NordVPN Server Network: Coverage, Specializations & Selection

“How many servers does NordVPN have?” It is a question we hear all the time and for good reason. When we are choosing a VPN, the size of its server network can make a big difference in our online experience. Well, NordVPN doesn’t disappoint at all. As of 2024, they are rocking over 6,400 servers spread across 111 countries. That is a lot of options for us to play with.

But it is not just about the numbers. Sure, having thousands of servers is impressive, but what really matters is how these servers perform and what they can do for us. That is where NordVPN really shines. From lightning-fast P2P servers for our downloading needs to double VPN servers for those times when we need extra privacy, NordVPN has got us covered.

We have been using NordVPN for a while now and let me tell you, navigating through their server network is like being a kid in a candy store. We are going to take you on a tour of NordVPN’s server network. We will show you how to pick the best server for your needs, explain those fancy specialized servers and even let you in on a little trick called server hopping. Let us get started.

What are VPN Servers?

VPN servers are special types of servers that enable VPN within a network operated by an organization like NordVPN. Server is one of the most important parts for a VPN as without servers, you will not be able to establish a secure and encrypted connection between your device and the Internet.

How do VPN Servers Work?

Here is how they work and why they are important:

Creating a Secure Tunnel

When you are using a VPN connection, your internet traffic is coded and passes through an undetectable tunnel to the server where it will be decoded before going into the Internet. This is the process by which your IP address gets hidden as if all of your traffic seems to come from a location of the VPN server, rather than where you actually are. This is important for keeping privacy and security on the internet.

Masking Your IP Address

In IP masking, VPN servers replace your actual IP address with an anonymous one from their database, which will make websites, advertisers, and even the ISP fail in tracking all that you do on the internet. This is important to your privacy but it can also be used to unlock some content you can not access.

Accessing Geo-Restricted Content

A large percentage of VPN usage is dedicated to users who are trying to access geo-restricted content and some use the VPN because they want one streaming platform which is only available in another country. That virtual location can be anywhere in the world that has a VPN server and switching your location lets you access content that is only available to someone who is living there.

Enhancing Online Security

VPN servers also play a big role in protecting sensitive data. VPNs work by encrypting your data, then routing it through secure servers to help stop cybercriminals from intercepting the information and gaining access to your encryption key. It is convenient when you are using free and unsecure public Wi-Fi networks.

Supporting Specialized Functions

Certain VPN servers are designed for certain functions like P2P file sharing, circumventing censorship or providing extra encryption. These servers are valuable in different use cases, which require tailored performance and security.

How Many Servers Does NordVPN Have?

NordVPN has 6,400+ servers worldwide as of 2024. Such a large network means that no matter where you are, there are always reliable and speedy connections. This is part of a wider pattern, with NordVPN continuing to scale up its server network by adding more virtual servers for regions where physical ones aren’t practical.

In Which Countries Does NordVPN Have Servers?

NordVPN server network has 6,400+ servers spread across 111 countries. This big coverage includes servers in major regions like North America, Europe, Asia and beyond. Also, NordVPN offers virtual servers in regions where physical structure is limited to make sure that you can access content from almost anywhere in the world. NordVPN server network’s big distribution of servers helps you maintain fast and reliable connections, no matter where you are located.

Americas

Europe

Asia Pacific

Africa and Middle East

Does NordVPN offer Specialized Servers?

Yes, NordVPN does offer different types of servers depending on your specific needs as a user. These specialized servers provide increased security, privacy and functionality as compared to standard VPN servers. The following are some of the more prominent types of specialized servers NordVPN provides:

P2P Servers

NordVPN has so-called P2P servers that are optimized for Peer-to-Peer (P2P) file sharing and torrenting. This helps to increase the bandwidth which is needed by P2P but also makes it more secure than typical traffic. These servers are configured to handle P2P and can allow very fast connections too. NordVPN’s P2P servers also protect your identity and location by encrypting all internet traffic, allowing you to keep what you do online private and secure from prying eyes like hackers or an ISP.

How to Find P2P Servers

• Open the NordVPN app on your device.
• Open the list of available servers categorized by country.
• Under each country, servers that support P2P activities will be labeled as “P2P.” 

How to Use P2P Servers

• Once you’ve located a P2P server, click on it to connect. 
• After connecting, you can safely begin your P2P file sharing or torrenting activities. 
• When you are connected to a non-P2P server and use a P2P application, NordVPN might redirect your connection through one of the available servers that is optimized for casual P2P traffic.

Double VPN Servers

NordVPN offers a feature called Double VPN servers, where your internet traffic is passed through two different VPN servers not like going from one as usual. It is even harder for others to intercept or track your online activities as it is encrypted two times so gives you better privacy and protection. This is very helpful for users who need total security.

How to Find Double VPN Servers

• Open the NordVPN app on your device.
• On the main screen, you’ll see a section labeled “Specialty Servers.” 
• In the Specialty Servers menu, look for “Double VPN.” 
• Click on it to view the available Double VPN server locations.

How to Use Double VPN Servers

• After selecting “Double VPN,” NordVPN will automatically connect you to the most optimal Double VPN server based on your location and current network conditions.
• Once you are connected, your traffic will be encrypted twice, providing an added layer of security. 

Onion Over VPN Servers

Onion Over VPN servers are a specialized feature that is offered by NordVPN. It combines the anonymity of The Onion Router (Tor) network with the security of a VPN. With Onion Over VPN, all of your internet traffic goes through a NordVPN server before entering the TOR network. In addition to preventing an exposure of your use of Tor from ISP, this also protects against anything bad being present at the Entry Node for the TOR network. 

How to Find Onion Over VPN Servers

• Open the NordVPN app on your device.
• Open the section labeled “Specialty Servers.”
• In the Specialty Servers menu, look for “Onion Over VPN.” 
• You will see a list of available servers that support this feature.

How to Use Onion Over VPN Servers

• After selecting “Onion Over VPN” from the Specialty Servers list, NordVPN will connect you to the best available server.
• Once connected, your traffic will be routed through the VPN server first and then through the Tor network.
• Unlike using Tor alone, you don’t need a special browser to access the Onion network. 

Obfuscated Servers

NordVPN Obfuscated servers are specialized VPN servers given by NordVPN that are designed to bypass internet restrictions and VPN bans. These servers mask your VPN traffic with regular HTTPS itself, meaning there is less chance that firewalls and other monitoring tools may see what you are using a VPN for.

This is especially necessary if you live in a country like China, Iran or Russia where most VPN service providers are also heavily censored and even banned. These NordVPN Obfuscated servers exist so that users can access the open internet, even in some of the most restrictive environments.

How to Find NordVPN Obfuscated Servers

• Open the NordVPN app on your device.
• Go to the Settings menu.
• Look for the “Advanced” section. Here, you will find an option to enable “Obfuscated Servers.” Toggle this option on.
• After enabling NordVPN Obfuscated servers, go back to the main screen and select “Specialty Servers.”
• Choose “Obfuscated Servers.” NordVPN will show you the available locations.

How to Use Obfuscated Servers

• After selecting “Obfuscated Servers” from the Specialty Servers list, NordVPN will automatically connect you to the best available server.
• Once connected, you can browse the internet freely, as your VPN traffic will appear as regular HTTPS traffic.
• If needed, you can click on the three dots next to “Obfuscated Servers” to select a specific country from the list of available locations.

Dedicated IP Servers

Dedicated IP servers are specialized servers available from NordVPN, which come with a unique fixed IP address that belongs to only one user at any time. Where Regular VPN servers are IP based, a NordVPN dedicated IP Server is an individual server that does not have thousands of other people’s IPs running through it. It’s really good if you want a permanent IP. Having a Dedicated IP address helps to keep your security alerts clean and not pull false positives because IPs constantly switch between different users.

How to Find NordVPN Dedicated IP Server

• First, you need to purchase a NordVPN dedicated IP Server address from NordVPN. This is an additional service that can be added to your existing NordVPN subscription.
• Open the NordVPN app on your device.
• On the main screen, find the “Specialty Servers” section.
• You will see an option for “Dedicated IP.” 
• Click on it to connect to your purchased dedicated IP server.

How to Use Dedicated IP Servers

• After selecting “Dedicated IP” from the Specialty Servers list, NordVPN will connect you to the server with your unique IP address.
• Once connected, you can use your dedicated IP for activities like secure banking, accessing business networks or bypassing restrictions.

These specialized servers enhance NordVPN’s versatility, making it suitable for a wide range of activities, from secure browsing to accessing restricted content.

The Best Server For Your Needs

The best NordVPN server for you will change depending on your VPN needs, What exactly it is that you are trying to accomplish with a VPN connection, where you want the exit node of the network to be and other factors too. Here is a guide to help you make the best choice:

Purpose of Use

• General Browsing: Standard web browsing can be done via “Quick Connect”. It will automatically connect you to a close and the strong server provides quick speed.
• Streaming and Accessing Geo-Restricted Content: With streaming and accessing geo-restricted content, you will require connecting to a server in the country where that particular contents are offered. If you want to access Netflix US, then connect through a server in the USA.
• Torrenting (P2P): Connect to P2P-enabled servers, NordVPN will automatically route your connection to a P2P server if it detects torrenting activity, but there is an option for you to select a specific P2P-friendly server.

Security Needs

• Maximum Privacy: Double VPN servers are used to encrypt your traffic twice, which is necessary for the protection of abnormally important communication​.
• Bypassing Censorship: Use Obfuscated servers, if you are in a country that has heavy internet censorship. This way you can bypass the firewalls and access any restricted content through servers that conceal your VPN traffic in regular web packets​.

Speed and Performance

• Fastest Connection: If you want the best speeds, always use a server that is close to your real location. Ideally you are looking to have the maximum speed possible and if your data does not need to travel very far then it should be a lot faster.
• Avoiding Congestion: If the server you are connected to is slow, try connecting to a less load system in that same region. For the most part, you get to see how busy each of NordVPN’s servers are but we are pretty sure there are faster choices.

Consistent Access

• Static IP Needs: If you need to be able to access specific services with a constant address, for example, secure banking or corporate networks, then Dedicated-IP is to your advantage. It means you can have the same IP address at all times, meaning there is less chance of getting in trouble for having a shared IP.
• Onion Over VPN: Use an Onion over VPN server, together with Tor to anonymously access the dark web without being tracked.

Manual Server Selection

• Discover Servers: The NordVPN app map visually displays the available server by country, which you can scan in order to browse specific servers. You can choose where to place a customer based on the load distributions.

How to Manually Select a Server Location?

Manually selecting a server location in NordVPN allows you to choose a specific server in a country or region of your choice. It gives you more control over your connection. Here is how you can do it too:

Steps to Manually Select a Server Location

1. Open the NordVPN App: Open the NordVPN app on your device.
2. Access the Server List: On the app’s main screen, you will see a map with server locations or a menu listing many options. Depending on your device, you might see a list of countries directly or a menu icon to access the full server list.
3. Select a Country: You can either scroll through the list of countries or use the search bar at the top to find a specific country. Click on the country to view the available servers in that location.
4. Choose a Specific Server: For more control, you can click on the three dots next to the country name. This will bring up a list of all available servers in that country, including their current load percentage. Choose a server that fits your needs; one with a lower load typically offers better speed.
5. Connect to the Selected Server: Once you have chosen a server, click on it to connect. NordVPN will establish a secure connection to the selected server.
6. Verify the Connection: After connecting, you can check your new IP address to confirm that it matches the country you selected. Some NordVPN apps will also show the server name or number you are connected to.

What is Server Hopping?

Swapping back and forth between distinct VPN servers while browsing is known as Server hopping. One of the reasons users might do this is due to:

• Enhanced Privacy: Regularly rotating servers make tracking of you more difficult for anyone who monitors your activity and harder to tie it all back together with a single IP address.
• Avoiding Bandwidth Throttling: Another reason is that some ISPs throttle bandwidth when they notice any unusual and long-lasting connections to one server. This could be avoided by users bouncing between servers.
• Accessing Different Geolocations: Server hopping is popular for those who are looking to spoof their geolocation in order to access region-specific content or escape internet restrictions.
• Improved Connection Speeds: Users can switch the server to connect with a less congested one or find another closer to their actual physical location.

Does NordVPN Support Server Hopping?

NordVPN does not have any clear “server hopping” feature but it does allow users to manually switch between servers as often as they like. NordVPN supports server hopping through:

• Manual Server Switching 
• Quick Connect
• Specialized Servers

While NordVPN supports the concept of server hopping through manual server switching and other flexible features. But users need to begin these changes themselves within the app.

How often are NordVPN Servers Updated?

NordVPN always keeps an eye on its servers so you can enjoy a fast and secure connection. While it is not something NordVPN makes public when the servers are updated, many factors provide a good idea of how and likely when an update will occur.

Regular Maintenance and Upgrades

• Routine Updates: NordVPN servers upgrade every once in a while to make the security bulletproof, improve performance and respect up-to-the-minute privacy standards. It can be any of the software updates, hardware upgrades or even a server configuration.
• Security Patches: NordVPN can instantly deploy security patches to its entire network when new weaknesses are discovered. This addition rolls out quick updates immediately whenever the new security risk is readjusted.

Server Expansion

• Adding New Servers: NordVPN is always adding new servers to its network in existing and new locations to improve coverage and reduce the load. The growth can also help to hold rapid connection speeds and give people many more selections for server locations.

Server Audits and Compliance

• Audits and Certifications: NordVPN has a strict no-logs policy. Does this nudge the company for any information on users’ anything at all? This carries over to company-wide protocol adherence for GDPR compliance and the no-logs policy.
• Compliance Updates: Any time there are modifications in data protection rules or guidelines, NordVPN adapts its servers and practices to keep it compliant.

User Feedback and Performance Monitoring

• Performance Monitoring: NordVPN constantly tests its server performance on all servers around the world, analyzing sustained speeds and monitoring load. If a server is below a satisfactory performance level, it can be upgraded to higher configurations.
• User Feedback: The user feedback comes in handy for Nord so they can quickly identify if anything is going wrong on their servers. NordVPN might give updates or more attention to a specific server if a large segment of users experiences issues with it.

NordVPN does not specify how often their servers are updated. The process is ongoing and driven by security needs, performance improvements, server expansion and compliance requirements. 

Frequently Asked Questions

The Bottom Line

We have covered a lot about NordVPN’s servers, haven’t we? From those 6,400+ servers spread across the globe to the cool specialized ones like P2P and Double VPN, there is a lot to love. Picking the right server is key. Whether you are just streaming, torrenting or just browsing casually, there is a perfect server out there for just you.

And don’t forget about server hopping – it is a neat trick for extra privacy. The best part? NordVPN keeps all these servers up-to-date, so we are always getting top-notch performance and security. It is like having a bodyguard for your internet connection all the time.

So next time you are using NordVPN, have some fun exploring different servers. With so many to choose from, your perfect internet experience is just a click away. Happy surfing, and stay safe out there.