NordVPN Review: the Best VPN in 2025 or a Clever Marketing Trick?

☑︎ This review was last updated in: May 2025

If you’ve spent more than 10 minutes researching VPNs, you’ve probably come across NordVPN.

Flashy marketing. Bold promises. Millions of users.

But here’s the real question:

Is NordVPN actually that good – or is it just very good at advertising?

In this review, we’ll dive deep into real-world performance, privacy policies, pricing tricks, and all the bells and whistles that Nord brings to the table.

But first — here’s the short version:

Got limited time? Here’s what we’ll answer in this guide:

• 🗻What makes NordVPN different from the rest of the pack?
• 🔒Is it truly secure? Or just secure-sounding?
• 🐌How fast is it really? Does streaming and gaming work well?
• 💸What’s the refund policy? Any hidden catches?
• 🏆Is NordVPN better than other top-rated VPNs?

P.S. If you’re planning to subscribe, don’t miss the coupon section near the end for a trick that gives you 4 extra months for free.

Now let’s begin with a simple question:

How Is NordVPN Different From the Rest?

“Isn’t every VPN basically the same?”

If that were true, this review wouldn’t need to exist.
These days, most VPNs offer encryption, IP masking, and basic privacy features.

And yet, NordVPN is one of the most widely used — and most searched — VPNs in the world.

The graph above is based on Google search trends — and it shows NordVPN receiving more than twice the global attention of its closest competitor.

But popularity alone isn’t enough to earn trust.
What we really want to know is this:

Why do so many people use NordVPN? Is it really better — or just better at marketing?

It’s time to answer that.

In the next section, we’ll explore how NordVPN actually stacks up against other VPNs in terms of security, speed, and real-world functionality.

Unique Features of NordVPN

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a secure tunnel — shielding your online activity from nosy third parties.

This means better protection for things like online shopping, streaming, torrenting — and an extra layer of privacy from governments, corporations, and even your internet provider.

It also helps bypass content restrictions. So if you’ve ever hit a “not available in your country” wall on Netflix or YouTube, a VPN can be your secret weapon.

But here’s the thing: most decent VPNs already offer this.

So the real question becomes:

“Why choose NordVPN specifically?”

Turns out — there’s a bunch of good reasons.

• Massive server network: NordVPN offers 7,000+ servers across 118 countries, ensuring fast and stable connections with minimal overcrowding.

In practical terms, this means you won’t get stuck on a sluggish server — just hop to the next one if needed.

Also worth noting: Nord only uses real physical servers — no virtual locations that pretend to be in one country while physically residing elsewhere.

• NordLynx protocol: Based on the sleek and speedy WireGuard standard, Nord’s custom-built protocol offers faster, lighter, and more stable connections than older tech like OpenVPN.

They didn’t just adopt WireGuard — they optimized it to fit their infrastructure. The result?
In some cases, speeds up to 2x faster than traditional VPN protocols:

• Strict no-logs policy: NordVPN doesn’t store any records of your activity. Their home base is Panama (a privacy-friendly jurisdiction), and they’ve been independently audited by PwC to prove it.

Even if the authorities came knocking, there’s literally nothing to hand over.

For transparency, they also publish a “warrant canary” — a public statement confirming they’ve received zero government data requests. Clever? Very.

• CyberSec feature: Nord includes a built-in tool that blocks malicious websites and removes most online ads — no browser extensions needed.

Think of it as an ad blocker and anti-malware filter rolled into your VPN — for free.

• Ethical commitment: NordVPN actively supports organizations like Amnesty International and the Internet Freedom Festival.

While this doesn’t affect the tech directly, it’s refreshing to see a VPN provider walk the talk on digital rights and privacy.

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Now that we know what NordVPN can do, let’s explore how to actually use it for maximum benefit.

How to Set Up and Use NordVPN

Great features don’t matter much if the setup process is a nightmare.
Thankfully, NordVPN is refreshingly simple to install and use.

Here’s how to get started:

1. Head over to the official NordVPN website and create an account.
   (Psst – you’ll find the best deals in the coupon section at the bottom of this page.)
2. Download and install the app on your preferred device – Nord supports Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and even Linux.
3. Launch the app and either connect to the fastest server automatically, or choose a location manually. Done!

That alone gives you solid baseline protection.

But here’s where things get interesting:

If used properly, NordVPN can be more than a VPN – it becomes your daily privacy shield.

Apply these pro tips to unlock its full potential:

• Install it on all your devices: Laptop, phone, tablet – the more surfaces you cover, the safer you are. You can use one Nord account on up to six devices at the same time.
• Set it up on your router: Want to protect your entire home network? Install NordVPN on your Wi-Fi router. This way, every connected device is covered automatically – no need to activate the VPN manually.
• Enable auto-connect: In the app settings, turn on “auto-connect” so NordVPN runs quietly in the background every time your device powers up or joins a network.
• Use the Kill Switch: This option cuts your internet connection if the VPN drops for any reason – so you never accidentally leak unprotected data. Super useful for sensitive browsing or torrenting.

And depending on your needs, you can also take advantage of Nord’s specialty servers:

For example, P2P servers are optimized for torrenting, while Double VPN routes your traffic through two encrypted layers for maximum anonymity.

Bottom line?

NordVPN isn’t just a “set it and forget it” tool — it can be customized to fit your digital lifestyle and threat level.

Setup complete. You’re protected.
Next, let’s see how well NordVPN handles streaming and content unblocking:

Streaming and Geo-Unblocking

One of the most common reasons people look for a VPN?
Accessing content from other countries — Netflix, YouTube, BBC, Japanese anime, US sports streams, and more.

But here’s the catch:

Streaming services are getting smarter at detecting and blocking VPNs.
Which naturally raises the question:

Can NordVPN really help you bypass geo-restrictions?

Short answer: In most cases, yes. With a few caveats.

• US Netflix, YouTube, HBO Max, Hulu: Works reliably on nearly all servers
• Japan, Korea, UK servers: High success rates with local content like Netflix anime or BBC iPlayer
• Disney+, Amazon Prime Video: Accessible, but sometimes defaults to English-only versions due to locale quirks

We ran our own tests — here’s a snapshot of how NordVPN performs:

Tip: If you run into trouble with one server, just switch to another in the same country. NordVPN has dozens of options per region — plenty of room for trial and error.

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What about countries with heavy internet censorship — like China?

NordVPN includes Obfuscated Servers, designed to bypass even the most aggressive firewalls.

When enabled, this feature makes your VPN traffic look like regular HTTPS traffic.
That means it can sneak past blocks in places like China, Russia, Turkey, and the UAE.

Just one thing to keep in mind:

Install and configure everything before you enter one of these countries — VPN websites are often blocked locally, making it difficult to download or log in after arrival.

—

To sum up:

• NordVPN performs exceptionally well with streaming and content unblocking, even on platforms that actively block VPNs.
• It also offers tools to get around government censorship — including a stealth mode for restricted regions.

Next up: let’s see whether NordVPN’s pricing is as attractive as its features.

Pricing, Refunds, and Cancellations

NordVPN offers several plans based on how much extra stuff you wish to get on top of the standard VPN package –

• Basic plan is pretty much just the VPN, which is what most people expect from Nord
• Plus adds a malware scanner, an ad blocker, and a password manager for a 360-degree online protection package
• Complete throws in 1 TB of encrypted cloud storage – great for privacy geeks and teams which need to securely store large amounts of data

For most people, the Basic plan will be quite enough to browse, stream, and game safely online.

You get a complementary eSIM with each plan, courtesy of Saily. It’s essentially a virtual SIM card for a hassle-free mobile internet connection anywhere in the world.

Each plan comes with a 1-year, 2-year, as well as a monthly billing option.

If we compare per-month prices, by far the cheapest option is of course the 2-year plan, offering a 70%+ discount relative to the monthly price (see below for a method of obtaining an even higher discount using a coupon code).

As with most other VPNs, the monthly option is priced way higher (3-4x!) than the other plans – which means it has little practical value, especially since there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans.

…speaking of which:

NordVPN has a fairly standard money-back policy which implies that you can cancel your account and receive a full refund during the first month of your new subscription 💸

Two things you should know about NordVPN refunds:

• Take note of the word “new”! Only accounts created during the last 30 days are eligible for the 100% refund via the money-back guarantee.
• Since Apple likes to do things its own way, it is not possible to receive a refund for a NordVPN account created via its iOS app. You will need to get the refund from the App Store directly.

If your account is not new, i.e. if it was created more than 30 days ago, you can still cancel at any time, but the remaining amount will not be reimbursed.

BONUS: NordVPN Coupon Code

In case you do decide to give NordVPN a try, why not do it at the best possible price? Here’s how you can get 4 months for free in addition to a 2-year plan:

1. Click the link below to open the 2-year plan pricing page on NordVPN official website:

   Get 4 months free at NordVPN

2. Choose the NordVPN plan that suits your needs and go to the checkout page.
3. On the checkout page, click the “x” icon to delete the automatically applied coupon:

   

4. Enter the following code into the coupon field to get extra 4 months for free with your 2-year plan:
   satori

And there you go, a better deal for NordVPN, with a 30-day money-back guarantee! You can now proceed with the checkout process, the new price will be applied to your account.

Pros and Cons of NordVPN

Alright, before we continue to our final verdict, let’s take a minute to sum up the stronger and weaker sides of NordVPN:

• With more than 7000 access points around the world (all of which are physical locations), Nord can boast the largest server network out of all VPNs on the market.
• The custom-built NordLynx technology, based on the popular Wireguard standard, ensures stable connections and high speed for any chosen location.
• NordVPN makes no compromise when it comes to anonymity: their strict no-logging policy and its legal domicile in the privacy-friendly Republic of Panama help protect users from prying eyes of malicious actors and overly zealous governments alike.
• Specialized servers for avoiding governmental restrictions, P2P networking (torrents), and video streaming allow you to pick the access point that is most suitable for your specific needs.
• The 30-day money-back policy guarantees a full refund within a month of subscribing if you’re not satisfied with NordVPN’s services; the refund is easy to obtain by messaging the customer support.
• Several pricing plans, offering some serious value for money for long-term subscriptions (especially the 2-year plan) while leaving more wiggle room for 1-year and 1-month subscribers.

• Doesn’t work all too well in China: you’ll have to jump through a couple of hoops if you want Nord to help your browsing from behind the Great Firewall. The support team is quick to help, but you’ll be better off pre-installing the apps before your trip.
• Refunds on NordVPN subscriptions purchased through the iOS app will have to be handled separately via the App Store, which is not the most obvious option for first-time users.

Now that we’ve analyzed pretty much everything there is to analyze about Nord, let’s wrap things up shall we:

Conclusion: Should You Use NordVPN?

Now that we have a better understanding of what exactly NordVPN has to offer, it’s time to answer our final question –

Is Nord worth your money?

The answer is a resounding “yes”:

NordVPN seems to have found a sweet spot between premium quality and affordable prices, providing a combination of both that is almost impossible to beat.

There are certain cases when a company’s size really does make a difference for its customers.

Being the largest VPN in the world allows Nord to invest heavily in its infrastructure and features – and it also guarantees that maintaining a reputation is important for this brand.

Out of all Virtual Private Networks we’ve tested over the years, NordVPN can easily be recommended as a value-for-money solution for dramatically better online security and privacy:

…from day to day browsing, online shopping, P2P/torrents, and streaming – to bypassing government censorship and advanced anonymity, NordVPN is a choice worth considering.

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Still have questions about Nord? Or maybe you’ve already used this VPN and would like to share your opinion? Share your review in the comments section below, let’s help each other make informed decisions!