NordVPN – Review

When it comes to protecting your privacy, NordVPN is one of the best virtual private networks (VPNs), with fast connection speeds, top-notch security, and an abundance of killer apps and features. It’s on the pricier side, but in our opinion, NordVPN’s reliability, customer service, reputation, and a number of servers make the price worthwhile.

What Is a VPN?

When you switch on a VPN, it creates an encrypted tunnel between your computer and a server controlled by the VPN service. All your web traffic is routed through this tunnel, meaning that no one – not even someone on the same network as you – can sneak a peek at your data. It also prevents malicious network operators from intercepting your information or using DNS poisoning techniques to trick you into visiting phishing pages. A VPN even protects your net visitors from being monitored with the aid of your ISP, which is seriously critical now that ISPs can promote anonymized person statistics, and makes it harder for advertisers to tune you online.

How Does NordVPN Work?

NordVPN has extensions for the Chrome and Firefox browsers plus desktop and mobile apps for:

• Windows
• macOS
• iOS
• Android
• Android TV
• Amazon Fire TV

NordVPN’s best feature is the variety of additional tools it provides for improving your privacy. It and ProtonVPN are the only two VPN companies that provide direct access to the Tor anonymization network. This makes it even harder to trace your connection, and it lets you access hidden websites, though at greatly reduced speeds.

Pro

• WireGuard VPN technology
• Multihop and Tor connections
• Easy to use
• Numerous server locations
• Strong customer privacy stance

CONS

• Visual server map could use additional functions
• Discounts steeper for longer contracts
• Only six simultaneous connections allowed

Speed

• Average speed loss: 53% speed lost
• Available servers: 5,200-plus servers
• Number of NordVPN server locations: 60 
• Number of IP addresses: 5,000

Cost 

Since the world of VPNs moves at a fast pace, we’d prefer to see NordVPN’s steep discounts applied laterally toward all of its contracts in order to report better overall purchasing value. That would be a sharper criticism if NordVPN wasn’t already a long-standing industry leader with a lengthy history, and it’s certainly a criticism that could be applied to nearly all VPN providers. As it stands, its best deal is via its two-year With 68% Off For Only €2.97 per Month, a 68% discount, billed once every two years for €71.20. NordVPN does offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. Also, Nord VPN recommended for complete security and privacy NordPass security

NordVPN Privacy and Security

Privacy is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a VPN, and it’s the No. 1 factor we tested for when reviewing NordVPN. The service uses Advanced Encryption Standard with 256-bit keys, or AES-256 for short, which is considered unbreakable, according to Eric McGee, senior network engineer for Houston-based TRG Datacenters.

In addition to AES-256 encryption, McGee said NordVPN uses what’s known as “Pretty Good Privacy” encryption. “PGP is an encryption method that entails a combination of different techniques. These techniques include hashing, symmetric and asymmetric cryptography as well as data compression. This encryption method, too, is unbreakable.”

NordVPN Features and Extras

In addition to features such as CyberSec, Double VPN, and Onion over VPN, NordVPN offers split tunneling and torrenting.

Split tunneling allows you to divide your internet traffic between a VPN and your local internet connection. Split tunneling can be particularly useful if you frequently access online banking or credit card sites that block VPNs.

Torrenting makes it possible to share large files using platforms such as uTorrent, qBittorrent, BitTorrent, Deluge, and Vuze. If you want to torrent with NordVPN, search in the specialty servers tab.

NordVPN Extras

A nice perk of using NordVPN is that you’ll have access to a free password manager and encrypted file storage under the parent company umbrella. By logging into your Nord Account, you could see all three services in one place: NordVPN, NordPass, and NordLocker.

NordPass

Unlike some other free password managers that restrict the number of passwords you may store, NordPass offers an unlimited number and syncs them across your phone, laptop, and other devices. But there’s a catch: You’ll have to log back in each time you switch, which could be a nuisance. Starting at $2.49 per month (with a two-year plan), a Premium plan keeps you logged in and offers the ability to share passwords with trusted contacts and monitor the web for data leaks and weak or overused passwords.

NordLocker

Store and share important documents, photos, videos, and more for free with NordLocker. You’ll get 3GB of storage in a private cloud, but that’s likely not enough for most users. A Premium plan upgrades users to 500GB.