NordVPN Review Australia: Features, Pricing & More

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Published: May 2, 2024, 10:00am

Johanna Leggatt
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Editorial note: Forbes Advisor Australia may earn revenue from this story in the manner disclosed here. Read our advice disclaimer here.

NordVPN is a popular virtual private network (VPN) service available for both individuals and businesses in Australia. The service features thousands of servers available internationally, allowing for high-speed encrypted internet use.

NordVPN has access to five servers in Australia: Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth. If you’re looking for a VPN provider, NordVPN’s reliable and affordable long-term plans make it a top choice. it is easy to set up, intuitive to use and has plenty of great features for businesses and teams.

Read our NordVPN review to see if this popular virtual private network (VPN) is right for you. We’ll cover everything you need to know, from features and Australian pricing to reputation and more.

Related: Best VPNs for Australians

Pros

  • High number of servers (5000+)
  • Dedicated IP (DIP) add-on available
  • 24/7 support

Cons

  • More expensive than other VPNs
  • No free trial
4.5
Our ratings take into account the card’s rewards, fees, rates along with the card’s category. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Annual cost
Standard plan: $4.99 per year on 12-month plan or $11.99 per month
Compatibility
Android, iOS iPhone/iPad, Windows, Mac, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge
Maximum number of devices
6

NordVPN At a Glance

NordVPN is a competitive choice for a high-speed and reliable VPN. The service allows you to connect to up to six devices, and you can use it on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS. NordVPN can also connect directly to your Wi-Fi router so that you can ensure all activity is secure.

NordVPN may be more expensive than other VPN options, but the company offers competitive pricing for multi-year plans. A Basic monthly subscription comes in at $US12.99 ($19.91 AUD), a Plus subscription costs $US13.99 ($21.44 AUD) and a Complete subscription sets Australians back $US14.99, per month or $23 AUD. Discounts are available for one and two-year plans but subscription is paid up front.

Get 66% off NordVPN’s 2-year plan

NordVPN is a fast and secure VPN service with a range of additional security features that add plenty of value for Australian users.


Try Nord VPN Now

On Nord VPN’s Secure website

NordVPN also offers a chat bot, as well as 24/7 online support, and it boasts many positive reviews for its support on independent site, Product Review. The company also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try the product with no risk. You can also purchase the service with multiple payment options, including Google Pay, credit card, direct debit, Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. Be aware that all cryptocurrencies and direct debit are charged in US dollars so conversion fees may apply, while standard credit or debit cards are charged in Australian dollars.

It is also worth remembering that if you pay for your VPN through Apple’s App Store and you would like a refund, then you will need to contact App Store support. Otherwise, NordVPN provides 24/7 support and is easy to reach should any issues come up.

As far as privacy is concerned, NordVPN has a no-log policy, which means the company doesn’t store any information about your online activity on its servers. Even if you’ve never used a VPN before, you’ll find it easy to install and intuitive to use. The app will automatically connect you to the best VPN server through its Quick Connect feature. NordVPN has more than 5,000 servers in more than 60 countries, including Australia, the US, Canada and several countries throughout Europe. This helps ensure you’ll have a fast, stable internet connection wherever you are located while masking your IP address. The service also comes with a Kill Switch that will automatically block your device from accessing the internet, should the connection drop. This way, you don’t have to worry about a potential vulnerability if your Wi-Fi stops working.

For an additional price, NordVPN also offers access to a dedicated IP. This is an IP that only you can use and can provide a solution to accessing IP-restricted networks while still maintaining your anonymity. You can select this feature at check-out when purchasing your NordVPN plan.

Other Benefits

In 2019, the company launched NordVPN Teams a service that provides internet privacy for online businesses, which has since been rebranded as NordLayer, with a distinct emphasis on Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) solutions. NordLayer makes it easy to manage and encrypt the accounts and activity of all the members on your team.

Fine Print

It’s worth mentioning that in 2019, NordVPN announced that web browsing activity had been breached in one of the Finland servers in March 2018. That being said, this was an isolated incident and the company has since upgraded its security measures.

Related: Optus Data Breach: Six Scams to Watch Out For

How NordVPN Stacks Up

There are plenty of VPN services out there, and it makes sense to research a few before committing to one. To help with your search, we’ve compared some of the key features of NordVPN with two competitors—ProtonVPN and CyberGhost.

NordVPN has the highest annual cost of the three companies. However, when you sign up for a two-year plan, the cost drops substantially. A two-year plan for ProtonVPN totals $US107.76 ($164 AUD) for the first 24 months for two years. Note that ProtonVPN only accepts currency payment in US dollars (USD), euros (EUR), or Swiss francs (CHFC) so factor any conversion rates and fees into the cost. CyberGhost still offers the most competitive pricing, at $85.02 AUD for the first two years and per year for after that, and lists and accepts in Aussie dollars.

When it comes to the maximum number of devices you can use, NordVPN is on the lower end of the market with a limit of six devices. The company outshines the competition with the number of servers as well as operating countries (a little more than 60). The company operates under the jurisdiction of Panama, where there are no laws that mandate data retention. Thus, it is able to maintain a strong commitment to privacy and a no-logs policy.

Is NordVPN Right For You or Your Business?

If you’re looking to protect your personal online activity, NordVPN is a strong choice to consider. A VPN can provide online protection if you need to visit unsecure websites, you often use public Wi-Fi or you simply want to make sure your online data and browsing history are safe.

NordVPN Teams is a business-centric offering that makes it easy to encrypt all your team members’ accounts through one portal. You’ll be able to protect every device connected to your network. If privacy is key to your business and there are multiple people working at your company, NordVPN Teams provides a convenient solution.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do VPNs work?

A VPN, or virtual private network, provides a user online privacy and security by masking your IP address and encrypting your internet activity. This is helpful for keeping your browsing data anonymous, and it also has applications for viewing country-restricted content regardless of your location.

How do I cancel my NordVPN subscription?

You can cancel your subscription at any time. You can do this through your online account under “billing.”

Why should I use a VPN?

There are plenty of reasons to use a VPN, both at home and at work. In both settings, you may be transmitting sensitive data across the internet (such as financial credentials or client information). You also may be connecting to public Wi-Fi, which can be dangerous if someone else on the network is tech-savvy enough to access your data. A VPN offers an extra layer of security in all of these cases, protecting you and your assets from fraudulent activity.

What are the disadvantages of using a VPN?

VPNs can slow down your internet access. You may also run into issues accessing certain sites with a VPN. At the same time, people use VPNs to access websites that are otherwise restricted.

What can I access with a VPN?

VPNs can allow you to access georestricted content in other countries.  Many customers use them to access international content on streaming services that are not available in their home country. They can also be used to bypass any government restrictions you may have in your region.

Does Nord offer a free VPN?

No Nord isn’t free. It does offer a free trial for 30 days, after which you can either proceed to a paid plan or get a full refund during any period within that 30 days.

Is NordVPN based in Russia?

No. NordVPN is located in Panama as the country does not participate in the Five Eyes security intelligence gathering network and therefore there are no requirements for users’ data to be retained.

Is NordVPN legal in Australia?

Yes, NordVPN is perfectly legal in Australia. While there are certain countries, such as China, North Korea, Russia and Iran, that ban VPNs, Australia is not one of them.

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