Is NordVPN the Right Choice for You? A Comprehensive Review of Features, Costs, and Performance

If you’re currently looking for a virtual private network (VPN) to connect to the internet securely and privately, the long-term plans and breadth of features that NordVPN offers make it a good choice. NordVPN is easy to set up, intuitive to use and offers options, which cater specifically to businesses and teams. While expensive and lacking in server count when compared to competitors, NordVPN is one of the biggest names on the market. Read our comprehensive NordVPN review to help you decide if this is the best VPN for your needs.

Pros

• High number of servers (5,500)
• Ability to install VPN to router
• Dedicated internet protocol (IP) address add-on available
• 24/7 support
• Ad-blocking and antivirus are included features
• Steep discounts available for multi-year plans

Cons

• More expensive than top competitors, such as ExpressVPN, for the monthly plan
• Fewer server connections than competitors
• Cost for dedicated IP is higher than some competitors

What Is NordVPN?

NordVPN has been one of the most popular VPNs on the market for over a decade. The service allows you to connect to up to six devices and you can use it on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS.

NordVPN boasts a number of security features that can help protect your Internet activity from prying eyes, including a kill switch and split tunneling.

The company allows users to install its VPN directly on your Wi-Fi router, which can help connect all of your devices without straining its relatively low 6 simultaneous connections maximum.

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How Does a VPN Work?

A VPN, or virtual private network, enhances online privacy and security by concealing your IP address and encrypting your internet activities. It establishes a secure, encrypted connection between your device and a remote server, which masks your location and allows your connection to appear as if it is coming from virtually anywhere.

VPNs have numerous applications, such as maintaining the anonymity of your browsing data and securely transmitting sensitive information over public Wi-Fi. They also enable access to country-restricted content regardless of your location. Moreover, some subscription services vary their prices based on customer locations, so using a VPN to set your location strategically might help you save money.

NordVPN Standout Features

NordVPN offers a number of competitive features, including:

• Threat protection: A feature that blocks malware, trackers and ads when you browse the internet. This adds an extra layer of protection when browsing the web.
• Dark web monitor: A feature that will notify users if their information is leaked to the dark web.
• Meshnet: Allows you to connect to other devices directly through encrypted private tunnels, which is useful for file sharing and gaming.
• Kill switch: A feature that will automatically block your device from accessing the internet, should the connection drop. This way, you don’t have to worry about a potential vulnerability when your VPN disconnects.
• Split tunneling: A feature that allows you to select which apps and websites require VPN protection and which ones are safe to browse without it. This is helpful for websites that block access with a VPN, such as many bank websites.

NordVPN is pricier compared to other VPN options, especially with its month-to-month plan costing $12.99 per month. This can be an issue if you want to try the service first, as it’s usually wise to avoid committing to a long-term plan without knowing if the VPN suits your needs. However, the company does offer a 30-day money-back guarantee.

For those ready to commit to a longer-term plan, NordVPN provides discounts on its annual and two-year plans, though these discounts are not significantly more generous than those offered by other providers.

While all basic features are included in every plan, some of the more advanced features are only available in the higher-tier plans.

You can also purchase the service with various payment options, including Apple Pay, Amazon Pay, Bitcoin, and other cryptocurrencies.

NordVPN Free Trial

NordVPN does not provide a free trial but offers a 30-day money-back guarantee after purchase.

However, Android users can access a free seven-day trial through the Google Play Store. To avoid being charged, make sure to cancel the subscription through the Google Play Store before the trial ends.

NordVPN Server Types and Locations

• NordVPN will automatically connect you to the best VPN server using its Quick Connect feature.
• NordVPN has more than 5,000 servers in over 60 countries, including the U.S., Canada, and various countries in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. This ensures a fast, stable internet connection while masking your IP address.

In addition to regular VPN servers, NordVPN offers several specialized servers at select locations:

1. Peer-to-peer (P2P): These servers are designed for fast file sharing through P2P connections, making them ideal for torrenting and certain types of gaming, such as fighting games like Mortal Kombat 1.
2. Obfuscated: These servers prevent your traffic from being blocked in countries with high restrictions.
3. Double VPN: These servers double-encrypt your traffic, providing enhanced security.
4. Dedicated IP: Users can purchase their own IP for faster connections.
5. Onion Over VPN: These servers allow users to access The Onion Router (TOR) network for anonymous communication without needing a dedicated TOR browser.

NordVPN provides all the server types mentioned above in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., the Netherlands, and France. Most of the other countries where NordVPN has servers also include P2P servers. Obfuscated, double VPN, and dedicated IP servers are available in a limited number of countries.

If you require a dedicated IP or double VPN for your business, it’s important to check the server locations in advance to ensure they meet your needs.

How To Set Up NordVPN

Setting up NordVPN is a pretty straightforward process. Once you purchase the subscription of your choice, you will download the software on your device, and from there, you’ll be able to turn the VPN on with a toggle switch and set your preferred location for the VPN server. For more specific instructions, read our guide on how to set up a VPN.

If you want to install NordVPN to your router, you’ll need to follow the instructions of your router’s firmware. You can find a list of tutorials from different companies on NordVPN’s website.

To install NordVPN on an Amazon Fire device, you’ll download the NordVPN application from the Amazon Appstore and log in. For more instructions, follow this tutorial.

Other Best VPNs

CyberGhost | PrivateInternetaccess | PrivateVPN | Surfshark VPN | FastVPN