When I check the “Best VPN” list in Google, I always see NordVPN. Alright. NordVPN is perhaps the world’s most popular VPN. But is NordVPN the best VPN service? Is NordVPN better than ExpressVPN?

To answer these questions, I decide to do an in-depth review of NordVPN — I tested its speeds, security features, privacy policies, torrenting servers, compatibility with devices, and more.

In this NordVPN review, I’ll summarize all my findings of NordVPN. If you’re currently looking for a VPN provider, then you’d better read the whole review.

Let’s dive in!

Part 1. What Is NordVPN?

First of all, I want to find some basic information of NordVPN. For example, when is it founded? where is it located? What it offers?

NordVPN is a Panama-based VPN service provider that has been in the VPN business since 2012. Ten years later, it has more than 14 million internet users worldwide.

NordVPN lets you change your IP address and encrypt your internet connection so you can surf the internet anonymously without having to worry about who may be monitoring or spying on you. As well as helping you stay private online you can also use it to unlock streaming services or websites that might be blocked in your country.

Part 2. How to Use NordVPN?

The NordVPN app is available for use on laptop, smartphone, or tablet. Supported operating systems include Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV. NordVPN also has browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.

NordVPN allows you to use up to six devices at once while connected to one NordVPN account. That should be more than enough for the majority of users. You can hook up your computer, smartphone, tablet, and much more through the service.

Here, I will test NordVPN on my Windows 10 computer and iPhone 11.

How to Set Up and Use NordVPN on Windows PC?

Step 1. Download the NordVPN app by going to NordVPN website and pressing “Download App“.

Step 2. Go to your Downloads folder and double-click the NordVPNSetup.exe file. 

Step 3. The installer will proceed with the installation process. Once it’s complete, you will be asked if you want to launch NordVPN right away. Click Finish to complete the setup.

Step 4. Launch NordVPN on your computer, then click Log in to continue.

Step 5. Your browser will open up and load the Nord Account login page. First, enter your username or email address, press Continue and then enter your password.

Step 6. Once you are signed in you’ll see the welcome screen of NordVPN. At the left side of this screen, you’ll be able to find the Servers and Settings option.

Step 7. Look at the left sidebar you will be able to list of countries and different VPN options from where you can select specific server according to your choice. Done! You are connected.

How to Set Up and Use ExpressVPN on iPhone?

Step 1. Download. Download the NordVPN app from the App Store.

Step 2. Open. After you install it on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch, tap the NordVPN app icon.

Step 3. Log in. Tap SIGN UP to create a new account or LOG IN if you already have one.

Step 4. Connect. To protect yourself immediately, tap the Quick Connect button. That’s it!

Part 3. NordVPN Speeds: How Fast NordVPN is?

Speed is everything for a VPN, because if it’s not a fast VPN connection then you won’t use it, and if you don’t use it you won’t get other benefits. 

NordVPN’s website claims that they offer the “fastest VPN experience on the planet,” but is this true?

I’ll test it. When testing VPNs, I test both local and long-distance connections. However, this process starts by discovering our baseline data. So, our first test shows our Internet connection’s download and uploads speeds without having NordVPN enabled in the background.

Internet Speeds without VPN (Speedtest.net):

These are the speed test results without the use of a VPN. We’ll use these numbers as a base measurement to compare all our other results with.

Speed with a local server (Speedtest.net):

Above you can see the speed test results of our network when connected to one of NordVPN’s local servers. There are decreases in both download and upload speeds.

Speed on a USA server (Speedtest.net):

The results above detail the speeds our network reached when we connected to the fastest US server. Like local server, the download speed in particular shows a significant decrease. 

In my test, NordVPN only retains 19% of the original download speed while there is even no loss on upload speed.

Anyway, we understand that not all servers deliver fast speeds. The speed may be slow based on the distance to you and how crowded the server currently is.

Part 4. Can NordVPN Unblock Netflix/Hulu/HBO/ Disney+?

Have you ever noticed you can only access some streaming services and programs in certain countries? Then, does NordVPN unblock streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, HBO, Disney +, and more?

Yes! NordVPN unblocks several streaming sites including but not limited to Netflix, BBC iPlayer, ABC iView, and Hulu. NordVPN accomplishes this through its trademarked SmartPlay feature, which is toggled on in the settings by default.

If you’re located outside the United States, for example, but want to access Netflix content only available in the US, all you have to do is open NordVPN and select one of the US servers.

More: Expect for streaming service, I tried unblocking Wikipedia with NordVPN in several countries across the world, and they failed when I want to edit a Wikipedia page.

Part 5. Is NordVPN Safe?

Another important part of our NordVPN review process is checking the safety and privacy policies. So how safe is NordVPN, and can it be trusted?

I use 3 sites to test for IP and DNS leaks: IPLeaks, DNS Leak Test and Browser Leak. When I tested NordVPN on each of these sites, I found no leaks on any of them.

Here’s why I believe in NordVPN is safe to use:

• NordVPN’s headquarters are situated in Panama
• NordVPN offers strong AES 256-bit encryption
• NordVPN supports several encryption protocols: OpenVPN TCP/UDP, IKEv2/IPSec, and NordLynx
• The company has a strict no-logs policy
• I can use their kill switch option for increased protection
• I can use their Double VPN option to encrypted two times for even better security and privacy
• I only need an email address and password to create a NordVPN account

Part 6. NordVPN Price & Free Trial

When I check the NordVPN pricing list, I think NordVPN is one the cheapest VPN services which is coupled with an excellent set of features.

First of all, NordVPN offer a risk-free trial for 30 days. Here’s how you can get it:

1. Go to Nord Checkout and select a plan. 
2. Then, press ‘Continue to payment’.
3. You will be asked to provide your payment details.
4. Create an account, and download the NordVPN app.
5. Open the app, log in, connect to a server – and you’re done! Enjoy the trial!

After the trial, you can either choose to continue using NordVPN or cancel your subscription and get your money back.

If you are satisfied with NordVPN, you can subscribe to it. NordVPN’s pricing schemes is simple. In total, there are three pricing tiers that differ in their length and subscription price. The longer the plan is, the better the savings.

The monthly NordVPN plan costs $11.99/month, while the 1-year plan reduces the price to $4.99/month. The 2-year plan is even less expensive – you’ll only pay $3.49/month.

All NordVPN pricing plans come with the same features and same benefits. They also allow up to 6 simultaneous connections, so you’re getting pretty good value.

Part 7. NordVPN Customer Support

NordVPN offered several options for its customer service, like 24/7 live chat, email support, and an in-depth database of guides and FAQs.

However, like many other VPN services, NordVPN has no phone support.

Final Words

NordVPN deserves a spot on any best VPN list for a number of reasons. It offers a huge global network of servers, unblocks hundreds of streaming platforms, and has iron-clad security and privacy features — and you can get it all for just $3.49/month.

If you’re currently looking for a VPN provider, the reliable and affordable NordVPN is a good choice.