NordVPN redesigns its desktop app – here's what's new

NordVPN has redesigned its desktop app, overhauling the interface for Windows and Mac with a cleaner layout, unified search, and a reworked connection experience.

The VPN tops our best VPN list, and the update follows a previous mobile app redesign – marking the most significant visual refresh the desktop client has seen in years.

The headline changes include a new search-first navigation system that replaces the old country list, a revamped connection area that surfaces your recommended server location immediately on launch, and an expanded statistics dashboard covering both connection data and Threat Protection Pro activity. A new Products tab also gives users a single place to manage NordVPN's wider security suite.

The update is rolling out now. If you haven't seen it yet, check your NordVPN Mac or Windows VPN app.

NordVPN: our top pick for most people
As an all-purpose VPN, NordVPN does just about everything you need it to. Privacy is great, it's very effective at unblocking streaming sites, and thanks to the refresh interface, it's easy than ever to use.

Right now, NordVPN is throwing in an extra 3 months for free on all 2-year plans, which sees it cost $3.09 per month ($83.43 upfront). There's also a 30-day money-back guarantee.

View Deal

What's new in the NordVPN desktop app?

The most immediately noticeable change is to search. NordVPN has replaced its previous country list, which users flagged as too long and unwieldy, with a unified search bar positioned prominently at the top of the app.

It covers all connection types in one place: locations, server types (Double VPN, Onion over VPN, and Obfuscated), and Meshnet devices. You can still connect to a specific server by number (for example, UK #1442) by typing it directly into the search field.

The connection area has been reworked. Your recommended server location now appears on launch before you take any action, and your security status and key connection controls are visible immediately.

A three-dot menu gives access to connection details, such as current IP address, server number, and connection time, as well as quick options to reconnect, switch location, or jump to VPN settings.

Elsewhere, the statistics dashboard has been expanded. Alongside standard connection data, NordVPN has added daily averages and week-on-week comparisons.

The Threat Protection Pro section now displays how many ads, trackers, and malicious sites have been blocked, along with malicious downloads intercepted before they could execute.

Why NordVPN decided to redesign its desktop app

Image 1 of 3

NordVPN's introductory screen to the refreshed UI, outlining new features and layout.

The redesign is driven by user research and interviews. NordVPN found that some users were uncertain about which connection type to choose, while first-time users in particular lacked confidence navigating the app.

NordVPN's old Windows and Mac VPN apps weren't confusing as such, but they were never as simple as the desktop apps of ExpressVPN and Surfshark. So this upgrade addresses one of NordVPN's biggest downsides.

The company said that guiding new users through the app's first few minutes measurably increased their willingness to explore further. This informed the decision to simplify the interface without stripping out advanced options.

UI simplicity has become a competitive pressure point in the VPN market. VPNs have increasingly leaned into clean, minimal interfaces as a key differentiator, and NordVPN's desktop client had begun to show its age against them.

How to get the new NordVPN desktop

The redesigned interface is rolling out via a standard app update – you don't need a new subscription or to reinstall from scratch. To get it, open your existing NordVPN desktop app and check for updates, or download the latest version directly from NordVPN's website.

Once updated, a few settings are worth knowing about:

Connection details: Open the three-dot menu on the main screen and enable "Show connection details" to keep your IP address, server number, and connection time visible at a glance.

Search: Click the search field or "All locations" button to browse the full server list, filtered by location, server type, or Meshnet device.

Products tab: Navigate here for a full overview of your active NordVPN features, including Meshnet and Dark Web Monitor, plus other Nord Security services.