Is PureVPN Protected to Use?

PureVPN’s 6,000+ servers throughout greater than 65+ international locations make it a gorgeous selection for customers on the lookout for a digital non-public community with an intensive server community. It offers extra flexibility for unblocking content material and presents sooner speeds. PureVPN’s Home windows utility additionally has an intuitive design, making for user-friendly navigation.

Sadly, PureVPN suffers from a controversial logging incident with the Federal Bureau of Investigation that forestalls it from being a prime safety suggestion. Whereas it has made efforts to rebuild belief, its general bundle is probably not sufficient for extra privacy-focused customers.

How a lot does PureVPN price?

In 2024, PureVPN launched a brand new subscription tier known as Groups. That is on prime of its authentic subscription tiers: PureVPN Customary, Plus, and Max. Under are the primary characteristic variations amongst these choices:

• PureVPN Customary comes with the VPN service itself and a tracker blocker.
• PureVPN Plus contains all Customary options plus a password supervisor.
• PureVPN Max contains all Plus options plus Take away My Information capabilities and Darkish Net Monitoring.
• PureVPN Groups constructed for distant groups and features a centralized admin dashboard, 24/7 buyer help, and help for as much as 200 members.

Earlier than selecting a plan, I like to recommend attempting PureVPN’s seven-day free trial. Whereas there isn’t a devoted trial for desktop, a trial is accessible by way of PureVPN’s cellular apps on iOS or Android. When you join the free trial on a cellular system, you’ll be able to log into your account by way of desktop. The trial permits customers to decide on which subscription (Customary, Plus, Max) they wish to take a look at drive. In my expertise, establishing the free trial was straightforward and trouble-free.

When you plan on utilizing a paid plan, PureVPN Plus for 2 years at $2.96 per 30 days is the best choice. That is pretty reasonably priced in comparison with different VPNs with the identical period and affords you PureVPN’s additional options like its password supervisor. It’s additionally a greater possibility in comparison with the month-to-month $12.45 Customary subscription that’s on the pricier finish for a month-to-month plan.

PureVPN additionally launched a brand new five-year plan in 2024 that wasn’t accessible final yr. Whereas I admire the price financial savings with the smaller month-to-month payment, I personally assume it’s smarter to go for the shorter-term choices. This enables you the pliability of not renewing your contract inside a shorter interval, particularly contemplating how VPN providers can change over time, similar to with safety incidents or main characteristic adjustments.

I might’ve most popular if both the extra password supervisor or darkish internet monitor had been included within the base VPN subscription itself; this might’ve given PureVPN extra distinctive options to set it aside from the competitors.

You should purchase both the Plus or Max subscriptions to get these options, however having not less than one in all them included, with out an extra fee, would’ve given PureVPN extra bang-for-your-buck worth.

Is PureVPN protected and reliable?

I wouldn’t advocate PureVPN if security is a precedence. On paper, PureVPN appears like a safe VPN, with its high quality safety protocols and spectacular “always-on” audits. Nonetheless, its logging incident in 2017 and the shortage of in-depth info on the audits themselves depart a lot to be desired.

PureVPN comes with the three most necessary safety protocols for a contemporary VPN: OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IPSec/IKEv2. It additionally options AES 256-encryption, a kill swap, and area identify system leak safety.

Sadly, a difficulty arises with its no-logs coverage. Like most VPNs, PureVPN claims to have a no-logs coverage the place they state that they don’t log looking actions, connection logs, authentic IPs, and looking historical past.

Nonetheless, PureVPN was concerned in an incident again in 2017 the place the corporate allegedly handed off logs to the FBI. Specifically, the FBI used logs from PureVPN to trace down a suspected cyberstalker and harasser. Whereas catching such criminals is necessary, the issue was in PureVPN’s privateness coverage on the time — which acknowledged that it saved no logs. It is a massive blow to the credibility of PureVPN’s no-logs coverage, particularly as a result of conserving anonymity is without doubt one of the essential causes to make use of a VPN.

Since then, PureVPN has come out with third-party audits that confirm their no-logs coverage. First was with Altius IT in 2019 and the second with KPMG in 2021 — each discovering no proof of the corporate conserving any logs. The KPMG audit is noteworthy as a result of it was an “always-on” audit that allowed KPMG to audit PureVPN’s community with out prior discover.

As I revisited PureVPN in 2024, I noticed that it had undergone a fourth audit on its no-logs coverage. Nonetheless, I discovered it troublesome to get extra in-depth info on the audit itself.

While you have a look at the net web page, there’s no clear knowledge on which agency audited PureVPN. It additionally lacks outgoing hyperlinks redirecting readers to the audit report. The web page simply says, “Well-known audit agency was just lately engaged in an train to evaluate the compliance of our VPN infrastructure with our privateness coverage.”

After that, it states that the audit had reaffirmed how PureVPN doesn’t log a person’s origin IP handle and doesn’t log a person’s assigned VPN IP handle, amongst different issues. To me, the higher strategy could be to have a transparent exterior hyperlink to the third-party audit or have extra detailed data on the findings itself. This could construct extra credibility for each the audit and PureVPN’s no-logs coverage.

I discovered one other PureVPN weblog publish, dated June 2024, that mentioned that the VPN’s privateness coverage was “no-logs licensed.” This one had a bit extra info, saying that PureVPN had once more engaged with Altius IT and located that PureVPN had no techniques in place, which might “result in figuring out a selected individual and/or the individual’s exercise when utilizing the PureVPN service.” Sadly, there was as soon as once more no exterior hyperlink to a full report and shared very minimal element in regards to the audit correct itself (similar to when the audit was completed or what points of PureVPN had been particularly reviewed).

On this regard, I feel PureVPN can do a significantly better job of creating their third-party audits extra accessible and extra substantive. This could assist strengthen their safety claims and construct belief amongst customers.

Key options of PureVPN

When you’re contemplating PureVPN, it’s necessary to know the options that set it aside from different VPNs. Let’s check out a few of PureVPN’s key options.

Giant server suite

PureVPN comes with round 6,000+ servers worldwide, giving it a reasonably substantial server fleet for the unusual person. That is particularly helpful for those who’re seeking to unblock geo-restricted content material, because it permits you extra flexibility and selection within the servers you should utilize.

The PureVPN community additionally contains servers from 80+ areas and greater than 65+ international locations — a plus if you wish to use a various set of servers from totally different areas. I do wish to observe that in 2024, the common nation depend for VPNs is regularly rising. High VPNs like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Non-public Web Entry VPN now have server fleets with location choices starting from 90-105 international locations, whereas the common was round 60-70 in years previous. As PureVPN continues to develop its service, I’m hopeful that rising their nation choices is one in all their prime priorities.

Cut up tunneling

PureVPN presents a cut up tunneling characteristic that means that you can management which on-line exercise is routed by way of the VPN and which is routed by way of your common web service supplier.

It is a handy characteristic that can assist you to reduce the bottleneck in your VPN server’s pace as a result of not all functions, similar to music streaming, want VPN safety.

In my testing, PureVPN’s cut up tunneling labored as marketed and was in a position to reliably filter my chosen apps by way of the VPN correctly. I wish to point out, although, that cut up tunneling didn’t work for me whereas utilizing PureVPN’s WireGuard protocol. This can be a bug both on my app or on PureVPN, however this has occurred in my app for each 2023 and 2024. Hopefully, PureVPN permits cut up tunneling with the sooner WireGuard in a future replace.

As much as 10 system connections

PureVPN permits for 10 simultaneous system connections or logins. With some VPNs providing solely 5–8 simultaneous connections, PureVPN’s 10 allowable logins is a major value-add for customers with a number of gadgets.

This may be an necessary funds consideration for potential VPN customers, particularly in the event that they’re frightened about paying for one more subscription solely to accommodate extra of their gadgets.

Velocity and efficiency: How briskly is PureVPN?

PureVPN presents quick speeds and an general dependable connection. In my testing, I skilled comparatively snappy speeds whereas utilizing Google Workspace apps similar to Docs, Drive, and Maintain, streaming 1080p YouTube movies, internet looking for analysis, and attending on-line video conferences. Web sites loaded quick, and I didn’t have any noticeable drops in pace or connectivity.

By way of pace testing, PureVPN supplied combined outcomes. For downloads, it was wonderful, solely dropping 14.44% in pace in comparison with my web service supplier. That’s quick when you think about how VPNs are anticipated to decelerate speeds with the additional steps added to your site visitors. Nonetheless, PureVPN received extra modest outcomes for uploads, being 54.98% slower than my ISP. This was per my pace exams from final yr, the place PureVPNs obtain and add share lower had been at 5.98% and 79.92% respectively.

On this case, my findings present that customers with upload-heavy workflows might get inconsistent efficiency whereas utilizing PureVPN. If that is you, it’s possible you’ll be higher off different choices like ExpressVPN or Non-public Web Entry.

SEE: PureVPN vs NordVPN (2024): Which VPN Ought to You Select? (TechRepublic)

To check for DNS leaks, I ran PureVPN a number of occasions utilizing a public DNS leak instrument. After a number of exams utilizing totally different servers and areas, I recorded zero leaks.

PureVPN servers and areas

PureVPN grants customers entry to round 6,000+ servers in additional than 80+ areas, unfold throughout 65+ international locations. In 2024, I praised PureVPN’s server community for being one of many bigger server networks accessible. Whereas its server depend continues to be significantly massive in comparison with the competitors, I really feel it now has some catching as much as do by way of nation depend.

Competing suppliers like NordVPN have elevated their nation unfold from 60+ international locations in 2023 to 111 international locations in 2024. In the meantime, Surfshark additionally presents an intensive 100-country server fleet with 3,200 servers. I’m optimistic that PureVPN follows go well with on this regard, particularly since its server community was one in all its strongest options final yr.

I nonetheless assume PureVPN is an effective possibility for those who primarily plan to make use of a VPN to bypass geo-blocked content material. You simply should needless to say different VPN providers have continued to develop their server fleets as effectively.

PureVPN additionally offers a wholesome unfold of servers worldwide.

Whereas the majority of PureVPN’s servers are in Europe and North America, it’s nonetheless good to see that the community is ready to present choices throughout all seven continents. In 2024, PureVPN has notably elevated servers for Asia (now at 800 in comparison with 560 final yr) and Central America (now at 10 servers from simply 4 servers in 2023). When you’re eyeing IP areas from these areas particularly, that is excellent news.

I additionally admire how PureVPN routinely segments which of their servers are finest for peer-to-peer file-sharing.

It lessens the steps you must take if you wish to use the VPN for torrenting. I want PureVPN had extra privacy-focused options out of the field, as its extra distinctive safety features (i.e., encrypted file-sharing and password supervisor) require further fee. In any other case, their server community is a particular robust level.

PureVPN customer support

With regards to customer support, PureVPN presents a web based data base with guides and FAQs, an AI chatbot and stay chat help, and a ticketing system. For my part, PureVPN’s help web page presents a good quantity of data and useful tutorial articles.

After testing out PureVPN’s stay chat characteristic, I wish to commend their help workforce, as I used to be related to a stay agent inside two minutes of my request. By way of answering questions, nonetheless, I discovered PureVPN’s help agent to be good however not nice.

For probably the most half, it was in a position to handle my principally primary questions in regards to the VPN. Nonetheless, I did discover that it defaulted to giving me hyperlinks from their help weblog slightly than answering straight. Whereas the articles had been helpful, I might have most popular if the agent addressed my queries with out having to depart our chat field.

Sadly, I did discover just a few person testimonials sharing how they didn’t have probably the most constructive expertise with PureVPN. One person within the PureVPN Reddit group mentioned, “Obtained caught in a extremely pointless dialog with the help chat immediately… 60 minutes of chatting – no downside received solved – and I’m even undecided that the help understood my situation (I can’t join with my devoted IP to the web)… actually ridiculous.”

A few customers additionally lamented how PureVPN modified options too typically, similar to including or eradicating servers. On this regard, whereas I had a good expertise with PureVPN’s buyer help, your mileage might fluctuate relying on what you utilize it for.

PureVPN ease of use

For ease of use, I believed PureVPN had a comparatively intuitive person interface. I primarily used PureVPN’s Home windows utility and located it to be minimalistic, well-organized, and user-friendly.

By way of design, I favored the trendy really feel it had and the way it didn’t really feel too cluttered regardless of the additional options it had alongside the primary VPN service. For context, I availed of the PureVPN Max seven-day free trial for this evaluation.

One factor I did discover was a little bit of clunkiness when it got here to PureVPN’s app efficiency. I often skilled a little bit of lag when navigating by way of PureVPN’s menus, the place it wanted a second earlier than attending to the place I wished to go. This additionally occurred every time I activated a few of its additional options.

Whereas this isn’t a dealbreaker by any means, I feel it makes the entire app expertise really feel much less polished than it could possibly be. In fact, PureVPN can very a lot launch a patch or replace to make their desktop app really feel sooner. I’m conserving my fingers crossed on this, particularly since they have already got a well-designed UI of their palms.

SEE: IPVanish vs NordVPN (2024): Which VPN Is Higher? (TechRepublic)

PureVPN execs

• Giant community with 6,000+ servers.
• 7-day free trial by way of cellular.
• As much as 10 simultaneous system connections.
• Intuitive utility.
• Comparatively good speeds.
• Consists of cut up tunneling characteristic.

PureVPN cons

• Prior incident handing off logs to FBI.
• Activating options feels a bit clunky.
• Distinctive safety features are paid add-ons.

Who’s PureVPN finest for?

PureVPN is finest for customers who worth having a big server community as one in all their essential issues in a VPN service. Its 6,000+ servers throughout 65+ international locations is a significant worth proposition to unblock geo-restricted content material or entry servers in particular areas. PureVPN additionally presents typically good speeds inside a minimal and intuitive person interface.

Nonetheless, its logging incident with the FBI in 2017 prevents it from being a superb decide if privateness and safety are your essential issues. Whereas it has made strides to rebuild buyer belief, customers on the lookout for a VPN with a superb observe file in conserving their privateness and no logs insurance policies ought to look elsewhere.

PureVPN options

Whereas PureVPN is a good VPN resolution, it might not have the right combination of options on your wants. We’ve listed under comparable options that would function higher choices.

SEE: How one can Create an Efficient Cybersecurity Consciousness Program (TechRepublic Premium)

Mozilla VPN

When you’re a longtime person of the Firefox browser, Mozilla VPN could also be a superb possibility. Coming from the maker of Firefox, Mozilla VPN presents advert blocking, zero bandwidth restrictions, and multihop routing. It at present presents round 500+ servers in 30+ international locations.

To study extra, learn our full Mozilla VPN evaluation.

ExpressVPN

For extra safety, ExpressVPN presents TrustedServer safety that offers customers further privateness safety by way of independently audited, RAM-only servers. ExpressVPN additionally presents a selection of 17 different languages in each its app and browser extensions.

To study extra, learn our full ExpressVPN evaluation.

CyberGhost VPN

CyberGhostVPN is without doubt one of the finest VPN picks for its nation unfold. It has servers in over 100 international locations worldwide, making it a best choice for unblocking content material in different areas. It additionally permits for seven simultaneous system connections and offers 24/7 stay buyer help.

To study extra, learn our full CyberGhost VPN evaluation. 

How we evaluated PureVPN

My evaluation of PureVPN concerned an in depth evaluation of its safety features, price, and real-world efficiency. I had hands-on time with PureVPN by way of its free trial by way of their cellular utility. Particularly, I examined the model of PureVPN supplied with the Max subscription on my Home windows laptop.

For add and obtain speeds, I examined PureVPN utilizing Ookla’s public Speedtest. To test for DNS leak safety, I ran PureVPN a number of occasions by way of DNSLeakTest.

Lastly, I scored PureVPN on all the pieces from its safety protocols to its value based mostly on an inner algorithm to get a ranking of three.7 out of 5 stars. I checked out PureVPN each by itself and in relation to different VPN providers.