Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are built on trust and transparency. After all, what good is a service that promises to protect your privacy from hackers and data thieves if its inner workings are a mystery?
To ensure they live up to their privacy and security claims, reputable VPNs regularly undergo independent audits. These audits are carried out by third-party firms, which assess and verify whether a VPN meets its advertised standards. The results are shared publicly, offering transparency to users.
This is one of the main reasons why I consider NordVPN to be my top choice. It voluntarily submits to regular independent audits, and the latest audit by West Coast Labs proves that NordVPN continues to deliver on its privacy and usability promises.
The Importance of Independent Audits
Independent audits are crucial because they provide an unbiased check on a company’s claims. Unlike internal assessments, these third-party reviews are less likely to be influenced by financial interests. Auditors have no stake in the company’s profits, making their findings more reliable.
West Coast Labs, which has been testing software for over 30 years, performs its audits in secure, real-world test environments, ensuring the integrity of all data. In their latest report, released on March 24, 2025, they gave NordVPN a clean bill of health, passing all categories tested, including auto-connect, kill switch, split tunneling, connection success, website accessibility, and more.
Why I Trust NordVPN
NordVPN has consistently provided fast and reliable connections for me across the U.S., Europe, and Southeast Asia. If one server is slow, it’s simple to reconnect to a faster one. I’ve never had any issues streaming 4K content or downloading large files.
Although NordVPN was founded in Lithuania, it is currently based in Panama, a country outside of the Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, and 14 Eyes international surveillance agreements. This makes it less likely that the company would be pressured by foreign governments to hand over user data. Moreover, NordVPN adheres to a strict no-logs policy, meaning it doesn’t store any user data. Even if a government or court requested data, NordVPN couldn’t comply because it doesn’t collect any to begin with.
NordVPN continues to lead the way in privacy and security, proven by its commitment to transparency and third-party audits. If you’re looking for a reliable and private VPN, NordVPN remains a top contender.
