SHORT ON TIME? HERE’S A QUICK SUMMARY
For the budget-conscious that wants to get the most for the least, you're in luck! NordVPN offers the best bang for your buck with robust security features, blazing-fast speeds, and a nice set of extras. While NordVPN shares the same technologies with other VPNs such as AES-256, IKEv2 / IPsec, and OpenVPN encryption protocols, what perked us up is its comprehensive set of advanced security features. It offers split-tunneling, obfuscated servers, Onion Over VPN, Cybersec, cloud encryption, Double VPN, NordLocker, NordPass, and more. While all these sound like tech mumbo-jumbo to you, no worries! We'll go into each feature down below. In addition, the company now has 5,364 servers in 59 countries. So far, NordVPN looks very promising on paper, but does it deliver?
For the budget-conscious that wants to get the most for the least, you're in luck! NordVPN offers the best bang for your buck with robust security features, blazing-fast speeds, and a nice set of extras. While NordVPN shares the same technologies with other VPNs such as AES-256, IKEv2 / IPsec, and OpenVPN encryption protocols, what perked us up is its comprehensive set of advanced security features. It offers split-tunneling, obfuscated servers, Onion Over VPN, Cybersec, cloud encryption, Double VPN, NordLocker, NordPass, and more. While all these sound like tech mumbo-jumbo to you, no worries! We'll go into each feature down below. In addition, the company now has 5,364 servers in 59 countries. So far, NordVPN looks very promising on paper, but does it deliver?
👍 PROS:
- Intuitive and user-friendly
- Tons of security and privacy features
- Strong encryption standards
- Located outside the reach of Five Eyes, Nine Eyes and 14 Eyes
- Impressive speeds even with long-distance servers
- Great for gaming
- Strong customer support with 24/7 live chat feature
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Works in China
👎 CONS:
- Servers can get congested every now and then
- Split tunneling is only available on Windows and Android
- No phone support
Get NordVPN - Protect your privacy!
Server Locations
NORDVPN KEY DATA
Jurisdiction: Panama
Member of intelligence-sharing alliances: NO
Servers: 5,324
Server location: 59 countries
Simultaneous connection: up to 6 devices
Desktop apps: Windows, macOS, Linux
Mobile apps: iOS, Android
Browser apps: Chrome, Firefox
Other devices: Firestick, Xbox, Playstation, Nintendo Switch, Raspberry Pi, Chromebook, Chromecast, Kindle Fire
Encryption: AES with 256-bit keys
Protocols: OpenVPN, IKEv2 / IPsec, NordLynx
DNS and IP leak protection: YES
Automatic kill switch: YES
Notable Features: Verified anti-logging policy, one-click mobile encryption, obfuscated servers, split tunneling, dedicated IP address, Onion Over VPN, Cybersec, cloud encryption, password manager, SmartPlay, 24/7 chat support
SEE WHAT USERS HAVE TO SAY
Trustpilot Rating: 4.0 out of 5,924 reviews
“ ...the BEST thing about Nord is the Customer Service- it's there 24/7. You get a real person or if you want you can CHOOSE to chat with a bot. The people that work in Customer Service there, like the guy I spoke to tonight, go out of their way to make sure that ALL of your questions or issues are resolved.”
“ I've used NordVPN for around 2 years now and I'm pleased with it. On Mac and Windows it works perfectly and pretty much never had an issue. Barely even notice it's there, internet speed is pretty much always the same as if I didn't have it on (500up/500down mbs) ”
“ I am new to the concept of VPN, and their rep Dwayne was very patient in educating me on VPN and how to use their app. I am still testing out the product and learning, but I have a good feeling I will be a long term customer! ”
“ Love Nord. Customer service is outstanding. Will always use them for my VPN needs. I have a dedicated IP and it works flawlessly. Highly recommend to anyone in need of VPN services. ”
WILL IT KEEP ME SAFE AND ANONYMOUS ONLINE?
NordVPN was founded in 2012 and is currently headquartered in Panama. Great news for the privacy-conscious because this country has no mandatory retention laws. It is also not a member of intelligence alliances like Five Eyes or Fourteen Eyes. What does this all mean for you? It means NordVPN is not required to store logs, so you won't have to worry about the government agencies getting their hands on your carbon footprint - your IP address, online activities, browsing history, and more. True enough, when we checked NordVPN's privacy policy page, we found the following excerpt:
"Being based in Panama allows us to keep no logs of users' online activity (no IP addresses, browsing data, traffic information, etc.). This means that we are unable to link an individual user to a specific IP address, connection timestamp or other information that we do not collect. Therefore, even in cases we receive a rightfully served request, it might be impossible for us to identify a specific person or provide any identifying information related to that person."
When it comes to security, few other VPNs can match what NordVPN has to offer. There's more to it than the usual 256-bit AES encryption, automatic kill switch, and split-tunneling features. NordVPN offers multi-layered protection with a host of advanced security features, starting with a double VPN that encrypts your traffic twice. This is an excellent feature targeted towards journalists or political activists, or just anyone who wants to avoid surveillance by the authorities.
There's also Onion Over VPN, which combines the anonymity of Tor with the security of a VPN tunnel. The Reserved IP Address feature is also a nice addition. Similar to dedicated IP addresses, this simply means that your assigned IP address won't be shared with anyone else. This means you won't have to bother with CAPTCHA checks to prove that you're an actual person and not a bot. It makes online payments easy and reduces the risks of your IP address getting blacklisted from some websites.
You can also turn on CyberSec to block ads and malicious websites and prevent malware attacks, phishing scams, and botnet control. And then there's NordPass - a sleek password manager that lets you store unlimited passwords, keep credit card details, and share notes such as WiFi passwords securely. Finally, there's NordLocker. It's a highly secure cloud storage platform that secures your files in a single click and backs them up on a private cloud. Neat, but you only get 3GB of cloud storage for free. If you need more, and you most certainly will, you can upgrade to 500GB for $3.99 per month.
HOW FAST IS IT?
So NordVPN is safe and secure, but is it fast? We set out to determine if this VPN is fast enough for gaming, video conferencing, and other bandwidth-heavy activities. Our base speed before connecting to NordVPN was at 250 Mbps. We then tried a local server in New York, and our speed dipped at 203Mbps. No surprise there, the real test is once we connect to a server located overseas. We then chose a server in Singapore and recorded a speed loss of 51%. With a download speed of 122Mbps, we hardly noticed any impact on all activities, and one of our staff even managed to win 2 matches in Battle Royale without missing any shots. We tried a few other servers using NordVPNs auto connect feature, and in all instances, our download speed never went below 100Mbps. Out of all the VPNs we’ve tested, NordVPN has been one of the most stable on both local and distant servers.
PRICING AND PLANS
At first glance, NordVPN seems to be on the pricey side, with their month-to-month plan setting you back $11.95 per month. Their annual plan sounds more reasonable at $4.92 per month, but still not exactly the cheapest. However, commit to a 2-year plan, and you see this price go down to only $3.67 per month (+3 months free). Come to think of it, if you decide to split the bill with a friend, it's practically pocket change. All of their plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it and cancel at any time if you're not entirely happy.
CUSTOMER SUPPORT
NordVPN's knowledge base is conveniently divided into 4 categories: FAQ, general info, billing, and connectivity. If you don't feel like digging around for answers, you can always get through support via their live chat feature. It's open 24/7, and we tried it during on and off-peak hours. Both times, the experience had been pleasant. We were initially greeted by a chatbot that presented us with a bunch of keywords. Just reply with "live agent", and it'll send you over to a live chat representative. If you'd rather send an email, you can send them a message at support@nordvpn.com.
THE VERDICT
As you can see from our comprehensive review, NordVPN ticks all the right boxes - ease of use, speed, security, privacy, apps for every device, and 24/7 customer support. Considering all the extras like CyberSec, NordPass, and dedicated servers, NordVPN felt like a bargain compared to other VPNs in its price range.
NORDVPN KEY DATA
Jurisdiction: Panama
Member of intelligence-sharing alliances: NO
Servers: 5,324
Server location: 59 countries
Simultaneous connection: up to 6 devices
Desktop apps: Windows, macOS, Linux
Mobile apps: iOS, Android
Browser apps: Chrome, Firefox
Other devices: Firestick, Xbox, Playstation, Nintendo Switch, Raspberry Pi, Chromebook, Chromecast, Kindle Fire
Encryption: AES with 256-bit keys
Protocols: OpenVPN, IKEv2 / IPsec, NordLynx
DNS and IP leak protection: YES
Automatic kill switch: YES
Notable Features: Verified anti-logging policy, one-click mobile encryption, obfuscated servers, split tunneling, dedicated IP address, Onion Over VPN, Cybersec, cloud encryption, password manager, SmartPlay, 24/7 chat support
SEE WHAT USERS HAVE TO SAY
Trustpilot Rating: 4.0 out of 5,924 reviews
“ ...the BEST thing about Nord is the Customer Service- it's there 24/7. You get a real person or if you want you can CHOOSE to chat with a bot. The people that work in Customer Service there, like the guy I spoke to tonight, go out of their way to make sure that ALL of your questions or issues are resolved.”
“ I've used NordVPN for around 2 years now and I'm pleased with it. On Mac and Windows it works perfectly and pretty much never had an issue. Barely even notice it's there, internet speed is pretty much always the same as if I didn't have it on (500up/500down mbs) ”
“ I am new to the concept of VPN, and their rep Dwayne was very patient in educating me on VPN and how to use their app. I am still testing out the product and learning, but I have a good feeling I will be a long term customer! ”
“ Love Nord. Customer service is outstanding. Will always use them for my VPN needs. I have a dedicated IP and it works flawlessly. Highly recommend to anyone in need of VPN services. ”
WILL IT KEEP ME SAFE AND ANONYMOUS ONLINE?
NordVPN was founded in 2012 and is currently headquartered in Panama. Great news for the privacy-conscious because this country has no mandatory retention laws. It is also not a member of intelligence alliances like Five Eyes or Fourteen Eyes. What does this all mean for you? It means NordVPN is not required to store logs, so you won't have to worry about the government agencies getting their hands on your carbon footprint - your IP address, online activities, browsing history, and more. True enough, when we checked NordVPN's privacy policy page, we found the following excerpt:
"Being based in Panama allows us to keep no logs of users' online activity (no IP addresses, browsing data, traffic information, etc.). This means that we are unable to link an individual user to a specific IP address, connection timestamp or other information that we do not collect. Therefore, even in cases we receive a rightfully served request, it might be impossible for us to identify a specific person or provide any identifying information related to that person."
When it comes to security, few other VPNs can match what NordVPN has to offer. There's more to it than the usual 256-bit AES encryption, automatic kill switch, and split-tunneling features. NordVPN offers multi-layered protection with a host of advanced security features, starting with a double VPN that encrypts your traffic twice. This is an excellent feature targeted towards journalists or political activists, or just anyone who wants to avoid surveillance by the authorities.
There's also Onion Over VPN, which combines the anonymity of Tor with the security of a VPN tunnel. The Reserved IP Address feature is also a nice addition. Similar to dedicated IP addresses, this simply means that your assigned IP address won't be shared with anyone else. This means you won't have to bother with CAPTCHA checks to prove that you're an actual person and not a bot. It makes online payments easy and reduces the risks of your IP address getting blacklisted from some websites.
You can also turn on CyberSec to block ads and malicious websites and prevent malware attacks, phishing scams, and botnet control. And then there's NordPass - a sleek password manager that lets you store unlimited passwords, keep credit card details, and share notes such as WiFi passwords securely. Finally, there's NordLocker. It's a highly secure cloud storage platform that secures your files in a single click and backs them up on a private cloud. Neat, but you only get 3GB of cloud storage for free. If you need more, and you most certainly will, you can upgrade to 500GB for $3.99 per month.
HOW FAST IS IT?
So NordVPN is safe and secure, but is it fast? We set out to determine if this VPN is fast enough for gaming, video conferencing, and other bandwidth-heavy activities. Our base speed before connecting to NordVPN was at 250 Mbps. We then tried a local server in New York, and our speed dipped at 203Mbps. No surprise there, the real test is once we connect to a server located overseas. We then chose a server in Singapore and recorded a speed loss of 51%. With a download speed of 122Mbps, we hardly noticed any impact on all activities, and one of our staff even managed to win 2 matches in Battle Royale without missing any shots. We tried a few other servers using NordVPNs auto connect feature, and in all instances, our download speed never went below 100Mbps. Out of all the VPNs we’ve tested, NordVPN has been one of the most stable on both local and distant servers.
PRICING AND PLANS
At first glance, NordVPN seems to be on the pricey side, with their month-to-month plan setting you back $11.95 per month. Their annual plan sounds more reasonable at $4.92 per month, but still not exactly the cheapest. However, commit to a 2-year plan, and you see this price go down to only $3.67 per month (+3 months free). Come to think of it, if you decide to split the bill with a friend, it's practically pocket change. All of their plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it and cancel at any time if you're not entirely happy.
CUSTOMER SUPPORT
NordVPN's knowledge base is conveniently divided into 4 categories: FAQ, general info, billing, and connectivity. If you don't feel like digging around for answers, you can always get through support via their live chat feature. It's open 24/7, and we tried it during on and off-peak hours. Both times, the experience had been pleasant. We were initially greeted by a chatbot that presented us with a bunch of keywords. Just reply with "live agent", and it'll send you over to a live chat representative. If you'd rather send an email, you can send them a message at support@nordvpn.com.
THE VERDICT
As you can see from our comprehensive review, NordVPN ticks all the right boxes - ease of use, speed, security, privacy, apps for every device, and 24/7 customer support. Considering all the extras like CyberSec, NordPass, and dedicated servers, NordVPN felt like a bargain compared to other VPNs in its price range.
