A First-Timer's Guide to NordVPN's 2-Year Plan: Getting the Best Deal and Avoiding the Renewal Trap

23 October 2025

1.0 Introduction: Why So Many People Are Choosing NordVPN

NordVPN has emerged as a leading choice for internet users seeking privacy and security. This popularity is especially pronounced in regions like the UK, where new legislation like the Online Safety Act has triggered a massive surge in VPN adoption, with some providers reporting increases of over 1,000% in UK sign-ups as citizens seek to maintain their online privacy. A Forbes Advisor UK survey confirmed NordVPN's dominance, revealing it as the most popular brand among Brits, with 24% of respondents using its service.

This trust is well-earned. NordVPN operates under the privacy-friendly jurisdiction of Panama and maintains a strict no-logs policy that has been verified four times by independent auditors. This legally binds the provider "to not record and collect your data," giving users confidence that their online activity remains private.

This guide is designed to give you an edge. We'll walk you through NordVPN's popular 2-year promotional deal, expose what happens when that period ends, and provide an actionable playbook from real users on how to secure the best long-term value. Let's start by breaking down the deal that catches every new user's attention.

2.0 The 2-Year Promotional Deal: Understanding the Offer

NordVPN's long-term promotional plans are highly appealing, offering a feature-rich service at a very low upfront cost. New customers are often drawn to deals like the one discussed by users online, which offered a two-year plan for just $105. This attractive price is an introductory rate, a common strategy used to bring in new subscribers.

However, this initial low price raises a critical question, perfectly captured by a first-time buyer in a public discussion:

"Is the 2 years promo package for NordVPN worth it? What happens after 2 years?"

The rest of this guide will answer that exact question, using the shared experiences and advice of seasoned subscribers. But before you can decide if it's worth it, you need to understand the most critical part of the deal: what happens the moment your two years are up.

3.0 The Auto-Renewal Trap: What Happens When Your 2 Years Are Up?

Be warned: At the end of your promotional period, your subscription will automatically renew at the full, non-promotional price. This can lead to a significant price shock if you aren't prepared.

Users have shared their experiences with this policy, with one noting they were charged the "full renewal price right away" and another stating the "autorenew was too expensive." This auto-renewal model is a classic subscription play designed around customer inertia. Savvy consumers don't get caught by it, and this guide will ensure you're one of them.

Fortunately, long-time users have developed a simple but effective playbook to beat the renewal price hike and keep getting the best deal.

4.0 The Smart Subscriber's Playbook: How to Maximize Your Savings

Here is your step-by-step guide to managing your NordVPN subscription like a pro and avoiding the full-price renewal.

Step 1: Cancel Auto-Renewal Immediately After Subscribing

This is the single most important step in the playbook, and savvy subscribers do it the moment they sign up. As one user advised, "the first thing I did was to cancel the auto-renew in my account." Don't worry—your service will remain fully active for the entire two-year period you paid for. Users confirm that the cancellation process is "really easy" and can be done directly from your account settings.

Step 2: Let the Promotional Period End

Do not let the plan renew on its own. The key is to take control of the renewal process yourself. The most crucial piece of advice comes from a user who laid out the core strategy:

"Make sure you don't renew after two years (cancel) then pick up another promo pack... Bottom line don't let it auto renew"

Step 3: Manually Renew Using a New Promotional Code

This is how you secure another great deal. A user with over six years of experience with NordVPN confirms this method, stating, "There are ALWAYS promotions going on so I renew (manually and not auto-renew) for about the same price." Users have successfully found new promotional codes on tech websites like TechRadar, with one reporting a renewal price that was "about 25% of an auto renewal." Better yet, another user confirmed that new promotional subscriptions can be "stacked," meaning a new plan will simply extend from the end of your existing one.

Step 4 (Optional): Wait for a Retention Offer

If you follow Step 1 and cancel your auto-renewal, you may not even need to hunt for a new deal. One subscriber shared an alternative strategy: after cancelling, they "Got an email like two weeks before my subscription ends offering me a massive discount again if it continue using it." This shows that NordVPN is often willing to offer a great price to keep you as a customer.

Now that you have the playbook, let's look at whether users feel the service is worth the effort in the first place.

5.0 Is the 2-Year Plan Worth the Effort? A Balanced Look at User Opinions

User sentiment is generally positive for those who manage their subscriptions, but it's important to consider both sides. The following table summarizes the pros and cons shared by subscribers.

User Perspectives on NordVPN's Value

Arguments For 👍 Arguments Against 👎
Long-Term Value: Users who proactively manage their subscriptions find it to be an excellent value, with some happily renewing with promos for over six years. Performance Issues: Some users report that the service can be "Slow AF to connect" or experience slow speeds when torrenting.
General Satisfaction: Many subscribers are "quite pleased with this choice of VPN," provided they handle the renewal process correctly. Reliability Concerns: At least one user found the service "Not so reliable" and was considering switching to a competitor like Proton VPN.
Proven Savings: Users consistently report success in renewing at a steep discount, sometimes locking in the same great deal for another two years. Negative Renewal Experience: The shock of a full-price auto-renewal has led some users to cancel, get a refund, and switch to another provider.

Ultimately, the consensus is that NordVPN provides excellent value for those willing to follow the simple steps outlined above. Here is your final checklist to ensure you do just that.

6.0 Your Final Checklist for a Smart NordVPN Subscription

To make it simple, here is a final checklist of actions to take to ensure you get the best possible value from a long-term NordVPN plan.

  • Sign up for the 2-year plan using a promotional offer.
  • Immediately after payment, log in to your NordVPN account and cancel the auto-renewal setting.
  • Set a calendar reminder for 1-2 months before your subscription is due to expire.
  • When the reminder appears, search online for the latest NordVPN promotional codes or deals.
  • Log in to your account and manually apply the new promo to extend your subscription at a low rate.

Ready to get started? Check out NordVPN's latest deals and remember to cancel that auto-renewal!

NordVPN - Up to 73% off + 3 extra months