IT Pro Verdict

Pros

+
No logging; Broad geographical coverage; Good value

Cons

-
Features vary by server

NordVPN is operated under Panamanian jurisdiction, and promises no data logging whatsoever. It meets the other PrivacyTools.io criteria including those for encryption and Bitcoin payments.

You can connect up to six devices on a single account, and configure a supported router for other devices. There's an easily configured kill switch, which immediately stops traffic from selected apps should your VPN connection fail. Almost no inbound ports are blocked, and P2P traffic is allowed on a small sub-group of the claimed total of 557 servers, which spans 49 countries.

NordVPN's PC app is simple, displaying a list of territories, or a more detailed list of servers grouped into use cases such as 'Ultra-fast TV', VPN and 'double VPN' - an unusual two-step service routing your VPN traffic through a second VPN. DNS leak protection is enabled - and effective - by default, and Whoer.net tests showed no obvious problems on UK servers.

Unfortunately this wasn't the case on every server - we found a wide variation by server in how well our use of a VPN was stealthed, with some servers having been blacklisted at the time of our tests.

While iPlayer content did work, a Netflix crackdown meant that we couldn't stream US content on any server we tried, even using the Smart-Play feature. The need to pick among servers for some features makes NordVPN more cumbersome than most, but otherwise it effectively combines privacy and performance, making it good value.

After a brief career in corporate IT, Simon Handby combined his love of technology and writing when he made the move to Computer Shopper magazine. As a technology reviewer he's since tested everything from routers and switches, to smart air fryers and doorbells, and covered technology such as EVs, TVs, solar power and the singularity.

During more than 15 years as Shopper's long-time printer reviewer, Simon tried, tested and wrote up literally hundreds of home, small office and workgroup printers. He continues reviewing smart products and printers for a variety of publications, and has been an IT Pro contributor since 2010. Simon is almost never happier than when surrounded by printers and paper, applying his stopwatch and a seasoned eye to find the best performing, best value products for business users.