What Is NordVPN? The Ultimate 2025 VPN Breakdown

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NordVPN is a Virtual Private Network (VPN) that lets you browse the web privately and securely — without restrictions. It might not seem like a big deal at first, but a secure connection can be hugely helpful and important. One of the key functionalities of a VPN,  the ability to spoof your location isn't just about protecting your privacy — it also lets you access region-locked content that would otherwise be unavailable based on your location. If you're an avid internet user (which, who isn't?), it's a real lifesaver.

For example, if you're a frequent traveler who loves streaming, a VPN is almost essential. Without one, you might find yourself unable to watch the shows you're currently binging when you're outside your home country. 

In short, web-savvy travelers (and really, anyone who values their online privacy) have plenty of reasons to consider a VPN. But how does NordVPN stack up against competitors like ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access? Every service has its strengths, and what works for one person might not be the best choice for another. Here's what makes NordVPN stand out from the crowd.

What is NordVPN? Is NordVPN Safe?

Founded in 2012, NordVPN has been independently audited multiple times to verify its security and privacy claims. Third-party audits, such as those conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers AG, have confirmed that NordVPN adheres to its strict no-logs policy — meaning it doesn't track, store, or share users' online activity. Additionally, penetration testing by cybersecurity firm VerSprite has assessed NordVPN's defenses, ensuring there are no major security vulnerabilities that could put users at risk.

Why does this matter? Many VPN services claim to be private and secure, but without independent audits, users have to take these claims at face value. Regular third-party testing is crucial for verifying that a VPN actually protects user data as promised. In NordVPN's case, these audits provide transparency and reassurance, proving that its security measures hold up under scrutiny. On top of that, NordVPN offers fast performance, with some servers supporting speeds of up to 10Gbit/s, ensuring that users don't have to trade security for speed.

Beyond privacy and security, NordVPN offers features that go beyond typical VPN use — especially for gamers. One standout is Meshnet, which lets you host multiplayer servers without the hassle of port forwarding or exposing your connection to the wider internet. With Meshnet, you can create a virtual Local Area Network (LAN) and invite friends to join, allowing for secure online play in games that support LAN connections. Even if you're comfortable setting up servers manually, port forwarding and sharing your IP always carries some risk. Meshnet eliminates those concerns, making it safer and easier to host private game servers. Best of all, while Meshnet is part of NordVPN's suite of apps, it's completely free to use — even if you don't have a subscription.

Where Can You Use NordVPN?

Beyond privacy concerns, there are plenty of reasons to consider using a VPN. While it's a valuable tool for travelers, it's just as useful for those staying within their home country. Take Meshnet, for example — it's not just professionals who can benefit from a VPN. Sometimes, internet service providers (ISPs) throttle traffic to certain websites, slowing down your connection. By encrypting your data and masking your online activity, a VPN can help bypass these slowdowns as a bonus effect of protecting your privacy. For anyone who spends a lot of time online, a VPN is worth considering — and they're completely legal to use.

NordVPN offers a vast network of over 7,400 servers across 118 countries, including key regions like the U.S., Canada, Australia, and the U.K. While VPNs can be incredibly useful for accessing region-restricted content, it's important to be mindful of local laws when using one. If a broadcast is exclusive to a certain region, spoofing your location to access it could violate terms of service or legal restrictions. For example, if you're using a VPN to watch a sports team's local broadcast that isn't available nationally or internationally, be sure to check any relevant regulations before doing so.

With all that being said, NordVPN makes accessing your favorite content simple with features like split tunneling, SmartDNS, and SmartPlay. Split tunneling allows you to choose which apps or websites use the VPN while letting others connect normally — perfect for services that don't work well with VPNs, like certain banking apps or local streaming platforms. This gives you more control over your connection, allowing you to secure sensitive activities while keeping unrestricted access to everyday sites and services.

SmartDNS and SmartPlay work together to make streaming region-locked content more seamless. SmartDNS automatically adjusts your DNS (Domain Name System) settings, reducing the chances of a connection being blocked by websites or streaming services that typically restrict VPNs. SmartPlay, on the other hand, encrypts your traffic while helping you access geo-restricted content without requiring manual configuration. By combining these tools, NordVPN ensures that users can bypass content restrictions effortlessly while keeping VPN usage simple — even for those who aren't tech-savvy.

How Much Does NordVPN Cost?

Much like many VPN services, NordVPN comes with a 30-day money back guarantee. If the service doesn't meet your expectations, you'll be able to get your money back without issue. NordVPN has a whole suite of different subscription plans, offering a number of additional add-on features.

Here's what you're typically looking at when it comes to pricing:

• Basic: $12.99/month per the monthly rate, $4.99/month or $59.88/year for one-year plans, and $3.39/month or $81.36/two years for the two-year plan. The basic package is for anyone looking to only make use of the basic NordVPN service (secure, high-speed VPN, Threat Protection, and security for up to 10 devices at once), with none of the additional threat scanning, ad blocking or advanced protection features.
• Plus: $13.99/month per the monthly rate, $5.99/month or $71.88/year for one-year plans, and $4.39/month or $105.36/two years for the two-year plan. As of the time of writing, the two-year Plus subscription also comes with an additional six months. The Plus tier comes with additional ad and tracking blocking as well as additional browsing and anti-malware protection in addition to the standard VPN.
• Complete: $14.99/month per the monthly rate, $6.99/month or $83.88/year for one-year plans, and $5.39/month or $129.36/two years for the two-year plan. In addition to everything from the prior tiers, Complete also comes with a password manager and 1TB of encrypted cloud storage. Like the Plus tier, Complete's two-year plans currently comes with an extra six months of service.
• Prime: $17.99/month per the monthly rate, $9.99/month or $119.88/year for one-year plans, and $8.39/month or $201.36/month or $129.36/two years for the two-year plan. Prime comes with all other features, along with a slew of NordProtect privacy features such as identity theft insurance, credit score monitoring and more. Right now, two-year plans for Prime come with an additional year of service included with the subscription.

As mentioned previously - all plans are covered by NordVPN's 30-day money back guarantee It's also worth keeping an eye out for any promotions or special pricing, so make sure to check out NordVPN's site for the most up-to-date pricing information.

Should You Get NordVPN?

As we shared earlier, NordVPN has consistently met their promises when it comes to privacy and security with their regular audits. VPNs as an industry are always evolving, and is a competitive field — yet NordVPN stands out with their focus on providing specific services that make it easier to get the most out of a VPN. NordVPN is an easy recommendation, with how it sells itself as the full package — offering everything you'd want a VPN for.

With 24/7 support, even if you have any questions about how specific features of NordVPN work, NordVPN is there to help guide you through setup and beyond, so that you can best utilize the service per your individual circumstances.

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