When we talk about safe browsing and protecting our identity online, it is inevitable to think about NordVPN. And it is no wonder, since in a digital environment where each click, purchase or search reveals sensitive information to third parties, having a robust protection barrier is the only real way to keep our privacy safe from prying eyes, advertising trackers and cybercriminals who seek to take advantage of any oversight.
NordVPN's popularity precedes it, but Let's see if it really is such an effective tool.. To do this, we have put it to the test, from its connection speed on different continents to its newest features, such as Mesh Network or threat protection, to determine if NordVPN delivers on its promise of being the ultimate digital protection.
NordVPN: what it is and why it makes a difference
NordVPN is a virtual private network service designed with one clear obsession: user privacy. Unlike other services that simply mask your IP, NordVPN has built a colossal infrastructure with more than 6,400 servers in 111 countries. This not only ensures that you will always have a server nearby for fast browsing, but it offers almost complete geographic freedom.
The entry price is very competitive, starting from 3.39 euros per month in its most basic plan, with savings of 70%, which puts it in a very attractive position given the number of extra functionalities it includes, such as some of the following, which differentiate the application from other basic VPNs:
- NordLynx– It is its proprietary protocol based on WireGuard. In our tests, it is responsible for the loss of speed being practically imperceptible. It is fast, light and very safe.
- Audited No-Logs Policy: NordVPN operates from Panama, a privacy-friendly jurisdiction, and follows a strict policy of not keeping logs of your activity.
- RAM Servers: a vital technical detail. Their servers do not use hard drives, but only RAM. This means that with each reboot, any data that may have passed through is physically erased forever.
- Threat Protection Pro– As we see in the desktop interface, it is not only a VPN. It includes an ad blocker, trackers, and a malware detector that scans files as you download them to prevent infections.
PC usage experience
We have installed the NordVPN client on Windows to see how it performs on a day-to-day basis. Installation is as simple as: download, install and log in. The desktop interface stands out for its cleanliness. NordVPN has avoided the mistake of presenting endless lists of technical data.
Instead, it presents us with a interactive world map that occupies the center of the experience. Usability is excellent: you can zoom and click on any blue pin to instantly connect to that region, or use the left sidebar if you're looking for a specific country in a sorted list.
Delving deeper into daily use, we find details that put it ahead of the competition:
- The Pause functionA: Sometimes you need to disable the VPN for a moment to access a local website or a finicky banking service. NordVPN allows you to pause the connection for 5, 10 or 15 minutes, reactivating automatically afterwards. This avoids the classic mistake of unplugging it and forgetting to turn it back on, leaving you unprotected for the rest of the day.
- Split Tunneling– A must-have feature for advanced users and gamers. It allows you to choose which apps use the VPN and which don't. For example, you can encrypt your entire web browser for privacy, but let your multiplayer video game use your direct fiber connection for the lowest possible ping.
- Obfuscated servers– If you try to use a VPN on very restrictive networks (such as universities, corporate offices, or countries with censorship), normal servers may be detected. This option disguises VPN traffic as normal HTTPS web traffic, making it undetectable to firewalls.
On the other hand, the only important thing is not the protection, but also the personalization of the VPN and this is where NordVPN wins even more:
- Post-quantum encryption: a novelty that we find in the Connection and security tab. NordVPN allows you to activate encryption that is resistant to future quantum computing attacks, a level of security that few competitors offer.
- Invisibility on LAN– Vital if you connect to a public network (like a hotel) and don't want other devices to see your computer, but you can disable it at home so you can use your Wi-Fi printer without problems.
- Advanced Kill Switch– Unlike others that only cut off the Internet, here we can choose whether the panic button cuts off all network access or only closes specific applications (such as a download manager) if the VPN disconnects.
Mesh Network: Your own private virtual LAN
One of the highlights of our test has been the Red Mesh functionality, accessible directly from the side menu.
When activated, NordVPN transform the way your devices interact each other, offering three fundamental pillars:
- Remote file access: allows you to access the content of your desktop computer from your laptop or mobile phone as if you were sitting in front of it.
- Traffic routing– You can use your home PC as a VPN server while traveling, browsing with your home IP from anywhere in the world.
- Secure file transfer– Creates a direct tunnel to send large documents between devices in an unlimited and encrypted way.
Smartphone user experience
Translating a complex desktop experience to a touchscreen isn't easy, but the NordVPN app handles it with flying colors. The interface maintains visual coherence with the PCcentered on the map, but adapted to touch gestures. The navigation is structured in a bottom bar with four clear sections, making it easy to move through the app with one hand.
One of the most common concerns users have when using a VPN on their mobile is the percentage of load it consumes. NordVPN shines here thanks to the NordLynx protocolwhich is extremely energy efficient. In our tests, we have not noticed significant battery drain by having it active in the background, something that many competing apps that use older protocols suffer from.
Additionally, it includes features designed specifically for smartphone security:
- Insecure Wi-Fi detection: We can configure the app so that, if it detects that we are connecting to an open Wi-Fi network (such as that of a cafeteria or airport), it automatically activates the VPN. This way you will never be exposed due to forgetfulness.
- Protection against Tapjacking (Android): A very interesting security feature that prevents malicious applications from overlaying invisible buttons on the screen to trick you into accidentally accepting permissions.
- Shortcuts and widgets: On both iOS and Android, you can add widgets to connect to your latest server with a single tap from the home screen, without even opening the app.
The versatility of NordVPN
The main advantage of NordVPN is that it is not limited to computers and mobiles, but its ecosystem It is much broader, extending in the following ways:
- Smart TV: NordVPN has a native app for Android TV, Google TV, Amazon Fire Stick and Chromecast. This is vital for streaming lovers, as it allows access to content catalogs from other countries directly from the living room television.
- Browser extensions: If you do not want to encrypt all computer traffic, you can install its extension for Chrome, Edge or Firefox and protect only web browsing.
- Router: for devices that do not have a screen or allow you to install apps (such as a PlayStation, Xbox or Nintendo Switch), the solution is to configure NordVPN directly on the router. This way, any device that connects to your home Wi-Fi will be automatically protected.
What is NordVPN speed like?
The big fear when using a VPN is loss of speed. To clear up doubts, we have carried out real NordVPN tests using a 600 Mbps symmetrical Fiber optic connection from Spain, using the NordLynx protocol.
The results speak for themselves:
- Connection to local server in Spain: We have connected to a server in Madrid and the result has been 585 Mbps download and 578 Mbps upload. That is, a loss of just 2-3% that is totally imperceptible. The ping remained at 6 ms.
- Connection in Europe (France): Connecting to Paris, the speed dropped slightly to 560 Mbps, with a ping of 18 ms. Fluid and perfect performance for online games.
- Connection to USA (New York): Jumping across the pond to New York, we maintained an impressive 480 Mbps. Although the ping rose to around 200 ms due to the physical distance, the speed is more than enough to play 4K streaming content without interruptions.
- Connection to Japan: In the most demanding test, connecting to Tokyo, we achieved 290 Mbps. Although the latency is notable (245 ms) and is not ideal for gaming, the browsing speed is still very fast.
So is NordVPN worth it?
After putting NordVPN through our tests, the conclusion is clear: we are facing a premium service at a very affordable price. It is not just a tool to change your IP, but it is a complete security suite.
His ease of use (both on PC and mobile), added to exclusive features such as Mesh Network (which greatly facilitates file sharing and remote access) and Threat Protection, make it the most robust option on the market. If you are concerned about your digital privacy, use public Wi-Fi networks, or simply want to enjoy Internet without geographical borders, NordVPN is, today, the safest bet.
The best
- Outstanding speed thanks to NordLynx.
- Very intuitive interface (map) on all platforms.
- Extra security functions (Anti-malware, Dark Web Monitor…).
- Very powerful and easy to configure Mesh network.
- Huge network of servers.
