NordVPN proves that you don’t have to break the bank to get a high-quality VPN. Their affordable plans offer exceptional performance that rivals even pricier competitors.
NordVPN, while affordable, prioritizes security and privacy. Unlike many budget-friendly VPNs that compromise on features, NordVPN offers robust encryption, a strong no-logging policy, and a fully audited service, ensuring secure data protection.
Its high performance and compatibility with popular streaming services like Netflix further differentiate it from the competition. This NordVPN review 2024: All You Need to Know thoroughly examines NordVPN’s capabilities, focusing on its ability to securely access streaming services (like Netflix), its speed for video streaming, its security features, user data logging practices, torrenting support, and overall performance compared to competitors like ExpressVPN.
I thoroughly tested NordVPN, both in controlled environments and through everyday use, to see how it performs against its competitors. This review summarizes my key findings, but the full analysis, including all the details of my testing, is available for you to explore.
Is NordVPN a good choice?
NordVPN is a strong choice for users prioritizing privacy and speed, offering affordable access to geo-restricted content like Netflix, and working even in China.
It’s easy to use, with dedicated servers for various needs, including dark web browsing, P2P file sharing, and dedicated IP addresses. With a vast network of 5,000+ servers across 83 countries, NordVPN provides robust security through 256-bit AES encryption and its own NordLynx protocol. It allows torrenting and maintains a strict no-logs policy for user privacy.
NordVPN Feature Breakdown
| Feature | Score | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | 9.8 | Average Speed*300 Mbps, 4K UHD Video Streaming Support |
| Streaming | 9.7 | Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, HBO Now, Disney+, Dazn, Crunchyroll, Sky Go, All 4, ITVX, ABC iView |
| Security | 9.6 | 256-bit AES Encryption, Kill Switch, Limited logs, NordLynx, IKEv2, OpenVPN protocols |
| Value for Money | 9.3 | Lowest Monthly Cost $3.09, 30-day Money Back Guarantee |
Note:
Average internet speed across various locations worldwide, measured through numerous speed tests conducted daily.
Pros and Cons of NordVPN
This review highlights both the strengths and weaknesses of NordVPN. I’ll provide a more thorough analysis of these aspects in the following sections:
Pros
- Robust Security: This VPN boasts strong security measures, ensuring your online activity remains private and protected.
- Uninterrupted Streaming: It seamlessly works with popular streaming services like Netflix, which often pose challenges for other VPNs, allowing you to enjoy your favorite content without interruptions.
- Lightning-Fast Speeds: Experience blazing-fast speeds, ensuring smooth browsing, streaming, and downloading experiences.
- Trusted and Audited: The VPN’s infrastructure and applications have undergone independent audits, providing assurance of its reliability and security standards.
- Multiple Device Connectivity: Connect up to ten devices simultaneously, allowing you to protect all your devices with a single subscription.
- Extensive Global Network: Benefit from a vast network of servers strategically located worldwide, providing access to content from different regions and ensuring optimal connection speeds.
Cons
- Uncategorized Streaming Servers: While the VPN offers dedicated streaming servers, they are not clearly labeled, making it slightly challenging to find the most suitable server for your needs.
- Android Kill Switch Absence: The Android app lacks a kill switch, a feature that automatically disconnects your internet connection if the VPN connection drops, potentially exposing your data.
- Device Identifier Tracking: Although the VPN does not track your IP address, browsing activities, or server usage, it does track device-level identifiers, which might raise privacy concerns for some users.
How Fast is NordVPN in Terms of Speed
NordVPN launched NordLynx, a faster VPN protocol based on Wireguard, leading to significantly improved speeds. NordVPN now ranks among the fastest VPN services, achieving average download speeds of 300 Mbps across North America, Europe, and Asia. The service provides sufficient bandwidth for streaming in 4K, live streaming HD video, and online gaming.
However, recent tests have shown slight declines in average speed, and manual server selection often yields better performance than automatic selection. Individual speed experiences may vary due to internet volatility and connection speeds.
Which devices are compatible with NordVPN?
NordVPN is a great choice for sharing with others because it allows up to ten devices to connect simultaneously on one account. You can use NordVPN across various devices, including:
- Android
- Windows
- Linux
- iOS
- macOS
- Amazon Fire TV
NordVPN provides encrypted proxy extensions for popular browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. These extensions function similarly to a VPN, but they only encrypt and reroute traffic from your browser, not your entire device.
Can NordVPN Unblock Streaming Services?
NordVPN effectively bypasses geo-restrictions on popular streaming platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Crunchyroll, and Amazon Prime Video. The table provided further details on NordVPN’s streaming performance, supporting its claim as the best streaming VPN.
| Platform | Can NordVPN unblock it? |
|---|---|
| Netflix (US) | ✔ |
| Netflix (UK) | ✔ |
| Disney Plus (EU) | ✔ |
| Hulu (US) | ✔ |
| BBC iPlayer (UK) | ✔ |
| Prime Video (EU) | ✔ |
| HBO Max (EU)* | ✔ |
NordVPN makes streaming US-exclusive content like *The Walking Dead* a breeze. With a wide selection of US servers, we easily accessed the show without buffering. NordVPN even works seamlessly with Apple TV thanks to its dedicated app and SmartPlay feature, ensuring fast and reliable streaming from anywhere in the world.
Can I use NordVPN to access Netflix content from different regions?
Can I use NordVPN to access Netflix content from different regions? Yes, NordVPN excels at unblocking streaming services, offering access to content from over 15 Netflix regions, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, Disney+, and more.
Its SmartPlay technology ensures seamless streaming by automatically activating a Smart DNS service for supported platforms. I’ve tested it with Netflix and can confirm it works as advertised.
NordVPN stands out for its ability to access Netflix libraries in multiple countries, including Australia, Canada, Japan, Netherlands, UK, and the US. While not all servers in a specific country work for streaming, NordVPN’s extensive experience in this area makes it a reliable choice for accessing geo-restricted content.
Although the app doesn’t currently highlight compatible servers, its knowledge base offers guidance on which servers to use for different streaming platforms.
Can I use NordVPN for torrenting?
Yes, you can use NordVPN for torrenting. NordVPN excels at torrenting, thanks to its dedicated P2P servers consistently delivering fast download speeds without any limitations, making it my top choice for this activity.
QUICK TIP: Using a specialized server for torrenting can increase download speeds. This is because these servers are optimized for downloads, unlike servers used for streaming or gaming.
Unblocking sports streams using NordVPN
NordVPN effectively bypasses geo-restrictions, allowing you to access a wide range of sports streaming services and websites. This includes popular events like UFC fights, NFL and NBA games, and Formula 1 and MotoGP races.
Despite the increasing difficulty of accessing global sports content, NordVPN remains a reliable solution. It effectively unblocks most sports channels and streams, providing viewers with access to a wide range of sporting events.
NordVPN Pricing
NordVPN offers incredibly affordable pricing, particularly with their long-term subscriptions. For example, a two-year plan costs just $3.09 per month, including three extra months for free.
This value is even more compelling given NordVPN’s robust security and privacy features. To further ensure satisfaction, every purchase comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
NordVPN offers a variety of subscription options beyond its two-year plan, including monthly and annual plans. The pricing for these plans is outlined below.
Payment Options Available
NordVPN accepts the following payment methods:
- Credit or debit card
- PayPal
- Google Pay
- Sofort
- Cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, LTC, ETH, DASH, and many more)
PRO TIP: Using cryptocurrency for payments offers complete anonymity. Your transactions cannot be traced back to you, and you won’t need to provide any personal details.
What is the best NordVPN plan to choose?
NordVPN Plus offers the best value for money, providing access to all features including their password manager. It’s the perfect choice for those who prioritize online privacy. However, if you only need basic VPN features, NordVPN Standard is a more affordable option.
| Features | NordVPN Standard | NordVPN Plus | NordVPN Complete |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secure, high-speed VPN | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Malware protection | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Tracker and ad blocker | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Password manager | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Data breach scanner | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ |
| 1TB cloud storage | ✖ | ✖ | ✔ |
| Next-generation file encryption | ✖ | ✖ | ✔ |
Does NordVPN offer any student or other discounts?
Yes, NordVPN offers special discounts for students, recent graduates, and those in specific professions. This means you can save an additional 15% on your NordVPN subscription if you are:
- Student or apprentice (aged 18-26)
- Recent graduate
- Member of the Armed Services
- Teacher, healthcare worker, or first responder
NordVpn Alternatives (Other VPNs to Consider)
| Feature | NordVPN | Surfshark | CyberGhost | ExpressVPN | Private Internet Access (PIA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operating Systems | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux |
| Price (Monthly) | $3.09 | $2.19 | $2.19 | $6.67 | $2.19 |
| Simultaneous Connections | 10 | Unlimited | 7 | 8 | Unlimited |
| Protocols | OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard | OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard | OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard | OpenVPN, IKEv2, L2TP/IPsec, Lightway | OpenVPN, WireGuard, L2TP/IPsec |
| Log Policy | No logs | No logs | No logs | No logs | No logs |
| Streaming Compatibility | Netflix, HBO, Disney+, Kodi, BBC, Torrent, Gaming | Netflix, HBO, Disney+, Kodi, BBC, Torrent, Gaming | Netflix, HBO, Disney+, Kodi, BBC, Torrent, Gaming | Netflix, HBO, Disney+, Kodi, BBC, Torrent, Gaming | Netflix, HBO, Disney+, Kodi, BBC, Torrent, Gaming |
| Torrent Support | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Payment Methods | Sofort, Cryptocurrency, Credit card, Other | PayPal, Cryptocurrency, Credit card, Other | PayPal, Cryptocurrency, Credit card, Other | Sofort, MINT, UnionPay, PayPal, Bitcoin, iDeal, Cryptocurrency, Credit card | PayPal, Cryptocurrency, Credit card, Other |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30 Days | 30 Days | 45 Days | 30 Days | 30 Days |
NordVPN Review 2024: All You Need to Know
Frequently Asked Questions
Does NordVPN have a free version?
Unfortunately not. While NordVPN doesn’t have a free plan, you can try it risk-free for 30 days with their money-back guarantee. I successfully received a refund within two days, so you can be confident in testing it out.
Does NordVPN offer a student discount?
Yes, NordVPN offers special discounts for students, recent graduates, and those in specific professions. This means you can save an additional 15% on your NordVPN subscription if you are:
- Student or apprentice (aged 18-26)
- Recent graduate
- Member of the Armed Services
- Teacher, healthcare worker, or first responder
Is NordVPN safe to use?
NordVPN is widely considered a top choice for security. It utilizes robust encryption protocols like OpenVPN, known for its high security standards, and has a strict no-log policy for maximum privacy. Additional safety features, such as a kill switch, double VPN, and Onion over Tor, further enhance its security capabilities.
Does NordVPN unblock Netflix?
NordVPN lets you watch Netflix content from anywhere in the world. This means you can access the US version of Netflix while traveling or explore different Netflix libraries like the Italian one. If you experience any issues accessing Netflix, try connecting to a different server, contacting NordVPN support, or using an obfuscated server or dedicated IP address.
How fast is NordVPN?
NordVPN is incredibly fast, delivering download speeds that match or even exceed your regular internet speed. It’s widely considered to be the fastest VPN available.
Is it possible to use NordVPN to download torrents?
NordVPN provides dedicated servers optimized for P2P traffic, making it easy to download torrents securely and efficiently. These servers are readily accessible within the NordVPN app.
Can I get a dedicated IP address with NordVPN?
NordVPN offers dedicated IP addresses in selected countries: the US, Germany, UK, Netherlands, and France. To access this feature, you’ll need a new account with a special coupon code and then contact their support team for activation.