NordVPN review
Our Verdict
NordVPN is easily still one of the top VPNs on the market, with incredible connection speeds, stable apps for tons of devices and a full privacy audit of its no-logging claims. While its electric current disability to unblock U.s. Netflix and basic browser extensions concord information technology dorsum a piffling, it'south still very much worth considering.
For
- Contempo and regular privacy audits
- Great for iPlayer, Disney+, Amazon Prime
- Impale switch works well
- Excellent support
Against
- Some app interfaces are bad-mannered
- Currently unable to unblock U.s.a. Netflix
Tom'southward Guide Verdict
NordVPN is easily still one of the superlative VPNs on the market, with incredible connection speeds, stable apps for tons of devices and a total privacy inspect of its no-logging claims. While its electric current inability to unblock United states Netflix and bones browser extensions concur it back a fiddling, it's notwithstanding very much worth because.
Pros
- +
Recent and regular privacy audits
- +
Great for iPlayer, Disney+, Amazon Prime number
- +
Kill switch works well
- +
Excellent support
Cons
- -
Some app interfaces are bad-mannered
- -
Currently unable to unblock U.s.a. Netflix
NordVPN is quite peradventure the biggest name in the VPN industry, and thanks to aggressive TV marketing, YouTube plugging and even out-there tactics like sports sponsorships, it'south trusted as the best VPN past millions of users the world over
In our full NordVPN review, though, we cut through any marketing rant and lay bare exactly how adept NordVPN is as a consumer VPN, its privacy credentials, how useful it is for streaming and torrenting, and all its other features so that yous can brand an informed decision as to whether it's the right VPN for y'all.
Beneath, we'll briefly run downwards our review in a few paragraphs. So you can take a deep dive into each specific surface area in our full NordVPN review below. Or, click on the relevant section on the navigation bar in a higher place to spring directly to a section.
NordVPN 1-infinitesimal review
NordVPN isn't bad value, with prices currently starting at $3.29 a month on its two-twelvemonth plan, and topping out at $11.95 if yous want the freedom of a monthly rolling contract. There are a number of options that look like amend value on paper, but Nord'southward support for PayPal, credit carte du jour, Bitcoin, and other crypto payments hateful there are plenty of options.
You'll be covered by industry-standard AES-256 encryption, plus some first-class actress features such as Onion over VPN and Double VPN. Nord'due south obfuscated servers likewise provide dandy performance in countries like Red china which restrict VPN apply. Yous besides get a impale switch in case your connection drops, and reliable DNS leak protection.
Contempo contained audits have confirmed NordVPN's no-logs status – a real draw for those interested in true security – and this goes a long way to redeeming the well-publicised 2018 server hack and the visitor's arguably poor response to it.
NordVPN's connection speeds are just about class-leading, especially if you use the NordLynx protocol – our tests reliably delivered speeds of up to an amazing 880Mbps. Combined with skilful streaming service unblocking, this means Nord'south a good choice for streaming – although US Netflix is however an issue. Plus, torrent support on near, simply non all, servers means it's useful for P2P.
The desktop apps are smart, powerful, and piece of cake to utilise. Withal, the mobile apps can exist a piffling bad-mannered thank you to the map-based interface. It works well on larger screens, just handheld versions suffer. Notwithstanding, while device back up is good, you'll only be able to use your plan on six devices at a time.
Nord's 24/vii support squad is fantabulous, and the knowledgebase is packed with expert manufactures – although finding the correct commodity can be catchy.
Overall, NordVPN is absolutely i of the all-time services on the market, and a cracking all-rounder. However, to larn more, just keep reading.
- Click to head direct through to the NordVPN website
Latest updates
Our last review of NordVPN was only six months ago, simply even in that time we've seen some exciting changes and updates.
First up, Nord'southward upgrading all its servers from 1Gbps to 10Gbps - around 60% of server have been updated at the time of publishing.
It's also interesting to note that NordVPN is rolling out colocated servers. That means that the hardware is owned and managed by Nord itself, rather than the usual rent-and-outsource approach taken previously. This is another green tick in the 'proficient stuff' column.
VerSprite recently undertook an application security inspect. A few issues were found, only none serious, and all now remedied.
Box-fresh Mac M1 app designed for Apple'due south new chips.
You tin can now sign in to all your Nord products with a unified Nord Account. That includes NordVPN, NordPass and NordLocker.
NordVPN on paper
Number of servers: v,100+
Number of countries: 59
Platforms supported: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, Fire TV, Android TV, Xbox & PlayStation (SmartPlay Smart DNS), Chrome, Firefox
Simultaneous connections: 6
Split tunneling: Just with browser extensions and Android
Kill switch: Yes
Supported protocols: OpenVPN, IPSec/IKEv2, NordLynx (Wireguard), SSTP
Country of registration: Panama
Back up: 24/7 live chat, knowledgebase, email
NordVPN price: how much is it, and is there an NordVPN gratuitous trial?
One of the get-go things that may strike potential customers is the price of any service, so that'southward where nosotros'll kickoff.
Opening up at $11.95 on a 1-month plan, NordVPN is most boilerplate in terms of a curt contract. However, as with nearly all VPNs, we commencement to see some significant savings if you determine to commit for longer – on a six-calendar month plan you'll pay $nine a month (albeit paid upfront).
Sign upward for a year and that'll drop to $4.92 a month, but the best savings comes on the two-year program – just $three.29 a calendar month. That offers a pretty hefty discount compared to paying monthly.
If nosotros're honest, we'd recommend going for the longest programme. It'due south not then long that you're tied in forever, and with the 30-mean solar day money-dorsum guarantee you tin can make sure it's correct for you. Yet, if y'all're being really cautious, we might recommend paying for one month to avoid the initial outlay, and so either claim that dorsum or sign upwardly to a long-term programme once you know it'south for you.
Information technology's very much worth noting, however, that the prices for longer plans are introductory offers. If y'all stick around, subsequently your initial term you'll be forking out $8.25 a month – not quite the deal yous might await, and more than expensive than ExpressVPN, which is oftentimes regarded as the priciest option.
- Sign up at present on the NordVPN website
We wouldn't truly phone call NordVPN a cheap VPN, and it's thoroughly undercut by the likes of Surfshark ($ii.49/m) and CyberGhost ($two.25/m).
Payment options include credit menu, prepaid menu, PayPal, UnionPay, AmazonPay, GooglePay and iTunes. Nevertheless, privacy fans volition exist pleased to know that Nord takes crypto payments (through CoinPayments), and accepts Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Monero, Ethereum and a whole host more.
If yous desire a VPN free trial, y'all tin purse seven days free on Android and iOS. However, if you really want to exam out the service and see if it's correct for you, we'd recommend signing up to a paid program and and so using the 30-twenty-four hours money-back guarantee if it doesn't work out. Y'all won't be out of pocket, and yous'll have a whole month to brand up your mind.
How private is NordVPN?
NordVPN prides itself as a serious scrap of privacy kit, and information technology certainly delivers. Starting with the basics, Nord uses the manufacture-standard AES-256-GCM encryption, combined with 4096-bit Diffie-Hellman keys.
Users are likewise treated to perfect forward secrecy, which ensures new keys are used on login and every hours. This means that in the very unlikely event whatever session is compromised, the longest the attacker will become is an hr.
However, it doesn't cease at that place. You tin can choose to utilize Onion over VPN, which routes your connection over the encrypted Tor network (sacrificing speed for accented privacy), and y'all can also use Double VPN, which routes your traffic through 2 dissever servers. Then, if you're willing to take a hit on outright speed in return for accented privacy, these are useful options to take on manus.
In countries where VPN use is restricted, NordVPN's obfuscated servers will prove useful – these are more effective at hiding the fact they're VPN connections at all, and can get access to sites and regions where VPN use is banned or limited. In fact, we rate Nord every bit ane of the best China VPN services because of this.
How secure is NordVPN?
NordVPN also provides first-class security for its users. You'll get a impale switch that automatically cuts your connectedness if your VPN drops (it's reliable and a must-have for anything that demands utmost security), and another that closes certain programs in the aforementioned scenario. Both of these are essential for those looking for a torrenting VPN – but we'll explore that a little more later.
The VPN effectively blocks DNS and WebRTC leaks – which we tested on DNS Leak Test, IPLeak, and others services. All sounds pretty skillful, right?
Well, information technology had to happen at some signal – allow's hash out the 2018 server hack, and how Nord dealt with it.
While this is now a long fourth dimension agone, it'southward even so a blot on Nord's copybook that remains. Blamed on a 'third-political party data center,' a single Finnish NordVPN server was compromised. At that place'southward no data on who or what was affected, but information technology was made through a compromised business relationship at the data centre, which was subsequently terminated. You tin read more virtually the NordVPN hack hither.
In the aftermath, NordVPN kept quiet and didn't denote the issue until about six months afterwards – bad – but took steps like upgrading every server so they run on RAM only – expert.
Taking into consideration the recent independent inspect and subsequent sweeping infrastructure upgrades – things that very few other providers have done – Tom's Guide is comfortable recommending NordVPN to the security conscious. In fact, while what initiated the reforms certainly wasn't positive, it seems to have spurred NordVPN on to deliver the most security-conscious VPN service on the market.
What's more than, NordVPN has as well recently had its Android app certified by the ioXt Alliance, pregnant low-level features have been thoroughly tested and proven secure.
Does NordVPN continue logs?
NordVPN claims not to collect whatsoever logs on users' activity. Outlined in its no-logging policy:
'Nord guarantees a strict no-logs policy for NordVPN Services, meaning that your internet activeness...is not monitored, recorded, logged, stored or passed to whatever third political party. We practise not store connection time stamps, used bandwidth, traffic logs, IP addresses or browsing data.' Nord also claims not to collect session logs, which many VPNs do and still claim to be 'no-logging.'
Barnstorming stuff, and so, but can we trust it?
Well, it comes back to the audit again. PricewaterhouseCooper securely investigated NordVPN's servers and compared them to the provider's stated policies. While nosotros tin can't reproduce any of the findings hither, the audit is available online for Nord trialers and users, and it found 'no signs that [NordVPN] had in any fashion violated [its] no-logs promise.'
How fast is NordVPN?
Although privacy and security should be at the top of your list, connection speed is likely a very shut second – if non, yous'll exist browsing at a snail's pace, with videos buffering left, right and center. We tested NordVPN on our Great britain and The states net connections, and collated the results. We used a number of dissimilar speed testing websites and services, and repeated the tests in both forenoon and evening to get a expert spread.
When using OpenVPN in the UK, NordVPN delivered distinctly average speeds of 180-190Mbps. However, when we switched to NordLynx, we saw speeds soar to betwixt 760-880Mbps. That's just about every bit fast as we've ever seen whatever VPN go.
In the US, OpenVPN results were much the same, and NordLynx speeds were still very expert at 480-660Mbps. So, unless y'all swear past OpenVPN, Nord's an splendid choice for cracking connection speeds wherever y'all are.
So, NordVPN is an first-class choice if you want a fast VPN. However, as demonstrated by the likes of StrongVPN, competitors not normally known for outright speed are embracing WireGuard and seeing incredible boosts, so while Nord'south speeds are seriously impressive, information technology's not the only provider that tin deliver them.
How practiced is NordVPN for streaming?
Streaming performance is condign increasingly important, and information technology's clear that NordVPN has put a lot of try into delivering a practiced service to its users.
In the past, NordVPN has had an first-class track record equally a Netflix VPN. Withal, in recent months the streaming site has greatly enhanced its VPN blocking tech, and even providers that used to take no bug have been flummoxed.
In our testing, NordVPN was unable to access United states Netflix on whatsoever server we tested. Nevertheless, we were able to watch UK Netflix when using a UK server, then there's promise that some of NordVPN's previous functionality might return. And, while the Netflix results might seem disappointing, NordVPN certainly isn't alone in this, with rivals like Surfshark and Hotspot Shield likewise struggling.
The skilful news is that with every other site we tested - BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video and more - NordVPN is perfectly capable of getting access from anywhere in the world.
How proficient is NordVPN for torrenting?
NordVPN boasts about being the 'Best for P2P' on its site. While we'd take that with a pinch of salt, information technology'due south certainly encouraging that it overtly advertises the fact – although it'southward no longer a main feature of the homepage.
Y'all'll get admission to 'hundreds' of torrenting-friendly servers worldwide, and while that network isn't going to be equally widespread as a VPN that has every server P2P-enabled, it should give a pretty adept spread.
Withal, an result with VPNs that aren't fully P2P optimized is that when continued to a not-torrenting server, when you lot launch your torrenting customer you lot may observe it simply doesn't work. However, NordVPN has taken the pain out of that by automatically rerouting you to a server that is suitable if it detects P2P traffic.
Overall, combined with Nord'due south excellent no-logging policy, skillful speeds, features like Double VPN and Onion over VPN, plus good DNS protection, information technology's a decent choice for torrenting. If it's simply i use out of many you're looking for from your VPN, information technology'll definitely practise the job – but information technology'south non the absolute best torrenting VPN on the marketplace.
How piece of cake is it to install NordVPN?
The procedure of installing NordVPN is pretty simple on simply nearly whatever operating system. Users have a huge range of tutorials and guides bachelor, and we've even put together our ain on how to download NordVPN. If you want to know the details of installing the apps, you might find that useful.
Beyond the dozens of guides for the mainstream operating systems, y'all'll also have detailed instructions on how to set upwardly more niche uses, including things like setting it up equally a SOCKS v proxy, plus info most setting information technology up to work with tons of dissimilar browsers, Raspberry Pi, routers, Windows Phone, and plenty more too.
How expert are NordVPN's desktop apps?
In one case y'all've installed them, NordVPN'due south desktop apps are clean and attractive. You'll be faced with a large map-based interface, and yous can select your server by clicking on a location on the map.
However, while it's good looking, in practice information technology's not incredibly intuitive. The previous issue of overlapping server location pins on the maps has been remedied, though, and an intelligent zooming feature bunches regions together as one instead of displaying all available locations.
So, for case, central and southern Europe has a huge number of available servers. Rather than a whole bunch of pins, you lot'll now be faced with a single pivot. Click that, and you'll zoom in, and the app will so display each country individually without the map being cluttered. It's a useful workaround to retain the map interface, merely nosotros all the same call back it'southward a case of way over substance.
Nord's saving grace here is the fact that you tin open a regular server list, just like any other VPN. While we understand that the map is a somewhat defining characteristic of the NordVPN brand, we recollect it could be implemented a piffling more effectively. Besides, when disconnecting, you accept to click twice, since the app asks if you'd like to either suspension or terminate your connectedness. While ostensibly useful, in practice, this can become an annoyance.
In terms of the customer'southward power, you'll have quick access to just about every feature Nord provides in but a couple of clicks, and a search feature lets yous find the exact server you're looking for.
Nonetheless, it's disappointing to run into that the favorites system seems to have been replaced by a 'Recents' list. While this will probably be fine for virtually, we tin can't really see the logic in removing a useful standard feature simply to replace it with a slightly less useful one. Why tin can't we have both?
The new Presets function is intriguing, and will definitely prove useful for at least some users. In short, you tin configure a server and protocol for quick access. That means if there'south a particular server and protocol philharmonic that works well for torrenting, or you ofttimes access US Netflix from outside the country, you can set up your preset and activate it without whatever faffing around.
A Organization Tray icon is also present, which allows you lot to connect to your recent connections without opening the app at all.
Stability in use is excellent, and if we're honest, that's the principal thing. Connections are swift, switching servers is quick and easy (something some leading VPNs struggle with), and you'll even be treated to a organisation tray/menu bar icon which lets you connect to your favori… sorry,recentservers without opening the total app.
Switching protocols, activating kill switches, and using other extra features is easy in the settings dialog, and overall the NordVPN desktop apps are very useful. We're pretty certain most people could forgive the map interface, and otherwise it'south an attractive, stable and very functional package.
How good are NordVPN's mobile apps?
Over again, NordVPN's mobile apps on iOS and Android are both dominated by a map-based interface, and here it proves rather awkward indeed. On a handheld screen in that location's very footling room to scroll around, and nosotros'd be tempted to forget most it entirely and just utilise the server list – merely on iOS information technology's marginally more than usable than on Android.
Installing and setting up is much like any other app on either OS. Afterwards signing up on the NordVPN site, yous'll be directed to the app store. Download, accept some permissions, and then get going. In apply, connecting and disconnecting is elementary and doesn't take more than about five seconds on average, and the all-important settings are easy to access.
Auto-connect is available on both, and allows Nord to connect itself on unknown networks and stay off when you're using ones you've whitelisted – very useful if you want automatic protection. Plus, with CyberSec, yous'll get advert blocking plus malware and phishing protection.
Differences betwixt the 2 are adequately minimal. The Android app lacks a true impale switch, simply y'all tin can create a serviceable simulacrum by doing the following: System Settings > NordVPN settings > Enable 'Always on VPN' and 'Block connections without VPN'. Still, the iOS app has a impale switch in-built, just it'due south not user-selectable – information technology'due south always on.
The Android VPN app is the only NordVPN client to really offer split tunneling, and it also has the power to ready a custom DNS server and protect you from malicious popups.
The iOS app, on the other hand, has none of that, but is still one of the more than powerful iPhone VPN services thanks to Apple's limitations. You'll be treated to Siri support and dark mode, plus a practiced selection of protocols. That'south should be enough for nigh users day-to-day.
A useful addition nosotros wish was available on desktop is the previously mentioned Dark Web Monitoring. If you lot cull then, you lot'll exist notified of any of your details cropping upwardly in dark web leaks, which should give you a heads upwardly to change your credentials.
And so, overall, pretty good mobile VPN apps from NordVPN, and while they're by no means perfect, they're very usable and can certainly provide quick, piece of cake protection on the move.
How good is NordVPN's browser extension?
NordVPN's Firefox and Chrome VPN extension is a proxy extension, which means that while information technology can work without the desktop customer installed, it doesn't provide whatsoever encryption. Instead, it but provides the ability to very quickly change your location and, if y'all actuate the settings, block WebRTC leaks, ads, and malware with CyberSec.
The main depict is the fact you don't have to fire up the whole client, and within a couple of clicks you tin can appear to be wherever yous desire – plus, you connection won't be affected by any possible slow-down from encryption. Nevertheless, the browser extensions exercise take their limitations. Yous'll only be able to select countries – not cities – and obviously but your browser traffic is afflicted.
Compared to the competition, NordVPN'southward extensions are good. While ExpressVPN's extension is probably the best effectually, it's essentially some other interface for the full app – Nord'south is standalone software that's not as powerful, but performs a different task, and does it well.
What customer support does NordVPN offer?
If anything goes wrong or you need some assist, you've got a few options with Nord. Your outset port of call should be the knowledgebase, which compiles tons of articles on loads of topics. While it's rather confusingly laid out, once you find what you need the info is excellent.
However, many people volition prefer to employ the 24/seven live conversation. The chatbox doubles as a chatbot, which can help you observe sure information, but if you want to talk to a real person, that's possible too. In our experience the operators accept been friendly and helpful, and have resolved whatsoever problems within minutes of asking the question.
Finally, electronic mail support is too bachelor, but look to exist waiting a little longer for a reply.
NordVPN review: Final verdict
NordVPN is an elite VPN service, and certainly deserves its reputation equally one of the best on the market. With stellar privacy features, useful apps, by and large reliable streaming performance, tons of security-based actress features, and boasting full, regular audits, in that location's not a lot we can fault.
However, if yous're a large Netflix lover, you likely will feel the pinch, and providers similar ExpressVPN and ProtonVPN currently make ameliorate dedicated streaming VPN services. However, as an all-rounder, NordVPN is truly bang-up.
NordVPN certainly lives upwardly to its reputation as one of the all-time services on the marketplace, and boasts serious privacy and security credentials, not least in the no-logging audit.
Although the apps can be a little awkward, nosotros actually appreciate the actress features packed in on all operating systems, and overall, Nord is great if you want a true Jack-of-all-trades VPN – while not the absolute greatest in any area, it tin can plow its hand finer to simply about anything.
Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/reviews/nordvpn-review
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