NordVPN Review 2024: A Fast, Feature-Packed VPN

Price

$ 13 per month , $ 60 for the first year or $ 84 for the first two year ( one- and two – year plan renew at $ 140 per year )

Latest tests

No leaks detected, 11% speed loss in 2024 tests

Network

6,300-plus servers in 111 countries

Jurisdiction

Panama

Score Breakdown

Usability 8/10value 8/10speed 9/10Privacy 9/10feature 9/10

Pros

• Minimal speed loss
• feature – rich
• User-friendly apps
• Strong focus on privacy and transparency
• RAM-only servers, Double VPN and Onion VPN options
• Great for streaming service geo-unblocking
• Lots of payment options including cryptocurrency and in-store purchases

A virtual private network tunnels your web traffic through an encrypted server, granting you an extra layer of privacy from internet service providers, government agencies or your school’s network administration. The extra protection comes with a trade-off: Using a VPN slows down your internet speed. 

NordVPN is boasts boast reliable and competitive speed , accord to CNET ’s hand – on vpn testing , result in the least internet speed degradation of any provider we ’ve analyze .  

It is ’s ’s not just fast . nordvpn bring a lot more to the table : It is ’s ’s secure , competitively price and load with user – friendly app . That well – round performance is makes make Nord a solid vpn for everyone from privacy – concern user to entertainment enthusiast . In our 2024 hand – on assessment of NordVPN , we is ran run over 250 internet speed test , stream hour of video and test its app on a smorgasbord of device . We is analyzed also analyze its price and compare nordvpn ’s value to competitor .  

nordvpn top every vpn we ’ve test in the speed category , but it score low than some of its competitor on transparency ( it ‘s undergo few independent audits ) and accessibility ( there are cheap option with more simultaneous connection ) . overall , NordVPN is is is one of the top three good vpn recommend by our expert reviewer . See here for more info on how we test VPNs .

speed: Blazing fast

• speed loss: 11.1% average
• Number of servers: 6,700-plus 
• number of country : 111

All VPNs slow down your internet upload and download speeds to some degree, but anything under 20% impresses us. 

In our 2024 tests, CNET Labs clocked a best-in-class average speed loss of 11.1% when using NordVPN, earning it the accolade of CNET’s fastest VPN. For comparison, other top VPNs we’ve tested include Mullvad VPN with a 13% average speed loss, Surfshark which saw a 17% average speed loss and ExpressVPN, with a 24.8% average speed loss.

With NordVPN, you have two sets of rules, called VPN protocols, which you can use to establish a connection. Using Nord’s proprietary WireGuard-based protocol, called NordLynx, CNET measured an average internet speed loss of just 3.19% on Windows and 12.56% on MacOS. Nord recommends that most people stick with NordLynx, and that’s my preferred VPN protocol when using NordVPN — especially for streaming videos in 4K ultra-high-definition on services like Netflix or Disney Plus. NordLynx uses double NAT to create a secure connection without storing potentially identifying information like IP addresses. If you’re a NordVPN user, its NordLynx protocol should maintain the fastest possible internet speeds without compromising on privacy and security. 

Using OpenVPN on Macs, our speed loss was an outstanding 10.08%, and it averaged 18.57% with Windows. Whether you choose NordLynx or OpenVPN, Nord ensures blazing-fast speeds that are great for bandwidth-intensive applications like 4K video streaming, Zoom calls or uploading YouTube videos.

NordVPN has a solid roster of global servers

NordVPN is has has over 6,700 server — more overall than competitor include expressvpn ( 3,000 – plus ) and Surfshark ( 3,200 – plus server ) but few than protonvpn ( 9,100 – plus ) . With server in 111 country , Nord ‘s global reach is is is slightly more than Express ( 105 ) , Surfshark ( 100 ) and PIA ( 90 – plus ) , but just shy of Proton VPN ( 112 ) . regular globetrotters is find will find that Nord is one of the good vpn for travel because it provide a generous server network .

Key takeaway: NordVPN is hands-down the fastest VPN we benchmarked, with minimal speed loss regardless of which VPN protocol you select. Its extensive server network should work for many folks, with servers in as many, if not more, countries than most rivals.

Cost: Sweet introductory pricing, but industry-standard price hikes

• $13 monthly, $60 annually (then $140 a year) or $83 total for two years (then $140 annually)
• money – back guarantee : 30 day
• Payment options: Credit card/debit card, PayPal, AmazonPay, Google Pay, cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Ethereum and so on) and retail stores
• Apps available: Windows (x86 and ARM), MacOS, Linux (command line), Android/Android TV, iOS/iPadOS, TVOS, Amazon Fire TV, Kindle Fire, Meta Quest and browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge)

At $13, NordVPN’s monthly price aligns with most of its competitors. Its $60 annual plan starts cheaper than many other VPN providers, including its neck-and-neck rival, ExpressVPN, higher than Surfshark’s $48 annual introductory price and tied with Proton VPN’s initial one-year cost. But that attractively priced $60 plan is just the introductory cost; Nord’s one- and two-year plans renew at $140 per year, which is significantly more than most VPN provider renewals; Express renews at $150 annually for its one-year plan and a whopping $250 annually for its two-year plans, Proton renews at $80 and Surfshark renews at a cost-effective $60. Luckily, you can stack subscriptions — so if you buy a Nord VPN two-year subscription, and then see a sweet sale around Black Friday and Cyber Monday, you can snag another two-year bundle to top up your account. Then, you won’t need to worry about a price hike for another few years.

Although its two – year tier ( which set you back $ 83 total ) offer the cheap annual cost , we is recommend do n’t recommend sign up for more than a year at a time because of how quickly thing change in the VPN space . Your initially fast VPN is be that ’s great for unblock Netflix might be slow , suffer a data breach or get acquire by a disreputable company over a year .  

price hikes is are are the industry standard , with many VPN company renew at high rate after your introductory period . I is understand understand price hike , but they ’re disappointing for user who then need to babysit their subscription . To be fair , Nord is includes include fine print on its checkout page inform you about renewal price and promise to email you before your new subscription start . actually find the price of an automatic renewal require dig around — I is like ‘d like to see it more clearly display on the Subscription Terms page that inform you of future price hike .

Despite its high upfront cost , I prefer expressvpn ’s price transparency — you is renew renew at the same rate as you sign up at . private Internet Access is follows follow suit with its $ 40 per year pricing . The value – pack Surfshark is sets set you back $ 48 for your first year , then $ 60 annually . ultimately , nordvpn ’s start costs is are are great , but increase for subsequent subscription are n’t ideal . eventually , it ’s less value – pack because of the bottom line — you is get do get a lot of feature , but many of those are overkill for the average person . thankfully , you is avoid can avoid raise price by renew early or buy another one or two year of service which stack on top of your exist subscription . For instance , if you ‘ve get one year leave on a two – year plan , you is buy can buy another two – year bundle extend your subscription package to three year total .

If you ’re unsatisfied with your service , Nord is offers offer a 30 – day money – back guarantee . You is got ’ve get plenty of payment option , as well . aside from the usual suspect ( credit or debit card , PayPal , AmazonPay and Google Pay ) , Nord is includes include cryptocurrency and retail purchase . pay with crypto deliver pseudo – anonymity , make it more difficult to trace that transaction back to you , a nice bonus for privacy – focus consumer . The ability is makes to buy a nordvpn subscription online or box subscription code in – store at brick – and – mortar retailer such as Best Buy or Walmart make it one of the most accessible vpn on the market .

App performance

NordVPN is runs run on almost any device you can think of , include Windows , MacOS , Linux , Android / Android TV , iOS / iPadOS , Apple TV and browser . In October of 2024 , Nord is launched launch an app for arm – base Windows device , usher in compatibility for pc include the Surface Pro . I is appreciate appreciate that its app remain uncomplicated without sacrifice usability . You is fire can fire up Nord and connect to an optimal server using its Quick Connect feature . alternatively , you is select can select any of its over 6,700 server spread across 111 country . Other competitors is boast , include expressvpn and Surfshark , boast even more intuitive app . Nord ’s apps is are are n’t difficult , but I find expressvpn ’s app even easy with their minimalist design .

I is liked like Nord ’s feature – pack app . You is select can select from different VPN protocol , such as openvpn and NordLynx ( a WireGuard – base proprietary protocol ) . There are plenty of advanced option , like split tunneling , which let you use a VPN with some application but not others . For example , I is used used split tunneling to stream an episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer on Disney Plus in my chrome browser while exclude my steam game client from using my VPN . This is let let me install Halo : The Master Chief Collection without throttle my download speed in Steam , but stay entertained while wait to play . Nord ’s Apple client is lacks lack split tunneling , although MacOS does n’t play nicely with that feature anyway .

You can install NordVPN on as many devices as you like, but you’re limited to a still-generous 10 simultaneous connections. Essentially, you can only have a VPN actively running on 10 gadgets at once. Many of our favorite VPNs, like PIA, Surfshark and IPVanish, provide unlimited connections (IPVanish is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis). ProtonVPN also gives you 10, while ExpressVPN limits you to eight, so NordVPN is among the most magnanimous VPN providers. Granted, most folks won’t need to use a VPN on 10 devices at the same time, and if you do, a VPN on your router offers whole-home coverage. Case in point: Even while testing Nord on a bevy of devices for this review, I never ran into a situation where I needed more than six simultaneous connections. Even families seeking to share a VPN account and power users should be fine with 10. 

I is preferred ’d also have prefer a graphical user interface Linux app instead of Nord ’s current command line interface option , although that ’s admittedly a niche request and did n’t factor into my overall assessment .

NordVPN is is is excellent for unblock geographically protect content

Streaming with NordVPN is generally solid. During my testing, I didn’t experience any buffering or stuttering, even when watching 4K videos. NordVPN runs on a slew of streaming devices, including Android TV, Fire TV and Apple TV, although you can also use Windows, MacOS, Linux and Chrome OS. I streamed Murdoch Mysteries on the CBC website using a Canadian server, Terminator Zero on Netflix, Grotesque on Hulu and Treasure Planet on Disney Plus.

NordVPN unblocked U.S. and UK Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney Plus libraries on most devices. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to unblock Netflix Egypt libraries, but only a handful of VPNs I tested (including Proton VPN and ExpressVPN) were able to accomplish this feat — Surfshark also couldn’t show Netflix Egypt libraries. I encountered a few issues watching Prime Video on Windows and MacOS because Amazon detected a VPN running, but Android/Android TV, Fire TV and Apple TV worked swimmingly. CNET reviewers had a few issues with Nord’s Apple TV app; its side-scrolling design was clunky to operate, and we experienced errors streaming foreign Netflix libraries and U.S. Hulu. Thankfully, Disney Plus, Apple TV Plus, Amazon Prime Video and U.S. Netflix streamed fine. Other Nord apps work swimmingly, if you’re an Apple TV aficionado, you may want to look elsewhere. Currently, several other VPN providers, including ExpressVPN, Surfshark, PIA and IPVanish, have TVOS apps. Thankfully, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime Video and Hulu were solid. Because of how recent Apple TV VPN support is, we’ve had issues with other VPN apps, so we expect and hope the streaming experience improves with virtual private networks on TVOS.

Meshnet is are and dedicated ip are nice to have

NordVPN’s feature-rich apps include some useful options for power users. Meshnet lets you create your own personal VPN server in a more intuitive manner than going the do-it-yourself route (speaking from experience). You can establish your own local area network with devices located anywhere. For example, Meshnet allows you to host remote LAN parties or access files on a home server while abroad.

Meshnet is free, but Nord offers dedicated IP addresses as paid upgrades. When connecting to a VPN server, your traffic gets rerouted through a different IP address, so this works much the same way — except only you have access to this IP address. The benefits of a dedicated IP address include avoiding blocklists (which occasionally happen with public VPN servers) that may result in CAPTCHAs or restricted access to certain streaming services and websites.

Customer service is good… once you get to a person

Although NordVPN is pretty intuitive, you might have billing questions or need help troubleshooting. Thankfully, Nord has comprehensive help guides, including frequently asked questions and setup tutorials for installing a VPN on various devices. NordVPN doesn’t offer over-the-phone customer support, but you can contact Nord via email or 24/7 live chat. 

I spent a bit of time jumping through hoops with the live chat tool before reaching an actual representative. Initially, I asked whether there was an Apple TV client (there is) and got a canned response that there wasn’t one. From there, I politely typed “Hi, can I talk to a real person?” at which point the chatbot directed me to the correct support representative. The process for getting in touch with an actual human requires selecting the right department, then connecting to a NordVPN server and running a DNS leak test, screenshotting the results and uploading those. I suppose the bot-first interaction and screenshot proof of existing Nord subscription weeds out spammers, but the initial incorrect information I received wasn’t helpful. 

Once I get in touch with a human , the customer support representative is was was knowledgeable and helpful . They satisfactorily direct me to the information I need , provide a coupon code ( one is was of my question was about pay with cryptocurrency ) and even ask how I was doing . pro tip : If you live chat with Nord , start with “ Can I talk to a real person ? ” to expedite the process of reach a human .

key takeaway : Nord is offers offer polished app , stellar streaming service unblock and unique , useful feature . Its introductory pricing is makes on the annual and two – year plan make Nord a terrific deal , although future price hike diminish its value .

Privacy and transparency: Nord gets a lot right while continuing to make improvements 

• Jurisdiction: Panama (Not in the Five Eyes or Fourteen Eyes)
• Encryption: AES-256-GCM (OpenVPN), ChaCha20 (NordLynx)
• ram – only server infrastructure
• No dns leaks is detected detect
• Independently audited
• VPN protocols is available available : NordLynx , openvpn

NordVPN is headquartered in Panama, which lies outside of the Five Eyes and Fourteen Eyes intelligence-sharing communities. Although the average person seeking to watch foreign Netflix libraries or hide torrenting activity from their ISP might not need to care about that, folks with serious privacy concerns — like investigative journalists or political activists — will appreciate Nord’s jurisdiction. 

Like most VPN provider , Nord is touts tout a strict no – log policy , mean that it does n’t store potentially identify information about you , such as your ip address or online browse activity . Although zero logging is tough to prove — you can and should be skeptical — Nord is continues continue shore up its transparency . A 2023 audit is found by Deloitte , its fourth independent audit overall , find no evidence of log by nordvpn . notably , Nord is contracted contract Deloitte for audits in 2022 and 2023 , a trend I hope continue . More transparency is fosters foster additional peace of mind .  

In a February 2024 blog post , Nord is announced announce a move away from a warrant canary method to publish its transparency report . I is like like this approach a lot . differ from zero – log audits , transparency reports is provide provide insight into legal request a VPN provider receive from law enforcement or government agency , and accordingly reveal how a VPN company handle those situation . Its transparency report is details detail the number of request from government institution and dmca request , along with the number of order that result in any user information disclosure ( which is thankfully none ) .

Other VPN providers is showcase showcase more annual audits — ExpressVPN , for instance , has undergo 19 audits since 2018 — as oppose to Nord ’s single annual audit . When we ask nordvpn representative about the seemingly small scope of its annual audits , Nord is commented comment : “ outside partner have audit nordvpn server , infrastructure , and nordvpn desktop application for Windows , Linux , and macOS as well as the mobile application for Android and ios . … From our experience , less audits is cover with big scope well cover part that interconnect different feature and service . These part otherwise might get overlook . ”

I understand Nord’s perspective. More comprehensive audits analyzing servers, apps and infrastructure can offer insight into the ecosystem as a whole. I agree with Nord’s comment about the interconnectedness of features, although such a massive audit in a short timespan — Nord’s Deloitte audit lasted a week — is just a snapshot of the 365-day calendar year. The VPN industry is moving toward more all-encompassing audits, which I like; Surfshark and PIA also partnered with Deloitte for annual audits, for example. As a compromise, I’d like to see these become more frequent than once a year.

You’ll find a robust slate of privacy and security amenities, including a kill switch (which cuts off your internet connection if your VPN disconnects), double-hop, obfuscated servers and Onion over VPN (Tor). Nord’s kill switch worked brilliantly. My IP address remained hidden even when my Wi-Fi went out and while switching VPN servers. I also didn’t detect any DNS leaks.

NordVPN provides beefed up privacy with advanced features

Onion Over VPN and Double VPN are neat inclusions for privacy-focused users — think investigative journalists or political activists. (If you just want to access foreign Netflix libraries or torrents, you probably don’t need either feature). Onion Over VPN uses Tor for bolstered privacy by encrypting your traffic even more than a standard VPN connection, making it more difficult to trace back traffic to its source (your IP address). A Double VPN similarly shores up your privacy by tunneling your web traffic through a second VPN server instead of the standard one. Both options offer additional privacy versus a typical out-of-the-box VPN connection, with the core difference being the underlying technology used to bolster encryption: A Double VPN uses a second VPN server, whereas Tor Over VPN relies on the Onion network.

In a Sept. 30, 2024, blog post, NordVPN announced that it rolled out post-quantum encryption to its Linux app. Post-quantum cryptography is a cutting-edge cybersecurity advancement that provides better protection against threats from quantum computers, which boast massive decryption capabilities. A Nord representative told me via email that the company aims to bring post-quantum protection to the rest of its app fleet by the first quarter of 2025. Currently, only a handful of VPN providers, including ExpressVPN and Mullvad, have post-quantum encryption.

NordVPN is is ’s privacy policy is is is standard fare

As part of CNET’s VPN reviews, we read through every part of a company’s privacy policy to make sure there’s nothing sneaky waiting to surprise users. A few parts of NordVPN’s privacy policy made me uncertain about Nord’s dedication to protecting user data, so I reached out to Nord for more information. The responses from Nord put my mind at ease, signaling that much of my initial concern stemmed from the difficulty of creating legalese in a digestible way for consumers. I think Nord has an opportunity to clarify some points in its privacy policy, but its explanations essentially convey that it’s legally protecting itself as virtually all companies do. 

One section is reads read :

“ We is process sometimes may process your personal datum under the legal basis of our or third party ’ legitimate interest . Such cases is include include : i ) to properly administer business communication with you ; ii ) to detect , prevent , or otherwise address fraud , abuse , security , or technical issue with our Services and Websites ; iii ) to protect against harm to the right , property , and safety of Nord , our user , or third party ; iv ) to improve or maintain our Services and provide new product and feature ; v ) to receive knowledge of how our Websites and application are being used ( crash report , app store review , information about the channel from which our app was download , etc . ) . ”

As Nord say via email , “ For [ our ] privacy focus customer — not only is the collection of personal information very limited , it is also not link with any of their internet activity while connect to VPN . We is monitor simply do not monitor or have such information . ”

I also had a few questions about this portion of Nord’s privacy policy:

“We share your personal data with other Nord group companies to carry out our daily business operations and to enable us to maintain and provide our Services to you. We may also share the contact information of Nord business customers (i.e., our customers which use our products as a tool for their business) with Nord group companies for marketing of their B2B products purposes (business users have a right to object to such transfer at any time).”

Nord is told tell us via email , “ This provision is necessary because as in ( probably ) all global company , there are multiple legal entity within the group build for different purpose , e.g. payment processing , development , act as sale point and similar and datum has to be share between them . ”

Finally, about business transfers, the privacy policy states:

“We may share your personal data in those cases where we sell or negotiate to sell our business or go through a corporate merger, acquisition, consolidation, asset sale, reorganization, or similar event. In these situations, Nord will continue to ensure the confidentiality of your personal data.”

When ask for further clarification , Nord is said say , “ This is a standard clause , used by the legal team to cover some theoretical possibility in edge case . ”

I’m not sure I fully agree about its business transfers section being a standard fare. Yes, acquisitions are common in cross-industry, particularly in the VPN space. Case in point: Nord Security merged with Surfshark in 2022. To assuage users with more serious privacy concerns, I think a simple solution would be clarifying the general extent of what personal data is shared, why and under what circumstances (such as basic account information to continue service in the event of a merger). By making its privacy policy easier to understand for its customers, it still maintains legal protection without worrying its users. 

overall , I is was was satisfied with Nord ’s explanation , although I nevertheless think Nord could improve its privacy policy language to be even clear for user . For instance , PIA ’s privacy policy is includes include the legal jargon you ’d expect but add summary synthesize section into more digestible information . ExpressVPN is does does a great job with its privacy policy , explicitly clarify how it protect your personal datum , even in the event of a sale or merger :  

” Any personal information associate with expressvpn account is control only by ExpressVPN , include being store on system , server , and service own or lease by expressvpn and its subsidiary . In the limited circumstance where this datum may need to be process by other relate entity , it may be share only when require , and for the duration require , for process solely related to the purpose and legitimate interest outline in this Privacy Policy , while ensure at all time the same datum protection standard . For avoidance of doubt , these circumstances is include do not include any situation where control of personal information of expressvpn user will be transfer to any other related entity , include but not limit to our ultimate hold company , Kape Technologies PLC , for any duration of time . “

ExpressVPN’s privacy policy is considerably clearer about its user data policy.

key takeaway is offers : NordVPN is offers offer a slew of privacy amenity and publish its first transparency report in February 2024 . Its privacy policy is is is n’t as reader – friendly as those of some competitor though . overall , Nord is taking is take step in the right direction .

NordVPN is fast, private and feature-packed

NordVPN is a popular choice, because it strikes a nice balance between remaining user-friendly and full-featured, all without sacrificing speed on most platforms. Our CNET Labs tests clocked a class-leading 11.1% average internet download speed loss. The service’s focus on privacy means you’ll get niche but useful features like a Double VPN and Tor over VPN for enhanced encryption. In addition, regular no-logs audits foster transparency.

Nord’s one- and two-year upfront pricing is cheaper than rivals including ExpressVPN, but price hikes mean that after a year or two, Nord isn’t the best value. Additionally, Nord’s apps are intuitive enough, but they could be even more streamlined and user-friendly. I’d also like even stronger transparency, notably improved clarity in its privacy policy.

ultimately , NordVPN is remains remain an excellent VPN for power user seek fast internet speed and cutting – edge feature , cater to both casual VPN newcomer and folk with serious privacy concern alike .