Compare Microsoft Copilot and NordVPN: Which App is the Best?
A helpful AI assistant that can chat, create images, and work with Microsoft Office apps. It is a good alternative to ChatGPT. | NordVPN is a premium VPN service with 100M+ downloads and 4.6/5 rating, offering advanced security features, fast speeds, and a global server network, though it comes with a higher price point and some connection stability issues. | |
| Key Features A summary of the most important features offered by each app. |
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| Our Rating Prod Apps's expert review score for each app, based on hands-on testing and research. | 8.5 Winner in this category | 7.3 |
| Total users Total active users across all major browsers: Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari. | 0 | 0 |
| Total ratings Total number of user ratings received across all supported browsers. | 0 | 0 |
| Average rating Average user rating across all browsers, calculated from available store ratings. | — ⭐ | — ⭐ |
| Entry Level Price The minimum price required to start using the app. "Free" means a free tier is available. | Free | Free |
| Android User rating and stats for the app on Android browser. |  Downloads | Downloads |
| iOS User rating and stats for the app on iOS browser. |  | |
| Features Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Features' aspect of each app. | 9.0 Microsoft Copilot has a lot of useful features. The main thing it does really well is chat with you like a helpful friend. You can ask it questions, get help with writing, or just have a conversation. You don't even need to sign up to start using it. What we really liked:
Winner in this category | 8.5 NordVPN offers an impressive array of features that justify its premium positioning. The service includes military-grade encryption, a strict no-logs policy, and advanced security protocols like NordLynx (based on WireGuard). The kill switch protection, double VPN, and split tunneling provide comprehensive security options for different use cases. What sets NordVPN apart is its specialized server network, including servers optimized for streaming, torrenting, and enhanced privacy. Unlike Proton VPN which offers a free tier with limited servers, NordVPN provides access to 7,000+ servers across 60+ countries. The service also includes Threat Protection for ad and malware blocking, which adds value beyond basic VPN functionality. The ability to connect up to 10 devices simultaneously is generous for most users. However, some advanced features like Meshnet (which was recently discontinued) and certain specialized servers may not be available in all regions. The service also lacks some cutting-edge features found in newer VPN providers, but it covers all the essential security and privacy needs effectively. Compared to free alternatives like Proton VPN or Windscribe VPN, NordVPN offers significantly more features, but the premium pricing means users need to evaluate whether these additional capabilities justify the cost. |
| Performance Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Performance' aspect of each app. | 9.0 Microsoft Copilot works really well. The chat responses come back quickly, and the AI usually understands what you're asking for. We didn't experience any lag or crashes while using it. The image creation feature is surprisingly fast. You describe what you want, and within a few seconds, you get a picture. The quality is usually pretty good too. The voice feature works smoothly. It understands what you're saying most of the time, and the responses are clear and natural-sounding. If you use it with Microsoft Office apps, the integration works seamlessly. You can switch between Copilot and your documents without any problems. The app doesn't drain your battery too much, and it doesn't take up a lot of storage space. Overall, it performs really well for an AI assistant. Winner in this category | 6.0 NordVPN's performance is inconsistent, with good speeds when working but frequent connection issues that impact usability. The service offers fast connection speeds with the NordLynx protocol, and the extensive server network provides good coverage for most use cases. The service works well for streaming and geo-blocking when connected. However, the service's performance is significantly impacted by connection stability issues. Many users report frequent disconnections, slow connection times, and the need to manually reconnect multiple times per day. The auto-connect feature doesn't work reliably, and some users experience issues with the app not connecting at all. The service's performance issues are particularly concerning given the premium pricing. Users expect reliability and performance from a paid service, but NordVPN's connection problems make it difficult to recommend over free alternatives that offer similar performance with fewer limitations. Compared to other premium VPNs like ExpressVPN or Surfshark VPN, NordVPN's performance is below average. The connection stability issues make it difficult to justify the premium pricing, and users might find better value with alternatives that offer similar features with better reliability. |
| Design Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Design' aspect of each app. | 8.0 The app looks clean and modern. It's easy to figure out how to use it, even if you've never used an AI assistant before. The chat interface is simple - just type and hit send, like texting a friend. We liked how the image creation feature works. You just type what you want to see, and the app shows you the picture. It's straightforward and doesn't require any special knowledge. The voice feature has nice visual feedback - you can see when it's listening and when it's processing what you said. This makes it feel more natural to use. Overall, the design is good but not perfect. Some parts could use a bit more polish, but it gets the job done without being confusing. Winner in this category | 7.5 NordVPN's interface strikes a good balance between functionality and user-friendliness. The main screen provides quick access to connection controls, server selection, and key settings. The map-based server selection is intuitive and visually appealing, making it easy to choose servers in different countries. The app's design is clean and professional, with a dark theme that's easy on the eyes. The connection status is clearly displayed, and the kill switch toggle is easily accessible. The settings menu is well-organized, allowing users to customize their experience without feeling overwhelmed. However, some users have reported issues with the interface, particularly around server selection and connection management. The app can sometimes feel clunky when switching between servers, and the connection process isn't always as smooth as advertised. The recent interface updates have received mixed feedback from users. Compared to other premium VPNs like ExpressVPN or Surfshark VPN, NordVPN's design is competitive but not exceptional. The interface is functional and professional, but it lacks some of the polish and refinement found in newer VPN services. |
| Value for Money Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Value for Money' aspect of each app. | 8.0 Microsoft Copilot offers good value. You can use it for free, which gives you access to chat with AI and create images. This is actually pretty generous compared to some other AI apps. The free version is good enough for most people. You can ask questions, get help with writing, and create images without paying anything. If you want more features, there's Copilot Pro for $20 per month. This gives you:
It's worth it if you use Office a lot for work. The pricing is reasonable compared to other AI assistants. The free tier is quite good, and the Pro version offers real value for people who need the extra features. Winner in this category | 6.5 NordVPN's value proposition is mixed, with strong security features but questionable reliability for the premium price. The service offers comprehensive security features, extensive server network, and good performance when working properly. The ability to connect up to 10 devices simultaneously is generous for most users. However, the service's value is significantly impacted by connection stability issues and customer service challenges. Many users report frequent disconnections and the need to manually reconnect multiple times per day. The premium pricing doesn't translate to the reliability and performance that users expect from a paid service. The service's pricing is competitive with other premium VPNs, but the connection issues make it difficult to justify the cost. Users who prioritize security and are willing to deal with connection problems might find value in the service, but those seeking reliability and performance might be better served by alternatives like Proton VPN. Compared to free alternatives like Proton VPN or Windscribe VPN, NordVPN offers more features but at a significantly higher cost. The connection stability issues make it difficult to recommend over free alternatives that offer similar performance with fewer limitations. |
| Ease of Use Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Ease of Use' aspect of each app. | 9.0 This is probably one of the easiest AI assistants to use. You can start chatting right away without any complicated setup. No account needed for basic features, which is nice. Getting started is simple:
We didn't need to read any instructions to figure out how to use it. The voice feature is really well done. You just tap the microphone button and start talking. It understands what you're saying most of the time, and the responses are clear. Creating images is also super easy. You just describe what you want, and the AI makes it for you. No need to learn complicated settings or options. We give it a 9 out of 10 because it's so easy to use. Even people who aren't tech-savvy should be able to figure it out quickly. Winner in this category | 7.0 NordVPN is generally easy to use for basic VPN functionality, with a simple one-tap connection process. The app's interface is intuitive, and most users can get connected quickly without technical knowledge. The automatic server selection works well for most use cases, and the connection process is straightforward. However, the service's ease of use is compromised by several factors. Many users report frequent connection drops and the need to manually reconnect multiple times per day. The app can be slow to connect, and some users experience issues with the auto-connect feature not working reliably. The connection process isn't always as smooth as expected from a premium service. The service also lacks some user-friendly features found in competitors. The server selection process can be confusing, and the app doesn't always provide clear feedback about connection status. Some users report issues with the kill switch not working properly, which can compromise security. Compared to free alternatives like Proton VPN or Windscribe VPN, NordVPN's ease of use is similar but not significantly better. The premium pricing doesn't translate to a significantly better user experience, and the connection stability issues can be frustrating for users who expect reliability from a paid service. |
| Security & Privacy Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Security & Privacy' aspect of each app. | 8.0 Microsoft Copilot gets an 8 out of 10 for security and privacy. Since it's made by Microsoft, it uses the same security measures that protect their other products like Office and Windows. Your conversations and the images you create are encrypted, which means they're protected from hackers. Microsoft has a good track record with keeping user data safe. If you sign in with your Microsoft account, you get extra security features like two-factor authentication. This adds another layer of protection to your account. Microsoft is pretty clear about how they handle your data. They don't sell your information to other companies, and you can control what data they collect. Just remember - like with any AI app, don't share really personal or sensitive information. While Microsoft keeps things secure, it's always better to be careful about what you share. Winner in this category | 8.0 NordVPN takes security and privacy seriously, with military-grade encryption and a strict no-logs policy that has been independently audited. The service uses AES-256 encryption and supports multiple VPN protocols including OpenVPN and NordLynx. The kill switch protection ensures that internet traffic is blocked if the VPN connection drops. The service's no-logs policy is comprehensive and has been verified by independent security firms. NordVPN is based in Panama, which provides some legal protection for user privacy. The service also includes advanced features like double VPN and split tunneling for enhanced security. However, NordVPN has faced some security concerns in the past, including a data breach in 2019. While the company has since improved its security practices, some users remain concerned about the service's track record. The service also lacks some advanced privacy features found in newer VPN providers. Compared to other premium VPNs like ExpressVPN or Surfshark VPN, NordVPN's security practices are solid but not exceptional. The service provides good protection for most users, but those with high security requirements might want to consider alternatives with more advanced privacy features. Winner in this category |
| Conclusion A summary of our findings and final thoughts for each app. | We've been using Microsoft Copilot for a while now and really like it. It's great for chatting with AI, creating images, and getting help with work. The free version is pretty good, but if you use Microsoft Office a lot, the Pro version is worth considering. | NordVPN is a premium VPN service that offers comprehensive security features and extensive server coverage, but its value proposition is compromised by connection stability issues and customer service challenges. The service provides good security and privacy protection, but the frequent disconnections and reliability problems make it difficult to recommend over free alternatives.
For users who prioritize security and are willing to deal with connection issues, NordVPN offers a solid feature set with good performance when working. However, those seeking reliability and consistent performance might find better value with alternatives like Proton VPN that offer similar features with better stability, or Thunder VPN for a more user-friendly free experience.
Ultimately, NordVPN's premium pricing doesn't translate to the reliability and performance that users expect from a paid service. While the service offers good security features, the connection stability issues make it difficult to justify the cost over free alternatives that provide similar performance with fewer limitations. |
| Our Recommendation | ||
