Sunday, February 16th
2025 VPN Service Provider Reviews
Pure VPN
- Pricing: $1.99 to $19.95/month, with 5-year, 2-year, 1-year, and monthly plans available
- Over 6,000 servers in more than 65 countries
- Supports up to 10 devices simultaneously
- Compatible with Windows, Linux, MacOS, iOS, Android, and more
- Offers split-tunneling functionality
- Includes a kill switch and DNS leak protection
- Supports WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 protocols
- Accepts payments via PayPal, credit card, and Bitcoin
- Undergoes periodic third-party audits
- Offers additional features like password manager and file encryption tool in higher-tier plans
PureVPN is based in the Canary Islands and offers over 6,000 servers with locations in more than 65 countries. PureVPN allows you to use their VPN on 10 devices at a time, which is a decent amount. They support Windows, Linux, MacOS, iOS, Android, and more.
Too many pricing considerations
PureVPN's pricing tiers are numerous, and therefore a bit overwhelming. On top of weighing the pricing differences between a 5-year, 2-year, 1-year, and a monthly plan, you'll also need to decide if you need Standard, Plus, or Max. Prices will range between $1.99 and $3.29 a month for a 5-year plan, $2.15 to $4.15 for the 2-year, $3.99 to $6.99 for the 1-year, and $12.95 to $19.95 for the monthly plan (which is expensive). You can pay for your subscription with PayPal, credit card, or Bitcoin.
"Max” plan lacks some features you'd expect to find
PureVPN's Standard plan is the cheapest and includes a One-Tap Tracker Blocker. The Plus plan adds a password manager and a file encryption tool - neither of which are particularly compelling to us. The Max tier builds on the previous two tiers and adds Dark Web Monitoring and Remove My Data. We're surprised that features like a dedicated IP or server and port forwarding are available, but only if you pay extra monthly fees - they aren't even included in the Max plan.
Not transparent about privacy features
PureVPN seems to gear the information they share about their service to those who might find jargon intimidating. However, that makes it harder for those diligently researching all their options to compare PureVPN to competing VPN services. For example, rather than telling us outright that they offer split-tunneling, their Features page advertises that you can "protect apps separately”, and the "learn more” link below it just takes you to a pricing page instead of expounding on how that feature works. Supposedly, they have a kill switch, DNS leak protection, and support WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 protocols.
May expose your IP address
PureVPN undergoes periodic third-party audits, but the most recent of these turned up issues including logging the times and number of instances when a user connected to a server, as well as IP address exposure when connection to a server with a manual configuration failed. Reddit users don't seem to think this VPN provider can be trusted when they say they don't log anything, and the results of this audit seem to be an admission of guilt by PureVPN.
Complaints are numerous and varied
PureVPN has a lot of complaints about their auto-renewal policy. If you decide to purchase a plan, make sure you set a reminder to cancel before the renewal date, as they won't send you a reminder - even if you're on a 5-year plan and may have forgotten you're even subscribed. Other issues described by customers include poor geoblock bypassing, slow speeds and instability, buggy apps that don't let you sign in, and email spam. Although you'll find them highly rated by third-party consumer review platforms, one customer pointed out that they offer free months of their VPN service to subscribers in exchange for positive reviews.
Better options available
In our opinion, PureVPN is far too expensive for the quality of service they offer. Given the likelihood your IP address could be exposed through this service, we can't recommend them above other VPN providers.
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The 11 Best VPN Service Providers
What is the Best VPN Service?
When you browse the internet, your personal information can be at risk. Whether you're checking your bank account from a café, streaming content from abroad, or simply browsing from home, using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) can protect your privacy. A VPN encrypts your data and routes it through secure servers, making it harder for hackers, governments, or companies to track your online activity.
VPNs are especially useful for frequent travelers, remote workers, or anyone concerned about security when using public Wi-Fi. They can also help bypass geographical restrictions, so you can access websites or content not available in your region. But not all VPNs are created equal.
VPN Service Provider FAQ
Continued from above...
Some offer blazing-fast speeds, while others might slow your connection. Some provide extra security features, like multi-hop encryption or malware protection, while others focus on ease of use and broad device compatibility. Free VPNs exist, but they often come with limitations like data caps, slower speeds, or even questionable privacy practices. (Ironic, no?)
Another important aspect to consider when choosing a VPN is the availability of advanced features like split tunneling and kill switches. Split tunneling lets you decide which apps or websites use the VPN connection and which ones connect directly to the internet. This feature is helpful if you want to protect sensitive activities, like online banking, while still using your regular internet speed for things like streaming or gaming. A kill switch, on the other hand, is a safety feature that automatically disconnects you from the internet if your VPN connection drops. This prevents your data from being exposed during those brief moments when you're not protected, ensuring that your privacy remains intact at all times.
You should carefully consider the country where the company operates. This is important because of international surveillance alliances like the Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, and Fourteen Eyes. These alliances are agreements between countries to share intelligence information, which could potentially include data collected by VPNs. If you're using a VPN based in a country within these alliances, your data might be at risk due to laws requiring VPN providers to collect and share user information. For maximum privacy, you might want to choose a VPN provider based outside of these alliances, in countries with strong privacy laws. By doing so, you can reduce the risk of your data being shared or accessed by government agencies, even if requested.
Here are a few things to think about when choosing a VPN provider:
- Speed. If you stream movies, download large files, or play online games, speed should be a priority. Some VPNs slow your connection significantly, while others offer minimal disruption. Look for services that are known for high performance in your region.
- Security and privacy. Not all VPNs offer the same level of protection. Check if the VPN uses military-grade encryption (AES-256) and has a no-logs policy to prevent your data from being stored or shared. Features like kill switches (which disconnects your device from the internet if the VPN connection drops) and DNS leak protection add extra layers of security.
- Device compatibility. If you need a VPN for more devices than just your computer (like your phone, tablet, or even a smart TV) it's a good idea to go with a VPN that supports all your devices. Some services allow multiple simultaneous connections, while others limit you to one or two.
- Server locations. A VPN with more server locations allows you to access content from different countries. If you need a specific location, like for streaming services or online shopping, verify that the VPN provider has servers there.
- Ease of use. Some VPNs come with complex setups, while others offer user-friendly apps that require just a tap to protect your connection. Choose a provider that matches your comfort level with technology.
- Customer reviews. Feedback from real users can give you insight into a VPN's reliability and performance. Look for patterns in reviews, like frequent mentions of connection drops, poor customer support, or ease of use, to make a more informed decision.
Top Consumer Reviews has evaluated and ranked the leading VPN providers available. We hope this review helps you find the best protection for your needs.
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