Introduction
When people start researching VPNs, one of the first questions they ask is simple: “How much does it cost?”
In 2025, VPNs have become essential tools for privacy, security, and streaming freedom. Whether you’re working remotely, traveling, or just want to protect your data on public Wi‑Fi, a VPN is no longer a luxury — it’s a necessity.
Among the many providers, NordVPN stands out as one of the most trusted names in the industry. It’s known for its balance of affordability, advanced security features, and global server coverage. But the NordVPN cost depends on which plan you choose, how long you subscribe, and whether you take advantage of seasonal discounts.
This guide is designed to give you the complete picture of NordVPN pricing in 2025. We’ll cover:
- General VPN pricing ranges (so you know how NordVPN compares)
- NordVPN subscription plans and monthly costs
- Features included in each plan
- Seasonal discounts and best times to buy
- Competitor comparisons (ExpressVPN, Surfshark, CyberGhost, ProtonVPN)
- Free vs paid VPNs
- Factors that influence VPN prices
- FAQs about NordVPN
By the end, you’ll know exactly which NordVPN subscription offers the best value for your needs.
How Much Does a VPN Cost in General?
Before diving into NordVPN specifically, it helps to understand the VPN market as a whole.
- Free VPNs: $0, but with major limitations (data caps, ads, fewer servers, weaker security).
- Budget VPNs: $2–$4/month (long‑term plans).
- Mid‑range VPNs: $5–$8/month.
- Premium VPNs: $9–$15/month.
👉 NordVPN sits in the mid‑range category, but with long‑term plans it drops to budget pricing while still offering premium features.
How Much Does NordVPN Cost in 2025?
NordVPN pricing depends on your subscription length. The longer the plan, the lower the monthly cost.
| Plan Length | Basic Plan | Plus Plan | Complete Plan | Prime Plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Month | $12.99 | $13.99 | $14.99 | $17.99 |
| 1 Year (Yearly Plan) | $4.99/mo | $5.99/mo | $6.99/mo | $8.99/mo |
| 2 Years | $3.09/mo | $3.99/mo | $4.99/mo | $6.99/mo |
👉 Best Value: The 2‑year plan offers the lowest NordVPN , saving up to 70% compared to monthly billing.
What’s Included in Each NordVPN Plan?
NordVPN offers four main subscription tiers in 2025. Each plan builds on the previous one, adding extra tools and protections. Here’s a closer look:
🔹 1. Basic Plan
- Core VPN service with AES‑256 encryption
- Kill switch to prevent data leaks if the VPN disconnects
- Unlimited bandwidth and fast speeds
- Access to servers in all locations (60+ countries, 5,000+ servers)
- Connect up to 10 devices simultaneously
- 24/7 customer support
- 30‑day money‑back guarantee (risk‑free trial)
👉 Best for: Users who just need a reliable VPN service for streaming, browsing, and public Wi‑Fi protection.
🔹 2. Plus Plan
Everything in Basic, plus:
- NordPass password manager — securely stores and auto‑fills your logins
- Data breach scanner — alerts you if your email or passwords are leaked online
👉 Best for: Users who want both VPN protection and stronger password security.
🔹 3. Complete Plan
Everything in Plus, plus:
- NordLocker encrypted cloud storage (1TB) — secure file storage and sharing
👉 Best for: Families or professionals who need both VPN protection and encrypted file storage.
🔹 4. Prime Plan
Everything in Complete, plus:
- Identity theft protection
- Dark web monitoring — alerts you if your personal data appears on the dark web
👉 Best for: Businesses, freelancers, or anyone handling sensitive data who needs maximum protection.
Why NordVPN’s Features Justify the Cost
NordVPN isn’t just about hiding your IP address. Its security features and extras make the subscription cost worthwhile:
- Kill Switch: A must‑have security feature that instantly cuts your internet if the VPN drops, preventing leaks.
- Simultaneous Connections: Protect up to 10 devices at once — laptops, phones, tablets, even smart TVs.
- Password Manager (NordPass): Saves time and secures your logins.
- Encrypted Cloud Storage (NordLocker): Keeps sensitive files safe.
- Public Wi‑Fi Protection: Essential for travelers and remote workers.
- 30‑Day Money‑Back Guarantee: Try it risk‑free.
- All Locations: Global coverage with thousands of servers for streaming and privacy.
👉 In short: NordVPN’s cost isn’t just about the VPN service — it’s about the complete security ecosystem you get with each plan.
Also Read: NordVPN Germany: Fast, Private, and Perfect for Streaming in 2025
NordVPN vs Competitors (2025)
When evaluating VPN services, it’s important to see how NordVPN prices compare to rivals. Here’s a side‑by‑side look:
| VPN Service | Best Price (2‑Year) | Monthly Plan | Refund Policy | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | $3.09/mo | $12.99 | 30 days | Best balance of price & features |
| Surfshark | $2.49/mo | $12.95 | 30 days | Unlimited simultaneous connections |
| ExpressVPN | $8.32/mo | $12.95 | 30 days | Premium but pricey |
| CyberGhost | $2.25/mo | $12.99 | 45 days | Cheapest long‑term plan |
| ProtonVPN | $4.99/mo | $9.99 | 30 days | Privacy‑focused, fewer servers |
👉 Verdict: NordVPN costs slightly more than Surfshark or CyberGhost, but it’s cheaper than ExpressVPN while offering stronger speeds, more security features, and wider all locations server coverage.
Seasonal Discounts & Best Time to Buy
NordVPN frequently runs promotions that make its cost even more attractive:
- Black Friday & Cyber Monday 2025: Up to 70% off + bonus months.
- Christmas & New Year Deals: Bundled discounts on NordPass & NordLocker.
- Back‑to‑School Sales: Student‑friendly pricing on yearly plans.
- Summer Sales: Mid‑year promotions with 60–65% off.
💡 Pro Tip: The 2‑year plan during Black Friday is usually the cheapest NordVPN cost you’ll find all year. It’s the best time to lock in a risk‑free subscription thanks to the 30‑day money‑back guarantee.
Free vs Paid VPNs: Why NordVPN Is Better
Many users wonder if they can get by with a free VPN instead of paying for NordVPN. Here’s the reality:
❌ Free VPNs
- Data caps (500MB–2GB/month).
- Limited server locations.
- Slower speeds and unreliable connections.
- Often no kill switch or advanced security features.
- Ads and potential data logging.
✅ Paid VPNs (like NordVPN)
- Unlimited bandwidth.
- Thousands of servers in all locations.
- Advanced security features (kill switch, RAM‑only servers, double VPN).
- Simultaneous connections for up to 10 devices.
- 30‑day money‑back guarantee (risk‑free trial).
- Reliable streaming and torrenting.
👉 Verdict: Free VPNs may save money upfront, but they compromise privacy and performance. NordVPN’s cost is justified by its security, speed, and reliability.
Factors That Influence VPN Prices
Not all VPNs are priced the same. Here are the main factors that affect what you pay:
- Server Infrastructure
- More servers in more countries = higher operating costs.
- NordVPN has 5,000+ servers in 60+ locations, which explains part of its pricing.
- Security Features
- Advanced tools like a kill switch, double VPN, and RAM‑only servers add value.
- NordVPN includes these in its base plan, making its cost more justified.
- Simultaneous Connections
- Some VPNs limit you to 5 devices.
- NordVPN allows you to connect up to 10 devices, which is a big cost‑saver for families.
- Extra Tools
- Password managers, encrypted storage, and dark web monitoring increase subscription value.
- NordVPN bundles these in its Plus, Complete, and Prime plans.
- Subscription Length
- Monthly plans are always the most expensive.
- Yearly plans and especially 2‑year plans bring the cost down dramatically.
- Refund Policy
- A 30‑day money‑back guarantee makes the purchase risk‑free.
- NordVPN’s refund policy is standard among top VPNs.
NordVPN Breakdown by Use Case
For Students 🎓
- Best choice: 2‑year Basic Plan
- Cost: $3.09/month
- Why: Affordable, covers essential VPN needs, protects on public Wi‑Fi.
For Families 👨👩👧👦
- Best choice: Complete Plan
- Cost: $4.99/month (2‑year)
- Why: Protects up to 10 devices, includes encrypted cloud storage.
For Businesses 💼
- Best choice: Prime Plan
- Cost: $6.99/month (2‑year)
- Why: Identity theft protection + dark web monitoring for sensitive data.
Pros & Cons of NordVPN
✅ Pros
- Affordable long‑term plans (as low as $3.09/month).
- Strong security features included (kill switch, encryption, RAM‑only servers).
- Protects up to 10 devices with simultaneous connections.
- 30‑day money‑back guarantee makes it risk‑free.
- Wide server coverage in all locations.
⚠️ Cons
- Monthly plan is expensive compared to long‑term options.
- Bundles (with NordPass/NordLocker) increase cost slightly.
- Some features (like Prime Plan extras) may be overkill for casual users.
Verdict Box
NordVPN in 2025 is one of the best price‑to‑value ratios in the VPN industry.
With long‑term plans starting at just $3.09/month, advanced security features like a kill switch, password manager, and simultaneous connections for up to 10 devices, NordVPN is worth every penny. Add in the 30‑day money‑back guarantee, and it’s a risk‑free investment in your online privacy.
FAQ
Q: How much does NordVPN cost per month?
NordVPN prices range from $3.09/month (2‑year plan) to $12.99/month (monthly plan). The yearly plan sits in the middle at $4.99/month for the Basic tier.
Q: Is NordVPN worth the cost?
Yes. NordVPN combines advanced security features like a kill switch, RAM‑only servers, and a password manager with affordable long‑term pricing. It’s one of the best value VPN services in 2025.
Q: How many devices can I connect with one NordVPN subscription?
You can connect up to 10 devices simultaneously — laptops, phones, tablets, and even smart TVs.
Q: Does NordVPN offer a money‑back guarantee?
Yes. NordVPN has a 30‑day money‑back guarantee, making it completely risk‑free to try.
Q: Does NordVPN cost more than ExpressVPN?
No. NordVPN is significantly cheaper than ExpressVPN while offering similar or better performance.
Q: Does NordVPN have a yearly plan?
Yes. The yearly plan costs $4.99/month for the Basic tier, with discounts on Plus, Complete, and Prime plans.
Q: Is NordVPN safe to use on public Wi‑Fi?
Absolutely. NordVPN encrypts your data and uses a kill switch to protect you from leaks, making it ideal for public Wi‑Fi.
Q: Does NordVPN cover all locations?
Yes. NordVPN has servers in 60+ countries and over 5,000 servers worldwide, giving you global coverage.
Final Thoughts
When evaluating NordVPN, it’s clear that the service offers far more than just a VPN. With advanced security features, global server coverage in all locations, and affordable long‑term pricing, NordVPN is one of the best investments for online privacy in 2025.
- If you’re a student, the 2‑year Basic plan at $3.09/month is unbeatable.
- If you’re a family, the Complete plan offers the best balance of cost and features.
- If you’re a business or professional, the Prime plan provides maximum protection with identity theft monitoring.
The monthly plan may feel expensive, but the yearly plan and especially the 2‑year plan bring the cost down to budget levels while still delivering premium performance. Add in the 30‑day money‑back guarantee, and NordVPN is a risk‑free choice for anyone serious about privacy, streaming, or security.
👉 Verdict: With prices starting at just $3.09/month, NordVPN offers one of the best price‑to‑value ratios in the VPN industry. It’s not just a VPN service — it’s a complete digital security solution.
