NordVPN Meshnet: still available after the shutdown reversal

NordVPN Meshnet is still available. On 18 August 2025, NordVPN announced: “Starting December 1, 2025, Meshnet will be fully shut down.” On 29 September 2025, it reversed that decision: “Meshnet is not going anywhere.” As of 13 October 2026, NordVPN’s Meshnet page says the feature “is open source and completely free to use,” lists Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS, and says you don’t need a NordVPN subscription to use it.

What Meshnet does

NordVPN describes Meshnet as a way to “create secure private networks from up to 10 devices you own and up to 50 external devices.” It’s separate from NordVPN’s paid VPN service: anyone can use it without a subscription, and it has its own device limit, apart from the 10 simultaneous VPN connections each NordVPN account gets.

NordVPN’s help center keeps a “Guide for Meshnet users,” last edited on 6 October 2025, and its list of NordVPN features, edited on 10 September 2026, still includes Meshnet. When NordVPN announced the shutdown, it pointed users to NordLocker for file sharing. This page sticks to what NordVPN states; the help center guide is the reference for setup and for each individual function.

Timeline: the shutdown that was called off

So the 1 December 2025 date passed without Meshnet being removed, and there’s no replacement to move to, because nothing was discontinued. An article or video that says Meshnet is gone reflects the August 2025 announcement, not the current status.

One promise is still unconfirmed. NordVPN said on 29 September 2025 that it would open-source Meshnet, and its page now calls Meshnet open source, but we found no dated official announcement of the release itself.

Which plans include Meshnet

All of them, and you don’t need one. NordVPN’s Meshnet page says “anyone can download and use Meshnet for free.” For subscribers, NordVPN’s checkout lists Meshnet among the services in Basic, alongside the VPN, the proxy and Smart DNS, and Complete and Prime include everything in Basic.

So Meshnet shouldn’t push you toward a bigger plan. If Meshnet is all you need, NordVPN says you don’t have to pay. If you also want the VPN, Basic is the selected plan: $94.23 paid upfront for 27 months, a monthly equivalent of $3.49 ($94.23 ÷ 27), with a quoted renewal of $139.08 for 12 months, both in USD before tax. Our NordVPN plans guide explains what Complete and Prime add.

Platforms

NordVPN’s Meshnet page lists Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS. TV apps and browser extensions aren’t on that list. Two platform details matter:

• Mac: NordVPN’s macOS comparison table marks Meshnet “Yes full” in the version downloaded from its website and “Yes limited” in the Mac App Store version. Read that table before choosing the App Store app if you rely on Meshnet.
• Linux: when NordVPN launched its Linux graphical app in May 2025, it said “some features – such as Meshnet – remain accessible only via the CLI.” We haven’t checked whether the current graphical app includes Meshnet, so the command-line app is the documented route.

Limits and incompatibilities

• Device limit: up to 10 devices you own and up to 50 external devices, according to NordVPN. That’s separate from the 10 simultaneous VPN connections; see how many devices can use NordVPN.
• Post-quantum encryption: NordVPN says “Post-quantum VPN and Meshnet are not compatible,” and its post-quantum article lists Meshnet among the cases where that encryption is disabled.
• NordWhisper: NordVPN’s NordWhisper article says the protocol is “not compatible with Dedicated IP, Meshnet, or Onion Over VPN servers.”

Privacy and security

Meshnet isn’t anonymous. NordVPN’s privacy notice says it processes “the device’s OS and its version, the hashed device ID, and the user’s email address.”

On security, NordVPN says Cure53’s assessment in May, June and October 2025 covered its core APIs, including Meshnet. According to NordVPN, Cure53 found no critical vulnerabilities, and the high-severity items were fixed and verified by Cure53. That’s NordVPN’s summary; we haven’t read the report. For NordVPN’s wider record, see our guide to whether NordVPN is safe.

What we haven’t verified

We haven’t tested Meshnet’s speed, reliability or file transfers, and this page makes no performance claims. We also couldn’t confirm when the open-source release happened, what “limited” covers in the Mac App Store version, or whether the Linux graphical app supports Meshnet today. NordVPN has already changed its plans for Meshnet once, so check its Meshnet page before you build a long-term setup around it.

Common questions

Is NordVPN Meshnet being discontinued?

No. NordVPN announced on 18 August 2025 that Meshnet would shut down on 1 December 2025, then reversed the decision on 29 September 2025. As of 13 October 2026, its Meshnet page describes the feature as free and available on five platforms.

Do I need a NordVPN subscription to use Meshnet?

No. NordVPN’s Meshnet page says anyone can download and use it for free. Subscribers have it on Basic, Complete and Prime alike.

How many devices can join Meshnet?

Up to 10 devices you own and up to 50 external devices, according to NordVPN. That limit is separate from the VPN’s 10 simultaneous connections.

Is Meshnet open source?

NordVPN’s Meshnet page says it is, and NordVPN promised on 29 September 2025 to open-source it. We didn’t find a dated announcement of the release itself.

Does Meshnet work with post-quantum encryption?

No. NordVPN says post-quantum VPN and Meshnet aren’t compatible, and NordWhisper doesn’t work with Meshnet either.