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At first glance, all popular VPNs seem to promise the same things: lightning-fast speeds, robust encryption, and seamless access to geo-blocked content. But having tested dozens of VPN services hands-on for leading cybersecurity publications, I know not to take marketing claims at face value. I spent the past month using NordVPN extensively to look beyond the specs and see how it truly performs.

This detailed NordVPN review cuts through the clutter and provides transparent insights on NordVPN’s connection speeds, streaming and unblocking abilities, security features, ease of use, customer support, pricing plans, and more. While NordVPN deserves attention for its unique offerings like Double VPN, obfuscated servers, and Advanced Threat Protection, I’m here to lay it all out objectively – the good, the not-so-good, and everything in between, all based on real-world testing and use.

So, whether you’re a VPN beginner or a seasoned pro, this review will help you determine if NordVPN is the ideal service for your needs.

Don’t Have Time? Here Are My Key Findings

Right off the bat, here are my key findings to give you a taste of what’s ahead:

Now, let’s dig deeper into the heart of the matter and explore each facet of NordVPN in detail.

Background & Jurisdiction

NordVPN is one of the most transparent and trustworthy services in the market. It avoids data-sharing alliances and has no history of data leaks and beaches.

NordVPN was launched in 2012 by Nord Security and is based in Panama. The country has no mandatory data retention laws and falls outside the Five, Nine, or 14-Eyes intelligence sharing alliances. The company has undergone several independent security audits by firms like PwC, which verified its no-logging claims. 

Still, there were some problematic situations with the NordVPN in the past. In 2018, experts discovered a privilege escalation bug in NordVPN, which could theoretically expose some users’ data (didn’t happen). Fortunately, the bug was swiftly patched before it saw the light of the day. Similarly, there were reports of data flow through one of the VPN’s servers, but NordVPN soon clarified that it stemmed from its anti-censorship mechanism, debunking any suspicious activities.

In 2021, Nord Security acquired Atlas VPN and merged with Surfshark the following year. Although the companies maintain their independent development paths, this union symbolizes their collective mission to bolster online privacy and security on a grand scale.

While not perfect, NordVPN’s most important privacy assurances like zero breaches and leak-proof data security clearly outweigh the occasional hiccups along the way.

Server Network

NordVPN operates an extensive server network spanning the entire planet. It provides ample choices to enhance security, unlock content, and achieve peak VPN performance.

Number of Servers	5,893
Number of Countries	60
Specific City Selection	YES
Server Switching	Unlimited

With over 5,800 servers in 60 countries, NordVPN offers global coverage to unblock geo-restricted content, evade censorship, and maximize speeds. It provides specialty servers for different needs, like P2P file sharing, Double VPN for extra encryption, and dedicated IP addresses for accessing restricted networks.

NordVPN also uses RAM-only servers to protect your privacy. With these servers, your data does not touch the hard drive and is wiped after each session. For high-risk regions, obfuscated servers allow you to bypass network firewalls and censorship by disguising your VPN traffic as normal web traffic. However, you can only connect to these servers using the OpenVPN (TCP) protocol.

NordVPN server network aims to provide flexibility and versatility. You can pivot servers seeking the optimal blend of speed, privacy, and VPN performance for any situation. Network scale alone means little, but coupled with NordVPN’s focus on regularly expanding infrastructure, its vast server network becomes an invaluable asset.

All things considered, NordVPN’s sprawling infrastructure of regular and specialty servers provides exceptional flexibility and choice. You get all the tools needed to achieve privacy and bypass censorship with blazing-fast speeds.

Prominent Features

NordVPN provides all the basic VPN features and boasts a range of unique and advanced features to protect you on the Web.

NordVPN offers a blend of basic and advanced VPN features covering your security, connection, and accessibility needs. It also provides versatile options to customize your VPN experience.

Here’s an overview of what you get with NordVPN.

• Leak Protection: NordVPN offers robust protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks to maintain anonymity.
• Threat Protection: The Threat Protection feature provides an extra layer of security by blocking ads and trackers. It also acts as a useful antivirus by scanning your files for malware.
• Smart DNS: The Smart DNS feature allows you to stream restricted content from devices that support custom DNS settings. It’s ideal for streaming on devices where encryption might cause slowdowns.
• Kill Switch: NordVPN’s kill switch is a built-in feature that automatically disconnects your internet if your VPN connection drops. It’s enabled by default to prevent accidental data leaks.
• Split Tunneling: The split tunneling feature lets you choose which apps or websites use NordVPN and which ones don’t. It’s a nifty way to balance speed and security based on your needs. The feature is only available for Windows and Android devices.
• Protocols: NordVPN supports a variety of protocols, including OpenVPN, IKeV2/IPSec, and the proprietary NordLynx protocol.
• Meshnet: The Meshnet feature lets you create a secure network with other NordVPN users. Once connected, you can share files, play games, and access content remotely.
• Dark Web Monitor: The Dark Web Monitor scans the dark web for credential breaches associated with your account and notifies you of potential threats.
• Dedicated IP: NordVPN provides you with a dedicated IP address from countries, including the US, Canada, France, Japan, Germany, and the Netherlands. It’s available as an add-on after you sign up for NordVPN.
• Double VPN: The Double VPN takes your privacy up a notch by routing your VPN through two servers. This adds an extra layer of encryption and enhances your security at the cost of some speed.

Security & Privacy

NordVPN doesn’t cut corners on security. It provides impenetrable infrastructure, robust encryption, and multiple protocol choices for enhanced protection.

Few competitors can match NordVPN in terms of security and privacy protection. The VPN employs AES 256-bit encryption, which is also used by governments and the military to ensure the utmost confidentiality of top-secret data.

But NordVPN doesn’t stop there. It provides a variety of formidable VPN protocols, including OpenVPN, IKEv2, and the proprietary NordLynx (based on WireGuard). These protocols escort your data through secure channels and shield it from potential cyber threats.

Adding to the layers of protection, NordVPN maintains a strict zero-logs policy. This means that the VPN provider doesn’t store any logs of your online activities that could expose your identity. The service has undergone several independent security audits and it aced each one with flying colors.

Furthermore, NordVPN’s DNS and IP leak protection work as intended. I extensively tested the VPN connections to check for leaks, but my true IP address remained hidden during each test.

With NordVPN, you also get Advanced Threat Protection that blocks ads, trackers, and malware. This feature can also be used as an antivirus as it scans your executable files for malware, even without a VPN connection. However, Threat Protection isn’t flawless; it blocked my access to a legitimate page, mistakenly flagging it as a phishing site.

Speed & Performance

NordVPN boasts impressive speeds across its global servers. It ensures lag-free streaming and browsing, even if you lack an ultra-fast baseline connection.

Using a VPN generally slows down your speed, but good VPNs minimize the speed loss by providing multiple servers and lightweight protocols. I conducted NordVPN speed test across several nearby and remote servers and got excellent results across all locations. 

In my tests, the NordLynx protocol provided the fastest speeds without compromising security. The activation times were also quicker with NordLynx compared to other protocols.

While results vary by server, location, and protocol, NordVPN delivered an impressive overall performance in my speed tests.

	Download Speed	Upload Speed	Speed Reduction
Baseline Speed	50 Mbps	47.4 Mbps	0%
US	38.12 Mbps	35.88 Mbps	24%
UK	42.54 Mbps	45.03 Mbps	15%
Canada	39.60 Mbps	32.15 Mbps	21.8%
Australia	28.08 Mbps	26 Mbps	44.8%
Singapore	41.50 Mbps	44.09 Mbps	17%
Japan	34.5 Mbps	32.12 Mbps	31%

During my tests, the download speed dropped by 25.6% on average. The speed drop was more noticeable on long-distance servers like Australia and Japan. However, NordVPN was still fast enough for all kinds of activities like streaming, downloading, online gaming, and basic browsing.

Streaming, Gaming, & Torrenting

NordVPN excels in streaming with unrestricted access to all major platforms. Its high speed and dedicated P2P servers are ideal for torrenting and gaming.

Media Streaming

Streaming Services	Compatibility with NordVPN
Netflix	✅ YES
Amazon Prime Video	✅ YES
BBC iPlayer	✅ YES
Disney+	✅ YES
Hulu	✅ YES
HBO Max	✅ YES
Sling TV	✅ YES

NordVPN offers exceptional streaming capabilities by unlocking all popular streaming platforms, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more. During my tests, I was able to watch Money Heist in UHD quality without lag or buffering using NordVPN global servers. I could also access Netflix content libraries in the UK, Australia, Canada, India, and the US with ease.

Amazon Prime Video also performed well during my tests. NordVPN’s speeds were consistently fast enough to ensure an uninterrupted streaming experience.

Similarly, Disney+ was easily accessible albeit with minor initial lag when connecting through the VPN. However, the connection stayed smooth after the initial hiccup, even after hours of viewing.

Gaming

NordVPN provides a smooth gaming experience across devices. It offers user-friendly VPN apps and extensive customization options, so you can tailor your connection to your gaming needs. By using the Threat Protection feature, you can block intrusive ads and malware that may interrupt your gameplay. You also get a handy kill switch to protect against DDoS attacks threatening to ruin your gaming experience.

Apart from that, NordVPN provides a SmartPlay feature for gamers seeking peak performance. This feature enables uninterrupted sessions by automatically connecting you to the fastest server for gaming.

With fast speeds, solid security, and customizable options, NordVPN provides everything that you need for a seamless gaming experience without any interruptions.

Torrenting

Few VPN services can come close to NordVPN in terms of torrenting experience. It offers complete protection, lightning-fast download speeds, and no sudden disconnections that’ll leave you cussing at the screen.

NordVPN has specialty servers optimized specifically for P2P traffic. This can be a lifesaver, especially in countries like Japan and Germany, where torrenting is prohibited.

You also get useful features like the SOCKS5 web proxy to keep your online activities private. Moreover, NordVPN offers DNS/IPv6 leak protection to safeguard your identity from prying eyes.

Since session times are unlimited, you can download large torrents over extended periods, without experiencing any sudden stoppages.

Device & Platform Support

NordVPN has got your back across a multitude of devices and platforms. It offers native apps and browser extensions to fortify your connection across the board.

NordVPN is compatible with a wide range of devices and platforms. It provides native apps for all your desktop needs across Windows, macOS, Linux, and even Chromebooks. On mobile, both Android and iOS users get specialized apps to bolster their online security and privacy. Furthermore, you also get add-on extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge browsers.

Beyond desktop and mobile devices, NordVPN is also compatible with routers. You can set it up on DD-WRT, Tomato, TP-Link, and other router models to encrypt your entire home network with a single license. What’s more, it also supports Android TV and Amazon Fire TV for big-screen security.

No matter your device or platform, NordVPN has an app or setup trick up its sleeve. So, you can get the much-needed data protection on all your gadgets with no sweat.

User Experience

NordVPN offers a user-friendly interface and hassle-free setup. It comes with smooth navigation and a responsive design that’s suitable even for complete beginners.

NordVPN offers an intuitive experience on both desktop and mobile devices. After installing the service on multiple devices, I was impressed with the clean interface that makes activating key features a breeze. Everything I needed was just a few clicks away.

On the Windows app, the “Quick Connect” button lets you connect to the fastest server within seconds. You can also pick any of the Specialty servers, including Obfuscated servers, Onion Over VPN, Dedicated IP, Double VPN, and P2P servers, right from the app’s home screen. The Threat Protection feature runs quietly in the background without disrupting your browsing. I tested the feature on several websites and it blocked ads and malware as intended.

Using NordVPN on mobile devices is equally impressive. On both Android and iOS apps, you get a list of servers along with an interactive map on the home screen. You can manually select your desired server or choose one using the map, and start browsing privately within seconds.

Overall, NordVPN offers a uniform user experience across all its apps, which isn’t something we see often these days. The apps are highly polished and easy to use for VPN beginners and experts alike.

Customer Support

NordVPN provides prompt assistance through a chatbot, 24/7 live chat, email, and a comprehensive knowledge base.

Chatbot	✅ YES
24/7 Live Chat	✅ YES
Email Correspondence	✅ YES
Troubleshooting Guides	✅ YES
FAQs	✅ YES
Phone Line	❌ NO

I was thoroughly impressed by the quality of NordVPN customer support. At the outset, you’re greeted by an AI chatbot that can answer frequently asked questions about the service. If the chatbot isn’t of any help, you can proceed to speak to an agent.

On multiple occasions, I used the 24/7 live chat feature and got quick answers to my questions. NordVPN’s representatives were knowledgeable about the service and provided prompt troubleshooting based on my issues. They took the time to walk me through the solutions instead of relying on scripts. Plus, you can speak to a support agent via live chat without having an active NordVPN subscription.

You also get an email support option for issues that don’t need an immediate response. The email inquiries are usually answered within a few hours in most cases. Additionally, you’ll find extensive self-help resources like setup guides, FAQs, and troubleshooting tips if you wish to find answers on your own.

All in all, NordVPN’s diverse support channels can help you resolve your issues promptly and effectively. With responsive human support supplemented by useful self-help resources, you’re in good hands when using NordVPN.

Plans & Pricing

NordVPN offers three main plans, each with Standard, Plus, and Complete tiers to accommodate different needs and budgets. Each plan comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test the service and see if it fits your needs.

Standard Plan

• Starts at $2.99/month on 2-year plan
• Malware protection
• Anti-tracker
• Ad blocking

Plus Plan

• Starts at $3.99/month on 2-year plan
• All Standard features
• Premium password manager – NordPass
• Data breach scanner

Complete Plan

• Starts at $4.99/month on 2-year plan
• All Standard and Plus features
• 1 TB encrypted cloud storage – NordLocker
• Next-gen cipher support

The Complete plan provides the most extensive features and comes with 1 TB encrypted cloud storage, NordLocker. The Standard plan, on the other hand, offers core security essentials at the lowest price point. The Plus plan strikes a balance with an added password manager, called NordPass, and a breach scanning tool.

All plans support 6 devices and come with a money-back guarantee for 30 days. The 2-year plan offers maximum savings of up to 69% compared to monthly billing. Here’s what each plan offers with the 2-year subscription.

	Standard	Plus	Complete
Simultaneous Device Connections	6	6	6
Tracker & Ad Blocker	✅	✅	✅
Malware Protection	✅	✅	✅
Password Manager (NordPass)	❌	✅	✅
Data Breach Scanner	❌	✅	✅
Encrypted Cloud Storage (NordLocker)	❌	❌	✅
Next Gen Ciphers	❌	❌	✅
Price	$2.99/month	$3.99/month	$4.99/month

NordVPN accepts all major cards, PayPal, Google Pay, Apple Pay, wire transfer, Bitcoin, and other cryptocurrencies. I personally admire NordVPN’s acceptance of cryptocurrencies as it adds an extra layer of protection for complete anonymity.

NordVPN Review: Is It Worth It in 2023?

NordVPN remains a top choice in 2023 for its fast speeds, uncompromising security, and solid unblocking capability. With features like military-grade encryption, obfuscated servers, and DNS/IP leak protection, you can browse the web without worrying about your data getting into the wrong hands.

The provider also impresses with extras like double VPN, dedicated IPs, Meshnet peer connections, and useful Threat Protection. During the tests, I could access popular streaming platforms without lags or buffering.

While other premium VPNs may boast larger server networks, NordVPN focuses resources on privacy protection and performance. It seamlessly integrates capabilities like split tunneling, encrypted cloud backup, and Dark Web Monitor into everyday browsing.

For those seeking robust privacy protection at reasonable rates, I highly recommend giving NordVPN a try. You can test NordVPN completely risk-free using the 30-day money-back guarantee.