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A provider that regularly features at the top of our listings, NordVPN earns high marks across the board, especially in terms of privacy (9.37), speeds (7.79), and content access (10.0). Of all the VPNs I’ve tested over the years, Nord has consistently continued to improve at an impressive rate. For instance, coverage can now be found in 111 countries, far surpassing the industry average of 60-70 regions.
Prices (7.85) keep it in line with low-cost VPNs for the most part, although it’s rare to see NordVPN available for less than £2.50 per month. (Comparatively, alternatives like Surfshark can be found for roughly £1.70.) NordVPN is banking on its ability to prove its value with a variety of helpful features, including a proprietary protocol (NordLynx), unique add-ons like Meshnet, and much more.
NordVPN is great for streaming, and works reliably with everything from BBC iPlayer to US Netflix. An audited no-logs policy helps to add weight to its logging claims, and it’s ideal for anyone who is interested in improving online security.
Currently our best VPN overall, NordVPN comes with a seven-day free trial for iOS and Android devices, while you’ll be protected by a 30-day money-back guarantee if you do decide to sign up with the service.
9.37
Privacy & Security
7.79
Speed
10
Content Access
7.85
Pricing
9
Usability
9.68
Features
8
Company
9
Customer service
NordVPN is our highest scoring VPN (8.80). For instance, it’s likely to be the best solution for users aiming to connect to an obscure location given there are 111 countries on offer, while usability is unmatched on mobile, desktop, and Fire Stick devices.
Offering the perfect mix of affordability and premium features, NordVPN bridges the gap between more expensive options like Proton VPN, and cheaper providers such as Surfshark and PIA.
NordVPN comes with support for advanced features like Tor over VPN, which allows the user to access the dark web safely. You’ll find numerous features typically reserved for more expensive VPN services, while security and performance is second to none. These include double VPN, dark web scanning, and the innovative Meshnet, allowing the creation of a secure private network of devices located anywhere in the world.
We’ve compared NordVPN with other top providers to see which delivers the best protection and features.
| VPN provider | Price | Free version? | Number of servers | Maximum number of devices | Netflix | BBC iPlayer | Disney+ | Amazon | HBO Max | Audit? |
| NordVPN | From £2.49/m | No | 6,400+ | 10 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Yes |
| ExpressVPN | From £6.80/m | No | 3,000+ | 8 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Yes |
| Surfshark | From £1.69/m | No | 3,200+ | Unlimited | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Yes |
| CyberGhost | From £1.92/m | No | 11,400 | 7 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Yes |
| Proton VPN | From £3.85/m | Yes | 6,500+ | 10 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Yes |
Some of the more interesting features that set NordVPN apart are discussed in more detail below.
NordVPN’s Threat Protection detects and blocks ads, phishing, and malware. It regularly checks a database of known vulnerabilities to ensure your installed apps are not there and will notify you immediately if a vulnerable app is found on your computer. Threat Protection is available on Android, iOS, Linux, MacOS, and Windows, along with NordVPN’s Chrome, Firefox, and Edge extensions.
A truly unique feature which allows the user to create their own network, Meshnet is available even if you don’t have a NordVPN subscription.
Meshnet allows you to make an encrypted network for up to 10 devices on your account and up to 50 external devices (provided they are also NordVPN users). Meshnet users can send files to offline devices, and it’s compatible with VPN connections over the OpenVPN protocol.
NordVPN’s Dark Web Monitor scans the internet for credential leaks; if one is found that is associated with your linked email address, you are notified immediately. It’s free with a basic NordVPN subscription, and it’s worth checking to see if your information has been leaked in the past. It’s a decent feature, although you can use free online alternatives such as Have I Been Pwned.
There aren’t many providers that have gone to the trouble of releasing their own VPN protocol. ExpressVPN and NordVPN are two such examples, with the latter offering NordLynx across a range of operating systems. NordLynx was built using the WireGuard protocol as a basis, aiming to offer faster connection speeds with none of the associated privacy risks.
A VPN protocol is used to decide the method of encryption along with rules relating to tunnelling, and a proprietary release shows a major commitment to privacy. Performance was also impressive, as the NordLynx protocol was used to conduct our speed tests.
NordPass is another interesting addition, although it’s reserved for Plus users. As the name suggests, it’s a password manager which can be used to store your login credentials and other personal information. It’s a great feature if you’d prefer not to use the likes of Google, or a third-party password manager. Of course, there’s nothing stopping you from looking for a free online alternative.
The service has gone from strength to strength over the past decade, and I’ve been a frequent user, as well as reviewing Nord multiple times over the years in a professional capacity.
NordVPN is polished in most respects, and the provider is unlikely to cause any issues while in use. Apps are designed to be as unobtrusive as possible, and it’s easy to get started even if you’ve never used a VPN before. You’ll find a list of potential locations to choose from, and from there it’s a simple case of click and connect.
Speeds are some of the fastest I’ve seen during testing, with solid results for mobile and desktop devices. I’m operating under the assumption that the average user is likely to stick with the NordLynx protocol rather than messing around in the settings menu, as it’s enabled by default.
NordVPN’s privacy policy is easy to understand, while it collects no personally identifiable information. It has a no-logs policy that was most recently audited for the fourth time at the end of 2023, and there’s an emphasis on privacy and security across all apps.
The service was breached in 2018. The cause of the breach was a single third-party data server, and it led to a complete overhaul of Nord’s security practices over the next few years.
The various optional extras such as Threat Protection and the Dark Web Monitor are helpful, but could be replaced with third-party apps, websites, or free plugins for desktop browsers.
The basic plan is decidedly less impressive than more expensive options in terms of extra features, but it does mean that the VPN is available at a range of different price points. On that note, NordVPN’s tiered system of pricing is convoluted, and it could be laid out more clearly instead of barraging the user with endless options that make signing up a confusing process.
Being limited to only 10 devices isn’t the worst crime, especially as five devices used to be the norm only a few years ago. However, various VPNs now allow for the use of unlimited devices at the same time with a single account, so you’ll be able to find other VPNs that arguably offer better value for money elsewhere.
The company has fallen short in terms of advertising standards in the past, which is something to watch for in an unregulated industry. Even so, it has been audited, so you won’t have to take any logging claims for granted.
Here’s a rundown of the factor-by-factor scores in our latest round of testing.
NordVPN has proven to be one of the fastest providers on the market across a range of devices, with high speeds no matter the server or location chosen during testing. This is true for any device you opt for. For instance, MacOS speeds averaged 378 Mbps, while Windows came in at 227 Mbps. Performance was also impressive on Android and iOS devices, with nothing of note to mention during our tests.
To find the average, we tested server speeds multiple times from a trio of popular regions, which are the US, the UK, and Australia. If you’re interested in finding out more about our methodology and testing process, such as information detailing the scoring and evidence we collected for each provider during testing, you can find our testing and scoring process here.
Content access was no issue for NordVPN, as it worked with every service I could think of. Most VPNs struggle to access everything, but Nord earned perfect marks for anyone hoping to watch content via a host of popular UK platforms.
I tested it out with the following services using a desktop browser:
While I didn’t test for international services, it has a reputation as one of the best VPNs for streaming on the market. NordVPN also aced my reliability tests, streaming 4K content with no lag or noticeable slowdown for over an hour whilst using a Fire Stick device. The idea is, Fire Stick devices are predominantly used for watching content, so it’s a good method to test reliability.
NordVPN offers several subscription tiers, with options to pay monthly, annually or for a two-year plan.
The service is priced competitively, especially if you’re only interested in the basic tier which offers a good standard of VPN coverage. Promotions can see prices slashed by over 70 per cent, and you’ll be able to benefit from the biggest savings if you’re willing to sign up for 24 months. There are also regular seasonal promos, offering everything from additional coverage to free mobile data packaged with the VPN plan.
The tiered pricing system is a little confusing, especially if you’re unsure about the various features and whether it’s worth the additional outlay. Regardless, it comes with a 30-day refund policy which means you can test it out for yourself with no obligation.
An area in which NordVPN scores extremely well is privacy & security. It passed our leak tests with no issues, and it comes with an independently audited no-logs policy. NordVPN is based in Panama, outside of the reach of any Five Eyes countries, and it supports advanced features like Tor over VPN connections.
The service was hit by a security breach back in 2018, affecting a single third-party data server in Finland. NordVPN said; “As soon as we learned of the breach, the server and our contract with the provider were terminated and we began an extensive audit of our service.”
The breach caused the provider to make the switch to RAM-only servers, along with starting up a bug bounty program, and ensuring that there are regular audits of its apps and infrastructure.
To that end, NordVPN has a stringent and highly visible no-log policy, which PricewaterhouseCoopers AG Switzerland and Deloitte have independently verified in 2018, 2020 and most recently in the latter stages of 2023. It was the first major VPN provider to submit its no-log practices for auditing and have its claims verified. All it retains is the username and time of the last session, but this is deleted after 15 minutes.
Usability is another high scoring factor for NordVPN. As you might have guessed, support can be found for almost every device and operating system imaginable, including browsers, routers, and the usual range of desktop and mobile apps. A single account can be used with up to 10 devices, up from six in late 2023. There are no labelled servers for streaming, but everything tends to work with no need to fiddle about in the settings.
NordVPN has a solid feature set which is replicated across every app. This is the case whether you opt for the Fire Stick version of the VPN, or plan to use it on a phone or laptop. Core features include a kill switch, as well as the ability to connect to multiple server locations at the same time for improved privacy.
Advanced server options include Tor over VPN, along with obfuscation, and the ability to connect using a dedicated IP address. It’s a decent setup, allowing for a customisable experience no matter which device you’re using. NordVPN can also be used for P2P, so it’s great for file sharing thanks to fast speeds.
24/7 customer support is always a welcome addition, and NordVPN is quicker than most when getting back to the user with a response to any queries.
As with the majority of VPN services, there is a tendency to rely on support articles which don’t always lead to a satisfactory solution in my personal experience. With that being said, NordVPN had no issue with answering any of the questions we posed during testing, including taking one of our researchers through the process to get a refund. (This can sometimes be tricky, but NordVPN was happy to give our money back without any hassle.)
NordVPN has worked to solidify its status as one of the best providers on the market in recent years, although there are a few issues to mention. In terms of its lower scoring for this section, NordVPN has fallen afoul of the UK Advertising Standards Agency following a 2022 radio campaign in which the VPN was alleged to have made misleading claims relating to malware. The advert said:
“Nord VPN, cyber security built for everyday. Shop online without web trackers following your every step. Switch on privacy, switch off trackers and malware…”
The ASA notes that the complainant “challenged whether the claim “switch off … malware” could be substantiated and was misleading.”
The complaint was eventually upheld, despite NordVPN ‘producing an assessment from an independent IT research institute which they said showed that their service detected 98.72% of malware, making them comparable with other well established antivirus service providers’.
In other words, it’s not a particularly egregious example of misleading customers, even if it does lead to a lower overall score for this section.
Anonymity – you’ll be able to pay for NordVPN with cryptocurrencies if you’d prefer, but providers like Mullvad offer the ability to send money directly to avoid a paper trail, and don’t require an email address to sign up.
Yes, NordVPN offers a free trial for iOS and Android users, giving you a chance to test it out for yourself on mobile. The trial lasts for seven days and can be found on each respective App Store, while the user will be able to access the full range of features.
The 30-day money-back guarantee also doubles as a trial of sorts, as you’ll be able to claim a refund with no issues as long as you remember to cancel your subscription within the allotted time.
Whether you’re using NordVPN on a laptop or a mobile device, it’s unlikely to be much of a drain on power. Anecdotally, I’ve not seen any change in terms of battery life while connected to the service on iOS, lasting a day before needing to be charged again. Of course, your own experience will vary depending on your device and the protocol in use.
There are no legal issues to worry about while using a VPN in the UK, especially if you’re predominantly aiming to improve online privacy. For example, some UK companies ask staff to use a VPN while working from home.
However, this doesn’t mean that you’ll be free to break the law whilst using a VPN. Don’t expect NordVPN to shield you if you commit any serious crimes.
NordVPN is currently our top-rated VPN. It earned high scores in comparison to every notable brand in the business, so it’s clearly a good VPN by most metrics. It offers speedy connections from a range of locations, apps are feature-packed, and it has a clear emphasis on privacy and security. This includes an audited no-logs policy, as well as a bug bounty program, and secure encryption.
It’s a solid option for online gaming given it comes with a selection of high speed servers to pick from in various popular locations like the US and the UK. You’ll be able to connect to consoles like the PlayStation 5 with a router, and it works well with platforms like Steam.
NordVPN can also be used to change your IP address, and that can help the user to change their region. This can be useful if you’d like to access an online store in another region, or if you’d like to avoid skill-based matchmaking.
Any VPN has the potential to slow down your connection speeds to some extent. NordVPN is no exception, although it did perform especially well during our tests. You can expect fast speeds no matter which device you’re using.
Given VPNs are predominantly used to encrypt all data sent to and from your device, some slowdown is understandable given this data has to be routed through the VPN server. Even so, you’re unlikely to notice much slowdown while using NordVPN.
NordVPN is based in Panama, which is ideal given it’s a safe jurisdiction in terms of personal privacy. For instance, companies based in Panama have no requirement to store user data. The VPN itself is owned by Nord Security, while it has offices in the UK, Lithuania, and the Netherlands. NordVPN has been around since 2012, while Nord Security merged with Surfshark in 2022. Nord Security also bought AtlasVPN in 2021, so the company has secured a significant portion of the market in the past five years.
NordVPN does record the username and timestamp of your last session but its privacy policy says;
“This information is used to limit the amount of concurrent active user sessions and is automatically deleted within 15 minutes after a session is terminated.”
As such, it’s fair to say that NordVPN is a no-logs provider, even if it is worth being made aware of the scenario discussed above. To be clear, ideally, NordVPN wouldn’t keep this data in the first place, even if it is automatically deleted soon after.
The data in this review is reported from a neutral stance and should be used for informational purposes only. We review VPN services from the perspective of:
Independent Advisor strongly recommends that you follow the local laws in your region whilst using a VPN. We do not condone the use of a VPN to bypass copyright restrictions, or to stream content without a valid subscription in your current region. Make sure to comply with any and all applicable laws and regulations whilst using a VPN with streaming services, and any other relevant platforms.
