nVpn is a Bosnian Virtual Private Network (VPN) provider that promotes itself as a VPN that offers “quality server and fastest connection.” We’ll see about that.
This review will provide a close look at the provider’s global server network, connection speeds, online security and privacy offerings, app support, and much more. I’ll also try the provider’s hand at accessing geo-blocked streaming sites.
In addition to all that, I’ll deliver my verdict as to whether nVpn is worth a try, or whether your time and money would be better spent on another VPN service, like my #1 VPN, NordVPN.
Is nVpn Right for You?
nVpn offers reliable online protection and privacy but is lacking in several important service areas, including global server coverage and native app support in particular.
The provider’s connection speeds are severely disappointing, and those connections do a mediocre job of accessing geo-blocked streaming content, such as what Netflix offers.
Even if nVpn did access streaming services, users would still likely be disappointed by their content options due to the provider’s small global server network.
Severely disappointing is the only way to describe the provider’s app support, as it only offers a native app for one platform.
nVpn offers a three-day money-back guarantee, but only if the service has been down or if the client is unable to connect to the service.
The provider’s pricing is reasonable, although you can get much more for less from other service providers, such as CyberGhost, and you can definitely do better by paying a few dollars more for a premium VPN, like my #1 provider, NordVPN.
NordVPN offers reliable access to geo-blocked streaming content in 60+ countries, delivering fast, well-protected connections. Comprehensive online security solutions and privacy, as well as support for most popular devices, is the rule, and they offer a no-questions-asked 30-day money-back guarantee.
My Verdict
nVpn offers solid online security and internet privacy. However, that’s where the provider’s high points end. If you’re in search of fast online connections to a world of geo-blocked content, you need to look elsewhere.
The provider’s global server network is small, consisting of a mere 55+ servers in 30+ countries at the time of this writing. (You’ll find that most VPN providers’ server network numbers fluctuate on an almost daily basis.) Plus, beyond one server change per month, you’re locked into the server location you select unless you want to pay $10 extra per month.
nVpn app support is, yes, I’ll say it, horrible. The provider offers one – count ‘em, one – native app, which is for the Android platform, and you have to jump through a few hoops to install that app.
As for the other device platforms – such as Windows, iOS, macOS, and Linux – VPN setup instructions are available on the website. The instructions walk you through setting up the VPN with either a generic OpenVPN app or in the network settings on the device.
Browser extensions are also missing. The provider does work with DD-WRT and OpenWRT routers.
nVpn protection includes the basics and only the basics (government-grade encryption, a kill switch, and DNS leak prevention). If you’re looking for any “extras” like ad and tracker blocking or malware and phishing protection, you’ll want to look elsewhere.
nVpn will protect you online, but that’s about it. Access to geo-blocked streaming services, fast downloads, and excellent app support are not to be found here. If you need that, I suggest other alternatives, like NordVPN.
| OVERALL RANK: | 2.5/5 |
| Speed: | 2.5/5 |
| Tested Speed: | 19.08 Mbps average download speed (independently tested) |
| Streaming Support: | HD |
| Streaming Score: | 2.5/5 |
| Unblocks Netflix?: | Yes |
| U.S. Streaming Services Supported: | Netflix, Amazon Prime Video |
| U.K. Streaming Services Supported: | Netflix, BBC iPlayer |
| Security Score: | 3/5 |
| Privacy Rating: | 4/5 |
| Supports Torrenting: | Yes, on all VPN servers |
| Value for the Money: | 2.5/5 |
| Money-Back Guarantee: | Severely-limited 3-day money-back guarantee. |
| Website: | nVpn.net |
Pros:
- Access to Netflix and Amazon Prime
- Good online security
Cons:
- Global server coverage is a bit thin
- Slow connection speeds
- Manual setup on most platforms
- Costs extra to change server locations
Features of nVpn
nVpn offers two subscription levels, with both being available in monthly or annual subscription terms. More about this later.
The provider’s native app support is sadly lacking, as it offers a native app only for the Android platform, and that app is only available as an APK file, not yet available in the Google Play Store.
Every other computer, mobile device, or other connected device will need to be set up manually or use a router setup for the service in order to benefit. You also won’t find any browser extensions for this provider.
The provider’s concurrent connections allowance is exactly the same as the number of native apps it offers: one.
While the provider protects your online activities using government-grade encryption, a kill switch, and DNS leak prevention, the features stop there. You won’t find any “bells and whistles” like ad and online tracker blocking or any of the other protections that VPNs, like CyberGhost, offer.
At the time of this article, the provider has 55+ servers stationed in 30+ countries. This may not be a big deal for some users, but keep in mind that your global access will be limited if you opt for nVpn.
The provider says they do not block any type of online activity on their network, so P2P file sharing is okay on all nVpn servers.
Customer support is also limited and includes only a searchable FAQ library and a support ticket submission system.
Streaming
Let’s be honest: Quite possibly the most popular internet activity among average VPN users is to use it to access geo-blocked content from streaming services around the globe. If you’re into this, you need a VPN that can provide access to multiple streaming sites, so you can get your money’s worth out of your streaming subscriptions.
At the dawn of the streaming era, viewers could use nearly any VPN to gain access to geo-blocked streaming content. However, it didn’t take long for Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and most of the other streaming services to catch on to this little trick. They soon began blocking VPN-provided IP addresses from accessing their content libraries.
This led to many VPN services giving up on keeping the lines of access open to streamers. However, there are still VPN providers that work to maintain access to Netflix and others, no matter how many VPN IP addresses the streamers block.
nVpn does not promote itself as an optimal way to access streaming services, although it did a decent job on U.S.-based streamers.
The provider proved to do a serviceable job of accessing both Netflix and Amazon Prime in the United States. However, Hulu detected my VPN usage and blocked me from their content. (It should be noted that although nVpn did give me a new IP address, WhatIsMyIPAddress.com still showed me as being in my real-life city. So, don’t count on nVpn to hide your actual location.)
After switching to a London-based server, I was able to access Netflix and Amazon Prime, but in both cases, I was provided access to U.S.-based content. However, BBC iPlayer allowed access to their content and streamed in HD.
Security and Online Privacy
While nVpn provides reliable protection for your online activities, there’s little in the way of “extras” when it comes to additional protections.
nVpn has you covered when it comes to military-grade encryption. However, kill switch protection and DNS leak prevention are only as good as the OpenVPN client you’re using. The provider’s protection list is also missing ad and tracker blocking or malware and phishing guards like those that many quality VPN providers offer.
As mentioned above, the provider delivers a new IP address, but WhatIsMyIPAddress.com showed my location as being in the city in which I reside. So keep that in mind if you’re using a VPN to hide your location.
nVpn doesn’t keep any server logs of connected IPs, session duration times, which websites you visited, or any other online activities. The provider says the only thing it saves is your email (for account tracking) and a payment transaction ID. This is a common practice among VPN providers, so no privacy policy issues here.
The provider offers multiple private forms of subscription payment options, including Bitcoin and Amazon gift cards.
nVpn is based in Bosnia, which is not an “Eyes” Alliance member. The country’s government is pro-privacy and follows European Union laws.
nVpn Connection Speeds
While nVpn’s connection speeds may be fast enough for many online activities, the provider’s performance is likely to severely disappoint you.
When testing connection speeds, my unprotected internet speeds on my Windows 10 machine averaged at 390.62 Mbps (using a one gigabit fiber internet connection). When connected to nVpn servers at three different times of day, I saw an average protected download speed of only 19.08 Mbps. Upload VPN speeds took an even bigger hit.
While the provider’s download speeds easily handled HD video requirements, satisfactory 4K streaming would likely not be feasible. Gaming, such as first-person shooters or sports games, would similarly be less than entertaining. As for sharing files, while the provider allows it on all of its servers, be prepared to wait a while for that download to complete.
The provider does not impose data caps or bandwidth throttling on its users.
Cost
nVpn offers two different subscription plans, and both are available in monthly or annual lengths.
The provider’s one-month “Shared IP” plan is available for about the price of a large fancy coffee drink, while a “Dedicated IP” plan is a couple of bucks more per month.
Meanwhile, annual options are also available for both plans, and committing to an annual plan knocks about one-third off of the monthly costs of either plan. And don’t forget, you have to cough up 10 bucks extra per month if you want to change your server location more than once.
nVpn subscriptions are non-recurring, and payment options include Paypal, Bitcoin, Amazon gift cards, credit and debit cards, and more. If you’re planning on using PayPal to pay for your subscription, be advised that PayPal buyers have a two-day “pending time” before they are mailed their login credentials. So, don’t expect to get immediate access if you pay with PayPal.
A three-day money-back guarantee is available, but only if the VPN service has been down or if the client is unable to connect to the service.
These prices are reasonable, but there are better deals to be had. If you have a beer-bottle pocket but desire champagne service, give NordVPN a try. If you aren’t on a tight budget and are looking for an all-around top-notch VPN, take a look at NordVPN.
VPN Alternatives
NordVPN
If you’re looking for a better way to protect your online security and privacy than what nVpn offers, then I suggest you take a closer look at my top-rated VPN provider, NordVPN.
The provider’s online protection is handled by banking-level encryption and a reliable kill switch that you can enable on an app-by-app basis. Also available are DNS leak and IP leak protection.
The provider uses the industry-standard OpenVPN protocol, as well as a proprietary NordLynx connection protocol, based on the open-source WireGuard protocol, for reliable online protection. The provider also offers malware protection, as well as ad and tracker blocking.
The provider’s privacy protections are similarly top-notch thanks to its Bitcoin subscription payment option, as well as a strict no-server-logs-ever policy. NordVPN owns and operates its servers, which keeps outside contractors away from your data. Plus, all of the provider’s servers are run 100% from RAM, meaning no data is ever saved to a physical hard drive or SSD. This means all data is completely and securely wiped from NordVPN servers whenever they are rebooted, shut down, or unplugged.
The provider’s connections are not only well-protected, but they’re also fast. NordVPN delivers some of the fastest connections of any VPN provider I’ve ever used or tested. In my most recent round of speed testing, NordVPN delivered an average download speed of 196.4 Mbps.
NordVPN download speeds can easily handle both 4K and HD video streams, fast-moving online gaming, and BitTorrent action. (NordVPN allows BitTorrenting on select servers.)
No matter how fast a provider’s VPN connection speeds, they’re worthless unless you have reliable access to a world of content. NordVPN’s global server network boasts close to 5,600+ servers, stationed in 60+ countries around the globe.
Those servers provide reliable access to all sorts of geo-blocked content, including streams from Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer.
You can enjoy all of that unblocked content on most of your favorite devices thanks to the provider’s native app support for Windows, macOS (with native M1/M2 Mac support), iOS, Android, Amazon Fire, Linux, and Android TV device platforms.
Browser extensions are also available for the Chrome, Edge, and Firefox browser platforms. The provider is also compatible with a large number of routers, meaning it has the rest of your devices covered.
For more information about NordVPN, read my review.
Surfshark
Surfshark is my top budget-priced VPN recommendation, offering reliable and comprehensive VPN protection for a reasonable price.
The provider delivered average download speeds of 188.8 Mbps in my most recent connection speed tests. Surfshark never ruins online enjoyment by imposing data caps or connection throttling on your VPN usage.
Surfshark protects its users’ connections with military-grade encryption, a kill switch, and DNS/IP leak prevention. The provider uses the WireGuard, IKEv2/IPSec, and OpenVPN connection protocols.
No user logs are ever saved on Surfshark’s servers, meaning there are no records that can be used to monitor your online travels. Your payment privacy is also protected, as Surfshark accepts cryptocurrency in return for its services.
Surfshark recently began running its servers completely from volatile RAM, meaning no data is ever written to a physical hard drive or SSD. All data is completely and securely wiped from the provider’s servers when they are rebooted, shut down, or unplugged.
Surfshark’s native app options include offerings for Android, Android TV, Linux, Windows, iOS, Amazon Fire TV, and macOS (boasting native Apple Silicon support). Chrome, Edge, and Firefox browser extensions are available to protect your in-browser activities. The VPN is also compatible with multiple router makes and models.
This provider offers impressively budget-friendly pricing on its one or two-year subscription options.
nVpn FAQs
Does nVpn Work in China?
There are conflicting reports as to whether nVpn works from inside China. While the provider does provide measures to bypass Deep Packet Inspection, which is used by restrictive countries like China, this is not always reliable. Your best bet is to contact nVpn’s customer support for the latest information.
My VPN alternative, NordVPN, works reliably from inside China.
What Encryption Standard Does nVpn Use?
nVpn connections are all encrypted by default using a secure 256-Bit AES-CBC encrypted connection to their servers. Connections are established via OpenVPN or L2TP/IPsec (IKEv1/IKEv2).
Is nVpn Safe to Use?
Yes, nVpn provides more than adequate online security. Keep in mind, though, that if you’re still using a browser like Google Chrome, or using many popular search engines, like Google or Bing, you are still sharing your browsing and search information. Use a more private browser like Brave or the TOR browser and a search engine like DuckDuckGo.
Why Not Use a Free VPN?
While a free VPN may be tempting, you lose a lot if you opt for a freebie VPN provider. Firstly, free VPNs often throttle their users’ connection speeds, while also imposing daily or monthly data caps on their VPN usage.
Freebie VPNs also do not do a good job of protecting your privacy. Free VPNs often log their users’ online travels, selling that information to anyone willing to pay a fee. I’ve also heard reports of free VPNs inserting unwanted ads and tracking cookies into their users’ browser sessions.
