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NordVPN’s Meshnet Feature Now Free for All (No Plan Required) @ NordVPN

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NordVPN’s Meshnet Feature Now Free for All (No Plan Required) @ NordVPNAffiliate
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Scrooge McDeal on 15/03/2023 - 06:27 nordvpn.com (3974 clicks)
Last edited 15/03/2023 - 09:36 by 1 other user
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For people that are wondering if this is a deal. Previously you needed to have an account/pay for it.
For Android, iOS, Linux, Windows and MacOS

NordVPN’s Meshnet feature is completely free
NordVPN’s Meshnet feature is now free for everyone. Even if you don’t pay for a NordVPN plan, you can still access all of Meshnet’s best features, from traffic routing to secure file sharing.

What's meshnet and how to use it. Check it here

Meshnet is here!
Meshnet is a feature that allows you to create encrypted tunnels between devices. If you’ve used a VPN before, it’s a similar process.

VPNs create secure channels between a device and a VPN server. Meshnet does the same thing, but it routes traffic through another Meshnet-enabled device, allowing you to essentially create your own VPN server.

With Meshnet, you could use your smartphone while on holiday, and still appear online as if you’re browsing with your home computer.

Is this a new feature? No, Meshnet capabilities have been built into NordVPN applications for a while, but now the feature is entirely free to use. This means that you can create your own private VPN completely free of charge.

Why is Meshnet free now?
We believe that everyone should be able to access the security and convenience of a VPN. However, not everyone is ready to invest in a premium service like NordVPN. That’s why we’ve introduced Meshnet as a free feature.

NordVPN offers many benefits, from global server locations to built-in security features, but not all users need all these functions. For those who are just looking for security and remote traffic routing, Meshnet has a role to play. The service allows users to route encrypted traffic through almost any device of their choosing. For example, they can connect to a home computer while abroad, or route traffic through the device of a friend who lives overseas, using the IP addresses of these devices.

In the same spirit of accessibility, we’ve also made NordVPN’s entire Linux application available under an open source license. This means that anyone can examine and experiment with our code. These decisions are all driven by the same key goal: to make our services widely available to those who need them and to be as transparent as possible.

Meshnet use cases
Here are just a few of the use cases for Meshnet.

Browsing abroad. Have you ever been on holiday or traveling for work, and struggled to access accounts and online services? If a website notices you logging on from an unusual location, it may assume that you’re a hacker and block you as a security measure. With Meshnet, you can easily get around this problem by routing your data through a device in your usual location — a computer in your home, for example. Even if you’re browsing on the other side of the world, websites will only receive location data related to that home computer.

Your own VPN. Meshnet allows you to turn a device into a VPN server. If you have a family member or friend abroad, you could let them route their traffic through your computer, allowing them to access the internet in their home country while traveling. Likewise, if you’re connecting to risky public Wi-Fi, you can route your own traffic through a device at home, keeping your data safe from prying eyes.

Secure file sharing. Want to send a photo or video to a friend? If you transfer it as an attachment on social media messenger apps, the file quality will be compressed. Sending it by email is fine — until you realize the file size exceeds the attachment limit set by your email service. That’s where Meshnet comes in. Just make sure that both you and your friend have Meshnet enabled on your devices, connect them with an encrypted tunnel, and share the file.

Multiplayer gaming. If you want to play a cooperative game with someone, you can link your devices through Meshnet. No need to plug in cables, or even be in the same area: your data will flow between devices, moving along encrypted tunnels, for a safe and seamless gaming experience.

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Comments

  • Grish on 15/03/2023 - 06:48

    So they gave wireguard a new name? Cool story bro.

    • SBOB on 15/03/2023 - 07:15
      -3

      That's……that's not even close to what this is.

      :/

      • Grish on 15/03/2023 - 07:35
        +13

        Actually, meshnet uses nordlynx which is nordvpn's "wrapper" of wireguard.

        So yes, it is basically a wrapped up wireguard implementation.

        You can cut out this middle-man layer (Nord infra) and create your own wireguard networking if you have the know how.

        Albeit, I'll admit it does sound handy and I think the deal is a good offering.

        • SBOB on 15/03/2023 - 08:03
          +15

          The entire middle layer is the point though.
          It's not just a client to server wireguard session right.

          Neither of the end points isn't acting as a server.

          The underlying VPN layer solution isn't really the 'offer'.

          But ill concede then, it's partly wireguard but I still don't think just labelling it a rebrand of wireguard is even close to summarising what the offering is.

          • Budju on 15/03/2023 - 10:05
            -4

            @SBOB: So it's just x86 architecture cpu? Cool story man i had one of those in the 90s

          • Heisse1432 on 13/03/2024 - 10:00

            @SBOB: "Neither of the end points isn't acting as a server."

            What does that even mean?

            • haru on 13/03/2024 - 11:09

              @Heisse1432: Double negative, so "both of the end points are acting as a server"

          • illumination on 13/03/2024 - 12:38
            +2

            @SBOB: As someone who has nfi what you guys are talking about, I am utterly confused by the volume of positives given to both your comment and the one you are replying to, especially when it feels like one is a correction of the other 😂

          • OhmSweetOhm on 11/09/2024 - 19:14

            @SBOB: Guy says the exact same thing. One comment has -3 and the other +15. You got to love the internet.

    • jaymzrsa on 15/03/2023 - 08:29
      +10

      Ask the average Joe to set up Wireguard and have it successfully connect to another instance or ask then to install a preconfigured package with a GUI interface that offers more simple granular config. I know which I would recommend to my non-savy family member/friend.

    • Bonding0909 on 15/03/2023 - 13:56
      +2

      WIreguard is easy, but N-host network traversal with Wireguard is hard. Every peer needs to be configured with every other peer. It seems like this is more like Tailscale than plain Wireguard, where they handle the peer discovery for you.

    • TaurusHead on 13/03/2024 - 06:35
      +3

      It's more Tailscale than Wireguard imo

      • MrFunSocks on 13/03/2024 - 13:39
        +1

        I was going to say this just sounds like Tailscale, which is great and super simple to set up.

  • simb24 on 15/03/2023 - 07:27
    +20

    I use Tailscale free version many years, can access my Syno NAS and watch 4K video from anywhere.
    Fantastic VPN speed. Private VPN connection secured you when use public WI-FI.
    https://tailscale.com/

    • Bruceflix on 15/03/2023 - 08:42
      -3

      I don't know why people think tailscale is a good idea. It's bringing in a 3rd party and a point of failure.

      • 4wd on 15/03/2023 - 09:34
        +1

        Can always use ZeroTier and run your own controller.

      • knk on 11/09/2024 - 14:08

        use headscale then.

        Tbh I trust that tailscale won't go down more than myself running a single headscale server.

    • Grish on 15/03/2023 - 09:45
      +1

      I just skimmed some of their tech docco, seems this Nord mesh is pretty much a copy of it.

      It's impressive how it utilises various techniques to get around complex firewall and NAT arrangements, and even includes a kind of reverse proxy/packet routing for extreme cases when all inbound firewall/NAT penetration attempts fail.

      Although I would like to learn more about how the so called "preexisting side channel" works, as the article seems to avoid going into detail here (almost suspiciously). This server could have a comprehensive log of all your P2P connection details.

    • Leho on 15/03/2023 - 21:06

      Tailscale is great

  • BinChicken69 on 15/03/2023 - 07:29

    Hmmm a new wiregaurd compeditor, whats the pros and cons compared

    • Grish on 15/03/2023 - 07:38
      +3

      It "is" wireguard, but I assume you have to go via Nords infra, so imo while it's really easy for mum and dad users, I think using vanilla wireguard (direct) is better if you have the knowledge.

      • BinChicken69 on 15/03/2023 - 07:44

        Ah yes i looked into it, it seems that having a public ip is a issue fkr me, as i for some reason cant forward using (udp nat), it seems you dont need to using nord, but its not open source and not 100% private as wiregaurd is. i think for time to time use its okay for me but not a everyday thing

        • SBOB on 15/03/2023 - 08:06
          +1

          cant forward

          Which is what this offering enables.
          It's performing the 'server' portion in the 'cloud' and both end points are effectively clients making outbound connections.

          Underlying protocol being wireguard, but it's doing all the 'hard' work atnthe sarcifice of relying on Nord to route and also be trusted

          • Grish on 15/03/2023 - 08:28
            +1

            @SBOB: Yeah, it would be a quick and dirty way to get around cgnat issues.

            Whilst it's free, you'll still need to create a nordvpn account and log in everytime you want to use it…

            I personally prefer just using a VPS or something else as the intermediary layer as I would remain in full control end to end.

            • knk on 11/09/2024 - 14:11

              @Grish: +1 for the VPS route, cgnat really doesn't matter anymore.

    • greatlamp on 15/03/2023 - 07:50
      +1

      I don't think you understand what this is for. You can access your home network while travelling, and bypass any geoblocking.

      How does 2 factor authentication help if you are trying to access the internet in China

      • FatTofu on 13/03/2024 - 07:17

        Wait. Nord did not work for me in China anyway (as of Dec 2023)

        • Bystander on 13/03/2024 - 07:19

          Do you know of any VPN's that do work there?

          • FatTofu on 13/03/2024 - 09:49

            @Bystander: No. I end up using roaming with Aussie SIM card or some friends helping to "scientifically access internet"

          • EightImmortals on 11/09/2024 - 07:23

            @Bystander: Nord worked for me back in 2019, maybe the government borked things since then?

          • KanTakahashi on 11/09/2024 - 10:00

            @Bystander: Windscribe did it for me but it super slow 😭

          • crentist on 11/09/2024 - 10:01

            @Bystander: Astrill VPN works.
            And travel Sims seem to bypass the firewall. I never needed the VPN in the end, thanks to Travelkon sims. But it did come in handy by letting me use my laptop on hotel wifi. And it was fast enough for video calls

    • Grish on 15/03/2023 - 07:56
      +1

      Haha it's worse than just leaving your internet (modem) on, you'll likely also need to leave a computer of some description running 24/7 with this mesh app as well*.

      But this would be the case for anyone wanting to establish a VPN with their home LAN while abroad.

      (* Yes you can run wg/OpenVPN on some routers too)

        • Grish on 15/03/2023 - 08:30
          +5

          Gee no need to get nasty, I was actually extending your post, it wasn't even me who negged you.

          Lol.

      • surethang on 15/03/2023 - 12:01
        +1

        Modems and routers are low wattage, and they're mostly idle while you're on holiday. So they'd cost a few cents in power to run at most.

        And it wouldn't be much more for, say, a laptop that's also mostly idle with the screen off. It's not like it's running a 450 watt GPU constantly while away.

        If anyone is really that concerned, they could always turn on a low-power profile. Or better still, just use something like GiMeSpace Power Control to throttle power to bare minimum until it's needed (https://gimespace.com/products/powercontrol.html). Hell, run that app all year round, and you'll save far more than just shutting off the internet while you're away.

        So we're still only talking a dollar or so of power for a week-long holiday. But if that's not worth the benefit, then sure, shut it all down and use the savings to treat yourself to a nice cookie while you're away.

  • CBrads4 on 15/03/2023 - 08:00
    +5

    Would using this potentially be a way to get around Netflix’s proposed “log in to your home network once a month” policy?

    • sween64 on 15/03/2023 - 08:13

      We don’t know how that works but possibly.

    • Grish on 15/03/2023 - 08:14

      I'm not sure about the policy, but if you need to "pretend" you are connecting to Netflix from your home network/IP then this should be capable of doing that (can be done with wireguard).

    • Europoor on 19/03/2023 - 23:03

      Yes, if you leave a desktop device running with NordVPN on it and Meshnet enabled, you can use that desktop device as a VPN server.
      Use another device to route the traffic through your desktop device at home.
      Netflix will see that you are connecting from your home IP address even if you are in India or Japan.

      • tdth99 on 11/09/2024 - 15:13

        Allegedly ;)

    • knk on 11/09/2024 - 14:12
      +1

      Tailscale works for this (meshnet probably too).

      Just install tailscale configured as an exit node on anything that's going to be running all the time at home, use the tailscale client on your phone and use your home as the exit node. Will look like you're at home.

  • sween64 on 15/03/2023 - 08:14

    If the speeds are fast enough this would be good for travelling whilst overseas and wanting to access streaming services. Of course some block the use of a VPN by identifying the VPN’s IP. This would get around that issue. I’m thinking Kayo Sports.

  • lawyerz on 15/03/2023 - 08:18

    So… Tailguard?

    • greater mimic on 15/03/2023 - 08:37
      +5

      Do you mean tailscale? And yeah looks to be pretty much that

      • lawyerz on 15/03/2023 - 08:39

        Sorry tailscale yes.

  • Kanjus on 15/03/2023 - 08:19

    Will i be able to use this on the slate router for wireguard or equivalent?

  • aaronaldo on 15/03/2023 - 08:23

    For people with the know how: Is the speed you get only dependent on your connection speed from device to home? Or does it also depend on Nord's infrastructure as well?

    • Grish on 15/03/2023 - 08:35
      +1

      I'm not in the know but given their diagram shows it magically bypasses NAT/Port forwarding, this tells me that all the traffic is going via a Nord/middle man server.

    • SBOB on 15/03/2023 - 08:51

      Or does it also depend on Nord's infrastructure as well?

      would be going

      your end device ->nord vpn server->your other end device

      This is just clients at each end making a common connection to a central point to create a tunnel.

      • Grish on 15/03/2023 - 09:56
        +1

        Actually I think I was wrong about all traffic going via a Nord server.

        If it's indeed a copy/clone of tailscale, then it can use other tricks like STUN and stateful firewall tricks. Similar to how WebRTC works.

        But it does also have a fallback method of outbound only connections to the Nord server.

  • cheapass88 on 15/03/2023 - 08:53
    +3

    Have you tried using it? I tried downloading it and it's asking to create a Nord account - and when i click in, there's only paid options?

    Edit: Got it working with another installer! Thanks OP, just tested and it seems this is what I needed to get RDP onto my laptop at home as well!!! I switched to 5G home broadband and there's no port forwarding, so this has allowed it!!!

    • wildstone on 13/03/2024 - 10:50

      Does that mean you need to install an app on your laptop, as well as on the device (I assume workstation) you are connecting from?

  • lawyerz on 15/03/2023 - 10:07

    You can use Tailscale for this too, been using it for a while to remote desktop connect back into my home computer, access local-only web applications over the internet.

  • dematri on 15/03/2023 - 10:18

    nordvpn has stopped the India servers and since then in 2 minds if I want to go for it. not sure if others have the same policy.

    • Mrgreenz on 13/03/2024 - 22:37

      I see Indian server

  • g0d on 15/03/2023 - 10:22
    +2

    I have been a Nord customer for over five years but if someone wants to use just use the Meshnet without VPN, Zerotier is a much better alternative.
    * It uses extremely less memory when compared to Nord.
    * Available on most platforms.
    * Free users can connect up to 50 devices.

    • Tollery on 11/09/2024 - 08:41

      Using Zerotier I can install it on RaspberryPi and access my local network, just like that?

  • isaidhey on 15/03/2023 - 11:22
    +2

    I just use pivpn and duckdns

  • modgod on 15/03/2023 - 12:10

    So we can watch EPL on Optus sports in other countries while on holiday?

    • Namidairo on 15/03/2023 - 13:18

      You'd need an active endpoint running behind your network to route the traffic via. You may not enjoy leaving a pc on, but you can easily have a router or Raspberry Pi or similar SBC tucked away at home.

      There also can be other detection methods being used to detect this happening (especially if they're making you watch via an app).

      I'd also just use Zerotier or Tailscale instead. I'd trust them more just because of their willingness to contribute source code for many of their products. Even if most will just use a prebuilt binary from their site or package manager.

      • immortanwayne on 15/03/2023 - 13:23

        The network speed will still be restricted by your home internet's upload speed right?

        • Namidairo on 15/03/2023 - 13:52

          Yes, but the typical 10 or 20mbit upload speed from a typical NBN plan should be able to get you some passable quality video. (Barring any terrible routing to your phone or local downstream restrictions at your hotel/bar/hostel/offshore oil rig)

      • jaqoozi on 15/03/2023 - 14:21
        +1

        For Optus sports, endpoint just needs to be in AU doesn't need to be behind your network. I use a ubuntu cloud instance as an endpoint so i don't need to rely on home NBN.

        • Bystander on 15/03/2023 - 19:48

          That sounds more convenient than leaving a box turned on at home.
          How much does it cost?

          • jaqoozi on 15/03/2023 - 22:08
            +1

            @Bystander: Using Oracle free tier so it costs nothing. There are some limitations but it's pretty generous … at least I haven't had to pay anything in the last 3 months

        • dazweeja on 13/03/2024 - 14:35

          Do you run something like OpenVPN or Shadowsocks on the instance?

      • wildstone on 13/03/2024 - 11:50

        There also can be other detection methods being used to detect this happening (especially if they're making you watch via an app).

        Does that mean if they do that, there's still no way around it? Thinking more about Netflix.

  • Borg on 15/03/2023 - 13:24

    I enabled it on my PC (via NBN) and also Mobile (Mobile Data) and tried to share a file. It just says the PC device is "Offline". Likewise if I try share a file with PC to Mobile…..again shows Mobile as being offline yet both are on. Not a good start. My guess is that my Firewall in front of PC is blocking?

  • howbazaar on 15/03/2023 - 13:52

    I use https://www.zerotier.com/ - is this better?

    • Leho on 15/03/2023 - 21:10
      +1

      Yes or tailscale equally as good

  • JakDac on 15/03/2023 - 13:58

    Seems to take you to payment option to subscribe did not press subscribe

  • EvilPan6a on 15/03/2023 - 14:26

    Why not use Tailscale

  • maxz2040 on 15/03/2023 - 14:36
    +1

    I wonder if this can trick the netflix home wi-fi password sharing requirements.

  • soda-pop on 15/03/2023 - 15:59

    Run a wireguard server on your home network.

    Plenty of guides online to set one up.

  • MuadDib on 15/03/2023 - 19:07

    a free vpn? id rather pay in monero. edit. ah ok this is not exactly a vpn. learn to s̶w̶i̶m̶ read :)

    • Virginie on 17/03/2023 - 05:44

      Who takes XMR?

      • Leho on 19/03/2023 - 14:13

        Mullvad - the best vpn you can buy

        Or ivpn does too I think

        • Virginie on 21/03/2023 - 22:46
          +1

          Oh sweet, I'm glad to hear that… I left Mullvad a year ago because they only took BTC & BCH

  • R3XNebular on 17/03/2023 - 22:56

    Will this help with Geoblocked WIFI calling?

  • dealmaker on 08/04/2023 - 12:46

    This looks awesome, thanks.

    I might be able to access my wdmycloud through this remotely again, will give it a try.

    Coupled with 96% cashrewards cashback, this would turn out to be amazing.

  • bemybubble on 13/03/2024 - 07:34

    Is this the same as UniFi teleport function??

  • w12ardofoz on 13/03/2024 - 11:50

    Been using NordVPN for the past few years but never bothered Meshnet. Now, I've used it since this post triggered me, and loving it! It was so damn troublesome to move pics and videos from my iPhone to pc via cable. Thanks!

    • R3XNebular on 13/03/2024 - 16:37

      Oh wow tell me more.

    • R3XNebular on 13/03/2024 - 19:15

      How are you transferring? An app?

  • AnKu on 14/03/2024 - 00:06

    Is it similar to Cloudflare Warp?

  • Jayphen on 11/09/2024 - 11:08

    I am not sure what the difference is between this and https://tailscale.com/, which is a more mature product and also free

    • FirstWizard on 11/09/2024 - 15:41

      From my understanding, the difference is the exit node for internet traffic.

      With Talescale, you have two options for your internet traffic to exit from: 1. your Local network and 2. your remote network.
      If you want your Internet traffic to exit from somewhere else, you need a separate VPN app.

      With the Nord app, you can access both services via the same app.
      I just checked, and within the app, you can connect to VPN only and Meshnet only. So it's actually two different services.
      Also, I couldn't find an option to mark your home network as the exit node if you want to do that.

  • IpGem on 11/09/2024 - 11:38

    Yes it is.. but is it?

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