NordVPN Review 2023 – Is it Privacy-Friendly?

NordVPN is one of the most remarkable VPNs in the industry, with a solidified reputation. This NordVPN review would clearly highlight that it is known for its impenetrable privacy features and top-notch security protocols, including Smart DNS, dedicated IPs, Dark Web Monitor, advanced encryption standards, Obfuscated servers, Double VPN, and Meshnet. 

There are many sparkling reviews of NordVPN globally, and the product is worth all the hype. I tested its app, following every feature it offers to enhance online privacy. Headquartered in Panama, NordVPN is not part of the five-eyes alliance and strictly does not condone any activities, such as data monitoring, that compromise user privacy. 

It offers an encrypted tunneling protocol known as NordLynx. It is customized on WireGuard and specializes in delivering the fastest speeds and robust internet privacy. There is an independent no-logs policy to ensure complete anonymity for users. Also, its intuitive apps for major streaming devices are packed with top-notch features that protect user data from potential cyber threats. 

We can discover so much more about the service in this NordVPN review, including its subscription plans, privacy policy, customer support, and whether it is privacy-friendly or delivers decent speeds and reliable servers for streaming and torrenting. Let’s dig deeper to find out. 

NordVPN Review Pros and Cons 

How to Download and Install NordVPN [Simple Steps]

Downloading and installing NordVPN on your media streaming devices and operating systems is simple. Here’s how to:

• Launch nordvpn.com and sign up for NordVPN.
• Download and install the NordVPN app for your device from the official website. 
• Login using your credentials. 
• Head toward servers and connect to the US or any country server you want. 
• Browse a safe and secure internet. 

Does NordVPN Protect Your Privacy? 

Yes, it does. NordVPN is one of the most secure VPNs in the market. It has robust privacy features and impenetrable encryption standards to protect your web privacy and security. 

NordVPN’s servers run on RAM, which is a plus point since RAM servers save your data from data tracking and data storing whenever they restart and wipe the entire history. 

Moreover, NordVPN has exceptional military-grade encryption of AES-256-bit, which scrambles your data into a cipher. 

Every protocol is highly designed to maintain unpassable privacy and security. 

NordVPN also goes through independent audits to verify its no-logs policy. It has obfuscated servers, Double VPN, and Threat Manager.

Additionally, it has independently audited its privacy policy to offer a crystal clear idea of its legal and technical standpoints. 

What Encryption Standard Does NordVPN Use? 

NordVPN operates a military-grade encryption standard of AES-256-bit, which is an impenetrable encryption standard also used by US government officials and cyber security experts. 

It scrambles your information into binary digits, which become unreadable chunks of data. 

Your data becomes uncrackable with this top-tier encryption standard.

Moreover, NordVPN’s Nordlynx protocol is designed on the ChaCha20 protocol, a refinement of the Salsa20 protocol; it operates a 256-bit key. None of the practical attacks are capable of breaking this encryption. 

Obfuscated Servers 

NordVPN uses high-class obfuscated servers designed to disguise the fact you are connected to a VPN. These specialized servers work sharply, encrypting your web traffic and rerouting it from secure tunnels. These are specialized in hiding the fact that you are using a VPN. Your ISP cannot see your web browsing activities.

Moreover, obfuscated servers are highly optimized to circumvent geo-blocks of highly restrictive regions such as China, Russia, UAE, and Iran. 

When I connected to the obfuscated servers to check their credibility, it effortlessly bypassed internet restrictions. 

Threat Protection 

NordVPN offers a security feature of Threat Protection that helps in protecting your web data from many cyber vulnerabilities, including malware, unsolicited ads, web tracking, and malicious attacks. It is a valuable feature to protect you from potential risks. However, you do not need to activate it manually. Once you connect to NordVPN, Threat protection gets activated in the background. 

Kill-Switch 

NordVPN has a compelling feature of Kill-Switch that works efficiently in the immediate need. In the middle of a VPN connectivity drop, it saves your bacon. But how does it work? Suppose you are connected to the VPN and sharing a sensitive file or want to mask your IP address to stay anonymous. In the middle of your activity, your VPN shuts down. A Kill-Switch is designed to rescue you by disconnecting your internet connection until your VPN is activated. It is an essential feature to avoid data leaks. 

Dark Web Monitor 

The Dark Web Monitor feature is reliable and works efficiently to prevent you from several cyber vulnerabilities. NordVPN Dark Web Monitor is a valuable tool that aims to keep users informed about the safety of their personal information on the dark web. 

The dark web is a part of the internet that is not accessible through traditional search engines and requires special software to access. It is often used for illegal activities, such as buying and selling stolen data, potentially threatening anyone’s online privacy.

The NordVPN Dark Web Monitor scans the dark web for any personal information associated with the user, such as email addresses, phone numbers, and credit card details. If any information is found, it immediately notifies the user, allowing them to take appropriate action, such as changing passwords or contacting financial institutions to block fraudulent transactions.

One of the notable features of NordVPN Dark Web Monitor is its user-friendly interface, which makes it easy for even non-technical users to navigate. The tool is also integrated with the NordVPN app, which adds an extra layer of security by encrypting all internet traffic and masking the user’s IP address.

Smart DNS 

NordVPN’s Smart DNS feature is easy to set up and use, and it is compatible with a wide range of devices, including smart TVs, gaming consoles, and routers. With NordVPN’s Smart DNS, you can enjoy your favorite shows and movies from anywhere worldwide without buffering or lag.

Unlike VPNs, Smart DNS does not encrypt your internet traffic or hide your IP address. Instead, it only changes your DNS server, which makes it faster and more suitable for streaming.

Smart DNS allows you to access geo-restricted content by spoofing your location. This means you can access content unavailable in your region, such as streaming services like American Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer.

Double VPN 

NordVPN’s Double VPN feature is a powerful tool for those seeking online privacy and security. It routes your traffic through two different VPN servers instead of just one, making it much more difficult for anyone to track your online activity. 

When you connect to a Double VPN server, your traffic is encrypted twice, creating extra protection against hackers and other malicious actors. NordVPN’s Double VPN feature is also straightforward to use. You can select a Double VPN server location and connect as you normally would. 

Overall, this feature is an excellent option for anyone who wants to add an extra layer of security to their online browsing experience.

Does NordLynx Offer the Fastest Speeds with Robust Privacy and Security? 

NordLynx is a proprietary VPN protocol developed by NordVPN. It is based on the WireGuard protocol, known for its fast speeds and robust security features.

Compared to other VPN protocols, such as OpenVPN and IKEv2, NordLynx can offer faster speeds due to its streamlined design and efficient cryptographic algorithms. It can be beneficial for streaming, gaming, and downloading large files.

In terms of privacy and security, NordLynx also offers robust features. It uses the ChaCha20 and Poly1305 cryptographic algorithms, which are known for their high level of security and performance.

Additionally, it uses the latest technology for data encryption, including 256-bit AES encryption.

What Devices Work with NordVPN? 

NordVPN works with a wide range of devices, including:

• Windows PCs and laptops
• Mac computers and laptops
• Android smartphones and tablets
• iOS smartphones and tablets
• Linux software and laptops
• Chrome OS devices
• Router devices
• Smart TVs
• Gaming consoles such as Xbox and PlayStation
• Fire TV and Fire Stick devices
• Raspberry Pi devices
• Chrome and Firefox web browsers (with NordVPN extensions)

NordVPN offers dedicated apps for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices, which you can download from their respective app stores. The cherry on top is you can also manually configure the NordVPN app on routers, smart TVs, gaming consoles, and Raspberry Pi devices.

What is NordVPN Meshnet?

NordVPN Meshnet is a powerful feature dedicated to accessing devices remotely, regardless of your geographical location. 

A Meshnet is a decentralized network in which each device can act as a node, relaying data to other devices on the network. It can create a more resilient and robust network, as there is no single point of failure. 

In addition, Meshnet can be used to extend the range of a network without relying on a single, powerful router. It seamlessly connects devices, making it a use-worthy feature for high speeds, low latency, and advanced security activities. 

The NordVPN offers this significant feature for Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, and Linux. 

NordVPN Pricing Review – What are the Budget-Friendly Pricing Plans? 

NordVPN offers three subscription plans:

• Monthly Plan: This plan costs $11.99 per month, billed monthly.
• One-Year Plan: This plan costs $4.99 monthly, billed annually at $59.88.
• Two-Year Plan: This plan costs $3.49 monthly, billed every two years at $83.76.

All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Additionally, NordVPN offers a 7-day free trial for its mobile apps on Android and iOS devices. You can download the apps from Apple App Store and Google Play Store. 

NordVPN – Different Payment Methods 

It’s convenient to opt for a VPN with various payment methods. NordVPN comes with many reliable and easy-to-use payment methods, including:

1. Credit Cards
2. Debit Cards
3. Amazon Pay
4. Google Pay
5. Apple Pay
6. PayPal 
7. Cryptocurrencies 

NordVPN Review – Money-Back Policy 

NordVPN has a reliable and trustworthy money-back guarantee policy. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, offering you a month to test the VPN features and app compatibility. 

Furthermore, NordVPN allows you to claim a refund within the 30-days of your payment to be eligible for a full refund. Hence, it doesn’t grant a refund for the recurring subscription plans. Also, it doesn’t facilitate refunds for purchases made through Apple’s App Store. 

I went to their customer support to cancel my subscription and claimed a refund within 25 days of my purchase. Live chat representatives catered to me professionally, and I received my money within 48 hours. 

Speed and Performance of NordVPN

In terms of speed and performance, NordVPN is generally quite reliable and fast. However, the actual speed you experience may depend on various factors, including your location, your internet service provider, the specific NordVPN server you are connecting to, and the overall demand on NordVPN’s servers at any given time.

That being said, NordVPN offers several features designed to optimize speed and performance, such as its NordLynx protocol, which is based on the WireGuard VPN protocol and designed explicitly for faster speeds and lower latency. NordVPN also has a large network of servers in over 60 countries, which can help you find a server that provides good speeds and low latency.

While individual experiences may vary, NordVPN is generally considered a fast and reliable VPN service that performs well for most users.

NordVPN – Servers and Locations 

NordVPN offers a wide range of servers. They have optimized their network to provide fast and reliable connections and have some of the most secure VPN servers available.

Their network consists of more than 5,500 servers spread across 60 countries. They have implemented various technologies to enhance the speed of their servers. 

NordVPN has dedicated servers for P2P sharing, streaming, and gaming, which are optimized for those specific activities. They also use advanced algorithms to detect the fastest available server and connect users to it automatically.

In addition, NordVPN uses a technology called NordLynx, which is based on the WireGuard protocol. This technology provides faster speeds and lower latency than other protocols like OpenVPN. 

NordVPN also offers an option called “Obfuscated Servers,” which is designed to bypass internet restrictions in countries with strict censorship laws.

Overall, NordVPN’s fastest VPN servers offer users a great experience in terms of speed, reliability, and security. Their network is continuously expanding, and they continue investing in the latest technologies to ensure their users have access to the fastest and most secure servers.

Does NordVPN Unblock Hulu, American Netflix, Disney+, and Other Popular Streaming Sites?

NordVPN is generally known for its ability to unblock many popular streaming sites, including Hulu, American Netflix, Disney+, and others.

It has an extensive network of servers in different countries, which allows users to connect to the internet as if they were in another location. It can help bypass geographical restrictions that some streaming sites have in place. NordVPN also uses advanced encryption protocols to protect users’ online privacy and security while streaming.

However, it is essential to note that streaming services often update their blocking technology to prevent VPNs from accessing their content. NordVPN and other VPN providers may not always be able to bypass these restrictions, and certain streaming sites may block some servers. 

It is always a good idea to check NordVPN’s website or contact customer support for the most up-to-date information on which streaming sites they can unblock.

Final Verdict – Do I Recommend NordVPN?

In conclusion, based on my analysis of NordVPN’s features, security, privacy policy, and user reviews, I strongly recommend NordVPN as a top-tier VPN service. It provides robust security measures, including advanced encryption protocols, a no-logs policy, and an automatic kill switch.

NordVPN also offers a user-friendly interface, fast speeds, and access to a vast network of servers in multiple countries worldwide.

Furthermore, NordVPN’s pricing plans are affordable, and they offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, making it a low-risk investment.

However, it’s important to note that no VPN service is perfect, and NordVPN is no exception. Some users may have occasional connectivity issues or difficulty accessing some streaming platforms depending on their physical location. 

Overall, NordVPN is an excellent choice for those who value online security and privacy. It has top-notch features, a user-friendly interface, and affordable pricing making it one of the best VPN services in the market.