NordVPN review: Access content securely with a VPN

Using a VPN secures your internet connection and protects your privacy. 

When you connect to a VPN, you can access content securely because your connection is encrypted. Additionally, a VPN allows you to hide your device’s IP address and virtual location for more internet freedom. 

With hundreds of VPN services available, it can be hard to know which one delivers the best online security, privacy, and speed. 

This NordVPN review will cover its security features, speed, connection reliability, supported devices, server coverage, and price.

What is NordVPN? 

NordVPN is one of the world’s leading VPN providers, with 14 million users globally. 

It was developed by Nord Security — a multinational company specializing in cybersecurity solutions for personal and business use. 

NordVPN has over 5,000 servers globally and offers a secure connection, lightning-fast speeds, and an IP address in most countries. 

What features does NordVPN offer? 

NordVPN delivers various VPN features offering online security, privacy, and other benefits. Let’s take a closer look at the most impressive features. 

Global server network 

Choosing a VPN provider with an extensive server network means finding a server closer to you will be easier. The closer you are to the server, the faster your connection speed. 

NordVPN’s ever-growing server network has over 5,000 servers in 60 countries. The company has servers in the most popular locations, including the US, UK, Japan, Germany, France, and Canada. You’ll find servers in specific cities in all of these countries. 

Fastest VPN on the market 

NordVPN uses NordLynx — its own version of the WireGuard VPN protocol. WireGuard is fast, modern, and lightweight — and delivers faster speeds than most other VPN protocols.

The combination of NordLynx and NordVPN’s global server network makes it the fastest VPN on the market. 

Protect every device 

Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux users can get NordVPN apps loaded with a standard VPN and additional cybersecurity features. These apps are easy to set up and use. 

NordVPN also has Firefox, Chrome, and Edge browser VPN proxy extensions for hiding your IP address without downloading the NordVPN app. 

You can secure up to six devices with just one NordVPN account, helping you stay safe online 24/7 — whether you’re watching reels or skimming through articles. 

Specialty servers 

NordVPN also has several specialty servers for different user needs and additional layers of encryption. 

• Obfuscated servers give you even more privacy by hiding the fact that you’re using a VPN (even in regions with heavy internet restrictions). 
• Double VPN encrypts your internet traffic twice for extra security and privacy. 
• Onion Over VPN combines the advantages of The Onion Router (Tor) with the security of a VPN tunnel. 

Additional security features 

NordVPN has many more features that help you stay safe and secure online. 

• Kill Switch prevents your data from being exposed if your VPN connection unexpectedly drops by stopping all internet traffic. 
• Split tunneling lets you choose which apps need VPN protection and which can access the internet directly. 
• Quick Connect finds and connects you to the best available server. 
• Dark Web Monitor scans the dark web for your credentials and alerts you if it detects a leak. 

24/7 customer support

If you need help, NordVPN’s customer support is available 24/7 by email or live chat. Advanced features 

NordVPN is more than just a VPN (without the additional cost). It recently launched two advanced digital security features beyond a traditional VPN: Threat Protection and Meshnet. 

What is Threat Protection? 

NordVPN’s Threat Protection is an advanced cybersecurity feature that delivers anti-malware benefits. It further increases your online security and privacy and is included in your NordVPN subscription for free. 

When you turn on Threat Protection, it improves your online security by: 

• Preventing you from visiting malicious sites. 
• Blocking intrusive ads and trackers. 
• Scanning the files that you download for malware. 

Learn more about Threat Protection 

What is Meshnet? 

Meshnet is an excellent advanced tool for team projects and secure file sharing. 

With Meshnet, users can form a secure, encrypted private network. Instead of connecting to a VPN server, they can connect to other devices anywhere in the world. Like when using a VPN, their internet traffic is secured with encryption. 

Meshnet is handy for working with teams remotely, storing files in a centralized location, and even routing traffic to unlock location-based testing and IP-based access. 

Learn more about Meshnet 

Is NordVPN secure? 

NordVPN uses 256-bit AES encryption, which is considered the gold encryption standard by governments, cybersecurity experts, and cryptographers worldwide. 

AES encryption offers high-level security — no known practical attack could break it. 

NordVPN keeps your data safe: it will never sell your online activity logs to third parties. The company has recently completed its third independent audit verifying its no-logs claim. With NordVPN, your online activity remains confidential.

The apps are regularly updated with new security features to keep your data safe. 

NordVPN’s server network runs on diskless RAM servers, meaning no data is stored locally. Using RAM-only servers makes it impossible for user information to be physically stolen from servers. 

The company has also started building a network of colocated servers owned exclusively by NordVPN. 

What VPN protocols does NordVPN use? 

NordVPN uses three widely-recognized VPN protocols: OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, and NordLynx (its own version of the WireGuard protocol). 

OpenVPN is a widely-used protocol recognized as having the strongest level of encryption. Developed in 2001, OpenVPN is open source, meaning anyone can access and use its code. 

NordLynx is a revolutionary protocol NordVPN developed based on WireGuard. It is lightweight, cryptographically secure, and considerably faster than most other VPN protocols. 

How much does NordVPN cost? 

NordVPN has 1-month, 1-year, and 2-year plans, with the 2-year plan offering the biggest discount and the best value for money. 

You’ll find great deals on the NordVPN website throughout the year, with an excellent offer right now: two years of NordVPN for just $4.19/month! This deal gets you NordVPN with a massive 49% off. 

Get more than a VPN with NordVPN bundles 

Nord Security offers several other digital security and privacy solutions, such as: 

• NordPass – a top-rated, cross-platform password manager. 
• NordLocker – a file encryption and storage service. 

And now, you can get these products together with NordVPN as a bundle. 

Combining them delivers additional benefits, such as securing your passwords, sensitive information, and files. 

Choosing a bundle also saves you more money. Here’s how much you’ll pay for a 2-year bundle plan right now:

• Plus (NordVPN + NordPass) — $5.19/month with 50% off 
• Complete (NordVPN + NordPass + NordLocker) — $6.69/month with 59% off NordVPN: Premium digital security for everyone 

NordVPN is a trustworthy VPN provider that delivers speed, privacy, and security. Its own WireGuard-based protocol and global server network provide excellent connection speeds without compromising security. 

With NordVPN, you get the most wanted VPN features in one package for an attractive price. While it is slightly more expensive compared to other VPN providers, NordVPN offers additional features and a great user experience, delivering excellent value for money. 

With the recent additions of advanced cybersecurity features like Threat Protection and Meshnet, NordVPN continues expanding its offering beyond a VPN service. 

Learn more about NordVPN by visiting the NordVPN blog or the FAQ section.