NordVPN achieves excellent results in latest security and performance evaluation
The test was conducted by West Coast Labs in March 2025 and praised NordVPN's strong results, cementing its reputation as the best VPN on the market.
West Coast Labs carried out the evaluation under AMTSO (Anti-Malware Testing Standards Organization) guidelines and examined NordVPN's performance across key technical categories.
Speed, security, and reliability were the main focuses and NordVPN was put up against three randomly selected, undisclosed, competitors.
West Coast Labs conducted the test on NordVPN's Windows 10 and 11 VPN applications, using a high-speed 1 Gbps connection.
Main areas of focus included:
Split tunneling and the kill switch were confirmed to be working and secure. For the most secure VPNs, a functioning and reliable kill switch is a non-negotiable feature. It cuts your internet connection should your VPN fail, ensuring your data is never unprotected.
Auto-launch on boot and auto-connect were also examined and performed consistently and correctly.
The Ookla speed test tool was used to measure VPN speeds, latency, and connection time. The regions tested were the UK, France, Netherlands, Germany, East Asia, Australia (east coast), and the U.S. (west coast).
NordVPN is one of the fastest VPNs and the highest download speed recorded in this test was 920 Mbps – recorded on a U.S. server. This is just short of the 950+ Mbps we found in our own testing.
Compared to the undisclosed competitors, NordVPN delivered 15.2% faster downloads, 12.4% faster uploads, and 7.9% lower latency.
The average time for NordVPN to establish a secure, encrypted tunnel was 1.67 seconds.
West Coast Labs noted this was 36.1% faster than the industry average. This was measured from the moment a user initiated a connection to the point when traffic was securely routed through the VPN.
Eight separate leak scenarios were tested, including IP address, DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6 leak checks, as well as protection during server switching, Wi-Fi hotspot changes, and mobile data transitions.
Two advanced cases were also tested. This was a split-tunneling flaw and the TunnelVision attack – a known vulnerability that can be particularly challenging to defend against.
All scenarios were passed with good marks, demonstrating NordVPN's class-leading privacy and security.
Some websites may identify the fact you're using a VPN and a small number might even block you from accessing the site.
West Coast Labs tried to access 100 of the most visited websites, both before and after connecting to NordVPN. There was a 100% success rate, with all sites remaining accessible. However, some CAPTCHA challenges were experienced.
Finally, NordVPN had a minimal impact on system performance. Compared to no VPN connection, memory usage increased by 1.1% and processor usage increased by 3.8%.
If you want to see more detail, you can read the West Coast Labs report in full.
"Independent testing is one of the most honest measures of our work," said Marijus Briedis, CTO at NordVPN.
"This evaluation confirms that NordVPN delivers strong security while maintaining high levels of speed and usability – a result we're proud to stand behind."
"We design it to work quietly in the background – quick to connect, light on system resources, and ready to protect across a range of scenarios, including those that test for serious vulnerabilities like TunnelVision. It's good to see those goals confirmed."
NordVPN regularly undergoes independent audits, verifying its commitment to privacy and security.
At the end of 2024, it had its no-logs policy audited for a fifth time, as well as its security credentials – both audits yielded positive results.
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Tom's Guide
an hour ago
- Tom's Guide
The debate over the UK's Online Safety Act intensifies as internet users share their thoughts
The week following the Online Safety Act's implementation in the U.K. has seen people react with strong opinions and engage in heated debates. The law requires age verification checks to be completed to view content marked as "explicit" or deemed unsafe for under-18s to access. But searches for the best VPNs have surged as people look to bypass age verification checks due to their perceived cybersecurity risks. Photo IDs, credit card information and selfies are just some of the personal information that need to be submitted, and many are concerned about how this data is stored and the consequences of a breach. A petition calling on the UK government to repeal the act has reached over 460,000 signatures, and people have been sharing their views on the issue. NordVPN: our top-rated VPN overallFrom our testing, we consider NordVPN to be the best VPN for most people. This is down to its rock-solid security and privacy, excellent speeds and great unblocking performance. Prices start from £2.31 / $2.91 per month for a two-year subscription, which includes an exclusive four months free for Tom's Guide readers. Plus, you can get an Amazon gift card worth up to £50 / $50 if you sign up for NordVPN's Plus or Complete memberships. A 30-day money-back guarantee applies to all subscriptions. The Online Safety Act is well-intentioned, and it's right to protect vulnerable internet users from seeing harmful content. But the privacy dangers need to be addressed, and this is the argument many opponents to the legislation are making. One Reddit user was bothered by censorship. They said: "I don't want to give my ID to a third-party company that could easily be faked on a scam website and I don't like the path this is heading on especially with censoring information such as Wikipedia and even music on Spotify." Content we wouldn't typically consider as "explicit material" has been subject to age verification checks. Music streaming service Spotify is reportedly asking users to verify their age. Social media site X and Reddit are implementing checks, and the BBC has reported posts detailing information about conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine are being restructured. Another Reddit user corroborated these reports by saying, "in the last few days, they've restricted access to safe spaces for abuse survivors, subs about alcohol, Wikipedia articles, certain news pages, Spotify now apparently requires it to listen to some content." People seem to be frustrated about the wide reach of these checks. "I shouldn't have to hand my ID over now to an American company just to listen to certain content on Spotify," a Reddit user said. Another called it "creepy all round." Being scammed was a worry for some people, and the huge database of personal data that will inevitably be created makes this understandable. People believe the idea of a breach is inevitable. "Having to give your ID to every website that asks for it is just going to result in lots more people getting scammed and people getting their private data stolen when these companies invariably get a security breach," commented one Reddit user. This idea of "when, not if" was also shared by cybersecurity experts. Windscribe VPN founder Yegor Sak said: "These laws are a disaster waiting to happen." Obscura VPN founder Carl Dong said the law was a "ticking time-bomb for the privacy of U.K. citizens." Some people appear to be frustrated that genuine good intentions have been hampered by poor cybersecurity practices. "A lot of the ideas for the legislation they're writing are good, just poorly executed due to rushing the process," a Reddit user said. "If they took their time and actually thought through the legislation they're proposing they'd almost certainly have a win on their hands." One BBC commenter said the government should've set up a service or a national agency to provide a more secure age verification service and not rely on third parties. A section of people online will be aware of how dangerous handing out our sensitive personal data can be. But there will be many in the U.K. who genuinely don't know. A Reddit user asked an important question. "Does anyone know what the consequences or negatives of verifying your age are? Who holds the information? What can they do with this information?" Despite the strong opposition, a YouGov poll has found the majority of Britons surveyed support the law — although this has declined slightly in the week since it came into effect. As of July 31, 69% said they support the law compared to 80% pre-implementation. Opposition has increased from 14% to 22%. YouGov also found that as of July 31, 26% of Britons had encountered age verification checks, but 68% hadn't. Some Reddit users dismissed concerns and compared the law to showing ID when buying alcohol. This is true, although a bartender or shop assistant doesn't store and/or record your ID after verifying your age. Others said our data already exists out there, and these ID checks won't make a difference. One told people to "get a grip," adding, "if you've been clicking accept on the cookie notice, have a Facebook account, or even worse use your Facebook account to login to other sites then you're already 100% compromised." "Sharing a selfie with Persona [an age-check service] to access adult content won't do any more damage." Replying to the above, a user said, "I'm honestly baffled that so many people really thought that they were hiding their identity and information before this." MP Peter Kyle is the U.K.'s Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology. Kyle has been very vocal in his support for the Online Safety Act and called it "the biggest step forward in child safety since the internet was created." If you want to overturn the Online Safety Act you are on the side of predators. It is as simple as that. 29, 2025 However, he has also attracted controversy with some of his comments attacking those who oppose the law. In a post on X, Kyle doubled down and said, "if you want to overturn the Online Safety Act you are on the side of predators. It is as simple as that." The act is being enforced by U.K. regulator OFCOM. It said the law was a "key step in helping to protect children from harmful content when they're online." We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
Business Upturn
4 hours ago
- Business Upturn
Travel eSIM app Saily debuts Ultra, a new premium plan for unparalleled journeys
By GlobeNewswire Published on August 1, 2025, 17:00 IST LONDON, Aug. 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NordVPN's travel eSIM app Saily is launching a premium subscription plan, Saily Ultra , which offers unlimited global eSIM data combined with special benefits for travelers. 'The Saily Ultra plan is designed for travelers who demand the best, blending convenience, premium service, and innovation,' says Vykintas Maknickas, CEO of Saily . 'We're taking care of your connectivity needs, increasing online privacy and security, and providing extra luxuries on the go — all in one plan. What the fintech business did to the financial sector, we're doing to telecommunications.' The Saily Ultra plan combines top-tier essentials with exclusive perks: Unlimited global data coverage. Saily Ultra enables users to browse however much they need, all while crossing borders. The plan provides unlimited eSIM connectivity in more than 110 destinations. Saily Ultra enables users to browse however much they need, all while crossing borders. The plan provides unlimited eSIM connectivity in more than 110 destinations. State-of-the-art cybersecurity tools. Alongside Saily's built-in security features, Ultra users get access to Nord Security's full product suite — monthly subscriptions to the advanced cybersecurity tool NordVPN , password manager NordPass , secure cloud storage NordLocker , and personal data removal service Incogni . Alongside Saily's built-in security features, Ultra users get access to Nord Security's full product suite — monthly subscriptions to the advanced cybersecurity tool , password manager , secure cloud storage , and personal data removal service . 8% back in Saily credits. Ultra users get back 8% on purchases in the form of credits, while other Saily users receive up to 5%. Ultra users get back 8% on purchases in the form of credits, while other Saily users receive up to 5%. Ultra plan also grants priority access to Saily's 24/7 support team. to Saily's 24/7 support team. Additional features are coming soon. Access to airport lounges, fast tracks, and more information about new benefits will be released soon. The monthly plan offers auto-renewal, as well as complete freedom to cancel and reactivate it at any time. The convenience of the Saily Ultra plan is ideal for frequent and business travelers, as well as digital nomads. Business travelers can rely on Ultra for seamless travel and quick communication, while digital nomads benefit from reliable data and strong cybersecurity for remote work. For frequent travelers, Ultra means less airport chaos with lounge access and fast-track lines. An eSIM service — and much more Saily has been focusing on expanding its offering. During the past year, the eSIM app has introduced numerous connectivity and convenience-related features — flexible unlimited data plans, auto top-ups, new plans for countries and regions. The introduction of unique security features made Saily stand out from the other travel eSIM services even more. Virtual location, web protection, and ad blocker transformed Saily from an eSIM service provider to a comprehensive security app for travelers. When using Saily's security features, users can change their geolocation and block potentially malicious websites, trackers, and ads. Third-party audits showed that users save 28.6% of their mobile data on average with the ad blocker enabled. 'We're challenging traditional value propositions and moving past old telco standards. By putting our users first, we're able to continuously innovate and provide services travelers actually need, beyond just connectivity,' says Maknickas. 'Saily was already more than just an eSIM app with the security features integrated, but with Saily Ultra, we are really pushing the boundaries of what users can expect from a travel eSIM service.' ABOUT SAILY Saily is an innovative and secure travel eSIM app that helps people to manage mobile and internet connections from anywhere in the world. Saily offers 24/7 instant customer support, flexible plans, and coverage in 200+ destinations. Saily was created by the experts behind NordVPN — the advanced security and privacy app. For more information: More information: [email protected] Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with GlobeNewswire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same. Ahmedabad Plane Crash GlobeNewswire provides press release distribution services globally, with substantial operations in North America and Europe.
Tom's Guide
5 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
Will the UK government ban VPNs?
With the passing of the Online Safety Act on July 25, 2025, sites now need to verify UK users' ages if they wish to access content that has been deemed adult. Due to the manifold security and privacy concerns raised by the act, UK residents have started to find various ways to avoid having to submit personal information to verify their age, including using the best VPNs. This is because a VPN allows you to simply connect to a overseas server from within the UK and avoid age checks altogether. However, the rise in demand for VPNs has led some to fear that they will be next on the legislative chopping block – but is there any truth to this? NordVPN: our top-rated VPN overallFrom our testing, we consider NordVPN to be the best VPN for most people. This is down to its rock-solid security and privacy, excellent speeds and great unblocking performance. Prices start from £2.31 / $2.91 per month for a two-year subscription, which includes an exclusive four months free for Tom's Guide readers. Plus, you can get an Amazon gift card worth up to £50 / $50 if you sign up for NordVPN's Plus or Complete memberships. A 30-day money-back guarantee applies to all subscriptions. Due to one of the key features of VPNs being the ability to mimic connecting from another country (see our list of best Netflix VPNs to see what this looks like in action), there is some concern that the Labour government will clamp down on them. Sarah Champion, Labour MP for Rotherham, stated in 2022 regarding VPNs and the Online Safety Act that "there is a real threat that the use of virtual private networks – VPNs – could undermine the effectiveness of these measures." She went on to suggest that "If VPNs cause significant issues, the Government must identify those issues and find solutions, rather than avoiding difficult problems." In a post on X on July 28th, Champion responded to news of VPNs topping App Store charts by saying "I did warn the last government this would happen." Despite this, the Labour government does not appear to be considering banning VPNs. While Peter Kyle, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, stated via X that those that oppose the Online Safety Act are "on the side of predators," he also told Sky News that there were currently no plans to ban VPNs. He did, however, state that he would be looking "very closely" at their use as, according to Kyle, 'the vast majority of adults in [the UK]' were abiding by the Act's guidelines. Were the UK to attempt to ban VPNs, it would join the likes of China, Iran, and Turkmenistan, among others, all of whom have either banned or restricted the use of VPNs due to their ability to circumvent censorship and content restrictions. However, it is still possible to access VPNs in these countries, despite the attempted bans. Obfuscation using Shadowsocks, or simply using newer servers that have not yet been blacklisted, can allow for connections. Governments are also unable to directly regulate VPN providers that are based outside their jurisdiction. The infeasibility of blocking VPNs has not stopped other countries from trying, however. This can make life more difficult for VPN users, not to mention the chaos that would likely occur due to VPNs being incredibly common among business users. China is at the forefront of internet surveillance and censorship, and has some of the strictest VPN laws, but it still cannot achieve total victory over VPNs – particularly those focused on privacy. Let us assume that the UK government does decide to block VPNs. While this would likely be ineffectual, due to the ability to completely anonymously pay for a VPN with cryptocurrency – or in the case of Mullvad and Proton VPN, with cash – and the level of obfuscation VPNs use to avoid detection, it would still set an extremely dangerous precedent. The UK is already a world leader in mass surveillance, thanks to GCHQ and NSA collaboration. Putting privacy even further out of reach of the masses would be a move that should set alarm bells ringing in all of our heads. The UK banning VPNs is ultimately a fairly unlikely outcome. However, we cannot be certain that VPNs won't end up in the government's firing line eventually. Privacy is not, and should never become, a crime. We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
