Experts worldwide recognize NordVPN, with its 14 million users, as a global leader in online privacy and security
With the rise of online threats and internet censorship, VPN services have become increasingly popular. However, due to the overwhelming number of VPN options, including free ones, it can be challenging to decide which service to use. If you’ve recently been researching VPN services, chances are you’ve encountered NordVPN. This VPN provider, based in Panama, is widely recognized and today, we’ll delve into its features and performance for a closer examination.
NORDVPN Features
Let’s examine in detail the array of features offered by NordVPN, including high-speed performance, ad and pop-up blocking for enhanced threat protection, a vast network of servers across multiple continents, a strict no-logs policy, and intriguing additions such as Double VPN and Meshnet. Before delving into NordVPN’s performance, it’s important to understand these features thoroughly.
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Extensive server network
NordVPN boasts an extensive server network that spans across major continents. With over 5522 fast servers in 59 countries worldwide, you can always count on having multiple server options in various regions. Notably, NordVPN goes beyond the norm by offering a server in Africa, particularly in South Africa, which is often overlooked by other VPN providers.
The NordLynx protocol
NordVPN relies on the NordLynx protocol, which is built upon WireGuard. If you’re familiar with VPN protocols in the industry, you’re likely aware of WireGuard’s growing popularity due to its advanced encryption techniques that offer faster speeds compared to traditional protocols like OpenVPN and IKEv2.
NORDVPN Performance Speeds
Currently, NordVPN stands out for its exceptional speed, ranking among the top in the market. With a vast server network of over 5000 servers across 59 countries, connecting through their default NordLynx protocol can deliver speeds that reach approximately 80-90% of your regular connection speed while using the VPN.
Although the OpenVPN and IKEv2 protocols were slower compared to NordLynx, they still established connections reliably.
Moreover, the connection times were impressively fast. Unlike our experience with VyprVPN, which we have been using for over a year, NordVPN’s servers connected swiftly. It consistently took just a few seconds to establish a connection to a server.
We conducted a test of the NordVPN service on an internet connection with a speed exceeding 220 Mbps. When connected to NordVPN’s US server using the NordLynx Protocol, we achieved download speeds of over 170 Mbps. This performance is highly impressive, especially when compared to competitors like VyprVPN, which only managed to provide under 30 Mbps on their US servers. Even when connected to a server located on the opposite side of the globe, such as a Hong Kong server, we obtained download speeds close to 180 Mbps and upload speeds of 20 Mbps, which is once again remarkably impressive.We thoroughly tested multiple servers and found no instances of DNS leaks, ensuring the protection of our location data.
The double VPN server we tested, which routed our connection through both Netherlands and London, was particularly impressive. Despite the double encryption, we still achieved speeds of approximately 120 Mbps, which equates to nearly 50% of our regular speeds. This means that even if you opt for the enhanced protection of double encryption, you won’t have to compromise significantly on download speeds.
Furthermore, the other servers in the European Union and Asia also delivered excellent speeds, with most of them offering connections of up to 150 Mbps. An additional advantage is that by clicking on the menu next to the server name, you have the option to connect to a server in a specific region within the country, providing even more flexibility.
NordVPN Pricing
While NordVPN may not be the most affordable option in the VPN market, it excels in various aspects. With remarkably fast speeds, an extensive selection of logless servers, comprehensive threat protection, and standout features such as Double VPN and Meshnet, NordVPN provides an excellent user experience across multiple platforms, including Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS.
Currently, the VPN service is priced at just $3.69 per month, and it even includes three months of free service, making it an attractive deal for those seeking a reliable and stable VPN service. Although there is no trial plan available, NordVPN does offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, providing the option for a refund if you are dissatisfied with their service.
