Nord VPN's 14th Birthday Sale: What You Need to Know Right Now
Nord VPN just turned 14 years old, and they're celebrating in a way that actually matters to your wallet. Instead of the typical "20% off" nonsense that expires in five minutes, they're running a seriously generous promotion that includes free Amazon gift cards worth up to $50 across every subscription plan they offer.
If you've been sitting on the fence about getting a VPN, or if your current subscription is about to expire, this is legitimately one of the best times to sign up. The deal stacks real savings with bonus value that most people aren't even aware exists yet. We're talking a two-year plan bundled with a $50 Amazon gift card, which effectively slashes the real cost down to something you'd normally pay for a single month somewhere else, as detailed by Wired.
Here's the thing: VPN deals come and go constantly. Every few weeks, another provider throws out a flashy banner claiming they've got the "lowest price ever." But Nord VPN's birthday sale is different. They're not just discounting the subscription. They're adding tangible value through Amazon credit that you can actually use on anything, from groceries to electronics to streaming subscriptions. That's the kind of deal structure that separates genuine offers from marketing noise.
We've tracked Nord VPN's promotions for years, and this year's celebration feels more aggressive than usual. The company seems intent on converting free-tier users and lapsed subscribers back into paying customers. Whether that's because of increased competition from Express VPN and Surfshark, or simply because they're genuinely celebrating a milestone, the result is the same: you get better value.
The catch? These promotions rarely stick around indefinitely. Nord VPN's birthday sales typically run for a limited window, usually between two to four weeks depending on regional variations. Once the promotional period closes, the gift card offer disappears entirely, and you're back to standard subscription pricing. That's not a scare tactic—it's just how these campaigns work.
If you're even remotely considering switching to a VPN, or upgrading from a cheaper provider to something more reliable, the timing is honestly perfect right now. Let's break down exactly what's available, who should care most, and how to make sure you're actually getting the best possible deal.
TL; DR
- Nord VPN's birthday promotion includes free Amazon gift cards ranging from 50 depending on plan length
- The offer applies to all subscription tiers, from 1-month plans up to 2-year commitments
- Effective pricing becomes significantly lower when you factor in the gift card value
- Promotion timing is limited, typically running for weeks, not months
- Best value sits with 2-year plans, which include the maximum $50 gift card
NordVPN's birthday sale offers different Amazon gift card values based on the subscription plan:
Understanding the Full Promotion Structure
Nord VPN has structured this birthday sale in a way that actually rewards longer commitments without being predatory about it. Unlike some VPN providers who only offer discounts on extended plans, Nord VPN is giving Amazon gift cards across the entire product line.
The breakdown works like this. If you grab a monthly subscription right now, you're getting a
What makes this structure smart is that it creates genuine incentive without being manipulative. A customer could legitimately choose a monthly plan if they want maximum flexibility, and they still get $15 free. That person isn't getting "punished" for not committing long-term. They're just getting fewer free dollars because their commitment is smaller.
The 1-year sweet spot is where most smart shoppers land. You're getting a year of solid service, plus
The 2-year plans are where Nord VPN makes their real push. At first glance, paying for two years upfront feels risky. What if you hate the service? What if better options emerge? But here's the psychological reframe: you're essentially prepaying for one year and getting the second year at a massive discount, plus a $50 Amazon gift card that covers basically everything you might want to try in the meantime. If you're already using VPN services and know you'll need one for the next two years anyway, the 2-year plans make mathematical sense.
NordVPN's 14th Birthday Sale offers significant savings, especially on the 2-Year Plan, which includes a
Why Amazon Gift Cards Are Better Than Direct Discounts
Pick up almost any competing VPN promotion, and you'll see "40% off" or "60% off." Those sound massive until you do the actual math. A 50% discount on an
Amazon gift cards work differently psychologically and practically. A $50 Amazon gift card is immediately spendable. It's not a discount buried in your billing statement. It's liquid value you can apply to anything today: groceries, tech accessories, streaming services, or just hold it for later. That's why this promotion structure feels more generous than a straight percentage discount, even if the math might be comparable.
For people who are AWS users, Amazon Prime members, or regular Amazon shoppers (which is probably 80% of people reading this), gift cards are essentially the same as cash. No friction, no expiration stress beyond Amazon's standard policies. You grab your gift card code, plug it into your Amazon account, and it's instantly usable.
There's also a psychological element that matters. Percentage discounts disappear after the billing cycle. You get the savings once, and then you're back to regular pricing. Gift cards, by contrast, feel like a bonus that persists. Even if the actual value might be equivalent, the experience of having a
From Nord VPN's perspective, this structure also makes sense. They're not just competing on price anymore—they're trying to drive customer loyalty across multiple platforms. Someone who gets a $50 Amazon gift card is more likely to become a long-term Nord VPN user because they're already invested in the Amazon ecosystem. That's smart business, and it happens to benefit you in the process.
Breaking Down the Plan Options
Nord VPN offers multiple subscription tiers, and the birthday sale applies to all of them. Understanding which tier makes sense for your needs matters more than chasing the biggest gift card amount.
Standard Plan Breakdown
The Standard plan is Nord VPN's entry-level offering. It includes all the core VPN functionality: encryption, server access, protocol switching, and basic features. You get protection on up to six simultaneous devices, which covers most households. The Standard plan doesn't include the advanced threat protection features or specialized server types, but it's the solid foundation.
With the birthday sale, Standard plans get the full gift card treatment. A 1-year Standard subscription will run you around
Plus Plan Benefits
The Plus tier is where most people should probably land. It includes everything in Standard, plus threat protection against malware and phishing attempts, dedicated IP address options, and access to specialized servers (P2P optimized, onion-over-VPN, and others). Plus plans also allow six simultaneous connections, same as Standard.
Plus pricing typically comes in around
Ultimate Plan: Maximum Protection
The Ultimate tier includes everything in Plus, with one critical addition: 10 simultaneous device connections instead of six. If you've got a household with multiple phones, tablets, laptops, and streaming devices, that extra space matters. You can protect your entire digital footprint simultaneously without juggling which device gets the VPN connection.
Ultimate plans include password manager access (Passwarden), encrypted cloud storage, and access to all server types. The annual pricing typically hits around
NordVPN offers a competitive balance of cost and features, with a transparent gift card promotion. Surfshark is the cheapest but offers fewer features. (Estimated data)
The Two-Year Commitment Question
Two-year VPN plans are where people get nervous. Committing to $150+ for a service you might not use consistently feels risky. What if the company gets hacked? What if new features you need don't materialize? What if you move to a country where VPNs are regulated differently?
These are legitimate concerns, not irrational fears. The counterpoint is this: if you already use VPNs and know you'll need one for the foreseeable future, the two-year plans offer objectively better value. The
Nord VPN also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, which applies to 2-year plans. That means you've got a full month to test the service and verify it works with your devices, your internet speed requirements, and your geographic needs. If it doesn't work, you get a full refund—not store credit, not vouchers, an actual refund. That policy exists specifically to reduce the risk of long-term commitments.
The worst-case scenario with a 2-year plan is that you discover the service doesn't work for you in month two, use the refund guarantee, and you're out nothing. The best-case scenario is you lock in incredibly cheap service rates and get a $50 bonus. The middle scenario—you use the service for a year and then decide to switch—still leaves you with better per-month pricing than you'd get on annual plans from most competitors.
How This Birthday Sale Compares to Competitors
To understand whether Nord VPN's birthday sale is actually competitive, you need to compare it directly against what other major VPN providers are offering right now.
Express VPN typically doesn't run gift card promotions. Instead, they offer straight percentage discounts on subscription plans. Their current offers usually hover around 30-40% off annual plans, which brings pricing down to roughly $6.67 per month on a year-long subscription. That's cheaper numerically than Nord VPN's base pricing, but Express VPN also charges more upfront. When you factor in Nord VPN's gift card value, the real-world cost becomes comparable.
Surfshark runs more aggressive promotions than either Nord VPN or Express VPN. They frequently offer 2-year plans for under $2/month when combining discounts. However, Surfshark's base service, while solid, lacks some of the advanced features and optimizations that Nord VPN provides. You're getting cheaper service, but with fewer features and less refined user experience.
Cyber Ghost is another competitor worth considering. They often bundle extra months with annual plans (buy one year, get three months free) rather than gift card incentives. The mathematical value is similar to Nord VPN's approach, but it doesn't offer the flexibility of Amazon credit.
What makes Nord VPN's approach interesting is that it doesn't position the gift card as a gimmick. It's genuine added value without manipulating the actual subscription cost. Other providers use gift cards as a way to obscure real pricing or create confusion around what you're actually paying monthly. Nord VPN's promotion is transparent: here's the plan cost, here's the gift card. Do the math yourself.
NordVPN leads in encryption audits and no-logs policy enforcement, backed by transparency reports and a large server network. Estimated data.
Who Should Jump on This Deal
Not everyone needs a VPN, and not everyone should commit to one during a promotion. Let's be honest about who actually benefits from Nord VPN's birthday sale.
Existing VPN Users (Best Candidates)
If you're already using a VPN service—whether it's Express VPN, Surfshark, or even a cheaper provider—you're the ideal candidate for this promotion. You already understand the value proposition. You know you'll use the service. Your only question is whether Nord VPN offers better features or pricing than your current provider.
For people in this situation, the birthday sale becomes a switching incentive. If you're paying
People Considering VPNs for the First Time
If you've been thinking about getting a VPN but haven't pulled the trigger yet, the birthday sale removes some of the commitment anxiety. The 30-day money-back guarantee means you can test the service risk-free. If it works for you, great. If not, you get a refund and the Amazon gift card was never real value anyway.
First-time VPN users should probably avoid the 2-year plans, though. Stick with annual plans. You'll figure out whether you actually use the service, whether it meets your security and speed requirements, and whether you want to stick with Nord VPN specifically. After one year of real-world experience, renewing at a discounted rate makes sense.
People with Multiple Devices
Nord VPN becomes particularly valuable if you've got numerous devices that need simultaneous VPN protection: phones, tablets, laptops, smart TVs, streaming boxes. The Ultimate plan's 10 simultaneous connections mean you can protect your entire household at once. The birthday sale makes that tier more affordable than it would normally be.
Travelers and Remote Workers
If you travel internationally or work remotely from different countries, VPN reliability becomes critical. You need a service that doesn't randomly disconnect, has fast servers in relevant regions, and supports the protocols you need for your work. Nord VPN's infrastructure is solid enough to handle these requirements, and the birthday sale pricing makes it reasonable even for people who might use it inconsistently.
People NOT Ready for This Deal
On the flip side, some people shouldn't jump on this sale:
If you've never used a VPN and aren't sure why you'd need one, don't sign up based on a promotion. Research VPN necessity first, figure out which features matter to you, then come back to the pricing question. A cheap VPN you don't use is worthless, regardless of the Amazon gift card.
If your internet provider or government has restrictions on VPN usage, confirm those restrictions before subscribing. Some countries don't allow VPNs. Some corporate networks block them. A promotion doesn't change those technical or legal realities.
If you're in a financial position where even discounted VPN pricing creates strain, skip it. A VPN should enhance your security and privacy, not stress your budget. There are free VPN options (though they're less reliable), and your security shouldn't depend on promotional pricing.
Regional Variations and Availability
Nord VPN's birthday sale, like most major promotions, has regional nuances. The base offer applies globally, but pricing, available plans, and specific gift card amounts might vary depending on where you're located.
US-based customers generally get access to the full range of plans and maximum gift card values. That makes sense given the US is Nord VPN's largest market. European customers get essentially the same deals, though VAT might affect displayed pricing. If you're in the UK, you'll see prices including VAT, which appears higher numerically but is actually equivalent.
Some regions have region-specific promotions layered on top. For example, customers in Nordic countries (Nord VPN's home region) sometimes get extended promotional periods or slightly higher gift card values. That's not a hard rule—it varies by year and promotion structure.
Payment method also matters. Nord VPN accepts credit cards, Pay Pal, and cryptocurrency for most regions. Some gift card promotions are tied to specific payment methods. If you're planning to use cryptocurrency, confirm that the birthday sale applies to crypto transactions before committing.
If you're outside major markets—Asia-Pacific regions, South America, Africa—the promotion still applies, but you might encounter reduced payment options or different pricing structures. This isn't Nord VPN being deliberately exclusive; it's just how international business works with currency, compliance, and local partnerships.
Estimated data shows that 2-year VPN plans offer the lowest average monthly cost, making them a cost-effective choice for long-term users.
Maximizing the Gift Card Value
Once you've committed to Nord VPN and received your Amazon gift card, the next question becomes: what should you actually buy with it?
The smart move is to think about what you were going to buy anyway and use the gift card to cover that expense. If you need a USB-C cable, tablet holder, or replacement charger, Amazon has cheap options. Buy those and free up cash elsewhere.
Alternatively, consider security-adjacent products. Password managers, encrypted USB drives, or webcam covers are all privacy-focused purchases that complement VPN service. You're building a more comprehensive security posture.
Don't waste the gift card on overpriced items just because "free." A $50 Amazon gift card isn't an excuse to buy things you don't need. Use it for something you'd purchase anyway, or save it for a planned purchase. That way, the entire transaction feels like pure savings.
Security and Privacy Considerations
Getting a good price on VPN service only matters if the service actually protects your security and privacy. Let's talk about what makes Nord VPN worth the investment beyond just the promotional pricing.
Encryption Standards
Nord VPN uses AES-256 encryption, which is military-grade and considered unbreakable with current technology. That's the same standard the US government uses for classified information. When you connect through Nord VPN, your traffic is encrypted with this standard, making it illegible to ISPs, network administrators, or anyone attempting to intercept your data.
The important detail here: all major VPN providers use AES-256. It's the standard. Advertising "military-grade encryption" is like advertising "we follow basic security practices." It's expected, not exceptional. What matters is whether the company has audited their encryption implementation and proven it works correctly.
Nord VPN undergoes third-party security audits regularly. They've published audit reports from reputable security firms confirming their encryption implementation is solid. That transparency matters more than the encryption standard itself.
No-Logs Policy
Nord VPN claims a strict no-logs policy: they don't store your browsing history, traffic data, DNS requests, or IP addresses once you disconnect. That sounds great, but it's worth questioning. How do they actually enforce this internally? What happens if law enforcement requests user data?
Nord VPN has published transparency reports and, in one case, actually fought a government request for user information (in Russia). They provided no data because they have no data to provide. That real-world track record is more valuable than a promise. It proves the no-logs policy isn't just marketing.
Server Network Quality
Nord VPN operates over 6,000 servers across 111 countries. That's an enormous global footprint, which means better chances of finding fast, reliable servers near your location. Larger networks also provide better load balancing—traffic is distributed across many servers rather than concentrated on a few, which keeps speeds higher.
However, more servers doesn't automatically mean better service. Server quality matters more than server quantity. A provider with 1,000 slow, unreliable servers provides worse service than a competitor with 500 fast, stable servers. Nord VPN has invested in decent infrastructure, but you should still test speeds before committing long-term.
Protocol Options
Nord VPN supports multiple VPN protocols: Open VPN, Nord Lynx (a hardened version of Wire Guard), and others. Different protocols have different speed/security trade-offs. Open VPN is reliable but slightly slower. Wire Guard variants are faster but newer. Having multiple options means you can test each and find what works best for your specific needs and location.
Existing VPN users are the most suitable candidates for NordVPN's birthday sale, followed by users with multiple devices. Estimated data based on user needs.
Speed Testing: What to Expect
One of the most common VPN complaints is speed loss. People connect to a VPN, suddenly their video buffering worsens, and they assume the VPN is terrible. Sometimes that's accurate. Often, it's not.
VPN speed depends on several variables: your base internet connection quality, the VPN server's location relative to where you are, server load, your device's processing power, and the VPN protocol you're using. Testing Nord VPN's speed isn't straightforward because results vary wildly depending on these factors.
If you're considering Nord VPN, use the 30-day money-back guarantee to test speeds on your specific setup. Run baseline tests without VPN, then run tests with different Nord VPN servers and protocols. Average your results. If you're consistently losing more than 50% of your normal speed, that's a legitimate problem. If you're losing 20-30%, that's normal encryption overhead.
For most users doing standard web browsing, streaming, or light file transfers, Nord VPN's speed is perfectly fine. For people doing serious gaming or real-time applications, speed loss becomes more noticeable and might be a dealbreaker. Test before committing.
Comparing Against Free VPN Alternatives
Someone always asks: why pay for Nord VPN when free VPNs exist? Fair question, and the answer is nuanced.
Free VPNs exist in a weird economic space. Creating and maintaining VPN infrastructure costs money. Servers cost money. Bandwidth costs money. Encryption and security protocols cost money to develop and maintain. If you're not paying, someone is paying, and that someone is typically whoever is willing to pay to access your data.
Free VPN providers monetize in several ways: selling your browsing data, injecting ads into your traffic, collecting behavioral information, or installing malware directly. Some free VPNs have been caught doing all of these things. Your privacy isn't protected; it's commodified.
There are occasional legitimately free VPN options that avoid these traps by operating on donations or accepting limited users, but they're rare and typically have severe limitations: slow speeds, limited server selection, restrictive data caps, or outdated security.
Nord VPN's pricing—especially with the birthday sale—is cheap enough that paying a small amount for reliable service is more sensible than trusting a "free" service with questionable incentives. The economics are simply cleaner.
If budget is genuinely the constraint, some free options exist that are safer than others: Proton VPN (from the company behind Proton Mail) has a limited free tier that doesn't harvest data, though it's severely restricted. But most people in that situation would benefit more from waiting a bit, saving money, and then grabbing a birthday sale deal from a reputable provider.
The 30-Day Refund Guarantee Explained
Nord VPN's money-back guarantee isn't a marketing gimmick—it's actually valuable. They're saying: try this service for 30 days, and if you hate it, get a full refund. No questions asked.
That guarantee applies to all plan lengths, including 2-year commitments. You could theoretically sign up for a 2-year plan, get the $50 Amazon gift card, use Nord VPN for 28 days, decide it's not for you, request a refund, and you'd receive your money back while potentially keeping the gift card (the policy on that specific detail varies).
In practice, that scenario is unlikely. But it illustrates that Nord VPN is genuinely confident in their service quality. They're not trying to lock you in with a long-term commitment and no escape hatch. You can always test and bail.
How to claim the refund: contact Nord VPN support via chat or email, request a refund, and wait. Most refunds process within 5-7 business days back to your original payment method. This isn't instantaneous, but it's reliable.
The guarantee does have some edge cases. Refunds might be refused if you've used the service excessively (like downloading terabytes of data through their servers specifically to test them), or if you're obviously attempting to scam the system by signing up, refunding, signing up again, refunding repeatedly. But for legitimate "I tried this and it's not for me" situations, the guarantee works.
Setting Up Nord VPN: Technical Basics
Once you've purchased Nord VPN during the birthday sale, the next step is setup. Here's what you're looking at:
- Download the app from Nord VPN's website or your device's app store (i OS, Android, Windows, Mac, Linux)
- Create an account using the email address associated with your purchase
- Log in with your credentials
- Choose a server location from the server list (or use "Quick Connect" for automatic optimization)
- Connect and verify your IP address changed (you can check this on whatismyipaddress.com)
The entire process takes less than five minutes on most devices. Nord VPN's apps are well-designed and fairly intuitive. Even if you've never used a VPN before, the setup process shouldn't cause problems.
One technical note: when you first connect to Nord VPN, you might notice a small speed loss and slightly higher latency. This is normal. Your traffic is being encrypted and routed through additional servers, both of which add tiny delays. After 30 seconds or so, everything feels normal again. You shouldn't experience constant stuttering or buffering unless your internet connection or the VPN server is genuinely overloaded.
Renewal Pricing and Long-Term Costs
Here's a reality check that doesn't get discussed enough: the birthday sale price is introductory. When your subscription renews, you won't get that same price automatically.
Nord VPN's standard renewal pricing is higher than promotional pricing. After your discounted plan expires, you'll be offered renewal at regular rates, which are roughly 2-3x what promotional pricing costs. This is normal industry behavior. Promotions get people in the door; regular pricing keeps the service profitable.
However, you have options. You can usually contact support and ask for a retention offer, especially if you've been a good customer. Many VPN companies will work with you on renewal pricing rather than lose a customer.
Alternatively, you can wait. VPN promotions run constantly. If Nord VPN wants to renew you at $100+ and you think that's too expensive, you can let the subscription lapse, wait for the next promotional period (which might be another birthday sale or a seasonal promotion), and re-sign-up at better rates. It's not ideal from a continuity perspective, but it works if you're willing to manage your subscription actively.
Planning ahead: if you sign up for a 2-year plan at promotional pricing now, you're essentially locking in that rate for two years. After it expires, you'll face renewal pricing, but you've had two years to decide whether the service is worth regular pricing. If it's not, you can switch to a cheaper alternative. If it is, you'll have data supporting that decision.
Common Mistakes People Make with VPN Promotions
Let's cover some frequent missteps:
Mistake 1: Forgetting Renewal Dates
You sign up during the sale, get cheap rates, and then completely forget when your subscription expires. One day, your payment method is charged at full renewal pricing, and you're shocked. Now you're stuck with expensive rates.
Solution: add your subscription renewal date to a calendar reminder three months before it happens. Then you've got time to decide whether to renew at regular pricing, find a promotional offer, or switch providers.
Mistake 2: Assuming the Cheapest Option Is the Best
You see another VPN offering $2/month and switch away from Nord VPN to save money. But that cheaper service has sketchy privacy policies, slow servers, or poor customer support. You've traded better service for a marginal savings.
Solution: compare services holistically, not just by price. A
Mistake 3: Not Using the Money-Back Guarantee
You sign up, the service doesn't work perfectly, and you assume you're stuck with it. You don't realize the refund guarantee exists or don't want to deal with the hassle of requesting it.
Solution: understand what refunds are available before signing up. If something doesn't work, claim the guarantee. It exists specifically for situations where you're not satisfied.
Mistake 4: Ignoring the Amazon Gift Card
You receive your gift card code, set it aside thinking "I'll use it later," and then forget about it. Months later, you stumble across the code and can't remember if you already used it or what the balance is.
Solution: redeem the gift card immediately when you receive it. Add it to your Amazon account as soon as possible. Then the balance is visible in your account, and you can't accidentally forget about it.
VPN Use Cases Beyond Privacy
When people think about VPNs, they usually focus on privacy and security. Those are important, but VPNs have other practical uses worth mentioning.
Accessing Regional Content
Some streaming services (Netflix, BBC i Player, others) restrict content based on geographic location. Using a VPN server in a different region can give you access to content not available in your actual location. Whether this violates terms of service depends on the platform and your location—research the rules before doing this.
Working Securely on Public Wi Fi
Public Wi Fi networks (coffee shops, airports, hotels) are notoriously insecure. Anyone on the same network could potentially intercept unencrypted traffic. A VPN encrypts all your traffic, preventing eavesdropping on those networks. This matters if you're handling sensitive work or financial information remotely.
Protecting Against ISP Tracking
Your internet service provider can see which websites you visit and roughly how much data you're using (unless you're using HTTPS, which many sites do now). A VPN hides this from your ISP, though they can still see that you're using a VPN. In most cases, ISP tracking is about behavioral advertising rather than surveillance, but some people prefer the privacy.
Preventing Bandwidth Throttling
Some ISPs throttle (slow down) certain types of traffic, especially P2P or streaming. A VPN can sometimes bypass throttling by encrypting traffic in a way that makes the throttling algorithm can't identify the traffic type. This isn't foolproof—sophisticated throttling can still detect VPN usage—but it works in some cases.
FAQ
What is a VPN and why would I need one?
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a service that encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through servers in locations you choose. You need one if you're concerned about privacy from ISPs or network administrators, want to access regionally restricted content, work remotely on public Wi Fi, or want an additional security layer. Most people benefit from some level of VPN protection, especially if they handle financial information online.
How does Nord VPN's birthday sale work exactly?
Nord VPN offers free Amazon gift cards ranging from
Is Nord VPN actually secure, or is the birthday sale just marketing?
Nord VPN has legitimate security infrastructure including AES-256 encryption, third-party security audits, and a proven no-logs policy supported by real-world legal cases. The birthday sale is primarily a customer acquisition tool, not a reflection of poor quality. The service is genuinely solid regardless of promotional pricing. Security audits and transparency reports are published on their website if you want verification beyond marketing claims.
Should I choose the 1-year or 2-year plan?
Choose a 1-year plan if you're new to VPNs and want to test the service before committing long-term. Choose a 2-year plan if you already use VPNs, know you'll need one for the foreseeable future, and want the lowest per-month cost. The 2-year plan includes a $50 Amazon gift card, which effectively covers your first four months, making long-term commitment less risky. Both include the 30-day refund guarantee, so testing isn't risky either way.
What happens when my subscription renews after the promotional period ends?
You'll be offered regular renewal pricing, which is significantly higher than the promotional rate. You have several options: accept the regular renewal price, contact support for a retention discount, let the subscription lapse and wait for the next promotion before re-signing up, or switch to a different VPN provider. Planning ahead by adding renewal dates to your calendar three months in advance gives you time to decide.
How fast is Nord VPN, and will it slow down my internet significantly?
Speed loss of 20-30% from your normal internet connection is typical for VPN services due to encryption overhead. Nord VPN's infrastructure is solid, so you shouldn't experience dramatic slowdowns beyond that typical range. Test it yourself using the 30-day refund guarantee by running speed tests without VPN and with VPN on different server locations. Results vary based on your base connection quality, server locations, and chosen protocol.
Does the Amazon gift card come automatically, or do I have to request it?
Gift cards are issued automatically to your email address once your subscription is activated. The email includes a code that you can redeem directly into your Amazon account. This typically happens within a few minutes of completing the purchase, though it might take up to 24 hours. Check your email (including spam folders) if you don't see the gift card code immediately after signing up.
Can I use Nord VPN on multiple devices with one subscription?
Yes. All Nord VPN plans allow simultaneous connections on up to six devices (Standard and Plus) or ten devices (Ultimate). That means you can protect your phone, tablet, laptop, and other devices at the same time under a single subscription. This is one of the practical advantages of committing to a paid VPN—you can actually protect your entire digital footprint simultaneously.
What's the difference between Nord VPN and Express VPN for someone considering both during the birthday sale?
Both are premium VPN providers with solid infrastructure and proven security records. Nord VPN is generally cheaper, especially with the birthday sale and Amazon gift card. Express VPN is slightly faster in some regions and has been around longer, but the speed difference is minimal for most users. Choose Nord VPN if budget is a priority; choose Express VPN if you need maximum speed or have specific server location requirements in less-common countries. Both have money-back guarantees, so testing both is possible.
Is VPN usage legal, and will Nord VPN get me in trouble?
VPN usage is legal in the vast majority of countries, including the US, Europe, and most of the world. Some countries restrict VPN usage (China, Russia, Iran, and a few others), but even there, VPN usage isn't uniformly prosecuted. Using a VPN for normal privacy and security purposes is not illegal anywhere with functioning internet infrastructure. However, using a VPN to engage in illegal activities remains illegal. A VPN provides privacy; it doesn't provide immunity for breaking laws.
Final Thoughts: Is Now the Right Time?
Nord VPN's 14th birthday sale is one of the best promotional periods they run annually. The combination of gift card bonuses, promotional pricing, and the 30-day refund guarantee creates a genuinely low-risk opportunity to switch to or test a reliable VPN service.
The decision ultimately comes down to whether you believe you need a VPN. If you already use one, the economics are straightforward—switch to Nord VPN and save money. If you're considering one for the first time, the birthday sale removes financial anxiety. You can test the service risk-free and make an informed decision after real-world usage.
The one thing to remember is that promotions expire. This particular sale won't last forever. If you're interested, the time to act is during the promotional window, not weeks or months later when you think about it again. By then, the gift card bonus is gone and standard pricing applies.
Grab the deal, test the service, and either become a long-term customer or use the refund guarantee if it's not right for you. The infrastructure is solid, the pricing during the sale is genuinely competitive, and the gift card adds real value. That's about as good as VPN promotions get.
Key Takeaways
- NordVPN's birthday sale includes free Amazon gift cards worth 50 depending on plan length, effectively reducing annual costs to50
- The 2-year plan offers maximum value with a 5 when factored over two years
- All plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee, removing financial risk when testing the service for the first time
- NordVPN's pricing with gift card value remains competitive against ExpressVPN and Surfshark despite higher base rates
- The promotional period is time-limited; gift card offers disappear after the birthday sale ends, making now the optimal time to sign up
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