In the world of online security, Norton is an instantly recognizable name, offering some of the best cybersecurity products available on the market today. One of them is a virtual private network product simply called Norton VPN.
A VPN is an Internet tool that encrypts your web traffic and hides your Internet Protocol address, protecting you from online snooping and allowing you to access online content that is not available elsewhere.
Norton positions its VPN as a way to “stream freely” and “be more private.” However, while Norton VPN is built on top of the company's leading antivirus software and offers an advanced cybersecurity suite, it has significantly fewer servers and apps than other leading VPNs. So is it worth the time and money? Let's find out.
Main features
Norton VPN has all the key features you would expect from a premium VPN service. It has an auto-connect feature that automatically connects to a VPN server when a risky connection is identified, such as a public Wi-Fi hotspot, and automatically disables it if your internet network is secure.
Split tunneling allows you to choose which apps you think need the extra security of a VPN service, such as email or online banking, and which apps you don't need, such as streaming platforms. This is useful because VPNs can slow down apps. For example, streaming lag is something you want to avoid.
Another useful feature is a built-in kill switch that disables your device's internet access if your VPN connection suddenly drops. Additionally, you can switch between multiple VPN protocols. But more on that later. There are also ad blockers.
These VPN services are complemented by artificial intelligence-powered fraud detection, real-time malware and ransomware protection, and parental controls to limit children's screen time and prevent them from accessing adult websites. You can also pay extra for more advanced online security tools, such as Track your device's location.
server
Compared to many other major VPN providers, Norton VPN has a much smaller network of servers. Of the 35 international locations in total, NordVPN offers 113, Surfshark offers 110, and ExpressVPN offers 105.
These include Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, and United States.
Norton VPN doesn't have as extensive an international footprint as its competitors, but its servers are no less secure. Protect your data using bank-grade encryption, making it unreadable to online prying eyes. Norton VPN also doesn't collect or store any web browsing data, thanks to its strict no-logs policy.
Additionally, Norton VPN's servers support several major protocols for added security and fast, reliable connections. You can choose from OpenVPN, IPSec/IKEv2, WireGuard, and Mimic. The latter is Norton's proprietary VPN protocol that helps users bypass Internet geo-restrictions and hide VPN usage from third parties such as Internet service providers.
app
Unlike many of its competitors, Norton only offers VPN services on a few major operating systems. You can download the Norton VPN app for Android, iOS, Mac, and Windows.
There are no apps for Linux, so tech-savvy people using this operating system may be disappointed. Norton VPN also doesn't support routers or streaming devices, so you're limited to mobile, Mac, and desktop.
The software itself is easy to set up and use. Simply download the Norton VPN app, sign in to your account, and press the toggle until it turns green with a checkmark to connect to the fastest available server (the one closest to you).
You can also select a server manually. Just press the box labeled “Fastest Location” below the toggle to turn on the server. Next, you will see a list of international server locations. When you select a server, the text in the small box displaying the list of servers changes to the name of the country. It also mentions the IP address of the server in question.
A great part of the Norton VPN user interface is the map, which displays pictures of the selected server location. However, it doesn't have much practical use. You can't interact with the NordVPN app or see server locations like on a world map.
There is a three-line button in the top left corner that allows you to sign in to your account, write a review for the app, access settings, and receive customer support. In the top right corner there is a button to access the VPN settings. Here you can enable VPN auto-connect, block ad trackers, split tunneling, and kill switch. You also have the option to customize the VPN protocol.
Subscription options and pricing
Norton VPN comes in basic, medium, and high-end packages that vary in price and features.
The cheapest option is Norton VPN Standard, which costs $39.99 for the first year. This basic VPN service supports up to five devices per account and offers standard VPN features such as IP masking, split tunneling, and kill switch.
If you want to part with more cash, you can purchase Norton VPN Plus for $49.99 for the first year. It also supports up to 5 devices and has all the features you get in the standard package, plus more advanced features like antivirus, password manager, and 10GB of cloud storage.
Finally, get the top version, Norton VPN Ultimate. Priced at $59,99, it offers the same features as the Standard and Medium packages, but can be used on up to 10 devices simultaneously, making it perfect for gadget hoarders and families. Other features include parental controls and 50GB cloud backup.
Streaming and general performance
NortonVPN's global server network is much smaller than other major VPN providers, so it can unblock geo-restricted streaming and web content in only a few countries.
That said, NortonVPN has servers in many major international markets, and to test its unblocking capabilities, I connected to a few of them and opened the Netflix app on my Android smartphone. We were able to access Netflix libraries from the United States, Canada, Australia, France, and Germany from the UK, proving that NortonVPN is a pretty capable VPN for streaming Netflix.
While connected to Netflix Germany, I watched the first few minutes of a German romantic movie called Text for You. The videos loaded fine and I didn't experience any buffering or sound issues.
When I wasn't using NordVPN's overseas servers to access Netflix in other countries, I connected to the fastest VPN location (which was in the UK, where I live) and kept it running in the background on my phone. . This didn't slow down my general web browsing, app usage, TikTik doomscrolling, or video calls with my partner, as often happens when using a VPN.
Choosing the right protocol also plays an important role in your app's performance while your device is connected to a VPN service. NortonVPN offers several major VPN protocols, but I chose the automatic protocol selection option. When you turn on this setting, Norton VPN automatically selects the best VPN protocol based on factors such as your device specifications and network quality to ensure the best speed and security. My experience with Norton VPN was seamless, so I have no doubt that this is the case.
final verdict
Looking for a robust VPN service and advanced online protection from a well-known company? Norton VPN A decent choice. It's extremely easy to use, competitively priced, and has all the hallmarks of a top VPN, along with additional features like antivirus and cloud storage.
But it's not perfect for everyone. Due to its small server network and lack of router or smart TV support, it's probably not the best option for unblocking geo-restricted streaming or web content. That said, I was able to unblock Netflix in many major countries, but there are many other major VPNs with broader server networks and support for more types of devices. . Overall, I recommend this first and foremost as a service to improve your online security and privacy.
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