Verdict: NordVPN merits a place on a 2026 VPN shortlist, especially if you value a broad feature set, outside reviews of its no-logs claims, and strong results in the streaming services and regions tested by Tom’s Guide. But the evidence does not establish it as the best VPN for everyone: speed and streaming results depend on the test conditions, and practical drawbacks include a 10-device limit, no port forwarding, and potentially higher renewal costs. Treat the headline performance score as one test round, not a promise about your connection.
What the 2026 test results say—and what they don’t
Two reports offer useful but bounded evidence. NordVPN’s August 10, 2026 account of an Artifact Security comparison says the company tested NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Mullvad, ProtonVPN, and Surfshark across speed, leak protection, website accessibility, feature reliability, and connection time. NordVPN reports an overall score of 91 and the only Platinum rating in that round. The account describes a single round of testing; it is not evidence that NordVPN will lead on every device, network, or future test.
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TechRadar reports more detail about the route-based test: five regions—Germany, Singapore, the US West, the US East, and the UK—and 55 pinned routes. In that test, NordVPN recorded a Windows average download speed of 271.9 Mbps, a peak-download median of 568.4 Mbps, and an average connection time of 1.8 seconds with 98% success. TechRadar also says all five providers passed the leak scenarios it tested. These are results from the specified test setup, not expected household speeds or a guarantee that every configuration is leak-proof.
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Tom’s Guide describes a separate review process involving installations on multiple devices, more than 100 speed tests per provider, kill-switch checks, and streaming tests. Its findings should be read as that review team’s observations, rather than as a result that applies to every user’s location and setup.
#1 Best Overall
- Next-Gen Gigabit Wi-Fi 6 Speeds: 2402 Mbps on 5 GHz and 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz bands ensure smoother streaming and faster downloads; support VPN server and VPN client¹
- A More Responsive Experience: Enjoy smooth gaming, video streaming, and live feeds simultaneously. OFDMA makes your Wi-Fi stronger by allowing multiple clients to share one band at the same time, cutting latency and jitter.²
- Expanded Wi-Fi Coverage: 4 high-gain external antennas and Beamforming technology combine to extend strong, reliable, Wi-Fi throughout your home.
- Improved Battery Life: Target Wake Time helps your devices to communicate efficiently while consuming less power.
- Improved Cooling Design: No heat ups, no throttles. A larger heat sink and redefined case design cools the WiFi 6 system and enables your network to stay at top speeds in more versatile environments.
How NordVPN compares in the cited multi-provider test
| Provider | What the cited 2026 coverage establishes |
|---|---|
| NordVPN | Artifact Security score of 91 and Platinum rating, as reported by NordVPN; TechRadar reports the test-specific Windows, connection-time, and leak-scenario results above. |
| ExpressVPN | Included among the five providers in the comparison; a score is not stated in the cited NordVPN or TechRadar coverage. |
| Mullvad | Included among the five providers in the comparison; a score is not stated in the cited NordVPN or TechRadar coverage. |
| ProtonVPN | Included among the five providers in the comparison; a score is not stated in the cited NordVPN or TechRadar coverage. |
| Surfshark | Included among the five providers in the comparison; a score is not stated in the cited NordVPN or TechRadar coverage. |
The result supports considering NordVPN alongside those alternatives; it does not establish a complete comparative ranking. If you are choosing between them, compare the exact features and terms you need, rather than assuming the reported score settles the decision.
Does NordVPN keep logs?
NordVPN says its no-logs practices have been reviewed by PwC and Deloitte. Tom’s Guide reports a sixth review in February 2026. The company’s own 2026 no-logs page describes the audit chronology and count inconsistently across sections, so the clearest dated account here is Tom’s Guide’s report of that sixth review.
Rank #2
- New-Gen WiFi Standard – WiFi 6(802.11ax) standard supporting MU-MIMO and OFDMA technology for better efficiency and throughput.Antenna : External antenna x 4. Processor : Dual-core (4 VPE). Power Supply : AC Input : 110V~240V(50~60Hz), DC Output : 12 V with max. 1.5A current.
- Ultra-fast WiFi Speed – RT-AX1800S supports 1024-QAM for dramatically faster wireless connections
- Increase Capacity and Efficiency – Supporting not only MU-MIMO but also OFDMA technique to efficiently allocate channels, communicate with multiple devices simultaneously
- 5 Gigabit ports – One Gigabit WAN port and four Gigabit LAN ports, 10X faster than 100–Base T Ethernet.
- Commercial-grade Security Anywhere – Protect your home network with AiProtection Classic, powered by Trend Micro. And when away from home, ASUS Instant Guard gives you a one-click secure VPN.
An audit is an outside assessment of defined claims, scope, and period. It is meaningful evidence about the practices examined, but it is not proof of total anonymity or a guarantee that a VPN can never learn anything about a user. NordVPN’s vendor-authored 2026 review also describes encryption and security features; those company statements should be distinguished from the specific independent test findings above.
Is NordVPN good for streaming?
Tom’s Guide reports consistently strong streaming results in the services and regions its reviewers tested, but its March 27, 2026 retest found exceptions: YouTube US and Amazon Prime in Australia. A result for one service or location does not establish access to every catalog, account, or region. Availability can vary by service, server, location, and test date, so assess NordVPN against the particular service and country you intend to use.
Rank #3
- 【AC1200 Dual-band Wireless Router】Simultaneous dual-band with wireless speed up to 300 Mbps (2.4GHz) + 867 Mbps (5GHz). 2.4GHz band can handles some simple tasks like emails or web browsing while bandwidth intensive tasks such as gaming or 4K video streaming can be handled by the 5GHz band.*Speed tests are conducted on a local network. Real-world speeds may differ depending on your network configuration.*
- 【Easy Setup】Please refer to the User Manual and the Unboxing & Setup video guide on Amazon for detailed setup instructions and methods for connecting to the Internet.
- 【Pocket-friendly】Lightweight design(145g) which designed for your next trip or adventure. Alongside its portable, compact design makes it easy to take with you on the go.
- 【Full Gigabit Ports】Gigabit Wireless Internet Router with 2 Gigabit LAN ports and 1 Gigabit WAN ports, ideal for lots of internet plan and allow you to connect your wired devices directly.
- 【Keep your Internet Safe】IPv6 supported. OpenVPN & WireGuard pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers. Cloudflare encryption supported to protect the privacy.
Which limitations matter in everyday use?
Device limit
Security.org’s review, updated October 1, 2026, lists 10 simultaneous connections. Count the phones, computers, tablets, and other devices you expect to connect at the same time before deciding whether that allowance suits your household.
Double VPN and restrictive networks
Security.org describes NordVPN’s predefined Double VPN server-pair choices as limited and notes there is no guarantee it will work in restrictive countries. A multi-hop option is useful only if its available routes meet your needs; do not assume it will bypass network blocking.
Rank #4
- DUAL-BAND WIFI 6 ROUTER: Wi-Fi 6(802.11ax) technology achieves faster speeds, greater capacity and reduced network congestion compared to the previous gen. All WiFi routers require a separate modem. Dual-Band WiFi routers do not support the 6 GHz band.
- AX1800: Enjoy smoother and more stable streaming, gaming, downloading with 1.8 Gbps total bandwidth (up to 1200 Mbps on 5 GHz and up to 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz). Performance varies by conditions, distance to devices, and obstacles such as walls.
- CONNECT MORE DEVICES: Wi-Fi 6 technology communicates more data to more devices simultaneously using revolutionary OFDMA technology
- EXTENSIVE COVERAGE: Achieve the strong, reliable WiFi coverage with Archer AX1800 as it focuses signal strength to your devices far away using Beamforming technology, 4 high-gain antennas and an advanced front-end module (FEM) chipset
- OUR CYBERSECURITY COMMITMENT: TP-Link is a signatory of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) Secure-by-Design pledge. This device is designed, built, and maintained, with advanced security as a core requirement.
Torrenting and port forwarding
Tom’s Guide reports usable torrenting performance in its tests, while noting that not every NordVPN server supports torrenting and that the service does not offer port forwarding. If port forwarding is a requirement for your setup, compare providers on that feature before subscribing rather than assuming they are interchangeable.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Server-location counts
Security.org lists reach in 137 countries in its October 1, 2026 review. NordVPN presents its own location count differently. Since these figures may use different definitions or reflect different update timing, they should not be combined as though they measure the same thing.
Best Value
- 【DUAL BAND WIFI 7 TRAVEL ROUTER】Products with US, UK, EU, AU Plug; Dual band network with wireless speed 688Mbps (2.4G)+2882Mbps (5G); Dual 2.5G Ethernet Ports (1x WAN and 1x LAN Port); USB 3.0 port.
- 【NETWORK CONTROL WITH TOUCHSCREEN SIMPLICITY】Slate 7’s touchscreen interface lets you scan QR codes for quick Wi-Fi, monitor speed in real time, toggle VPN on/off, and switch providers directly on the display. Color-coded indicators provide instant network status updates for Ethernet, Tethering, Repeater, and Cellular modes, offering a seamless, user-friendly experience.
- 【OpenWrt 23.05 FIRMWARE】The Slate 7 (GL-BE3600) is a high-performance Wi-Fi 7 travel router, built with OpenWrt 23.05 (Kernel 5.4.213) for maximum customization and advanced networking capabilities. With 512MB storage, total customization with open-source freedom and flexible installation of OpenWrt plugins.
- 【VPN CLIENT & SERVER】OpenVPN and WireGuard are pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers (active subscription required). Simply log in to your existing VPN account with our portable wifi device, and Slate 7 automatically encrypts all network traffic within the connected network. Max. VPN speed of 100 Mbps (OpenVPN); 540 Mbps (WireGuard). *Speed tests are conducted on a local network. Real-world speeds may differ depending on your network configuration.*
- 【PERFECT PORTABLE WIFI ROUTER FOR TRAVEL】The Slate 7 is an ideal portable internet device perfect for international travel. With its mini size and travel-friendly features, the pocket Wi-Fi router is the perfect companion for travelers in need of a secure internet connectivity on the go in which includes hotels or cruise ships.
How much does NordVPN cost after the introductory plan?
No current plan price or renewal figure is established here, and VPN promotions, billing terms, and market-specific prices can change. Before paying, check the price shown for your country and plan at checkout, including the billing period and any displayed taxes. Confirm the renewal price and date, cancellation terms, and refund conditions in the terms presented for that purchase. Tom’s Guide warns that allowing a plan to renew can result in a substantial price increase, so the introductory price alone is not enough to judge long-term value.
Who should shortlist NordVPN—and what should they compare?
NordVPN is a reasonable candidate if its tested streaming coverage, feature set, and the scope of its audited privacy claims fit your priorities. It is a less straightforward fit if you need port forwarding, more than 10 simultaneous connections, dependable access on a restrictive network, or a known renewal cost before checkout.
ExpressVPN, Mullvad, ProtonVPN, and Surfshark appeared in the Artifact Security comparison, but the coverage cited here does not provide their scores. Compare those services directly on the points that affect your decision:
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →- Privacy: Check what each provider’s audit actually covered and when; do not treat “no logs” as a promise of total anonymity.
- Performance: Look for independent results relevant to your device, region, and protocol. A laboratory or route-pinned result is not a forecast of your home connection.
- Streaming: Seek results for your specific service and country, with a test date.
- Features: Confirm simultaneous-device limits, multi-hop options, kill-switch behavior, torrenting support, and whether port forwarding is available.
- Cost and support: Compare the full billing term, renewal price, cancellation and refund terms, and the support options offered in your market.
A router-level VPN setup may be useful if you want VPN coverage through a router, but the information available here does not verify a particular compatible router model. Confirm compatibility with current vendor setup instructions before choosing hardware.
Quick Recap
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