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PureVPN positions itself as a service centered on safety, privateness, and accessibility, but it surely doesn’t do any of those significantly nicely. An costly month-to-month plan at $12.95 implies that it’s solely value buying if you happen to’re shopping for not less than a year-long subscription, however our exams counsel that the service is getting worse by way of velocity and server places.
PureVPN is a part of a a lot bigger privateness bundle that features a password administration system, file encryption, darkish internet monitoring, and a “take away my information” characteristic. It’s unlikely you’ll neglect this whereas utilizing the VPN, because it bombards you with adverts for these options regardless of which platform you’re on (aside from the Linux app, which could be very mild on options).
Learn on, and I’ll dig just a little extra into why PureVPN doesn’t actually stick the touchdown in anyone space, in addition to the precise use circumstances the place chances are you’ll need to test it out anyway.
Our newest analysis of PureVPN contains up to date information from our current testing, which reveals a discount in places. We have additionally integrated new velocity metrics to offer a extra complete evaluation of its efficiency. There’s additionally a brand new Residential IP possibility from PureVPN, however the worth and bandwidth restrict make it not terribly engaging.
Options
The precise PureVPN doesn’t have a ton of additional options, but it surely does nail the necessities for probably the most half. So far as VPN protocols go, you’ve received entry to OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2. All of those are extremely trusted, well-audited VPN protocols, so that you gained’t have any worries about choosing an insecure one if you set the VPN up.
On high of that, there’s each a kill switch inbuilt to ensure you gained’t by accident leak unencrypted information if you happen to disconnect from the VPN, and a split tunneling possibility that’ll allow you to choose which apps you need to connect with the VPN.
Port forwarding can be out there on PureVPN, but it surely’s a paid additional whereas some suppliers like Private Internet Access provide it by default. It’s fairly helpful if you happen to’re usually torrenting otherwise you’re attempting to host an online service, however in any other case, you’re not prone to get a lot use out of it.
Talking of, PureVPN additionally gives a paid dedicated IP possibility, which provides you a static IP everytime you log in. You gained’t be pestered by CAPTCHAs or IP-based status methods as you’ll be the one person on that IP. Nonetheless, it’s locked to at least one location, so it’s not very best if you happen to’re attempting to stream content material from all around the world. It even gives residential IPs which you can proxy via, that are barely much less susceptible to the identical points {that a} devoted IP solves.
There’s an automation characteristic constructed into PureVPN on join. Basically, it lets you nominate an internet site that opens up routinely everytime you connect with a selected location. For instance, if you happen to’re connecting to Tokyo since you need to view the newest reveals on Netflix JP, you may set PureVPN as much as open a Netflix tab routinely. It’s not the flashiest characteristic on this planet, but it surely’s very handy.
Options rating: 7/10
Server community
You’re not getting the most important server community with PureVPN, but it surely’s nonetheless respectable at 80 places in 66 international locations. That’s a slight discount from our final assessment.
With that in thoughts, it’s a reasonably nicely distributed server set that features places different suppliers don’t deal with, together with 5 completely different servers in Africa and one other 5 within the Center East. The flip aspect is that you just’re getting considerably under common protection in Asia and worse North American protection than different suppliers.
In the end, if you happen to’re on the lookout for a very international server choice then you definately’re higher off wanting elsewhere, however PureVPN’s servers ought to in any other case suffice.
Server community: 6/10
Apps
The desktop apps are fully nice. Whether or not you’re on Home windows, Linux, or MacOS, PureVPN gives a purposeful app that performs as you’d anticipate.
The Linux app does seem like an afterthought in comparison with the Home windows or MacOS variations however, mockingly, this makes it far simpler to make use of. There aren’t any giant in-app adverts, so you may simply click on join and get began. Nonetheless, if you happen to’re anticipating full Linux help, you’re out of luck. There’s method much less by way of options, so you need to take a look at Non-public Web Entry for a Linux GUI consumer that retains parity with different desktop apps as an alternative.
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PureVPN’s Android app leaves loads to be desired. The “free trial” locks you into a comparatively costly yearly subscription on the finish of the 7 days with out applicable notification. Even if you do pay for the app, you’re consistently being bombarded with in-ad apps to improve for extra options. Different suppliers like Surfshark do provide improve plans with additional options however don’t trouble you about them within the precise app. It’s additionally unstable, as I discovered it crashing a number of occasions all through the testing course of, which is simply unacceptable for a VPN app.
The iOS app is extra secure by comparability however isn’t a lot better. There are nonetheless the identical adverts for different apps, and whereas I personally haven’t had points with the iOS consumer, there are many evaluations on the market complaining about poor speeds and subscriptions expiring earlier than their time is up. This isn’t the VPN expertise on cell you’re on the lookout for.
Apps rating: 6/10
Ease of use
To be trustworthy, the PureVPN app is just a little overwhelming if you first log in. The Home windows app takes up a number of your display screen real-estate with each the connection button and a bunch of commercials for different apps within the PureVPN ecosystem.
Whereas the precise VPN is comparatively straightforward to function, there’s simply far too many choices that take you out to different components of the app which ought to be hidden away in sub-menus as an alternative. On the plus aspect, the app’s aesthetic is fairly pleasing with straightforward purple and black options on a white background, which you’ll invert with a darkish mode.
Ease of use rating: 5/10
Pace and efficiency
PureVPN isn’t significantly spectacular by way of velocity. We’ve modified how we measure our speeds, which I’ll get into extra in a second, however the level is that PureVPN has seen important velocity drops in consequence.
When testing its WireGuard connection to our nearest server, we noticed peak speeds of 480 Mbps, which is an actual downgrade from the 615 Mbps we recorded throughout our final testing spherical. Surprisingly, our cross-Atlantic exams truly carried out barely higher at 491 Mbps. I’ve to imagine that that is roughly the place its servers function at peak capability.
Though PureVPN’s speeds appear to be getting worse, they’ll nonetheless suffice for high-quality streaming, even in 4K. The OpenVPN efficiency, alternatively, is poor. We recorded most speeds of 113 Mbps, which is a bandwidth discount of almost 90%. In the event you’re locked into OpenVPN, it’s very probably that PureVPN goes to choke the life out of your bandwidth speeds.
The one actual plus with PureVPN is that we discovered our add speeds to its US servers almost maxed out our testing rig at 818 Mbps when utilizing WireGuard, so it is perhaps value a shot in case you have a severely spectacular web connection and also you need some additional safety whereas torrenting. In any other case, PureVPN’s speeds simply fail to impress.
It ought to be famous that we’ve up to date our testing course of for speeds. We nonetheless take a variety of connection speeds all through the day, utilizing numerous velocity testing websites and throughout a number of protocols, however we now take the highest outcomes and common them out to get a greater thought of what the most effective speeds from a VPN seem like as an alternative of simply utilizing the most effective velocity we’ve recorded.
Pace and efficiency rating: 7/10
Unblocking
We usually put the VPNs we assessment via a barrage of exams to see if they will unblock the preferred streaming websites on the market. It’s excellent news for PureVPN because it put in an virtually excellent efficiency throughout our unblocking exams.
The entire Netflix areas we tried labored flawlessly (that’s the UK, US, Japan, Canada, and Australia) while not having to resort to a residential IP. Amazon Prime and Disney+ additionally labored, in addition to BBC iPlayer, Channel 4, ITV, and 9Now. Sadly, we couldn’t get entry to 10Now, however that’s nonetheless fairly spectacular.
One caveat, although. Whereas the residential IP possibility ought to, in principle, let you do something {that a} VPN deal with gained’t, there’s a flaw with it. You’ll be able to’t select which area you get linked to, so there’s no method to dial in on the streams you need. The bandwidth restrict additionally implies that even when you will get entry to a selected stream, you’re going to chew via your allotted 12 GB fairly rapidly.
Residential IPs are helpful for evading VPN detection. We examined out 15 completely different VPN detection websites, and PureVPN labored on 10 of them, which is method higher than the three we bypassed utilizing the common VPN IP. It’s not fully foolproof, as some websites nonetheless managed to detect that we have been utilizing a possible proxy.
Unblocking rating: 9/10
Privateness and Safety
This isn’t a privacy-first VPN, however PureVPN nonetheless does fairly nicely. The entire VPN protocols you may choose are just about bulletproof: OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2. This wasn’t at all times the case, as PureVPN used to supply insecure protocols like L2TP and PPTP. These servers are literally nonetheless seen from the server checklist on their web site, however the app gained’t let you connect with them.
Its OpenVPN implementation additionally lets you connect with quantum-resistant servers, defending you in opposition to future assaults on the information you transmit at present. It’s the primary a part of the complete quantum-resistant rollout so, for now, you’re solely in a position to hook up with quantum-resistant servers within the UK, US, France, Germany, Australia, and Canada. It additionally solely protects the keys used to begin your connection, not the complete information stream.
PureVPN can be a no-log VPN supplier that’s been audited a number of occasions by impartial third events, together with KPMG. That’s an ideal begin, however PureVPN goes one step additional with an “always-on” audit. Basically, it is beholden to a shock audit at any time, which implies that PureVPN can by no means afford to function at something lower than 100% information privateness.
It’s questionable how far more belief this affords in comparison with a conventional audit, however with 4 profitable third-party audits within the bag, it’s clear that PureVPN is doing the correct factor.
The one excellent concern we’ve discovered is that WebRTC lets you decide that the Residential IP characteristic truly resolves again to a standard PureVPN IP. Whereas this isn’t an enormous privateness leak, it does considerably undermine the enchantment of a service that ought to allow you to seem as if you’re a standard US resident. A very decided attacker would have the ability to leverage this to find in any other case, however you’re nonetheless protected in opposition to different forms of leaks together with DNS and IPv6.
Privateness and safety rating: 7/10
Monitor report
Frankly, it’s a combined bag. PureVPN has suffered from DNS and IP leaks previously, and the very fact we’ve observed a possible leak within the residential IP providing doesn’t bode nicely. Whereas PureVPN has been diligent in fixing these leaks when reported, this shouldn’t be a recurring concern.
There’s additionally a black mark in opposition to PureVPN’s identify for its dealing with of a legislation enforcement request by the FBI in 2017. Because of this investigation, it turned clear that PureVPN was logging IP addresses alongside connection timestamps.
Since then, PureVPN has undergone a number of audits to show it would not hold logs, in addition to ISO 27001 certification to indicate they implement applicable data safety controls. Whereas PureVPN looks as if a modified firm at present, it’s value holding in thoughts that it may not essentially be the only option if you happen to want a completely bulletproof VPN.
Monitor Document rating: 5/10
Buyer help
I’ve actually seen worse buyer help plans on the market. There’s a stay 24/7 help chat you may entry with out being a buyer, but it surely places you in touch with an AI chatbot first, and also you’ll have to navigate via it to talk to an actual help agent.
They’re not at all times out there both, however the one we received via to was immediate and useful. There’s additionally an email-based ticket help system for deeper technical issues that help brokers can’t simply repair.
The help FAQs are additionally fairly good. The entire articles are categorized by OS and canopy subjects from set up to platform-specific options and troubleshooting. It’s all clearly written in plain English with loads of screenshots, so you need to have the ability to observe alongside with out a lot bother.
Buyer help rating: 9/10
Pricing and plans
PureVPN is unquestionably on the pricier finish for a month-to-month plan at $12.95 monthly, particularly contemplating that you just’re getting a fairly bog-standard VPN for that worth. This drops all the way down to $3.99 for a month on the one 12 months plan and $2.15 for the 2 12 months plan, which is much extra affordable.
You can too lock in a 5 12 months deal for $2.16. It really works out barely dearer than shopping for two years as a result of that provides you three months free, however the 5 12 months deal locks in that worth if PureVPN ever decides to lift their charges. There’s additionally a 31-day a refund assure, barely greater than the trade common… by a day.
That’s about the place the worth stops with PureVPN. One devoted IP is $4.99 monthly. Port forwarding, a characteristic that different suppliers provide you with without cost, is $1.49 monthly. Need entry to a residential IP? That’ll be $19.99 monthly (and much more if you happen to go over the 12 GB a month bandwidth cap).
Pricing and plans rating: 7/10
Must you use PureVPN?
It’s laborious to suggest PureVPN except you’re going with one in all its cheaper yearly plans. Even then, Surfshark gives considerably higher speeds and extra places for across the similar worth. The place PureVPN differs from different suppliers is within the IP-specific choices it gives, however there are nonetheless points with the Residential IP possibility that make it helpful solely in very particular circumstances.
Merely put: Until you’re internet hosting internet companies and purchase into each the devoted IP and port forwarding choices, there’s a VPN supplier on the market that does what PureVPN does however higher in each class. Generally a number of. That doesn’t make PureVPN a foul VPN, but it surely does make it a redundant one. On that foundation alone, I’d say you need to take a look at one of many VPN suppliers under as an alternative.
PureVPN alternate options
PureVPN FAQs
Is PureVPN good for streaming?
Sure, PureVPN efficiently unblocks Netflix (US, UK, Japan, Canada, and Australia), Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and extra. Nonetheless, its Residential IP characteristic isn’t value utilizing to stream as a consequence of a 12 GB bandwidth restrict.
Does PureVPN hold logs?
No, PureVPN follows a strict no-logs coverage, which has been audited a number of occasions by KPMG. Nonetheless, previously PureVPN has stored connection logs with IP addresses and timestamps, permitting legislation enforcement to correlate these to find the identification of a PureVPN person.
How briskly is PureVPN?
PureVPN’s speeds are respectable however not distinctive, as our WireGuard connections maxed out at 491 Mbps. OpenVPN speeds have been considerably decrease at 113 Mbps. That is far under what you’d anticipate from a top-tier VPN.
Can I exploit PureVPN for torrenting?
Sure, PureVPN permits torrenting on lots of its servers. Nonetheless, options like port forwarding require a further charge, whereas PIA gives it without cost.