What you need to know

• NordVPN will make an Arm-native version of its application in the near future.
• The company confirmed that the Arm-native version of NordVPN is in its final stages.
• Being optimized for Arm should make NordVPN perform better and have better efficiency when running on devices powered by the Snapdragon X Elite or other Arm processors.

Windows 11 on Arm PCs are about to get a big boost when it comes to security and privacy. NordVPN, a popular tool for securing devices by hiding your IP address, will have an Arm-native version soon. That's good news for people who already have a NordVPN subscription or that are interested in grabbing one for use on an Arm-powered PC like the Surface Pro 11 or Surface Laptop 7.

"We are building an Arm-native NordVPN application and the launching process is on the final stages," said NordVPN to TechRadar. "We are now in close cooperation with Microsoft to receive driver signing certificate. We expect to release the application in the near future."

NordVPN is one of the most popular VPNs around. It also tops the lists of the best VPNs and best VPNs PC maintained by our colleagues at TechRadar. NordVPN is easy to set up and use, allowing you to improve your security or unblock international streaming libraries by pretending to be somewhere you are not. What NordVPN is not, at least at the moment, is an option for those using Windows on Arm PCs. In fact, very few VPNs work on PCs with Qualcomm Snapdragon processors due to VPNs relying so heavily on specific drivers.

VPNs on Copilot+ PCs / Windows 11 on Arm

At the moment, you cannot use NordVPN on a Windows on Arm PC, even through emulation. While the best experience will come by using native Arm applications, Windows on Arm PCs can run other apps through emulation. Running non-native apps got a boost in the form of Microsoft's Prism technology, but there are still some apps that will not work on Arm-powered PCs.

The first wave of Copilot+ PCs, all of which run on the Snapdragon X Elite or Snapdragon X Plus, have received positive reviews (in the future there will be Copilot+ PCs with non-Arm chips). Generally speaking, the best native Arm apps perform great on these PCs and non-native apps run fine. 

"An important aspect of the Snapdragon X platform is how the emulated apps feel when used. On older generations of Windows on Arm chips, running even basic apps under emulation felt slower than running an Intel or AMD machine," said our Editor-in-Chief Daniel Rubino in our Surface Laptop 7 review.

"That's no longer the case here on Snapdragon X. Many of the apps I've tried that run under emulation feel fine, with no scrolling lag or frame dropping when navigating through an app."

While performance of those non-native apps is generally fine, efficiency drops when using apps that are not native to Arm. There are also some apps that perform noticeably slower in emulation. NordVPN and some other apps are not able to run on Windows 11 on Arm at all due to drivers or other limitations.

Certain apps not working with — or working well on — Windows on Arm PCs is a deal breaker for some. It doesn't matter how sleek the designs of the Galaxy Book4 Edge or other laptops if those PCs can't run the apps you need. The addition of an Arm-native version of NordVPN should close a noticeable gap in the Windows on Arm ecosystem.

What you need to know

• NordVPN's app for Windows is catching up with the feature set available over on NordVPN's Apple-centric offerings.
• The Windows version now features the Dark Web Monitor and Security Score tools.
• The former tool scans the dark web to see if your email has been involved in security breaches, while the Security Score utility lets you know how at-risk you are and what you can do to improve your setup's protection.

NordVPN is a popular and widely discussed pick for many users, hence why you've probably seen numerous disclosures before your favorite YouTube videos clarifying that they were sponsored by the service. But even if you know what NordVPN is, did you know there are discrepancies between the Windows app releases and Mac/iOS releases?

It's true, and as such, Windows' NordVPN app is playing catchup with its acquisition of a few useful features that have been available to Apple's camp for a while now. If you're on Windows and want to update, check your app over the next few days for build 6.42.4.0 or a later version (via TechRadar).

You should have access to two useful utilities: Dark Web Monitor and Security Score. The former will sweep the dark web to see if your NordVPN-linked email has been swept up in security breaches, while the latter will assess your protection level, boil it down to a number, and tell you how to improve that number.

NordVPN isn't the only game in town, for what it's worth. You can check out the best Windows 10 VPN service roundup to see what competition's out there. For 2021, ExpressVPN was our top pick, followed by Surfshark VPN, with NordVPN coming in at a respectable third place. We also have a faceoff between NordVPN and IPVanish VPN.

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:

1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).

2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.

We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

What is a VPN?

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) help you maintain a bit of privacy and security while navigating the internet. They act as an encrypted tunnel network that shuttles data from your PC to the open internet, hitting a specific server before going out into the world.

The main differentiators that set VPNs apart from each other are the number of servers each has throughout the world, whatever apps it provides that help you to easily access use it on your computer or mobile device, and extra security measures (such as features, tools in its apps, and company policies) it has to protect its users' privacy.

NordVPN and IPVanish are both top choices when it comes to VPN services, but you're no doubt trying to narrow it down to just one. Let's take a look at some of the important differences and similarities to help you decide between the two.

NordVPN vs. IPVanish VPN: Log keeping

One of the most important aspects of a VPN is its stance on log keeping. Despite helping keep your privacy intact from other interested parties, VPNs that keep track and log your activity are not preferred. Why? Outside parties can get ahold of those logs, essentially eliminating the work of the VPN. In the case of NordVPN and IPVanish, both services promise to keep no logs.

IPVanish, for example, states:

In order to bill you and to ensure you retain service, an account is required. Other than that, IPVanish says it doesn't keep track of you. Keep in mind that IPVanish is located in the U.S., a country with aggressive surveillance agencies.

NordVPN is similar, saying:

NordVPN says that it cannot give in to any information requests, simply because it does not keep that information. The service is based in Panama, which happens to have no laws requiring data retention.

NordVPN vs. IPVanish VPN: Servers and locations

A good VPN service should have a large number of servers to choose from, allowing you to get a solid, fast connection no matter where you are, as well as allowing you to masquerade as an individual located in a different country.

In the case of NordVPN, you have over 5,200 servers to choose from, spread out over 59 countries around the world. Some countries will have extra features included with their servers — P2P, Double VPN, etc. — while others will use a simple VPN hookup to mask your identity. The most servers are located in Europe with 2,483 servers in countries that include the U.K., Netherlands, Germany, France, and Sweden. The Americas are second with 2,024 servers in countries that include the U.S., Canada, Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico. Among all the countries in the world, NordVPN has the most servers in the U.S. followed by the U.K.. The company doesn't list how many shared IP addresses their VPN uses.

You can even get a dedicated IP address for an extra $70 per year that's located in France, Germany, the Netherlands, U.K. or U.S..

Though it has servers in more than 75 locations throughout the world, IPVanish falls behind server count with just over 1,300. The most are in the Americas with 699 servers in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Costa Rica. Europe is second with 470 servers in countries that include the U.K., Netherlands, Germany, France and Italy. Among all the countries, IPVanish has the most servers in the U.S. followed by the U.K.. IPVanish also has over 40,000 shared IP addresses.

If you plan on operating mostly in Europe or North America, either VPN service will likely do, but NordVPN edges out IPVanish for most other parts of the world.

NordVPN vs. IPVanish VPN: Performance

We reviewed both NordVPN and IPVanish, and during the process tested the servers in both the morning and in the evening. Comparing results, performance is essentially the same across the board. In some cases, you might see a small decrease in speed (depending on where the VPN server is located), and in others you might see a small increase in speed. Overall, performance is a draw.

However, remember that the performance of a VPN service depends on where you are in the world and where a server belonging to that VPN that you connect to is located. (So a tip: When looking at a VPN service to consider, be sure the company has a money-back guarantee within a certain number of days after you sign up. This will allow you to try its service and determine if its network's performance will work for your needs long-term.)

NordVPN vs. IPVanish VPN: Devices

If you only have one device you'd like to use with a VPN, either service will do; however, most people these days have multiple devices, which is why quality VPN services allow simultaneous connections under the same account.

IPVanish allows for up to 10 simultaneous connections under one account. There's a caveat: Only one device can connect using PPTP or L2TP, while the other devices must use OpenVPN, IKEv2, or IPSec. This isn't a big deal, as you'll no doubt want to stick to the latter three protocols for best performance. You can likewise use IPVanish with a DD-WRT or Tomato router, meaning any device connected to that router will receive the same VPN protection.

As for NordVPN, you can use it on up to six devices at once under the same account. Like IPVanish, NordVPN can be used with a router to cover all connected devices, but if you're looking for basic device functionality without extra work, IPVanish is the winner.

NordVPN vs. IPVanish VPN: Bandwidth limits

Using a VPN to maintain privacy, only to be informed that you've reached a bandwidth limit, just won't do. You'll generally encounter this issue if you're using a free VPN, but here you won't have to worry.

Both IPVanish and NordVPN offer unlimited bandwidth without throttling. You're free to connect to a VPN server and keep it on as long as you want.

NordVPN vs. IPVanish VPN: Features and apps

NordVPN has a lot of extra goodies that most users can appreciate, including a double VPN system that creates an added layer of privacy (great for anyone threatened by political powers), a CyberSec filter that blocks ads and malicious websites, Onion access, and dedicated P2P servers for file sharing.

Both VPN services offer kill switches and have built-in measures to stop DNS leaks, and both services offer apps and clients for most popular devices. However, IPVanish does not have dedicated servers for P2P sharing, nor does it have a live chat option if you need assistance. You can email (and you should receive a prompt reply), but NordVPN has a live chat option. As far as features go, NordVPN comes out ahead.

Apps are provided to help you set up and use NordVPN on Android, Android TV, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows devices. There are also extensions for Chrome and Firefox to let you use NordVPN through these browsers. These apps incorporate an ad and malicious site blocker, and a kill switch that will block web access to your device if its connection to the NordVPN network drops. Other included features are double VPN and easy-to-use streaming of region-restricted video.

Apps are provided to help you set up and use IPVanish on Amazon Fire TV, Android, Chrome OS, iOS, macOS, and Windows devices. A kill switch in these apps will block web access to your computer or device if its connection to the IPVanish network drops. If you connect via the OpenVPN protocol, another feature that's included will try to circumvent firewalls that have been configured to detect and terminate OpenVPN connections.

NordVPN vs. IPVanish VPN: Pricing and plans

NordVPN has four plans to choose from, each with a 30-day money-back guarantee if you don't like the service. A three-year plan is the best deal, as you'll only pay about $3.49 per month. This plan comes with three months free. With the two-year plan, you'll pay about $5 per month. There's also a one-year plan that comes out to about $7 per month, and there's a one-month plan where you pay about $12.

IPVanish has three plans to choose from with a seven-day money-back guarantee. A yearly plan costs about $6.49 per month, a three-month plan costs about $9 per month, and a monthly plan costs about $10.

If you plan on operating on a month-to-month basis, IPVanish will be a couple dollars cheaper, but NordVPN will take less of your money on a monthly basis.

Conclusion

Both of these VPN services have a lot to offer, including strong encryption, no logs, and knockout performance, and either one will make a good addition to your privacy repertoire. However, if you want access to a large number of servers throughout the world, then it comes down to NordVPN. This is also the one you should consider if you'd like to be able to use double VPN to further secure your online privacy. You can also pay for a dedicated IP address, and it will cost a bit less per month if you decide to jump on a long-term plan.

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:

1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).

2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.

We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

How often do you use the same password or fail to quickly remember which passwords you use on specific websites? Keeping a separate password for every site you log into is essential to providing the best security possible for your accounts, but with so many sites out there, it's no longer easy to keep track of login details for all of them. That's where password managers like NordPass can help.

Through February 25, NordPass is offering up to 70% off password management subscriptions during its End of Winter sale, including the one-year and two-year plans; while the monthly option isn't discounted, it is affordably priced at $4.99 per month. If you're looking to save though, you'll want to choose either the one-year or two-year plan. This month's sale brings the one-year plan down to just $23.88, which is like paying just $1.99 monthly, while the two-year plan is now on sale for $35.76. That's like paying only $1.49 monthly and a far cry from its regular cost of $120; however, these plans must be paid in full to snag the discount.

NordPass lets you save passwords without leaving your browser window and access your passwords anywhere at any time, whether you're using your desktop, a mobile device, and even when you're offline. The best part about NordPass is how easy it makes it to login to various sites once you have a password saved. When you visit your favorite websites, it simply fills in your login information automatically. That means you can have really strong passwords with random letter and number combinations without having to remember them yourself. You can also use NordPass to save and secure your credit card information, addresses, and other personal information.

NordPass was designed by cybersecurity experts and your personal information is secured so that only you can see it; even NordPass employees will have no access to your data. Plus, NordPass has a 30-day money back guarantee if you decide it's not the right service for you.

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:

1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).

2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.

We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

What you need to know about VPNs

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) can help hide your browsing activity and where you are located in the world to protect your privacy online. It can also be used to access websites that you may be blocked from looking at due to your location, such as ones censored by a government or streaming services that have region restrictions.

How fast your communications are through a VPN depends on several factors that include the location of the server that you connect to, how much traffic that server is experiencing when you are connected to it, and where you are located. There are also plenty of privacy features and policies to consider, along with, of course, price.

NordVPN vs. PureVPN: Log keeping

You want to avoid using a VPN that tracks and logs your activity while you're on its network. If an outside party gets hold of those logs, it goes against the point of using a VPN (protecting your privacy online). Also, the country that a VPN company is headquartered in could affect its privacy policies. For example, the U.S. has aggressive surveillance agencies.

NordVPN is based in Panama City (Panama has no laws requiring data retention). It states on its website:

PureVPN, which is based in Hong Kong, states the following on its website.:

NordVPN vs. PureVPN: Servers and locations

An excellent VPN service should have a large number of servers to choose from. This helps you to get a reliable, fast connection, no matter where you are.

NordVPN's network comprises more than 5,200 servers in 59 countries. Most of the company's servers are located in Europe: 2,483 servers in countries that include the U.K., Netherlands, Germany, France, and Sweden. Second-most is 2,024 servers throughout the Americas in countries that include the U.S., Canada, Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico. Worldwide overall, NordVPN has the most servers in the U.S., followed by the U.K.. Servers located in certain countries include features such as double VPN or P2P, while the others use a simple VPN hookup to mask your identity. The company doesn't list how many shared IP addresses that its VPN has to use.

If you want a dedicated IP address to go along with NordVPN's services, this costs an extra $70 per year. Your dedicated IP will be located in your choice of France, Germany, the Netherlands, the U.K., or the U.S..

PureVPN lists that it has over 2,000 servers in over 140 countries. The most are located in Europe with 769 servers; most of these servers are in Germany, the U.K., and the Netherlands. The Americas are second with 656 servers; most are in the U.S. and Canada, while most of the Central and South American countries have six each. Among all the countries in the world, PureVPN has the most servers in the U.S., followed by Germany. The company says it has over 300,000 shared IP addresses for its VPN.

Like NordVPN, you can get a dedicated IP address for an extra $1 per month. It can be located by your choice of Australia, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, Malta, Singapore, the U.K., or the U.S..

NordVPN vs. PureVPN: Number of devices

An excellent VPN service allows you to connect more than one computer or device to its network under one account. NordVPN lets you connect up to six of your devices to its network at once. PureVPN's maximum is five. NordVPN wins out here by just one, but it's worth noting that there are VPN services that allow you to connect even more devices.

NordVPN vs. PureVPN: Bandwidth limits

A VPN may impose a bandwidth limit. You should expect this if it's a free service. When you pay for a VPN plan, there shouldn't be a limit. Both NordVPN and PureVPN have no bandwidth limits.

However, a VPN may reduce or limit an account that appears to be using an excessive amount of bandwidth or making too many network sessions. PureVPN restricts each account to 200 sessions per day, but NordVPN doesn't state a policy on this.

NordVPN vs. PureVPN: Features and apps

Apps may be provided by a VPN service that make it easy for you to connect to its network.

NordVPN provides apps that let you conveniently connect to its network through an Android, Android TV, iOS, Linux, macOS, or Windows device. They feature a kill switch that will block web access to your device if its connection to the NordVPN network is interrupted, ensuring that your privacy doesn't become compromised because of this. Another privacy tool is double VPN, which allows your internet communication to travel through two VPNs, giving you extra encryption and easy-to-use streaming of region-restricted video.

You can also install an extension for Chrome and Firefox to use NordVPN through these browsers.

PureVPN has apps for Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows devices, as well as for four Linux distros (CentOS, Debian, Fedora, Ubuntu). Extensions for Chrome and Firefox let you use its service through these browsers. Like NordVPN, PureVPN has an app for Android TV but also has apps for two more TV device platforms: Amazon Fire TV and Kodi. PureVPN even has an app to help you set up its service easily on a router running open-source DD-WRT firmware.

Like NordVPN's apps, if your connection gets disrupted, the PureVPN apps for Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows can kill all unsecured traffic until it's safely reconnected. Android, Android TV, iOS, and Windows apps also support split tunneling. This lets you designate certain internet connections to go through the PureVPN network, while leaving other connections to go through normally. You can also pay an extra $1 per month for DDoS protection or port forwarding.

NordVPN vs. PureVPN: P2P and Onion

NordVPN lets you use P2P through certain servers on its network. If you're connecting to its network manually, the company provides a tool on its site that helps you select the server you should connect to for P2P. If you connect to a P2P server using the NordVPN app, you don't need to choose a server because your connection will be automatically secured for P2P.

NordVPN has specific servers that route your traffic through the Onion network. This means you don't need to use The Onion Router ("Tor") browser, which is how you would usually access the internet through this secure network.

PureVPN generally supports the use of P2P on its network, but its servers in Australia, Canada, the U.K., and the U.S. are not allowed to use P2P. (If you connect to a server in one of these countries, you can't use it for P2P, but you can connect to a server located in another country instead to do P2P.) Its apps for Amazon Fire TV, Android, macOS, and Windows automatically optimize and secure your connection for P2P.

PureVPN doesn't have servers that are set up to handle traffic through the Onion network. So you'll have to use the Tor browser to do this.

NordVPN vs. PureVPN: Pricing

NordVPN's plan costs $3.49 per month when you pay for three years upfront. You can also get it at $4.99 for two years upfront, $6.99 for one year upfront, or $11.95 if you go monthly. These payment plans all come with a 30-day, money-back guarantee. NordVPN offers plans for business teams, which you must inquire about for rates based on your business' needs.

PureVPN's plan costs $3.33 per month when you pay for two years upfront, $5.83 per month when you pay for one year upfront, or $10.95 if you go monthly. You can cancel within 31 days of sign-up. PureVPN also sells plans for business use. These start at $5 per user per month when you pay for one year upfront. You can also cancel any of these plans within 31 days of sign-up.

So which VPN should you use?

PureVPN looks to be better for accessing region-locked video streams because, though it has far fewer servers than NordVPN, they're spread out in more countries. And it has apps supporting three smart TV platforms and split tunneling.

When it comes down to securing your personal privacy as much as possible, however, you should look at NordVPN because of its secure features in addition to standard VPN. It has a large number of servers to access throughout the world, and some of them are configured to let you use double VPN and directly access the Onion network. The company is also based in Panama City, reputable for not requiring retention of your personal data.

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:

1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).

2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.

We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

What you need to know about VPNs

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) can help protect your privacy when you're on the internet by hiding your browsing activity and where you are located in the world. It can also try to bypass censorship that might block you from visiting certain websites, or overcome regional restrictions that prevent you from watching video licensed for viewing outside your location.

NordVPN is one of the most popular companies in the VPN field, featuring thousands of servers located throughout the world. TunnelBear is a less known company. How does it compare to NordVPN?

We reviewed NordVPN and tried out TunnelBear for the purposes of this article. Neither would have been featured here if it didn't perform capably enough for basic web browsing. However, the performance of a VPN depends on several factors: the location of the server that you connect to, how much traffic that server is experiencing when you are connected to it, and where you yourself are located in the world.

So, when considering a VPN service, check if the company has a money-back guarantee or free trial period. This will allow you to test it and determine if its network's performance will work for your needs long-term.

NordVPN vs. TunnelBear: Log keeping

A VPN that tracks and logs your activity while you're on its network is not preferred. If outside parties can get hold of those logs, this essentially goes against the point of you using a VPN. It's also important to consider the country that a VPN company is based in. The U.S., for example, has aggressive surveillance agencies.

NordVPN states on its website:

NordVPN is based in Panama City, Republic of Panama, which has no laws requiring data retention. More information about NordVPN's privacy policy can be found here.

TunnelBear has a similar policy. It states on its website:

TunnelBear is based in Toronto, Canada. More information about its privacy policy can be found here.

NordVPN vs. TunnelBear: Servers and locations

A good VPN service should have a large number of servers to choose from, allowing you to get a solid, fast connection no matter where you are.

NordVPN has over 5,200 servers in 59 countries. Some countries will have extra features included with their servers (such as Double VPN or P2P) while others will use a simple VPN hookup to mask your identity. The most servers are located in Europe with 2,483 servers in countries that include the U.K., Netherlands, Germany, France, and Sweden. The Americas is second with 2,024 servers in countries that include the U.S., Canada, Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico. Among all the countries in the world, NordVPN has the most servers in the U.S. followed by the U.K.. The company doesn't list how many shared IP addresses its VPN uses.

You can even get a dedicated IP address for an extra $70 per year that's located in France, Germany, the Netherlands, U.K., or U.S..

TunnelBear lists that it has servers in 23 countries that include the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, the U.K., many European countries, India, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and Australia. Unfortunately, its website doesn't list how many servers and shared IP addresses it uses.

NordVPN vs. TunnelBear: Number of devices

A good VPN service allows you to connect more than one computer or device to its network under one account. It's worth noting that a router counts as one device. So devices that are connected to a router that's connected to a VPN don't count toward this total.

NordVPN let's you connect up to six of your devices to its network at once. TunnelBear's maximum number of connected devices is five. NordVPN wins out here, but it's worth noting that there are other VPN services that allow you to connect more devices.

NordVPN vs. TunnelBear: Bandwidth limits

A VPN may impose a bandwidth limit. You should expect this if it's a free service. When you pay for a VPN plan, there shouldn't be a limit.

Both NordVPN and TunnelBear have no bandwidth limits, but TunnelBear offers a free plan that gives you 500MB of bandwidth per month. The fat that TunnelBear has a free plan is a huge plus, especially if that's what you're looking for.

NordVPN vs. TunnelBear: Features and apps

Apps may be provided by a VPN service that make it easy for you to connect to its network.

NordVPN has apps for Android, Android TV, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows devices. There are also extensions for Chrome and Firefox to let you use NordVPN through these browsers.

These apps incorporate an ad and malicious site blocker, along with a kill switch that'll block web access to your device if its connection to the NordVPN network drops. Other included features are double VPN and easy-to-use streaming of region-restricted video.

(In a double VPN setup, your internet communications travel through two VPNs. They are encrypted and sent through a VPN, are encrypted again by that VPN, and then are sent through a second VPN that finally connects to the website or online service you're trying to access. The second VPN doesn't know your whereabouts, only the first VPN's. This extra layer of privacy results in much slower speed, however.)

TunnelBear has apps for Android, iOS, macOS and Windows devices. There are also extensions for Chrome, Firefox and Opera to let you use TunnelBear through these browsers.

If your connection gets disrupted for any reason, TunnelBear can block all unsecured traffic until it's safely reconnected. Another feature will try to circumvent servers that have been configured to detect and terminate OpenVPN connections. These two features are available for Android, macOS and Windows devices only.

TunnelBear's apps don't have specialized tools to help you conveniently bypass streaming services. You just use its apps to connect to a location in the world. Then you use your browser to try to access a website of a streaming service that restricts you and other visitors from your actual location. (But that's how this process works with most VPNs.)

NordVPN vs. TunnelBear: Pricing

NordVPN's plan costs $3.49 per month when you pay for three years upfront. You can also get it at $4.99 for two years upfront, $6.99 for one year upfront, or $11.95 if you go monthly. These payment plans all come with a 30-day, money-back guarantee. NordVPN offers plans for business teams, which you must inquire about for rates based on your business' needs.

TunnelBear's plan costs $4.99 per month when you pay for one year upfront, or $9.99 if you go monthly. You can cancel at any time. A second plan, Teams, is meant for business that allows you to add users and manage them under one account. It costs $5.75 per user per month. It comes with a 7-day, free trial period.

So which VPN should you use?

If you want access to a large number of servers throughout the world, then it comes down to NordVPN. This is also the service you should consider if you'd like to be able to use double VPN to further secure your online privacy. You can also pay for a dedicated IP address.

It's unknown how many servers TunnelBear has. But its service may be worth a look by signing up to test its free plan (which you can do without having to give TunnelBear any of your payment information). Its free plan can also be worthwhile to teach yourself how a VPN works and experience what it could do for you.

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:

1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).

2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.

We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

What you need to know

• NordVPN is one of the most popular virtual private network service providers.
• One of its data centers was breached back in March of 2018, the company recently admitted.
• It claims no user activity logs or credentials were compromised.

A Finnish data center hosting NordVPN servers was breached early last year, the company admitted in a blog post earlier today.

It fingered a remote management system used by the data center provider as being responsible for the breach, a system that NordVPN claims it was entirely unaware of. Though it did not name the vendor, the VPN company has terminated its contract with the data center provider and has also shredded all the servers it was renting at the facility.

With regard to activity logs and user credentials, the company insisted that "none of [its] applications send user-created credentials for authentication," so these are secure. The company also makes a big point of its "no logging policy," meaning the former should not exist in the first place.

Alongside this, the company stated that upon its discovery of the breach last year, it immediately commended an extensive audit of its entire network to ensure any other parts of its network were not similarly exposed. That, it explains, was the reason behind the delay in disclosing the breach till now.

However, as researchers cautioned users of the service this week, a (now expired) private security key was also exposed due to the breach, which could allow anyone to set up their own servers disguised as NordVPN.

"However, the key couldn't possibly have been used to decrypt the VPN traffic of any other server. On the same note, the only possible way to abuse website traffic was by performing a personalized and complicated MiTM attack to intercept a single connection that tried to access nordvpn.com," said the company's Daniel Markuson.

To keep its network secure in the future, the company is purportedly moving all of its servers to RAM, something that it says will be completed by next year. It's also launching an application security audit and a no-logs audit, and is preparing a bug bounty program to ensure the continued safety of its network.

Best VPN Services in 2019

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:

1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).

2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.

We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

VPNs have been gaining traction lately thanks to the seemingly constant erosion of online privacy. A VPN can be described as an encrypted tunnel that moves your data safely between your PC or other devices and a host server before hitting the open internet. There are plenty of VPN providers — many of them free — but that doesn't mean they all stand on equal ground.

NordVPN is a leading provider in the VPN arena thanks to its promise of keeping no logs, its long list of servers, and a great app that's easy to use. Here's our full NordVPN review.

NordVPN plans and pricing

One of the biggest aspects of a VPN service is its price. You don't want to pay too much, but you also don't want to get stuck with a cheap service that doesn't offer adequate protection.

NordVPN has four plans to choose from:

The three-year plan is the cheapest option at $3.49 per month, billed every three years at $126. If you don't think you'll need a VPN for a that length of time — if you'd rather pay annually or you're traveling for a few months and would like one for hostels and hotels — the yearly plan costs $6.99 per month and the monthly plans costs $11.95 per month.

Compared to other leading services, NordVPN is sits near the middle of the pack when it comes to pricing. For example, Private Internet Access VPN costs $40 per year when billed annually, and ExpressVPN costs $100 per year when billed annually.

NordVPN isn't the cheapest, but it also isn't the most expensive option. There is also no lifetime plan available like some other services offer (we're looking at you, VPN Unlimited). So no matter the plan you choose, you get the same service, and there is a 100 percent money-back guarantee if you find you don't like NordVPN during the first 30 days you use it.

NordVPN has several payment options, including credit card, PayPal, Bitcoin, and Paymentwall. For extra anonymity, you can use a throwaway email address and pay with Bitcoin, or use gift cards from other major retailers through Openbucks and Paymentwall.

What type of security does NordVPN use?

As far as connection protocols go, NordVPN uses OpenVPN by default in its Windows 10 app. The company uses AES-256-CBC encryption and a 2048-bit Diffie-Hellman key to keep stuff seriously locked down. OpenVPN works fine with Windows 10 PCs but won't work with Windows 10 Mobile. Instead, you can use L2TP/IPsec with your Windows phone, which is supported along with SSTP and PPTP protocols for legacy devices.

NordVPN more recently implemented IKEv2/IPsec support for strong encryption, better stability, and faster speeds. Phase 1 keys use AES-256-GCM and SHA2-384 for encryption, 3072-bit Diffie-Hellmann keys for Perfect Forward Secrecy, all before being sent through the VPN tunnel encrypted with AES256.

Overall, the included support for legacy protocols such as SSTP and PPTP (although not recommended), the use of OpenVPN by default in the Windows app, the use of L2TP/IPsec for Windows 10 Mobile, and the inclusion of the relatively new IKEv2/IPsec protocol, show that NordVPN is serious about your security.

A note on IPv6 leaks, which NordVPN was notorious for in the past. In February 2017, the company updated its service with IPv6 leak protection that works on all NordVPN apps. Now, if a user tries to connect to the VPN with an IPv6 address, the information coming from the address will be blacked out, and only IPv4 traffic (protected) will get through. We did not test whether IPv6 leaks were still occurring following the update, but it's good to know that NordVPN acknowledged the problems publicly and strives to fix them.

What features does NordVPN offer?

NordVPN is one of the most feature-laden providers we've seen, with a long list of both user-friendly and secure tidbits.

You can have up to six devices using NordVPN simultaneously on one account, which is standard operating procedure for most providers. If you have more devices than this, say in an office or a full household, a router can be configured with the VPN (and will count as one device) to essentially allow as many devices as you want.

NordVPN has over 5,500 servers in 59 countries, meaning you're likely going to get a solid connection to a server no matter where you are. The company also offers double data encryption, which moves your traffic through two VPN servers instead of just one. I'm not sure when I would personally use it, because it slows down your speed quite a bit. But it is a decent option for anyone whose life could be on the line if their true identity got out.

Some other notable features are a DNS Leak Resolver that keeps DNS servers from sending information outside of the VPN tunnel, a Onion Over VPN that allows users to connect to TOR, dedicated P2P servers for anyone interested in that type of sharing, and a dedicated IP service for those who want to keep a single IP address for accessing servers and networks.

NordVPN's stance on user activity logs

Perhaps the biggest question that needs to be asked when using a VPN is whether or not logs of user activity are kept. The whole point of a VPN is to remain private while on the internet, so watching your VPN provider give away logs (whether voluntarily or because of a subpoena) is not something you want to experience.

NordVPN is hosted in Panama and operates under that country's laws. Panama just so happens to have no law that requires keeping logs or data, and NordVPN takes full advantage of that. Even if the company did receive an order to give up its logs, it would have nothing to hand over.

Couple a complete lack of logs with the ability to pay for your subscription with Bitcoin, and you can operate underneath a pretty thick veil of privacy.

Setting up and using the NordVPN app

Setting up the NordVPN app on Windows 10 is easy. Once you create an account and subscribe to a plan, you're given a download link to an install file that's about 20MB in size. Once it's installed, you enter your username and password, and you can immediately choose a VPN server to connect to.

A funky map shows countries where servers are hosted, and double-clicking a country pin automatically connects you to a server that NordVPN deems suited to your location and the overall load of all servers in that country. To connect to the overall fastest server, no matter the country, you click the big power button at the top of the window.

You can use the search tool to quickly find a certain server, and there is also a long list of servers separated by use and country. For example, all servers dedicated to P2P or Onion Over VPN are kept separately from the regular VPN servers that most people connect to. Connecting to any server is as easy as double-clicking, and it only takes a few seconds to set up a connection. The app also lets you add servers to a favorites list that appears at the top of all other servers.

The load on a server at any given time is displayed, and it also shows how far the server is located from you. And you can monitor the speed at which data is being downloaded and uploaded from your PC.

A built-in kill switch allows you to add apps to a list that NordVPN will kill if the VPN connection drops. This means that sensitive information will immediately stop being relayed over the open internet, while non-sensitive apps can still have access.

There are plenty more settings you can tweak, including automatically connecting to a certain server when NordVPN is opened, having NordVPN start when Windows starts, and setting your own DNS.

The NordVPN app is as easy to use as any I've tried and is straightforward enough for pretty much anyone to quickly get the hang of. There is, unfortunately, no Windows 10 Mobile app, but the manual setup is the same as with other VPN providers and is relatively painless.

How to set up a VPN on Windows 10 Mobile

Speed and performance of NordVPN

NordVPN does not have any limits on bandwidth, meaning you won't be throttled if you happen to stream video all month or download a bunch of games over Steam. Connecting to a server through the Windows app is also very quick, most often taking only a few seconds.

Because your internet traffic is being routed to a VPN server before hitting the open internet, you can usually expect a bit of a slowdown on overall speed. To test just how much of a slowdown, I used Ookla Speedtest on my Windows 10 PC wired with an Ethernet cable with, and then without, NordVPN enabled.

All of the VPN servers tested were below 50 percent workload at the time of testing, except for the double-VPN server.

First test (PM)

Second test (AM)

It's evident from the tests that performance doesn't take a huge hit while using NordVPN's recommended servers, but it does seem to fluctuate depending on the time of day. While connected, I browsed the internet as I normally do and didn't notice a difference in the time it took for web pages to load. However, you'll no doubt notice a bit of a difference if you're gaming online or streaming video. Your ping will no doubt be higher in multiplayer games, and it might take longer for Netflix to kick up to a higher resolution.

Keep in mind that these tests are dependent on location and the location of the servers used for the testing. Your individual results will vary. It's a little annoying, and ideally you want the app to be able to choose the best server for you, but with all the factors affecting speed, it sometimes takes a little manual selection to get going.

Customer service

As for customer service, there is a live chat option, a ticket submission form option, and an extensive knowledge base for you to use to fix problems yourself, all located on NordVPN's website. There is no support option inside the Windows 10 app.

I didn't run into any problems that needed customer support — which is really a good thing — so I made up a problem to do with streaming and opened a live chat window. It took a couple of minutes to get an answer in live chat, and after receiving an initial response (other than the automated "please keep waiting" messages) I was left alone again. The next time I opened a live chat window, I again waited a few minutes before getting someone who stuck with me to help.

A common complaint with NordVPN seems to be their lack of support, and based on my experience, that issue might not yet be entirely rectified.

Related resources

For more information about VPNs, check out these articles.

• 6 good reasons why you really should use a VPN
• Best VPN Services

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:

1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).

2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.

We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

These two VPN providers are some of the most popular around right now, both with a lot of servers in a lot of countries, no logs kept, unlimited bandwidth, multiple anonymous payment options, and strong performance. There are, however, some significant differences when you start digging down into the services.

NordVPN vs. PIA at a glance

Let's take a brief look at how these two VPN services compare on paper.

NordVPN vs PIA servers and locations

Any VPN provider worth the money paid for a subscription should have many servers spread out across many countries. In NordVPN's case, it has 5,678 VPN servers in 60 countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Malaysia, Taiwan, Egypt, and Turkey, places where PIA lacks any support. With NordVPN, many of its servers are dedicated to P2P, are obfuscated for countries with restricted access, have a double VPN for double encryption, or work with Onion over VPN.

With PIA, you get access to 3,341 VPN and proxy servers spread out over 32 countries, and while you don't get as much variety as with Nord, all PIA servers can handle P2P sharing. However, you won't have access to a double VPN or Onion over VPN servers with PIA.

With both services, you're going to get unlimited bandwidth with no fear of overages or throttling, and you can switch between servers as much as you'd like to find one with optimal performance. Both services perform extremely well as long as you can find a nearby server, which for a lot of people might be easier with Nord.

As for security, NordVPN is using OpenVPN with a 256-bit AES encryption and 2048-bit Diffie-Hellman for key exchanges, while the IKEv2/IPSec protocol uses 256-bit AES with a 3072-bit Diffie-Hellman key. There are a few levels of OpenVPN security to choose from with PIA which does affect performance, including a standard 128-bit AES encryption with 2048-bit RSA handshake and 2048-bit Diffie-Hellman key, or a maximum-security option with 256-bit AES encryption with 4096-bit RSA handshake and 4096-bit Diffie-Hellman key.

What does this all mean? In either case, you can rely on strong encryption to keep your data and privacy safe when you're connected to a VPN server, although PIA is missing a couple features that Nord has.

NordVPN vs. PIA jurisdiction and log keeping

NordVPN is based in Panama where it has no legal obligation to collect any personal data, though it does keep some information for billing and operational purposes like email address, payment info, session timestamp, customer service information, and a record of you visiting the NordVPN website. You can set up a dummy email and pay with cryptocurrency to avoid some of these records, though there will be some metadata collected.

PIA, which is based in the U.S. and subject to its jurisdiction, keeps absolutely no logs of any kind, nor any information. Despite the discrepancy in the jurisdiction, PIA and NordVPN both do their utmost to keep any information out of the hands of anyone attempting to get a look inside, and you should feel assured that your actual browsing data isn't being recorded. Remember, this doesn't mean you're free to use a VPN for illegal activity.

Furthermore, NordVPN states in its warrant canary section that it has never been secretly pressured by a governmental entity with warrants or gag orders. PIA does not use a warrant canary, claiming it's best to just not log anything than alert people that there's been a breach.

NordVPN vs. PIA features and devices

Although you're ultimately going to pay more for a similar subscription to NordVPN, it brings a ton of features to the table. Alongside the dedicated servers for P2P sharing, double VPN, obfuscation, and Onion over VPN, you get a dedicated ad and malware blocker, DNS leak protection, SmartPlay for smoother video streaming, and an automatic kill switch that keeps your real identity from being seen if your connection to the VPN server happens to drop.

The NordVPN app works with Windows, Android, macOS, iOS, Android TV, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, and it can be used with a ton of routers. However, you can only use NordVPN on six simultaneous devices. If you run into any issues, customer support staff can be reached 24/7 with live chat.

PIA offers up an ad and malware blocker of its own, a killswitch, DNS leak protection, and even automatic port forwarding for P2P sharing, but it doesn't have the same specialized servers as Nord. Its app works with Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, Android, and it can be configured in certain routers for broader coverage.

If you have a lot of devices, PIA offers 10 simultaneous connections, beating out six from NordVPN. If you run into trouble, you'll have to open an email support ticket; live chat is not available.

NordVPN vs. PIA pricing and payment options

VPN service prices often fluctuate with special deals and new terms, but as it stands now, PIA is going to ultimately cost less money, at least for a term of similar length. If you opt for a yearly plan with PIA, you'll pay $3.33 per month for a total of about $40 per year. You can also go with a monthly subscription at about $7 per month, or a six-month deal for about $6 per month or about $40 total.

NordVPN has the same monthly plan, but it costs about $12, which is $5 more than PIA. The one-year NordVPN plan costs about $7 per month or about $84 per year, essentially twice as much as the same length at PIA. However, NordVPN also offers two- and three-year subscription plans for further savings, though you will have to commit to three years if you want to pay about the same per month as PIA.

You're ultimately going to get a better deal with PIA, but if you'd rather only be billed once every two or three years, you'll have to instead go with NordVPN. As for trials to see if you actually want a VPN, PIA gives you seven days to test its service, while NordVPN gives you a full 30 days to get your money back if you don't like what it offers.

Go with NordVPN for more servers, lengthier subscriptions

NordVPN does cost more than PIA for similar subscription terms, but you can opt for a longer term that brings the monthly price down to about the same amount. With NordVPN, you get more servers (including specialized options) in more countries, and you can rest assured your data will remain safe thanks to strong encryption. As long as you don't want more than six devices in use simultaneously, it's no doubt the better option for more people.

PIA offers a more affordable service in fewer countries

PIA is a more affordable option than NordVPN, but it doesn't come with as many features or as many servers spread out across as many countries. It does have jurisdiction in the U.S. which might frighten some away, but rest assured you get strong encryption, fast speeds, and absolutely no logs kept. It's also a better choice if you want to connect more than six devices at once.

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:

1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).

2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.

We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

What you need to know

• NordPass is a new password manager from NordVPN.
• It can store passwords, autofill passwords, and autofill online forms.
• It's from NordVPN, a well respected VPN provider.

NordVPN announced a new password manager, NordPass, that aims to help you stay secure online. It handles password management at multiple phases of security, including generating passwords, storing passwords, and autofilling online forms.

NordVPN has earned a solid reputation thanks to its consistent and secure VPN service. Now, the company looks to expand its security coverage with NordPass. The new password manager uses zero-knowledge encryption, which means you own the key to the encryption of your passwords. In other words, even employees at NordVPN can't open your passwords from their servers.

NordPass uses the Advanced Encryption Standard with Argon 2 for key derivation. These provide security for your data stored in the service. You can use NordPass to store passwords, information for online forms, and private notes. NordPass also has the ability to generate passwords to improve security.

NordPass is currently being tested and the first beta is expected to be released in the Fall of 2019. You can sign up for early access on NordVPN's website.

Who It's For	Everyone	Everyone	Everyone	Everyone
Free Version?	7-day Money Back	3-day Trial	30-day Money Back	7-day Money Back
Lowest Price	$3.70/​month	$6.99/​month	$8.32/​month	$2.91/​month
Ad Blocking?	No	Yes	No	Yes
Server Count	1200+	5100+	3000+	3200+
P2P	Allowed	On P2P Servers	Allowed	Allowed
Connections	10	6	3	5
Router?	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Anonymous Payment?	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:

1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).

2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.

We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.