Short answer: Yes — NordVPN is worth it for most people who need a VPN. Good balance of price, features, and reliability.
Worth it for: Privacy-conscious users, streamers Skip if: Those who don't need a VPN, speed absolutists Better alternative: N/A
Here's the thing about VPN reviews: they're mostly affiliate spam. Every VPN is "the best" on sites that get $100+ per signup. I'm going to cut through that.
: the free options are often good enough.
When It IS Worth It
You actually need a VPN. Not everyone does. But if you use public WiFi, travel internationally, or want to access geo-blocked content, a VPN is useful.
You want good value. NordVPN's 2-year plan brings the price down to $3-4/month. That's reasonable for what you get.
You stream from different regions. Netflix libraries, BBC iPlayer, international sports — NordVPN handles streaming better than most.
You want "set it and forget it." NordVPN's apps are polished. Connect and forget. No configuration headaches.
When It Is NOT Worth It
Let me be straight:
You don't actually need a VPN. If you're on your home WiFi, browsing normally, a VPN adds nothing. Don't buy security theater.
You want the absolute fastest speeds. ExpressVPN is faster. If you're downloading large files constantly, that extra 10-15% speed matters.
You're a privacy absolutist. NordVPN is headquartered in Panama (good) but owned by a larger company now. If you want maximum anonymity, look at Mullvad.
You already have a VPN. Don't switch for minor differences. They're all similar enough.
Who Should NOT Buy This
- People who don't know why they need a VPN — Marketing has convinced many people they need one. Most don't
- Speed-obsessed users — ExpressVPN is faster. Pay more if speed is critical
- Maximum privacy seekers — Mullvad is more anonymous (no email signup, accepts cash)
- Those on ultra-tight budgets — Proton VPN has a decent free tier
- Apple users in Apple ecosystem — iCloud Private Relay covers basic privacy needs
NordVPN vs. The Competition
| VPN | Price (2yr) | Speed | My Take |
|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | $3-4/mo | Very Good | Best overall value |
| ExpressVPN | $8+/mo | Fastest | Premium price for 10% more speed |
| Surfshark | $2-3/mo | Good | Cheaper, unlimited devices |
| Proton VPN | Free-$10/mo | Good | Best free tier, Swiss privacy |
| Mullvad | $5.50/mo | Good | Most private, no account needed |
My ranking:
- NordVPN — Best value for most people
- Mullvad — Best for privacy purists
- Surfshark — Best budget option
- ExpressVPN — Best if money doesn't matter
The Marketing Reality
VPN companies spend millions on marketing. Every YouTube sponsorship, every "Best VPN" listicle — that's affiliate money talking.
What they won't tell you:
- A VPN doesn't make you anonymous (your VPN provider can still see your traffic)
- HTTPS already encrypts most of your browsing
- Your ISP can still see you're using a VPN
- VPNs mainly matter for public WiFi and geo-blocking
- Your browsing habits are still tracked through cookies, browser fingerprinting, and logged-in accounts regardless of VPN
Don't buy a VPN because marketing scared you. Buy it if you have a specific need. The number of people who pay for a VPN and then log into Google, Facebook, and Amazon — completely defeating the privacy point — is embarrassingly high.
Pricing Structure
| Plan | Monthly | What You Pay Upfront |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $13 | $13 |
| 1 Year | $5/mo | $60 |
| 2 Years | $3.50/mo | $84 |
My advice: Only buy the 2-year plan. Monthly is a ripoff. But 2 years is a long commitment — VPN landscape changes.
What Annoys Me About NordVPN
- Aggressive marketing. Every YouTuber, every podcast. The affiliate money is ridiculous.
- Confusing pricing. The "per month" price is only if you pay 2 years upfront. Deceptive.
- Upsells in the app. They push add-ons like password managers. Annoying.
- Had a breach in 2019. One server was compromised. They handled it okay, but worth knowing.
- Slower than ExpressVPN. Not by much, but noticeable on speed tests.
Cheaper or Better Alternatives
- N/A
| Alternative | Price | My Take |
|---|---|---|
| Surfshark | $2-3/month | Unlimited devices, even cheaper. Slightly slower but covers the basics |
| Mullvad VPN | €5/month | No account required. Maximum privacy, minimum marketing. For the genuinely privacy-conscious |
| Proton VPN | Free / $5/month | Free tier with no data caps. Swiss-based. Slower servers but trustworthy |
| ExpressVPN | $8-13/month | Marginally easier to use, significantly more expensive. Not worth the premium. Full review |
Check out our 1Password review for comparison. Check out our Bitwarden review for comparison.
Final Verdict
worthit — if you actually need a VPN. NordVPN is the best balance of price, features, and reliability. The 2-year plan at ~$3.50/month is reasonable value.
skip — if you don't know why you need one. Most people don't need a VPN for daily use. Don't buy security theater.
If you travel, use public WiFi regularly, or want to access geo-blocked content, NordVPN is a solid choice. If you just browse at home, save your money.
FAQ
Is NordVPN better than ExpressVPN?
For most people, yes — it's 40-50% cheaper with similar features. ExpressVPN is faster and more polished, but the price difference is hard to justify.
Does NordVPN work with Netflix?
Yes, and it's one of the better VPNs for streaming. It consistently unblocks US, UK, and other Netflix libraries.
Is NordVPN safe?
Yes. They've been audited, use strong encryption, and have a no-logs policy. The 2019 breach was limited and handled reasonably.
Should I get NordVPN or just use my browser's private mode?
Private mode doesn't hide your IP or encrypt your traffic. A VPN does. They solve different problems. Private mode is for local privacy, VPN is for network privacy.