NordVPN Review – IGN

NordVPN – Server Community and Protection

With a NordVPN subscription, you’ll have entry to greater than 6,000 servers in 111 nations. This can be a sizable server community and surpasses the overwhelming majority of VPN companies in the marketplace. It’s solely to be anticipated that NordVPN provides extra servers than a supplier like PrivateVPN as a result of it caters to a considerably increased variety of customers.

Server amount isn’t every little thing however it provides some benefits. Particularly, it signifies that consumer load is extra evenly distributed, permitting for extra constant connections. A better variety of server places makes it likelier that you just’ll discover a server in shut proximity to your location for sooner speeds (as a result of information doesn’t should journey as far). One other profit of getting servers in so many nations is that you’ve elevated flexibility in accessing geo-restricted web sites.

When you’re in North America, NordVPN is a very good choice as a result of some 40 p.c of its server community (roughly 2,500 servers) is unfold throughout 19 cities within the US and Canada. There’s additionally greater than 400 servers within the UK and 200 servers in Australia. NordVPN provides servers in nations that many VPNs don’t cowl together with Andorra, Belize, and Greenland. Naturally, NordVPN could show to be a beautiful choice when you’re from certainly one of these nations.

NordVPN – Pace and Efficiency

Not all VPNs are appropriate for extra bandwidth-heavy actions akin to streaming, gaming, and video calling. Whereas all VPNs encrypt your web site visitors – which may take a heavy toll in your connection pace – some companies make up for this by providing quick VPN protocols, low-load servers close to your bodily location, and limitless bandwidth.

So whereas some VPNs merely aren’t appropriate for sure on-line actions, others are greater than as much as the duty. Luckily, NordVPN falls into the latter class. NordVPN has a proprietary protocol referred to as NordLynx, which relies on the WireGuard protocol and has solely 4,000 traces of code. The light-weight design permits for a excessive stage of effectivity, which interprets to higher efficiency.

With a purpose to discover out the speeds NordVPN provides, I ran assessments on three of its server places: Barcelona, Spain (the closest NordVPN server location to the place I dwell), New York, and Tokyo. I ran these assessments over three days at completely different occasions of day: morning, afternoon, and night. The thought being that I wished to expertise these servers throughout each peak and off-peak hours.

The pace assessments have been all run underneath the identical circumstances. I used the NordVPN MacOS app on a house Wi-Fi connection over NordVPN’s NordLynx protocol. It’s essential to notice that my base connection pace (when not linked to the VPN) averaged out at 252 Mbps. Whereas this does have an effect on the speeds skilled when utilizing a VPN, it’s removed from the one issue.

As anticipated because of the encryption course of, speeds have been slower when linked to NordVPN. Nevertheless, I used to be stunned how constant they have been throughout the three server places regardless of the various distances between these VPN servers and my precise location. I skilled the quickest speeds when linked to NordVPN’s Barcelona server because it’s by far the closest to dwelling. Regardless of this, the typical pace of 78 Mbps was solely marginally forward of New York (76 Mbps) and Tokyo (72 Mbps).

Total, I’ve to say I used to be slightly dissatisfied with NordVPN’s speeds. Its world common pace of 75 Mbps lagged behind all of my most not too long ago examined VPNs, together with IPVanish (84 Mbps), Surfshark (104 Mbps), and ExpressVPN (118 Mbps). That stated, in NordVPN’s protection, my base connection pace was barely slower than common. Moreover, there’s one thing to be stated for simply how constant NordVPN’s connections are – even when they aren’t the quickest.

What I might suggest to anybody attempting to get sooner speeds with NordVPN is to ensure Risk Safety is switched off. It was solely after I deactivated this function that I seen an uptick in efficiency – typically seeing speeds reaching something from 80 to 90 Mbps, a rise of 10 to twenty p.c.

NordVPN – Unblocking and Streaming Capabilities

If certainly one of your foremost causes for utilizing a VPN is to entry your favourite streaming companies from overseas, NordVPN is definitely one of many safer bets. With one of many bigger server networks of any VPN, it gives loads of choices, by way of each nations and cities to which you’ll be able to join. There’s no scarcity of IP addresses accessible, so that you’ll hardly ever have bother accessing a selected streaming platform.

I used to be capable of entry the entire Netflix areas I attempted, together with the US, Canada, and UK. NordVPN additionally made mild work of the likes of Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, and YouTube TV. One more reason for NordVPN’s excessive stage of consistency is SmartPlay, its Good DNS service. Constructed into NordVPN’s apps with no setup required, it switches your DNS servers when entry is blocked, all whereas nonetheless encrypting your site visitors.

Total, NordVPN’s unblocking is spectacular and extends past streaming websites to information websites, social media platforms, and extra. As such, it’s extremely appropriate when you dwell in a rustic with a excessive stage of web censorship. Efficiency when streaming with this VPN was very spectacular. NordVPN’s extremely constant connections meant that I very hardly ever encountered any lag or buffering. This can be a VPN that’s able to streaming content material in 4K decision with none bother.

NordVPN – Safety Options

Beginning with the fundamentals (that are nonetheless important), NordVPN employs business-commonplace 256-bit AES encryption. This ensures that the entire information touring between your gadget and the web is safeguarded from hackers and snoopers alike. NordVPN additionally gives DNS and IPv6 leak safety and this was mirrored in the truth that its apps didn’t leak any DNS or IP site visitors in testing.

One other safety function that many VPNs provide, NordVPN included, is a kill change. This blocks your web site visitors within the occasion that the VPN connection drops (which might in any other case result in the interception of your IP tackle and information). NordVPN’s kill change is out there through its Home windows, Mac, iOS, and Linux apps. Via Android’s “At all times-on VPN” function, you may replicate the function on Android units as properly.

NordVPN’s complete host of additional security measures make it extra of a safety suite than only a VPN. Relying on the tier of plan you go for, you may have entry to an advert and tracker blocker, malware safety, password supervisor (NordPass), information breach scanner, encrypted cloud storage (NordLocker), and even cyber insurance coverage.

The effectiveness of VPN advert blockers varies wildly so I put NordVPN’s advert blocker to the take a look at. First, I used Courageous browser with no VPN or advert blocker of any kind. It blocked simply 31 p.c of adverts thrown at it. With Courageous’s advert blocker activated, some 97 p.c of adverts have been stopped. The excellent news is that NordVPN’s advert blocker wasn’t far behind with a block fee of 91 p.c. This was very spectacular, notably in comparison with the advert blockers of ExpressVPN (86%), IPVanish (30%), and Surfshark (40%).

You’ll additionally discover specialty Double VPN and Onion Over VPN servers which offer you an additional layer of safety when linked. The previous routes your web site visitors by two servers, offering two layers of encryption. The latter means that you can entry the Tor browser which, once more, sees your information encrypted twice (through NordVPN after which through the Tor community). You might wish to use these for extra delicate on-line actions akin to searching on unsecured public Wi-Fi networks or on-line banking. Nevertheless, they’re not splendid for streaming or on-line gaming as a result of the truth that the double encryption slows your connection.

NordVPN – Privateness and Logging Insurance policies

NordVPN defines a “no-logs VPN” as a VPN that “doesn’t gather (or log) site visitors that passes by its servers.” In that sense, NordVPN is a no-log service. Nevertheless, it’s essential to notice that it does nonetheless hold some logs. This consists of your username and a timestamp of your final session. NordVPN states that that is to forestall customers exceeding the simultaneous connection restrict and that the info is routinely deleted inside quarter-hour after a session is terminated.

NordVPN additionally retains gadget identifiers for advertising and analytics functions. These identifiers are assigned by your gadget’s working system and might be reset in your gadget’s settings. For sure, we’d choose if NordVPN didn’t hold any of those logs though it’s removed from the one VPN to take action.

Regardless of the above, NordVPN does have some benefits on the subject of privateness. For instance, it’s headquartered in Panama which doesn’t legally require NordVPN to retailer logs of its customers’ on-line actions. Moreover, NordVPN has had its no-logs coverage subjected to impartial audits on 4 events, the newest of which was by Deloitte in December 2023.

NordVPN does require you to supply an e-mail tackle when signing up for an account. A small variety of VPNs don’t have such a requirement which can make them extra preferable for privateness lovers. Nevertheless, on the subject of funds, NordVPN does settle for cryptocurrencies which, when blended utilizing a tumbling service, can present a stage of anonymity.

Higher nonetheless, NordVPN sells a subscription field in america, Canada, and several other nations throughout Europe. By buying this with money in a bodily retailer, you may enroll with NordVPN anonymously – simply ensure you use a burner e-mail tackle if anonymity is your intention.

NordVPN – Signup and Setup

My expertise of signing up with NordVPN was easy sufficient, though it was considerably complicated that I wasn’t prompted to create a password for the account. Later, I used to be requested to log in solely to search out that I had no password to take action. Luckily, there was the choice to obtain a one-time verification code through e-mail as an alternative.
The variety of subscription choices supplied by NordVPN (4 completely different tiers) gives loads of flexibility, however could also be slightly overwhelming to newcomers. An e-mail tackle is required for signup and as soon as fee has been made, downloading and putting in the apps is fast and straightforward sufficient due to the automated setup wizard.

NordVPN – Apps and Compatibility

You possibly can safe all your units due to NordVPN’s beneficiant providing of apps. These apps can be found for the entire following:

• Home windows
• Mac
• Linux
• Android
• iOS
• Amazon Hearth TV
• tvOS (Apple TV)

NordVPN additionally has browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. Simply take into account that when you do use an extension, it solely secures your browser site visitors and never that of any apps you might be utilizing. All in all, it’s a formidable choice of apps and extensions.

When you don’t see your gadget listed above, be it your PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Swap, know that you just nonetheless have choices for getting your VPN arrange on them. Your finest guess is manually establishing a VPN connection in your router. This can be slightly daunting for some, though NordVPN does present step-by-step tutorials with screenshots to make issues simpler.

A bonus of putting in NordVPN on your property Wi-Fi router is that units that hook up with the community don’t rely in opposition to the VPN’s simultaneous connection restrict (10 units). Nonetheless, this can be a pretty beneficiant simultaneous connection allowance as some VPNs solely enable as much as 5 – 6 units to be linked directly. Though the likes of IPVanish and Surfshark let customers safe an infinite variety of units concurrently.

Having spent loads of time with NordVPN’s apps, I can confidently say that I’m not a fan of them. My foremost situation is that they only really feel too cluttered with additional options. In fact, the primary view throughout the desktop and cell apps isn’t helped by the server map, which I simply don’t use. Eradicating the map and solely having the straightforward dropdown record of server places would make the NordVPN apps so much simpler on the attention.

On the subject of discovering a server, NordVPN simply isn’t as intuitive because the likes of ExpressVPN and IPVanish. There’s no choice to favourite servers, search by server ping or load, or select a selected server. Nevertheless, its desktop apps do have a “Presets” part which act as one-click on shortcuts to particular server configurations (server kind, VPN protocol, location).

It’s fast and straightforward to entry NordVPN’s specialty servers (Double VPN, Onion Over VPN, and P2P). There are numerous icons within the apps (the desktop app specifically) for options that many individuals merely gained’t want. Particularly, though helpful, many customers gained’t want the Meshnet function (the flexibility to hyperlink distant units), whereas the statistics web page which particulars your present connection streak and longest connection appears fairly pointless.

On the plus facet, connecting to a NordVPN server is fast and easy to do. The settings pages are clearly laid out however can be improved with some quick explanations for every function, be it the kill change or the completely different VPN protocols. I additionally seen some outdated info throughout the Apps part of the desktop’s settings which says that you need to use NordVPN on 6 units on the similar time (the restrict has been 10 units for some time now).

NordVPN – Buyer Assist

One among many causes to go for a high quality paid VPN service over a free one is that you just’ll have entry to buyer help. This makes issues that a lot simpler within the occasion that you just run into any points throughout setup or just when utilizing the VPN. In my case, I really wanted to contact NordVPN with the intention to discover a copy of the newest audit of their no-logs coverage, as a result of I couldn’t discover it on their web site.

Reside chat help isn’t important, however it’s good to have as a result of, a minimum of for easier queries, you may usually get a solution in a matter of minutes. My expertise with NordVPN’s dwell chat help through the years has typically been excellent. I hardly ever have to attend lengthy and I normally find yourself with the knowledge I used to be in search of. The dwell chat of NordVPN is out there 24 hours a day though they don’t make it simple to search out on their web site (the chat bubble icon typically doesn’t pop up).

Electronic mail help can also be accessible though replies clearly take slightly longer. I made a decision to measure NordVPN’s response time to emails in addition to the standard of their solutions. To do that, I despatched out three emails on three completely different days, all at completely different occasions of day (early morning, mid afternoon, and late night). The thought was to catch them at completely different time durations after they’re busy in addition to when issues are more likely to be quieter. Total, I used to be proud of the standard of the responses I acquired.

NordVPN additionally has a formidable assist part which is filled with FAQs in addition to step-by-step setup guides. These guides are simple to observe due to the inclusion of screenshots and, in some instances, video tutorials. In truth, NordVPN has a really lively YouTube channel with practically 900 movies.

To conclude my testing of NordVPN, I contacted its help to request a refund as per its 30-day cash-again assure. Luckily, this was bother-free. Though I used to be requested why I used to be canceling and needed to repeat my request, there wasn’t an excessive amount of pushback (not like once I canceled with Surfshark).