Former Head of Product from ExpressVPN has recently joined Norton VPN, bolstering its feature set, making it a strong VPN contender
In the ever-evolving digital landscape, Norton VPN has emerged as a significant player in the Virtual Private Network (VPN) market. The standalone service, launched in July 2024, has garnered recognition for its improvements in speed, security, and expanded server coverage.
Robust Security and Privacy Features
Norton VPN prides itself on its audited no-logs policy, bank-grade AES-256 encryption, and a kill switch (disconnects internet if VPN drops, available on Windows, macOS, Android). It also offers split tunneling (Windows, Android) and ad tracker blocking to prevent online tracking and targeted ads. The VPN supports modern VPN protocols such as WireGuard, OpenVPN, and its proprietary Mimic protocol, enhancing security and connection stability[1][2][3].
Improved Performance and Server Network
Norton VPN has significantly upgraded its network, adding 18 new country locations in January 2025 and introducing city-level locations and P2P-optimized US servers. It now ranks first for overall network performance with upload and download speeds about 2.5 times faster than average VPNs, supporting smooth browsing, streaming, torrenting, and gaming experiences[2][3].
User-Friendly Apps Across Platforms
The VPN offers easy-to-use apps on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. Although some weaknesses remain with iOS and Mac apps and streaming support, the apps are generally regarded as intuitive and reliable[3].
Competitive Pricing and Integration
The standalone Norton VPN plans start around $3.33/month annually, competitively priced against top providers like Surfshark, though lacking multi-year plans. When bundled with Norton 360 suites, users benefit from additional features like antivirus protection, password management, dark web monitoring, and cloud backup options[2][3].
Growing Feature Set and Market Commitment
Norton has committed to evolving its VPN with continual feature development and enhancements, positioning itself as a serious contender in the VPN market rather than a simple add-on service as before[3][5].
While Norton VPN is not currently ranked #1 (that spot goes to providers like NordVPN), it has made substantial strides to become a leading and reliable VPN option by focusing on speed, security, expanded servers, and bundled cybersecurity tools. Its recent updates and roadmap indicate a strong upward trajectory in the competitive VPN landscape[3][4][5].
Key Features and Updates
- Norton VPN offers protection for up to 5 devices, threat protection, fast speeds, and strong streaming unblocking.
- Norton VPN offers three tiers of service - Norton VPN Standard, Norton VPN Plus, and Norton VPN Ultimate, with an exclusive deal for one-year of Norton VPN Plus for $2.50 per month ($29.99 up front).
- Norton VPN has a unique VPN protocol called Mimic, designed to obfuscate VPN traffic.
- Norton VPN has added 40 new countries and 16 new city locations to its server network since December 2024.
- Norton VPN now offers a kill switch for its Mac VPN app and iOS VPN app.
- Norton VPN has made Mimic protocol available on iOS in a June 2025 update, in addition to Mac, Windows, and Android VPN apps.
- Norton VPN has widgets and a Pause VPN feature, allowing for easy control of VPN from the home screen and temporary pausing of the VPN connection.
- Norton VPN has undergone significant feature updates over the last year.
- Norton VPN's IP Rotation changes your IP address every 30 seconds, making it harder for you to be tracked online.
- Norton VPN has over 100 server locations worldwide, including over 3,000 servers.
- Norton VPN's Double VPN routes traffic through two encrypted VPN servers, offering improved levels of privacy and security.
- Himmat Bains, formerly Head of Product at ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access (PIA), is now leading Norton VPN's feature output.
- Bains stated that Norton VPN's enhancements are a direct result of customer feedback and that more updates and a new independent no-log audit are on the horizon.
In conclusion, Norton VPN has made significant strides in the VPN market, offering robust security features, improved performance, and an expanding server network. With its commitment to continual development and competitive pricing, Norton VPN is well-positioned to challenge the market leaders and provide users with a reliable VPN service.
[1] Norton VPN: A Comprehensive Review (2025) - TechRadar [2] Norton VPN Review: Is It Worth the Money in 2025? - PCMag [3] Norton VPN Review: Speed, Security, and Performance (2025) - Tom's Guide [4] Norton VPN vs. NordVPN: A Comparative Analysis (2025) - CNET [5] Norton VPN vs. ExpressVPN: A Detailed Comparison (2025) - VPNMentor
Norton VPN's robust security features, including its audited no-logs policy, bank-grade AES-256 encryption, and a kill switch, make it a strong choice for businesses seeking cybersecurity and financial protection in the technology-driven business environment. This VPN service also offers updates and improvements to enhance its network performance, such as adding 18 new country locations and city-level locations, ranking it first for overall network performance in the market.
