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Our experts have reviewed 53 VPN providers, which were put through extensive rounds of testing. To learn more about that process, here’s how we review VPNs, where we explain our criteria and our policy of being fully transparent.
Ranking highly on our list of the best VPN services, NordVPN is undoubtedly one of the most competent VPNs around. It's renowned for being a highly sophisticated provider, adequately meeting the needs of advanced and novice users. Headquartered in Panama, a country outside the infamous "14 Eyes Alliance" jurisdiction, this provider protects online privacy without any external interference.
This VPN also guarantees digital security by featuring the AES-256-CBC cipher and ChaCha20 protocol encryption. This solid encryption, combined with an externally audited no-logs policy, ensures true anonymity. Nonetheless, there have been some problematic situations with security and privacy.
Although an isolated case, NordVPN was hacked in 2018, with the hacker gaining access to the VPN's Finland-based data centers. However, NordVPN's solid team quickly repelled the attack, and no personal data leaked.
In terms of performance, it features a NordLynx protocol guaranteeing stable connections and top speed for gaming, streaming, and torrenting. In truth, this VPN checks most of the right boxes, making it a near-perfect VPN provider. But is NordVPN right for you?
That's one of the many questions our hands-on NordVPN review will answer. Before we delve deeper, let's check some of the basic facts about this VPN provider.
This NordVPN review covers everything about the service: its legality, safety, how it works, setup, pricing, and more. To learn more about our VPN testing processes, please read our guide on how we review VPNs.
You'll also learn what's new in NordVPN, as it constantly innovates. We're making sure to keep this review up-to-date at all times, making it easier for you to make up your mind about NordVPN.
NordVPN has had certain problems in the past. However, the fact is that this VPN remains one of the most transparent and user-friendly VPNs out there. Our Score: 8.5/10
When choosing a VPN, you must know whether you can trust it. One of the best ways to find a trustworthy VPN is to check its background. You'll want to know about its jurisdiction as well as if there were any problematic data leaks in the past.
NordVPN is based in Panama (the company behind NordVPN is called 'Nord Security - NordSec Ltd' / previously known as 'Tefincom S.A.'). This was a good choice, as this country has no data retention laws that could force VPNs to collect your private data.
Also, Panama is not a member of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance, a group of countries with mandatory data retention laws and aggressive mass surveillance operations.
It should be noted that certain rumors were circulating about this VPN a while back. According to those, NordVPN was owned by a company called Tesonet, based in Lithuania. Even though a connection exists between NordVPN and Tesonet (both of those brands come from the same team), there's nothing malicious in that connection.
In October 2021, NordVPN's parent company (Nord Security) acquired Atlas VPN, a relatively new VPN service known for offering a free tier. In February 2022, Nord Security merged with Surfshark, another well-known VPN service. That means NordVPN's parent company has close business relations with Atlas VPN and Surfshark, but that's where any connections between those VPNs end.
More precisely, NordVPN, Atlas VPN, and Surfshark have their own development paths and product roadmaps. They target different types of users and customers, and there's no data sharing involved between those brands.
If you'd like to take a much deeper dive into NordVPN's business structure and relations to other cybersecurity companies, we have a guide answering the question of who owns NordVPN.
No, NordVPN has never leaked personal data in the past. It has a strict no-logs policy, and it promises not to collect your personal data. You'll be happy to know that NordVPN looks to be sticking to that promise by employing strict protocols that prevent any kind of unauthorized access to their servers.
Still, that doesn't mean there weren't any problematic situations in this VPN's past.
In September 2018, it was revealed that NordVPN had contained a privilege escalation bug that, in theory, could have exposed some of the user data (which didn't happen). However, this bug was fixed before the report became public.
In April 2019, there were reports of strange behavior related to NordVPN's data flow through the VPN's servers. However, the official explanation soon followed - saying that it was caused by NordVPN's anti-censorship mechanism (nothing suspicious, once again).
We've also learned that NordVPN was hacked in 2018 after an unknown hacker managed to access one of the VPN's Finland-based data centers. As NordVPN explained, this was an isolated case that didn't endanger any personal information.
Yes, NordVPN is safe and legal because it uses industry-standard encryption and VPN tunnels to protect you from hackers and snooping government organizations.
It uses the AES-256-CBC cipher encryption, which the government uses and is the gold standard in the industry. The VPN provider also features three tunneling protocols: OpenVPN, NordLynx, and IKEv2/IPsec to best suit user preference and device compatibility.
In addition, NordVPN has undergone several third-party audits to confirm its no-logs claims. So, from a technical and legal point of view, NordVPN is as safe and legal as it comes.
NordVPN covers pretty much any popular and less popular platform out there. You can always count on using a native application offered by this VPN. Our Score: 10/10
When you decide to use a VPN, you'll want one that protects all your devices. That's because using a single unprotected device poses a risk of leaking your personal data. So, here’s a table showing NordVPN on multiple devices, detailing which ones are natively supported by the VPN:
It’s clear that NordVPN brings wide compatibility with many platforms and devices. What’s also important to note is that you can use NordVPN on devices not mentioned in the table above – as long as those devices support the OpenVPN protocol.
In those cases, you would need to set up NordVPN manually (like NordVPN on Roku). In general, that's not an overly complicated procedure. You can always rely on NordVPN's customer support for any assistance.
Of course, you can always go for capable and compatible routers. Simply set up NordVPN on Asus Router, DD-WRT, Tomato, or any router that supports OpenVPN and protect all your devices at once without having native clients installed.
On top of that, installing NordVPN on your router takes a single "slot" of your subscription, no matter how many devices you connect to your router. However, the number of devices you can use with NordVPN is limited to 10 per account.
Downloading, installing, and configuring NordVPN doesn’t require you to have any technical knowledge. The entire process is very user-centric and intuitive. Our Score: 10/10
In this section of our NordVPN review, we'll provide you with a brief explanation of how the VPN provider works, as well as how to get started using it. So, keep reading!
Like every other VPN provider, NordVPN establishes an encrypted tunnel over the Internet for your data. This way, it changes your IP address and keeps your data safe between you and your destination. As such, no private external party or government can track your online activities.
With NordVPN's ability to mask your current location and online activities, you can access geo-restricted content and stream your favorite shows from anywhere in the world.
As a consumer-focused VPN provider, it offers highly intuitive apps across all devices, ensuring an easy and stress-free user experience. With just a few clicks, the service takes care of all the technical hassle of providing solid security and privacy, excellent speed and performance, and easy access to geo-restricted content.
Downloading and installing the NordVPN app is a straightforward process. There are two ways to get the app: via the official website or the app store.
To have the smoothest experience, we advise you to download NordVPN directly from their official website. Aside from that, some countries restrict downloading the app from app stores, so your best bet is the official website.
Here's a simple step-by-step approach to setting up NordVPN:
In the guide above, we advised you to enable NordVPN's kill switch, which allows you to add a list of apps that will be forced to quit if your VPN connection drops. That way, those apps won't leak your sensitive information, as their access to the Web will be disabled.
Also, NordVPN's "Threat Protection" is a very handy feature that comes included with your subscription. You can use it to block malicious sites, stop Web tracking, block ads, and more.
To use NordVPN across a range of supported devices, check our central guide on how to set up NordVPN. In cases where NordVPN won't connect, the recommended first step is to contact its customer support. We'll explore some troubleshooting options later if you prefer a self-help approach.
NordVPN is among the most feature-rich VPNs. It covers the basics quite well and also offers a range of advanced and unique features to protect you on the Web. Our Score: 10/10
In this segment, we look at a set of standard and advanced features that VPNs typically offer. Speaking of NordVPN’s features, you’ll find plenty of options here.
Here's an overview of what to expect.
NordVPN comes with a trove of servers spread across the entire planet - and it often expands that network in a rapid manner. Our Score: 10/10
NordVPN is one of the VPNs with the most substantial number of servers. To discover more information, check out the table found below.
As you can tell, the number of NordVPN servers is astounding (with servers in India, the UK, the US, Australia, and Canada). Due to its 6,400+ server network, NordVPN is among the VPNs with the most servers. However, we don’t have precise information on where those servers are located, nor can we pick a specific city to connect to. The only option where that is present is among NordVPN servers from the USA.
Having this many servers is a good thing. In theory, this means you’ll hardly connect to an overcrowded server that throttles the speed of your Web connection. However, this doesn’t mean that VPNs with 500 or 1,000 servers won’t perform as fluidly as NordVPN.
What we’re saying is – even though having plenty of servers is a nice thing, this shouldn't be the most important aspect of choosing a VPN.
Also, 110+ active NordVPN obfuscated servers are available in the following locations:
To use them, just select "Obfuscated servers" from the Specialty Servers list and connect to the fastest server or any of the countries you prefer.
Yes, NordVPN does use virtual servers. They started with a single virtual server for India in January 2024, with a physical server via Singapore. To expand their reach, they've now significantly increased their offerings by adding 50 more virtual VPN locations.
Also, we've mentioned NordVPN's colocated server network at the beginning of this review. Soon enough, this VPN will own its entire server network as opposed to renting individual servers. This is a major benefit (especially when compared to its competitors) as it gives NordVPN a better chance of creating an incredibly safe and privacy-respecting environment.
NordVPN is very easy to use. It comes with a user-centric and modern-looking UI across all its apps, suitable even for complete beginners. Our Score: 10/10
In this segment of our NordVPN review, we'll take a look at the VPN's apps for desktop and mobile platforms. And since Web browser extensions are on offer, we'll explain what you can expect from NordVPN in that aspect as well.
NordVPN on desktop works excellently. As you can see from the images in this segment, NordVPN is actually a very simple application. The home screen button on the left sidebar, also called "dashboard" in the Windows app, consists of an overview of your VPN connection, recent connections, and weekly connection time (with or without VPN use).
Below the home screen, you'll find the VPN button with a Web icon. The menu comes with a large interactive map background, which you can use to quickly connect to any NordVPN server.
For a comprehensive view of NordVPN's server locations, navigate to the left-hand side of the UI and scroll down. Here, you'll find the complete list, encompassing specialty servers like Dedicated IP, Double VPN, Obfuscated, Onion Over VPN, and P2P. However, take note that the full array of specialized servers only appears when using the automatic VPN and OpenVPN protocols.
Before you click on any country's name from the left-placed list, you can take your time to pick a server manually. Hover over any country's name, and you'll see a 'three dots' icon on the right. Click on that icon, and a menu will appear. Then, pick a city server from this menu and connect to it.
In the same menu, there's a convenient shortcut to customizing the "Threat Protection Pro" feature and securing access to your devices or sharing files through "Meshnet."
Next on the sidebar menu is NordVPN's "Dark Web Monitor." NordVPN checks your email address for leaks that might have happened on the Dark Web. In general, this seems like a handy feature to have.
On macOS, NordVPN also gives you customizable presets (you can add more), accessible via its home screen. You can set a custom protocol and pick a server. That way, you can optimize NordVPN for speed, downloading files, Web browsing, and more.
To dive deeper into what NordVPN offers, you can check its settings. To access that side of the VPN, click on the 'Settings' icon, visible in the bottom-left corner. We've tested NordVPN on a Windows computer, so here's what the VPN allowed us to customize:
NordVPN works so well on mobile platforms. It has done a wonderful job of creating a uniform user experience. That means you can count on the same set of UI design principles across all its apps. This is something we don't often see these days, and it puts NordVPN ahead of its competition.
Using NordVPN on phone is a joy, and we can't emphasize it enough. On iOS, the app's home screen shows a list of servers, along with an interactive map. Tap on any country using this map, or select a server manually - and you'll be connected in an instant.
At the bottom of the screen, you can check detailed information about the currently active VPN session, access NordVPN's Meshnet, and you'll find a button that takes you to the app's settings (where you can change the VPN protocol and more).
When it comes to Android, you'll see a home screen that's practically similar to iOS. This includes an interactive map, along with a list of all NordVPN's servers below (including specialty servers as well). Like iOS, you can access NordVPN's settings via "Profile" in the bottom-right corner.
Speaking of NordVPN's settings on iOS and Android, know that there's plenty to fine-tune. So, here's an overview of what to expect.
All in all, NordVPN's Android and iOS apps are hugely polished and incredibly capable. We highly recommend using them.
The NordVPN extension for Web browsers works great. The VPN provides a Chrome extension, as well as extensions for Firefox and Edge (including other Web browsers built on Google's Chromium and Mozilla's Gecko). NordVPN doesn't have a Safari extension, but connecting to NordVPN servers using the macOS app seamlessly works with Safari, too.
We're also happy to report that Nord's Web browser extensions have been recently overhauled, so here's what to expect.
Once you log in to your account, NordVPN's extension will show an interface letting you connect to a server automatically or manually. If you click on 'Quick Connect,' the browser extension will pick the closest server based on your physical location, which should provide you with the fastest possible speed.
To dive deeper, click on the "Settings" icon in the bottom-right corner. You'll get to block WebRTC leaks, enable NordVPN's ad-blocking feature, and manage your list of websites that can bypass Nord's proxy (split tunneling).
Keep in mind that NordVPN's Web browser extensions don't provide the same security level as the VPN's native apps. Using the app, you get a range of ultra-secure protocols and high-end encryption. And using the extension, your HTTPS traffic will be encrypted via the "Transport Layer Security" (TLS 1.2) protocol, which means we're talking about a proxy (not a VPN) here.
On a brighter note, there's a tab where you can "refer a friend" and instantly earn 3 free months of NordVPN. Your friend will also benefit from receiving up to 3 free months (depending on the plan they choose).
Overall, it's good to know that NordVPN's browser extension looks and works great - especially if you need fast performance, better protection for your data, or to eliminate ads.
NordVPN unblocks dozens of streaming services and comes with streaming-friendly speeds. Also, it can be used to download torrents and play online games. Our Score: 10/10
One of the main reasons people use VPNs is to access content online, whether it’s streaming, downloading torrents, or playing games. However, not all VPNs can deliver a smooth and satisfying experience for these activities. Let’s see how NordVPN performs in terms of streaming, torrenting, and gaming.
Yes, NordVPN is an excellent VPN provider for streaming, as it offers fast speeds, a wide array of server locations, and SmartPlay technology that allows you to access geo-locked content easily.
Here are some of the most notable US-based streaming platforms this VPN unblocks.
NordVPN dominates other VPNs for international and non-US streaming platforms, too. Here’s what you can expect.
NordVPN is the best streaming VPN that has improved in the past few months. Before, finding a server that worked with Netflix and other platforms involved manually trying different connections. Despite not having dedicated streaming servers, NordVPN works with Netflix and other streaming platforms without issues. Simply choose a server in the country of your desired streaming service and enjoy unblocked content.
This makes NordVPN a reliable choice for media streaming, as it can access almost any platform you want. However, it’d be nice if NordVPN offered specialized streaming servers in the future so you could easily see which services are available without trial and error.
Moreover, NordVPN uses SmartPlay technology to enhance your streaming experience. This technology combines the security of a VPN and the flexibility of SmartDNS to provide smooth and fast streaming.
Yes, NordVPN for torrenting is good, thanks to its dedicated P2P servers. You can find them under 'Specialty Servers,' and they’re available in almost every country on the list.
If you connect to a non-P2P server, the app automatically redirects your traffic to a dedicated server in Canada or the Netherlands. This way, your IP address stays hidden, and your privacy is protected. Let’s not forget that the service follows a strict no-logs policy, which means it doesn't spy on your torrents. That's why NordVPN remains the safest VPN for torrenting.
Apart from that, NordVPN offers a range of advanced security features, such as a VPN kill switch that prevents your IP address from being exposed. You can also choose from different VPN protocols to optimize your connection’s speed and stability.
The other thing that’s truly helpful is NordVPN’s SOCKS5 proxy, which you can use with torrent clients like BitTorrent. However, we don't recommend using this feature, as it’s less secure than a VPN. A SOCKS5 proxy only changes your IP address, but it doesn't encrypt your traffic.
Yes, we believe that NordVPN is a great choice for gaming online. It has a large network of servers around the world and supports almost any device or platform. Also, it lets you customize your connection for gaming with different protocols and options.
In fact, NordVPN has many features for gamers. For example, it can block ads, malware, and other online threats that can affect your gaming performance and security. We know DDoS attacks can ruin gameplay, and in our experience, NordVPN is brilliant at saving you from them through its kill switch feature.
Apart from that, it can also help you access games that are restricted in your region through its SmartPlay feature and can automatically connect you to the best server for gaming.
Despite some 'risky' situations from its past, NordVPN is still a highly trustworthy VPN that respects and protects your personal data. Our Score: 9.5/10
Now, let’s talk about privacy and security – perhaps the most important aspects when choosing a VPN. We’re going to take a look at NordVPN’s encryption and logging policies, and we’ll test its claims as well.
The table found below shows which VPN protocols are found in each NordVPN app. So, we strongly recommend taking a look below before we discuss what each of those protocols brings.
It's worth highlighting that, in some cases, you can add new VPN protocols manually. For example, this is possible with the IKEv2 protocol on Windows and Linux. By installing this protocol manually, you can take advantage of it even if it's not offered natively.
Still, there's a reason why NordVPN offers a select range of protocols in each of its apps. Even though you can overcome that "limitation," you should do that only if you really know what you're doing. Otherwise, rely on NordVPN's built-in protocols.
No, NordVPN doesn't keep logs related to your private data, online activity, or your Internet browsing history due to its strict no-logs policy.
In other words, none of your personal information is stored on any of NordVPN’s thousands of servers. And to prove this no-logging policy, NordVPN went through many independent audits.
However, it's worth noting that NordVPN does collect some data. We're talking here about diagnostic logs, anonymized telemetry data, your device's information, and device identifiers.
Even though all those technical terms sound intimidating, there's nothing to worry about. NordVPN collects anonymized data only, which helps the VPN service run better and resolve technical problems. Rest assured, you're safe under NordVPN's log policy.
No, NordVPN doesn't leak or expose your personal data. To check for any DNS leak, we've made several VPN connections using NordVPN and tested those VPN tunnels.
As you can see from the image in this segment, our 'true' IP address remained hidden and was replaced by NordVPN's 'virtual' information.
Keep in mind that we've done extensive DNS leak tests covering IP, DNS, WebRTC, and geo-location data leaks. All of our data never left NordVPN's tunnel, and no leaks were detected. Therefore, we conclude that this VPN will keep you safe and protected online.
NordVPN is among the fastest VPNs. Streaming in 4K or downloading large files should not be a problem, even if you don’t have an ultra-fast baseline connection. Our Score: 9/10
Let's see how NordVPN affects our speed. Without a VPN session active in the background, we got 581.09 Mbps for downloads and 57.99 Mbps for uploads. Those are our baseline stats.
Now, we'll try different servers around the world and compare the numbers. VPNs usually slow down your Web traffic by making it take longer routes, so we want to check how well NordVPN handles this by testing both nearby and remote servers.
Here's what we got during our tests of NordVPN’s performance:
We're sure you'll need some help making sense of the numbers found above. For that purpose, we've created the following table, so check it out.
Our tests show that NordVPN slowed down our Web connection by 15% on average. This puts it among the top VPN services in terms of speed. However, while your download speed will stay fast and steady, your upload speed might vary.
As you can see above, NordVPN's performance never dipped below 360 Mbps for us, which is more than enough to stream 4K videos on several devices simultaneously. So, if you have a speedy Web connection, NordVPN won't disappoint you.
NordVPN offers a complete range of customer support channels - so you can have all your questions answered promptly. Our Score: 10/10
If you take a look at older reviews of NordVPN still found online, you’ll see that many were complaining about this company’s lack of live chat and other types of customer support.
Well, that is no longer the case. NordVPN has upgraded its customer support system, and you can expect the following types of resources:
We always recommend going straight to NordVPN's customer support if you have any questions. However, we're also here to provide some actionable tips. So, here's what to do when NordVPN fails to connect:
NordVPN is a high-priced VPN, but it gets much more affordable via its long-term plans. You'll also find highly attractive deals (with one being available right now). Our Score: 9/10
NordVPN has three subscription plans. If you want to save money, you might want to consider a longer-term plan. With that said, here's what you should know about its current price.
NordVPN's subscription plans start at $3.09/month. You can choose from three options: Basic, Plus, and Ultimate. The pricing of each plan depends on the subscription duration you choose, and all plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, which can be used as a NordVPN free trial.
You'll also get an extra three months of service when you sign up for any 2-year option. Let's take a look at each plan:
Great NordVPN deals are out there, but the NordVPN price you see might change depending on your location. They're offering discounts up to a whopping 75% off! Here's the breakdown:
Additionally, NordVPN frequently offers coupon codes to help you save on your subscription. If you're interested in learning more about these deals and how to apply them, check out our guide on how to apply NordVPN coupon codes.
In terms of payment, NordVPN allows you to pay using credit/debit cards, crypto, Amazon Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, and more.
No, NordVPN isn’t free because it’s a premium provider. It doesn't offer a free trial on its website, but you can try it for free for 7 days if you're using Android, with the trial following Google Play's terms.
You'll need to provide your credit card details and pay for your chosen subscription, but you’ll have 30 days to change your mind and get your money back - without any questions asked. This 30-day money-back guarantee covers all devices. Here's how to cancel your NordVPN subscription and get a refund.
Despite offering multiple paid plans, a NordVPN lifetime subscription doesn’t exist as it’s not sustainable for the brand. Offering it would mean selling the service for a low price and losing the regular income that’s needed to maintain the service.
In general, NordVPN stands out as a strong contender when it comes to VPN providers, boasting a range of impressive features. The following list compares NordVPN to other popular VPN providers, including ExpressVPN, Private Internet Access, Surfshark, IPVanish, and more.
Yes, NordVPN is more than good - it's the best in the VPN arena for compelling reasons. Its massive server network and impressive speeds ensure smooth browsing, media streaming, gaming, and downloads for uninterrupted enjoyment.
When it comes to security, NordVPN employs industry-leading VPN protocols and AES-256 encryption to form an impenetrable shield for your online activities. Its strict no-logs policy, rigorously audited by independent third parties, also guarantees your privacy.
Beyond the essential features, you also get virtual servers for added flexibility, along with obfuscation to help you bypass those extra hurdles. It even offers double encryption and dedicated IPs for specific needs. And to maximize your privacy, NordVPN uses RAM-based servers, ensuring no data is ever written to a physical disk.
Given these features, we strongly recommend NordVPN. It's an exceptional VPN provider that delivers on all fronts, offering unparalleled security, advanced functionality, and a positive user experience.
PROS
CONS
Review Summary This is certainly one of the most interesting VPNs available today. We're sure that many of you are going to be perfectly happy with NordVPN. | 9.6 Overall Score | ||
Background, Jurisdiction & Reputation | 8.5 | ||
Supported Platforms & Devices | 10 | ||
Installation & Initial Configuration | 10 | ||
Prominent Features | 10 | ||
Server Count & Infrastructure | 10 | ||
UI/UX Design & Ease of Use | 10 | ||
Media Streaming, Torrenting, and Gaming Support | 10 | ||
Security & Privacy | 9.5 | ||
Speed & Performance | 9 | ||
Customer Support | 10 | ||
Pricing | 9 |