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NordVPN Review: Unveiling the Best-Kept Online Privacy Secret! (September 2024) 

Alan Brock

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NordVPN is perhaps the most popular VPN in the world. With glowing reviews all over the web highlighting the platform’s high speeds, online security tools, streaming and torrenting capabilities, and web browsing tools, it’s certainly a product that deserves your attention.

NordVPN is one of the best VPNs on the market in (2024). First of all, this VPN service offers a proprietary NordLynx tunneling protocol that guarantees top speeds. There is unbreakable encryption and an independently verified no-logs policy for complete anonymity. The intuitive apps are packed with unique features, such as free Meshnet, which makes NordVPN a great option for beginners and power users.

However, you may also encounter some quirks of NordVPN. For example, annoying glitches after software updates are something that makes users doubtful.

But let’s dig a little deeper in this NordVPN review: How good is this VPN for beginners and power users? Is NordVPN secure? What about streaming and torrenting? Read on to find out.

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NordVPN Review: NordVPN Pros & Cons

Speed & Performance: Is NordVPN Fast?

Data period:08.07 – 08.21

NordVPN’s speeds are blazing fast, especially if you use the NordLynx protocol, which was developed by NordVPN itself. It is an upgrade of the famous WireGuard protocol and is a great combination of speed and security.

Although you may experience speed drops in certain countries, this shouldn’t affect your device’s performance significantly. However, if you want the best possible speeds, you should make sure that you connect to servers that are close to your location.

Overall, NordVPN is one of the fastest VPNs on the market and a speed demon – most likely thanks to its NordLynx technology.

NordVPN Performance With Other Protocols

Even with the older protocols, speeds are high. IKEv2 comes close to NordLynx in terms of download speeds (although upload speeds are a lot worse). The worst recorded reduction was 99%, and the lowest was 7%. So there are use cases as well.

As expected, the OpenVPN (TCP) version is quite slow, but that’s a tradeoff for a more stable connection. Even though the numbers aren’t very impressive, it’s pretty much the standard in the industry. OpenVPN (UDP), however, is a much faster option. Depending on your location, the speed reduction can range from 3% (UK) to 87% (Japan).

Only NordLynx and OpenVPN (UDP) have the luxury of reducing upload speeds by up to 13%. IKEv2 and OpenVPN (TCP) become much slower the further away you are. Keep this in mind if you want to upload large files.

On the whole, the NordVPN protocols perform like this when compared to each other.

But that’s not all – if you compare NordVPN’s performance with that of other popular VPN providers, you’ll get a clear picture of how fast NordVPN really is. So let’s check how it compares to its competitors

All this data tells us that NordVPN is actually a pretty fast VPN. If you choose a location that is not too far away, you will hardly notice that you are using a VPN. If the location is further away, you will experience some speed drops, which in some cases can be solved by switching tunneling protocols – NordLynx being the fastest solution here. Otherwise, the service offers all the tools to make sure you don’t have to wait long for web pages to load and videos to buffer.

Pricing: Which NordVPN Plan is the Best?

NordVPN has no sophisticated pricing schemes or complex tariff options. There are only three main tariffs – Standard, Plus and Complete. The cost of NordVPN depends on the duration of the subscription you choose. There are options for 1 month, 1 year and 2 years.

Pro Tip:

The best option is to buy the Complete plan, which includes a bundle of Nord products. You get a secure VPN, password manager and encrypted cloud storage for the ultimate protection of all your data and activities.

Also keep in mind that the longer the term, the greater the savings. For example, look at the price you would pay for a 1-year and 1-month subscription:

So, if you want the best value in terms of features and price, NordVPN suggests the option itself: The best choice is the 2-year subscription to the Complete plan. It costs $140.13/year ($5.19/month), which is even cheaper than the 1-year option. But no matter which annual subscription you choose, it offers the lowest NordVPN prices, making it a good value for the money.

Here are the prices and benefits of each NordVPN plan with the 2-year subscription:

The highest prices at NordVPN are for monthly plans. You can get the full package for $14.99/month.

As for the payment options, there are quite a few of them. You can find the usual credit cards, AmazonPay, Sofort, PayPal, ACH Transfer and even prepaid cards. There is also the option to pay with iTunes or Google Pay if you find that more convenient. For those who care about their privacy, there is also the option to pay with cryptocurrencies and even in retail stores.

For longer subscriptions, NordVPN is on the lower end of the price spectrum. Considering the feature set and subscription benefits, the price seems like a bargain.

NordVPN:

There are also some excellent options to get this VPN even cheaper – we have a post about NordVPN vouchers that may lower the price even further.

Can You Get NordVPN for Free?

Yes, you can get NordVPN for free by using a 7-day free trial. With this method, you can use NordVPN with any device you want.

For this to work, you will need to download NordVPN to your Android device. It is also important to note that this account should not have any NordVPN accounts already registered.

After you download the app and create an account, start your free 7-day trial. After that, you can use NordVPN on other devices as well – just download the app and log in with your current credentials.

But even if you have downloaded the VPN to your mobile device, you can use the same credentials on all your devices.

After the trial period is over, a normal rate will start. Fortunately, there is a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you have one month to request a refund. So, in total, you can use NordVPN for free for 37 days. That’s a lot of time to test the offer.

The free NordVPN is just as secure as its regular version. It also uses solid encryption with top-notch tunneling protocols. Moreover, you can connect to any server, just like with the paid version.

Is NordVPN Safe?

NordVPN is one of the most secure VPN providers. Market-leading encryption and secure tunneling protocols ensure that your data is safe, and all of NordVPN’s servers run on RAM. RAM servers are extremely useful for a VPN: since the data is erased every time your server is restarted, there is no information that someone could steal.

Apart from a standard but reliable kill switch, NordVPN has a threat protection that protects you from malicious downloads, advertisements and trackers. Moreover, it even offers monitoring of the dark web. Below you can see everything NordVPN has to offer in terms of security.

In terms of privacy, NordVPN has had its policies reviewed, which confirms the claim that no records are kept. Not to mention that it has also been subjected to penetration tests. All in all, NordVPN seems to be watertight from a legal and technical perspective.

Encryption

After you create your account and install your client, you can connect to any server in the NordVPN network. This connection is encrypted so that your traffic is not readable by external observers. For this purpose, NordVPN uses AES-256 CBC encryption, which is still the gold standard in the VPN market today. Moreover, NordLynx uses the ChaCha20 protocol, which guarantees you even more privacy and security.

You gain access to the server by using the SHA-512 hash function. It encrypts your credentials into 512 binary digits, which are meaningless pieces of data for outsiders. These are then compared to the cryptographic hashes created and stored on the servers when your account was created, and if they match, you can log in.

This hash is actually beyond a VPN market standard. Many competing VPN providers use SHA-256, so NordVPN really pushes the envelope here. SHA-512 is more secure, provides more security for users, and is much harder to crack for anyone trying to break in.

Tunneling Protocols

Your data is transferred between the VPN server and your device using tunneling protocols. NordVPN supports these three main options.

Here’s what they are – and what you should choose them for:

OpenVPN (UDP/TCP) – This is an open-source VPN protocol used by many major VPN providers. It is secure and works on multiple platforms. NordVPN lets you choose which option you like better. You can choose a more secure (TCP) or faster (UDP) method. Available on all NordVPN clients.

IKEv2/IPsec – is best used on mobile devices. It is much less CPU intensive and great for establishing a new connection, making it ideal for seamless switching between WLAN and mobile data. Available for iOS, Windows, Linux and macOS.

WireGuard (NordLynx) – this is NordVPN’s own version of the next generation WireGuard VPN technology. It is an upgrade of older protocols, with superior options for speed and security. Available for all NordVPN clients.

Note: When manually setting up a VPN connection on Windows, watch out for DNS leaks. During testing, the IKEv2 connection on Windows was giving away DNS addresses. This was fixed by setting NordVPN’s DNS addresses as the default on my Ethernet and IKEv2 adapters instead of Cloudflare’s. So if you want to go the manual setup route, make sure you use NordVPN’s proprietary DNS servers and you should be safe.

Colocated Servers

Most VPN service providers simply rent the servers they offer to their customers. This often means that they only manage them by installing custom software, leaving some control to the third-party provider that owns the data center. That can easily backfire.

After a data breach at a third-party data center in 2018, NordVPN took important steps to convert most of its leased servers to its own maintained and fully managed network. This minimizes the risk of an external data breach.

All of their servers store data only in RAM, which means it is erased every time the server is restarted. Since there are no hard disk drives, no data is stored permanently.

NordVPN is not the first VPN provider to offer colocated servers – but it is by far the largest. Here you can see how NordVPN compares to other providers that offer such a feature.

Kill Switch

An effective kill switch can make a big difference. Let’s say you’re trying to remain anonymous, but your connection to the VPN server breaks. In this case, you could reveal your location and IP address and not even know it.

That’s why NordVPN has a system-wide kill switch and an app kill switch.

The Internet Kill Switch disables all Internet access when the client detects that you are not connected to a VPN.

The app kill switch only affects a specific app – imagine you are using a VPN for torrenting and don’t want P2P traffic to go directly through your ISP. The app kill switch on the µTorrent client would close the app to prevent data leaks.

The iOS and macOS apps you download from the App Store have the system-wide kill switch enabled by default and built into the client. You won’t see an icon, but it will kill your connection if the VPN is disconnected. On Windows and macOS (sideload app), you can configure the kill switch for each app individually. On Linux and Android, you can only enable a system-wide kill switch.

It wouldn’t hurt if the handling of the functions was more homogeneous. However, as a user, you get a functional system-wide kill switch on all platforms. On some, you can even configure it for specific applications. Considering that some platforms like iOS rarely have such features, that in itself is a technical achievement.

Cybernews Pro Tip:

Losing your VPN connection can be dangerous – especially if you are doing something sensitive. Always remember to keep your kill switch on when using NordVPN!

Threat Protection

With NordVPN, your device is more secure than ever before. This is possible thanks to a feature called Threat Protection. This feature blocks the following threats:

Currently, the feature works in all NordVPN apps. However, you can also get it as a standalone app on Android or iOS devices and enable it in Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari browsers.

It’s very convenient that once the threat protection is enabled, it always works in the background – you don’t need to connect to a VPN server to activate it.

ioXt Certification

NordVPN is one of the few providers on the market that has ioXt-certified mobile apps. This confirms compliance with strict security standards. Not to mention that the hurdle for application includes a rigorous review of the service’s privacy policy and app security.

Here are the key findings:

NordVPN scored the highest on all criteria, including the highest level 4 (highest) on the security risk reporting program. NordVPN not only accepts external reports, but also has a public research reward program. The company was even rated level 4 in password management. Authentication is not the only requirement. App APIs require re-authentication for sensitive transactions. You can read the full certification report here.

Just recently, this certificate was applied to VPN apps. Previously, it was exclusive to IoT devices. This new change also means that only a handful of VPN services can boast of having it. NordVPN, of course, is at the forefront along with the other industry leaders.

NordVPN Compared to Other VPNS

	NordVPN	Surfshark	IPVanish	ExpressVPN	CyberGhost
Brand
Review	NordVPN review	Surfshark VPN review	IPVanish review	ExpressVPN review	CyberGhost review
Rating	4.9★★★★★	4.7★★★★★	4.5★★★★★	4.3★★★★☆	4.2★★★★☆
Price (lowest price per month)	3.19/month	2.49/month	2.99/month	$8.32/month	$2.19/month
Free version	Yes, 7-day	Yes, 7-day	No	Yes, 7-day for mobile devices	Yes, 1-day on a desktop, 3-day on Android, and 7-day on iOS
Servers	5,700+ servers in 60 countries	3,200+ servers in 100 countries	2,200+ servers in 52 countries	3,000+ servers in 94 countries	9,400+ servers in 91 countries
WireGuard tunneling protocol	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Streaming	Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more	Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and more	Netflix, BBC iPlayer, YouTube, Disney+, and more	Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more	Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+
AES-256 encryption	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Logging	No logs, independently audited twice by PwC	No logs, independently audited by Cure 53	No logs, independently audited by Leviathan	No logs, independently audited by Cure53	No logs, independently audited by Deloitte
Simultaneos connections	6	Unlimited	Unlimited

How does NordVPN Work?

Once you have logged into your NordVPN account, the first button that should catch your eye is the Connect button. After you press it, your IP address will be hidden by assigning you a new one, and an encrypted tunnel will be created for your data. This way, your ISP, the government and other third parties won’t be able to track your online activities. You can also easily unblock geographically restricted content, which NordVPN did a great job of in our tests, access your favorite streaming libraries, and much more.

The work NordVPN does for you includes numerous factors, such as applying strong encryption, offering the right tunneling protocol, securing data during transmission, etc. All of this can be found in one place under the Settings section, which proves that it is a consumer-oriented VPN service. This means that the VPN app is built to take all the technical hassle away from you, so that you are protected with just a few clicks.

This VPN is available on a wide range of platforms: including various desktop and mobile OS options, as well as smart TVs and streaming sticks. Moreover, the setup process and the rest of the experience are similar and effortless on all devices. Below are instructions on how to download and use NordVPN.

How to Download NordVPN?

There are two ways to download the NordVPN app on your device. Either through an app store or through the official NordVPN website. There are two available options instead of one for a reason. Unfortunately, some countries restrict access to app stores; therefore, the only way to use NordVPN is through an APK file. Nevertheless, you can see how it works in the following guide:

How to Use NordVPN?

NordVPN offers one of the most intuitive VPN apps we’ve ever seen. The setup process only takes a few minutes, the app is suitable for both beginners and advanced users, and if you run into a problem, customer support is available 24/7. Follow the steps below to start using NordVPN:

NordVPN Servers & Locations

As a VPN provider, NordVPN is a true global player. Their fleet consists of 5,700 servers spread across 60 countries. This is a massive increase compared to 2018, when NordVPN had only about 3,300 servers.

In terms of locations, Europe, Asia and the Americas are the continents with the best coverage.

So, if you want to connect to a country on these continents, you have the most options to choose from. Otherwise, Africa may be missing, but that’s the case with many VPN providers.

As for the servers themselves, they all run on RAM. This means that all of your data is immediately wiped whenever they are restarted. Overall, NordVPN servers offer excellent worldwide coverage – nothing to complain about there.

Does NordVPN Work in China?

I contacted a customer support representative to find out if NordVPN works in China. I found out that NordVPN does indeed work in China. However, with most operating systems, you will need to do a manual setup. So if you’re traveling there, you won’t have the option to use the handy clients.

The setup can be a bit lengthy, but it mainly consists of installing the NordVPN configuration files. Here is our guide on how to set up NordVPN for China.

Is NordVPN Good for Streaming?

NordVPN is a very solid VPN choice for streaming – as long as you find the right servers, you can unlock all the major streaming platforms. SmartPlay technology plays a big part in this – we have yet to find a video platform that we couldn’t use. Considering NordVPN’s pricing, all of these premium features offer really good value.

In terms of server selection, this VPN doesn’t disappoint either. There are a lot of NordVPN servers in countries that usually have the best streaming libraries. You’ll be able to access content for users in the US, UK, Canada, and many other places.

Unblocking Netflix with NordVPN

NordVPN is a great option for Netflix. We were able to unlock the UK, US, and 13 other libraries right away, while libraries like Japan took some time to get around. Moreover, streaming speeds were excellent on all devices, including all major operating systems and smart TVs. So NordVPN won’t disappoint you if you use it with Netflix.

You can read more about how NordVPN handles this streaming platform in our NordVPN for Netflix guide.

Library loading times varied from site to site. Even though we sometimes had to switch servers to gain access, NordVPN performed quite well. According to our research, NordVPN can currently unlock 16 different Netflix libraries: That’s an excellent result that gives you worldwide access to streaming content.

Unblocking Hulu With NordVPN

NordVPN successfully unblocks Hulu. There were no issues with load times or video frame rates, and overall using NordVPN with Hulu was a very pleasant experience.

The resolution remained constant throughout the test – at a crisp 1080p (your results will depend on the server you choose and the online connection you have). Overall, we liked what we saw.

Unblocking HBO Max with NordVPN

Netflix worked in conjunction with HBO Max. Load times were lightning fast, and the overall experience was very similar to that without VPN. NordVPN is one of the best options for watching HBO Max outside of the US.

The overall picture quality wasn’t quite as good as Netflix or Hulu. But it was still fully usable – so we think NordVPN is a perfectly suitable option for HBO Max.

Does NordVPN unblock BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Apple TV, or YouTube TV?

NordVPN also did pretty well when trying to unlock other streaming platforms. But beware – it might take you a while to find the right site or server.

BBC iPlayer, for example, worked perfectly, with high-definition content, no judder, and fast loading times: We had no problems using NordVPN to watch BBC iPlayer in the US. However, it took us quite a while to find a server that supported the service.

It was similar with Disney+: it works perfectly, but it’s not just “click and watch”. You may need to find the right option.

As for Apple TV and YouTube TV – we were able to successfully access both, and it looked like unlocking YouTube TV was easier with Firefox than with other browsers.

On the whole, NordVPN is solid when it comes to streaming: we have yet to find a video service that doesn’t work with NordVPN. It’s a good idea to try multiple servers, because even if it doesn’t work with one, there’s a very good chance that it will work with another server – or sometimes with a different location.

Does NordVPN Work With Streaming Boxes?

You can install NordVPN on a wide range of streaming boxes and devices. This is great news – after all, all the functionality of the streaming platform would be wasted if there was no way to watch it!

We’ve provided detailed instructions and tips on how to use NordVPN on the Amazon Fire Stick. There is also a separate guide on how to use this VPN for Kodi. And if you’re using Roku, we have a guide for you as well – here’s how to use NordVPN on Roku.

Overall, NordVPN’s streaming infrastructure is pretty excellent. Not only do you get the functionality to access the streaming platforms – with NordVPN you can watch them the way you want.

Is NordVPN Good & Safe for Torrenting?

NordVPN is very good for torrenting – in fact, it is one of the best options for torrenting on the entire VPN market. Although P2P downloads don’t work on all of the product’s servers, there are specialized servers all over the world with fast and reliable performance.

This can be an absolute lifesaver in countries where torrenting is banned, such as Japan, Germany or Italy.

You are free to use any server for torrenting. However, if P2P traffic is detected on a non-P2P server, you will be automatically reconnected to a server that supports P2P. So keep this in mind when you notice a strange server change.

You can read more about torrenting with NordVPN in our guide. Then you can start torrenting right away.

Interface & Ease of Use

NordVPN offers a wide range of clients and manual setup options. You can set it up on your router (if it supports IKEv2 and OpenVPN) – or use one of the available apps for your desktop and mobile devices instead.

The NordVPN apps available for different devices are not identical. The Windows app is by far the most powerful – but the macOS, Linux, mobile device, and browser extension options are also worth mentioning. So let’s take a look at each of these solutions.

Windows

The version of NordVPN with the most features is the Windows version. Not only do you get two types of split tunneling and two types of kill switch (for specific apps and all Internet access), but also invisibility on the LAN, automatic connection, and pause features. It’s no surprise, then, that NordVPN tops our list of the best VPN for Windows.

The only tunneling protocols available on the client are NordLynx and OpenVPN (UDP/TCP). If you need IKEv2, you’ll have to do a manual setup. Considering the speeds, however, that hardly makes sense.

You also get a clickable map interface to help you select the country of connection. However, you can also use the country list in the sidebar. By clicking on the three dots that appear when you hover over a country, you can select a specific server or connect to the fastest one available. No matter which method is more convenient for you, NordVPN has it covered.

macOS

NordVPN has taken a really strange approach to macOS, which seems to be mostly Apple’s fault. Since Apple is quite meticulous when it comes to allowing updates for existing apps in its App Store, the review process often takes longer.

So NordVPN has two apps for macOS that are quite different. One is available from the App Store. The other can be downloaded from the official website. The latter is commonly known as the sideload version and usually has more recent updates, but only offers OpenVPN tunneling protocols. Also, the macOS kill switch only works for certain apps – but cannot be set up to stop the entire online connection as soon as the VPN connection is interrupted. It also supports older versions of macOS.

The version from the App Store supports the tunneling protocols IKEv2, OpenVPN and NordLynx. Also, the kill switch is enabled by default, but you can disable it in the VPN’s settings. However, both versions support the latest preset feature.

So, there are certain advantages if you choose one or the other version. Instead of limiting itself to one option, NordVPN creates some confusion by introducing two Mac versions. However, in the long run, this approach offers additional benefits for its users. Especially since the Windows, Sideload macOS, and App Store apps look and feel almost identical. All in all, NordVPN is definitely worth a spot in our list of the best VPN for Mac.

Linux

NordVPN supports Linux, and you can download Debian and RPM packages from the official website. This should cover Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Fedora and some other distributions. There is also a community-created port for Arch Linux with instructions for manual connections and OpenVPN and IKEv2 connections. Overall, it’s an excellent VPN for Linux.

As a Linux user, you won’t get a graphical application. You will have to set everything up with a command line terminal. So, compared to Windows or macOS users, there seems to be a lack of experience. At least a minimal graphical interface would be a welcome addition and would save you numerous visits to the website when you want to switch servers.

However, a real game changer is the fact that NordVPN’s Linux app is open source. This means that you can contribute your ideas to improve the app through custom coding. This is a really respectable move from NordVPN, as it shows the company’s level of reliability and transparency.

Apart from that, everything else works well and even includes DNS leak protection. And even the default tunneling protocol is set to NordLynx, so you don’t have to go the extra mile to get the best connection speeds.

On the downside, the app was a bit slow to respond to commands. However, these issues are very rare and are always fixed in a timely manner by the NordVPN development team.

Android

For Android, NordVPN offers a simple and clear user interface. A hybrid of map and country list lets you select the server, while settings and notifications are accessible by clicking icons in the corner of the screen. A kill switch and dark web monitoring that checks if your data has been leaked are also available.

NordVPN Android app features include split tunneling, a configurable kill switch, pause, and auto-connect. As for tunneling platforms, Android users can use OpenVPN (TCP/UDP) and NordLynx. Double VPN on Android is also available through OpenVPN and NordLynx.

The Android app has received full ioXt certification. This shows that NordVPN meets the highest security standards – no wonder it’s one of the best VPNs for Android.

iOS

Visually, the iOS app for NordVPN looks very similar to the Android app. The hybrid of map and country list is almost identical, as are the icons at the bottom of the screen. The kill switch and dark web monitoring features are also almost identical.

The difference is in the details: iOS has a Favorites tab just below Recent Connections, for example. But it also does not offer split tunneling and a configurable kill switch.

What really sets iOS apart are the protocols. iOS users can choose between all IKEv2, OpenVPN (TCP/UDP) and NordLynx protocols. Double VPN also works with these protocols. Considering Apple’s restrictive policies, it’s refreshing to see an iOS app that has so much to offer. The developers have obviously put some thought into how they can add value to NordVPN clients, even with iOS policies working against them. It is definitely one of the best VPNs for iOS out there.

Browser Extensions

The service also has Firefox and Chrome browser extensions for those who prefer a simpler solution. In other cases, it can be a workaround for those using older systems that don’t have their own apps. For macOS 9 or Windows XP users, installing a browser extension is much easier than setting up a manual connection. However, remember that an extension only protects browser traffic.

You can block WebRTC, a protocol that uses JavaScript, which is vulnerable and prone to IP leaks. There is Threat Protection Lite, and you can connect to all NordVPN servers to encrypt your browser connection and better protect yourself from phishing and malware.

The newest feature is the Bypass List, which allows you to exclude certain websites from the proxy connection, which essentially works as split tunneling for websites. If you use the bypass list on Windows, you can control your traffic even better. On macOS, it provides a sort of workaround to compensate for the lack of split tunneling in apps.

NordVPN on Router

With its use on routers, NordVPN provides a constant, always-on VPN connection for unlimited devices. When you are connected to the Internet, it means you are protected! It’s also an easy way for you to use a VPN connection on devices that don’t natively support it. If you have a gaming console on which you want to stream Netflix worldwide, this is the easiest way.

This VPN is compatible with routers that support the OpenVPN protocol. Depending on the brand of your device, the installation process will be slightly different. NordVPN offers simple installation guides for Asus, D-Link, Linksys, and Netgear routers. Check out our guide to installing NordVPN on a router to find out if your device is supported – and how to get VPN protection for all your online connections.

NordVPN Features

Since its first release in 2012, NordVPN has been improving its game quite rapidly, constantly releasing new updates. Consequently, it offers one of the most comprehensive feature suites that ensure versatile protection.

SmartPlay

SmartPlay is a special streaming media lock bypass feature that lets you seamlessly access media wherever you are. It is automatically activated when you use NordVPN and try to access streaming sites like Hulu, HBO Now, and others.

SmartPlay combines security with Smart DNS technology. You can use the latter to access geographically restricted content on devices that don’t support VPN connections.

So, if you’re looking for a VPN where streaming media is one of the main reasons, NordVPN is the right choice for you. Just remember that Smart DNS isn’t a security feature and doesn’t provide an extra layer of encryption when used without the client.

Specialty Servers

If you want to use a VPN for a specific case, you’ll get the best experience with a server that is fully optimized for it. That’s exactly what NordVPN offers: with a solid list of specialized servers.

Note: Some of these options are displayed only if you have selected the corresponding tunneling protocol.

Split tunneling

The NordVPN Split Tunneling feature allows you to select which applications should use the VPN connection and which can connect without it. On Windows, you can configure the function to enable or disable VPN only for certain applications.

This gives you more control over how you want to use your VPN in your facility. This way, every time you launch the app, you also turn on the VPN.

The Android version has fewer customization options. It is only possible to configure apps through inverse split tunneling. This way, you can disable VPN for selected apps, which means that they will be routed directly through your ISP.

Unfortunately, Mac, Linux, or iOS do not have these features. However, with continued support, you should expect this in the future.

Pausing & Auto-connect

The automatic VPN connection saves you a lot of clicks when you want to turn on your device and go online. But it also keeps you connected to a VPN all the time – and you have to turn it off completely to access anything without a VPN connection.

In this situation, the risk of user error is high: you might forget to turn on your VPN later, and accidentally give away your IP address.

To avoid this, NordVPN’s automatic connection has a pause function.

Presets

Presets are another recently added feature that you can customize ad infinitum. You can create your own VPN settings, which you can access directly from the app’s main screen. This lets you choose the type of servers you want to connect to, turn on additional features, and set up your preferred type of VPN connection.

There’s even the option to create shortcuts to specific apps that can be accessed from the app’s main screen. If you use different VPN servers for different services, this feature is a godsend. To make setup easier, there are some pre-built presets. The presets are currently only available on macOS.

Meshnet

With Meshnet you can use a VPN to establish a secure connection between your devices or those of your friends, also known as a P2P connection.

Private and secure connections connect all enabled devices and let you access remote files or participate in development sessions or virtual LAN parties.

But accessing remote files isn’t all, as there’s also unlimited file sharing. You can use it to share up to 1000 files at once, and there is no limit to the size of the files.

Meshnet also lets you route your traffic across different devices. This means that you can browse the Internet using the IP address of the other device. For example, if you are abroad, you can connect to your home device and use your normal IP address.

With this feature you’ll be able to connect up to 60 devices: ten of your own and 50 more that you can add by sending invitations.

Finally, you won’t even need a NordVPN subscription plan to use Meshnet, since it’s completely free!

Incogni

Incogni is an additional service from Nord Security that you can get as an add-on to your NordVPN subscription. The service targets various services that collect and store users’ data, such as full name, phone number, email address, location, and more. At the user’s request, Incogni removes all data from the data brokers’ databases.

With the growing number of instances where user data is collected and sold, data removal services are becoming increasingly important for maintaining online security and privacy. Fortunately, Incogni is available in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Europe (including Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland) and costs $6.49 per month.

Customer Support

NordVPN has a variety of support options, as you would expect from a premium service. The support website is filled with guides, FAQs, and detailed tutorials to answer a variety of questions.

NordVPN also has a chatbot that will guide you directly to a solution for most issues. However, the crown jewels of the company are its 24/7 live chat and email. With the former, you can get a response within minutes. The customer service representatives assigned to me were helpful and knowledgeable. If your problem is too complex to solve via chat, they will get back to you via email. That said, they responded within a couple of hours, which is great.

Overall, NordVPN’s customer support is very good. You can even contact the support staff via live chat without registering. The accessibility and the quality of support are the best features of this VPN service.

FAQ’s

Alan Brock

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Alan Brock is an entrepreneurship-focused tech blogger with a track record of founding several startups and involvement in the tech startup scene for many years. Eric’s blog delves into startup funding, team building, and product development. He provides a critical perspective on the challenges and opportunities that come with starting a business, as well as the latest trends in the startup world. Alan’s experience as a startup founder has made him a go-to source for anyone looking to launch their own tech startup.

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