PureVPN Review

Summary

PureVPN, originating in 2006, has amassed a user base of millions of users, with its headquarters situated in Hong Kong, thereby placing it outside the purview of the 5-Eyes surveillance agreement and eliminating the obligation to store user data.

Promising an array of safety features, connection modes, and an extensive server selection, PureVPN distinguishes itself from competitors at first glance. However, these differences also bring about a host of disadvantages. PureVPN's commitment to user anonymity, security, and internet freedom is backed by high-level encryption of user data, which contributes significantly to its appeal.

The service allows usage on up to 10 devices simultaneously, and it offers a large server network spanning over 78 countries. Several add-ons are available for users, and the company's no-log policy has been certified, ensuring that browsing activities, browser history, connections, original IPs, or assigned VPN IPs, among other data, are not stored. These attributes, coupled with a 24-hour live chat for user support, further bolster its standing.

However, it's not all smooth sailing. PureVPN's software was found to be cluttered and its support for streaming could use improvement. The service's streaming capabilities, particularly in bypassing geolocation restrictions—a common use case for VPNs—leave room for improvement. Additionally, while PureVPN advertises itself as a solution for circumventing geolocation restrictions worldwide, the review found that the actual performance varied.

In terms of speed, PureVPN has dedicated and speed-optimized VPN servers and offers unlimited bandwidth to all users, regardless of subscription type. However, depending on the load on individual servers, connection speeds may vary. During testing, the streaming speed for Netflix US using the Chrome browser extension was found to be satisfactory. Nevertheless, higher latency values can cause delays in online gaming, making latency-sensitive games such as first-person shooters nearly unplayable. PureVPN, while generally providing fast connections, has not consistently managed to provide adequate speeds for all applications.

The service also offers more than 300,000 anonymous IP addresses and utilizes military-grade 256-bit encryption. Users can choose from various encryption protocols, ranging from PPTP, L2TP, SSTP, IKEv, and OpenVPN to the revolutionary Stealth protocol. PureVPN also allows P2P usage, enabling users to anonymously download or upload data from the internet over peer networks. The presence of an integrated ad-blocking feature and a Kill Switch function enhances the user's control over privacy, security, and anonymity, even if the VPN connection is disconnected.

In conclusion, despite its rich array of features and commitment to user security, PureVPN presents a mixed bag of benefits and drawbacks. The service offers an impressive range of server choices and a desirable 99-cent trial period, but its complicated software and inconsistent streaming support may deter some users. Nevertheless, it's clear that the service has potential, and with some improvements, could become a leading choice for VPN users.

Pricing, Trial, Money Back, Cancellation

• A monthly subscription is available for $10.95.
• For those seeking longer-term subscriptions, PureVPN offers plans with the same monthly price for 3 months and 6 months at $10.95.
• The price decreases substantially for the 1-year plan to $3.32 per month, and even further to $2.29 per month for the 2-year and 3-year plans.

FAQ