What is NordVPN?
NordVPN is a Virtual Private Network service based in Panama — a country with no mandatory data retention laws and outside the 14-Eyes intelligence alliance. It was founded in 2012 and has grown into one of the largest VPN providers in the world with over 9,200 servers across 111 countries.
The core job of a VPN is to encrypt your internet traffic and hide your real IP address. NordVPN does this using its proprietary NordLynx protocol, built on top of WireGuard — currently the fastest and most modern VPN protocol available.
Speed Test Results
We tested NordVPN speeds daily for 30 days using a 1 Gbps base connection from servers in the US, UK, and EU. Here's what we measured:
A −7% speed reduction is barely noticeable in real-world use. For context, Netflix only requires 25 Mbps for 4K streaming — even with a 7% reduction on a typical 100 Mbps connection, you'd still have 93 Mbps. More than enough.
Speed retention as % of baseline 1 Gbps connection. Higher = better.
Privacy & No-Logs Policy
NordVPN's no-logs policy has been independently audited six times by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and Deloitte. This means external auditors have inspected NordVPN's servers and confirmed that no user activity logs, connection logs, or IP address records are stored.
Being based in Panama means NordVPN is not subject to EU or US data retention laws. Even if a government requested user data, NordVPN legally could not comply — because the logs simply don't exist.
Streaming Results — Netflix & BBC iPlayer
We tested NordVPN with 6 major streaming platforms every week for 30 days. Here's the full breakdown:
| Platform | Works? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Netflix US | ✓ Always | Consistent across all US servers tested |
| Netflix UK | ✓ Always | UK library fully accessible |
| BBC iPlayer | ✓ Always | UK servers work reliably |
| Disney+ | ✓ Always | US and UK libraries |
| HBO Max | ✓ Always | US servers work |
| Hulu | ✓ Usually | Occasional server switch needed |
NordVPN has dedicated streaming-optimised servers that stay ahead of platform IP blocks. In our testing, we never had to try more than 2 servers to unblock any platform.
Pricing & Plans
NordVPN offers three subscription lengths. The longer you commit, the cheaper it gets:
The 2-year plan at $2.99/mo is the best deal. It also comes with 3 free months currently. All plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee — we tested this and got a refund within 3 business days, no questions asked.
Pros & Cons
- Fastest speeds on our list — only −7% on WireGuard
- Unlocks Netflix US, UK, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, HBO every time
- No-logs policy independently audited 6 times
- Panama jurisdiction — outside 14-Eyes
- 9,200+ servers in 111 countries
- 10 simultaneous device connections
- Double VPN for extra privacy layers
- Threat Protection (blocks ads + malware)
- 30-day money-back guarantee, hassle-free
- More expensive than Surfshark per month
- Had a server breach in 2018 (fully patched since)
- Doesn't work reliably in China
- No free plan (unlike Proton VPN)
- Desktop app can feel cluttered for beginners
Rating Breakdown
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Verdict
NordVPN earns its #1 spot on our list. After 30 days of daily testing, it delivered the best combination of speed, privacy, and streaming reliability of any VPN we've reviewed.
The −7% speed loss is negligible. Zero leaks in 200+ tests. Perfect streaming score. A no-logs policy audited six times. At $2.99/mo it's priced fairly for what you get.
Who should get NordVPN: Anyone who wants a reliable, fast VPN for streaming, privacy, or general security — especially US and UK users who need consistent access to Netflix and BBC iPlayer.
Who should look elsewhere: If you need unlimited device connections (Surfshark), a free plan (Proton VPN), or need a VPN that works in China (ExpressVPN).