Table of Contents
Highly recommended
NordVPN
NordVPN Review — Quick Summary
NordVPN is currently everywhere. You've probably seen it all over the internet. On YouTube. On TV ads. Everywhere. But how good is NordVPN actually? Does it live up to the hype? In this full-on NordVPN review, I'm analyzing everything. I've spent the last 10 years using NordVPN. And I've spent the last 3 years testing and creating this NordVPN review. I'm constantly updating it.
NordVPN is one of the most secure VPNs on the market, and it also provides very good speeds. I have been using it regularly while traveling over the past few years, and have always had a very good experience with it. Some of this review is based on that experience, but I also ran additional tests for streaming, torrenting, gaming, and more.
I can confidently say NordVPN is an excellent pick for anyone looking for a very secure VPN. It has all essential VPN security features (kill switch, military-grade encryption, no-logs policy, and DNS leak protection), and it also provides IPv6 and WebRTC leak protection, RAM-only servers, and PFS. What’s more, it also has an ad blocker that even protects you against malware-infected downloads, and a data breach monitoring tool.
In addition, the VPN comes with other perks — it works with top streaming sites like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video, it allows torrenting on all of its servers, it has very good speeds on nearby and distant servers, and its apps are super easy to use.
NordVPN only has a few minor issues — it doesn’t consistently work in restrictive countries like China, and its macOS app has 2 versions (it might be confusing for some NordVPN users to know which ones to use).
But, overall, this VPN provides very good value. It has tier-based subscriptions with really affordable plans, and it also comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee. I've ranked it in the top 5 of my best VPNs list for a few years already.
Quick NordVPN Review | |
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5 out of #19 | |
5,500+ servers in 50+ countries | |
6 | |
$3.19/month | |
30 days | |
NordVPN Coupon 68% OFF |
NordVPN®
NordVPN Security Features Security Features
NordVPN comes with the following essential VPN security features:
- 256-bit AES encryption — Makes all of your web traffic completely unreadable. This is the same level of encryption that the military uses.
- Kill switch — Disables your internet access if the VPN connection drops to prevent any data leaks. There’s also an app-based kill switch that shuts down selected apps when you disconnect from the VPN.
- No-logs policy — NordVPN doesn’t collect any connection and usage logs. So it doesn’t know what your IP address is, and it also doesn’t know what sites you visit or what files you download.
- DNS leak protection — The provider runs its own DNS servers to prevent DNS leaks (which would allow your ISP to see your web browsing even if you’re connected to the VPN).
NordVPN offers access to the following protocols: OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec, and NordLynx. OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPSec are pretty good, as they’re both secure and fast. NordLynx is the provider’s proprietary VPN protocol, which is based on the WireGuard protocol — so it provides very good security and really fast speeds. Here’s also a list of which apps have which VPN protocols:
VPN Protocols | Windows | macOS | Linux | iOS | Android |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
NordLynx | |||||
OpenVPN | |||||
IKEv2/IPSec |
In addition to DNS leaks, NordVPN also protects against WebRTC and IPv6 leaks. I tested NordVPN for leaks by running leak tests on servers in 10+ countries, and I never experienced any issues.
Furthermore, NordVPN offers other advanced security features as well. It has perfect forward secrecy, which changes the encryption key for each VPN session to prevent hackers from trying to spy on your traffic using old compromised keys. And it also has RAM-only servers, which only save data to the RAM — so every reset wipes everything.
Finally, NordVPN also lets you secure your account with multi-factor authentication (MFA). This requires you to validate each login attempt with a time-sensitive code or text message. So even if a hacker manages to steal your account login details, they won’t be able to use them.
Bottom Line: NordVPN provides very strong security features. It has all industry-standard security features, has very secure protocols, comes with full leak protection, uses advanced security features, and also lets you secure your VPN account with MFA.
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NordVPN Privacy Features Privacy Features
NordVPN Logging Policy | |
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IP Address | |
Web Traffic | |
Email Address | |
Connection Timestamps | |
Bandwidth Usage |
NordVPN is one of the most privacy-friendly VPN services out there. It has a strict no-logs policy that doesn’t collect your IP address, your browsing traffic, your connection timestamps, and your bandwidth usage. The VPN only records your email address (to set up your account and communicate with you) and your payment information, which it needs to process your transactions.
The provider’s no-logs policy has been audited 3 times, which is really good. Plus, it has also been proven true when one of the servers it hosted in a data center was compromised, and no user data was leaked. Due to that incident, the VPN now also only uses colocated servers — it houses them in third-party data centers, but only NordVPN’s staff has access to them.
Also, its NordLynx protocol and some of its apps have also been independently audited. What’s more, the provider also open-sourced its Linux app, meaning anyone can inspect the code for security issues.
Finally, NordVPN is headquartered in Panama, which is outside the jurisdiction of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances (countries that share surveillance data with each other). In addition, Panama also doesn’t have any mandatory data retention laws.
Bottom Line: NordVPN provides excellent privacy since it has a strict no-logs policy that has been audited multiple times. It has also undergone other independent security audits for its apps and NordLynx protocol, and it’s located in a privacy-friendly location as well.
NordVPN Additional Features Additional Features
NordVPN has the following extra features:
- Split-tunneling.
- Threat Protection.
- Dark Web Monitor.
- Obfuscation.
- Double VPN.
- Tor Support & Onion Over VPN.
- Meshnet.
- SmartPlay.
- Smart DNS.
- Dedicated IP Addresses.
Split-Tunneling
NordVPN’s split-tunneling tool lets you pick which apps use the VPN and which apps don’t. For example, you can use this tool to only route traffic from an online game through NordVPN, which could increase your gaming speeds.
NordVPN offers split-tunneling on Windows and Android, which is pretty good. That said, if you’re interested in using split-tunneling on macOS, I’d recommend checking out Private Internet Access — in addition to macOS support, it also lets you split-tunnel IP addresses on top fi sites (so you can split-tunnel individual sites, which is very convenient).
And the provider’s split-tunneling feature works very well. I tested it by only routing Netflix traffic through it, and it improved my streaming speeds by about 10%.
Bottom Line: NordVPN’s split-tunneling tool works really well and is easy to use. You can use it to split-tunnel app traffic, and it’s available on the Windows and Android apps.
Threat Protection
Threat Protection is NordVPN’s ad blocker, which gets rid of ads, stops ad trackers from spying on you, and blocks connections to malicious sites. On top of that, it even protects you from malware-infected downloads (very few VPN ad blockers can do this). I also find it very convenient how Threat Protection runs in the background even if you’re not connected to the VPN.
Threat Protection is only available on Windows and macOS. There’s also Threat Protection Lite, which is available on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android — this version blocks ads and shady sites (but not malware), and only works when you’re connected to the VPN.
I tested the provider’s Threat Protection, and it worked very well in my tests — it was able to get rid of 90% of ads on websites, prevent me from accessing shady sites, and it aced all the third-party ad blocker tests I tried it out on. If you’re looking for a 100% ad-blocking rate, check out Private Internet Access’ MACE, but keep in mind it won’t block malware-infected downloads.
Bottom Line: NordVPN’s Threat Protection is a very good VPN ad blocker. And on top of ads, trackers, and shady websites, it can also block malware-infected downloads.
Dark Web Monitor
Dark Web Monitor is essentially a data breach scanner. It sends you alerts if the data linked to your NordVPN account is leaked on the web. If you use the same credentials for other accounts (like for streaming sites), you can basically use this feature to keep track of them too. This feature is available on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.
I think this feature is really good, but I like CyberGhost VPN’s Identity Guard more — it has a data breach monitor that allows you to monitor 2 email addresses, and it also has a password checker and generator.
Bottom Line: NordVPN’s Dark Web Monitor helps you secure your VPN account data, as the feature will automatically alert you if your NordVPN account data is leaked online.
Obfuscation
The VPN service comes with obfuscated servers, which mask your VPN traffic. This adds an extra layer of privacy, in case you don’t want your ISP or government to see that you’re using a VPN connection. Obfuscation should also help you access the web in restrictive countries, but unfortunately NordVPN doesn’t guarantee that its obfuscated servers work in such regions.
The provider has 100+ obfuscated servers in 10+ countries, which is pretty decent. That said, I think you get much better obfuscation with ExpressVPN, as it allows obfuscation on all of its servers, which are located in 90+ countries. What’s more, ExpressVPN’s obfuscation is guaranteed to work in restrictive countries.
Bottom Line: NordVPN provides obfuscation on 100+ servers in 10+ countries. Its obfuscation provides extra privacy, but is not guaranteed to work in restrictive regions.
Double VPN
NordVPN has double VPN servers that send your data through 2 VPN servers instead of just 1 server. That way, your traffic is encrypted twice, so you enjoy more security.
The double VPN servers work well, but they will slow down your speeds. On average, I experienced a 15% slowdown when using a double VPN connection instead of a regular one.
The VPN service has 70+ double VPN servers in 5+ countries. This is pretty good, though Surfshark’s Dynamic MultiHop feature is much better — it allows you to use multihop VPN servers in 100+ countries, and you can choose whichever entry and exit server you want.
Bottom Line: NordVPN has double VPN servers that provide you with additional security since they route your data through an additional encrypted server.
Tor Support & Onion Over VPN
All of NordVPN’s servers allow Tor traffic, which means you can first connect to one of the provider’s servers before using the Tor browser to access the dark web. That way, if Tor suffers a leak, it won’t expose your real IP address — only the VPN’s IP address will be leaked.
Keep in mind that using Tor over VPN connections will cause noticeable slowdowns, as the Tor network is already pretty slow on its own. When I used NordVPN to access an .onion link, it took about 9 seconds for it to fully load.
I also really like that NordVPN has Onion Over VPN servers, which are located in 2 countries (the Netherlands and Switzerland). These servers automatically route your traffic through the Tor network, which means you won’t need to use the Tor browser. So, you can access dark web sites in normal browsers like Chrome and Firefox
Bottom Line: NordVPN allows Tor traffic across all of its servers, which is great. In addition, it has Onion Over VPN servers that let you surf dark web sites in normal browsers, like Chrome for example.
Meshnet
Meshnet allows you to link up to 60 devices over encrypted VPN connections. This is really useful for securely sharing files between devices — I often use this feature while traveling to share photos and videos from my phone to my laptop that I leave back at the hotel.
This feature is also really good for gaming, as it allows you to remotely host secure LAN parties with your friends. Even better, Meshnet is powered by the provider’s NordLynx protocol, which provides very fast speeds.
And Meshnet is actually 100% free to use, as you can download it without needing to subscribe to NordVPN. Also, Meshnet is available on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.
Bottom Line: NordVPN’s Meshnet feature allows you to link up to 60 devices using VPN connections. It’s really good for securely sharing files and hosting LAN games, and it’s also completely free to use (you don’t need a NordVPN subscription for it).
Smart DNS
Each NordVPN subscription includes access to a smart DNS, which is a streaming tool that allows you to access streaming sites on devices that don’t work with VPN apps (like certain smart TVs or gaming consoles).
You need to manually configure the smart DNS, but NordVPN offers simple-to-follow tutorials for that. On average, it won’t take you more than 8–10 minutes to set up the provider’s smart DNS on your device.
I also like how NordVPN also comes with SmartPlay, which is a feature that mixes smart DNS and VPN technology. That makes it much harder for streaming sites to detect and block your VPN connections. SmartPlay is enabled by default across all of the provider’s servers.
Bottom Line: NordVPN provides free access to a smart DNS, which is pretty simple to set up. In addition, it also comes with SmartPlay on all of its servers, which mixes smart DNS and VPN technology.
Dedicated IP Addresses
For a small extra cost, NordVPN will provide you with a dedicated IP address. This is an IP address that only you use — it’s pretty useful for bypassing reCAPTCHAS on search engines, and accessing bank sites (most of them block shared VPN IP addresses).
And I also like how much variety you get, as there are dedicated IPs in 10+ countries — including the US, the UK, Hong Kong, Germany, France, and Denmark. Most top competitors that have dedicated IP addresses usually only provide a selection of up to 5 countries.
Bottom Line: NordVPN allows you to get dedicated IP addresses for a small additional cost. You can get a dedicated IP address from 10+ countries, which you can use to circumvent reCAPTCHAs and access bank sites.
NordVPN Streaming Support Streaming Support
NordVPN Works With | |
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Netflix | |
Amazon Prime Video | |
BBC iPlayer | |
Max | |
HBO Max | |
Disney+ | |
Hulu | |
YouTube TV |
NordVPN is very good for streaming, as it works with top sites like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and Disney+. I asked the support reps how many streaming services the VPNservice works with, but they couldn’t provide me with a number — they said the number of supported streaming services changes too often.
I also like that the VPN provider has a smart DNS, as it allows you to enjoy streaming content on devices that don’t support VPN apps — for example, I always use NordVPN’s smart DNS when my accommodation has a smart TV that doesn’t run the Android or Fire operating system.
What’s more, NordVPN also comes with SmartPlay, which is very good for streaming. The feature mixes smart DNS and VPN technology across all of the provider’s servers. That way, it becomes much harder for streaming platforms to detect and block your VPN connections.
And finally, this VPN provider is also very good for Netflix since it works with 30+ libraries, so you get tons of variety. Plus, it’s compatible with popular libraries like Netflix US, Netflix UK, and Netflix Japan.
NordVPN Netflix Support | |
---|---|
Netflix US | |
Netflix UK | |
Netflix Canada | |
Netflix Japan | |
Netflix Germany |
Bottom Line: NordVPN is excellent for streaming since it works with tons of popular platforms, like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and HBO Max. It also has a smart DNS and SmartPlay, and it works with 30+ Netflix libraries.
NordVPN Torrenting Support Torrenting Support
NordVPN offers very good torrenting support, as it has 5,000+ P2P servers in 50+ countries. So it’s pretty easy to torrent on a nearby server that’s also not overcrowded to ensure you get the fastest download speeds.
What’s more, the provider has SOCKS5 proxy support, which means you can configure its SOCKS5 proxy servers with your P2P client. If you do that, the SOCKS5 server will hide your IP address, but it won’t encrypt your traffic — so you’ll still enjoy privacy while torrenting, while also getting very fast download speeds.
And NordVPN offers very good P2P speeds too — in my tests, it only took about 16 minutes to download a 12.7 GB file, which is pretty good. Plus, you can also use the provider’s split-tunneling tool to increase your torrenting speeds.
Also, the VPN provides excellent security for torrenting. It has a kill switch (including an app-based kill switch for shutting down selected P2P apps), an audited no-logs policy, and full leak protection. Plus, its Threat Protection tool can block connections to shady P2P sites and protect you from malware-infected torrent downloads.
Bottom Line: NordVPN has excellent P2P support — it has 5,000+ P2P servers in 50+ countries, SOCKS5 proxy support, very good download speeds, and high-end security and privacy features for torrenting.
NordVPN Gaming Support Gaming Support
In my tests, NordVPN provided me with a very smooth gaming experience. During my online games, I didn’t experience noticeable lag and I always had average, stable ping. Plus, my connections to the gaming servers never dropped.
And the VPN also protects you against DDoS attacks, as it hides your IP address so wannabe hackers can’t use it to DDoS your network. Additionally, all of the provider’s servers come with anti-DDoS protection — so if someone tries to DDoS your connection to the VPN server, they wouldn’t be able to do it.
What’s more, I also think NordVPN’s Meshnet feature is great for gaming with your friends. It allows you to link up to 60 devices over encrypted VPN connections, which makes it very easy to securely host virtual LAN parties.
Also, NordVPN allows manual setups on tons of routers. This means you can use the VPN to game on devices that don’t support VPN apps, like Xbox and PlayStation consoles.
However, the provider doesn’t come with cloud gaming support, so there’s no guarantee it will work with platforms that stream video games to portable devices. I was able to use NordVPN with GeForce Now without any issues, but I can’t guarantee you’ll have the same results. If this is an issue for you, try ExpressVPN instead since it has cloud gaming support.
Bottom Line: NordVPN comes with very good gaming support. It provides stable speeds, protects you from DDoS attacks, makes it easy to securely set up virtual LAN parties, and has router support.
NordVPN Server Network Server Network
NordVPN Server Network | |
---|---|
Number of Servers | 5,500+ |
Number of Countries | 55+ |
P2P Servers | |
Virtual Locations | |
Dedicated IP Addresses |
NordVPN has a large server network, with 5,500+ servers in 55+ countries. It has servers in most parts of the world, so it’s pretty simple to connect to a nearby location for fast speeds. That said, if 55+ countries is not enough for you, I’d recommend checking out ExpressVPN, which has servers in 90+ countries.
What’s more, there are tons of NordVPN servers for torrenting as well — 5,000+ P2P servers in 50+ countries, to be exact. Some other top VPNs allow torrenting on all servers, but to be honest this server count should be enough for almost all users.
There are also other different types of NordVPN servers:
- Obfuscated servers — Add a layer of obfuscation to your VPN connection to make it undetectable.
- Onion Over VPN servers — Automatically route your traffic through the Tor network, allowing you to access .onion sites in regular browsers, like Chrome for example.
- Double VPN servers — Send your data through two VPN servers instead of just one, providing more security.
And you also get access to dedicated IP addresses for a small additional cost, which you can use to avoid reCAPTCHAs and securely access bank sites. The provider has dedicated IPs in 10+ countries.
Bottom Line: NordVPN provides access to a large server network, with tons of servers across the globe. The VPN also has a big P2P servers network, specialty servers (like obfuscated servers), and dedicated IPs.
NordVPN Speed Tests Speed Tests
I travel very often, so I can’t provide consistent speed test results. My baseline speeds change very frequently, which impacts the VPN speeds I get.
Due to that, I asked my friend from Romania to handle the speed tests for me. Since he doesn’t travel as often as me, his baseline speeds stay the same. For these tests, he told me he used the NordLynx protocol.
First, he ran a speed test without being connected to NordVPN to determine his baseline speeds. These were his results:
Next, he tested the speeds on a nearby server in Bulgaria. He said he barely noticed any slowdowns — websites loaded instantly just as before, and so did HD and 4K videos. Plus, the videos never buffered, and he also didn’t experience any lag while playing online games.
After that, he ran a speed test on a distant US server. Again, he barely noticed any slowdowns, which is really impressive — websites continued to load instantly, HD videos loaded instantly and never buffered, and 4K videos took only 2 seconds to load and there was no buffering while skipping through them.
Finally, he tested another distant server, this time in South Korea. Again, he had very fast speeds — sites loaded in under 2 seconds, HD videos loaded instantly, and 4K videos took just 3 seconds to load (and there was only very minor buffering at the start). Also, my friend reported that his Zoom calls never froze or dropped.
I can confirm that I always have a similar experience when using NordVPN while traveling. I always enjoy very smooth speeds on both nearby and distant servers, and my browsing, streaming, and torrenting activities are hardly impacted.
Bottom Line: NordVPN is one of the fastest VPN services on the market. It provides lightning-fast speeds via its NordLynx protocol on both nearby and distant servers (with only very minor slowdowns on very distant servers).
NordVPN Censorship Bypassing Censorship Bypassing
NordVPN Works in | |
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🇨🇳 China | Maybe |
🇪🇬 Egypt | Maybe |
🇹🇷 Turkey | Maybe |
🇷🇺 Russia | Maybe |
🇦🇪 UAE | Maybe |
NordVPN isn’t the best option for accessing the web in restrictive countries. I talked with 10+ customer support reps, and they all confirmed that the provider can’t guarantee the VPN service will work in restrictive regions like China, the UAE, and Turkey.
If that’s a dealbreaker for you, try ExpressVPN instead — it’s the best provider in the VPN industry for circumventing internet blocks in restrictive countries.
Bottom Line: NordVPN is sadly not a great pick for freely accessing the web in restrictive regions. Multiple customer support reps confirmed that there’s only a 50% chance the VPN might work in such places.
NordVPN Apps and Ease of Use Apps and Ease of Use
NordVPN has apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Android TV, and Fire TV. On top of that, it allows manual router setups and also has browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.
I think it’s super easy to install NordVPN. It only takes about 2 minutes to install both its mobile and desktop apps, and the installation clients offer all the information you need.
And NordVPN allows 6 simultaneous connections. This is on the lower end of the industry average of 5–10 connections — so if it’s not enough for you, try Private Internet Access or Surfshark instead, as they both allow unlimited connections.
Android & iOS
NordVPN has very intuitive mobile apps. Both the iOS and Android apps are simple to navigate, come with a quick-connect feature that automatically connects you to the fastest server, and provide helpful explanations for all settings and features.
Both mobile apps are feature-rich as well, as they come with Threat Protection Lite, Dark Web Monitor, and Meshnet. Still, the Android app is a bit better because it also has split-tunneling and tapjacking protection (warns you if a malicious app adds a screen overlay).
Bottom Line: NordVPN comes with very good iOS and Android apps. They have a very intuitive interface, and also come with tons of useful features.
Windows & macOS
The provider’s desktop apps are really intuitive — it doesn’t take more than 5 seconds to find and connect to a server. What’s more, I really like how there’s a digital map you can use to quickly connect to a server location.
And both the Windows and macOS apps come with many features, including Threat Protection, Dark Web Monitor, and Meshnet. However, only the Windows app also comes with split-tunneling.
If you’re a macOS user, keep in mind NordVPN has 2 macOS app versions. One version can be sideloaded from the provider’s site, it comes with an app-based kill switch and Threat Protection, and it works on earlier versions of macOS. The other version can be downloaded from the app store, and it comes with a standard kill switch.
Bottom Line: NordVPN has really good Windows and macOS apps — they’re simple to use and are very feature-rich. Just keep in mind the macOS app has 2 different versions.
Linux
NordVPN has a dedicated Linux app that works on several distros, including Ubuntu, Debian, Elementary OS, CentOS, openSUSE, and more. Unfortunately, there’s no GUI, so you’ll need to use the app via command lines.
The provider’s Linux app is also secure and has several useful features, including Threat Protection Lite and Meshnet. The app also provides access to obfuscated and double VPN servers.
If you don’t want to use command lines, there are better options out there. For example, both ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access have GUI Linux apps that are also feature-rich.
Bottom Line: NordVPN’s Linux app is pretty good, as it’s secure and has useful features. That said, it’s missing a GUI, so it might not be suitable for beginners.
Browser Extensions
NordVPN provides access to a browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. The extension’s interface is really straightforward, and it only takes a few seconds to find all the settings you want to change.
I really like how secure the extension is — it automatically prevents WebRTC leaks and it also has Threat Protection Lite, which gets rid of ads and stops you from connecting to shady sites. In addition, the extension alerts you if you’re visiting an unsafe site (and it automatically enables the VPN connection when you’re on it).
In addition, the extension also comes with split-tunneling, which allows you to pick specific IP addresses and domains to be excluded from the VPN tunnel.
That said, the provider’s extension has some limitations — for example, it doesn’t provide access to obfuscated, double VPN, and Onion OverVPN servers.
Bottom Line: NordVPN has very good browser extensions that includes useful security features, including a WebRTC blocker and Threat Protection Lite. It also comes with split-tunneling, but it doesn’t provide access to the VPN’s specialty servers.
Router Support
NordVPN allows manual router setups, and it works with tons of router models and firmwares. Examples include OpenWRT, DD-WRT, ASUS Merlin, Tomato, pfSense, Sabai, and more.
I also like how the provider has setup tutorials for all router models. What’s more, the tutorials come with helpful screenshots, and the content is formatted very well — so they’re very easy to follow. It generally shouldn’t take you more than 15 minutes to perform this setup.
That said, if you’re mainly interested in using a VPN on your router, I’d try ExpressVPN instead. It’s one of the only VPN providers on the market that comes with a router app that’s very simple to install and use. \
Bottom Line: NordVPN supports manual configurations on tons of router models and firmwares. In addition, it also provides access to very helpful configuration guides.
NordVPN Pricing and Refund Policy Pricing and Refund Policy
NordVPN Pricing | |
---|---|
$3.19/month | |
30 Days | |
NordVPN Coupon 83% OFF |
NordVPN has 3 tier-based subscriptions with prices starting at $3.19/month. All subscriptions come with a 1-month, a 1-year, and a 2-year plan. The longest plan usually provides the best savings, and it also often comes with extra months of service for free.
The VPN service comes with the following tier-based subscriptions:
- Standard — Provides access to all of the provider’s VPN features.
- Plus — Includes the VPN and adds access to a password manager.
- Complete — Includes the VPN and password manager, and adds encrypted cloud storage.
NordVPN accepts multiple payment methods, including credit/debit cards, PayPal, Google Pay, and cryptocurrencies (provide better privacy than traditional payment methods).
Finally, the provider backs all purchases with a 30-day money-back guarantee. I really like that it’s a risk-free refund policy, meaning you don’t need to meet any requirements to qualify for it — just simply ask for your money back within 30 days.
Bottom Line: NordVPN has affordable tier-based subscriptions, which include access to the VPN and (optionally) a password manager and encrypted cloud storage. The VPN also accepts multiple payment methods and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
NordVPN Customer Support Customer Support
NordVPN Customer Support | |
---|---|
Live Chat | |
Email Support | |
Support Library | |
Phone Support |
NordVPN has multiple customer support channels, including 24/7 live chat, email support, and a very in-depth support library that’s full of FAQs, troubleshooting guides, and setup tutorials.
I’m really happy with the provider’s live chat support. It usually takes less than 5–10 seconds to be connected to a support rep. What’s more, all the reps I talked with were very friendly, and they were always able to answer all of my questions correctly.
In addition, NordVPN also provides very good email support. It only took about 10–12 hours to get a reply in general. And all the replies I got always answered all of my questions and provided me with accurate answers.
And finally, NordVPN’s support library is also really good. Its FAQs provide answers to almost all questions, and the setup guides are easy to follow, come with screenshots, and some even have video guides.
Bottom Line: NordVPN offers very good customer support. It has 24/7 live chat and email support, its support reps are very knowledgeable and friendly, and its support library is chock-full of useful guides.
NordVPN Review 2023 — Final Words
NordVPN is one of the top VPNs on the market. I really like how secure it is, as it comes with RAM-only servers, PFS, a tool that blocks ads, malicious sites, and even malware, and a data breach scanner. On top of that, it also works with tons of popular streaming platforms, it has very good gaming and torrenting support, it’s really fast, and it has user-friendly apps.
There are only a few minor drawbacks to highlight. One, it doesn’t consistently work in restrictive regions like China and Egypt. And two, its macOS app has 2 different versions, so it could be confusing for NordVPN users to know which one to install.
Try NordVPN risk-free!
NordVPN is one of the most secure providers on the market — it has high-end security features, including malware protection, an ad and tracker blocker, and a data breach monitoring tool. It’s also very good for streaming, torrenting, and gaming, and has very fast speeds. And it backs all plans with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
4.8 /5
NordVPN Frequently Asked Questions
Is NordVPN free?
No, NordVPN doesn’t come with a free plan. That said, its pricing is pretty affordable, with the lowest plan starting at $3.19/month. What’s more, the VPN comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
I don’t really recommend using free VPNs, as they don’t provide good value — they have really slow speeds, limit data usage, log and sell your data, and don’t work with streaming sites.
Is NordVPN safe?
Yes, NordVPN is one of the safest VPN providers on the market. It comes with all essential VPN security features, including military-grade encryption, a kill switch, a no-logs policy (that has also been audited), and DNS leak protection. What’s more, it also has IPv6 and WebRTC leak protection, and advanced security features like RAM-only servers and PFS. Also, it has a very good ad blocker that keeps you safe from malicious sites, and even protects you from malware-infected downloads.
Does NordVPN work with Netflix?
Yes, and NordVPN is actually an excellent VPN for Netflix. It works with the site without any issues, and it’s also able to access 30+ Netflix libraries, including popular ones like Netflix US, Netflix UK, and Netflix Japan.
What’s more, NordVPN provides great streaming support overall. It works with other popular streaming platforms, like HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video. Also, it has a smart DNS, which is good for watching streaming content on devices that don’t work with VPN apps. And its SmartPlay feature mixes smart DNS and VPN technology to make it harder for streaming sites to detect and block your VPN connections.
Does NordVPN block ads?
Yes, as the provider has Threat Protection, which is an excellent ad blocker. When I tested the tool, it was always able to get rid of around 90% of ads on a web page, which is very good. And in addition to blocking ads, it also blocks ad trackers and connections to shady websites. What’s more, this is also one of the only VPN ad blockers that can protect you from malware-infected downloads.
Can I use NordVPN on multiple devices?
Yes, as the provider allows 6 simultaneous connections. That’s one the lower end of the industry average of 5–10 connections, though — if you need to cover more devices, you could set up NordVPN on your router, as that will only count as 1 device (and all devices accessing the web through the router will use the VPN connection).
But there are better options if you’re not happy with the number of connections you get (and you also don’t want to perform a router setup). For example, Private Internet Access allows unlimited connections, and also provides just as good value as NordVPN.
Does NordVPN work in China?
Unfortunately, NordVPN can’t guarantee 100% uptime in countries like China. It worked most of the times I used it, but I can’t guarantee you’ll get the same results. It’s honestly better to just go with ExpressVPN if this is a deal-breaker for you, as that provider works in China (and other restrictive regions) without any issues.
Can I install NordVPN on my router?
Yes, as NordVPN supports manual router setups. It’s compatible with 15+ types of routers, including ASUS Merlin, DD-WRT, Tomato, Mikrotik, and Sabai.
In addition, the provider also has easy-to-follow tutorials for router setups. All guides have screenshots, which makes the whole setup process very straightforward. It realistically shouldn’t take you more than 15 minutes to complete it.
Still, if your main goal is to just use a VPN on your router, I’d go with ExpressVPN instead. It’s one of the only VPN providers on the market that comes with a dedicated router app, which is simple to install and use.
Is NordVPN good for gaming?
Yes, NordVPN provides a great gaming experience — it maintains stable ping and good speeds even on distant servers, it protects against DDoS attacks and all of its servers have anti-DDoS protection, and it allows manual router setups (to use it to game on a gaming console). What’s more, it also has Meshnet, which lets you link up to 60 devices over an encrypted VPN connection, making it a good pick for securely hosting virtual LAN parties.
Can I use NordVPN on my TV?
Yes, since the VPN has dedicated apps for Android TV and Fire TV — you can easily find them on each smart TV’s respective app store, and it only takes a few minutes to download and install the app.Ifyour smart TV isn’t running Android TV or Fire TV, you can still get NordVPN on it — all you need to do is manually configure the VPN on your router. Once you do that, all the devices in your house (including the smart TVs) will automatically use the VPN connection to access the web.
How does NordVPN work?
NordVPN is your passport to online freedom and security. Like any VPN provider, it builds a secure VPN tunnel for your data, changes your IP addresses, and voila – you're surfing incognito.
No ISP, government, or sneaky third parties can track you. It’s the key that unlocks geo-restricted content and accesses all your favorite streaming services and libraries.
The magic behind NordVPN involves multiple factors:
- Strong encryption
- The right tunneling protocol
- Maintaining secure data transfer
- … and so on.
The best part?
It's built with us, the users, in mind.
You don't have to bother with the technicalities of using a VPN. Just a few clicks, and you're protected.
NordVPN is your go-to on a variety of platforms:
- Desktop
- Mobile OS
- Smart TVs
- Streaming sticks
- …you name it!
The setup and usage are pretty much the same on all devices, which makes using a VPN as easy as pie.
How to download NordVPN?
You have two options to download NordVPN’s apps: via an app store or the official NordVPN website.
That’s especially helpful because, as travelers, we know some countries can restrict access to app stores. In those cases, you can still get NordVPN via an APK file.
Here's how to do it in five easy steps:
- Head over to the NordVPN website (or app store if available) and click to get NordVPN.
- Select your subscription plan. (Don't worry; there's a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it out risk-free.)
- Fill in the necessary details. (Only your email is needed.)
- Download the NordVPN app on your chosen devices.
- Follow the instructions to install the app.
Pro tip: If you're not dealing with geo-restrictions, you can bypass the Downloads page and directly get the NordVPN apps from Google Play, Apple App Store, and several other application stores.
How to install NordVPN?
Installing NordVPN is as easy as ABC. NordVPN offers native apps for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and AndroidTV. There are also secure browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. There's even a QR code for quick access to the mobile app.
Cool, right?
Beyond the natively supported platforms, you can also set up NordVPN on your Firestick, Playstation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Raspberry Pi, Chromebook, Chromecast, Kindle Fire, and Oculus Quest.
Here's a step-by-step guide for Windows to get you started:
- Visit NordVPN’s official website.
- Click on “Log in” in the top-right corner.
- Sign up a NordVPN account with your preferred credentials.
- Download the installation file from your personal dashboard.
- Click on the downloaded file to start the installation.
- Follow the instructions.
Note: Always download the app from the VPN provider’s website and not from third parties.
How to use NordVPN?
NordVPN is one of the most intuitive VPN providers around.
It takes a few minutes to set up, and it's great for both beginners and advanced users. Their 24/7 customer support has got you covered in case you need help.
Here are the steps to start using NordVPN:
- Log in to your NordVPN account after installation.
- Head to the Settings section.
- Enable the NordLynx tunneling protocol and the kill switch feature.
- Head back to the main page.
- Select your preferred country and connect to the VPN server.
How to share NordVPN to other devices?
Once you already have a NordVPN account and have installed NordVPN, you can send “invitation emails” to other devices you want to protect.
For example, I sent an invite to a friend’s device. He opened it on his phone, clicked on the link, and downloaded NordVPN on both Android and iOS.
You can do all that directly from your NordVPN client.
You can install the NordVPN apps and use them simultaneously on up to six devices, which is enough for most of us – and enough to protect the entire household.
How do you find NordVPN’s appearance and ease of use?
NordVPN's mobile and desktop apps are easy to navigate.
The main window displays a world map with available VPN server locations. You can also pick a VPN server from the list on the left.
The “Quick Connect” button lets the client pick the VPN server for you automatically.
The NordVPN Settings menu opens up a treasure trove of extra options:
- General: Check the app version, enable CyberSec, and more.
- Auto-connect: Enable Wi-Fi auto-connect, pick a protocol, and more.
- Kill switch feature: Enable internet/app kill switch, create a list of controlled apps.
- Split tunneling: Enable split tunneling, include/exclude specific apps.
- Advanced: Create a custom DNS, use obfuscated servers, and more.
- Dark web monitor: Enable this option to monitor the dark web for leaked info linked with your email address.
How Many Languages Does NordVPN Support?
NordVPN’s website supports 20+ languages, but its client supports only seven. I hope to see more translations added in the future for greater accessibility.
How Does NordVPN Work on Mobile?
The NordVPN iOS app is user-friendly and establishes a stable VPN connection. It has little effect on battery life, even when running in the background.
The mobile app and the desktop app are remarkably similar; both are intuitive, user-friendly and present all options without cluttering the screen.
How Safe Is NordVPN?
Many people online are asking “is NordVPN trustworthy” – and to that, I can only say NordVPN is very trustworthy and safe.
Here’s why I consider NordVPN one of the safest VPN service providers:
- Secure encryption VPN protocols that hide IP addresses and other data
- RAM servers for a clean slate with every restart
- Independent audits for transparency
NordVPN's privacy claims have been independently audited twice by PwC, which is a top-ranking agency.
ioXt Certification
NordVPN has earned the coveted ioXt certification for its mobile apps, which signifies compliance with stringent security standards.
In conclusion, I think it’s pretty safe to say to call NordVPN trustworthy!
- CyberGhost – Budget Travel VPN
- ExpressVPN – Best VPN for traveling abroad
- NordVPN – Fast and safe travel VPN
- PureVPN – Secure VPN for traveling
- Surfshark – Ideal VPN for many simultaneous connections
What Payment Plans does NordVPN accept?
You have several options when it comes to payment:
- Credit cards
- AmazonPay
- Sofort
- PayPal
- ACH Transfer
- Prepaid cards
- iTunes
- Google Pay
Even cryptocurrency!
I hope you enjoyed my comprehensive NordVPN review! Please leave me a rating down below!
About The Author
Hi! I’m Trevor James, a Canadian YouTuber who travels the world full-time. I make videos about food, travel, and cybersecurity. I have been traveling the world and making videos for over 10 years. You can read more about me here.
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