NordVPN Sucks
Unlike every other site and video online, this is not sponsored by NordVPN because it's a garbage service. If you've ever asked yourself, is NordVPN worth it? It's not. Once again the worst contender has forced themselves into popularity through aggressive marketing, or the "Raid Shadow Legends Effect" (that game is also terrible, avoid it).
Terrible app
For some unfathomable reason exclusive only to NordVPN, their app takes a really long time to start. It's long enough that I need to leave and let my computer sit for several minutes before being able to use it. Then once it starts up it's a bit of a blind whack-a-mole as the interface only shows you dots on a map, no ping or any other info, and you have to click and wait and hope it connects. If it doesn't, try another one, keep sitting on the interface trying servers until it connects and then go run a ping and speed test on your own since it never tells you in the app. Using the auto-connect just tries the nearest geographic server, and if it fails it tries to reconnect to the same server infinitely.
Login issues
To make the app even worse, you can't even log in through it. It sends you unencrypted and unprotected to their website where you have to log in and then it generates a token for the app. So much for privacy. Not only is this a terrible decision for security, their web gateway goes down meaning you can't log in to use the service to begin with.
The app logs you out every time it updates, or whenever it feels like it. The updates are frequent, which somehow make it even slower to load, and creates new problems each time since they don't adequately test their releases. This means you'll be manually logging in each time, and becoming intimately familiar with this frustrating process. They also try to get you to link your google and other accounts, further obliterating their claims to privacy.
Bad service
Their service is terrible, they'll deny any such problems exist despite the fact that other VPN services work fine. If you have any connection problems or prolonged outages? "Sorry, you should have read the terms of service carefully." They'll make every effort to take and keep your money and offer no guarantees or refunds outside that initial 30 day return period, even for unused (or unusable) time if you try to cancel. TOTALLY BY COINCIDENCE, my speeds, start-up, login times, and issues got much worse past that 30 day window.
What to use
There's a lot of other VPNs out there and I recommend doing your own research. After the hassle and frustration of NordVPN I went to Private Internet Access. This is also not sponsored by Private Internet Access, but I'm recommending them because they didn't ask and I've had much fewer issues. The main issue is many websites don't like connections from their servers, but you also have that problem with NordVPN and I imagine every other VPN. It's an inherent problem with private shared proxies, so get used to more captchas. PIA starts fast, has no login problems, and is similarly priced.
Shout outs: Stacey, Rebecca Wheeler, Masca Boom, Jordan, Martin Harris, Rincewind, Nicole Carey-elmer, Michael Hamilton, Rob Hale, Vedie V, Mylon Schroder, Nathan, Conrad Carlson, Tiffany Mathis, Jordan Florez, Devantre Blackmon, Robert Rich, Miha Pavlovič, Mohammed Murtuza, bob leponge, TheFiendSaint, Robin Ellis-Foster, Deanna Pyle, Meme Pitt-Melton, E.D.F., Devon Bickel, IcySky121, Dan Evans, Lorena Stuart, Zee Livezey, Alexandra Nguyen, KuroKimora, Christianna Schommer, Kerry Melton, SpiritFang, Lizette Marie, DJ_Kelf, Insomic Panda, Laure Wouters, ItsWebby, paige anderson, Cassandra Keyes, Simon Wegerstedt, Naomi B, charles phillips, Darel Boyer, Rupert Borthwick, Michael Kraus, Rhys Blythe, Anthony Lopez, Nick Soucy, Melanie Warga, Jeremiah Walker, D. G. Speirs (The Tao of Maud), Randall Welker, Shyler Lance, Bryan Sheairs, matteo carbini, Koto Sinclair, Max Hops, Sarah Holland, Joshua David Maddox, Jennifer Smith, Standish Writes, Ray Bissonnette, Joe Dalby, Joline Tran, Matt Price, Yuki, ShortyMcgibble, Alex Lavigne, mtnman1979@aol.com, Parker VanDerMeide, KFB_Patreon, David Davidson, eric sun, Furbee Merchant, Jason Wenneman, Gundar Wez, Ken Shapiro, Katherine Ekes Lewing, Matthew payne, Jacob Plummer, Ejay Mcmaster, RiGarou, Rebecca Montelli, John Karels, wintersanctuary, Dylan Williams, Snowy Snow, Jakasaras 4che, Nahellion, Robert D O'Dell, Alexander Garcia, Dale Wyble, Serena Verden, Alexander Griffiths, SnipsGTI, bilbens baggo, Stuart, IbKelek, Nicole Patten, Clementine Turner, T. Alexander, Tim Mason, Maxwell Mayer, Gannon Dubay, Caio Mantovani Alves, Thobek, Aaron Teupe, Celso R Garcia III, Felix Schmäche, John, RRare, Brice Carpenter, Jordan Brazeal, Kyle Clark, Jake Lane, Adam Ruiz, Phillip P Torchia, Natalie Luttrell, Balanced Game Review, Stefan Gottschalk's, Matthew Wood, Royce Dillard, Bartis Edmond Hawley-Wall, Dawnwolf, Christina Majchrzak, jeremy baisch, Zealot23, Nich Smith, Andre Wills, CJMAXP, Keaton Permenter, Shazear, Curran Vallejo, Leanna Orr, YaBoiBellabean, John Nazario, Gary, Gordon Alexander Fallon, Jason Clark, Topher Scott, Max Puplett
Their contribution stands as a beacon of hope for all adventurers!
