NordVPN Review

NordVPN Ratings at a Glance

Nord offers a robust VPN service that is well-suited to meet the needs of all spectrums of internet users. Convenience, security and functionality combine to enable users to efficiently and securely browse the internet and online applications. The application is one of the best to use on mobile and allows you to browse anonymously across a wide range of devices. Here are a few of the incredible features that contribute to NordVPN's excellent product offering.

Fastest VPN in the World

NordVPN outperforms all other well-known VPNs in terms of speed, according to testing conducted by AV-test, a reputable independent security institute. What’s more, NordVPN is a considerable outlier – nearly twice as fast as the next closest competitor. The average download speed in the U.S. is 417 Mbps and 527.1 Mbps in Japan. 

NordVPN achieves lightning-fast network speeds by constantly enhancing its server network, upgrading its infrastructure and actively investing in software architecture. Fast connection speed is also attributed to the wide range of servers supported by Nord VPN, unlocking more freedom and faster connection for users.

NordLynx is NordVPN’s technology built around WireGuard. It helps you connect to NordVPN servers faster and improves your speeds without posing a security risk.

Geographical Accessibility

A core way NordVPN achieves super-fast connection is through its sophisticated infrastructure. NordVPN has over 6,000+, ultra-fast servers in 110 countries, allowing users to take advantage of a fast and smooth VPN from almost anywhere in the world. These include the most popular locations: the United States, Germany, Japan and the United Kingdom.

By offering wide server coverage, NordVPN users can always pick a convenient server that is physically close to them. By doing so, users will reduce the distance their data needs to travel to be protected from malicious internet users and snoopers due to the fact servers that are closer to the user ensure better speeds.

Specialty Servers

Double VPN

NordVPN uniquely offers Double VPN – an advanced VPN security feature that routes your traffic through two VPN servers instead of one, therefore encrypting your data twice. This feature improves privacy and IP protection because it means that your online activity is hidden behind two servers as opposed to one. In other words, it makes it twice as hard for snoopers to track you.

Nord’s Double VPN feature is perfect for users with extremely sensitive information, such as political activists or informants who need to take extra steps to protect themselves. It is also a great option for those who live in highly restrictive countries known for heavy censorship, surveillance or tracking. 

Onion Over VPN

Onion Over VPN works as a standard server. However, traffic is also then routed through the Onion network as well, again, adding an extra layer of security.

Obfuscated servers

Obfuscated servers “hide” the fact that a person is using a VPN, which can otherwise be identified. These servers work even in countries where VPNs are heavily restricted and allow to bypass such restrictions as firewalls.

P2P (Peer-to-Peer) servers

P2P (Peer-to-Peer) servers are optimized for fast and secure file sharing.

Dedicated IPs

Dedicated IPs are not servers per se but rather individual IPs that do what regular servers do: encrypt traffic and hide the user’s real identity. Dedicated IPs are usually not available to all clients of a VPN provider but rather to one person or a small group of people who buy them.

Split Tunneling Support

Another excellent feature supported by NordVPN is split tunneling – an advanced VPN feature that allows users to choose which apps need VPN protection and which can access the internet directly. Some sources will benefit from the secure tunnel of the VPN, while others will enjoy faster speeds and access to local services. 

This feature is currently available on Android, Windows and Android TV NordVPN apps. It is a great way to speed up VPN use and is a key differentiating factor between NordVPN and other VPN service providers. 

Uninterrupted Streaming

Nothing is more infuriating than a video that starts buffering or takes ages to load. NordVPN is the best VPN for streaming movies and other video-related content enabling users to watch content without any slowdown or inconveniences. 

The lack of buffering comes from the speed of NordVPN’s NordLynx Protocol and 6,000+ VPN servers that are capable of distributing traffic loads. Moreover, NordVPN allows users to connect up to ten devices simultaneously. Multiple people can watch videos on their phones at the same time.

Customer support is available 24/7 via live chat and email. The chatbot will be able to answer general questions; however, users can speak with a customer service representative for anything beyond that. Users have reported that customer service is generally fast and reliable.

For those interested in learning more about how NordVPN works, Nord offers a wide range of FAQs, troubleshooting information, setup guides and general assistance.

Unlike many cheap VPNs that have been caught with flawed technology, Nord is undoubtedly one of the safest VPN services in the industry. NordVPN doesn’t cut corners when it comes to security. Some of the impressive security features offered by Nord include the following.

Strict No-logs Policy

Before diving into NordVPN’s no-logs policy, it is important to understand what a no-logs policy is. Generally speaking, when you connect to a VPN server, you shield your internet traffic from your internet service provider (ISP) and others. However, the entity holding your shield can access your data.

A no-log VPN refers to a VPN that doesn’t track the traffic that passes through its servers. These types of VPNs are hard to come by because many countries force VPN services to store data for at least some time. NordVPN, among other true no-logs VPNs, operates out of jurisdictions without data retention, like Panama, to preserve your online privacy. 

Threat Protection

Another valuable security measure employed by NordVPN is referred to as Threat Protection. This security solution defends you from everyday online cyber threats, such as trackers and malware. Threat Protection achieves this by scanning your files before you download them, identifying them and blocking all threats before they can harm your device.

Moreover, this feature also blocks tracking cookies and eliminates pop-up ads, ensuring smooth browsing. 

Meshnet

Meshnet is a feature that allows you to access devices over encrypted private tunnels. In other words, instead of connecting to a VPN server, Meshnet enables you to connect to other devices securely and easily no matter where in the world they are. This feature is powered by NordLynx – Nord’s flagship technology built around WireGuard.

With Meshnet, users can securely play multiplayer games with friends and host and join virtual LAN parties from anywhere in the world.

Kill Switch

NordVPN's kill switch is a safety net built into their VPN service designed to protect your online privacy in case the VPN connection drops unexpectedly. Here's how it works:

• Monitors the VPN connection: The kill switch constantly checks your connection to the VPN server.
• Acts as a safety gate: If the VPN connection drops for any reason, the kill switch automatically blocks your internet access. This prevents your device from accidentally sending unencrypted data directly through your regular internet connection, which could expose your real IP address and online activity.
• Reconnection attempt (optional): Depending on your settings, the kill switch might also try to automatically reconnect you to the VPN server after the issue is resolved.

Why is a kill switch important?

Even a brief disconnect from the VPN can expose your sensitive information. The kill switch ensures that your online activity remains private even during these unexpected interruptions.

NordVPN’s services are reasonably priced; however, they are slightly more expensive than those offered by other VPN providers in the market. Like most competitors, the price of NordVPN’s service per month decreases sharply for plans with longer durations. Here is a quick overview of how Nord’s pricing model works.

Nord offers three services to consumers: Basic, Plus and Ultimate. The Basic option provides users with a secure, high-speed VPN and ten devices secured at once. At a slightly higher price, the Plus option provides more benefits such as malware protection, tracker and ad blocker, cross-platform password management and a data breach scanner. The Ultimate option provides all these benefits in addition to 1TB of encrypted cloud storage, identity theft recovery and cyber extortion protection.

How much is NordVPN? The prices for each consumer option are as follows:

NordVPN mobile app is an easy-to-use app that boasts a straightforward interface and navigation path. It is available on both Android and Apple devices. Users can start securing their mobile online activity effortlessly. To start using the app, download, log in to your NordVPN account and tap the Quick Connect button. 

Users can enjoy peace of mind knowing that their email activity, YouTube search history and online shopping history, among other things, will be protected and secured, irrespective of the source of public Wi-Fi – whether it be at airports, libraries or coffee shops. The app has an average rating of 4.7/5 stars on the App Store and an average rating of 4.5/5 on the Google Play store. 

Overall, users should have a breeze navigating the NordVPN service. The interface is straightforward and user-friendly and offers many resources available to enhance user experience.

For example, NordVPN provides users with multiple potential reasons their connections speed may be limited:

• Internet speed offered by ISP
• Distance to VPN server
• VPN server load
• Firewalls or antivirus software used

NordVPN is also compatible with multiple different types of devices, meeting the technological needs of virtually all customers.

Although NordVPN’s speed and functionality already make the user experience phenomenal, advanced users can choose to leverage the wide variety of advanced VPN features offered by NordVPN.

NordVPN vs. Competitors

The VPN service industry is saturated with many competitors. Although NordVPN is one of the best VPNs on the market, some alternatives outshine NordVPN in certain aspects. For example, CyberGhost, a VPN trusted by over 30 million users, is an alternative that rivals NordVPN in terms of security and user popularity. On the other hand, SurfShark, another competitor, offers a cheaper price with strong encryption and privacy features. 

NordVPN is arguably the best VPN in the market right now, albeit positioned at a slightly higher price. The service differentiates itself through its jaw-droppingly faster connection speed, coupled with its market-leading advanced security features such as split tunneling and Double VPN. Users can benefit from excellent speeds, smart privacy-focused features such as adblocking and online anonymity all from one platform. NordVPN is a fantastic choice for any user seeking enhanced security while navigating the internet and other online mediums.

Frequently Asked Questions