NordVPN Standard vs Plus vs Complete: A review +65% OFF

With its dark web monitor, dedicated IP, high speed, global coverage features, and multiple device support, Nord VPN is one of the best VPN services you can use. 

But the challenge here is to identify the NordVPN pricing plan that suits your needs. Is it Nord VPN Standard or NordVPN Plus?

As an online business owner, I use NordVPN and have also done research on each of the plans.

In this guide, I shared my findings with you on the 3 pricing plans NordVPN offers, namely Standard, Plus, and Complete, and most especially do a NordVPN Standard vs NordVPN Plus comparison.

I aim to help you choose the best plan that matches your requirements.

NordVPN Standard vs NordVPN Plus: A Comparison Table

	NordVPN Standard	NordVPN Plus
Cross-platform password manager	No	Yes
Data breach scanner	No	Yes
Kill switch	Yes	Yes
Streaming services	Yes, Netflix, Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Disney	Yes, Netflix, Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Disney
Device connection	6	6
High speed	AV-TEST certified high speed	AV-TEST certified high speed
Server	5700+ servers in 60 regions	5700+ servers in 60 regions
No log policy	Yes	Yes
Ad blocker	Yes	Yes
Tracker blocker	Yes	Yes
Auto-connect	Yes	Yes
Dark web monitor	Yes	Yes
Pricing	Starts at $12/month	Starts at $13.79/month
Money-back guarantee	30-days money back guarantee	30-days money back guarantee
Offers	Try NordVpN Standard and Get 65% OFF + 3 Months Extra	Try NordVpN Plus and Get 65% OFF + 3 Months Extra

NordVPN Standard vs Plus: What’s the difference? Which is better?

There are differences between NordVPN Standard plan and the Plus plan.

For example, the Plus plan has the Data Breach Scanner which checks if your credit card details, email, and password have appeared in a data breach. This is an important feature you need if you run an online business and often make online payments using your credit card.

The same is true if you shop on ecommerce platforms like Amazon, eBay, and AliExpress. If you’re on the Plus plan, you get an alert of this, how it happened, and tailored recommendations on how to prevent it from happening again. Unfortunately, the Standard Plan doesn’t support this feature. 

Another is the cross-platform password manager. You enjoy this feature on the Plus plan which backs and syncs your passwords automatically and allows you to access them in an encrypted password vault. If you have employees that work remotely, this feature will ensure their login passwords to access sensitive information at the workplace have high-end protection and backup. The Standard plan doesn’t have this feature.

When it comes to price, Standard plan is cheaper than Plus. 

However, the features you need as a business to keep your activities and that of your employees safe at the maximum level are available on the Plus plan. 

Standard plan features are suitable for individuals that just want to browse safely on the internet, block files that contain malware, and access content from different locations around the world.

If you’re in a hurry, below is a summary of NordVPN pricing plans:

NordVPN Standard Review 

The Standard plan is the cheapest plan NordVPN offers. It costs $12/month for a monthly plan, $4.99/month for the first 1-year plan, and $3.79/month for the first 2-year plan. 

Its features are as follows:

• VPN servers in 59 countries 
• Protect up to 6 devices at once
• Dark web monitor alerts you when it discovers your account has been compromised. 
• Supports safe browsing with lightweight proxy extensions for Edge, Chrome, and Firefox
• Encrypt your internet connection, reclaim your digital privacy, and access your favorite content irrespective of where you are.
• Malware protection that warns you of unsafe sites, scans and automatically deletes all unsafe files you downloaded.
• Tracker and ad blocker to stop annoying ads and pop-ups that show when you browse a website. You also prevent third-party websites from tracking your online activities.
• Dedicated IP in 13 North America, Europe, and Asian countries ( a paid add-on that attracts an extra $3.79/month)
• Incogni data removal tool that keeps your personal information off the internet ( a paid add-on that attracts extra $3.69/month)

NordVPN Plus Review 

The Plus plan is higher compared to the Standard plan and lower compared to the Complete plan. It’s also the most popular NordVPN plan because of its mid-range features. 

The Plus plan costs $13.79 per month for a one-month plan, $5.79 per month for the first 1-year plan, and $4.49 per month for the first 2-year plan. 

Its features are as follows:

• Data breach scanner to check if your email, password, or credit card details have appeared in a data breach and if yes, what may have caused it. This feature is helpful if you often use your credit cards to shop online as scammers might be keeping tabs to steal your sensitive details. Interestingly, NordVPN makes personalized recommendations that help you keep safe.
• Cross-platform password manager that automatically syncs and backup passwords across all your devices. Then you can access them in an encrypted password vault from your browser extension or app. This measure ensures your passwords are kept safe and known to you alone. 
• Plus every feature and add-on available on the Standard plan.

NordVPN Complete Review

The Complete plan is the highest plan NordVPN offers. It has advanced features more than the Plus and Standard plans. 

You pay $14.99/month for a monthly plan, $6.99/month for a 1-year plan, and $5.79/month for a 2-year plan. 

Its features are as follows:

• Has next file generation encryption to keep your file, identify data, and digital signatures safe on your devices and cloud.
• 1 TB cloud storage to secure any file size using end-to-end encryption and keep them handy in a zero-knowledge private cloud. What I like about it is that you can safely share any file in the cloud with your other devices or other people.
• Plus every feature available on the Plus plan

NordVPN Plan Comparison In A Tabular Form

NordVPN Standard vs Complete: What’s the difference; which is better?

Here we compare the least and the highest plan NordVPN offers. There are huge differences between Standard and Complete NordVPN plans. And in terms of advanced security features, the Complete plan offers them more than Standard plan.

The Complete plan has 1 terabyte cloud storage that secures any type of file your business has using end-to-end encryption. It also keeps them in a zero-knowledge private cloud.

A large enterprise that has volumes of sensitive files can store its files on this storage and have peace of mind. Your employees either in the office or at home can safely access them across all authorized devices. The Standard plan doesn’t support cloud storage. 

The Next generation ciphers and cryptography algorithm isn’t available on the Standard plan. These are the latest blockchain technologies used to keep your digital signatures, files, and identity data safe on the cloud and your devices, and it’s available on NordVPN Complete plan.

The Data Breach Scanner and Cross Platform Password Manager which the Plus plan supports are also available on the Complete plan but unavailable on the Standard plan.

The advantage Standard plan has over the Complete plan is price. It’s about $3 cheaper than Complete. 

But it’s up to you to choose affordability over advanced security features your business needs to always stay safe online.

Reviews Of NordVPN Users On Trustpilot 

Trustpilot is a popular platform where customers give their honest review about the tools they use. NordVPN has 75% star ratings on Trustpilot from over 25, 770 customers that gave their opinion on it. 

Don’t take my word for it, below is a screenshot I took from Trustpilot which shows the reviews of NordVPN users.

Many of these reviews testified to high speed, advanced security, global coverage, and responsive customer support of NordVPN.

Key Features Of NordVPN 

NordVPN has advanced features that protect your online activities and that of your business anytime and anywhere. Whether on your mobile app or website, you are protected provided your device is connected to it.

Threat Protection – protect you from internet threats like malware, web trackers, etc

Meshnet – Use it to create your own private encrypted network for safe sharing of files LAN or work parties. With this feature, you bypass password-sharing limitations. All your device traffic is combined into a single stream thus preventing services like Netflix noticing you are using multiple devices in multiple locations. Meshnet is a good feature for accessing Netflix and other streaming services while traveling abroad.

Dark Web Monitor – Get instant alert when your sensitive details have been leaked to the dark web. 

Dedicated IP – Use it to maintain your online reputation while skipping access to IP-restricted networks. Keep in mind that this is an add-on that attracts an additional fee and is available on all plans. 

The video below shows why you need a dedicated IP address:

Auto-connect – Use the auto-connect feature to automatically connect to a VPN anytime you join a Wi-Fi Network. This ensures your data is safe whether you use a public hotspot or your private Wi-Fi. 

Multiple Device – With one NordVPN account, you can connect up to 6 devices at once. Whether it’s your smartphone, laptop, or smart TV, it has apps for all operating systems. 

Speed – A test run by AV-TEST, an independent Security IT institute shows that NordVPN has an edge over other VPN services in terms of speed.

Below is a result of a test run in the US, UK, and Japan using average download speed. 

Read the full report of this speed test here.

Multiple Server – Over 5700 servers in 60 different countries. Not only that, these servers are fast to connect to. And I noticed that NordVPN even helps you connect to a faster server. Just login to your account, choose a country and NordVPN will help you get the best server. This is the best approach to avoid lagging and kicking off the network. 

What are the pros and cons of NordVPN?

No VPN service is perfect. They all have pros and cons and NordVPN isn’t an exception. 

Below are the good and bad sides of NordVPN you should keep in mind.

Pros of NordVPN

• Maximum speed and security are guaranteed. You won’t experience a leak of your IP address or DNS requests which is common with other VPN services. 
• The interface is user-friendly, and you don’t need to be tech-savvy to use it.
• A No-log policy meaning even NordVPN cannot see your online activities.
• Unlimited bandwidth 
• Has a 30-day free trial 
• Fast and responsive customer support. I checked their review on Trustpilot and almost all the verified users testify of fast and responsive customer support.
• Streaming content on Netflix US, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, Hulu, HBO, and other online streaming services is fast and secure.
• High-performing Kill Switch feature that ensures your IP and sensitive details are protected if your VPN connection drops out.
• Regular updates with new features suitable for accessing US servers, torrenting, and customization.
• Has a 30-day money-back guarantee 

Cons of NordVPN 

• Windows applications sometimes crash during boot up
• Occasionally issues with software upgrades on Apple devices

Is NordVPN trustworthy?

Yes, NordVPN is trustworthy! From my experience with the free trial, it has an advanced security feature you need to keep your online activities safe. I like the Kill Switch feature which automatically disconnects devices from the internet if your VPN connection drops. This ensures your IP address and other sensitive information aren’t exposed. 

Where is NordVPN located?

NordVPN is located and based in Panama which is not part of any surveillance. This means it can’t be forced to hand over sensitive information to any government or business.

What is the best NordVPN protocol?

NordVPN supports a number of security encrypted protocols but the purpose and security level of these VPN protocols vary according to the customer’s needs. However, NordVPN wants to help its customers choose the best NordVPN and this article from its support team suggests OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, and WireGuard as the best NordVPN protocols. 

Why is NordVPN the best?

Compared to its close rivals like Express VPN, ProtonVPN, and CyberGhost VPN, Nord VPN has an edge in terms of speed and advanced security features. For example, its Kill Switch feature performs better than others according to what users say on Reddit. On Trustpilot, verified users testify to its speed and responsive customer support. Not to talk of its affordable pricing when compared to Express VPN. These are what make NordVPN the best compared to its competitors. 

How much does NordVPN cost per month?

NordVPN has 3 plans and their cost per month is as follows:

Standard Plan – $12 per month 

Plus Plan – $13.79 per month 

Complete Plan – $14.99 per month

Is NordVPN’s 2-year Plan worth it?

Yes, NordVPN’s 2-year plan is worth it because you enjoy over 50% discount which equals getting an extra 3 months free. 

For the Standard plan, you pay $3.79/month instead of $12/month

For the Plus plan, you pay $4.59/month instead of $13.79

For the Complete plan, you pay $5.79/month instead of $14.99/month 

Is NordVPN owned by Google?

No, Google isn’t the owner of NordVPN. Nord Security formerly Tefincom S.A. owns NordVPN, and it is registered in Panama, a jurisdiction that is outside the 14-eyes alliance. So the company can’t be compelled by the government or business to leak sensitive details of users.

Can NordVPN Block Ads?

Yes, NordVPN can block ads. It has an ad blocker to prevent annoying ads and pop-ups that show when you browse some websites.

Can NordVPN Bypass Netflix?

It is legal to access Netflix using VPN and NordVPN is one of the few VPNs that have been able to bypass Netflix after its recent crackdown on the use of Virtual Private Networks to access its services. So if you’re looking for tactics to unblock Netflix and enjoy its content irrespective of your location, NordVPN has you covered. 

Which NordVPN Server Works With Netflix?

There are a lot of NordVPN servers that work with Netflix. VPNranks ran a test that accessed Netflix library with NordVPN and how much the NordVPN Netflix servers delivered during the test is shown in the table below: 

Which NordVPN Server Works With Amazon Prime?

Amazon Prime doesn’t allow you to access its content once you leave the region stated in your billing address. But with NordVPN Server, you can bypass this. 

As a paid customer of Amazon Prime, use NordVPN Server of the location you are to access Amazon Prime. 

For example, if your Amazon Prime billing address shows you are in the US, and you flew to France and still want to access Amazon Prime, just connect to any NordVPN server in France and you are good to go. 

Keep in mind that NordVPN supports this service for the following countries only:

• United States
• Canada
• Japan 
• France
• United Kingdom 
• Germany 
• Italy 
• Spain 

Does NordVPN Have A Family Plan?

NordVPN doesn’t offer a family plan. But a single NordVPN account is enough to keep the online activities of your household safe. For example, the Standard Plan allows you to connect up to 6 devices.

 So if you have a family of 6, and you all use smart devices, you can connect the 6 devices including your router to NordVPN. A single NordVPN subscription is enough to protect the online activities of your family. 

Is NordVPN Plus worth it?

Yes, NordVPN Plus is worth it if you want more advanced features. For example, it has the Data Breach Scanner which checks if your sensitive details have appeared in a data breach and offers solutions on how to prevent it. Another is the Cross-platform Password Manager which automatically syncs and backs up your password across all devices, so you can safely access them in an encrypted password vault. These important features aren’t available on the Standard plan.

How many devices does NordVPN Standard cover?

NordVPN Standard plan covers 6 devices. This means you can connect and protect your online activities while operating 6 different devices.

Is it worth it to get NordVPN Complete?

If you want more storage and end-to-end file encryption, then NordVPN Complete is worth getting. Businesses that want to protect large volumes of files will need this plan.

Final thought on comparison of NordVPN plans

Choosing any of the NordVPN plans we discussed above depends on your needs. 

Generally, all the plans have advanced features you can get in any VPN service like Meshnet, Kill Switch, No-log policy, Unlimited bandwidth, and Speed. 

 But the Complete plan has more advanced features like 1 terabyte cloud storage and next-generation file encryption which large businesses need to protect their activities and that of their employees online. 

So choosing a plan depends on your need after comparing it against the features each of the plans offers. 

Begin with the 30-day free trial to have a hand experience before committing to it.