NordVPN Evaluation (2024): Is NordVPN Definitely worth the Value?

NordVPN is without doubt one of the extra standard, if not the preferred, VPNs at the moment — and for good purpose. It brings a formidable server community, an intensive vary of safety features, and a sophisticated person expertise. That is on prime of offering each quick and dependable VPN speeds throughout its server areas.

Whereas its pricing isn’t probably the most budget-friendly, NordVPN offers an all-around package deal that makes it a compelling VPN for many on a regular basis customers.

Is NordVPN free?

No, NordVPN shouldn’t be free and doesn’t have a free model. When you’re particularly on the lookout for a free VPN to make use of, I like to recommend attempting out Proton VPN or conceal.me VPN. They’re good choices, particularly since each have zero bandwidth or knowledge limits.

SEE: NordVPN vs Proton VPN (2024): Which VPN Ought to You Select? (TechRepublic)

As a substitute of a free plan, NordVPN affords a seven-day free trial accessible for Android. Whereas I respect Nord providing a free trial through Android, I hope it extends entry to iOS or iPhone customers sooner or later as effectively.

NordVPN pricing

NordVPN divides its paid subscriptions into three tiers: Primary, Plus, and Full. Every tier has a month-to-month, a yearly, and a two-year contract possibility.

As a facet notice, subscription names can differ relying on the area per my analysis (NordVPN Full being synonymous with NordVPN Final or Extremely; NordVPN Primary being the identical as NordVPN Normal).

Of its plans, I like to recommend going for NordVPN Plus one-year subscription at $5.99 monthly. It offers you a wholesome set of NordVPN’s additional safety features at an inexpensive one-year contract size.

Compared to different VPNs, NordVPN falls within the higher vary by way of worth. For instance, Surfshark’s equal Surfshark One subscription is priced at $4.09 monthly, whereas Proton VPN’s Plus plan is at $5.99. When you’re on a tighter price range, these picks are in all probability a better option.

SEE: Personal Web Entry vs NordVPN: Which VPN Is Higher? (TechRepublic)

Nonetheless, in case you have the cash, I really feel NordVPN affords sufficient significant add-ons to make it well worth the spend. Particularly, the truth that you get entry to Nord Safety’s NordPass password supervisor with NordVPN Plus is a major value-add, particularly in the event you’re additionally on the lookout for a devoted password supervisor. You additionally get anti-malware and searching safety on prime of the primary VPN service.

One factor to notice: NordVPN’s one-year and two-year plans have totally different pricing upon renewal. Whereas it isn’t the one VPN supplier to do that, I do want it had constant pricing all all through. This might save customers the confusion of getting to recalculate pricing previous the preliminary contract.

All of NordVPN’s plans provide a 30-day money-back assure, permitting you to check out the service and refund it throughout the allotted interval.

Is NordVPN secure?

NordVPN is a secure and safe VPN to make use of in 2024. It makes use of AES 256 encryption, well known as some of the safe encryption algorithms at the moment. That is evidenced by how U.S. authorities businesses and banking establishments additionally use AES encryption to guard person knowledge.

For VPN protocols, it carries the OpenVPN protocol and its personal NordLynx protocol primarily based on the WireGuard communication protocol. I like how Nord offers its customers the flexibleness to decide on a VPN protocol with both quick efficiency through NordLynx or extra safety with OpenVPN.

SEE: The Prime 7 NordVPN Options for 2024 (TechRepublic)

Most significantly, NordVPN has a no-logs coverage, which states that it doesn’t log any knowledge about customers’ searching exercise or on-line visitors. Whereas any firm could make safety guarantees like this, I’m pleased to report that NordVPN has undergone unbiased testing to verify this coverage.

In late 2023, NordVPN’s no-logs claims have been verified by a third-party audit performed by Deloitte. That is NordVPN’s fourth safety audit confirming its no-logs coverage — displaying the corporate’s dedication to upholding person privateness and safety.

Whereas I undoubtedly commend NordVPN for having its service independently audited, I’ve a small nitpick. With its fourth no-logs audit, solely these with an energetic NordVPN subscription are in a position to entry the total report and outcomes.

In line with NordVPN, this “ensures the audit results are not taken out of context or misunderstood.” Whereas I perceive the place NordVPN is coming from, I really feel that sharing the total report with the general public is a greater transfer by way of total transparency.

With that being mentioned, NordVPN is without doubt one of the most safe VPN providers to make use of at the moment.

Key options of NordVPN

Meshnet encrypted file-sharing

Meshnet permits you to join a number of gadgets to an end-to-end encrypted digital community and serves as a option to securely share vital information throughout gadgets. Particularly, you may have 10 gadgets related to the community and seamlessly switch, ship, or obtain information via Meshnet.

To its credit score, I used it to ship a number of information from my Android cellphone to my laptop computer and it labored fairly flawlessly. I envision this to be helpful for sharing delicate information, resembling contracts or monetary info, to person gadgets.

Risk Safety Professional net and file safety

One other standout is NordVPN’s Risk Safety Professional, which affords each net and file safety. For the net facet of issues, it affords real-time safety and blocking towards malware, trackers, and adverts.

In the meantime, file safety occurs within the background because it scans all downloaded gadgets, checks for malware, and instantly deletes malicious information which are discovered.

Personally, I like how Risk Safety offers an in-depth checklist of blocked threats with every net web page visited. This provides customers extra perception into which web sites may probably be bringing extra hurt than good whereas they browse on-line.

Darkish Internet Monitor

Lastly, NordVPN encompasses a Darkish Internet Monitor that robotically scans the darkish net to see if any of your emails have been concerned in a breach or knowledge leak. The software additionally acts as an alert, because it instantly informs the person as soon as a leak of delicate knowledge is discovered.

Per my time with it, I respect how the monitor lets you add as many emails as you need within the checklist of credentials monitored. I think about that is going to be handy for on-line companies with a number of electronic mail addresses or a small staff that wishes to ensure all their credentials aren’t a part of any darkish net leak.

Efficiency and velocity: How briskly is NordVPN?

NordVPN affords each quick VPN speeds and an total dependable connection. Throughout my testing, I related to NordVPN servers and did my regular work as a author. What this appears like is searching a number of webpages for analysis, attending on-line video conferences with a number of attendees, and dealing on Google Docs and Drive, amongst others.

SEE: How A lot Does a VPN Value? + Financial savings Suggestions (TechRepublic)

Throughout all use instances, I had zero points with NordVPN’s speeds. It was quick and had minimal to negligible distinction in comparison with how my web service supplier normally performs. I additionally noticed that switching servers and connecting to totally different VPN areas was fast and snappy, with no drops in connection all all through.

When it comes to velocity testing, NordVPN obtained mixed-to-positive outcomes. It carried out extremely effectively for obtain speeds, really having a 0.78% enhance in comparison with my ISP. That is glorious contemplating how drops in velocity are anticipated with VPNs, because the person connection is routed to extra channels. However, add speeds have been much less spectacular, because it recorded a 44% lower in velocity on the identical take a look at. Whereas nonetheless good, it nonetheless isn’t on the 15-25% lower that I contemplate glorious.

In case your workflow requires frequent importing of information, my testing confirmed NordVPN will not be the perfect resolution for you. However for day-to-day use, I’m assured that NordVPN can present persistently quick speeds for many on a regular basis customers.

NordVPN servers and areas

After we have a look at NordVPN’s server community, it continues to impress. Its server fleet has 6,350+ servers throughout 111 international locations. That falls comfortably within the higher vary of VPN server networks. To check, Surfshark has 3,200 servers in 100 international locations, whereas ExpressVPN has servers in 105 international locations (with a reported 3,000 servers as effectively, however these are estimated figures).

What I personally commend NordVPN for is its steady enchancment of its server suite. After I first reviewed NordVPN in 2023, it had 5,800+ servers in 60+ international locations. In 2024, the placement and nation rely have virtually doubled.

SEE: Why Your Enterprise Wants Cybersecurity Consciousness Coaching (TechRepublic Premium)

Whereas having a ton of servers could look attractive, the extra vital quantity right here is the variety of areas. That is very true in case your major use for a VPN is to unblock geo-restricted content material. With extra VPN international locations, you’ll have extra selection within the IP areas you may have. At an enormous 111 international locations, I discover NordVPN’s server community to be a major function in the event you worth unblocking or video streaming.

On prime of its server suite, NordVPN comes with various specialised servers. You may have a double VPN server that routes your visitors to 2 areas for an extra layer of safety; obfuscated servers that masks your VPN use, which will be helpful in non-VPN pleasant international locations; and Onion over VPN servers for customers that want to entry the Onion community for extra nameless searching.

You additionally get the choice to avail of a devoted IP deal with, providing you with your individual private IP deal with for safer company distant entry and to keep away from CAPTCHAs, amongst different issues, Take notice, NordVPN’s devoted IP function is a separate subscription and isn’t included in your most important NordVPN plan.

NordVPN app expertise

After I first put in the NordVPN app, my major concern was how it could arrange all its included options. From the soar, it was clear that Nord packed a ton of performance in its service, particularly with the extra menus and dashboards it had alongside the primary VPN.

Luckily, after exploring the app, I spotted how intuitive NordVPN has the whole lot arrange. It has a most important residence dashboard, which conveniently homes not solely your VPN connection standing but in addition fast widgets for Risk Safety Professional and file sharing.

On the left facet, you get separate tabs for the VPN servers, Risk Safety Professional, file transfers, Meshnet, and the Darkish Internet Monitor. Every function has its personal devoted dashboard, making the app really feel much less cluttered and extra organized.

I significantly like how the VPN Servers dashboard has collapsible dropdown menus to make the whole lot really feel neat. Right here you may entry server international locations, Nord’s specialty servers, and up to date connections — all in a single pane. Even with its abundance of options, I give credit score to NordVPN for maintaining issues tidy and designating every function with its personal part.

For design, NordVPN will get good marks from me as effectively. It employs a modern-looking person interface that appears polished and effectively thought out. Truthfully, it seems like software program launched in 2024 — which is strictly what we wish.

NordVPN customer support and assist

When it comes to buyer assist, NordVPN affords a wholesome vary of assist choices. It has a data base on-line portal with tutorials, FAQs, and guides; electronic mail assist; an AI chatbot; and 24/7 stay chat assist.

After I used NordVPN’s AI chatbot, I discovered it was in a position to reply simplest questions with relative ease. It was additionally fast and supplied useful follow-up prompts to dive deeper into what you requested about.

If in case you have a extra particular query, you may ask the Nord chatbot to attach you with a stay agent. From my expertise, I used to be related to an agent shortly, at round underneath two minutes or so. I may say that, with the questions I requested, the Nord assist agent supplied pretty useful solutions.

As seen above, the agent was in a position to reply which NordVPN subscription included entry to NordPass. Be aware, nevertheless, that Extremely on this case is NordVPN Full or NordVPN Final. Per my analysis, NordVPN’s subscription names can differ relying on the area or nation. Personally, I hope NordVPN chooses to make the naming extra constant throughout areas to keep away from confusion.

Luckily, NordVPN’s stay chat assist is accessible 24/7. This implies you received’t have to fret about not having access to assist when a essential situation arises.

NordVPN execs

• Gives round 6,350+ servers in 111 international locations.
• Risk safety towards malware, adverts, and trackers.
• Meshnet encrypted file-sharing system.
• Independently audited no-logs coverage.
• Constructed-in darkish net monitor.
• Persistently quick and secure VPN velocity.
• Effectively-designed and intuitive VPN app.

NordVPN cons

• Priced comparatively excessive.
• Renewal pricing could possibly be complicated.
• Newest audit outcomes not accessible to the general public.

Who’s NordVPN for?

To me, NordVPN sits on the prime of the VPN house with its robust stability of efficiency, helpful safety features, and polished person expertise.

NordVPN is greatest for many customers and companies on the lookout for an all-around VPN that may present quick VPN speeds, privateness and safety capabilities, and a big VPN server community.

It’s additionally a major selection for safety fanatics. From its Meshnet encrypted file-sharing function to its specialised obfuscated and double VPN servers, it brings loads to the desk in relation to bolstering person safety.

I significantly like how NordVPN doesn’t take with no consideration its dearer price ticket. Whereas it’s not probably the most inexpensive VPN, it may well’t be denied that you just get loads in a single subscription.

As well as, in the event you go for a NordVPN Plus or Full plan, you get entry to Nord’s NordPass password supervisor — including one other safety software to your arsenal.

Options to NordVPN

CyberGhost VPN

When you’re itching to strive a premium VPN without cost, I like to recommend CyberGhost VPN. Its 24-hour desktop free trial is without doubt one of the most accessible available in the market, not requiring any fee info to entry. As well as, CyberGhost VPN is ideal for customers who particularly plan on utilizing a VPN to stream content material, play video games, or torrent information.

It is because its desktop app well organizes its optimized servers into these classes, making it straightforward to entry one of the best server in your particular wants.

If you wish to be taught extra, learn our full CyberGhost VPN evaluate.

Surfshark VPN

For these on a price range, I recommend taking a look at Surfshark VPN. Surfshark brings a ton of worth with its service, providing a 100-country server fleet and quick VPN speeds — at fairly inexpensive costs. It additionally consists of helpful safety features like its Surfshark Search performance, which offers customers with a devoted search engine that robotically removes adverts or sponsored posts.

I significantly like Surfshark for providing limitless machine connections, letting customers join a number of gadgets with out an extra plan. This provides much more worth to its already cost-effective pricing.

If you wish to be taught extra, learn our full Surfshark VPN evaluate.

ExpressVPN

If person expertise is your prime precedence, one in every of my favorites is ExpressVPN. ExpressVPN strikes a wonderful stability between providing a well-designed VPN app and an easy-to-use interface. Its refined person expertise is one in every of its spotlight options, making it an ideal selection for much less tech-savvy customers or newcomers.

On prime of that, ExpressVPN offers speedy VPN speeds for each obtain and upload-heavy duties. It additionally boasts a formidable portfolio of third-party audits, now with 18 complete unbiased audits as of 2024.

If you wish to be taught extra, learn our full ExpressVPN evaluate.

Evaluation methodology

My evaluate of NordVPN concerned a complete evaluation of its options, price, and real-world efficiency. I had hands-on time with NordVPN via a one-year NordVPN Plus subscription.

To judge NordVPN, I scored it on the whole lot from its server community to pricing. Particularly, I took under consideration 5 most important pillars, every having corresponding weights:

• Pricing (20%).
• Core VPN options (30%).
• Ease of use (15%).
• Buyer assist (30%).
• Professional evaluation (5%).

From this rubric, NordVPN acquired a ranking of 4.7 out of 5 stars. I additionally regarded into person suggestions and different respected critiques to spherical out my ultimate suggestions. There are additionally discussions on the TechRepublic discussion board about NordVPN. For instance, I requested customers their views on the greatest VPNs for streaming, gaming, and torrenting.

For velocity and efficiency, I used Ookla’s public Speedtest to measure obtain and add speeds. I additionally ran NordVPN via DNSLeakTest a number of occasions to test for any DNS leaks. Lastly, I took under consideration which kinds of companies or particular person customers would greatest profit from utilizing NordVPN.

To be taught extra about how we evaluate VPNs, learn our full VPN Evaluation Methodology.