Double VPN, double privacy
Encrypt twice. Shield yourself from online tracking and cyber threats.
What is Double VPN, and how does it work?
Double VPN routes your traffic through two VPN servers instead of one, encrypting your online traffic twice. It is an advanced VPN security feature that uses similar principles to VPN chaining. Here’s how it works:
Device to server 1: Like with regular VPN modes, your VPN app encrypts traffic on your device and routes it to a remote VPN server.
Server 1 to server 2: The first VPN server decrypts your traffic, then encrypts it again and sends it to the second VPN server.
Server 2 to destination: The second VPN server decrypts the traffic, then forwards it to the website or service you intended to visit.
Return trip: Any traffic from the website you’re visiting undergoes the above process in reverse — the data flows to server 2, then to server 1, and finally to your device.
The benefits of using Double VPN
Double VPN lets you double up on online security with just a tap or click. The moment you turn the feature on, you benefit from:
Double encryption
All your online traffic is protected with an extra layer of encryption, making it twice as hard for criminals to decipher.
IP protection
As the first VPN server changes your actual IP address, the second server doesn’t have any information about you.
Increased privacy
Compared to regular VPN servers, the Double VPN feature routes your online traffic through an additional secure node.
When do I need Double VPN?
The multiple encryption feature is indispensable when you need an even higher level of online security and privacy. Therefore, you may want to use Double VPN for:
Reporting on events
Double VPN routes your traffic through two VPN servers, giving you additional protection when you access information or report on the news.
Defeating censorship
Double VPN makes it twice as hard for snoops to track you, giving you more protection while traveling or living in countries with heavy censorship and surveillance.
Protecting your sources
Use double traffic encryption to make doubly sure you can safely discuss sensitive topics with sources who may be at risk, like whistleblowers or informants.
When Double VPN is not necessary
It’s important to remember that Double VPN is not a magical silver bullet for all your online security needs — it is just one tool in your cybersecurity arsenal. In fact, turning it on may be counterproductive in some situations.
Everyday browsing
If you want to prevent third parties from tracking your IP or need secure access to websites, a standard VPN connection is more than enough.
Maximum speed
Double VPN routes your traffic through two VPN servers, making the overall journey longer. This can cause problems if you’re doing something that is affected by latency, like playing fast-paced online games.
Accessing the Tor network
For this specific purpose, we have the Onion Over VPN solution, which routes your internet traffic through one VPN server, and then sends it to the Onion network.
What is the difference between Double VPN and VPN chaining?
Double VPN operates on the same principle as VPN chaining (also known as using a multi-hop VPN, dual VPN, VPN over VPN, or a layered VPN), but VPN chaining can involve more than two VPN servers that do not necessarily belong to the same VPN provider.
In practice, every additional server beyond the first hop drastically cuts down your connection speed without a proportionately large increase to your online security. Double encryption with a trusted VPN provider can be just as safe as manual VPN chaining — and it’s much faster, too.
Double VPN vs. P2P VPN
A P2P VPN (also known as a decentralized VPN or simply a dVPN) is a special VPN mode for establishing secure direct connections between devices. Unlike Double VPN, a P2P VPN does not necessarily have to route your online traffic through pre-selected servers — instead, each user’s device can act as its own client and server to communicate through peer-to-peer networks.
Ultimately, the two features serve different purposes, with Double VPN offering more security while browsing and a P2P VPN giving you the option to safely establish a peer-to-peer connection.
Double up your security
If double encryption is what you need, go ahead and enable Double VPN. The feature is included in the NordVPN subscription package and is currently available in our Android, macOS, iOS, Linux, and Windows apps.
Here’s how you can use Double VPN
01
Open the NordVPN app.
02
Find “Specialty servers.”
03
Tap “Double VPN” to get connected or manually choose the server that suits your needs.
You’re all set — until you turn Double VPN off, all your online traffic will travel through two different encryption points, making it even harder for snoops to spy on you.