BraveVPN

Brave VPN Review: A Disappointing Addition to the Browser's Security Suite Overall Score: 38.5/93.5 (F Tier) Tested: January 2024 By Tom Spark, VPN Testing & Reviews Expert Executive Summary: As a VPN expert who has tested over 100 VPN services, I had high hopes for Brave VPN given the company's strong reputation in privacy-focused browsing. Unfortunately, Brave VPN falls dramatically short of premium VPN providers, earning a concerning F-tier rating in our comprehensive testing. While it offers basic VPN functionality, significant limitations in features, performance, and infrastructure make it difficult to recommend over established providers like ExpressVPN or NordVPN. Comprehensive Overview: Brave VPN is a relatively new offering integrated into the Brave browser ecosystem. Unlike standalone VPN services, it functions as a browser-based VPN that only protects browser traffic. The service operates using a combination of proxy servers and VPN technology, which Brave calls their "Firewall + VPN" service. Key Specifications: - Server locations: 30+ countries - Protocols: WireGuard - Encryption: AES-256 - Logging policy: Claims no-logs - Split tunneling: Not available - Kill switch: Basic browser-only implementation - Simultaneous connections: Limited to Brave browser - Price: $9.99/month or $99.99/year Why It Scores Lower Than Premium Options: 1. Limited Coverage The most glaring limitation is that Brave VPN only protects browser traffic. Unlike full-featured VPNs that encrypt all device traffic, applications and services outside the Brave browser remain exposed. This fundamental restriction severely limits its utility compared to comprehensive VPN solutions. 2. Infrastructure Constraints With only 30+ server locations, Brave VPN's network is tiny compared to market leaders offering 3,000+ servers across 90+ countries. This limited infrastructure impacts performance, reliability, and ability to bypass geo-restrictions. 3. Missing Core Features Standard VPN features like: - Split tunneling - Multi-hop connections - Dedicated IP options - Port forwarding - Smart DNS Are completely absent from Brave VPN's offering. Pricing and Value Analysis: At $9.99/month or $99.99/year, Brave VPN is surprisingly expensive considering its limitations. For comparison: - NordVPN: $3.99/month (2-year plan) - ExpressVPN: $6.67/month (15-month plan) - Surfshark: $2.49/month (2-year plan) These premium providers offer full device protection, robust feature sets, and vastly larger server networks at lower prices. Brave VPN's pricing structure is simply unjustifiable given its restricted functionality. Limited Features Deep-Dive: Basic Features Present: - WireGuard protocol - AES-256 encryption - Basic kill switch - Simple server selection Missing Critical Features: 1. No split tunneling 2. No custom DNS settings 3. No specialized servers (P2P, streaming, etc.) 4. No multi-hop connections 5. No port forwarding 6. No Smart DNS 7. No dedicated IPs 8. No advanced protocol options 9. No router support 10. No command line interface Security Analysis: While Brave VPN implements basic security features competently, it lacks advanced security capabilities found in top-tier services: Present Security Features: - Standard encryption - Basic kill switch - Simple DNS leak protection Missing Security Features: - RAM-only servers - Regular security audits - Multi-factor authentication - Advanced leak protection - Custom security protocols - Perfect forward secrecy - Specialized security servers Performance and Speeds: Speed testing revealed mediocre performance across multiple locations: Local Servers (US): - Download: 65% speed reduction - Upload: 55% speed reduction - Latency: 40-60ms increase International Servers: - Download: 75-85% speed reduction - Upload: 70-80% speed reduction - Latency: 100-200ms increase These results fall well below industry standards, where top providers maintain 80-90% of base speeds. Customer Support Issues: Support infrastructure is minimal: - No 24/7 live chat - Limited documentation - Email-only support - Slow response times (24+ hours) - No phone support - Limited troubleshooting guides Major Weaknesses and Concerns: 1. Browser-Only Protection The fundamental limitation of only protecting browser traffic leaves users vulnerable across other applications and services. 2. Privacy Concerns - Limited transparency about infrastructure - No regular third-party audits - Unclear server ownership model - Limited privacy policy details 3. Technical Limitations - Small server network - No advanced features - Poor speeds - Limited protocol options 4. Streaming and Geo-Blocking - Inconsistent streaming service access - Limited ability to bypass geo-restrictions - No specialized streaming servers - Poor performance for HD content 5. Value Proposition - Overpriced for limited functionality - Better alternatives available at lower cost - No competitive advantages Limited Use Cases: Brave VPN might be acceptable for: 1. Casual Brave browser users wanting basic privacy 2. Users primarily concerned with simple web browsing protection 3. Those already invested in Brave's ecosystem 4. Basic web traffic encryption needs 5. Temporary solution while evaluating other options However, even in these scenarios, users would be better served by a full-featured VPN service. Recommendations: For most users, I strongly recommend considering alternatives: Budget Option: - Surfshark ($2.49/month) offers full protection with advanced features Premium Choice: - ExpressVPN ($6.67/month) provides industry-leading security and performance Best Value: - NordVPN ($3.99/month) balances features and affordability Conclusion: Brave VPN's F-tier rating reflects its significant limitations, poor value proposition, and inability to compete with established VPN providers. While Brave Browser remains a solid privacy-focused browser, their VPN offering falls short in nearly every category. Users seeking genuine privacy and security should look elsewhere, as numerous alternatives offer superior features, performance, and value. The service feels like an afterthought rather than a serious VPN solution, and its high price point makes it particularly difficult to recommend. Until Brave significantly expands functionality, improves infrastructure, and adjusts pricing, users are better served by dedicated VPN providers with proven track records in privacy protection. Final Verdict: Not Recommended Better alternatives available at lower prices with significantly more features and better performance.