Nord VPN Review

9.5

Very Good

Our verdict:
Award-winning. Loved by some of the biggest tech blogs. Fast and super-private. NordVPN checks all the right boxes!

NordVPN makes a bold claim to provide the most advanced VPN service in the world. And so far, they have certainly lived up to their promise by prioritizing strong security measures, ensuring privacy, and offering advanced features, all at an affordable price point. When using NordVPN, you can expect a stringent “no logs” policy, an interface that is easy to navigate, and well-designed applications. Additionally, the performance level is excellent, surpassing that of its competitors. Furthermore, NordVPN offers an array of additional features that set it apart from other VPN providers. One notable feature is WifiSec, which automatically connects you to NordVPN whenever you join either secure or unsecured WiFi networks. This ensures your connection remains private at all times and provides peace of mind.

According to VPN users’ opinions, NordVPN is one of the best VPNs on the market in 2023 for its high speed, great online security tools, and streaming and torrenting capabilities. Of course, we cannot forget web browsing tools, according to users reviews – it’s certainly a product worth your attention.

Pricing

NordVPN currently provides 4 comprehensive plans. Each plan offers the same features, with the price varying depending on the length of your subscription. Naturally, the longer the commitment, the lower the price. They offer a monthly plan for $11.95, a 1-year plan at $6.99 per month, a 2-year plan for $4.99 per month, and a 3-year plan for just $3.49 per month, resulting in an impressive 70% discount! Whichever plan you choose, you can enjoy the peace of mind of a 30-day money-back guarantee.

NordVPN Specifications

Speed and Reliability

Many individuals are deterred from using a VPN service due to the potential decrease in speed, which can be as high as 60-70%. After all, being online loses its purpose when your connection constantly lags. Fortunately, NordVPN eliminates this issue entirely. We conducted speed tests by connecting to servers in the US and UK, and observed only a minimal drop in speed of approximately 5 to 10%, which is quite remarkable.

Platforms and Devices

NordVPN guarantees to provide a VPN for all your devices, ensuring that you won’t be disappointed. It is compatible with major platforms like Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. In addition, NordVPN offers encrypted proxy extensions for Chrome and Firefox. Moreover, there are various options available for manual configurations on unique platforms such as Raspberry Pi and pfSense, as well as older systems like Windows XP and Blackberry, and different router firmware. Furthermore, NordVPN allows up to 6 simultaneous connections, making it suitable for families, gadget enthusiasts, or small businesses.

Privacy & Anonymity

NordVPN stands out from other providers by offering a wide range of robust security protocols, including IKEv2, OpenVPN, WireGuard, and a complimentary SOCKS5 proxy for enhanced app-level security. Additionally, NordVPN provides a kill switch feature that automatically terminates your connection when it detects any compromise from cyber hackers or spies. They have a firm stance against logging user activity and cooperating with law enforcement agencies. Moreover, NordVPN features WifiSec, which not only eliminates irritating ads but also blocks potentially dangerous websites to ensure your online safety.

NordVPN pros and cons

Server Locations

Currently, NordVPN offers 5,522 servers in 58 countries which is more than enough coverage for your day-to-day VPN needs, even for the most advanced users. They even have coverage in other regions not covered by other vendors, such as Africa, the Middle East, India, and China.

Colocated servers

Most VPN service providers are merely renting the servers they’re offering to customers. This often means they only manage them by installing custom software, leaving some control to the third-party owning the data center. This can easily backfire. Following a data breach at a third-party data center in 2018, NordVPN has taken major steps and converted most of their rented servers into an owned, maintained, and fully managed network. This reduces a chance of an external data breach to a minimum. All of their servers only store data in RAM, meaning that it gets wiped off every time a server gets restarted. With no disk drives, there’s no permanent data saved. Here’s how NordVPN stacks up with other providers offering such a feature.

Customer Service

NordVPN 24/7 live chat feature is readily available on their website, which we appreciate. Additionally, they provide chat support in languages other than English. To test the service, we reached out to a support agent and posed both basic and technical questions. The agent responded promptly, providing clear and polite answers. Furthermore, the support page is user-friendly, with distinct categories for FAQs, general information, billing, and connectivity.

Summary

NordVPN was thoroughly tested by our team of Cybernews experts to assess its performance and security. The testing encompassed evaluating the speeds of NordVPN’s servers in various global locations. Furthermore, we executed real-world tests on its security features, including encryption protocols, a kill switch, and DNS leak tests, to ensure that users’ IP addresses were not being leaked. Additionally, we examined and appraised the ease of use, features, and overall performance of NordVPN’s applications for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.

NordVPN is undoubtedly one of the top choices when it comes to VPN services. With its vast server network, excellent customer service, and competitive pricing, it offers a comprehensive package for users looking to enhance their online security and privacy. Whether you want to access geo-restricted content, protect your personal information while using public Wi-Fi, or simply browse the internet without being tracked, NordVPN has got you covered. In 2024 and beyond, NordVPN continues to be a reliable and trusted VPN provider that delivers on its promises. If you’re ready to take control of your online privacy and security, give NordVPN a try today!