NordVPN Reviews
Pros
-
Intuitive multiplatform apps
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Double VPN and P2P support
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Plenty of security features
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Large VPN network with consistent speeds
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Trustworthy no-log policy
Cons
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Limited VPN protocols options
NordVPN has already managed to conquer the market by being one of the most reputable and trustworthy services ever made. Among its vast arsenal of features, the close attention given to security is one of the major highlights, thanks to the presence of an automatic kill switch, protection against DNS leaks, ads and malware, and even double VPN servers.
Speaking of which, these are only some of NordVPN’s special servers that compose a global network filled with unusual locations, P2P countries, support for Onion over VPN, and more. NordVPN has a handful of different subscriptions in the form of simple apps for all kinds of devices and user types.
For as little as $3.99 per month, users can enjoy all the perks of having a secure and high-speed VPN. Plus, a generous refund policy allows you to get your money back if you decide NordVPN isn’t for you during the first 30 days.
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Features
Features
Bandwidth
Unlimited
# connected devices
10
Kill switch
NordVPN offers a complete service in an intuitive client that combines great looks with customizable features so that both VPN beginners and experienced users can always get the best out of the solution.
The preconfigured settings are perfect for most users and because the servers are easily accessible on the main page and filtered by location, speed, or type (such as P2P, double VPN, dedicated IP, etc.), nothing needs to be set beforehand.
However, users wanting more can always resort to HTTP and SOCKS5 proxies or unlock the advanced settings to change connection protocols, set up custom DNS, and access other features that alter the overall behavior of the VPN.
While NordVPN is great as a whole, if there’s something that stands out when looking at its individual parts, then it’s the company’s impressive investment in security.
Noteworthy security investments
Most VPNs nowadays already have their own share of security features, with kill switches and protection against DNS leaks, ads, and malware being some of the most common. Still, having these integrated into the software is not always conducive to them actually working properly, so it’s truly a charm to see that with NordVPN, everything is reliable and runs flawlessly.
Our tests showed no problems with DNS leaks and the kill switch also proved worthy of praise. Not only does it cut the internet off from the device but it also kills any selected apps when the VPN connection drops. This is especially excellent news for anyone using NordVPN for P2P sharing, for instance.
The unique double data encryption is one of the company’s biggest achievements. AES-256-CBC type protection is applied twice to the data transferred between the servers that support it.
General settings
Double VPN
Advanced settings
Naturally, this has a negative impact on speed – even though our tests were surprisingly even – but it’s a feature that is still not very common these days and certainly deserves highlighting.
The browser extensions haven’t been ignored by NordVPN either. They block WebRTC and benefit from CyberSec, a feature that’s also available in the desktop client and acts as an ad blocker, protecting against malware, phishing, and other threats.
VPN network
VPN network
Countries
U.S., DE, FR, ES, IT, NL, PT...
# countries
100+
# servers
6,500+
# IPs
NordVPN boasts some impressive numbers: more than 6,000 servers in over 100 different countries, including locations not so commonly seen, such as New Zealand, Israel, Costa Rica, South Korea, and Hong Kong.
We tested NordVPN’s performance in Europe using Speedtest with a baseline speed of 561 Mbps for downloads and 208 Mbps for uploads. On average, the speed loss for downloads was 34% and 53% for uploads.
To our surprise, the furthest tested server returned the best results regarding download speed, with a loss of only 20%. That said, keep in mind that unlike speed performance, connection latency is always dependent on how far away the server is.
For uploads, we got the best results with the server closer to us, with a mere 6% speed decrease. Although it wasn’t the absolute best performance we’ve seen, NordVPN’s speed is quite good and should satisfy those seeking a reliable VPN. Plus, all tested connections were leak-free and stable throughout the session.
| Location |
Download (Mbps) |
Upload (Mbps) |
Ping (ms) |
| Los Angeles, CA, U.S. |
440.91 |
64.51 |
176 |
| Madrid, Spain |
283.44 |
195.82 |
27 |
| Paris, France |
383.71 |
27.01 |
38 |
Privacy protection
Privacy protection
SSL
OpenVPN
PPTP
L2TP
SSTP
IPSec
Show all
Next to its outstanding desktop clients, apps, and overall clear and straightforward service, its privacy is where NordVPN really shines. Truth be told, there aren’t many VPN protocols to choose from in the advanced settings, but those that are available are the most reliable: OpenVPN (TCP and UDP) and IKEv2.
In addition, NordVPN uses the high-standard AES 256-bit encryption and it’s important to stress once again that this is applied twice on double VPN servers. Further contributing to this great picture of safety is NordVPN’s strict no-log policy.
Plus, since the company runs operations from Panama where “there are no mandatory data retention laws” – as stated on the official website – this can be considered trustworthy.
OS, device support
Platform support
Web app
Mobile optimized
macOS
Linux
Android
Windows
iOS
Show all
Other devices
Xbox One
PlayStation
Apple TV
Chromebook
DD-WRT
Tomato
Show all
NordVPN is a true multiplatform solution since the range of supported devices includes not only the world’s most popular operating systems but also some other alternatives, alongside the benefit of a maximum of six simultaneous connections under the same account.
For computers and laptops, Windows users will need at least version 7 to install the VPN app, while on macOS, the minimum version is 10.15 Catalina. Linux users should know that the minimal kernel version is 3.7.0 for aartch64 and 3.2.0 for other architectures. Android and iOS devices have their own apps too.
Router support is available on DD-WRT, Tomato, Sabai, and other firmware via manual configuration, allowing users to extend the protection to smart TVs and other devices that don’t support VPNs by default. Last but not least, there are also browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.
Pricing
The pricing structure of NordVPN is similar in every way to the overall nature of the program: simple and attractive. Each of the three packages available – Standard, Plus, and Complete – can be purchased as a monthly, 1-year, or 2-year plan.
All options offer the same unlimited access and high security on multiple platforms, as well as basic VPN features like malware protection, tracker, and ad blocker. Higher-tier plans offer advanced features like cloud storage and NordPass, the company’s cross-platform password manager.
Standard
$3.99/mo
Billed every 2 years
5,900+ servers
60 countries
Up to 1Gbs
Tracker and ad blocker
–
–
–
Plus
$4.99/mo
Billed every 2 years
5,900+ servers
60 countries
Up to 1Gbs
Tracker and ad blocker
NordPass
–
–
Complete
$6.99/mo
Billed every 2 years
5,900+ servers
60 countries
Up to 1Gbs
Tracker and ad blocker
NordPass
1 TB cloud storage
Advanced cyber protection
Longer-term plans are cheaper, so those who want to stick with NordVPN for a while can save 54% and pay only $3.99 per month when going for the 2-year plan. There’s also the Ultra plan, which adds Incogni for $7.59 per month billed annually.
Moreover, there’s a 7-day free trial of the Android app and a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can fully test the service before committing long-term. Payment methods include credit cards, cryptocurrencies, and even alternative options such as PayPal and Amazon Pay.
Payment options
Visa
Mastercard
American Express
Discover
PayPal
Wire transfer
Check
Cryptocurrency
Show all
Customer service
Customer support
24/7
Live chat
Email
Phone
Community
FAQs
Video tutorials
Remote desktop
Blog
Facebook
Instagram
X
YouTube
Show all
As any great company should, NordVPN has its own blog and is active on social media, namely Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Direct contact is possible on each of these, but the preferred format of help is email and live chat.
The company deserves praise as it demonstrated especially quick response and assistance when we reached out via live chat. Still, it’s unlikely that you need to resort to this, thanks to the detailed FAQ and tutorial pages.
In fact, not only will they help in understanding how the service works by providing answers to the most varied of questions, but they also give tips about which settings to choose in order to prioritize speed, security, or whatever purpose each customer will use the VPN for. Likewise, there’s no lack of manual set up tutorials for all kinds of devices.
Bottom line
With intuitive apps for the complete suite of devices, a great investment in security, and a VPN network that competitors should envy, there are plenty of reasons to use NordVPN. The quality of the connections even on the most distant servers is particularly impressive, while the security of a trustworthy no-log policy, reliable DNS leak protection, and an innovative kill switch mean you can feel safe with this versatile VPN.
Likewise, those who simply want a good VPN to protect themselves from online snoopers can rely on double VPN and traffic obfuscation servers, while video streamers will be thankful for a server network with great consistency in its connections.
Along with the liberty of choice given to each user to either customize their connection or go with sturdy preconfigured settings, it’s not hard to understand how NordVPN has already marked its position in the world as one of the best services for every privacy enthusiast.
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Tamás Ő.
Rayssa G.
Sander D.
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