PureVPN Overview (2024): Is PureVPN Secure to Use?

PureVPN’s 6,000+ servers throughout greater than 65+ international locations make it a beautiful alternative for customers searching for a digital non-public community with an in depth server community. It offers extra flexibility for unblocking content material and provides sooner speeds. PureVPN’s Home windows utility 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 stops it from being a prime safety suggestion. Whereas it has made efforts to rebuild belief, its total 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 prime of its unique subscription tiers: PureVPN Normal, Plus, and Max. Beneath are the primary characteristic variations amongst these choices:

• PureVPN Normal comes with the VPN service itself and a tracker blocker.
• PureVPN Plus contains all Normal options plus a password supervisor.
• PureVPN Max contains all Plus options plus Take away My Information capabilities and Darkish Net 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 making an attempt PureVPN’s seven-day free trial. Whereas there isn’t a devoted trial for desktop, a trial is accessible by way of PureVPN’s cell apps on iOS or Android. When you join the free trial on a cell machine, you may log into your account by way of desktop. The trial permits customers to decide on which subscription (Normal, Plus, Max) they need to check drive. In my expertise, establishing the free trial was simple and trouble-free.

In case you plan on utilizing a paid plan, PureVPN Plus for 2 years at $2.96 per thirty days is the most suitable choice. That is pretty reasonably priced in comparison with different VPNs with the identical length 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 obtainable final 12 months. Whereas I recognize the fee financial savings with the smaller month-to-month payment, I personally suppose it’s smarter to go for the shorter-term choices. This enables you the flexibleness of not renewing your contract inside a shorter interval, particularly contemplating how VPN providers can change over time, equivalent to with safety incidents or main characteristic adjustments.

I’d’ve most popular if both the extra password supervisor or darkish net monitor had been included within the base VPN subscription itself; this is able to’ve given PureVPN extra distinctive options to set it other than the competitors.

You should purchase both the Plus or Max subscriptions to get these options, however having at the least certainly one of them included, with out an extra fee, would’ve given PureVPN extra bang-for-your-buck worth.

Is PureVPN secure and reliable?

I wouldn’t suggest PureVPN if security is a precedence. On paper, PureVPN appears to be like like a safe VPN, with its high quality safety protocols and spectacular “always-on” audits. Nevertheless, its logging incident in 2017 and the dearth of in-depth data on the audits themselves depart 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 swap, and area identify system leak safety.

Sadly, a difficulty 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. Specifically, 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 retaining anonymity is without doubt one of the primary 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 retaining 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 tough to get extra in-depth data on the audit itself.

Whenever 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 firm was recently engaged in an exercise to assess the compliance of our VPN infrastructure with our privacy policy.”

After that, it states that the audit had reaffirmed how PureVPN doesn’t log a person’s origin IP tackle and doesn’t log a person’s assigned VPN IP tackle, amongst different issues. To me, the higher strategy could be to have a transparent exterior hyperlink to the third-party audit or have extra detailed data on the findings itself. This might construct extra credibility for each the audit and PureVPN’s no-logs coverage.

I discovered one other PureVPN weblog submit, dated June 2024, that stated that the VPN’s privateness coverage was “no-logs certified.” 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 “lead to identifying a specific person and/or the person’s activity when using 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 completed 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 might assist strengthen their safety claims and construct belief amongst shoppers.

Key options of PureVPN

In case you’re contemplating PureVPN, it’s vital to know the options that set it other than different VPNs. Let’s check out a few of PureVPN’s key options.

Giant server suite

PureVPN comes with round 6,000+ servers worldwide, giving it a reasonably substantial server fleet for the unusual person. That is particularly helpful for those who’re seeking 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 contains servers from 80+ places and greater than 65+ international locations — a plus if you wish to use a various set of servers from totally different areas. I do need to notice that in 2024, the typical nation depend for VPNs is frequently growing. Prime VPNs like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Personal Web Entry VPN now have server fleets with location choices starting from 90-105 international locations, whereas the typical was round 60-70 in years previous. As PureVPN continues to develop its service, I’m hopeful that growing their nation choices is certainly one of their prime priorities.

Cut up tunneling

PureVPN provides a cut up tunneling characteristic that permits you to 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 need 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 machine connections

PureVPN permits for 10 simultaneous machine 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 gadgets.

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

Pace and efficiency: How briskly is PureVPN?

PureVPN provides quick speeds and an total 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.

When it comes to pace testing, PureVPN supplied blended 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 step with my pace exams from final 12 months, the place PureVPNs obtain and add proportion lower had been at 5.98% and 79.92% respectively.

On this case, my findings present that customers with upload-heavy workflows could get inconsistent efficiency whereas utilizing PureVPN. If that is you, chances are you’ll be higher off taking a look at different choices like ExpressVPN or Personal 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 occasions utilizing a public DNS leak device. After a number of exams utilizing totally different servers and places, I recorded zero leaks.

PureVPN servers and places

PureVPN grants customers entry to round 6,000+ servers in additional than 80+ places, unfold throughout 65+ international locations. In 2024, I praised PureVPN’s server community for being one of many bigger server networks obtainable. Whereas its server depend remains to be significantly massive in comparison with the competitors, I really feel it now has some catching as much as do when it comes to nation depend.

Competing suppliers like NordVPN have elevated their nation unfold from 60+ international locations in 2023 to 111 international locations 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 go well with on this regard, particularly since its server community was certainly one of its strongest options final 12 months.

I nonetheless suppose PureVPN is an efficient possibility for those who primarily plan to make use of a VPN to bypass geo-blocked content material. You simply need to remember the fact that different VPN providers have continued to develop their server fleets as nicely.

PureVPN additionally offers 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). In case you’re eyeing IP places from these areas particularly, that is excellent news.

I additionally recognize how PureVPN routinely segments which of their servers are finest for peer-to-peer file-sharing.

It lessens the steps 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 extra fee. In any other case, their server community is a particular sturdy level.

PureVPN customer support

In terms of customer support, PureVPN provides a web-based information base with guides and FAQs, an AI chatbot and reside chat help, and a ticketing system. For my part, PureVPN’s help web page provides an honest quantity of data and useful tutorial articles.

After testing out PureVPN’s reside chat characteristic, I need to commend their help staff, as I used to be related to a reside agent inside two minutes of my request. When it comes to answering questions, nonetheless, I discovered PureVPN’s help agent to be good however not nice.

For probably the most half, it was in a position to tackle my principally fundamental questions concerning the VPN. Nevertheless, I did discover that it defaulted to giving me hyperlinks from their help weblog quite than answering instantly. Whereas the articles had been helpful, I’d have most popular if the agent addressed my queries with out having to depart our chat field.

Sadly, I did discover a number of person testimonials sharing how they didn’t have probably the most constructive expertise with PureVPN. One person within the PureVPN Reddit neighborhood stated, “Got stuck in a really pointless conversation with the support chat today… 60 minutes of chatting – no problem got solved – and I am even not sure that the support understood my issue (I can’t connect with my dedicated IP to the internet)… really ridiculous.”

A few customers additionally lamented how PureVPN modified options too usually, equivalent to including or eradicating servers. On this regard, whereas I had an honest expertise with PureVPN’s buyer help, your mileage could range relying on what you utilize 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 utility and located it to be minimalistic, well-organized, and user-friendly.

When it comes to design, I preferred the trendy 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 assessment.

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 wished 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 may very well be. After all, PureVPN can very a lot launch a patch or replace to make their desktop app really feel sooner. I’m retaining my fingers crossed on this, particularly since they have already got a well-designed UI of their palms.

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

PureVPN execs

• Giant community with 6,000+ servers.
• 7-day free trial by way of cell.
• As much as 10 simultaneous machine connections.
• Intuitive utility.
• Comparatively good speeds.
• Contains cut up tunneling characteristic.

PureVPN cons

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

Who’s PureVPN finest for?

PureVPN is finest for customers who worth having a big server community as certainly one of their primary concerns in a VPN service. Its 6,000+ servers throughout 65+ international locations is a significant worth proposition to unblock geo-restricted content material or entry servers in particular places. 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 great choose if privateness and safety are your primary issues. Whereas it has made strides to rebuild buyer belief, customers searching for a VPN with a great monitor report in retaining their privateness and no logs insurance policies ought to look elsewhere.

PureVPN options

Whereas PureVPN is an honest VPN resolution, it might not have the correct mix of options in your wants. We’ve listed beneath comparable options that would function higher choices.

SEE: How one can Create an Efficient Cybersecurity Consciousness Program (TechRepublic Premium)

Mozilla VPN

In case you’re a longtime person of the Firefox browser, Mozilla VPN could also be a great 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+ international locations.

To be taught extra, learn our full Mozilla VPN assessment.

ExpressVPN

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

To be taught extra, learn our full ExpressVPN assessment.

CyberGhost VPN

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

To be taught extra, learn our full CyberGhost VPN assessment. 

How we evaluated PureVPN

My assessment of PureVPN concerned an in depth evaluation of its safety features, price, and real-world efficiency. I had hands-on time with PureVPN by means of its free trial by way of their cell utility. Particularly, I examined the model of PureVPN supplied with the Max subscription on my Home windows pc.

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

Lastly, I scored PureVPN on the whole lot from its safety protocols to its value based mostly 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 providers.