NordVPN Review: is it any good? Let's Find Out

Written on 08/29/2024
Taylor Bell


NordVPN Review. A VPN service  focused on security, accessibility and ease of use, its app design is unlike that of most VPN service providers. With it, you can get more secure streaming options, block ads, and change IP addresses with just one click and our discount promo code. NordVPN is the most trusted name in VPNs!

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR SPECIAL eSIM STUDIOS APP DEAL WITH NordVPN HERE



NordVPN Advatages

⭐ Rating: 4.9
🥇 Overall rank: #2 out of #43
🖥️ Servers:  6,200+ servers in 111 countries
📖 No logs policy: No logs
💵 Price: From $3.09/month
🔥 Coupons: VPN Coupons Link Below
🔒 VPN protocols: IKEv2/IPsec, OpenVPN, IKEv2
🍿 Streaming services: Netflix, Max, BBC iPlayer, YouTube TV, Disney+
🖥️ Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS + More
📥 Simultaneous connections: 10
💁🏻 Support: Knowledge base, FAQs, email, 24/7 live chat
 

NordVPN Pros

Things We Like
  • Free version
  • Unique app design
  • 10 simultaneous connections
  • Unblocks Netflix libraries
  • In-built AdBlock
  • Cross-device compatibility
  • Specialized streaming servers
Encryption AES-256
Tunneling protocols OpenVPN and IKEv2
Kill switch
Two-factor authentication
Privacy policy No logs, not audited
 
NordVPN pricing
ClearVPN has a straightforward pricing model common in the VPN market: the lengthier the subscription, the lower the price. It also offers a free version with unlimited data – a very welcome and infrequent feature.
 
Regarding paid plans, here are the options:
Version Price per month
1 Month $4.00
3 Months $4.00
2 Years $3.09
 
Whichever NordVPN plan you choose, you'll have to pay the entire sum upfront or monthly. There's only the credit card payment option on their website, and you can also get this VPN on Google Play or Apple's App Store. NordVPN has a 30-day money-back guarantee in case you run into some issues.
 
Streaming: Does NordVPN work with Netflix?
NordVPN has an amazing way of handling VPN streaming capabilities. Once you launch the app, you can select the Streaming option. It will open the full list of servers optimized for different streaming services, like Netflix, Disney+, ESPN, Max, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and more. Let's see how they perform.
 
Platforms it works On
Netflix ✅ Yes
Amazon Prime Video ✅ Yes
Hulu ✅ Yes
Max ✅ Yes
Disney+ ✅ Yes
BBC iPlayer ✅Yes
YouTube TV ✅ Yes
 
We got excellent results accessing US and UK Netflix libraries. We didn't notice any noticeable slowdowns, video quality issues, or buffering screens. Hulu servers worked almost just as well, sometimes reducing video quality for a short time to avoid lagging. NordVPN also unblocked various sports streaming services from the US.
Overall, NordVPN does work well with Netflix, and we admire the unique approach towards streaming server layout. 
 
NordVPN features
It doesn't take long to notice that NordVPN is an emerging VPN service still in development. Although it's not as feature-rich as VPN old timers, it offers innovative solutions that might set it apart. Here are some of them.

Shortcuts
NordVPN aims to provide a VPN service that is fast and easy to use. A simplistic and intuitive app design is their trademark, resulting in a unique product.

Instead of bombarding the user with lots of technical options, NordVPN provides shortcuts to the most essential features. On its home screen, you can choose a location changer to connect to a different country, select the streaming option for more online content, or use smart connect to get the best speeds or protection. Many VPN apps require manually choosing the correct server in the necessary country, but NordVPN does it all for you.

Dynamic Flow Technology
This is what NordVPN calls its personalized server selection. It will “take a look” at (without storing and collecting) the user's IP address to determine the best VPN servers for their needs. For safe browsing, it will connect to a country with a speedy connection and the best online privacy laws. To Access ESPN or Fox Sports streams, it will automatically connect to the country where they're available. Although inspecting the real user IP doesn't sound appealing, a personalized app might be a step forward if it maintains genuine no-logs policies.

AdBlock
To enable AdBlock, you must choose the Smart connection settings and activate Top protection at the bottom if you've subscribed to the NordVPN premium plan.

We tested the AdBlock on Can You Block it, where it blocked all ads and popups except the push notification requests. On AdBlock Tester, it scored 49/100 and failed the Google Analytics, Yandex Direct, Flash banners, and a few other tests.

Lastly, the Electronic Frontier Foundation's Cover Your Tracks test showed that NordVPN neutralizes tracking ads and invisible trackers but does not prevent fingerprinting, which is common even among the most secure VPNs.

Multiple device support
Whether you're using a free or paid NordVPN app, it allows securing up to 6 devices simultaneously. Currently, the app is available on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. You can easily connect new devices once you log in to your account on their website. All connected devices will be listed in the NordVPN app system settings.

Kill switch
NordVPN app has a kill switch option in the app system settings, it does prevent IP leaks during a server switch or disconnect. 

Server locations
NordVPN discloses over 6.200+ of owned servers, and various online publications estimate it to be around 7,000+. It might seem sufficient compared to CyberGhost's colossal 9000+ server network, but NordVPN claims quality over quantity, focusing on speed instead of number.

Speed: Blazing Fast

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

 In our January 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 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 protocol, called NordLynx, CNET clocked 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. 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 Global Servers
 
NordVPN has over 6,200 servers: More overall than competitors including ExpressVPN (3,000-plus) and Surfshark (3,200-plus servers). With servers in 111 countries, Nord's global reach is slightly more than Express (105) and Surfshark (100). ProtonVPN and PIA deliver fewer international locations with 69 and 91 available countries, respectively. Regular globetrotters will find that Nord is one of the best VPNs for travel because it provides 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 $99 per year) or $96 for two years (then $99 annually)
Money-back guarantee: 30 days

Payment options: Credit card/debit card, PayPal, AmazonPay, Google Pay, cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Ethereum and so on) and retail stores

Apps available: Windows, 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. That attractively priced $60 plan is just the introductory cost; Nord renews after your first 12 months at $100 for the next year, which is in line with ExpressVPN’s annual pricing. 

Mask Your Online Activity By SELECTING THIS LINK