- NordVPN Review: Evaluating VPN features, highlighting its standout security options and pricing.
- Maybe you missed it? A Review of the Orange Pi 4A SBC
The Final Verdict
Editor’s Choice  |
Strongly EndorsedA trustworthy VPN service that protects your data and offers fast server speeds.
|
Unmatched security features and fast performance.
The landscape of online security and privacy is rapidly changing, creating an increasing demand for dependable and high-performance Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). With the rise of cyber threats and the critical importance of internet speed for many users, it is essential to find a VPN that delivers robust security without compromising on speed. NordVPN has emerged as a leading choice in the VPN market, offering an effective solution for those looking to safeguard their online activities while maintaining fast and reliable internet connections.
This review will explore the speed and features of NordVPN, assessing whether its exceptional qualities genuinely make it the top VPN choice for 2024.
Key Takeaways
| Features | Details |
|---|---|
| Server Availability | With over 6,800 servers spread across 111 countries, enjoy enhanced connectivity and significantly reduced lag. |
| Unlimited bandwidth and data for VPN traffic. | ✅ |
| Connect 10 devices at once for household protection with one account. | ✅ |
| DNS Leak Protection | ✅ |
| Dark Web Monitoring | ✅ |
| Split tunneling | ✅ |
| Kill Switch | ✅ |
| Free secure cloud storage | ✅ 3GB (Included) |
| Onion Over VPN [Extra Layer of protection] | Double VPN encrypts your traffic by routing it through two servers. |
| Proprietary VPN Protocol optimized for speed | NordLynx |
| Privacy | No logs’ policy |
| Streaming | Unblocks Netflix, Hulu, and more |
| Intuitive and compatible with a wide range of devices | Works on Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and more. |
| Threat Protection Pro | Blocks malicious sites, ads, and trackers for added peace of mind. |
| Meshnet | Utilize your VPN as a gateway to connect up to 10 devices, significantly boosting secure remote connections. |
Protecting Against Cyber Threats
- Ransomware: Preventing malware that encrypts files or locks devices, demanding cryptocurrency for access restoration and may threaten to publish stolen data if not paid.
- QR Code Scam: Preventing malicious QR codes that direct users to fraudulent sites or install malware. Scammers may overlay fake codes on real ones or send them via text or email to steal personal information.
- Phishing: A cybercrime involves attackers using fraudulent emails, messages, or websites to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information, often by creating a sense of urgency or fear.
- Password Attacks: Preventing password attacks seeks to stop unauthorized access through techniques like brute force, dictionary attacks, and social engineering.
- Man in the Middle: Preventing attackers from intercepting or altering communication to steal information, inject malware, or impersonate others.
- Malware: Preventing malicious software that harms devices, services, or networks, including viruses, worms, Trojans, ransomware, and spyware.
- Malvertising: Preventing malicious code in online ads is crucial, as users may be redirected to harmful sites or have malware installed upon clicking.
- DDoS: Preventing DDoS attacks stops traffic floods that slow down or crash websites, usually via a botnet.
Why NordVPN Stands Out as a Top VPN for 2024
1. Dedicated to providing high speeds.
The VPN’s dedication to optimizing its network for fast and stable connections has been evident in its continuous efforts to enhance its infrastructure and protocols. With an extensive server network comprising thousands of servers in numerous locations worldwide, the company ensures that users can access high-speed connections regardless of their geographical location.
2. Protection against cybersecurity threats.
This global presence also allows users to bypass geo-restrictions and access content from anywhere in the world, further enhancing the VPN’s appeal. Moreover, NordVPN’s focus on cybersecurity is unparalleled, with the VPN constantly updating and improving its security features to combat emerging threats. The integration of advanced encryption protocols, coupled with additional security tools such as a kill switch and DNS leak protection.
3. Protecting users with No-log policy
The company also boasts a strict no-logs policy, meaning that it does not track or store users’ online activities, further enhancing privacy and security. With features such as Double VPN, which routes internet traffic through two servers for added encryption, and CyberSec, which blocks malware and intrusive ads, NordVPN goes above and beyond to provide a comprehensive cybersecurity solution for its users.
3. Proprietary protocol design for speed and security
NordVPN has gained a reputation for its exceptional speed thanks to the company proprietary NordLynx protocol, based on WireGuard, which has been instrumental in delivering lightning-fast speeds while maintaining top-notch encryption.
This protocol has significantly improved connection speeds, making the service as a standout choice for users who prioritize both speed and security. In addition to its impressive speed, it offers a range of advanced security features to safeguard users’ online activities. The VPN employs military-grade encryption to protect data transmissions, ensuring that sensitive information remains secure from prying eyes.
4. Intuitive and user-friendly app interfaces.
Moreover, the VPN boasts an intuitive interface and is compatible with a variety of devices, making it accessible to everyone, from beginners to experienced professionals.
NordVPN | Windows Client
The app is exceptionally well-designed and incredibly user-friendly. Additionally, it features an information monitor that displays malicious files and websites, as well as blocked advertisements.
Thread Protection Pro
In the Thread Protection Pro category, you can easily activate or deactivate your protection features, including Anti-malware, Advanced Browsing Protection, and the Ad and Tracker Blocker. Additionally, you have the flexibility to schedule a temporary suspension of these services for preset durations of 5 minutes, 30 minutes, or 2 hours.
The Windows client offers a Map mode GUI feature that enables you to navigate through different geographic locations and identify the ideal site with the best server availability. Additionally, you can easily connect, pause, or disconnect your connection with just a click.
Dark Web Monitor
This useful and intuitive feature is designed to conduct a comprehensive scan of the dark web, efficiently determining whether your email has been compromised or if your personal information has been exposed. While you don’t have the ability to delete the data, it serves as a valuable warning tool, alerting you when it’s crucial to enhance your email security, such as enabling two-factor authentication or changing your password.
You also have the ability to transfer reported alerts to an archive section, allowing you to maintain a detailed record of all security threats that have been effectively resolved. Furthermore, you can add multiple email accounts for enhanced monitoring.
Dark Web Monitor (Screenshots)
Exclusive Features Included!
NordVPN’s Specialty server category boasts distinctive features that elevate its service, such as Double VPN, Obfuscated servers, Onion Over VPN, and P2P servers. Additionally, a Dedicated IP is available as an option based on your chosen plan, priced at $5.89 per month for a one-year subscription or $4.19 per month for a two-year commitment.
- Double VPN: With Double VPN, your online activities benefit from an added layer of security by being obscured behind two servers instead of just one, a process known as VPN server chaining.
- Obfuscated servers: Obfuscated servers are VPNs that conceal your VPN usage, allowing access in restrictive areas. While regular VPNs hide your online activity from ISPs, they still reveal VPN usage through data patterns. Obfuscated servers alter data packets, enabling VPN traffic to bypass blocking tools without detection, unless manually inspected.
- Onion Over VPN: The service includes a feature known as the Onion Router (Tor), enhanced by the added layer of security from a VPN tunnel. Within the Onion network, web traffic navigates through a series of volunteer-operated servers. Instead of taking a straightforward route, internet data is introduced to the Onion network through a randomly chosen relay located globally. This method incorporates multiple layers of encryption at each connection point, effectively concealing the original source of the traffic.
- P2P: Experience rapid and secure P2P file sharing with seamless torrenting. Enjoy robust encryption, a strict no-logging policy, and access to numerous global servers.
Browser Extensions
The NordVPN browser extension is a user-friendly and efficient tool that significantly boosts online privacy and security while exploring the web. It is compatible with major browsers, including Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Mozilla Firefox.
Included Features (Screenshots)
NordLocker: Secure cloud storage.
With a NordVPN account, you can enjoy NordLocker for free! The complimentary version of NordLocker enables you to encrypt unlimited data directly on your device. Plus, you receive 3GB of cloud storage, allowing you to access your encrypted files from anywhere. If you find this storage insufficient, you can easily upgrade to premium plans offering 500GB or 2TB of space.
Zero-Knowledge Encryption, what’s this all about?
Zero-knowledge encryption ensures that only the user, with their password or encryption key, can access their encrypted files. This means that the service provider, such as NordLocker, cannot view or access the user’s data. This approach offers a high level of privacy and security, preventing the service provider from interfering with or compromising the user’s information.
NordPass Premium
NordPass Premium is a tool for managing and securing passwords and sensitive information. It is included at no additional cost in the Pluse and Complete plans.
Here are the standout features of NordPass Premium:
- Password Sharing: Share passwords securely with NordPass users, granting full or limited access as needed.
- Data Breach Scanner: Scans the web for data breaches of your passwords and alerts you if found.
- Password Health Checker: Identifies weak and reused passwords to enhance security.
- Emergency Access: Grants trusted individuals access to your passwords in emergencies.
- Email Masking: Use disposable email addresses for online sign-ups to protect your real email.
- File Attachments: Attach files to your passwords for easy access to important documents.
- Stay Logged In: Stay logged in on multiple devices without re-entering credentials.
- Secure Notes: Store sensitive info like Wi-Fi passwords and codes securely.
- Credit Card Storage: Safeguard and effortlessly autofill your credit card information with enhanced security.
- Organize Items: Organize your passwords, passkeys, credit cards, and secure notes into folders for quick and easy access.
Meshnet: Ideal for IoT, smart homes, and remote work applications
Routing traffic through a Meshnet peer allows the host device to act as a VPN server. Your device, acting as the client, acquires the host’s public IP address and accesses the internet through it, rather than using your regular IP address. This feature not only secures your connection but also provides you with a distinct and identifiable IP address.
Local network access possibilities
Once local network permissions are granted, traffic routing enables seamless connections with other devices on the host’s LAN. This allows you to interact with devices on the remote LAN using their original IP addresses. Such a networking setup empowers you to remotely manage a diverse range of devices that would otherwise be unreachable, including IP cameras and network-attached storage (NAS).
The traffic routing feature is accessible on all devices that support Meshnet, so you’ll need to install NordVPN on each of them. This service allows you to connect up to 10 devices simultaneously.
Is NordVPN’s speed truly impressive, or is it overhyped? We put it to the test.
How did we test NordVPN Service?
We performed our tests using the Speedtest by Ookla Windows application on a PC linked through a wired network. This systematic and dependable method is consistently applied in every VPN assessment, guaranteeing that our results are both unbiased and precise. Whenever we examined a particular server or region, we diligently closed and reopened the app to connect to the nearest server based on the chosen area.
Assessing the Speed Performance of NordVPN Service using Speedtest by Ookla
Our initial tests indicate that you can anticipate speeds between 580 Mbps – 800 Mbps, with upload rates around 10+ Mbps or slightly higher due to ISP capping issues while using the Ookla Speedtest service under a VPN. Ultimately, we were highly impressed with the performance. We also performed a series of tests in various with long distance geographic server locations, such as Australia, Chile, India, Kenya, Mongolia, Colombia, and Bermuda, and the speed test results left us even more impressed.
Assessing the Performance of Long-Distance VPN Servers Using NordVPN
Ookla Speedtest Results (Screenshots)
Evaluating European VPN Servers Performance with NordVPN
We also selected several prime locations across Europe, as shown in the screenshots below. The results reveal great internet speeds reaching as high as 800 Mbps.
Ookla Speedtest Insights (Screenshots)
Limited-Time Black Friday Discount Offer
Currently, NordVPN provides a variety of subscription plans based on monthly, yearly that include diverse features and pricing options.
- Basic Plan: $2.99/month (2 years: $80.73) – Secure VPN, Threat Protection, 10 devices.
- Plus Plan: $3.89/month (2 years: $105.03) – Includes Basic features + NordPass (password manager).
- Ultimate Plan: $5.89/month (2 years: $159.03) – Includes Plus features + NordLocker (encrypted storage) + Cyber Insurance (up to $1,000,000).
- Prime Plan: $7.89/month (2 years: $213.03) – Includes Ultimate features + extra benefits.
Here’s the pricing for the 2-year plan. If the cost is a concern, consider opting for the 1-year plan, which allows for renewal after twelve months.
Complete
+3 EXTRA months
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Secure, high-speed VPN
- Threat Protection Pro™: Anti-malware and advanced browsing protection
- Threat Protection Pro™: Ad and tracker blocker
- Password manager with Data Breach Scanner
- 1 TB of encrypted cloud storage
Plus
+3 EXTRA months
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Secure, high-speed VPN
- Threat Protection Pro™: Anti-malware and advanced browsing protection
- Threat Protection Pro™: Ad and tracker blocker
- Password manager with Data Breach Scanner
Basic
+3 EXTRA months
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Secure, high-speed VPN
- Threat Protection Pro™: Anti-malware and advanced browsing protection
- Threat Protection Pro™: Ad and tracker blocker
- Password manager with Data Breach Scanner
Final Thoughts
This service certainly lives up to its reputation as an impressively fast VPN with an average speed of 600Mbps and higher, consistently delivering on its promises. We were thoroughly satisfied and completely impressed by the speed and efficiency it offered during our usage. The app is incredibly user-friendly, and our connection response was impressively quick from the moment we clicked the connection button.
Sponsored Content Disclosure
This post is brought to you in collaboration with NordVPN. All opinions expressed are our own. Any purchases made through my links may earn us a commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting AndroidPIMP!
