NordVPN is a virtual private network that gained popularity through its ambassador program, where influencers promote the service on social media. However, despite its popularity, it did not make our list of the top VPN providers published in June. After conducting thorough testing, we found that NordVPN was somewhat overhyped for its price, lacking certain features that are considered standard in more affordable options.
When it comes to VPN use cases, the three main ones are geoblocking, streaming, and gaming. To test the performance of NordVPN and its competitors, we used them to access Canadian Netflix from a US-based home, played an online game on a UK-based server, and streamed a news channel on YouTube using a Hong Kong-based VPN.
Signing up for NordVPN was a straightforward process, and the service offers options like automatic updates to ensure you are always using the latest version. Depending on the tier you choose, you may also gain access to additional features like NordPass, the company’s password manager, or NordLocker, a file encryption software. The complete package is priced at $5.79 per month.
A good VPN should operate seamlessly in the background, without causing any noticeable disruptions. NordVPN met this criterion, successfully masking the IP address and passing our DNS and WebRTC leak tests. It also allowed us to access geo-blocked content, stream on YouTube, and play online games with minimal buffering. In terms of internet latency, we measured a ping speed of 75 milliseconds with NordVPN enabled, compared to 62 milliseconds without it.
NordVPN supports up to six simultaneous connections, making it suitable for families or individuals who wish to use multiple devices at once. However, if multiple devices are connected to the same server, they must run on different VPN protocols. NordVPN boasts an extensive network of over 5,000 servers in 60 countries, catering to various device types including gaming systems, Raspberry Pi devices, and streaming services.
However, NordVPN’s security history is not ideal. The company is based in Panama, a country with limited data sharing laws. While NordVPN utilizes industry-standard AES 256-bit encryption and a modified version of the WireGuard protocol to temporarily avoid collecting IP addresses, it has been criticized for collecting and storing unnecessary user information. Additionally, NordVPN failed to disclose a data breach that occurred in 2018 until over a year later, only acknowledging it after a security researcher publicly discussed the incident.
Furthermore, NordVPN’s advertising practices and history have been found to be misleading. A UK-based Advertising Standards Authority ruled that a NordVPN ad from 2019 exaggerated the risk of data theft. The company often makes unsubstantiated claims about the capabilities of its VPN, which cannot be proven.
While NordVPN is frequently mentioned in discussions about top VPN options, our experience using the service was somewhat underwhelming. In comparison to other providers like ProtonVPN, which offer a more comprehensive range of products and higher security measures, NordVPN didn’t stand out. As a result, it did not make our list of recommended VPN choices.
In conclusion, while NordVPN is a popular virtual private network service with a wide range of features and a large server network, it falls short in terms of data privacy and security transparency. Its advertising practices have also been questioned. While it may suit some users’ needs, there are other VPN providers that offer a more comprehensive package for a similar or lower price.
