NordVPN Review 2024: Features, Pricing & More

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 uses a number of security features to protect your internet activity, including a feature called “double VPN” that routes your connection through two servers for increased security.

The company allows users to install its VPN directly onto the Wi-Fi router so that you can ensure all activity on every device connected to the internet is secure.

A VPN, or virtual private network, provides a user with online privacy and security by masking their IP address and encrypting their internet activity. A VPN will secure an encrypted connection between your device and a remote server, which hides your location and allows you to show that your connection is being directed from nearly anywhere.

There are many uses for a VPN, including keeping your browsing data anonymous and transmitting sensitive information over public Wi-Fi. A VPN can also enable you to view country-restricted content regardless of your location. Additionally, some subscription services adjust their prices based on where customers are located. So setting a VPN to the right location could potentially help you save.

Read our guide to the 10 best VPN services for more information about how VPNs work and different options.

NordVPN offers a number of competitive features, including:

• Threat Protection: a feature that blocks malware, trackers and ads when you browse the internet. This adds an extra layer of protection when browsing the web.
• Dark Web Monitor: a feature that will notify users if their information is leaked to the dark web.
• Meshnet: allows you to connect to other devices directly through encrypted private tunnels, which is useful for file sharing and gaming.
• Kill Switch: a feature 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 when your VPN disconnects.
• Split Tunnelling: a feature that allows you to select which apps and websites require VPN protection and which ones are safe to browse without it. This is helpful for websites that block access with a VPN, such as many bank websites.

NordVPN may be more expensive than other VPN options, but the company offers competitive pricing for multi-year plans. The monthly Standard plan costs $12.99 USD ($17.38 CAD), but when you sign up for two years, you’ll be paying a total of $107.73 USD ($144.11 CAD) (or $3.29 USD ($4.40 CAD) per month).

While all of the basic features are available for all plans, some of the more specialized features outlined above are only available for the higher tiers.

You can also purchase the service with multiple payment options, including Apple Pay, Amazon Pay, bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.

NordVPN Free Trial

NordVPN does not offer a free trial but does offer a money-back guarantee within 30 days of purchasing the product.

For Android users, a free seven-day trial is available through the Google Play Store. To take advantage of this offer without being charged, you will need to make sure you cancel through the Google Play Store.

Thirty-Day Money-Back Guarantee

NordVPN will offer a full refund if you are not satisfied with the VPN after 30 days, so you can try the product with no risk.

NordVPN 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 the U.S., Canada and countries throughout Europe, the Middle East and Asia. This helps ensure you’ll have a fast, stable internet connection wherever you are located while masking your IP address.

In addition to a regular VPN server, NordVPN also offers several different types of servers at select locations. Here are the other servers the company offers:

• P2P servers: specifically meant for fast file sharing
• Obfuscated: meant to prevent your traffic from being blocked in countries with high restrictions
• Double VPN: obfuscates your traffic twice, providing double encryption
• Dedicated IP: a user can purchase their own IP meant for faster connection

NordVPN offers all of the servers listed above in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., the Netherlands and France. The majority of the remaining countries where NordVPN has servers will also include P2P servers. NordVPN offers obfuscated, double VPN and dedicated IP in a select number of countries.

If you know in advance that a dedicated IP or a double VPN is essential to your business, it is worth considering where the servers are located to make sure it aligns with your intentions. You can find out more information about the different servers and locations NordVPN offers here.

VPNs are considered one way to make your internet activity more private and secure. Therefore, it’s essential to make sure the VPN is safe as well. NordVPN uses a range of security features and also undergoes independent audits of its security.

NordVPN has gone through several audits to verify its no-logs promise and that the company uses the server configurations it claims to. The most recent independent audit was conducted in 2022 by Deloitte. The audit confirmed NordVPN’s no-logs assurance and tested multiple servers including obfuscated and double VPNs.

NordVPN Security Features

• Internet Browsing Encryption: NordVPN uses AES-256 encryption to ensure all data transmitted over the servers is concealed and kept private. This level of encryption is industry standard and one of the strongest encryption methods available.
• Double VPN: A security feature that routes your connection through two servers instead of one, providing double encryption.
• Threat Protection: NordVPN uses this feature to block unsafe websites and increase internet security.
• Obfuscated Servers: These servers conceal the fact that you’re using a VPN, allowing users to access otherwise restricted web pages.
• 24/7 Support: NordVPN offers email and live chat support, in addition to an extensive online knowledge base.
• Dark Web Monitor: A cybersecurity feature that monitors the dark web for any exposure of your information.

NordVPN Protocols

NordVPN utilizes three different internet security protocols.

• NordLynx: NordLynx is NordVPN’s updated system of WireGuard, a popular VPN protocol. NordLynx enables a secure VPN connection without storing any data on the VPN server.
• Internet Key Exchange Version 2 (IKEv2)/IPsec: IKEv2 is a protocol that encrypts communication between a VPN client and a VPN server and securely exchanges keys over the internet. IKEv2 is often used in combination with Internet Protocol Security (IPsec) to provide secure communication over the internet.
• OpenVPN: OpenVPN is a popular security protocol because it is open source, which means the entire cybersecurity community is able to monitor any potential bugs and fix them.

Many users find that a VPN can slow down their internet speed. However, the actual speeds you experience when using a VPN will depend on a variety of factors including your location, internet service provider, where the servers are located and the distance between the server and your devices, and the specific device and VPN protocol you are using.

That being said, NordVPN is highly rated for providing a high-speed encrypted internet connection. If you’re experiencing a slow internet connection when using NordVPN, read these tips on the company’s website on how to improve internet speed.

Company	Company – Logo	Forbes Advisor Rating	Forbes Advisor Rating	Average Download Speed	Average Upload Speed	Download Latency	Upload Latency	Learn More CTA text	Learn more CTA below text	LEARN MORE
	No VPN			339.78mbps	36.70mbps	41ms	59ms
Private Internet Access				129.55mbps	35.24mbps	31ms	51ms
CyberGhost				302.40mbps	34.56mbps	63ms	48ms
Torguard VPN				273.79mbps	24.34mbps	44ms	46ms
NordVPN				282.39mbps	35.06mbps	74ms	38ms
IPVanish				334.37mbps	34.39mbps	43ms	43ms
VPN Unlimited				195.08mbps	34.48mbps	45ms	46ms
ExpressVPN				91.34mbps	34.48mbps	51ms	40ms
Surfshark				227.88mbps	34.94mbps	37ms	35ms
Windscribe				313.12mbps	34.93mbps	46ms	56ms
Hotspot Shield				224.85mbps	35.55mbps	87ms	204ms

Methodology: Our VPN speed comparison is tested on a Windows 11 machine using Ookla’s publicly available speed test. VPN services are connected to the nearest possible server. Speeds are updated weekly.

Offering unlimited bandwidth and usage on up to six devices, NordVPN is an excellent option for users who want to protect their data no matter which platform they’re using. This flexibility makes it a strong candidate for use both at home and in a business setting.

What Platforms Does NordVPN Support?

NordVPN works with a wide array of hardware and software, including:

• Desktops and laptops: NordVPN is compatible with Windows, macOS and Linux operating systems.
• Smartphones and tablets: NordVPN is compatible with Android and iOS devices.
• Routers: NordVPN can be installed on certain routers that will protect all devices connected to the router.
• Streaming devices: NordVPN is compatible with Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV and Chromecast.
• Gaming consoles: NordVPN is compatible with gaming consoles including PlayStation, Nintendo Switch and Xbox.

How Many Devices Can You Use at Once?

Each account will cover up to six devices at one time. However, you are also able to install NordVPN on your router, which ensures that every device connected to your router will be protected with the VPN.

Installing NordVPN on your router only takes up one of the six available devices available for each account, which means you’ll still have five remaining slots available to use for other devices (or another router if you have more than one internet connection). In short, if you configure the VPN to your router, one account is more than enough to cover as many devices needed in one household.

VPNs can often slow internet connection down, and therefore many users might avoid using them for streaming. NordVPN is known for its high number of servers and fast internet speeds, making it a solid VPN service for streaming.

Your internet speed when using a VPN is based on multiple factors, including the location of your server, the distance between you and the server you are connecting to, your VPN protocol and your original internet speed. The company provides tips on how to improve slow internet connection.

While NordVPN is meant for individuals, NordLayer (formerly known as NordVPN Teams) is a security solution for businesses and teams of all sizes. Business owners can easily set up and manage the VPN connection for their team members, including remote workers.

Here’s how the cost breakdown for different plans:

• Basic: $9 USD ($12.02 CAD) per user per month, or $7 USD ($9.35 CAD) per user per month billed annually
• Advanced: $11 USD ($14.70 CAD) per user per month, or $9 USD ($12.02 CAD) per user per month billed annually. This plan comes with an option to add a dedicated service with a fixed IP for $50 USD ($66.83 CAD) per month.

Both of these plans have AES 256-bit encryption, unlimited data usage and gateway locations in more than 30 countries (compared to over 60 countries for the consumer plan). However, the advanced plan comes with a few potentially important features such as smart remote access, custom DNS and a dedicated account manager.

Setting up NordVPN is a pretty straightforward process. Once you purchase the subscription of your choice, you will download the software on your device, and from there, you’ll be able to turn the VPN on with a toggle switch and set your preferred location for the VPN server. For more specific instructions, read our guide on how to set up a VPN.

If you want to install NordVPN to your router, you’ll need to follow the instructions of your router’s firmware. You can find a list of tutorials from different companies on NordVPN’s website.

To install NordVPN on an Amazon Fire device, you’ll download the NordVPN application from the Amazon Appstore and log in. For more instructions, follow this tutorial.

While NordVPN is one of the most popular VPNs on the market, the right VPN for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences. To help you make an informed decision, we’ve compared some of the key features with those of its competitors. The chart below will help give you a sense of how NordVPN stacks up in terms of price, the number of servers, support and other important features.

NordVPN vs. CyberGhost

CyberGhost is slightly more affordable than NordVPN and also offers more servers in a wider range of locations. CyberGhost’s dedicated server option is also more affordable. However, it’s worth noting that NordVPN includes some additional features, such as antivirus and malware protection, that CyberGhost offers as add-ons.

Learn more about how these two companies stack up in our comparison article, NordVPN vs. CyberGhost.

NordVPN vs. Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access (PIA) is considerably cheaper than NordVPN, at $39.95 USD ($53.37 CAD) per year compared to $67.35 USD ($89.83 CAD) per year. The company also offers an impressive number of servers, significantly more than all of its competitors. PIA was ranked number one on our list of the top 10 best VPNs and is an incredibly popular and affordable service. However, keep in mind that PIA does not undergo independent audits, unlike NordVPN. Given that security is often the main priority when choosing a VPN, audits are an important factor to consider.

Learn more about how these two companies stack up in our comparison article, NordVPN vs. Private Internet Access.

NordVPN vs. IPVanish

NordVPN is significantly less affordable than IPVanish, at $67.35 USD ($89.83 CAD) per year compared to $39.99 USD ($53.50 CAD) during IPVanish’s current promotion. Additionally, IPVanish allows you to connect to an unlimited number of devices, NordVPN is limited to six devices (with a workaround in the form of installing the VPN to your router). However, IPVanish does not offer the option of a dedicated server, so if this is a priority, consider one of the other top 10 VPN services that do.

Learn more: NordVPN vs. IPVanish

NordVPN is a popular VPN suited for both business owners and individuals who are looking to increase their internet security.

NordVPN for Personal Use

NordVPN is likely best known for its service for individual internet browsers. This company is a great option for internet users who want online protection when visiting unsecured websites, using public Wi-Fi or simply ensuring that your online data and browsing history are safe. The VPN is easy to set up and navigate and the added Threat Protection feature that blocks unsafe websites also increases internet security.

The company’s no-log policy and independent audit reports make it a reliable and secure option for a competitive VPN. The company offers steep discounts for users who commit to multi-year plans.

NordVPN for Business Use

NordLayer (formerly known as NordVPN Teams) is a great option for business owners and teams looking to monitor the security level of their company and encrypt all of their 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, NordLayer provides a convenient solution.

Canadian specific editing and research (including pricing) conducted by Anna Rey.