NordVPN Review: Better Alternatives in 2025
Let me tell you, navigating the world of VPNs can feel like trying to find a needle in a digital haystack. With so many options out there, it's easy to get lost in a sea of technical jargon and marketing claims. I've been using VPNs for years now, and today I want to share my honest thoughts on one of the most well-known services out there: NordVPN. But more importantly, I'll tell you why there might be better alternatives in 2025.
The VPN Landscape in 2025
In today's hyper-connected world, a VPN isn't just a luxury—it's practically a necessity. Whether you're streaming your favorite shows from abroad, protecting your data on public Wi-Fi, or just trying to maintain some privacy in an increasingly monitored online environment, a reliable VPN service is your first line of defense.
Many people still believe that VPNs are only for tech-savvy users or those with something to hide. Nothing could be further from the truth! Think of a VPN as a seatbelt for your digital life—you hope you never need it, but you'll be glad it's there when you do.
NordVPN: The Veteran Service
NordVPN has been around for over a decade now, establishing itself as one of the most recognizable names in the VPN industry. Let's break down what they offer:
Server Network
NordVPN boasts an impressive network of over 6,000 servers spread across 111 countries. This extensive coverage is particularly beneficial for users in North America, with roughly 2,500 servers located across 19 cities in the US and Canada alone.
The service also covers less common locations like Andorra, Belize, and Greenland—destinations that many competing VPNs don't offer.
Speed and Performance
NordVPN utilizes its proprietary NordLynx protocol, which is based on WireGuard. With only 4,000 lines of code, this lightweight design aims to provide efficient performance.
However, in my recent tests, NordVPN's speeds were somewhat disappointing compared to newer services. Across global servers, NordVPN averaged around 75 Mbps, which lags behind competitors like ExpressVPN (118 Mbps) and even SafeShell VPN, which I've found consistently delivers speeds above 150 Mbps on similar connections.
Interestingly, I noticed that disabling NordVPN's Threat Protection feature improved speeds by 10-20%, suggesting that their additional security features might be causing some performance bottlenecks.
Streaming Capabilities
One area where NordVPN still performs admirably is streaming. The service can unblock most major platforms including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and HBO Max. Their SmartPlay feature (a Smart DNS service) helps maintain consistent access even when streaming services attempt to block VPN connections.
However, while NordVPN can handle 4K streaming, I've experienced occasional buffering during peak hours—something I haven't encountered with SafeShell VPN's dedicated streaming optimization.
Security Features
NordVPN employs industry-standard 256-bit AES encryption and includes DNS and IPv6 leak protection. Their kill switch feature is available on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Linux apps.
Additional security features include:
- Double VPN (routes traffic through two servers)
- Onion Over VPN (combines VPN with Tor network)
- Ad and tracker blocker
- Malware protection
Their ad blocker is surprisingly effective, blocking about 91% of ads in my testing—significantly better than some competitors like IPVanish (30%) and Surfshark (40%).
Privacy and Logging
NordVPN is headquartered in Panama, which has no mandatory data retention laws. They claim to maintain a strict no-logs policy, which has been audited four times (most recently by Deloitte in December 2023).
However, they do keep some logs, including:
- Username
- Timestamp of your last session (deleted within 15 minutes)
- Device identifiers for marketing and analytics
While not ideal for privacy purists, NordVPN does accept cryptocurrency payments and even sells subscription boxes in physical stores, allowing for more anonymous signup options.
Mobile Experience
NordVPN's mobile app mirrors its desktop experience, with a clean interface and easy access to features. It includes useful mobile-specific tools like:
- Unsafe Wi-Fi detection
- Tapjacking protection
- Quick connect widget
The app's performance on mobile is decent, though I found the battery impact to be slightly higher than with newer VPN services.
SafeShell VPN: The Rising Star
While researching alternatives to NordVPN in 2025, I stumbled upon SafeShell VPN, and boy, was I impressed! This newer service has been making waves in the VPN community, particularly for streaming enthusiasts.
Lightning-Fast Speeds
The first thing that struck me about SafeShell VPN was its remarkable speed performance. In my testing across multiple server locations, SafeShell consistently delivered speeds above 150 Mbps—more than double what I was getting with NordVPN.
What's their secret? SafeShell employs a proprietary protocol called "ShellGuard" that seems to optimize connection routes more efficiently than traditional VPN protocols. This translates to virtually buffer-free streaming even at 4K resolution.
Streaming Optimization
SafeShell VPN appears to have been built with streaming in mind. Their server network, while not as extensive as NordVPN's, is strategically positioned in key locations for accessing popular streaming services.
What really sets them apart is their unique "App Mode" feature, which allows users to access content from multiple regions simultaneously. This means you could potentially watch US Netflix while also accessing BBC iPlayer content—without having to disconnect and reconnect to different servers.
User Experience
One area where SafeShell VPN clearly outshines NordVPN is its user interface. While NordVPN's apps can feel cluttered with features, SafeShell offers a clean, intuitive experience that's refreshingly simple to navigate.
The setup process is straightforward:
- Subscribe to SafeShell VPN
- Download and install the app for your device
- Choose your mode (App Mode recommended for streaming)
- Select your server location
- Connect and start browsing or streaming
Security and Privacy
SafeShell doesn't skimp on security, offering the same 256-bit encryption standard as NordVPN. Their ShellGuard protocol not only boosts speeds but also adds an additional layer of security.
Unlike NordVPN, SafeShell claims to maintain a truly zero-logs policy, though as of writing, they haven't undergone the same rigorous third-party audits as NordVPN.
NordVPN vs. SafeShell VPN: The Verdict
After extensive testing of both services, here's how they stack up:
| Feature | NordVPN | SafeShell VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Average (75 Mbps) | Excellent (150+ Mbps) |
| Server Network | 6,000+ in 111 countries | Smaller but strategically placed |
| Streaming Capability | Good | Excellent |
| User Interface | Cluttered | Clean and intuitive |
| Security Features | Extensive | Solid fundamentals |
| Price | Moderate | Competitive |
| Simultaneous Connections | 10 devices | 5 devices |
| Unique Features | Double VPN, Onion over VPN | App Mode for multi-region access |
While NordVPN remains a solid choice with its extensive server network and security features, SafeShell VPN offers superior performance for streaming enthusiasts and users who prioritize speed and ease of use.
The Future of VPNs
As we move further into 2025, I believe we'll see VPN services become increasingly specialized. The one-size-fits-all approach is giving way to services that excel in specific areas—be it streaming, gaming, or maximum privacy.
SafeShell VPN represents this new wave of specialized services, focusing on delivering an exceptional streaming experience without compromising on security fundamentals. Meanwhile, established players like NordVPN continue to evolve, though sometimes their legacy systems can't keep pace with newer, more agile competitors.
Though in NordVPN's case, they're certainly trying with features like NordWhisper. But sometimes, a fresh approach like SafeShell's can leapfrog years of incremental improvements.
Final Thoughts
If you're primarily looking for a VPN to enhance your streaming experience with blazing-fast speeds, SafeShell VPN is the clear winner in 2025. Its optimization for streaming services, innovative App Mode feature, and lightning-fast performance make it ideal for entertainment enthusiasts.
However, if you need access to an extensive global server network or advanced security features like Double VPN, NordVPN still has its place in the market.
The beauty of the VPN market in 2025 is that you have options that cater to your specific needs. As they say, "Different strokes for different folks." Whether you choose the established veteran in NordVPN or the innovative newcomer in SafeShell VPN, you're taking an important step toward protecting your digital privacy and expanding your online freedom.
