VPN | NordVPN |
Based in | Panama |
Logs | No logs (audited) |
Price | $3.29/mo. |
Support | 24/7 live chat |
Refund | 30 days |
Website | NordVPN.com |
NordVPN is probably the most widely-recognized VPN brand in the industry. It has risen in popularity over the years and continues to grow. In this updated NordVPN review for 2022, we set out to see if it is still performing above the rest.
While NordVPN performed really well in tests for this review, there is also lots of competition in the VPN space. So the key question here is whether NordVPN is still the best, or if it is falling behind the competition. This NordVPN review will give you a clear answer.
As with all of our VPN reviews here on RestorePrivacy, we really get into the details with test results and analysis. Here’s what we looked at for this NordVPN review:
- Numerous speed tests conducted with NordVPN servers around the world
- Leak tests conducted on the desktop applications (checking for IPv4, IPv6, and DNS leaks)
- Testing the kill switch and all features
- Streaming compatibility checks with Netflix and other services
- Testing the specialty servers, including the Double-VPN and P2P servers
With cyber attacks and corporate surveillance on the rise, a good VPN is a crucial tool for everyone going online. And with the massive growth in streaming content online, a VPN is your ticket to watching content from anywhere in the world. So let’s begin this NordVPN review by examining the basic findings.
Pros of NordVPN
- Strong privacy and security features
- Premium performance: fast speeds, great reliability, and instant connections
- Secure apps with no leaks
- Large and secure server network
- Great customer support
- Verified no logs VPN provider (audited)
- NordVPN based in Panama (good privacy jurisdiction)
- Extra security upgrades
- Full WireGuard support with NordLynx
- Works with Netflix and many other streaming services
- Fully-featured mobile clients
- Low prices and a good refund policy
Cons of NordVPN
- Big discounts only available for longer subscriptions
- No dedicated router app (but still works on routers)
Additional research findings
- Is NordVPN good for torrenting?
- Does NordVPN work in China?
- Can you get a dedicated IP address with NordVPN?
So now let’s cut to the chase and start with the Pros of NordVPN.
Pros of NordVPN
Here are the pros (advantages) of NordVPN.
Strong privacy and security features
NordVPN offers some solid features to enhance user privacy and security – above and beyond most other VPNs. Let’s take a look at NordVPN’s encryption and some of these enhanced features.
Strong encryption standards and VPN protocol selection
NordVPN’s OpenVPN clients use an AES-256-GCM cipher and HMAC SHA256 hash authentication. Additionally, NordVPN utilizes Perfect Forward Secrecy through a DHE-4096 key exchange. The AES-256-GCM cipher is also used to encrypt traffic with the IPSec/IKEv2 protocol.
In addition to OpenVPN and IPSec/IKEv2, NordVPN also supports the WireGuard VPN protocol directly in all VPN apps. NordVPN’s privacy-focused implementation of WireGuard is called NordLynx. You can easily switch between VPN protocols under Settings/Preferences.
NordLynx (WireGuard protocol) offers serious performance and security advantages, which we will see further below.
NordVPN CyberSec to block ads, trackers, and more
NordVPN CyberSec is a security feature that blocks trackers, ads, and malware domains. I found it to work well in testing, effectively blocking all advertising/tracking domains on different sites I visited.
CyberSec is activated directly from within the NordVPN client, as you can see below.
There are three distinct benefits of CyberSec for NordVPN users:
- More privacy – In today’s world, ads are advanced tracking tools that record your online activities and match this up to your data profile. This is how ad networks come up with targeted advertising. Blocking ads via CyberSec is crucial for privacy reasons.
- More security – The CyberSec feature is also critical for security. Online ads are usually fed in through third-party domains, which can be malicious (see malvertising). These malicious domains will use ads as an attack vector to infect your device – even if you don’t click them. CyberSec protects you against this by blocking domains based on a real-time threat list.
- Faster page load speeds – Ads can eat up a lot of bandwidth and really slow down page load speeds, especially on mobile devices. Blocking ads can significantly improve performance, and help conserver your data plan.
NordVPN’s CyberSec feature is one of the best VPN ad blockers you will find. This feature is available on mobile and desktop devices.
Note: CyberSec uses real-time filter lists that are blocked via DNS requests. Therefore this feature is only active when connected to the VPN.
Double VPN (multi-hop)
NordVPN is one of a handful of VPN providers that offer multi-hop functionality – or in this case, double-VPN servers. With NordVPN’s double-VPN servers, your traffic is encrypted across two separate VPN servers before exiting onto the regular internet. This also offers some advantages.
- Double-VPN gives you an extra layer of encryption between your device and the regular internet.
- This could also protect you against a compromised data center. In a double-VPN setup, no single server can see both your IP address and sites you visit.
- Distributes trust across two different servers.
Using a multi-hop VPN is certainly not a bad idea. Surprisingly, performance with the double-VPN servers was excellent, with speeds ranging from 195 Mbps to 214 Mbps (screenshots posted below).
NordVPN currently offers 31 double-hop VPN configurations. These can easily be selected from within the NordVPN client. For those wanting a higher level of privacy and security, the double-VPN servers are a great option to consider.
Onion-over-VPN servers
If you are looking for additional encryption and anonymity beyond a single-hop VPN server, another option is to use an Onion-over-VPN server. The Onion-over-VPN servers encrypt traffic with the Tor Network, in addition to the regular VPN server. NordVPN currently offers two locations for this: Netherlands and Switzerland.
Threat Protection
The Threat Protection feature from NordVPN is new for 2022, and it goes beyond the VPN. The Threat Protection feature offers all the benefits of CyberSec, but with two added capabilities:
- It can scan web pages and files for malware. This is done in real-time and will block URLs and files infected with malware.
- Continuous protection even when the VPN is not connected. With CyberSec, you have to be connected to a VPN server for it to work. With Threat Protection, however, it will work whether you are connected to the VPN or not.
Right now, Threat Protection is only available with the desktop apps (Windows and Mac OS).
Fast speeds, great reliability, and instant connections
For this NordVPN I ran dozens of speed tests using different VPN protocols and also various servers around the world. My baseline speed for testing was about 480 Mbps on a wired ethernet connection (no WiFi). Overall, the NordVPN speed test results were phenomenal.
To get the best performance, I selected the NordLynx protocol in the Settings, and then tested different server locations.
First, I tested a nearby NordVPN server in Seattle, which gave me 445 Mbps.
This is the fastest VPN speed test result we’ve gotten on Restore Privacy. It is much faster than OpenVPN, and is not far from my baseline speed.
Next I tested a NordVPN server in Los Angeles, which give me about 304 Mbps:
At over 300 Mbps, it is clear that NordVPN is in the “fastest VPNs” category. It even came out on top in the NordVPN vs ExpressVPN comparison.
Next, I tested a NordVPN server in New York, and it was again very fast at 280 Mbps.
Lastly, I tested a NordVPN server in the United Kingdom. Here was the NordVPN UK server with speeds around 295 Mbps:
I’ve been running NordVPN speed tests for the past five years and these are the best speed test results I’ve ever gotten with NordVPN. It is clear that the WireGuard VPN protocol and the server network upgrades are really improving performance. We also used NordVPN for our WireGuard vs OpenVPN comparison, where we found WireGuard to be about 58% faster than OpenVPN.
Note: Not all WireGuard VPNs perform on this level. For example, you can see in the CyberGhost vs NordVPN report that NordVPN had a huge performance advantage, despite both VPNs using WireGuard.
NordVPN Double-VPN speeds
I also ran a few tests with NordVPN’s double-VPN servers to check for speeds. To access the Double-VPN servers, you’ll need to switch to the OpenVPN protocol.
First, I tested the double-VPN server configuration for USA > Canada and was able to get about 214 Mbps.
For a double-VPN connection, these speeds are excellent. Not only is traffic getting encrypted and routed over two servers, but this is also with the OpenVPN protocol, which is slower than WireGuard.
Next, I tested the double-VPN servers for Switzerland > Sweden and again got great speeds: 195 Mbps.
NordVPN significantly outperforms other VPNs that offer double-VPN configurations. You can see this in the NordVPN vs ProtonVPN article.
Reliability and connections
On the topic of performance, it’s also important to discuss reliability and connections:
- Reliability – I found NordVPN to be very reliable. The servers were consistently fast and I did not experience any dropped connections.
- Connections – When using the WireGuard VPN protocol, I found that NordVPN was extremely fast at establishing a connection — nearly instantly. While OpenVPN can take a few seconds (or longer), WireGuard offers near-instant connections. This makes switching VPN servers all the more quick and easy.
Conclusion on performance – With the latest round of speed tests for this review, I can conclude that NordVPN offers fast, consistent, and reliable speeds. This is the fastest I’ve seen NordVPN in all my years of testing it. It also consistently comes out on top in comparison with other VPNs, such as in the NordVPN vs IPVanish comparison.
Secure VPN apps with no leaks
NordVPN also offers a nice lineup of secure apps (clients) for all major operating systems and devices:
- Windows
- Mac OS
- Linux
- Android and iOS (mobile)
- Android TV
Here were my main takeaways from testing and reviewing the NordVPN clients on Windows and Mac OS:
- Fully-featured – The NordVPN apps are loaded with features, to include specialty servers, leak protection, and startup/connection settings.
- Easy to use – Whether you are new with VPNs or a seasoned pro, you should find the NordVPN clients user-friendly and intuitive. Adjusting settings and selecting features is simple.
- Secure – Aside from the strong encryption we discussed above, NordVPN also secures data with a kill switch. This blocks traffic (or closes applications) if the VPN connection drops for any reason. We’ll examine this more below.
NordVPN desktop VPN apps
NordVPN offers great desktop VPN apps for Windows, Mac OS, and Linux.
The NordVPN Windows client utilizes the OpenVPN and WireGuard VPN protocols and offers all features. To connect to a server in the NordVPN Windows client, you can use the list on the left or click a location on the map. In the screenshot below, I’m testing the Windows VPN client with the Double VPN servers.
I found connection times to be very good, with NordVPN quickly connecting to servers (no long delays). If you use the NordLynx (WireGuard) protocol, you’ll enjoy near-instant connections. After lots of testing and comparison, we have rated NordVPN as one of the best VPNs for PC users.
NordVPN Mac OS client
For this NordVPN review, I also tested out the Mac OS client. The Mac OS client offers all of the same features and a built-in kill switch that automatically blocks traffic if the connection drops.
With the Mac OS client, you can select between the following VPN protocols: IKEv2, OpenVPN UDP, OpenVPN TCP, and NordLynx (WireGuard). You can also check out our top-rated VPNs for Mac for additional options.
NordVPN kill switch
NordVPN is one of the few VPNs that offers two different kinds of kill switches. A kill switch is important because it blocks traffic if the VPN connection drops, which protects you from de-anonymization and your regular traffic being exposed.
In the screenshot below you can see the two different kill switches on the NordVPN Windows client:
- Internet Kill Switch – This will block all traffic if the VPN connection drops via the firewall (recommended).
- App Kill Switch – This will close applications if the VPN connection drops, but will not block traffic.
If you are concerned about IP address leaks, it would be best to use the “Internet Kill Switch” as this will block non-VPN traffic via the firewall. And if you are using the Internet kill switch, then you probably don’t need to use the App kill switch.
NordVPN leak test results: no leaks found
I ran the NordVPN Windows and Mac OS clients through some basic VPN tests and checks to identify any leaks or problems. Additionally, I also tested out NordVPN’s kill switch to see if it was effectively working in both clients.
With the NordVPN Windows client, I did not find any IP address leaks or DNS leaks. In the screenshot below, you can see:
- the IPv4 address matches up with the VPN client (no IPv4 leaks)
- IPv6 is effectively being blocked (no IPv6 leaks)
- No WebRTC leaks (but this is blocked in your browser)
- DNS requests are being handled by NordVPN’s server (no DNS leaks)
I also found the Internet Kill Switch and App Kill Switch to work well – no issues or problems to report.
Mac OS leak tests – I ran the Mac OS clients through the same tests as above with the Windows client. The results were the same in that I did not find any leaks or problems. Additionally, the Mac OS kill switches worked correctly without any issues.
Android leak tests – Heinrich tested out the NordVPN Android client when working on the VPN for Android roundup. He found it to perform very well without any leaks or issues. Both Surfshark and ExpressVPN also offer good Android clients.
NordVPN’s large and secure server network
NordVPN boasts a huge server network, which currently includes over 5,500 servers in 60 countries. With a large server network, it is easy for NordVPN to unblock websites and other digital content. It also makes finding a fast and reliable server close to your location easy. This helps to minimize latency (ping), which is important if you need the best VPN for gaming.
NordVPN has announced significant network upgrades to further improve performance and also security. We’ll cover these more below in the security upgrades section, but first touch on one exciting area…
Colocated servers being deployed now
Most VPNs rent servers from third parties. While this is standard practice, NordVPN has decided to raise the bar by deploying their own hardware (colocated servers). The first location to receive NordVPN colocated severs was Finland. The rest of the network upgrades should be complete later in the year.
High-speed colocated servers will set NordVPN apart from most other VPN providers.
NordVPN obfuscated servers
We have already covered the Double-VPN and Onion-over-VPN servers above. In addition to these specialty servers, NordVPN also offers Obfuscated servers.
The Obfuscated servers are available directly in the VPN client when you are using the OpenVPN protocol. These servers hide (obfuscate) VPN traffic to appear as regular HTTPS traffic and are useful in the following situations:
- When you need to get around VPN blocks at work, school, or restricted networks.
- To evade state censorship efforts and VPN blocks in certain countries, such as in China, UAE, and others.
The selection of obfuscated servers make NordVPN a great option if you need a VPN for the UAE, China, or any other restricted country. Note that some VPN providers utilize obfuscation through VPN protocol changes rather than specific servers, as we described in the Surfshark vs NordVPN comparison.
Does NordVPN use virtual server locations?
In the past, we have investigated the issue of virtual server locations. This is when a VPN claims to have a server in one country, but it’s actually in a different location. While there are justifiable reasons for doing this in some cases, transparency is also important.
In the case of NordVPN, we did not find any virtual server locations. Additionally, a NordVPN representative confirmed with me that no virtual locations are in use. In other words, NordVPN truly has servers in all of the advertised locations.
Customer support (live chat and tutorials)
NordVPN offers 24/7 live chat support and the representatives are quite helpful.
Chat support is always available through the NordVPN website in the bottom-right corner. You don’t have to log in, simply click on the chat icon and you’ll be connected with a representative.
I tested out the NordVPN chat support a few different times for this review and it worked well without any issues.
In all my interactions with NordVPN support, it did not take long to connect with a representative (under a minute). The support staff was helpful in answering all my questions.
Support with some of the larger VPN providers can be hit or miss. This is especially the case because support is often outsourced to third parties. NordVPN handles all support in-house with trained technicians (no external third parties).
NordVPN no logs policy (audited)
Another important aspect in terms of privacy is NordVPN’s logging policy. NordVPN is one of the few VPN services that has had its no-logs claims audited and verified. First, in 2019, NordVPN underwent a full audit to examine all aspects of the service and verify the no-logs policy. The audit was performed by PricewaterhouseCoopers AG in Zurich, Switzerland.
To further verify privacy claims, NordVPN recently completed a second audit that was published in July 2020. For this second audit, NordVPN expanded the scope with full access to servers, employees, and VPN infrastructure. Here were the key findings:
- NordVPN was audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers AG, a reputable auditing firm based in Zurich, Switzerland.
- The auditors had full access to examine all NordVPN servers, interview employees, observe operations, and inspect configurations, databases, and any other relevant areas deemed necessary.
- The audit officially verified NordVPN to be a “no-log service” that remains true to its privacy policies.
- NordVPN does not store connection logs, IP addresses, traffic logs, or any internet activity information.
Here is a further explanation of NordVPN’s logging policy from their privacy policy:
NordVPN strictly keeps no logs of your activity online. That means we do not track the time or duration of any online session, and neither do we keep logs of IP addresses or servers used, websites visited or files downloaded. In other words, none of your private and secure data is logged and gathered at any time. As a result, we are not able to provide any details about your behavior online, even if you request it yourself. NordVPN is based away from the EU and US jurisdiction and is not required to collect your personal data and information– it means nothing is recorded, monitored, stored, logged or passed to third parties.
Overall, NordVPN is a solid choice if you are looking for a no logs VPN provider that has been verified and proven to be true.
NordVPN based in Panama (a good privacy jurisdiction)
Another advantage of NordVPN is that it is based in Panama. Panama is not a member of any international surveillant alliances (see the Five Eyes) and it remains an excellent jurisdiction for privacy.
As NordVPN explains this issue further on its website:
We are based and operate under the jurisdiction of Panama. There is no mandatory data retention law in Panama so we do not need to store logs which is perfect for a VPN provider.
Being based in Panama is indeed a good jurisdiction that gives NordVPN advantages over other VPN providers, as I also explained in my NordVPN vs PIA comparison.
Extra security upgrades
NordVPN is currently investing significant resources to improve security and network infrastructure, going beyond what most other VPN services offer. Here’s an overview of NordVPN’s security upgrades:
Ongoing security audit
NordVPN is one of the few VPNs that has undergone a full third-party security audit. Here is an overview of the security audit, conducted by Versprite, and the results:
We invited VerSprite, a leading security research group specializing in software vulnerabilities, to search our apps inside and out with total access to ensure they found everything possible. After analyzing our infrastructure, their team simulated malicious attacks on the apps from every angle (a penetration test) while also identifying internal architecture that could make the apps vulnerable to those attacks. As soon as they found and documented a vulnerability, they reported it to us so our team could get to work. Every single potential vulnerability they found was meticulously eliminated and then tested again.
NordVPN is continuing to work with Versprite and their in-house team of penetration testers to ensure the highest security standards:
- Comprehensive penetration testing;
- Intrusion handling;
- Vendor risk assessment;
- Source code analysis.
The main audit (and findings) were completed in late 2019, but it is a continual process going forward.
Bug Bounty Program
NordVPN has officially launched a bug bounty program and it is now live. They will reward anyone who finds security vulnerabilities with NordVPN.
Our job is to anticipate and prevent bugs before they ever go live. If one does slip past us, the next best line of defense is a vigilant and engaged cybersec community prepared to help catch and fix it before it puts anyone at risk.
RAM-disk VPN servers
NordVPN has already delivered on their promise to convert all servers in their network to run in RAM-disk mode (without hard drives). Today, every server in the NordVPN network runs in volatile RAM memory without hard drives. This is a smart move that we’ve already seen with other VPN providers, such as ExpressVPN and also Perfect Privacy.
Full WireGuard support with NordLynx
Some people are looking to use the (relatively new) WireGuard VPN protocol. There are many reasons for this:
- WireGuard is the fastest VPN protocol available (much faster than OpenVPN)
- WireGuard will connect faster and offer better reliability, especially on mobile devices
- Updated encryption algorithms are used with WireGuard
NordVPN is one of only a few VPNs that offer full WireGuard support directly in the VPN apps.
As we’ve already covered above, WireGuard speeds with NordVPN are amazing. The upgraded security and encryption with WireGuard are additional benefits to consider.
In terms of privacy, NordVPN has gone to great lengths to ensure NordLynx ensures user privacy remains protected. To do this, they have implemented a “double NAT (Network Address Translation) system” with NordLynx. NordVPN explains the benefits as follows:
The double NAT system allows us to establish a secure VPN connection without storing any identifiable data on a server. Dynamic local IP addresses remain assigned only while the session is active. Meanwhile, user authentication is done with the help of a secure external database.
To use WireGuard with NordVPN right now, simply go into the settings and select NordLynx from the available VPN protocols.
NordVPN works with Netflix and many other streaming services
As is the case in all of my VPN reviews, I ran NordVPN through a number of tests to see how well it works with Netflix and streaming services.
I used NordVPN servers in the US to access my American Netflix account. Everything worked perfectly without any issues, as you can see here:
In the screenshot above, you can see the Netflix movie I was streaming with the connected NordVPN app in the background (right). NordVPN did well in all these tests. It unblocked Netflix without any issues and gave me fast speeds for HD streaming without interruption.
With NordVPN you can get full access to the following Netflix regions: US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Japan, Australia, India, and Italy. (Other regions may also work, but were not tested for this review.) With full regional support, NordVPN is definitely one of the best VPNs for Netflix.
Other streaming services – NordVPN works with other streaming services, such as Hulu, Amazon Prime, DAZN, and others. It is also a great VPN for Disney+, which offers lots of content in 10 different regional libraries. With the latest test results, NordVPN is one of only three other VPNs that work with BBC iPlayer.
Note: If you have any trouble getting Netflix to work with NordVPN, simply ask support. The live chat representatives will tell you exactly what servers to use.
Fully-featured mobile clients for Android and iOS
Many VPNs skimp on their mobile VPN apps. That is not the case with NordVPN. The NordVPN clients for Android and iOS offer full support for the following features:
- OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols
- Specialty servers (Double-VPN, Onion-over-VPN, Obfuscated, and P2P servers)
- Built-in leak protection settings
Here is a look at the NordVPN Android client:
It took the top spot as the best VPN for Android, even beating out ExpressVPN.
Note: There have been many reports recently of dangerous free mobile apps that collect user data. Don’t be fooled by free VPN apps that collect your data for profit. Stick with a reputable paid VPN service like NordVPN.
Low prices and a good refund policy
NordVPN is one of the cheapest VPN services you will find that is still good quality.
At the time of this review, NordVPN is offering a discounted two-year subscription price. The savings here are indeed significant, dropping the price down to only $3.29 per month.
Below are the NordVPN subscription prices:
- $3.29/month for the 2-year plan (best deal)
- $4.92/month for the 1-year plan
- $11.95/month for the 1-month plan
The two-year plan at only $3.71 per month makes NordVPN the best cheap VPN that is under $4 per month.
You can pay with all major credit cards, Amazon Pay, Alipay, UnionPay, and even a variety of cryptocurrencies. One drawback, however, is that NordVPN is no longer supporting PayPal payments in the US.
If you are hesitant about the two or two-year subscription plans, NordVPN also offers shorter duration subscriptions, but they are more expensive. (I’m also maintaining a NordVPN coupon page to track the latest offers and deals.)
NordVPN refund policy (30 days)
NordVPN provides a 30 day money-back guarantee, which is quite generous for VPN standards. The refund policy does not include any hidden clauses or restrictions.
Cons of NordVPN
Now we’ll examine the cons of NordVPN.
Big discounts only available for longer plans
One gripe I have with NordVPN is that the discounted rates are only available with the two-year subscription. Two years is a long commitment to make for a VPN service. Although the 30 day refund window gives you plenty of time to test everything.
Along these same lines, the one-month deal is rather pricey at $11.95 per month. This is more than three times the monthly price of the two-year plan. But steep discounts for long subscriptions are becoming more common in the industry – so it’s not surprising.
No VPN router app (but still works on routers)
Some VPN services, such as ExpressVPN and VyprVPN, offer a dedicated router app for certain router models. This makes it easier to get a VPN up and running on your router.
Currently, NordVPN does not offer any VPN router app. Nonetheless, you can still use NordVPN with a router. Here are three ways to do that:
- Get a pre-configured router from an outlet such as Sabai Technology or FlashRouters. These will be somewhat expensive, but it will be ready to use with NordVPN right out of the box and pre-configured with the router firmware you need.
- Get a VPN-enabled router that can be used with a VPN without any flashing required. The best selection of VPN-enabled routers comes from Asus. Asus offers numerous routers that can be easily loaded with OpenVPN configuration files (from any VPN provider) and be working in just minutes.
- Flash your existing router. This can be tricky and somewhat risky (bricking your router), so you will want to proceed with caution if you go down this route. The degree of difficulty will depend on the router you are using.
Tip: When using NordVPN on a router, connect to the nearest server with the lightest load.
Overall, not having a router app is not really a dealbreaker since there are still many ways to use NordVPN on a router. If you go with the Vilfo router, all NordVPN config files are built into the router by default. And as always, NordVPN support can help you get everything set up correctly.
Additional review findings
Here are the additional research findings for this NordVPN review, based on my own tests.
Does NordVPN work for torrenting? (Yes)
NordVPN is an excellent choice if you need a good VPN for torrenting. Here are three reasons why.
- Fast and consistent speeds – This will be useful when torrenting large files.
- Leak protection – The NordVPN apps come with built-in leak protection settings. This allows you to torrent for hours without worrying about your IP address being exposed.
- Safe jurisdiction – NordVPN is based in Panama. Unlike the US and Europe, Panama does not have draconian copyright laws. NordVPN can simply ignore DMCA/copyright requests from other countries.
Additionally, NordVPN also has dedicated P2P servers. These servers are listed under the “Specialty servers” and are fast and ideal for torrenting. I tested out the NordVPN torrenting servers and everything worked well.
The NordVPN app will automatically connect to the fastest P2P server for a given country you select. Additionally, you can also manually connect to certain torrenting servers through the NordVPN app.
When torrenting with NordVPN, be sure to enable the kill switch to protect your IP address in case the connection drops. You can also find guides showing you how to setup NordVPN with uTorrent and BitTorrent clients on the NordVPN website.
Does NordVPN work in China? (Yes)
Many people are looking for the best VPN for China that will provide privacy and access to online content. In this case, NordVPN is a great choice. It offers built-in obfuscation features that will conceal VPN traffic and get around the Great Firewall of China.
To use NordVPN in China, simply connect to one of the Obfuscated servers in the VPN client. When you use one of these servers, the NordVPN client will automatically obfuscate your VPN traffic to make it appear as regular HTTPS encryption. This makes NordVPN a great choice for China or anywhere else that VPNs are blocked.
Can you get a dedicated IP address with NordVPN? (Yes)
Yes, NordVPN offers dedicated IP addresses which can be added to your VPN subscription.
NordVPN also gives you the option to get a dedicated IP address, which may be beneficial in some use cases. They offer dedicated IP addresses for the following locations:
- United States (Buffalo, Los Angeles, Dallas)
- Germany (Frankfurt)
- United Kingdom (London)
- Netherlands (Amsterdam)
The cost for a static IP address from NordVPN is $70 per year, regardless of the location you choose. NordVPN is probably the best VPN for a static IP. You can purchase a dedicated IP address by contacting NordVPN support to arrange the IP location you want.
NordVPN review conclusion: It’s still the best VPN in 2022
I’ve been testing NordVPN for about six years now, as both a personal user and also for VPN reviews. This NordVPN review is one of the best I’ve published, simply because of the good test results. With this level of performance, NordVPN is a premium VPN at a very reasonable price.
NordVPN has made major improvements over the past six months in many areas and continues to get better. Here’s what stands out to me with the latest review:
- Faster speeds and better reliability throughout the server network
- Improved application stability and features (CyberSec)
- Big security upgrades, to include an ongoing third-party audit and bug bounty program, rolling out self-owned servers, and converting the network to run only in RAM-disk mode
- Full support for the WireGuard protocol directly in the VPN apps
- More support for Netflix and other streaming services
While there are a few minor drawbacks, NordVPN is a solid choice and remains our top-recommended VPN based on these test results.
It’s great to see NordVPN continuing to improve and upgrade with the new servers and better features. And if you want to test-drive this VPN, give it a shot with the coupon below for the best savings.
NordVPN Coupon
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Alternatives to NordVPN
Click the VPN name below to read our full review – or grab the discount for the best savings. Both of these VPNs have a 30 day money-back guarantee.
You can also check out our best VPN services list for other recommendations.
If you have used NordVPN, feel free to share your honest review (good or bad) below.
This NordVPN review was last updated on June 24, 2022.
Hi Sven, is it possible to know how many connections/devices can be used at the same time with a single account with NordVPN? Thank you very much.
Yep, here you go:
“A total of six devices can be connected with one NordVPN account at the same time.”
Ok great! Thanks Sven!
NordVPN doesn’t work through Windows in China at all. They are still working out how to fix it. However, the connectivity through Android App – StrongSwan is much faster than ExpressVPN. The only concerns would be typing the server address one by one manually and would have to try different server once its dropped out.
Thanks for this site, Sven. It’s very informative.
For those interested, I have had Nord for a couple of years, and couldn’t recommend it to anyone. If I’m logged into my account with my huge crazy password, I should have full control over changing settings like my email. I do not, unless of course I know the exact date I started service, the exact amount I paid and the source of my payment.
I use 5 credit cards and Paypal, so I have no idea what I used. I have no idea about the date either, and of course I have no idea what I paid considering it might have been on sale or not.
I won’t renew just because of that, but the other factors are it puts me in Germany if I’m on several US sites. It also won’t load certain sites depending on the location.
There is zero customer service, so I’m out, but think Surfshark might end up being the same if they have the same insane rules.
Router question.
If I buy a pre installed router, it can only be used with nordvpn forever, right?
Perhaps another stupid question, but how to protect both all the phones and pc’s that go out of the house and at the same time protect tv etc? And can I share with visitors in our hone without compromising own privacy?
“If I buy a pre installed router, it can only be used with nordvpn forever, right?”
No, you should be able to configure your router with other VPN services, no problem.
“Perhaps another stupid question, but how to protect both all the phones and pc’s that go out of the house and at the same time protect tv etc?”
A VPN router would be the best option for this, and then connect every device that you want protected to your VPN router. Additionally, you can run your regular ISP router at the same time, and connect devices that do not need protection to that network.
And can I share with visitors in our hone without compromising own privacy?
Yes you can.
Check out our VPN router guide. It should answer most of your questions.
Thank you 🙂
I was using expressvpn, which was working fine, but wanted to try one for a month that had gotten higher marks. NordVPN is completely unreliable on Ubuntu 20 LTS. At first is would just stop sending packets, and I was able to find some hackery online to reset its world for a while (on the order of hours). A new version came out, which seemed a bit better, but soon showed that it would disconnect after a while and nothing short of rebooting would make it functional again. Worst service of any kind I’ve tried in many years.
Hi Sven,
I discovered your blog yesterday and have been down the rabbit hole since then. I read that Nord recently merged with SurfShark. Although both companies say they will operate independently, how does that impact jurisdictional protections? I also read that SurfShark has been acquiring other VPN businesses. Do you think this will compromise privacy and other awesome functions that Nord has come to be known for? I just wondered because I have been heavily considering Nord as a VPN option. Thank you for all you do.
All rights reserved without prejudice
I see no impact to jurisdictions with this. Surfshark will continue to operate in The Netherlands while NordVPN operates under the Panama jurisdiction. If anything, it will give both VPNs a greater foundation to stand on when it comes to investing in their products and R&D. I have not seen news about Surfshark acquiring other VPN businesses, other than Atlas VPN joining the group earlier this year.
You may be thinking of Kape Technologies buying up ExpressVPN and others.
Sven,
Thank you for getting back to me so quickly. About the acquisitions, I’m sure you’re correct. I’m just learning about VPNs and the privacy realm since yesterday. I’ve been reading tons of articles on different websites but mainly yours. So I probably got it mixed up. Anyhow. I’ve already shared the website with a friend who is also very concerned about privacy. It’s amazing to me how many people think it’s a conspiracy theory to be so concerned and take such measures when it’s clear to see our rights, privacy and freedoms being threatened so openly every day. The government is literally telling us every day they do not care about our rights, privacy and freedoms. But I digress.
~All rights reserved without prejudice
Thank you 🙂 how do I find your answers 🙈 i have asked more questions. Sorry..
Based on your recommendations I purchased a two year subscription to NordVPN. It works great; I like it. BUT, when I purchased the VPN I also, without my knowledge, purchased NordPass for US$40. I did not intend to purchase it as I have and use an excellent, really excellent, password manager. I tried to get a refund for NordPass, but the representative said I would have to cancel my entire subscription and buy NordVPN again. No…I’ll just leave it as is. The VPN is excellent, but the marketing of NordPass is total deceptive nonsense that’s left me with a useless $40 expense bit of a bad taste for Nord.
I feel you; I almost fell for it too but happened to notice that nordpass was added onto there. Hate when companies do this. Sorry they got you!
Nord cautions that the Google version of their app (downloaded from Google Play Store) does not allow ad blocking of Google ads.
This is concerning. Obviously the Google version contains a unique identifier. My question is could that identifier potentially disclose the Google account of the downloader to any third party?
Hey Sven, I have a few of questions.
Where were you located (country) at the time you tested the Seattle server?
Does Wireguard only work on over WiFi or on a wired connection too? With the free VPN of windscribe, Wireguard for me would only work when connected to WiFi. As soon as I used Ethernet, i couldn’t connect using that protocol.
And finally, does NordVpn have a unlock origin adblocker like windscribe? This is ridiculously handy in crippling ads when using Instagram (app) .
I run VPN speed tests from the US. WireGuard works on any connection (WiFi or wired) with NordVPN. Not sure what’s going on with Windscribe.
Yes, NordVPN’s adblocking feature is called CyberSec and it performed well in our tests.
Hi Sven
Which version were you using in your tests?
I’m running v6.40.5.0 in Windows and I can’t find Double-VPN servers anywhere
I don’t recall the version, but we’ll run tests for a new review update soon and check this out.
Hi Sven
Thanks.
After playing a little with other options, it looks like it depends on the protocol: it is available as I switched to OpenVPN instead of NordLynx
Nord looks great and I was about to buy until….. No GUI for Linux. Cli only. This, for access reasons, is an issue for me and a deal breaker. So, no Nord for me, still looking.
For a Linux CLI client, you may want to check out OVPN in Sweden (see our OVPN review).
One of four ways to access Nord on Linux: 1. Terminal CLI (but see difficult changes they’ve made); 2. Browser website (I use Brave–Chrome derivative– app); 3. Router, though not as great, comes with problems; 4. Network Manager, difficult to get country-specific server location ISP defitinitions;
They’ve made several changes since January 1, 2022, and they’ve been strangely NOT transparent about them. CS is also almost non-existent–wait several days for a generic response…
I’m looking elsewhere…sorry
Hello Sven,
Thank you for your review. It is very helpful.
I really want to switch to NordVPN from my current vpn provider. But one thing makes it impossible.
For my personal use, I use linux Debian, which I fully trust. So I can use Nord VPN apc or openVPN .ovpn config file.
The problem is – I am (and not only me, I guess) also forced to use untrusted platform like windows (work or study laptop) or google android. So I have to use few trusted platform devices and few untrusted at the same time, like many of us, who have stock google android phone.
With my current VPN provider, I can generate .ovpn file on their website, logged in with my account. That .ovpn file would have my certificate inside. So I use this ovpn with openVPN program on phone and windows laptop. They know my certificate, but they do not know my username-password from my vpn account.
NordVPN doesnt allow this. If you want to use .ovpn file, you can not generate it. You just download a pack of pre-generated files, and you must put your username and password when you connect. So now microsoft and google know your username and password from your nordVPN account.
I asked NordVPN for option to just create second user-password crredentials for untrusted platforms. So you have one account, but you just create new credentials (pair key-password). Or generate different certificate for .ovpn file for dofferent devices. Or any other very-very simple solution. I asked them 6 month ago, and I asked today as well. In tech support chat. I’ts so easy – just to allow me to create second username-pass for untrusted platforms, or generate ovpn with new certificate inside for them (no need to type username-pass), what is the problem?
I’m very sure its not only my issue. Many people don’t want to disclose microsoft their vpn password. Can I ask you please to ask them as well for this feature, if you have any connections with them, or even if you don’t? Or just add this parameter to your comparison, because my current VPN provider allows me to generate .ovpn by myself, with cert inside. as for me, It’s a big competitive factor.
Thank you.
Have a good day.
“So now microsoft and google know your username and password from your nordVPN account.”
Probably not, but even if this was the case, who cares? There is this paranoia surrounding VPN credentials that makes absolutely no sense. I said this before in another comment:
“And even if your adversary got your VPN username and password, it still doesn’t matter, because that also can’t decrypt and de-anonymize your traffic with that info. Instead, it would just mean that your adversary could use your VPN account without having to purchase a subscription. A password and username just provides authentication and access to a VPN service. It’s not an encryption key. It doesn’t matter outside of getting access to the service.”
So worst case scenario is that some random dude from Google can use your NordVPN account for free. This is neither realistic nor relevant nor a security risk for you as the end user, because as I have said before, login credentials are not encryption keys.
Hello Sven,
I hope you are doing well.
Regarding NordVPN, aren’t you concerned about the fact it requires to login using a web interface ? This is a major issue when connected on a wifi that denies nordvpn access …
Also, why all those connections when starting the application on a mac ?
nc-unit4-mqtt.nordvpn.com
napps-1.com
downloads.napps-1.com
napps-2.com
analytics.napps-2.com
…
but mostly :
firebaseremoteconfig.googleapis.com
firebainstallations.googleapis.com
firebaselogging-pa.googleapis.com
and reporting to :
sessions.bugsnag.com
while I unchecked the reporting of anything
Isn’t this a privacy threat to return information to Google for a VPN ?
And to send analytics to bugsnag when “Help us improve” is unchecked ?
I have the same when starting the application on a cellphone
Regards,
Tre
Hi Tre, nope, I am not concerned. Regarding Firebase, these are bug crash tools. Additionally, NordVPN has been audited twice now verifying the no logs claims. You could check with Nord support regarding the other connections on Mac.
Thanks Sven,
So you are using a VPN to try to enhance your privacy, looking to avoid the 5/9 eyes and before doing anything (not even connected yet), the application is already sending information to Google servers which are, most likely, located in the US … even though it is ask not to send anything (“Help us improve” is unchecked). Then it continues to send info to firebase once you are connected … with the IP you get from VPN …
Tre
Hi Sven,
I was about to go for the NordVPN 2-year deal. But there is something fishy going on.
The cost of the 2-year deal is € 2.80 / month (through your link). That’s € 2.80 x 24 = € 67.20 total. But NordVPN is charging € 75.65 (see screenshots). That’s a € 8.45 overcharge.
My theory is that NordVPN is letting people pay for the “+ 3 months FREE” : € 2.80 x 3 = € 8.40. Which is just € 0.05 less than the € 8.45 overcharge. So I backed out.
P.S. The regular cost of their 2-year plan (€ 274.32) is also weird when compared to the 1-year plan (€ 121.92).
2 x € 121.92 = € 243.84. So their 1-year plan is cheaper than the 2-year plan.
The same happens when US$ are chosen as currency. How many have already been overcharged?
https://postimg.cc/gallery/t7sf4Rx
No, Robert, nothing “fishy” is going on here. That looks to be the VAT tax that is a mandatory addition for EU users (people purchasing with an EU IP address), thanks to EU tax regulations.
I do not see that at all when using a US IP address for the purchase.
No, Sven it isn’t VAT or other tax. Because that is calculated from the € 75.65 and added on top.
Proof: https://postimg.cc/RNmHH1tz
Robert, ask NordVPN what’s going on and let me know. Again, I can’t reproduce this and am not seeing it on my end.
I have to confirm what Robert stated, I live in the EU and indeed you pay 75€ + 20/21% (or even 24% in Greece) VAT so the bill shows indeed 90+€ as a final price.
I can also confirm that something fishy is going on. The current offer (at the time writing) is $3.71 per month for the 2 year deal. But when I get to the final payment page, I discover that NordVPN has slugged me with an extra charge of 11.48 AUD. This isn’t right. I’ve never seen a VPN provider pull this type of trick before, and I consider it poor form on the part of NordVPN. The extra charge is simply not justified.
What kind of feature is the Kill Switch and what kind of services does it offer?
Nothing but problems and confusion.
If you turn off the VPN and leave the Kill Switch on,then the problems start after you do not have an internet connection and until you find out what is going on,you have suffered an unprecedented confusion. It has happened to me many times and that is why I conclude that the Kill Switch feature is harmful and unnecessary as it is.
The reference to App Kill Switch is not worth it. Further reference to support assistance is not worth it.
Reference to several other defective features and functions is worth it but who cares now? Not me anyway (obsolete servers,CyberSec,Split tunneling …).
The reference to a more advanced and sophisticated Vpn is worth it which today is PROTONVPN.
Those who write great reviews about Nord do not know yet.
When they learn,it will be too late. Unless they manage to claim a refund.
But for me it is too late so better late than never.
Beware, pay attention on the payment page. They add an item to my invoice and it’s on me to remove it, otherwise you’ll be billed for it.
Here is NordVPN’s reply to adding something to my shopping cart:
“NordPass services might be added by default as a recommendation for our customers since both our NordVPN and NordPass services can provide the highest level of security we offer if used simultaneously….
That being said, keep in mind that you can always remove our recommendation if you decide to proceed with our VPN services without any additional security measures.”
They literally add something to the shopping cart as a “recommendation”. If you don’t notice it you’re billed for it. It’s on you to make sure they didn’t pick you as one who gets a “recommendation” added to your cart. That’s about as slimy as it gets.
Could uploading files on a website while using NordVPN leak my real IP address?
No, you should be good to go.
Can you explain?
See our article on how a VPN works here.
It’s a well marketed VPN, with a lots of bugs and disconnections. It seems that, they invest a lot of money in reclame campaigns and promotion of their VPN. You will see them everywhere (Internet, TV, Supermarket, newspapers, magazines etc).
The connection often breaks and when it breaks, you will receive a notification from NordVPN:
“It’s not you, it’s us” .. “If it continues contact us” :))))))))))))))
If you choose 1 month payment option and you think you pay for a month, you have to be careful because NordVPN sets payment up NOT for 1 mont, but for “Automatic Payment” and it continues, while you no longer use this VPN after 1 month.
My experience with this VPN is a DISASTER, loss of money, internet connections and time.
Unfounded allegations that Nord is slow,annoying and dysfunctional in some areas can be justified by the following:
Computer problems,faulty download and incorrect configuration of the application settings,ignorance of the Nord technical instructions,carelessness,indifference and maybe,in the background,a particular preference for another already installed VPN application,guidance from reviews and videos from self-proclaimed analysts.
As a Nord user,I have never had a problem with all of this because everything works fine and when I draw safe conclusions about Nord,I try to be true and not out of reality.I hope it is published.
An email from Yahoo: “As a valued Yahoo member, we wanted you to be among the first to know about the launch of NordVPN. This virtual private network (VPN) gives you the safe online experience you deserve. With its next-generation encryption, NordVPN delivers fast, secure and private internet access from almost anywhere in the world.”
I had experience with them and while they were generally OK with speeds, I don’t rate Nord. They are aggressive with ads everywhere and this email from Yahoo makes a pretty much suspicion…
Nordvpn capabilities and services such as fast speed,stability,reliability,assistance and support are so high that even in their dreams other VPN providers could not dream of them.
This is what I experience,this is what I write.
Informatively,the most awful VPN I have ever experienced is Proton.
TechLore did a review.
As I don’t use them, I couldn’t verify, but thought I would shre if anyone was wondering other thoughts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2YDwS0r6n0
(Watched this on NewPipe and hate sending to YouTube).
the thing that worries me is the automatic payment you sign up for ive used other software in the past for web design and although i cancelled it the payment was taken again and had to claim off my credit card,
if i use paypal they will say i need to contact the supplier of the software which I already did. so basically is it easy to cancel Nord ? i would like a vpn so i dont get bombarded with ads for things i looked at online
Yes, it is easy. If you cancel, there is no renewal when your subscription expires.
NordVPN suspended my account saying it was used for scrapping (I used it for connecting to some web services through my application). I did not agree to this and asked for proof. Of course they did not provide anything. It was few weeks ago. My account is still suspended. They don’t want to take any responsibility for this (I had to switch to another provider and make some development changes to adjust to it) and they do not want to provide any refund (my service was paid until March 2022). They also mentioned something about some monitoring system they introduced, so it is clear to me they are spying on their own customers.
I hope it speaks for itself.
I have started to receive about one email every few days from Yahoo spamming me and promoting Nord VPN. Is there something we should know about this? Has Yahoo bought Nord VPN?
Not that I know of. I have no idea what this would be about.
Hi Sven,
doesn’t it make you suspicious that NordVPN has a fake Coupon countdown since months?
or am I expecting too much of ethic from world wide cyber-company?
Yep, that does look tacky.
I sticked with NordVPN for few years before realising there was faster and better… At the end of my subscription I decided not to renew but to try another one as the speeds became too slow for my needs.
Everything was fine with my other provider when I started to read more and more good reviews about how NordVPN worked on the speeds (especially with NordLynx) so I thought that it was about time to give it another try (which I recently did). I must admit it is way better than it was few years ago!
Several times a year I try out various VPNs which I have interests in paying for. NordVPN is always at the top of my list and it’s always the one I never end up buying.
Most recently, many of their servers don’t work when I randomly manually choose one. Their speeds are taking a sharp dive too. It’s really a pity as I really want to keep their service, but I can’t justify it because they don’t meet my expectations.
In the past VPN Mentor always had high praises for Nord VPN both with their own analysis and by carefully shaping reviews that mostly promote Nord VPN, it seems to me Restoreprivacy is replacing VPN Mentor in this area.
vpnMentor is now owned by Kape Technologies, which also owns CyberGhost and Private Internet Access. After Kape purchased vpnMentor, they changed their recommendations considerably. See this report on the situation.
I recently discovered https://nordsecurity.com/ which seems to be a relatively new website that introduces the team behind Nord Security and their product portfolio. I am pleased to see some names behind a VPN product which I take as a good sign!
Nowadays NordVPN is giving some problems.
a) The Firefox add-on does not work.
b) The OpenVPN with the Double VPN service does not work to many (it gives an “Authentication failed” error).
c) Often it tells you “connected”, but you actually are not. If you do not have the auto-connection on you would keep browsing with your clear IP without noticing it. The servers sometimes appear like dead or something.
But, yes, when it works (and this night almost never worked to me) it is very speedy.
According to a flood of bad reviews in the Google Play thread I suppose there has been a recent update which screwed up both the windows and the android apps. It was working fine, was.
Hi Sven,
What if any is the difference between NordVPN on the macOS App Store and the version you can download from their website? Which would be the better option to install?
Hi Anon, not sure, I haven’t looked into this.
Hi Sven,
I’ve read that the version on the macOS store (NordVPN IKE) includes IKEv2 protocol. However this may also now be included in the standalone version which you’ll see a link to the download if you use a browser other than Safari.
I see you’ve recently changed your VPN recommendation to ExpressVPN, which I used some time ago. I may well opt for a refund from Nord before the 30 days expires, and go back to ExpressVPN. Unfortunately I don’t really have the time (or knowledge) to fully A/B test so value your resource. Thanks.
> “I see you’ve recently changed your VPN recommendation to ExpressVPN”
I’m not sure what you mean by this. NordVPN is our top recommendation right now.
Hi Sven,
There no Reply button below your comment so I am replying here.
Re top recommendation, on the following URL it states “ExpressVPN is now the #1 recommendation on Restore Privacy”, in which case that must be out-of-date then.
restoreprivacy.com/vpn/coupons-discounts-deals/expressvpn/
Thanks
Hi Anon, yes, that is outdated information from last year. I’ve updated that sentence accordingly, thanks.