In this NordLayer review, you’ll learn everything you need to know about this business VPN solution from Nord Security. Designed to address the cybersecurity needs of modern organizations, it offers advanced encryption, centralized user management, and network access controls.

You are viewing: NordLayer Review 2024

With its integration of SASE architecture and focus on scalability, NordLayer provides a robust security framework for businesses of all sizes.

Let’s thoroughly examine its features, performance metrics, pricing structure, and overall value as an enterprise-level cybersecurity tool.

What is NordLayer?

Founded in 2019, NordLayer is a comprehensive cybersecurity solution designed for businesses.

This cloud-based platform offers a suite of advanced security features, including a business VPN, Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), and Security Service Edge (SSE), to protect company data and manage secure access across working environments.

NordLayer’s multi-layered approach safeguards business traffic through encrypted VPN tunnels, enables secure remote access to company resources, and assists organizations in achieving regulatory compliance.

By integrating technologies like Firewall as a Service (FWaaS) and adaptive access controls, it provides robust protection against cyber threats while facilitating seamless operations for distributed workforces.

NordLayer Plans & Pricing

NordLayer offers three comprehensive plans, Lite, Core, and Premium, each designed for different business needs and security requirements. All tiers support a minimum of five users and come with a 14-day money-back guarantee:

Can I Get NordLayer for Free?

NordLayer doesn’t offer a free version but provides a personalized demo showcasing its key features.

Additionally, it offers a 14-day money-back guarantee for risk-free testing. You can also save up to 22% using coupon codes.

Is NordLayer Safe and Secure?

NordLayer utilizes robust security measures to protect businesses when employees access company resources. The service is ISO 27001 certified and compliant with HIPAA regulations, proving its commitment to data protection and privacy.

Encryption

NordLayer employs AES-256 encryption – a symmetrical algorithm that secures data in 256-bit blocks using 14 rounds of encryption. This military-grade cipher is also used for classified government systems.

Additionally, it implements ChaCha20, another symmetrical encryption algorithm that uses 20 rounds of encryption for securing online data transmission.

Tunneling Protocols

NordLayer employs the Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP) in conjunction with IPSec for secure data transmission.

L2TP acts as the tunneling agent, while IPSec provides encryption using advanced algorithms and cryptographic keys. This combination ensures that private data packets appear as public traffic while maintaining a high level of security.

Logging Policy and Jurisdiction

NordLayer is based in the United States and maintains access logs necessary for service provision. These include personal information, access details like IP address, operating system, and browser info, as well as payment data.

As a US-based company, NordLayer falls under the jurisdiction of the Five Eyes alliance, which may require data sharing for national security purposes. While the provider strives to protect user privacy, you should be aware of these jurisdictional implications.

Additionally, NordLayer’s no-logs policy hasn’t been independently audited yet.

NordLayer VPN Features

NordLayer aims to enhance organizational network security, improve internet safety, and streamline resource access management. The following features work together to create a robust cybersecurity ecosystem for businesses of all sizes:

Gateways and Servers

NordLayer’s gateway system serves as a node, bridging networks with different protocols and facilitating secure connections between remote users and the internet.

The gateway encrypts and decrypts all traffic passing through it, imposing security restrictions on clients and ensuring comprehensive traffic encryption. This setup is particularly beneficial for securing public Wi-Fi connections and enabling safe remote work.

The service also has an extensive network of servers spread across 30 global locations. These offer both shared and dedicated IP addresses.

Dedicated Server with Fixed IP

NordLayer’s dedicated server option with a fixed IP address offers enhanced security, performance, and customization capabilities.

This setup provides a secure environment for accessing company resources and applications, significantly improving the performance of key business systems.

One major advantage is the ability to access internal resources while offline. You can also request a secure, untraceable DNS within your organization’s network, further enhancing privacy and security.

In regions with sufficient bandwidth, each organization gets an exclusive server, allowing for unimpeded browsing and access to company resources. This dedicated infrastructure gives you the flexibility to customize the gateway and adapt the VPN setup to unique security protocols and workflows.

Site-to-Site Connections

Site-to-site connections offer a secure solution for businesses with geographically dispersed Local Area Networks (LANs).

The feature establishes an encrypted connection between separate office locations, which enables secure communication and seamless access to the company network across all sites.

The site-to-site VPN functions as a secure tunnel, safeguarding traffic from external threats.

NordLayer provides two types: 

Intranet-based VPNs connect individuals within the same organization across the internet, and Extranet-based VPNs establish secure connections between different companies.

The former is ideal for businesses with multiple branches or remote teams, while the latter enables controlled resource sharing with trusted external parties like partners or clients.

Smart Remote Access

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NordLayer’s Smart Remote Access feature builds upon the traditional Local Area Network (LAN) concept by creating a virtual LAN accessible over the internet.

This eliminates the need for physical connections between devices, allowing data transfer and access to any device connected to the virtual network – provided it has NordLayer installed and is linked to a private gateway.

This feature facilitates access to servers, systems, and other devices, while also supporting file sharing and Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) solutions.

Network Access Control

Network Access Control (NAC) is an important security method that NordLayer implements to ensure that only authorized and compliant users can access the network.

This is particularly valuable in environments where employees use their own devices, collaborate across platforms, or manage IoT systems.

NAC enhances network visibility by mapping all connected devices to improve security compliance and simplify network management. By restricting access to sensitive resources and verifying each user before granting network entry, NAC increases overall security while potentially reducing IT resource costs.

Network Monitoring

This feature works to optimize system performance, ensure data security, identify potential threats, and maintain compliance standards.

It focuses on key areas such as configuration, performance, availability, and cloud infrastructure.

This comprehensive monitoring allows Network Operations teams to proactively address issues before they become critical, detect security anomalies, and smoothly integrate new features into the network.

User Management

NordLayer’s User Management feature provides Identity and Access Management solutions, ensuring optimal network security through granular control over user access levels.

The Administrator mode offers extensive control over the entire network ecosystem, including the ability to activate, suspend, or delete members as needed. Administrators can create teams, add members, and assign specific access levels to each group.

Additionally, they can create and manage gateways, which act as secure entry points to the network. There are also options to assign teams to specific gateways, activate or suspend them as required, and monitor usage.

Security Controls

The Security Controls feature set lets you implement strong cybersecurity measures to protect networks from digital threats.

The Auto-Connect option automatically establishes a secure VPN connection when users go online, ensuring continuous protection.

Then, the Always On VPN feature enforces organization-wide VPN usage, guaranteeing all network traffic is encrypted and routed through secure channels.

NordLayer also offers sophisticated session management tools. The Idle Timeout option requires users to re-authenticate after periods of inactivity, while the Active Session Timeout feature automatically logs users out after a predetermined period.

MFA

NordLayer implements Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) to enhance network security beyond traditional password-based systems.

This measure requires users to provide multiple forms of identification before accessing sensitive resources, mitigating the risk of unauthorized entry.

NordLayer typically combines Single Sign-On (SSO) capabilities with two-factor authentication (2FA). Users can log in using their username and password or through integrated services like Google, Azure, or Okta.

A second layer of verification follows, supported through SMS or application-based authentication.

ThreatBlock

ThreatBlock is a security feature that actively protects devices and networks from online threats.

It automatically blocks harmful websites, malicious advertisements, auto-play ads, pop-ups, and unsecured websites. This, in turn, significantly reduces the risk of malware infections, phishing attempts, and data breaches.

Administrators can centrally implement ThreatBlock across the entire organization for maximum protection.

Alternatively, individual users can activate ThreatBlock on their devices for personalized security. The feature is available through the Settings tab under Security configuration options, where a simple toggle key lets you switch it on or off.

Always On VPN

NordLayer’s Always On VPN feature functions as a kill switch, ensuring continuous protection for users and organizational data.

It maintains connectivity exclusively through the VPN, automatically severing internet access if the VPN connection drops. It’s particularly valuable for remote workers and frequent travelers who often rely on public Wi-Fi networks.

The feature can be enabled by individual users or centrally managed by administrators.

Notably, administrators have the flexibility to activate it for specific teams. Once enabled by an administrator, individual users can’t disable the feature on their own.

What are NordLayer SD-WAN and SASE?

Software-defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) is an advanced network technology that modernizes the management of wide area networks.

Unlike traditional VPNs, which primarily focus on secure remote access to company resources, SD-WAN optimizes communication between different locations, enhancing overall network performance and security.

SD-WAN offers numerous benefits, including site-to-site VPN connections and end-to-end encryption. Its dynamic path selection feature automatically chooses the optimal route, improving network speed.

Additionally, the technology’s multiple connection options ensure high reliability, as it can seamlessly switch to alternative connections if one fails. Its scalability also allows it to adapt to evolving business demands effortlessly.

NordLayer’s Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) integrates SD-WAN with advanced security features into a unified, cloud-based platform. This includes security solutions such as Firewall as a Service and Zero Trust Network Access.

By utilizing SD-WAN, SASE creates a single, organized network fabric controlled through a centralized console. The result is a complete security platform that keeps businesses and all connected devices protected.

NordLayer Performance

NordLayer offers a range of VPN protocols to optimize performance and security.

The Automatic option intelligently selects the most suitable protocol, while advanced users can manually choose from IKEv2, OpenVPN (UDP and TCP), and NordLynx, which uses WireGuard technology.

From my tests, NordLynx stands out as the top performer. It maintained approximately 960 Mbps of my original 1 Gbps connection speed. The result is impressive, even when compared to the fastest commercial VPNs.

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I observed that other protocols offer varying performance levels. IKEv2 typically maintains about 600 Mbps, which is still good, but noticeably slower.

OpenVPN UDP, on the other hand, preserved around 90% (900 Mbps) of my base speed, offering a good balance between performance and security.

Finally, OpenVPN TCP cut my 1 Gbps connection in half to about 520 Mbps. However, due to its focus on reliability, this option is excellent for situations requiring maximum security.

NordLayer Compatibility and Ease of Use

NordLayer offers a user-friendly experience across multiple platforms, with technical documentation and responsive support. The platform’s intuitive design and straightforward installation processes make it user-friendly regardless of your technical expertise.

Here’s a breakdown of NordLayer’s compatibility and ease of use across different operating systems:

Is NordLayer Good For Streaming?

While primarily designed for business use, NordLayer can indeed support streaming needs. The service offers high-speed connectivity of up to 1Gbps, which is more than sufficient for streaming high-quality video content without lag.

However, it’s important to note that NordLayer provides organizations with granular control over network access.

Through features like Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) Lite, companies can restrict access to specific ports and services, including streaming platforms, messaging apps, and other potentially non-work-related sites.

NordLayer vs. Top VPN Competitors

Now, let’s highlight the key differences between NordLayer, a business VPN solution, and popular consumer VPNs like Surfshark, ExpressVPN, and PureVPN:

NordLayer Customer Support And User Reviews

NordLayer offers multiple support channels, including a comprehensive Help Center, 24/7 customer service via email ([email protected]), and live chat. While the company claims to provide fast and responsive support, user experiences seem to vary.

Upon testing the live chat feature, I encountered a chatbot that presented pre-made topics. The system appeared to create a loop when my query didn’t fit the provided options, making it challenging to reach a human support representative.

This experience aligns with some user reports of difficulty in accessing personalized support for complex issues.

On SoftwareAdvice, NordLayer has a rating of 4.7 out of 5, suggesting high overall user satisfaction. Many clients praise the platform’s ease of use, feature set, and overall functionality.

However, not all feedback is positive.

Some users express frustration with customer support, describing it as unhelpful, particularly when attempting to use alternative protocols that don’t always function as expected. There are complaints about the support team’s tendency to refer to basic troubleshooting steps even when faced with clear server issues.

Users also report frequent downtime with dedicated gateways, thus having to use backup servers in different locations.

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