NordVPN Review

Globally, NordVPN is one of the most popular Virtual Private Network (VPN) services around and over the years I’ve run multiple tests and reviews, so know it well.

It is perhaps best known to most for its strong security features and user-friendly interface. In this review, I’ll take a closer look at NordVPN to see if both of these are still accurate, and look at its features to help you decide if it’s the right VPN for you.

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Price of NordVPN:

NordVPN offers various pricing plans, depending on the length of the subscription. We’ll come to this later.

Here are the current pricing options for Nord:

• 1-month subscription: $11.95 per month
• 1-year subscription: $4.92 per month
• 2-year subscription: $3.71 per month
• 3-year subscription: $3.30 per month

You tend to get more value for money if you go for a longer plan. For example, NordVPN’s 2-year subscription of the Complete plan is the best choice for users who want the best value for their money in terms of features and price. This plan provides users with access to all NordVPN’s features, including the highest level of security and privacy, at an affordable price.

In terms of payment options, NordVPN offers various payment methods, including credit cards, AmazonPay, Sofort, PayPal, ACH Transfer, and even prepaid cards. What’s more, there’s also the option to pay using iTunes or Google Pay for added convenience. For users who prioritize privacy, NordVPN also accepts payment using crypto currencies and even offers the option to buy from retail stores.

How can I reduce the price?

NordVPN does often offer discounts, and special deals on its website.

Additionally, you can save money by choosing a longer subscription period. The longer the subscription, the cheaper the monthly cost will be. Using a NordVPN discount code is adrfvisable.

Review: NordVPN’s Encryption

As a cyber security expert, I can confidently say that NordVPN’s encryption methods are among the best in the industry. NordVPN uses AES 256-bit encryption, which is the gold standard for encryption and is virtually uncrackable. This level of encryption ensures that your data is secure and protected from prying eyes.

NordVPN also offers a range of secure tunneling protocols, including OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPSec, which provide an added layer of security. Plsu, these protocols encrypt your data and keep it safe while it’s in transit, ensuring that your online activity remains private.

One of the things that sets NordVPN apart is its use of RAM servers. RAM servers are extremely secure as they wipe out data every time the server is restarted. This means that even if someone were to gain access to the server, there would be no information for them to steal. This extra layer of security ensures that your data remains safe and secure at all times.

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Tunneling

OpenVPN is a widely-used and highly-regarded tunneling protocol in the VPN scene; it’s best known for its advanced security features, including strong encryption and data authentication. It’s compatible with a wide range of devices and operating systems, making it an excellent choice for users who require both a flexible and advanced VPN solution.

NordLynx is based on the WireGuard protocol, which is known for its excellent speeds…

NordVPN also uses NordLynx, a new and advanced tunneling protocol that was developed specifically by NordVPN’s engineers. NordLynx is based on the WireGuard protocol, which – as you may know – is known for its blazingly fast speeds. Plus, it has the benefit of highly secure connection types, making it an excellent choice for users who require top speeds and high-performance VPN capabilities.

Now, OpenVPN and NordLynx are in fact both highly secure and provide users with advanced protection against online threats too. More on this later.

⭐ VPN Hound User Rating:	4.7
📝 No logs policy:	No logs
💯 Money-back guarantee:	30 days
🍿 Streaming services:	Netflix, Hulu, YouTube TV
💵 Cheapest price:	$3.71/month (2-year plan)
💥 Current deal:	Get 75% OFF + 3 Months FREE at NordVPN

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Limited Offer: ⚠️ Get 75% OFF + 3 Months FREE at NordVPN — today only!

Server Locations

Co-located servers are, in a nutshell, servers that are physically located in data centers in different countries, which provide increased security and reliability compared to virtual servers.

NordVPN uses co-located servers to provide users with an extra layer of security. How? Because these servers are actually owned and managed by NordVPN, ensuring that they are fully secured and protected from external threats. Additionally, colocated servers provide users with faster and more reliable connections, as they are not shared with other users.

NordVPN’s usage of co-located servers also ensures that the service remains fully operational in the event of a server failure or outage. So, you can continue to use the service without interruption, even if one or more servers go down.

How many servers does NordVPN have?

The largest server network among ALL the VPN providers in fact, with over 5,000 servers in 59 countries around the world. This extensive network ensures that NordVPN users have access to fast and reliable connections, as well as the ability to bypass geographical restrictions and access content from different regions.

NordVPN’s servers are located in strategic locations worldwide, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, and Australia. The company continually adds new servers to its network, ensuring that users always have access to the best possible VPN experience.

NordVPN’s server network also includes specialized servers for specific purposes, such as P2P sharing, dedicated IP addresses, and double VPN. These servers provide additional security and performance benefits, making NordVPN one of the better VPNs around and an excellent choice for users who require advanced VPN features.

About the Kill Switch

A kill switch is a safety feature – now present in many VPNs – that automatically disconnects your device from the internet in case the VPN connection drops unexpectedly. This feature is essential because without a kill switch, your internet traffic will be exposed, and your online activity will be vulnerable to hacking, snooping, and other forms of cyber threats.

NordVPN’s kill switch is a highly effective feature that ensures your privacy and security in case of an unexpected VPN disconnection. In addition, the kill switch is available on all NordVPN apps and is easy to enable. Once activated, it blocks your device’s internet access until the VPN connection is re-established – this endsures that your online activity remains private and secure.

NordVPN’s kill switch is designed to work in two different ways: the Internet Kill Switch and the App Kill Switch.

The Internet Kill Switch blocks all internet traffic on your device, while the App Kill Switch only blocks specific apps that you have selected. Both options are effective at protecting your online privacy, and you can choose which one to use based on your preferences and needs.

Is the NordVPN “kill switch” any good?

I can confidently say that NordVPN’s kill switch is a critical feature that adds an extra layer of security to the VPN service. The kill switch is designed to automatically disconnect your device from the internet in case of an unexpected VPN disconnection, ensuring that your online activity remains private and sedcure.

However, I have come across some reported drawbacks of the NordVPN kill switch. One of the main issues is that it can be too aggressive and may disconnect the internet even if the VPN connection drops for just a moment. This can be frustrating, especially if you’re in the middle of an online activity such as streaming or gaming.

Additionally, some users have reported issues with the kill switch not working correctly with certain apps or operating systems. For example, on Linux and Android platforms, only a system-wide kill switch is available, which can be limiting for users who require more control over their VPN connection.

Top VPN providers: Side-by-Side Comparison

A comparison of VPN companies; currently Surfshark is the cheapest.

VPN Hound User Rating	4.4	4.6	3.2	4.5	4.3	4.1	3.9
Trustpilot Rating	4.1	4.3	4.4	4.5	4.3	4.7	4.8
Price (per month)	from $2.19	from $2.19	from $2.19	from $2.19	from $2.19	from $2.19	from $2.19
	Go to NordVPN	Go to ExpressVPN	Go to PIA	Go to Surfshark	Go to TunnelBear	Go to CyberGhost	Go to IPVanish
	NordVPN review	ExpressVPN review	PIA VPN review	Surfshark review	TunnelBear review	CyberGhost review	IPVanish review

Review: NordVPN Logging

I’ve always thought that NordVPN’s privacy policy is one of the most stringent in the VPN industry. The fact that NordVPN is based in Panama, a privacy-friendly country with no data retention laws, means that the company is not required to keep any user data logs. This ensures that NordVPN users’ online activity remains entirely private and anonymous.

Moreover, if someone did serve the company a warrant or seize a server, there would be no usage data on it, as NordVPN has a strict no-logs policy. Their privacy policy states that they do not monitor, record, log, store or pass on any user data to any third party. This is great news for users who prioritize their online privacy.

NordVPN only collects data related to crash error reports and application diagnostics data. However, users can easily opt-out of anonymized app usage at any time from their client if they find this unacceptable. While this data collection may be a concern for some users, it is not a dealbreaker, given that it does not include any user activity logs.

NordVPN: How Transparent is it?

The steps NordVPN has made to ensure the reliability of its privacy policy and app security are indicative of the company’s dedication to openness and safety.

For example, one of the most notable efforts is the hiring of PwC, one of the Big Four accounting firms, to audit their no-logs policy – not once but twice,in 2018 and again in 2020. The results of these audits concluded that NordVPN’s privacy claims are valid, providing users with added reassurance that their online activity remains private and anonymous.

In addition to the no-logs policy audits, NordVPN also commissioned cybersecurity consulting agency VerSprite to conduct penetration tests on their apps and infrastructure in 2019. All the discovered bugs were promptly patched even before the release of the report. NordVPN is continuously working to improve their service and is currently offering bug bounties for testers who manage to find bugs on their HackerOne page.

By taking these steps towards transparency and security, in my opinon NordVPN demonstrates their commitment to providing users with a secure and reliable VPN service. Nord customers can rest assured that their online activity remains private and anonymous, and the company is taking active measures to ensure the security of their service.

ioXt: What does it mean?

NordVPN’s commitment to security is further evidenced to me, by their ioXt certification for their mobile apps. This certification confirms that NordVPN’s mobile apps comply with rigorous security standards and are among the most secure VPN apps available in the market.

The ioXt certification is not easy to obtain, as it involves rigorous testing of the service’s privacy policy and the security of the apps. NordVPN’s ioXt certification for their mobile apps demonstrates their dedication to providing users with teh most secure and reliable VPN service possible.

Users can trust generally that NordVPN’s mobile apps have undergone rigorous testing and meet the highest security standards. This provides users with added reassurance that their online activity is secure and private when using Nord.

NordVPN: Can I really get it for FREE?

Yes, it’s certainly possible to get NordVPN for free using their free 7-day trial.

This trial allows you to experience NordVPN’s features and services without committing to a long-term subscription.

To access the free trial, users must download the NordVPN app on their Android device and create an account. It’s important to note that this account should not have any NordVPN accounts registered already.

Once the account is created, users can initiate the free 7-day trial and enjoy NordVPN’s services on their Android device. After the trial period ends, users can choose to subscribe to NordVPN if they wish to continue using the service.

Additionally, users can download the NordVPN app on other devices and log in using their existing credentials to access NordVPN’s services on those devices.

How do I get started?

To download NordVPN from the official website, follow these steps:

1. Go to the NordVPN website or the app store if it’s available and click the button to get NordVPN.
2. Choose your subscription plan. With a 30-day money-back guarantee, you can try NordVPN risk-free.
3. Fill in the necessary checkout information – only your email is required.
4. Download the NordVPN app on the devices you want to use it on.
5. Follow the instructions to install the app.

However, if the app store is not geo-restricted, you can download NordVPN from Google Play, Apple App Store, or several other application stores for mobile, desktop, and streaming devices.

So how fast is NordVPN?

The network speeds are incredibly fast, especially when using their proprietary NordLynx protocol, which is an upgrade of the popular WireGuard protocol. It’s a great combination of speed and security, making NordVPN one of the fastest VPNs in the market.

While speed drops can occur in certain countries, they shouldn’t significantly affect your device’s performance. To ensure the best possible speeds, connect to servers that are closest to your physical location.

NordVPN offers more than just the NordLynx protocol. The speeds for each tunneling protocol vary. Here’s a breakdown of NordVPN’s speeds using different protocols:

• NordLynx: 248.7 Mbps download
• IKEv2: 237.8 Mbps download
• OpenVPN (TCP): 36 Mbps download
• OpenVPN (UDP): 212.6 Mbps download

Despite the age of some protocols, NordVPN’s speeds remain high. IKEv2 comes close to NordLynx in terms of download speed, although its upload speeds are lower. OpenVPN (TCP) is slower but offers a more stable connection. OpenVPN (UDP) is a faster option, but its speed reduction depends on your location.

Only NordLynx and OpenVPN (UDP) have low speed reductions (around 13%) in terms of upload speed. IKEv2 and OpenVPN (TCP) are slower teh farther away you are. Keep this in mind if you plan to upload large data files.

In terms of competitors, IPVanish is quite a fast network too; make sure to read our IPVanish review.

Overall, NordVPN’s protocols stack up well against each other, with NordLynx being the fastest option.

Overall, NordVPN’s protocols stack up well against each other, with NordLynx being the fastest option.

Here’s a rundown of each protocol:

NordVPN Streaming: Overview

NordVPN works with pretty much all streaming services, which is why we rank it so highly here at VPN HOUND.

And thanks to its SmartPlay technology , Nord allows access to all major streaming platforms. With a NordVPN subscription, you get access to a large number of servers, including those in countries that typically have the best streaming libraries. This means that you can easily access the content for users in the US, UK, Canada, and other locations.

The best part is that NordVPN’s premium features are available at a very reasonable price, making it an excellent value for your money. So if you’re looking for a reliable VPN that can help you access your favorite streaming content from around the world, NordVPN is definitely worth considering.

Using Netflix, BBC iPlayer on NordVPN

NordVPN is a great choice for streaming Netflix from different countries, and is one of our “top choices” for streaming in general.

In my experience, I’ve nearly always been able to access the UK and US libraries without any issues, and even some difficult libraries like Japan. You can learn more about how NordVPN works with Netflix in our NordVPN for Netflix guide.

It works for non-library content too.

But that’s not all – NordVPN can also unlock other streaming platforms, although it might take some time to find the right location or server. For example, BBC iPlayer worked seamlessly, with high-quality content, fast load times, and no buffering. However, it did take me sorme time to find a server that supports it. So, if you’re patient enough, Nord is a good choice, though ExpressVPN is better in this read. Read our ExpressVPN review for more.

Is NordVPN good for torrenting?

NordVPN is certainly suitable for torrenting – in fact, it’s one of the best options for torrenting in the entire VPN market. While P2P downloads don’t work on all of the product’s servers, there are specialized servers all around the world with fast and reliable performance.

This can be an absolute lifesaver in countries where torrenting is prohbited, like Japan, Germany, or Italy. 🙂

You’re free to use whichever server that you want for torrenting. However, if P2P traffic gets detected on a non-P2P server, you’re automatically reconnected to a server supporting P2P. So, keep this in mind if you notice a strange server switch as it’s nothing to be worried about (probably).

Platforms supported

Browser extensions: Are They Any Good?

Some people prefer apps, some use browsers extensions, it’s entirely up to you!

As for the NordVPN browser extensions, they offer similar features to the desktop apps, such as the CyberSec ad and malware blocker (now part of NordVPN’s Threat Protection), but with the added convenience of being able to toggle the VPN on and off directly from your browser. The extensions also allow you to select from a range of servers and locations, making it easy to access geo-blocked content.

One potential downside is that the browser extensions only support two protocols, namely OpenVPN and NordLynx. However, given that the extensions are primarily designed for browser traffic, this limitation is not a major issue.

Via your Router

NordVPN also provides an app for routers, which is another convenient way to protect your devices. With the NordVPN router app, you don’t need to manually configure the VPN connection on your router. Instead, you can simply download the app and set it up with your NordVPN account.

So, the NordVPN router app is compatible with many router models, including ASUS, Netgear, and Linksys. With the app, you can easily switch between different VPN servers, manage your account settings, and monitor your network activity.

Overall, using NordVPN on a router is a great way to secure all of your devices and enjoy a stable, fast VPN connection. It’s also a great option if you want to access geo-restricted content on devices that don’t support VPN connections, such as smart TVs and gaming consoles.

⭐ VPN Hound User Rating:	4.7
📝 No logs policy:	No logs
💯 Money-back guarantee:	30 days
🍿 Streaming services:	Netflix, Hulu, YouTube TV
💵 Cheapest price:	$3.71/month (2-year plan)
💥 Current deal:	Get 75% OFF + 3 Months FREE at NordVPN

Visit NordVPN

Limited Offer: ⚠️ Get 75% OFF + 3 Months FREE at NordVPN — today only!

About NordVPN’s Specialized Servers

As someone who’s used NordVPN for quite some time now, let me break down a few of the most salient points for you:

1. The dedicated IP servers of NordVPN come first. They are excellent if you have a specific use case in mind and don’t need to be as concerned with anonymity. Your IP address will remain constant whenever you connect to one of these servers. NordVPN offers dedicated IPs for OpenVPN in UDP or TCP mode.
2. Next, there are double VPN servers, often known as multihop servers. As the name suggests, these services transit your traffic across two separate VPN servers to create a VPN-VPN connection. Your data must traverse via two servers, which adds a layer of privacy and protection but requires additional effort. The available protocols vary per device, however OpenVPN and NordLynx are typically supported.
3. Obfuscated servers are a second type of speciality server offered by NordVPN; they are meant to circumvent internet censorship. In nations where VPN use is restricted, governments frequently rely on traffic analysis to identify and ban VPNs. Obfuscated servers function by scrambling VPN communication to seem as standard HTTPS traffic, making it considerably more difficult for anyone to discover that you are using a VPN.
4. P2P servers are also fantastic for some use cases, such as file-sharing and torrenting. These servers are optimised for P2P traffic, allowing you to download files at quicker rates and more dependable connections. Even if you’re not using these servers for P2P traffic, they’re still useful for general use.
5. Lastly, there are the Onion over VPN servers. Probably the most unique speciality servers offered by NordVPN. To construct a VPN-Tor connection, they link the Tor network with a VPN connection. Your internet activity is routed through a VPN server and at least three Tor nodes, adding an additional degree of obfuscation. If you seek the utmost in privacy and anonymity, this is a feature you should absolutely investigate further 🙂

What about NordVPN Customer Support?

If you ever run into technical difficulties while using NordVPN, you can – thankfully – quickly and easily reach out to one of their many available support channels. Their website features comprehensive lessons, tips, and frequently asked questions to help with a wide range of issues. A chatbot is available on the Nord website to help you with most inquiries too.

But if that’s good enough for you, then don’t worry. Human help is at hand.

Their 24/7 live chat and email support are their most valuable features, with customer support agents that are pretty knowledgeable and helpful. If the issue is too complex to solve via chat, they will get back to you via email within a few hours.

What’s even better is that you don’t need to register to use their live chat, making it even more accessible. In my opinion I’ve always found NordVPN’s customer support top-notch and, all things considered, it’s excellent value.

NordVPN Video Review

Which VPN companies are better than Nord?

You probably want a bit of honesty here, right?

Well, in comparison to NordVPN, ExpressVPN is probably the closest (and arguably better) competitor. Why? Because it’s often praised for its blazing-fast connections and user-friendly software. Moreover, ExpressVPN is well-known for its ability to access geoblocked content such as Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer.

Plus, ExpressVPN is headquartered in the British Virgin Islands, which offers more consumer-friendly data privacy legislation than NordVPN’s Panama location, frankly. All this comes at a price.

Surfshark is another popular VPN service that often draws comparisons to NordVPN. As compared to NordVPN’s premium price, Surfshark’s low prices really do stand out as particularly attractive (see table below). Generally, Surfshark is less expensive than other VPNs, as they lack some useful featuers, but it still has plenty of high-end extras like split tunnelling, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection. The British Virgin Islands, where Surfshark is also headquartered, is among the most privacy-friendly jurisdictions in the world.

Verdict – NordVPN Review

If you’re looking for a VPN service that can adapt to the ever-changing online environment (for example like they’ve done recently in India), look no further than NordVPN. When it comes to online security, NordVPN is a shining example in a time when privacy options are limited.

With over 5,000 servers in 60 different locations and cutting-edge privacy options like double VPN and onion-over-VPN, NordVPN is an industry heavyweight. In addition, the company does not keep any logs of user activity, so your online activities will be hidden from prying eyes.

Everyone, regardless of their technical knowledge, can use NordVPN with ease because to its intuitive UI, though it’s not quite as good as TunnelBear which is best for newbies.

Nord also has first-rate support staff who are multi-lingual and available via live chat anytime of the day or night.

Although NordVPN’s premium pricing may seem steep at first, the service’s robust feature set and consistent performance more than make up for the initial outlay. It’s not the cheapest VPN out there, but it’s worth every penny if you need something reliable. And you can use a NordVPN coupon to save usually about 60% off the advertised price.

In conclusion, NordVPN is an impressive VPN service that leads the industry in digital safety, giving its customers peace of mind in a world where it’s becoming harder to maintain their anonymity online.