Pros
ConsThe details
Despite the reported security breach in 2019, you’d be hard-pressed to find a VPN with these many servers. NordVPN has more than 5400 servers in 59 countries and with its SmartPlay feature, you can stream videos easily.
Speed
Upon testing NordVPN for download and upload speeds, we found its speed exceptional for its price range. If downloading content from one of its servers, you’d need a speed of 5Mbps for HD content and 25 Mbps for 4K streaming.
For uploads a speed of 2-5 Mbps was more than enough to send files and stream videos. The only quirk is that it took a long time to establish connections especially when connecting to long-distance servers.
Protection
NordVPN uses the standard AES 256-bit encryption and Perfect Forward Secrecy which ensures the encryption key changes after every session. As for security protocols, NordVPN provides four options:
- OpenVPN protocol
- NordLynx protocol
- L2TP/IPsec and PPTP
- IKEv2/IPSec protocol
Ease of Use
You only need a few minutes to install and configure NordVPN software. And once you download the app, it opens and prompts you to log in immediately. At the bottom of the world map, is a Quick Connect icon for connecting to the best server near your location. If looking to connect to a different location, you must select it manually.
Value
With an annual or monthly subscription you can connect up to six devices simultaneously and access numerous servers. You also enjoy using a variety of tools to improve privacy and support for multihop connections at no additional costs. All such features provide great value for this price point.
Other Features
- Device Compatibility: The software is compatible with a range of devices and operating systems. We installed it on Windows 10 desktop, Android and iOS mobile devices, and Linux laptops easily. To top it all, NordVPN has an exclusive app for Linux which you don’t need to operate using command prompts
- Customer Support: NordVPN uses a chatbot that’s well-equipped with the most common questions users ask. If not satisfied it directs you to a live chat representative. You can also contact the support team via email but the response takes a longer time.
- Streaming Sites Unlocked: NordVPN unblocks more than 400 streaming services. Pretty awesome right? On top of that, you can access regional streaming sites like TVING and niche websites like Crunchyroll. The only bummer is that it couldn’t unblock Sky Go
Final verdict
Without a doubt, NordVPN has plenty to offer. From optimized servers, to fast speed, to unblocking numerous streaming services, it gives you value for your money. However, its long connection time is rather disappointing for many users. Sometimes we had to disconnect and reconnect the software before use.
