NordVPN Rolls Out Post-Quantum Encryption Across All Apps

• NordVPN rolls out post-quantum encryption on all major apps.
• PQE works with NordLynx only; other features like Meshnet are disabled.
• The move aims to future-proof user data against quantum threats.

NordVPN has officially launched post-quantum encryption (PQE) support across all its apps, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Android TV, and tvOS. This marks the full rollout of a major security upgrade that began in 2024 with the company's Linux app.

Post-quantum encryption is designed to protect user data against potential threats posed by future quantum computers, which could break current encryption methods. NordVPN has integrated quantum-resistant algorithms into NordLynx — its proprietary VPN protocol based on WireGuard — ensuring long-term security for users.

“The idea is simple: to protect user data not just from today’s threats, but from what might come in the future,” said Marijus Briedis, CTO at NordVPN, in talks with TechNadu. “This is part of our broader strategy to future-proof our infrastructure. We believe in staying ahead of the curve, so we’re continuing to develop and test technologies that can stand up to whatever comes next, including the rise of quantum computing.”

The PQE rollout began in September 2024 with a Linux app update. This early launch allowed NordVPN to monitor real-world performance and test how the encryption upgrade affected connection speed and latency. Briedis confirmed that the transition maintained a high-quality user experience. “The Linux case demonstrated that we successfully maintained the highest level of user experience in terms of connection time and speed,” he said.

Following the Linux rollout, the company gradually expanded support across other platforms, completing the process in early 2025. The PQE feature can now be activated via a toggle switch in the “Connections” section of the NordVPN app’s settings. It automatically engages whenever the user connects via NordLynx.

While the new encryption upgrade brings advanced security, there are some limitations. PQE only works with the NordLynx protocol and is not compatible with features like:

• Dedicated IP
• Obfuscated servers
• OpenVPN protocol
• NordWhisper
• Meshnet (disables automatically when PQE is enabled)

This means users must switch to NordLynx and disable certain other features to benefit from PQE.

NordVPN isn’t alone in the push toward quantum-resistant security. ExpressVPN added PQE to its Lightway protocol in January 2025, and Mullvad VPN began adopting PQE strategies as early as 2017. PureVPN and Windscribe have partial support, while IPVanish and Surfshark have confirmed ongoing implementation.

On the other hand, Proton VPN has chosen a slower rollout. Its General Manager, David Peterson, said the provider aims to launch PQE “once across the whole Proton ecosystem,” calling post-quantum cryptography “a marathon, not a sprint.”

With this upgrade, NordVPN positions itself among a small group of VPN services ready to face a quantum-powered future. While current encryption remains secure for now, PQE ensures that sensitive data remains protected even if quantum decryption becomes a reality years down the line.

Briedis summed up the company’s approach: “We believe in staying ahead of the curve, so we’re continuing to develop and test technologies that can stand up to whatever comes next, including the rise of quantum computing.”