Short answer: yes — for most people.
Longer answer: it depends on what you need and how much you want to pay.
Below I’ll walk through the facts, the good, the bad, and a practical recommendation so you can decide.
What NordVPN is today
NordVPN is a large, feature-rich VPN service that focuses on speed, privacy tools, and usability.
It runs thousands of servers around the world and offers extra privacy and security features. These include Threat Protection (ad and tracker blocking), specialized servers (Double VPN, Onion over VPN, obfuscated servers), and the NordLynx protocol for fast connections. The company continues adding defensive features to its Threat Protection suite.
Privacy and trust — audits and transparency
A key question for any VPN is whether the provider keeps its no-logs promises.
NordVPN has repeatedly submitted to independent assurance engagements to verify its no-logs claims.
Those repeated audits are an important signal for users who care about privacy. They operate under Panama jurisdiction, which is outside major international surveillance alliances. Jurisdiction affects what data a company can be legally compelled to hand over.
Bottom line on trust: Regular independent audits and Panama operations strengthen NordVPN’s privacy claims, though no provider can give absolute guarantees.
The 2018 server incident — what happened and why it matters
In 2018 a rented third-party datacenter server was found to have been accessed.
NordVPN disclosed the incident and described steps taken afterward. They removed the affected server, improved auditing, and hardened infrastructure. The incident happened years ago, and subsequent audits and transparency are the company’s main counterarguments. Still, it shows how supply-chain issues can be a weak link.
Performance and features
- Speeds: NordLynx (WireGuard-based) is regularly ranked among the fastest consumer VPN protocols.
- Server network: Nord operates thousands of servers worldwide, giving flexibility for geo-unblocking.
- Streaming & gaming: It’s a strong choice for accessing streaming catalogs and for gaming when you need region-specific access.
- Extras: Ad and tracker blocking, malware and phishing protection, leak protection, and multi-hop options are available in higher tiers or as optional protections.
Price and value
NordVPN is a premium service.
When on promotion, long-term plans can be very affordable. Renewal rates are higher, so check renewal pricing before committing. If budget is the top priority, cheaper alternatives exist, but they often trade off speed, features, or audit history. If you value consistent speed, audited privacy claims, and a broad feature set, NordVPN tends to offer good value.
Downsides and caveats
- Past incident: The 2018 datacenter breach remains a point of discussion. Nord’s transparency and subsequent audits help, however.
- Cost at renewal: Promotional prices require longer commitments and renewals can be costly.
- No silver bullet: VPNs do not make you completely anonymous. They hide your IP and encrypt traffic between you and the VPN but do not stop browser fingerprinting, tracking by logged-in services, or endpoint compromises.
Who should get NordVPN (recommendation)
Get NordVPN if:
• You want strong, audited privacy guarantees and fast performance for streaming or gaming.
• You like extra security tools like Threat Protection.
• You prefer a mature product with a large server network and broad device support.
Consider alternatives if:
• You’re extremely budget-conscious and don’t need premium speeds or extras.
• You need the simplest possible corporate/legal structure for compliance reasons.
Final verdict
As of September 2025, NordVPN is a strong, mainstream VPN choice: fast, feature-rich, and repeatedly audited for its no-logs claims. The 2018 third-party server incident is a cautionary footnote, but Nord’s transparency and independent assessments reinforce its privacy posture.
For users who want fast speeds, reliable streaming access, and a broad toolset for privacy and security, NordVPN is worth getting. If price is your primary concern or you need an ultra-lightweight service, explore budget alternatives, but expect tradeoffs.
If you are interested, grab it here!
