Norton Secure VPN Review 2022 – Covers All Basics Of A VPN
Updated: November, 3, 2022
Pros
Cons
Many online Norton VPN reviews by customers wonder if they can watch their favourite Netflix shows with this VPN.
The answer is yes, but there’s much more to this service than just unblocking streaming platforms—it also offers excellent speeds and robust security measures.
So, if you want to learn more about this provider, keep reading our concise but comprehensive Norton Secure VPN review.
How Does It Work?
Norton Secure VPN, formerly known as Norton WiFi Privacy in the UK, is a virtual private network that allows you to reside online safely and anonymously. All you have to do is download the Norton app, sign in to Norton, choose the subscription type or try the Norton free trial, and finally use the service to browse the internet.
Speed
- Speed without a VPN: Download speed of 194Mbps and upload speed of 187Mbps
- Average speed loss: 57%
- Local speed: A download speed of 112Mbps and an upload speed of 125Mbps
- Long-distance speed: A download speed of 74Mbps and an upload speed of 68Mbps
- Latency: 24ms
- Number of simultaneous connections: Up to ten
Security and Privacy
- Encryption: 256-bit AES
- IP address security: Remains anonymous at all times
- Jurisdiction: United States
- Kill switch: Yes (Windows and Android)
- Leaks: No DNS or IP leaks
- Security protocols: OpenVPN and L2TP/IPSec
- Data collection: No
- Wifi security: Yes, but Norton Wifi security is only available with Norton for Android and iOS devices
- Logging policy: No-logs policy
- OpenVPN and IPSec/IKEv2 protocols: OpenVPN works in UDP and TCP modes, but unfortunately, Norton for iPhone works only with L2TP/IPSec.
Split Tunnelling
Split tunnelling enables you to have a specific part of your internet traffic rerouted through the encrypted VPN while other apps and devices use the direct internet. Although the Norton secured VPN allows split tunnelling, it’s only available on Windows and Android devices.
Servers and Server Locations
Norton VPN does not share much information about its server park. The official website just says that it has locations in 30 countries worldwide, which is in line with smaller providers, such as GooseVPN (25 countries), but nowhere near giants like ExpressVPN (94 countries). What’s more, Norton’s server network lacks geographical diversity as a large majority of its locations are in Europe.
One of the service’s biggest disadvantages is that there’s no server switching, meaning you cannot connect to a Norton server of your choice because the provider automatically assigns you one in the country you pick.
VPN’s Primary Uses
Streaming
One of the main reasons people use VPNs is to watch their favourite shows on streaming sites. If you connect to Norton services, you can easily unblock Netflix and UKTV, but Norton won’t open other streaming platforms such as Hulu, Disney+, ESPN, and Amazon Prime. For comprehensive streaming access, we recommend going for another provider, such as NordVPN.
Torrenting
Norton VPN has no P2P-optimised servers, so it doesn’t provide specific support for torrenting. What’s more, some users online report that the VPN connection automatically drops when Norton detects a torrent client running.
Gaming
The service is not compatible with gaming consoles or routers, so you can only use it for PC gaming. Even then, you may experience bandwidth and lags because of inconsistent speeds, making this service not the first choice for gaming.
Supported Platforms
- Windows: Yes
- Mac: Yes
- Linux: No
- Android: Yes
- iOS: Yes
- Browsers: No
Norton VPN Cost
As for pricing, Norton offers three different packages—Standard, Deluxe, and Premium. It’s also worth noting that all of these subscriptions come with the Norton firewall blocking internet feature for PC and Mac.
| Annual Standard plan | £19.99/first year (£39.99 after that); 1 device |
| Annual Deluxe plan | £29.99/first year (£59.99 after that); 5 devices |
| Annual Premium plan | £69.99/first year (£79.99 after that); 10 devices |
Excluding the first-year discount, Norton Secure VPN is on the expensive side compared to rivals such as Surfshark. But if you’re not satisfied with the product, Norton offers a 60-day money-back guarantee.
Furthermore, there is a 14-day Norton free trial for UK users, so you can try out the service before going for one of the subscriptions.
Customer Support
If you experience any issues with this VPN, such as Norton blocking your internet, you can contact the provider’s support team at any time. You can get in touch through phone, email, or live chat—an excellent variety of support channels, compared to some other popular providers like TunnelBear. Both the live chat and phone support are available 24/7.
If you need some more basic info on the service, the FAQ page on Norton’s website can be helpful.
Want to Consider Other Options?
Norton Secure is a great option for your VPN needs, but there are other providers on the market. Below we compare this solution to several popular rivals.
Norton VPN vs NordVPN
There are many similarities between these two VPNs. For example, both offer excellent customer support, are easy to use, and both have strong encryption.
But the area where NordVPN leads is speed. That’s mainly because it has over 5,400 servers in close to 60 countries worldwide, while Norton doesn’t disclose the number of its servers but has locations in just 30 countries.
Norton VPN vs TunnelBear
Both of these VPNs are based in North America and are thus subject to strict data retention laws. Specifically, Norton is in the US, while TunnelBear is based in Canada.
What’s more, neither of them has P2P-optimised servers, meaning they aren’t a good solution for torrenting. One advantage of TunnelBear is that it has a free version that has a limit on traffic but includes all other features.
Norton VPN vs ExpressVPN
Both solutions have robust privacy and security measures. However, ExpressVPN has a wider server network, which means better speeds. Plus, it’s compatible with more systems and devices than Norton.
As for pricing, ExpressVPN’s long-term subscriptions are pricier than the best price Norton Internet Security can offer, including discounts.
Bottom Line
Norton Secure VPN may not be the best provider out there, but it still has a lot to offer.
If you’re looking for a long-term solution that covers the basics of a VPN, such as robust security and unblocking streaming services, we suggest giving Norton a go.
However, if you need a VPN for gaming or torrenting, then you should look elsewhere.
FAQ
Is Norton antivirus good?
Norton antivirus is ranked among the best solutions for a reason. Some of the software’s most useful features are a data protector against ransomware, online backup, firewall, and exploit protection.
Is Norton good?
Norton is based in the US and has servers across 30 locations worldwide. The service is affordable, can easily unblock streaming platforms, and has top-grade security.
How to turn Norton off?
Some Norton VPN reviews by customers complain about experiencing issues when they try to disable this VPN as the on/off switch slides back to ‘on’ by itself. If you can’t turn off Norton, contact the company’s support reps.
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