NordVPN is celebrated for its dependable and competitive speeds, as affirmed by CNET’s rigorous VPN testing, resulting in the least degradation of internet speed among all providers scrutinized.
But speed isn’t its sole forte. NordVPN offers a plethora of benefits: it’s secure, competitively priced, and equipped with user-friendly apps. This comprehensive performance renders NordVPN a dependable choice for a wide spectrum of users, from those prioritizing privacy to avid consumers of entertainment. In our 2024 hands-on evaluation of NordVPN, we conducted over 250 internet speed tests, streamed numerous hours of videos, and extensively examined its apps across various devices. Furthermore, we assessed its pricing and compared NordVPN’s value against competitors.
Although NordVPN excels in speed, outpacing all VPNs tested, it lags behind certain competitors in transparency (having undergone fewer independent audits) and accessibility (other options offer more simultaneous connections at a lower cost). Nonetheless, NordVPN consistently ranks among the top three VPNs recommended by our seasoned reviewers.
Speed: Blazing fast
- Speed loss: 11.1% average
- Number of servers: 6,200-plus
- Number of countries: 111
During our evaluations in January 2024, CNET Labs recorded an exceptional average speed reduction of 11.1% when employing NordVPN, distinguishing it as CNET’s swiftest VPN. To provide context, other leading VPNs scrutinized in our tests include vshark, which exhibited a 17% average speed decrease, and ExpressVPN, registering a 24.8% average speed decline.
NordVPN offers two distinct sets of rules, known as VPN protocols, for establishing connections. Utilizing Nord’s proprietary protocol, NordLynx, CNET observed an average internet speed reduction of only 3.19% on Windows and 12.56% on MacOS. Nord highly recommends sticking with NordLynx for most users, and it’s my preferred VPN protocol when using NordVPN.
NordLynx employs double NAT to establish a secure connection while avoiding the storage of potentially identifiable information such as IP addresses. For NordVPN users, the NordLynx protocol promises to maintain the fastest internet speeds possible without compromising privacy and security.
On the other hand, when using OpenVPN on Macs, we experienced an impressive speed reduction of 10.08%, while on Windows, it averaged 18.57%. Whether opting for NordLynx or OpenVPN, Nord guarantees rapid speeds suitable for bandwidth-intensive activities like streaming 4K videos, conducting Zoom calls, or uploading content to YouTube.
NordVPN has a solid roster of global servers
NordVPN boasts an expansive network of over 6,200 servers, surpassing competitors like Surfshark (3,200-plus servers). Its global footprint spans 111 countries, slightly more extensive than ExpressVPN (105) and Surfshark (100). In comparison, ProtonVPN and PIA offer fewer international locations, with 69 and 91 available countries, respectively. For frequent travelers, Nord stands out as one of the premier VPN options due to its extensive server network.
The main takeaway: NordVPN emerges as the top performer in our speed tests, with minimal speed reduction across all VPN protocols. Its vast server infrastructure should satisfy most users, offering servers in as many, if not more, countries than its competitors.
Cost: Sweet introductory pricing, but industry-standard price hikes
- $13 monthly, $60 annually (then $99 per year) or $96 for two years (then $99 annually)
- Money-back guarantee: 30 days
- Payment options: Credit card/debit card, PayPal, AmazonPay, Google Pay, cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Ethereum and so on) and retail stores
- Apps available: Windows, MacOS, Linux (command line), Android/Android TV, iOS/iPadOS, TVOS, Amazon Fire TV, Kindle Fire, Meta Quest and browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge)
NordVPN’s monthly price of $13 falls in line with most competitors, while its $60 annual plan starts at a more budget-friendly rate compared to many other VPN providers, including its close competitor, ExpressVPN. However, it’s important to note that the initial $60 plan is an introductory offer; NordVPN renews at $100 for the subsequent year, similar to ExpressVPN’s annual pricing.
Despite NordVPN’s two-year tier being the most cost-effective option at $96 total, we advise against committing to subscriptions longer than a year due to the rapid changes in the VPN landscape. Circumstances such as speed fluctuations, security breaches, or acquisitions by questionable entities can occur within a year, potentially affecting the service’s quality.
Price increases are commonplace in the industry, with many VPN companies raising rates after the introductory period. While NordVPN provides information about renewal prices and promises to notify users before the new subscription begins, the lack of price consistency can be disappointing for subscribers who prefer clarity in their billing.
ExpressVPN’s transparent pricing model, where renewal rates remain consistent with the initial sign-up rate, is preferable in this regard. Private Internet Access follows suit with its $40 per year pricing, while Surfshark offers a value-packed $48 for the first year and $60 annually thereafter. Ultimately, while NordVPN’s initial costs are competitive, subsequent subscription increases may diminish its overall value proposition.
NordVPN does offer a 30-day money-back guarantee for dissatisfied customers, providing some reassurance. Additionally, it provides a variety of payment options, including credit or debit cards, PayPal, AmazonPay, Google Pay, and cryptocurrency. The inclusion of cryptocurrency payments adds an extra layer of privacy for users concerned about traceability. Furthermore, NordVPN’s availability for purchase both online and in physical retail stores like Best Buy and Walmart enhances its accessibility, making it one of the most user-friendly VPN options on the market.
App performance
NordVPN is compatible with a wide range of devices, including Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android/Android TV, iOS/iPadOS, Apple TV, and various browsers. I appreciate the simplicity of its user-friendly apps, which allow for easy navigation without sacrificing functionality. With NordVPN, you can quickly connect to an optimal server using its Quick Connect feature, or manually select from its extensive network of over 6,200 servers across more than 110 countries. While competitors like ExpressVPN and Surfshark may offer even more intuitive apps, NordVPN’s interface remains straightforward to use.
I particularly enjoyed NordVPN’s Apple TV app, which enables access to foreign content libraries on popular streaming platforms like Netflix and Disney Plus. Currently, only a select few VPN providers, such as ExpressVPN and IPVanish, offer TVOS apps.
NordVPN’s apps are feature-packed, allowing users to choose from various VPN protocols, such as OpenVPN and NordLynx (a WireGuard-based proprietary protocol). Advanced options like split tunneling provide flexibility in VPN usage, allowing users to select specific applications for VPN connection while excluding others. For instance, I utilized split tunneling to stream content on Disney Plus in my Chrome browser while excluding my Steam games client from the VPN connection to maintain optimal download speed. Unfortunately, NordVPN’s Apple client lacks split tunneling, although this feature may not be fully compatible with MacOS.
While NordVPN allows installation on multiple devices, users are limited to 10 simultaneous connections. Although this is generous compared to some competitors, such as ExpressVPN, which limits users to eight simultaneous connections, it falls short of unlimited connections offered by VPN providers like PIA, Surfshark, and IPVanish. Nonetheless, most users will find 10 simultaneous connections to be sufficient for their needs, with the option of using a VPN on their router for whole-home coverage. Even families sharing a VPN account or power users should find 10 simultaneous connections to be adequate.
While a graphical user interface Linux app would be preferable to NordVPN’s current command-line interface option, this niche request did not significantly impact my overall assessment.
NordVPN excels at bypassing geographical restrictions to access restricted content.
Streaming performance with NordVPN is consistently reliable. Throughout my testing, I encountered no buffering or stuttering issues, even when streaming 4K content. NordVPN is compatible with a variety of streaming devices, including Android TV, Fire TV, and Apple TV, as well as operating systems such as Windows, MacOS, Linux, and Chrome OS.
NordVPN successfully unblocks content from US and UK Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney Plus on most devices. While I did encounter some difficulties streaming Prime Video on Windows and MacOS due to VPN detection by Amazon, streaming on Android/Android TV, Fire TV, and Apple TV proceeded smoothly. However, the performance of the Apple TV app varied, with Netflix streaming working well on US and Canadian servers but encountering issues with Japanese and UK content. Nevertheless, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu performed reliably. Given the recent addition of VPN support for Apple TV, we anticipate improvements in the streaming experience with TVOS-compatible VPNs. While NordVPN performs admirably, I found that ExpressVPN slightly outperforms it in terms of unblocking streaming services.
Meshnet and dedicated IPs are nice to have
NordVPN’s feature-packed applications cater to power users with useful functionalities. One such feature is Meshnet, which simplifies the process of creating a personal VPN server compared to the traditional do-it-yourself approach. With Meshnet, users can effortlessly establish their own local area network, enabling activities such as hosting remote LAN parties or accessing home server files while traveling.
While Meshnet is available at no extra cost, NordVPN offers dedicated IP addresses as premium upgrades. When connected to a VPN server, traffic is routed through a different IP address, similar to how dedicated IPs function, but exclusively accessible to the user. The advantages of a dedicated IP address include bypassing blocklists that may lead to CAPTCHAs or restricted access on certain streaming platforms and websites, a common occurrence with public VPN servers.
Customer service is good… once you get to a person
While NordVPN is generally user-friendly, you may encounter billing inquiries or require troubleshooting assistance. Fortunately, Nord provides extensive help resources, including FAQs and setup tutorials for various devices. Although NordVPN does not offer phone support, you can reach out to them via email or 24/7 live chat.
My experience with the live chat feature involved some initial hurdles before connecting with a representative. Initially, I inquired about the availability of an Apple TV client and received an incorrect response from a chatbot. However, upon politely requesting to speak with a real person, I was directed to the appropriate support representative. The process for engaging with a human support agent involved selecting the correct department, connecting to a NordVPN server, running a DNS leak test, and providing screenshot evidence of existing Nord subscription. While this initial interaction may help filter out spammers, it did not provide immediate assistance.
Once connected with a human representative, I found the support to be knowledgeable and helpful. They guided me to the necessary information, offered a coupon code (related to my inquiry about paying with cryptocurrency), and even checked in on my well-being. A helpful tip for live chatting with Nord is to begin with the phrase “Can I talk to a real person?” to expedite the process.
In summary, NordVPN offers user-friendly apps, effective streaming service unblocking, and unique features. The introductory pricing for annual and two-year plans makes NordVPN an attractive option, although potential future price increases may impact its overall value.
Privacy and transparency: Nord gets a lot right while continuing to make improvements
- Jurisdiction: Panama (Not in the Five Eyes or Fourteen Eyes)
- Encryption: AES-256-GCM
- RAM-only server infrastructure
- No DNS leaks detected
- Independently audited
- VPN protocols available: NordLynx, OpenVPN
NordVPN operates from Panama, a country outside the jurisdictions of intelligence-sharing alliances like the Five Eyes and Fourteen Eyes. While the average user might not prioritize this aspect for accessing foreign Netflix libraries or concealing torrenting activities, individuals with heightened privacy concerns, such as journalists or activists, will value Nord’s jurisdictional stance.
Like most VPN providers, Nord emphasizes a strict no-logs policy, meaning it doesn’t retain potentially identifying user information such as IP addresses or browsing history. While complete verification of zero logging can be challenging, Nord has taken steps to enhance transparency.
A Deloitte audit in 2023, the fourth independent audit conducted, found no evidence of logging by NordVPN. Notably, Nord has engaged Deloitte for audits in consecutive years, a practice that instills confidence through increased transparency.
In contrast to competitors like PIA and Proton, Nord currently lacks comprehensive transparency reports. Unlike zero-log audits, transparency reports disclose legal requests received by a VPN provider from law enforcement or governmental agencies, offering insights into the company’s response. Nord’s decision to transition from a warrant canary approach to publishing transparency reports, announced in a February 2024 blog post, reflects a positive move towards greater transparency. However, the current report remains rudimentary, though Nord’s commitment to expanding it suggests potential for stronger privacy assurances.
While other VPN providers undergo more frequent annual audits—such as ExpressVPN’s 12 audits in 2022 compared to Nord’s single annual audit—NordVPN defends its approach by emphasizing the comprehensive scope of its audits. Nord contends that fewer audits with broader coverage better assess interconnected features and services. While I acknowledge the value of comprehensive audits, I advocate for more frequent assessments to provide a more detailed and continuous evaluation of Nord’s practices.
NordVPN offers an array of privacy and security features, including a kill switch, double-hop, obfuscated servers, and Onion over VPN (Tor). The kill switch functioned effectively, ensuring my IP address remained concealed even during connection disruptions or server changes. Additionally, I encountered no DNS leaks during my testing, further affirming Nord’s commitment to privacy and security.
NordVPN provides beefed up privacy with advanced features
For users prioritizing privacy, features like Onion Over VPN and Double VPN offered by NordVPN are valuable additions. These features are particularly beneficial for individuals such as investigative journalists or political activists. However, if your primary goal is accessing foreign Netflix libraries or torrenting, these features may not be necessary.
Onion Over VPN utilizes Tor to enhance privacy by encrypting traffic even more rigorously than a standard VPN connection. This makes it challenging to trace the origin of traffic back to its source, namely your IP address. Similarly, Double VPN enhances privacy by routing web traffic through a second VPN server instead of just one. Both options provide heightened privacy compared to a standard VPN connection, but they differ in the underlying technology used for encryption: Double VPN utilizes a second VPN server, while Onion Over VPN relies on the Tor network.
NordVPN’s privacy policy is standard fare
As part of CNET’s VPN reviews, we thoroughly examine each company’s privacy policy to ensure transparency and user protection. Some aspects of NordVPN’s privacy policy initially raised concerns for me, prompting me to seek clarification from Nord. Their responses alleviated my worries, indicating that much of the confusion stemmed from the challenges of translating legal language into consumer-friendly terms. While Nord could enhance clarity in its privacy policy, their explanations essentially assure that they are legally safeguarding themselves, a standard practice among companies.
One section of Nord’s privacy policy states:
“We may process your personal data under the legal basis of our or third parties’ legitimate interest. Such cases include: i) to properly administer business communication with you; ii) to detect, prevent, or address fraud, abuse, security, or technical issues with our Services and Websites; iii) to protect against harm to the rights, property, and safety of Nord, our users, or third parties; iv) to improve or maintain our Services and provide new products and features; v) to receive knowledge of how our Websites and applications are being used (crash reports, app store reviews, information about the channel from which our app was downloaded, etc.).”
Nord clarified via email, stating, “For privacy-focused customers, the collection of personal information is minimal and not linked to their Internet activities while connected to VPN. We simply do not monitor or retain such information.”
Regarding another part of Nord’s privacy policy:
“We share your personal data with other Nord group companies to carry out our daily business operations and to enable us to maintain and provide our Services to you. We may also share the contact information of Nord business customers (i.e., our customers which use our products as a tool for their business) with Nord group companies for marketing of their B2B products purposes (business users have a right to object to such transfer at any time).”
Nord explained, “This provision is necessary due to the existence of multiple legal entities within the group, serving different purposes, such as payment processing, development, and sales points, necessitating data sharing between them.”
Lastly, concerning business transfers, the privacy policy states:
“We may share your personal data in cases where we sell or negotiate to sell our business or go through a corporate merger, acquisition, consolidation, asset sale, reorganization, or similar event. In these situations, Nord will continue to ensure the confidentiality of your personal data.”
Nord responded, “This is a standard clause used by our legal team to cover hypothetical scenarios.”
While I appreciate Nord’s explanations, I believe they could improve their privacy policy language for better user understanding. For example, providing clearer details about what personal data is shared, why, and under what circumstances would enhance transparency.
Key takeaway: NordVPN offers a slew of privacy amenities and published its first transparency report in February 2024. Its privacy policy isn’t as reader-friendly as those of some competitors, and I’m eager to see its transparency report gain more comprehensive details. Overall, Nord is taking steps in the right direction.
NordVPN is fast, private and feature-packed
NordVPN stands out as a popular choice due to its ability to strike a perfect balance between user-friendliness and advanced features, all while maintaining impressive speed across most platforms. In our tests at CNET Labs, NordVPN demonstrated exceptional performance with only an 11.1% average internet download speed loss, leading the pack. The service’s commitment to privacy is evident through its provision of specialized features such as Double VPN and Tor over VPN, enhancing encryption for users. Moreover, NordVPN’s regular no-logs audits underscore its commitment to transparency.
Although NordVPN offers competitive pricing with its one- and two-year plans being cheaper than competitors like ExpressVPN initially, potential price increases over time may affect its long-term value proposition. Furthermore, while NordVPN’s apps are generally user-friendly, there is room for improvement in terms of streamlining and enhancing usability. Strengthening transparency, particularly through clearer language in its privacy policy, would also be beneficial.
In essence, NordVPN remains an exceptional choice for both power users seeking high-speed internet and advanced features, catering to a wide range of users, from beginners to those with significant privacy concerns.
