NordVPN review 2025

Shopping around for a VPN (Virtual Private Network) and wondering if NordVPN is worth it? You’ve come to the right place.

This in-depth NordVPN review covers everything you need to know, including speed, security, and pricing. It also highlights how NordVPN handles activities like streaming and offers a side-by-side comparison with Surfshark, another top VPN provider.

Whether you’re a privacy pro or just starting your VPN journey, this guide will help you make an informed choice.

NordVPN at a glance

Here’s a brief overview of the key NordVPN features worth knowing:

*Prices in USD. Speed retention based on tests performed by cybernews.com. Information accurate as of May 1, 2025.

Features and performance

Let’s take a closer look at NordVPN’s basic features and consider how fast you can expect your internet connection to be when connected to a NordVPN server.

Server locations  

NordVPN provides strong global coverage, boasting 7,100+ VPN servers across 118 countries. This widespread server network reduces congestion and helps VPN users see consistent speeds, even during peak internet traffic.  

NordVPN also gives users access to specialized servers through extra features like its Double VPN and Onion Over VPN. These add layers of encryption that offer enhanced levels of online privacy while connected to a VPN server.

Server speeds 

NordVPN is often one of the top-performing VPN services in speed tests. Whether streaming in 4K or transferring large files, NordVPN should maintain a stable VPN connection for all your internet traffic.

Here’s how NordVPN performed in recent speed tests conducted with VPN servers in five international locations:

*Based on speed tests performed by cybernews.com

Pro Tip: For a high-speed VPN that’s also budget-friendly, go with Surfshark. Independent speed tests from TechRadar found Surfshark to be the fastest VPN on the market. Backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, Surfshark combines a fast internet connection and advanced security features to offer enhanced online privacy.

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Streaming and gaming

NordVPN is one of the best VPNs for securely accessing paid home streaming content and online gaming.

NordVPN supports most major streaming platforms, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Apple TV+, and HBO Max. However, reliability and speed can vary depending on factors like the user’s ISP (Internet Service Provider) and the distance between the user’s device and the chosen VPN server.

The SmartPlay feature helps NordVPN stand out from many VPN providers when it comes to streaming. Enabling the streaming of content that would otherwise be unavailable, SmartPlay is built into NordVPN apps and requires no additional setup.

For gaming, Nord is also a great choice. It offers increased online security while providing low latency, a stable connection, and consistent protection against DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks. NordVPN usually has low ping times across multiple regions, meaning VPN usage shouldn’t adversely affect most gamers.

Security features and privacy

VPN services should provide greater online security, and NordVPN’s rich portfolio of top-grade encryption and additional safety features does just that.

Encryption

Nord uses AES-256-CBC encryption for desktop devices and ChaCha20 for mobile devices, both industry standards for safeguarding sensitive data. While these encryption methods are secure for all online traffic, Surfshark’s AES-256-GCM is generally faster.

Kill Switch and obfuscation   

NordVPN offers a Kill Switch that cuts off your internet if the VPN connection unexpectedly drops. This feature can be activated for all web traffic on your device or only for selected apps.

For increased privacy, some NordVPN servers are obfuscated, meaning they hide the fact you’re using a VPN to redirect your traffic. Since VPN traffic is harder to detect, obfuscation is especially useful in regions where oppressive governments attempt to censor content and limit VPN usage.  

VPN protocols 

NordVPN supports three protocols: NordLynx, OpenVPN, and IKEv2. All are effective, high-performance choices, but each has its strengths.

NordLynx is a modified version of the WireGuard protocol, which is generally considered the fastest VPN protocol available. NordLynx offers robust security, solid performance, and added protection against IP (Internet Protocol) address leaks.

OpenVPN is another reliable protocol that can boost your online security, and IKEv2 is widely regarded as the best VPN protocol for mobile users. Nevertheless, unlike other VPN services like Surfshark, NordVPN doesn’t offer IKEv2 on Android devices.

Privacy and logging

NordVPN is one of the most transparent VPN providers, and it has a long track record of supporting user privacy. Based in Panama, NordVPN can uphold its strict no-logs policy as it isn’t legally required to collect or store user activity records.

NordVPN’s service has also been independently verified several times. Recent NordVPN reviews include the following:

• In 2018 and 2020, PwC verified NordVPN’s no-logs policy and confirmed that it didn’t store any user data or activity;
• In 2022, 2023, and 2024, Deloitte verified and reaffirmed NordVPN’s no-logs policy and online privacy protections. A 2023 announcement and a 2024 update provide full details of these reviews;
• In 2024, Cure53 verified NordVPN’s security features, including its Threat Protection and Threat Protection Pro, and found that all VPN functionalities worked as they should.

Moreover, NordVPN uses RAM-only VPN servers, ensuring no browsing data is stored in the long term.

Subscription and payment options

NordVPN offers numerous subscriptions and accepts various payment methods to help users select a plan that best suits their needs.

Pricing plans  

NordVPN lets users choose from the following three pricing plans:

*Prices in USD.

Sizable NordVPN deals are available on longer subscriptions. A one-month NordVPN subscription costs $12.99 per month, but the monthly cost drops to $3.39 with a two-year plan. Even though NordVPN is one of the best VPNs, its long-term plans still aren’t as competitive as other VPN services. For example, Surfshark’s two-year plan costs just $2.19 per month.

While a free NordVPN subscription isn’t available, users can take advantage of a 30-day money-back guarantee to try out NordVPN services risk-free.

Payment options

NordVPN accepts many different secure payment methods, including:

• Credit/debit cards;
• PayPal;
• Google Pay and Apple Pay on mobile devices;
• Cryptocurrencies.

NordVPN goes one step further than many other VPN services by allowing cash payments at select retail locations. This is particularly valuable to users who wish to keep their purchases private without revealing their IP address or leaving any digital paper trail.

Bundled products

Apart from being one of the best VPNs, NordVPN comes bundled with several products also made by its developer, Nord Security. Here’s what else comes included in a NordVPN subscription:

• Threat Protection: a tool in the NordVPN app that blocks malicious domains and limits trackers. Available on all major platforms;
• Threat Protection Pro: an anti-malware tool that scans for threats, delivers fraud warnings, blocks malicious websites, and protects against phishing. Only available on Windows and macOS;
• NordPass: a password manager that secures passkeys, credit cards, and personal info for businesses and individuals;
• NordLocker: encrypted cloud storage that enables secure file sharing;
• Dark Web Monitor: a tool that alerts you if your sensitive information is exposed in data breaches.

Customer support

NordVPN offers excellent customer service, ensuring users get speedy technical assistance when and where they want it. 

Support channels

NordVPN offers customer support via live chat and email. Detailed guides are also available on their online help center for users who want to troubleshoot issues themselves.

Availability and ease of access

NordVPN’s live chat, email, and online help center are available 24/7. Support pages provide information on various topics, including FAQs, setup guides, and detailed articles on everything from installation to advanced security configurations. 

The NordVPN help center features interactive troubleshooting tools to guide users through the most common VPN issues. It’s available in 14 languages: English, German, French, Danish, Italian, Spanish, Norwegian, Swedish, Dutch, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese-Brazilian, and Traditional Chinese.

Users can also get chat or email support from conversation bots or human customer service agents in the same 14 languages.

Response times

NordVPN is one of the best VPN providers in terms of customer support response times. Third-party testing found that responses from NordVPN’s live chat agents are usually fast. In most cases, wait times are less than one minute. Email tickets typically get answered within a few hours. Overall, users often praise NordVPN support representatives for their detailed, informative replies. 

What real users say about NordVPN

Reddit is a valuable source of hundreds of first-hand VPN reviews, and NordVPN reviews are no exception. Most NordVPN reviews are positive, with users frequently pointing out the service’s speed, stability, and privacy-first approach. 

Here’s a selection of reactions and opinions from NordVPN users:

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Disclaimer: The reviews highlighted in this section were selected from publicly available posts on social media platforms. They reflect the opinions of individual users at the time of posting and may not represent the full range of our product features and qualities.

NordVPN vs. Surfshark

Not sure if NordVPN is right for you? Let’s explore how it compares to another leading VPN client, Surfshark.
 
Both NordVPN and Surfshark are high-quality VPN services, offering fast speeds, robust security, advanced features, and expansive server networks. However, there are some key differences between the two providers.

Here’s a snapshot showing the main differences between NordVPN and Surfshark:

*Prices in USD. Speed retention based on tests performed by cybernews.com. Information accurate as of May 1, 2025.

Key differences

NordVPN and Surfshark can both effectively mask your IP address and increase your online security, but each service shines in different areas.

NordVPN offers more servers and server locations while generally providing faster speeds. However, Surfshark is the better choice for VPN users looking for a lower-cost plan, support for unlimited simultaneous connections, and cybersecurity tools like private search and an alternative email address.  

Which one should you choose?

VPN users may prefer NordVPN or Surfshark, depending on what they want a VPN for. Here are specific use cases where either NordVPN or Surfshark may be more advantageous over the other:

• NordVPN performs better for streaming: with the SmartPlay integration, NordVPN makes it easy to access streaming content on devices that normally don’t support VPN apps. You can still use Surfshark VPN on these devices, but you would first need to set up the VPN on a router; 
• NordVPN has a slight edge for gaming: NordVPN usually provides lower latency for online gaming, but Surfshark has a unique GPS override feature that can be especially useful for mobile gaming;
• NordVPN has undergone more independent audits: both VPN services have been audited by reputable firms, but NordVPN’s longer history of third-party checks makes it the more transparent choice;
• Surfshark offers easier censorship bypassing: Surfshark’s NoBorders mode automatically detects and configures the best settings for using the VPN in regions with limited freedom around internet activity. NordVPN requires users to manually select an obfuscated server to achieve the same thing;
• Surfshark’s Dynamic MultiHop double VPN allows for more customization: users who prefer to pick their entry and exit points for double VPN protection can do so with Surfshark’s Dynamic MultiHop. NordVPN’s Double VPN is pre-configured, but it still works well;
• Surfshark includes unique privacy tools: Surfshark’s security suite includes Alternative ID, which generates a new online identity, complete with a name and email address. A paid add-on, Alternative Number, grants users a virtual phone number. NordVPN doesn’t offer equivalents to these.

Final verdict: is NordVPN worth it in 2025?

If you’re after one of the fastest, most secure VPN services around, NordVPN remains a top pick.

However, if you’re looking for an all-in-one cybersecurity suite and want to protect your entire network with unlimited simultaneous connections, Surfshark might be the better value.

Backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, Surfshark delivers secure encryption, effective IP address masking, and a host of additional features to take your online privacy to the next level.

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