NordVPN

A Simple But Vibrant User Interface

Although NordVPN offers a lot of geeky features, it is pretty easy to use. When you launch the app you see a map with pins that mark the server locations in each of the 59 countries it supports.

At the top of the user interface a big switch is enabled to connect you to your desired VPN server. By default, it chooses the closest one to your actual location. Nevertheless, you can pick any country from a drop-down list

The settings are the best part of the user interface and NordVPN in general. You can customize many of the standard items. Plus, when you click Show Advanced Settings there are more items to fine-tune to your needs. In total, there are more than a dozen switches you can flip for various features. 

Speed Within The VPN Environment

Speed is critical within a VPN environment. Once a connection is established uploads times are determined by a combination of the server you access and your device. With the introduction of 10Gbps servers across the globe, NordVPN is ensuring its access speeds are at the top of the market. 

The introduction of NordLynx is also a component in the company’s aggressive move to increase its speed. It has heightened VPN communications to a pretty hefty 91 Mbps. This is after the expected data loss figured in a transition between non-secure and private communication. 

The highest speeds, nearly 100 Mbps, are found in Singapore and the United Kingdom. The lowest, which aren’t that low, are in the US and Australia. Speeds in these countries average 87 Mbps. 

There’s a caveat to these speeds:  You can’t manually change your VPN connection to the faster servers. Once you get access you’re stuck with the connection until you log out again. With nearly five dozen servers, it’s a crapshoot as to the server you get. 

SmartPlay Enhances Streaming

On the upside, NordVPN introduced a program to enhance streaming speeds on any of their servers. It’s called SmartPlay.

SmartPlay is a tool that helps you securely access geo-centric content that would otherwise be unavailable. Users don’t have to download or configure a new application. Instead, it comes built-in to the service. Incorporating Smart DNS, it provides access to several streaming services. 

There are three advantages to the SmartPlay service:

1. It maintains your security when you’re utilizing public Wifi.
2. It keeps your streaming speeds steady when your ISP decides to throttle your traffic.
3. It provides a full range of streaming content when you travel abroad.

What NordVPN and SmartPlay do not do is allow you to access copyrighted streaming content without permission. In simpler terms, you need to have an account if you want to access items on Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, etc. This is part of the company’s goal to be as transparent as possible when it comes to security protocols.

Pricing For Most Budgets

If you want to utilize NordVPN’s services every month, then you might want to consider another company. At around $12, NordVPN’s subscription is at the high end for service. On the other hand, if you know you’ll use it for a longer period, then stick with the company.

An annual plan breaks down to approximately $5 a month or $60 a year. The two-year plan is the best option. That parses down to around $3.70 a month. On top of that, NordVPN constantly offers promotions to bring people in. For instance, at the start of 2021, they gave two-year subscribers a chance to win another free month or year. 

NordVPN offers a three-day free trial. While it doesn’t sound like much, you do receive all the features available with the payment service. Thus, you should have an opportunity to determine if it’s right for you. If not, the company provides a full cash-back guarantee within 30 days of the initial subscription.

Top Security For Protected Use

There’s a reason NordVPN can charge above-average fees for its services. Their security is at the top of the list in the industry. So much so that, in 2019, they became one of five founding members of a newly formed VPN Trust Initiative. The goal of the group is to promote online security along with self-regulation and transparency in the industry.

Among the security initiatives NordVPN maintains is a strict no-logs policy. Their Panama-based business registration allows them to avoid data collection for government purposes. Nevertheless, they do report on issues related to malicious activity on their devices. This is part of the trust initiative.

Other protections include:

• A Kill Switch to prevent your data from being exposed for even the briefest of moments.
• AES-256 encryption that goes beyond the standard 128-bit form of competitors for another layer of data protection.
• No IP address or data leaks were detected during the review.
• Site filters to block a large number of malicious sites.

Customer Support

NordVPN offers 24/7 support to all customers regardless of the subscription plan. They can reach their service team via live chat, phone, or email. Customers also have access to a deep knowledge base of information on the company’s support page. Their end goal is to ensure their subscribers are 100% satisfied with the service they receive for the price they pay.

Previous Security Issues

Despite the many levels of security NordVPN has placed on its servers, there have been a few instances of breaches. For instance, in 2018 one of their servers was accessed without authorization. 

Luckily, the company quickly jumped on the situation. They performed multiple risk management tests on their environment and came up with the right tools to enhance VPN security. Unfortunately, they didn’t inform the press or their users of this issue until a year later. They have since refined their communication policies toward these cyberattacks.

Usefulness Of NordVPN

With its strong security tools, NordVPN is useful for several tasks that go beyond simple personal or business use.

• Work Projects: Via the company’s Teams application, small and medium-sized businesses can safely work on projects away from the prying “eyes” of others. This means employees can utilize applications like Zoom and Microsoft Teams to collaborate on tasks when people work outside of the office.
• Streaming: Geo-centric streaming is a highlight of NordVPN’s mission. As long as you have the proper permissions, you can securely view videos from legacy sites like Netflix and new ones like HBOMax. Plus, with the advent of SmartPlay, streaming speeds aren’t cut back due to a VPN connection.
• Travel: NordVPN has made it easier for individuals and groups to perform their usual activities when they’re outside normal environments. With servers in nearly five dozen countries, there’s a local one that can help you digitally travel back home to access what’s needed.
• Gaming: Thanks to the company’s implementation of WireGuard technology in its NordLynx protocols, gamers can feel secure in their play without losing data or speed. The reason is it features twice the speed of either IPsec or OpenVPN protocols.
• High-Risk Business: Companies that sell items internationally can be considered high-risk. Particularly if they see a large volume of chargebacks. One of the ways these high-risk businesses receive additional funding is to set up a secure connection. NordVPN makes this happen through its large number of international servers. 

Conclusion – Is NordVPN Worth The Subscription Cost?

For the most part, NordVPN is highly recommended for any level of VPN user. They’ll be able to easily use its unique user interface. Furthermore, they can take advantage of the multitude of security options available to further protect their data and streaming.

There are few disadvantages to selecting NordVPN. On the service side, you can select a country to connect to but not a specific city within. Thus, you might be stuck on a slower server. On the subscription side, they could do more to offer discounts for monthly users instead of focusing on annual accounts.

You should try NordVPN for yourself during its three-day trial. If that’s not enough time for you, then take advantage of their 30-day money-back guarantee.