NordSecurity, the parent company of NordVPN, NordPass, and many other products, announced today that it has turned its virtual LAN service Meshnet into a free product.
The company launched Meshnet in June 2022 as a way for NordVPN customers to create a virtual LAN with all their devices and invited devices. The main limitation was that all users who wanted to connect a device to Meshnet required a NordVPN subscription. This requirement has changed with today’s update.
Although it is still required to use a Nord account to sign-in to the application, it is no longer necessary to have a NordVPN subscription. NordVPN customers get access to Meshnet in the VPN app, but there is also a standalone app Which Meshnet users can download to use the product.
tip:NordVPN is currently holding a sale. You can get a 2-year NordVPN subscription at 63% offAnd get a gift on top of it.
meshnet explained
Meshnet may remind users that products like Hamachi or Garena have been around for a long time. These were popular applications for playing LAN games with friends over the Internet. Apps can be used for other purposes, including file sharing and collaboration.
NordVPN breaks down the main use cases for MeshNet as follows:
- File sharing – to send and receive files directly, without storing the files on an Internet server. Teams can use it to access documents and files from a central, private location.
- Gaming – The ability to play LAN games using a virtual LAN, even when players are connected from around the world.
- Internet traffic routing – The option to route Internet traffic through a device, such as a computer at home, while traveling.
Meshnet creates a virtual network that devices around the world can connect to. This product supports up to 10 devices of one user and up to 50 devices of other users.
NordVPN notes that Meshnet uses the company’s own NordLink protocol.
using meshnet
It all starts with the installation of Meshnet on the client device. It is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS. Meshnet initially displays a sign-in prompt and the option to create a new Nord account. A brief description of the service’s functionality is displayed upon first sign-in.
MeshNet displays the local hostname and IP address once connected. Users find options to “Share files”, “Rout traffic” and “Link devices” right in the interface. Linked devices are of particular interest, as new devices are added to the meshnet using the feature.
A user can link up to 10 of their own devices, provided the same Nord account is used for sign-in. In order for other users to link their devices, it is necessary to send them an invitation to do so.
Local area network games should work out of the box for all connected devices. Two other features, Internet routing and file sharing, need to be explicitly enabled in the application before they become available.
nordvpn documentation Provides more details on Meshnet.
