NordVPN review: This is serious security that you can trust
NordVPN is something of a household name in the world of VPNs. Its larger-than-life reputation often greets you through TV ads, or calls out via YouTube to "get it today!" But does this widely recognized VPN service live up to its high-profile hype? With dozens of competitors on the market, is the biggest advertiser the one to keep your internet traffic the safest and most secure?
Are you not convinced it's the right choice for you just because it's super popular? We tried it ourselves, and we recommend it. Read on for our thoughts on this security-focused privacy protector for more on why it's worth springing for each month.
Why NordVPN is worth your time
NordVPN is a massive name in the privacy game for many reasons. But the biggest is its ability to offer a quality product and a variety of features at a fair price. It may cost you slightly more than some of its budget-focused competitors, but it's going to make sure you have a great time online while keeping you as protected as reasonably possible.
First, let's talk pricing. At the time of writing, the company was offering some nice back-to-school pricing tiers, where costs were up to 68% off. During this promotion, the cheapest plan is going to set you back about $3 per month for a standard plan. That comes with the VPN service, malware protection, as well as a tracker and ad blocker. For about $4 per month, you can get the Plus plan, which throws in the cross-platform password manager and data breach detector, which can find your personal information if it was exposed in a security breach. Finally, the Complete plan is about $5 per month, and you get everything from the other two plans in addition to 1 TB of cloud storage and file encryption to make everything even more secure.
- Related: How we choose our products
For the money, these offerings are in line with what the competition is serving up. There are certainly cheaper options out there, depending on what your needs are, but with VPN, you get more than plenty for what you're paying. That's because the service shines when it comes to security and privacy, offering the standard AES-256 encryption along with some extra bells and whistles like Onion Over VPN and Double VPN. Onion Over VPN lets you use the Tor browser to surf websites that aren't searchable on Google, while being shielded by your VPN for added security. Dhere Double VPN simply routes your traffic through two VPN servers instead of one.
So how did it work for us?
Upon installing NordVPN and ensuring it functioned as expected by checking my IP address to find that it truly had been hidden, I was eager to see what other features it had up its sleeve. Luckily, setup was a breeze. After choosing my plan and jumping in, I had the luxury of choosing a server to route through by way of a very simple and accessible setup. That frontend is part of why I can so easily recommend NordVPN, even to newer users.
I opted to test on Windows for the majority of this review, though I typically use Mac for most day-to-day browsing. Given that so many friends and family members ask about compatibility with Windows, however, it seemed like the best choice to examine. I also installed it on my Mac, with no discernible change in performance, which was a pleasant surprise.
When you log into the app, you'll see a large world map that you can zoom into with a variety of different server locations. You can just click the country you're located in and the app will connect you to an optimal server for the area. You can select other features like "dedicated IP" server options, "double IP," "obfuscated servers," "Onion Over VPN," and "P2P" from a list on the left side of the app. Otherwise, you can just choose a location and go.
It's extremely quick, simple and easy to read. NordVPN will keep you informed as to when you're connected, when the app is activated or off, and there's even a pause button for you to keep the VPN off momentarily should you need to go to a site that won't load properly while using your server.
After getting everything set up with basic routing through another server, I was eager to see how this VPN stacked up in terms of speed. With my connection, I saw download speeds of 80 to 91.66 Mbps, impressive numbers that didn't disappoint by a long shot. While testing NordVPN daily for a few days, I didn't find any significant impact on my regular browsing habits, not with YouTube playback or online gaming.
I was able to manage a speedy download of "Baldur's Gate 3" via Steam through NordVPN at what appeared to be the regular clip I'd expect. Further, I experienced no lag or delays when browsing my normal online hangouts like Tumblr and Twitter, even when looking at image-heavy posts and content. I took the time to test ongoing connectivity reliability with a few games of "Overwatch II" and my games were no worse for the wear, with no discernible change to my connection speed or performance. If you plan on using this VPN while working, gaming, or just browsing, it appears to have no trouble with those demanding tasks.
One of the most important parts of NordVPN for many will undoubtedly be its kill switch feature, which is something of a built-in failsafe to prevent your data from getting out should your VPN connection fail. Upon testing the kill switch, I was able to successfully prevent any internet connectivity once activated.
Even my browser update failed once I pressed the button. It was as easy as pressing the kill switch button again to resume traffic. There was no wait, and it happened instantaneously both times. I've had issues with over VPNs where they will stutter and glitch out occasionally when ending traffic this way, so I was pleasantly surprised to see NordVPN successful in this arena.
As a regular VPN user, I was eager to try out aspects of NordVPN that I found out of the ordinary, like its newest addition: Meshnet. It allows you to create your own secure network with up to 10 devices as well as with 50 other NordVPN users to share network access, play games together, and whatever your needs might necessitate.
This feature is unique to NordVPN, and one that fit my needs well. My partner and I use a shared network to pass graphic files back and forth regularly. We use a variety of templates and graphic design tools, including fonts and brushes, and store them on a network we can both access when needed. I was able to get Meshnet set up -- albeit with my own knowledge of sharing and network features -- quickly and easily, and found that our shared network performed just as well as NordVPN's vanilla privacy and security features. My partner and I shared a folder filled with Photoshop .PSD files back and forth with no issue.
Overall, I found NordVPN to be a strong contender for one of the best VPNs I've tried in my lengthy history of being what the kids would call "terminally online." I didn't measure any noticeable speed drops, it remained on and active during testing, and it's more than affordable month to month. There's a reason why it's taken over the internet and advertised as one of the best services you can subscribe to, after all. If you're looking for a reliable choice in the VPN market, you can't go wrong with this one.
NordVPN
Pros:
- Robust range of security options
- Fast, reliable connectivity
- Double VPN adds extra encryption layer
- Custom features for tech-savvy users
- Affordable subscription pricing
- Meshnet offers a one-of-a-kind P2P connection
Cons:
- Some pricey subscription tiers
- Some features require knowledge of networking features
Does NordVPN have a free trial?
Yes. You can get the NordVPN free trial for 30 days to see if it's right for you. If you're not satisfied with its performance, you can cancel anytime and just get your money back, according to the website's 30-day money-back guarantee.
Does NordVPN offer good customer support options?
Yes. There are extensive customer support features at NordVPN's website. You can begin by searching its stores of support articles and searching for a problem that matches yours. There are a variety of detailed setup and troubleshooting guides to help you get back on track.
There's also a simple chatbot that you can "speak" to should you need more specific assistance. It can both offer suggestions and articles to read that can help solve your specific problems. But if you want a real person, that's also no problem. There's a 24/7 live chat support area, or you can email customer service for a bit of a slower exchange if you'd rather have your problem resolved asynchronously.
What features does NordVPN have?
NordVPN offers the same suite of features you'd get with every other VPN on the market and more. That includes strong encryption with OpenVPN support, double data encryption, and Onion offerings for additional security. You also get malware detection and blocking with NordVPN's Threat Protection, P2P support, and Meshnet options. The features stack depending on which version you pay for each month, but basic users get access to a full set of security features that are more than worth the entry fee.
Does NordVPN have a no-logs policy?
Yes. According to NordVPN, the company never logs what you do or where you go online. The company has an independent audit log to prove this claim, and as such can't even share anything with third parties if asked.
How many servers does NordVPN offer?
You'll find more than 5,000 servers in 85 locations across 59 countries with your NordVPN subscription.
How many devices does NordVPN support at a time?
You can have up to six simultaneous connections with NordVPN. Install it on as many devices as you want, but only six can be online at the same time together. As far as VPNs go, NordVPN's meager six-connection offering isn't the best on the market, but it should be more than enough for most families. If you have a large family with several devices, all connected at the same time, you might want to look into services like Surfshark or IPVanish.
Does NordVPN use browser extensions?
NordVPN does offer browser extensions. You can use them with Chrome, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge. They allow you to choose your VPN location, connect, and disconnect right from your browser instead of using NordVPN's interface. There's also a quick-connect button to skip setup if you don't want to choose where you'd like to connect. Like NordVPN proper, the extensions are simple to install and even easier to use, even if you're unfamiliar with browser extension setup. Once you've got it added to your browser of choice (I mostly used Chrome for my review), you can pin it and unpin it at your leisure, so it's available whenever you'd like to establish a connection.
What platforms work with NordVPN?
You can use NordVPN on Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Android TV and Linux. Essentially, you're covered on any major operating system, and there are a variety of help documents and tutorials to ensure you can get things set up on all of your devices should you run into trouble.
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