NordVPN Review 2024
BEST OVERALL
NordVPN Review: Why Is It a Top Pick?
If one VPN has made its name in the virtual private network business, it’s NordVPN. Starting only in 2012, the company has made it big in less than a decade. It succeeds in managing over 5,400 servers centered across 59 countries. NordVPN is known for its speed, confidentiality, and top-notch security.
It serves as a great tool for torrenting and streaming on all major platforms. NordVPN is not just available for iOS and Android, but it also available for Windows Phone, and yes, you might be shocked, BlackBerry! We aim to provide you with a detailed NordVPN review to make better judgments about the VPN yourself. Read more to find out.
Why do you need VPN
Pricing: How Expensive It Is?
NordVPN is good value for money. It has three main plans: monthly billed accounts at $11.95, annual plans that cost $4.92 per month, and a two-year plan at $3.71. It is not the most expensive VPN, and we honestly think with the number of things it offers compared to its competitors, it’s a steal. It allows you to make payments through different methods that support PayPal, cards, etc.
NordVPN used to have a free trial service, but now it offers seven days of free app usage to iOS and Android users. The thing that catches the most attention when coming across this VPN service is its 30-day money-back guarantee. If it doesn’t work for you, cancel the subscription and get a full refund.
Speed: How Fast Is It?
NordVPN is known for its speed. It is fiercely fast. If you’re picking a location that’s not too far from where you are, it will be like you are not even using a VPN; you’ll barely know it.
However, if the location is far away, there might be a slight speed drop, but you can easily combat it using another tunneling protocol from the one before. Switching to NordLynx can help you see real speed improvements.
Else, NordVPN service providers give you all the tools you need to experience a smooth and fast load.
Privacy: How Secure Is It?
Remarkably secure! Headquartered in Panama, NordVPN does not retain logs of its subscribers, which is great for the user’s privacy. Along with this, its blocks DNS leaks which means that it masks your real IP like no other.
NordVPN’s come with a double VPN. That’s right; it has two kill switches. It links together two VPN servers which means you’re getting an extra layer of protection while using NordVPN. So what happens is that your computer first connects to one VPN server and then to the second one before you get to your asked for a purpose.
The plus point of this is that you’re aimed at IP goes through changes twice, and the data also gets encrypted twice, allowing you to have double the protection.
NordVPN is fitted to combat all the challenges of the wireless world. It is designed so that it automatically adjusts when users switch between different WIFIs and devices.
Real-Time: Connect To As Many As Six devices
Every user has different preferences. While one user might be okay with connecting two devices, such as one laptop and one mobile, at a single time, some people need to connect to many devices at once.
NordVPN is designed as such that it caters to all. It can support up to six real-time connections per account, which is a great plus. It allows you to secure all your devices individually.
Coverage: More Than 5,400 Servers In 59 Counties
With over 5,400 servers in 59 countries and the numbers keep increasing by the day, it is safe to say that NordVPN is undoubtedly one of the largest VPN service providers in the world.
Networks like NordVPN, with such large coverage around the world, are bound to be places where the speeds lack, but that is not the case with NordVPN. Speed tests done on NordVPN suggest that the speed is just fine.
However, certain times due to a connection with a faraway server can cause some lag in speed, but if you connect to near one, you’ll notice an immediate change in speed.
Unblocking: Netflix Support Provided is Amazing
Netflix is very prompt and strict when it comes to blocking content for VPN users. It hates them. So, they constantly come up with restrictions that users using different VPNs cant access. But that’s not the case with NordVPN.
NordVPN works smart. It realizes this and is constantly working towards providing its users a way to access Netflix in different locations. So much so that it is has made an entire page with a list of instructions teaching the users what they need to do to get unblocked.
If you ever have issues accessing Netflix, it’s probably because the list of instructions has been updated on the page.
Along with Netflix, NordVPN has excelled in unblocking Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer, Disney+ while maintaining the speed for streaming.
Claims: A Strict No Logs Policy
Like any other VPN, NordVPN’s have a strict ‘no log’ policy, but what makes it authentic is that it has been defined a great deal in its privacy policy. General logs aren’t the only logs that this policy by NordVPN covers; they include session logging details such as incoming and the location of your IP.
Other VPNs claim the same, but they take some form of session logging; it’s great to see NordVPN taking the lead. NordVPN’s can back up their claims because they hired price Waterhouse Cooper (PwC) to run an audit just recently. It’s safe to say that the logging policy is a hundred percent correct.
Special Feature: Onion Over VPN
Giving you all the benefits of The Onion Router(Tor) and additional security of a VPN tunnel, Onion Over VPN is a unique feature of NordVPN.
- Simple yet strong – just one click and you can route through the Onion network. Users have the option to connect to a regular NordVPN server and use the Tor browser.
- Even though your internet service provider can see that you are using Onion, they will not tell what. NordVPN hides you from all third parties, and it does not allow your internet activity to be tracked.Since NordVPN sends you traffic through an encrypted tunnel, it adds a layer of safety to your browsing.Onion over VPN should be used by the following:
- If you are working at a place with extremely sensitive data on your hands that even a single leak can cause great damage to the company and put people at risk, it is best to use Onion over VPN.
- If your internet is under government observation, then you can make use of this.
- If you work in the press, you need to take extra measures to protect your information from being watched.
Setting Up The App: How Easy Is It?
Very. NordVPN’s detailed range of lessons helps you understand how to set up the service easily. It has over 50+ tutorials on how to set up the app manually.
To download the NordVPN app, all you need to do is click on the VPN Apps link and watch it offer you all the links to different devices along with the link to your current device.
NordVPN has done an outstanding job with these tutorials that they’re offering. You won’t believe the amount of detail they’ve gone into. From covering uTorrent to how to set up NordVPN as a browser proxy, everything is covered.
Support Protocols: NordVPNs Connectivity
NordVPN uses different security protocols to provide a great VPN service. Each protocol has a different set of security levels and aims, just like the customers’ needs.
- IKEv2/IPsec
The IKEv2/IPsec is one of the other methods users can use to connect to NordVPN servers on their Windows PC. The IKEv2 connection method is one of the most advanced and is preferred by users who take their privacy very seriously. It is used specifically to increase security and privacy. It is done by using powerful cryptographic algorithms and keys.
- OpenVPN (UDP / TCP)
OpenVPN is a powerful open-source software that allows users to have a safe VPN service. OpenVPN is versatile and can be used on both ports; UDP and TCP. NordVPN aims to provide the best streaming and browsing experience without the need to compromise on speed. For this, NordVpn uses the UDP protocol by default. It is recommended to use the UDP protocol first. If there are any issues while using UDP, then users should switch to TCP.
WireGuard support with NordLynx
A new and improved VPN protocol known as the WireGuard VPN protocol is demanded and discussed by people. There are a few reasons for this:
- WireGuard is the highest-speed VPN protocol available as of now; it outdoes the OpenVPN and IKEva/IPsec
- It has better connectivity and reliability, specifically on mobile devices
- WireGuard uses the latest encryption algorithms
NordVPN allows its users full WireGuard support directly in the VPN apps.
What’s New: Constant Improvements By NordVPN
The company has been doing great ever since it launched in 2012, and it aims to improve its service for its users constantly. It has recently become more personalized.
How?
For Mac users: NordVPN has come up with a ‘preset’ – a new Mac feature that allows launching NordVPN with modified connection settings and your selection of app or website. You can easily optimize the VPN for your downloads, streaming, browsing, or speed. Forget those days of worrying about the setup, connection, and opening your browser; the preset does it all for you.
For iOS and Android users: NordVPN’s Dark Web Monitor is an added feature that warns you if your email address shows up on the dark web; it’s a sign that your details have been exposed in a data leak.
Constant improvements are being made to make the user experience better, and it is a great factor to consider when thinking about subscribing to NordVPN.
Pros and Cons
NordVPN offers a variety of features that make it a smart purchase. Along with being pocket-friendly, it includes:
- Strong security and customer privacy
- Two kill switches
- Hides your IP – no DNS leaks
- Double protection, double VPN
- Offers a simultaneous connection to 6 devices
- Netflix access guaranteed
- Easy to use
- Fast Speed
- More than 5400 servers in 59 countries
- Compatible with Windows, Android, and iOS
- Great price offers
- A good refund policy
- WireGuard support with NordLynx
- Payment options include cash and cryptocurrencies
Even though it offers a well-rounded package considering the price, NordVPN does have a few drawbacks that include:
- Slower server and app connections in some countries
- Supports torrent on only a few servers
Verdict: NordVPN Is Worth The Hype
NordVPN faces tough competition but what makes it stand out amongst its competitors is that it offers the best features combined into one package for its users. Having a massive amount of serves worldwide still doesn’t affect or compromise the quality of speed and the high-end user experience NordVPN offers.
NordVPN has a praiseworthy 30-day money-back guarantee in the first month. It rounds off everything so nicely and with no troubles. If you want a VPN that gives you everything with consistent service, then NordVPN is for you.