Is NordVPN Definitely worth the Price?

NordVPN is without doubt one of the extra standard, if not the preferred, VPNs at the moment — and for good purpose. It brings a formidable server community, an in depth vary of safety features, and a sophisticated consumer expertise. That is on prime of offering each quick and dependable VPN speeds throughout its server areas.

Whereas its pricing isn’t probably the most budget-friendly, NordVPN supplies an all-around package deal that makes it a compelling VPN for many on a regular basis customers.

Is NordVPN free?

No, NordVPN shouldn’t be free and doesn’t have a free model. In the event you’re particularly on the lookout for a free VPN to make use of, I like to recommend attempting out Proton VPN or cover.me VPN. They’re good choices, particularly since each have zero bandwidth or knowledge limits.

SEE: NordVPN vs Proton VPN (2024): Which VPN Ought to You Select? (TechRepublic)

As a substitute of a free plan, NordVPN presents a seven-day free trial accessible for Android. Whereas I admire Nord providing a free trial by way of Android, I hope it extends entry to iOS or iPhone customers sooner or later as nicely.

NordVPN pricing

NordVPN divides its paid subscriptions into three tiers: Primary, Plus, and Full. Every tier has a month-to-month, a yearly, and a two-year contract choice.

As a facet observe, subscription names can range relying on the area per my analysis (NordVPN Full being synonymous with NordVPN Final or Extremely; NordVPN Primary being the identical as NordVPN Normal).

Of its plans, I like to recommend going for NordVPN Plus one-year subscription at $5.99 monthly. It offers you a wholesome set of NordVPN’s additional safety features at an affordable one-year contract size.

Compared to different VPNs, NordVPN falls within the higher vary by way of worth. For instance, Surfshark’s equal Surfshark One subscription is priced at $4.09 monthly, whereas Proton VPN’s Plus plan is at $5.99. In the event you’re on a tighter price range, these picks are in all probability a better option.

SEE: Non-public Web Entry vs NordVPN: Which VPN Is Higher? (TechRepublic)

Nonetheless, when you have the cash, I really feel NordVPN presents sufficient significant add-ons to make it definitely worth the spend. Particularly, the truth that you get entry to Nord Safety’s NordPass password supervisor with NordVPN Plus is a major value-add, particularly if you happen to’re additionally on the lookout for a devoted password supervisor. You additionally get anti-malware and shopping safety on prime of the principle VPN service.

One factor to notice: NordVPN’s one-year and two-year plans have completely different pricing upon renewal. Whereas it isn’t the one VPN supplier to do that, I do want it had constant pricing all all through. This is able to save customers the confusion of getting to recalculate pricing previous the preliminary contract.

All of NordVPN’s plans provide a 30-day money-back assure, permitting you to check out the service and refund it throughout the allotted interval.

Is NordVPN protected?

NordVPN is a protected and safe VPN to make use of in 2024. It makes use of AES 256 encryption, widely known as one of the safe encryption algorithms at the moment. That is evidenced by how U.S. authorities companies and banking establishments additionally use AES encryption to guard consumer knowledge.

For VPN protocols, it carries the OpenVPN protocol and its personal NordLynx protocol based mostly on the WireGuard communication protocol. I like how Nord offers its customers the flexibleness to decide on a VPN protocol with both quick efficiency by way of NordLynx or extra safety with OpenVPN.

SEE: The High 7 NordVPN Alternate options for 2024 (TechRepublic)

Most significantly, NordVPN has a no-logs coverage, which states that it doesn’t log any knowledge about customers’ shopping exercise or on-line visitors. Whereas any firm could make safety guarantees like this, I’m joyful to report that NordVPN has undergone unbiased testing to substantiate this coverage.

In late 2023, NordVPN’s no-logs claims have been verified by a third-party audit carried out by Deloitte. That is NordVPN’s fourth safety audit confirming its no-logs coverage — exhibiting the corporate’s dedication to upholding consumer privateness and safety.

Whereas I positively commend NordVPN for having its service independently audited, I’ve a small nitpick. With its fourth no-logs audit, solely these with an lively NordVPN subscription are in a position to entry the total report and outcomes.

In response to NordVPN, this “ensures the audit outcomes usually are not taken out of context or misunderstood.” Whereas I perceive the place NordVPN is coming from, I really feel that sharing the total report with the general public is a greater transfer by way of general transparency.

With that being stated, NordVPN is without doubt one of the most safe VPN providers to make use of at the moment.

Key options of NordVPN

Meshnet encrypted file-sharing

Meshnet enables you to join a number of gadgets to an end-to-end encrypted digital community and serves as a option to securely share essential recordsdata throughout gadgets. Particularly, you possibly can have 10 gadgets linked to the community and seamlessly switch, ship, or obtain recordsdata via Meshnet.

To its credit score, I used it to ship a couple of recordsdata from my Android cellphone to my laptop computer and it labored fairly flawlessly. I envision this to be helpful for sharing delicate recordsdata, equivalent to contracts or monetary data, to consumer gadgets.

Risk Safety Professional internet and file safety

One other standout is NordVPN’s Risk Safety Professional, which presents each internet and file safety. For the online facet of issues, it presents real-time safety and blocking towards malware, trackers, and advertisements.

In the meantime, file safety occurs within the background because it scans all downloaded gadgets, checks for malware, and instantly deletes malicious recordsdata which are discovered.

Personally, I like how Risk Safety supplies an in-depth listing of blocked threats with every internet web page visited. This provides customers extra perception into which web sites may doubtlessly be bringing extra hurt than good whereas they browse on-line.

Darkish Internet Monitor

Lastly, NordVPN incorporates a Darkish Internet Monitor that robotically scans the darkish internet to see if any of your emails have been concerned in a breach or knowledge leak. The device additionally acts as an alert, because it instantly informs the consumer as soon as a leak of delicate knowledge is discovered.

Per my time with it, I admire how the monitor permits you to add as many emails as you need within the listing of credentials monitored. I think about that is going to be handy for on-line companies with a number of e-mail addresses or a small group that wishes to verify all their credentials aren’t a part of any darkish internet leak.

Efficiency and pace: How briskly is NordVPN?

NordVPN presents each quick VPN speeds and an general dependable connection. Throughout my testing, I linked to NordVPN servers and did my typical work as a author. What this appears like is shopping a number of webpages for analysis, attending on-line video conferences with a number of attendees, and dealing on Google Docs and Drive, amongst others.

SEE: How A lot Does a VPN Price? + Financial savings Ideas (TechRepublic)

Throughout all use instances, I had zero points with NordVPN’s speeds. It was quick and had minimal to negligible distinction in comparison with how my web service supplier often performs. I additionally noticed that switching servers and connecting to completely different VPN areas was fast and snappy, with no drops in connection all all through.

When it comes to pace testing, NordVPN received mixed-to-positive outcomes. It carried out extremely nicely for obtain speeds, really having a 0.78% improve in comparison with my ISP. That is wonderful contemplating how drops in pace are anticipated with VPNs, because the consumer connection is routed to further channels. However, add speeds have been much less spectacular, because it recorded a 44% lower in pace on the identical check. Whereas nonetheless good, it nonetheless isn’t on the 15-25% lower that I think about wonderful.

In case your workflow requires frequent importing of recordsdata, my testing confirmed NordVPN might not be the perfect answer for you. However for day-to-day use, I’m assured that NordVPN can present constantly quick speeds for many on a regular basis customers.

NordVPN servers and areas

After we have a look at NordVPN’s server community, it continues to impress. Its server fleet has 6,350+ servers throughout 111 nations. That falls comfortably within the higher vary of VPN server networks. To check, Surfshark has 3,200 servers in 100 nations, whereas ExpressVPN has servers in 105 nations (with a reported 3,000 servers as nicely, however these are estimated figures).

What I personally commend NordVPN for is its steady enchancment of its server suite. Once I first reviewed NordVPN in 2023, it had 5,800+ servers in 60+ nations. In 2024, the situation and nation rely have virtually doubled.

SEE: Why Your Enterprise Wants Cybersecurity Consciousness Coaching (TechRepublic Premium)

Whereas having a ton of servers might look attractive, the extra essential quantity right here is the variety of areas. That is very true in case your main use for a VPN is to unblock geo-restricted content material. With extra VPN nations, you’ll have extra alternative within the IP areas you possibly can have. At an enormous 111 nations, I discover NordVPN’s server community to be a major function if you happen to worth unblocking or video streaming.

On prime of its server suite, NordVPN comes with quite a few specialised servers. You will have a double VPN server that routes your visitors to 2 areas for a further layer of safety; obfuscated servers that masks your VPN use, which may be helpful in non-VPN pleasant nations; and Onion over VPN servers for customers that want to entry the Onion community for extra nameless shopping.

You additionally get the choice to avail of a devoted IP tackle, supplying you with your personal private IP tackle for safer company distant entry and to keep away from CAPTCHAs, amongst different issues, Take observe, NordVPN’s devoted IP function is a separate subscription and isn’t included in your important NordVPN plan.

NordVPN app expertise

Once I first put in the NordVPN app, my main concern was how it might manage all its included options. From the bounce, it was clear that Nord packed a ton of performance in its service, particularly with the extra menus and dashboards it had alongside the principle VPN.

Fortuitously, after exploring the app, I noticed how intuitive NordVPN has every part arrange. It has a important residence dashboard, which conveniently homes not solely your VPN connection standing but in addition fast widgets for Risk Safety Professional and file sharing.

On the left facet, you get separate tabs for the VPN servers, Risk Safety Professional, file transfers, Meshnet, and the Darkish Internet Monitor. Every function has its personal devoted dashboard, making the app really feel much less cluttered and extra organized.

I notably like how the VPN Servers dashboard has collapsible dropdown menus to make every part really feel neat. Right here you possibly can entry server nations, Nord’s specialty servers, and up to date connections — all in a single pane. Even with its abundance of options, I give credit score to NordVPN for protecting issues tidy and designating every function with its personal part.

For design, NordVPN will get good marks from me as nicely. It employs a modern-looking consumer interface that appears polished and nicely thought out. Truthfully, it seems like software program launched in 2024 — which is precisely what we would like.

NordVPN customer support and assist

When it comes to buyer assist, NordVPN presents a wholesome vary of assist choices. It has a information base on-line portal with tutorials, FAQs, and guides; e-mail assist; an AI chatbot; and 24/7 dwell chat assist.

Once I used NordVPN’s AI chatbot, I discovered it was in a position to reply simplest questions with relative ease. It was additionally fast and provided useful follow-up prompts to dive deeper into what you requested about.

If in case you have a extra particular query, you possibly can ask the Nord chatbot to attach you with a dwell agent. From my expertise, I used to be linked to an agent rapidly, at round underneath two minutes or so. I may say that, with the questions I requested, the Nord assist agent supplied pretty useful solutions.

As seen above, the agent was in a position to reply which NordVPN subscription included entry to NordPass. Be aware, nevertheless, that Extremely on this case is NordVPN Full or NordVPN Final. Per my analysis, NordVPN’s subscription names can range relying on the area or nation. Personally, I hope NordVPN chooses to make the naming extra constant throughout areas to keep away from confusion.

Fortuitously, NordVPN’s dwell chat assist is offered 24/7. This implies you gained’t have to fret about not gaining access to assist when a essential challenge arises.

NordVPN professionals

• Provides round 6,350+ servers in 111 nations.
• Risk safety towards malware, advertisements, and trackers.
• Meshnet encrypted file-sharing system.
• Independently audited no-logs coverage.
• Constructed-in darkish internet monitor.
• Persistently quick and secure VPN pace.
• Effectively-designed and intuitive VPN app.

NordVPN cons

• Priced comparatively excessive.
• Renewal pricing could possibly be complicated.
• Newest audit outcomes not accessible to the general public.

Who’s NordVPN for?

To me, NordVPN sits on the prime of the VPN house with its robust stability of efficiency, helpful safety features, and polished consumer expertise.

NordVPN is greatest for many customers and companies on the lookout for an all-around VPN that may present quick VPN speeds, privateness and safety capabilities, and a big VPN server community.

It’s additionally a primary alternative for safety lovers. From its Meshnet encrypted file-sharing function to its specialised obfuscated and double VPN servers, it brings quite a bit to the desk in terms of bolstering consumer safety.

I notably like how NordVPN doesn’t take with no consideration its costlier price ticket. Whereas it’s not probably the most reasonably priced VPN, it might probably’t be denied that you simply get quite a bit in a single subscription.

As well as, if you happen to go for a NordVPN Plus or Full plan, you get entry to Nord’s NordPass password supervisor — including one other safety device to your arsenal.

Alternate options to NordVPN

CyberGhost VPN

In the event you’re itching to strive a premium VPN at no cost, I like to recommend CyberGhost VPN. Its 24-hour desktop free trial is without doubt one of the most accessible out there, not requiring any fee data to entry. As well as, CyberGhost VPN is ideal for customers who particularly plan on utilizing a VPN to stream content material, play video games, or torrent recordsdata.

It’s because its desktop app neatly organizes its optimized servers into these classes, making it simple to entry the most effective server on your particular wants.

If you wish to study extra, learn our full CyberGhost VPN overview.

Surfshark VPN

For these on a price range, I recommend taking a look at Surfshark VPN. Surfshark brings a ton of worth with its service, providing a 100-country server fleet and quick VPN speeds — at fairly reasonably priced costs. It additionally contains helpful safety features like its Surfshark Search performance, which supplies customers with a devoted search engine that robotically removes advertisements or sponsored posts.

I notably like Surfshark for providing limitless gadget connections, letting customers join a number of gadgets with out a further plan. This provides much more worth to its already cost-effective pricing.

If you wish to study extra, learn our full Surfshark VPN overview.

ExpressVPN

If consumer expertise is your prime precedence, considered one of my favorites is ExpressVPN. ExpressVPN strikes a advantageous stability between providing a well-designed VPN app and an easy-to-use interface. Its refined consumer expertise is considered one of its spotlight options, making it an ideal alternative for much less tech-savvy customers or novices.

On prime of that, ExpressVPN supplies speedy VPN speeds for each obtain and upload-heavy duties. It additionally boasts a formidable portfolio of third-party audits, now with 18 whole unbiased audits as of 2024.

If you wish to study extra, learn our full ExpressVPN overview.

Evaluate methodology

My overview of NordVPN concerned a complete evaluation of its options, price, and real-world efficiency. I had hands-on time with NordVPN via a one-year NordVPN Plus subscription.

To guage NordVPN, I scored it on every part from its server community to pricing. Particularly, I took into consideration 5 important pillars, every having corresponding weights:

• Pricing (20%).
• Core VPN options (30%).
• Ease of use (15%).
• Buyer assist (30%).
• Professional evaluation (5%).

From this rubric, NordVPN acquired a ranking of 4.7 out of 5 stars. I additionally appeared into consumer suggestions and different respected opinions to spherical out my last suggestions. There are additionally discussions on the TechRepublic discussion board about NordVPN. For instance, I requested customers their views on the greatest VPNs for streaming, gaming, and torrenting.

For pace and efficiency, I used Ookla’s public Speedtest to measure obtain and add speeds. I additionally ran NordVPN via DNSLeakTest a number of occasions to test for any DNS leaks. Lastly, I took into consideration which forms of companies or particular person customers would greatest profit from utilizing NordVPN.

To study extra about how we overview VPNs, learn our full VPN Evaluate Methodology.