NordVPN Review 2024 - Before You Buy, Is It Worth It?

Speed — Exceptionally Fast on All Servers

To my surprise, NordVPN’s speeds came quite close to ExpressVPN — I wasn’t expecting it to be so fast, especially on distant servers. I ran several speed tests, and the test results were consistent across the board. I can confidently recommend NordVPN if you’re someone who can’t compromise on speed.

Speed Test Results

I connected to servers in the UK, US, Germany, and Australia, then used Ookla’s speed test tool to measure performance. The speeds held steady across all locations — I could stream in UHD on multiple devices, download large files quickly, and play fast-paced online games without issues.

I used NordLynx for these tests because it’s the fastest protocol, built on the lightweight WireGuard with just 4,000 lines of code. It uses optimized encryption to lower computational load, speeding up data transfers. Compared to OpenVPN and IKEv2, NordLynx was slightly faster on nearby servers and considerably faster on distant ones.

I recorded my speeds on each server using different protocols in the chart below. Note that my baseline speeds were 100Mbps:

Gaming Speed — Low-Ping Connections Ensure Lag-Free Gaming

NordVPN is one of the best gaming VPNs you can get. I connected to a local VPN server and launched Call Of Duty: Warzone. I usually get about 45–55ms latency while playing Warzone, and it was 60ms when connected to a nearby NordVPN server. This minor ping difference wasn’t noticeable, and I played entire matches without lag.

On distant servers in the US and Canada, my ping varied between 85 and 100ms, which is still decent for lag-free gaming. Even on heavy network loads, NordVPN held stable speeds while playing Call of Duty. I didn’t have any issues downloading large updates on Steam and Epic, streaming gameplay, and joining multiplayer sessions.

NordVPN has a reliable global network of servers, so you’ll find a nearby connection anywhere in the world. Thanks to its SmartPlay technology, it doesn’t need streaming-optimized servers. Instead, NordVPN offers specialized security servers designed to protect your privacy.

Server Network — Large Global Network of Servers

NordVPN has a network of over 3,000 servers across 105 countries, including major cities in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and other regions. Most of these are 10Gbps connections that provide ample bandwidth to avoid congestion and server instability. Plus, all servers are RAM-only, meaning they cannot store your data on disks.

You can also find colocated servers in Finland, Sweden, Switzerland, Belgium, and more. By taking complete server control, NordVPN can guarantee top-grade security, ensuring you stay protected against any third-party interference or data malpractices. In addition, it offers special security-enhancing servers, such as:

• Double VPN servers — route your data through 2 separate servers, encrypting it twice. This makes it nearly impossible for snoopers to trace your IP or monitor your activities.
• Obfuscated servers — make your VPN traffic appear as regular HTTPS traffic to avoid network blocks and access global web services freely in restrictive countries.
• Onion over VPN servers — combine NordVPN with the Tor network, passing data through multiple encryption layers to improve online anonymity.

Overall, NordVPN has an impressive server network that guarantees speed, security, and reliability. You can find a nearby server for fast speeds no matter where you are, and its various specialty servers add extra layers of protection.

Torrenting — Effective for Quick and Anonymous Torrenting

NordVPN’s regular servers don’t allow torrenting, so you’ll have to connect to its specialized P2P servers in 70+ countries. These servers are designed for fast file sharing and are located in regions with more relaxed torrenting laws. When NordVPN detects torrenting traffic, it automatically routes you to the nearest P2P server.

I tested NordVPN’s P2P servers with clients like qBittorrent and uTorrent, and I got consistently fast download speeds. Downloading a copyright-free old classic, Plan 9 from Outer Space, just took around 6 minutes with NordVPN.

The download speeds were only 20% slower than my baseline connection, while the upload speeds were up to 50% slower, depending on server distance. Overall, NordVPN is one of the best VPNs for safe and anonymous torrenting.

SOCKS5 Proxy Servers — Faster Speeds at the Cost of Security

If you want even faster torrenting speeds, NordVPN provides SOCKS5 proxy servers, and you can get their details by logging into the web portal. These proxy servers change your IP address but don’t encrypt your connection, usually leading to faster download speeds. If you aren’t worried about encryption, this feature can help you torrent files even faster.

Does NordVPN Work in China? Maybe

While NordVPN has obfuscated servers that can theoretically work in China, getting past China’s Great Firewall can be a hit or miss with NordVPN. However, NordVPN works well in countries with mild or less censorship, such as the UAE.

When I contacted the app’s support, they said it won’t work in China if you’re using a Windows device. However, you might be able to use NordVPN in China by setting up a manual IKEv2 connection on Android, iOS, macOS, and Linux devices.

Since China constantly improves its VPN detection technology, even a manual IKEv2 connection with NordVPN isn’t guaranteed to work. If you need a VPN that works reliably in China, ExpressVPN is your best choice. It’s one of the few VPNs that works consistently there.

Security Features

NordVPN’s security features are among the most comprehensive, combining robust encryption, advanced protocols, and unique tools like Dark Web Monitoring, Invisibility on LAN, and Meshnet.

Encryption — Military-Grade Encryption Ensures Data Privacy

NordVPN secures your data with AES-256 encryption, a powerful standard used by military and government agencies globally. AES-256, with a 256-bit key, creates a virtually impenetrable encryption wall. Plus, NordVPN pairs this with ChaCha20 for mobile devices when using its NordLynx protocol for light and efficient encryption.

In addition to military-grade encryption, NordVPN uses Perfect Forward Secrecy, a security feature that changes encryption keys with each session. This means even if someone accessed one session’s key, they would only see the data from that specific session, not the rest.

VPN Protocols — A Good Blend of Speed and Security

NordVPN offers three VPN protocols: NordLynx, OpenVPN, and IKEv2/IPSec, each tailored for different security and speed needs.

Kill Switch — Protects Your Privacy if the Connection Is Unstable

Unlike other VPNs, NordVPN has 2 kill switches — the first is the internet kill switch, which disconnects your entire connection if the VPN gets unstable. The second is an app-specific kill switch that only quits selected apps when you’re not connected to NordVPN.

A kill switch keeps your IP hidden if the VPN server disconnects unexpectedly. I tested NordVPN’s kill switch by simulating a VPN server drop and common internet issues, like weak Wi-Fi and router restarts. In each case, the kill switch instantly cut my connection, blocking unprotected traffic and ensuring my real IP stayed private.

Leak Protection — Never Leaks Any Personally Identifiable Information

I was pleased that NordVPN passed all leak tests and kept my location and IP address hidden. To test this, I connected to different NordVPN servers and ran DNS and IP leak tests. My IP address and other identifying information were never leaked, and each test showed the location and IP of the NordVPN server I connected to.

You need to use NordVPN’s browser extension to protect your IP fully during browser-based calls and video sessions. When I ran WebRTC leak tests without the extension, my IP occasionally showed. However, using NordVPN’s extension on Chrome completely blocked WebRTC leaks.

Split Tunneling — Great Feature but Not Available on All Devices

NordVPN has a split tunneling feature that lets you specify which apps should use the VPN tunnel. This feature is helpful when you only need to use a VPN on specific apps while ensuring you can still access region-specific banking and other services without disconnecting from the VPN.

Split tunneling in NordVPN is easy to set up on all its apps. Just navigate to the settings menu and choose which apps are allowed to bypass the VPN tunnel. You can also configure it inversely so that only specific apps use the VPN while the rest bypass its tunnel. Because most Apple devices don’t allow this feature, NordVPN’s split tunneling functionality isn’t available on macOS and iOS.

Threat Protection — Powerful Security and Quality-of-Life Tool

Threat Protection is a standout NordVPN feature that keeps you safe online and blocks annoying ads. You can easily enable it from the app’s interface, and it’ll instantly start improving your online protection. It blocks ads, trackers, and malware while surfing the web, and it also blocks malicious downloads and spots any vulnerable apps on your device.

In my tests, Threat Protection reliably blocked ads on most websites I visited. Note that NordVPN’s Google Play version doesn’t include an ad blocker because of Google’s ad policy. However, you can get this feature if you get NordVPN on your Android via a .apk file from its official website.

NordVPN’s Plus and Complete plans come with Threat Protection Pro, which blocks ads, trackers, and phishing sites. It also checks downloads and each web request in real time to prevent malware attacks. Unlike standard Threat Protection, which filters only at the DNS level, Pro goes deeper by blocking threats at the URL level and catching malware hidden in files.

Meshnet — Unique Feature With a Wide Range of Use Cases

NordVPN’s Meshnet lets you securely connect up to 50 devices, allowing remote access, file sharing, and traffic routing between them. You can create a virtual LAN for gaming with friends, simulating a local network for multiplayer games. The feature is highly flexible, but performance varies by device, as older devices may reduce connection speeds.

Meshnet’s file sharing and routing functions work best on Windows, macOS, and Linux, which can serve as traffic-routing hosts, while other devices act as clients. NordVPN provides setup guides for more advanced configurations, especially useful for remote access. Overall, Meshnet offers a versatile, secure way to link and manage multiple devices.

Dark Web Monitor — Informs You if Any Sensitive Data Gets Leaked

NordVPN’s dark web monitoring scans the dark web for any leaks tied to the email registered with your account. If your credentials appear in compromised databases or hacker marketplaces, NordVPN alerts you instantly about which service was breached. This way, you can quickly change your passwords or enable two-factor authentication.

NordPass — Securely Stores All Your Passwords

NordPass is a secure password manager that lets you store, organize, and access your passwords from any device, anytime. You no longer have to remember complex passwords or worry about keeping track of them. It uses a zero-knowledge architecture, meaning only you can access your stored passwords — not even NordVPN staff can see or retrieve them.

NordPass is available in NordVPN’s Plus and Complete plans. If you’re looking for a way to improve your online security, NordPass offers automatic password generation and secure storage of sensitive information like notes and credit card details. That’s why NordPass is also one of the top password managers in 2024.

NordLocker — Encrypted Storage for All Sensitive Data

With NordLocker, you can securely store, sync, and share files, knowing they’re protected with end-to-end encryption. This means only you have the keys to decrypt your files; no one, not even NordVPN, can access them. It’s a simple way to keep sensitive documents, photos, and files private.

NordLocker is included in NordVPN’s Complete plan. You can easily drag and drop files into the NordLocker app, where they’re automatically encrypted and stored either locally or in the cloud. With cross-device synchronization, NordLocker ensures your files are up-to-date and accessible wherever you go.

Invisibility on LAN — Hides You From Other Local Network Devices

NordVPN’s Invisibility on LAN feature hides your device from others on the same network, which is ideal for public Wi-Fi in places like cafes or airports. It keeps your device undetectable from others. However, enabling this feature also means you won’t be able to connect with local devices like printers or smart TVs, as it isolates your device completely.

You can easily enable Invisibility on LAN in the NordVPN app under general settings. It’s available on all major platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.

NordProtect — Identity Theft Protection With Recovery Coverage

NordProtect is NordVPN’s latest tool to protect your personal information from identity theft. It’s included in the NordVPN Prime plan for users in the U.S., and there are plans to roll it out worldwide—and as a standalone product—in 2025. If you’re worried about your data being stolen, NordProtect has got you covered with:

• Credit monitoring — Keeps an eye on your credit report and flags any unusual activity, so you can stop identity theft before it happens.
• Dark web alerts — Checks if your personal info, like your email or Social Security number, has been leaked on the dark web and lets you know right away.
• Identity theft recovery — If your identity is stolen, it offers up to $1 million to help with recovery costs.
• Threat Protection Pro — Blocks malware, ads, and trackers while giving you extra security when you browse online.

Privacy Features

NordVPN’s privacy features excel with a strict, third-party-verified no-logs policy and a privacy-focused Panama jurisdiction. Independent audits by Deloitte confirm its strong privacy standards, placing NordVPN ahead of many competitors.

No-Logs Policy — Strong Commitment to Zero Data Storage

NordVPN’s no-logs policy means your online activities are always private. The service doesn’t track, collect, or share your private data — it doesn’t even log your IP address. This is a reassuring commitment to privacy and is a must-have for anyone who values privacy.

Company Jurisdiction — Privacy-Friendly Location

NordVPN is headquartered in Panama, outside the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance’s jurisdiction. Also, the Republic of Panama doesn’t have any data retention laws, meaning NordVPN isn’t required to store your data or collaborate with international surveillance efforts.

Independent Audits — Proven to Be True to Its Word

NordVPN’s no-logs policy has been independently audited and verified 4 times over the years, further cementing its commitment to privacy. It’s been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers AG and Deloitte, two highly renowned names. The audits proved that the app doesn’t monitor or log any user data, thus ensuring complete privacy.

NordVPN offers quick customer support through multiple channels. Its 24/7 live chat is the fastest way to get help, but you can also reach out via email for more technical issues. That said, you’ll find most of your answers in its online guides.

24/7 Live Chat — The Easiest Way to Get Help

NordVPN’s live chat proved to be the best support channel in my tests. It’s easily accessible from NordVPN’s support page, and it connects you with an agent within a few minutes. I frequently contacted live chat during my tests, and the agents always gave detailed answers to my questions.

Note that NordVPN’s live chat initially connects you with a bot that automatically generates responses to help resolve basic queries. If these aren’t enough, you can simply ask the bot to connect you with an agent. I also liked that NordVPN manages support in-house instead of outsourcing it to third parties.

Email Support — Detailed, Professional Responses

If you don’t need an urgent response, NordVPN’s email support is a great alternative support channel. You can reach out by sending an email to support@nordvpn.com. Whenever I contacted email support, I got answers within 24 hours. Responses through email support are always more detailed, so this channel might be better if you have a long query.

Online Resources and FAQs — Informative and Helpful

For basic troubleshooting and FAQs, NordVPN has a detailed knowledge base with lots of helpful information. It has billing tips, connection troubleshooting guides, and general information that’ll help you run NordVPN properly on your device.

NordVPN’s knowledge base also has a helpful search function where you can type your query to get relevant results. If you can’t find answers here, you can also post on NordVPN’s official subreddit. I noticed NordVPN’s representatives usually respond to posts and unusual troubleshooting questions.

In-App Ticketing — A Convenient Time-Saver

For added convenience, NordVPN has an in-app ticketing system that lets you report issues or ask questions without exiting the app.

In-app ticketing is available in NordVPN’s desktop and mobile versions, making it easy to report problems on any device.