On the surface, NordVPN looks like a really impressive service. It claims to have a huge global server network, a speedy and reliable connection, and iron-clad security and privacy features. Plus, you can get it all for just $2.99/month. That all sounds great, but is there a catch?
To find out, we did an in-depth analysis of NordVPN. The team and I tested its speeds and how well it performs when you’re streaming, torrenting, or gaming. Additionally, I dug deep into its security features, making sure it can truly keep you safe online. I also looked into its location, privacy policy, and independent audits to see how trustworthy it is.
Overall, NordVPN is a fast, safe, and reliable VPN. I got consistently fast speeds on nearby and long-distance servers, so I was able to enjoy various online activities without any lag or interruptions. NordVPN also has world-class security and privacy features, and it’s backed by a legit 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it out without risk.
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NordVPN Pros, Cons, and Needed Improvements
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Fast local and faraway servers
It was super fast in most locations. However, its long-distance servers weren’t great for gaming.
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Strong security and privacy
With AES 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and a strict no-logs policy, you can trust NordVPN to keep you safe and to be responsible with your data.
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Optimized P2P servers
While I’ve tested other VPNs that are easier for torrenting and have entire P2P server networks, I didn’t have issues using uTorrent, BitTorrent, Popcorn Time, and other websites.
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Easy to install and configure
Its apps are really simple to navigate, even for beginners.
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A 30-day money-back guarantee
While it’s not the cheapest VPN, NordVPN lets you try its features free for 30 days with its money-back guarantee.
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Great for streaming
Its speedy and reliable global server network makes it possible to access content from anywhere in HD without interruptions.
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NordVPN Features — 2024 Update
9.4
💸
Price
|
2.99 USD/month
|
📆
Money Back Guarantee
|
30 Days |
📝
Does VPN keep logs?
|
No |
🖥
Number of servers
|
6800+ |
💻
Number of devices per license
|
10 |
🛡
Kill switch
|
Yes |
🗺
Based in country
|
Panama |
🛠
Support
|
Live Chat Support |
📥
Supports torrenting
|
Yes |
Streaming — Works Reliably With 30+ Platforms
9.5
Editor’s note: This VPN has a strict no-logs policy that prevents it from seeing or tracking what you do online. This means you’re responsible for how you use it, so please be sure to follow all applicable regulations and T&Cs. My colleagues and I do not condone copyright infringement.
NordVPN is excellent for streaming. Although it doesn’t have streaming-optimized servers, its proprietary NordLynx protocol offers fast speeds, making it possible to stream in Ultra HD quality. Plus, its fast and reliable global server network can securely access content from anywhere.
Our global team of testers confirmed that NordVPN offers smooth and reliable connections for several major streaming platforms. Each team member reported no hiccups in their streaming quality. Platforms that were tested include Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, (HBO) Max, BBC iPlayer, and more.
We confirmed NordVPN works with 30+ global streaming platforms, including:
Netflix |
Amazon Prime Video |
BBC iPlayer |
Max |
DAZN |
Hulu |
Crunchyroll |
Kodi |
Fox Sports |
Rai Play |
AT&T |
ITV Hub |
RTL |
Discovery+ |
TG4 |
Apple TV |
YouTube TV |
Peacock TV |
Disney+ and Disney+ Hotstar |
Globo and Globo Sportv |
TVING |
Salto |
TF1 |
Spotify |
Sling TV |
ESPN and ESPN+ |
UKTV |
SBS Australia |
Paramount Plus |
Funimation |
ZDF |
Yle |
Pro Tip: If you’re having trouble watching one of your services, try switching browsers. Some of our testers had issues streaming their Max and Hulu libraries, but they could switch from Chrome to Microsoft Edge and load them in seconds. Clearing your browser’s cache and cookies can also fix the issue, or you can try another server.
Works With: 15+ Netflix Libraries
NordVPN has a huge global server network across 111 countries, making it possible to access Netflix from anywhere in UHD. My team tested NordVPN from 15+ locations, and it provided seamless connections for Netflix US, UK, Canada, and Japan. From the UK, I watched Scavengers Reign on Netflix UK in Ultra HD without interruptions.
My colleague reported that the picture quality remained the same throughout the entire episode of Your Honor
Works With: Disney+
I used the auto-connect feature to connect to the fastest UK server based on my UK location, and Disney+ loaded within seconds. I watched Shōgun in UHD without any buffering the entire time.
Use Quick Connect to get the optimal streaming speeds for your location
My US colleagues also successfully accessed Disney+ in great quality. Even when connected to servers in states thousands of kilometers away from their location.
Works With: Hulu
NordVPN has a huge US server network with 17 locations, making it easy to find a reliable server for streaming Hulu. Our team in the US tested a couple of servers on the East and West Coasts, and each gave them a speedy and reliable connection.
Our testing team noted that the video loaded instantly with no buffering throughout the stream
Seeing as NordVPN offers multiple Japanese servers (in Tokyo and Osaka) you can also use it to stream Hulu JP shows securely in HD.
Works With: BBC iPlayer
NordVPN can also safely access UK-exclusive platforms like BBC iPlayer. There are over 440 fast and secure UK servers spread across London, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Glasgow. I tested each of NordVPN’s UK server locations from my location in Glasgow, and each one let me stream securely in UHD.
NordVPN played Dinosaur on BBC iPlayer safely and in great quality
Also Works With: ITVX, ESPN+, DAZN, and others
During my tests in the UK, I also had no problem watching ITVX. Our global team also reported that NordVPN can access Max, ESPN+, and DAZN in great quality. Our US testers watched live NBA games on ESPN+. They loaded in less than 10 seconds, and the video quality never dropped below UHD.
Doesn't Work With: Amazon Prime Video and Sky Go
Unfortunately, NordVPN doesn’t work with Sky Go or Amazon Prime Video. I tried all of NordVPN’s UK servers, but each one gave me an error message on Sky Go.
Neither I nor my team members could access our local Amazon Prime Video libraries. I reached out to its customer support through the 24/7 live chat. The chatbot Nordbot gave me some good troubleshooting tips, like clearing my cache and connecting to the newest server on the server list, but none of these worked.
I was shown an error code on Amazon Prime Video with all NordVPN UK server locations
But, overall, the team and I were impressed by NordVPN’s streaming abilities. It worked well with almost all platforms we tried and got consistently fast speeds for smooth streaming.
Speed — Impressive Speeds on Local and International Servers
9.8
NordVPN offers very fast speeds on most servers. Considering it’s normal for a VPN to drop your speeds by at least 20%, I was impressed by how fast it is, especially on some of the longer-distance servers.
Here is what we focused on while testing NordVPN's speeds:
- Download speed refers to the time it takes to download data, such as images, music, and video from the internet to your device. It’s measured in Mbps (megabits per second).
- Upload speed is the time it takes for data to travel between your computer and the internet. It can affect how long it takes to upload a video from your computer to the internet. It’s also measured in Mbps.
- Ping refers to how long it takes for data to travel back and forth between your device and the game server. The lower the ping the better speeds for gaming you will get. Ping is measured in milliseconds (ms).
We measure all of the top vendors’ speeds from the same location in the US on a regular basis. This makes for fairer comparisons, and each result is the average of several tests done at different times of the day. Our NordVPN tests were conducted using NordLynx since it offered the fastest speeds.
Take a look at how NordVPN stacks up to its competition
USA (Dallas)
Download Speed
Upload Speed
Ping
USA (Miami)
Download Speed
Upload Speed
Ping
USA (Los Angeles)
Download Speed
Upload Speed
Ping
USA (New York)
Download Speed
Upload Speed
Ping
Canada
Download Speed
Upload Speed
Ping
Brazil
Download Speed
Upload Speed
Ping
UK
Download Speed
Upload Speed
Ping
France
Download Speed
Upload Speed
Ping
Japan
Download Speed
Upload Speed
Ping
Australia
Download Speed
Upload Speed
Ping
Singapore
Download Speed
Upload Speed
Ping
186.48 Mbps
39.94 Mbps
11 ms
161.91 Mbps
60.22 Mbps
78 ms
73.48 Mbps
69.79 Mbps
71 ms
74.71 Mbps
29.73 Mbps
199 ms
107.64 Mbps
34.52 Mbps
184 ms
125.98 Mbps
48.91 Mbps
97 ms
139.98 Mbps
14.99 Mbps
156 ms
131.95 Mbps
19.88 Mbps
206 ms
149.24 Mbps
17.69 Mbps
206 ms
122.94 Mbps
74.96 Mbps
179 ms
154.17 Mbps
91.92 Mbps
204 ms
131.21 Mbps
104.86 Mbps
215 ms
244 Mbps
144.44 Mbps
6 ms
206.10 Mbps
96.52 Mbps
10 ms
185 Mbps
89.07 Mbps
87 ms
186.90 Mbps
125 Mbps
58 ms
63 Mbps
174.55 Mbps
49.08 ms
165.28 Mbps
95.55 Mbps
57 ms
165.58 Mbps
96.97 Mbps
183 ms
206.44 Mbps
52.29 Mbps
113 ms
190.51 Mbps
127.53 Mbps
118 ms
166.22 Mbps
145.92 Mbps
145 ms
158.29 Mbps
146.26 Mbps
178 ms
153.93 Mbps
157.04 Mbps
229 ms
160.63 Mbps
48.49 Mbps
5 ms
103.16 Mbps
49.78 Mbps
5 ms
111.47 Mbps
86.44 Mbps
116 ms
125.04 Mbps
28.32 Mbps
75 ms
200.96 Mbps
56.18 Mbps
56 ms
111.61 Mbps
49.52 Mbps
74 ms
186.53 Mbps
104.80 Mbps
161 ms
73.75 Mbps
57.14 Mbps
133 ms
133.77 Mbps
81.13 Mbps
119 ms
104.89 Mbps
90.47 Mbps
144 ms
100.97 Mbps
74.94 Mbps
193 ms
68.68 Mbps
33.48 Mbps
210 ms
These tests are conducted from the USA
*N/A indicates that we do not currently have speed test data for this location
These are some of the best VPN speeds in the industry. On nearby servers, it’s barely noticeable you’re using a VPN. Speeds on some of the long-distance locations, are particularly impressive, and far better than what some other VPNs have to offer.
Gaming — Low Ping on Nearby Servers For Lag-Free Gameplay
9.0
NordVPN is a good VPN for gaming. It let me play without lag on nearby servers, but it struggled on servers further away. Naturally, the ping increased the further away the server was from my location.
To test how the VPN performs, I played Counter-Strike: Global Offensive on my Windows PC while connected to the optimal server for my location. It only took around 3 seconds for the game to start, and my ping remained consistently below 50 ms.
I used the NordLynx protocol while playing CS: GO for the best speeds
A ping rate under 100 ms is usually considered optimal for gaming, so these are excellent results. I recorded a ping of 28 ms with no VPN connected, so there wasn’t any noticeable difference in gameplay when I played with NordVPN on local servers.
To see how the VPN performed at longer distances, I first tried the New York server (from the UK). I had a ping of 116 ms, which resulted in longer loading times (over 5 minutes), and I noticed some instances of lagging during the game. I even got killed off a few times because I couldn’t respond fast enough. This may be okay for slower-paced games, but it’s not suitable for fast-paced shooters like CS: GO.
As expected, the Los Angeles server experienced even more lag, with a ping of over 169 ms, which rendered most games unplayable. The ping only got higher on servers further away in Singapore, Japan, and Australia.
Overall, though, NordVPN is a solid VPN for gaming as long as you stick to servers that aren’t too far from your location. Luckily, the VPN operates a huge server network worldwide, so finding an optimal server for lag-free gaming shouldn’t be a problem.
Server Network — Large Server Network and Specialty Servers Available
9.5
NordVPN has the best global coverage of any VPN I’ve tested, with 6,800 servers in 111 countries. Its servers are well spread across the globe, with a large number of servers in Europe, the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific.
It covers smaller European countries like Andorra and Liechtenstein but doesn’t offer VPN locations in restricted countries such as China and Russia. I found its US coverage a little disappointing — it currently only has 17 server locations across the States. This could make it challenging for US users to find a nearby server if they’re in a more remote location.
Almost all of NordVPN’s servers are colocated (owned and maintained by its staff). The only exceptions are its remote locations. This is a much safer alternative than simply renting their VPN servers. Plus, it uses RAM-only servers (volatile memory), which means your data isn’t written to memory like it is on traditional hard drive servers.
You can also connect to the fastest server for your location with “Quick Connect”
Previously, NordVPN operated exclusively physical servers. However, since expanding its server network, it introduced 50 virtual server locations, making up around 45% of its network. Virtual servers offer more global connections — and sometimes perform better if it’s closer to the user's physical location than the actual country.
NordVPN provides specialty security servers: Double VPN, P2P optimized, and Obfuscated servers. It also offers Onion Over VPN servers, which add an extra layer of protection on the Dark Web. These prevent your ISP from seeing that you’re using Tor and possibly flagging your activity as suspicious or alerting authorities. Plus, they let you access .onion websites from any browser.
P2P Optimized Servers
Unfortunately, it doesn’t support torrenting on all servers, but NordVPN has an optimized server network for P2P sharing.
P2P servers are available in 50+ countries worldwide
Obfuscated Servers
NordVPN’s Obfuscated servers offer the ultimate stealth by disguising your VPN traffic as normal internet traffic. They’re so effective that they’ve allowed NordVPN to work on restrictive networks like at work and school.
If you’re not seeing the obfuscated server option in the main dashboard, simply change the protocol in your VPN’s settings to OpenVPN (TCP), and you’ll see them listed under Specialty Servers.
You can only connect to an obfuscated server with the OpenVPN(TCP) protocol
Double VPN Servers
These servers are also known as multi-hop servers. When you use NordVPN’s Double VPN servers, your traffic goes through two servers. So, you’ll get an extra layer of encryption, which makes your data practically uncrackable.
Note that double encryption always slows down speeds more than usual
Even though it can boost your security, it’s not recommended for everyday use, torrenting, or streaming because it will slow your speeds down.
I tested the speeds to see what kind of results I would get. It wasn’t as bad as I expected (after all, my traffic had to run through two different servers), but I still wouldn’t recommend it. A 34% drop can be really huge for someone with lower download speeds.
Dedicated IP
NordVPN also offers Dedicated IP addresses for an extra fee. Since regular VPN IPs are shared by multiple users connected to the same server, they increase the chances of being detected and blocked by websites. Dedicated IPs, therefore, can offer safe HD access to popular streaming services. They also reduce your exposure to annoying CAPTCHAs.
If you’re willing to pay extra for a dedicated IP address, you can choose between 6 US locations (Los Angeles, Dallas, New York, Chicago, Seattle, Miami) and the following:
UK (London) |
Sweden (Stockholm) |
The Netherlands (Amsterdam) |
Australia (Sydney) |
France (Paris) |
France (Marseille) |
Canada (Toronto) |
Hong Kong (Hong Kong) |
Japan (Tokyo) |
Spain (Madrid) |
Germany (Frankfurt) |
Belgium (Brussels) |
Italy (Milan) |
Denmark (Copenhagen) |
Ireland (Dublin) |
Singapore (Singapore) |
Austria (Vienna) |
Switzerland (Zurich) |
Security — Military Grade Encryption and No DNS Leaks
9.8
NordVPN gives you all of the security essentials plus more. This includes military-grade encryption, strong protection against IP/DNS leaks, a powerful malware blocker, and a highly customizable kill switch. It also uses multi-factor authentication, so you can safeguard your NordVPN account from unauthorized logins.
There are also several reputable protocols to choose from, including NordLynx, which is NordVPN’s very own proprietary protocol. For added protection, NordVPN lets you connect to its Double VPN servers that route your traffic through an additional VPN server.
Overall, security is one of NordVPN’s strongest sides. It outperforms most other VPNs in this category, and it’s hard to think of any security feature that’s missing.
Military-Grade Encryption and 2 Secure Protocols
NordVPN protects your data with AES 256-bit encryption, which is a standard in the industry and used by governments and banks. This encryption is so hard to crack through with brute force attacks that it would take hackers billions of years to get through it.
Plus, it uses the SHA-512 hash function, which means it scrambles your login credentials into 512 meaningless pieces of data. These hashes are compared to the ones stored on the server upon signing up. You are only given access to your account if they match.
NordVPN is one of the few VPNs to offer the SHA-512 function (most providers use SHA-256). This makes it very difficult for hackers to gain access to your account.
You also get protected by Perfect Forward Secrecy, which changes your encryption key regularly. So, even if a hacker grabs the key and accesses your data, it limits how much of your information they can access.
NordVPN offers 2 secure protocols:
- NordLynx protocol — Based on WireGuard, this speed-boosting protocol is set as the default on NordVPN’s apps. Since WireGuard isn’t the safest protocol yet, NordVPN combines it with double NAT, which ensures that no identifying data ends up on the server. It’s available on Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and iOS.
- OpenVPN protocol — You can choose between UDP and TCP versions. UDP is the faster one, so it’s good for streaming, but the TCP version is more secure. It’s available on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS.
The NordLynx protocol was consistently the fastest protocol in my tests
Strong Leak Protection and Advanced Kill Switch
NordVPN offers full protection against DNS, WebRTC, and IP leaks. Your DNS requests can be used by your ISP to snoop on your browsing activity, so it’s essential for a VPN provider to keep them private.
Thankfully, NordVPN runs its own DNS servers, which ensures strong DNS leak protection and privacy. The best part is that this feature is turned on by default, so there’s no need to change any settings to stay safe.
I felt confident that no-one could snoop on my connection while I was using NordVPN
I tested 10+ of its servers across the globe with ipleak.net, and I never experienced any data leaks. With each test, the site only showed the IP address and DNS server that I was connected to with NordVPN, while my real IP address and location remained hidden.
NordVPN’s kill switch ensures your personal info and data won’t be revealed, even if your VPN connection drops. On Windows and macOS, NordVPN has two different kill switch options.
- Internet Kill Switch will completely shut down your internet access when you’re not connected to the VPN or if your connection drops. It’s available with every NordVPN app except the macOS OpenVPN client (you need to use its IKEv2 client, which has both types of switches). This is great for added security when you’re torrenting or using Tor.
- App Kill Switch allows you to choose which apps will get closed if your connection fails. So, for example, you can choose to shut down Google Chrome or a different browser but not your other apps. This is available on Windows and Mac OS. It’s good to use when you’re streaming, so the streaming platform won’t detect that you’re using a VPN and block you.
Like with most other VPNs, the kill switch option is not on by default, so you have to manually enable it when you download the VPN app. But, you only have to toggle it on once.
The app kill switch option is only available on Windows and macOS
Once I turned on the internet kill switch, I got temporarily disconnected from the internet every time I switched servers.
The kill switch function is available on all NordVPN apps, including Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS. To activate it on Android, you need to enable the Always On VPN and Block Connections Without VPN options in the device’s settings.
Split Tunneling
With the split tunneling feature, you can choose which apps you want (and don’t want) encrypted. This helps free up some bandwidth and speed up your connection. It’s useful when you need extra protection to use certain websites since you can protect those and leave the rest of your traffic unencrypted.
This option is available on Windows and Android (Android TV as well). To turn this on, just go to settings and press the toggle button. Then, pick what apps should use a VPN connection.
Since it doesn’t encrypt unnecessary traffic, split tunneling also helps prevent speed loss
If you turn this setting off, all of your traffic will be routed through NordVPN. The same thing happens if you get a NordVPN extension — essentially, you’ll only protect your browser but not all of the traffic traveling from your device. You can also select which websites can bypass the VPN connection.
Threat Protection
NordVPN’s Threat Protection protects you from ads and trackers while browsing. Plus, it detects malware on any files downloaded. Threat Protection is available on the Windows and Mac apps, and you can also get it as a separate product; no active VPN subscription is required.
What’s particularly impressive about this feature is that it works continuously, even when the VPN is disconnected.
You can set the ad/malware blocker to run even when the VPN isn’t connected
I tested Threat Protection on my Windows PC and was impressed by the results. It effectively blocked most banner and pop-up ads on sites like Forbes and Daily Mail. I also tried visiting a few known malicious websites, but Threat Protection stopped me every time.
This only applies to the Windows and Mac apps, though. On Android, iOS, and Linux devices, the feature is called Threat Protection Lite, and it only works when you connect to a VPN server. Also, Threat Protection Lite doesn’t delete malware from downloaded files.
Meshnet
Meshnet is one of NordVPN’s most unique features. It allows you to connect different devices all over the world through encrypted private tunnels. Powered through NordVPN’s NordLynx technology, it works as a virtual encrypted LAN to connect your devices. For example, you could easily access files from a friend in another country, and the connection between your 2 devices would be secure.
You can also funnel traffic from 2 devices through one IP address. This gives you access to additional residential IPs. You’ll typically be using data center IPs with a VPN, which are more likely to get banned than home addresses (residential IPs). However, connections like this won’t be encrypted, leaving the data on your devices vulnerable.
It’s easy to use Meshnet — simply enable it on your device and link a new device by sending an invitation link through email. This will send a special IP address assigned to the device you installed the NordVPN app on. Once you’re linked up, you can use Meshnet for sharing files, streaming, and gaming.
You can connect up to 10 devices to NordVPN, which will automatically be linked with Meshnet once it’s enabled. In addition, you can connect up to 50 external devices with Meshnet.
Dark Web Monitor
This is another unique feature — NordVPN’s Dark Web Monitor detects if your email address appears on a leaked database on the dark web.
It’s available on macOS, Windows, Android, and iOS, and it’s simple to set up — you can enable it with a single click. The tool runs quietly in the background, and you don’t need to be connected to the VPN for it to work.
It's relieving to know that my account email wasn’t detected in any data leaks
I enabled it on my Windows PC and was immediately notified that there were no leaks associated with my email address on the dark web.
Incogni
Incogni is a bonus security feature that you can only get for an extra fee on top of your regular NordVPN subscription. It’s a data removal service that sends that contacts various data brokers that likely have your personal information, such as your email, phone number, and location, and asks them to remove it from their database.
Privacy — A Strict No-Logs Policy and a Privacy-Friendly Location
9.6
NordVPN claims it keeps no logs, and this has been proven true several times with audits by independent organizations like Deloitte. It’s also based in Panama, a privacy-friendly jurisdiction that’s outside the reach of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance.
Overall, it has a strong reputation as one of the most trustworthy VPNs today. Still, it’s recently made a small change in its privacy policy that has raised some concerns and is worth taking a closer look into.
NordVPN did have one security incident in 2018. It involved a third-party server that was breached due to an exposed remote management system that an unauthorized party exploited, potentially compromising user data. However, NordVPN assured users that their data wasn't intercepted.
Does NordVPN Keep Logs? No, but It May Oblige Legal Requests
NordVPN has a strict no-logs policy — it collects no personal information that can be used to identify you, like your IP address, or traffic and connection logs. It does log your username and connection timestamp after a session ends, but it deletes this information after 15 minutes.
It only retains information needed to create your account, like your email address, subscription data, and billing information. This isn’t a huge deal, as you can always use a burner email address and pay with cryptocurrency if you want added anonymity.
NordVPN has recently made a subtle change in its privacy policy that is a bit concerning, though. The new wording implies that it will comply with data requests made by law enforcement only if it’s in line with the regulations of the jurisdiction in which it operates.
Thankfully, it’s based in Panama, so it’s not obliged to store logs of user data, so it won’t have anything to share
The company has since clarified that the wording was misinterpreted and that even though it stores no user data, it would have no other option if required to do so by law. Luckily, it’s been proven that NordVPN doesn’t log vital information, like your IP address or online activity, so it doesn’t have much to share.
Was NordVPN Audited? Yes
At the end of 2023, NordVPN’s no-logs policy was audited for the fourth time. The audit was performed by Deloitte, an independent security organization, and it proved that NordVPN really stands by its no-logs claims — it doesn’t monitor user activity or store any personally identifiable information on its servers.
On top of that, it underwent a security audit performed by Cure53 in 2022. In this analysis, the third-party auditor conducted a thorough test on NordVPN’s servers, infrastructure, and apps. All vulnerabilities that were found were fixed by NordVPN’s developers and approved by Cure53.
Based in Panama
One of the great things about NordVPN is its location. It’s owned by nordvpn S.A., and its headquarters are in Panama, which is based outside of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance. This Alliance is an organization of countries and governments that have intrusive data retention policies, and it includes countries like the US, UK, Australia, Canada, etc. Since Panama is not a part of it, it doesn’t have to share your information with others.
The privacy policy also verifies that it would only react to a request from a court in Panama.
As a bonus, NordVPN publishes a warrant canary on a daily basis. This means that it shares any requests for user information it gets from governments and companies, such as gag orders, warrants, etc.
Does NordVPN Work in China? It Might
NordVPN might be able to work in China, but it may require some configurations. It didn’t work in China in the past, but its support team confirmed it should — although this is not guaranteed.
The live chat agent forwarded me a guide to set up a manual IKEv2 connection to use the VPN in China. Plus, they sent me a list of servers that work best there. I also learned that this method doesn’t currently work on Windows devices, but its team is currently working on a solution to fix this.
The live chat agent informed me that it couldn't guarantee that it would work in China
China has one of the toughest internet restrictions of any country, so it’s a huge plus that NordVPN is committed to finding ways to get around them.
NordVPN doesn’t currently have any servers in China, so you can’t get a China IP address if you need one.
Please bear in mind that most VPNs are banned in China and other countries with strict censorship. The vpnMentor team and I don’t condone using VPNs illegally, so you should always read up on your local law and use VPNs responsibly.
Torrenting — P2P Optimized Servers Allow Fast and Safe Torrenting
9.4
NordVPN doesn’t allow torrenting on all its servers, but it has dedicated servers for P2P sharing that are built for fast speeds and strong security. These servers are easily accessible from the Specialty Servers section in the main interface. They are located in 100+ countries worldwide, so you have tons of options to choose from to torrent securely.
Plus, the VPN will automatically connect you to one of these servers if it detects P2P traffic, so you don’t have to worry about accidentally using a regular server while torrenting.
To test how these servers perform, I first connected to the fastest P2P server for my location. Then, I started downloading Carnival of Souls (copyright-free) on qBittorrent. The 1.16GB file took less than 6 minutes to download. This is impressive and no different from the time it usually takes for me to download a 1GB file without a VPN connection.
Next, I connected to a P2P-optimized server in Serbia, as I wanted to see how the VPN holds up when torrenting over long distances. It didn’t take more than 3 minutes to download It’s a Wonderful Life (700MB).
NordVPN will automatically find the fastest P2P server for you based on your location
NordVPN’s privacy features ensure your personal data will stay safe and private while torrenting, like its advanced kill switch, IP/DNS leak protection, and privacy-friendly headquarters.
NordVPN doesn’t support port forwarding, unfortunately. This helps your torrenting client get the necessary data packets to connect directly to other clients, which can otherwise get blocked by your router. It also improves speeds but is not considered safe, so it’s not offered by many VPNs.
My team and I don’t condone any illegal activities. Remember that most P2P content is protected by copyright, so downloading it is illegal. You should always check the laws and regulations of your country before using NordVPN for torrenting and make sure the content you want to download is in the public domain.
Installation & Apps
10.0
Easy to Use and Compatible With Most Devices
NordVPN is easy to install and set up on both desktop and mobile. After installing the VPN on my Windows PC, I instantly connected to a server with the Quick Connect option. Manually searching for servers is easy with the search box — and even simpler with the map interface, where all countries with servers are marked with dots.
You can connect to a server with a single click, and all your most recent locations are clearly visible underneath the connect button. A unique feature is Pause, which lets you disconnect the VPN for a set amount of time, ensuring you don’t forget to turn it back on again.
Its Specialty Servers are visible as soon as you open the app, and each server group has its own Quick Connect option, so you don’t have to manually look for the server with the best speeds. This is particularly useful with its P2P-optimized servers.
Finding your preferred server is easy with the map interface
All the features are easily accessible and easy to find. From the left-hand side menu, you can access Threat Protection, Dark Web Monitor, and Meshnet. Everything else, like its security protocols and kill switch, is easily accessible from the Settings menu.
The VPN comes ready to use, so there’s no special setup required. Simply connect to your preferred server, and you can begin using it.
My only complaint about NordVPN’s app is that it sometimes takes too long to connect to servers, especially at longer distances. For instance, I had to wait up to 4 minutes to connect to the Australian server. Occasionally, I even had to force quit the app and try again before I was finally able to establish a connection.
I reached out to its customer support for troubleshooting tips for the connectivity issues. The Nordbot recommended using the NordLynx protocol and performing a Network Reset, which made a slight improvement.
When I connected to a live agent, they recommended turning off the app's DNS filtering feature and enabling the Custom DNS feature, inputting the addresses 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1. This made a considerable difference to my connection times.
Setup & Installation
It’s really easy to get NordVPN up and running. Installing and setting up the VPN on my Windows PC didn’t take more than 5 minutes.
NordVPN has apps for a ton of popular devices
After downloading the Windows app, I waited a couple of seconds for it to install on my PC and was then prompted to log in. Clicking Log In opens a separate webpage where you need to enter your credentials. Then, the app opens again, and you can start using NordVPN.
Quick Guide: How to Set Up NordVPN is 3 Easy Steps
- Sign up for NordVPN on its official site. Select one of its subscription plans and enter your payment info. All plans come with a tried and tested 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try NordVPN free.
- Download the app on your device. NordVPN has dedicated apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. You just need to download the app and log in to your account.
- Connect to a server. Start streaming, browsing, and torrenting safely with NordVPN.
Device Compatibility
NordVPN has a dedicated app for every major OS, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. It’s also one of the best VPNs for Apple TV we’ve tested. NordVPN has a dedicated, native app for Apple TV, offering full protection on your device with a simplified setup.
Plus, it has a native app for Fire Stick and Fire TV and is compatible with the majority of routers. This means you can use it on any device connected to your home WiFi network.
Desktop — Apps For Windows, macOS, and Linux
NordVPN’s desktop apps are simple to use and intuitive. The Windows and Mac apps have almost identical interfaces but come with a few differences feature-wise. Perhaps the biggest difference is that split tunneling isn’t available on Mac — it’s only on the Windows and Android apps.
Also, the Presets feature is exclusive to the Mac app. This lets you create your own custom VPN settings and access them from the app’s main interface. You can choose the VPN protocol, server, and country you want to connect to and activate or disable certain features. There’s even an option to add shortcuts to different apps for easy access.
Split tunneling is only available on the NordVPN Windows app
What’s interesting about the Mac app is that there are two versions available, depending on whether you download it from the App Store or NordVPN’s official site. The latter only supports the OpenVPN protocol and is known as the sideload version. It does, however, offer Threat Protection, while the App Store version only supports Threat Protection Lite. Presets is available on both versions, though.
This can be a bit confusing for Mac users, so I would like to see NordVPN stick to only one Mac app in the future.
NordVPN also offers a dedicated Linux app, but, unlike some VPNs that offer a full GUI for Linux, its Linux app is command-based.
My only problem with NordVPN’s desktop apps is that they’re a bit bulky, and take up a large portion of your screen. It’s a bit annoying that you can’t shrink them down unless you want to minimize them completely.
Android and iPhone (iOS)
NordVPN’s Android and iOS are visually similar, and both have a simple and lightweight design. Just like with desktop apps, there’s a map interface that lets you connect to servers with a single click. Features like Quick Connect and the Pause function are also available.
A kill switch is included in both apps but it’s not customizable like on the desktop version, so you can’t choose to disable only specific apps when the VPN connection fails. Just like the Mac app, NordVPN’s iOS app doesn’t support split tunneling.
Both of NordVPN’s mobile apps are ioXt-certified, so you can rest assured they comply with the highest privacy and security standards. To get certified, NordVPN underwent a rigorous testing process. It scored the highest marks in various areas, including password management, vulnerability reporting program, proven cryptography, and others.
NordVPN also offers a 7-day free trial on the Android app, but that’s not available on iOS.
Download the Android app from Google Play to to try NordVPN for free with its 7-day free trial
Browser Extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge
NordVPN has browser extensions for Chrome, Edge, and Firefox. You can access its entire server network via the extensions, plus some useful features like Quick Connect and Pause. There’s also an Auto Connect feature that, when enabled, automatically connects you to a VPN server as soon as you launch the browser.
With split tunneling available, you can add sites that you want to exclude from the VPN connection. Threat Protection Lite is also available, so you’ll stay safe from ads and malware while browsing. Plus, there’s an option to block the WebRTC protocol, which will ensure your real IP address doesn’t get exposed while using the VPN extension.
Apps for Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, and Chromecast
NordVPN has a native app for Amazon Fire Stick, so it’s easy to install it on your Fire Stick and Fire TV devices. All you need to do is download the app from the Amazon Appstore and log in to your account. You can also use the VPN on your Android TV and Chromecast with Google TV with the dedicated Android app.
NordVPN's native Apple TV app stands out as a unique tool. Apple’s tvOS 17 update allowed third-party VPN apps on Apple TV for the first time — a huge shift in the device's capabilities.
It’s particularly impressive how straightforward it is to install and use the VPN on your Apple TV. Simply download the app from the Apple TV App Store, eliminating the need for complex router or Smart DNS configurations. In contrast to Smart DNS solutions, the Apple TV app offers robust encryption to protect you from cyber threats.
Plus, it offers the NordLynx protocol, providing fast and smooth streams. It can also help overcome ISP throttling to prevent slowdowns or interruptions. This focus on speed, combined with its ease of use and full security, makes NordVPN's app a top choice for Apple TV users.
Compatibility With PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and Roku
You can set up NordVPN on devices that aren’t compatible with VPNs, like gaming consoles, with its Smart DNS service. This feature doesn’t encrypt your internet traffic like a regular VPN connection does. Its purpose is to help you stream on these devices in good quality.
Setting up NordVPN’s Smart DNS service is really easy. You can access step-by-step tutorials on its official website, and you can always reach out to a support representative via its 24/7 live chat if you need assistance during setup.
You can also use NordVPN on gaming consoles and Roku by configuring it on your router. This is a slightly more complicated setup than the Smart DNS, but there are easy-to-follow guides on the VPN’s website. This method lets you benefit from the VPN connection on all the devices connected to your network, and unlike Smart DNS, it encrypts the data on your devices.
Router Compatibility
NordVPN is compatible with most routers, including Asus, DD-WRT, Mikrotik, TP-Link, Tomato, and many others. Configuring NordVPN on your router will allow you to use the VPN on any device connected to your home WiFi network. This will also allow you to use the VPN on as many devices as you like.
Setup is made easy with comprehensive guides available on its site. Plus, customer support is available 24/7 if you need help. Installing NordVPN on my TP-Link router didn’t take more than 10 minutes.
Simultaneous Device Connections
You can connect up to 10 devices simultaneously to your NordVPN account. I tested this out by installing NordVPN on my Android phone, Windows desktop, Linux laptop, MacBook desktop, and Android TV. Even with all of these devices using the connection at once, I still didn’t notice any drop in speed.
For expanded device coverage, it is possible to install the VPN directly on your router. By doing so, your entire network will benefit from VPN protection. It's important to note that not all routers are compatible with VPNs, so be sure to select a router that supports this feature. Additionally, it is worth considering that you may encounter limitations when attempting to install a VPN if you are using an ISP modem.