NordVPN review
NordVPN suits developers and privacy-minded readers who want repeated independent scrutiny of its logging claims alongside practical Linux and connection controls. Watch the renewal price, because the introductory rate gives an incomplete picture of what keeping the subscription will cost.
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Score breakdown
One formula for every commercial vpn, explained on how we score VPNs.
Plans and the true 3-year price
| Plan | Term | Monthly | Renews at | 3-year cost | Devices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic, 1 month | 1 month | €14.99 | See site | See site | 10 |
| Basic, 1 year | 1 year | €5.49 | €11.59 | €344 | 10 |
| Basic, 2 years | 2 years | €3.89 | €11.59 | €232 | 10 |
| Complete tier, 1 month | 1 month | €19.99 | See site | See site | 10 |
| Complete tier, 1 year | 1 year | €6.49 | €18.29 | €517 | 10 |
| Complete tier, 2 years | 2 years | €4.89 | €18.29 | €337 | 10 |
| Ultimate Max tier, 1 month | 1 month | €23.79 | See site | See site | 10 |
| Ultimate Max tier, 1 year | 1 year | €10.49 | €28.19 | €802 | 10 |
| Ultimate Max tier, 2 years | 2 years | €8.89 | €28.19 | €552 | 10 |
Providers change prices often, and we regularly verify prices against their own pricing pages, though small differences from current prices are possible. Prices checked 11 Oct 2026. Refund window: 30 days.
Who it's for
Pick it if
- You value repeated independent assurance work on logging claims.
- You want Linux GUI and CLI options with WireGuard configuration export.
- You need split tunnelling, custom DNS or multi-hop connections.
- You will compare renewal costs before committing.
Skip it if
- You need port forwarding for inbound connections.
- You want to sign up without an email address.
- You want to keep paying the introductory rate at renewal.
Audit evidence
| Date | Auditor | Type | Scope | Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 Dec 2025 | Deloitte | No-logs assurance | Sixth no-logs assurance engagement (ISAE 3000 Revised, reasonable assurance): interviews plus inspection of server infrastructure, configurations and deployment for standard, Double VPN, obfuscated and Onion Over VPN servers. Fieldwork 10 Nov to 12 Dec 2025; report issued 12 Dec 2025. | Gated or summary only |
| Dec 2024 | Deloitte | No-logs assurance | Fifth no-logs assurance engagement (ISAE 3000) on IT system configuration, supporting infrastructure and the no-logs claim. Access period 18 Nov to 20 Dec 2024. | Gated or summary only |
| 13 Dec 2023 | Deloitte | No-logs assurance | Fourth no-logs assurance engagement (ISAE 3000 Revised) on IT system configuration and supporting infrastructure. Access period 30 Nov to 7 Dec 2023; report published 13 Dec 2023. | Gated or summary only |
| 21 Dec 2022 | Deloitte | No-logs assurance | Third no-logs assurance engagement (ISAE 3000 Revised, reasonable assurance) on IT system configuration and supporting IT operations; covered standard, obfuscated, Double VPN and Onion Over VPN servers. Fieldwork 21 Nov to 10 Dec 2022; report dated 21 Dec 2022. | Public report |
| 28 May 2020 | PricewaterhouseCoopers | No-logs assurance | Second no-logs assurance engagement (limited assurance): employee interviews, server configuration and technical log inspections. Performed 20 to 28 May 2020; report issued 28 May 2020. | Gated or summary only |
| Undated | PricewaterhouseCoopers | No-logs assurance | First no-logs assurance engagement, described by the provider only as ordered 'in late 2018'. | Not stated |
Ownership
- 2018 One rented server at a third-party data center was accessed through an insecure remote-management account the data center had left in place; the provider says no other servers were affected.
Security and features
- WireGuardYes
- RAM-only serversYes
- Full-disk encryptionUnknown
- Post-quantum optionYes
- Open-source appsUnknown
- Kill switchYes
- Split tunnellingYes
- Multi-hopYes
- Port forwardingNo
- IPv6Unknown
- WireGuard config exportYes
- SOCKS5 proxyYes
- Custom DNSYes
- Linux app (GUI)Yes
- Linux CLIYes
- Dedicated IPYes
Network Provider-reported
- Servers7121
- Countries150
Account and payment privacy
- Sign up without emailNo
- Account-number loginUnknown
- CashYes
- MoneroUnknown
- BitcoinYes
Our take
NordVPN's privacy case rests on repeated assurance work, with useful detail about what auditors inspected. Deloitte's no-logs assurance engagement dated 12 Dec 2025 used reasonable assurance and covered interviews, infrastructure, configurations and deployment across standard and specialist server types. That supports confidence in the claim within the examined scope; it is not a guarantee about every future operation. Access also matters: the latest report is gated or available only through a summary, while the Deloitte report dated 21 Dec 2022 is public. RAM-only servers add a relevant security measure, but they do not independently establish what a service records.
Nord Security owns NordVPN and Surfshark, while NordVPN's terms name nordvpn S.A. as the service provider. Switching between those brands therefore leaves you within the same ownership group, which matters if corporate independence is part of your selection criteria. Named leadership and a transparency report give you material to assess accountability. The incident in 2018 also belongs in that assessment: a rented server was accessed through an insecure remote-management account left by its data center. NordVPN says other servers were unaffected. Disclosure followed after 19 months, a delay that weighs against confidence in timely communication.
Treat the introductory rate as the opening cost of a continuing subscription. Basic, 2 years starts at €3.89 a month and renews at €11.59 a month, with a total of €232 across the comparison period in the plans table. Basic, 1 year totals €344 over that same period. The longer offer lowers the modeled total, but asks you to commit for longer. Start with Basic when assessing value, and require a clear reason to pay for a higher tier. The refund window is 30 days; it does not remove the need to budget for renewal.
NordVPN fits a shortlist where Linux support and control over your connection matter: GUI and CLI options, WireGuard configuration export, split tunnelling and custom DNS are useful reasons to consider it. Against Mullvad VPN, IVPN or Proton VPN, compare the audit evidence, account requirements and continuing cost that matter to your setup. Surfshark is also worth comparing, with the shared ownership kept in view. Port forwarding is absent, so a dedicated IP should not be treated as a substitute for that feature. If your main goal is reaching your own machines, start with our public versus private access guide to define the connection you need.
FAQ
Has NordVPN's no-logs claim been independently audited?
Deloitte conducted a no-logs assurance engagement dated 12 Dec 2025, examining infrastructure, configurations and deployment alongside staff interviews. The report is gated or available only through a summary; the Deloitte report dated 21 Dec 2022 is public. These engagements provide evidence within their scope, rather than a permanent guarantee.
Are NordVPN and Surfshark owned by the same company?
Yes, Nord Security owns NordVPN and Surfshark, and NordVPN's terms name nordvpn S.A. as its service provider. Choosing between the brands does not change the ownership group behind your subscription.
How much does NordVPN cost when it renews?
Basic, 2 years starts at €3.89 a month and renews at €11.59 a month. Its total across the plans table's comparison period is €232, so use that total alongside the renewal rate when deciding whether the initial commitment suits your budget.
Does NordVPN have a Linux app?
NordVPN offers a Linux GUI and a CLI, and supports WireGuard configuration export. Those options make it worth considering if you want a desktop interface as well as terminal-based control.
Does NordVPN support port forwarding?
No, NordVPN does not offer port forwarding. It offers a dedicated IP option, but that does not satisfy a requirement for forwarded inbound ports.
Can I sign up for NordVPN without an email address?
No, NordVPN requires an email address at sign-up. Cash and Bitcoin payment options do not remove that account requirement.