Chris Lawrence is a journalist and chief editor at Wlan Labs. He has been writing about technology for more than ten years. He writes about everything ranging from privacy to open source software. His goal is to educate readers about important topics to help make their lives easier.
This comprehensive NordVPN review article aims to analyze NordVPN’s features, performance, and customer service. It will examine the various plans and pricing options available, as well as their security protocols and user privacy policies.
It will also examine how NordVPN compares to leading VPNs on the market regarding features, speed, usability, and value for money. Finally, it will summarise the content covered and give final thoughts on whether NordVPN is worth considering for your online browsing needs.
| 👍 What We Liked: | 👎 What We Didn't Like |
|---|---|
| Among the quickest VPNs available today. | There is no public transparency report for NordVPN, making it hard to learn more about the company. |
| Offers a plethora of great features. | Users are limited to only six simultaneous connections. |
| Diskless RAM-only server infrastructure. | This VPN service costs a bit more than other providers, but could be worth it depending on the user's needs. |
| P2P downloading can be done with unlimited bandwidth. | Customer service options include live chat, emailing their team and an in-depth FAQ page but phone support was not available. |
| Minimal data logging - the company only keeps track of essential information such as email, payment details and customer interactions. | Those looking to torrent should note that not all of the servers offer this capability, so it could require some trial-and-error before finding one compatible with a torrent client. |
| Located in Panama, NordVPN is outside of the Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, and 14 Eyes surveillance alliances so government forces cannot force to give up user data. This location is advantageous for customers concerned about data privacy and security. | In Summary: NordVPN is a highly reputable virtual private network provider. It offers impressive features such as Double VPN and Onion Over VPN that can ensure your internet activity remains untraceable. Additionally, it offers strong encryption methods to further enhance your online protection. |
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Background on VPNs and the Importance of Shopping Around for the Right Option
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have become increasingly popular over the years. They provide privacy, security, and anonymity when browsing the web. This is especially important when accessing public networks susceptible to hacking or snooping.
A VPN works by routing an individual’s Internet connection through secure servers worldwide before it reaches its destination. They help hide a user’s IP address, making it nearly impossible to track their activities online.
This is possible with encryption technology designed to protect against potential data breaches and government surveillance efforts.
However, not all VPNs are created equal, so research is important before signing up for any service. It’s essential to examine things like speed and performance, availability of global servers and the number of simultaneous connections allowed per account to ensure you’re getting the best deal for your money.
In addition, it’s also wise to read customer reviews from other users who have tested out various services – helping you decide which ones work best for your specific needs.
NordVPN A Quick Review
NordVPN is ideal if you’re looking for a VPN that can provide top-notch support and privacy. Whether torrenting or streaming, its robust performance ensures easy access to everything.
They also have a solid selection of mobile apps which are more user-friendly than their competitors.
Plus, should technical issues arise, NordVPN has plenty of quality tutorials to help guide you through the setup process and ensure customer support is just a few clicks away.
Their expansive network of servers helps ensure reliable connections no matter where in the world you are located. And don’t worry – if you’re unsatisfied with the service, NordVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee to get your full refund without any hassle.
No matter what digital activities you want, NordVPN will be a great all-in-one option as it’s consistently rated with high standards across various departments.
So if you want all your needs addressed with one provider, don’t hesitate to jump on board with NordVPN and let them take care of everything for you.
NordVPN Best Features Video
NordVPN Latest Product Updates
NordVPN has recently made waves in the tech sphere, as they have introduced many improvements to their service.
The Windows application has been completely redesigned and now looks even better. Moreover, Android owners can utilize voice commands for quick connection setup, and iOS users benefit from built-in troubleshooting tools.
NordVPN Meshnet
The most impressive addition is Meshnet, which allows users to combine up to 60 devices from any location on Earth into one secure network.
This new feature is incredibly versatile, enabling people to access computer systems from afar, exchange data with others using strong encryption protocols, collaborate on projects remotely and even play multiplayer games together.
However, it does not encrypt outbound communications, so a VPN connection must be used to ensure maximum security.
Meshnet is ideal for people wishing to remain connected outside their home country without sacrificing data security.
Devices supported by NordVPN software
They support a range of devices, including Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux and DD-WRT routers. It also has browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox and Safari.
With the NordVPN app, you can enjoy secure browsing on up to 6 simultaneous devices – allowing your entire family or team to stay safe online.
It is also compatible with many streaming platforms like Netflix and Hulu.
Their development team and engineers are constantly working on expanding its device compatibility, so keep an eye out for any new updates.
Options for encrypting traffic on various devices and operating systems
NordVPN provides powerful encryption to protect your network traffic and secure your data. Depending on the device, operating system and app version you are using. Different options are available for encrypting your traffic.
Windows, Mac & iOS
NordVPN supports standard AES-256-GCM encryption on Windows and Mac devices with a 4096-bit D.H. key. On iOS devices, the NordVPN app currently supports IKEv2/IPSec protocol with AES-256 cipher.
Android
The Android version of the NordVPN app supports OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPSec protocols over UDP and TCP ports paired with AES-256 cipher and HMAC SHA2 authentication.
Linux
On Linux machines, NordVPN can be set up directly from the official open-source client on GitHub. The application uses OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols over UDP or TCP port paired with AES-256 cipher, HMAC SHA2 authentication, ECDH key exchange support, RSA4096 handshake keys along with a host of other security features like DNS leak protection.
Please refer to our detailed guides for more information on how to set up NordVPN on these devices.
How do you Download NordVPN?
Getting NordVPN set up on your device is a piece of cake. Head to the NordVPN website and click the “download VPN” tab. The website will recognize which kind of system you’re using and direct you to the appropriate page. Then, hit the “download app” button to start your setup.
Supported platforms include Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux and Android T.V. We tried it out using a Windows app and were ready to log in within seconds after clicking the ‘Login’ button. A browser window popped up asking us to input our account credentials to access the service.
After you have selected a subscription and made the payment, you will be asked to create a user account. Log in with the associated credentials on the application you downloaded. And that’s it -you are now ready to begin using NordVPN.
With NordVPN, you can access more informative tutorials than you’d expect. The service has a range of Windows-based tutorials guiding users on installing the regular client, OpenVPN, or providing manual setup instructions for different protocol types on Windows 7, 8, 10 and 11.
Using the various NordVPN Apps
The NordVPN client app doesn’t vary much between desktop and mobile devices. Instead, on mobile, the program automatically selects the fastest server to connect with rather than the user manually selecting one. Pictures from the macOS version can be seen below.
Configuring this premium VPN is a breeze, no matter how many features you want to take advantage of. Most users need to click a button, and they’ll be up and running in no time – it’s that simple.
Using The NordVPN Windows App
The latest release of the Windows app has been improved substantially, rectifying several critical issues that users have experienced up until now.
One problem was that specific specialized servers were only visible when connected on a particular protocol – which could be a paid dedicated IP server – confusing for those unfamiliar with the system. However, these problems have been remedied in the newest version of the application.
You’ll immediately spot the improved resolution of the world map. This minor modification can make exploring small U.S. states or densely populated nations in Europe easier.
A widget in the upper-left corner includes a “quick connect” button and buttons for stopping, pausing, or refreshing your VPN connection. When you hover your mouse over the icon, it displays your current IP address and internet service provider (ISP).
You can also find a revamped server list in the widget. Below the connection control buttons are five locations that you recently connected to.
The arrow button expands a drop-down server list with specialty servers at the top, Meshnet devices, and an alphabetical county list at the bottom.
Thanks to this change, specialty servers now appear in the list regardless of which protocol is active.
The “Settings” tab has gone through a revamp. All the options for your VPN connection (like protocol and DNS) can now be found under the “Connections” menu.
All the general features, including starting up and toggling dark mode, can be found in the “General” section. Furthermore, you’ll also find separate menus for the kill switch and split tunneling functions.
Several features are located beyond the “Settings” window. These include threat protectors, Meshnet, and dark web monitors, which are too sophisticated to be put into a separate menu.
We expect changes to the existing Windows app will transition to its Mac counterpart sometime soon. Nonetheless, no projected date for this update has been announced yet; our discussions with NordVPN’s client care team were also fruitless in finding out details about future mobile updates.
The app also provides extra security with its military-grade encryption and double VPN servers, which encrypt your data twice before sending it to the server.
In addition, it comes with a kill switch that automatically shuts down any internet connection if the VPN server fails. Your data will remain secure even if disconnected from the VPN server.
The app also offers several privacy options that can help keep your online activities private. For example, it has built-in DNS leak protection that prevents ISPs from snooping on your browsing activities by ensuring that your DNS requests are sent only through their secure tunnel.
NordVPN offers its adblocker and malware blocker, ensuring that no malicious websites or software hijacks your computer while you’re connected to its servers.
Finally, NordVPN’s Windows app has an easy-to-use interface that makes it easy to connect and disconnect from servers quickly and securely.
You can also customize individual settings for each server location you connect to, ensuring you have all the security levels set up according to your needs when connecting to different networks.
Overall, NordVPN’s Windows app is an excellent choice for anyone looking for solid security and privacy features in their VPN service. Its military-grade encryption and double VPN servers ensure maximum security while browsing.
Furthermore, its extra privacy features, such as DNS leak protection, give users peace of mind when using public Wi-Fi networks or similar locations with potentially untrusted connections.
Its user-friendly interface makes connecting and disconnecting fast and easy while providing plenty of customization options – making NordVPN’s Windows app one of the best available today.
NordVPN Mobile Apps
With its mobile app, NordVPN has tailored the features of its desktop applications to fit into a smaller space. You can select your server location through an interactive map or with a list – but you won’t be able to individually choose servers within cities, as the app will automatically find you the fastest connection.
This makes NordVPN straightforward to use, even for tech newbies – which is ideal for most users. Of course, experienced security experts may want something more complex, such as AirVPN, for their needs.
The NordVPN macOS app
NordVPN’s macOS app is simple to set up and use. After logging in and allowing access to your Apple Keychain, you can quickly connect to servers all over the globe.
You can select countries from the app window on the left side for more control and get a drop-down list of servers in that area. Finding a spot on the map and using its corresponding server is easier, but NordVPN allows you to pick where to connect.
The macOS version of NordVPN does not seem to leak users’ true DNS information – we tested this with a Spanish server by using a DNS Leak Test Extended Test tool with no concerning results. In terms of speed and performance, testing two servers gave noteworthy results.
We could browse different sites without interruption, although videos might load slower than average home connections. Nevertheless, our overall experience was unaffected when using NordVPN for macOS.
NordVPN for iPhone
Connecting to a VPN through NordVPN on an iPhone is effortless. The color palette features bright whites, grays, and green and blue accents in light mode.
The dark mode offers a black background, with the gray map turning navy blue. Any iOS user will find this app incredibly intuitive as all its features have text explanations that make their purpose comprehensible.
At the bottom of the dashboard are four icons:
- Connection
- Meshnet
- Statistics
- User Profile
By selecting Connection, you can choose a VPN server by tapping on the country or city it’s based in. There’s also a pause button which allows you to disconnect from your VPN for a pre-determined amount of time before automatically reconnecting after its expiration.
We tested NordVPN’s Meshnet Connection setting using the iOS app on an iPhone S.E. 3 and noted that traffic could only be routed through Windows or Linux devices.
To test it out further, we attempted to access a Windows machine with their technology and found that both devices had the same IP address after establishing a connection.
The Statistics tab includes fun facts about your VPN usage, such as how long you’ve been connected, while with the User Profile page, one can enable features like Dark Web Monitor and Threat Protection (a malware blocker).
Multi-factor authentication can be enabled to increase the Security Score located at the top of the page.
NordVPN for Android
Nested within a muted grey map, NordVPN’s Android VPN app can be identified by the numerous cities featured.
This app provides sophisticated security measures with split-tunneling, a Kill Switch, tap jacking protection, and a comprehensive security checklist. Furthermore, NordVPN’s Android version allows users to create unique DNS setups on their devices.
Users have more choices when selecting a VPN server through the Android app than the iPhone application. While there is no extensive list of servers, NordVPN will choose the fastest one in your city.
When Meshnet is activated, it creates a distinctive “Nord” name and IP address for your device, making it easy to connect to like any other NordVPN server. However, we discovered during testing that connections with desktop computers were only possible using this feature.
We experimented on a Google Pixel 7 Pro running Android 12 and connected it to the VPN server in Madrid, Spain. Our DNS leak test results showed that it could efficiently hide our true IP address without any information leakage.
Additionally, streaming YouTube videos and Twitch live streams were effortless without interruption or long loading times while connected to this server.
Overview of NordVPN features
NordVPN is a leading VPN service provider with over 12 million customers worldwide. NordVPN offers several features that make it an excellent online privacy and security choice.
Some of the most notable features include:
- NordVPN uses the most up-to-date security protocols, including the highly secure OpenVPN protocol.
- NordVPN offers a double VPN feature that encrypts traffic twice for extra security.
- NordVPN has a strict no-logs policy, meaning that your data and activities are never stored or monitored.
- NordVPN has servers in over 60 countries, giving you plenty of options for browsing the web securely from anywhere in the world.
- NordVPN offers 24/7 customer support in case you have questions or need assistance.
NordVPN Security Protocols
If you require a high level of flexibility from your VPN, the list of protocols needs to be considered. These protocols can make all the difference, from optimizing performance and getting around online censorship to accessing services like Netflix U.S.
NordVPN offers an extensive range of such protocols, ensuring its customers are never left wanting.
Here’s a complete list:
- NordVPN utilizes the latest and most secure encrypted protocols, such as OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, NordLynx, and PPTP.
- OpenVPN is the protocol of choice for the highest security level, offering speed and security that cannot be beaten. It uses 256-bit AES encryption with perfect forward secrecy for maximum protection against data breaches. OpenVPN also provides additional features such as DDoS protection and Smart DNS.
- IKEv2/IPsec provides high-grade security and is fast enough to allow streaming without buffering or interruptions. It utilizes AES-256-GCM encryption and perfect forward secrecy to protect user data from eavesdroppers while keeping it safe from man-in-the-middle attacks.
- NordLynx is their proprietary version of WireGuard® protocol which is designed to provide maximum speed with minimal overhead. In addition, it utilizes ChaCha20 – Poly1305 encryption cipher and Elliptic Curve Diffie–Hellman key exchange (ECDH) for authentication between two parties in a connection.
- Finally, NordVPN also supports PPTP protocol which provides good security while sacrificing some speed to maintain compatibility with older devices that cannot run newer protocols like OpenVPN or WireGuar®.
NordVPN Split Tunneling
NordVPN Split Tunneling is a feature that allows NordVPN users to decide which data and traffic go through their VPN connection and which are routed directly to their ISP.
NordVPN users can also use it to route specific applications, services, or websites outside the NordVPN tunnel for increased speed or access specific external networks or sites (which are blocked for NordVPN users).
NordVPN Split Tunneling enhances the privacy and security of NordVPN users by allowing them to decide what traffic goes through NordVPN’s secure tunnel and what will be routed directly to their ISP. While still maintaining the peace of mind that their internet activities remain private.
Pause Functionality
The latest application updates allow users to “pause” their VPN connection instead of disconnecting it.
This functionality helps keep you from being exposed, as any disabling of the auto-connect feature is avoided when the pause option is selected.
When the pause is released, your VPN reconnects instantly, again offering you uninterrupted security and anonymity.
Performance is everything – How fast is NordVPN?
Performance is always a key factor when considering a VPN. That’s why we put all the products we review through stringent performance tests.
NordVPN is widely admired for its server network’s diversity, which comprises more than 5,000 nodes spread across 60 nations worldwide. It is seen as an industry-leading provider in offering customers a reliable and secure connection.
Regarding NordVPN’s vast network, you get more than great local content access.
Not only is the performance consistently fast and reliable, but the physical proximity of the VPN server also plays an important part in providing low ping rates and high speeds. Being closer to the server can make a difference in optimizing those metrics.
Our NordVPN Speed Testing Results
Rather than using the standard WireGuard protocol, NordVPN has developed a modified version called NordLynx.
Testing shows that this improved iteration offers far better performance than regular WireGuard and includes additional features.
Regardless of what servers you decide to connect to, you will experience tremendous speed increases with NordLynx.
Tabular data showing NordVPN speeds from various countries
For this first round of testing, we started the proceedings using a Wi-Fi connection from our London office space on a fairly new iPhone. We fully intend to test NordVPN full capabilities from our US office while connected to our more muscular Gigabit LAN soon.
Our testing platform specs:
- Device Used – iPhone 13 Pro
- Operating System – iOS 16
- Network Connection – Wi-Fi
- Physical Location: London, UK
- Internet Speed – 95 Mbps
- NordVPN App Version – 7.4.5.0
- Protocol Utilised – NordLynx
- Test Date: 24-25 Jan 2023
| Location | Download (Mbps) | Upload (Mbps) | Ping (ms) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benchmark (No VPN) | 101.99 Mbps | 104.98 Mbps | 12 ms |
| United States (Los Angeles) | 92.78 Mbps | 91.81 Mbps | 201 ms |
| United Kingdom (Manchester) | 84.55 Mbps | 82.56 Mbps | 20 ms |
| United States (Miami) | 86.35 Mbps | 66.44 Mbps | 115 ms |
| Germany (Frankfurt) | 89.27 Mbps | 71.69 Mbps | 28 ms |
| Hongkong | 95.43 Mbps | 66.93 Mbps | 305 ms |
| Australia (Melbourne) | 90.97 Mbps | 21.98 Mbps | 306 ms |
Without a VPN (Benchmark)
United States (Los Angeles)
Upload: 91.81 Mbps. Click here to view the test online.
UK (Manchester)
Upload: 82.56 Mbps. Click here to view the test online.
United States (Miami)
Upload: 66.44 Mbps. Click here to view the test online.
Germany (Frankfurt)
Upload: 71.69 Mbps. Click here to view the test online.
Hong Kong
Upload: 66.93 Mbps. Click here to view the test online.
Australia (Melbourne)
Upload: 21.98 Mbps. Click here to view the test online.
How User-Friendly is NordVPN?
NordVPN provides an intuitive platform to users of all levels by not sacrificing any of its advanced features. This is reflected in their high scoring for user-friendliness.
The company’s website layout offers a clear, organized structure that facilitates an easy installation process and straightforward application use.
Moreover, NordLayer allows businesses to acquire unmatched private network access in the market, along with additional security offered by NordPass and NordLocker.
Meshnet also allows for remote access across devices with reliable encryption tunnels. And finally, customers are provided multiple payment options and quick customer service support when needed.
What about OpenVPN?
We tested NordVPN to see if it met expectations and found that OpenVPN connections peaked at an impressive 470Mbps. This speed surpassed WireGuard speeds of some inferior VPNs.
We examined different connection speeds from a second U.K. location for a more thorough assessment, using a 5G broadband router with Three as the provider.
With NordVPN off, this generated 260Mbps; when enabled, it produced 125Mbps, slightly below the average of 200Mbps for most providers. However, due to being on a mobile network and fast enough for regular web operations, it’s still an acceptable speed.
NordVPN offers a double VPN feature that encrypts traffic twice for extra security
NordVPN’s Double VPN feature is a great way to add an extra layer of security to your online activity. This feature encrypts traffic twice, making it significantly harder for malicious actors to intercept and access your data.
The Double VPN feature works by routing your internet connection through two different servers instead of one. This means that even if someone manages to break into the first server, they will still have to bypass the encryption of the second server to gain access to your data.
NordVPN also offers features that work in tandem with their Double VPN, such as CyberSec and Onion Over VPN.
NordVPN CyberSec
NordVPN CyberSec is a powerful security feature that enables users to enjoy online browsing without encountering unwanted ads, pop-ups, and malicious websites. It actively blocks suspicious domains and prevents malware infection by blocking connections to high-risk URLs.
It also helps protect user privacy by stopping third-party companies’ tracking attempts and disguising users’ IPs.
NordVPN Onion over VPN
NordVPN Onion over VPN is a convenient, easy-to-use feature that combines the anonymity of Tor with the extra security of NordVPN.
When enabled, it encrypts all internet traffic and directs it through two secured servers—the Tor network and NordVPN’s virtual private network (VPN).
The data first goes to the Tor network, which obscures the user’s identity by passing it through multiple layers of encryption.
Then, the traffic is sent to NordVPN’s encrypted server before reaching its final destination. This double layer of protection provides users maximum anonymity and ultimate privacy online.
NordVPN no logs policy
NordVPN has a strict no-logs policy, meaning that none of your data or activities is ever stored or monitored. This ensures that even if someone gains access to the server, they won’t be able to see your personal information or activities.
The company strictly follows industry best practices regarding its logging and data retention policies, ensuring all user activities remain private. NordVPN also has a strict zero-logging policy on traffic, DNS requests, time stamps, bandwidth usage, and IP addresses.
NordVPN servers
NordVPN has servers in over 60 countries, giving users a wide variety of options for securely browsing the web from anywhere in the world. With servers located across five continents, NordVPN provides users with reliable connections no matter where they are.
Additionally, NordVPN’s connection speeds are consistently fast and offer unlimited bandwidth, meaning users can enjoy seamless streaming without worrying about buffering or lag.
Additionally, its zero-logs policy ensures that all online activity remains secure and private.
Where are the servers located?
NordVPN offers good geographic diversity and is a formidable player in the market. Other VPN companies have more expansive networks, such as ExpressVPN and HMA VPN, that provide coverage of 94 and 190 countries, respectively. However, as the old saying goes, more doesn’t necessarily mean better.
NordVPN’s server network has most of its machines located in the U.S. and U.K. Still, it also offers a diverse selection of servers worldwide – including South Africa, a continent often overlooked by other services.
| 🛡️ VPN Brand: | 🖧 Number Of Available Servers: |
|---|---|
| NordVPN | 5,400 |
| ExpressVPN | 3,000 |
| Surfshark | 3,200 |
| Private Internet Access | 3,200 |
| Proton VPN | 1,300 |
| Mozilla VPN | 280 |
| IVPN | 77 |
It also boasts an impressive selection of countries with restrictive internet policies, such as Hong Kong, Vietnam and Turkey (though Russia isn’t one of them). Even though this may not be recommended for bypassing governmental censorship, NordVPN does provide services in Ukraine.
What stands out about NordVPN is its 5,400 servers, amounting to more than many of its competitors. While more servers may not equate to better service per se, having numerous options can be beneficial for users to access information quickly.
Moreover, some of their high-end servers are 10Gbps, easily handling 5G connection speeds. This, combined with their diskless RAM-only systems, makes them secure from potential seizure attempts.
NordVPN is also dedicated to keeping physical infrastructure ownership to themselves; they are transitioning all their servers onto co-located facilities, 12% of which are already there.
Not only will this keep them secure, but it will also abide by its Privacy Policy guidelines concerning transparency over its virtual or actual locations.
What about NordVPN and Linux?
As more and more users switch to paid VPNs on Linux distros, NordVPN has stepped up its game by providing a user-friendly guide for setting up its software. Their helpful support staff is always ready to answer any queries from Linux users.
Installing NordVPN servers for Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, and many other popular distributions is easy.
Using NordVPN with QubesOS, CentOS, OpenSUSE, and RHEL is also possible. So, no matter what system you have, getting the servers up and running should be reasonably straightforward.
They must be managed via the terminal, which shouldn’t phase most die-hard Linux enthusiasts.
Before using NordVPN, the first step is to get hold of their server’s repository, no matter what operating system you use.
Available in .deb and .rpm format, it can be installed through a package manager with just one click or custom-configured via commands in the terminal. Also, for those who need it, detailed guides are available on their website for each Linux distribution.
And if you require extra security against any possible DNS leaks, rest assured that changing the DNS servers within your Linux system to NordVPN’s is also easy.
Routers supported by NordVPN
By establishing a Virtual Private Network on your router, you can bypass a given provider’s predetermined number of connections (NordVPN allows six).
Moreover, this setup allows you to access the VPN service without downloading any specialized applications – by connecting to the router, you can use its features.
NordVPN has a wide selection of routers that it is compatible with, allowing users to set up and use its services easily:
- ASUS Merlin
- ASUS WRT
- DD-WRT
- DrayTek
- EdgeRouter
- Gl.iNET
- Mikrotik
- NetDUMA
- OpenWRT
- OPNsense
- Padavan
- pfSense
- Sabai
- Tomato
- TP-Link
Can NordVPN be trusted?
Located in Panama, NordVPN provides a unique benefit to its users: it is beyond the scope of alliances such as 5 Eyes, 9 Eyes, and 14 Eyes.
For those unfamiliar with these entities, they are surveillance coalitions formed between states that can make VPNs cooperate in providing IP address logs to aid criminal investigations.
Though we disapprove of cybercrimes, the prospect of governmental agencies having access to customer data is alarming. That’s why we trust NordVPN – it is outside their power.
NordVPN Kill Switch
The NordVPN Kill Switch is an important security feature that protects your data in case of a connection drop.
In the event of an interruption to your internet connection, the Kill Switch cuts off all traffic until it senses that the Connection has been restored. This way, you can be sure your data remains secure even if you’re disconnected from their server.
The Kill Switch is available on Windows, macOS clients, and Android devices running version 6 or higher. On Linux-based systems, you can use TCP/UDP failover instead.
To activate the Kill Switch on Mac and Windows, open the NordVPN app and go to Settings > Advanced > “Kill Switch” toggle switch. Android users can activate it by going to Settings > General > “Killswitch” toggle switch.
IPv6 leak protection
IPv6 leak protection is a must-have security feature for any VPN. It protects your IP address from being exposed on the internet, even if you’re connected to an IPv6 network.
NordVPN offers IPv6 leak protection through the NordVPN app, which acts as a secure tunnel to stop DNS requests from leaking outside of the VPN connection.
This guarantees that your actual IP address remains hidden, and only the shared IP address of the VPN server is visible to anyone who might try to trace your online activities.
To enable IPv6 leak protection in the NordVPN app, open Settings > Advanced > “Protect against IPv6 leaks” switch and make sure it’s enabled. You can also activate it by running NordVPN settings –feature ipv6.
DNS leak protection
DNS leak protection is an essential component of a secure VPN connection. It ensures your true IP address remains hidden, even if you’re connected to a DNS server that could potentially reveal it.
NordVPN provides DNS leak protection by using its own secure DNS servers and routing all requests through them.
This ensures that any attempts to trace your activity will be routed back to the NordVPN server rather than your real IP address. NordVPN also provides built-in IPv6 leak protection, which works with the DNS leak protection feature to provide maximum security.
To ensure that you have both DNS and IPv6 leak protection enabled in the NordVPN app, open Settings > Advanced and make sure that the “Protect against DNS leaks” and “Protect against IPv6 leaks” switches are turned on.
You can activate these features by running NordVPN settings > feature dns and NordVPN settings > feature ipv6.
NordVPN Testing Parameters
NordVPN offers an array of tests to measure speed, latency, servers/locations/countries, streaming performance, and torrenting allowance.
The speed test results indicate that NordVPN has the highest download speeds among its competitors. Its latency results are impressive, with the connection remaining stable even when switching servers in different countries.
Moreover, NordVPN’s servers and locations span the globe, covering over 76 countries with more than 5,000 servers in total.
NordVPN also delivers outstanding performance when it comes to streaming and torrenting tasks.
When tested for streaming activities, NordVPN could successfully unblock Netflix U.S. regardless of the chosen server, with no detectable difference in video quality or loading time compared to a direct connection.
Torrenting is also allowed on all NordVPN’s servers and is quite reliable when using their specialty “P2P” servers specifically designed for these tasks.
Overall, NordVPN delivers high-quality performance across all its features, fast speeds and unsurpassed security protocols, making it one of the best VPN solutions.
Does NordVPN work with and unblock Netflix?
After carefully researching 32 of the most popular VPNs for Netflix, NordVPN stands out as the best option. It offers secure access to more than a dozen regional libraries, including those available in the U.S., U.K., Japan, Australia and Canada, and it also works with both the iOS and Android apps.
However, since Netflix constantly changes their anti-VPN measures, these results could change over time.
One interesting advantage of NordVPN is that regardless of location, you can still access Netflix – connecting to a server in a supported region can further reduce latency.
For example, if you were using an Italian NordVPN server while trying to watch Netflix, you would likely be directed to the American library instead. This makes life easier for American travelers looking for servers closer to their location.
Does NordVPN support torrenting?
As mentioned above, NordVPN is an excellent choice for torrenting, offering a range of security and performance features to keep your identity secure and your downloads fast.
On the security front, NordVPN offers P2P support for more than 5,000 servers. It also includes a kill switch that can instantly turn off your internet connection if it detects any suspicious activity.
And with no data logging from NordVPN, you can rest assured that your sensitive information won’t be shared or stored.
In addition to this, their network is incredibly fast thanks to their vast server network – AV-Test Institute reported that NordVPN is one of the quickest Virtual Private Networks available.
Split tunneling is also supported for those wishing to route some traffic through NordVPN while leaving other connections directly to the internet – allowing users access to their local networks without sacrificing safety.
Last but not least, NordVPN’s BitTorrent software works on macOS, Linux, Android and Windows – so no matter what platform you’re using, you’ll still get all the benefits of using NordVPN.
NordVPN Dark Web Monitor
NordVPN’s dark web monitor is an invaluable tool for users. By default, it protects users from known sources of stolen credentials and will alert people if their email address appears on the dark web.
Though it currently only searches for the NordVPN account’s associated email address, we hope to see this feature grow in capability soon.
NordLayer: NordVPN for Businesses
NordVPN offers businesses something extra with their NordLayer service. Not only does it give you access to priority support, but also a dedicated account manager for all your needs. Managing the accounts has never been easier, as you can apply for a personalized IP address for all of them.
This package presents an excellent opportunity for companies to defend themselves from data leaks and other cyber threats. The renowned NordVPN safety standard applies to all devices in the office, so safety is not something you have to worry about.
In addition, many believe that NordVPN was a leader in introducing this service, making it one of the most viable options among VPNs today. Having tested it during our review period, we can confirm that NordLayer works seamlessly.
NordVPN customer support
NordVPN offers 24/7 customer support to help users with any questions or difficulties. Their customer support team is highly trained and always available to provide the best solutions.
The customer service representatives are knowledgeable in all aspects of the product and always willing to answer any questions you might have promptly.
NordVPN’s online knowledge base also provides extensive tutorials and guides to assist customers who encounter problems.
To investigate precisely what data the VPN logged, we navigated to NordVPN’s support page. Unfortunately, we could not contact a human for support as NordVPN does not offer a phone number. Nevertheless, the website provided plenty of resources and information to answer our questions.
NordVPN pricing structure
If you’re looking for NordVPN’s plans, you have three options. Their monthly billed plan is priced at $11.99, and their annual package cuts the cost to $4.99/month.
For even more discount, opt to go with the two-year plan, which brings it down even further to just $3.49/month.
| Standard | Plus | Complete |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly: $11.99 | Monthly: $12.99 | Monthly: $14.49 |
| Yearly: $59.88 – averages out to $4.99/month | Yearly: $71.88 – averages out to $5.99/month | Yearly: $89.88 – averages out to $7.49/month |
| Bi-yearly: $83.76 – averages out to $3.49/month | Bi-yearly: $107.76 – averages out to $4.49/month | Bi-yearly: $143.76 – averages out to $5.99/month |
The Plus plan adds Nord’s password manager and data breach scanner that will raise an alert should your details ever be spotted on the dark web – this is only slightly more expensive at $4.59/month over two years.
NordVPN’s Complete package gives you 1 T.B. of encrypted cloud storage for $5.89 per month on the two-year option.
Note that new offers are available from time to time, so make sure you check our dedicated article on NordVPN’s prices and deals for the most up-to-date information.
Be aware of any fine print, however, as the one and two-year packages offer an introductory discount that will renew as a regular annual plan – this means your monthly costs will rise to $8.29.
Unless you look closely, this detail may not be easily visible on their website, but all renewal costs can be found on NordVPN’s Pricing page.
NordVPN Payment Choices
NordVPN provides countless payment methods. You can use a credit/debit card, PayPal, Google Pay, AmazonPay, or ACH transfer via Plaid to pay for NordVPN services.
Additionally, you have the option of making payments through iTunes. Furthermore, if you require greater anonymity when purchasing NordVPN services, then cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum and X-Coin give you that extra layer of security.
Lastly, there are options to buy an anonymous copy of NordVPN with cash at electronic stores such as Best Buy and Amazon.
Does NordVPN represent good value for money?
The answer is generally yes when considering whether NordVPN is good value for money.
There may be cheaper alternatives on the market that offer a better deal.
Such as Private Internet Access’ annual plan, which only costs $3.33 per month or Ivacy’s five-year plan at just $1 a month (for a total of $59.98 for one year with NordVPN, versus $60 for five years with Ivacy).
However, NordVPN is not excessively expensive compared to other VPN services and provides fair value for the included features.
How to pay
Many payment methods are available when subscribing to NordVPN, including cards, PayPal, Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies (via CoinPayments), Amazon Pay, Google Pay and more.
Additionally, while there is no longer a service-wide free trial due to abuse in the past, new Android and iOS users get seven days of app usage free of charge. An extended 30-day money-back guarantee can be used to test how well the service works for you before making any long-term commitments.
How can you get NordVPN for free?
NordVPN is a top-tier VPN provider offering comprehensive security, and it’s certainly worth its price tag. But if you want to try NordVPN at no cost, you can take advantage of their 30-day risk-free trial!
Signing up for a plan on the NordVPN website is quick and easy, and you can cancel anytime within 30 days for a full refund. This way, it’s almost like you’re getting NordVPN free!
Unfortunately, free trials come with strings attached, but NordVPN provides unbeatable value compared to other services. If you’d like to give them a shot without spending money, use their money-back guarantee to get your refund.
After we conducted our research for this review of NordVPN, we had no trouble claiming our full refund with minimal effort required in only a few days.
NordVPN Review Wrapping Up
If you’re worried about cybercriminals and snooping, NordVPN is a great option. Its many features make it one of the highest-rated virtual private network (VPN) services.
With over 5,000 servers around the globe, NordVPN offers lightning-fast connections, perfect for streaming content. The user interface is also straightforward to use.
Moreover, they deploy secure AES-256-CBC encryption and augment their protection from hackers with an integrated Threat Protection feature, which adds security against viruses and spyware.
NordVPN boasts an impressive array of 23 features, including the ability to securely split-tunnel your web traffic. This allows you to surf independent content and shield the rest from maliciousness.
Users can opt for a dedicated IP address for a nominal fee – unchanged compared to normal browsing, where IP addresses are in constant flux. Sports enthusiasts can access reliable platforms for their favourite teams rather than using unsafe, illegal streams with potential viruses.
NordVPN always stands out for the vast range of capabilities it can offer. Whether you need a comprehensive suite of tools and features or want something that will work with minimal effort, NordVPN has your back.
The fact that all these pieces come together to create an unbeatable product makes it a great choice.
