognise it for its commitment to digital privacy. The VPN runs on Mullvad’s server network, a respected Swedish VPN with a strict privacy philosophy. This means that, although Mozilla operates the service, Mullvad owns the infrastructure, which gives it strong technical backing.

Mozilla VPN focuses on simplicity: A minimal interface, straightforward operation, a strict privacy policy, and a more ethical approach than a commercial one. Its main limitation is a smaller network than larger VPNs, plus it lacks advanced features. Even so, it suits users who want basic security plus transparency, without complicated setup.

Meanwhile, NordVPN is one of the most established, complete, and recognised VPNs on the market. With over a decade of continuous development, it has built a huge global infrastructure. Also, it offers advanced features focused on security, speed, and anonymity.

Over the years, NordVPN has invested in external audits, proprietary protocols (such as NordLynx), specialised servers, and an architecture built for streaming, travel, remote work, and heavy traffic. In short, it suits demanding users who need speed, features, and audited privacy.

Now that you know today’s contenders, let’s review a general comparison of what they offer. Then, we’ll dive into key details that matter when you choose a VPN.

For a quick read, Mozilla VPN stands out for transparency, WireGuard, and a privacy approach inherited from Mullvad. It’s simple, lightweight, and secure, but it has a smaller network and lacks advanced features.

NordVPN is noticeably faster, more stable, and more flexible for streaming, remote work, global unblocking, and use in censored countries. It offers more features, more infrastructure, and higher-level audits. Alongside Proton VPN, it ranks among the best VPNs for digital nomads.

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Privacy and jurisdiction: Mozilla VPN vs. NordVPN

When we assess VPN privacy, strong encryption alone doesn’t settle it. The real difference sits in the company’s operating jurisdiction and what data it logs (or doesn’t) about your activity. These factors shape how hard it becomes for a government, company, or third party to obtain your online activity data.

Mozilla VPN: Transparent privacy under US jurisdiction, but with Mullvad infrastructure

Mozilla VPN belongs to Mozilla Corporation, a US organisation known for supporting digital privacy through Firefox. That’s a strong point: Mozilla holds a clean reputation, avoids major scandals, and consistently supports a safer, freer internet.

The key detail is that Mozilla VPN doesn’t run its own server network. Instead, it uses Mullvad VPN infrastructure, one of the most respected VPNs worldwide for its privacy-first approach. Mullvad is Swedish and works under European Union jurisdiction (GDPR), which enforces high standards for data protection.

What does this mean? The VPN itself doesn’t log sensitive data, and it follows Mullvad’s strict philosophy: It keeps no logs, it doesn’t store IP addresses, and it doesn’t collect identifiable user information. Mozilla supports this policy, but continues to be headquartered in the United States. This can raise concerns about government requests, although it matters less in practice because Mullvad keeps nothing to hand over.

Mozilla completed an audit with Cure53, a German cybersecurity firm, and it maintains strong transparency. However, it doesn’t match NordVPN, which undergoes deeper and more regular audits.

NordVPN: Hardened privacy under Panama jurisdiction and full audits

NordVPN operates from Panama, one of the most privacy-friendly jurisdictions worldwide. Panama doesn’t belong to Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, or any intelligence-sharing alliance, so no foreign authority can demand user data retention or disclosure.

This already gives NordVPN a clear advantage over most VPNs, and it goes further. Its privacy policy follows a strict “no-logs” approach. This means it doesn’t store browsing history, IP addresses, connection records, VPN activity, DNS queries, or used bandwidth.

Also, it doesn’t rely on words alone: Several firms have audited this policy multiple times, and they confirmed the company does what it claims. So, even if a government filed an official request, NordVPN wouldn’t have data to provide.

NordVPN has also moved much of its infrastructure to diskless (RAM-only) servers, which helps prevent accidental data storage.

So, which VPN is more secure?

Both are secure, but for different reasons:

• Mozilla VPN offers solid privacy thanks to Mullvad’s philosophy and Mozilla’s long-standing transparency. Even so, its US jurisdiction isn’t ideal.
• NordVPN combines a highly favourable jurisdiction, deep audits, proven zero logs, and an infrastructure designed to store nothing.

Server network: Mozilla VPN vs. NordVPN

Now let’s analyse another key component when choosing a VPN: The server network. Why does it matter so much? It determines real browsing speed, connection stability across countries, and your ability to access blocked content.

At this point, the difference between Mozilla VPN and NordVPN is clear, both in size and in server variety.

Mozilla VPN uses Mullvad infrastructure, which delivers strong technical quality. However, its coverage stays more limited than larger VPNs.

Key features of Mozilla VPN’s server network:

• Roughly more than 600 servers.
• Around 50 available countries.
• High-quality servers, but no activity-based specialisation.
• It doesn’t offer servers for:
  • dedicated streaming,
  • gaming,
  • specialised P2P,
  • optimised torrents,
  • global content unblocking.

This doesn’t mean you can’t use it for these activities, but Mozilla VPN doesn’t optimise for them. Performance depends on the server you pick and your location. If you only want simple, secure browsing, it works well. If you travel often or need stable international connections, it may fall short.

On the other hand, NordVPN runs one of the world’s largest and most advanced networks.

Main features:

• More than 7,000 servers active.
• Coverage in 167 countries.
• Specialised servers for different needs:
  • P2P servers for torrents.
  • Obfuscated servers for censored countries.
  • Double VPN servers for double encryption.
  • Onion over VPN servers for stronger anonymity.
  • Streaming-optimised servers (they work very well on Netflix, Amazon Prime, HBO Max, and more).

Also, NordVPN automatically selects the fastest available server, which improves stability, especially when you travel and change regions.

In conclusion, Mozilla VPN is reliable, private, and fast enough for basic tasks, but its smaller network and lack of specialised servers make it less versatile for streaming, torrents, gaming, or intensive remote work.

NordVPN, however, offers a much larger infrastructure with server types designed for real digital nomad needs: Stable access across countries, global unblocking, high speed, and consistent performance even on public or congested networks.

In terms of network size, variety, and international performance, NordVPN is clearly superior.

Mozilla VPN vs. NordVPN: Speed comparison

VPN speed depends on its protocol, network size, server infrastructure, and its ability to maintain stability when you travel or use public WiFi. Here, both VPNs perform well, but they target different performance levels.

Let’s review a quick comparison in a table:

At a glance, we can conclude that for a digital nomad or frequent traveller, NordVPN delivers significantly better performance.

While Mozilla VPN only uses WireGuard, a modern, efficient, fast protocol that performs well on nearby servers, NordVPN uses NordLynx, an optimised WireGuard version designed to stay faster and more stable, especially on international connections.

Thanks to NordLynx, NordVPN keeps speed loss minimal, even across continents. Also, it performs brilliantly for streaming, heavy video calls, downloads, uploads, gaming, and remote work. Plus, it stays stable on public WiFi in airports, hotels, and cafés.

This doesn’t mean Mozilla VPN is bad, but it suits basic and nearby use. Its speed drops with intensive use, distant servers, or international mobility.

Streaming and gaming: Which VPN works better?

Another aspect of this comparison between Mozilla VPN vs. NordVPN where we find significant differences is in terms of entertainment.

Mozilla VPN works fine for HD viewing and common platforms, but it doesn’t optimise for international streaming. So, it may fail when you try to unlock Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, or HBO catalogues abroad. Also, its smaller network can congest at peak times. In 4K or on distant servers, speed may not hold up.

In contrast, NordVPN delivers strong streaming performance thanks to its streaming-optimised servers. This gives it consistent performance on platforms like Netflix, HBO, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Prime Video, Disney+, and more. Also, it keeps high speeds on international connections thanks to NordLynx. Plus, its massive network helps avoid server congestion.

When we compare both VPNs for gaming, we see a similar picture. Mozilla VPN can work for casual gaming, but it isn’t ideal because latency runs higher. Also, it lacks specialised servers and stability for competitive play.

As you’d expect, NordVPN suits gaming far better: It supports cloud gaming platforms (Xbox Cloud, GeForce Now, Luna), NordLynx minimises latency, and its wide network helps you find nearby servers to reduce ping.

In short, NordVPN is the best choice for both streaming and gaming, while Mozilla VPN suits simpler, less demanding use.

Mozila VPN vs. NordVPN: Advanced security features

In security terms, both VPNs cover the essentials, but they don’t compete at the same level when we talk about advanced features.

Mozilla VPN prioritises simplicity and privacy, and it doesn’t add extra tools. This makes it easy to use, but it also leaves out key features for travellers, digital nomads, or users who need global unblocking or maximum security.

NordVPN, however, targets users who need more control, more security, and more flexibility. Its advanced features include specialised servers, global unblocking, built-in malware protection, double encryption, dedicated IP, obfuscated servers, and multiple external audits that strengthen transparency.

Again, you’ll find differences between Mozilla VPN and NordVPN that you should know.

Once again, NordVPN wins clearly. Why is that? It offers a far more complete ecosystem and tools built for real scenarios, such as international streaming, remote work, gaming, frequent travel, and protection on public WiFi.

Customer service Mozilla VPN vs. NordVPN

Technical support quality matters when you assess a VPN, especially if you travel often, work remotely, or need a fast fix. Here, the difference between Mozilla VPN and NordVPN is significant, both in availability and support channels.

Mozilla VPN offers solid support, but it feels more limited and less immediate:

• It doesn’t offer live chat.
• Support works mainly through email.
• Help focuses on billing issues, basic configuration, service interruptions, and general questions.
• It offers official articles and guides on its website.

Replies usually arrive within 24–48 hours. Users often describe the quality as good, with clear and well-explained answers. However, it won’t suit you if you need an immediate solution while travelling or facing an urgent issue.

On the other side, NordVPN support ranks among the best on the market. It stays available 24/7 in real time, so it suits people on the move or working across time zones. It also offers email support, with replies in 2–8 hours, depending on complexity.

On the NordVPN website, you’ll find a large knowledge base with step-by-step tutorials, guides for every operating system, fixes for common errors, and tips for streaming, gaming, and remote work.

This makes NordVPN a stronger option for power users and travellers.

Final conclusion: Which VPN is better for digital nomads?

If your life moves between airports, cafés, temporary stays, and constant country changes, your VPN must deliver speed, strong privacy, stable access everywhere, and immediate support when issues appear. By that standard, NordVPN is clearly the better choice for digital nomads.

It offers a massive server network, very high speeds with NordLynx, consistent access to international platforms, specialised servers (streaming, P2P, obfuscated), external audits, a verified no-logs policy, and 24/7 support. This support matters when you work across different time zones.

Mozilla VPN, although secure and transparent, targets simpler use: Protecting your connection, browsing with peace of mind, and keeping a basic privacy profile. Its smaller network, lack of advanced features, and no real-time support make it less reliable for people who depend on the internet daily for remote work or long trips.

Which VPN do we recommend at Holafly? Although NordVPN delivers strong value in many areas, our view is that Proton VPN suits people who travel constantly best. Its network is huge, it offers specialised servers and a strict no-logs policy, it uses modern protocols, and its support team performs excellently.

Together with your Holafly monthly plan (which gives you limited or unlimited data in over 170 countries), these tools can make your digital nomad life much easier (and safer).

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