VPNs are virtual and private networks that connect remote clients to servers. They utilize virtual tunneling to facilitate remote internet access over a secure channel. Thus, VPNs are at the forefront of internet security. Although they are not a new addition, recent years have witnessed the growth of individual or consumer VPNs. These providers target VPNs for singular use. As such, they advertise and promote their services to aid the privacy and security of the consumer.
But, numerous vendors ply their trade in the internet safety market. However, only a select few can make themselves stand out. One such provider, that not only offers cheap but also quality service, is none other than PrivateVPN. Today’s article is a PrivateVPN review that aims to help readers learn more about this outstanding product while validating the claims put forward. Thus, stay with us as we take a closer look at the various features of this VPN.
Overview of PrivateVPN
Although not the fastest, PrivateVPN does offer exceedingly attractive prices that are hard to ignore. Yes, the service is not the largest, nor does it have the latest WireGuard protocol, but it gets the job done. And spectacularly to boot. On the one hand, you may be glad to find that the vendor has tried their best to provide an extensive no-logs VPN. On the other hand, it has most market standard features. But what remains a deal clenched is its mostly unbeaten prices. Furthermore, the VPN comes with a free version, and that too at one hundred percent of features. However, it only lasts a mere 7 days.
The provider has limited coverage across multiple platforms but is a godsend for streaming. Moreover, it comes with a fair share of advanced features to make your digital lives simpler. Although, it hails from Sweden, a member of the 14 Eyes alliance. While the seemingly small network of VPN servers can potentially turn away users, we can safely recommend this VPN at the behest of its global coverage.
The company PrivateVPN Global AB, founded in 2009, has obtrusively pushed to stray away from the conventional market approach. The product is more like a mix of good and somewhat bad in between. But they have tried to offset the disparity by ensuring a stable and trusted product. While we may not conclude the VPN to be a show-stealer, it is perfect for those on a budget and with a penchant for torrenting and streaming. All in all, we still have a detailed PrivateVPN review left before us to learn more about this service.
Crucial PrivateVPN Information
Given below are is the rundown of things PrivateVPN offers, with a focus on the critical aspects of the service:
Features | PrivateVPN |
---|---|
Bandwidth limitation | No limit |
Connection speed | 94 Mbps |
Logging policy | No logs VPN |
Data leaks | No |
Jurisdiction | Sweden (14-Eyes member) |
Number of servers | 200 |
Free version | Available, but only for 7 days |
IP addresses | 7,000+ |
Locations | 63 |
Geo-unblocking | Yes |
Torrenting | Unlimited |
Number of simultaneous connections | 10 |
Customer care | Live Chat |
Lowest price | $2.00/month over 36 months |
Money-back guarantee | 30-day money-back policy |
Official website | PrivateVPN.com |
PrivateVPN Features
Now let us look at the detailed segment of our PrivateVPN review, articulating the numerous features.
Servers and Performance
Begrudgingly, despite being a decade old, the provider offers an exceedingly limited network of servers. While it makes it up with global coverage and IP addresses, this is a glaring issue. It can be alarming for a new user to trust such a product. On a sour note, it lacks the option to connect to the fastest available server. Even information such as the server load is absent. Well, they do have servers in the Asian region.
But the more we looked, the more concerned we grew. Out of the 200 servers, a large majority consists of virtual servers. Although, by themselves; Virtual servers are ok. But they can often mislead a user into believing that he is connecting to a nearby location. It can compromise speed. However, recently, the company has grown its Dedicated IP servers to attract new blood.
These servers are completely under the PrivateVPN management, and they provide unlimited bandwidth while keeping your privacy in mind. PrivateVPN has also allowed all ports to be active on its IP servers by default. These IP servers offer exclusive IP addresses to users. More importantly, these are not shared amongst the user base.
All in all, the vendor’s dedicated IP servers are one of its strong suits. It allows robust security, faster torrenting, and reliable streaming. The VPN is amongst the best for streaming Netflix and secure enough for torrenting.
Privacy and Security
Although it is a Swedish company that falls under data retention laws, PrivateVPN ensures the safety of its clientele by employing a strict No-logs policy. The only data it logs is the user email address, which it uses to validate logins, reset passwords, or renew subscriptions.
The service does offer the standard encryption profile alongside a kill switch for security. Although it may not seem enough, it is sufficient. The provider comes armed with PFS via an ECDH key exchange. There is a kill switch present to mitigate unwanted factors. Furthermore, the provider has taken extra care to prevent leaks as the VPN comes with IPv6 and DNS leak protection. Although we missed the WireGuard protocol, the VPN still employs market standards like IKEv2/IPsec and OpenVPN (TCP, UDP).
Advanced Features
There is a glaring lack of some standard advanced features; Such as multi-hop, split tunneling, or even the evident absence of WireGuard. The sole positive we can contribute to the service is the presence of Dedicated IP servers. The only aspect we are somewhat dissatisfied with is the lacking customer support. It lacks the 24/7 live chat, and online referral materials are limited.
Cost of PrivateVPN Subscription
The driving factor behind this service is undoubtedly the affordable prices. The provider offers three different plans for payment, with the monthly subscription the costliest. Although, payments are absent via cryptocurrencies. The provider also offers a free trial version for a total of 7 days. This version is a copy of the paid one and the only limitation here is time. PrivateVPN is arguably the cheapest VPN we have come across. The different plans are as follows:
- Monthly — $9.99 monthly
- Four Months — $4.50 monthly
- Three Years — $2.00 monthly
Keep the numbers in mind for comparison with the bottom prices major VPN providers offer:
- ExpressVPN — $6.67 per month
- NordVPN — $3.30 per month
- Surfshark — $2.49 monthly
- CyberGhost VPN — $2.25 per month
Pros
- Very cheap prices
- 10 simultaneous connection
- Superb at streaming and torrenting
- Dedicated IP servers
- Exclusive IP address
- 7 day free trial available
- No logs VPN
- Kill switch
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- IPv6 and DNS leak protection
Cons
- No SmartDNS
- No WireGuard
- Limited numbers of servers
- No multi hop or split tunneling
- Falls under the 14 Eyes jurisdiction
- Subpar customer support without 24/7 live chat
- Browser extensions absent
Key Takeaway Regarding Private VPN
In conclusion to our PrivateVPN review, we can safely state it is a satisfactory service overall. Given its prices, it is a tried and tested value for money. Furthermore, the Dedicated IP servers offered alongside a robust no-logging policy are certainly more suited for the upper echelons of the market. While you have to compromise on the number of servers and deal with somewhat subpar customer support, you can enjoy a VPN that works wonders for torrenting and streaming.
PrivateVPN Review
Summary
PrivateVPN is a Swedish-based service that excels at the encryption level but lacks servers and additional features that are becoming an industry standard. It’s adequate for streaming, torrenting, and preserving the privacy and security of a household or a small business.