As someone who travels full-time and depends heavily on a VPN, having a fast, secure, and reliable service isn’t optional — it’s essential. Whether I’m working remotely from a café, traveling between countries, or just streaming geo-restricted shows at home, my VPN needs to perform consistently.

Over the years, I’ve tried everything from free VPNs to premium services. For a long time, ExpressVPN was my top choice. But when my subscription expired, I started looking for a more affordable alternative. That’s when I switched to NordVPN — and I haven’t regretted it since.

In this NordVPN review, I’ll explain what the service offers, how it performed in real-world use, and why I ultimately chose it over ExpressVPN. I’ll cover its speed, features like Threat Protection and ad blocking, streaming performance, and whether the pricing makes sense.

If you’re searching for a VPN that runs smoothly across multiple devices, keeps your speeds high, reliably unlocks content, and protects your data, this review will help you decide if NordVPN is the right choice.

TL;DR:
If you want fast speeds, competitive pricing, and one of the largest server networks available, NordVPN is a great choice. It’s ideal for keeping your data secure on public Wi-Fi (like cafés or libraries) and for accessing streaming content from different regions. Plus, it comes with useful extras such as built-in ad blocking and Threat Protection.

What is NordVPN?

NordVPN is a Virtual Private Network (VPN) service designed to protect your online privacy and keep your internet activity secure. It works by encrypting your connection and masking your IP address, adding an extra layer of protection while browsing — especially when using public Wi-Fi. It can also help you access websites and content that might be restricted in your location.

Headquartered in Panama, NordVPN operates a vast network of servers worldwide and supports all major devices and operating systems. In addition to its VPN service, NordVPN has a sister company called Saily, which provides eSIM solutions to help travelers stay connected to mobile data wherever they go.

My experience

As a full-time traveler, I often depend on public Wi-Fi networks — which can expose me to potential cyber threats. Because of this, I started using ExpressVPN about five years ago. However, after reading numerous positive reviews last year, I decided to switch to NordVPN. Initially, I was simply searching for a more affordable option, but I quickly discovered many other advantages to their service.

Now that I’ve used NordVPN extensively across multiple continents, I feel confident sharing my experience in this detailed review. I’ll cover everything from speed and server coverage to security, streaming performance, device compatibility, and pricing.

Some of the fastest speeds

From my experience, NordVPN ranks among the fastest VPN services available. This isn’t just based on my own use — many independent speed tests online report similar results.

When I connect to nearby servers, my internet speed is barely affected. This is especially true when choosing a server in the same country or a neighboring one.

Even when connecting to distant countries to stream TV shows, performance remains solid. It might take a couple of extra seconds for content to load at first, but playback is generally smooth — unless my Wi-Fi connection itself is slow.

I used to get good speeds with ExpressVPN as well, and in everyday use the difference isn’t huge. Still, several third-party tests suggest NordVPN consistently ranks among the fastest VPN providers overall.

Largest selection of countries

If you travel frequently like I do — or enjoy watching content from different countries — having access to a large network of servers is a big advantage.

At the time of writing, NordVPN operates more than 7,000 servers across 126 countries. Many competing VPN services offer closer to 3,000 servers, which puts NordVPN ahead in both quantity and geographic coverage.

This makes it easy to find nearby servers for optimal speeds, while still having plenty of options in other countries when you need them.

Built-in Ad Blocker & Threat Protection

One of the features I appreciate most about NordVPN is that it offers more than just a VPN connection. The service also includes a built-in ad blocker and threat protection tools.

I keep the ad blocker enabled on both my laptop and phone, and it noticeably reduces the number of ads I see while browsing. It makes everyday internet use feel cleaner and less distracting.

The threat protection feature goes even further. It scans files before I download them and checks the safety of the websites I visit. There’s also a dark web monitoring tool that alerts me if my personal information appears in a data breach.

These kinds of security extras are often sold as separate add-ons, so having them included in the subscription is a big plus.

Excellent for Streaming Shows Abroad

Aside from security, the main reason I use a VPN is to access streaming content while travelling. Sometimes that means logging into my UK Netflix account overseas, and other times it’s about watching shows that are only available in certain countries.

For example, I used NordVPN to watch The Handmaid’s Tale as soon as it premiered in the United States, even though I wasn’t there at the time. While the show eventually became available in other regions, many platforms were about a month behind.

I regularly use NordVPN to stream content on Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, and region-specific services like BBC iPlayer or Channel 4 in the UK. Whenever I connect to the right server location, I’ve had no trouble accessing these platforms.

Compatible with All Major Devices

Like most leading VPN services, NordVPN works across virtually all devices. You can install the app on Windows or Mac computers, Android or iOS phones, and tablets. If you only need protection while browsing, there’s also a Chrome extension available.

One of the best parts is that a single subscription allows you to connect up to 10 devices at once, regardless of the plan you choose. That means you can protect all your personal devices — and even share the account with family members.

Affordable Pricing

Considering the fast speeds, extensive server network, and the added security features included, NordVPN’s pricing feels very reasonable. When compared to competitors like ExpressVPN, it actually comes across as great value for money.

Their Basic plan, which doesn’t include the advanced threat protection features, starts at around $3.39 (£2.69) per month. If you want those extra security tools, the Plus plan begins at about $4.39 (£3.49) per month.

It’s worth noting that the lowest prices usually apply when you commit upfront to a longer subscription, typically one or two years. Monthly rolling plans are available, but they’re noticeably more expensive.

Personally, I don’t mind choosing the two-year option. The overall cost is still quite low, and it gives me long-term peace of mind knowing my connection is protected for the next few years.

Why I Switched from ExpressVPN

The main reason I initially moved from ExpressVPN to NordVPN was the price. ExpressVPN’s lowest plan starts at around $4.99 per month, while NordVPN’s entry-level plan begins at $3.39.

Although NordVPN’s cheapest option includes fewer features than ExpressVPN’s base plan, I liked having the flexibility to choose a more affordable, stripped-down version. Even better, the NordVPN plan that most closely matches ExpressVPN in terms of features — the Plus plan — is still about $0.60 cheaper per month.

After switching, I also noticed some practical advantages. I found it easier to connect to servers that worked with streaming platforms, and I really appreciate the extra security features NordVPN includes, such as built-in threat protection tools.

That said, ExpressVPN is still a reliable service. But when NordVPN delivers similar (or slightly better) performance at a lower price, it simply makes more sense for me to stick with NordVPN.

NordVPN Review Verdict

Overall, I’ve been very impressed with NordVPN. Speeds remain strong even when connecting to distant servers, and the wide range of locations is perfect for someone who travels frequently.

The pricing is also lower than one of its biggest competitors, ExpressVPN, which is what originally convinced me to switch. As with most VPN providers, you’ll need to commit to a one- or two-year plan to unlock the best deals.

I’ve been able to access all my favourite streaming platforms as if I were in the correct country, and I feel reassured knowing my data is protected by both the VPN and its additional security features.

I would happily recommend NordVPN to frequent travellers, people who stream content from multiple countries, families with several devices (since you can connect up to 10 at once), and anyone who wants stronger privacy while browsing online.