The Ultimate Best VPN for NordVPN Review

If you’ve been searching for a reliable, high-performance VPN, you’ve likely come across NordVPN. Marketed as the ultimate best VPN, this review breaks down every feature, pricing plan, and performance metric to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your needs in 2024.

What Is NordVPN?

Launched in 2012, NordVPN is operated by Nord Security, a Panama-based company with a strict no-logs policy. It’s one of the most widely used VPNs globally, with over 14 million users and 5,000+ servers across 60+ countries. It’s compatible with all major platforms, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, and even routers and smart TVs.

Key NordVPN Features

Military-Grade Security

NordVPN uses AES-256 encryption, the same standard used by governments and financial institutions to protect sensitive data. It also supports multiple VPN protocols, including NordLynx (its proprietary WireGuard-based protocol), OpenVPN, and IKEv2/IPSec. Additional security tools include a built-in kill switch, DNS leak protection, and Threat Protection, which blocks ads, trackers, and malware automatically.

Blazing-Fast Speeds

Thanks to its NordLynx protocol, NordVPN delivers some of the fastest speeds in the industry. In our 2024 testing, we saw average speed drops of just 12% on nearby servers, and even long-distance connections (US to Australia) only saw 28% drops — far better than most competitors. This makes it ideal for 4K streaming, gaming, and large file downloads.

Streaming Unblocking

NordVPN is one of the few VPNs that consistently unblocks major streaming platforms, including Netflix (US, UK, Japan, and more), Disney+, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer. It also offers dedicated IP addresses and obfuscated servers to bypass VPN blocks in restrictive regions like China and Iran.

Strict No-Logs Policy

NordVPN’s no-logs policy has been independently audited twice by PwC, confirming that it does not collect, store, or share user activity data. It’s based in Panama, which has no mandatory data retention laws, so your browsing history stays private.

User-Friendly Apps

All NordVPN apps have a clean, intuitive interface. The quick-connect feature automatically picks the fastest server for you, and advanced users can customize protocols, split tunneling, and auto-connect rules. It also allows up to 6 simultaneous connections per account, so you can protect all your devices at once.

NordVPN Pricing (2024)

NordVPN offers three subscription tiers, all with a 30-day money-back guarantee:

• Standard Plan: $12.99/month, $59.88/year ($4.99/month), $89.73/2 years ($3.74/month)
• Plus Plan: Adds NordPass password manager and NordLocker encrypted storage: $13.99/month, $69.48/year ($5.79/month), $113.73/2 years ($4.72/month)
• Complete Plan: Includes all Plus features plus NordVPN dedicated IP: $14.99/month, $79.08/year ($6.59/month), $137.73/2 years ($5.74/month)

Long-term plans offer the best value, with the 2-year Standard plan costing less than $4 per month.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Industry-leading speeds with NordLynx protocol
• Consistently unblocks all major streaming platforms
• Independently audited no-logs policy
• Robust security features including Threat Protection
• 6 simultaneous connections per account
• 24/7 live chat support

Cons

• Monthly plan is relatively expensive
• Some advanced features are only available on Plus/Complete plans
• Obfuscated servers are limited to specific server locations

Final Verdict: Is NordVPN The Ultimate Best VPN?

After extensive testing, NordVPN lives up to its reputation as one of the best VPNs on the market. Its combination of fast speeds, unbeatable streaming unblocking, military-grade security, and user-friendly apps makes it a top choice for almost every use case. While the monthly plan is pricey, the long-term subscriptions offer excellent value. If you’re looking for a reliable, all-in-one VPN solution, NordVPN is easily the ultimate best VPN for most users in 2024.