Speed | 10.0 / 10 |
Servers | 10.0 / 10 |
User Experience | 9.0 / 10 |
Support | 10.0 / 10 |
Pricing | 8.0 / 10 |
NordVPN Review 2024 - Before You Buy, Is It Worth It?
NordVPN Overview
2024 Update! NordVPN has dropped prices for a limited time to a crazy $2.99 per month with the 2-year plan + 3 months (you can save up to 74%)! This is a limited offer so be sure to grab it now before it’s gone. See more information on this offer here.
NordVPN is among the most popular VPNs available, but I wanted to see whether it’s actually good or just marketed really well. So, I extensively tested NordVPN, examining its performance, security, and reliability to see if it’s as good as the best VPNs available.
After my tests, I found that NordVPN deserves all the praise it receives. It offers AES 256-bit encryption, a strict no-logs policy, and many unique in-app features that add convenience and extra layers of protection. Also, it maintains superfast connection speeds that let you enjoy lag-free streams, fast downloads, and smooth browsing.
You don’t have to take my word for it, as the app comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, meaning you can try NordVPN without risk. If you’re unsatisfied, you can ask for a full refund by contacting the app’s support via any available channel.
Try NordVPN risk-free for 30 days
Don’t Have Time? Here’s a 1-Minute Summary
- Works with streaming sites. NordVPN reliably works with top streaming sites like Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and more. Learn more about its streaming capabilities here.
- Fast connection speeds on all servers. Connection speeds remain fast enough for lag-free UHD streaming with NordVPN, whether you’re connected to nearby or long-distance servers. Read about my speed test results here.
- Advanced security features. NordVPN has AES 256-bit encryption, leak protection, a kill switch, and other tools to ensure safety. Click here for a complete security run-down.
- Independently audited no-logs policy. Multiple reputable auditing firms have confirmed that NordVPN adheres to a strict no-log policy. Read more about NordVPN’s privacy policy here.
- Easy to install and use. NordVPN provides beginner-friendly apps that you can quickly install and use on all major platforms. Discover NordVPN’s various apps here.
- Good value for money. It’s not the cheapest, but NordVPN delivers great value for its price, especially if you get a long-term subscription. Check out all its subscription plans here.
NordVPN Works With Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Disney+, Max, BBC iPlayer, and More
NordVPN’s SmartPlay technology ensures uninterrupted access to streaming sites. It combines the security of a VPN with the performance of Smart DNS, ensuring lag-free UHD streams. Plus, it’s active by default and doesn’t require any user configuration.
Throughout my extensive tests, NordVPN reliably worked with most streaming sites, allowing buffer-free UHD streams on Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Max, and more.
Works With Netflix
My tests showed that NordVPN is among the best VPNs for watching Netflix. My team and I connected to servers in various countries, including Australia, Canada, the US, and the UK, and Netflix always worked without issues. NordVPN ensured consistent UHD streaming across all sessions without any buffering.
Works With Amazon Prime Video
NordVPN always worked with Amazon Prime Video without issues. My colleague in the US tested servers in Dallas, Los Angeles, and Phoenix and streamed The Boys in UHD. Speeds were consistently fast, meaning buffering times before content loaded were minimal, usually under 5 seconds.
Works With Hulu
I found that NordVPN’s US servers always worked with Hulu. My US colleague connected to various servers from Chicago to San Francisco and could always stream top titles like Palm Springs on Hulu without issues. Everything they tried to watch streamed after buffering for under 5 seconds.
Works With Disney+
While the login page took some time to load while connected, tests proved that NordVPN works reliably with Disney+ US, UK, Australia, and the Netherlands. Also, there are no issues after you log into the platform and reach the homepage — all shows and movies start after a few seconds of buffering.
Works With Max
My US colleague had no issues watching Westworld on Max when connected to NordVPN’s servers in Atlanta and Los Angeles. There was some mid-stream buffering when streaming shows in UHD, but this only happened a few times across several hours of viewing, making it a minor issue.
Works With BBC iPlayer
I asked a colleague in the UK to see how well NordVPN works with BBC iPlayer. During tests, my colleague could always access BBC iPlayer when connected to NordVPN’s servers. They also streamed shows like Peaky Blinders, which played after only a few seconds of buffering and didn’t buffer at all afterward.
Overall, NordVPN is among the best VPNs available for streaming. It works with all the most popular streaming platforms and various others, such as DAZN, ITV Hub, RTL, and more.
Speed
- 10.0 / 10Exceptionally Fast Speed on All Servers
NordVPN is among the best VPN providers available for fast connection speeds. I ran several speed tests and tested gaming, browsing, streaming, and download performance while connected to the VPN. All of my tests led to impressive results, making this VPN a great choice if you don’t want to compromise on speed.
In my tests, I connected to NordVPN servers in the UK, US, Germany, and Australia and then used Ookla’s speed test tool to calculate speeds. Note that your experience may vary, as factors like location, baseline internet speeds, and local infrastructure all affect your overall speed.
Speed Test Results
All of NordVPN’s servers provided fast connection speeds. When connected through the proprietary NordLynx protocol, NordVPN delivered average download speeds of 348Mbps across 4 global locations.
Note that download speeds on long-distance servers were up to 60% slower than my baseline speeds, but this isn’t surprising. Nonetheless, NordVPN’s speeds always enabled UHD streaming, lag-free browsing, and smooth gaming.
Is NordVPN Fast Enough for Gaming? Yes!
I was impressed to see that NordVPN consistently delivers impressive gaming performance, ensuring that you can play your favorite titles without lag.
To test NordVPN’s gaming performance, I connected to a local VPN server and launched Call Of Duty: Warzone. I usually get about 45–55ms latency while playing Warzone, and it was 60ms when connected to a nearby NordVPN server. This minor ping difference didn’t make any noticeable impact on my experience, and I played entire matches without lag.
I also tried playing other titles like Tekken 8 when connected to NordVPN, and the experience was smooth. The ping between me and local opponents was about 20% higher than usual, but there wasn’t any packet loss, leading to smooth battles. Note that your own experience will vary based on your location, what server you play on, and the games you play.
Why Most Speed Tests are Pointless & How We Correctly Test VPN Speeds
Speed determines how fast content uploads, so if you're torrenting or streaming, you want the speed to be somewhat identical to your regular internet speed. Since a VPN encrypts your data, it usually takes a bit longer to send your data back and forth, which can slow down your connection. However, if your ISP deliberately slows down your connection (also known as throttling) a VPN might increase your internet speed. Testing a VPN is somewhat pointless because new servers pop up and affect speed. Your speed can also differ according to your location, so your speed test might not match ours. Having said that, we tested the speed in numerous locations to provide you with the average.
Servers
- 10.0 / 10Server Network — Large Global Network of Servers
NordVPN has a network of over 6,300 servers across 111 countries, including major cities in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and other regions.
I also like that NordVPN has incorporated a significant part of its network with 10Gbps servers. These provide much greater bandwidth and ensure consistently fast connection speeds. Plus, all of NordVPN’s servers run on RAM, meaning the data gets wiped on every server restart, so none of your browsing activity is stored.
NordVPN also provides colocated servers, which are entirely owned, operated, and maintained by the company. By taking complete server control, NordVPN can guarantee top-grade security, ensuring you stay protected against any interference that’s possible with third-party servers.
Besides the above, NordVPN has obfuscated servers that mask VPN traffic as regular traffic, offering privacy in restrictive countries. There are also double VPN servers that route your traffic through multiple locations and Onion over VPN servers that route traffic through both the NordVPN and Tor Networks. Plus, all these servers are easy to locate in the app.
Overall, NordVPN has an impressive server network that guarantees speed, security, and reliability. You can find a nearby server for fast speeds no matter where you are, and its various specialty servers add extra layers of protection.
Torrenting — Effective for Quick and Anonymous Torrenting
For fast and anonymous torrenting, NordVPN provides many P2P-optimized servers that deliver the quickest possible speeds to download files off the public domain. These P2P servers are available in 70+ countries, ensuring you can find a nearby server that’ll maintain a fast connection.
I tested NordVPN’s P2P servers with clients like qBittorrent and uTorrent, and I got consistently fast download speeds throughout my tests. The download speeds were only 20% slower than what I get with my baseline connection, while the upload speeds were up to 50% slower, depending on server distance.
SOCKS5 Proxy Servers — Faster Speeds at the Cost of Security
If you want even faster torrenting speeds, NordVPN provides SOCKS5 proxy servers, and you can get their details by logging into the web portal. These proxy servers change your IP address but don’t encrypt your connection, usually leading to faster download speeds. If you aren’t worried about encryption, this feature can help you torrent files even faster.
Does NordVPN Work in China? Maybe
Navigating the Great Firewall of China with a VPN can be a hit or miss, and NordVPN is no exception. When I contacted the app’s support, they said it won’t work in China if you’re using a Windows device. However, you might be able to use it in China by setting up a manual IKEv2 connection on Android, iOS, macOS, and Linux devices.
Remember that while this is a potential solution, its effectiveness may vary due to the constant escalation in censorship techniques. As such, NordVPN’s utility in China is best described as a “maybe” — effective at times but not consistently. If you need a VPN that works reliably in China, I recommend looking into ExpressVPN instead. It’s one of the few VPNs that works consistently in China.
Security — Comprehensive Security Through Multiple Advanced Features
Encryption — Military-Grade Encryption Ensures Data Privacy
NordVPN secures traffic with unbreakable AES 256-bit encryption, meaning no one can spy on what you’re doing online. Plus, it uses Port Forward Secrecy to add an extra layer of security by changing your encryption key in every session, preventing breaches caused by stolen keys.
VPN Protocols — A Good Blend of Speed and Security
NordVPN provides the NordLynx, OpenVPN, and IKEv2/IPsec protocols. NordLynx is the company’s proprietary protocol, combining WireGuard’s security and speed with “double NAT,” a system that ensures your data is never written to the server. This protocol is available on NordVPN’s apps on all platforms.
Note that the IKEv2 protocol isn’t available on Windows, meaning you can only set it up on Linux, macOS, iOS, and Android devices. Also, older protocols like L2TP and PPTP aren’t supported, but this isn’t an issue as they’re weaker in terms of security.
Kill Switch — Protects Your Privacy if the Connection Is Unstable
Many VPNs offer a kill switch, but NordVPN stands out by providing two types of kill switches. The first is the internet kill switch, which disconnects your entire connection if the VPN is unstable, ensuring you stay anonymous online. However, there’s also an app-specific kill switch that only quits selected apps when you’re not connected to NordVPN.
While the internet kill switch is more secure, I like the addition of the app kill switch because it won’t interrupt other important online activities if the VPN is unstable.
Leak Protection — Never Leaks Any Identifying Information
I was pleased to see that NordVPN passed all leak tests and always kept my actual location and IP address hidden. To test this functionality, I connected to different NordVPN servers and ran various leak tests. My IP address and other identifying information were never leaked, and each test showed the location and IP of the NordVPN server I connected to.
Split Tunneling — Great Feature but Not Available on All Devices
NordVPN has a split tunneling feature that lets you specify which apps should use the VPN tunnel. This feature is helpful when you only need to use a VPN on specific apps while ensuring you can still access region-specific banking and other services without disconnecting from the VPN.
Split tunneling in NordVPN is easy to set up on all its apps. Just navigate to the settings menu and choose which apps are allowed to bypass the VPN tunnel. You can also configure it inversely and make it so that only specific apps use the VPN while the rest bypass its tunnel. Note that Nord VPN’s split tunneling functionality isn’t available on macOS and iOS.
Threat Protection — Powerful Security and Quality-of-Life Tool
Threat Protection is a standout NordVPN feature that keeps you safe online and blocks annoying ads. You can easily enable it from the app’s interface, and it’ll instantly start improving your online protection. It blocks ads, trackers, and malware while you’re surfing the web, and it also blocks malicious downloads and spots any vulnerable apps on your device.
In my tests, Threat Protection reliably blocked ads on most websites I visited. Note that NordVPN’s Google Play version doesn’t include an ad blocker because of Google’s ad policy. However, you can get this feature if you get NordVPN on your Android via a .apk file from its official website.
Meshnet — Unique Feature with a Wide Range of Use Cases
NordVPN’s Meshnet feature lets you create a secure private network that connects up to 50 devices. You can link your devices together, remotely access them, share files between them, and even send traffic through them. This feature is incredibly useful, and one particularly innovative use is setting up a virtual LAN party with friends.
Dark Web Monitor — Informs You if Any Sensitive Data Gets Leaked
NordVPN’s Dark Web Monitor feature continuously scans the dark web to ensure that your personal information isn’t exposed. If your data is found, NordVPN will alert you so you can take immediate action to protect yourself. This feature allows you to rest easy, knowing that your information is safe.
NordPass — Securely Stores All Your Passwords
NordPass is a secure password manager that lets you easily store, organize, and access your passwords from any location or device. It eliminates the need to memorize complex passwords. NordPass employs a zero-knowledge architecture, ensuring that only you have access to your stored passwords—not even NordVPN staff can see them.
NordLocker — Encrypted Storage for All Sensitive Data
NordLocker provides encrypted cloud storage for all your sensitive files and data. You can get it separately or as part of NordVPN’s Complete subscription, and it’s a worthwhile utility to have. This feature ensures your sensitive files are safe from malicious third parties and easily accessible whenever you need them.
Invisibility on LAN — Hides You From Other Local Network Devices
NordVPN can ensure your device remains hidden from others on the same local network, bolstering your security. While this provides an added layer of security, it can hinder access to LAN-based services like shared printers or files. Thankfully, you can easily toggle this on or off within NordVPN’s settings.
Privacy — Verified and Independently Audited No-Logs Policy
No-Logs Policy — Strong Commitment to Zero Data Storage
NordVPN’s no-logs policy means your online activities are always private. The service doesn’t track, collect, or share your private data — it doesn’t even log your IP address. This is a reassuring commitment to privacy and is a must-have for anyone who values privacy.
Company Jurisdiction — Outside of any Intelligence-Sharing Countries
NordVPN is headquartered in Panama, outside the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance’s jurisdiction. Also, the Republic of Panama doesn’t have any data retention laws, meaning NordVPN isn’t required to store your data or collaborate with international surveillance efforts.
Independent Audits — Proven to Be True to Its Word
NordVPN’s no-logs policy has been independently audited and verified 4 times over the years, further cementing its commitment to privacy. It’s been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers AG and Deloitte, two highly renowned names. The audits proved that the app doesn’t monitor or log any user data, thus ensuring complete privacy.
Server Locations
User Experience
- 9.0 / 10Simultaneous Device Connections — Secures up to 10 Devices
NordVPN lets you connect up to 10 devices simultaneously, which is a generous connection allowance. I connected the VPN on my Android phone, Windows desktop, Windows laptop, and smart TV simultaneously, and the connection was fast and stable on all devices.
Additionally, you can set up NordVPN on a router. It works on various kinds of routers, and there are setup guides on NordVPN’s website that’ll help you get it working. Setting up NordVPN on a router is a great way to ensure all your devices are always protected online.
Device Compatibility — Available for Almost All Platforms
NordVPN is a one-stop solution for all your devices. It offers native apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux, ensuring you can use it on any device you own. Plus, it works with Fire TV, Kodi, and multiple smart TVs.
Desktop (Windows, macOS, and Linux)
NordVPN is among the best Windows VPNs available, thanks to its user-friendly desktop apps that anyone can use. Its Windows, macOS, and Linux apps have an intuitive menu on the left-hand side that lets you use the VPN, access all the other features, and adjust the settings whenever needed. The server browser is also simple, with all the options clearly laid out.
For the latest Macs, NordVPN now offers a separate app specifically for Apple Silicon chips, and you can get it from the app store. Also, Linux users can follow the guide on NordVPN’s website to download packages for different Linux distros.
Mobile Apps (Android & iOS)
NordVPN’s mobile apps are just as user-friendly as its desktop apps, with a navigation bar at the bottom that lets you instantly access any feature. The functionality is also similar, with the only difference being that the mobile apps are missing dedicated IP. However, they include most of the app’s other features, including Meshnet, obfuscated servers, and more.
Streaming Devices (Fire Stick, Android TV & Apple TV)
NordVPN includes dedicated apps for Fire Stick, Android TV, tvOS (Apple TV), and many other streaming devices. These apps let you seamlessly connect to the VPN on these devices, as they provide a simple and easy-to-use interface with all the features easily accessible.
If you have a smart TV or streaming device without native VPN support, you can still set up the VPN on your smart TV using NordVPN’s Smart DNS feature. This won’t give you access to all of NordVPN’s features, but it’s enough to ensure you can access all your favorite streaming sites.
Ease of Setup & Installation — Simple and Straightforward
NordVPN is among the most straightforward VPN services to install and set up. You’ll get clear instructions each step of the way, showing that the team has put thought into making the process as hassle-free as possible for both tech-savvy users and beginners.
How to Install NordVPN on Windows
- Choose your plan. Access the NordVPN website and choose the plan that fits your needs.
- Subscribe to NordVPN. Enter your email, payment, and other details to subscribe to NordVPN.
- Download the setup. Log into NordVPN’s web portal after subscribing to download its Windows setup.
- Install NordVPN. Run the NordVPN setup, choose an install directory, and follow all its steps to install NordVPN on your system.
- Connect to a server. Once NordVPN is installed, launch it and click on “Quick Connect” to automatically connect to the fastest nearby server.
Support
- 10.0 / 10I was pleased to see that NordVPN offers many responsive support channels, including 24/7 live chat, email support, and a highly detailed knowledge base. Of all the options, live chat is the best way to get help, as it’s the quickest way to contact an agent.
24/7 Live Chat — The Easiest Way to Get Help
NordVPN’s live chat proved to be the best support channel in my tests. It’s easily accessible from NordVPN’s support page, and it’ll connect you with an agent within a few minutes. I frequently contacted live chat during my tests, and the agents always gave detailed answers to each of my questions.
Note that NordVPN’s live chat initially connects you with a bot that automatically generates responses to help resolve basic queries. If these aren’t enough, you can simply ask the bot to connect you with an agent.
Email Support — Detailed, Professional Responses
If you don’t need an urgent response, NordVPN’s email support is a great alternative support channel. You can easily contact it by sending an email to support@nordvpn.com. Whenever I contacted email support, I got answers within 24 hours.
Responses through email support are always more detailed, so this channel might be better if you have a long query.
Online Resources and FAQs — Informative and Helpful
For basic troubleshooting and FAQs, NordVPN has a detailed knowledge base with lots of helpful information. It has billing tips, connection troubleshooting guides, and general information that’ll help you run NordVPN properly on your device.
NordVPN’s knowledge base also has a helpful search function where you can type your query to get relevant results. I wanted to learn more about its obfuscated servers, so I typed “obfuscate” in the search bar, and the knowledge base instantly showed relevant and informative support articles.
In-App Ticketing — A Convenient Time-Saver
For added convenience, NordVPN has an in-app ticketing system that lets you report issues or ask questions without exiting the app.
In-app ticketing is available in NordVPN’s desktop and mobile versions, making it easy to report problems on any device.
How We Test Customer Support and Why Should You Care
We personally test the customer support team of every VPN we review. This means asking technical question through the live chat feature (where applicable) and measuring the response time for email questions. Whether you need to connect to a specific server, change your security protocol, or configure a VPN on your router, finding a VPN with quality customer support should be important to you.
Pricing
- 8.0 / 102024 Update! NordVPN has dropped prices for a limited time to a crazy $2.99 per month with the 2-year plan (you can save up to 74%)! This is a limited offer so be sure to grab it now before it’s gone. See more information on this offer here.
Plans — Multiple Subscriptions to Suit Everyone’s Needs
NordVPN offers several subscriptions, including Basic, Plus, and Ultimate options. The Basic plan includes the VPN, and you can get it for as little as $2.99/month if you get the 2-year + 3 months subscription. If you want extra protection, NordVPN’s Plus plan includes its Threat Protection Pro feature, dark web monitoring, and password manager.
For even more security, NordVPN’s Ultimate subscription lets you get everything in Plus and also includes ID theft recovery, cyber extortion protection, and 1TB of encrypted NordLocker storage.
While it’s a bit costlier than other top VPNs with great monthly plans, NordVPN delivers good value for money. I recommend its Basic plan, as it includes all the VPN’s key features at a reasonable price.
Note that the initial discounted prices only apply for the first 2 years; after this period, you’ll no longer get a discount, and the prices will increase accordingly.
Payment Methods — Various Options for All Users
I was pleased to see that NordVPN supports a massive variety of payment methods, including the following:
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- PayPal
- Google Pay
- Apple Pay
- Multiple cryptocurrencies
- Various regional options
I especially like that NordVPN accepts cryptocurrency, as this lets you ensure your privacy is completely protected while paying. However, even if you don’t pay with crypto, your privacy should be safe because NordVPN doesn’t save any payment information on its servers.
Money-Back Guarantee — Fast Refunds With No Questions Asked
Every NordVPN plan comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, meaning you can try the app without risk. I even tested the refund policy by asking for a refund via live chat after my tests. The agent initially attempted to upsell me but promptly processed my refund when I confirmed I wanted one. Afterward, I had the money back in my account within a week.
NordVPN offers the following plans
Final Verdict
In conclusion, NordVPN is definitely among the best VPNs in 2024 and deserving of its popularity. It maintains superfast connection speeds, provides impenetrable security, and has various standout features like Meshnet and Threat Protection. Plus, it’s Panama-based, meaning it’s not obligated to log any user data or comply with government surveillance requests.
You can try NordVPN completely risk-free, as it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. This 30-day window gives you lots of time to try all the VPN’s features without restrictions. If you’re unsatisfied during this time, you can easily get a refund by contacting NordVPN support.
FAQs About NordVPN
Is NordVPN really safe?
What are the cons of NordVPN?
Is there a better VPN than NordVPN?
Does NordVPN work with Netflix?
Does NordVPN work on game consoles?
Can NordVPN be traced?
Can I use NordVPN for free?
While NordVPN’s plans don’t include a free plan, it has a 30-day money-back guarantee that lets you try its features without risk. If you’re unsatisfied during the 30-day period, you can contact support and ask for a full refund.
If you need a simple VPN for basic use, there are some good free VPNs that maintain effective security and provide decent connection speeds.
Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: ExpressVPN, Cyberghost, Private Internet Access, and Intego. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.