Uncategorized

PureVPN Review: Is It Worth Your Money in 2026? Get PureVPN Holiday Deal Save 88% with Limited Holiday Deal Get Deal PureVPN OVERVIEW Choosing the right VPN isn’t as simple as it should be. In an ideal world, the best VPN would be cheap, fast, secure, and run quietly in the background while protecting your data with strong encryption. In reality, many VPN providers exaggerate their features, follow questionable practices, or simply don’t deliver what they promise. That’s why doing proper research is essential, even though it can be time‑consuming and confusing. In this review, we’ve done that work for you. We take an in‑depth look at PureVPN, examining its strengths, weaknesses, technical performance, and overall value. By the end of this review, you’ll know whether PureVPN is the right VPN for your needs in 2026. PureVPN at a Glance PureVPN is one of the oldest VPN providers on the market, originally launched with a strong focus on user privacy and security. Over the years, however, it became controversial due to past cooperation with law enforcement and misleading privacy claims, which damaged its reputation. In recent years, the company has taken steps to rebuild trust by improving transparency, strengthening its privacy policy, and undergoing continuous independent audits. PureVPN basics: Headquarters: Hong Kong (previously changed jurisdictions over time) Founded: 2006 Servers: 6,500+ Server locations: 140+ worldwide Monthly price range: 1.69–1.69–12.95 Speed Tests: How Fast Is PureVPN? PureVPN has never been known as the fastest VPN on the market, so our 2026 testing focused on seeing whether performance has improved. We tested PureVPN over three days, at three different times per day, using servers in the UK, US, Japan, and Australia. Our real location was Eastern Europe, and all results were compared against our baseline speeds without a VPN. Overall, PureVPN delivered acceptable speeds on nearby servers, but performance dropped noticeably on long‑distance connections, which affects high‑resolution streaming and gaming. Download & Upload Speed Results PureVPN showed mixed results depending on the operating system and server distance. Performance was stronger on macOS than Windows, especially for downloads. Download speed results Windows Without VPN 107.44 mbps With VPN 60.27 mbps Mac Without VPN 418.89 mbps With VPN 310.88 mbps Upload speed results Mac Without VPN 28.60 mbps With VPN 15 mbps Windows Without VPN 28.89 mbps With VPN 25.70 mbps These results place PureVPN around average for Windows and above average for Mac, with download speeds remaining high enough for general browsing and HD streaming on closer servers. Ping & Gaming Performance Latency was where PureVPN struggled the most, particularly on Windows. Increased ping makes fast‑paced online gaming and cloud gaming noticeably less enjoyable. Ping test results Windows Without VPN 10 ms With VPN 48 ms Mac Without VPN 11 ms With VPN 24 ms While casual gaming is possible on nearby servers, competitive gaming suffers due to higher ping and occasional lag spikes. Compared to ExpressVPN and NordVPN, PureVPN showed weaker consistency in gaming performance. Apps & Device Compatibility PureVPN offers a smooth and beginner‑friendly experience across a wide range of devices. Its apps are usually the first point of contact for users, and overall, they are easy to install, simple to navigate, and consistent across platforms. While the design is very minimal and clean, the bright white interface can feel a bit harsh during long sessions. Desktop & Mobile Apps PureVPN provides native apps for all major desktop and mobile operating systems, along with browser extensions for popular browsers. The apps share a similar layout, making it easy to switch between devices without relearning the interface. Supported platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux iOS and Android Browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Brave Up to 10 simultaneous device connections Connecting to a server is quick and simple. Just select a location and connect in two to three seconds. The desktop app includes built‑in access to FAQs and support tickets, which is very convenient for troubleshooting without leaving the app. TV, Streaming & Gaming Devices PureVPN offers strong support for streaming devices and smart TVs. Native apps are available for Android TV and Amazon Fire TV Stick, and the experience closely matches the mobile and desktop versions. These apps are easy to install from official app stores and include key features like protocol switching and favorite servers. For gaming, PureVPN works well on PCs and mobile devices. Console users can also use it on PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch by installing the VPN on a compatible router or sharing the connection from a PC. While there is no Smart DNS feature, PureVPN provides detailed setup guides to make console connections easier. Device Compatibility & Setup This is one of PureVPN’s strongest areas. It supports nearly every internet‑enabled device, including routers, which allows you to protect devices that don’t support VPN apps natively. Router setup is surprisingly easy, with support for many popular models and even pre‑configured routers. Compatibility highlights: Full apps for Windows, macOS, Linux (with GUI), Android, and iOS Router support for DD‑WRT, Asus, Netgear, Linksys, pfSense, and more Easy setup on FireStick, Android TV, and Chromecast Optimized mobile servers for apps like WhatsApp and X Simultaneous Connections PureVPN allows 10 devices to connect at the same time, which is more generous than many competitors. In testing, multiple devices were able to stream and browse simultaneously without noticeable slowdowns. PureVPN Privacy & Security Review Privacy review PureVPN has significantly improved its privacy practices over the years. While it was involved in a major controversy in 2017 after cooperating with an FBI investigation, the provider has since overhauled its policies to rebuild user trust. Today, PureVPN positions itself as a privacy‑focused, no‑logs VPN, backed by independent audits and a safer legal jurisdiction. Although some users may still be cautious due to its past, PureVPN’s current privacy setup is far more transparent and reliable than before. Does PureVPN Keep Logs? Short answer: No identifiable logs.PureVPN claims it does not log any data that could identify users or track their online activity. However, it does collect some limited, anonymized metadata, which may concern privacy purists. Data PureVPN does NOT store: Browsing history or visited websites Original or

Private Internet Access Review: Is PIA Still One of the Best VPNs in 2025? Get PIA VPN Holiday Deal Save 83% with Limited Holiday Deal Get Deal PIA VPN OVERVIEW Private Internet Access is a U.S.-based VPN provider known for its strong privacy track record, affordable pricing, and wide global server coverage. In this Private Internet Access review, we tested the service by purchasing a subscription, researching the company, and evaluating its apps and performance. With plans starting at around $2 per month, Private Internet Access VPN offers instant activation, unlimited simultaneous connections, and RAM-only servers in 91 countries, including all 50 U.S. states. It has passed two court cases and two Deloitte audits, making it one of the most trusted options on the market. Download speeds were solid in our tests, and features like Private Internet Access SOCKS5, Smart DNS for smart TVs, and advanced customization help explain why many users consider PIA VPN one of the best-value VPNs going into 2025 and 2026. Get PIA VPN VPN Speed Tests and Connection Reliability Private Internet Access delivers very strong speeds on nearby servers, making it a great option for everyday browsing, streaming, and gaming. When connected to servers close to our physical location, the speed impact was almost unnoticeable, showing how well PIA performs on short‑distance connections. Nearby server performance highlights: Baseline speed (no VPN): 100 Mbps download / 92 Mbps upload / 2 ms ping With PIA enabled (London server): 98 Mbps download / 86 Mbps upload / 13 ms ping Download speed loss: only 2%, which is an excellent result Connection times were fast and stable, with no sudden drops ✅ Expert tip: For the best speeds, use the “Choose Automatically” server option. Local Speed Test results before using Private Internet Access: Local Speed Test results with Private Internet Access: International Speed Test Results Long‑distance connections showed larger speed drops, which is expected with most VPNs, but performance remained good enough for streaming and general use. Servers closer to the UK performed better, while those further away experienced more noticeable slowdowns. Long‑distance speed results from the UK: Germany: 97 Mbps download (8% slower) USA (New York): 66 Mbps download (34% slower) Australia: 54 Mbps download (46% slower) Japan: 26 Mbps download (74% slower) Uploads dropped more sharply on distant servers, especially in Japan and Australia. While this level of speed loss is common for long‑distance VPN connections, it is slightly below what we expect from PIA compared to top competitors. Real‑World Usage & Upload Performance In daily use, Private Internet Access handled most tasks very well. Websites loaded instantly, HD and 4K videos streamed smoothly without buffering, and online gaming showed only minimal lag. On average, PIA reduced download speeds by just around 5%, which is impressive compared to many VPNs. However, upload speeds were a weak point, with reductions of up to 85%, which became noticeable during tasks like uploading large files or videos. Real‑world performance summary: Excellent for browsing, streaming, and gaming Smooth HD and 4K streaming with no buffering Noticeably slower uploads for large files Uploading a video took 35 minutes with PIA, compared to 11 minutes without a VPN If you mainly need a VPN for nearby connections and downloads, PIA performs very well. For frequent long‑distance connections or heavy uploads, faster alternatives like ExpressVPN, Hotspot Shield, or NordVPN may be worth considering. Supported Devices & Apps Private Internet Access offers apps for all major platforms, making it easy to protect your devices at home or on the go. The VPN supports Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, and routers, and also provides browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Opera. While the core experience is consistent across platforms, some features vary depending on the device and operating system. Supported platforms: Windows macOS iOS Android Linux Routers Browser extensions (Chrome, Firefox, Opera) Mobile Apps (Android & iOS) PIA’s Android app is the most advanced of its mobile offerings. It combines a clean interface with powerful features such as per‑app split tunneling, port forwarding, encryption controls, a built‑in kill switch, and automatic Wi‑Fi protection. Android users should note that PIA MACE is not included in the Google Play version and must be installed via the APK from PIA’s website. The iOS app closely matches Android’s design and offers the widest range of VPN protocols, including OpenVPN, WireGuard, IPsec, and IKEv2. It also includes advanced configuration options like custom ports, DNS settings, and a kill switch. However, due to Apple restrictions, iOS does not support split tunneling or PIA MACE, relying instead on Safari content blocking for ad and tracker protection. Browser Extensions & Router Support Private Internet Access also offers browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Opera. These extensions encrypt browser traffic and add extra privacy tools, such as WebRTC leak protection, tracker blocking, cookie controls, and permission management for camera and location access. It’s important to note that browser extensions only protect browser traffic, not the entire device. PIA can also be installed on compatible routers, allowing you to protect all devices on your network, including smart TVs, game consoles, and streaming devices that don’t support VPN apps natively. Private Internet Access delivers broad device compatibility with feature‑rich apps across desktop, mobile, browsers, and routers. While some features vary by platform, PIA remains a flexible and reliable VPN for users who want protection across multiple devices. Private Internet Access Privacy Features Private Internet Access is widely recognized as a proven no‑logs VPN service. Its privacy policy clearly states that user activity is not recorded, logged, or stored, setting it apart from many VPNs that still collect connection data. The only information PIA collects is your email address and payment details at sign‑up, which is standard practice across the industry. What truly builds trust is that PIA’s no‑logs claims have been tested in real‑world situations, not just marketing statements. Proven No‑Logs Policy & Transparency PIA’s commitment to privacy has been externally verified multiple times. In 2016, the FBI subpoenaed PIA, but the company had no user data to provide. The same year, Russian authorities seized PIA servers and found no stored connection or activity logs, prompting PIA to