Disclosure: The NordVPN links on this page are affiliate links. If you buy through them I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This review is based on NordVPN’s published features and third-party pricing checked in September 2026, not on a long-term personal test.
Verdict: NordVPN is still one of the safest default VPN picks for developers in 2026, especially if you need a dedicated IP for allowlisted systems.
- The Basic plan costs about $3.09/month on a 2-year plan. It covers 10 devices and comes with a full 30-day refund.
- Not the cheapest: Surfshark costs less and allows unlimited devices.
- Not the most private: Mullvad asks for no personal details at all.
NordVPN pricing (September 2026)
| Plan | Monthly | 1-year | 2-year | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | $12.99 | $4.99/mo ($59.88) | $3.09/mo ($83.43) | VPN, kill switch, 10 devices |
| Plus | $15.29 | $5.49/mo ($65.88) | $3.59/mo ($96.93) | + password manager, ad/tracker/malware blocking |
| Complete | $18.69 | $6.99/mo ($83.88) | $4.99/mo ($143.73) | + encrypted cloud storage |
| Prime | $25.29 | $8.99/mo ($107.88) | $6.99/mo ($188.73) | + extra identity and security extras |
- Intro pricing: long-plan prices are introductory, and renewals cost more.
- Refunds: every plan has a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Which plan: for most developers Basic is enough. Plus is worth it if you’d otherwise pay for a separate password manager.
What developers get
- Dedicated IP (add-on). This is the main reason developers choose NordVPN. You get a static address you can allowlist on databases, admin panels and client systems, with far fewer “suspicious login” prompts than shared VPN IPs cause.
- A Linux CLI.
nordvpn connect,nordvpn set killswitch onandnordvpn set autoconnect onwork on headless machines. - A kill switch that blocks traffic if the tunnel drops, which protects credentials on café or hotel Wi-Fi.
- NordLynx (NordVPN’s WireGuard-based protocol) for fast, low-latency connections. Nearby servers add little noticeable delay to SSH or git.
- 10 simultaneous devices, enough for a laptop, phone, tablet and a few test devices.
- Threat Protection (on some plans) to block known malicious domains and trackers.
- NordLayer, a separate business product, for teams that need central admin and billing.
Downsides
- No general port forwarding. If you need to expose a local service, Proton VPN’s paid plans support it.
- Renewal pricing is higher than the introductory rate.
- Split tunneling support varies by platform. Check yours if you need to keep
localhostor a corporate VPN out of the tunnel. - Not anonymous. It needs an email and payment details. Mullvad is the pick if anonymity is the goal.
NordVPN vs the alternatives
| NordVPN | Surfshark | Mullvad | Proton VPN | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry price (best term) | $3.09/mo | ~$2.49/mo | €5/mo flat | $2.99/mo (free plan too) |
| Devices | 10 | Unlimited | 5 | 10 (paid) |
| Dedicated IP | Add-on | Add-on | No | Business plans |
| Port forwarding | No | No | No | Yes (paid) |
| Anonymous signup | No | No | Yes | Partial |
The full breakdown is in our developer VPN comparison and NordVPN vs Surfshark.
Is NordVPN worth it in 2026?
Yes, if you want a mature, well-supported VPN, value the dedicated-IP option, and can commit to a 1–2 year plan to get the low price.
Look elsewhere if:
- you want the absolute lowest price or unlimited devices: Surfshark,
- you need port forwarding: Proton VPN,
- you need anonymity: Mullvad.
Use the 30-day refund window to test NordVPN on your real workflow before you commit.
Check NordVPN’s current deal →
FAQ
How many devices can I use with NordVPN? Up to 10 at the same time.
Does NordVPN work on Linux servers? Yes. The Linux app runs from the command line, so it works on headless machines.
Can I get a refund? Yes. All plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Pricing source, checked September 2026: Gizmodo on NordVPN pricing.