NordVPN Review
The proven choice for most people.
NordVPN is the benchmark other VPNs are measured against — and for good reason. After 18 months of continuous testing, it consistently outperforms competitors on the metrics that actually matter: speed retention, server reliability, and streaming unblocking rates.
Our scores
NordVPN
Overall score — April 2026
NordVPN has the largest verified server network, consistently fast speeds, and a independently audited no-logs policy. It costs more than Surfshark but the reliability gap is measurable — especially on streaming.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 6,400+ servers in 111 countries — the widest real network we've tested
- Independent no-logs audit by Deloitte (2024)
- Meshnet feature lets you connect your own devices without extra cost
- Reliable on Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Hulu, and Amazon Prime
- Threat Protection blocks ads and malware without needing the VPN on
Cons
- More expensive than Surfshark or Private Internet Access
- Only 10 simultaneous connections (Surfshark is unlimited)
- No port forwarding (required for some torrenting setups)
Speed
730 Mbps
Download
480 Mbps
Upload
8 ms
Latency
96%
Speed kept
We measured 730 Mbps average download on a 1 Gbps line — a 96% speed retention rate. NordLynx (built on WireGuard) is responsible for the performance advantage over OpenVPN-only competitors. Latency overhead is just 8ms on nearby servers.
Tested: . 1 Gbps base connection.
Privacy & Security
Incorporated in Panama — outside US, UK, and EU jurisdiction. No-logs policy audited by Deloitte in 2024 on a rolling basis. RAM-only servers mean no data survives a server seizure. Double VPN feature routes traffic through two servers for maximum obfuscation.
Streaming
Unblocked Netflix US, UK, Japan, and Canada on every test across 6 months. BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and HBO Max all worked reliably. Smart DNS (SmartPlay) handles streaming devices that can't install apps.
Pricing
$12.99/mo
Monthly
$4.99/mo
Annual plan
billed annually
$3.39/mo
2-year plan
billed every 2 years
At $3.39/month on the 2-year plan, it's not the cheapest — Surfshark and PIA undercut it. But if server reliability and streaming unblocking are priorities, the price gap (roughly $1/month vs. Surfshark) is justifiable.
User Ratings
4.5/5
Trustpilot
23k reviews
4.5/5
Google Play
180k ratings
4.7/5
App Store
95k ratings
52%
Community
Reddit sentiment
Ratings sourced from Trustpilot, Google Play Store, and Apple App Store. Community score is derived from Reddit/r/VPN sentiment analysis. Scores are aggregated periodically and may not reflect real-time data.
Verdict
NordVPN is the right choice if you want one VPN that does everything well without surprises. The 2-year plan makes the price competitive. If budget is the primary constraint, Surfshark matches most of its features for less.
NordVPN vs. Alternatives
| Feature | NordVPN9.2/10 | ExpressVPN8.6/10 | Surfshark9/10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Our Score | 9.2 | 8.6 | 9 |
| Monthly Price | $3.39/mo | $8.32/mo | $2.19/mo |
| Servers | 6,400+ | 3,000+ | 3,200+ |
| Countries | 111 | 105 | 100 |
| Simultaneous Devices | 10 | 8 | Unlimited |
| Speed (tested) | 730 Mbps (96%) | 755 Mbps (98%) | 695 Mbps (91%) |
| No-Logs Policy | |||
| Independently Audited | |||
| Kill Switch | |||
| Ad Blocker | |||
| Streaming | |||
| Torrenting / P2P | |||
| Port Forwarding | |||
| Obfuscation | |||
| Double VPN | |||
| RAM-Only Servers | |||
| Jurisdiction | Panama (outside 5/9/14 Eyes) | British Virgin Islands | Netherlands (EU jurisdiction) |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days |
All data verified April 2026.