NordVPN - Review with all the pros and cons [2023] (2024)

Over recent years, VPN has gone from nerdy obscurity to a widely accepted tool for online anonymity and data encryption. The rise in demand has led to a broad range of available services, varying in speed, strength of security, ease of use, and supported platforms.

Generally speaking, VPN products allow users to secure their internet data shared through public networks, ensure their web activity remains private, and help bypass geographic content restrictions online.

The Challenge of Choosing a VPN

Numerous top-tier VPN providers, including Nord VPN, share similar features, making them hard to distinguish. At VPNXpert, we assess every aspect of a VPN, ranging from server performance to pricing details. It helps us see which VPN performs better or worse.

NordVPN: Does It Live Up to the Hype?

NordVPN is always advertised as the best VPN on the market, but does it live up to the hype? VPNXpert is here to find that out. Check out the full details in our NordVPN review and see whether this provider is the right choice for 2024.

What We Like

• Foolproof security: NordVPN uses double encryption and OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPsec encryption protocols, a kill switch, and more.
• Easy interface: NordVPN has a user-friendly and easy-to-navigate interface that features only the functions you need.
• Round-the-clock customer support: With 24/7 customer support, anyone can resolve any issue at any time of the day.
• Limited data logging: NordVPN has access only to limited personal information like email, payment details, and tickets you raised with customer service.
• Panama-based HQ: NordVPN is based in Panama, which means the company cannot be forced to reveal any information about its users.
• More Anonymity: NordVPN’s shared IP addresses allow multiple users to access, meaning there is a lower chance of revealing your identity.

What We Don’t Like

• Higher-than-average price: NordVPN isn’t the cheapest offer out there – on the other side, you pay more to protect your identity and personal information.
• Limited extra features: NordVPN has only a few extra features, and some users can find them limited.
• No phone support: Although NordVPN has many channels to contact an agent, the provider doesn’t offer phone support.
• Torrenting limitations: Although NordVPN isn’t against torrenting, the VPN provider doesn’t support the feature across all servers.

NordVPN Highlights

Highlight features

• More than 5400 in 59 countries
• No data logging
• Up to 6 simultaneous connections
• Automatic kill switch
• Ultra secure encryption (OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPsec protocols)
• Compatible with most operating systems, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux
• Includes a proxy extension for Google Chrome and Firefox
• P2P sharing allowed
• Double data encryption for increased anonymity
• Onion over VPN servers
• Unlimited bandwidth
• 24/7 customer support
• Accepts major credit cards, GiroPay, Sofort, iDeal, Ethereum, Ripple, and Bitcoin
• Dedicated IPs available upon request for an additional price
• Free CyberSec security extras (blocks dangerous websites, prevents the computer from participating in DDoS attacks, ad blocker)
• 30-day money-back guarantee

List of Countries with NordVPN Servers

Quick Installation and User-Friendly Interface

Creating an account in NordVPN was a breeze. It was immediately followed up by a straightforward download-and-install process. We were pleasantly surprised to see a set of download links and tutorials for less well-versed users in technology.

You can install NordVPN for iOS and Linux, but we used the application on Windows. Overall, testing NordVPN was easy due to its clear and organized interface. We could select the server either by country or connection type (the choice you don’t see in every VPN).

We let our friend use the application, and it was an equally easy experience. We were glad to see a VPN for users who want security and anonymity without complicated settings and configurations.

Servers All Over the World

Finding a server in close proximity is effortless because NordVPN has servers in 59 countries around the world. Some of these locations include the United States, Canada, Brazil, the United Kingdom, France, Spain, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, South Africa, Singapore, and Australia.

We decided to test ultrafast servers for streaming video content, but depending on your needs, you can also connect these servers to use P2P networks, Double VPN, or Onion over VPN connections.

Streaming was of good quality, and we didn’t experience any lagging. Other features work flawlessly, too, and can enhance your anonymity, hide your IP address, encrypt your communication, and prevent anyone from tracing your online activity.

If you compare which most used VPN has the biggest number of servers around the globe – NordVPN proudly sits in third place. Note that the number of servers doesn’t mean better VPN – a provider can offer as few as 100 servers that perform excellently. Another worth-noting detail is that more VPN servers don’t equal the number of countries where you can connect.

Have a look at this comparison:

Privacy and Foolproof Security

Internet Protocols

For those who mostly care about security, NordVPN recommends OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPsec encryption protocols.

OpenVPN is the default option in NordVPN’s Windows and Android apps, using the military-grade 2048-bit SSL encryption, while the even more secure IKEv2/IPsec is the latest addition to the company’s security protocol family, set as default for iOS and macOS apps. It uses 3072-bit encryption and the Perfect Forward Secrecy system, which generates a unique private encryption key for each session.

The NordVPN service also prevents unencrypted queries from DNS servers with a special DNS leak resolver tool, which makes sure all queries are secure and protected.

Data Usage and Session Logs

NordVPN keeps neither usage nor session logs. The only data NordVPN gathers about users is their email address, username, and payment information. Using an anonymous email and payment provider like Bitcoin, which NordVPN accepts, in combination with Onion over VPN and double encryption options, even the most security-conscious users can feel thoroughly protected.

Some VPN providers put a limit on data usage, considerably shortening your browsing pastime. Fortunately, it’s not the case with NordVPN. Not only did we experience fast speeds when streaming or gaming, but there was no limit to VPN data to hold us back.

Kill Switch

One particular feature we’re always glad to see in VPNs is a kill switch. It may happen that you have a spotty connection, and due to the error, your real IP address may be revealed.

However, the kill switch will never let it happen. During the test, when we were streaming a movie on Netflix, we got an error, and our internet connection suddenly turned off. This means NordVPN’s kill switch intentionally cut the connection to keep our real location hidden.

Suppose you are in the middle of torrenting, and when the VPN connection drops, your internet connection provider will flag your activity for further investigation. To avoid bad consequences, use NordVPN’s kill switch to stay stealthy and out of trouble.

Encryption

The whole point of using a VPN is to hide your activity from the prying eyes of hackers, government agencies, and internet providers. Hence, NordVPN uses 256-bit AES encryption – the exact same encryption used by the government to encrypt top secrets that are shared online.

Split Tunneling

NordVPN uses both full-tunnel and split-tunnel encryptions. The first one activates automatically, fully switching your device to a server location. The second mode actually divides your connection between a secure VPN location and your regular unencrypted data.

We got a chance to test it in detail on a smartphone device. When using a full-tunnel mode, we ended up having all the news and weather forecasts of the location we were connected to. We understand how annoying it may be for users who want a VPN solely for accessing content unavailable in their home countries while keeping other information local.

Hence, NordVPN’s split tunneling is a suitable solution for watching French Netflix and checking the Los Angeles weather forecast.

Dedicated IP Address

Have you noticed how you have to fill up CAPTCHA every time you’re trying to access a website? Well, chances are you are using a shared IP address, which doesn’t jeopardize your privacy but may be annoying having your activity flagged all the time.
For an additional price, you can get a dedicated IP address from NordVPN, which can only be accessed by you. Users can choose dedicated IP addresses in the US, the UK, Italy, France, Canada, Japan, and more.

Then we experimented with a few random European servers, getting mixed results ranging from around 0.12 Mbps to the record 58 Mbps on one of the French servers, which was actually higher than our download speed with no VPN.

Performance

Speed Test

The biggest concern with VPN services is how much they will affect your browsing experience. To test this, we used the Ookla speed-testing service while connected to a Wi-Fi network. Connecting to the server closest to us geographically produced a rather insignificant drop in the download and upload speed.

Then we experimented with a few random European servers, getting mixed results ranging from around 0.12 Mbps to the record 58 Mbps on one of the French servers, which was actually higher than our download speed with no VPN.

As expected, the download speed on US servers was noticeably lower due to the geographical distance, averaging around 2 Mbps. However, there is a selection of faster servers optimized for file sharing, which deliver better results. If you are simply browsing the web, you will notice little to no performance degradation. You can also try a few tricks to increase the VPN speed, such as adjusting your encryption level or switching from Wi-Fi to a wired connection.

Note that these tests were done on a Windows PC. When we switched to a Mac, we got a 25% slower speed from the same connections.

DNS Leak Test

Domain Name System (DNS) is the equivalent of a phonebook that connects you to a domain, or in other words, a website. Your device has a dedicated IP address, which DNS translates so that browsers can load the website you want.
When using a VPN, the technology hides your DNS when you connect to the website. We evaluated this feature that NordVPN offers and found no DNS leaks. This means any NordVPN user can freely browse any website without worrying about their IP address being revealed.

Website and Support

NordVPN has a stylish and well-laid-out website, providing a wealth of information on product features, pricing plans, available servers, and customer support. The company offers 24/7 live chat support, email support, and a ticket submission system.

The website also offers a number of free extra tools, such as an encrypted proxy extension for Google Chrome and Firefox, which allows browsing securely and without any location-specific restrictions.

Unique Features

In contrast to other VPN providers, NordVPN offers few features. The fact that their application has fewer features is both an advantage and a disadvantage.

On one hand, it is possible to say that other providers have too many features that an average user will use, and therefore, NordVPN is much more user-friendly. At the same time, this is also a drawback of the service, as many other VPN services have more extra functions that surprise you.

NordVPN Pricing

A three-year subscription to NordVPN is one of the best deals on the market, considering the added security features and service usability. Monthly billing is a bit more expensive.

All plans provide unlimited bandwidth on up to six devices, including smartphones, tablets, and even routers. If you protect your home router, it covers all devices connected to it, freeing up the remaining five connections for other locations.

In addition, regardless of your plan preferences, you will benefit from a tracker and ad blocker, along with malware protection.

The Ultimate subscription plan grants access to unique features that are not provided by other VPNs, and these include:

• Next-generation file encryption
• Identity theft recovery benefit
• Cyber extortion protection benefit

However, if your main online activity involves casually browsing the web, watching video content, and occasionally torrenting, the Plus and Standard packages may be a better fit for you.

The Verdict

To conclude the review, we are seriously impressed with the power and efficiency of NordVPN’s services. Straightforward enough for beginners and offering enough solid features for the most security-conscious users, it is truly one of the best VPN products on the market.

In our opinion, NordVPN is a great VPN provider that offers you a user-friendly application, customer service that is available 24/7, and the ability to surf in a very secure manner.

Overall, NordVPN is a reliable and secure VPN with military-grade encryption, best protocols, leakproof connection with split-tunneling, and kill switch features. Basically, it offers everything you need to stay hidden and protect your identity.

Based in Panama, no government agency can make a request to see your data. In addition, NordVPN stays out of Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, and 14 Eyes jurisdiction.

To top it up, NordVPN’s customer support is great, with many resources and guides available, you can either find the solution yourself or chat with an agent at any time of the day.

NordVPN: Worth a Try?

After meticulously testing NordVPN features, we can confidently confirm that the provider lives up to our expectations. Is it the best VPN you can ever get? Maybe. Every VPN serves a purpose, and if you want to enjoy a movie unavailable in your region, torrent without second thoughts, or just keep your identity secret – NordVPN is the one to trust.

If you aren’t convinced, let us list a few valid points on why NordVPN is worth every penny.

Panama HQ

The company is based in Panama, which means that they do not have to follow European or American regulations and are thus not forced to give away sensitive information. Instead, you can lean back and enjoy connecting through NordVPN’s military-grade encryption and not worry that your data information will be logged.

Affordable Plans

NordVPN’s services are offered at a reasonable price, yet it is slightly more expensive than other VPN providers. Similar to ExpressVPN, NordVPN offers a subscription starting at approximately 10 US dollars per month if you sign up for a monthly subscription. If you want to have the service for a longer period (more than a year), the price is much cheaper, and you can experience NordVPN’s great service for around 3 US dollars per month.

30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

If you doubt that NordVPN is the right VPN provider for you, give it a try and see for yourself, thanks to the 30-day money-back guarantee. This allows you to experience a free trial period, as you can disrupt the subscription and get your money back if you are not satisfied.

Geolocation Block Evasion

If you enjoy watching Netflix and other similar streaming services, you can easily access these services with NordVPN, regardless of where in the world you are. The application of NordVPN allows you to easily connect to servers across the globe, unblock sites, and thus access, for example, American Netflix.

Multiple Simultaneous Connections

You can use up to six devices simultaneously within one subscription. This means that the whole family can take part in this service and enjoy surfing in a secure and fast way. The NordVPN app is easy to download, and it supports Chrome, Android, Firefox, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows.

Features You Can Rely

Some vendors take the basic VPN service and take it to the next level by adding extra layers of functionality, incorporating additional web security services, and presenting outstanding usability. NordVPN stands firmly in this camp.

Among its many features, you can find a huge network of servers optimized for specific purposes, an automatic kill switch in case of connection interruptions, a double encryption option, and proxy extensions for Chrome and Firefox. On top of that, NordVPN has a strict no-log policy, facilitated by being located in Panama, which has no mandatory data retention laws.

Frequently Asked Questions