Nordvpn's Meshnet 'not Going Anywhere' After All - Thanks To Customer Revolt

Charlie Osborne/ZDNET

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ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

• Meshnet allows users to create private, encrypted networks for sharing resources.
• Customer backlash inspired NordVPN to support nan work running
• Meshnet will beryllium open-sourced, but nary modulation timeline is successful place.

NordVPN has reversed its determination to adjacent down Meshnet and will, instead, beryllium opening it up to nan unfastened root community. 

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On Tuesday, NordVPN subscribers received an email noting that nan community's consequence to nan news prompted nan VPN supplier to alteration its mind and support Meshnet running. 

"Over nan past month, galore of you person spoken up astir really overmuch you worth Meshnet, whether for tinkering pinch backstage networks, sharing files securely, aliases conscionable gaming pinch friends," NordVPN's email reads. "Your passion made america return a difficult look astatine our decision. So here's nan update: We heard you. Meshnet is not going anywhere."

NordVPN's Meshnet is simply a work that enables users to found an encrypted virtual network, allowing devices to remotely link pinch each other. Up to 60 devices are supported for purposes including record sharing and gaming. However, aft its 2022 debut, fewer NordVPN subscribers adopted nan service. 

"As clip went on, it became clear that while a mini group of dedicated users weighted Meshnet, it ne'er really caught connected nan measurement we'd hoped," NordVPN said. 

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Meshnet will now beryllium open-sourced, allowing developers willing successful nan task to contribute. A timeline for this modulation is being discussed internally, but there's nary day group for nan open-source release. Still, I tin spot this type of task appealing to a ample group of developers. 

In nan meantime, Meshnet will stay unfastened and supported, and nan NordVPN squad will analyse ways to grow its scope and heighten its entreaty to a broader audience. 

During my recent visit to nan Lithuania-based company, NordVPN researchers told ZDNET that nan work whitethorn person been excessively analyzable to pull nan attraction of a ample personification base. So, nan work was group to beryllium closed successful December 2025, pinch its laboratory squad reassigned to amended nan functionality and services of Nord Security's VPN.

Community backlash, however, led to a alteration of heart. Online, immoderate users noted that they usage Meshnet daily, it was 1 of their favourite features, and for some, Meshnet is nan logic they subscribed to NordVPN successful nan first place. An online appeal was besides created. 

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Marijus Briedis, CTO astatine NordVPN, told ZDNET that it was this feedback from users -- sent via societal media, backstage messages, and support tickets -- that revealed really valuable nan work was to them. 

"They told america really they usage nan characteristic for unafraid record sharing, distant work, and staying connected pinch family and friends done gaming sessions," nan executive said. "Although only a mini information of our organization actively uses Meshnet, their stories made it clear really valuable it is to them. That position made america reconsider our decision, and ultimately, we've decided to support it."