We put these VPNs to the test to find out which is the best!
When we matched up these two VPNs, it didn’t take long to see that Nord is more reliable with their broad selection of servers (more than 4,600 in over 60 countries) for you to pick from if you want to find a fast connection. As for AirVPN, well, you’ll struggle with getting a quick connection as it only has a limited number of servers in just 15 countries.
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| Download speed reduction | 63% (UK) | 10% (UK) |
| Upload speed reduction | 14% (FRA) | |
| Ping time to google.com | 222ms | 2ms |
| Average time to connect (sec.) | 23.6ms | 9ms |
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| Visit Site | Visit Site |
Speed determines how fast content uploads, so if you're torrenting or streaming, you want the speed to be somewhat identical to your regular internet speed. Since a VPN encrypts your data, it usually takes a bit longer to send your data back and forth, which can slow down your connection. However, if your ISP deliberately slows down your connection (also known as throttling) a VPN might increase your internet speed. Testing a VPN is somewhat pointless because new servers pop up and affect speed. Your speed can also differ according to your location, so your speed test might not match ours. Having said that, we tested the speed in numerous locations to provide you with the average.
Although it’s based in Italy, AirVPN has servers all over Europe, the US, Hong Kong, and Canada. It doesn’t have a lot of servers when compared to Nord, but then again, neither do most VPNs. As for Nord, you’ll have the options of using their regular servers, or choosing from their five specialty servers, depending on what you’ll be doing online.
| VPN vendor |
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|---|---|---|
| Server Locations | 200 | 60 |
| Server Countries | 20 | 60 |
| IP Addresses | 219 | 5,201+ |
| Dynamic Server Switching | ||
| Visit Site | Visit Site |
The ratio of servers to countries is an important factor to look at when choosing a VPN. Only paying attention to location or number of servers can get you in trouble. More servers generally means faster speeds, but if VPN X has a few more servers than VPN Y but twice as many users, VPN X will typically have slower speeds. Ideally, you want a VPN that has a lot of servers in every location. This way you won’t have to worry that server/country that you want will be overburdened and running slow
NordVPN provides all its customers with a 24/7 customer care system through knowledgebase and support tickets. They use the traditional approach which involves top-down help and support. AirVPN only has an email system and its responses mostly take several hours. Even so, AirVPN uses a community level approach where customers help each other.
| VPN vendor |
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|---|---|---|
| Email Response Time | 9 | 3 |
| 24/7 Support | ||
| Live Chat | ||
| Knowledge Base | ||
| Video Tutorials | ||
| Visit Site | Visit Site |
We personally test the customer support team of every VPN we review. This means asking technical question through the live chat feature (where applicable) and measuring the response time for email questions. Whether you need to connect to a specific server, change your security protocol, or configure a VPN on your router, finding a VPN with quality customer support should be important to you.
This VPN service has incredible features some of which you might not get in any other VPN. It makes sure you enjoy complete anonymity and protection as you browse or stream content. However, we felt that they use hard technical language in their explanations and instructions. So, if you’re a first time user, you might fail to understand some of the crucial services and features.
Despite this, the VPN will protect you from DNS leaks plus its Android version even has a kill switch. In addition, this VPN provides protection for your connection against potential risks like logjam hackers, IPv6 leaks, and WebRTC vulnerabilities. One of the crucial aspects of this VPN is its inclusion of security protocols such as OpenVPN and 4096-bit Diffie Hellman Keys.
Nord works well with almost all major platforms and operating systems. You can use it on your iOS, Linux or Android device. It’s also compatible with any router, for example, Asus, DD-WRT, and Tomato. Also, it has six simultaneous connections, and you can use it on your smartphone, personal computer, or tablet all at once!
Our service incorporates robust security encryption protocols, such as the formidable OpenVPN 256-bit double encryption AES. Additionally, we offer enhanced anonymity through dedicated IPs, an extensive selection of nearly 3000 proxy lists, and discreet secret notes. Finally, to protect you from DNS leaks, the application has an automatic kill switch.
