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NordVPN is one of the best-known VPNs in the world, and one of the most heavily advertised. Is it actually good, or just loud? We went through its 2026 features, independent speed and streaming tests, privacy audits and thousands of user reviews to give you a straight answer.
Quick Verdict
NordVPN is still one of the best all-round VPNs in 2026. It is fast, works with the major streaming services, has a no-logs policy audited six times, and covers up to 10 devices. The main downsides are that renewal prices are much higher than the first-term deal, and a few features are missing on Mac and iPhone.
| Best for | Streaming, travel, public Wi-Fi, households with several devices |
| Skip if | You need port forwarding or full split tunneling on a Mac |
| Devices | Up to 10 at once |
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days |
| Ratings (Oct 2026) | Tom's Guide 89/100 (Editor's Choice), Trustpilot 4.2/5 from 50,000+ reviews |
Speed: Among the Fastest VPNs Tested
In Tom's Guide's March 2026 tests, NordVPN reached 1,249 Mbps on a local US connection with its NordLynx protocol, second only to Proton VPN. Over long distances (US to UK) it was a little behind Proton, ExpressVPN and Surfshark. CyberInsider's September 2026 test measured a speed loss of about 10 to 18% on US servers. In everyday use, that means HD and 4K streaming, video calls and downloads run without trouble.
Streaming
In the same Tom's Guide tests, NordVPN worked with Netflix in the US, UK, Canada, Australia and Japan, plus Disney+, BBC iPlayer, ITV and Channel 4. Prime Video worked in most regions. Streaming services change their VPN blocks often, so treat any VPN's results as a snapshot.
Privacy and Security
- Audited no-logs policy: Deloitte has checked it six times, most recently in November and December 2025.
- Based in Panama, which has no mandatory data-retention law; parent company Nord Security is based in the Netherlands.
- RAM-only servers, so nothing is stored on hard drives.
- Kill Switch, DNS leak protection, Double VPN, obfuscated servers and Onion over VPN.
- Post-quantum encryption and the NordWhisper protocol for networks that try to block VPNs.
The 2018 incident: in early 2018, an attacker accessed one rented server in a Finnish data center through a remote-management account the data center had left open. No user logins or billing data were exposed, but NordVPN was criticized for disclosing it only in 2019. Since then it has moved to RAM-only servers, started a bug bounty and brought in outside auditors.
Features and Apps
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Servers | 7,000+ servers in 150+ countries |
| Protocols | NordLynx (WireGuard-based), OpenVPN, NordWhisper |
| Devices | Up to 10 at once; router setup supported |
| Apps | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, Fire TV, browser extensions |
| Meshnet | Still available for private connections between your devices |
| Split tunneling | Windows and Android only |
| Port forwarding | Not supported |
Plans
In the US, NordVPN offers Basic (VPN with scam and phishing protection), Complete (adds antivirus, an ad and tracker blocker, the NordPass password manager and 1 TB of encrypted storage) and Prime (adds identity-theft protection). Plan names and extras differ in Europe and other regions. All plans include the 30-day money-back guarantee. We don't list prices because they change constantly, but note that renewal prices are much higher than the first-term offer.
Downsides to Know
- Renewal pricing: the renewal price can be more than double the introductory price, and NordVPN has faced US lawsuits over its auto-renewal practices. Set a reminder before your term ends.
- Upsells: many extras are reserved for higher plans, and the apps promote them.
- Mac and iPhone gaps: no split tunneling on macOS or iOS, and the Mac kill switch only works per app.
- No port forwarding, which matters to some torrent users.
- Support: live chat answers quickly, email is slower, and there is no phone support.
NordVPN vs the Alternatives
| VPN | Why choose it |
|---|---|
| NordVPN | Best all-rounder: speed, streaming, audited privacy |
| Surfshark | Lower price and unlimited devices |
| ExpressVPN | Very simple apps and strong long-distance speeds |
| Proton VPN | Fastest in some tests, open-source apps, usable free plan |
Our Verdict
NordVPN earns its reputation: it is fast, reliable for streaming, independently audited and easy to use on every device you own. Take the first-term deal, use the 30-day guarantee to test it, and put a reminder in your calendar before it renews.
Related guides: Do you need a VPN when traveling? and how to secure your home office Wi-Fi.
How we review: we have not run our own lab tests. This review is based on NordVPN's official documentation, independent test results (Tom's Guide, March 2026; CyberInsider, September 2026) and user reviews as of October 2026.
FAQ
Is NordVPN worth it in 2026?
For most people who want a fast, audited VPN for streaming, travel and public Wi-Fi, yes. Just compare the renewal price before the first term ends.
Does NordVPN keep logs?
NordVPN has a no-logs policy that Deloitte has checked six times, most recently in late 2025. Its servers run from memory only.
How many devices can I use?
Up to 10 at the same time on every plan. A router with NordVPN counts as one device.
Does NordVPN work with Netflix?
In Tom's Guide's March 2026 tests it worked with Netflix in the US, UK, Canada, Australia and Japan, plus Disney+ and BBC iPlayer. Streaming services change their blocks often, so results can vary.
Can I get a refund?
Yes, there is a 30-day money-back guarantee for purchases made on NordVPN's website. App-store purchases are refunded through the store.
Affiliate Disclosure: Smart Home Shields earns a commission from some of the services linked in this article, including NordVPN, at no extra cost to you. Plans, features and rules change often, so check the current details before you buy.