First of all, I have to let you know that I have been using NordVPN for a few years now. Despite that, I will give you my honest opinion about it and of course all the important facts. As with any product out there, just because someone is using it, does not mean all is perfect.
VPNs have become a go-to solution for many looking to secure their internet activities and maintain privacy online. NordVPN, in particular, has established itself as a prominent player in this space since its inception.
Now, what exactly does NordVPN offer? It offers a broad range of services, from securing your personal data against cyber threats to providing access to geo-restricted content.
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Pros and Cons
PROS
- Strong Security
- Fast Speeds
- User-Friendly Applications
- Over 6000 Servers in 61 Countries
- Double VPN
- Onion Over VPN
- Price for New Subscribers
- RAM-Only Servers Technology
- Industry Leader
- 30 Days Money-Back Guarantee Option
CONS
- Variable Server Performance
- Price for Existing Subscribers
- Limited Number of Devices You Can Connect to Compared to Competitors
Is NordVPN Right for Casual Users?
NordVPN markets itself as a user-friendly platform, and in my opinion, they’re hitting the mark for those who aren’t tech-savvy. I can vaguely fit into that category, although I do have some amount of technical knowledge. Also, NordVPN was the third VPN service I have ever used. For that matter, let’s say I did not tap into complete darkness.
If you want a VPN that’s straightforward to set up and use, NordVPN has a well-designed interface that makes it accessible. Even if VPN technology is not on your broad knowledge list, you’ll appreciate its simplicity.
Don’t worry too much about speed. NordVPN recently proved to be a fleet-footed service. An average speed loss of just 13% is impressive, to say the least, and it’s a significant improvement from the 53% speed loss experienced back in 2020.
Let’s talk about privacy. When you’re online, NordVPN is like throwing on an invisibility cloak. Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) won’t be able to peek at what you’re doing. That means no more throttling your speeds when you’re binge-watching or gaming.
NordVPN aims to deliver a hassle-free and efficient service tailored for casual users. In my opinion, they nail it. It is worth noting that a total of six devices can be connected with one NordVPN account at the same time.
Security Measures and Privacy Protocols
NordVPN makes some bold claims with multiple security audits and a solid no-logs policy. But is that enough for your digital life to be nestled in safety?
If you want to keep your internet activities out of the wrong hands, encryption is your best friend. NordVPN offers AES 256-bit encryption, which is as tough as it gets; it’s the same standard used by the US government for classified information. Add to that Perfect Forward Secrecy, and you’ve got a dynamic duo that regularly changes encryption keys, making it nearly impossible for snoopers to follow your online footsteps.
Let’s not forget their proprietary NordLynx protocol, which has done a great job with its combination of speed and security. Also, it’s worth noting that NordVPN has addressed previous concerns with a stronger kill switch function, although some skepticism remains about its infallible execution, especially during those unforeseen disconnections.
In my opinion, the security features are quite robust. However, a no-logs policy is only as reliable as the trust you place in the company enforcing it. NordVPN has been audited independently, reinforcing its claims that it doesn’t store your browsing data. But verification is a continuous process, not a one-time badge of honor.
To seamlessly transition into the broader issue of trust, NordVPN’s server network operates using RAM-only technology. This means every server reboot wipes out any lingering data, making it virtually impossible for any information to be stored long-term.
Then there is Meshnet, a secure private network between multiple devices. It acts like a secure LAN (local area network) which you can use for file sharing, work collaborations, and even multiplayer gaming. Basically, you are connected directly with other devices in a closed local network.
There are a couple of more security features that caught my eye. The first one is Double VPN, which gives you an extra layer of security by redirecting your traffic through two servers. Then we have Onion Over VPN, which allows you to relay your data to the Onion network through a secure VPN server. By doing this it ensures your safety even if the network is compromised.
Transparency and Structure
Let’s take a closer look at NordVPN’s corporate setup. There’s a lot hinging on how a VPN provider is structured because it determines jurisdiction, and consequently, how user data might be handled.
Without transparency reports, users are often left in the dark about how their data is treated when governments or law enforcement make inquiries. In the past, NordVPN hasn’t published any transparency reports, which was concerning for users who prioritize their privacy above all else. However, that practice has changed in the last couple of years. Now their transparency reports are publicly available. Also, every year an independent auditor checks their famous no-log claims. So far, every audit confirmed their no-log claims are true.
NordVPN’s corporate structure is a bit complex. It isn’t just about the number of products they offer; it’s also about understanding the company behind those products. The service originated in Lithuania in 2012, developed by Nordsec Ltd. Currently, NordVPN operates under the jurisdiction of Panama. That is good news for your privacy since Panama has no mandatory data retention laws and does not participate in any of the intelligence-sharing alliances. The company has offices in Lithuania, Panama, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
Let’s move forward and discuss how NordVPN’s pricing stacks up and what payment options and platforms it offers, to give you a well-rounded view of the service.
Pricing, Payment, and Platform Availability
So, here are the things with NordVPN and prices. They offer competitive introductory prices but costs increase after the initial term. You can check the plans’ starter prices below.
- Monthly Plans start at $12.99 per month
- 1 Year Plans start at $4.99 per month, billed at $59.88 for the First Year
- 2 Year Plans start at $3.39 per month, billed at $81.36 for the First 2 Years
NordVPN is flexible with payment methods. You can pay using a credit card, cryptocurrency, PayPal, AmazonPay, Sofort, a prepaid debit card, and others. They also accept payments through iTunes and Google Pay.
When it comes to availability, they are present on a lot of platforms. There are the major ones like Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. Additionally, there are extensions available for all the most popular browsers; Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. Other integrations they offer are with Android TV, Firestick, Xbox, Playstation, Nintendo Switch, Raspberry Pi, Chromebook, Chromecast, Kindle Fire, and Oculus Quest.
Compared to their competitors there are some with more connections and some with lower fees. But besides the price, you should also focus on security and performance. Overall, NordVPN makes a good case for a leading VPN service. They have been around for a long time and have a proven track record.
It is also worth noticing NordVPN has a 30-DAY MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE policy stated on their website. This basically means you can try it for 30 days and get your money back if you are not happy with it, like a version of a free trial.
Why I Chose NordVPN
To answer the initial question, if you are looking for a quality VPN service, I do recommend it. NordVPN does a lot right in the areas of performance, usability, and customer support. It’s a solid option for many users, but like any other service, it has its good and not-so-good sides. I am sure NordVPN will continue to develop, innovate, and improve to maintain its position as a trusted company in the VPN industry.
If you are wondering why I chose NordVPN, here is the answer. I had two other VPN services previously, and to be discrete I will not name them.
The first one was not so bad and it was cheap. However, after a year or two with them, they double-billed me for the year (I was on a yearly plan). After contacting their support with explanations and screenshots of the double billing I wanted one of the charges back. I was still willing to remain their customer. Long story short, they failed to understand what the issue was. They did refund me one payment but canceled my account with it. After trying to explain again, nothing was resolved. I just let it go and stopped being their customer. I never got back the other payment.
The second one was better and there were no issues with payments or anything like that. However, they were not so reliable at the time with connections that were dropping and sometimes not being able to connect.
That is what led me to NordVPN, I basically said enough is enough and went for something reliable. It worked for me ever since and I have been a long-time satisfied customer.
My Experience With NordVPN
As I have mentioned above, I am moderately tech-savvy. So, without going into technical details I will tell you about my experience with NordVPN. I have been using it as my only VPN service for about 4 years now. Besides my personal computer operated by Windows 11 Home, I have it installed on my Chromebook and my Android mobile phone.
When it comes to my PC, I am using it only for masking my IP address. In other words, I am using it for privacy so nobody on the internet has access to my actual IP address and location. I have NordVPN set up as auto-connect, so it starts itself and connects to a server once I turn on my computer. It all works well in general without any noticeable slowing down in speed. On rare occasions, it might take a touch longer for the auto-connect mode to reconnect in case I have paused it for some reason. Overall, it has been a good experience.
My Chromebook NordVPN works a bit slower sometimes, and for that reason, I have the auto-connect disabled for this device. I will attribute this to my Chromebook age since I have had it for some 6 years now. In this case, I start the service myself once my device turns on. Nonetheless, there are no noticeable drops in speed while on the internet.
The NordVPN application on my Android phone is where I have noticed the least amount of issues. And again, by issues, I mean taking a bit longer to reconnect. This one works seamlessly and fast despite my phone being over 3 years old. There are no noticeable speed drops while browsing.
One of the features I use is the Dark Web Monitor. It is a feature that if you turn it on monitors the dark web for leaked data (passwords, contacts, or any other personal details linked to your email address). That would be the email address you use to set up your NordVPN account. I find this feature neat and very handy.
What Do Users Say About NordVPN
Let’s start with the Android mobile app. The reviews on Google Play are mostly positive about the service and reliability, including the Meshnet feature. This is shown by its 4.5/5 star rating. There are some not-so-great reviews related to connectivity speed issues and issues when connected to public Wi-Fi’s. When it comes to the iPhone App reviews, those are mostly positive as well. Here the service gets a 4.7/5 star rating. There are some cases where customers say the app never really worked and other cases also linked to connectivity issues.
When it comes to server speed, according to some users that can vary from the location of the server. Meaning, in some countries the servers are going to be faster than in others.
On other websites with a lot of authority in the internet world, NordVPN is always highly rated. The ratings are on average 9 on sites that rate out of 10 stars, and 4.5 on all sites combined that rate out of 5 stars.
As with any other product out there, reviews are always going to be a mixed bag. In the end, it is always down to the individuals to make the final judgment.