PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN Review: A Mixed Bag with Room for Improvement By Tom Spark, VPN Expert Overall Score: 53/93.5 (C Tier) Last tested: February 2024 Executive Summary: After extensive testing of PrivateVPN across multiple devices and use cases, I've awarded it a C-tier rating with a score of 53/93.5. While it offers some solid basic functionality and reliable privacy features, significant limitations in features, speeds, and technical capabilities hold it back from competing with top-tier providers. Comprehensive Overview: PrivateVPN is a Swedish-based VPN service that operates a modest network of servers across 63 countries. While it maintains a strict no-logs policy and offers basic VPN functionality, it lacks many modern features that have become standard among leading providers. Detailed Category Analysis: 1. Pricing & Value (4/10) - Monthly plan: $8.99 - 3-month plan: $6.00/month - 36-month plan: $2.00/month The pricing structure is relatively high for what's offered, especially considering the limited feature set. While the 36-month plan provides better value, competitors like Surfshark offer more features at similar price points. 2. Features (5.5/15) Notable absences include: - No WireGuard protocol - No split tunneling - No multi-hop connections - No 2FA authentication - Limited server network compared to major providers Available features: + OpenVPN and IKEv2 protocols + Up to 6 simultaneous connections + Basic kill switch + Port forwarding 3. Speed & Performance (7.5/10) My testing revealed average speeds across multiple locations: - US servers: 45-65% of base speed - European servers: 50-70% of base speed - Asian servers: 30-45% of base speed While functional for most uses, these speeds lag behind WireGuard-enabled competitors. Latency was notably higher than expected, ranging from 40-120ms depending on server location. 4. Privacy & Trust (11/16) Positives: + Swedish jurisdiction (privacy-friendly) + Strict no-logs policy + Regular warrant canary updates + Accepts cryptocurrency Concerns: - No independent security audits - Limited transparency about infrastructure - No open-source applications 5. Customer Support (5/5) One bright spot is their customer support: + 24/7 live chat + Knowledgeable responses + Quick resolution times + Comprehensive knowledge base 6. Streaming Capabilities (7.5/15) Mixed results in streaming tests: - Netflix: Works with US/UK libraries, inconsistent with others - BBC iPlayer: Functional but occasional buffering - Disney+: Limited success - Hulu: Frequently blocked 7. Ethics (7.5/10) + Transparent company structure + Clear privacy policy + Regular transparency reports - Limited charitable initiatives - No public security audits 8. GUI & User Experience (5/10) The application interface feels dated and lacks modern features: - Basic design lacking polish - Limited customization options - No dark mode - Clunky server selection process - Missing advanced settings common in other VPNs 9. Technical Extras (0/2.75) Notable missing technical features: - No ad blocking - No malware protection - No custom DNS options - No specialized servers Real-World Performance: During my three-week testing period, I encountered: - Occasional connection drops (2-3 times daily) - Inconsistent streaming performance - Adequate speeds for browsing and basic downloads - Reliable torrenting performance - Some DNS leaks on Windows (resolved with manual configuration) Security Analysis: The security foundation is solid but basic: + AES-256 encryption + Perfect forward secrecy + DNS leak protection - Missing modern security features - No quantum-resistant encryption options Torrenting Capabilities: P2P is supported on all servers with decent performance: + No bandwidth caps + Port forwarding available + Good speeds for torrenting - Limited specialized P2P servers Major Weaknesses: 1. Lack of WireGuard protocol significantly impacts speed 2. Missing split tunneling limits flexibility 3. No multi-hop or specialized servers 4. Basic feature set compared to similarly priced competitors 5. Dated user interface 6. Inconsistent streaming performance Who Should Use PrivateVPN? PrivateVPN is best suited for: - Basic VPN users prioritizing privacy over features - Users needing reliable torrenting support - Those willing to trade advanced features for simplicity Not recommended for: - Power users needing advanced features - Streaming enthusiasts - Those requiring maximum speeds - Users needing split tunneling - Security-focused users wanting latest protocols Conclusion: PrivateVPN is a functional but basic VPN service that fails to justify its pricing in today's competitive market. While it offers solid privacy fundamentals and reliable customer support, the lack of modern features, average speeds, and dated interface make it hard to recommend over similarly priced alternatives like Surfshark or NordVPN. For basic privacy needs, it's serviceable, but users seeking a feature-rich, modern VPN experience should look elsewhere. The service needs significant updates to compete with current market leaders, particularly in adding WireGuard support, split tunneling, and modernizing its interface. Final Verdict: A basic VPN that needs substantial improvements to justify its price point and compete with modern alternatives.