NordVPN Review 2024: Is It Good and Safe?

NordVPN stands out as one of the best and safest VPNs on the market!

Over the past few years, NordVPN has consistently ranked among the top choices for VPN service providers for both quality and security, and NordVPN continues to shine as one of the best VPN providers on the market in 2024.

NordVPN is well known for its exceptional military-grade encryption, verified no-logs privacy protection policy, cutting-edge security features, high-speed performance, broad server network, knowledgable customer service, and competitive pricing, ticking off all the essential criteria and outshining many of its competitors.

With NordVPN, you have the benefit of a wide range of NordVPN’s high-end features, including dedicated IP addresses, split tunneling, threat protection, data breach scanning, onion over servers, double VPN, obfuscated servers, Meshnet, a kill switch, colocated servers, RAM-only servers, and more.

NordVPN consistently receives high rankings in VPN reviews, including a score of 4.5 out of 5 from PC Magazine, a score of 4.5 out of 5 on Tech Radar, and a score of 9.7 out of 10 on Security.org. NordVPN also received numerous awards, including the Best VPN of 2023 award from Forbes Advisor and the Editor’s Choice Award for Best VPN of 2023 from Independent Advisor.

We conducted our own independent review of NordVPN, where we thoroughly examined NordVPN’s key features and performance to see how NordVPN compares in the vast market of virtual private networks. Overall, we found NordVPN to be a good, safe, and easy-to-use VPN and worthy of its ranking as one of the top VPNs of 2024.

Keep reading for an in-depth NordVPN review that will help you decide if NordVPN is the right VPN provider for you. 

Here’s much of what NordVPN has to offer at a glance:

NordVPN pros and cons

Here’s a quick summary of the best features of NordVPN and what aspects of the service could use a bit of improvement.

NordVPN overview

NordVPN is distinguished as one of the top VPNs of 2024. Praised for its high-speed performance, robust online security tools, and effective streaming and torrenting capabilities, NordVPN’s fair pricing, user-friendly interface, and strong customer service make it a top choice for both beginners and experts alike.

When it comes to security, it’s hard to beat NordVPN. NordVPN users are protected by military-grade encryption, an automatic kill switch, and IPv6 & DNS leak protection. It performed well on all leak tests and was independently audited by a third-party company to verify the reliability of its security features.

NordLynx, NordVPN’s proprietary VPN protocol, offers both excellent speed and secure Internet connections. Other available NordVPN protocols include OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPSec, which allow you to tailor your protocol to your specific VPN requirements.

The Threat Protection feature offers an added layer of protection by constantly scanning downloaded files to protect you from unwanted malware, malicious websites, unwanted ads, and web trackers.

NordVPN also provides ongoing monitoring of the dark web, constantly checking for the appearance of any of your identifying information. Should they spot suspicious activity, NordVPN will immediately let you know so you can take the necessary steps to protect yourself from cybercriminals.

Additional security features include split tunneling, double VPN, smart DNS, private DNS, Meshnet, incogni, dedicated IP addresses, and more, all part of NordVPN’s dedication to providing the best cutting-edge security to protect its users from online threats.

Your privacy is ensured through NordVPN’s zero-logs policy, which was independently audited and verified by PriceWaterhouseCoopers. The corporate headquarters of NordVPN is based in Panama, where there are no laws requiring mandatory data retention, and Panama lies outside the jurisdiction of the 5/9/14 Eyes alliance. That means your privacy is protected by the law.

When using NordVPN, you have full access to a large network of over 6400 servers in 111 countries, offering high-speed connections worldwide for all your online activities. This allows you to enjoy smooth streaming, lag-free gaming, and efficient torrenting safely and without the worry of geo-blocks restricting your access.

You can count on NordVPN’s strong geo-spoofing abilities. Unblock Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and other streaming services with ease. During testing, NordVPN unblocked every service that we tried without difficulty.

The NordVPN apps are well designed with an intuitive interface that makes it both easy to set up and use, even for beginners. Just select the server location on the interactive map or via the list of servers, and you are all set. If you run into any glitches and need some help, customer support is available 24/7 via live chat, or you can email them and get a response within a day or 2.

Users are allowed up to 10 simultaneous devices on an individual account. If that’s not enough to cover your whole household, you can set up NordVPN on your router and cover an unlimited number of devices at once. NordVPN is compatible with mobile devices, computers, Android TVs, routers, gaming consoles, and more. It works with all major operating systems, including Android, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Linux.

NordVPN offers good value in a premium VPN, with pricing as low as $3.39 per month when you sign up for the 2-year plan. You can try it out risk-free for up to 30 days, and if you decide it’s not for you, just cancel and get a full refund.

NordVPN price & plans

NordVPN offers three different service plan options, as well as 3 different subscription lengths. The cost of your subscription will vary depending on which combination of service plan and length of service package you choose.

Subscribers have the option of the monthly plan, the 1-year plan, and the 2-year plan for each of the three service plans. Users looking for the best value will find it with the 2-year plan.

Customers can choose between the Basic, Plus, or Ultimate package. The Basic package includes a fast and secure VPN connection, malware protection, a tracker, and an ad blocker. The cost for the standard package is $3.39/month for the 2-year plan, $4.99/month for the 1-year plan, and $12.99/month for the monthly plan.

The Plus package includes everything in the standard plan and also offers a cross-platform password manager and a data breach scanner. The cost for the standard package is $4.39/month for the 2-year plan, $5.99/month for the 1-year plan, and $13.99/month for the monthly plan.

The NordVPN Ultimate package provides subscribers with 1 TB of encrypted cloud storage and next-generation file encryption. The cost for the standard package is $6.39/month for the 2-year plan, $7.99/month for the 1-year plan, and $15.99/month for the monthly plan.

NordVPN accepts most payment methods, including credit cards, AmazonPay, PayPal, ACH Transfer, Sofort, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and pre-paid cards.

All subscriptions come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try out the VPN service risk-free before you commit to a long contract.

Can you get NordVPN for free?

Yes. Android users can try out NordVPN for free for a limited time by taking advantage of the 7-day free trial for Android.

To get the trial, all you’ve got to do is download the NordVPN app onto your Android device and create a NordVPN account. Once you’ve set up your account, your 7-day trial begins, and you’ll be able to use the same login information to try out NordVPN on all of your devices. After 7 days, your VPN subscription will begin.

If you want to try out the VPN service for a bit longer without having to pay, you can use the 30-day money-back guarantee as an extended free trial. Just cancel your service within 30 days, and you will get a full refund.

Is NordVPN safe?

In our NordVPN review, we found that NordVPN emerged as one of the most secure VPN providers on the market. With cutting-edge encryption, secure tunneling protocols, and a plethora of security features, users’ data is effectively shielded from online threats.

Notably, all of NordVPN’s servers operate on RAM, which means all data is wiped clean every time the server restarts, leaving no information vulnerable to snoops, hackers, ISP monitoring, or government surveillance.

While many VPN companies will use virtual servers, when you use NordVPN, you can rest assured that the server is physically present in the claimed location, ensuring full control of the server’s security.

In addition, NordVPN does not keep any logs on your browsing history, Internet traffic, or IP addresses, meaning that all of our online activities remain absolutely private. Even if a government agency requests your data and manages to win its case in court, NordVPN won’t have any information to hand over.

In a significant move in late 2023, NordVPN bolstered its cybersecurity measures by introducing added protection benefits supported by insurance. This new feature provides reimbursement of up to $1 million for victims of identity theft as well as the support of a seasoned identity theft investigator to help you remedy any consequences of the theft. It’s available to NordVPN Ultimate plan subscribers in the United States and the United Kingdom.

For those of you who are skeptical of NordVPN’s privacy policy claims, you can put your mind at ease. NordVPN has undergonethorough independent third-party audits by PricewaterhouseCoopers to prove the effectiveness of its privacy and security features, without having to just take their word for it.

Encryption

When you connect to one of NordVPN’s secure servers, all of your VPN traffic is funneled through an encrypted tunnel via a remote server. NordVPN uses the highest level of encryption, the AES-256-CBC cipher, and the ChaCha20 protocol to keep all of your data secure and private. It is the same technology used by the United States military and is the gold standard for VPN encryption.

The VPN server is accessed through the SHA-512 hash function, which scrambles your credentials and makes them indecipherable to outsiders. When you want to get back onto a server after logging off, the cryptographic hashes need to match up with the ones generated when you created your account. This technology is a step up from the SHA-256 function used by many other VPN companies.

Protocols

NordVPN offers three different VPN protocols for tunneling. Each of the tunneling protocols serves a unique purpose, allowing for customization of your protocol to meet your individual needs. You can select your preferred protocol in the settings section from the home page of your app. Keep reading for our NordVPN review to learn more about each of the offered VPN protocols.

• NordLynx. This represents NordVPN’s customized implementation of the cutting-edge WireGuard VPN protocol technology. Serving as an advancement over older protocols, it offers superior speed to OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPSec protocols without compromising on security. NordLynx is accessible on all NordVPN-compatible operating systems, including iOS, macOS, Android, Windows, and Linux.
• OpenVPN (UDP/TCP). OpenVPN is a commonly used open-source VPN protocol providing secure internet access across multiple platforms. The OpenVPN UDP protocol provides superior speed to the OpenVPN TCP protocol, while the OpenVPN TCP protocol provides a safer and more reliable connection than OpenVPN UDP. Both of the OpenVPN protocols are accessible on all NordVPN-compatible operating systems, including iOS, macOS, Android, Windows, and Linux.
• IKEv2/IPsec. The VPN protocol of choice for mobile devices, IKEv2/IPsec, excels at transitioning between Wi-Fi and cellular data smoothly and efficiently. It is also less demanding on CPU resources. This VPN protocol is supported on iOS, Windows, Linux, and macOS platforms.

Be aware, however, that when setting up IKEv2/IPSec in Windows, you will need to make NordVPN’s DNS address the default address on your Ethernet and IKEv2 adapters to prevent DNS leaks.

Logging policy

NordVPN maintains a strict and independently audited no-logs policy, ensuring all of your online activities remain completely private. As per their policy statement, “Nord guarantees a strict no-logs policy for NordVPN services, meaning that your internet activity while using NordVPN services is not monitored, recorded, logged, stored or passed to any third party.”

According to NordVPN’s privacy policy, even if the company was served a warrant or a server was seized, there would be no usage data stored on it. It strengthens this claim by using RAM-only servers, meaning all of your data is erased every time you go back onto your VPN server after logging off.

In an impressive privacy-minded move, when India passed a law that required VPN companies to log user data, NordVPN was one of the first VPNs to pull out of the country, further strengthening its position as a leader in privacy protection.

It’s important to note that NordVPN does maintain aggregate, anonymous data for quality improvement purposes, but if you are uncomfortable with that, don’t worry. You can just opt out, and they won’t include your data in their efforts.

Independent security audits

NordVPN has undergone independent third-party audits to ensure that all of its privacy and security measures are up to par and performed well in all areas tested.

PricewaterhouseCoopers is a prominent member of the Big Four accounting firms and was enlisted by NordVPN to conduct audits on the effectiveness of NordVPN’s privacy protection policies.

NordVPN’s no-logs policy underwent scrutiny in four separate instances – in 2018, 2020, 2022, and most recently, in 2024. The consistent outcome of these audits was that each solidly affirmed the validity of NordVPN’s no-logs claim.

NordVPN also subjected all of its apps to security audits. In 2019, the cybersecurity consulting agency VerSprite conducted penetration tests on both NordVPN’s apps and infrastructure. Notably, NordVPN addressed all identified vulnerabilities before the report’s release.

In an ongoing effort to enhance their service and ensure full security protection, NordVPN participates in the bug bounties program on their HackerOne page. This program invites external cybersecurity experts to discover and report vulnerabilities in their systems, applications, or websites. Participants are rewarded for identifying and responsibly disclosing security flaws, allowing NordVPN to swiftly address any problems that are uncovered. This commitment to transparency underscores NordVPN’s dedication to cybersecurity quality and improvement.

ioXt certification

NordVPN stands out as one of the rare service providers with ioXt-certified mobile apps, affirming their adherence and ongoing commitment to stringent security standards.

The ioXt Alliance certification is a security standard for devices developed to ensure that they meet stringent security and privacy requirements. Achieving this certification entails thorough testing of both the service’s privacy policy and the security features of the apps.

This certification was traditionally reserved for Internet of Things (IoT) devices, but it has recently been extended to include VPN apps. This recent expansion means that only a select few industry leaders, including NordVPN, can now proudly claim this certification.

NordVPN achieved the top scores across all criteria, securing a level 4 rating, the highest possible score for the vulnerability reporting program, and the secured interfaces. Additionally, NordVPN received a level 4 ranking for password management, emphasizing its robust authentication practices. The certification also acknowledges the requirement for re-authentication in app APIs during sensitive transactions.

Here’s a brief listing of some of the testing results:

This ioXt certification further solidifies NordVPN as a leader in the world of VPN security.

Jurisdiction

When it comes to privacy, the location of your VPN headquarters matters. The rules of government surveillance and data retention vary from country to country, and you want a VPN that’s based in a jurisdiction that cares about your privacy as much as you do.

It gives extra peace of mind to know that NordVPN operates from the privacy-friendly country of Panama where online privacy is protected by the law. That means that if a government organization seeks usage logs, that government would need to engage with a Panamanian court to get that information released. Another benefit of being based in Panama is that Panama does not have any mandatory data retention laws, meaning NordVPN is not obligated by the government to retain any of its users’ data.

In addition, Panama is outside the jurisdiction of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance. This is an agreement between several countries that permits both government surveillance and data sharing when it is in the interest of national security. It’s always preferable to select a VPN outside of this alliance if privacy is a top priority for you.

Our NordVPN leak tests

As part of our in-depth NordVPN review, we ran several tests to make sure there were no IP address or DNS leaks across different operating systems. We also put the NordVPN kill switch to the test to make sure nothing was revealed when the VPN connection was suddenly dropped and made sure there were no leaks as a result of DNS queries.

There were no leaks detected on the Windows client.

Here are the testing results:

• The IPv4 address was the same as the VPN client, indicating there was no IPv4 leak.
• No IPv6 leaks were detected.
• No DNS leaks with DNS queries.

We conducted further testing on the macOS and Android clients.

MacOS leak testing and Android leak testing also found no IPv4, IPv6, or DNS leaks. The kill switch was effective on all three operating systems, and DNS requests produced no leaks.

Testing indicated that NordVPN’s IPv4, IPv6, and DNS leak protection measures are effective and that the kill switch is fully dependable in the event of a dropped VPN connection.

NordVPN speed: How fast is it? 

As part of our NordVPN review, we tested NordVPN for speed in a variety of locations and found it to be one of the fastest VPN providers around. The best speeds were achieved when using the ultra-lightweight and secure NordLynx protocol, which is NordVPN’s exclusive version of the widely used WireGuard protocol.

Keep in mind that some speed reduction is expected any time you use a VPN, especially when connected to a long-distance IP address, as it takes time for data to travel and undergo encryption. Our testing found a minimal reduction in download and upload speed and that overall speeds were more than adequate for all online activities, including smooth streaming, gaming, and torrenting.

US server: 93% download retention and 91% upload retention

UK server: 94% download retention and 92% upload retention

Australian server: 90% download retention and 56% upload retention

	Download retention	Upload retention
US (NY)	93%	91%
UK server	94%	92%
Australian server	90%	56%

NordVPN’s large server network, superior server infrastructure, and cutting-edge NordLynx protocol allow this VPN provider to stand out when it comes to speed, allowing for uninterrupted, lag-free, and stable access to the internet.

Tunneling protocols speed compared

While NordLynx is the fastest of the NordVPN tunneling protocols, there are times when a different protocol may fit your needs better. For example, while OpenVPN TCP is slower than the other protocols, it also offers a highly stable connection, while OpenVPN UDP is extremely fast and efficient but doesn’t offer the same reliability you get with OpenVPN TCP.

Overall, NordLynx offers the fastest speed, a high level of security, and a medium level of stability. OpenVPN TPC offers slower speed, a high level of security, and a high level of stability, while OpenVPN UDP offers high speed, high security, and medium stability.

NordVPN features

NordVPN is one of the most feature-rich VPN providers, offering a myriad of ways to ensure your online security and privacy, and it is constantly releasing new updates to be sure they are providing the best and most up-to-date protection for its customers.

Kill Switch

NordVPN offers both a total system kill switch and an app kill switch, which kicks in any time your VPN connection drops, preventing an accidental leak of your true IP address and location.

The Internet kill switch will completely cut off your Internet access on all platforms if your VPN connection drops, ensuring your IP address isn’t exposed.

The App kill switch will only kill your connection to a specific app. If, for example, you are using your VPN app for streaming geo-restricted content, it will just close your streaming app and leave the rest of your internet connection intact.

When you download the NordVPN app from the App Store, it will automatically default to the system-wide Internet kill switch. Linux and Android only support the total system Internet kill switch.

Windows and macOS apps downloaded from the website allow you to set up the kill switch for individual apps.

Threat protection

Threat Protection is a feature that will block unwanted ads, malicious websites, trackers, malware, and viruses for an added layer of protection against cyber threats. Once you’ve enabled the Threat Protection feature, it will work to keep you safe even when you’re not connected to the VPN. If you are using the light version of Threat Protection, however, it will only work when your VPN is on.

The Threat Protection feature works on all NordVPN apps, and it’s available on its own for both Android and iOS devices. It’s also offered on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari browsers, except for the malware and virus scanner.

Meshnet

Meshne facilitates VPN usage for establishing secure connections between devices, commonly known as P2P connections. When you activate Meshnet, you can route traffic to and from other NordVPN users by invitation.

This technology ensures private and secure links among all enabled devices, allowing access to remote files and participation in collaborative activities such as development sessions or virtual LAN parties via their VPN servers.

Beyond just remote file access, Meshnet allows unrestricted file sharing, permitting users to share up to 1000 files at a time without any size limitations.

Additionally, Meshnet enables the rerouting of internet traffic through different devices, allowing users to browse the internet using another machine’s IP address. For example, if you’re abroad, you can connect to your home device and utilize your regular IP address.

This versatile feature allows users to connect up to 60 devices, consisting of ten personal devices and an additional 50 through invitations.

Dark Web Monitor

The Dark Web Monitor feature works to protect your data by searching for any breaches. It does this by checking the dark web for any data associated with your e-mail address, which indicates that you’ve likely been hacked. You’ll be warned by NordVPN if there’s any indication you have been compromised.

The feature is available on Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows.

Colocated servers

Unlike many of the competing VPN services, most servers on NordVPN are owned, managed, and maintained by NordVPN rather than being rented from a third-party company, reducing the chance of an external data breach.

In addition, all NordVPN servers are RAM-only, which means all of the data on the server gets wiped clean every time it’s restarted. No data is saved, so there’s no data to share with your ISP, the government, or anyone else requesting your private information.

Additional security features

Here are some of the additional features NordVPN users can benefit from:

• Auto-connect. Allows you toautomatically connect to your VPN service. You’ll need to turn this feature off for apps that are incompatible with VPNs.
• Dedicated IP addresses. NordVPN subscribers can purchase a dedicated IP address, providing you with a static IP address. Having the same IP address that is yours and yours alone can help you avoid CAPTCHAs which can occur on shared IP addresses when multiple users are connecting from the same IP address.
• Double VPN. When you use the double VPN feature, your data passes through two different servers to maximize your privacy protection.
• Incogni. When you activate Incogni, it will remove all data from various databases that collect and store user data such as name, phone number, email address, location, and more.
• Obfuscated servers. This feature scrambles your VPN traffic to make it look like typical HTTPS traffic, allowing you to access the internet in heavily restricted areas.
• Onion over servers. A combination of the Tor network and NordVPN, where your traffic passes through at least 3 Tor nodes in addition to your VPN server for extra protection.
• P2P servers. Servers optimized for P2P traffic, including downloading torrents.
• Presets. Allows you to customize your VPN settings and directly access everything from the home screen.
• SmartPlay. Allows you to access geographically restricted content on your favorite media and streaming sites by bypassing blocks.
• Split tunneling. Choose which apps you want to connect to your VPN server and which apps will stay on your regular Internet Service Provider (ISP)

NordVPN server network

There are over 6000 servers located in more than 61 countries around the world in the NordVPN server network. The quick connect feature will automatically connect you to the fastest server in the region you want, ensuring quick and stable connections.

The broad server network allows users to unblock popular streaming sites like Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer in countries across the globe, while gamers can select nearby server locations to minimize ping for the best gameplay.

As part of our NordVPN review, we took an in-depth look at the NordVPN servers and found a host of impressive features, including:

• RAM-only servers. NordVPN uses RAM servers exclusively, making it impossible for any of your data to be stored on NordVPN servers.
• No virtual server locations. Every NordVPN server is actually in the physical location that it says it is, a claim not every VPN provider can make.
• Colocated servers. Most NordVPN servers are colocated, meaning they use their hardware rather than renting the servers from a third party. There are some remote locations where that’s not the case.
• Large bandwidth. NordVPN uses 10 Gbps bandwidth channels on its more heavily used server locations, allowing it to maintain excellent speed even when there’s a huge amount of volume passing through.

How does NordVPN work?

Once you sign in to your NordVPN account, all you have to do is select a country or the quick connect option, and your VPN will automatically get to work.

Once pressed, the VPN conceals your IP address, assigns a new one, and establishes an encrypted VPN tunnel for your data, shielding your online activity from ISP, government, and other third-party tracking.

You can use NordVPN to unblock Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, Hulu, Vudu, and other streaming services just by selecting a server in the country where the content you want to watch is available. During testing, we found that NordVPN excels in unblocking geo-restricted content and grants easy access to most streaming platforms.

NordVPN users can easily personalize their settings among NordVPN’s many options for robust encryption, tunneling protocols, and secure data transfer in the Preferences section.

This VPN is easy to set up and use with common devices and operating systems, including Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, iOS, smart TVs, routers, and more. The setup process is consistent and straightforward across all devices.

How to use NordVPN

NordVPN apps are user-friendly and can be set up in minutes whether you are a seasoned VPN user or new to the technology. Follow the simple steps listed below, and if you run into any difficulties, the 24/7 live chat support is standing by to help out.

1. Purchase a subscription to NordVPN.
2. Follow the prompts to install the VPN app onto your device.
3. Once you have NordVPN installed, log in to your NordVPN account.
4. Head to settings to ensure the NordLynx protocol and kill switch are on.
5. Return to the home page and select a server location on the map or from the country list.
6. Click connect and your VPN connection is secured.

How to download and install NordVPN

You have two different options for installing NordVPN on your device. One is through the NordVPN website, and the other is through the Google Play or Apple App Store. The app store version is restricted in some countries.

Follow the steps listed below to install NordVPN onto your preferred device.

1. Go to the NordVPN website or the App Store if it’s not restricted in your location.
2. Select Get NordVPN.
3. Choose a subscription plan.
4. Complete the payment information.
5. Follow the instructions to install the app on your device.
6. You are ready to use NordVPN.

Is NordVPN good and safe for streaming?

NordVPN is known for its reliable performance when it comes to streaming, particularly when you locate the right servers, effortlessly unblocking all major streaming platforms. Its SmartPlay technology plays a key role in providing reliability to top streaming platforms.

When it comes to unblocking the popular platform Netflix, NordVPN didn’t disappoint. During testing, we successfully unblocked Netflix libraries for the UK, US, and 13 other regions instantly, showcasing NordVPN’s excellence with Netflix. Streaming speeds remained exceptional across devices, providing buffer-free viewing on Android TV, mobile devices, laptops, desktops, and more.

Additional testing also revealed NordVPN’s solid performance with other platforms like Hulu, Max, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and more. We had seamless access and were able to stream in HD with minimal to no on all of these sites.

NordVPN’s compatibility with diverse streaming devices provides the flexibility of enjoying content across various platforms and screens, including Amazon Fire Stick, Kodi, and Roku. NordVPN provides guides for set up, and the 24/7 live chat support is always available for extra support for anyone who needs it.

In good news for Apple TV owners, NordVPN recently added an app for Apple TV users, so there’s no need to configure NordVPN on Wi-Fi routers to stream via Apple TV.

With more than 6000 servers strategically positioned in 111 countries around the world, including those hosting the best streaming libraries, NordVPN subscribers have limitless access to content in the US, UK, Canada, and lots other locations.

As for safety, all of the VPN servers are protected by military-grade encryption, a kill switch, DNS & IP leak protection, and a strict no-logs policy, providing first-rate VPN protection for streaming.

How to unblock Netflix with NordVPN 

NordVPN works with Netflix, allowing you to access Netflix libraries from around the world without geographical restrictions getting in your way. Follow these steps to unblock any Netflix library using NordVPN.

1. Purchase a subscription to NordVPN.
2. Install the NordVPN app on your device.
3. Open the app and connect to the country where the content you are interested in is available.
4. Sign in to your Netflix account.
5. Select your show, press play, and enjoy!

How to unblock Hulu with NordVPN

The popular streaming platform Hulu is loaded with great content but is only available in 2 countries, the United States and Japan. Hulu uses geo-blocks to prevent users in other countries from accessing the site. It’s easy to get around those geo-blocks with NordVPN. Here’s how you can use NordVPN to access Hulu from any country without geo-restrictions getting in your way.

1. Choose your preferred NordVPN plan and subscribe.
2. Download the app onto your device.
3. Open the app and connect to a server in the United States.
4. Sign in to Hulu, choose a show, and enjoy watching!

How to unblock HBO Max with NordVPN

HBO Max is only available in select countries, including the US, Latin America, the Caribbean, and some European countries. If you try to access HBO Max from a different location, you will be blocked.

NordVPN can bypass those blocks by tricking HBO Max into thinking you are in a permitted location by connecting you to a remote server IP address. Your part in the process is simple; here’s what you need to do:

1. Select and subscribe to a NordVPN service plan.
2. Install the app on your device.
3. Open the app and connect to a server in the US or another permitted location.
4. Go to the HBO Max website and sign in.
5. Choose a show, press play, and enjoy!

How to unblock other streaming services with NordVPN

You can enjoy watching content on all of your favorite streaming services using NordVPN. Many of the streaming services, for example, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+, have different content libraries in different countries, which you can unblock and watch from anywhere in the world using NordVPN.

In addition, some streaming platforms are only available in specific countries, like BBC iPlayer, which is only available in the United Kingdom. You can access these streaming sites by connecting to one of NordVPN’s remote servers in your desired location.

All you need to do is follow these simple steps.

1. Purchase a subscription to NordVPN.
2. Download the app onto your device.
3. Use the VPN app to connect to the country where the content you want to watch is unrestricted.
4. Sign in to your preferred streaming service.
5. Enjoy!

Is NordVPN good and safe for torrenting?

When utilizing a torrent client like BitTorrent or Utorrent, you’ll want totorrent with NordVPN to ensure anonymity and shield you from prying eyes.

NordVPN has specialized P2P servers available across the globe, providing both fast and reliable performance. Not every NordVPN is P2P compatible, if, however, you select a server that isn’t you’ll be automatically redirected to a server that supports torrenting.

Engaging in P2P activities exposes your IP address, potentially making you susceptible to malware and attacks. By using a VPN server, your actual IP address is concealed, replaced by a new IP address from one of the VPN’s dedicated P2P servers. This enables torrenting without revealing your true location or identity.

Additionally, NordVPN upholds a stringent no-logs policy, assuring that none of your information is retained or shared with government agencies, ISPs, or third parties.

Apps and devices: What does NordVPN support? 

There is a NordVPN app for all common devices and operating systems. NordVPN is compatible with the following systems:

• Android
• iOS
• Linux
• macOS
• Windows
• Browser extensions (Chrome and Firefox)
• Router (IKEv2 and OpenVPN only)

The setup and user experience vary from device to device. Keep reading for more details on using NordVPN with different operating systems.

Windows and macOS apps

The Windows version of NordVPN offers an extensive range of features, including two types of split tunneling and kill switches for both specific applications and entire internet access. The Windows app includes LAN invisibility, auto-connect, and pause to enhance the user experience. The available tunneling protocols for Windows include NordLynx, OpenVPN (UDP/TCP), and IKEv2 (with manual setup).

The user interface has a clickable map for convenient country selection and a sidebar with a country list. Hovering over a country reveals three dots; click the dots to choose a specific server or connect to the fastest available one using Quick Connect.

NordVPN provides two distinct macOS apps, each with its own characteristics. One is accessible through the App Store, while the other can be downloaded directly from their official website, often referred to as the sideload version. Both versions work with all of the newest preset features.

App Store version supports both OpenVPN and NordLynx tunneling protocols. The kill switch is activated by default, but users have the flexibility to disable it through the VPN’s Settings section.

The sideload version receives more frequent updates but is limited to OpenVPN tunneling protocols. The macOS kill switch in this version functions specifically for certain apps but can’t be set up to cut the entire connection in the event of a VPN interruption. The website app has the advantage of being able to accommodate older macOS versions.

iOS and Android apps

The iOS NordVPN app has a neat and clean design with both a map and a county list available for choosing your VPN server, as well as settings and notifications in the corner of the screen. It also offers a favorites tab underneath recent connections. Features for the iOS app include a kill switch, Dark Web monitoring, and Double VPN. Unfortunately, split tunneling and customization for the kill switch are only available on Android mobile apps.

NordVPN’s Android app has a straightforward interface where you can choose your server using a map or a list of countries. Settings and notifications are just a click away in the corner of the screen. The app also comes with important security features like a kill switch and Dark Web monitoring to check for data leaks. Additional bonus features include split tunneling, a customizable kill switch, Double VPN, pausing, and auto-connect. Tunneling protocols for the Android app include OpenVPN (TCP/UDP) and NordLynx.

Linux apps

When using the Linux app for NordVPN, you can download Debian and RPM packages directly from the NordVPN official website, making it suitable for Linux distributions like Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Fedora, and others.

Additionally, there’s a community-created version for Arch Linux, complete with guides for manual and OpenVPN/IKEv2 connections, making NordVPN a solid choice for Linux users.

However, it’s important to note that if you’re using Linux, you won’t have a graphical application for NordVPN. Instead, you’ll need to set up everything using the command line terminal. This might feel less user-friendly compared to the experience Windows or macOS users enjoy.

One big advantage of NordVPN’s Linux app is that it’s open source, which allows you to improve the app by writing your own code! It also defaults to the NordLynx protocol so you’ll automatically get the best connection speeds.

Browser extensions

NordVPN offers browser extensions for Firefox and Chrome, which are perfect for those who want a lighter solution. It’s also an easy way to create a VPN connection with older systems, including macOS 9 or Windows XP, that don’t have their own apps. Keep in mind that a browser extension only protects your browser traffic.

With the NordVPN browser extensions, you can block WebRTC, a protocol known to be vulnerable to IP leaks., while the Threat Protection Lite feature protects against phishing and malware.

NordVPN recently added the Bypass List function to its browser extension, which works similarly to split tunneling. It allows you to exclude specific websites from the proxy connection for better control of your Internet traffic.

Router firmware

Configuring a VPN connection on your router allows you to use NordVPN on as many devices as you want. It will even cover devices that don’t naturally support VPN, like a gaming console. Just set up NordVPN on your router using the router firmware, and you’re all set.

The VPN works with routers that offer either OpenVPN or NordLynx protocols. The installation process will vary a bit depending on your router’s brand. NordVPN has simple-to-follow guides for Asus, D-Link, Linksys, and Netgear routers.

NordVPN customer support

NordVPN has customer service representatives available any time, night or day, via 24/7 live chat support.

To get help, go to the NordVPN website and click on the live chat support icon in the lower right-hand corner of the screen. Initially, you may get a chatbot that will connect you with relevant and helpful articles.

If you still need further assistance, you will be directed to a NordVPN customer service representative for prompt and professional advice.

Good alternatives to NordVPN

If you are looking to explore your VPN options, here are some other highly-rated VPNs. While the features and price vary for each of these VPNs, they all provide the secure, private, and dependable service we recommend for all VPN consumers.

ExpressVPN. ExpressVPN is the VPN of choice for anyone looking for premium service and is willing to pay a bit more for it. ExpressVPN is known for its user-friendly apps, prompt customer service, large server network, blazing-fast speeds, and top-of-the-line security and privacy protection.

Surfshark. Consumers looking for a high-quality VPN at a budget price should consider Surfshark VPN. Not only is Surfshark more affordable than ExpressVPN and NordVPN, but it allows for unlimited simultaneous device connections without compromising on security, privacy, or features.

CyberGhost. CyberGhost is an easy-to-use, highly customizable VPN that’s available at a low cost. It has a large server network, including specialized servers for streaming, gaming, and torrenting. Plus, it holds up to the security and privacy standards we have for all of our recommended VPN services.

FAQ

Is NordVPN legit?

Yes. NordVPN is a respected provider in the VPN industry. It is consistently ranked highly in VPN reviews, including our own. It has a proven ability to provide fast, secure, stable, and private VPN connections every time! It won the award for Best VPN of 2023 on Forbes Advisor and was the editor’s choice for Best VPN of 2023 in Independent Advisor.

Is NordVPN trustworthy?

Yes. NordVPN is a trustworthy VPN, and you don’t have to take our word for it. An independent audit by PriceWaterhouseCoopers and the cybersecurity consulting agency VerSprite confirm that the company stands by its promises when it comes to privacy and security. It also provides transparency and ongoing quality improvement through its Bugs Bounties program.

Does NordVPN work in China?

Yes. NordVPN works in China. If NordVPN doesn’t appear on the list of approved China VPN services, you might wonder how it manages to function in the country.

NordVPN operates in China by keeping a low profile and avoiding detection by the Chinese government. This strategy allows it to function within Chinese territory without adhering to regulations that might compromise user privacy, security, and VPN effectiveness.

In addition, NordVPN doesn’t host any servers within Chinese borders. When users connect to a local Chinese server, they are connecting to a server in a neighboring location, such as Hong Kong or Singapore.

To overcome restrictions on VPN traffic, NordVPN employs Stealth Mode, utilizing its Obfuscated Servers feature. This feature conceals a user’s IP address and traffic, making it appear as if it is standard HTTPS web traffic. Additionally, NordVPN includes a Kill Switch, which terminates the Internet connection in the event of a VPN drop, ensuring users are never left exposed online.

Does NordVPN still offer a 3-year deal?

No. The NordVPN 3-year deal is no longer being offered, however, you can get an even better discount than the previously offered 3-year deal, when you sign up for the NordVPN 2-year deal currently being offered.

Does NordVPN offer a free trial?

There’s a simple hack that will get you a NordVPN free trial. Every NordVPN subscription comes with a money-back guarantee, which you can use as a free trial, or if you are an Android user, you can take advantage of the NordVPN 7-day free trial.

Sign up for any of the NordVPN subscription plans, then cancel within the 30-day trial, and you’ll get all of your money back!

How many simultaneous connections does NordVPN support? 

NordVPN allows for up to 10 simultaneous connections on a single account. You can also cover your entire household at once by installing NordVPN onto your router.

NordVPN is compatible with most devices and operating systems, including desktops, laptops, mobile devices, smart TVs, and routers.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a high-quality VPN, look no further than NordVPN. It offers everything you want in a VPN, including user apps, secure and private connections, excellent speed, reliable service, and round-the-clock customer support.

Users get dependable access to sites like US Netflix, UK Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and more streaming platforms without geographic restrictions getting in their way. It provides easy-to-use features, the highest level of encryption, a large global network, and hundreds of P2P servers for torrenting.

NordVPN is a feature-rich VPN providing an extra layer of service and security by offering users a dedicated IP address, split tunneling, Threat Protection, Double VPN, data breach monitoring, obfuscated servers, and more.

All in all, NordVPN’s service earns star status for incredible quality at an affordable price.