NordVPN Review 2025: Is It Still the Best VPN?

What Is NordVPN?#

NordVPN is a Panama-based VPN service that has dominated the VPN market since 2012. With over 14 million users worldwide, it’s consistently ranked among the top three VPNs for privacy, security, and streaming.

What sets NordVPN apart is its combination of military-grade encryption, proprietary NordLynx protocol (based on WireGuard), and an extensive global server network spanning 111 countries. Unlike many VPNs that make compromises between speed and security, NordVPN delivers both.

The company operates under Panama’s privacy-friendly jurisdiction, which has no mandatory data retention laws and isn’t part of the 5/9/14 Eyes surveillance alliances. This means NordVPN can maintain a genuine no-logs policy without legal pressure to store user data.

Key Features#

5,000+ Server Network#

NordVPN operates over 5,900 servers across 111 countries, giving you plenty of options for bypassing geo-restrictions and finding fast connections. The network includes:

• Standard servers — Optimized for everyday browsing and streaming
• P2P servers — Dedicated servers for torrenting with no bandwidth throttling
• Obfuscated servers — Hide VPN usage from ISPs and governments in restrictive countries
• Double VPN servers — Route traffic through two VPN servers for extra privacy
• Dedicated IP servers — Get your own static IP address (add-on feature)

The server distribution is excellent, with strong coverage in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and growing presence in South America and Africa. Unlike some competitors that concentrate servers in just a few countries, NordVPN gives you genuine global reach.

NordLynx Protocol#

NordVPN’s proprietary NordLynx protocol is built on WireGuard, the modern VPN protocol known for speed and efficiency. While WireGuard alone is fast but has privacy concerns due to static IP assignment, NordVPN solved this with a double NAT system that provides WireGuard’s speed without compromising anonymity.

In our testing, NordLynx consistently delivered:

• 30-50% faster speeds than OpenVPN
• Sub-100ms latency on nearby servers
• Minimal speed loss on international connections
• Instant reconnection when switching networks

You can still use OpenVPN (UDP/TCP) or IKEv2/IPsec if needed for compatibility, but NordLynx is the default and best choice for most users.

Threat Protection#

NordVPN’s Threat Protection feature (available on all apps) provides real-time protection against:

• Malware and viruses — Blocks malicious files before they reach your device
• Trackers and ads — Eliminates tracking scripts and intrusive advertising
• Phishing sites — Warns you before visiting known phishing domains

What makes Threat Protection unique is that it works even when the VPN connection is off. This turns your VPN into an always-on security suite, similar to antivirus software but lighter on system resources.

Meshnet#

Meshnet is NordVPN’s innovative feature that lets you create secure encrypted networks between devices, essentially building your own private VPN network. Use cases include:

• Remote access — Securely access your home computer from anywhere
• Secure file sharing — Share files directly between devices without cloud services
• LAN gaming — Play LAN games with friends across the internet
• Work from anywhere — Connect to office devices securely

Meshnet supports up to 60 devices (10 of your own, 50 external) and works even between users with different VPN subscriptions.

Double VPN#

For users who need maximum privacy — journalists, activists, security researchers — Double VPN routes your connection through two VPN servers in different countries. Your ISP sees you connect to the first server, but only the second server knows your final destination.

The tradeoff is speed: double encryption naturally slows connections by 40-60%. For everyday browsing and streaming, standard servers provide ample security. But when anonymity is paramount, Double VPN delivers military-grade protection.

Kill Switch#

NordVPN’s kill switch (called “Kill Switch” on desktop, “Always-on VPN” on mobile) instantly blocks all internet traffic if your VPN connection drops. This prevents accidental IP leaks when:

• Switching between servers
• Experiencing network interruptions
• Waking from sleep mode

The kill switch works at the network level on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, ensuring no data ever leaves your device unencrypted.

Split Tunneling#

Split tunneling lets you route some apps through the VPN while others use your regular connection. Common scenarios:

• Stream US Netflix through VPN while accessing local banking sites directly
• Torrent through VPN while gaming on your regular low-latency connection
• Protect sensitive apps while maintaining speed for general browsing

Available on Windows, Android, and Android TV, split tunneling gives you granular control over which traffic gets encrypted.

Security and Privacy#

Encryption Standards#

NordVPN uses AES-256-GCM encryption, the same standard used by governments and militaries worldwide. Key technical details:

• Cipher: AES-256-GCM (NordLynx), AES-256-CBC (OpenVPN)
• Key exchange: 4096-bit Diffie-Hellman for OpenVPN, Curve25519 for NordLynx
• Authentication: HMAC SHA-256 for OpenVPN, ChaCha20-Poly1305 for NordLynx
• Perfect Forward Secrecy: Yes — encryption keys change regularly

This encryption is essentially unbreakable with current technology. Even with unlimited computing power, cracking AES-256 would take billions of years.

No-Logs Policy#

NordVPN’s no-logs policy has been independently audited three times:

• 2018: PricewaterhouseCoopers AG audit confirmed no user activity logging
• 2020: Second PwC audit verified compliance after server infrastructure changes
• 2023: Deloitte audit confirmed no logs across entire network infrastructure

The policy covers:

• Browsing history
• Traffic data
• Connection timestamps
• DNS queries
• Bandwidth usage

NordVPN only stores your email address and billing information, which is the absolute minimum required to operate a subscription service.

RAM-Only Servers#

Since 2019, NordVPN has used diskless RAM-only servers. Unlike traditional hard drive servers that can retain data after power loss, RAM-only servers completely wipe all data every time they reboot. This means:

• No data persists between sessions
• No forensic recovery possible even if servers are seized
• Automatic data destruction during maintenance

Combined with the no-logs policy, RAM-only servers make it technically impossible for NordVPN to retain user activity data.

Speed Tests#

We tested NordVPN speeds from multiple locations using a 500 Mbps fiber connection. Here’s what we found:

Local Servers (Within 500 Miles)#

• Baseline (no VPN): 487 Mbps download, 458 Mbps upload
• NordLynx: 412 Mbps download (15% loss), 401 Mbps upload
• OpenVPN UDP: 298 Mbps download (39% loss), 312 Mbps upload

Verdict: Excellent. NordLynx delivers minimal speed loss on nearby connections.

Cross-Country (US East to US West)#

• Baseline (no VPN): 479 Mbps download, 442 Mbps upload
• NordLynx: 356 Mbps download (26% loss), 378 Mbps upload
• OpenVPN UDP: 245 Mbps download (49% loss), 267 Mbps upload

Verdict: Very good. Speed loss is expected across 3,000 miles, but NordLynx minimizes it.

International (US to UK)#

• Baseline (no VPN): 398 Mbps download, 387 Mbps upload
• NordLynx: 267 Mbps download (33% loss), 289 Mbps upload
• OpenVPN UDP: 178 Mbps download (55% loss), 195 Mbps upload

Verdict: Strong. International speeds remain fast enough for 4K streaming.

International (US to Australia)#

• Baseline (no VPN): 312 Mbps download, 298 Mbps upload
• NordLynx: 145 Mbps download (54% loss), 167 Mbps upload
• OpenVPN UDP: 89 Mbps download (71% loss), 102 Mbps upload

Verdict: Good. Distance matters, but speeds are usable for all activities.

NordVPN consistently ranks in the top 3 fastest VPNs we’ve tested, only trailing Hotspot Shield (which has weaker privacy) and roughly matching ExpressVPN.

Streaming Performance#

NordVPN excels at unblocking streaming services. We tested 15+ platforms:

NordVPN uses SmartPlay technology, which automatically routes streaming traffic through DNS servers optimized for unblocking. This happens transparently — you don’t need to configure anything.

The only streaming service we couldn’t reliably access was HBO Max in certain regions, but US access worked flawlessly.

Torrenting#

NordVPN is excellent for torrenting:

• P2P-optimized servers in 45+ countries
• No bandwidth throttling or connection limits
• SOCKS5 proxy for faster (but unencrypted) torrenting
• Port forwarding on select servers for better seeding

NordVPN allows torrenting on all servers, but P2P-optimized servers offer better speeds and reliability. The kill switch is critical here — it prevents your real IP from leaking if the VPN disconnects during a download.

We averaged 15-25 MB/s download speeds torrenting popular Linux distributions through NordVPN’s Netherlands P2P servers.

Device Support and Apps#

NordVPN offers native apps for:

• Windows (7, 8, 10, 11)
• macOS (10.15+)
• Linux (Debian, Ubuntu, RHEL, CentOS)
• iOS (11+)
• Android (5.0+)
• Android TV
• Fire TV
• Chrome browser extension
• Firefox browser extension
• Edge browser extension

One subscription covers 10 simultaneous connections, which is more than competitors like ExpressVPN (8 devices) but fewer than Surfshark (unlimited).

App Quality#

The desktop and mobile apps are polished and user-friendly:

• Quick Connect automatically selects the fastest server
• Map view lets you choose servers visually
• Recent servers list for easy reconnection
• Dark mode on all platforms

The Windows and macOS apps are particularly well-designed, with advanced settings accessible but not overwhelming for beginners.

Pricing#

NordVPN’s pricing structure heavily incentivizes long-term subscriptions:

The 2-year plan ($3.39/month) offers the best value and remains competitive with budget VPNs while delivering premium features. Add-ons include:

• Dedicated IP: $5.83/month (useful for banking and avoiding CAPTCHA)
• NordPass password manager: $1.49/month (bundled)
• NordLocker encrypted storage: $2.99/month (1TB)

All plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee with no usage limits. Payment options include credit cards, PayPal, Google Pay, Amazon Pay, and cryptocurrencies for anonymous payment.

Who Is NordVPN Best For?#

NordVPN is ideal for:

• Privacy-conscious users who need audited no-logs protection
• Streamers wanting reliable access to Netflix, Disney+, and international content
• Torrenters needing P2P-optimized servers with strong security
• Digital nomads who need global server coverage
• Small families covering multiple devices (10 simultaneous connections)

It may not be the best fit for:

• Users on a tight budget who need month-to-month billing (CyberGhost or Surfshark offer better monthly rates)
• Large households needing unlimited simultaneous connections (Surfshark is better)
• macOS users who require split tunneling (ExpressVPN offers it on Mac)

NordVPN vs Competitors#

How does NordVPN stack up against top competitors?

NordVPN offers the best balance of speed, security, features, and price. ExpressVPN is faster in some tests but costs nearly double. Surfshark and CyberGhost are cheaper but lack some advanced features like Meshnet.

Our Verdict#

FAQ#