NordVPN
NordVPN
Pro
- Up to 6 simultaneous connections
- Automatic kill-switch
- double encryption
- Dedicated IP
- No logging
Contra
- Not always the speediest connection
NordVPN has been around for more than ten years and you can see that. The security features are more than impressive, especially when you consider the extremely affordable price. More importantly, it is very easy to set up and use. This is the perfect way for new VPN customers to get started.
NordVPN has impressive features and attaches particular importance to security and data protection.
The company is based in Panama, where jurisdiction does not provide for data retention laws and has adopted a strict rule of non-logging.
It supports OpenVPN, PPTP, L2TP and IPSec protocols and uses an unusually high 3072-bit encryption based on SSL. You can also play Tor over VPN. This allows you to further increase your anonymity online.
The service also has an automatic emergency shutdown feature that instantly shuts down the web pages or software you have selected if your VPN connection fails.
To be precise, NordVPN is extremely easy to install and use.
Simply download the VPN client. That’s all. The installation is done in the background when you start the software for the first time. This is even the case with Windows. This makes NordVPN a good choice especially for newbies or people with limited IT knowledge.
Speed and reliability
NordVPN has no maximum bandwidths or speeds.
However, due to the unusually high encryption levels, the speed may be a little unsteady and may vary depending on which server is selected.
The majority of NordVPN servers are so-called standard servers. While there are dedicated ‘ultra fast TV’ servers, there are only four standard servers and these tend to have a relatively high server load.
Flexibility
NordVPN is one of the few VPN services we have tested that offers a dedicated IP address in addition to dynamic and static IP addresses.
Although NordVPN has finally launched Android and iOS apps (which were not available before), they unfortunately have some gaps. For the time being, it is recommended that you connect your device via router or with manual settings. Compared to other VPN services reviewed by us, NordVPN has potential for improvement in terms of flexibility.
Customer Service
You can contact customer service by opening a support ticket via email, or by speaking to a representative in a 24-hour live chat.
You will also find a FAQ section and some video tutorials on the website. Unfortunately, both are a little limited. The FAQ section explains the basics, while the tutorials mainly cover the installation of the software.
Value for money
Like other VPN offers, NordVPN offers three rates, which become cheaper the longer the duration of the membership you choose.
Rates start at $11.95 per month, but drop to $5.75 per month if you pay for 12 months, or $3.29 per month if you pay for two years in advance. This makes NordVPN one of the cheapest VPN services available.
NordVPN also includes some really great free gifts. These include free YouTube and web proxies, an encrypted instant messaging and secret note function, as well as encrypted messages that delete themselves when they have been read.
Conclusion
In summary, NordVPN is an excellent choice. This is especially true if VPN is new to you. It’s easy to set up, it’s packed with features and all at an incredibly affordable price. However, speed can sometimes fluctuate due to high encryption levels.