With over 14 years of experience under its belt and features like kill switch, multi-logins, leak protection, dedicated IPs, and more, PureVPN promises to block malicious third parties from snooping on you and help circumvent geo-blocking.
But how well does PureVPN maintain the speed, what security protocol it employs, and most importantly, is it safe to use? Get to know all this and more in this in-depth review.
PureVPN: Dedicated to internet security and privacy – Change
In operation since 2007, PureVPN has successfully catered to over 3 million users. And along with a comprehensive feature list, apps, and support for almost every platform, it has also built an impressive network of servers.
I observed a remarkable feat upon viewing their complete list of servers. PureVPN has gone beyond the northern and western hemispheres and planted plenty of servers in the Middle East, East Asia, Central America, and Africa.
This allows users across the globe, especially those residing in those regions, to access online anonymity without compromising speed or services. One of the reasons why PureVPN is one of the excellent VPNs for your Mac.
PureVPN: Speed and performance
PureVPN employs a self-engineered VPN service and proprietary apps to optimize broadband connections, providing ultra-fast VPN connections across the globe.
And as a VPN’s performance depends on factors like distance from the server, protocol employed, time of connection, I decided to test PureVPN in several ways. Following are the results:
The speed without VPN
Using the recommended, nearest server
The speed with a random server across the globe
The speed variations are pretty subtle (10-15%) for a nearby server; it significantly drops if you choose a far-flung location. Plus, note the impressive upload speeds.
Considering all things, PureVPN follows through with this promise. It is fast enough to use all day long without noticeable slowdowns.
Another exciting feature is that you can check the real-time ping values of almost all servers and select a suitable one accordingly.
PureVPN: Privacy and security
PureVPN’s journey has been full of ups and downs. A controversy hit it in 2017 when it shared user data with the FBI under subpoena. Notably, the privacy policy at the time permitted the company to store user’s activities.
However, the company has turned around its ways since then and jumped on to a no-log policy.
Logless VPN
To uphold the trust of its users and shut the trollers, PureVPN has taken two audits. First from the Altius IT audit and a recent one from one of the Big Four auditing firms, KPMG.
These auditing companies scrutinized PureVPN’s zero-log claims and gave their seal of approval. Furthermore, PureVPN has adopted an ‘always on’ auditing policy, allowing KPMG to inspect them without notice.
The company is clearly trying to make amends and keep its policies as transparent as possible. A promising sign for its users.
Encryption and data security
The security of a VPN highly depends on its encryption format. And PureVPN employs the highest-grade AES 256-bit encryption.
So, if a tracker is behind you, they’ll only see binary gibberish and not your private data. In addition, the VPN provides public Wi-Fi security to secure the connection and prevent a data transmission.
Apart from that, you can visit their website and get a DNS Leak Test, IPv6 Leak Test, and WebRTC Leak Test whenever you want. This way, you’ll instantly know if your security is being compromised.
Internet kill switch
Imagine working on something confidential; rest assured that the VPN is protecting you from prying eyes. But due to sudden disconnection, your IP address and activity are exposed.
Heartbreaking right? Well, as any good VPN would do, this one also boasts a kill switch that terminates all traffic the moment VPN is lost. Notably, you’ll have to enable the setting from the PureVPN’s preferences pane.
Add-ons
For those who need an extra layer of security, PureVPN gladly offers some amazing add-ons.
- Dedicated IP – As the name suggests, it allows you to choose a personal IP from a country of your choice for total online freedom.
- Port-Forwarding – Securely access your device or a service from anywhere in the world.
- DDoS – An ideal add-on for gamers, e-commerce stores, and online businesses that protects you from complex DDoS attacks.
Notably, each of these services will cost an extra $$; you can check out more details and prices.
Streaming with PureVPN
There is only one thing you need to watch content without geo-restrictions – a fast VPN. And PureVPN brings optimized servers at your fingertips, ensuring a buffer-free streaming experience.
Remarkably, it could unlock Netflix, Disney+, HBO GO, CBS, ESPN, Hulu, and other streaming services. There’s more! It could also unlock Torrents, games, and apps restricted in that area.
While I could access Netflix of other regions quite easily, Torrenting didn’t go as well. Only 57 of the 140 countries allow torrenting, and thus only limited servers allow P2P traffic. So, the upload/download speed might get affected drastically.
PureVPN special features
There are still some cards left in the feature-packed VPNs hand.
- 10 Multi Logins – Definitely a plus for multi-device owners, small offices, and families. You can simultaneously log in to up to ten devices.
- 24/7 Support – PureVPN boasts an around-the-clock team you can reach via live chat support or e-mail. Additionally, their FAQ section is quite thorough and organized.
- Split Tunneling – Split and use both local internet connection and VPN connection simultaneously, ensuring both speed and privacy. However, the feature is limited to Windows and Android as of now.
PureVPN device compatibility
Apps
- Mac
- iPhone/iPad
- Windows
- Android
- Linux
- Routers
- Microsoft Surface
Extensions
- Chrome
- Firefox
- Edge (Beta)
Games Consoles & Streaming Devices
- Apple TV
- Android TV
- Amazon FireStick
- Kodi
- Roku
- Boxee box
- Now TV Box
- Raspberry Pi
- Chromecast
- PlayStation
- Xbox
- Nintendo
PureVPN subscription plans
Interestingly, if you commit to PureVPN for an extended period, you could save a ton of money, especially now as they have some lucrative Anniversary special deals.
The great news is that you get a 7-day Premium Trial on the yearly plans and a 31-day money-back guarantee on all plans.
Hands-on with PureVPN: Is it worth it?
On paper, PureVPN offers a true 3S experience – Speed, Security, and Streaming. And to some extent, that is reciprocated in its app as well.
I used the macOS and iOS app and loved the minimalistic UI. Yes, the past privacy breach is a big pill to swallow, but the always-on auditing policy eases things up.
Pros
- Easy-to-use app
- Great for video and game streaming
- Multi-device logins
- Doesn’t keep logs
- Super-affordable long term plans
Cons
- Inconsistent speeds
- Add-ons are pretty expensive
- Expensive monthly plans
Overall, if you are looking for a budgeted VPN for personal use, PureVPN is a safe, secure, and dependable bet.
iGeekOmeter
- Friendly – 4.5/5
- Speed – 4/5
- Compatibility – 5/5
- Privacy and security – 4/5
- Customer support – 4.5/5
- Servers – 4.5/5
Author
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