PureVPN’s 6,000+ servers throughout greater than 65+ nations make it a beautiful selection for customers on the lookout for a digital non-public community with an in depth server community. It supplies extra flexibility for unblocking content material and provides sooner speeds. PureVPN’s Home windows software 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 high safety advice. Whereas it has made efforts to rebuild belief, its general package deal will not be sufficient for extra privacy-focused customers.

How a lot does PureVPN price?

In 2024, PureVPN launched a brand new subscription tier referred to as Groups. That is on high of its unique subscription tiers: PureVPN Normal, Plus, and Max. Under are the primary characteristic variations amongst these choices:

• PureVPN Normal comes with the VPN service itself and a tracker blocker.
• PureVPN Plus consists of all Normal options plus a password supervisor.
• PureVPN Max consists of all Plus options plus Take away My Knowledge capabilities and Darkish Internet 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 through PureVPN’s cellular apps on iOS or Android. When you join the free trial on a cellular gadget, you’ll be able to log into your account through desktop. The trial permits customers to decide on which subscription (Normal, Plus, Max) they wish to take a look at drive. In my expertise, establishing the free trial was straightforward and trouble-free.

If you happen to plan on utilizing a paid plan, PureVPN Plus for 2 years at $2.96 per 30 days is the most suitable choice. That is pretty inexpensive in comparison with different VPNs with the identical period and affords you PureVPN’s further options like its password supervisor. It’s additionally a greater possibility in comparison with the month-to-month $12.45 Normal 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 12 months. Whereas I admire the associated fee financial savings with the smaller month-to-month price, I personally suppose it’s smarter to go for the shorter-term choices. This permits you the flexibleness of not renewing your contract inside a shorter interval, particularly contemplating how VPN companies can change over time, equivalent to with safety incidents or main characteristic modifications.

I’d’ve most well-liked if both the extra password supervisor or darkish net 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 every of them included, with out a further 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 seems like a safe VPN, with its high quality safety protocols and spectacular “always-on” audits. Nevertheless, its logging incident in 2017 and the shortage of in-depth data on the audits themselves go away a lot to be desired.

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

Sadly, a problem 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 searching actions, connection logs, unique IPs, and searching historical past.

Nevertheless, PureVPN was concerned in an incident again in 2017 the place the corporate allegedly handed off logs to the FBI. Particularly, the FBI used logs from PureVPN to trace down a suspected cyberstalker and harasser. Whereas catching such criminals is vital, the issue was in PureVPN’s privateness coverage on the time — which acknowledged that it stored no logs. This can be a massive blow to the credibility of PureVPN’s no-logs coverage, particularly as a result of preserving anonymity is likely one of the most important 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 preserving 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. Nevertheless, I discovered it troublesome to get extra in-depth data on the audit itself.

While you have a look at the online web page, there’s no clear information 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 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 deal with and doesn’t log a person’s assigned VPN IP deal with, amongst different issues. To me, the higher method could be to have a transparent exterior hyperlink to the third-party audit or have extra detailed information on the findings itself. This may 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 data, saying that PureVPN had once more engaged with Altius IT and located that PureVPN had no methods 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 concerning the audit correct itself (equivalent to when the audit was executed or what facets 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 may assist strengthen their safety claims and construct belief amongst shoppers.

Key options of PureVPN

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

Massive server suite

PureVPN comes with round 6,000+ servers worldwide, giving it a reasonably substantial server fleet for the extraordinary person. That is particularly helpful in case you’re trying to unblock geo-restricted content material, because it permits you extra flexibility and selection within the servers you need to use.

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

Cut up tunneling

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

This can be a handy characteristic that may can help you reduce the bottleneck in your VPN server’s pace as a result of not all purposes, equivalent 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 means 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 gadget connections

PureVPN permits for 10 simultaneous gadget 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 units.

This may be an vital funds consideration for potential VPN customers, particularly in the event that they’re fearful about paying for an additional subscription solely to accommodate extra of their units.

Velocity and efficiency: How briskly is PureVPN?

PureVPN provides quick speeds and an general dependable connection. In my testing, I skilled comparatively snappy speeds whereas utilizing Google Workspace apps equivalent to Docs, Drive, and Hold, streaming 1080p YouTube movies, net searching 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 offered 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 visitors. Nevertheless, PureVPN received extra modest outcomes for uploads, being 54.98% slower than my ISP. This was in line with my pace checks from final 12 months, 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, you might 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 instances utilizing a public DNS leak software. After a number of checks utilizing completely 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+ nations. In 2024, I praised PureVPN’s server community for being one of many bigger server networks accessible. Whereas its server rely remains 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 rely.

Competing suppliers like NordVPN have elevated their nation unfold from 60+ nations in 2023 to 111 nations in 2024. In the meantime, Surfshark additionally provides an in depth 100-country server fleet with 3,200 servers. I’m optimistic that PureVPN follows swimsuit on this regard, particularly since its server community was one in every of its strongest options final 12 months.

I nonetheless suppose 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 take into account that different VPN companies have continued to develop their server fleets as effectively.

PureVPN additionally supplies 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 12 months) and Central America (now at 10 servers from simply 4 servers in 2023). If you happen to’re eyeing IP areas from these areas particularly, that is excellent news.

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

It lessens the steps it’s a must to 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 security measures (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

Relating to customer support, PureVPN provides an internet information base with guides and FAQs, an AI chatbot and stay chat help, and a ticketing system. For my part, PureVPN’s help web page provides a good quantity of knowledge and useful tutorial articles.

After testing out PureVPN’s stay chat characteristic, I wish to commend their help workforce, as I used to be linked 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 essentially the most half, it was in a position to deal with my principally fundamental questions concerning the VPN. Nevertheless, I did discover that it defaulted to giving me hyperlinks from their help weblog relatively than answering instantly. Whereas the articles had been helpful, I’d have most well-liked if the agent addressed my queries with out having to go away our chat field.

Sadly, I did discover a couple of person testimonials sharing how they didn’t have essentially the most optimistic expertise with PureVPN. One person within the PureVPN Reddit neighborhood mentioned, “Received caught in a extremely pointless dialog with the help chat immediately… 60 minutes of chatting – no drawback received solved – and I’m even unsure that the help understood my concern (I can’t join with my devoted IP to the web)… actually ridiculous.”

A few customers additionally lamented how PureVPN modified options too typically, equivalent 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 employ it for.

PureVPN ease of use

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

By way of design, I preferred the fashionable 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 evaluate.

One factor I did discover was a little bit of clunkiness when it got here to PureVPN’s app efficiency. I sometimes skilled a little bit of lag when navigating by means of PureVPN’s menus, the place it wanted a second earlier than attending to the place I needed to go. This additionally occurred at any time when I activated a few of its further 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 preserving my fingers crossed on this, particularly since they have already got a well-designed UI of their fingers.

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

PureVPN professionals

• Massive community with 6,000+ servers.
• 7-day free trial through cellular.
• As much as 10 simultaneous gadget connections.
• Intuitive software.
• Comparatively good speeds.
• Contains cut up tunneling characteristic.

PureVPN cons

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

Who’s PureVPN greatest for?

PureVPN is greatest for customers who worth having a big server community as one in every of their most important concerns in a VPN service. Its 6,000+ servers throughout 65+ nations is a significant worth proposition to unblock geo-restricted content material or entry servers in particular areas. PureVPN additionally provides typically good speeds inside a minimal and intuitive person interface.

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

PureVPN alternate options

Whereas PureVPN is a good VPN answer, it might not have the correct mix of options on your wants. We’ve listed under related alternate options that might function higher choices.

SEE: Methods to Create an Efficient Cybersecurity Consciousness Program (TechRepublic Premium)

Mozilla VPN

If you happen to’re a longtime person of the Firefox browser, Mozilla VPN could also be a superb possibility. Coming from the maker of Firefox, Mozilla VPN provides advert blocking, zero bandwidth restrictions, and multihop routing. It presently provides round 500+ servers in 30+ nations.

To study extra, learn our full Mozilla VPN evaluate.

ExpressVPN

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

To study extra, learn our full ExpressVPN evaluate.

CyberGhost VPN

CyberGhostVPN is likely one of the greatest VPN picks for its nation unfold. It has servers in over 100 nations worldwide, making it a best choice for unblocking content material in different areas. It additionally permits for seven simultaneous gadget connections and supplies 24/7 stay buyer help.

To study extra, learn our full CyberGhost VPN evaluate. 

How we evaluated PureVPN

My evaluate of PureVPN concerned an in depth evaluation of its security measures, price, and real-world efficiency. I had hands-on time with PureVPN by means of its free trial through their cellular software. Particularly, I examined the model of PureVPN provided with the Max subscription on my Home windows pc.

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

Lastly, I scored PureVPN on the whole lot from its safety protocols to its value primarily based on an inside 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 companies.