PrivateVPN review | PROS & CONS: Is it a new top VPN?
PrivateVPN Review 2025: Pros, Cons, Security Features, and Performance,Overall, PrivateVPN is an excellent VPN: scoring 8.2/10 in our tests. PrivateVPN, hmm, not a mainstream VPN provider, never really has been.
PrivateVPN is underrated, and trust me, there are a lot of reasons why. In this review, I’m going to go deep into the most significant pros and cons of this service, offering a concise overview to help you make an informed decision.
Pros of PrivateVPN
Let’s start with the pros that I’ve noticed when using PrivateVPN and some of the features that people often miss.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Customizable Encryption: Offers AES-128 and AES-256 (AES-256-GCM recommended for maximum security), allowing users to balance security and performance for older devices. | Small Server Network: Only ~200 servers in 63 countries, leading to potential overcrowding compared to competitors with thousands of servers. |
| Reliable Kill Switch: Effectively prevents data leaks during connection drops, ideal for unstable internet connections. | Inconsistent Speeds on Distant Servers: Fast and stable on nearby servers, but slower speeds and higher ping on distant servers. |
| StealthVPN for Obfuscation: Bypasses firewalls and restrictions, making it effective in restrictive regions like China. | No Split Tunneling: Lacks this feature, which is essential for selectively routing apps or websites through the VPN. |
| Strong Torrenting Support: Port forwarding and SOCKS5 Proxy on all servers enable fast and efficient P2P file sharing. | Limited Advanced Features: Missing ad blockers and modern protocols like WireGuard in apps (though manual setup is possible). |
| Streaming Capabilities: Unblocks Netflix US, BBC iPlayer, YouTube TV, and DAZN with stable, lag-free connections. | Limited Netflix Access: Only unblocks Netflix US, not other regional libraries. |
| Affordable Pricing: One of the cheapest monthly plans, with a 7-day free trial and 30-day money-back guarantee. | No Independent Audit: No-logs policy is not independently verified, and Sweden’s Fourteen Eyes membership raises minor concerns. |
| Device Compatibility: Supports up to 6 simultaneous connections across Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. | iOS Torrenting Challenges: Torrenting on iOS is impractical, requiring less secure third-party apps. |
Customizable Encryption
For starters, I was surprised to see that PrivateVPN allows users to choose their encryption. There are two options: AES-128 and AES-256, with AES-256-GCM being the most secure. This choice is a bit questionable since AES-256-GCM is the gold standard, but opting for a weaker cipher like AES-128 might be less taxing on older devices. Are you someone who likes to fiddle with these settings? Let me know in the comments.
Reliable Kill Switch
It’s great to see that PrivateVPN uses a well-implemented kill switch. It hasn’t failed me once, effectively preventing data leaks when the VPN connection drops. If your internet isn’t that stable, this is a crucial feature to keep your data secure.
Read More: PrivateVPN Review 2024 | Is PrivateVPN Truly Worth It?
StealthVPN for Bypassing Restrictions
Looking past the essential security, PrivateVPN offers StealthVPN. This is an awesome feature on many levels. Not many VPNs outside of the top ones offer obfuscation, which is mandatory for those living in restrictive countries or dealing with website blocks at offices or universities. StealthVPN bypasses those restrictions, making PrivateVPN very handy, even in places like China.
Torrenting Support with Port Forwarding and SOCKS5 Proxy
Port forwarding is a godsend when you need to torrent but P2P traffic is blocked in your area. You’ll manage to bypass firewalls with it. Additionally, every server supports the SOCKS5 Proxy, allowing for a fast but unencrypted connection for torrenting. Another favorable point for torrenting is that PrivateVPN supports P2P file sharing across all its servers, making it efficient and user-friendly. Do you use P2P functions on VPNs often? If not, let me know in the comments, and we’ll focus less on that in future reviews.
Streaming Capabilities
PrivateVPN performs well for streaming, successfully unblocking Netflix US, BBC iPlayer, YouTube TV, and DAZN. However, it struggles with other Netflix libraries, which could be a limitation if you need access to international content. The US Netflix library has the most content, so this isn’t a huge drawback, and the connection remained stable without lag or quality issues during streaming.
Affordable Pricing and Trial Options
PrivateVPN is one of the most affordable VPN providers, with one of the cheapest monthly plans on the market. It offers a 7-day free trial, which doesn’t require payment information, and a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to test the service risk-free. Compared to top providers like NordVPN, PrivateVPN is a budget-friendly option that still delivers solid performance.
Device Compatibility
With PrivateVPN, you can connect up to six different devices with a single account, supporting Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. However, torrenting on iOS is impractical and may require less secure third-party apps, which is a minor downside.
Cons of PrivateVPN
Of course, not everything is perfect. There are some areas for improvement with PrivateVPN.
Small Server Network
PrivateVPN’s server network is a significant limitation, with only around 200 servers in 63 countries. In comparison, top VPN providers like NordVPN or CyberGhost boast thousands of servers, which can lead to overcrowding on PrivateVPN’s servers, potentially impacting performance.
Inconsistent Speeds on Distant Servers
While PrivateVPN’s download speeds are stable and fast with nearby servers, performance on distant servers can be disappointingly slow with higher ping. The upcoming implementation of WireGuard may improve this, but for now, it’s a notable downside.
Lack of Split Tunneling
The absence of split tunneling is a major drawback. This feature allows you to run essential apps or websites through the VPN while others use your regular connection, saving bandwidth and improving performance. Not having it is a significant hit for some users, including myself. Do you consider split tunneling essential? Let me know in the comments.
Limited Advanced Features
PrivateVPN lacks some advanced features found in competitors like NordVPN or Surfshark, such as ad blockers or more modern tunneling protocols like WireGuard (though manual setup is possible). This makes it less feature-rich, but the core VPN service remains solid.
Performance Overview
PrivateVPN review, Despite not having modern tunneling protocols like WireGuard in its apps (though manual setup is available), PrivateVPN delivers consistent performance for daily use. It hits top-tier speeds with nearby servers, making it reliable for streaming and torrenting. However, distant servers suffer from slower speeds and higher ping, which can affect streaming quality for faraway regions. The upcoming addition of WireGuard should help improve speeds across the board.
Security Features
PrivateVPN offers robust security features, including:
- Customizable Encryption: AES-128 or AES-256 (with GCM or CBC modes), with AES-256-GCM recommended for maximum security.
- Tunneling Protocols: Supports OpenVPN (UDP/TCP), L2TP/IPSec, PPTP, and IKEv2. PPTP is outdated and not recommended, while OpenVPN provides the best balance of speed and security.
- Kill Switch: A reliable kill switch prevents data leaks during connection drops.
- StealthVPN: Obfuscates VPN traffic to bypass firewalls and restrictions, ideal for use in restrictive regions.
- No-Logs Policy: Promises no logging of user activity, though it hasn’t been independently audited, and its location in Sweden (a Fourteen Eyes country) raises some concerns
FAQ
PrivateVPN is a virtual private network service that enhances online privacy and security by encrypting your internet connection and masking your IP address.
Yes, PrivateVPN is known for its intuitive interface, making it easy for both beginners and experienced users to navigate its features without hassle.
PrivateVPN offers a growing network of over 200 servers in more than 60 countries, providing users with a wide range of options for accessing content globally.
No, PrivateVPN has a strict no-logs policy, meaning they do not track or store any information about your online activities while using their service.
Yes, PrivateVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, giving users the confidence to try the service risk-free.
Conclusion: Is PrivateVPN Worth It in 2025?
PrivateVPN is an interesting and underrated VPN provider with high security standards, consistent speeds on nearby servers, and excellent support for torrenting and streaming. Its StealthVPN and port forwarding features make it a strong choice for bypassing restrictions and P2P file sharing. The 7-day free trial and 30-day money-back guarantee make it easy to try risk-free.
However, its small server network, lack of split tunneling, and slower speeds on distant servers are notable drawbacks. While it’s more affordable than top-tier providers like NordVPN, it lacks some advanced features. The groundwork for a top-grade VPN is here, and with anticipated improvements like WireGuard support, PrivateVPN could become even more competitive in 2025.
Have you used PrivateVPN before? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
