NordVPN
Fast, audited VPN with over 9,000 servers and advanced threat protection
NordVPN is a Panama-based virtual private network service operated by Nord Security. With over 9,300 servers across 137 countries, it provides AES-256 encryption, a strict audited no-logs policy, and proprietary NordLynx protocol built on WireGuard. The service includes advanced features like Threat Protection Pro, double VPN, and Meshnet, supporting up to 10 simultaneous device connections.
How we scored it
A weighted average of the 4 dimensions below, each judged 0–10 from published pricing, vendor documentation and independent user feedback. We do not run hands-on tests, and no vendor has any say in a score.
2 further dimensions are not scored for this product yet, so they are left out of the average rather than counted as zero. How the score works.
What it actually costs
Intro pricing shown — see the renewal note for what you'll pay after the introductory term. We don't hide the second-act price.
Basic (2-Year)
2-year promotional price shown as $3.49/mo for the first 27 months (page shows ~~$312.93~~ $94.23 for the first 27 months). Page states renews at $139.08/year.
Basic (1-Year)
1-year promotional price shown as $5.49/mo (~$65.88 for first 12 months). Page states renews at $139.08/year.
Plus (2-Year)
Vendor pricing page does not show a plan named “Plus”; no published price found.
Plus (1-Year)
Vendor pricing page does not show a plan named “Plus”; no published price found.
Complete (2-Year)
2-year promotional price shown as $4.49/mo for the first 27 months (page shows ~~$493.83~~ $121.23 for the first 27 months). Page states renews at $219.48/year.
Prime (2-Year, US only)
2-year promotional price shown as $7.49/mo for the first 27 months (page shows ~~$666.63~~ $202.23 for the first 27 months). Page states renews at $296.28/year.
Complete (1-Year)
1-year promotional price shown as $6.49/mo (~$77.88 for the first 12 months). Page states renews at $219.48/year.
Prime (1-Year)
1-year promotional price shown as $9.49/mo (~$113.88 for the first 12 months). Page states renews at $296.28/year.
What to check before you rent NordVPN
Infrastructure is cheap to start and expensive to leave. These four questions decide what it costs you over three years rather than three months.
The renewal, not the intro price
Introductory pricing is normal in this category and the renewal is the price that matters. Check the renewal rate on NordVPN’s own pricing page before the first term ends, not after.
What the commitment buys
Longer terms carry the lowest headline rate and the least room to change your mind. Price the shortest term you would actually be comfortable with, then decide whether the discount is worth the lock-in.
The cost of leaving
Moving a site or a workload is the hidden switching cost: migration time, DNS and TLS changes, and whatever egress the provider charges to hand your own data back. A provider is only cheap if leaving is.
What is actually metered
Bandwidth, storage, backups and support tiers are usually the lines that grow, not the base plan. Find the ceiling on each before you commit, because that is where the bill moves.
These are the checks we apply across vpn, in the same order, so two pages can be compared line for line.
How much does NordVPN really cost?
Our calculation from the vendor's published prices — not a figure the vendor advertises.
One price covers the account whatever the team size, so cost per person falls as the team grows. Fixed monthly price per account; price varies by plan (Basic / Complete / Prime) and by billing term (2-year, 1-year, month-to-month).
| Team size | Per month | Per year | Over 3 years | How it is charged |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $3.09 | $37.08 | $111.24 | Flat rate — seats are not charged separately on this plan |
| 5 people | $3.09 | $37.08 | $111.24 | Flat rate — seats are not charged separately on this plan |
| 10 people | $3.09 | $37.08 | $111.24 | Flat rate — seats are not charged separately on this plan |
| 50 people | $3.09 | $37.08 | $111.24 | Flat rate — seats are not charged separately on this plan |
Based on the Basic (2-Year) plan at $3.09 a month. Three years at the current monthly price. The vendor does not publish a renewal rate, so no increase is assumed.
- The vendor does not publish a renewal price, so three-year totals assume today's price holds.
- No annual price recorded, so annual figures are twelve times the monthly price.
- Pricing has not been verified against the vendor's page since this data was collected.
Work out your own cost
- Flat rate — the price does not change with team size.
- No renewal increase is published, so today's price is held flat.
NordVPN against the field
The highest-scoring alternatives in the same category, compared on the figures we hold for all of them.
| NordVPNThis page | ExpressVPN | Surfshark VPN | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ReviewCost score | 8.4/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.3/10 |
| Cheapest plan | Basic (2-Year) | — | — |
| From | $3.09/mo | $3.49/mo | $2.49/mo |
| Renews at | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Biggest strength | Fastest VPN in independent 2026 tests—82% speed retention with NordLynx protocol, minimal latency on local and mid-distance servers | Proprietary Lightway protocol delivers consistently fast speeds, particularly with Lightway Turbo on Windows | Unlimited simultaneous device connections — genuinely rare at this price point, making it ideal for families or power users |
| Biggest drawback | Renewal pricing jumps significantly—2-year Basic plan renews at $219.48/year ($18.29/mo), a 529% increase over introductory $3.09/mo rate | Device limits (10/12/14) lag behind competitors like Surfshark and PIA that offer unlimited simultaneous connections | Based in the Netherlands (part of the Nine Eyes intelligence alliance), which may concern privacy purists despite the no-logs policy |
Prices are the published figures at the time of writing and change often. Renewal pricing is shown where the vendor publishes it. See how we review.
What people ask about NordVPN
Straight answers to what buyers actually ask, drawn from the documentation and published user reports.
Will my price really jump to $18.29/month after two years?
Is NordVPN actually based in Panama, or is that marketing?
Can I actually get a refund within 30 days?
Which plan should I actually buy?
Page history
- Published
- 21 May 2026
- Last updated
- 1 October 2026
Pricing on this page has not yet been checked against the vendor’s own page.