NordVPN is one of the most popular and well-regarded VPN services in the world, known for its strong security features, fast speeds, and vast server network. But with so many VPNs on the market, does NordVPN still hold up as the best choice in 2025? In this comprehensive review, we’ll put NordVPN to the test, examining its features, performance, pricing, and overall value to help you decide if it’s the right VPN for you.
NordVPN Quick Overview
| Feature | Details |
| Overall Rating | 9.5/10 |
| Jurisdiction | Panama |
| Server Network | 6,400+ servers in 111 countries |
| Speeds | Excellent (maxed out our connection at 950+ Mbps with NordLynx) |
| Streaming | Unblocks Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and more |
| Security | AES-256 encryption, kill switch, Double VPN, Onion Over VPN, Threat Protection |
| Privacy | Strict no-logs policy (independently audited) |
| Protocols | NordLynx (based on WireGuard), OpenVPN, IKEv2 |
| Device Compatibility | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Android TV, routers, browser extensions |
| Simultaneous Connections | 10 |
| Customer Support | 24/7 live chat, email support, comprehensive knowledge base |
| Price | Starting at $2.99/month (27-month plan) |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30-day |
NordVPN: Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Blazing-fast speeds with NordLynx: NordVPN’s proprietary NordLynx protocol, based on WireGuard, delivers exceptional speeds, making it ideal for streaming, gaming, and torrenting.
- Vast server network: With over 6,400 servers in 111 countries, you’ll always find a fast and reliable connection.
- Strong security features: NordVPN offers robust security, including AES-256 encryption, a reliable kill switch, Double VPN, and Onion Over VPN for enhanced privacy.
- Strict no-logs policy: NordVPN has a strict and independently audited no-logs policy, ensuring that your online activities are not recorded or monitored.
- User-friendly apps: NordVPN’s apps are intuitive and easy to use across all major platforms.
- Excellent for streaming: NordVPN reliably unblocks popular streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video.
- Dedicated P2P servers: Optimized servers for fast and secure torrenting.
- Threat Protection: Blocks ads, trackers, malware, and phishing attempts.
- Meshnet: Allows you to create secure, private networks for file sharing, gaming, and remote access.
- 24/7 customer support: Responsive and helpful customer support via live chat and email.
Cons:
- Map interface can be clunky on mobile devices: The map-based interface, while visually appealing, can be a bit difficult to navigate on smaller screens.
- Slightly higher price than some competitors: NordVPN’s pricing is competitive but slightly higher than some other top VPNs, especially on shorter plans.
- Occasional connection issues on specific servers: While rare, some users have reported occasional connection drops or slow speeds on certain servers.
In-Depth Feature Analysis
Security and Privacy
- Encryption: NordVPN uses AES-256-CBC encryption, the industry standard for secure communication. This encryption algorithm is considered virtually unbreakable.
- Protocols:
- NordLynx: NordVPN’s custom protocol based on WireGuard, offering exceptional speed and security.
- OpenVPN: A highly secure and versatile open-source protocol.
- IKEv2: A fast and stable protocol, often preferred for mobile devices.
- Kill Switch: NordVPN offers a reliable kill switch that automatically blocks your internet connection if the VPN connection drops, preventing any data leaks. You can choose between a system-wide kill switch and an app-specific kill switch.
- Double VPN: Routes your traffic through two VPN servers in different locations, adding an extra layer of encryption and further masking your IP address.
- Onion Over VPN: Combines the anonymity of the Tor network with the security of a VPN. Your traffic is routed through the VPN server and then through the Tor network before reaching its destination.
- Threat Protection: NordVPN’s Threat Protection feature blocks ads, trackers, malware, and phishing attempts, providing an extra layer of security while browsing.
- Dedicated IP: NordVPN offers dedicated IP addresses for an additional cost. A dedicated IP can help you avoid CAPTCHAs and access IP-restricted services.
- Obfuscated Servers: These specialized servers disguise your VPN traffic as regular HTTPS traffic, helping you bypass VPN blocks in countries with strict internet censorship.
- No-Logs Policy: NordVPN has a strict and independently audited no-logs policy. They do not store any information about your online activities, connection timestamps, IP address, or bandwidth usage.
- Jurisdiction: NordVPN is based in Panama, a country with strong privacy laws and no mandatory data retention requirements.
Speed and Performance
- NordLynx Protocol: NordVPN’s NordLynx protocol is the key to its exceptional speed. In our tests, NordLynx consistently maxed out our test connection, reaching speeds of over 950 Mbps.
- Server Network: With over 6,400 servers in 111 countries, NordVPN offers a vast network that ensures you can always find a fast and reliable connection, no matter where you are in the world.
- Speed Test Results:
- Local Servers: Minimal speed loss, often negligible.
- International Servers: Excellent speeds, even on long-distance connections.
- Streaming: Smooth, buffer-free streaming in HD and 4K.
- Gaming: Low ping and minimal lag, making it suitable for competitive online gaming.
Streaming
- Unblocking Capabilities: NordVPN is one of the best VPNs for unblocking streaming services. It reliably unblocks:
- Netflix: Access multiple Netflix libraries, including the US, UK, Canada, Japan, and Australia.
- Hulu: Works flawlessly with Hulu.
- BBC iPlayer: Successfully unblocks BBC iPlayer.
- Disney+: Provides access to Disney+ libraries worldwide.
- Amazon Prime Video: Unblocks Amazon Prime Video in various regions.
- Other Services: HBO Max, ESPN+, Peacock, and more.
- Dedicated Streaming Servers: While NordVPN doesn’t have dedicated streaming servers labeled as such, its regular servers are highly effective at unblocking content.
- SmartPlay: NordVPN’s SmartPlay technology automatically combines VPN and Smart DNS technologies to provide seamless access to geo-restricted content.
Torrenting
- P2P Support: NordVPN allows torrenting on all its servers, but it offers dedicated P2P servers optimized for faster and more secure torrenting.
- Security for Torrenting: NordVPN’s strong encryption, kill switch, and no-logs policy ensure your torrenting activities are private and secure.
- SOCKS5 Proxy: NordVPN includes a SOCKS5 proxy, which can be configured with your torrent client for faster download speeds.
Ease of Use
- Apps: NordVPN offers user-friendly apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Android TV, and browser extensions (Chrome, Firefox, Edge).
- Interface: The apps feature a map-based interface that allows you to quickly connect to servers in different countries. While visually appealing, the map can be a bit clunky on smaller screens. The list view provides a more traditional server selection method.
- Setup: Installing and setting up NordVPN is a straightforward process, even for beginners.
- Customization: The apps offer a good range of customization options, allowing you to choose your preferred protocol, enable the kill switch, configure auto-connect settings, and more.
Customer Support
- 24/7 Live Chat: NordVPN offers 24/7 live chat support, and in our experience, the support agents are responsive, knowledgeable, and helpful.
- Email Support: You can also contact NordVPN’s support team via email.
- Knowledge Base: NordVPN has a comprehensive knowledge base with articles, tutorials, and FAQs that cover a wide range of topics.
NordVPN Pricing and Plans
NordVPN offers three main subscription plans:
- Monthly Plan: $12.99/month
- 1-Year Plan: $4.59/month (billed $68.85 annually)
- 2-Year Plan: $2.99/month (billed $80.73 every two years) + 3 extra months
Note: Prices are subject to change and may vary depending on current promotions.
Money-Back Guarantee: NordVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to try the service risk-free.
NordVPN Compared to Other Top VPNs
Here’s how NordVPN stacks up against some of its main competitors:
NordVPN vs. Surfshark
| Feature | NordVPN | Surfshark |
| Speed | Excellent (NordLynx) | Excellent (WireGuard) |
| Server Network | 6,400+ servers in 111 countries | 3,200+ servers in 100 countries |
| Security | Top-notch | Top-notch |
| Privacy | Strict no-logs policy (audited) | Strict no-logs policy (audited) |
| Streaming | Excellent | Excellent |
| Price | Mid-range | More affordable |
| Simultaneous Connections | 10 | Unlimited |
| Special Features | Double VPN, Onion Over VPN, Threat Protection | MultiHop, Camouflage Mode, CleanWeb, GPS Spoofing |
- Overall: NordVPN and Surfshark are both excellent VPNs. NordVPN has a larger server network and more advanced security features, while Surfshark is more affordable and offers unlimited simultaneous connections.
- [Read our full NordVPN vs. Surfshark comparison: /nordvpn-vs-surfshark/]
NordVPN vs. Private Internet Access (PIA)
| Feature | NordVPN | Private Internet Access |
| Speed | Excellent (NordLynx) | Good |
| Server Network | 6,400+ servers in 111 countries | 18,651+ servers in 91 countries |
| Security | Top-notch | Top-notch |
| Privacy | Strict no-logs policy (audited) | Strict no-logs policy (proven in court) |
| Streaming | Excellent | Limited |
| Price | Mid-range | More affordable |
| Simultaneous Connections | 10 | Unlimited |
| Special Features | Double VPN, Onion Over VPN, Threat Protection | Dedicated IPs, Port Forwarding, MACE (ad blocker) |
- Overall: NordVPN is better for streaming and offers faster speeds, while PIA has a much larger server network (including servers in all 50 US states) and is more affordable.
- [Read our full NordVPN vs. PIA comparison: /nordvpn-vs-pia/]
NordVPN vs. ExpressVPN
| Feature | NordVPN | ExpressVPN |
| Speed | Excellent (NordLynx) | Excellent (Lightway) |
| Server Network | 6,400+ servers in 111 countries | 3,000+ servers in 105 countries |
| Security | Top-notch | Top-notch |
| Privacy | Strict no-logs policy (audited) | Strict no-logs policy (audited) |
| Streaming | Excellent | Excellent |
| Price | More affordable (especially long-term) | More expensive |
| Simultaneous Connections | 10 | 8 |
| Special Features | Double VPN, Onion Over VPN, Threat Protection | TrustedServer, MediaStreamer, Lightway |
- Overall: Both NordVPN and ExpressVPN are top-tier VPNs with excellent speed, security, and streaming capabilities. NordVPN is generally more affordable and offers more simultaneous connections, while ExpressVPN has a slight edge in terms of ease of use and its Lightway protocol.
- [Read our full NordVPN vs. ExpressVPN comparison: /nordvpn-vs-expressvpn/]
NordVPN vs. Proton VPN
| Feature | NordVPN | Proton VPN |
| Speed | Excellent (NordLynx) | Very Good |
| Server Network | 6,400+ servers in 111 countries | 8,200+ servers in 112 countries |
| Security | Top-notch | Top-notch |
| Privacy | Strict no-logs policy (audited) | Strict no-logs policy (audited) |
| Streaming | Excellent | Limited |
| Price | Mid-range | More expensive |
| Simultaneous Connections | 10 | 10 |
| Special Features | Double VPN, Onion Over VPN, Threat Protection | Secure Core, Tor over VPN, NetShield |
- Overall: NordVPN is better for streaming and offers faster speeds and dedicated P2P servers, while ProtonVPN is better for advanced users who prioritize privacy, as it offers Secure Core and Tor over VPN servers.
- [Read our full NordVPN vs. Proton VPN comparison: /nordvpn-vs-protonvpn/]
NordVPN vs. CyberGhost
| Feature | NordVPN | CyberGhost |
| Speed | Excellent (NordLynx) | Good |
| Server Network | 6,400+ servers in 111 countries | 11,700+ servers in 100 countries |
| Security | Top-notch | Good |
| Privacy | Strict no-logs policy (audited) | No-logs policy |
| Streaming | Excellent | Good |
| Price | Mid-range | More affordable |
| Simultaneous Connections | 10 | 7 |
| Special Features | Double VPN, Onion Over VPN, Threat Protection | Dedicated streaming servers |
- Overall: NordVPN is a better overall VPN, while CyberGhost is more user-friendly and offers dedicated streaming servers, making it a better option for beginners.
- [Read our full NordVPN vs. CyberGhost comparison: /nordvpn-vs-cyberghost/]
Verdict: Is NordVPN Worth It in 2025?
Yes, NordVPN is definitely still worth it in 2025. It remains a top-tier VPN provider, offering an excellent combination of speed, security, privacy, and streaming capabilities. While it faces strong competition from other providers, NordVPN continues to innovate and improve its service, making it a solid choice for both beginners and experienced VPN users.
Who is NordVPN best for?
- Users who prioritize speed and performance.
- Those who want to unblock a wide range of streaming services.
- Users who need a high level of security and privacy.
- Torrent users.
- Users who want a VPN with a large and reliable server network.
Who might want to consider other options?
- Users on a very tight budget might find cheaper alternatives (like Surfshark).
- Users who prioritize ease of use above all else might prefer ExpressVPN’s simpler interface.
Overall, NordVPN is a top-notch VPN that we highly recommend.