An audited no-logs policy: it shows whether the company really doesn't keep what you do.

Is a VPN with more servers faster?

It helps, because there are more options near you and less crowding, but your own connection matters too.

Is the 2-year plan worth it?

If you'll use it for more than a year, yes: it has the lowest monthly price, and the 30-day guarantee lets you back out early.

How to Choose a VPN: 7 Things to Check Before You Pay

By Leonardo Araújo, CEO of Leaven Marketing · Information checked on October 20, 2026

Every VPN promises privacy and speed. To compare them for real, look at what you can check: audits, servers, devices, features, renewal price, guarantee and support.

The 7 checks

Audited no-logs policy. A VPN sees all your traffic; prefer ones with independent audits.
Servers and locations. More servers near you help keep your speed.
Devices. Count phones, computers and tablets at home.
Security features. Kill Switch, private DNS and scam-site blocking.
Renewal price. The discount covers the first term; check what comes after.
Money-back guarantee. 30 days is the standard among the big names.
Support. Live chat makes setup easier.

Quick checklist

Check	What to look for	NordVPN, according to the company
Audit	independent firm’s report	audits since 2018 (PwC, then Deloitte)
Servers	number and locations	7,200+ in 225+ locations
Devices	at the same time	10
Guarantee	refund window	30 days on first purchases

Common mistakes

Choosing only by the first-term price and forgetting the renewal.
Installing an unknown free VPN with no clear privacy policy.
Forgetting that the 2-year plan costs far less per month than short plans if you’ll use it for more than a year.

Compare in NordVPN vs Surfshark vs ExpressVPN and read the NordVPN review.

Sources

NordVPN: official site (October 20, 2026)
NordVPN: no-logs audit (October 20, 2026)

How to choose a VPN: 7 things to check