NordVPN is a top-tier VPN service that has garnered a strong reputation for its powerful features, excellent performance, and commitment to security. It is a go-to choice for individuals seeking to protect their online privacy, secure their digital footprint, and access content from anywhere in the world. Offering features like threat protection, obfuscated servers, and the ability to unblock popular streaming services, NordVPN stands as a powerful solution for casual users and professionals alike, a VPN for streaming. This NordVPN Review aims to break down its strengths, weaknesses, and functionality, providing a complete overview of what you can expect when using this VPN service.
With its advanced security and online security features often regarded as a top choice for privacy, and performance. With its large server network spanning 60+ countries, NordVPN consistently offers excellent speeds, strong encryption, and advanced features such as Double VPN and CyberSec.
Summary: Pros / Cons
Pros:
- Extensive server network: Over 5,000 servers in 60+ countries, providing great global coverage.
- Threat Protection Pro: One of NordVPN’s standout features is its threat protection system, offering comprehensive malware protection, blocking malicious sites, and scanning files for threats, even without the VPN being connected. With advanced security, your online security is not at risk.
- Excellent security features: AES-256 encryption, Double VPN, Onion over VPN, and kill switch.
- Faster speeds: NordVPN provides faster speeds compared to most competitors, especially when using the WireGuard-based NordLynx protocol with options for privacy features.
- Obfuscated Servers: For users in highly censored regions like China, NordVPN’s obfuscated servers allow for seamless internet access without detection.
- Works with streaming services: Bypasses geo-restrictions on Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and others.
- Unblocks Popular Streaming Services: NordVPN works with Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and other streaming sites, making it a perfect solution for streaming content from various regions. Considered one of the best with regards to VPN for streaming.
- No-logs policy: Independently audited, confirming their no-logs claims. NordVPN follows a strict privacy policy, audited by independent firms, ensuring that your online activities remain confidential. A much needed privacy feature.
- Torrenting support: P2P traffic is supported on specific servers.
- Multi-device support: Allows up to 6 simultaneous connections per account.
- Unlimited Simultaneous Connections: NordVPN allows six simultaneous connections, meaning you can protect all your devices with one account.
- Browser Extension: NordVPN’s browser extension for Chrome and Firefox is user-friendly and offers additional privacy controls.
- 30-day Money-Back Guarantee: New users can take advantage of NordVPN’s 30-day money-back guarantee to test the service risk-free.
- NordVPN App: The NordVPN app is available across platforms, offering a seamless user experience on mobile, desktop, and tablets, including all privacy features.
Cons:
- Expensive monthly pricing: While NordVPN offers excellent value on long-term plans, its month-to-month subscription is pricier compared to competitors.
- Occasional connection drops: Some users report occasional drops in connection, which can be frustrating during streaming or gaming sessions.
- No Split Tunneling on macOS and iOS: While available on other platforms, macOS and iOS users miss out on this feature.
- Limited router support: NordVPN is compatible with routers but does not offer native apps, requiring manual setup.
- P2P Limited to Specific Servers: While P2P file sharing is supported, it’s restricted to specific servers, limiting flexibility for torrenting.
In What Situation It Works Perfectly?
With this NordVPN review, we find that this product ideal for users in several key scenarios:
- Streaming enthusiasts: If your goal is to unblock popular streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer, NordVPN’s large server network and ability to bypass geo-restrictions make it perfect for this use case. NordVPN is consistently able to access content from different regions, especially with its SmartPlay DNS technology.
- Security-conscious users: NordVPN is a great choice for users who need strong privacy and security measures. With features like Double VPN, AES-256 encryption, and Onion over VPN, it’s designed for people who prioritize security and anonymity, such as journalists or activists in restrictive regions.
- Enhanced Online Privacy: For those who prioritize online privacy, NordVPN’s no-logs privacy policy, strong encryption, and threat protection make it an excellent option. Amazing privacy features in the market with advanced security features that guarantees online security.
- P2P file sharers: For torrent users, NordVPN’s dedicated P2P servers provide excellent speeds and security, with added protection for downloading or sharing files.
- Remote workers and travelers: Users who work remotely or travel frequently can rely on NordVPN to protect their data when connecting to unsecured networks in hotels, airports, and cafes.
- Heavy Torrenting Users: Despite the restrictions to specific servers, NordVPN’s P2P file sharing support is robust, providing excellent security during torrenting sessions.
- Bypassing Censorship: In countries like China, where censorship is prevalent, NordVPN’s obfuscated servers allow users to bypass firewalls and access restricted content.
Where It Is Lacking?
While NordVPN is a leading VPN provider, it has some limitations:
- Pricey month-to-month plan: NordVPN’s monthly plan is one of the more expensive options on the market, though the long-term subscriptions offer significant discounts.
- No split tunneling for iOS/macOS: Split tunneling allows you to route some traffic through the VPN and leave other traffic unprotected. This feature is available on Windows and Android, but it’s missing for iOS and macOS, which may be a drawback for Apple users.
- Router setup complexity: NordVPN doesn’t offer a native router app, meaning that setting it up on routers can be cumbersome and involves a manual process.
- Occasional connection drops: While NordVPN generally performs well, some users report occasional connection drops, which can be inconvenient, especially during intensive online activities like upload speeds, gaming or streaming.
Does It Work with Netflix, Hulu, and Other Streaming Sites?
Yes, NordVPN, a VPN for streaming, is highly effective at bypassing geo-restrictions on major streaming platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video from regions where these services are otherwise unavailable. Thanks to its robust server network, NordVPN delivers buffer-free streaming in HD and 4K, making it one of the best VPNs for streaming enthusiasts. It is far one of the best VPN for streaming in the market. NordVPN uses SmartPlay technology, which is a combination of DNS and VPN features that ensure smooth streaming access to restricted content across multiple regions.
NordVPN’s extensive server network ensures that you can access different content libraries in various countries, such as U.S. Netflix, U.K. Netflix, and more. It also offers high-speed servers, reducing the chances of buffering or quality drops while streaming, especially on nearby servers. In addition, the service can unblock platforms like Disney+ and HBO Max, making it a top choice for streaming fans. It consistently allows users to access geo-restricted content without being flagged by streaming services, a common problem with other VPNs. Whether you’re looking to stream your favorite shows on BBC iPlayer or explore Netflix libraries across different countries, NordVPN makes it possible.
Does It Work in China?
Yes, NordVPN is one of the few VPNs that works in China, thanks to its obfuscation technology. The service offers obfuscated servers that allow users to bypass China’s notorious Great Firewall, making it an excellent option for travelers or residents in regions with heavy internet censorship. These obfuscated servers hide the fact that you’re using a VPN, which prevents detection and blocking by Chinese ISPs. These servers also make your VPN traffic look like regular HTTPS traffic, avoiding blocks by internet service providers and government firewalls.
For users in highly censored regions, NordVPN’s obfuscated servers are a critical feature, providing unrestricted internet access while maintaining security and privacy. Using threat protection pro enhances this service and other privacy features of the software.
However, as with all VPNs in China, success can vary depending on the local network environment, so it’s advisable to download and set up the VPN before traveling to China.
Is It Compatible with WireGuard and OpenVPN?
Yes, NordVPN supports both WireGuard and OpenVPN protocols for a wide range of settings, giving users flexibility in terms of speed and security, not compromising threat protection with a wide range of options.
- OpenVPN is widely regarded as the most secure and reliable VPN protocol, offering strong encryption and a balance between speed and security. It’s available across all NordVPN platforms and remains one of the most trusted options for users focused on privacy. As one of the most trusted VPN protocols, OpenVPN is supported on all NordVPN apps. It offers robust encryption and is highly reliable for both security and speed, making it a preferred option for users who prioritize privacy.
- WireGuard is supported through NordLynx, NordVPN’s proprietary implementation of the WireGuard protocol. WireGuard is known for its lightweight design and faster speeds compared to other protocols, and NordLynx enhances it with privacy improvements. This makes it ideal for users who want the fastest possible connection without compromising security. NordVPN’s proprietary NordLynx protocol is based on WireGuard and is designed to provide faster speeds without compromising security. NordLynx significantly improves connection speeds, especially on long-distance servers, making it ideal for users looking for high performance.
With both protocols available, NordVPN allows users to choose between the flexibility of OpenVPN and the speed benefits of WireGuard (NordLynx), making it versatile for different use cases.
What About Pricing Plans for NordVPN?
NordVPN offers several pricing plans designed to suit different user needs, with discounts on longer-term commitments. The standard plans include monthly, one-year, and two-year plan options.
- Monthly Plan: Offers flexibility with a higher monthly cost. Ideal for short-term users who want to try the service without a long-term commitment.
- One-Year Plan: Comes with a notable discount compared to the monthly plan, offering better value for users seeking medium-term protection.
- Two-Year Plan: This plan provides the best value with a substantial discount over time. It’s designed for users ready to commit long-term and offers the best price per month. Users opting for the two-year plan benefit from NordVPN’s full feature set, including threat protection pro, simultaneous connections on up to six devices, and access to advanced features like obfuscated servers.
Additionally, NordVPN frequently offers special promotions, making their long-term plans even more attractive. Regardless of the plan you choose, each subscription comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, ensuring users can test the service risk-free.
Payment methods are diverse and include options like credit card, PayPal, and even cryptocurrencies for those looking for extra anonymity. This flexibility in payment and the money-back guarantee add significant value to the service.
NordVPN also offers extras like the ability to purchase a dedicated IP address for users who need a static IP to access specific services or enhance security. This is ideal for business users or individuals who require secure, consistent IP addresses for their online activities.
Overall, NordVPN’s pricing plans are designed to offer competitive rates, especially when opting for their longer-term subscriptions, making it a solid choice for users seeking an affordable yet feature-rich VPN.
How About Security?
Security is one of NordVPN’s standout features. The VPN employs advanced security measures to protect users’ online activities and ensure data privacy:
- AES-256 encryption: NordVPN uses AES-256-GCM encryption, considered military-grade and the highest standard in the industry. This ensures that your data is well-protected from prying eyes, hackers, and malicious actors.
- Threat Protection Pro: NordVPN’s threat protection feature blocks malware, ads, trackers, and malicious websites, offering a wide range and comprehensive online security even when the VPN is not connected. The threat protection pro upgrade provides more advanced features, such as scanning downloaded files for viruses and malware.
- Double VPN: This feature allows your traffic to pass through two separate VPN servers, adding an extra layer of encryption and making it even harder to trace your activity.
- Onion over VPN: NordVPN integrates with the Tor network, allowing users to browse anonymously by routing traffic through the Onion network. This is a valuable feature for those seeking an additional level of privacy and anonymity.
- Kill Switch: The kill switch feature automatically disconnects your internet connection if the VPN connection drops, preventing data leaks.
- CyberSec: This built-in feature blocks ads, trackers, and malicious websites, adding an extra layer of protection when browsing online.
Overall, NordVPN provides top-tier security features that cater to users who prioritize privacy and secure browsing.
What Are Pricing Plans?
With our NordVPN reivew, we took note of various offers flexible pricing plans, including a two-year plan, which provides the best value. It also has a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing users to try the service risk-free. While it’s priced higher than some competitors, the feature set, including threat protection pro and access to obfuscated servers, justifies the cost.
What About Privacy?
Our NordVPN review places a strong emphasis on privacy, and its privacy policy is designed to keep your information confidential. Its privacy features are here to give you options. The service operates under a strict no-logs policy, meaning it does not collect, store, or share your browsing data, IP addresses, or connection logs. This has been independently audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), confirming that NordVPN adheres to its privacy claims. This policy ensures that even if requested by authorities, NordVPN would have no data to share regarding user activity.
Additionally, NordVPN is headquartered in Panama, a privacy-friendly jurisdiction that falls outside the reach of Five Eyes and other surveillance alliances. Panama does not require mandatory data retention, which reinforces NordVPN’s commitment to user privacy. The NordVPN app is designed with privacy in mind, and the company has undergone multiple independent audits to verify that its privacy policy is being upheld. NordVPN is outside the jurisdiction of the Five Eyes and other global surveillance alliances, making it a great choice for users concerned about online privacy while wanting threat protection.
Additionally, NordVPN offers a dedicated IP address option with a wide range of IP addresses to chose from, which provides users with a unique IP that only they can use, adding another layer of privacy for online activities like online banking or accessing secure corporate networks. In conjunction with Threat Protection Pro, your secured access is derisked.
For users concerned about government surveillance or tracking, NordVPN offers excellent privacy safeguards.
Using on Torrent Sites?
Yes, NordVPN supports P2P file sharing and allows torrenting on dedicated servers optimized for P2P traffic. These servers are spread across different regions, ensuring that users can torrent safely and quickly without sacrificing speed or security. NordVPN’s support for P2P file sharing and allows torrenting and access content on dedicated servers optimized for P2P traffic. These servers are spread across different regions, ensuring that users can torrent safely and quickly without sacrificing speed or security.
NordVPN’s kill switch, no-logs policy, and AES-256 encryption provide peace of mind for torrent users, protecting their activity from being monitored by ISPs or other third parties. The P2P servers are also optimized for speed, reducing the common slowdowns associated with torrenting.
However, it’s worth noting that P2P file sharing is only allowed on certain servers, which may limit flexibility for heavy torrent users. Despite this limitation, NordVPN provides fast download speeds and excellent security for torrenting.
What About Support?
NordVPN consistently ranks among the fastest VPNs on the market, especially with the integration of WireGuard (NordLynx). This protocol significantly improves connection speeds, particularly on nearby servers, making it ideal for streaming, gaming, and torrenting.
Local servers provide fast, stable connections with minimal latency, allowing users to stream in HD or 4K without buffering. Distant servers also perform well, though speeds may decrease slightly depending on your location and the distance to the server.
NordVPN offers 24/7 customer support through live chat, email, and an extensive help center. The support team is responsive and knowledgeable, with most issues resolved quickly via the live chat feature. NordVPN also provides detailed guides and troubleshooting articles in its help section, covering common problems like connection issues or optimizing speeds for streaming sites.
For activities like downloading large files or gaming online, NordVPN’s speeds are more than sufficient, making it a top choice for users who prioritize performance. This NordVPN review did rigorous testing on this, contacting the customer service channels via email, phone and their support site.
For activities like downloading large files or gaming online, NordVPN’s speeds are more than sufficient, making it a top choice for users who prioritize performance.
Speed
NordVPN delivers faster speeds than many competitors, particularly when using its NordLynx protocol. On local servers, speeds are generally excellent, supporting activities like streaming, gaming, and P2P file sharing without any noticeable lag or slowdowns. However, on long-distance servers, users may experience slower upload speed and download speeds, which can impactNordVPN provides faster speeds than many competitors, especially when using its NordLynx protocol, which is based on WireGuard. On local servers, users can enjoy fast and reliable connections for streaming, torrenting, and general browsing. However, on long-distance servers, there may be some performance drops, particularly in terms of upload speed. Even with threat protection pro active, speeds where inconsistent.
Users looking for seamless streaming in HD or 4K can typically expect smooth performance, while gamers may experience occasional latency on more distant servers. WireGuard offers improved speeds compared to traditional VPN protocols, but long-distance performance remains an area for improvement.
Setup and Installation?
NordVPN offers a seamless setup process and consistently delivers fast speeds, particularly with the WireGuard-based NordLynx protocol. Installation is simple and quick, with user-friendly apps available across platforms like Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and routers. Whether you’re a tech-savvy user or a beginner, NordVPN’s setup process is straightforward. The VPN also provides clear step-by-step installation guides on its website for advanced configurations, including router setups. Each app interface is designed for ease of use, ensuring that users can quickly select servers, enable security features, and manage their VPN connection without hassle.
The NordVPN app interface is intuitive, with simple options for selecting servers, enabling features like threat protection, and connecting to specialized servers for streaming sites, P2P file sharing, or obfuscated servers. Setup takes only a few minutes, and the app provides step-by-step guides for more advanced configurations like using NordVPN on routers.
The NordVPN app is available for a wide range of devices, including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. The browser extension is particularly useful for quickly securing browsing sessions or bypassing geo-restrictions without running the full VPN on your system.
The Bottomline
NordVPN is a powerful VPN solution for users looking for a combination of privacy features, threat protection, speed, and security. It excels in providing robust protection through features like AES-256 encryption, Double VPN, and Onion over VPN, while also offering one of the largest server networks in the industry. Whether you’re streaming content from Netflix, securing sensitive data, or torrenting files, NordVPN delivers across the board. While its monthly pricing can be higher, the long-term plans provide excellent value, making NordVPN one of the top VPN choices for most users.
This NordVPN review highlights why the service remains one of the best VPN options on the market. Offering top-tier security with features like AES-256 encryption, threat protection, and malware protection, NordVPN ensures users are safe from cyber threats. Its ability to access content on major streaming platforms like Netflix and BBC iPlayer, combined with faster speeds on the NordLynx protocol, makes it a top choice for streaming, torrenting, and browsing securely.
NordVPN’s obfuscated servers provide access to highly censored regions, and the VPN’s 30-day money-back guarantee allows new users to test the service risk-free. The inclusion of strong privacy features, a strict privacy policy, the threat protection pro feature, and seamless compatibility with WireGuard and OpenVPN make it ideal for those concerned about their online privacy.
Although it lacks split tunneling for macOS and restricts P2P file sharing to specific servers, NordVPN remains a leading choice for users who need a reliable, secure, and high-performing VPN service. The support for up to six simultaneous connections, user-friendly browser extensions, and dedicated IP options further enhance its appeal for both casual users and those with more specific privacy needs.