Our verdict: PureVPN's network spans 88 countries with solid speeds and practical features like split tunneling. Its port forwarding add-on remains one of the few still available in the industry – useful for seedboxes and self-hosted servers.
Overall Score
PureVPN – Above Average
PureVPN's network spans 88 countries with solid speeds and practical features like split tunneling. Its port forwarding add-on remains one of the few still available in the industry – useful for seedboxes and self-hosted servers.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Huge server network across 88 countries
- Split tunneling on all platforms
- Port forwarding add-on available
- Competitive long-term pricing
Cons
- Past logging controversy (now resolved)
- Some server inconsistency
Speed Performance
We ran PureVPN through 20 speed test iterations on a dedicated 1 Gbps connection using the fastest available protocol (WireGuard), tested at peak and off-peak hours across multiple server regions:
PureVPN showed acceptable speeds for everyday use, though it fell behind top picks in our high-bandwidth test scenarios.
Streaming Performance
PureVPN supports major streaming services including Netflix (US and select regional libraries), BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video. Dedicated streaming-labeled servers are not offered, so some trial and error is needed. In our tests, approximately 75% of server attempts successfully unblocked the target streaming service on the first attempt – higher on US and UK servers, lower on less common locations.
Gaming
PureVPN's speeds are adequate for most online gaming scenarios, with 19–24ms latency overhead on nearby servers. The port forwarding add-on (available separately) is useful for users who self-host game servers. Dedicated IP addresses can reduce CAPTCHA frequency on gaming platforms that flag shared VPN IP ranges. Stability was consistent across our gaming test sessions.
Security & Encryption
PureVPN uses WireGuard as its primary protocol. All connections are protected with AES-256-GCM encryption. The kill switch cut all traffic within 1–2 seconds of disconnection in our tests, and DNS leak checks via DNS leak testing tools returned clean results on all servers tested.
PureVPN uses AES-256 encryption with WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2. The Internet Kill Switch is available in two modes: application-level (blocking specific apps only) and system-level (blocking all traffic). Split tunneling routes specific apps through the VPN while others connect normally. Port forwarding, available as an add-on, remains one of the few services to still offer this feature – useful for P2P users and self-hosted services. Dedicated IP addresses are also available.
Supported protocols: WireGuardOpenVPNIKEv2
Privacy & Logging Policy
No-logs policy: PureVPN does not log IP addresses, connection timestamps, session data, or DNS queries. The privacy policy clearly defines what is and is not collected.
PureVPN's history includes a past incident where the company provided connection logs to law enforcement in a cyberstalking case – a significant controversy at the time. Since then, PureVPN has implemented an always-on audit program with Altius IT conducting quarterly spot audits of live servers to verify no-logs compliance. This continuous audit model is more rigorous than the annual one-time audits used by most competitors. PureVPN has its registered offices in the British Virgin Islands.
Apps & Interface
PureVPN's Windows application has been significantly modernized. The interface shows a world map, server list, and dedicated tabs for Split Tunneling, Dedicated IP, and Port Forwarding. PureKeep (password manager) and PurePrivacy (data removal) are integrated as optional bundled tools under the PureVPN One subscription. The app allows 10 simultaneous connections. Setup is straightforward with reliable auto-connect behavior.
Supported platforms: WindowsmacOSiOSAndroidLinuxRouter
Pricing & Plans
| Plan | Price | Devices |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $12.95 | 10 |
| Best Value | $2.14/mo | 10 |
All paid plans include a money-back guarantee. The longer-term plans offer the best per-month value.
Limitations
PureVPN's past logging incident continues to affect user trust despite the subsequent reforms and audit program. Speed performance, while adequate, does not match ZoogVPN, ExpressVPN, or NordVPN in direct comparisons. Port forwarding and dedicated IP cost extra. Some server locations showed inconsistent latency in our rotation tests.
Our Verdict
PureVPN: Decent VPN for PC
PureVPN has invested genuinely in rebuilding trust through its continuous audit program and transparent privacy policy reforms. It is a practical choice for users who need port forwarding or dedicated IP functionality. Users where a clean privacy track record is the primary criterion will find stronger options in Proton VPN or Mullvad.
Check our full ranking to compare it against other options.
