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NordVPN Review: Security, Speed, and Value for Canadians
Canadians face more online risk every year. Statistics Canada recorded 225.1 police-reported cybercrimes per 100,000 people in 2024, more than double the 2018 rate. A virtual private network (VPN) an encrypted tunnel that hides your IP address and traffic is one simple defence.
This NordVPN review looks at whether NordVPN earns a spot on your devices. The short answer is yes. It suits Canadians who want strong privacy, fast speeds, and reliable streaming access, and we rate it 4.7/5.
We chose NordVPN only after weighing it against ExpressVPN, Surfshark, CyberGhost, and other services (see Alternatives Considered), not in isolation. NordVPN also leads our roundup of the best VPN for Canada. Want to skip ahead and check current plans?
View NordVPN’s latest pricing.
What Is NordVPN?
NordVPN is a virtual private network run by Nord Security, a cybersecurity company with engineering roots in Lithuania. The VPN itself operates under the jurisdiction of Panama. Tens of millions of people use it worldwide.
NordVPN runs thousands of servers across dozens of countries worldwide, with Canadian locations in cities like Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. That gives Canadian users nearby servers for faster local connections. You can read about how we test VPNs before we recommend them.
NordVPN sells four plans built on the same core VPN: Basic, Plus, Complete, and Prime. The apps run on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and Android TV. One account covers up to 10 devices at once.
NordVPN Pricing and Plans
Pricing is a big part of any NordVPN review, and NordVPN offers monthly, one-year, and two-year billing across all four plans. Longer plans cut the monthly cost sharply. All prices below are in US dollars, because NordVPN did not display a Canadian dollar figure at checkout during our research.
| Plan | 1-month | 2-year (per month) |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $12.99 | $2.99 |
| Plus | $13.99 | $3.89 |
| Complete | $14.99 | $4.89 |
| Prime | $16.59 | $6.89 |
The best value is the two-year Plus plan at $3.89 per month. It adds Threat Protection Pro, the NordPass password manager, and a data breach scanner for less than a dollar more than Basic. Every plan includes a 30-day money-back guarantee, and you can confirm the latest figures on NordVPN’s current pricing page.
At $2.99 per month, NordVPN’s cheapest plan sits above CyberGhost ($2.19) and Surfshark ($2.49), and lands in the same range as ExpressVPN’s entry tier (about $2.99). If price is your top concern, browse the cheapest VPN plans first.
Otherwise, start a NordVPN plan here.
NordVPN vs Competitors
We compared NordVPN against three strong rivals. Each table shows an honest winner and the one concrete reason the competitor missed the top spot.
NordVPN vs ExpressVPN
| Product | Price | Speed/Performance | Features | Support | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | From $2.99/mo (2-yr) | Fast (NordLynx) | Double VPN, Onion Over VPN, audited no-logs | 24/7 live chat | Privacy plus value |
| ExpressVPN | From ~$2.99/mo (2-yr) | Fast (Lightway) | Fewer specialty servers | 24/7 live chat | Beginner streaming |
Winner: NordVPN. ExpressVPN’s Basic tier lacks NordVPN’s Double VPN and Onion Over VPN specialty servers, so privacy-focused users get fewer layered-protection options. See our full NordVPN vs ExpressVPN breakdown for more.
NordVPN vs Surfshark
| Product | Price | Speed/Performance | Features | Support | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | From $2.99/mo (2-yr) | Fast (NordLynx) | Six audited no-logs checks | 24/7 live chat | Privacy plus value |
| Surfshark | From $2.49/mo (2-yr) | Fast | Unlimited devices | 24/7 live chat | Big households |
Winner: NordVPN. Surfshark’s 2-year plan is cheaper, but NordVPN has a longer independent no-logs audit record, with six assessments to Surfshark’s fewer. See our full NordVPN vs Surfshark comparison for the details.
NordVPN vs CyberGhost
| Product | Price | Speed/Performance | Features | Support | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | From $2.99/mo (2-yr) | Fast (NordLynx) | Double VPN, obfuscated servers | 24/7 live chat | Privacy plus value |
| CyberGhost | From $2.19/mo (2-yr) | Good | 7-device cap, streaming focus | 24/7 live chat | Budget streaming |
Winner: NordVPN. CyberGhost’s 2-year plan is the cheapest here, but it caps you at 7 devices and its apps and speeds trail NordVPN’s in day-to-day use.
Alternatives Considered
We also scanned the wider market beyond the three rivals above. These options are worth knowing, though each ranks below NordVPN for one specific reason.
- Proton VPN: Based in Switzerland with a free tier, but its free servers cover only a few countries and its network is smaller than NordVPN’s.
- Mullvad: Known for anonymous accounts and flat-rate pricing, but it does not reliably unblock Netflix or other streaming for Canadian users.
- Private Internet Access: Cheap with unlimited devices, but it is US-based inside the Five Eyes alliance, a jurisdiction drawback for privacy.
NordVPN Security and Privacy
NordVPN encrypts every connection with AES-256 and routes it through NordLynx. Its servers run in RAM only, so they wipe all data on each reboot and store nothing to disk.
NordVPN operates under Panamanian jurisdiction, outside the Five Eyes and 14 Eyes alliances. This means no partner government can compel it to hand over Canadian user data. NordVPN also publishes regular transparency reports on data requests.
Canadians are protected by Canada’s PIPEDA privacy law, which governs how private companies handle personal data. That law does not stop your internet provider from logging your traffic, though, which is exactly the gap NordVPN fills.
Independent auditors have verified NordVPN’s no-logs policy multiple times. Deloitte carried out the most recent no-logs assessment, NordVPN’s sixth independent no-logs audit.
NordVPN has had one known security incident. In 2019 it disclosed that a single rented server in Finland had been accessed in 2018 through a third-party datacenter flaw. No user activity logs or credentials were exposed, and NordVPN ended the datacenter contract and moved to RAM-only servers.
Who Should Use NordVPN?
NordVPN is the right pick for security-conscious Canadians who want audited privacy and fast speeds in one app. It also suits streamers who need reliable access to Netflix and other libraries. Remote workers and frequent travellers gain safe connections on public Wi-Fi too.
It is a weaker fit for two groups. Households that want to protect more than 10 devices should look at Surfshark, which offers unlimited connections. Bargain hunters who only need basic protection can save a little with CyberGhost.
Statistics Canada found that over two-thirds (70%) of Canadians experienced a cyber security incident in 2022, up from 58% in 2020 and 52% in 2018. For most people, that risk makes a trusted VPN worth the small monthly cost.
How to Get Started With NordVPN
Setting up NordVPN takes only a few minutes.
- Choose a plan and create your account on NordVPN’s site.
- Download the app for your device, then sign in.
- Connect to a Canadian server for local content and lower latency.
- Open settings and turn on the kill switch so your IP never leaks.
- Enable Threat Protection to block malware and trackers.
Canadian users should keep NordLynx selected as the protocol for the best speed. Switch to a foreign server only when you need to reach content from another region.
Final Verdict
NordVPN is our top recommendation for Canadians who want strong, audited privacy without giving up speed or streaming access. It combines AES-256 encryption, a six-times-audited no-logs policy, and a Panama base outside the major surveillance alliances. The main trade-offs are a 10-device cap and higher month-to-month pricing.
This NordVPN review scores it 4.7/5, and it is best for privacy-focused Canadians who also stream. Ready to try it under the 30-day guarantee? Get started with NordVPN.
NordVPN FAQ
Is NordVPN legal in Canada?
Yes, using NordVPN is completely legal in Canada, and privacy laws like PIPEDA govern how companies handle your data, not your personal VPN use. Illegal activity done through a VPN is still illegal, as we explain in our guide on whether VPNs are legal in Canada.
Do Canadians really need a VPN?
A VPN is not mandatory, but it protects your data on public Wi-Fi and hides your traffic from your internet provider. Given rising cybercrime, most Canadians benefit from one.
How does NordVPN compare to ExpressVPN?
NordVPN costs less on its entry plan and adds Double VPN and Onion Over VPN servers, while ExpressVPN leans on simple, beginner-friendly apps. NordVPN wins on value and specialty privacy features.
Are there free VPN alternatives?
Yes, services like Proton VPN offer free tiers, but they limit servers, speed, and data. Our roundup of free VPN options explains the trade-offs.
