How Much Is NordVPN?
As the name suggests, NordVPN is a Nordstrom brand that provides users with secure, private and fast internet connections. The service is pretty popular in Europe and Australia, but only recently (July 2018) has become available in the United States.
The Biggest Market For NordVPN
NordVPN has been around for a while, providing its services to customers in over 150 countries. However, it’s the recently increased availability in major markets that has made it the most popular VPN service in the U.S. At this point, NordVPN claims that it has over 300 million downloads globally and is available in over 150 countries.
It’s interesting to note that the U.S. Is not among the top 5 countries for global downloads. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. If you check out the country rankings for global downloads, you’ll see that the U.S. is near the bottom of the list. The reason for this is that it’s not exactly easy to download and install a VPN app in the U.S. due to the strict regulations imposed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The FCC mandates that all carriers (which include internet providers) adopt strict measures to prevent apps from cheating customers. This is why most VPN apps are only available in certain countries.
Why Would You Subscribe To NordVPN?
Even though NordVPN is relatively new to the U.S., the company has quite a bit to offer consumers. One of the biggest selling points of the service is that it doesn’t log or store any user data. The VPN’s privacy policy clearly states that it doesn’t keep any records of users’ browsing habits.
In addition, NordVPN provides advanced features that are not commonly found on free VPNs. For example, it blocks ads and trackers, has a kill switch (in case your connection drops), and provides a smart security system that learns from your behavior (e.g., if you always use the same login details, it will restrict your login to selected devices only).
NordVPN is based in Panama, which has some of the most reliable and secure internet providers in the world. The country has an excellent internet infrastructure and a very low cybercrime rate. In addition, Panama is part of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, which is a prestigious group of developed countries. This undoubtedly puts it on a level playing field with some of the biggest economies in the world.
Another major selling point of NordVPN is that it is very affordable. The basic package, which includes a NordVPN subscription, two device vouchers (1GB of monthly data), and a personalized welcome email costs only $2.99 per month. Additional features include a 30-day money-back guarantee and free lifetime technical support.
Why should you choose NordVPN over the other VPNs? We have you covered on this front. In this article, we’ll discuss the key differences between NordVPN and the other leading VPN services. At the end, you’ll have a clear picture of why you’d want to subscribe to NordVPN in the first place.
Who Is Behind NordVPN?
NordVPN is a well-known company, having been around for a while and gaining popularity in Europe and Australia. The company was originally founded in 2010 and is based in the Netherlands. It is currently owned by U.K.-based investment firm, BC Partners.
NordVPN has quite a bit of cash flow, having been acquired by BC Partners for a tidy sum of money. BC Partners is also the owner of luxury goods firm, Neiman Marcus and famous beauty brand, Lancôme. So, it appears that NordVPN has found a home with a company that has deep pockets.
Along with being a VPN provider, NordVPN also offers a paid VPN service (nordvpn premium) that provides additional security and confidentiality to users. The paid service is not available in the U.S. at the moment, but it is accessible in other countries. The NordVPN app allows users to select a region and currency to display the available plans. The plans range from $2.99 per month to $12.99 per month and include one free device (note: this option is not available for Australian and New Zealand users). Some of the features that come with the paid service are kill switch, ad and tracker blocking, port forwarding and a 256-bit AES encryption.
Key Differences Between NordVPN And Other Leading VPN Services
NordVPN provides users with a safe and secure connection to online resources. The service also offers advanced features that are not commonly found on free VPNs. At the same time, NordVPN is very affordable, having one of the lowest pricing structures in its category. Let’s take a closer look at the differences between NordVPN and other leading VPN services.
No Logs
NordVPN doesn’t keep any records of users’ browsing habits or activity. When you connect to the service, it will not record your online activity nor will it share any of your login data with third parties. As a result, you can rest assured that your personal information will remain secure.
It’s important to note that the no-logs policy does not extend to other aspects of the user’s life. For example, if you need a new television set or computer, then you’ll have to provide proof of purchase as the service will need to be logged for this to be credited toward your account.
No Throttling Or Rate Limiting
Another big advantage of using a VPN is that it enables you to access content that you are not supposed to access (i.e., restricted content or websites). Sometimes, ISPs block certain content or websites that they deem to be inappropriate. However, a VPN can easily unblock these resources. In addition, VPNs can be used to circumvent rate limiting, which is also a common practice on some content producers’ parts. For example, Netflix sometimes limits the amount of content that you can view to 500 megabytes per month. However, with a VPN, this limit is easily circumvented.
Faster Download And Installation
One of the biggest complaints about using a VPN is that it can be quite the hassle to download and install. Some VPNs can take quite some time to download and establish a connection. In addition, they can also be rather tricky to install on multiple devices. For example, you might need to create separate logins and passwords for each device. This can be quite the hassle. In comparison, NordVPN is rather convenient to use. You’ll just need to download the app and connect it to your WiFi network. In many cases, the app will already be configured and the user just needs to click “Allow” to use the service.
More Device Choices
Not all VPNs are created equal. Some offer fantastic speeds and highly secured connections, but only offer a few device choices (e.g., PC, Mac, or mobile). NordVPN, in contrast, offers a much wider range of devices. This is because it uses a virtual machine to provide its services. This means that it can run on just about any device. Some of the supported platforms include Windows, macOS, and Android. The good thing about this approach is that it allows your VPN provider to update the app frequently, ensuring that you always have the most up-to-date version.
Free Device Vouchers
Speaking of up-to-date versions, NordVPN provides users with two free device vouchers (1GB of monthly data) that can be redeemed toward the purchase of a new computer or mobile phone. The company’s no-fee policy and generous offering of free device vouchers is a major draw for consumers. It’s also a great way to introduce newcomers to the concept of a VPN and gain some trust before asking for credit card details.
24/7 Customer Support
Another selling point of NordVPN is that it provides users with 24/7/365 customer support via live chat, email, and phone. If you have any technical questions or need assistance with setting up the VPN on your device, then all you have to do is contact the support team and they’ll help you out. This level of customer support is what draws many customers to the service. It’s also a great way to establish brand loyalty and trust among consumers. In addition, the company’s commitment to providing high-quality services and helpful customer support is evident in its brand recognition and web audit ratings.
How Is NordVPN Different From Other Leading VPN Services?
Other than the no-logs policy and generous gift of free devices, what makes NordVPN different from other leading VPN services? Let’s take a look.