Privaroo score: 4.2/5, Reviewed May 2026
NordVPN is the most-marketed VPN in the world. It is also one of the most difficult to evaluate honestly, because it combines genuine technical strengths with a number of claims that do not hold up under testing. This review covers what we actually measured.
NordVPN at a glance
- Protocol: NordLynx (WireGuard-based), OpenVPN, IKEv2
- Jurisdiction: Panama (no mandatory data retention laws)
- Audit: No-logs policy audited by Deloitte (2023), infrastructure audit by VerSprite
- Price: from €3.09/month (2-year plan)
- Platforms: iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux, browser extensions
- Privaroo score: 4.2/5
Leak test results
We ran NordVPN through our standard 5-point test on NordLynx (WireGuard) protocol, iOS 18.4 and Windows 11.
DNS leak test
Pass on both platforms. NordVPN routes DNS exclusively through its own resolvers. No ISP DNS leak detected on 3 separate networks.
IPv6 leak test
Pass on iOS. Pass on Windows with a caveat: NordVPN disables IPv6 entirely rather than tunnelling it. This prevents leaks but means IPv6-only resources are unreachable while connected. This is an acceptable trade-off for most users but worth knowing.
WebRTC leak test
Pass in Chrome and Firefox with the NordVPN browser extension active. Without the extension, Chrome's WebRTC exposed the local network IP (not the public IP), standard browser behaviour, not a VPN leak, but worth noting for users who expect full WebRTC suppression.
Kill switch
Pass on Windows (App Kill Switch). The system-level kill switch blocked all traffic on VPN drop in our test. On iOS, the kill switch relies on the always-on VPN profile, which requires enabling it in Settings, it is not on by default. Users who do not configure this are unprotected on reconnect events.
Real-network behaviour
Mixed. NordVPN handled captive portals reliably at two of three test venues (hotel chains). At one airport Wi-Fi, the initial handshake timed out and required a manual server switch. This is not unusual for WireGuard-based VPNs on restrictive networks.
Speed test results
Tested from Paris to nearest NordVPN server (Amsterdam) on a 1 Gbps line:
- NordLynx: 680–720 Mbps download, 85–110ms latency on base load
- OpenVPN (UDP): 230–280 Mbps, significant overhead as expected
- IKEv2: 400–450 Mbps, solid middle ground
NordLynx speeds are among the fastest we have measured. For bandwidth-heavy use cases (4K streaming, large file transfers), NordVPN is one of the strongest performers in the market.
Privacy and transparency
The 2018 server breach
NordVPN had a server breached in 2018, a rented server in Finland whose management system was accessed without authorisation. Nord disclosed this in 2019 after a security researcher published it. The breach did not expose user data because the server held no logs. Nord has since moved to RAM-only servers and undergone multiple third-party audits.
We flag this not to condemn but because any honest review must include it. The response and subsequent audits are appropriate for the severity of the incident.
Audit status
The 2023 Deloitte no-logs audit covers the claim that Nord does not log user activity. The VerSprite infrastructure audit covers the server architecture. Both are more rigorous than most competitors. Mullvad and ProtonVPN have also undergone Cure53 audits that cover slightly different scope, all three are among the most audited consumer VPNs available.
NordVPN vs the competition
NordVPN vs Mullvad
Mullvad requires no email address, accepts cash, and scored 4.6/5 in our test. NordVPN has faster speeds on NordLynx and a larger server network (6,300+ servers vs Mullvad's ~700). If privacy is the primary concern, Mullvad wins. If speed and server variety matter, NordVPN is stronger. Read our Mullvad VPN review 2026 for the full comparison.
NordVPN vs ProtonVPN
ProtonVPN is the better pick for iPhone users who want a free option. NordVPN is the better pick for users who need the Meshnet feature (connecting devices across locations as a private network) or the Threat Protection ad/malware blocker. Read our ProtonVPN review 2026.
NordVPN vs ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN has more consistent captive portal handling across travel venues in our tests. NordVPN is cheaper (especially on the 2-year plan) and faster on WireGuard. For travel-focused users, read our ExpressVPN review 2026.
Apps and device support
NordVPN supports Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and has browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. The Linux client now has a full GUI as of 2024, which is a meaningful improvement over the command-line-only interface it previously shipped with. The iOS and Android apps support all protocols including NordLynx, and the mobile kill switch works correctly — we tested it by force-disconnecting the VPN mid-session on both platforms. Up to 6 simultaneous device connections are included on all plans.
Who NordVPN is right for
NordVPN is the best pick if you want:
- Fast WireGuard speeds (streaming, gaming, large downloads)
- A large server network with specialty servers (P2P, obfuscated, double VPN)
- A bundle with a password manager (NordPass) or cloud storage (NordLocker)
- The Meshnet feature for linking personal devices across locations
NordVPN is not the best pick if:
- Maximum privacy minimalism is the goal (Mullvad requires no email at all)
- You need a free tier (there is no free plan)
- You need guaranteed captive portal handling on all travel networks
Verdict
NordVPN scored 4.2/5 in our tests, solid on leak protection, exceptional on speed, slightly penalised for the iOS kill switch not being on by default and the 2018 incident. For most users comparing mainstream VPNs, it is a legitimate choice backed by actual audits. For privacy-first users who want the absolute minimum data footprint, Mullvad is still the stronger pick.
Not sure which VPN fits your situation? See our Best VPN 2026 overview or use our guide to choosing a VPN in 2026.
Pricing and plans
NordVPN offers three billing cycles. The monthly plan costs $12.99/month — expensive for long-term use. The 1-year plan drops to around $4.99/month. The 2-year plan is typically $3.49/month with a significant first-term discount, though the renewal price is higher. All plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.
| Plan | Monthly cost | Devices | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic (1 month) | $12.99 | 6 | Short-term testing |
| Basic (1 year) | ~$4.99 | 6 | Most users |
| Basic (2 year) | ~$3.49 | 6 | Long-term savings |
| Plus (2 year) | ~$4.49 | 6 | + password manager, data breach scanner |
The Basic plan is sufficient for most users. The Plus plan adds a password manager and a data breach scanner — useful if you want a bundled security suite, though standalone alternatives like Bitwarden are free and arguably better for password management.
Features worth knowing about
Double VPN
Double VPN routes your traffic through two servers in different countries, encrypting it twice. This adds latency — expect speeds 40–60% lower than a standard server — but provides meaningful additional anonymity for high-risk use cases. It is available on the Basic plan at no extra cost.
Threat Protection
NordVPN's Threat Protection blocks ads, trackers, and malicious domains at the DNS level, even when the VPN is not connected. In our tests it blocked 94% of known ad domains in the AdGuard filter list. It is not a replacement for a dedicated ad blocker, but it provides meaningful baseline protection without additional software.
Obfuscated servers
Obfuscated servers disguise VPN traffic as regular HTTPS, bypassing deep-packet inspection in restrictive networks. This is relevant if you use NordVPN in countries like China, UAE, or Russia, or on corporate networks that block VPN protocols. You enable obfuscation in the settings — it is not on by default because it reduces speed.
Streaming performance
NordVPN passed 4 out of 5 streaming tests in our May 2026 evaluation. Netflix US, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video US, and YouTube Premium all worked consistently. BBC iPlayer was intermittent — it passed on 2 out of 3 test runs. For most streaming use cases NordVPN is reliable. For BBC iPlayer specifically, ExpressVPN has a stronger track record based on our tests. See our full streaming VPN test results for the complete platform-by-platform breakdown.
Frequently asked questions
Has NordVPN been hacked?
Yes. In 2018, one of NordVPN's rented server providers in Finland was breached by an unauthorised third party. No user credentials or activity logs were exposed because NordVPN does not store them, but the incident revealed that a TLS key had been compromised. NordVPN disclosed the breach publicly in 2019 and subsequently completed a full infrastructure audit. The response was slow but the remediation was thorough. This incident is worth knowing about, but it does not fundamentally change the risk profile for most users.
Is NordVPN good for torrenting?
Yes. NordVPN explicitly allows P2P traffic on dedicated servers labelled "P2P" in the app. These servers are optimised for torrent traffic and passed our kill switch test — traffic stopped immediately when the VPN connection dropped. NordLynx's high speeds also make large downloads significantly faster than on OpenVPN-based alternatives.
Does NordVPN work in China?
Inconsistently. NordVPN's obfuscated servers can bypass the Great Firewall, but reliability has declined as Chinese censorship infrastructure has become more sophisticated. For users who need to use a VPN in China regularly, Astrill or ExpressVPN have better in-country track records. NordVPN recommends downloading and configuring obfuscated servers before travelling to China, as the website itself is blocked.
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