NordVPN review: the best VPN in 2025

As digital tracking and data collection continue to grow, protecting your online privacy has never been more essential. A VPN offers a reliable way to keep your browsing habits secure, mask your IP address, and access geo-blocked content around the world. With NordVPN, you don’t just get standard protection; you also gain access to unique features like Threat Protection Pro, which blocks ads and malware, along with a suite of advanced tools that unblock more streaming sites than most other VPNs can handle.

In this NordVPN review, our team re-evaluate the VPN's latest offerings and enhancements, like upgraded streaming capabilities and privacy protocols. You’ll get an honest look at how NordVPN stacks up, with clear insights to help you decide if it’s the right fit for your online security needs. Let’s dive into what makes NordVPN a top choice in 2025.

NordVPN review – key takeaways

When evaluating NordVPN for the Cybernews ranking, I scored each category out of 10, with 10 being the highest. NordVPN excels in privacy, security, speed, and value for money while maintaining strong scores in server network, features, compatibility, and customer support.

Below is a quick summary of its performance across key areas, with detailed insights provided later in the article.

• Privacy and security – 10/10. Threat Protection, an audited no-logs policy, and jurisdiction outside any of the Eyes Alliance countries ensure secure and completely private use.
• Value for money – 10/10. While NordVPN is not the cheapest VPN, it is packed with useful security features, essentially making it an antivirus, ad-blocker, and VPN in one.
• Speed and performance – 10/10. Just like in the past, during the recent test, NordVPN showed exceptional speed and performance results, making it one of the fastest VPNs we have tested.
• Server network – 9/10. While NordVPN does not have the largest server fleet our team has ever encountered, it still operates in every region of the world.
• Features and functionality – 9/10. The number of features depends on which plan you pick, but overall, there are plenty of handy features.
• Compatibility – 9/10. NordVPN is compatible with pretty much all operating systems, most new devices and browsers, and all major streaming services.
• Customer support – 9/10. NordVPN offers live chat and email customer support as well as FAQs and guides for personal research. However, there is no phone line to call directly.

NordVPN pricing

NordVPN provides flexible pricing plans designed to meet a variety of user needs, with significant discounts frequently available during seasonal events and for new customers. This December, NordVPN’s holiday sale offers even more value, making it an excellent time to secure a subscription. Here’s a detailed breakdown of their plans:

NordVPN cost	Basic plan	Plus plan	Complete plan	Prime plan
1-month	$12.99	$13.99	$14.99/month	$17.99
1-year	$4.99/month	$5.99/month	$6.99/month	$9.99/month
2-years	$3.39/month	$4.39/month	$5.39/month	$8.39/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

NordVPN Basic plan

The Basic plan provides essential VPN features, including secure browsing, lightning-fast speeds, and access to NordVPN’s extensive global server network. This affordable VPN subscription is perfect for beginners or casual users who want reliable protection without extra frills. Ideal for activities like streaming, online shopping, or safeguarding connections on public Wi-Fi, it ensures robust security tailored to everyday needs.

Compared to other entry-level VPN plans, NordVPN’s Basic subscription delivers exceptional value with unmatched performance and privacy. During the holiday sale, users can enjoy even greater savings, making it an excellent time to invest in online security."

NordVPN Plus plan

NordVPN Plus plan enhances the Basic plan by adding advanced security tools like Threat Protection Pro, which offers anti-malware capabilities, ad blocking, and comprehensive browsing safeguards. Perfect for users looking to secure more than just their browsing, it includes a password manager to protect sensitive login credentials and a Data Breach Scanner to monitor for potential online threats.

With these features, the Plus plan delivers robust, all-around digital protection, making it ideal for those who prioritize online safety across multiple aspects of their digital life.

NordVPN Complete plan

The Complete plan offers everything included in the Plus plan, with the added benefit of 1TB of encrypted cloud storage through NordLocker. Designed for users who value both comprehensive online protection and secure file management, this plan provides top-tier VPN features alongside encrypted storage for sensitive documents, photos, and more. It’s an excellent choice for those seeking an all-in-one subscription to safeguard their digital life and keep important files protected from cyber threats

NordVPN Prime plan

NordVPN's Prime plan offers the most advanced level of protection by including all features from the Complete plan, along with identity protection tools. With Dark Web Monitoring and credit monitoring powered by NordProtect, this plan actively safeguards your personal information and financial health against online threats. Ideal for users seeking a premium all-in-one solution, it ensures full privacy coverage while proactively monitoring for identity theft and suspicious activity in real time.

Key considerations

• Introductory prices. Long-term subscriptions offer significant discounts initially, but prices increase upon renewal. For instance, the $2.99/month rate for the Basic plan is only valid for the first term.
• Better long-term value. The 2-year Plus plan stands out for its blend of features and affordability. It’s especially useful for those looking to secure their logins with a password manager and monitor potential data breaches.
• Money-back guarantee. NordVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, giving users peace of mind to test the service risk-free. Android users also get a 7-day free trial.

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

Is NordVPN safe?

NordVPN is a reliable and secure VPN thoroughly tested by the Cybernews research team and selected as the most secure VPN currently on the market. It ensures user privacy through several measures. Here's a quick rundown of the main NordVPN privacy features:

• NordVPN has an independently audited no-logs policy, 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 leak proof, which is why it deserves the #1 place on our most secure VPNs list.
• NordVPN’s Threat Protection feature is capable of blocking between 70-100% of ads and malware, which makes it not only a great VPN but also a reliable ad blocker.

The jurisdiction

NordVPN is headquartered in Panama, a privacy-friendly jurisdiction that’s outside the reach of the Five Eyes and Fourteen Eyes intelligence alliances. This means that NordVPN isn’t legally required to log or share user data with governments, making it an excellent choice for those who prioritize 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 reach 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 that 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.

For the user, this means that whether you’re streaming, shopping, or just browsing, your data is shielded from 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 four times, 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. Still, 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. The kill switch ensures that if your VPN connection drops, your internet is automatically disconnected, preventing any accidental data leaks. DNS Leak Protection keeps your browsing activity hidden, ensuring no data is exposed to your ISP or other third parties.

For those needing enhanced privacy, Double VPN encrypts your data twice by routing it through two separate servers, making it even harder to trace. Onion over VPN combines NordVPN’s encryption with the Onion network’s anonymity, offering an added layer of protection for users engaging in sensitive online activities.

These features work effortlessly, enhancing security without complicating the user experience. Whether you’re working, streaming, or browsing on public Wi-Fi, they ensure your data stays protected, giving you the confidence to navigate the internet securely.

How fast is NordVPN?

NordVPN is widely regarded as the fastest VPN on the market, offering blazing download and upload speeds that cater to seamless streaming, gaming, and browsing. I tested NordVPN’s performance on Windows and macOS laptops connected via Ethernet, evaluating it across various servers and use cases.

The table below highlights its performance across different server locations, showcasing its impressive speed consistency worldwide. Here’s a quick overview of NordVPN results.

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

As shown in the table, NordVPN maintains minimal drops in both download and upload speeds when connected to local servers. For example, with a local server, the download speed is 475Mbps, and the upload speed is 436Mbps, close to the base speed of 500Mbps. This shows that NordVPN’s local servers are highly optimized for everyday activities like browsing, streaming, and gaming, offering a smooth and responsive experience.

Even on international servers, NordVPN performs great, with download speeds staying above 400Mbps on both US and UK servers. While upload speeds drop slightly with distance – 451Mbps on the US server and 473Mbps on the UK server – they still deliver excellent performance. Although ping times are higher on distant servers, they don’t significantly affect most online activities.

NordVPN’s consistent performance is driven by regular server updates and the absence of data or bandwidth caps, which guarantees fast, unrestricted speeds. With the NordLynx protocol, built on WireGuard, NordVPN delivers efficient, high-speed connections, making it a great choice for users who prioritize both performance and security.

When it comes to speed retention, here’s how NordVPN performed compared to other popular VPNs:

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

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

NordVPN's server network

My NordVPN review showed that, that it has 7100+ servers in 118 countries. While the VPN’s server network is not as expansive as, for example, Proton VPN's (9900+ servers in 117 countries), it still has more servers than Surfshark, Norton VPN, and many others. In terms of server choices, there are a few things I particularly enjoy about NordVPN that other VPNs cannot offer:

• NordVPN has 5390 P2P-optimized servers, 1768 of which are located in the US – that’s more than any other competitor of a similar caliber can offer.
• 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 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 own 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 servers. These servers operate within Random-Access Memory, so no information is stored, 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.

The test showed that NordVPN has the slowest (mainly for upload speed) servers in geographically distant countries, such as Singapore and Australia. The fastest servers are in Europe, like Sweden or the UK, and North America, like the US. However, the average NordVPN speed is still very fast.

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 mere 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.

Features and functionality

A great VPN must have a global server network and demonstrate incredible speeds, but even that isn’t sufficient to ensure a comprehensive experience. NordVPN is the leading VPN in 2025 exactly because it combines great performance with advanced features and great functionality:

Feature	How it works
Threat Protection Pro	Blocks ads, trackers, and malware, enhancing online safety and creating a smoother browsing experience
Kill switch	Instantly disconnects your internet if the VPN 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 Onion 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 shows that both Threat Protection versions grant strong protection against web tracking on either 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 since it 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 worthwhile 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 a premium tier if this is the only feature you need.

I tested Meshnet with the research team to evaluate its various 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 tried measuring internet speeds with and without Meshnet. Our findings show that connection speeds depend on each individual device’s capabilities. Basically, the internet speeds you get while using Meshnet rely on the device you connect to and not the feature itself. So, don’t be surprised if your connection speeds slow down when connecting 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 will use it for secure file sharing, while remote access and traffic routing features will be less popular due to their technical complexity and limitations. I doubt most people will like the idea of leaving their home PC powered 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, 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 leaked. If it has, NordVPN will immediately alert you so that you can take action and secure your vulnerable data.

Enabling NordVPN’s Dark Web monitor is straightforward – 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 the usual 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 will greatly reduce your connection speeds. As such, I can’t recommend this feature for typical daily activities like web browsing or streaming.

Most people don’t actually need such extreme security measures, but it’s 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 offer 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 VPN becomes functional again. This feature is automatic yet optional, but it’s handy to ensure complete safety and anonymity.

NordVPN is pretty exceptional in this regard because it offers two kill switches, while most VPNs offer only one for the entire internet. With NordVPN, you can enable an internet and an app kill switch for more specificity. You’ll find the feature 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, would immediately close if the VPN connection drops unexpectedly. This will ensure those apps will never see your real IP address if you don’t want to. However, you can still turn them on normally while the VPN is off.

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 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. In daily use, you can also turn on split tunneling to exclude some 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 multiple 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 speeds and is thus unsuitable 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 others working with sensitive data. Another provider offering Tor over VPN servers is Proton VPN.

Simultaneous connections

NordVPN supports up to 10 simultaneous device connections. 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, which has 7.

Additional features

NordVPN’s Ultimate 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 with insurance for people in the US. There is $1M insurance for identity theft (covered by HSB Specialty Insurance Company) and $100K insurance for cyber extortion.

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

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.

NordVPN's interface and ease of use

NordVPN has apps for macOS, iOS, Android, Windows, and Linux, as well as browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. Additionally, you can install NordVPN on Android TV, tvOS, Xbox, PlayStation, Firestick, Chromebook, and more. Here are the most important aspects regarding NordVPN compatibility:

• NordVPN coverage of devices is very rich, and you can enjoy apps for macOS, Windows, Android, and iOS operating systems. Plus, the provider covers more devices than most others.
• NordVPN ensures each user gets the same set of key features, despite the device they are using – an uncommon perk that I haven’t seen many other VPNs provide.
  

Setting up the NordVPN app or browser extension isn’t difficult at all. Essentially, you just need to subscribe to a plan of your choice, download the app or browser extension, log in, and start using it. Getting NordVPN for Xbox or Firestick is a bit more complicated. You would need to install a VPN directly on your home router, and then it will apply to all devices connected to the home network.

Generally, NordVPN works well on all devices and platforms, but feature differences exist across operating systems. For example, currently, only the Linux app offers post-quantum encryption. Additionally, a recent macOS update improved Threat Protection’s design and increased the email limit for Dark Web Monitoring to 50. Most importantly, Threat Protection Pro is only available for Windows and macOS.

The recent test showed that previous issues with long establishing time on macOS have been resolved. Phones might operate a bit slower with a VPN installed, but that’s not much of a problem. However, smartphone apps tend to have fewer features than, for example, the Windows app, so keep this in mind when deciding between a PC app that you can link other devices to or a dedicated smartphone VPN app.

NordVPN's customer support

Efficient customer support is the backbone of any service. While NordVPN is intuitive, and you are unlikely to need help, it’s good to know that professional assistance is available 24/7. Here’s what I like about NordVPN’s support:

• NordVPN offers highly efficient 24/7 customer support. Once the live chat chatbot registers your issue, it takes less than a minute to connect to a live agent.
  
• NordVPN is also highly active on social media and discussion forums, making it super easy to access support in emergencies.
  

NordVPN offers multiple tools to seek assistance:

24/7 live chat:	✅ Yes
Email:	✅ Yes
Phone line:	❌ No
Guides or articles:	✅ Yes
FAQ:	✅ Yes

With email inquiries, you will certainly talk to a person. The 24/7 live chat support might initially have bots responding to you, but if they cannot assist, you will be connected to a person. You can also access live chat through the help articles section if you cannot find the solution in the provided materials.

I also checked online forums like Reddit to see if people ran into any issues with NordVPN’s customer support. The general consensus is that it’s always possible to get help, but sometimes it might take longer.

For example, those who opt for email support rather than live chat usually wait longer for a reply. If you have any issues with customer support, I suggest writing a post on NordVPN’s subreddit. In many posts I checked, NordVPN representatives or experienced users respond with effective solutions.

NordVPN use cases

NordVPN isn’t just for privacy and security. It also offers a great way to access geo-restricted content, such as streaming service content libraries, study materials, or even better game servers. NordVPN’s anonymity also unlocks torrenting and visiting Dark Web opportunities without most of the associated risks.

NordVPN for smooth bypassing of geo-blocking

NordVPN can unblock all major streaming services. I personally use it to access Netflix’s other locations. Here are the test results of the platforms that NordVPN can unblock compared to some of its competitors:

VPN provider	Streaming services
NordVPN	Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Max, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, YouTube TV
Surfshark	Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Max, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, YouTube TV
IPVanish	Netflix, Max, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, YouTube TV, doesn’t work with Amazon Prime Video and Hulu
Norton VPN	Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Max, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, YouTube TV, doesn’t work with Hulu
CyberGhost	Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Max, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Youtube TV
ExpressVPN	Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Max, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Youtube TV
Proton VPN	Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Max, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Youtube TV

There may occasionally be issues with lagging or restricted access, but keeping NordVPN up to date or trying other servers helps to resolve this issue. Personally, when Netflix detects that I’m using a VPN and prevents access, it’s usually because I haven’t updated the VPN app.

Meanwhile, until recently, Norton VPN could not unblock Netflix at all, and even now, it only unblocks it after some effort (but not on German and French servers). CyberGhost, too, while being able to unblock all streaming services, did not impress with speed, as there was a slight lag when skipping episodes.

The internet speed remained very high during the test, dropping only slightly from the baseline of 500Mbps. I personally did not notice any lag, but I found complaints on Reddit about inconsistent access or significant speed drops, so that’s something to keep in mind.

The test also revealed that NordVPN can access Netflix libraries in all main Netflix locations: the US, Canada, the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, and Australia. To improve accessibility to foreign libraries or stabilize the connection, install NordVPN directly on the home router. That way, you will be able to access any streaming service on a smart TV, Firestick, PlayStation, and other viewing platforms.

NordVPN also has streaming-friendly features called SmartPlay and SmartDNS. SmartPlay is already automatically enabled in all NordVPN apps, so no extra steps are required to use it. Meanwhile, SmartDNS is part of the SmartPlay feature, so no effort is required to use it either. Both of these features help when encountering stronger geo-blocking that prevents your access to streaming content.

While SmartDNS changes your DNS servers to bypass blocked access, SmartPlay increases your anonymity by hiding your IP address and further encrypting your online traffic. Together, these features ensure that even such advanced trackers like Netflix’s would not be able to find your true location.

If you’re still encountering issues that updates cannot resolve, NordVPN has useful articles on troubleshooting streaming. While not specifying any streaming services, NordVPN still offers helpful guides on how you can fix connectivity issues on different platforms.

NordVPN to protect your device while torrenting

NordVPN is a great way to stay safe and private while torrenting. Not only does it hide your IP address, permitting access to torrenting platforms in areas where such activity is restricted, but the Threat Protection feature also scans downloads to ensure that you’re not also downloading malware. I recommend doing an IP and DNS leak test prior to torrenting to ensure that your connection is truly private.

NordVPN works with the majority of the torrenting platforms: Vuze, qBittorrent, BitTorrent, uTorrent, and Deluge. However, I struggled to access Transmission, FrostWire, and Tixati. NordVPN itself provides helpful articles on how to connect to uTorrent, qBittorrent, Deluge, and BitTorrent.

During the test, I found that geographically closer servers (in my case, Germany, France, and the Netherlands) work better and result in higher speeds. However, the Double VPN feature reduced network speed by 40% compared to the 500Mbps baseline. Luckily, P2P servers helped increase the speed by at least 10%, so I recommend using these servers for torrenting, streaming, and gaming.

You can also set up a SOCKS5 proxy to improve speed, but remember that it reduces security. You can select SOCKS5 by going into the proxy server of your torrenting platform, entering its server address and your NordVPN login details, and saving the selection.

NordVPN to expand your gaming experience

You can use NordVPN to access different online gaming servers. You can do this by having a NordVPN app or browser extension on a smartphone, PC, laptop, or Mac or by installing NordVPN on a router to use it for console gaming.

Using NordVPN for a console is a bit more complicated. There are two ways to do it. You can set up NordVPN on a router or use another device as a hotspot. NordVPN has a useful guide on how to set it up on compatible routers. If your router is not compatible with a VPN, hotspotting is your best bet, but that will result in a significantly slower connection.

I tested NordVPN on Windows and PS4 for gaming. Without VPN, my ping on Rocket League was 36-38ms. But when connected to a UK server with OpenVPN UDP, my ping was around 70ms. While this is not terrible, and games are playable if the ping is under 100ms, I could still feel the lag, especially in action games. When connected to the US, ping got up to approximately 150-170ms, making it a bit harder to play the game. It was still possible to play it, but I couldn't enjoy it, as there was quite a lot of lag.

NordVPN as a trusty travel companion

There are three main uses for NordVPN when traveling: security, particularly when using public Wi-Fi, streaming to catch up with shows from your home country, and accessing home services that are inaccessible abroad, such as online banking. However, NordVPN either does not operate or operates with certain restrictions in a number of countries: Russia, China, India, Iran, Pakistan, and Turkey.

Some of these countries, like India and Turkey, restrict the use of VPNs, but you can still bypass restrictions following a NordVPN guide. Others, such as China and Russia, are completely restricted. While NordVPN does not deny access to its services to anyone from anywhere, governments that crack down on VPNs completely prevent the use of NordVPN.

For example, Russian internet control agency Roskomnadzor pressured Apple into removing 25 VPN apps, NordVPN included, from the Russian App store. However, if you already have a NordVPN app, you can access your home servers while visiting China, albeit with some difficulty.

If you want to get NordVPN for your trip, you can pay for your NordVPN subscription using cryptocurrencies, PayPal, Google Pay, or debit/credit cards (Visa, American Express, MasterCard, UnionPay, and more).

NordVPN also supports retail store payments. For example, in the US, you can purchase a subscription at BestBuy, Walmart, Staples, Amazon, and other popular retailers.

NordVPN video review

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

NordVPN vs competitors

Overall, our NordVPN review shows that it is a well-performing, reliable, and secure VPN. Even when compared to other popular VPN providers, it stands out. Since the Cybernews team tested 41, it becomes very clear which categories which VPNs excel at. Here is a quick summary of the most popular VPNs vs NordVPN:

VPN provider	Cybernews rating	Price	Average speed retention	Malware protection	Ad blocking	Server and location count	Streaming service unblocking (Most, Some, None)	Customer support options (Multiple, Some, Few)
NordVPN	4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★	From $3.39/month	93.6%	✅ Yes (Threat Protection)	✅ Yes (blocks YouTube ads)	7100+ servers in 118 countries	Most	Multiple
Surfshark	4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★	From $2.19/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)	Unspecified number of 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 100 countries	Some	Multiple
CyberGhost	4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆	From $2.03/month	91.2%	✅ Yes (Block Content)	✅ Yes (blocks YouTube ads)	11500+ servers in 100 countries	Most	Multiple

As this table indicates, NordVPN excels in speed. I also found that it is much more stable than other VPNs at unblocking streaming content, offering a wider variety of working servers. It’s not much more expensive either, as ExpressVPN is much pricier. I also found NordVPN’s app interface to be one of the most user-friendly out of all tested VPNs.

• NordVPN vs Surfshark: the comparison of two market-leading VPNs
• NordVPN vs CyberGhost: which one is better overall?
• NordVPN vs IPVanish: which is better in multiple categories?
• NordVPN vs Norton VPN: which one is more secure?

NordVPN user reviews

It’s crucial to check user review sites to learn what most NordVPN customers actually think of this service. We gathered some data from the most popular mobile app stores and review sites to see if there are patterns regarding the feedback NordVPN gets. The table below shows the information we gathered on October 7th, 2024.

Website	Rating	Cybernews comment
Google Play Store	4.4/5 out of 949K reviews	The service has almost one million reviews here but the overall rating is still very good.
Apple App Store	4.7/5 out of 7.9K reviews	NordVPN has the best average score here, although the review number is relatively small.
TrustPilot	4.2/5 out of 35K reviews	It seems users are most critical of NordVPN here, but the rating is still above 4.
Capterra	4.6/5 out of 1.3K reviews	This site has the lowest number of reviews but the rating is still very good.

As you can imagine, it’s difficult to draw concrete conclusions from so much data. After all, everyone has different expectations and experiences with NordVPN. But I think it’s a great sign that all review sites we checked give NordVPN a very good (above 4 stars) rating. However, that doesn’t mean that everyone has a positive experience with this VPN. Let’s look at some specific examples and start with a positive one.

In the screenshot above, the user Deadlypig 1000 says NordVPN works perfectly at bypassing Wi-Fi restrictions on school networks and IP bans. The reviewer also hasn’t noticed any speed issues while using the service to watch TikTok and movies in school. Overall, it’s clear why they have NordVPN a five-star rating.

On the flip side, we have Dave Coughlin, who complains that NordVPN has constant connectivity issues, leading to random disconnections and issues auto-connecting. He even tried contacting customer support but to no avail. A Nord Security representative left a response asking for more information about his customer support interaction in hopes of finding a solution.

Overall, NordVPN has a good number of reviews, both positive and negative. However, based on the average ratings across most sites, users appear to be generally happy with it.

How we tested NordVPN

Our team and I employed trusted testing methods to gather data for this NordVPN review. We apply this methodology to every VPN we test so that the results are fair and accurate. During this latest update, NordVPN was tested on the following operating systems and devices:

• Android – version 11 on a Nokia 6.2 model TA-1198 device
• iOS – version 15.7.1 on an iPhone 7 model MN8X2 device
• Windows – version 11 on a Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4 device
• macOS – version 14.5 Sonoma on a MacBook Air M2 device

Additional research was conducted to determine NordVPN’s compatibility with AndroidTV and tvOS 17.

Here is the summary of tests our research team and I conducted to evaluate NordVPN:

• DNS and IP leak assessment to investigate if NordVPN protects your identity in case of a leak.
• Kill switch effectiveness to test how NordVPN protects user privacy in case of a connection drop.
• Malware-blocking efficiency in removing threats. The test was conducted by deliberately infecting the device to see how Threat Protection performs.
• Privacy policy and independent audits analysis to ensure transparency and adherence to the best practices regarding data handling.
• Speed test and how NordVPN’s speed compares to past results.
• Usability and especially ease of use in cases like switching servers, streaming, gaming, and torrenting.
• Feature functionality tests to investigate if all NordVPN’s features are operational and functioning as described.
• Cross-platform compatibility test by downloading and installing NordVPN on different devices/platforms.
• Customer support responsiveness by testing NordVPN’s customer support communication and ability to resolve issues.
• Connection consistency across different servers to ensure minimal interruptions.

Is NordVPN worth it?

NordVPN is often praised as one of the best VPNs for various needs, from fast speeds to bypassing geo-blocking. While it excels in these areas, this NordVPN review also delves into areas where it could improve. While it delivers in these areas, this review has also highlighted where it falls short.

For instance, NordVPN’s pricing can be a bit steep, especially if you’re unaware of its renewal rates. Additionally, the10-device connection limit might feel restrictive, particularly when competitors like Surfshark offer unlimited connections. Another drawback is that Threat Protection, which includes malware and ad-blocking features, is no longer available on the Basic tier, reducing its value for entry-level users.

That said, NordVPN shines when it comes to performance, cybersecurity, and versatility. Its large server network, including specialty options, enhances its ability to meet diverse user needs. While not the cheapest option, NordVPN delivers excellent value with its robust features and reliability. With multiple subscription tiers available, it’s possible to find a plan that fits your budget and needs.

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