NordVPN Review:
Privacy, Speed, and Real Pricing Tested
NordVPN is one of the most-advertised VPNs on the internet, which usually means the product can't be as good as they claim. We tested it for six weeks across 12 server locations to see whether the speed, privacy, and streaming claims actually hold up — and where NordVPN falls short.
Key Takeaways:
- • Speed: 8-15% drop on nearby servers — NordLynx (WireGuard) protocol keeps things fast, though Asia-to-US routes lose 25-40%
- • Security: independently audited twice — Deloitte confirmed no-logs policy in 2022 and 2024, RAM-only servers wipe data on reboot
- • Streaming: Netflix/Disney+/Hulu all work — not every server connects on the first try, but switching servers usually fixes it within 30 seconds
- • Pricing: $3.09/month on 2-year plan — but only if you commit upfront; monthly pricing is $12.99, which is steep
- • Developer angle: dedicated IP helps with API rate limits — useful when cloud AI services flag shared VPN IPs
The Short Answer
NordVPN works well if you...
- • Want a VPN that actually unblocks streaming
- • Need fast speeds on WireGuard protocol
- • Value independently audited no-logs privacy
- • Can commit to a 1-year or 2-year plan
Look elsewhere if you...
- • Only need a VPN for a month or two
- • Require a truly free VPN (no free tier)
- • Want a VPN based outside the “14 Eyes” alliance
- • Need native Linux GUI (it's CLI-only on Linux)
How We Tested NordVPN
We purchased a NordVPN subscription at full retail price — no review copy or sponsored access. Over six weeks, we tested:
- • Speed tests across 12 server locations (US East, US West, UK, Germany, Japan, Singapore, Australia, Canada, Brazil, India, South Korea, Netherlands) using Ookla Speedtest on a 500 Mbps baseline connection
- • Streaming access on Netflix (US, UK, JP), Disney+, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video
- • Security verification via DNS leak tests, WebRTC leak tests, and IPv6 leak tests on browserleaks.com and ipleak.net
- • Developer workflows including API access patterns, SSH tunneling, and AI service availability behind VPN
- • Multi-device testing on Windows 11, macOS Sonoma, iOS 18, Android 15, and Ubuntu 24.04 (CLI)
Speed Performance: How Much Does NordVPN Slow You Down?
Speed is the make-or-break factor for any VPN. We ran Ookla Speedtest three times per location at different times of day and averaged the results. Baseline connection: 480 Mbps down / 45 Mbps up.
| Server Location | Download (Mbps) | Speed Loss | Latency (ms) |
|---|---|---|---|
| US East (New York) | 442 | -8% | 12ms |
| UK (London) | 420 | -12% | 28ms |
| Germany (Frankfurt) | 415 | -13% | 31ms |
| Japan (Tokyo) | 340 | -29% | 115ms |
| Australia (Sydney) | 405 | -15% | 45ms |
| Singapore | 310 | -35% | 160ms |
Bottom line on speed: Nearby servers (same continent) lose about 8-15%, which is genuinely good. Cross-continental connections drop 25-40%, which is typical for any VPN. The NordLynx protocol (NordVPN's WireGuard implementation) is the reason for the solid nearby-server performance — don't switch to OpenVPN unless you have a specific reason to.
Security and Privacy: What NordVPN Actually Protects
NordVPN's marketing leans heavily on privacy. Here's what we verified independently:
Verified Claims
- ✓ AES-256 encryption — industry standard, used by governments and banks
- ✓ No-logs policy — audited by Deloitte in 2022 and 2024, passed both times
- ✓ RAM-only servers — data physically cannot persist after reboot
- ✓ Kill switch works — we tested by force-disconnecting the VPN tunnel; traffic stopped immediately
- ✓ No DNS/WebRTC/IPv6 leaks — zero leaks detected across 50+ tests
Concerns Worth Knowing
- ✗ Panama jurisdiction — good for privacy laws, but NordVPN's parent company (Nord Security) is Lithuanian
- ✗ 2019 server breach — a Finnish data center server was compromised. NordVPN moved to RAM-only servers and colocated hardware afterward
- ✗ Closed-source apps — unlike ProtonVPN, NordVPN apps are not open-source (though the NordLynx protocol is based on open-source WireGuard)
The Deloitte audits are the strongest evidence that NordVPN's no-logs claims hold up. That said, if you need absolute transparency, ProtonVPN's open-source approach gives you verifiable code. For most users, NordVPN's audit-backed privacy is more than sufficient.
Streaming: Does NordVPN Actually Unblock Netflix?
We tested NordVPN against six major streaming platforms across three regions. Here's what worked:
| Platform | US | UK | Japan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netflix | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Disney+ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ |
| Hulu | ✓ | N/A | N/A |
| BBC iPlayer | N/A | ✓ | N/A |
| Amazon Prime | ✓ | ✓ | ~ |
| YouTube Premium | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
The honest take: NordVPN unblocked everything we threw at it, though not always on the first server. Disney+ Japan and Amazon Prime Japan required switching to a second server. Netflix US, UK, and Japan all worked immediately. If you're mainly interested in saving money on streaming subscriptions through geo-pricing, this works.
For Developers and AI Users: Why a VPN Matters
This section is specifically for the readers of an AI tools site. Here's where NordVPN genuinely helps technical users:
1. Accessing AI Services in Restricted Regions
Some AI tools (Anthropic Claude, Google Gemini, certain OpenAI features) have regional restrictions. NordVPN lets you connect from a US or EU IP to access services that may not be available in your country. We tested Claude API access from servers in Asia and Australia with no issues.
2. Avoiding Shared IP Rate Limits
Cloud AI APIs sometimes rate-limit shared IPs. NordVPN's Dedicated IP add-on ($4.49/month extra) gives you a static IP that isn't shared with other VPN users, reducing the chance of being flagged. Useful if you're hitting rate limits on the OpenAI API or similar services.
3. Privacy for Sensitive Prompts
If you're sending proprietary code, business data, or personal information to cloud AI services, a VPN adds a layer of encryption between your device and the AI provider's servers. It won't protect you from the AI provider logging your prompts, but it prevents ISPs and network operators from inspecting that traffic.
4. Secure Remote Development
Working from coffee shops, co-working spaces, or airports? NordVPN encrypts your SSH sessions, git pushes, and API calls on untrusted WiFi. The kill switch prevents accidental exposure if the VPN drops.
Honest caveat: If you only work from home on a trusted network, you probably don't need a VPN for security. The streaming and geo-access benefits are the more practical reasons for most users.
NordVPN
40-70% off on 2-year plans — 30-day money-back guarantee, no questions asked
Pricing: What NordVPN Actually Costs
NordVPN's pricing follows the standard VPN playbook: the monthly price is steep to push you toward longer commitments. Here's the breakdown as of February 2026:
| Plan | Monthly | 1-Year | 2-Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | $12.99/mo | $4.59/mo | $3.09/mo |
| Plus | $13.99/mo | $5.49/mo | $3.99/mo |
| Complete | $14.99/mo | $6.49/mo | $4.99/mo |
What each tier adds: Basic gives you the VPN only. Plus adds NordPass (password manager) and ad/tracker blocking. Complete adds NordLocker (1TB encrypted cloud storage). For most people, Basic is sufficient — use a dedicated password manager like Bitwarden instead.
The pricing trap to watch for: The 2-year price ($3.09/month) is only valid for the first billing period. After two years, it renews at the 1-year rate, which is about $4.59/month. NordVPN doesn't make this obvious during checkout. Set a calendar reminder two months before renewal and decide whether to continue or switch.
NordVPN vs Competitors: Quick Comparison
| Feature | NordVPN | ExpressVPN | Surfshark | ProtonVPN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-Year Price | $3.09/mo | $6.67/mo | $2.49/mo | $4.99/mo |
| Speed (nearby) | -8-15% | -10-18% | -15-25% | -12-20% |
| Server Count | 6,400+ | 3,000+ | 3,200+ | 4,800+ |
| Independent Audit | Deloitte (x2) | PwC, Cure53 | Deloitte | Securitum |
| Open Source | No | No | No | Yes |
| Free Tier | No | No | No | Yes (limited) |
| Simultaneous Devices | 10 | 8 | Unlimited | 10 |
Our take: NordVPN offers the strongest combination of speed, security audits, and streaming reliability at a mid-range price. Surfshark is cheaper but noticeably slower. ExpressVPN is more polished but costs roughly double. ProtonVPN is the privacy purist's choice thanks to open-source apps and a free tier, but it's slower on long-distance routes.
What We Didn't Like About NordVPN
No product review is complete without the downsides. Here's what frustrated us during six weeks of daily use:
1. Renewal Price Is Sneaky
The $3.09/month price only applies to your first 2-year cycle. After that, it auto-renews at the higher annual rate (~$4.59/month). NordVPN buries this in the terms. Many users on Reddit report surprise charges when renewal hits.
2. Monthly Plan Is Overpriced
At $12.99/month, the monthly plan is poor value compared to Surfshark ($2.49/month) or even ProtonVPN's free tier. NordVPN essentially forces long-term commitment to get reasonable pricing.
3. Linux Is CLI-Only
There's no graphical interface for Linux. You manage everything through the terminal with nordvpn connect, nordvpn set, etc. Power users won't mind, but it's a gap compared to ExpressVPN and Surfshark, which both have Linux GUIs.
4. Occasional Server Blocks on Streaming
While NordVPN unblocked all streaming services we tested, it wasn't always instant. Disney+ Japan and Amazon Prime Japan each required trying 2-3 servers before finding one that worked. Not a dealbreaker, but not seamless either.
5. Aggressive Upselling
After installing the app, expect prompts to upgrade to the Plus or Complete plan, enable NordPass, try NordLocker, and refer friends. It's not malware-level intrusive, but it's more nagging than ExpressVPN or ProtonVPN.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is NordVPN safe to use?
Yes. AES-256 encryption, two independent Deloitte audits confirming no-logs, and RAM-only servers that wipe on reboot. It's one of the most thoroughly audited VPNs available.
How much does NordVPN cost per month?
$12.99/month on the monthly plan, $4.59/month on the 1-year plan, or $3.09/month on the 2-year plan. The 2-year price only applies to the first billing cycle — renewal is at the 1-year rate.
Does NordVPN work with Netflix?
Yes. We tested Netflix US, UK, and Japan — all worked. You may occasionally need to switch servers, but that typically takes under 30 seconds.
Is NordVPN good for developers?
It's useful for accessing geo-restricted AI services, securing connections on public WiFi, and avoiding shared-IP rate limits (with the Dedicated IP add-on). The CLI-only Linux client works fine for server environments.
NordVPN vs ExpressVPN: which is better?
NordVPN is cheaper and slightly faster. ExpressVPN has a better UI and wider router support. For most users, NordVPN offers better value at about half the price.
Does NordVPN slow down your internet?
Nearby servers lose about 8-15% speed, which is barely noticeable for browsing and streaming. Long-distance connections (cross-continental) drop 25-40%, which is normal for any VPN.
Our Verdict: 8.4 / 10
NordVPN is a genuinely good VPN that mostly lives up to its marketing. The speed is excellent on nearby servers, the privacy claims are backed by real audits, and streaming access works reliably. The main downsides are the sneaky renewal pricing and aggressive upselling.
If you're willing to commit to a 2-year plan, $3.09/month is competitive for what you get. If you need month-to-month flexibility, look at Surfshark or ProtonVPN's free tier instead.
NordVPN
6,400+ servers in 111 countries — independently audited no-logs policy, 30-day refund