NordVPN Review 2024

In 2024, it is difficult to browse the internet or watch television and YouTube without hearing about NordVPN. This supplier is widely talked about in the Netherlands and elsewhere in the world. Does NordVPN deserve this notoriety? Is the product offered by the company up to par? Can you really trust this VPN to protect your internet connections? This is what we will see in this NordVPN review!

What is NordVPN? How to install it?

NordVPN is a VPN provider that has established itself over the years as a benchmark in the market. It allows you, among other things, to hide your IP address, browse anonymously, bypass geo-restrictions, and much more.

If it is of course initially linked to the quality of its Virtual Private Network, the media investments (Youtube, TV advertisements and even a partnership with the Liverpool football club) made by the company have been very substantial and have necessarily played in the company’s fame. In particular, we have seen many partnerships being forged with influencers in the gaming world, but not only that. In France, its reputation is very strong, far ahead of other suppliers of similar quality.

Before getting into the heart of our NordVPN review, we will explain how to install the application to start using it and benefit from its advantages.

How to install the application?

If you want to install the app to form your own opinion on NordVPN, know that the whole process is very intuitive. You will quickly be able to get to grips with this tool, whether you are an expert or a novice in the field.

Plus, no matter what device you want to install it on, there is a suitable version. NordVPN is in fact available on iOS, Mac, Windows, but also on Android for example. So be careful to download the version that corresponds to the device you want to install it on. Please note that NordVPN even offers an application on Smart TV to take advantage of the advantages of a VPN on your connected TV. 

As for the configuration, you will just have to let yourself be guided by following the different steps. For this NordVPN test, no need to go into detail because everything is well indicated. This is already a good point because this is not the case for all its competitors…

How to use NordVPN?

Once the installation is complete, you will be able to start using the tool and give your opinion on NordVPN.

As you see above, the application interface is very simplified , which makes it easier to get started. The connection is very intuitive, but let’s recap the steps:

1. Open the app
2. Choose the server you want to connect to based on the country you want to access
3. Press the connect button

And voila ! Your IP address and online activities are protected. If you don’t have a specific territory in mind, you can use the Quick Connect connection button. In this case, it is the NordVPN algorithm which will be responsible for finding the server optimized for you based on your geographical position and the load of the different servers nearby.

It’s that simple. In terms of the ergonomics of the application and the interface, our opinion on NordVPN is more than positive.

Speed ​​test

Speed ​​is everything when we do our reviews of the top VPN providers. In fact, many users want to protect their devices connected to the Internet without having to compromise on connection speed since poor quality bandwidth prevents access to content quickly and efficiently. However, immediacy is essential to navigate in 2023 .

So we did a NordVPN test to see what it was like in terms of speed:

Test with VPN disabled (reference speed)

This first image corresponds to the results of testing the connection without any VPN protection. Our connection is rather very fast as you can see, which will allow us to more easily see any differences when the software is activated.

Test with the VPN connected in the Netherlands

This test was carried out by choosing a server in the Netherlands . As you can see, the connection has dropped significantly, but it is still quite respectable. With such a speed, you will be able to watch streaming content or download files, for example.

Test with the VPN connected to the USA

Finally, here is a new test carried out, this time with a server in the United States (in case you want to unblock American content for example). We once again note a big drop in connection quality, which is predictable given the geographical distance from the American server.

If we compare these results to competitors, our  opinion of NordVPN is rather very good : even in the most remote locations, you will have more than enough speed to do everything you want! A very good point for the supplier who passes the test with flying colors.

NordVPN review for streaming

More and more people are using tools to optimize their streaming activities. This is why we couldn’t do a complete review of NordVPN without talking about the features that are offered in this context.

If you are a fan of streaming platforms  and like watching films and series, you will be particularly interested in using a VPN. Indeed, this tool allows you to access all your content wherever you are in the world, but also to access all geo-blocked content. You will never run out of films and series again.

Nothing could be simpler with NordVPN’s VPN: you just need to select the country in question, search for a server in that same country and connect to it.

When watching, there are no interruptions and loading speeds are pretty decent. Do not hesitate to take advantage of the trial period offered by the provider to test and form your own opinion on NordVPN. You are not likely to be disappointed, whatever type of activity you prefer on the internet.

If you happen to download torrents via P2P, then fear not: the provider is also compatible with these activities thanks to its P2P servers.

Security and Privacy Policy

Security is THE most important point that we analyzed from different angles in order to be able to give a real opinion on NordVPN in 2023. Indeed, we must not lose sight of the fact that this parameter will largely determine the quality or not of ‘a Virtual Private Network.

So what can you expect from this VPN Service?

Security

To protect your data online, a VPN uses several encryption methods when you go online. With NordVPN, this is the latest 256-bit AES encryption.

Various protocols are also offered so that you can choose the one that best suits your needs. The latest, NordLynx , the in-house protocol developed by NordVPN which has enormous potential. Based on the WireGuard protocol, it combines speed and security for optimal performance. We also find the IKEv2/IPSec protocol and OpenVPN UDP/TCP.

Security is also guaranteed by anonymity. To do this, NordVPN servers hide your IP address as soon as you activate it. Thus, none of the sites visited will be able to trace you or determine your physical location. But is your IP really well protected? To be sure, we performed a number of tests regarding potential network leaks.

We then activated our VPN to ensure that the IP had changed and that there was no DNS leak. Here is the result then obtained:

As you see in the image above, the IP address has been changed to appear in New York (which makes sense because an American server was chosen). Also, no IP, DNS or WebRTC leak issues to report since all the information is identical. This point is very reassuring; otherwise there would be a big problem protecting your data.

If you still have any doubts about this NordVPN review, please note that the provider has equipped its application with the Kill Switch , an essential feature that acts like an emergency stop button. Explanations: if your NordVPN connection ever suspends, your traffic will be automatically cut immediately, even if the interruption lasts a few seconds. This guarantees that your data will not be leaked, whether it is your IP address or your internet activities.

During our NordVPN test, however, we noted that its Kill Switch was a little finicky, meaning that it struggled to automatically reconnect once things returned to normal. As a result, you may continue your activities thinking that the VPN is protecting you when that is not the case.

We would also like to highlight the security breach that the supplier encountered in 2018 following a hack of one of its Finnish data centers. Even if the case showed that the provider had nothing to reproach itself, it is understandable that some users are hesitant about the idea of ​​entrusting it with their web data.

Privacy policy

Good news for anyone who was wondering about this provider’s log policy: they are not kept. Our NordVPN review couldn’t have been as good otherwise. As I told you, safety is paramount. We cannot advise you to opt for a provider that keeps user connection logs as this would put your privacy at risk.

As proof of its reliability, NordVPN has had its services audited by Deloitte. As a result, the company was able to confirm that no logs were recorded on the provider’s servers. Despite the hack of NordVPN’s Finnish server a few years ago, there is no risk for your data since no trace is kept.

 

VISIT NORDVPN

 

Does circumventing censorship work?

Many users discovered the existence of VPNs when planning their trip to a censored country. This is the case, for example, of China, Iran and Russia.

Are you reading this NordVPN review because you plan to go to China? Please note that you should not have any problem there: many Internet users use this VPN every day to access their favorite platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Gmail… You will be able to unblock everything without any problem with this provider thanks to its Obfuscated servers Optimized for regions that restrict Internet access. Obviously, this will reduce the number of available servers but it is the only way to access your usual content.

However, sometimes its servers are not enough to thwart censorship. For example, in the United Arab Emirates, the NordVPN connection struggles to work properly. We therefore recommend ExpressVPN (in our list of the best VPNs ) which works perfectly.

In this case, technical adjustments must be made to make NordVPN work. To do this, you will need to go to its help center and follow the instructions. The tutorials are available on Windows, macOS, Android, iOs and Linux platforms. If you encounter connection problems despite the manipulations, do not hesitate to contact the company’s customer service directly. As you will see right after, it is very efficient. The advisors will be able to provide you with all additional information.

Server network and country coverage

With over 5,800 servers spread across 60 countries around the world , our NordVPN review could hardly be better. If you choose this provider, one of the largest networks on the market will be available to you. This quantity ensures optimal throughput by avoiding saturated servers in the event that the different clients are all grouped together on a single server, for example. In addition, its international presence allows you to simulate various locations and access more content.

Where NordVPN stands out is in the functions of each server. The provider does not just offer standard servers but also offers others adapted to the needs of each user. Thus, we find:

• P2P optimized servers to secure torrent sharing
• Obfuscated servers to avoid being blocked in countries with strong online restrictions
• Double VPN servers that double encryption for greater protection
• dedicated IP servers for people who have paid for this optional service

If you are looking to access a particular country or have a specific need, do not hesitate to go directly to the supplier’s website and the dedicated page. There you will find precise information on the servers available and those to favor depending on your online activity.

NordVPN Customer Support Test

Customer service is essential for a software provider because it allows you to see if the company really takes its customers’ concerns into consideration. To provide you with the most complete opinion on NordVPN possible, we put its assistance to the test by contacting technical support.

The easiest and most direct way to do this is through live chat. To do this, you will need to go to the official website of the provider and click on the conversation bubble at the bottom right of the screen. A chat window will open and you can compose your message. For our part, we then asked them a question regarding their 30-day money-back guarantee period. Here is part of the discussion: 

As you can see, the advisors are responsive and try to do their best to resolve your problem and respond to your request. However, the response time may vary depending on the period, which explains why NordVPN customer support does not surpass that of ExpressVPN, which we have already spoken to you about and praised. 

If your request does not require an immediate response, please note that you can also send an email to the NordVPN teams at support@nordvpn.com .

Finally, it should be noted that these two options are not the only ways to obtain information about NordVPN. Before contacting a real advisor, it is advisable to visit their help center. It is continent:

• Detailed installation tutorials with step-by-step screenshots for hassle-free setup
• an intelligently designed FAQ that lists the various recurring questions users have
• many articles about VPN service, billing or connectivity issues

There is nothing to say about NordVPN customer support which is very efficient . The brand does its best to support its customers in all circumstances. So this is a good point in this review of NordVPN. Special mention for his answers in French, it’s very rare. Well done !

Offers and pricing

Impossible to end this NordVPN review without mentioning its prices. The price is an element to take into account upstream in order to check that the subscription fits into your budget. Currently, the provider offers three packages:

• 1 month at €12.99
• 1 year at €4.99/month
• 2 years at €3.35/month (reduction currently of -59%)

It’s up to you to choose your offer based on the desired commitment duration. Knowing of course that, the longer the contractual period, the more advantageous the prices will be. Therefore, we advise you to opt for the 2-year solution if you are looking for a Virtual Private Network over the long term and want the best price.

The advantage with NordVPN is that all offers are eligible for a money-back guarantee valid for 30 days after subscription. If you are not satisfied, you can receive a full refund without conditions.

Note that when subscribing, you will also have the option to add NordLocker, a cloud-based file encryption system , or NordPass, a state-of-the-art password manager , for a few extra euros. These are two pieces of software from NordVPN aimed at strengthening user security. There is a free version if you want to test these tools before purchasing.

Our opinion on NordVPN pricing is therefore rather positive – even if it is true that you may find cheaper with other competitors. As such, although price is an important criterion, you should not only take this element into account when choosing your protection on the Internet. Better to pay a few euros more and benefit from quality service and optimal security like what NordVPN offers.

Finally, you might as well take out the 2-year subscription right away: you will have a lower monthly cost and can still end your commitment if it ultimately does not suit you after your 30-day NordVPN test.