NordVPN review in 2025

NordVPN is one of the undisputed leaders of the VPN market and has been firmly holding this title for around a decade. It is incredibly effective in many areas and offers exceptional features like Meshnet and Threat Protection Pro, making it more appealing than many of its competitors.

However, NordVPN also has some minor flaws, which could make it less favorable for certain customers. For example, one NordVPN account supports 10 simultaneous device connections, while cheaper providers like Surfshark and IPVanish allow unlimited connections. Its multiple subscription tiers also mean you’ll have to pay a pretty penny if you want all of the provider’s features.

Despite these minor issues, I think NordVPN is a service you should strongly consider. It has everything you could possibly need from a VPN provider. Read the entire review below to see what the Cybernews research team and I uncovered about this VPN during our tests.

NordVPN review – at a glance

Best for:	Streaming, torrenting, gaming, bypassing geo-restrictions
Jurisdiction:	Panama
Logging policy:	No logs
Speed retention rate:	90%
Server network:	7600+ servers in 118 countries
Encryption:	AES-256 or ChaCha20
VPN protocol:	OpenVPN, WireGuard (NordLynx), NordWhisper
Third-party audit:	Independently audited
Simultaneous connections:	10
Compatible with:	Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS
Supported browser extensions:	Chrome, Firefox, Edge
Support:	Knowledge base, FAQs, email, 24/7 live chat
Price:	From $3.39/month
Best deal:	Get 76% OFF NordVPN + free eSIM data

Our opinion about NordVPN

NordVPN is one of my favorite VPNs because of its reliability and top-tier performance in many categories. It works well in practically any situation, and its innovative features, like Meshnet and Threat Protection Pro, add a level of excitement that’s uncommon with other providers. Even so, the VPN might not be to everyone’s tastes because of its certain drawbacks.

Hands on experience with NordVPN

The Cybernews research team and I had to get our hands dirty and test NordVPN in various areas to see if it performs well in everyday situations. We used a variety of devices that are appropriate for each use case to best simulate a real-life situation. For example, we used a laptop to test the provider’s impact on online gaming, while public Wi-Fi performance involved using a tablet. All the specific details are outlined below.

NordVPN pricing and plans

NordVPN has multiple subscription plans, which differ by price and included features. You can pay for the service on a monthly basis, but that would be the most expensive option. Instead, you’re better off signing up for an annual or two-year plan, which comes with an excellent discount, although you have to pay for the entire period upfront. Below is a breakdown of NordVPN’s subscription options and their prices:

NordVPN cost	Basic plan	Plus plan	Complete plan	Prime plan
1-month	$12.99/month	$13.99/month	$13.99/month	$17.99/month
1-year	$4.99/month	$5.99/month	$5.99/month	$8.99/month
2-years	$3.39/month	$4.39/month	$4.99/month	$7.39/month
	Get Basic	Get Plus	Get Complete	Get Prime

Note: These prices apply to the US market and are subject to change based on seasonal offers, discounts, or existing subscription extensions.

Get the best NordVPN deal

As you can see, NordVPN offers four subscription plans with different feature packages. The Basic plan is the most affordable option but lacks most of the provider’s unique security benefits like Threat Protection Pro and NordPass. As such, I suggest choosing the Plus plan to get the best value for money. All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, meaning you can get a refund within the first month of subscribing.

Customers get the best prices when picking the lengthiest two-year plan. However, these are only introductory prices, and renewals typically switch to annual prices. Moreover, the prices can change over time due to various factors. In any case, the provider will notify you about any changes about a month before it’s time to renew.

Compared to alternatives like Surfshark, CyberGhost, and ExpressVPN, NordVPN often delivers excellent value. Surfshark’s entry-level plans may be more affordable, but NordVPN’s Plus plan stands out by including a password manager, a feature Surfshark lacks. Likewise, CyberGhost and Norton VPN fall short in terms of features, while ExpressVPN, though premium in performance, comes at a significantly higher price point.

Is NordVPN secure?

Yes, NordVPN is definitely secure, thanks to its impressive feature arsenal and trustworthy reputation. Here are a few highlights that showcase its trustworthiness:

• NordVPN has a strict no-logs policy that was independently audited five times, and the provider is based in the privacy-oriented jurisdiction of Panama.
• Rigorous in-house tests have demonstrated that NordVPN is DNS, IP, and WebRTC leakproof, so it deserves the #1 spot on our list of the most secure VPNs.
• NordVPN’s Threat Protection Pro feature can block between 70 and 100% of ads and malware, making it a great VPN and reliable ad blocker.

The jurisdiction

NordVPN’s headquarters are in Panama, a privacy-friendly jurisdiction that’s outside the reach of the Fourteen Eyes intelligence alliance. This means NordVPN isn’t legally required to log or share user data with any governments, making it an excellent choice for those prioritizing privacy.

For the everyday user, this might seem like a minor detail – after all, most people just want to unblock streaming services or browse securely. However, for those with heightened privacy concerns, like investigative journalists, activists, or anyone operating in sensitive industries, Panama’s jurisdiction adds an extra layer of assurance.

Even if you’re not in a high-risk category, knowing your VPN operates in a country with strong privacy protections ensures your data stays secure and out of surveillance-heavy jurisdictions. It’s a reassuring feature for anyone serious about maintaining online anonymity.

​​Encryption

NordVPN employs market-leading encryption protocols, including AES-256 and ChaCha20, which are widely regarded as the gold standard in cybersecurity. These encryption methods are nearly impossible to break, ensuring your online activity and data remain private and secure. Additionally, NordVPN uses Perfect Forward Secrecy, which generates a new encryption key for every session, adding an extra layer of protection.

Moreover, NordVPN introduced post-quantum encryption upgrades to the NordLynx protocol on the Linux app in September 2024. It’s an essential milestone for securing your connections against emerging quantum computers that could, in theory, decipher standard encryption methods. Crucially, post-quantum encryption was added to Windows, Android, iOS, and macOS apps in early 2025. Like with Linux, the feature is only available with the NordLynx protocol, and you can toggle it whenever needed.

For the user, this means that whether you’re streaming, shopping, or just browsing, your data is shielded from malicious hackers, ISPs, and any other third parties. Even on public Wi-Fi networks, which are notorious for security vulnerabilities, NordVPN’s encryption keeps your sensitive information, like passwords and financial details, safe.

This level of encryption also ensures peace of mind for professionals handling confidential data or users in regions with heavy censorship. In short, NordVPN’s strong encryption protocols guarantee that your online activities are private, secure, and protected from unauthorized access.

No-logs policy

NordVPN enforces a strict no-logs policy, which has been independently audited five times as of 2025, most recently by Deloitte. These audits evaluated NordVPN’s no-logs claims, including its handling of P2P servers and overall data practices. Deloitte’s publicly available findings confirm that NordVPN does not store or track incoming or outgoing traffic data, validating its commitment to user privacy.

What does this mean for users? Even if law enforcement or governments were to request data, NordVPN would have nothing to hand over. The no-logs policy ensures that no past activity can be accessed, making it ideal for those who prioritize online anonymity.

I also reviewed NordVPN’s privacy policy to ensure consistency with these claims. The policy revealed no contradictions, though it’s worth noting that accounts are tied to an email address, which introduces a minimal chance of traceability. Here’s a table summarizing what data NordVPN requires:

Data	Does NordVPN store it?
IP address	No
Customer’s email address	Yes
Customer’s encrypted password	Yes
Payment data	Yes (if provided)
Browsing history	No
Session information	Yes (deleted 15 minutes after ending)
User bandwidth	No
Network traffic	No

As you can see, NordVPN doesn’t collect excessive information that would undermine your privacy. Session information may be a point of concern, but it’s only stored for 15 minutes. This information is kept so that accounts would not exceed the 10-device simultaneous connection limit. Below is an excerpt from NordVPN’s privacy policy detailing this aspect:

It’s worth noting that there’s a general privacy policy for all of Nord Security’s products and separate documents for each product, including NordVPN. I recommend reading the NordVPN document since it’s relatively short and includes all the necessary details. Overall, NordVPN’s no-logs policy is a critical feature for users seeking true privacy, guaranteeing that their data stays private and secure.

Advanced security features

NordVPN provides a range of advanced features that significantly boost your online security and privacy. It combines excellent performance with advanced security features and great functionality:

Feature	How it works
Threat Protection Pro	Blocks ads, trackers, phishing sites, online scams, and malware, enhancing online safety and creating a smoother browsing experience
Kill switch	Instantly disconnects your internet if the VPN connection drops, preventing accidental data exposure
Dark Web Monitor	Scans dark web forums and alerts you if your credentials are exposed in a data breach
Double VPN	Routes your traffic through two servers for an extra layer of encryption and privacy
Onion Over VPN	Combines NordVPN with the Tor network for maximum anonymity and security
SmartPlay	Optimizes streaming by unblocking geo-restricted content and ensuring a fast, buffer-free experience
Split tunneling	Allows you to route specific apps or websites through the VPN while keeping others on your local network
DNS Leak protection	Prevents DNS leaks to ensure your browsing data isn’t exposed to your ISP or third parties
Meshnet	Connects devices securely over the internet, ideal for remote work or gaming
Simultaneous connections	Allows up to 10 devices to connect to the VPN simultaneously under one account
NordLynx protocol	Combines speed and security using WireGuard technology, ensuring a fast and reliable connection
1TB encrypted cloud storage	Securely stores sensitive files, providing access across devices with NordLocker integration

Threat Protection test results

What you get out of Threat Protection depends on your subscription plan. For example, Threat Protection Pro is not available with the Basic plan. Instead, Basic subscribers get a stripped-down version of the feature. Still, I found that all of these features function reliably and offer something useful to the overall experience.

In my opinion, the most useful feature is Threat Protection Pro. It scans the files you download for malware, removes threats, and notifies you about weaknesses. Additionally, it blocks ads and trackers and your access to dangerous websites. Threat Protection Pro is an excellent tool for increasing device security in addition to the general safety that a VPN provides.

The Cybernews research team and I tested both Threat Protection versions to see if there’s a noticeable difference between their ad-blocking capabilities. We adhered to our standard ad-blocking testing methodology, where we use a combination of in-house methods and proprietary tools to measure the providers’ ad-blocking performance. For NordVPN Threat Protection tests, we used AdBlock Tester, Cover Your Tracks, and D3ward test on Chrome and Firefox browsers.

Unsurprisingly, Threat Protection Pro performed better overall. You can review our findings in the table below.

Test environment	Threat Protection Pro	Threat Protection
AdBlock Tester	71/100 (Chrome), 100/100 (Firefox)	66/100 (Chrome), 69/100 (Firefox)
D3ward Test	91/100 (Chrome), 94/100 (Firefox)	91/100 (Chrome), 93/100 (Firefox)
Cover Your Tracks	Strong protection against web tracking (Chrome and Firefox)	Strong protection against web tracking (Chrome and Firefox)

Overall, Threat Protection Pro performed significantly better on AdBlock Tester, while the D3ward Test showed almost identical performance. Cover Your Tracks also indicates that both Threat Protection versions grant strong protection against web tracking on any browser. Below is a screenshot showcasing how the Can You Block It website looks without Threat Protection Pro enabled.

And here’s a screenshot showing how the same site looks with Threat Protection Pro enabled.

Our second round of tests involved evaluating Threat Protection Pro’s malware protection capabilities, which we tested using our security software testing methods. In short, the research team enabled Threat Protection Pro and then visited a few malicious websites to see how the malicious URL-blocking feature would react. Then, they downloaded files laced with malware to see if the software would detect harmful downloads.

The tool performed reasonably well, but I wasn’t particularly impressed. It blocked 9 out of 10 malicious websites, meaning it’s great for protecting your online browsing. However, it detected only 4 out of 10 malicious files on the test device, meaning it’s less effective regarding actual malicious software.

Many of the best antivirus services we test perform much better during such tests, although you shouldn’t base your decision solely on our findings. For example, you should also consider the conclusions of independent antivirus test labs like AV-TEST, which thoroughly test and rank various antivirus services. You’ll notice that NordVPN isn’t even included in their evaluations, while Surfshark VPN is. That’s because Surfshark offers antivirus software in its subscription.

Overall, Threat Protection is an excellent addition to NordVPN’s arsenal and offers great security benefits for casual daily browsing. However, I don’t think it’s a good alternative to full-fledged antivirus services like Norton 360 and TotalAV. So, consider getting something more powerful if you’re worried about malware.

Testing Meshnet

Another handy feature is Meshnet. It allows you to share files, play LAN games, or securely link with other devices. With NordVPN, you can create a private network for up to 10 internal or 50 external devices. Most importantly, this unique feature is available for free, meaning you don’t have to subscribe to the premium tier plan if this is the only feature you need.

I tested Meshnet with our research team to evaluate its features in real-life scenarios. We used a Mac laptop and an Android smartphone.

Meshnet’s basic features, like file sharing and traffic routing, were generally straightforward and easy to use. However, remote access was more difficult because it required a more complicated setup. I recommend checking NordVPN’s official Meshnet setup guides for more information, since this can get pretty technical.

During our tests, we measured internet speeds with and without Meshnet. Our findings show that connection speed depends on each device’s capabilities. Basically, the internet speed you get while using Meshnet depends on the device you connect to and not the feature itself. So, don’t be surprised if your speed slows down when you’re connected to an old laptop.

Another crucial factor is that Meshnet’s features depend on the type of device you use. For example, due to technical limitations, only specific devices (Windows, macOS, and Linux) can be traffic-routing hosts. However, practically all NordVPN-supported devices can be clients that connect to hosts and enjoy file-sharing capabilities.

Overall, Meshnet is an excellent and unique feature in the VPN market. I think most customers use it for secure file sharing, while remote access and traffic routing features are less popular due to their technical complexity and limitations. I doubt most people like the idea of leaving their home PC turned on continuously just to make its IP address accessible while traveling abroad. However, if you’re intrigued by that, please read our in-depth NordVPN Meshnet review.

Dark Web Monitor

NordVPN’s Dark Web Monitor is a great security feature that enhances your overall cybersecurity. Usually, if you get hacked or scammed by threat actors, your details might get sold on the dark web for identity theft or ransomware purposes. NordVPN’s feature continuously scans the dark web to see if your email address has been leaked. If it has, NordVPN immediately alerts you so that you can take action and secure your vulnerable data.

Enabling NordVPN’s Dark Web Monitor is easy – simply go to the feature’s menu and enable the On switch. You can recognize the menu by the bullseye target icon, which is consistent across all platforms.

You must include at least one email address so the feature has something to scan for on the dark web. Of course, you can add multiple email addresses, which is great because most people usually have more than one email account anyway. Alternatively, you can add your family’s email addresses. Just keep in mind that only you will receive the immediate threat alerts.

Double VPN

One effective way to minimize the risk of a data leak is to enable Double VPN. It works with NordVPN by routing traffic through two servers instead of one. So, your activity gets double the encryption, and your anonymity further increases when you access the site you want. However, remember that getting double encryption and routing your connection through multiple servers greatly reduces your speed. As such, I don’t recommend this feature for typical daily activities like web browsing or streaming.

Most people don’t need such extreme security measures, but they’re essential for those engaging in more serious online activities. According to NordVPN, Double VPN is best suited for political activists, journalists, whistleblowers, and those seeking refuge from oppressive governments. For them, a dip in performance is a small tradeoff for improved security. Also, Double VPN is usually not the only tool such people must use to ensure their anonymity.

While NordVPN’s Double VPN is great overall, I prefer Surfshark’s MultiHop feature because it allows picking custom connection points. Meanwhile, NordVPN’s options are predetermined, making it less versatile. Another provider with a similar feature is Proton VPN, which offers Secure Core servers. Like with NordVPN, these servers provide predetermined routes through servers in secure jurisdictions.

NordVPN kill switch performance

In a theoretical scenario where your VPN experiences issues, like a connection drop, NordVPN has a kill switch function. It automatically cuts off your internet connection to prevent exposing your true IP until the connection is restored. This feature is automatic yet optional, but it’s handy to ensure complete safety and anonymity.

NordVPN is exceptional in this regard because it offers two kill switches, while most VPNs only offer one. For more safety, you can enable an internet and app kill switch with NordVPN. The feature is under the Settings menu, which is the cogwheel icon in the bottom-left corner of the app on Windows.

With the app kill switch, you can ensure that some applications, like web browsers or online video games, will immediately close if the VPN connection drops unexpectedly. This ensures those apps never see your real IP address if you don’t want to.

We tested both kill switch versions under various circumstances, and they were successful in all cases. With the internet kill switch, we tried simulating an app crash, internet problems, and a combination of both, and the kill switch worked great each time. Additionally, the app kill switch always successfully shut down our selected apps whenever the VPN connection crashed unexpectedly. You can expect similar results in various network circumstances, whether on Wi-Fi, broadband, or cellular.

Split tunneling

Split tunneling lets you route some of your traffic through a VPN. NordVPN uses this feature to access both the home IP and server locations simultaneously. For example, when traveling, you can watch your home country’s TV series on Google Chrome and access local content on Microsoft Edge. You can also turn on split tunneling to exclude specific apps from VPN use. It’s handy when you want to have a VPN on but not have it affect your online gaming.

I tested NordVPN’s split tunneling a few times, and it worked as intended. In the screenshot above, I’m using the feature to route all my web traffic through the UK, except for Chrome, which has an American IP address using a VPN web extension, so you wouldn’t see my home IP address. My only issue with NordVPN’s split tunneling is that you can’t add IP addresses; you only need apps.

Onion Over VPN

NordVPN has a feature called Onion Over VPN, also known as Tor Over VPN. It combines the security benefits of a VPN tunnel and the Tor network into one, making you more secure without needing to install the Tor Browser. The feature connects you to a NordVPN server before routing your connection through multiple Tor nodes. This gives you numerous security layers (hence, onion) and makes it completely impossible to track anything back to you.

Like Double VPN, this feature severely slows down your connection speed and is not suitable for regular daily activities. You can consider Onion Over VPN a more powerful version of Double VPN since your connection is routed through more than two points. As such, it has similar use cases for journalists, activists, and people who work with sensitive data. Another provider offering Tor over VPN servers is Proton VPN.

Simultaneous connections

As of 2025, NordVPN supports up to 10 simultaneous device connections, which puts it on par with other industry leaders like Proton VPN and PureVPN. I’m glad that NordVPN upgraded its device limit from 6 to match the industry standard. This also makes it superior to providers like ExpressVPN and CyberGhost, which permit only 8 and 7 simultaneous connections, respectively.

Additionally, each user can buy a dedicated IP. This feature eliminates the ever-changing IP address depending on the server and assigns a single, stable IP address in a preferred location. NordVPN offers dedicated IPs in 25 locations across 18 countries. That’s more than Surfshark, which has 13 locations, PureVPN, which has 8, and CyberGhost has 7.

Additional features

NordVPN’s Prime plan subscribers get a few additional features. The first is NordLocker, which grants 1TB of encrypted cloud storage to safely keep and access your files through any linked device. The second is cyber protection through NordProtect, which provides insurance for users in the US. There is $1M insurance for identity theft (covered by HSB Specialty Insurance Company) and $100K insurance for cyber extortion.

For businesses seeking more robust cybersecurity solutions beyond personal VPN use, NordStellar offers advanced threat exposure management services tailored to enterprise needs, which are not included with the NordVPN plans but are available as a separate subscription.

To summarize, although a few major things make NordVPN stand out among competitors, there is also some room for improvement.

DNS and WebRTC leak protection

All VPNs come with leak protection by default to ensure your VPN connections aren’t exposing your DNS requests and other data. Even so, it’s crucial to occasionally test their capabilities to ensure everything works as intended. We tested NordVPN’s DNS and WebRTC leak protection features using dnsleaktest.com to check for flaws.

Unsurprisingly, NordVPN showed excellent results in the DNS leak test. It didn’t expose our DNS requests, meaning our connections were wholly confidential and unreadable to our ISP.

The WebRTC leak tests were also successful, showing no signs of IP address leakage during video chat sessions. That means NordVPN will guarantee secure and private connections no matter what.

How fast is NordVPN?

VPN apps inevitably slow down your connections because they add an additional destination for your internet traffic. Still, this slowdown usually isn’t very noticeable, especially if you’re connecting to a nearby server. However, other factors are also at play, such as the VPN tunneling protocol, the server’s current load, your baseline connection speed, and even your ISP. Even so, testing a VPN’s connection speeds is crucial to see how it performs on average.

The research team and I measured NordVPN’s connection speed in various countries to understand its overall performance. Our latest May 2025 tests show that NordVPN is currently the fastest VPN on the market. Here are a few reasons behind its excellent performance:

• NordLynx protocol. NordVPN’s proprietary protocol is an upgraded version of WireGuard, featuring faster connections and better security.
• Frequent server updates. The service continuously optimizes its servers to improve efficiency and speed retention rates.
• Worldwide server network. NordVPN’s fleet of 7600+ servers across 118 countries allows most users to easily find an optimal server for speedy connections.
• Avoiding bandwidth throttling. Connecting to a VPN server can help you prevent bandwidth throttling, which can improve your connection speed.

The table below highlights NordVPN’s performance across different server locations, showcasing its impressive speed consistency worldwide.

	Speed without VPN	Local VPN server speed	US server speed	UK server speed
Ping	5ms	35ms	103ms	42ms
Average download speed	500Mbps	475Mbps	413Mbps	485Mbps
Average upload speed	500Mbps	436Mbps	451Mbps	473Mbps

The research team and I tested NordVPN on a MacBook Air laptop to get the best possible baseline speed. Naturally, we used the provider’s NordLynx protocol to evaluate its maximum potential. We picked the most optimal servers from various countries to assess NordVPN’s performance in different regions and check for inconsistencies.

And here’s how NordVPN and other VPN services performed regarding international speed retention rates:

	US server	UK server	Japan server	Canada server	Germany server	Australia server
NordVPN	83%	97%	94%	93%	95%	92%
Surfshark	81%	94%	93%	95%	94%	89%
ExpressVPN	82%	92%	89%	93%	90%	91%
IPVanish	78%	90%	92%	93%	93%	93%

Note: The table shows download speed retention compared to 500Mbps internet baseline speed.

NordVPN's server network

NordVPN has a network of 7600+ servers in 118 countries, giving it an edge over many of its rivals like Surfshark, IPVanish, and Norton VPN. On the other hand, Proton VPN has more (12600+ servers in 117 countries) if you prioritize sheer numbers. In any case, here are some highlights about NordVPN’s server network that make it appealing:

• NordVPN has numerous P2P-optimized servers that are scattered worldwide to provide speedy connections for users all across the globe.
• NordVPN offers a variety of specialized servers: dedicated IP, Double VPN, obfuscated servers, Onion Over VPN, and P2P. Not all top VPN providers can offer such a rich variety.
• NordVPN’s apps are very user-friendly and make choosing the preferred server quick and easy. An interactive map allows you to select servers according to your preferred country and city. You can also use a convenient menu to connect to specialized servers.

There are two types of servers – owned and rented. Owned servers belong to the provider. This means that the VPN provider owns the hardware, implements its security measures, and is solely responsible for server maintenance. Rented servers are leased from another provider. This means that the VPN provider does not own the hardware, does not have physical access to the server, and cannot fully ensure server security but still controls the software.

NordVPN uses a combination of owned and rented servers in its network. To avoid disadvantages associated with owned or rented servers, NordVPN has RAM-only (Random Access Memory) servers. These servers run everything on RAM, so no information is stored on hard drives, ensuring that the no-logs policy cannot be breached. So, essentially, NordVPN can use both rented and owned servers without the risk of its internal policies being breached by data centers.

Switching between servers is very simple, too. Mac, Windows, or Linux apps have a very clear interface with an optional map to pick a server, and it takes seconds to connect. The mobile app and browser extension server switch is more minimalist, with a scroll-type list of countries and their servers to connect to. Additionally, NordVPN can automatically connect to your recently used server, so you wouldn’t have to visit the app or extension at all to be instantly connected.

NordVPN interface and compatibility

NordVPN has been in the industry for a long time, allowing it to evolve its apps and overall user experience to perfection. I think the service is intuitive and easy to use, although its abundance of features can take some getting used to. Installing NordVPN’s apps is pretty straightforward, meaning anyone can get up and running with it in no time.

I use NordVPN on my desktop most of the time, so I’ll describe my experience using that version. The service’s apps are pretty similar across different operating systems, although feature availability can differ.

The home screen includes a small server selection menu, usage information from the previous week, and data about Threat Protection. It’s all the essential data if you want to enable the VPN and overview performance metrics. All the feature-specific details are readily available in the left-hand menu. For me, the most important ones are the server world map, Threat Protection Pro, and Meshnet. Each feature is denoted with a unique icon that’s consistent across all app versions for easy navigation.

I’m glad that NordVPN upgraded its simultaneous device connection limit from 6 to 10, making securing every device I own easier. It also allows me to share the VPN’s benefits with a few friends and family. Of course, it would be even better if the service supported unlimited connections like Surfshark and IPVanish. At least it’s not 8 like with ExpressVPN, which is pretty disappointing considering the provider’s price.

NordVPN is compatible with practically any device you can imagine. In my five years of testing NordVPN, I’ve never encountered any compatibility issues. It has dedicated apps for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS and a CLI app for Linux. Regarding browsers, the service has extensions for Firefox and Chrome, the latter of which is also compatible with other Chromium browsers like Edge. As for streaming devices, the service works with Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV. Lastly, gadgets without VPN app support can be covered by setting NordVPN up on a router.

Overall, NordVPN is exceptionally easy to use, making it an excellent option for VPN beginners. Conversely, the settings menu has plenty of customization options to allow power users to adjust the service to their specific needs. Personally, I set it to connect to the fastest server whenever my PC boots up, and I frequently forget that the VPN is enabled.

NordVPN's customer support

NordVPN offers excellent customer support options to assist its users in any situation.

Support type	NordVPN
24/7 live chat	✅ Yes
Email	✅ Yes
Phone support	❌ No
Guides or articles	✅ Yes
FAQs	✅ Yes

The provider’s extensive knowledge base is usually enough for me, as it includes plenty of detailed guides and tutorials to solve my occasional issues. The service also has an active social media and forum presence if you want to discuss something with the community. Meanwhile, if you’re not inclined to solve issues yourself, you can contact the customer support team 24/7 through live chat or email. The agents are pretty helpful in my experience and are usually more than happy to assist with any issue.

NordVPN video review

If you prefer listening over reading, you might appreciate our NordVPN video review. In it, you can find every single fact from our review, but with the added bonus of a soothing voice.

NordVPN compared to other providers

After reviewing NordVPN in many areas, it's clear that it’s an exceptional service in the VPN market. It’s not perfect by any means, but it has many excellent features that make it more appealing than many other VPN options. Below is a comparison of some of the best VPNs on the market so you can see where NordVPN stands out:

VPN provider	Cybernews rating	Price	Average speed retention	Malware protection	Ad blocking	Server and location count	Streaming service unblocking	Customer support options
NordVPN	4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★	From $3.39/month	93.6%	✅ Yes (Threat Protection)	✅ Yes (blocks YouTube ads)	7600+ servers in 118 countries	Most	Multiple
Surfshark	4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★	From $1.99/month	93.3%	✅ Yes (CleanWeb)	✅ Yes (blocks YouTube ads)	3200+ servers in 100 countries	Most	Multiple
ExpressVPN	4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆	From $4.99/month	91%	✅ Yes (Threat Manager)	✅ Yes (blocks YouTube ads)	Servers in 105 countries	Most	Multiple
IPVanish	4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★	From $2.19/month	91.8%	✅ Yes (Threat Protection)	✅ Yes (blocks YouTube ads)	2400+ servers in 109 countries	Some	Multiple
CyberGhost	4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆	From $2.19/month	91.2%	✅ Yes (Block Content)	✅ Yes (blocks YouTube ads)	Servers in 100 countries	Most	Multiple

As the table shows, NordVPN stands out for its speed and reliability. It consistently outperforms other VPNs in unblocking streaming content, thanks to its extensive network of servers. Despite its premium features, it remains more affordable than ExpressVPN. Plus, its app interface is one of the most intuitive among all the VPNs I tested.

NordVPN review: final verdict

NordVPN is undoubtedly one of the best VPNs on the market, thanks to its abundance of features and effectiveness in various areas. The provider’s excellent speed retention rates make it ideal for streaming, online gaming, torrenting, and web browsing. Even so, it isn’t perfect, particularly in the pricing department, but that’s not surprising considering NordVPN’s quality. However, it's disappointing that to get the full premium experience, including features like Threat Protection Pro, the cheapest plan is not enough.

Another potential issue with NordVPN is its 10-device connection limit. While it should be enough for most users, it pales in comparison to providers like Surfshark and IPVanish, which permit unlimited device connections at a lower price.

Even so, I consider NordVPN a top-tier VPN that will satisfy any customer’s needs with its expansive server network, speedy connections, and reliable cybersecurity tools. While the service isn’t cheap, its feature variety and overall quality make it worth the price.

FAQ