The need for reliable VPN service is quite crucial if you are concerned about your online identity. The need for the VPN also runs parallel along, the unavailability of the websites, videos, services and the urge of having them pushes us really hard.
When it comes Android, you have no excuse. You can pick an app, from some best android VPN apps. But, did every app worth what you pay? Definitely not, each app excels and hit down in one or other way. You have to figure out your primary usage, then stick to a service. What about NordVPN? Don’t you think, it is the “go-to” of the millions of users?
Let’s figure out, how you could harness the power of this service for Android in this hands-on NordVPN review for 2017. Shall we?
NordVPN For Android Review 2017 – Why it Isn’t For Everyone?
Pricing
NordVPN is the premium VPN services that tend to charge 11.95$ per month if you subscribed to the monthly plan as of writing this post. As an industry standard, higher you pay in advance more the discount would be.
NordVPN Pricing
You slice down the total cost to 5.75$ a month, if you get the annual plan. All the plans include the access to the all the servers, unlimited bandwidth, technical support and future updates.
Setting up NordVPN
Setting things not going to be a daunting task, but still not easier either. To begin with, download and install NordVPN from the play store.
Upon the installation, open the app and log into your account. Then grant all the permissions it seeks. If you are in Android Marshmallow 6.0 or later, you have to allow all the access. Once you are done, then head over to the next thing.
User Interface
The application UI plays a key role in differentiating thing and also in user experience. NordVPN has a clean user interface without much-advanced settings that might confuse the users. The app starts with the world map with all the servers marked, just select the country to get the virtual IP from and connect. As simple as it sounds!
NordVPN UI
Click on the three horizontal lines to access my accounts, servers list, and few connection settings like protocol and others.
Reliability And Servers
Reliability is what you’re paying for, NordVPN is doing a decent job in securing the name. High-performance servers are scattered all over the world for better reach, as of now, there are around 781 servers in 57 countries. There are few different types of servers you can connect,
Double VPN – which will encrypt the both incoming and outgoing data packets with 256-bit encryption. Means, several servers are attached to the VPN tunnel, which redirects the traffic to different servers before it actual reach the user. It is the military-grade security, that might not be useful for many. Only a few servers could establish the double-VPN.
Tor-Over VPN – Another confidential way to access the onion websites with pretty robust security. The both incoming and outgoing data packets have to pass all the Tor network nodes to reach the users. In this case, the traffic is entered into the entry node first, followed by few tor-networks and finally gets out through the exit node. Average users hardly need this level security unless they are accessing onion websites.
Anti-DDOS Servers – Anti DDOS connection helps in minimizing the server loads by blocking the blacklisted IPs, reducing the chances of a DDOS attack. There come Standard servers which do involve the typical VPN connections.
You can also request the dedicated US or UK IPs, which will be secured with 2048 -bit encryption packing serious security punch. You have to contact them, to get one for yourself.
For the most part, standard servers are more than enough, if you are getting something free what not!
Availability
Not everyone will pay for a VPN service for a single device; they will try to make use of in all the platform they own. When it comes to the availability, NordVPN nails in almost all the platform including Android, Windows (PC), iOS, gaming consoles, and Smart TVs.
NordVPN Connection
Though it is not available for Windows Mobile; there is an option to setup the L2TP/IPsec connection in almost all the platforms. It might not be a deal breaker, as in our Android vs. Windows comparison we figured the actual Windows mobile users base as lowest.
Extra Features
P2P Supported, Hurray torrent users you can now download torrents while you are connected to the VPN.
There is a dynamic switching between the different DNS on their servers, which reduces the chances DNS leak. They might not sound great, but hackers can retrieve your personal details and browsing history if they had your DNS information, even while you’re connected to the VPN.
Speedtest
In the screenshot below, actual internet speed on the left side vs. Nord VPN connection speed on the right-hand side.
NordVPN Speedtest
Pretty good, almost half the internet speed with VPN.
Cons!
- No advanced options like UDP or ICMP protocols.
- Servers are quite slow, especially Tor-over, Double -VPN servers.
- Too many server types sound like a marketing gimmick.
- The connection setting could have better.
Take The Plunge!
Wrapping NordVPN Review, What you think?
We found that NordVPN is not for everyone, as the annual cost is around 60 bucks. It is for who likes playing with the high-end security irrespective the internet speed. If you are extra cautious about your privacy like DNS leap and others, NordVPN is the hands-down choice for you.
What do you think about NordVPN review? Let us know in the comment section below.
Gary
I wanted to try this but it doesn’t even allow me to sign up. It keeps on saying password is required lol. I’m having problems from the beginning, how much more if I purchase. I can’t imagine if the service will really work for me.