PureVPN is a veteran in the industry, having been around since 2007.. Despite its history, this VPN failed to make it into the top-tier of elite VPN services. It has an extensive and diverse network capable of torrenting and streaming, as well as exceptional security characteristics.
If everything sounds as great as it is, then why aren’t more people jumping on to PureVPN? It’s easy to see why has suffered from a “almost zero” login policy and poor support over the past few years. We’ll ask ourselves: Is PureVPN making a good turn? Is it worth the price of your membership for 2021? This PureVPN review will examine every aspect of PureVPN.
TL; DR – Table Overview of Main ExpressVPN Pros and Cons
Pros | Cons |
Can you unblock all streaming websites | Port Forwarding and DDoS are only available at an extra cost |
A well-spread server network | A limited number of protocols available |
Maximum 10 simultaneous connections | It is possible for network connections to drop from time-to-time |
Very good at torrenting | Monthly plan with high monthly costs |
PureVPN’s Speed Test: – A Thorough Test of Its Speed
VPN services should be fast. PureVPN is not the fastest VPN available, but speed is what we focus on when reviewing Virtual Private Networks.
Before we dive into the analysis, it is important to remember that speed tests and the Internet are unpredictable. PureVPN’s performance and speed were tested using a dedicated network that is suitable for only 1-2 users.
To establish a median value for our regular network, we ran baseline tests before we examined the VPN’s speed. These are the results of our baseline test.
After establishing a baseline for our network, we manually chose a server near us from their list of servers and connected to it. Here are the details. PureVPN results for the manually-selected local connection:
We ran this speed test to see how PureVPN’s “Recommended Server” auto-connect feature performed in comparison to manually selecting locations. This is how PureVPN’s auto connect feature performed
We also evaluated how our network would perform when connected over 7,400 miles (12,000 km) from a PureVPN server. Here are the details. results of PureVPN’s remote server speed:
We can see that PureVPN server connections cause a significant drop in download speed. While the service can still be used, it is not as fast as the best VPNs available. You can expect a minimum 20 percent decrease in speed when connecting to a local server.
PureVPN’s Recommended server connections are extremely intuitive, which is a bright side. You can connect automatically, just like you would manually select a server. The user experience is much easier because you can connect in one click and be connected.
The VPN was also very reliable when connecting to remote servers. The expected ping increases were within the normal ranges. offers an average to above-average connection speed across the board, even though it cannot compete with the fastest VPNs available.
There are not many options other than the Recommended Server option. Search the server list or use the search bar to find the server you’re looking for. You can also access the ” Favorites tab to see any servers that you have saved for later. PureVPN seems to be a VPN service that is targeted at casual users looking for an easy-to use VPN solution.
PureVPN Servers Locations and Availability
PureVPN’s server network covers every corner of the world and we have to give credit where credit is due. PureVPN’s server network is superior to that of other VPNs. PureVPN currently offers More Than 6,500 servers in 180+ locations in 140 countries around the world.
These servers are located mainly in Europe (2700+), and North America (1700+).. However, there are plenty of servers available in all regions, including Africa, South America, Central America and Asia.
You can also find information on virtual servers and locations, as well as apps that mark servers suitable for P2P. However, we’d like to see all features listed in one location, possibly in the apps. This would make it easier to select the best servers.
PureVPN Security: Is it Safe? – A Detailed Overview of Its Security Features
PureVPN offers a safe and secure VPN service. Let’s take a look at all PureVPN security features to get a better idea of the VPN’s capabilities.
- Kill Switch PureVPN’s kill button protects your network by cutting off all connections in the event of a sudden VPN connection drop. This setting is enabled by default in all PureVPN applications.
- Split Tunneling The split tunneling feature allows you to route a portion of your network through a VPN server, while still accessing the Internet through other apps and programs. PureVPN’s split tunneling feature was not available for Android at time of review.
- Port Forwarding (Additional) – This feature allows remote access to internet-connected devices and services from anywhere on Earth. This feature is most useful for torrenting and gaming. PureVPN’s port forwarding service is available only to subscribers who pay an additional subscription fee.
- Addon: Dedicated IP You can purchase a dedicated IP address to create a secure VPN network you will not share with other PureVPN users. You can get a dedicated IP address in Canada and the US. It is not available for port forwarding but it is available at an additional cost.
- DDoS Protection (Addon) – DDoS protection safeguards your IP address against malicious attempts to flood your network. You will need to pay an additional monthly fee if you wish to have DDoS protection.
PureVPN promises a full-featured service that covers all bases. PureVPN can be the best way to protect your privacy and security. However, some essential features are hidden behind a paywall. You’re left with a basic VPN service, which doesn’t offer much customization without the three premium-priced options.
Does PureVPN Log User Data?
PureVPN does not log any user data when you connect to their VPN servers . They don’t have access to your IP address, your VPN server IP address, the time you connected, or any activity you engage in while using their service.
PureVPN has an “always on” audit policy. This means they are willing to accept random, unscheduled audits at any time during the year. These audits have been performed over the last few years. KPMG audited them. Both auditors confirmed PureVPN doesn’t log any data that could allow for the identification of specific users..
PureVPN’s connection logs contain some information, but we don’t mind going into the most intimate details to protect users. Their technicians will know when you connected to their VPN service and for how long. They also know how many connections were used.. This information is not associated with any IP or connection timestamps. It is important to remember that you are not log-free.
PureVPN uses virtual server?
PureVPN relies on a lot of virtual server to deliver its services. While they don’t list the exact number of virtual servers they have, each one listed on their website has the letter “V”. It is much easier to avoid server locations, and we recommend you do this.
Most PureVPN’s virtual servers can be found in Asia and South America. However, there are a few in Europe. Although virtual servers offer faster access and instant connections, they are not as secure as real servers. Anyone can access them and use them as honeypots.
PureVPN has a variety of protocols available
You can see in the screenshot that we took from their Windows client that PureVPN doesn’t support other protocols. Let’s have a closer look at each of them:
- IKEv2– IKEv2 is the fastest protocol and ideal for file sharing and streaming. It is important to note that IKEv2 may not work with all OSes and devices. If you have an incompatible device, you may not be able use it.
- TCP — PureVPN supports OpenVPN TCP, which is safer and more secure than IKEv2 as an online browsing option. TCP is very fast but does not have streaming capabilities. Its strengths include stability and network encryption. It is a balanced protocol, and PureVPN’s default setting.
- UDP – OpenVPN UDP is faster than TCP, but less stable than it. It’s a similar protocol that can be used for all purposes. It’s also available in all PureVPN apps, just like the OpenVPN version.
You can find information about PPTP, L2TP/IPSec and SSTP protocols on many pages of these sites as well as most online review sites. However, this information is not correct. PureVPN doesn’t support these protocols anymore.
These additional protocols are only available for PureVPN Windows apps versions 7.1.2 or lower. If you’re running a version of PureVPN that’s at least 7.1.4 or higher, like we did while testing it, you’ll only be able to use the three protocols listed above.
PureVPN Streaming Capabilities – Can it Unblock Netflix?
When you visit PureVPN’s website, you’ll discover that they claim to support every major streaming platform available. We made the decision to go over each streaming service in the market one by one. PureVPN has proven to be an excellent solution for unblocking these websites:
- Netflix (Tested in the UK, USA, and Japan versions).
- BBC iPlayer
- Amazon Prime Video
- Disney+
- ESPN
- Hulu
- HBO GO
- ITV HUB
- CBS
PureVPN’s ability to unblock streaming sites is clearly one of its finest features, as evidenced by the vast list above. PureVPN has also been able to bypass China’s Great Wall of China with great efficiency, something that not many VPNs can claim. In the end, it’s a great experience overall. PureVPN offers more than 2000 servers that are optimized for smooth streaming.
The only thing we’d like to see is a separate category that highlights the servers that are best suited for streaming. Finding a server that will unblock a given site on the first try is primarily luck-based without this.
PureVPN Is Good for Torrenting
A VPN is essential if you torrent movies, TV shows, and games. It will help you avoid legal and copyright concerns regarding the files that you download. When choosing a VPN to torrent, the most important aspects to consider are privacy, network security and download speed.
PureVPN does well with the first two. To determine how the VPN performs when it comes to the latter one, we’ve decided to test their service in practice. We downloaded a file in order to test the base torrenting performance of the VPN.
Following that, we attempted to download the same file from the same torrenting platform while connected to one of PureVPN’s local P2P servers. Here’s how PureVPN fared when it came to torrenting:
The VPN service performed fairly similarly to our base download.It is available at. It was an excellent choice for torrenting because it had slightly lower average speeds, and the same peak maximum downloading speed.
Keep in mind that this was only using the most basic PureVPN service, which does not include port forwarding. For even more efficient P2P results, this function can be added to your membership.
What Does PureVPN cost? – Overview of their Price Plans
PureVPN offers three subscription plans – a one-month, one-year, and two-years plan. A 7-day trial is also available for $0.99 if you choose their one-year subscription. You can cancel your subscription at any time and avoid the annual subscription fee. Here’s a close-up inspection of What does each PureVPN subscription package cost?
Their annual subscription plan is less than $11, which is slightly cheaper than that of other VPNs. By paying $69.95 in advance for the one-year plan, you’ll save 47 percent. This equates to just more than $5.8 per month. If you sign up for a two-year plan with PureVPN, you’ll have to pay $80 up front, which breaks down to $3.33 per month when spread out over 24 months.
Payments are the key. PureVPN only supports Visa, MasterCard and American Express.. It is not as robust as the best VPNs available. The lack of cryptocurrency payment options may discourage more privacy-conscious customers to purchase this VPN.
These plans are not the only ones. You can customize PureVPN by adding features at an additional cost. Port forwarding costs an additional $0.99 per month. A dedicated IP address is $2.99 per month. DDoS protection costs $3.99 per month.
Let’s say you wish to add all three to your service. This would mean that you would have to pay an additional $8 per month. Add it to the base subscription plan and you will pay a staggering $19 per month for a one-month plan and $11 per month for a two-year subscription. This is unacceptable for a VPN..
Even while these capabilities aren’t expensive, we couldn’t help but notice that the majority of them are available for free if you use a different VPN provider. The additional expenditures of port forwarding and DDoS protection are a major disappointment. PureVPN has to be called out on this, as it sends the sense that their primary goal is profit rather than user protection.
PureVPN offers a 30-day free trial
There are no free trials available with PureVPN. They do, however, provide a free trial. A one-of-a-kind 31-day money-back guarantee. They underline that this is not a “one-month promise,” but rather a guarantee that begins 31 days after you purchase a subscription.
The money-back-guarantee includes all three plans as well as autorecurring payments. The $0.99 account trial is refundable. So, if you’re dissatisfied with their service and want your money back, you’ll get it within 24 hours of requesting it.
PureVPN Apps, Extensions
PureVPN is not a top VPN service but it has a wide range of extensions and apps that rival the best. We’ve put all of their apps and extensions through their paces in order to offer you the most important information. Here’s a quick rundown of PureVPN’s apps and extensions:
PureVPN Windows
The PureVPN Windows app version 7.1.4 was tested. It’s significantly easier than the 7.1.2 version. It doesn’t allow for much customization nor has many features you could personalize. The majority of settings can be modified to improve connectivity. You can also control the kill switch.
We were pleasantly surprised to discover that after thoroughly browsing all the options available, PureVPN’s Windows app doesn’t come with a split tunneling feature. The lack of split tunneling on their most popular platform, which is also the one that users most need, is somewhat disappointing.
PureVPN macOS
PureVPN macOS offers almost the exact same features and capabilities to its Windows app. It also comes with an internet kill switch but doesn’t support split tunneling.
As with the Windows app, macOS apps 3.0.17 or higher are far more basic than those below 7.2.2.One notable difference is the slightly faster connection speedsPartly due to macOS desktop computers’ inherent performance features.
PureVPN Android
The PureVPN Android app makes using a VPN a breeze. It’s minimalistic and easy, and you can get whatever you need with just a few clicks on your device.The features are endless. The Android app offers all the same features as its desktop counterparts with the added bonus of split tunneling.
We tested their Android app using the 7.2.5 version. This is undoubtedly their best Android app.. It integrates support features and is available at the time this review was written in eight languages.
You can even change the app’s theme and personalize many different settings. We are left wondering what the VPN did to design its desktop apps and take away the Windows and macOS capabilities.
PureVPN iOS
PureVPN for iOS is very similar to the Android app, but with one notable difference: theAbsence of split tunneling feature. The iOS app, like all other apps, has just had a major overhaul, therefore any version 8.12 or higher is substantially more intuitive and streamlined than versions 7.2.3 or lower.
PureVPN for Routers
PureVPN can be used to secure your whole home network. You can then connect unlimited devices to your router and have automatic protection for the Wi-Fi network. This service lists over 30 supported brands of routers on its websiteThis book contains detailed instructions on how to set up almost every option.
PureVPN is just one of many VPN providers who have partnered up with FlashRouters. You may buy pre-configured routers directly on their site if you don’t want to go through the bother of setting up the VPN on your own router.
PureVPN for Other Devices
PureVPN not only supports major mobile and desktop platforms but also allows you to set it up on a local machine. PlayStation or Xbox console. It’s also compatible with Firestick TV and Android TV. Lastly, there’s also a functional Kodi add-onYou can also download them to your Kodi enabled device.
PureVPN Browser Extensions
PureVPN has add-ons available for Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox browsers. Both add-ons include built-in security against WebRTC leaks, as well as no bandwidth or network speed restrictions.
Firefox’s browser extension lets you connect to any server located in more than 180 countries and 140 locations. The Chrome extension, on the other hand, is limited in its ability to select from 30 countries. These extensions are highly encrypted and can provide you with anonymous browsing..
How to Install PureVPN Apps
No matter what operating system or device you use, PureVPN tutorials and installation guides can help you set up your service. You can install PureVPN apps in a matter of minutes. Here’s How to install PureVPN on your device:
- Register for one of their premium accounts
- Install the app that is right for you.
- Install the app, and then accept the permissions when asked.
- Start the app, and then log in.
- Click on the “Recommended Server” button to instantly connect to a VPN server
PureVPN Customer Support – How Reliable Is It?
PureVPN hasn’t always done a good job of offering a steady and reliable customer support service, as we said in the introduction. Regardless, interacting with their customer care was a good experience for us. This lengthy investigation was still ongoing. We’ve reached out to them multiple times and have always received timely and helpful responses.
Open the live chat on the right-hand side of their site to reach their support team.You can do it. Simply enter your credentials and ask the question. You can expect a friendly agent within a few minutes. You can chat with us 24/7 via live chat.
You can also contact the support team via email, however this is a considerably slower option, as you will have to wait at least several hours for a response. You can also reach out to them on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, or Google+.
PureVPN also provides a large and well-organized Help Center. It is broken into eight sections, each with its own set of questions. You’ll find a beneficial solution to any question, no matter how complicated, in the large FAQ section, as well as the troubleshooting and detailed setup tutorials.
PureVPN Google Play Reviews
PureVPN has more than 28,000 Google Play reviews and is undoubtedly the most well-respected VPN on the site. However, the sheer numbers aren’t made up from only positive reviews, as PureVPN’s rating is just 3.7. PureVPN’s majority of reviews are either five-star or one-star. This means that users either love PureVPN or hate it.
PureVPN continues to provide excellent customer service, and PureVPN has covered Google Play reviews extensively. As you can see in the comment thread,PureVPN’s support team is extremely attentive to answering any question, complaint or praise that users post on Google Play.
And these aren’t your run-of-the-mill responses. The team carefully reviews each review and makes every effort to assist you. When it comes to specific types of complaints, the majority of them concentrate around the service’s apps’ instability, sudden crashes, and regular difficulties connecting to a server.
Reddit’s Take on PureVPN
Reddit users are generally considered above-average tech users. They often have a better understanding and an accurate view of VPN performance and quality than general reviews such as those at Google Play.
Taken together, Reddit users, who are the tech-savvy VPN users, have a predominantly negative opinion about PureVPN. We’ve browsed a number of subreddits and topic threads covering PureVPN on Reddit, and Reddit users generally feel that VPNs should be avoided by new users.. Here’s an excerpt from one of the Reddit threads:
Bottom Line – Can PureVPN Compete with the Top VPNs?
PureVPN’s functionality is undeniable, since it works reliably across all platforms and for all purposes. It can be used to stream material and bypass geo-blocking limitations. All of this is supported by industry-standard privacy features and a responsive customer service team.
PureVPN is a good alternative if you don’t need DDoS protection or port forwarding, and you don’t need a dedicated IP address. It delivers excellent value at its price point. However, if any of these three qualities are important to you, this VPN is not for you.
Overall, it’s a mediocre VPN that provides adequate service but doesn’t stand out in any way. It’s absolutely worth the money if you’re a casual VPN user and are willing to commit to one of their long-term plans. PureVPN is a straightforward but comprehensive service that performs admirably on all fronts. However, if you’re a power user seeking for a VPN with a lot of features, PureVPN’s basic plans won’t be able to match your needs.
FAQs for PureVPN
PureVPN’s headquarters are you located?
PureVPN is headquartered in Hong Kong, a Chinese administrative jurisdiction outside of the Five-eyes, Nine-eyes, and Fourteen-eyes organisations. This is good news because the provider can’t be coerced to hand over customer data, which is a must for any privacy-focused VPN.
PureVPN Can Allow Multiple Simultaneous Devices
PureVPN supports up to ten simultaneous connections. PureVPN allows you to connect to up to ten devices simultaneously at once, with no restrictions or performance limitations. You have unlimited access to your ten connections and can connect any type of device you wish.
PureVPN can I trust?
PureVPN is a trusted virtual private network that you can trust 100% if safety and privacy are your top priorities. PureVPN may not offer the fastest VPN or the most extensive. Despite this, it doesn’t retain any logs, is headquartered in a privacy-friendly jurisdiction, and provides great round-the-clock customer service.
What To Do If I Can’t Connect to Netflix with PureVPN?
If you’re having problems unblocking Netflix using PureVPN, the quickest way to get help is to call their support team, who will quickly suggest a server for you to connect to. You can also purchase a dedicated IP for an additional fee. This service gives you an easy way to access Netflix at all times.
- 140+ countries, 2000+ servers
- 31-day money-back guarantee
- Blocks geo-restricted content and hides internet traffic
- Internet Kill Switch and IP Leak Protection
- The cheapest dedicated IP addresses
- Support for Windows, MacOS OS, iOS, Android, and Routers
- Perfect for streaming Netflix and Hulu.
- Audited and strict no-log policy