NordVPN Review

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8.8

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A good VPN ensures privacy and protection when online. A great VPN goes above and beyond to safeguard data and deliver extra to guarantee customer satisfaction. NordVPN falls into the latter category, with a premium package comprising high speeds, top-level encryption, smart technology, and a host of handy features.

Chosen by millions of users worldwide, we check out NordVPN’s credentials to discover what it has to offer and how it holds up against competitors.
A good VPN ensures privacy and protection when online. A great VPN goes above and beyond to safeguard data and deliver extra to guarantee customer satisfaction.

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91% of our readers choose the Private VPN Yearly Plan!

Rating

9.8

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NordVPN

Despite operating out of the privacy haven of Panama, NordVPN takes its name from the Nordic ideals of ‘trust, confidence, and innovation.’ The brand launched in 2012 with just six servers and a self-configuration file. Over the past decade, NordVPN has grown exponentially, although the company suffered a minor setback in 2018, as one of its servers in Finland was breached. Aside from initial criticism directed at the lack of transparency surrounding the attack, NordVPN has managed to recover exceptionally well. With an arsenal of robust new security measures, which will be discussed in more detail later, the company has regained the trust of millions of users and secured its position at the top of the VPN polls.

How Easy and Accessible is NordVPN?

When browsing through the brand’s website, it’s clear to see that NordVPN caters to every customer, from tech gurus to absolute beginners. Complex concepts are explained in simple terms, with great tutorials on hand to guide users new to the VPN world. Similarly, signing up, downloading, and installing the apps or extensions takes a matter of minutes. While some complain of an overcrowded server interface, the VPN is straightforward to use and offers plenty of extra features for the more advanced tech crowd.
So, with the usability box ticked, let’s find out how NordVPN fares in the compatibility stakes by taking a peek at the current list of connected devices:

Apps: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, router
Extensions for browsers: Chrome, Edge, Firefox
Streaming devices: Android TV, Amazon Fire, Raspberry Pi, Chromecast, Kindle Fire, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch

With such an abundance of options, it’s fair to say that NordVPN has the vast majority of users covered. Not only that, customers can connect up to six devices on a single subscription, which is slightly above the industry standard of five.

Is NordVPN the Fastest VPN on the Market?

Claiming the top speed ranking is a tough ask, considering the sheer volume of worthy VPN competitors. And verifying that position is even more of a challenge, as speeds differ depending on the time, day, location, underlying internet speeds, activity, and various other factors. Nevertheless, NordVPN consistently outperforms rivals on both local and international servers, making it a premium choice for smooth streaming, seamless gaming, and speedy torrenting.

Even accessing servers in far-flung destinations results in minimal lag, meaning US citizens connecting to Australian servers can still enjoy impressive speeds. While having 60 countries fall short of, say, ExpressVPN’s 90+ offering, NordVPN boasts a decent scattering of locations, with at least one server in Africa, which many companies fail to provide. Plus, a fleet of over 5,000 servers ensures that customers are likely to find one nearby that is less congested.

NordVPN also performs admirably in reliability. In fact, it remains one of the most consistent options for not only achieving high speeds but maintaining them too.

Can Customers Trust NordVPN?

High speed and ease of use are essential factors in determining the worth of a VPN. But in the end, it all comes down to privacy and security. That’s the primary reason for using a VPN, to remain undetected and protected when conducting online activities. And with a recent blemish, customers may be wondering if NordVPN can still keep them safe. 
In addition to the above, NordVPN has further cemented its commitment to security by partnering with consulting firm VerSprite, creating a bug-hunting program, and operating diskless RAM servers. Protecting privacy is also at the forefront of the company, and as expected, NordVPN adopts a strict no-logs policy. This means the company will never monitor, store or share any private data.

Streaming, Torrenting and Round-the-Clock Support

Accessing content from abroad or across different locations when at home can be a hassle. Especially as many streaming services, most prominently Netflix, are battling to keep VPNs away from their sites. Fortunately, NordVPN succeeds in unblocking a wide range of restrictions, allowing users to enjoy high-quality streaming anytime they like from anywhere in the world. From 11 Netflix regions to Amazon Prime, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, DAZN, HBO, Disney+, and more, viewers can access their favorite TV shows, movies, and sports events without having to worry about geo-restrictions, slow connections, or poor quality.
For the most part, yes. The vast majority of NordVPN’s servers (over 85%) allow users to upload and download files. However, the process is blocked in no less than 14 countries, which include Argentina, the UAE, Cyprus, and Vietnam. Still, speed tests record a faster than average bitrate, and together with the no-logs policy and kill switch, that means quick and protected torrenting for NordVPN users.
Again, NordVPN meets expectations on the customer service front. Support is available in numerous forms, from handy tutorials and simple guides to email contact and an automated chatbot. Failing that, the customer service team can be reached by live chat 24/7 and deliver well-informed and friendly advice to resolve any queries in an array of languages.

Is NordVPN Worth the Cost?

First, let’s take a look at the current pricing plans:

While the one-month option comes in at quite a cost, the two-year plan offers plenty of value, particularly when compared to other high-end providers. NordVPN also provides a 30-day money-back guarantee for unsatisfied users. New customers can activate their accounts with a variety of payment methods, including bank transfers, credit cards, cryptocurrencies, Google Pay, and Amazon Pay. PayPal is no longer accepted within the US. It’s also worth noting that NordVPN grants discounts to students worldwide.

NordVPN Pros and Cons

Pros

Cons

Our Verdict

As a small-scale provider, PrivateVPN has a lot going for it.  Its performance in the areas of streaming and torrenting outshines some of the biggest names in the business. Add to that top-level security, user-friendliness, and an affordable price, and it’s easy to see why PrivateVPN is on the rise. However, more servers are needed to prevent congestion and varying speeds, and users on the hunt for more customization tools and advanced features may need to look elsewhere.

How to choose the
best VPN

Many VPNs limit you to connecting a specific number of devices at the same time. If you have multiple mobile devices, laptops, smart TVs or other hardware to protect.

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