How good is NordVPN? What features does it offer, and how does it handle user security
and privacy? In this video, we will do a comprehensive
review of NordVPN. We’ll look at key aspects such as features, security, privacy, network
size, and pricing. For each category, we will give a score out
of 5, with 5 being the best score. This way, you will know how the service fares in different
aspects. If you’re in a rush and can’t watch the
entire video, check out the links we have added in the description box down below to
see our highest-rated VPN service. First, we will see the features offered by
NordVPN. As the leading VPN provider in the world,
you would expect NordVPN to come packed with features, and boy, it doesn’t disappoint.
It comes with a range of basic and advanced features, giving you huge value for your money.
The first thing we’d talk about is split tunneling, which is a fairly new addition.
The feature allows you to choose the apps that you want the VPN connection to cover.
For example, you might only want your Twitter to use the VPN connection, so it wouldn’t
make sense to open your bank app with your VPN connection. This is where the split tunneling
feature comes into play. The feature is available in Android and Windows clients, but not on
Mac and iOS, for reasons that we don’t know. However, it should be noted that this feature
is absent on most VPN providers’ clients for both platforms, so it’s not something
that’s peculiar to NordVPN. Perhaps, it has something to do with Apple’s operating
systems. Another nice feature you’ll find on NordVPN is Double VPN, which works exactly
as it sounds. For an additional layer of protection, it routes your internet connection via two
VPN servers. While it may sound simple, the feature is rarely seen, even with most top
providers. The next impressive feature we’d mention
is dark web monitoring, which is a fairly new feature. Its function is simple – it
monitors the dark web for any leaked information connected to your email address. In the event
that such information is found, it will alert you so you can take an immediate corrective
action. The only shortcoming with this feature, in our opinion, is that it only watches out
for your email address that’s connected to NordVPN. It doesn’t allow you to add
more than one email or even credit card information. The last feature we’d like to mention is
CyberSec, which is basically an ad-blocking feature that comes with some built-in malware
protection. The feature helps prevent you against phishing attempts, malware, intrusive
ads, and other threats. However, you can choose to turn this feature on or off at any time,
which makes sense since not every ad is dangerous. This section is not in any way exhaustive,
as NordVPN offers so many other features. However, the ones we have included are some
of the most impressive. Overall, NordVPN gets 5 points out of 5 when
it comes to features. Next, let’s look at how NordVPN handles
security. NordVPN offers every security feature you
would expect in a top VPN provider. In terms of encryption, your data is protected with
the most reliable security encryption in the world - the AES 256-bit encryption. It also
supports reliable VPN protocols, including the much-celebrated OpenVPN as well as the
company’s patented WireGuard-based protocol – NordLynx. You can always choose any of
these protocols, depending on your preference. Furthermore, it comes with a neat built-in
kill switch, which is turned on by default. This acts as the final line of defense, blocking
your internet connection whenever your VPN connection drops. This ensures that your data
is not exposed during such interruptions. We’d admit that these features are fairly
standard these days, but NordVPN offers a cluster of more advanced features that make
it a cut above the rest. It even comes with a feature called DNS leak protection. Basically,
this feature is designed to protect you against leaks by ensuring that DNS requests never
go to your ISP and always to the company’s servers. Most VPN experts highly recommend
NordVPN for this feature alone, as it’s a unique feature that aims to improve privacy.
Another security feature worthy of note is Tor Over VPN, which allows you to simultaneously
route your browsing traffic via a VPN server and the Onion network. This enables you to
access the much-maligned Onion network, which is usually believed to be aiding illegal activities
on the dark web. Again, NordVPN takes 5 points out of 5 in
this category. The next aspect we will be looking at closely
is Privacy. At the start of its privacy policy, NordVPN
clearly states its stance on privacy – keeping customer’s privacy private is its top priority.
Adhering to this, the company maintains a strict no-logging policy, which means it does
not store or monitor any data about your online activities. It’s also a relief to know that
it’s based in Panama, which is a country with great privacy laws.
For the registration, NordVPN asks for your preferred payment method and your email address,
but that’s about that it. With all factors considered, we believe what they collect is
very minimal. While they require you to have access to the submitted email address, there
are many unidentified email options. It’s also a good thing that the company accepts
crypto payments – which also aids anonymity. When you use NordVPN, nothing is actually
known about you. The login details it collects are merely for authentication. It does collect
some server load data, which it only takes to recommend the fastest servers without having
to check the massive server list. It’s all thumbs up when it comes to privacy.
Again, NordVPN takes the full points in this round, thanks to its exemplary approach to
privacy. Next, let’s talk about the server count
and server locations. For many years, NordVPN had the largest server
network in the world. While positions have changed in that regard lately, the company
still boasts an enviable server count, running 5250 servers across 59 countries. The server
distribution is also impressive, with Europe getting 2600 servers, the Americas getting
about 2300 servers, and what’s left of the total being distributed between Asia, the
Middle East, and Africa. While NordVPN does not boast the largest server
network anymore, it’s worth noting that they don’t use virtual servers like most
of their rivals. Despite boasting thousands of servers across the world, every server
location features genuine, bare-metal servers. Lastly, we’d like to note that NordVPN provides
six different server types, which serve different functions.
In the end, NordVPN gets 4.5 points out of 5 in this category, which is not a perfect
score but still a respectable performance. Finally, let’s look at the different pricing
plans on offer. If we are honest, we’ve got to mention that
NordVPN is not in any way a cheap VPN provider. The good thing is that it gives you the value
for your money, offering an incredible set of features that its rivals can barely match.
Its two-year plan costs $3.67 per month, which you have to pay in advance. Also, the two-year
plan comes with extra 3 months as a gift. If you choose the per/year plan, then you
only have to pay $59.00 per year, which works out at $4.92 per month. However, the monthly
plan is more expensive, costing a whopping $11.95 per month. Every plan also comes with
a 30-day money-back guarantee, which allows you to test the service before making any
commitment. In the pricing category, NordVPN gets 4 points
out of 5, slightly missing out on the full marks.
The good news is, The Cyber Lab viewers can get a special 68 percent discount on NordVPN.
All you need to do is, click the official link we have added in the description section
of this video and this discount will be automatically applied.
By all measures, NordVPN is an incredible VPN provider that guarantees your anonymity
and security at all times. With its large server network, fail-proof security, strict
no-logging privacy, and quite reasonable plans, it’s easy to see why so many people are
inclining towards the Panama-based service. Overall, NordVPN ranks second on our list
of best VPNs. The top spot goes to Surfshark, which is our highest-rated VPN provider. It
offers a robust feature-set, blazing-fast speeds, watertight security, intuitive clients
as well as unlimited simultaneous connections -- all at an excellent price.
Plus, The Cyber Lab viewers can get an exclusive 81 percent discount on Surfshark using the
links we have shared down below.
With that, we have come to the end of this NordVPN review. Let us know in the comment
what you think about our review. And which VPN service do you use and why? We’d love
to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
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