• NordVPN

  • Our Score 8.8
  • User Rating

NordVPN Review

A good VPN ensures privacy and protection when online. A great VPN goes above and beyond
to safeguard data and deliver extra to guarantee customer satisfaction. NordVPN falls
into the latter category, with a premium package comprising high speeds, top-level
encryption, smart technology, and a host of handy features.

Chosen by millions of users worldwide, we check out NordVPN’s
credentials to discover what it has to offer and how it holds up against competitors.

NordVPN Figures
  • Over 5,400 servers, 60 countries
  • Six simultaneous connections
  • 24/7 live chat support
  • 30-day money-back guarantee
  • Prices start at €3.49 per month

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Get it
NordVPN Plans
1 Month€10.49/mo
12 Months€4.39/mo
2 Years€3.49/mo
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  • Introducing NordVPN

Despite operating out of the privacy haven of Panama, NordVPN
takes its name from the Nordic ideals of ‘trust, confidence, and innovation.’ The brand
launched in 2012 with just six servers and a self-configuration file. Over the past
decade, NordVPN has grown exponentially, although the company suffered a minor setback
in 2018, as one of its servers in Finland was breached. Aside from initial criticism
directed at the lack of transparency surrounding the attack, NordVPN has managed to
recover exceptionally well. With an arsenal of robust new security measures, which will
be discussed in more detail later, the company has regained the trust of millions of
users and secured its position at the top of the VPN polls.

How Easy and Accessible is NordVPN?

When browsing through the brand’s website, it’s clear to see
that NordVPN caters to every customer, from tech gurus to absolute beginners. Complex
concepts are explained in simple terms, with great tutorials on hand to guide users new
to the VPN world. Similarly, signing up, downloading, and installing the apps or
extensions takes a matter of minutes. While some complain of an overcrowded server
interface, the VPN is straightforward to use and offers plenty of extra features for the
more advanced tech crowd.

So, with the usability box ticked, let’s find out how NordVPN
fares in the compatibility stakes by taking a peek at the current list of connected
devices:

  • Apps: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, router
  • Extensions for browsers: Chrome, Edge, Firefox
  • Streaming devices and games consoles: Android TV, Amazon Fire, Raspberry Pi,
    Chromecast, Kindle Fire, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch

With such an abundance of options, it’s fair to say that NordVPN has the vast majority
of users covered. Not only that, customers can connect up to six devices on a single
subscription, which is slightly above the industry standard of five.

    Is NordVPN the Fastest VPN on the Market?

Claiming the top speed ranking is a tough ask, considering the sheer volume of worthy
VPN competitors. And verifying that position is even more of a challenge, as speeds
differ depending on the time, day, location, underlying internet speeds, activity, and
various other factors. Nevertheless, NordVPN consistently outperforms rivals on both
local and international servers, making it a premium choice for smooth streaming,
seamless gaming, and speedy torrenting.

Even accessing servers in far-flung destinations results in
minimal lag, meaning US citizens connecting to Australian servers can still enjoy
impressive speeds. While having 60 countries fall short of, say, ExpressVPN’s 90+
offering, NordVPN boasts a decent scattering of locations, with at least one server in
Africa, which many companies fail to provide. Plus, a fleet of over 5,000 servers
ensures that customers are likely to find one nearby that is less congested.

NordVPN also performs admirably in reliability. In fact, it
remains one of the most consistent options for not only achieving high speeds but
maintaining them too.

Can Customers Trust NordVPN?

High speed and ease of use are essential factors
in determining the worth of a VPN. But in the end, it all comes down to privacy and
security. That’s the primary reason for using a VPN, to remain undetected and protected
when conducting online activities. And with a recent blemish, customers may be wondering
if NordVPN can still keep them safe. Let’s take a look at the product’s security
features:

  • 1. Encryption: Top level, industry standard AES-256 encryption
  • 2. Protocols: IKEv2/IPSec, OpenVPN.
  • 3. NordLynx: Released in 2020, NordVPN’s
    newest technology is built around the WireGuard protocol.
  • 4. It consists of just 4,000
    lines of code, which makes it much easier to audit and debug.
  • 5. Aside from added security benefits, the NordLynx protocol runs significantly
    faster
    than OpenVPN
  • 6. Leak blocking: DNS and IP leak blocking ensure private information is kept
    securely inside the VPN tunnel
  • 7. Threat protection: Blocks ads and trackers, prevents viruses, and identifies
    threats
  • 8. Advanced security measures: Kill Switch; automatic removal from the internet
    if the VPN connection suddenly drops
  • 9. Split tunneling: decide which apps require VPN protection and which can do
    without.
  • 10. Double protection: two IP changes for double encryption Onion over VPN; added
    anonymity through the Tor browser

In addition to the above, NordVPN has further cemented its
commitment to security by partnering with consulting firm VerSprite, creating a
bug-hunting program, and operating diskless RAM servers. Protecting privacy is also at
the forefront of the company, and as expected, NordVPN adopts a strict no-logs policy.
This means the company will never monitor, store or share any private data.

  • Streaming, Torrenting and Round-the-Clock Support

How Does NordVPN Fare When It Comes to Streaming?

Accessing content from abroad or across different locations when
at home can be a hassle. Especially as many streaming services, most prominently
Netflix, are battling to keep VPNs away from their sites. Fortunately, NordVPN succeeds
in unblocking a wide range of restrictions, allowing users to enjoy high-quality
streaming anytime they like from anywhere in the world. From 11 Netflix regions to
Amazon Prime, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, DAZN, HBO, Disney+, and more, viewers can access their
favorite TV shows, movies, and sports events without having to worry about
geo-restrictions, slow connections, or poor quality.

Does NordVPN Enable Torrenting?

For the most part, yes. The vast majority of
NordVPN’s servers (over 85%) allow users to upload and download files. However, the
process is blocked in no less than 14 countries, which include Argentina, the UAE,
Cyprus, and Vietnam. Still, speed tests record a faster than average bitrate, and
together with the no-logs policy and kill switch, that means quick and protected
torrenting for NordVPN users.

Is Customer Service Part of the Package?

Again, NordVPN meets expectations on the customer service front.
Support is available in numerous forms, from handy tutorials and simple guides to email
contact and an automated chatbot. Failing that, the customer service team can be reached
by live chat 24/7 and deliver well-informed and friendly advice to resolve any queries
in an array of languages.

  • Is NordVPN Worth the Cost?

First, let’s check out the current pricing plans:

  • One month: €10.49 per month
  • 12 months: €4.39 per month
  • Two years: €3.49 per month

While the one-month option comes in at quite a
cost, the two-year plan offers plenty of value, particularly when compared to other
high-end providers. NordVPN also provides a 30-day money-back guarantee for unsatisfied
users. New customers can activate their accounts with a variety of payment methods,
including bank transfers, credit cards, cryptocurrencies, Google Pay, and Amazon Pay.
PayPal is no longer accepted within the US. It’s also worth noting that NordVPN grants
discounts to students worldwide.

  • NordVPN Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Fast and reliable connections across 5,000+ servers
  • WireGuard technology ensures even more speed and security
  • Easy to set up and use
  • Cheaper than rivals on a two-year plan
  • Advanced features; split tunneling, Tor, kill switch, etc.
  • No DNS/IP leaks and a strict no-logs policy
Cons
  • Server breached in 2018
  • Torrenting blocked in some countries

Our Verdict

For a top-class VPN that costs a little less than its rivals,
NordVPN makes an excellent choice.
Customers can enjoy fast and seamless gaming, streaming, torrenting, or simply browsing
without
interference or observation. What more can you ask for in a VPN?