According to the latest update, it has grown beyond just a VPN, now offering a potent suite of privacy and security functions that few competitors can match. NordVPN packs a lot into a single premium subscription: tons of country connections, excellent streaming site compatibility, a wealth of configuration options, and lightning-fast server speeds.
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As part of the ongoing story, the trusted premium service is notable for its excellent speeds, an enormous server network, and unrivaled set of security functions. NordVPN is one of the most well-known and widely used VPN services, with a huge user base.
The report highlights that some consumer tools are bundled with higher-tier NordVPN subscriptions, while its business products are sold separately. In its aim to be a one-stop shop for all your security needs, the service has expanded into a larger umbrella organization known as Nord Security, which also owns products such as the NordPass password manager, NordLocker encrypted storage, and the NordLayer business-security ecosystem.
The report highlights that read on to learn more, then see our roundup of the best VPN services for comparison.
Industry observers note that nordVPN has a user base in the tens of millions and is only one part of the larger conglomerate known as Nord Security. Let’s get this out front right away, NordVPN is one of the largest and most well-funded VPNs around.
Industry observers note that a subscription comes with not just a VPN, but a whole slew of top-quality privacy and security functions. But for the purposes of this review, and to compare apples to apples, I’ll be focusing mainly on the VPN portion. There’s no doubt it’s a premier VPN service with resources most competitors could only dream of.
In a fresh development, it also allows for 10 simultaneous device connections. The VPN itself is supported by most major services such as Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, smart TVs, and browser extensions.
According to the latest update, split tunneling is available on Windows, Android, and Android TV, but isn’t offered on macOS or iOS. The full next-gen antivirus is also limited to Windows and macOS, although more basic DNS-based protection is available elsewhere. On the plus side, Linux users now get a full graphical app rather than having to rely only on command-line controls. One caveat is that the capability set varies by ecosystem.
Industry observers note that its customer support services are available 24/7 via chat or email and it also has an extensive blog and FAQ section on its website should you run into trouble and want to solve the problem on your own.
Industry observers note that nordVPN’s homescreen is a well-designed interface that is easy to navigate and displays all of the information you’re likely to need from a VPN connection at a glance.
According to the latest update, the left-hand rail includes quick links for a VPN map, Threat Protection, File Transfers, Meshnet connectivity, and Dark Web Monitoring. At the bottom you also have interface options for Contact Us and Settings. When you first open NordVPN on Windows, you’re presented with an information hub showing the status of your VPN connection, Threat Protection, and File Sharing.
In a fresh development, there is also a small box with options for quick connect—allowing you to automatically connect to the fastest available server. In larger countries such as the U.S., Canada, Australia, Germany, and the UK, server recommendations now try to keep users within their own region, which should mean shorter routes and potentially better latency. When you click on the VPN option, the app window changes to a global stage map that you can drag around and select a specific country and server to connect to.
As part of the ongoing story, mechanics such as a kill switch, split tunneling, and more are all here. NordVPN’s Settings menu allows for a wealth of customization options and tools that allows you to really optimize your VPN experience.
Industry observers note that the latter stops any app from connecting to the internet if an active VPN connection drops, while the former does that for the entire device. Digging deeper into the Settings menu, you’ll find a ton of power user options including a Kill Switch and App Kill Switch.
The report highlights that split Tunneling allows you to choose which apps you specifically want to run through a VPN connection and which you do not. This is really useful if you want to surf the web while protected with a VPN, but also play platform releases without the potential extra latency that comes with an active VPN connection. There are also options for Split Tunneling and Auto-connect.
As part of the ongoing story, however, what makes NordVPN’s auto-connect capability stand out is the ability to customize the connection itself. You can, for example, automatically connect to a double VPN or a specific country. You can also choose whether to connect whenever the app starts or only on “unsecure networks” like public Wi-Fi. Auto-connect is also a nice capability that comes standard with most VPN services.
In a fresh development, double VPN routes traffic through two VPN servers, Onion Over VPN sends it through the Onion network, and obfuscated servers disguise VPN traffic on restrictive networks. NordVPN has also folded P2P support into all standard servers, so users no longer need to seek out a separate P2P category. NordVPN also provides a wide range of specialty connections.
According to the latest update, threat Protection is NordVPN’s all-in-one security toolset that provides anti-malware, scam and fraud alerts, a malicious site blocker, and more.
As part of the ongoing story, nordVPN’s higher-tier plans include a “next-gen antivirus,” formerly known as Threat Protection Pro. On Windows and macOS, it can block malicious sites, scan downloads for malware, and stop ads and trackers even when the VPN is off. Heading back out to the main menu, you’ll find the non-VPN tools.
As part of the ongoing story, an AI-powered option can explain in plain English why a link may be dangerous. Additionally, NordVPN has also expanded its security suite with Call Protection, Message Protection, and Dark Web Monitor Pro. These functions can warn about suspicious calls and texts and monitor personal information for exposure online. With some higher-tiers, NordVPN offers Link Checker, which scans URLs for scams, malware, and phishing.
Industry observers note that meshnet uses NordLynx to create encrypted connections between devices. It can be used for remote file sharing, virtual LAN tech industry, or routing internet traffic through a home computer while traveling. NordVPN also offers its Meshnet capability.
In a fresh development, these provide a private virtual server with a static IP and port forwarding, but have limited locations, a 4TB monthly data cap, and may offer less anonymity than shared servers since they are linked directly to your account. NordVPN offers a paid dedicated IP for users who want a consistent address, as well as an entire dedicated-server add-on for more advanced needs.
The report highlights that its extra tools now cover far more than VPN use, although the best functions vary by ecosystem, require higher-tier plans, or cost extra. Even with those caveats, few competitors can match the breadth of NordVPN’s combined privacy and security package. Overall, NordVPN remains one of the most capability-rich VPNs on the market.
As part of the ongoing story, month-to-month pricing is expensive at $14.99 for Basic, $19.99 for Complete, and $29.99 for Prime. The introductory one-year plans cost $65.88, $77.88, and $113.88, respectively. Two-year subscriptions currently include three bonus months and cost $94.23 for Basic, $121.23 for Complete, or $202.23 for Prime. NordVPN currently offers three subscription tiers: Basic, Complete, and Prime.
According to the latest update, the Complete plan adds antivirus protection, an ad and tracker blocker, scam-call protection, a more robust Dark Web Monitor Pro, a password manager, and 1TB of encrypted cloud storage. Finally, the Prime plan includes everything in Complete plus identity protection, credit monitoring, and identity-theft insurance and cyber-extortion coverage. The insurance and cyber-extortion benefits are currently limited to U.S. Residents only. The Basic plan includes the VPN, protection against malicious domains, 10 simultaneous connections, and standard Dark Web Monitor access.
Industry observers note that basic renews at $139.08 per year, while Complete renews at $219.48 and Prime at $296.28—steep price jumps that are easy to overlook when signing up. The long-term deals are much more affordable than paying monthly, but be aware that these are only introductory rates.
The report highlights that if you’re lucky enough to snag one of these VPN deals then you can get introductory rates on these higher-end plans for even less. NordVPN does have a habit of offering great limited-time discounts throughout the year on its subscription plans, especially during the holiday season.
In a fresh development, it provides an entire private virtual server with dedicated resources, a static IP, and port forwarding, but its limited locations and 4TB monthly bandwidth cap make it a bit of a niche extra for most consumers. The service also now offers a dedicated-server add-on starting at $11.99 per month.
In a fresh development, nordVPN accepts payment by credit card, PayPal, and cryptocurrency, although available methods can vary by location. All regular plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
According to the latest update, i conducted these tests using the NordLynx protocol, which is NordVPN’s default and generally its fastest option. During my testing I rated connection speeds across NordVPN’s servers in different countries around the global stage and then compared them to my baseline internet speed.
Industry observers note that i noted an impressive average of 75 percent of the base download speed and an outstanding 81 percent of the base upload speed. It continues to have the fastest average connection speeds of any VPN I’ve ever tested. NordVPN’s server speeds came through with flying colors.
The report highlights that tech industry should also be smooth on most servers, with the usual caveat that latency can increase significantly over long-distance connections for every VPN. With those speeds, users should have no trouble streaming HD or 4K video.
The report highlights that it should be noted that while NordVPN is likely to work with these services, streaming access can always vary by server and region. NordVPN worked well with every major streaming service I tested including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, Max, and Apple TV.
As part of the ongoing story, it also uses diskless RAM-only servers without persistent storage. Since everything runs on RAM, data is deleted whenever a server is powered off or rebooted, making it extremely difficult to pull any user data from these servers. NordVPN uses AES-256-GCM encryption with OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPsec, while the WireGuard-based NordLynx protocol uses ChaCha20-Poly1305.
Industry observers note that nordVPN offers three protocols: NordLynx, NordWhisper, and OpenVPN TCP/UDP.
Industry observers note that nordLynx is the default in most apps, it’s the protocol NordVPN recommends for most users, and generally offers the best combination of speed and security. Across its apps and manual configurations, NordVPN supports OpenVPN, NordLynx, NordWhisper, and IKEv2/IPsec protocols, although availability varies by ecosystem.
In a fresh development, this can be handy as some network filters attempt to catch and block other VPN connections. NordWhisper will provide a slower average connection speed, but may be a good option for those in countries that restrict VPN usage or on locked-down networks like school Wi-Fi. NordWhisper is the most recent offering from the service and uses web tunnel technology to imitate traditional web traffic.
As part of the ongoing story, this capability protects VPN connections against potential quantum computer attacks. This is mainly designed to prevent encrypted traffic captured today from being decrypted by sufficiently powerful quantum computers in the future. NordVPN supports post-quantum encryption with NordLynx connections on most services including Linux, Windows, Android, iOS, and some smart TVs.
Industry observers note that when I deliberately interrupted the VPN connection, its kill switch prevented my real IP address and unencrypted traffic from leaking. NordVPN also passed my DNS, WebRTC, and IP leak tests without exposing any identifying information.
As part of the ongoing story, its parent publisher, Nord Security, is based in the Netherlands, but NordVPN itself continues to operate under Panamanian jurisdiction. NordVPN is incorporated in Panama, a privacy-friendly jurisdiction without mandatory VPN data-retention laws and outside the major international intelligence-sharing alliances.
According to the latest update, it does temporarily process usernames and session timestamps to enforce its 10-device limit, but says this information is deleted within 15 minutes after a session ends. Account details such as an email address and payment information are handled separately. Additionally, NordVPN states that it has a “strict no-logs policy,” which means it doesn’t retain browsing activity, traffic logs, source IP addresses, DNS requests, bandwidth usage, or individual connection timestamps.
Industry observers note that the most recent was conducted by independent security firm Deloitte in November and December of 2025, and concluded that NordVPN’s systems and practices were holding true to its no-logs statement. This no-logs policy has been confirmed six times over the years.
According to the latest update, in 2018, an attacker gained access to one rented server in Finland. NordVPN says no user credentials or activity logs were exposed, although its delayed disclosure did damage user trust. The publisher subsequently adopted RAM-only servers, expanded its security assessments, and introduced a bug-bounty program. It should be noted, though, that NordVPN’s security record isn’t spotless.
As part of the ongoing story, it combines exceptionally fast speeds, excellent streaming support, and strong privacy protections with an unmatched suite of security tools. Its independently verified no-logs policy and continued investment in functions such as post-quantum encryption also make it an easy VPN to recommend to anyone. NordVPN continues to be one of the best all-around VPNs on the market.
As part of the ongoing story, many of its best extras are also limited to higher subscription tiers or certain services. Mullvad still offers greater anonymity, while Surfshark and IPVanish allow unlimited simultaneous connections. Even so, few competitors can match NordVPN’s overall mix of performance, security, and functions, making it well worth the price for users and distinguishing it as one of the best VPNs around. Admittedly, NordVPN is expensive—particularly when paying monthly or renewing a discounted plan.
Industry observers note that any changes to text or our final review verdict will be noted at the top of this article. Editor’s note: Because online services are often iterative, gaining fresh functions and performance improvements over time, this review is subject to change in order to accurately reflect the current state of the service.
In a fresh development, when he's not on the hunt for the best computer deals he's covering VPNs, productivity programs, laptops, and a wide gamut of consumer-grade devices and programs. Sam Singleton is PCWorld's VPN beat reporter and jack of all trades.