NordVPN Review
NordVPN is a hugely popular VPN provider, and one of the best VPN services in the marketplace. It has experienced massive growth over the years, and with over 14 million users worldwide, it is difficult to discredit its offering, right?
Good marketing efforts do not equal great services on their own. Truth is, at first glance, NordVPN boasts a vast network of over 7,300 servers spread across 118 countries, with unique categories dedicated to torrenting, streaming and extra security. But this VPN review is designed to consider all of the important details that make up NordVPN, and determine whether it lives up to its reputation.
So, we put the service through rigorous testing, taking a dive into its performance, features and capabilities to find out just how good NordVPN is, and answer questions like:
- Is NordVPN secure?
- Is it fast?
- Can you Netflix with NordVPN?
- Is it easy to use?
- Is it worth the price?
Before we provide answers to these questions, let us consider some NordVPN pros and cons:
Pros
- Stable and fast VPN speeds
- Allows torrenting on many servers
- Works great with Netflix, BBC iPlayer and other streaming services
- User-friendly apps for iOS, Mac, Android and PC
- Strong logging policy and no IP, WebRTC, and DNS leaks
- Massive server network: over 7,300 servers running in 118 countries
Cons
- Alternative VPN protocols require manual configuration
- There are no obfuscated servers for iOS
- Stable and fast VPN speeds
- Allows torrenting on many servers
- Works great with Netflix, BBC iPlayer and other streaming services
- User-friendly apps for iOS, Mac, Android and PC
- Strong logging policy and no IP, WebRTC, and DNS leaks
- Massive server network: over 7,300 servers running in 118 countries
- Alternative VPN protocols require manual configuration
- There are no obfuscated servers for iOS
Work With
Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Sky, HBO, Torrenting, Kodi
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Speed and Reliability Test
Very Fast Speeds
Indeed, speed testing is the meat and bones of any honest VPN review. NordVPN is a fast VPN, so long as it is connected to VPN servers nearby. While it is not the fastest VPN available, you wouldn’t have trouble with its speed as it is really quick. The upload and download speeds of same-country server (UK to UK) are decent, with about a 5-6% drop from top internet speeds. This makes NordVPN an excellent VPN service for those who want to stream or torrent.
Our speed results from our physical London location using a London test server.
We observed a speed loss of 5% when connected to NordVPN.
Before connecting to NordVPN:
When connected to NordVPN:
Our speed test results from our physical London location using a London test server.
Before connecting to NordVPN:
- 94.83Mbps (download)
- 91.8Mbps (upload)
When connected to NordVPN:
- 90.51Mbps (download)
- 86.28Mbps (upload)
As you must have noticed, NordVPN’s speeds when connected to a nearby VPN server is really impressive. Though it is less impressive when connected over distant locations, it is still very decent.
According to our tests from our location in the UK, here are the average speeds you can expect when in these locations:
| DOWNLOAD AVERAGE | UPLOAD AVERAGE | |
|---|---|---|
| US | 47 Mbps | 48 Mbps |
| Australia | 22 Mbps | 3 Mbps |
| Germany | 78 Mbps | 77 Mbps |
| Singapore | 17 Mbps | 6 Mbps |
According to our tests from our location in the UK, here are the average speeds you can expect when in these locations:
- US: 47Mbps (download) & 48Mbps (upload)
- Australia: 22Mbps (download) & 3Mbps (upload)
- Germany: 78Mbps (download) & 77Mbps (upload)
- Singapore: 17Mbps (download) & 6Mbps (upload)
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Vast Network of Servers
Over 7,300 Servers in 118 Countries
NordVPN offers coverage in 118 countries, one of the widest networks of any VPN service. With over 7,300 servers, each assigned a static IP address, chances are you will find a fast server near you wherever you travel. NordVPN owns the large majority of the servers in its network.
NordVPN provides server coverage to popular locations such as the UK, US, Canada, and Australia as well as less common locations across Africa and Asia that many competing services skip entirely. City-level server options are available across dozens of countries, including strong coverage in:
- US (multiple state-level locations, all 50 states covered)
- UK (London, Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh)
- Canada (multiple city locations)
- Australia (multiple city locations)
- Germany (multiple city locations)
Bypasses Strict Internet Censorship
Obfuscation Technology Works in China Intermittently
NordVPN has remained a comparatively reliable option for visitors and residents in China, though performance there can still be inconsistent given the scale of ongoing censorship efforts.
NordVPN users have reported that its obfuscated servers successfully bypass Chinese censorship, though some still experience difficulties connecting to them. If you are an iPhone user in China, you may struggle to connect to the obfuscated servers since they remain limited on the NordVPN iOS app.
The struggle with NordVPN’s obfuscation technology is largely limited to China, though, as NordVPN remains a solid choice in other heavily censored countries like Russia and Saudi Arabia.
Allows Streaming and Torrenting
- Streaming
Thanks to NordVPN’s SmartPlay technology, users can gain access to otherwise unavailable content, including streaming services like BBC iPlayer and Netflix. For Netflix fans, once you connect to the VPN’s UK or US country server, you will be automatically directed to the best option.
NordVPN servers also unlock other Netflix libraries, including Canada, Germany, France, Japan and Italy. However, BBC iPlayer is not available on all NordVPN servers, but you can easily find the ones that are currently working if you send a message via their live chat platform. This will save you the time you would have spent trying out hundreds of NordVPN’s UK servers. NordVPN’s access to BBC iPlayer is also a big plus, as many top VPN services cannot unlock the streaming service.
NordVPN does not limit its streaming feature to Netflix and BBC iPlayer. With NordVPN, users can also gain access to Amazon Prime Video, Sky, HBO, Hulu and Disney+.
Located in a Safe and Legal Jurisdiction
Panama Has No Data Retention Laws
Founded in 2012, NordVPN has its headquarters in Panama, well beyond the reach of EU and US data retention laws. In Panama, VPN services are not required to share information with other countries, nor are they compelled to store or report user data. Being headquartered in Panama means NordVPN can decline third-party data requests, so it is very difficult for your online activity to be traced.
- Torrenting
NordVPN allows torrenting, though it is not available on every server on the VPN’s network. The server list is rich enough for users to torrent and stream comfortably.
However, P2P file sharing is not permitted in a number of countries, including:
- United Arab Emirates
- Cyprus
- Malaysia
- Vietnam
- Argentina
- Thailand
- Chile
- Ukraine
- Egypt
- South Korea
- Georgia
- Costa Rica
- Indonesia
- Taiwan
If you attempt torrenting while connected to a NordVPN server that does not support P2P file sharing, your connection will simply be redirected to a working server in the Netherlands or Canada. With a strong feature set, including a no-logging policy and VPN kill switch, NordVPN remains one of the most secure VPNs for torrenting. Its impressive upload and download speeds also make it an excellent choice.
Encryption and Security
Strong VPN Features with Full Protocol Flexibility
Some of NordVPN’s features include:
- Encryption: AES-256
- Protocol: NordLynx (WireGuard-based, default); IKEv2/IPSec; OpenVPN
- Security: VPN Kill Switch; DNS leak blocking; First-party DNS; WebRTC Leak Blocking; Supports TCP Port 443
- Advanced features: Tor via VPN server; Double VPN; Meshnet
NordLynx, NordVPN’s custom implementation of the WireGuard protocol, is now the default connection method, and it’s a strong one — offering noticeably faster speeds than older protocols while maintaining a high level of security through a double NAT system that keeps the connection private. OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPSec remain available for users who prefer them, both equipped with AES-256 encryption for a solid mix of security and speed. In the event of a connection drop, the VPN kill switch protects your IP address, and built-in DNS leak protection keeps requests from leaking outside the encrypted tunnel. NordVPN also offers Tor over VPN and Double VPN (multi-hop) for users who want an extra layer of security.
Beyond the VPN itself, NordVPN also offers optional standalone protection add-ons for users who want extra coverage: NordProtect, an identity-theft protection service, and Coveron, a device and appliance protection plan. Both can be purchased separately from a NordVPN subscription.
Strong No Logging Policy
Unlike some VPN services, NordVPN does not log your traffic or keep user activity logs. Its no-logs policy has been independently audited multiple times, making it a genuinely verified no-logging VPN service. NordVPN only collects minimal server-load information, monitored to keep servers performing optimally for all users. The privacy of every user is a priority for NordVPN, and your personal data is never sold to third parties.
Customer Support
Knowledgeable Live Chat Support
NordVPN has 24/7 live chat support with extensive knowledge that always proves helpful for subscribers. Its online resources are also very impressive, and while email support isn’t as fast, you should have little reason to use it since live chat is always available.
There are also helpful troubleshooting guides that cover a wide range of potential VPN issues, and offer a variety of solutions.
Pricing
Plans and Payment Methods
NordVPN is one of the best VPN services in the marketplace, and it is very pocket-friendly on longer plans too. All core VPN features are available on every price tier. NordVPN is available at around £10.89/month if you subscribe on a monthly basis, but this drops sharply to as low as £2.59/month on the 2-year plan. (Prices checked July 2026; NordVPN runs promotional campaigns throughout the year, so always confirm the final price at checkout.)
NordVPN accepts a wide range of payment options, including credit and debit cards, PayPal, Bitcoin, Ethereum, Alipay, Amazon Pay, Google Pay, and direct debit.
Refund Options
NordVPN does not offer a free tier, but it provides a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you are dissatisfied with the service, you can cancel your subscription within 30 days by contacting live chat support. They will take you through a brief troubleshooting process first, but you should receive your refund within 10 business days.



