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NordVPN is one of the best and fastest VPNs, and has a good bundle option.
Pros:
• Quick, reliable server connections
• Plenty of fast servers worldwide
• Easy-to-use design
• Fast, helpful live chat support
Cons:
• Renewal price more than doubles
• Upload speeds aren’t the best
NordVPN is already recognized as one of the best virtual private network solutions, and it keeps getting better. Of course, there are plenty of competitors, so it makes sense to shop around and read reviews that delve into particular features and limitations.
When I installed NordVPN’s Windows app, a checkbox made it easy to add the browser extension. The app protects your privacy across all apps, while the extension limits the VPN to my browser. I can use either, but it doesn’t make sense to use both at once.
The app is the most powerful option, letting me protect my location and identity when browsing, even in a private window, but I can still access apps I use for work through my normal Ethernet or Wi-Fi connection. If I connect to NordVPN via the extension and open an incognito window, the private tab bypasses the VPN. That can be a little confusing, so make sure to use the app for complete protection everywhere.
For more refined control, the app’s split-tunneling feature lets me specify apps to exclude from the VPN and the extension. The browser extension also has a split-tunneling feature that excludes particular websites from VPN use.
In my testing, NordVPN was very reliable, connecting quickly to every server I tried. There are 6,400 servers worldwide, so my spot checking can’t identify issues in every area. I checked the U.S., U.K., Canada, France, Germany, Australia, and Malta.
The connection was solid throughout and download speeds were surprisingly fast even for distant locations. I’m located in Canada, and without the VPN my computer gets 900Mbps download and upload speeds according to SpeedTest.net. The fastest server I tried, a U.S. connection, was an impressive 519Mbps download (61 ms ping) and a usable 29Mbps upload (40 ms ping). Reaching around the globe to Australia cut that to a fast 322Mbps download (286 ms ping), while upload speeds were an ugly 2Mbps (239 ms ping).
Slow upload speeds aren’t important for browsing, but would hamper gaming, live streaming, and posting to social media. There are physical limitations that can’t be overcome even by the fastest VPNs, so don’t expect miracles if you choose a distant server.
NordVPN works across devices and supports up to 10 at a time. I installed it on my Windows PC, iPhone, MacBook, and Android phone. NordVPN Plus Threat Protection only works on computers.
I tested it on my PC, visiting the Wicar test website. NordVPN successfully blocked all the harmless virus downloads, but so does Windows Defender. NordVPN’s Threat Protection hasn’t undergone the ongoing and rigorous evaluation that’s common for the best antivirus software, so its reliability over years of cybersecurity threats is unproven.
NordVPN’s customer support was excellent, replying in seconds with a helpful answer. I asked about a feature I knew didn’t exist, using split-tunneling to enable the VPN in select tabs. Support told me that wasn’t possible. I followed up with a question about using a second browser, and the reply was that it should work.
Since a VPN was the first product Nord Security developed, privacy has always come first. NordVPN doesn’t log your activity and doesn’t share data with third-party advertisers. Since NordVPN’s legal location is in Panama, the minimal data used to provide VPN services is exempt from scrutiny by government intelligence alliances like Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, and Fourteen Eyes.
NordVPN uses a custom protocol called NordLynx with security and speed upgrades to quickly encrypt your internet traffic while hiding your IP address and location. NordLynx also helps in breaking through administrative firewalls, making it a good VPN to use in school.
NordVPN’s cybersecurity track record is good, but there was an incident in 2018 when a hacker breached one server, though NordVPN said "no user credentials were affected." One server of the more than 3,300 servers in use at that time is a small but notable issue.
We looked into NordVPN’s security and consider it to be safe and reliable to use.
Is NordVPN right for you?
NordVPN is one of the best VPNs with bundles that provide good value if you need a password manager, encrypted cloud storage, and extra malware protection. NordVPN is one of the fastest VPNs available, but ExpressVPN and Surfshark join other top VPNs with great balance of performance, security, and features. You can save a nice chunk of cash with NordVPN’s deals on one-year and two-year subscriptions, but the cost to renew is more than double the initial bargain. If you’re looking for better long-term value, check out our comparison of the best VPN deals to see several options with consistent annual pricing.
Overall, I recommend NordVPN as a great privacy solution, but I wish the renewal prices were more reasonable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is NordVPN safe to use?
A: Yes, NordVPN is considered safe to use, but there was an incident in 2018 when a hacker breached one server. However, NordVPN said "no user credentials were affected."
Q: Does NordVPN log my activity?
A: No, NordVPN doesn’t log your activity and doesn’t share data with third-party advertisers.
Q: How many devices can I use NordVPN on?
A: NordVPN supports up to 10 devices at a time.
Q: Does NordVPN have a customer support team?
A: Yes, NordVPN has a customer support team that is available 24/7.