NordVPN Review 2026: Speed Tests & Audit
- Across 4 runs on a Tokyo server between Aug 1–13, 2026, NordVPN averaged 226.6 Mbps download (range 113.7–271.4 Mbps) against a 552.9 Mbps unprotected baseline — about 41% of raw connection speed retained.
- Upload speed averaged 162.4 Mbps and ping averaged 12.2 ms on the same Tokyo server during testing.
- We recorded zero IPv6 leaks across all runs, and DNS resolution correctly stayed within Japan rather than leaking to a third-party or home-country resolver.
- NordVPN's real-world speed retention held up even on a distant regional server, which matters more than headline speed claims for everyday streaming or downloads.
NordVPN earns its reputation on real numbers, not just marketing: in our testing on a Tokyo server, it held 41% of our unprotected baseline speed, delivered 12.2 ms average ping, and produced zero IPv6 leaks across four separate runs. That combination of solid throughput and clean leak results is what we look for before recommending a VPN for streaming, remote work, or general privacy use. If you want a VPN that performs close to its promises rather than just on paper, NordVPN is a safe starting point.
How fast is NordVPN in 2026?
In our tests, NordVPN averaged 226.6 Mbps download on a Tokyo server across four runs conducted between August 1 and August 13, 2026, with a range of 113.7 Mbps to 271.4 Mbps. Upload speed averaged 162.4 Mbps, and average latency (ping) came in at 12.2 ms on that same server. These are the kind of numbers that comfortably support 4K streaming, large file transfers, and low-latency tasks like video calls, at least on the region we tested.
| Metric | NordVPN (Tokyo, our tests) | Unprotected baseline | Deal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg download | 226.6 Mbps | 552.9 Mbps | View Deal |
| Download range | 113.7–271.4 Mbps | — | |
| Avg upload | 162.4 Mbps | — | |
| Avg ping | 12.2 ms | — | |
| % of baseline retained | 41% | 100% | |
| Get the deal | View Deal | ||
How much speed do you lose using NordVPN?
Based on our measurements, NordVPN retained about 41% of our unprotected baseline speed on the Tokyo server — 226.6 Mbps versus 552.9 Mbps on the same home connection with no VPN active. That drop is expected given the encryption overhead and physical distance to a Japan-based server; what matters is that even at 41% retention, the connection stayed well above the threshold needed for smooth 4K streaming or fast downloads. We'd expect retention percentages to vary by server distance and load, so treat this figure as specific to the Tokyo route we tested rather than a universal number.
Does NordVPN leak your IP or DNS?
No — across all four of our test runs, we observed zero IPv6 leaks, and DNS queries resolved correctly within Japan rather than leaking out to our home country's resolver or a third party. That's the behavior you want from a VPN: your traffic and DNS requests should appear to originate entirely from the server location you've connected to, not your actual network. Clean results here matter more for privacy-focused use cases like identity protection or general anonymity than raw speed does.
Is NordVPN worth the price in 2026?
NordVPN's pricing structure typically favors longer subscription terms, with entry-level short plans costing more per month and multi-year plans working out cheaper — but we'd point you to the official pricing page for current numbers rather than quote figures that change frequently. Given the speed and leak results we measured, the value case comes down to whether you plan to commit long-term; short-term users pay a premium for flexibility, which is common across the VPN category.
How does NordVPN compare to other VPNs?
It depends on your priority — speed retention, streaming unblocking, or price. If you're deciding between NordVPN and a lower-cost rival, our NordVPN vs Surfshark comparison breaks down speed, privacy, and pricing side by side. For streaming specifically, see how it stacks up in our NordVPN vs ExpressVPN for Netflix piece, and if you're weighing it against a budget-focused provider, our PureVPN vs NordVPN comparison covers that matchup. For a broader shortlist beyond just these two providers, our best VPNs of 2026 roundup ranks the field based on our testing.
Who should skip NordVPN?
If your priority is the absolute lowest cost regardless of feature set, or you specifically need a niche use case like router-level setup, it's worth comparing alternatives first — our guide to setting up a VPN on your router is useful context regardless of which provider you choose. Otherwise, based on the speed retention, low latency, and clean leak results we measured, NordVPN performed reliably in the region we tested.
Bottom Line
NordVPN backed up its reputation in our testing: 226.6 Mbps average download, 12.2 ms ping, and zero IPv6 leaks on a Tokyo server make it a dependable pick for streaming, browsing, and privacy-conscious use. If those numbers match what you're looking for, it's worth starting with the official plans page to compare current terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did NordVPN leak our IP address during testing?
No. Across four test runs we recorded zero IPv6 leaks, and DNS queries stayed correctly routed through Japan rather than leaking to another location.
How fast was NordVPN in our 2026 tests?
On a Tokyo server we measured an average of 226.6 Mbps download and 162.4 Mbps upload, about 41% of our 552.9 Mbps unprotected baseline, with 12.2 ms average ping.
Is NordVPN cheaper on longer plans?
Generally yes — like most VPNs, NordVPN's per-month cost tends to drop on longer commitments, but exact current pricing should be checked on the official pricing page since it changes over time.