NordVPN Reviews

NordVPN is a popular virtual private network (VPN) service that offers secure and private internet browsing. In this article, we will provide an in-depth review of NordVPN, covering its features, usability, and performance on various devices and operating systems.

Introduction

NordVPN is a VPN service that aims to provide users with a secure and anonymous internet browsing experience. With NordVPN, users can encrypt their internet traffic, protect their online privacy, and bypass geo-restrictions to access content from around the world. NordVPN offers apps for desktop and mobile devices, as well as browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox.

Getting Started

To start using NordVPN, simply visit its website at http://bestvpn.host and click on ‘Get NordVPN’ to create an account. Once you have created an account, you can download the appropriate software for your device.

Usability

NordVPN provides an average onboarding experience. Unlike other VPNs, NordVPN does not offer a tutorial on how to use the app’s features when you open it for the first time. This can be a drawback for users who are new to VPNs and need guidance on how to navigate the app.

In December 2022, NordVPN refreshed its apps with a new interface. However, some users may prefer the older interface as it had fewer settings hidden behind unlabeled buttons. The new interface may take some time to get used to, especially for users who are familiar with the older version.

Features

NordVPN offers several features designed to enhance usability and convenience. Here is a summary of these features and their impact on the app’s usability:

1. Auto-connect: This feature automatically initiates a VPN connection whenever you connect to WiFi. It is useful for encrypting traffic, but may not be necessary for accessing geo-blocked sites.

2. Pausing: The pausing feature allows you to temporarily disconnect from NordVPN for a set period of time. However, we found this feature to be less useful and would prefer it to be removed or made less prominent in the app.

3. Presets: With the presets feature, you can create customized shortcuts on the app’s home screen. This saves time when connecting to specific server locations and accessing certain websites automatically.

4. Split Tunneling: This feature allows you to choose which apps to route inside and outside of the VPN tunnel. It is useful for maintaining compatibility with apps that require your true IP address, such as smart home devices.

Device and Operating System Experience

In this section, we will provide a detailed overview of our experience using NordVPN on different devices and operating systems.

Desktop & Laptop (Windows & Mac)

NordVPN offers easy-to-use apps for both Windows and Mac. While the two versions look similar, the Mac version has a minor advantage. On macOS, the full server list is always visible in alphabetical order, while the Windows app requires you to scroll through a long list that starts with specialty and Meshnet servers. This can be frustrating for users who frequently change server locations.

One issue that applies to both desktop clients is the minimum window size, which is too large due to the server map. This can make it difficult to use other apps side-by-side with NordVPN on smaller screens. We would prefer if the window size could be collapsed to a single column, similar to Proton VPN.

Additionally, we found that many of the app’s features, such as server options and Threat Protection, are hidden behind undescriptive icons. Hovering over each icon is necessary to understand their purpose, which may not be intuitive for all users.

Mobile (iPhone & Android)

NordVPN’s mobile apps are more user-friendly compared to its desktop clients. The app displays a ‘Quick Connect’ button in the middle of the home screen, allowing for simple connections to the fastest server. This layout is consistent on both iOS and Android.

Unlike the Windows app, the mobile apps allow you to scroll to access the full list of countries, making it easier to find your desired IP address. The app’s bottom tabs also enable easy switching between VPN, Meshnet, Statistics, and Profile. However, we would prefer the ability to customize the tabs according to individual preferences.

Enabling the kill switch on NordVPN’s Android app can be difficult, as it requires navigating through multiple settings menus. We would prefer a more straightforward toggle option within the app’s settings.

Linux

NordVPN does not currently offer a graphical user interface (GUI) app for Linux. Instead, it is controlled solely via the Linux command line interface (CLI), which can be challenging for some users.

While NordVPN’s CLI for Linux is relatively user-friendly compared to other CLI VPNs, it falls short of expectations for a service of NordVPN’s scale and reputation. We believe that a proper Linux GUI app, similar to the ones available for Windows and macOS, should be introduced in the near future.

Streaming Devices (Amazon Fire TV, Android TV & Apple TV)

NordVPN provides user-friendly apps for streaming devices such as Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, and Apple TV. However, the TV app has a different interface compared to other NordVPN apps, which may require some time to get used to.

Unlike the regular desktop apps, the TV app does not include a map interface. Instead, users have to scroll through a horizontal list to select the server location. This can be time-consuming, especially when using a TV remote. Additionally, the ‘Disconnect’ button is not prominently placed on the home screen, requiring users to scroll to the far left to disconnect from the VPN server.

Despite these drawbacks, NordVPN’s TV apps are still easier to use compared to its competitors. Other VPN providers, such as PrivateVPN, have not updated their user interface for larger screen sizes, making them less user-friendly.

Browser Extensions

NordVPN’s browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox are easy to set up and use. Unlike the regular desktop apps, the extensions do not feature a map interface. Instead, they allow users to quickly search for server locations, which is a more efficient experience.

The browser extensions are user-friendly as they enable important privacy-protecting features, such as WebRTC leak protection, by default. Users can start using the extension immediately without having to deal with complicated settings or customization options.

Conclusion

In conclusion, NordVPN offers a range of features and apps that aim to provide users with a secure and private internet browsing experience. While the onboarding experience could be improved, NordVPN’s apps are generally easy to use on various devices and operating systems.

The desktop clients for Windows and Mac have some minor differences, with the Mac version offering a better server list interface. The mobile apps for iOS and Android are user-friendly, although enabling the kill switch on Android can be challenging. NordVPN’s Linux CLI is relatively user-friendly but falls short of expectations compared to its GUI counterparts.

NordVPN’s TV apps for streaming devices are easier to use than their competitors, despite some interface issues. The browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox are simple to set up and use, offering a more efficient experience than the regular desktop apps.

Overall, NordVPN is a reliable VPN service with a wide range of features and apps. However, there is room for improvement in terms of usability and user interface design. NordVPN’s commitment to privacy and security makes it a popular choice among VPN users.

So, if you’re looking for a VPN service that prioritizes privacy, security, and ease of use, NordVPN is definitely worth considering.

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