NordVPN Review 2024: What You Need to Watch Out For!

In the ever-evolving landscape of online security, NordVPN has emerged as a leading force, captivating users worldwide with its comprehensive features and commitment to safeguarding their digital lives. With an impressive network of servers, top-notch encryption protocols, and an array of advanced features, NordVPN stands out as a reliable choice for protecting your online presence. In this review, I'll delve into the standout features that make NordVPN a top contender, and also share with you their current offer that ensures an even more compelling value proposition.  

Features

NordVPN offers a range of features that make it a popular choice among VPN users. Some of its standout features include:

Server Network

One of NordVPN's key selling points is its extensive server network, which includes more than 5,500 servers in 59 countries. This broad network lets you access geo-restricted content from around the world, as well as ensuring fast speeds and reliable connections.

Security Features

NordVPN's security features are among the most advanced in the VPN industry. It offers a range of protocols, including OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec, and NordLynx, a proprietary protocol based on WireGuard. NordVPN also uses AES-256 encryption, considered to be unbreakable, to protect user data. Additionally, it has a built-in kill switch, which ensures that all internet traffic is blocked in the event that the VPN connection drops, preventing sensitive data from being exposed.

Privacy Features

NordVPN takes user privacy seriously and offers a range of features to ensure that your data remains secure. It operates under Panama's jurisdiction, which has no mandatory data retention laws, ensuring that user activity logs are not kept. Additionally, NordVPN offers a no-logs policy, meaning that it does not collect any user data, including browsing history, IP addresses, or metadata.

Performance

In addition to its extensive feature set, NordVPN has high speeds and reliable connections. Its broad server network ensures that users can find a server close to their location, resulting in faster connection speeds. NordVPN also offers unlimited bandwidth, allowing you to stream and download content without worrying about data caps.

Speed

NordVPN's connection speeds were consistently fast in my tests, with minimal impact on download and upload speeds. While there may be some variation depending on the user's location and chosen server, NordVPN's speeds are among the best in the industry.

Reliability

NordVPN's connections are known for their reliability and stability. Its kill switch feature ensures that no data is exposed in the event of a dropped connection, and its advanced security protocols prevent interruptions caused by external factors such as firewalls or network restrictions.

Pricing

NordVPN offers a range of pricing plans, depending on the length of the subscription. The longer the subscription, the greater the discount. You can get NordVPN for up to 74% off + 3 extra months with the 2-year plans. Other plans include:

Monthly Plan

NordVPN's monthly plan costs $12.99 per month, making it one of the more expensive VPN services on the market.

Yearly Plan

Thanks to a 56% discount, NordVPN's yearly plan will only cost you $59.88 per year, which works out to $4.99 per month. This is a significant discount over the monthly plan.

Two-Year Plan

NordVPN's two-year plan includes 3 extra months and costs just $83.43 with a 73% discount, so you’ll only be paying $3.09 per month. This is a substantial discount over the monthly and yearly plan and offers excellent value for money.

NordVPN also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, giving you the opportunity to test the service and ensure that it meets their needs before committing to a subscription.

User Experience

NordVPN's interface is intuitive and user-friendly, making it easy to connect to servers and customize your settings. The desktop and mobile apps are well-designed, and the layout is clean and straightforward. Connecting to a server is as simple as clicking on the country you want to connect to and waiting a few seconds for the connection to establish.

NordVPN's customer support is also top-notch. It offers 24/7 customer support via live chat, email, and a support ticket system. Additionally, its website features a comprehensive knowledge base that covers a range of topics, from troubleshooting to advanced privacy settings.

Drawbacks

While NordVPN is an excellent VPN service, it is not without its drawbacks. One of the main concerns is its speed on some servers. While NordVPN offers fast speeds overall, some users have reported slow connections when connecting to servers in certain countries.

Another drawback is the occasional difficulty in accessing certain streaming services, such as Netflix or Amazon Prime Video. While NordVPN works well with most streaming platforms, there are instances where you may have trouble accessing content due to the platform's geolocation restrictions.

Alternatives to NordVPN

While NordVPN is an excellent choice for a VPN service, it is not the only option available. Here are some alternatives to consider:

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is a popular VPN service that offers similar features to NordVPN, including an extensive server network, advanced security protocols, and a no-logs policy. It also offers fast connection speeds and a user-friendly interface. However, it is more expensive than NordVPN, with a monthly subscription costing $12.95 per month.

Surfshark

Surfshark is another VPN service that offers excellent security features, including AES-256 encryption and a built-in kill switch. It also offers fast speeds and a broad server network. However, it is a newer VPN service and may not have the same level of reputation as NordVPN or ExpressVPN.

Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access (PIA) is a VPN service that offers a lower price point than NordVPN, with a monthly cost as low as $2.03/month on certain plans. It offers an extensive server network, advanced security features, and a no-logs policy. However, it may not offer the same level of performance or customer support as NordVPN.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, NordVPN is an excellent choice for users looking for a fast, reliable, and secure VPN service. Its extensive server network, advanced security features, and robust privacy options make it an industry leader. While it may be more expensive than some of its competitors, its excellent performance, user-friendly interface, and top-notch customer support make it well worth the investment. Whether you're looking to protect your online privacy, access geo-restricted content, or secure your internet connection while traveling, NordVPN is an excellent choice for all your VPN needs.