Why I still recommend NordVPN to most people in 2026

NordVPN

4 / 5

Very good

 on Google.

You will come across NordVPN

NordVPN has 6,400+ servers spread across 111 countries, slightly more than ExpressVPN or Surfshark. A good server distribution network means easy access to secure IP addresses for watching content anywhere or finding nearby servers with better connections (the shorter the distance to the server, the faster the speed). 

Should you get stuck on which server to use, you can tap the Quick Connect button and the app will automatically select the fastest and most optimized server for your location.

The infrastructure also includes additional specialty servers, such as;

• Double VPN: These are different from the standard servers in that they bounce traffic through multiple servers for extra privacy.
• P2P: These are optimized for secure and faster torrenting (you can’t torrent with the regular servers).
• Obfuscated servers: These are designed to camouflage your VPN usage, enabling you to bypass geo-restrictions with ease.
• Onion Over VPN: These servers not only route your traffic through the VPN but also via the Tor Network, adding a layer of privacy to your browsing.
• Dedicated IP: You can purchase a private IP address, say to use on your website, if you don’t want the shared ones.

There are even more security features:

• Split tunneling: You can easily choose some apps or websites to tunnel to using the VPN, and exclude others.
• Dark Web Monitor: NordVPN constantly checks if your sensitive details, including emails and passwords, have been leaked on risky sites. You can then act swiftly before cybercriminals take full control of your compromised accounts.
• Meshnet: This feature allows you to create a virtual network (similar to a LAN network) and safely transfer files.

Privacy

NordVPN has stringent measures to protect your privacy. Its no-logs policy has been audited by independent parties for transparency (the most recent audit was done by Deloitte in 2024). Essentially, this means the VPN strictly adheres to a policy of not collecting or storing users’ private data, including browser searches. Plus, all NordVPN servers are RAM-only, meaning they’re wiped clean during regular server reboots.

Considering the company is headquartered in Panama, it’s much more difficult for third parties to access your data. Business entities in Panama aren’t obligated to collect and store their customers’ information. Also, the country doesn’t belong to the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances, referring to countries that share surveillance data and intelligence on their citizens.

Also: The best VPNs for businesses and teams: Expert tested

Still, you need to be aware that NordVPN can share your information in some instances. I came across these quotes while going through its privacy policy;

“We share your personal data with other Nord group companies to carry out our daily business operations and to enable us to maintain and provide our Services to you. We may also share the contact information of Nord business customers (i.e., our customers which use our products as a tool for their business) with Nord group companies for marketing of their B2B products purposes (business users have a right to object to such transfer at any time).”

“We may disclose personal data to establish or exercise our legal rights or defend against any legal claims or other complaints. We may also share such information if we believe it is necessary in order to investigate, prevent, or take action regarding illegal activities, suspected fraud, and violations of our General Terms.”

What I gathered from these clauses is that NordVPN isn’t completely tamper-proof, but this is a privacy limitation you’ll note in some VPNs as well. Thankfully, providers like Private Internet Access (PIA) have in the past stuck to their guns and bravely refused to comply with orders to share a user’s information. We’ve yet to see NordVPN pass this test.

Pricing: Which is the best NordVPN deal for you?  

NordVPN offers tiered subscriptions from different plans, namely Complete, Plus (without cloud storage), and Basic (missing some features like ad/tracker/ malware protection). The cheapest (basic) plan costs $3.59/month – amounting to $96.93 for the entire two-year (plus three months free) period. The next most affordable subscription, which I highly recommend because it’s packed with elite features, costs $4.49/month (coming to $121.23 for the entire two-year plus three months free period). Here is a list of the available plans as of the time of writing:

All NordVPN subscriptions come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, including the one-month plans. This allows you to try the service risk-free and ask for a refund if you change your mind. The VPN doesn’t have a free version or a trial. Android users, however, can get a seven-day free trial if they download the app from the Google App Store. 

You can simultaneously connect up to 10 devices with a NordVPN subscription, and purchases can be made using supported debit or credit cards, Google Pay, PayPal, or cryptocurrencies.

Great user experience, but some things you may not like…

NordVPN apps are convenient even for less tech-savvy users. You can easily download a native app for your device and connect within minutes. The app has a map interface where you can simply tap a location and connect. As I noted in my NordVPN and Proton VPN comparison, the Linux app isn’t as straightforward since it’s only controlled through the command line interface (CLI).

NordVPN is compatible with:

• Mobile devices: Android, iOS, and iPadOS
• PCs: Windows, MacOS, Linux, ChromeOS
• Browsers: Extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge 
• Smart TVs: Android TV and Apple TV
• Gaming consoles: PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch
• Routers
• Media boxes: Fire TV Stick and Chromecast

I noticed some issues with the NordVPN app. Most notably, it likes imposing itself over other applications. The VPN insists on running in the background even after you’ve disconnected it (you can turn this off under Settings > Connections). It can also interfere with the functioning of some apps or access to websites, mistakenly identifying them as a threat.