NordVPN Review

If you ask any cybersecurity expert to name a VPN, NordVPN is usually the first word out of their mouth. But being famous does not always mean being the best.

We put NordVPN through rigorous testing specifically for the UK market. We checked its ability to unlock BBC iPlayer from abroad, its speeds on London servers, and whether its "No Logs" policy actually stands up to scrutiny.

The Quick Verdict

Yes, it is the best. While ExpressVPN is slightly easier to use, and Surfshark is cheaper, NordVPN offers the perfect balance of raw power, speed, and security features. For 99% of users, this is the one to buy.

Streaming Performance

For most of our readers, this is the main selling point. Can it unlock TV shows?

We tested NordVPN with the following services:

• BBC iPlayer: Works perfectly. We connected to "UK #4821" and streamed Doctor Who in HD with zero buffering.
• US Netflix: We accessed the US library instantly. If you want to know more about this, read our guide on getting a UK IP address.
• Sky Go: This is usually the hardest app to crack, but NordVPN managed it on the first try.

Speed & UK Servers

NordVPN uses a proprietary protocol called NordLynx. It is built on WireGuard, which is lightweight and incredibly fast. On a 500Mbps London fibre connection, NordVPN maintained speeds of 460Mbps. That is a drop of less than 10%, which is imperceptible in daily use.

They have over 440 servers in the UK alone (London, Manchester, Glasgow, and Edinburgh). This density is crucial because it means servers rarely get overcrowded.

Privacy & Security

NordVPN is based in Panama, a country with no mandatory data retention laws. They have completed multiple independent audits by PwC and Deloitte to prove their "No Logs" claim.

For users worried about public networks (see our guide: Is Public WiFi Safe?), NordVPN includes Threat Protection Pro. This feature blocks ads, trackers, and malicious websites before they even load.

The "Bypass" Capability

With the new UK Online Safety Act requiring ID checks for many sites, NordVPN is an essential tool for privacy. By routing your traffic through a server in the Netherlands or USA, you can browse legally without uploading your passport. We explain this in detail in our Privacy Guide.

Pricing

NordVPN is not the cheapest (Surfshark wins there), but it offers the best value for features. The 2-year plan offers massive savings compared to paying monthly.

Crucially, they offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can test it for a month, and if you don't like it, you get a full refund via live chat.