Speed & Performance
Pricing
Features
Customer Support
Inside This Article...
NordVPN has a lofty reputation, and you may be wondering whether or not it lives up to the hype. Read on to discover my assessment of this popular VPN.
Overview
NordVPN is a Panama-based VPN allowing you to connect to 4,952 servers worldwide. It’s well known for its powerful features that are packed into an easy-to-use interface. From new VPN users to experienced ones, NordVPN can be enjoyed for only $3.49 per month.
Does NordVPN Sound Right For You?
Features
- Privacy: NordVPN will protect your IP address to ensure that your actual location cannot be tracked. This ensures that your internet activity, e.g. websites you visit, cannot be identified. NordVPN runs a strict ‘no logs policy’ which means they’ll never keep a record of the sites you’ve visited or any of your activity.
- Unrestricted access: You can enjoy visiting your favourite websites, watching online films, all with unrestricted access and no limits on bandwidth. It doesn’t matter which plan you choose, you can still stream with the same speeds and access the same servers and locations.
- Multiple devices: NordVPN can be used on up to 6 devices. You can choose whether you want to install the VPN on a desktop, smart device, or even a router! Not only does this make each pricing plan even more affordable, it’s super easy to stay protected on the go too.
- Support: NordVPN runs a 24/7 customer support policy. Their award-winning customer service agents are available to answer queries 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Speed & Performance
After signing up for NordVPN I figured it would be very important to test the VPN’s speed and performance. Using their desktop app, I received the following results.
The first results is with NordVPN connecting to their best server in the U.S. I received a ping of 83 ms, download speed of 38.49 Mbps, and upload speed of 16.46 Mbps.
Quite surprisingly, the download speed was FASTER when connecting to a U.S. server than it was on a U.K. server.
My U.K. server results came in with a much BETTER ping of 15 ms, but a download speed of 34.94 Mbps and upload speed of 17.33 Mbps.
When I didn’t use NordVPN, my ping was slightly better at 12 ms, but a slower download speed of 31.51 Mbps and upload speed of 16.59 Mbps.
Overall, aside from the ping, the download and upload speeds were only very slightly affected. To me, this is a GREAT result. It shows that NordVPN’s servers are high-quality and won’t cause a loss in download or upload speed.
Does NordVPN Sound Right For You?
Ease of Use
Signing up to NordVPN is really easy. Once you visit NordVPN, simply select the payment plan you want to sign up to. It’s cheaper in the long-run to sign up on a long-term plan. However, if you only want to sign up for 1 month, it’s entirely possible to do so.
Once you’ve purchased a plan, you’ll receive a download file (if using on a Desktop PC). Just click on the file and it will start the installation process.
You’ll need to login using your account details once you’ve launched the Desktop app. This will then take you to the application’s homepage.
You can choose to Quick Connect to a particular country. For beginners, this is the EASIEST way to start your VPN journey.
The map displays all of the countries available. Simply click your desired country and NordVPN will connect to the BEST server available.
For more advanced users, or those wanting to tweak their settings, it’s really easy to do. Simply click on the app’s settings and you’ll have various options to choose from. These options include features like NordVPN’s kill switch, automatic connections, and invisibility on LAN.
You can also choose to auto connect when the application starts. This enables you to choose a specific server or the best and recommended server for your needs.
There are also more advanced options, which again are easy to toggle on/off. NordVPN’s desktop app interface is by far one of the best and easiest I’ve come across.
Does NordVPN Sound Right For You?
Mobile App
The NordVPN mobile app is just as easy to use as the desktop app. I downloaded the app through the App Store on iOS. It took seconds to download and install.
When you first load the app, NordVPN confirm their privacy policy. They make it very CLEAR that they don’t log any online activity or personal information. They use your email to login to the VPN and anonymous app usage to improve their services.
Once you’ve confirmed and accepted their privacy policy, you’ll be taken to the connection screen. It’s super EASY to quick connect to the best server in your desired location.
Once connected, the app will highlight on the map where you’re connected to. You can report whether your connection is good or bad via the little thumbs up/down icons.
The app contains the same options as the desktop app. For example, you can connect to P2P servers or Onion Over VPN. There are also similar settings, e.g. connect automatically.
Does NordVPN Sound Right For You?
Customer Support
As a customer, I wanted to test NordVPN’s customer support. Were their technical team able to help me with my queries? Let’s find out below.
When connecting to NordVPN’s live chat, you are first introduced to a chatbot. This is designed to identify whether or not you really need a live agent.
The connection time to a live agent was literally minutes. I didn’t have to wait long at all which was great news!
I asked the assistant if she could tell me more about Netflix support and how I would connect to a different location.
Although the agent was helpful in terms of providing me the correct information, I would have preferred a personal touch rather than sending me away with a link.
Other than that, there were no complaints on my behalf and I’d certainly recommend NordVPN’s customer support.
Does NordVPN Sound Right For You?
Pros
Plenty of features
NordVPN offers loads of features. Lots of VPN’s make claim to their great features, so I thought it would be best to purchase NordVPN myself and give you the actual facts. Not only are NordVPN affordable, but they also include:
- IP protection
- Access to Netflix
- Kill Switch
- Double VPN service (double encryption)
- Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android compatibility
Features such as SmartPlay allow user to access hundreds of streaming services. If you can’t access your favourite Netflix shows because they’re only show in America, now you can watch them! From Amazon to BBC, Pandora to Netflix, you can stream with unrestricted access.
NordVPN’s OpenVPN ensures 256-AES-CBC with a 2048bit Diffie-Hellman key. Now, that might not make much sense to most people, but it essentially means NordVPN have gone above and beyond the industry standards. In short, their security measures are extremely good.
Last, but certainly not least, NordVPN boasts double data protection. What does that mean? If you choose to turn the option on, you can encrypt your data via two VPN servers, encrypting it twice. Personally, I don’t think many people will ever need to use this feature, but it is there if you want it.
Located in Panama
NordVPN was established in 2008 in Panama. Like many VPN services, NordVPN is located in an independent country where information sharing and logging isn’t monitored.
It means that no laws are being broken, and NordVPN can continue to provide it’s great service to users around the world.
No logging policy
NordVPN employ a no logging policy as part of their service. Again, because they are based in Panama, there’s no need to store data or record and log this information.
NordVPN, like most other VPN’s will record performance statistics, your email address, and payment information.
Torrenting and Netflix
NordVPN works well if you’re torrenting data or wanting to bypass geo-restrictions on Netflix. Netflix, unfortunately, are quite hot on cracking down these restrictions, however, around 4/5 attempts will allow you to access Netflix.
There are specific P2P servers that NordVPN have. These are supposed to be specifically used for torrenting to ensure safety and privacy, and the best user experience.
Cons
Average U.S. speeds
If you’re looking for a super-fast VPN to access U.S. locations, NordVPN may not be able to keep up. Although their connection speeds are great in most locations, the U.S. came out as just mediocre in my opinion.
Pricing
| 3-year plan | 2-year plan | 1-year plan | 1-month plan | |
| Servers | 5137 | 5137 | 5137 | 5137 |
| Logs | No logs | No logs | No logs | No logs |
| Devices | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Money-Back | 30-days | 30-days | 30-days | 30-days |
| Extras | +1 month free + save 70% | Save 58% | Save 51% | N/A |
| Price | $2.95/mo | $3.71/mo | $4.92/mo | $11.95/mo |
As you can see from the pricing table, there are no differences in NordVPN’s plans apart from the price and length of contract.
The longer you sign up to NordVPN, the cheaper your subscription becomes. If you know that you LOVE this VPN as much as I do, I highly recommended saving yourself 70% and signing up for their 3-year plan.
Remember, if something goes wrong in the first 30 days and you change your mind, they offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. Another little bonus from this awesome VPN provider!
If you’ve never used a VPN before or you simply don’t want to commit to a year-long plan, prices start from $11.95 per month. NordVPN’s prices fit nicely into the market, and are even slightly cheaper than ExpressVPN.
If you’re happy to sign up for a 3-year plan, your price per month will drop to £2.95 per month. You will have to pay this as an annual amount, however.
Would I recommend NordVPN?
In short, yes, 100% I would recommend NordVPN.
The VPN service is safe and secure and does exactly what it’s supposed to do. It’s easy to use which makes it a great option for new and experienced VPN users. With thousands of servers across over 60 countries, NordVPN offers an awful lot from only $2.95 per month.
NordVPN’s strict no-logging policy, based in Panama, offers some of the highest forms of security I’ve seen in a VPN. After all, that’s really what you want from a VPN service.
Does NordVPN Sound Right For You?
User Reviews
NordVPN Pros:
- Plenty of features
- Located in Panama
- No logging policy
NordVPN Cons:
- Average U.S. speeds
