AzireVPN Review: A Disappointing Service That Falls Short
By Tom Spark, VPN Expert
Overall Score: 43.5/93.5 (D Tier)
Last tested: [Current Month Year]
Executive Summary:
After extensive testing of AzireVPN across multiple devices and use cases, I can't recommend this service for most users. With an overall score of 43.5 out of 93.5, AzireVPN falls into our D tier category, significantly behind industry leaders like ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark. While it offers basic VPN functionality, numerous limitations, performance issues, and missing features make it difficult to justify choosing this service over more established options.
Comprehensive Overview:
AzireVPN is a Swedish-based VPN provider that's been operating since 2012. While the company emphasizes privacy and transparency, the actual product fails to deliver a competitive VPN solution in today's market. Let's dive deep into what this service offers – and more importantly, what it's missing.
Server Network and Coverage:
One of AzireVPN's most significant weaknesses is its extremely limited server network. With servers in only 8 countries, the coverage pales in comparison to premium providers offering 60+ countries. This limited network affects both performance and functionality:
- Minimal server locations in Asia and none in Africa or South America
- No specialized servers for streaming or P2P
- Limited ability to bypass geo-restrictions
- Higher likelihood of server congestion
Performance and Speeds:
My speed testing revealed consistently mediocre performance:
- Average speed reduction: 45-65% from base connection
- Significant latency increases on distant servers
- Inconsistent performance during peak hours
- Frequent connection drops on some servers
For comparison, top-tier VPNs typically maintain 75-85% of base speeds.
Security and Privacy Features:
While AzireVPN offers basic security features, it's missing many advanced capabilities:
Basic Security (Present):
- AES-256 encryption
- OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols
- No-logs policy
- Kill switch (basic implementation)
Missing Advanced Features:
- No multi-hop connections
- No split tunneling
- No ad/malware blocking
- No specialized privacy features
- Limited protocol options
- No perfect forward secrecy
Streaming and Unblocking Capabilities:
AzireVPN performs poorly for streaming:
- Inconsistent access to Netflix
- Cannot reliably unblock BBC iPlayer
- Doesn't work with Disney+ or Hulu
- No dedicated streaming servers
- Limited bandwidth for HD streaming
Pricing and Value Assessment:
AzireVPN's pricing structure is problematic given its limitations:
Monthly: $9.99
Annual: $89.99 ($7.50/month)
3-Year: $199.99 ($5.55/month)
These prices are surprisingly high considering:
- Limited feature set
- Small server network
- Inconsistent performance
- No advanced capabilities
Premium VPNs often offer more features at similar or lower prices, making AzireVPN's value proposition weak.
User Experience and Apps:
The user experience falls short in several areas:
- Basic, dated interface design
- Limited platform support
- Missing advanced configuration options
- No browser extensions
- Clunky server switching
- Limited settings customization
Customer Support:
Support services are notably lacking:
- No live chat support
- Email response times averaging 24+ hours
- Limited knowledge base
- Outdated documentation
- No video tutorials
- Minimal troubleshooting guides
Major Weaknesses and Concerns:
1. Security Gaps:
- Basic implementation of security features
- Missing modern privacy tools
- Limited protocol options
- No independent security audits
2. Performance Issues:
- Inconsistent speeds
- Connection stability problems
- Limited server network
- Poor streaming performance
3. Feature Limitations:
- No advanced security features
- Missing common VPN tools
- Basic apps with limited functionality
- Poor streaming support
4. Value Concerns:
- Overpriced for feature set
- Better alternatives at similar price points
- Limited improvement roadmap
- Poor investment in infrastructure
5. Technical Limitations:
- No IPv6 support
- Limited protocol options
- Basic network configuration
- No specialized servers
Comparison to Premium VPNs:
To illustrate the gap between AzireVPN and top-tier services:
Feature | AzireVPN | Premium VPNs
---|---|---
Server Countries | 8 | 60-90+
Advanced Features | Few | Comprehensive
Streaming Support | Poor | Excellent
Customer Support | Limited | 24/7 Live Chat
Security Features | Basic | Advanced
Price Value | Poor | Good to Excellent
Limited Use Cases:
AzireVPN might be acceptable for:
1. Basic web browsing with minimal security needs
2. Users specifically requiring a Swedish VPN
3. Those prioritizing a simple, basic interface
4. Users needing only the most basic VPN features
However, even in these cases, better options exist at similar price points.
Recommendations:
For most users, I strongly recommend considering alternatives:
- NordVPN: Better security, larger network, similar pricing
- ExpressVPN: Superior performance and features
- Surfshark: More features at a lower price point
- ProtonVPN: Better privacy focus and features
Conclusion:
AzireVPN's score of 43.5/93.5 reflects its significant limitations and poor value proposition. While functional as a basic VPN, it fails to compete with modern VPN services in almost every category. The combination of high prices, limited features, mediocre performance, and poor support makes it difficult to recommend this service to any user group.
The VPN market has evolved significantly, and unfortunately, AzireVPN hasn't kept pace. Users would be better served by choosing a more capable provider that offers better value for money and a more complete feature set. Whether you're prioritizing privacy, streaming, security, or performance, there are simply better options available at similar or lower price points.
Final Verdict:
Skip AzireVPN unless you have a very specific need for their service. The majority of users will find better value and functionality with established premium VPN providers.
