NordVPN stands out as the best VPN we’ve tested so far. Renowned for its impressive feature set, fast speeds, and vast server network, our recent evaluations confirm that it lives up to its reputation—perhaps more than ever.
That said, it’s not without flaws. It doesn’t rank as the most affordable option in our lineup, its app experience on certain platforms like Fire Stick could use some refinement, and while it includes antivirus and antimalware features, those tools leave room for improvement.
Still, none of these drawbacks are enough to overshadow what makes NordVPN the top-performing VPN on the market today.
NordVPN Features
Although NordVPN’s wide range of features might not be immediately obvious when you first open the app on any device, that doesn’t mean they’re missing. Navigating through the left-hand menu on MacOS or Windows, or using the bottom navigation on Android and iOS, quickly reveals just how many tools NordVPN has packed in.
To begin with, if you’re looking to boost your online protection, NordVPN offers Double VPN—its multihop solution that routes your traffic through two servers—and Onion over VPN, which layers your VPN connection with the Tor network for enhanced anonymity.
In our testing, Onion over VPN was slightly less consistent, though this is expected due to the added security layers. The entry point located in the Netherlands performed better in terms of speed compared to the one in Switzerland, with only a modest drop in performance compared to a standard VPN connection.
Double VPN, on the other hand, was much more stable, with only slight increases in loading times no matter which servers we used.
Beyond its core VPN service, one of NordVPN’s most valuable features is Threat Protection Pro, available on Plus plans and above.
This extra security layer includes a wide range of tools such as malicious and phishing site blocking, ad and tracker blocking, malware scanning, vulnerability alerts, scam and fraud detection, and even automatic URL cleaning. And that’s just scratching the surface—there’s more detailed functionality hidden in the fine print.
Server network
NordVPN offers an extensive server network, with over 7,000 servers spread across 118 countries—placing it firmly among the top VPNs in terms of global reach. While its overall coverage is impressive, it’s not dramatically ahead of its closest competitors.
That said, there are some regional gaps. In areas like the Middle East and Africa, Proton VPN provides a better server presence, even though it operates in slightly fewer countries overall—albeit by a narrow margin at the time of review.
Like most VPN services, NordVPN does not operate servers in heavily censored nations such as Russia and China. However, this is standard across the industry, so it’s not considered a drawback.
Apps and User Interface
NordVPN offers sleek, intuitive apps for all major platforms:
- Windows, macOS, Linux
- iOS & Android
- Browser extensions (Chrome, Firefox)
- Android TV, Fire TV, Smart TVs
- Routers (manual setup)
The apps feature a world map interface, a Quick Connect button, and advanced settings like split tunneling, custom DNS, auto-connect, and more.
Even beginners will find it easy to use, while power users can dive deeper into protocol settings and connection types.
Ease of Use
NordVPN’s apps are generally user-friendly, though they might not be the absolute best pick for complete VPN beginners.
During our testing on a Windows 11 desktop, the installation process was refreshingly straightforward, thanks to NordVPN’s setup wizard—a feature also mirrored nicely on macOS.
Once the app is launched, users are welcomed by key features like the VPN toggle, Threat Protection, and Meshnet. Navigating to additional options—such as the kill switch, split tunneling, and protocol settings—is easily done through the sidebar, and we encountered no issues accessing or adjusting these features.
The mobile experience is similarly smooth. Setting up the app on iOS or Android is as easy as downloading it from the app store and logging in or creating an account. The layout closely resembles the desktop version, offering features like Quick Connect and a list of servers to scroll through.
However, some features are less prominent on mobile. For example, Meshnet appears lower in the server list and Threat Protection is notably absent from the main screen, which may make it harder to access for casual users.
Customer Support
NordVPN provides multiple support options to help users when they run into issues. The most accessible method is its 24/7 live chat, initially handled by an AI-powered chatbot.
While the chatbot can guide users to helpful resources or escalate concerns, its capabilities are limited when it comes to more technical problems. During testing, it wasn’t able to fully assist with a connection issue—but once escalated, a human support agent stepped in quickly and efficiently resolved the problem.
For those preferring other contact methods, NordVPN also has an email support system, though responses naturally take longer. Alternatively, users can explore NordVPN’s extensive self-help library, which includes guides, FAQs, and video tutorials.
Speed and Performance
NordVPN has consistently ranked among the fastest VPNs we’ve tested, and our most recent evaluation confirmed its continued dominance. Leveraging NordLynx—its proprietary protocol built on WireGuard—we consistently hit speeds exceeding 950 Mbps during testing.
What stood out most was how well these speeds held up even when connecting to distant servers in Europe and the U.S. from our test location. That’s a significant advantage, as many competing VPNs experience noticeable slowdowns over long distances.
However, performance dipped when using the OpenVPN protocol. In our latest tests, NordVPN managed only 173 Mbps, which is notably slower than speeds achieved by providers like Surfshark, which more than doubled that figure. Still, this result places NordVPN toward the higher end of the 100–200 Mbps range that most VPNs deliver using OpenVPN.
Pricing & Plans
NordVPN offers three main plans:
PlanPrice (2-Year)Features
Basic – $3.39/month VPN only
Plus – $4.39/month VPN + NordPass (password manager)
Complete – $5.39/month All above + 1TB encrypted cloud storage
Each plan includes:
- 10 simultaneous connections
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Threat Protection
- Meshnet access
You’re also backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free.
Should You Use NordVPN?
Absolutely—NordVPN remains our top-rated VPN for good reason. It doesn’t have any major flaws that undermine its performance or raise concerns about its security. With consistently excellent speeds, seamless access to geo-blocked content, and a comprehensive set of advanced privacy features, NordVPN delivers a well-rounded, high-performing service.
That said, there are cases where another provider might suit your needs better. If you’re chasing the fastest possible speeds, Surfshark might edge it out. If unmatched security is your top priority, ExpressVPN is still the gold standard. And if you’re after servers in less-covered regions, Proton VPN has the edge.
What makes NordVPN stand out is its balance. If, for any reason, you couldn’t use one of the alternatives, NordVPN would serve as a nearly identical replacement—so much so that most users likely wouldn’t notice the difference.
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