NordVPN at a Glance
NordVPN has consistently ranked as one of the top VPN providers since its launch in 2012. But with the VPN market more competitive than ever in 2026, does it still deserve the crown?
We used NordVPN as our primary VPN for 6 months, testing it daily for speed, reliability, streaming, and security. Here's our complete assessment.
Rating: 4.7/5
Pros
- Fastest speeds we've tested (850+ Mbps)
- NordLynx protocol offers exceptional performance
- Threat Protection blocks ads and malware
- 6,000+ servers in 60+ countries
- Strict no-logs policy (independently audited twice)
- 10 simultaneous device connections
Cons
- Linux app lacks GUI
- Occasional connection drops on mobile networks
- Premium features cost extra on lower-tier plans
Speed Performance
NordVPN's proprietary NordLynx protocol, built on WireGuard, delivers the fastest speeds we've measured in any VPN:
| Server Location | Download | Upload | Latency |
|---|---|---|---|
| US (New York) | 892 Mbps | 445 Mbps | 12ms |
| UK (London) | 856 Mbps | 412 Mbps | 78ms |
| Japan (Tokyo) | 624 Mbps | 298 Mbps | 145ms |
| Australia (Sydney) | 598 Mbps | 267 Mbps | 178ms |
These are real-world results on a 1 Gbps connection. NordVPN consistently maintained 85-90% of our base speed on nearby servers, which is exceptional.
Security Deep Dive
Encryption
NordVPN uses AES-256-GCM encryption with perfect forward secrecy. Each session generates a unique encryption key, meaning even if one session is compromised, past sessions remain secure.
No-Logs Policy
NordVPN's no-logs policy has been verified by PricewaterhouseCoopers in two separate audits (2018 and 2020), plus a recent audit by Deloitte in 2024. They don't store:
- Browsing history
- Connection timestamps
- IP addresses
- Bandwidth usage
- Session data
Threat Protection
This is NordVPN's standout feature. Threat Protection acts as a real-time shield that:
- Blocks malicious websites
- Scans downloads for malware
- Removes tracking cookies
- Blocks intrusive ads
In our testing, Threat Protection blocked 94% of known tracking domains and detected 3 potentially malicious downloads that our antivirus missed.
Streaming Capabilities
NordVPN excels at unblocking geo-restricted content. We tested it with 15+ streaming services:
- Netflix: Works with US, UK, Japan, Australia, and 10+ other libraries
- Disney+: Reliable access to all regions
- BBC iPlayer: Consistent unblocking
- Hulu: Works perfectly
- Amazon Prime Video: Full access
The SmartPlay feature automatically selects the optimal server for streaming, reducing buffering and improving quality.
Pricing & Plans
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Month | $12.99 | $12.99 |
| 1 Year | $4.99/mo | $59.88 |
| 2 Years | $3.49/mo | $83.76 |
The 2-year plan offers the best value at $3.49/month. All plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Try NordVPN Risk-Free for 30 Days
Who Should Use NordVPN?
NordVPN is ideal for:
- Privacy-conscious users who want independently audited security
- Streamers who need reliable access to geo-restricted content
- Remote workers who need fast, secure connections
- Gamers looking for low-latency servers
Final Verdict
NordVPN remains our top VPN recommendation for 2026. The combination of best-in-class speeds, robust security features, and reliable streaming performance makes it the complete package.
At $3.49/month on the 2-year plan with a 30-day money-back guarantee, it's an easy recommendation for anyone looking for a premium VPN experience.
Our Rating: 4.7 out of 5