NordVPN review 2024: Cost, plans, features and more (2024)

In terms of NordVPN’s advantages, the virtual private network (VPN) provider offers business plans, which it calls Nordlayer. NordLayer adds features today’s businesses may need, such as the ability for hybrid or remote workers to securely access business data using external devices and two-factor authentication to ensure only your employees can access sensitive data.

Its pricing ranges from $12.99 to $14.99 per month. Large companies with unique security needs can request a custom quote. NordVPN includes additional cybersecurity threat protection that blocks ads, trackers and malware from your devices.

Its kill switch feature also automatically cuts off your internet connection when VPN connection is lost, helping to ensure constant VPN protection over your data when online. However, users report inconsistencies with the kill switch feature, meaning your employees may unknowingly pull up sensitive business data without proper protection.

In addition, for an extra secure and seamless browsing experience, you can buy a dedicated IP address. While using a shared IP address (included in our plan), you may run into blocked websites.

This is because shared IP addresses are sometimes blacklisted by sites based on other users’ bad behavior, meaning some websites may not be available to you. Without a history of users, a dedicated IP address is less likely to be blacklisted by websites.

This brings us to NordVPN’s disadvantages. Its monthly plans start at $12.99 per month but drop to $3.99 per month when you sign up for a two-year plan. Given that some competitors offer free VPNs, this monthly price point is on the higher end of VPN pricing.

However, free or cheaper VPNs can slow down your browsing experience and keep you from accessing some websites and content that are available through higher-priced VPNs. They also may not have all the security features offered by NordVPN, such as optional dedicated IP addresses.

Each of NordVPN’s plans protect up to six devices simultaneously. Some competitors offer more devices covered, such as IPVanish, which offers unlimited connected devices. However, if you need to cover more devices using your NordVPN plan, setting up the VPN on your router can help protect your entire home or business network. Some routers even come with NordVPN already installed.

NordVPN overview and facts

NordVPN was launched in 2012 to offer equal access to a secure Internet. It provides a no-log policy, meaning there is no record of websites visited, data accessed or other activity you engaged in while online.

It also offers threat protections, including malware safeguards, such as ad-blockers that keep malware from accessing your computer and hackers from stealing data. Finally, its kill switch ensures data is secure if the VPN disconnects.

However, in 2018, NordVPN experienced a security breach on one of its Finland servers. Around that time, other VPNs — including TorGuard — experienced similar breaches. NordVPN states that its rented server was accessed due to an insecure remote management system left by the data center provider, a system of which NordVPN was not aware. Still, the server contained no user activity logs and user credentials were also protected.

Overall, NordVPN earns high ratings with users. On Trustpilot, for example, it has over 25,000 reviews and a 4.4 overall rating. Trustpilot reviewers praise the provider for its excellent customer service and quality product. However, some users report that the company auto-renews their subscription without their consent, a policy that is hidden in its terms and conditions.

NordVPN pricing

NordVPN has three main plans and a business plan called NordLayer. NordVPN is on the more expensive side if you decide to pay monthly for any of the plans. If you’re looking to save money on your VPN, you’ll want to pay upfront for a year or two years. Regardless of the plan length you select, you’ll receive the same VPN product.

There are no hidden fees with these VPN plans but optional add-ons are offered at checkout, including a dedicated IP address and the Incogni data removal tool, which we discuss in our add-ons and additional features section below. All options have a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can test the product to ensure it is the best fit for your needs.

Standard

NordVPN’s standard plan is its most basic option. It offers a secure VPN, malware protection and an ad blocker. Please see the next section for information on how these features serve users.

The standard plan costs:

• Monthly plan: $12.99 per month.
• One-year plan: $4.49 per month.
• Two-year plan: $3.79 per month.

The Standard plan is pricier than some competitors from our best business VPNs list. If you decide to pay annually, you’ll save a significant amount on the VPN service.

Note: This is the introductory price for annual NordVPN plans. After the first term length, the renewal price will change. NordVPN includes three extra months in your initial term length on annual plans.

Plus

NordVPN’s Plus plan pricing isn’t very competitive compared to other top VPN providers. The Plus plan introduces a password manager and data breach scanning for, on average, an additional dollar per month. Please look at the following section to learn how these features serve this plan’s users.

The Plus plan prices are:

• Monthly plan: $13.99 per month.
• One-year plan: $5.49 per month.
• Two-year plan: $4.79 per month.

Complete

The Complete plan gives you everything NordVPN has to offer, including one terabyte (TB) of private cloud storage and advanced file encryption to keep your data safe from hacker interference. Please review the next section to learn more about these features’ advantages.

The Complete plan costs:

• Monthly plan: $14.99 per month.
• One-year plan: $6.49 per month.
• Two-year plan: $5.79 per month.

NordLayer business plan

NordLayer is the business version of NordVPN and adds features specific to business needs, such as highly secure login authentication tools, global coverage, activity reports and multi-device support.

It ranges from $7 to $9 per user per month when billed annually and from $9 to $11 per user per month on month-to-month subscription. NordLayer has a five-user minimum, and large companies with custom security needs are asked to contact Nordlayer for a tailored quote.

NordVPN plans

NordVPN offers a tiered VPN plan structure with three plans. Each subsequent tier offers additional cybersecurity features that businesses may find useful, such as a data breach scanner. The NordVPN company also offers a business VPN solution that we discuss in depth in a later section. All NordVPN plans have download speeds averaging 235 Mbps, connect up to six devices at a time and offer global coverage via 5,581 servers in 60 countries.

Standard

NordVPN’s most-basic Standard plan offers a fast VPN with protection and alerts if malware is detected. It scans all downloaded files and attachments to search for malware threats. If malware threats are detected, the file is deleted. It also offers a tracker and ad blocker, which blocks pop-up ads while browsing the internet and keeps third-party sites from tracking activity.

The Standard plan includes:

• VPN connection.
• Malware protection.
• Tracker and ad blocker.
• 5,581 servers in 60 countries.
• Six connected devices.

Plus

The Plus plan includes everything in the standard plan and adds a password manager and data breach scanner. The password manager syncs and backs up your passwords from all of your devices. From there, you can access them in an encrypted digital password safe from any browser extension or app. The data breach scanner searches the internet to ensure your personal data has not been leaked and offers recommendations to prevent leaks.

In addition to Standard plan features, the Plus plan includes:

• Password manager.
• Data breach scanner.

Complete

The Complete plan adds one terabyte (TB) of cloud storage and upgrades your encryption levels. With NordVPN’s cloud storage, all your stored files are encrypted in a private cloud that isn’t even accessible to NordVPN.

In addition to all features in the Plus plan, the Complete plan includes:

• One terabyte of private and encrypted storage.
• IPsec VPN protocols.

NordLayer business plan

NordLayer is a good option for businesses that need a remote work environment with a secure internet connection. It allows remote workers to connect their devices to the company VPN and share files securely. Despite a remote environment, central control allows you to ensure that all devices connected to your VPN use standardized security protocols to keep the whole network safe.

Nordlayer offers servers in over 30 countries for a fast and secure connection across your virtual team. Even among remote devices dispersed across the globe, data can be shared with encryption that covers the sender, receiver and the tunnel through which data is sent. If you have offices in different geographical locations and pass data back and forth, Nordlayer is worth considering.

Admittedly, most small businesses do not have global teams but, for those that do, Nordlayer may be a fitting solution. For local small businesses, however, NordVPN’s router option protects all company devices used in one business location for a small-business-friendly price. Learn more about this router option in the next section.

NordVPN add-ons and optional features

NordVPN offers add-ons for an extra fee. These include a dedicated IP address and the Incogni data removal tool. However, many optional features do not cost extra but can simply be toggled on and off in the NordVPN app settings. These include dark web monitoring, multi-factor login authentication, split tunneling and NordVPN’s kill switch. You can also buy a router online or in-store to cover an unlimited number of devices with NordVPN’s protection.

Here is a closer look at all of these add-ons and optional features, including what they are, their uses and how to access them.

Router integration

A router is a physical device you can use to connect to VPN servers. While a single NordVPN account only allows you to connect up to six devices, a router can help you bypass this limit to connect all devices in your business or home simultaneously.

You can either manually set up the router with NordVPN or buy a router with NordVPN already installed. When buying a router, always check for compatibility first. If its documents say it supports OpenVPN, it will be compatible with NordVPN. Or, to purchase a router with NordVPN already installed, simply visit NordVPN’s partner, Flashrouters, to view a list of routers you can use out of the box with NordVPN with no manual setup.

Dark web monitoring

Multi-factor authentication

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) allows you to create an extra step that must be taken to log into online accounts. For example, you can require each account to not only ask for your login credentials but to also verify it’s you by having you input a time-sensitive code sent to your phone. This means hackers would not only need your login credentials but that unique code to gain access to your account, which is unlikely.

NordVPN offers different options for setting up multi-factor authentication. In addition to time-sensitive codes, you can use USB devices (called security keys) for multi factor authentication. Security keys must be plugged into your device to successfully log into your account.

To set up multi-factor authentication, download a code-based authentication app that NordVPN supports, such as Authy. Or, buy a USB security key, such as Yubikey 5 series or another USB security key certified by FIDO2 (a password authentication standard by the Fast Identity Online Alliance). Next, log into your NordVPN account, access your settings and click the MFA tab, then the MFA panel. Follow the instructions to begin setup.

Split-tunneling

Split-tunneling allows you to split your data so you can view content that does not require VPN protection via your regular internet connection and then funnel data that does require VPN protection through NordVPN. Because a VPN can often slow down your internet connection, this option allows you to maintain the fast-paced internet speeds of your internet service provider (ISP) when browsing local content while also protecting sensitive data as needed. You can toggle this option on and off in your respective device’s NordVPN app settings.

Kill switch

The purpose of a kill switch is to turn off your internet connection if your VPN unexpectedly drops its connection to your devices. This feature ensures you are never browsing the internet or otherwise connected to the internet without the protection of a VPN.

Depending on the device you are using, NordVPN offers the option to automatically shut down your Internet connection if the VPN unexpectedly disconnects or to disconnect from your internet connection if you turn the VPN off manually. For example, the Windows version of NordVPN offers both options, while the iOS version only offers the former option. For most devices, the kill switch can be controlled in the VPN’s app settings.

Incogni data removal tool

NordVPN supports the Incogni data removal tool, which helps remove your data from data brokers’ lists and keeps your data from being sold to third parties. Doing so not only protects your data privacy, thereby preventing crimes such as identity theft, but it can also reduce email-based spam and scams.

This tool is offered as an add-on when you purchase a NordVPN plan. At checkout, simply click “add” next to the tool’s listing to add it to your purchase. Expect to pay $3.79 per month for this add-on. Once you’ve purchased the tool, you will receive an email that tells you how to set up and activate it. This tool is only available to US, UK, EU, Canadian and Swiss residents.

Dedicated IP address

There is a way around this, though. NordVPN offers a dedicated IP address that is only yours and is not shared with other users. Without a past reputation, this address is unlikely to be blacklisted. For this reason, by using a dedicated IP address, you experience more access to websites even while using the VPN.

For example, if you have a dedicated IP address, you can verify that IP address once (much like the process of verifying a new device), then repeatedly access your bank account. Still, using the VPN, your real IP address stays hidden from third-parties who may try to track it.

To order a dedicated IP address from NordVPN, you must first sign up for a NordVPN plan. Then, at checkout, select a dedicated IP address as an add-on. This will cost you $3.29 per month. From there, once you’ve downloaded the NordVPN app from your device’s app store, you can simply select your dedicated IP server before accessing the Internet.

NordVPN customer support and experience

When you need help, you can reach NordVPN’s customer support 24/7 by email or live chat. The VPN provider even answers questions on its social media channels. However, NordVPN doesn’t provide phone support like most companies in this industry.

According to users, live chat agents respond in minutes and email support responds within a few hours. Additionally, NordVPN maintains a help center with answers to the most common issues, so that you can resolve issues on your own. It includes answers to frequently asked questions about NordVPN features, connectivity issues and billing. You can also use the search bar to pose questions, to which you will be given guides and videos that answer them.

When using the software, we found logging in to be simple and the customer dashboard easy to navigate. All services are listed on the left of the dashboard. Billing, reports and download options are there as well. Chat and help center buttons are readily available and additional features are on the homepage, so your dedicated IP address or threat protection configuration are easy to find when you’re ready for set up.

NordVPN vs. CyberGhost

Many business owners will prefer NordVPN to CyberGhost’s VPN service. To begin, NordVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, while Cyberghost’s risk-free trial is only 14 days, unless you commit to a two-year agreement which includes a 45-day money-back guarantee.

However, for extremely cost-conscious companies, you can get a better deal with CyberGhost if you opt for a two-year plan. While NordVPN’s two-year plan starts at $3.79 per month, CyberGhost’s starter two-year plan is $2.11 per month. In addition, CyberGhost secures up to seven devices, while NordVPN only offers users up to six devices. So, if you have more devices but don’t want to invest in a router, CyberGhost is the better deal.

However, NordVPN also provides its users with faster average download speeds and live chat customer support. This makes it the better option for those who are more focused on overall performance and less focused on getting a bargain deal.

NordVPN vs. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is a top competitor of NordVPN and offers many of the same features to its customers. Monthly pricing is similar. Customer support is 24/7 with live chat and only 31 Mbps separate the average download speed (with NordVPN being the faster option).

Learn more in our full NordVPN vs. ExpressVPN comparison.

Is NordVPN right for your business?

NordVPN is a trusted name in the VPN industry. Its VPN can be installed on a compatible router to protect your entire office, regardless of the number of devices used in-office at any given time, or you can opt for a NordLayer business plan to support virtual workers.

However, pricing for NordVPN is on the higher end of average industry pricing unless you opt for a long-term plan. However, upfront pricing on long-term plans can be a steep investment for some companies, even if it helps them save money in the long run. For this reason, NordVPN may not be a good option for very small companies, such as sole proprietorships or startups.Those looking for a budget-friendly VPN option should consider Windscribe or IVPN.

What sets NordVPN apart from its competitors is the inclusion of additional cybersecurity features. Many of these features can simply be toggled on and off in the NordVPN app settings. They include, for example, dark web monitoring, multi-factor login authentication and a kill switch.

With over 5,500 servers spanning 60 countries, NordVPN’s vast VPN network helps ensure fast internet connectivity with little regard to a business’s location. And a dedicated IP address can be added to your service for additional privacy and protection.

If you’re considering NordVPN, you can learn about how its service stacks up to the competition in these comparisons.

• Nordvpn vs. ExpressVPN.
• Nordvpn vs. Surfshark.
• Nordvpn vs. IPVanish.
• Nordvpn vs. Private Internet Access.

NordVPN is a popular VPN provider and a giant in the space, however, we recommend other VPN services depending on your budget, internet usage and other business considerations. Some competitors worth considering are:

TunnelBear: Our top-rated VPN provider on our best VPNs list, TunnelBear offers the fastest average download speeds, unlimited concurrent connections and a free plan to test its service.

VPN Unlimited: For $199, VPN Unlimited offers a unique lifetime plan that can save users money in the long run.

Hotspot Shield: Great for small teams, Hotspot Shield provides users with a Premium Family package that’s only $2.40 per person when paid annually (the cheapest annual team plan on our best VPN list).

ProtonVPN: If your budget is non-existent, you may find ProtonVPN’s free VPN able to meet your needs. It doesn’t have bandwidth restrictions or include ads, and it gives users access to more than 100 servers in the U.S., Netherlands and Japan.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)