Is PureVPN Safe to Use?

is Purevpn Safe to Use?

Is PureVPN Safe to Use?

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PureVPN speedy info

Our ranking: 3.7 stars out of five
Pricing: Starts at $3.99/mo (annual)
Key options:

  • Large community with 6,000+ servers.
  • 7-day unfastened trial by the use of cell.
  • Intuitive software.

PureVPNโ€™s 6,000+ servers throughout greater than 65+ international locations make it a beautiful selection for customers searching for a digital non-public community with an intensive server community. It supplies extra flexibility for unblocking content material and gives quicker speeds. PureVPNโ€™s Windows software additionally has an intuitive design, making for user-friendly navigation.

Unfortunately, PureVPN suffers from a debatable logging incident with the Federal Bureau of Investigation that forestalls it from being a most sensible safety advice. While it has made efforts to rebuild consider, its general package deal is probably not sufficient for extra privacy-focused customers.

How a lot does PureVPN value?

Duration Plans
Standard Plus Max Teams
1 yr $3.99 per 30 days $5.82 per 30 days $7.07 per 30 days $5.45 in keeping with use, per 30 days; min.of two customers
2 years $2.14 per 30 days $2.96 per 30 days $4.07 per 30 days $4.75 in keeping with use, per 30 days; min.of two customers
1 month $12.95 per 30 days $15.95 per 30 days $19.95 per 30 days $8.95 in keeping with use, per 30 days; min.of two customers
5 years $2.16 per 30 days $2.66 per 30 days $3.33 per 30 days N/A
What’s incorporated? VPN provider
  • VPN provider
  • Secure Password supervisor
  • End-to-end dossier encryption
  • VPN provider
  • Secure Password supervisor
  • End-to-end dossier encryption
  • Personal Privacy Manager

In 2024, PureVPN offered a brand new subscription tier referred to as Teams. This is on most sensible of its authentic subscription tiers: PureVPN Standard, Plus, and Max. Below are the principle characteristic variations among those choices:

  • PureVPN Standard comes with the VPN provider itself and a tracker blocker.
  • PureVPN Plus contains all Standard options plus a password supervisor.
  • PureVPN Max contains all Plus options plus Remove My Data functions and Dark Web Monitoring.
  • PureVPN Teams constructed for faraway groups and features a centralized admin dashboard, 24/7 buyer give a boost to, and give a boost to for as much as 200 participants.

Before opting for a plan, I like to recommend attempting PureVPNโ€™s seven-day unfastened trial. While there isnโ€™t a devoted trial for desktop, a tribulation is available by the use of PureVPNโ€™s cell apps on iOS or Android. Once you join the unfastened trial on a cell instrument, you’ll be able to log into your account by the use of desktop. The trial permits customers to select which subscription (Standard, Plus, Max) they need to check force. In my enjoy, putting in the unfastened trial was onceย simple and trouble-free.

If you intend on the usage of a paid plan, PureVPN Plus for 2 years at $2.96 per 30 days is the most suitable option. This is moderately reasonably priced in comparison to different VPNs with the similar period and provides you PureVPNโ€™s additional options like its password supervisor. Itโ€™s additionally a more sensible choice in comparison to the per thirty days $12.45 Standard subscription this is at the pricier finish for a per thirty days plan.

PureVPN additionally offered a brand new five-year plan in 2024 that wasnโ€™t to be had remaining yr. While I recognize the price financial savings with the smaller per thirty days price, I individually suppose itโ€™s smarter to go for the shorter-term choices. This permits you the versatility of no longer renewing your contract inside a shorter length, particularly taking into consideration how VPN services and products can trade through the years, corresponding to with safety incidents or primary characteristic adjustments.

I’dโ€™ve most well-liked if both the extra password supervisor or darkish internet track have been incorporated within the base VPN subscription itself; this mayโ€™ve given PureVPN extra distinctive options to set it with the exception of the contest.

You can buy both the Plus or Max subscriptions to get those options, however having a minimum of one among them incorporated, with out an extra fee, wouldโ€™ve given PureVPN extra bang-for-your-buck cost.

Is PureVPN protected and devoted?

I wouldnโ€™t suggest PureVPN if protection is a concern. On paper, PureVPN looks as if a safe VPN, with its high quality safety protocols and ambitious โ€œalways-onโ€ audits. However, its logging incident in 2017 and the loss of in-depth knowledge at the audits themselves depart a lot to be desired.

PureVPN comes with the 3 maximum essential safety protocols for a contemporary VPN: OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IPSec/IKEv2. It additionally options AES 256-encryption, a kill transfer, and area identify gadget leak coverage.

Unfortunately, a topic arises with its no-logs coverage. Like maximum VPNs, PureVPN claims to have a no-logs coverage the place they state that they donโ€™t log surfing actions, connection logs, authentic IPs, and perusing historical past.

However, PureVPN was once serious about an incident again in 2017 the place the corporate allegedly passed off logs to the FBI. In explicit, the FBI used logs from PureVPN to trace down a suspected cyberstalker and harasser. While catching such criminals is essential, the issue was once in PureVPNโ€™s privateness coverage on the time โ€” which said that it saved no logs. This is a huge blow to the credibility of PureVPNโ€™s no-logs coverage, particularly as a result of holding anonymity is without doubt one of the major causes to make use of a VPN.

Since then, PureVPN has pop out with third-partyย audits that check their no-logs coverage. First was once with Altius IT in 2019 and the second one with KPMG in 2021 โ€” each discovering no proof of the corporate holding any logs. The KPMG audit is noteworthy as it was once an โ€œalways-onโ€ audit that allowed KPMG to audit PureVPNโ€™s community with out prior understand.

As I revisited PureVPN in 2024, I noticed that it had gone through a fourth audit on its no-logs coverage. However, I discovered it tough to get extra in-depth knowledge at the audit itself.

When you have a look at the internet web page, thereโ€™s no transparent knowledge on which company audited PureVPN. It additionally lacks outgoing hyperlinks redirecting readers to the audit file. The web page simply says, โ€œWell known audit firm was recently engaged in an exercise to assess the compliance of our VPN infrastructure with our privacy policy.โ€

Info Posted on Recent Audit.
info posted on contemporary audit image purevpn

After that, it states that the audit had reaffirmed how PureVPN does no longer log a consumerโ€™s starting place IP deal with and does no longer log a consumerโ€™s assigned VPN IP deal with, amongst different issues. To me, the simpler manner can be to have a transparent exterior hyperlink to the third-party audit or have extra detailed data at the findings itself. This would construct extra credibility for each the audit and PureVPNโ€™s no-logs coverage.

I discovered any other PureVPN weblog publish, dated June 2024, that stated that the VPNโ€™s privateness coverage was once โ€œno-logs certified.โ€ This one had a bit of additional information, announcing that PureVPN had once more engaged with Altius IT and located that PureVPN had no methods in position, which might โ€œlead to identifying a specific person and/or the personโ€™s activity when using the PureVPN service.โ€ Unfortunately, there was once as soon as once more no exterior hyperlink to a complete file and shared very minimum element concerning the audit correct itself (corresponding to when the audit was once accomplished or what sides of PureVPN have been in particular reviewed).

Purevpn No-logs Certified Privacy Policy Post.
purevpn no logs qualified privateness coverage publish image purevpn

In this regard, I feel PureVPN can do a significantly better activity of creating their third-party audits extra out there and extra substantive. This would lend a hand make stronger their safety claims and construct consider among customers.

Key options of PureVPN

If youโ€™re taking into consideration PureVPN, itโ€™s essential to grasp the options that set it with the exception of different VPNs. Letโ€™s check out a few of PureVPNโ€™s key options.

Large server suite

PureVPN comes with round 6,000+ servers international, giving it a moderately really extensive server fleet for the abnormal consumer. This is particularly helpful in case youโ€™re having a look to unblock geo-restricted content material, because it permits you extra flexibility and selection within the servers you’ll be able to use.

Purevpn's server selection.
purevpns server variety image purevpn

The PureVPN community additionally contains servers from 80+ places and greater than 65+ international locations โ€” a plus if you wish to use a various set of servers from other areas. I do need to observe that during 2024, the common nation rely for VPNs is consistently expanding. Top VPNs like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access VPN now have server fleets with location choices starting from 90-105 international locations, while the common was once round 60-70 in years previous. As PureVPN continues to expand its provider, Iโ€™m hopeful that expanding their nation choices is one among their most sensible priorities.

Split tunneling

PureVPN provides a cut up tunneling characteristic that permits you to keep an eye on which on-line process is routed during the VPN and which is routed thru your common web provider supplier.

Split Tunneling in Purevpn.
split tunneling in purevpn image purevpn

This is a handy characteristic that may assist you to reduce the bottleneck in your VPN serverโ€™s velocity as a result of no longer all packages, corresponding to song streaming, want VPN coverage.

In my checking out, PureVPNโ€™s cut up tunneling labored as marketed and was once in a position to reliably filter out my selected apps during the VPN correctly. I need to point out, despite the fact that, that cut up tunneling didnโ€™t paintings for me whilst the usage of PureVPNโ€™s WireGuard protocol. This could also be a malicious program both on my app or on PureVPN, however this has took place in my app for each 2023 and 2024. Hopefully, PureVPN permits cut up tunneling with the speedier WireGuard in a long term replace.

Up to ten instrument connections

PureVPN permits for 10 simultaneous instrument connections or logins. With some VPNs providing solely 5โ€“8 simultaneous connections, PureVPNโ€™s 10 allowable logins is a vital value-add for customers with more than one gadgets.

Multiple Logins with Purevpn.
multiple logins with purevpn image purevpn

This will also be a very powerful price range attention for potential VPN customers, particularly in the event that theyโ€™re anxious about paying for any other subscription solely to deal with extra in their gadgets.

Speed and function: How speedy is PureVPN?

PureVPN provides speedy speeds and an general dependable connection. In my checking out, I skilled rather snappy speeds whilst the usage of Google Workspace apps corresponding to Docs, Drive, and Keep, streaming 1080p YouTube movies, internet surfing for analysis, and attending on-line video conferences. Websites loaded speedy, and I didnโ€™t have any noticeable drops in velocity or connectivity.

In phrases of velocity checking out, PureVPN supplied blended effects. For downloads, it was once very good, solely shedding 14.44% in velocity in comparison to my web provider supplier. Thatโ€™s speedy whilst you imagine how VPNs are anticipated to decelerate speeds with the additional steps added on your visitors. However, PureVPN were given extra modest effects for uploads, being 54.98% slower than my ISP. This was once in line with my velocity assessments from remaining yr, the place PureVPNs obtain and add share lower have been at 5.98% and 79.92% respectively.

In this example, my findings display that customers with upload-heavy workflows might get inconsistent efficiency whilst the usage of PureVPN. If that is you, you can be having a look at different choices like ExpressVPN or Private Internet Access.

SEE: PureVPN vs NordVPN (2024): Which VPN Should You Choose? (roosho)

To check for DNS leaks, I ran PureVPN more than one instances the usage of a public DNS leak instrument. After more than one assessments the usage of other servers and places, I recorded 0 leaks.

PureVPN servers and places

PureVPN grants customers get right of entry to to round 6,000+ servers in additional than 80+ places, unfold throughout 65+ international locations. In 2024, I praised PureVPNโ€™s server community for being one of the crucial greater server networks to be had. While its server rely continues to be significantly massive in comparison to the contest, I believe it now has some catching as much as do in the case of nation rely.

Competing suppliers like NordVPN have higher their nation unfold from 60+ international locations in 2023 to 111 international locations in 2024. Meanwhile, Surfshark additionally provides an intensive 100-country server fleet with 3,200 servers. Iโ€™m constructive that PureVPN follows go well with on this regard, particularly since its server community was once one among its most powerful options remaining yr.

I nonetheless suppose PureVPN is a superb choice for people that basically plan to make use of a VPN to circumvent geo-blocked content material. You simply must needless to say different VPN services and products have persevered to expand their server fleets as nicely.

PureVPN additionally supplies a wholesome unfold of servers international.

Continent Servers
Europe 2,992 servers
North America 1,746 servers
Asia 800 servers
Oceania 350 servers
South America 91 servers
Africa 86 servers
Central America 10 servers

While the majority of PureVPNโ€™s servers are in Europe and North America, itโ€™s nonetheless excellent to look that the community is in a position to supply choices throughout all seven continents. In 2024, PureVPN has particularly higher servers for Asia (now at 800 in comparison to 560 remaining yr) and Central America (now at 10 servers from simply 4 servers in 2023). If youโ€™re eyeing IP places from those areas in particular, this is excellent news.

I additionally recognize how PureVPN mechanically segments which in their servers are highest for peer-to-peer file-sharing.

Purevpnโ€™s Server Categories.
purevpns server classes image luis millares

It lessens the stairs it’s important 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 safety features (i.e., encrypted file-sharing and password supervisor) require further fee. Otherwise, their server community is a undeniable robust level.

PureVPN customer support

When it involves customer support, PureVPN provides an internet wisdom base with guides and FAQs, an AI chatbot and reside chat give a boost to, and a ticketing gadget. In my view, PureVPNโ€™s give a boost to web page provides a tight quantity of knowledge and useful instructional articles.

After checking out out PureVPNโ€™s reside chat characteristic, I need to commend their give a boost to crew, as I used to be attached to a reside agent inside two mins of my request. In phrases of answering questions, on the other hand, I discovered PureVPNโ€™s give a boost to agent to be excellent however no longer nice.

Purevpnโ€™s Support Page and Live Chat Feature.
purevpns give a boost to web page and reside chat characteristic image luis millares

For probably the most section, it was once in a position to deal with my most commonly elementary questions concerning the VPN. However, I did understand that it defaulted to giving me hyperlinks from their give a boost to weblog quite than answering immediately. While the articles have been helpful, I’d have most well-liked if the agent addressed my queries with no need to depart our chat field.

Unfortunately, I did in finding a couple of consumer testimonials sharing how they didnโ€™t have probably the most sure enjoy with PureVPN. One consumer within the PureVPN Reddit group stated, โ€œGot stuck in a really pointless conversation with the support chat todayโ€ฆ 60 minutes of chatting โ€“ no problem got solved โ€“ and I am even not sure that the support understood my issue (I canโ€™t connect with my dedicated IP to the internet)โ€ฆ really ridiculous.โ€

A few customers additionally lamented how PureVPN modified options too frequently, corresponding to including or casting off servers. In this regard, whilst I had a tight enjoy with PureVPNโ€™s buyer give a boost to, your mileage might range relying on what you employ it for.

PureVPN ease of use

For ease of use, I assumed PureVPN had a rather intuitive consumer interface. I principally used PureVPNโ€™s Windows software and located it to be minimalistic, well-organized, and user-friendly.

Purevpnโ€™s Windows User Interface.
purevpns windows consumer interface image luis millares

In phrases of design, I appreciated the fashionable really feel it had and the way it didnโ€™t really feel too cluttered regardless of the additional options it had along the principle VPN provider. For context, I availed of the PureVPN Max seven-day unfastened trial for this evaluation.

One factor I did understand was once a bit of of clunkiness when it got here to PureVPNโ€™s app efficiency. I now and again skilled a bit of of lag when navigating thru PureVPNโ€™s menus, the place it wanted a 2nd ahead of attending to the place I sought after to move. This additionally took place on every occasion I activated a few of its additional options.

Purevpn Loading Screen.
purevpn loading display image luis millares

While this isnโ€™t a dealbreaker in any respect, I feel it makes the entire app enjoy really feel much less polished than it may well be. Of path, PureVPN can very a lot liberate a patch or replace to make their desktop app really feel quicker. Iโ€™m holding my palms crossed in this, particularly since they have already got a well-designed UI of their arms.

SEE: IPVanish vs NordVPN (2024): Which VPN Is Better? (roosho)

PureVPN professionals

  • Large community with 6,000+ servers.
  • 7-day unfastened trial by the use of cell.
  • Up to ten simultaneous instrument connections.
  • Intuitive software.
  • Relatively excellent speeds.
  • Includes cut up tunneling characteristic.

PureVPN cons

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

Who is PureVPN highest for?

PureVPN is highest for customers who cost having a big server community as one among their major issues in a VPN provider. Its 6,000+ servers throughout 65+ international locations is a significant cost proposition to unblock geo-restricted content material or get right of entry to servers in explicit places. PureVPN additionally provides typically excellent speeds inside a minimum and intuitive consumer interface.

However, its logging incident with the FBI in 2017 prevents it from being a excellent select if privateness and safety are your major issues. While it has made strides to rebuild buyer consider, customers searching for a VPN with a excellent monitor document in holding their privateness and no logs insurance policies must glance in different places.

PureVPN possible choices

While PureVPN is a tight VPN answer, it won’t have the correct mix of options in your wishes. Weโ€™ve indexed beneath identical possible choices that would function higher choices.

SEE: How to Create an Effective Cybersecurity Awareness Program (roosho Premium)

Mozilla VPN

Mozilla Vpn Logo.
image mozilla vpn

If youโ€™re an established consumer of the Firefox browser, Mozilla VPN could also be a excellent choice. Coming from the maker of Firefox, Mozilla VPN provides advert blockading, 0 bandwidth restrictions, and multihop routing. It these days provides round 500+ servers in 30+ international locations.

To be informed extra, learn our complete Mozilla VPN evaluation.

ExpressVPN

Expressvpn Logo.
image expressvpn

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

To be informed extra, learn our complete ExpressVPN evaluation.

CyberGhost VPN

Cyberghost Vpn Logo.
image cyberghost vpn

CyberGhostVPN is without doubt one of the highest VPN alternatives for its nation unfold. It has servers in over 100 international locations international, making it a best choice for unblocking content material in different areas. It additionally permits for seven simultaneous instrument connections and offers 24/7 reside buyer give a boost to.

To be informed extra, learn our complete CyberGhost VPN evaluation.ย 

How we evaluated PureVPN

My evaluation of PureVPN concerned an in depth research of its safety features, value, and real-world efficiency. I had hands-on time with PureVPN thru its unfastened trial by the use of their cell software. Specifically, I examined the model of PureVPN presented with the Max subscription on my Windows laptop.

For add and obtain speeds, I examined PureVPN the usage of Ooklaโ€™s public Speedtest. To test for DNS leak coverage, I ran PureVPN more than one instances thru DNSLeakTest.

Finally, I scored PureVPN on the whole thing from its safety protocols to its worth according to an inside set of rules to get a ranking of three.7 out of five stars. I checked out PureVPN each by itself and when it comes to different VPN services and products.

author avatar
roosho Senior Engineer (Technical Services)
I am Rakib Raihan RooSho, Jack of all IT Trades. You got it right. Good for nothing. I try a lot of things and fail more than that. That's how I learn. Whenever I succeed, I note that in my cookbook. Eventually, that became my blog.ย 
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