PureVPN Review 2024

Finding a trustworthy VPN is often difficult. Many make bold privacy claims yet end up not living up to the hype on the backend. When this happens and it comes to light, few take the opportunity to improve their service and offer more transparency.

PureVPN has made huge strides in overcoming past mistakes and dedicating its time to user privacy. Today, PureVPN is solely focused on “keeping your online privacy intact and offering absolute internet freedom.” 

They have worked to improve their reputation in recent years with a number of independent audits, aiming to prove that the software works as it should. Does it stack up to other, more reputable VPN providers, like NordVPN? Over 3 million users today seem to think so.

Find out exactly what we thought of the service in our extensive PureVPN review.

Overview

There are a number of positives to take away from my experience with PureVPN. Connection speeds have increased ever so slightly, and its cheapest plan is extremely affordable. It works to unblock the majority of streaming platforms including Netflix, and they have a massive server network that spans the globe.

Those are just a few of the benefits that we’ll get into below. Some privacy concerns from the past make it difficult to ascertain whether or not the service can be trusted to look after user data. However, they have taken positive steps over the last few years in this regard.

Keep reading to see what PureVPN has done to make your privacy their number one priority.

About PureVPN

Initially released in 2007, PureVPN is one of the elder statesmen when it comes to commercial VPN software. They’ve been around for a while, and they’ve seen it all over the years. They started off with just two server locations, and now have a massive network that contains 6,500+ servers in 78 countries across 96 locations.

PureVPN is owned by GZ Systems Limited. The company was formerly based in Hong Kong. Uzair Gadit is the co-founder and CEO, and he has a LinkedIn page. However, following protests in Hong Kong regarding an updated National Security Law in July 2020, they admitted:

“Our operational dependency on Hong Kong has always been minimal since all of our operations are overseas. We are taking time to evaluate our jurisdiction, and at this point, keeping all our options open.”

They made the decision to base their service out of the British Virgin Islands in November 2021, hoping to benefit from the privacy-centric legal environment. It’s good news for users. 

PureVPN made headlines in 2017 when it was revealed that their logging claims were misleading, as the company handed over user information to the FBI in an online stalking case. Since then, the service has made improvements in recent years, going as far as to release an updated logging policy. In fact, PureVPN is the first VPN in the market to deploy an “always-on” audit by third-party security expert KPMG.

Have they done enough to win back trust, or are they doomed to be judged for their past transgressions? They’re certainly on the right track, but let’s take a closer look at their service.

Pros & Cons

There were a variety of pros and cons we encountered while testing PureVPN. Here are some of the most important aspects to consider.

Features

PureVPN has a range of notable features, although they do charge extra for almost every single one that is worth mentioning. Smaller perks include a Kill Switch, as well as being able to choose between Dark/Light modes.

Otherwise, the big guns are hidden behind a paywall. We’ll go through each one below, describing what they do, and whether it’s worth the extra outlay. 

Dedicated IP

One interesting feature is the ability to pay for a dedicated IP address. As they explain:

“There are many web services, especially corporate job roles, that require a static IP to access certain databases. A dedicated IP VPN can prove to be your passport to certain networks, databases, servers, and more via the IP Whitelisting process.”

The dedicated IP is priced at an additional $2.99 per month. It’ll be worth it for a number of users, especially if they need to make secure online payments or need access to the same virtual location.

Port Forwarding

Port forwarding ‘will enable users to create dedicated servers, run different types of services, and much more without being restricted from accessing anything anywhere because you will be able to direct traffic via your router directly to the desired device that sits behind it.’

In practice, it’s easy to see why they charge extra for the service. You’ll have to pay an additional fee of $0.99 per month, but it’s a feature that many others don’t provide.

You’ll also be able to add Dedicated IP with Port forwarding for $3.49 per month. 

DDoS Protection 

DDoS protection will help you to withstand online attacks, as ‘your traffic first passes through our dedicated anti-DDoS VPN servers which are capable of absorbing the largest DDoS attacks.’

As with the Dedicated IP, PureVPN’s DDoS protection will cost the user an additional $3.99 per month. Again, it’s a feature that will be useful to some (particularly gamers), but skippable for the majority of users. 

Always-On Audit

PureVPN is the first VPN to come to market with an “always-on” audit. This allows security auditing firm KPMG to audit PureVPN’s service at any time without prior notice. KPMG validated PureVPN’s no-log claims, which is promising confirmation of the new steps PureVPN is taking towards enhanced privacy.

Pricing

• 1 Month: $10.95/mo.
• 12 Months: $3.24/mo.
• 2 Years: $1.99/mo.

PureVPN does offer a range of plans to allow for flexibility, and compared to other top-rated VPNs, they’re priced very competitively.

You’ll get the most for your money with PureVPN’s extended two-year plan that costs just $1.99 per month – an 82% saving compared to the one-month deal. At $10.95 for a single month, it’s one of the more expensive providers out there, although the price drops drastically for their one and two-year plans.

It’s also worth noting that they offer 10 simultaneous connections, rather than the usual 5. Short of unlimited devices, this is one of the best you’ll find.

PureVPN recently updated its payment methods as well to include not only Debit Cards, Credit Cards, and PayPal, but also various cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Litecoin. This additional option allows users to pay anonymously – something we believe every VPN should start offering today.

Also, its refund policy states that users get a 31-day money-back guarantee if they don’t end up liking the service. It’s great that they’ve opted for a full month, as most VPNs are limited to 30 days or less. Overall, PureVPN scores very well for its pricing structure and flexibility. You can check out its latest VPN deals and coupons for the most savings.

Logging Policy

PureVPN definitely knows how to reassure the average user, if you take their zero-log claims at face value. They say:

“PureVPN has always given utmost importance to the security and privacy of its users. We have taken an additional step to assure our users that we are a zero-log VPN by engaging a third-party auditor. Altius IT, a leading California-based independent security auditor audited our security systems and privacy policies.”

They say that the Altius IT audit concludes:

“[we] did not find any evidence of system configurations and/or system/service log files that independently, or collectively, could lead to identifying a specific person and/or the person’s activity when using the PureVPN service.”

It’s a definite step in the right direction. In 2017, PureVPN was caught logging user data when they handed it over to the FBI to catch an alleged cyberstalker. If their service really worked in the way they claimed back then, they would have had nothing to give, whatever the ethics of the case may be. 

The independent audit has gone some way to allaying fears, but it’s best to know where a VPN started and how they evolve for the user over time. As of 2021, they still retain your name, email address, and payment method when you sign up, but have recently added means to pay via cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Litecoin.

Note, however, PureVPN does collect information about “the connection length and how many connections you make when you use our VPN service,” while they keep track of the total bandwidth consumed by you. This, they state, is strictly for service maintenance.

Its verified independent audits and newly added “always-on” audit with KPMG also help build more trust from a user perspective.

Additionally, they say that:

“Customer centricity has always been the north star guiding us in every decision that we make. Initiatives like moving our headquarters to BVI, 20Gbps server upgradation, and unique no-log certifications by KPMG are testament to our commitment to being one of the most customer-centric VPNs. We believe that the new jurisdiction of the British Virgin Islands will help us uphold the commitment we have made to our users and shall enable our teams to excel in our services and expand into new security and privacy verticals.”

Speed Stats

These stats should give you an idea of how quickly you’ll connect to the internet, as well as typical download and upload speeds. Every VPN claims to be the fastest, but many are left wanting when it comes to pure power. 

Given their reputation, I expected nothing less than the best from PureVPN. Firstly, here are what speeds look like with no VPN connected: 

Nothing was out of the ordinary, although ping was a little higher than I would have liked. I connected to one of the PureVPN UK servers, as it should be based nearby. Results can be seen in the image below.

Roughly 90 Mbps is average and works out to roughly a third of the 250 Mbps seen above. Ping had almost doubled, though, which isn’t great news for online gamers. 

Next up were the recommended US servers.

Again, speeds were limited to roughly 90 Mbps, which isn’t ideal if you’re hoping to stream 4K content. For a provider that claims to have the ‘fastest speeds across the globe’, it’s not a good result.

However, what they do have is remarkable consistency, no matter where you connect to them. For example, you’ll see typical speeds while connected to Johannesburg, South Africa, next:

Maybe the ‘fastest speeds across the globe’ translate to their consistency across all continents. It’s arguably better than focusing on one region such as Europe or the US, but the average download rate could certainly do with being a bit faster in 2022.

If you have slower speeds to begin with it should be okay, otherwise lag is likely to be noticeable while the VPN is active.

Server Locations & Network

A massive network that currently comprises 96 locations in 78+ countries, PureVPN has a total of 6,500 servers dotted around the world. It’s certainly impressive, and they’ve continued to add to their tally rapidly in recent years.

It’s one of the biggest networks you’ll find in the industry, and there’s coverage in Central America, as well as Africa and Asia. The majority of their servers are found in North America and Europe, as seen in the graphic below.

However, the number of physical servers they have on offer is significantly lower than the 6,500 total. As PureVPN admits:

“To provide users with a reliable, secure, and fast connection, PureVPN makes use of virtual server locations. A number of our servers are virtual, and these have been clearly mentioned in the list of VPN servers.” 

In practice, this can lead to faster load times, as your traffic won’t have to be routed by such a long distance. It’s not really preferable to physical servers, but at least they are open and honest about the true extent of their network.

PureVPN deserves top marks for making its software accessible to a worldwide audience.

Streaming & Torrenting

PureVPN scores highly when it comes to streaming. Apps like Disney + and BBC iPlayer worked perfectly, and their large server network only helps in this regard.

It also unblocks US Netflix, while it has worked with the following international versions in the past:

• Australia
• Germany
• France
• Canada
• Japan

If you’re looking for a VPN for streaming, PureVPN is a great choice. Speeds are consistent, while they have enough IP addresses to unblock platforms regularly.

Torrenting is a different situation, which is dependent on the server location. They say that:

“P2P/ File sharing is allowed with our service, but on the below mentioned shared servers/countries:”

Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Bermuda, Bolivia, British Virgin Islands, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Cayman Islands, Chile, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Kenya, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Moldova, Monaco, Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Panama, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Sweden, Turkey, United Arab Emirates

They go on to note:

“We have blocked P2P on some of our servers as per changing Global Web Policy. We don’t allow p2p/filesharing where it’s illegal by law, namely United Kingdom (UK), United States (US), Canada, Australia, etc.”

So, it’s a decent option for file sharing, as long as you stick to the rules. We have an excellent list of the best torrenting sites if you’re looking to torrent with PureVPN safely. This leads us to the next section.

Censorship

The damage to their reputation after 2017 was notable, as the average user would have expected PureVPN to have no user information to give in the first place. In response, they’ve tightened their logging policy, while they’ve tried to be more transparent and open about the information they do collect. (Which is still more than others.)

PureVPN has made some moves to combat censorship in the past. For example, they removed their Hong Kong servers in 2020 as a precautionary measure, eventually going on to leave the region and headquarter in BVI.

On the other hand, the likes of ExpressVPN, NordVPN, IPVanish, HideMyAss!, TorGuard, VPN Unlimited, OpenVPN, Hola VPN, and VyprVPN have all pulled out of Russia due to growing restrictions, but that hasn’t fazed PureVPN. 

They’re also happy to conform to the law when it comes to torrenting, even if it’s for legal files.

Platforms & Devices

If you’re hoping for capable compatibility, PureVPN is likely to have a native app to go with any device. PureVPN apps work with various routers and consoles, as well as;

• Windows
• Linux
• MacOS
• iOS
• Android
• BoxeeBox
• Roku
• Apple TV
• Android TV
• Browsers
• Kodi
• More than 20 other OS and devices

The app is clean and fairly easy to use, with Recommended Locations at the top, along with Recently Connected locations found below. 

However, there were a few random bugs and errors I encountered, such as when the VPN decided to quit for no reason.

I had to search for servers manually, as the recommended location popped up with an error multiple times when I tried to connect. I restarted my computer, but that didn’t help. It’s a minor bug, but it does impede the overall user experience a tad. 

Encryption & Security

Depending on the platform you’ve selected, there are a variety of protocols offered by PureVPN. Protocols they support include PPTP, L2TP, SSTP, OpenVPN, IPSec, WireGuard, and IKEv2.

The VPN will select a protocol automatically, while there were only two options to choose from on my Mac:

PureVPN has added support for WireGuard to its Windows and Android apps. The experimental protocol should see improved privacy and speed test results across the PureVPN network when implemented for all devices. 

Through a partnership with Quantinuum, the world’s largest quantum computing company, PureVPN has recently integrated Quantum-Resistant Encryption Keys into its security suite. PureVPN aims to future-proof itself against encrypted data hacking, further protecting its user’s communication channels, security, and privacy. PureVPN is the first commercial VPN to offer such a security feature.

As for security, in 2013, attackers leveraged a flaw in WHMCS to send emails warning of a loss of privacy and legal issues to PureVPN users. CSO reported on the news at the time, and reached out for comment:

“CSO asked PureVPN, since given the nature of the vulnerability itself, if it can be disproved that the entire email database was accessed, but the company didn’t respond to questions.”

However, that was a long time ago, and it’s unfair to judge the company on severely outdated software. As we’ve already mentioned, they have worked to improve their image ever since.

PureVPN add-on features like port forwarding, dedicated IP addresses, a kill switch, and DDoS protection all tie into a solid security package.

Final Thoughts

Any lingering doubts about PureVPN should have been dissuaded following the audits of their software, but it’s still a good idea to regularly check your VPN service. Its introduction of an “always-on” audit also helps to build much-needed trust.

In terms of usability, the additional simultaneous connections will undoubtedly come in handy for families, and the app design and functionality are crisp and clean. Smaller bugs are annoying but easily forgivable.

Pricing is affordable and on par with other premium VPNs. They have also started accepting cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Litecoin as payment, which allows users to checkout anonymously if they’d prefer.

Lastly, speeds are consistent, if a little on the slow side compared to other VPNs that don’t have as many servers on offer. (Sometimes, it’s better to go for quality, rather than quantity.)

PureVPN is a solid VPN today, despite its rocky history. It offers an impressive server network, consistent speeds, and full transparency that many users will find to their liking. If you’re interested, you can try PureVPN risk-free for 31 days using its money-back guarantee or check out for active VPN deals they might be offering.