NordVPN: features and buying guide
Compare the features you will actually use.
Source-based guide. We have not published firsthand tests. Current provider links do not earn commission. How links work.
The short answer
Start with NordVPN's documented features, then check the exact plan and app you need. This guide uses provider sources. We have not published firsthand performance tests or assigned a score.
Start with your devices
NordVPN lists desktop and mobile apps, plus browser extensions. Its feature directory also lists a kill switch, split tunneling and Double VPN. These are provider descriptions, not the outcome of our own tests. Check the documentation for your exact operating system before choosing a plan.
Understand the controls
Split tunneling lets you choose traffic that bypasses the VPN. That can help when a local app must use your normal connection, but it also means that traffic is outside the tunnel. Decide which apps need protection before changing the setting.
Check the subscription at checkout
Compare the total first payment with the renewal charge. Confirm which extras are included in the selected plan, whether they renew separately, and how cancellation works. Keep a copy of the terms you accept.
What this guide cannot establish
We have not published a firsthand NordVPN test. This page cannot tell you how fast it will be on your connection or whether a particular streaming title will play. Use the provider documentation to build a shortlist, then evaluate the service on your own setup within the applicable refund terms.
Sources and checked dates
- NordVPN feature documentation, checked October 17, 2026. Non-affiliate source link.