NordVPN

NordVPN is the default answer to "which VPN should I get", and being the default has made it genuinely good rather than merely famous.

What it does well

Speed and coverage. The NordLynx protocol, built on WireGuard, is fast enough that you stop noticing the VPN is on, which is the only performance metric that matters day to day. Servers span roughly 110 countries, and the no-logs policy has been independently audited more than once, which very few competitors can claim.

Streaming unblocking is reliable and stays reliable, because Nord has the resources to keep fighting that battle.

What it costs

Around $3 to $5 a month on a two-year plan paid upfront, rising sharply on renewal and on shorter terms. Higher tiers bundle a password manager, encrypted storage and breach monitoring, which are worth it only if you would otherwise pay for them separately.

Where it falls short

Renewal pricing is roughly double the intro rate and the upsells at checkout are persistent. The apps have grown feature-heavy, with a dashboard that now surfaces four products when you wanted one toggle. Ownership sits with Nord Security, which also owned Atlas VPN before shutting it down, so the market is more concentrated than it appears.

Who it's for

Anyone who wants a VPN that works without research. Streaming, travel, public wifi. If you want the cheapest option, Surfshark undercuts it; if you want the fastest, this usually wins.