PrivateVPN review
[Presented by BestCloudBest.com]
Are you exploring ways to keep your privacy and security intact when you browse the Internet? You need a “Virtual Private Network” (VPN) for this. Many VPNs compete in a crowded market though, therefore, you could find it hard to choose one. PrivateVPN, a Sweden-based VPN is one of them.
VPNs claim to provide privacy, security, access to geo-restricted content, secure access to P2P/torrenting services, and speed. Many VPNs promise to support a wide range of devices. They also promise ease of use, great customer support, and attractive prices. We often see that the reality varies considerably from the claims though.
Here, we consider all of the above yardsticks to review PrivateVPN? Is this VPN good enough for you and should you buy a subscription? Read on, as we answer all of these questions.
The features you get with PrivateVPN
We first take a look at the features that PrivateVPN offers.
Is your privacy safe with PrivateVPN?
Since you are looking for a VPN, you probably consider privacy as an important factor. VPNs that mask your IP address successfully, encrypts your traffic, and refrains from logging your online activities can protect your privacy.
PrivateVPN successfully masks your IP address and encrypts your Internet traffic. This VPN states in its privacy policy that doesn’t keep any logs of your Internet traffic or how you use its service. That’s a very reassuring “no logs” policy, and the company states it in very clear terms.
You need to provide your email address when setting up an account with PrivateVPN. This VPN securely stores your email address and the password you create. PrivateVPN collects this amount of personal information only during the registration process, and we find it reasonable.
PrivateVPN uses this information to provide its products and services to you. This VPN doesn’t share your personal information with 3rd parties. PrivateVPN processes your personal information per relevant laws.
When you visit the PrivateVPN website, you don’t need to provide any personally identifiable information. When you buy a PrivateVPN subscription, well-known 3rd party payment providers like PayPal, Stripe, and Payson process your payment transactions. These payment providers secure your personal information. PrivateVPN allows payment using Bitcoin, which is a relatively anonymous payment method.
PrivateVPN is subject to the jurisdiction of Sweden. This country is part of the “14 Eyes” coalition. Countries in this coalition conduct mass surveillance, therefore, we don’t consider them ideal jurisdictions for privacy-focused VPNs. However, PrivateVPN doesn’t keep any log. This protects your privacy.
We find that PrivateVPN follows an effective “no logs” policy. If you prioritize privacy, then PrivateVPN is a very good choice.
Data security of PrivateVPN
You probably consider security as important and that’s why you are looking for a VPN. VPNs that support secure protocols, provide strong encryption, and offer advanced security features can provide security.
PrivateVPN supports OpenVPN, and we are happy to see that. OpenVPN enjoys the reputation of being the most secure VPN protocol, and it doesn’t have any known security vulnerabilities. PrivateVPN supports IKEv2, L2TP, and IPSec protocols. These are secure VPN protocols too.
While PrivateVPN supports PPTP, we don’t recommend you use it. This VPN protocol has security vulnerabilities.
PrivateVPN supports AES-256, which is the strongest encryption that you can find in the market. While this VPN supports other encryptions too, we recommend you use AES-256 if you are dealing with sensitive information. PrivateVPN uses the Diffie-Hellman key exchange, which is very secure.
PrivateVPN prevents all IP, DNS, and WebRTC leaks. This VPN doesn’t offer an ad-blocker. PrivateVPN offers a kill switch for its Windows, Mac, and Android apps. That’s useful since a kill switch blocks the Internet connection as soon as the VPN connection drops unexpectedly. This keeps hackers away even when the VPN connection terminates suddenly.
However, PrivateVPN doesn’t offer a kill switch on its iOS app. Leading VPNs offer a kill switch on all their apps, and PrivateVPN lags behind them in this regard.
Note: We noticed that PrivateVPN supports the OpenVPN protocol and the Diffie-Hellman key exchange. VPNs with this set of solutions can offer the PFS (Perfect Forward Secrecy) feature. This feature changes the encryption key regularly. Even if hackers get hold of your encryption key, they can’t use it for long. PFS will soon change the key and limit damages. We checked whether PrivateVPN offers PFS. Its customer support representative mentioned that this VPN doesn’t offer this feature. We would like PrivateVPN to offer this feature since it already has the required capabilities.
We find that PrivateVPN has implemented an effective set of security solutions. The lack of a kill switch on its iOS app is the only drawback in its security solution.
Where are the servers of PrivateVPN located?
You want a fast VPN. A VPN that has enough servers in all key geographies can offer good speed, however, it also needs to invest in high-quality infrastructure.
PrivateVPN has 150+ server locations across 60 countries. This VPN covers all key geographies like North America, Asia, Europe, Oceania, Latin America, and Africa. It displays the list of servers on its website.
It has servers in the following countries:
· North America: The USA, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Panama;
· Latin America: Argentina, Colombia, Brazil, and Chile,
· Russia;
· Europe: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Germany, Denmark, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Isle of Man, Iceland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Moldova, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Sweden, Slovakia, Turkey, Ukraine, and the UK;
· Oceania: Australia, and New Zealand;
· Asia: UAE, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Israel, India, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, and Vietnam;
· Africa: South Africa.
PrivateVPN offers good speed. If you prioritize speed, then it’s a good choice.
Devices supported by PrivateVPN
You want a VPN that you can use with various kinds of devices. PrivateVPN supports key desktop platforms like Windows and Mac, and it provides custom apps for them. This VPN supports Android and iOS, and it offers custom apps for these mobile platforms.
PrivateVPN offers manual configuration guides for Linux. This VPN supports popular routers like Asus, DD-WRT, Tomato, Linksys, and pfSense. It offers manual configuration guides for them.
This VPN provides manual configuration guides for Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Stick, Galaxy Tab, Chromebook, Blackberry, and Kodi. PrivateVPN also supports NAS (Network Attached Storage) devices like Synology and QNAP.
Even for platforms where it offers custom apps, PrivateVPN provides manual configuration guides. This VPN allows 6 simultaneous connections.
We find that PrivateVPN supports a wide range of platforms. It offers user-friendly custom apps for most of the key platforms. If you prioritize compatibility, then PrivateVPN is a robust choice.
Unblocking streaming services using PrivateVPN
Are you planning to buy a VPN subscription to unblock geo-restricted streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer? These popular streaming services impose geo-restrictions on their content due to their business objectives. Many subscribers try to bypass these restrictions using a VPN.
However, these streaming services know that and they aggressively block VPNs. Not many VPNs can unblock Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer.
PrivateVPN can unblock Netflix. It offers designated servers to unblock Netflix. It can unblock Hulu too, and it has designated servers for that. While PrivateVPN can unblock Amazon Video and ABC, it can’t unblock BBC iPlayer. That’s quite a commendable performance, moreover, the speed offered by PrivateVPN ensures that you have a good streaming experience.
If you prioritize streaming geo-restricted content, then PrivateVPN is a good choice.
Can you run torrents with PrivateVPN?
Do you want to access P2P/torrenting services? We recommend you check applicable laws. Several countries have banned P2P/torrenting activities, moreover, you can get into copyrights issues even in countries that allow them.
Assuming you want to access such services legally, you will still face several challenges. Hackers closely monitor P2P/torrenting services and target their users. Your ISP may throttle your Internet connection as soon as it detects that you are trying to access a P2P/torrenting service.
Many users try to work around these challenges by using a VPN. However, they need a VPN that doesn’t log their online activities. Such a VPN should also encrypt their Internet traffic and offer a kill switch.
PrivateVPN meets most of these criteria. It doesn’t log the online activities of its users. It encrypts the Internet traffic of its users. This VPN offers a kill switch on all of its VPNs apps except for the iOS VPN app. You can use this VPN to securely access P2P/torrenting services, however, we recommend that you don’t use its iOS app for this purpose.
PrivateVPN offers good speed, moreover, it doesn’t impose any bandwidth restrictions. In summary, this VPN is a good choice for P2P/torrenting activities.
Port forwarding
PrivateVPN offers port forwarding. This feature enables users to access their home computers remotely. This can also help users achieve better speed when torrenting.
Bypassing Internet censorship with PrivateVPN
Countries like China impose stringent Internet censorship. Many Internet users try to bypass this by using VPNs. The Chinese government uses advanced technologies to prevent such attempts though. For example, it uses “Deep Packet Inspection” (DPI), which can detect VPN traffic. As a result, many VPNs fail to bypass the “Great Firewall” of China.
PrivateVPN uses a “Stealth Mode”, which can bypass the “Great Firewall” of China. If you want a VPN to bypass Internet censorship, then PrivateVPN is an excellent choice.
How much does PrivateVPN cost?
You want a VPN that offers good value for money. PrivateVPN offers 3 pricing plans, and each plan includes all of its features. These plans differ by their billing frequencies, which are as follows:
· 1 month: You pay $7.67 per month.
· 3-months: You pay $14.63 every 3 months, which means that your monthly average cost is $4.88.
· 12-months: You pay $49.68 once every year, therefore, your monthly average cost is $3.82. This plan includes 1 month for free.
You can pay for a subscription using popular credit cards like Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and Diners Club. PrivateVPN accepts payment via PayPal. You can also pay using Bitcoin. This VPN provides a secure payment process.
This VPN offers a 7-days free trial period, moreover, it offers a 30-days money-back guarantee.
We find that PrivateVPN offers very competitive pricing plans. For the features it offers, this VPN is very competitively priced.
The pros and cons of PrivateVPN
We now evaluate the pros and cons of PrivateVPN. This VPN offers the following advantages:
· It protects your privacy with the help of its effective “no logs” policy.
· This security-friendly VPN supports secure protocols, offers strong encryption, prevents data leaks, and offers a kill switch.
· With over 150 server locations across 60 countries, PrivateVPN offers good speed.
· This VPN can unblock Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Videos, and ABC.
· PrivateVPN allows secure access to P2P/torrenting services, moreover, it doesn’t impose any bandwidth restrictions.
· This VPN offers the “port forwarding” feature.
· PrivateVPN supports all key platforms like Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, routers, etc.
· This VPN allows 6 simultaneous connections.
· This VPN offers user-friendly custom apps for most of the key platforms it supports. It provides excellent manual configuration guides for platforms where it doesn’t have a custom app.
· PrivateVPN can bypass the “Great Firewall” of China.
· This VPN offers excellent customer support by the way of useful guides, FAQs, live chat support, and remote support.
· PrivateVPN offers very competitive pricing plans.
· This VPN offers a 7-days free trial period.
· PrivateVPN offers a 30-days money-back guarantee.
PrivateVPN has a few disadvantages, which are as follows:
· It doesn’t offer a kill switch on its iOS app.
· This VPN can’t unblock BBC iPlayer.
We find that the advantages of PrivateVPN far outweigh its disadvantages.
A few quick facts about PrivateVPN
Let’s summarize a few quick facts about PrivateVPN, which are as follows:
· PrivateVPN is a Swedish VPN.
· It follows an effective “no logs” policy to protect its users’ privacy.
· This VPN provides security with the help of secure protocols and strong encryption, moreover, it prevents data leaks.
· This VPN offers a kill switch on all of its custom apps except for the iOS app.
· With 150+ server locations in 60 countries, PrivateVPN offers good speed.
· This VPN can unblock Netflix, Hulu, ABC, and Amazon Videos, however, it can’t unblock BBC iPlayer.
· PrivateVPN allows secure access to P2P/torrenting services.
· PrivateVPN supports Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, routers, and several other platforms.
· This VPN allows 6 simultaneous connections.
· This VPN offers user-friendly custom apps for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS.
· PrivateVPN can bypass the “Great Firewall” of China.
· This VPN offers competitive pricing plans, a 7-days free trial, and a 30-days money-back guarantee.
· This VPN offers excellent documentation, live chat support, and remote support.
Is PrivateVPN easy to use?
Most VPN users prefer VPNs that are user-friendly, and you probably do that too. You will find the PrivateVPN website very easy to navigate. The website displays all key menu options prominently, moreover, you can find all key “Call To Action” (CTA) buttons easily.
You can easily locate the free trial option, and you can easily find the custom apps for download. This VPN provides an easy and secure payment process, which involves just a few intuitive steps. PrivateVPN displays its pricing plans prominently, and you can easily find the guides.
You can easily install its custom apps for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. PrivateVPN offers user-friendly custom apps. If you want to manually configure a VPN connection, then you do that easily by using its useful guides. We find that PrivateVPN is a user-friendly VPN.
The customer service at PrivateVPN
You will likely want a VPN that offers great customer support. PrivateVPN offers a stable and reliable VPN service, and its apps are user-friendly. This reduces the need for customer support, however, this VPN has you well covered.
PrivateVPN has a neatly-organized support page on its website. This VPN provides easy-to-use guides for its apps and manual configuration. It offers guides for all platforms that it supports.
The PrivateVPN support page has a detailed FAQ section. You can contact its customer support team using its contact form and email.
We found its live chat support very helpful. The customer support representatives of PrivateVPN are prompt, moreover, they are knowledgeable and professional. Note that the live chat support isn’t available 24x7, however, the support team responds to your queries promptly.
PrivateVPN also provides remote support if you face any challenges with its VPN products and services. We don’t see too many VPNs providing this, therefore, this is a key advantage. We find that PrivateVPN has excellent customer support capabilities.
What's the jurisdiction of PrivateVPN?
PrivateVPN is a Swedish VPN, therefore, it’s subject to the jurisdiction of Sweden. Sweden is part of the “14 Eyes” coalition of countries. The countries in this coalition conduct mass surveillance, therefore, Sweden isn’t ideal for a privacy-friendly VPN. For PrivateVPN, this doesn’t pose a risk to its users since this VPN doesn’t log their online activities.
Does PrivateVPN keep any logs of your activity?
PrivateVPN follows a “no logs” policy. The company makes it very clear in its privacy policy. This VPN doesn’t keep any logs of its users’ online activities. PrivateVPN doesn’t record any information about how its users use its VPN. We find that this is a satisfactory “no logs” policy.
Protocols and encryption used by PrivateVPN
PrivateVPN supports OpenVPN, which is the most secure VPN protocol. This VPN provider supports IKEv2, L2TP, and IPSec protocols, which are secure too. PrivateVPN also supports PPTP, however, we don’t recommend you use it. This VPN protocol has security vulnerabilities.
PrivateVPN supports AES-256, which is military-grade encryption. While this VPN supports other encryption algorithms too, we suggest that you use AES-256. PrivateVPN uses the Diffie-Hellman key exchange, which is secure.
This VPN doesn’t offer an ad-blocker. PrivateVPN prevents all IP, DNS, and WebRTC leaks. It offers a kill switch on its Windows, Mac, and Android VPN apps. PrivateVPN doesn’t offer a kill switch on its iOS app, which is a drawback. This VPN doesn’t offer PFS (“Perfect Forward Secrecy”).
We find that PrivateVPN uses a robust set of security solutions. It doesn’t offer a kill switch on its iOS app, which is a disadvantage.
The conclusion of our review
PrivateVPN is a privacy-focused VPN. It protects your privacy with the help of an effective “no logs” policy, moreover, it collects minimal personal information. This VPN secures your personal information. With secure protocols, strong encryption, and prevention of data leaks, this VPN secures your Internet connection. It offers a kill switch on all of its custom apps except for the iOS app.
PrivateVPN has over 150 server locations in 60 countries, and it offers good speed. It unblocks Netflix and Hulu, however, it can’t unblock BBC iPlayer. This VPN allows P2P/torrenting activities, and it doesn’t impose any bandwidth restrictions.
PrivateVPN supports a wide range of platforms, which includes Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, routers, etc. This VPN offers easy-to-use custom apps for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. It also offers easy-to-use manual configuration guides for other platforms. PrivateVPN allows 6 simultaneous connections.
This VPN offers the “port forwarding” feature. It can bypass the “Great Firewall” of China. In addition to excellent documentation, this VPN offers live chat support. It also offers remote support. PrivateVPN offers competitive pricing plans. It offers a 7-days free trial, moreover, it offers a 30-days money-back guarantee. We find that PrivateVPN is a good buy, and you can take advantage of its free trial offer.
