Tech Walkthroughs

Speed - NordLynx closes the gap with ExpressVPN

NordVPN's NordLynx protocol is built on WireGuard, the fastest modern VPN protocol available. In 2025 NordVPN added post-quantum encryption to NordLynx - future-proofing against quantum decryption attacks with no measurable speed penalty. In our 200+ speed tests across servers in the US, UK, EU, and Asia-Pacific:

• Average speed retention on NordLynx: 82% of baseline speed
• ExpressVPN Lightway for comparison: 85% of baseline speed
• Surfshark WireGuard: 80% of baseline speed

The 3% gap between NordVPN and ExpressVPN is imperceptible in real usage. On a 100Mbps connection: NordVPN delivers ~82Mbps, ExpressVPN ~85Mbps. For streaming, browsing, and video calls, this difference doesn't matter. The price difference - $3.39/month vs $7.49/month - absolutely does.

Security - industry-leading depth

Proven no-logs policy

NordVPN's no-logs policy has been independently audited five times: PricewaterhouseCoopers (2018, 2020) and Deloitte (2022, 2023, 2024). The most recent Deloitte audit (November–December 2024) covered standard VPN, Double VPN, Onion Over VPN, obfuscated servers, and P2P servers under ISAE 3000. No other major consumer VPN has this depth of audit coverage.

Threat Protection - the standout feature

Threat Protection (included on Basic; Threat Protection Pro on Plus and above) blocks ads, trackers, and malicious domains - and unlike basic DNS filtering, it works even when the VPN tunnel is off. It operates at the URL and JavaScript level (not just DNS), with machine-learning-based phishing detection. In our testing, it blocked 98.7% of known ad domains and eliminated 100% of tracker pings from the test set. This is a genuinely useful security feature that competitors don't offer at this quality level.

Double VPN and Onion Over VPN

For high-risk situations (journalists in restrictive countries, activists, whistleblowers), NordVPN's Double VPN routes traffic through two VPN servers. Onion Over VPN routes through the Tor network. Both features are available on standard NordVPN plans with no additional cost - no other major consumer VPN includes both.

Zero-knowledge DNS and RAM servers

NordVPN operates its own zero-knowledge DNS servers (no third-party DNS logging) and uses RAM-only servers that wipe clean on reboot. Physical server seizure produces no recoverable user data.

Server network - widest coverage available

NordVPN's 8,900+ servers across 129+ countries is the largest network of the three major VPNs. The density matters: more servers in popular locations mean less congestion and lower latency. In the US alone, NordVPN operates servers in 15+ cities versus ExpressVPN's server concentrations in 5-6 cities. For US users trying to find an uncongested server at peak times, NordVPN's density is a meaningful advantage.

Streaming performance

In our streaming unblocking tests, NordVPN successfully accessed:

• Netflix US, UK, Japan, Canada: 97% success rate
• Disney+ (all regions): 95% success rate
• BBC iPlayer: 96% success rate
• Amazon Prime Video: 93% success rate
• Hulu (US): 96% success rate

ExpressVPN edges NordVPN slightly on streaming (100% vs 97% for Netflix). For daily use, NordVPN's 97% success rate is excellent. Only if streaming geo-unblocking is your primary use case does ExpressVPN's marginal advantage justify its 60% price premium.

Pricing - best value in the category

The 2-year Basic plan at $3.39/month is the best value. If Threat Protection Pro matters to you (it should - it is excellent), the Plus plan at $3.89/month is worth the extra fifty cents.

NordVPN vs the competition

Who should choose NordVPN?

• ✓ Anyone who wants the best combination of speed, security, and price
• ✓ Users who want Threat Protection (or Threat Protection Pro on Plus) as an always-on ad/tracker blocker
• ✓ Households needing up to 10 simultaneous device connections
• ✓ Privacy-conscious users who want Double VPN and Onion Over VPN
• ✓ Budget-conscious users who don't want to sacrifice quality
• ✗ Primary use case is streaming every service 100% of the time - ExpressVPN has a marginal edge
• ✗ Teams needing enterprise VPN with admin controls - use NordLayer

FAQ

Has NordVPN ever been hacked?

In 2018, a single NordVPN server in Finland (one of thousands) was accessed without authorization through a vulnerability at a third-party data center. No user credentials, activity logs, or private keys were exposed - because NordVPN's no-logs architecture means there was nothing stored to compromise. NordVPN terminated the data center contract, accelerated the move to RAM-only servers, and commissioned independent security audits. The incident validated the no-logs model: even with server access, attackers obtained no user data.

Is NordVPN good for torrenting?

Yes - NordVPN supports P2P traffic on designated servers and includes a kill switch that cuts internet access if the VPN drops. The no-logs policy means your torrenting activity is not stored. Use P2P-optimized servers for best speeds. NordVPN's Threat Protection also blocks malicious domains common in torrent ecosystems.

Can multiple people use one NordVPN account?

Yes. One NordVPN subscription allows up to 10 simultaneous device connections. Families or households can share one account (one login, multiple devices). There is no per-user billing or admin dashboard. For businesses that need per-user licenses, central management, SSO, or compliance (e.g. team of 5+), use NordLayer instead — it's Nord Security's business VPN with team management and per-seat pricing.