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NordVPN Quick factsOur ranking: 4.7 stars out of 5.Pricing: Begins at $3.69 per 30 days.Key options:6,350+ servers in 111 nations.Meshnet encrypted file-sharing.Malware, advert, and tracker blocker.
NordVPN is among the extra fashionable, if not the preferred, VPNs at present — and for good cause. It brings a powerful server community, an intensive vary of safety features, and a elegant consumer expertise. That is on prime of offering each quick and dependable VPN speeds throughout its server areas.
Whereas its pricing isn’t essentially the most budget-friendly, NordVPN supplies an all-around package deal that makes it a compelling VPN for many on a regular basis customers.
ESET PROTECT Superior
Staff per Firm Dimension
Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Massive (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+)
Any Firm Dimension
Any Firm Dimension
Options
Superior Menace Protection, Full Disk Encryption , Fashionable Endpoint Safety, and extra
ManageEngine Log360
Staff per Firm Dimension
Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Massive (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+)
Micro (0-49 Staff), Medium (250-999 Staff), Enterprise (5,000+ Staff), Massive (1,000-4,999 Staff), Small (50-249 Staff)
Micro, Medium, Enterprise, Massive, Small
Options
Exercise Monitoring, Blacklisting, Dashboard, and extra
Is NordVPN free?
No, NordVPN just isn’t free and doesn’t have a free model. If you happen to’re particularly on the lookout for a free VPN to make use of, I like to recommend attempting out Proton VPN or disguise.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 out there for Android. Whereas I recognize Nord providing a free trial through Android, I hope it extends entry to iOS or iPhone customers sooner or later as effectively.
NordVPN pricing
NordVPN divides its paid subscriptions into three tiers: Fundamental, Plus, and Full. Every tier has a month-to-month, a yearly, and a two-year contract possibility.
As a aspect observe, subscription names can differ relying on the area per my analysis (NordVPN Full being synonymous with NordVPN Final or Extremely; NordVPN Fundamental being the identical as NordVPN Customary).
BasicPlusComplete
Month-to-month$12.99 per 30 days$13.99 per 30 days$14.99 per 30 days
1 yr$4.99 per 30 days$5.99 per 30 days$6.99 per 30 days
2 years$3.09 per 30 days$3.99 per 30 days$4.99 per 30 days
Characteristic differencesMain VPN service, Menace Safety advert blockerAll Fundamental options plus tracker blocker, anti-malware and shopping safety, password supervisor, and knowledge breach scannerAll Plus options plus 1TB of encrypted cloud storage
Of its plans, I like to recommend going for NordVPN Plus one-year subscription at $5.99 per 30 days. It offers you a wholesome set of NordVPN’s further safety features at an affordable one-year contract size.
Compared to different VPNs, NordVPN falls within the higher vary by way of value. For instance, Surfshark’s equal Surfshark One subscription is priced at $4.09 per 30 days, whereas Proton VPN’s Plus plan is at $5.99. If you happen to’re on a tighter finances, these picks are most likely a more sensible choice.
SEE: Personal Web Entry vs NordVPN: Which VPN Is Higher? (TechRepublic)
Nevertheless, in case you have the cash, I really feel NordVPN presents sufficient significant add-ons to make it well worth the spend. Specifically, the truth that you get entry to Nord Safety’s NordPass password supervisor with NordVPN Plus is a major value-add, particularly should you’re additionally on the lookout for a devoted password supervisor. You additionally get anti-malware and shopping safety on prime of the primary VPN service.
One factor to notice: NordVPN’s one-year and two-year plans have totally 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 supply 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, well known as one of the crucial safe encryption algorithms at present. 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 pliability to decide on a VPN protocol with both quick efficiency through 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 glad to report that NordVPN has undergone impartial testing to substantiate this coverage.
NordVPN’s fourth no-logs audit. Picture: NordVPN
In late 2023, NordVPN’s no-logs claims had 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 undoubtedly 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 capable of entry the total report and outcomes.
In line with NordVPN, this “ensures the audit outcomes will not be 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 total transparency.
With that being stated, NordVPN is among the most safe VPN companies to make use of at present.
Key options of NordVPN
Meshnet encrypted file-sharing
Meshnet permits you to join a number of units to an end-to-end encrypted digital community and serves as a technique to securely share necessary information throughout units. Particularly, you may have 10 units related to the community and seamlessly switch, ship, or obtain information by means of Meshnet.
Accepting a file in Meshnet community. Picture: Luis Millares
To its credit score, I used it to ship a number of information from my Android cellphone to my laptop computer and it labored fairly flawlessly. I envision this to be helpful for sharing delicate information, reminiscent of contracts or monetary data, to consumer units.
Menace Safety Professional internet and file safety
One other standout is NordVPN’s Menace Safety Professional, which presents each internet and file safety. For the net aspect of issues, it presents real-time safety and blocking in opposition to malware, trackers, and adverts.
In the meantime, file safety occurs within the background because it scans all downloaded gadgets, checks for malware, and instantly deletes malicious information which might be discovered.
Blocked threats by Menace Safety Professional. Picture: Luis Millares
Personally, I like how Menace Safety supplies an in-depth listing of blocked threats with every internet web page visited. This offers customers extra perception into which web sites may probably be bringing extra hurt than good whereas they browse on-line.
Darkish Net Monitor
Lastly, NordVPN contains a Darkish Net 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.
My emails in NordVPN Darkish Net Monitor. Picture: Luis Millares
Per my time with it, I recognize how the monitor lets you 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 crew that wishes to ensure 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 total dependable connection. Throughout my testing, I related to NordVPN servers and did my typical work as a author. What this seems 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 Value? + 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 normally performs. I additionally noticed that switching servers and connecting to totally different VPN areas was fast and snappy, with no drops in connection all all through.
NordVPN’s server map. Picture: Luis Millares
By way of pace testing, NordVPN bought mixed-to-positive outcomes. It carried out extremely effectively for obtain speeds, truly having a 0.78% improve in comparison with my ISP. That is glorious contemplating how drops in pace are anticipated with VPNs, because the consumer connection is routed to extra channels. Then again, add speeds had 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 glorious.
In case your workflow requires frequent importing of information, my testing confirmed NordVPN is probably not the best resolution 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
Once we take 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 effectively, however these are estimated figures).
NordVPN server listing. Picture: Luis Millares
What I personally commend NordVPN for is its steady enchancment of its server suite. After I first reviewed NordVPN in 2023, it had 5,800+ servers in 60+ nations. In 2024, the situation and nation depend have nearly doubled.
SEE: Why Your Enterprise Wants Cybersecurity Consciousness Coaching (TechRepublic Premium)
Whereas having a ton of servers might look engaging, the extra necessary quantity right here is the variety of areas. That is very true in case your major 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 may have. At an enormous 111 nations, I discover NordVPN’s server community to be a major characteristic should you worth unblocking or video streaming.
On prime of its server suite, NordVPN comes with quite a lot of specialised servers. You might have a double VPN server that routes your visitors to 2 areas for an extra layer of safety; obfuscated servers that masks your VPN use, which will 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.
NordVPN specialty servers. Picture: Luis Millares
You additionally get the choice to avail of a devoted IP tackle, providing 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 characteristic is a separate subscription and isn’t included in your fundamental NordVPN plan.
NordVPN app expertise
After I first put in the NordVPN app, my major concern was how it could arrange all its included options. From the soar, it was clear that Nord packed a ton of performance in its service, particularly with the extra menus and dashboards it had alongside the primary VPN.
NordVPN interface. Picture: Luis Millares
Fortuitously, after exploring the app, I spotted how intuitive NordVPN has the whole lot arrange. It has a fundamental house dashboard, which conveniently homes not solely your VPN connection standing but additionally fast widgets for Menace Safety Professional and file sharing.
NordVPN house dashboard. Picture: Luis Millares
On the left aspect, you get separate tabs for the VPN servers, Menace Safety Professional, file transfers, Meshnet, and the Darkish Net Monitor. Every characteristic has its personal devoted dashboard, making the app really feel much less cluttered and extra organized.
Collapsible menus in NordVPN app. Picture: Luis Millares
I significantly like how the VPN Servers dashboard has collapsible dropdown menus to make the whole lot really feel neat. Right here you may 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 preserving issues tidy and designating every characteristic with its personal part.
For design, NordVPN will get good marks from me as effectively. It employs a modern-looking consumer interface that appears polished and effectively thought out. Actually, it looks like software program launched in 2024 — which is strictly what we would like.
NordVPN customer support and assist
By way of buyer assist, NordVPN presents a wholesome vary of assist choices. It has a data base on-line portal with tutorials, FAQs, and guides; e-mail assist; an AI chatbot; and 24/7 reside chat assist.
After I used NordVPN’s AI chatbot, I discovered it was capable of reply simplest questions with relative ease. It was additionally fast and supplied useful follow-up prompts to dive deeper into what you requested about.
Asking NordVPN’s AI chatbot about its VPN protocols. Picture: Luis Millares
If in case you have a extra particular query, you may ask the Nord chatbot to attach you with a reside agent. From my expertise, I used to be related to an agent shortly, at round underneath two minutes or so. I may say that, with the questions I requested, the Nord assist agent offered pretty useful solutions.
Asking about NordPass being bundled with NordVPN. Picture: Luis Millares
As seen above, the agent was capable of 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 differ 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 reside chat assist is accessible 24/7. This implies you gained’t have to fret about not gaining access to assist when a important concern arises.
Extra about Cloud Safety
NordVPN professionals
Affords round 6,350+ servers in 111 nations.
Menace safety in opposition to malware, adverts, and trackers.
Meshnet encrypted file-sharing system.
Independently audited no-logs coverage.
Constructed-in darkish internet monitor.
Persistently quick and steady VPN pace.
Nicely-designed and intuitive VPN app.
NordVPN cons
Priced comparatively excessive.
Renewal pricing may very well be complicated.
Newest audit outcomes not out there 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 fanatics. From its Meshnet encrypted file-sharing characteristic to its specialised obfuscated and double VPN servers, it brings so much to the desk in the case of bolstering consumer safety.
I significantly like how NordVPN doesn’t take with no consideration its costlier price ticket. Whereas it’s not essentially the most inexpensive VPN, it may well’t be denied that you just get so much in a single subscription.
As well as, should you 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 VPNSurfshark VPNExpressVPN
Our ranking (out of 5 stars)4.34.64.6
Beginning value$6.99 per 30 days (6-month plan)$3.69 per 30 days$6.67 per 30 days
Server networkServers in 100 nations, 126 areas, 21 devoted IP locations3,200+ servers in 100 countriesServers throughout 105 nations
Standout featuresSpecialized servers for streaming, gaming, and torrenting; 24-hour free trial for desktop with no cost information requiredSurfshark Search ad-free search engine, inexpensive subscription plans, limitless simultaneous system connectionsFast and constant VPN speeds; intuitive and well-designed VPN app; 18 impartial audits as of 2024
CyberGhost VPN
Picture: CyberGhost
If you happen to’re itching to attempt a premium VPN at no cost, I like to recommend CyberGhost VPN. Its 24-hour desktop free trial is among the most accessible out there, not requiring any cost 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 information.
It’s because its desktop app well organizes its optimized servers into these classes, making it straightforward to entry the most effective server to your particular wants.
If you wish to study extra, learn our full CyberGhost VPN evaluate.
Surfshark VPN
Picture: Surfshark
For these on a finances, 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 inexpensive costs. It additionally consists of helpful safety features like its Surfshark Search performance, which supplies customers with a devoted search engine that robotically removes adverts or sponsored posts.
I significantly like Surfshark for providing limitless system connections, letting customers join a number of units with out an extra plan. This provides much more worth to its already cost-effective pricing.
If you wish to study extra, learn our full Surfshark VPN evaluate.
ExpressVPN
Picture: ExpressVPN
If consumer expertise is your prime precedence, one in all my favorites is ExpressVPN. ExpressVPN strikes a effective stability between providing a well-designed VPN app and an easy-to-use interface. Its refined consumer expertise is one in all its spotlight options, making it an ideal alternative for much less tech-savvy customers or newcomers.
On prime of that, ExpressVPN supplies speedy VPN speeds for each obtain and upload-heavy duties. It additionally boasts a powerful portfolio of third-party audits, now with 18 whole impartial audits as of 2024.
If you wish to study extra, learn our full ExpressVPN evaluate.
Evaluate methodology
My evaluate of NordVPN concerned a complete evaluation of its options, price, and real-world efficiency. I had hands-on time with NordVPN by means of a one-year NordVPN Plus subscription.
To judge NordVPN, I scored it on the whole lot from its server community to pricing. Specifically, I took under consideration 5 fundamental pillars, every having corresponding weights:
Pricing (20%).
Core VPN options (30%).
Ease of use (15%).
Buyer assist (30%).
Knowledgeable evaluation (5%).
From this rubric, NordVPN acquired a ranking of 4.7 out of 5 stars. I additionally regarded into consumer suggestions and different respected evaluations 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 most effective 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 by means of DNSLeakTest a number of occasions to examine for any DNS leaks. Lastly, I took under consideration which sorts of companies or particular person customers would greatest profit from utilizing NordVPN.
To study extra about how we evaluate VPNs, learn our full VPN Evaluate Methodology.
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