PrivateVPN Review [2020] : Good Speeds, But Lacking

When looking for a VPN, one of the options you’re likely to come across is PrivateVPN. It has been around since 2009, although the company claims that it is “the fastest-growing VPN worldwide” We think that is false for sure.

In this privatevpn review we will show you why we don’t think it belongs in our best vpn list.

What is PrivateVPN?

PrivateVPN is a VPN service hosted in Sweden. The VPN has more than 100 servers in 60 countries which is on the low end for a top vpn. The service allows customers to have six simultaneous connections at one time, each one having a unique IP address. The service also provides customers with unlimited bandwidth.

PrivateVPN stressed security, using 2048-bit Encryption with AES-256. These encryption levels are the highest available and are virtually uncrackable. The VPN also has IPv6 leak protection.

If your VPN connection ends suddenly, you can rest assured that your identity is still safe online. The VPN also has a kill-switch feature, suspending your internet connection were you to disconnect from one of its servers. This is another feature that helps ensure anonymity online. This is a feature which is really important to have, Nordvpn probably has the most advanced one.

This VPN provider also seeks to make it easy for users to download torrents while using its services. The company offers something called “Port Forward,” which means that it opens at least one port that’s dedicated explicitly toward torrenting.

Customers can download this VPN service onto many different types of devices. It can do so in as little as one minute. You can download the software and connect to the internet immediately. This VPN works with devices for:

Pros

When conducting our PrivateVPN review, there were a few perks that really stood out to us.

Security

One of the best things about PrivateVPN is that it is incredibly secure. With features such as 256-bit encryption, users can rest assured that their data is safe. Additionally, the company uses a wide range of protocols with its products, including:

We also appreciated that this VPN service offered a kill-switch feature, ensuring that your identity is protected even in the case that you’re accidentally disconnected from the internet.

Quick Installation

One of the other things that jumped out at us was the fact that customers could download the software immediately. After buying a subscription, customers could download the VPN service’s platform in less than a minute. The company also provides customers with installation guides, helping to streamline the process.

Customer Service

PrivateVPN believes in customer service, going above and beyond to support its customers. Unlike some other VPN providers, which utilize freelance customer support representatives, PrivateVPN allows you to talk directly to developers.

Considering that these are the people who designed the system, there’s no one better available to help troubleshoot whatever problem you may be having.

Cons

While many things stand out about PrivateVPN, there are also some things that raise red flags. These are some of the things that worried us most when conducting our PrivateVPN review.

Poor Server Performance

One of the things that stood out most is poor server performance. It starts with the fact that PrivateVPN only offers access to 100 servers. While this isn’t the lowest number we’ve come across, it’s also not the highest, either. Customers who are paying for a VPN service should expect to receive access to more servers.

Additionally, during testing, we found that server speeds were quite inconsistent. For instance, during one of our tests of a U.S. server, download speeds were around 4.70 Mbps, and upload speeds were roughly 7.6 Mbps.

The Hong Kong server was similar, offering download speeds of 4.6 Mbps and upload speeds of 5.7 Mbps. However, the Netherlands server was much faster, with download speeds of 20 Mbps and upload speeds of 23 Mbps.

Questionable Logging Policy

Another thing that alarmed us was the company’s questionable logging policy. PrivateVPN says that it does not log your data. However, the company’s privacy policy states that it collects your IP address and cookies, which means at least some data is being gathered in some form or fashion.

This means it is not a zero log vpn service and we really don’t like when a VPN is not clear on what information they are logging. That is why we couldn’t possibly recommend them, use a service like Expressvpn or Nordvpn that take privacy extremely seriously.

Furthermore, if you choose to disable cookies, PrivateVPN may not load sites correctly. Lastly, PrivateVPN says that third parties analyze site data, which means outside sources are looking at your data.

Pricing Info

If you’re interested in purchasing PrivateVPN, there are a couple of buying options that you can choose from. A one-month subscription costs just under $8 per month. A three-month subscription costs around $5 per month, or about $15 total.

PrivateVPN is also currently offering a sale where customers who purchase an annual subscription receive an extra month of service. So, you could receive 13 months of VPN services for around $3.80 per month for a total cost of less than $50.

This company also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee with its services. The company says that if you’re not entirely satisfied, it will refund your purchase within one month.

Final Verdict

There is a lot to like about PrivateVPN. With top-of-the-line security, the ability to torrent, and exceptional customer service, you may be tempted to purchase the service. However, we think that PrivateVPN is more of a “middle of the road” option.

There are other VPNs that you could purchase for a similar price that will not log your data and that provide access to more servers. Our list of the best VPNs can provide you with a list of some other services that you may want to consider instead of PrivateVPN.

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