NordVPN vs Cisco Umbrella

Norton AntiVirus

WatchGuard Firebox

ManageEngine Firewall Analyzer

Norton Security is designed to help users protect desktops, mobile devices, and data from hack attempts, malware, ransomware, and unauthorized access. The built-in firewall automatically tracks online traffic across the internet and blocks suspicious activities to secure personal data and files.

Firebox firewalls and security services are a foundational component of WatchGuard's Unified Security Platform architecture. They deliver standard protections like IPS, URL filtering, gateway AV, application control, and antispam to advanced features like file sandboxing, DNS filtering, and more.

ManageEngine Firewall Analyzer is a network security device management solution that helps optimize firewall performance, ensure compliance, proactively manage threats, monitor traffic and bandwidth consumption, and streamline firewall management for enhanced network protection.

Write a Review for NordVPN

I have reported issues with NordVPN's customer support, particularly with slow response times or unhelpful agents.

Marketing Manager

The NordVPN support team is also very responsive and they walk you through any problem you might encounter.

NordVPN is a VPN cloud security service which encrypts all internet traffic to ensure confidential business data is protected from third parties

Access Controls/Permissions

Activity Monitoring

Application Security

Authentication

Data Security

Encryption

Financial Data Protection

Firewalls

Monitoring

Network Provisioning

Network Security

Policy Management

Real-Time Monitoring

Reporting/Analytics

SSL Security

Threat Intelligence

Threat Response

Reviews for NordVPN come from a wide variety of industries, including Information Technology and Services (10% of reviewers), Computer Software (9%), and Marketing and Advertising (5%). The most frequent use case for NordVPN cited by reviewers is computer security (69% of reviewers).

Users and use cases

Most users consider NordVPN to offer good value for money due to competitive pricing, frequent discounts, and multi-device coverage. Some reviewers feel the monthly plan is expensive, and users report frustration with limited free trial options and renewal costs.

Value for money

The NordVPN integration most frequently cited by reviewers is Google Chrome, a browser product rated 4.8 out of 5 for its integration with NordVPN.

Integrations

NordVPN is a computer security tool with key features that include data security, VPN services, firewalls, reporting and analytics, real-time monitoring, policy management, and more.

NordVPN

Web-based

Android

Windows

iPhone

iPad

Linux

TunnelBear

OpenVPN Access Server

Malwarebytes for Business

CleanMyMac

Basic

Frequent login interruptions

Whatever

They have highjacked my computer, I have not been able to log in for over a week and getting no responses from emails or customer service!! When I rebooted my computer it is asking me for a master password which I have NOT set up.....and because i dont have it.

Operations Manager

The app sign out a lot, they ask you to change password when they want and it pops out a window in front of everything in the macOS app, it is very annoying because it keeps interrupting my work frequently, it could have more countries.

57% of reviewers feel negative about Account and Login. Users report frequent prompts to re-enter passwords, unexpected logouts, and recurring requests to change credentials, which they find disruptive and annoying. Some reviewers mention difficulties managing accounts across multiple devices and issues with account reactivation or suspension without clear communication. They indicate that these interruptions can hinder workflow, especially for non-technical users, and make the authentication process unnecessarily complicated. Users express frustration with password management and the lack of timely support for account-related problems.

Browser extension limitations

My main qualm with Nord VPN is that the Chrome browser extension does not have a whitelist feature.

39% of reviewers feel negative about the Browser Extension. Users report that the Chrome extension lacks important features like whitelisting and is prone to bugs, such as random sign-outs and update issues. They say the extension can be difficult to configure and sometimes interferes with normal browsing by blocking websites or displaying frequent ads and pop-ups. Some reviewers mention that notifications are intrusive and that the extension’s appearance is not user-friendly. They find these issues disruptive, especially when relying on the extension for secure browsing.

Complicated payment and refund process

Engineer

What I don't like about NordVPn is the big difference in prices between the monthly plan, the annual plan and the 2-year plan, in my case I needed the service for a few months, but I ended up buying the annual plan because it was practically the same to pay 5 months to pay 1 year, but the rest of the months I did not take advantage of it 100%

46% of reviewers feel negative about Payment. Users express frustration with the lack of a free trial, limited payment options, and difficulties with credit card acceptance. They report that refunds can take up to 30 days, and cancellation policies are strict or unclear, sometimes resulting in unwanted charges. Some reviewers mention problems with auto-renewal, price increases, and the absence of popular payment methods like PayPal. They feel the pricing structure is confusing, with the best discounts only available for long-term commitments, making short-term use less appealing.

Connection instability and glitches

Director

There is one glitch that need to fix on PRIORITY in NordVPN that is in every 10 minutes it's automatically disconnected, that irritates me too much.

56% of reviewers feel negative about Bugs and Issues. Reviewers report frequent disconnections, connection drops, and app freezes that require manual intervention or restarts. They say the software sometimes fails to reconnect automatically, causing interruptions during streaming, meetings, or downloads. Users mention that updates can introduce new glitches, and the mobile app occasionally lags or crashes. Some reviewers find that connection issues are more common after device sleep or network changes, and they feel these bugs undermine their trust in the service’s reliability.

Variable connection speeds

Translator

Sometimes it's even impossible to upload a content because of the slow speed of the servers. And changing them doesn't solve the issue.

Exec VP

Our experience was that regardless of which server in the multiple countries available, the service affected our internet speed quite substantially.  

47% of reviewers feel negative about Performance and Speed. Users report that connecting to certain servers can significantly reduce internet speed, causing buffering during streaming or slow uploads. They say server congestion, poor latency, and slow connections are common, especially when accessing distant locations. Some reviewers mention that the app can be slow to connect, and switching servers is sometimes necessary to find acceptable speeds. They indicate that these speed issues can disrupt work, gaming, or media consumption, and they expect more consistent performance.

Flexible location selection for travel

BIM Technician

I have used it for 2 months to visit some web pages and make some purchases of cheaper plane tickets according to the geographical location and it has worked for me, great

94% of reviewers feel positive about Location and Travel. Users appreciate the wide range of server locations available worldwide, making it easy to spoof their location for work, travel, or accessing region-specific content. They say the seamless connection process and fast speeds are beneficial when using public Wi-Fi in airports, hotels, or cafes. Reviewers highlight the convenience of switching locations quickly and the usefulness for tasks like SEO, purchasing travel tickets, or maintaining privacy while abroad. They find the map-based selection and multi-device support especially helpful.

Intuitive cross-platform interface

95% of reviewers feel positive about the User Interface. Reviewers appreciate that the interface is modern, visually appealing, and consistent across devices, making it easy to navigate whether on Windows, Mac, or mobile. They say the layout is clean and intuitive, allowing users of all technical levels to quickly connect and customize settings. Some users report that the interface’s simplicity reduces confusion, while others highlight the benefit of quick server selection and easy access to features. They find the interface user-friendly, even for beginners, and value the availability of helpful tutorials.

Effortless setup and operation

Data Scientist

It is very hard to mess up with this application as it is simple and clear.

Admin. Director

NordVPN has made this very simple and straightforward for us.

95% of reviewers feel positive about Ease of Use. Users say the software is straightforward to install and operate, requiring minimal explanation or technical knowledge. They find daily tasks, such as connecting to servers or switching locations, simple and hassle-free. Some reviewers mention that even children or non-technical users can use it without issues. They appreciate that the software is accessible on multiple platforms and that setup is quick, making it convenient for both work and personal use. Users indicate that the ease of use increases their overall satisfaction and confidence.

Operations

The connection is fast enough that I don't notice any buffering, and the "Threat Protection" is a nice little bonus because it actually stops those annoying pop-up ads while I'm browsing.

Co-Founder

A reliable and secure VPN which works hard to keep all your devices safe online, when abroad or using public wifi.

This VPN is advertised widely and supported by a range of brilliant content producers on YouTube, who vouch for its usefulness when travelling abroad or on public wifi.

IT Service Desk Analyst

The connection speed is instant and I've never had a problem connecting to any country in the world, especially the lesser known countries for example countries in Africa.

Professional Nurse

NordVPN has prevented me from downloading malware on my computer, putting all the information stored at risk, it detects malicious malware that wants to enter the system in time, it has reliable security that allows me to browse safely without fear of putting my data or information at risk, it provides a good connection speed without annoying loading times

Security Assessment Engineer

It provides seamless tunneling to the network which I wish to connect securely from my place to where I want to and access the resources for my purpose.

Marketing student

Its connection speed has been correct without closing or saturating, its cybersecurity has been perfect for protection against malware, always protecting the equipment from any damage that may be caused or from any type of malware that wants to enter without being detected.

Fleet Operative

The best feature of NordVPN are the browsers extensions, I really like it because I can use a secure connection just for the browser and not for the whole system.

IT Engineer

The server switching feature also turned out to be reliable, when using it to access region restricted sites when traveling.

Website Owner

NordVPN offers strong security for all of your devices no matter the operating platform they run on as it is available for Windows, MAC, Android, and IOS.

You have to be constantly mindful that your using VPN, and therefore if an app or website responds unexpectedly, you have ti disconnect and do your work, then reconnect.

System Engineer

The double VPN feature also satisfies me when I want to send sensitive files.

Cloud Engineer

On occasion the auto connect feature will reconnect me with slower servers than my preferred servers.

Sales

The app is intuitive, fast, and makes connecting to a secure server effortless, even for non-technical users.

Sales Manager

I always keep an eye on Darkweb Monitor feature, it shows when your email address and passwords are shared on Darkweb and change them immediately.

The web surfing has been way cleaner with the NordVPN actively blocking malicious URLs and trackers.

Internal trainer and technical support

Also, the main screen offers the option to easily switch server in the selected country but also change it right there and connect to another country.

Confidential

NordVPN's support is non existent, they do not properly resolve connection ticket with an acceptable time frame.

Some servers can be a bit slow at times, and switching between them may take a little longer, but overall the app works smoothly and securely, so it’s not a big concern.

Manager

The Firefox extension is establishing the connection with the server a little slower, is not a deal breaker but you need to wait for a few seconds until you can start browsing.

When you are connected via the VPN it can still be detected

Dark web monitor feature from NordVPN is a good tool to keep you passwords safe and away from hackers hands.

The ease at which it allows you to connect to a VPN to secure your connection is excellent.

Owner

I don't always understand all the aspects of how people can gather info through a backdoor to collect data for malicious reasons

NordVPN is a solid choice for users seeking strong security for their business or personal accounts with a robust feature set.

To reactivate / reauthorize account it will not allow you access siting that you've had too many attempts to establish reactivation.

My card decline the services but they continued to charge until their was room available on my card.

Fleet and Customer Operations Executive

Overall NordVPN offers a good layer of security for my internet connection which helps avoiding all kinds of threads.

UX Consultant

No significant slowdown when using the VPN which is a huge bonus, and most VPN locations are available most of the time.

NordVPN is a vast and secure VPN service with many useful features for every type of user.

I like how easy Nord VPN to use and set up, Nord VPN gives maximum protection to all of the devices in your network.

OTP Interpreter

Overall NordVPN has been a very good software to ensure I get stable (most of the time) connection while protecting myself.

NordVPN is a must have app for any internet user, the internet is fast and you esure threaths are far from you.

I am astonished by how well developed of a VPN it is, while also being very user friendly and easy to navigate.

I like the main app screen which directly offers to quick connect to a VPN servers.

Administrator Assistant

I wanted to use Nordvpn because of the cloak mode for websites that block vpn.

Freelancer Character Designer

There is a limit of concurrent devices that can use it.

Owner and teacher

First, in my country, there are some websites we normally use to access to gather information like school related lessons on the internet to teach my students which in case I require a vpn service in order to access some of the websites that are blocked.

Occasionaly the latency increases when I connect to a server in different geographical region

Content Writer and Editor

It has many security features including Double VPN, standard encryption, malware detection, and ad blocking features.

With NordVPN I began to feel safer on the public networks and on the sensitive platforms.

Founder

The download and upload speed is also pretty decent, which was a dealbreaker in other VPN solutions.

vCISO

great experience,  self updating but prompted within the app.

Web Designer

For example, I can connect to more than 3 different locations at once, and there is an option that automatically disconnects me from the internet whenever I reboot my PC.

Occasionally, when traveling, I have to restart my system to get it working on public wifi.  

I have the whole family on it, many of which are not tech people and they find it easy to use as well.   Since I have started using it, I have way fewer security incidents with malware and a lot less spam!

The software is not expensive, and having the possibility to do plans is nice.

The service can be shut down on your media without any notification ,therefore you must

NordVPN offers a wide choice of servers in a wide choice of countries to access.

Reviewers indicate that NordVPN’s VPN aspect is central to their experience, offering a wide range of global servers, strong encryption, and reliable privacy. Users report that NordVPN allows them to bypass geo-restrictions, access streaming services like Netflix, and mask their IP addresses for anonymity. They find NordVPN easy to use and appreciate the no-logging policy. Some users mention occasional slow servers or blocked websites, but overall, they value NordVPN’s VPN for security, speed, and flexibility. Of the 133 NordVPN users who gave detailed accounts of their use of VPN, 98% rated this feature as important or highly important.

Secure Connection

Account and Login

Performance and Speed

Bugs and Issues

Browser Extension

Access to Restricted Websites

Internet Browsing

Country Server

Security and Access Control

Small Business

Mid-size Business

Large Enterprises

Freelancers

Nord Security

Malwarebytes is a network security software that enables businesses to identify and detect potential cyberthreats across networks or enterprise servers. The cloud-based Malwarebytes Nebula platform lets administrators gain visibility into threat patterns from the centralized dashboard.

Cloudflare

Cloudflare protects and accelerates million of website online using a single change to your DNS by offering CDN functionality and advanced security.

ESET Endpoint Security

ESET Endpoint Security is a network monitoring solution, which helps businesses manage processes for detecting threats, blocking targeted attacks, preventing data breaches & providing protection against ransomware. It lets users monitor behavior of malicious processes and decloak memory segments.

Cisco Umbrella is an enterprise network security solution that provides DNS-layer security to block threats before connections are established. The platform includes features such as secure web gateway, cloud access security broker, data loss prevention, cloud-delivered firewall, and malware protection. It leverages threat intelligence from Cisco Talos and operates on a global cloud infrastructure to protect users and devices across multiple locations.

NordVPN vs Cisco Umbrella Comparison (2026)

NordVPN

Cisco Umbrella

Overview

Video & Screenshots

Pricing

User reviews

Key features

Integrations

Alternatives