Have you ever wondered if NordVPN is really worth the hype? We get this question all the time. That is because the VPN you choose does make all the difference.

With so many providers on the market nowadays, it is no wonder you would be keen to find out what makes it so special.  You have come to the right place.

In this NordVPN review, we will break down what tens of millions of users think that makes it the best.

We will cover the top security features and blazingly fast speeds of this famous NordVPN provider’s global server network.

By the time we are finished, you will know if it is the right choice for you. Let us jump right in!

Why Do So Many People Choose NordVPN Recently?

As the world becomes more connected every day, millions of people and organizations around the globe rely on NordVPN’s top-tier security, fast speeds, and competitive NordVPN pricing.

And user-friendly design to unblock content, often containing geo-restrictions and protecting your privacy with the help of military-grade encryption and providing you with the best online experience from every device you own.

Whether you need a VPN for streaming, security, or bypassing internet restrictions for bypassing censorship across the globe, NordVPN provider is the best option one can get on the market.

NordVPN’s Security And Privacy

One of the key selling points for NordVPN is the privacy and security features their services provide, and in this section.

We will look at the encryption standards, protocols, jurisdictions, no-log policy, and state-of-the-art security systems that make it a high-end provider, emphasizing NordVPN security as a cornerstone of its offerings.

Encryption Standards

As stated before, encryption serves as the foundation of any VPN service to be worth anything, and this provider shows a track record of no lead-offs here.

Additionally, NordVPN streaming capabilities are supported by the company’s robust encryption, ensuring a secure and seamless experience for users.

The company employs AES-256 encryption, also known as military-grade, to secure data processed by it.

The United States National Security Agency currently applies the same standard for securing classified information labeled “top-secret”.

AES-256 Encryption

AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) with a 256-bit key length is a symmetric encryption algorithm with different Ciphers, including AES-128 and AES-192. But AES-256 with a 256-bit key length is used to encrypt all VPN data.

It means all the data of yours, from internet browsing, streaming, and downloading, is blended into an unrecognizable blob for any non-authorized third parties such as hackers.

ISPs, intelligence agencies, etc, especially when transmitted across the NordVPN server network.

VPN Protocols

NordVPN uses multiple protocol as given below:

NordLynx

NordLynx is a custom-built VPN protocol which is developed on the basis of WireGuard, which transfers the security principles to allow for faster speeds.

Since the codebase is much leaner, the computational overhead is drastically reduced.

Lower levels of latency and faster connections are the result of less CPU use.

NordLynx also has strong encryption despite its lightweight nature because it can be integrated with this provider’s double NAT system.

Which preserves the user’s privacy, further reinforced by the NordVPN No-Logs policy.

OpenVPN

OpenVPN is a well-known and commonly used VPN protocol. OpenVPN is commonly cited as the go-to protocol that guarantees both quality performance and security.

There are two variations of NordVPN that use OpenVPN, the Transmission Control Protocol and the User Datagram Protocol.

TCP is slower but more stable and UDP is quicker but more stable. OpenVPN is a flexible and versatile option that can satisfy the majority of the users.

IKEv2/IPSec

This highly secure protocol is well suited to mobile clients.

It quickly reconnects in the event of a network switch, such as from Wi-Fi to mobile data and back again, making it a useful option.

It employs very powerful cryptographic algorithms and encryption keys.

No-Logs Policy

One of the causes why many users rely on VPNs is to make sure that their online activities are private.

This provider’s NordVPN No-Logs policy is an important part of maintaining that. It is always true to its word when it comes to users’ privacy.

This policy specifies that NordVPN shall not keep any records related to the users’ online activities, connection reports, session details, bandwidth consumed, and IP addresses.

Third-Party Audits

In a bid to give its no-logs policy some level of trust, It has imposed several independent audits.

Each of the respected firms such as PwC has inspected it and confirmed that its no-logs policy is true on the ground.

RAM-Only Servers

In the same vein, It has moved to only use RAM-only servers. That every time they restart a server, they clean up everything and leave no records whatsoever.

Therefore, if a server were to be confiscated, nobody could get a hold of any login records or user data.

Jurisdiction and Legal Considerations

Based in Panama, NordVPN is located within the mentioned strong privacy jurisdiction.

Panama also has no mandatory data retention laws, so NordVPN not legally required to keep any of your logs.

Panama’s Legal Framework

The general legal landscape in Panama is favorable to privacy focused businesses.

No mandatory data retention laws and NordVPN does not have to hold any of them so there is no way for authorities to order the owner to pass such info up.

5/9/14 Eyes Alliances

The fact that NordVPN is not headquartered in the jurisdiction of the 5/9/14 Eyes alliances, countries who are responsible to spy on their citizens and provide data for each other.

Further prevents them from being tracked by government agencies.

This is a great option for people who are super worried about government spying and want to keep their data private.

Advanced Security Features

Aside from using standard encryption and privacy measures, it also has robust features that are directed for you with greater security requirements.

NordVPN customer support is available to assist with any questions or issues related to these features.

Meshnet

This might be one of the most innovative features offered by NordVPN which basically pushes the frontier between traditional VPN and peer-to-peer technology providing users with an opportunity to set up a secure private network.

It is handy for when you need to give several devices a general connection that could be the case with people working, gaming or sharing files.

Split Tunneling

Another one among the advanced features provided by it, to let you better control your internet traffic on its service.

You get to select which application or website goes through the VPN and who directly accesses the internet without a VPN.

Such flexibility can potentially help if you want to improve performance and make sure that your VPN usage is more optimized as per the requirements.

Kill Switch

It has a VPN kill switch that will automatically disconnect you from the internet if your VPN connection drops.

This guarantees that your data never leaves the encrypted VPN tunnel and hence maintains safety on privacy.

NordVPN provides a kill switch on the system and app levels, meaning you can use it to ensure protection whenever need be.

CyberSec

It blocks ads and tracking stuff, also malware-hosting sites when you browse.

This is particularly handy for blocking phishing and malware sites and it adds an extra layer of security over the VPN itself.

Dedicated IPs

In its own class, dedicated IP simply refers to an exclusive IP that is allocated to a single user as opposed to being shared among many.

For both business and personal purposes, It has dedicated IP addresses for those who are looking to receive some extra perks by purchasing this add-on.

Performance And Speed Testing

Performance and speed are huge aspects that can weigh your experience when it comes to evaluating a VPN.

It is known for the way it combines security with speed, which means you can stream content, play games and torrent without any problems.

In this part we will detail how NordVPN performs in speed tests by location, the speed impact of its superfast NordLynx protocol, streaming and torrenting performance and connectivity stability.

Speed Tests Across Multiple Locations

The most common issue when it comes to VPN use is speed because usually people are using the internet for streaming, downloading things or even playing games at high speeds.

Different NordVPN servers are usually checked for performance in different places to test the speed and load it can handle.

Nearby Server Performance: On local servers, which are usually the closest to the user in physical terms.

It tends to drop speeds only slightly. Speed tests run in the United States using a nearby U.S. server show decent download and upload speeds on most days, often running 10-15% of your speed before VPN.

This makes it a great choice for regular day-to-day surfing, streaming and other menial tasks.

Distant Server Performance: By using a distant server, like from the U.S to Europe or Asia and conducting speed tests we saw that there was a decrease in acceleration during each test but oddly enough NordVPN keeps running smoothly.

For example when connecting to a server in London from New York City, users will see at least a 20-30% lag decrease which is more than enough for HD streaming and smaller file downloads. 

Comparison to Baseline Speeds: Always compare your speed tests with the baseline speeds of your internet connection without a VPN.

Even by these baselines, NordVPN continues to perform well which is thanks in part to using its proprietary NordLynx protocol that attempts to mitigate the speed loss of traditional VPNs.

Impact on Internet Speed

It impresses with its NordLynx protocol. There are a number of advantages to NordLynx compared with OpenVPN and IKEv2.

Minimal Speed Loss: NordLynx is incredibly fast when compared to other modern VPNs, even if the connection is active.

This protocol helps decrease the overhead of encryption and data routing to allow for speeds that are near your baseline group.

You can expect to lose practically no speed at all, mostly between 5-10%, almost unnoticeable from regular usage.

Comparison to Other Protocols: NordLynx gives the best of both speed and security compared to other VPN protocols.

Though OpenVPN remains a tried and true protocol with impressive reliability, NordLynx outranks it in nearly all speed tests making this the top choice for users that want both high-speed security connections.

Latency and Connection Stability

Activities like online gaming, video conferencing, VoIP calls etc, need real-time communication latency and connection stability.

This setting is so important for such a user as it directly affects the stability and delay of connections running over this VPN provider.

Latency (Ping Times): In tests, NordVPN’s latency holds its ground. Mostly better than average scores when connected to nearby servers.

This can be a few milliseconds slower for those who like gaming, but still very low.

There is a latency increase present for more distant servers, but it should still be manageable under most circumstances.

Connection Stability: In tests that last for hours, dozens and even hundreds or further connections remain excellent with it undergoing exceptional running up well to suit your gaming.

Impact on Gaming and Video Conferencing: Fewer time better connections mean that NordVPN latency is low, high stability means no lag.

In the same way, NordVPN offers quality connections for video conferencing without a hint of lag even if it is connecting you to servers at half distance around the world.

NordVPN Device Compatibility

It has been built from the ground up to be as versatile and accessible as possible, making it one of the best choices if you need a VPN that can work on just about any device or OS.

While at home, in the workplace or on-the-go you are secured and up to date with privacy and security for your devices from anywhere.

Desktop and Laptop Computers

It offers support for all major desktop and laptop operating systems, meaning it will be a simple matter of securing your online travels on these devices.

• Windows: It works perfectly on Windows 7, 8, 10 and now Windows 11 too. The Windows app, with its easy configuration and features like Quick Connect, CyberSec, and Split Tunneling, is perfect for beginners as well as more experienced users. Windows Nord app
• macOS: Nord works with all Apple MacBooks that run on macOS 10.12 and above. Many of the security features of the Windows app are retained in the Mac version, but the new graphics design creates a seamless experience for Apple users.
• Linux: The company created a command-line-based Linux app and is compatible with selected Linux distros, including Ubuntu, Debian and Fedora. In terms of graphics, you have to settle for text-based, but all VPNs can boast the necessary features.

Mobile Devices

Seamless protection for those who like to browse on their phones is available from this provider.

• iOS: In iPhone and iPad requires at least iOS 11. The app is designed to be easy-to-use, with secure features. The app comes with features like Quick Connect which will automatically connect you to the fastest server as well CyberSec that blocks ads and malware.
• Android: Compatible with Android 6.0 or newer, the NordVPN app for Android is more similar to its iOS brother, except that it adds features like Split Tunneling that lets users decide which applications use a VPN connection.

Smart TVs and Streaming Devices

The compatibility of this provider also includes smart TVs and streaming devices, which further enables you to stream securely on the big screen. 

This VPN extends its compatibility to smart TVs and streaming devices, allowing you to enjoy secure streaming on the big screen:

• Android TV: It offers Android apps for use with its service. You can use this VPN services on an Android TV and secure your streaming experience while opening up content from many regions.
• Amazon Fire TV and Fire Stick: Eventually, the closet-sized NordVPN has reasons to work with a top remote control alternative for Amazon’s made for streaming devices.

Routers

VPN enabled routers that allow you to protect your entire home network include:

• Router Compatibility: If you install this VPN on your router it will secure all devices connected to the network, even those that do not have native VPN app support.
• Manual Configuration: It has instructions for manually setting up the VPN on various routers with firmwares like DD-WRT, Tomato and ASUSWRT.

Browser Extensions

It offers lightweight browser extensions for more convenience:

• Chrome and Firefox: It has browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox that can secure your browsing while still ensuring all other apps on your device don’t get affected. This is the ideal option for users that need a simple solution to unblock content while providing some security around browsing.

Gaming Consoles

Although gaming consoles such as PlayStation and Xbox cannot run VPN apps directly, you can still use this VPN with them:

• Via Router: If you configure NordVPN on your router, this will shield all existing traffic to the internet emanating from that device, speeding up online games and preventing DDoS attacks.
• SmartDNS: It also has a SmartDNS tool, which is perfect for unblocking streaming services on your computer or gaming consoles with no need to encrypt traffic further.

Other IoT Devices

It is compatible with routers, allowing you to secure all your Internet of Things (IoT) devices like smart thermostats, web cameras and connected appliances in one go.

Pricing And Value For Money

NordVPN offers a range of pricing options designed to cater to different user needs, whether you are looking for short-term flexibility or long-term savings.

The NordVPN pricing includes many value-added features that increase its overall service.

Subscription Plans and Pricing

Free Trial and Money-Back Guarantee

• 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee: NordVPN offers you a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee on all of its plans. That allows you to test the service thoroughly. If you are not satisfied, you can cancel and get a full refund anytime.
• Free Trial: NordVPN occasionally offers a 7-day free trial for android users, providing a no-cost opportunity to test the service.

Value-Added Features

• Threat Protection: It is included in all plans, this feature blocks malicious websites, ads, and trackers, increasing your online security.
• Ad Blocking and Malware Protection: CyberSec is another valuable feature that blocks ads and protects against malware which improves your browsing experience.
• Dedicated IP (Add-On): Available for an additional fee, dedicated IPs are useful for business use or users who need a fixed IP address.

NordVPN Server Network And Coverage

With an extensive server network that spans countries all over the world, NordVPN provides a powerful infrastructure to ensure users have speedy and secure connections.

That is because worldwide, Surfshark operates more than 6,400 servers in 111 countries to give you a vast network with minimal latency and fast speeds by connecting them to the closest available node.

Global Server Network

This provider boasts an enormous server network across vital geolocations like North America, Europe, Asia and Oceania which means you can quickly find a nearby server.

This extensive coverage is important to lower latency and keep the connection speed high.

It has servers in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Japan and Australia to name a few.

With this location, it bypasses regional restrictions and unblocks geo-restricted content such as Netflix U.S. or BBC iPlayer.

Specialized Servers

NordVPN specialized servers are tailored for special use cases to make sure you get the best experience while doing a particular thing:

P2P Servers

These are the best servers for peer-to-peer file sharing and torrenting, delivering fast connections whilst ensuring your activities remain private and secure. In addition, this best provider has a no-logs policy.

Double VPN Servers

These servers route your traffic through two separate VPN servers to double encrypt all of your data for an added thick layer of protection.

This extra layer of security is incredibly useful for journalists and activists or anyone else with delicate stuff on the telephone.

Onion Over VPN Servers

These servers combine the anonymity of Onion Network and security provided by a VPN. When you redirect your traffic first through a NordVPN server and then the Tor network, it becomes almost impossible for anyone to track your online behavior.

Obfuscated Servers

In places like China, Russia or Iran that have strong VPN restrictions, It offers obfuscated servers which make the users’ VPN traffic look exactly like regular internet activity.

It has these servers listed front and center in their app for ease of access, so users can just pick the right server type they require with minimal fuss.

Server Load Balancing

NordVPN uses some intense server load balancing techniques to make sure that it always maintains a high level of performance:

• Dynamic Traffic Distribution: It distributes its user traffic across the server network dynamically, to make sure no one ever becomes slow or overloaded. This ensures low latency, best possible speeds and stable connection.
• Automatic Server Switching: In case a server is getting too many connections, it will disconnect one of the connected users and move to less obnoxious servers.
• Real-Time Load Monitoring: They closely monitor the server loads in real-time, making sure to keep them at their best performance even during peak times.

Streaming And Bypassing Geo-Restrictions

Nowadays, many people use VPN just to watch their favorite shows on streaming platforms and avoid geo-restrictions which prevent these content from being accessed in certain regions.

This is where NordVPN really shines, offering consistent unblocking capabilities for an impressive number of streaming services and similarly strong circumvention of internet censorship in more restrictive territories.

Streaming Platform Access

NordVPN is one of the best VPNs for unblocking various streaming services, which has earned them a legion of fans around the world. People use it to access global content without restrictions.

Netflix: It only regularly unblocks multiple Netflix libraries including USA, UK, Canada and Japan.

By connecting to servers in other countries, users can also switch between these libraries and have more titles at their disposal.

Blazing speeds from NordVPN mean you can stream in HD and 4K without buffering.

Hulu: If you are not using Hulu from the U.S. or Japan, It has strong servers based in these regions that will reliably unblock access to hundreds of series for streaming on Hulu. 

BBC iPlayer: BBC iPlayer is exclusive to the UK, but with NordVPN servers in the U.K. you can enjoy this privilege hassle-free in no time! With NordVPN, you have the speed and reliability to access live broadcasts or watch your favorite BBC shows on demand.

Disney+: Disney+ is accessible from a few locales, but the substance fluctuates by district.

You can connect to servers in different regions using NordVPN, allowing you access a variety of Disney+ libraries and content. 

Amazon Prime Video: Like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video gives many content libraries based on your location.

It also does a great job of unblocking Prime Video libraries all over the world, and with so much region-specific content to choose from, you may never have full access as long as you are in one country but Nord will fix that for you.

Censorship Circumvention

In addition to unblocking streaming services, NordVPN is an excellent service for bypassing internet censorship in countries where access to particular sites and services can be restricted.

Bypassing the Great Firewall of China

The Great Firewall of China is perhaps the most sophisticated censorship system in existence, preventing its citizens from accessing popular websites and apps like Google, Facebook, X and YouTube among others.

NordVPN Obfuscated servers are specifically designed to get around such censorship by making the VPN traffic appear as regular internet traffic, giving them a way to access the open Internet without anyone knowing.

Middle East and North Africa Region

A large number of countries in the Middle East and North Africa block access to social media, VoIP software like Skype and other websites.

NordVPN features powerful encryption and obfuscation capabilities that allow users in such regions access to a large part of the web making them absolutely sure they are using it securely.

Russia and Turkey

It serves as a fail-safe for maintaining digital liberties online in countries experiencing increased internet censorship like Russia and Turkey.

With tightly-encrypted traffic and the capability to navigate past government firewalls, NordVPN makes an impermeable barrier for users in such locations.

Accessing Social Media and VoIP Services

Some states block or monitor social media networks like Facebook, Instagram and X as well as VoIP services including Skype or WhatsApp.

To access them you can sign in through a VPN like NordVPN which helps them bypass these restrictions and communicate without any hassle on social media.

Customer Support And Reliability

NordVPN also maintains high standards in user experience on a different level, be it the software itself or customer support and service reliability.

We look at how well it serves its users and what methods it uses to maintain the service.

Customer Service Responsiveness

Important to every service, It has been investing in multiple customer help channels over the past year and it works great.

Live Chat

It provides 24/7 live chat support which is one of the most efficient ways to get assistance.

If any issue arises, you can connect with a customer support representative in real time to address them fast.

The live chat team are experienced and can help you with anything from general troubleshooting to intricate technical problems.

Email Support

For issues that are more complicated and may involve significant explanation or escalation.

NordVPN also provides a way to reach out via email. Responses may take longer than live chat, but users generally hear back in a few hours. 

Help Center

This Provider’s website has a fairly complete Help Center with FAQs, troubleshooting guides and more in-depth tutorials on many topics.

Their Help Center is neat and makes it easy to find what you are looking for in regard to certain problems or functions.

FAQs

Conclusion

NordVPN is a great option for securing your online activities and knows how to get the job done right.

It will let you watch your favorite shows without restrictions, keep the prying eyes off your personal data and browse the web with peace of mind.

It delivers on all fronts. With its big server network, advanced features and user-friendly apps, This provider gives you a reliable and complete VPN solution. 

We have gone over all of its positives but It looks like a terrific selection in an aggressive VPN market. We hope this review has satisfied your answer of what you can do with NordVPN.