PrivadoVPN Review: Is It Still the Best Free VPN Around?

If you’ve searched for a free VPN service lately, chances are you’ve come across PrivadoVPN. It’s been praised for its speed, simplicity, and privacy features, but does it still hold up? This PrivadoVPN review examines what you get with the free plan and whether the paid version is worth upgrading to.

There’s no shortage of VPNs available, but many come with hidden limitations or simply don’t work well. PrivadoVPN promises a no-cost option that still delivers real protection and decent performance. So what makes it stand out, and is it as good as people say?

If you’re on the fence or tired of limited free-trial VPNs, this PrivadoVPN review will help you figure out if PrivadoVPN is the one to stick with. Let’s look at how it compares to real use so you can decide if it’s worth your time or money.

Quick Overview

Before we get into the finer details of our PrivadoVPN review, here’s a quick look at what PrivadoVPN offers.

CRITERIA	FEATURES
VPN Protocols	– OpenVPN – WireGuard – IKEv2
Jurisdiction	– Zug, Switzerland
Independent Audits	– None
Servers	– 67 server locations in 50 countries
Supported Devices	– Windows – macOS – Linux – Android – iOS – Browsers – Android TVs
Simultaneous Connections	– 10 (1 device on free version)
Customer Support	– Email – Knowledge base – Community – Blog
Features	– Kill switch – Control Tower – SOCKS5 proxy – Antivirus
Streaming	– Netflix – Peacock TV, – Paramount – Prime Video – Disney+ – HBO Max
Best Price	– $1.11/month for 27 months
Discount	– Get PrivadoVPN
Official Website	– PrivadoVPN

PrivadoVPN Security

Security starts with encryption, and that’s one area where PrivadoVPN doesn’t slack. The type of encryption a VPN uses really matters, and this part of the PrivadoVPN review breaks down how this VPN keeps you safe.

PrivadoVPN uses 256-bit AES encryption, which is one of the most trusted methods available today. It scrambles your data into unreadable chunks, making it nearly impossible for anyone to crack. Even if someone intercepted your connection, they wouldn’t be able to make sense of it.

AES stands for Advanced Encryption Standard, and the 256-bit version is the strongest option commonly used. It would take modern computers millions of years to break it by force. That’s why it’s trusted by governments, tech companies, and now, VPN services like PrivadoVPN.

Along with AES, PrivadoVPN also uses SHA-512 for authentication and a 2048-bit RSA key exchange. These extra layers help confirm that you’re connecting to the real server and not something fake. 

It all works together to give you a private and secure connection that stays that way. PrivadoVPN is secure enough to safely access the dark web with ease.

Security Protocols

Virtual private networks rely on secure protocols to enforce encryption. PrivadoVPN is equipped with three types of protocols that include the following.

OpenVPN

PrivadoVPN supports OpenVPN, which is one of the most trusted VPN protocols out there. It balances speed and safety well, making it a solid choice for most users. It works on many devices and handles network changes smoothly. This adds to the reliability you’ll notice during daily use.

WireGuard

If you’re looking for faster speeds without giving up privacy, WireGuard is a great pick. PrivadoVPN includes it as an option for users who want quick, stable connections. It’s lightweight and loads faster than OpenVPN. In many PrivadoVPN reviews, users say it works best for streaming and downloads.

IKEv2

IKEv2 is another protocol offered by PrivadoVPN, and it works especially well on mobile. It reconnects quickly when switching between networks, like from Wi-Fi to data. This makes it useful if you move around a lot or travel. It’s simple to set up and runs quietly in the background.

VPN Security Tests

At VPNArena, we pride ourselves on being hands-on with our reviews. This is why we tested PrivadoVPN’s encryption to make sure what they claim is true. I connected to a South African server on my MacBook and then ran my traffic through the Wireshark app. Below is a screenshot of what I got.

As you can see from the screenshot above, it’s all a mess of unrecognizable symbols, texts, and numbers. That, my friend, is what encryption looks like. It scrambles every piece of data in your traffic, and without the deciphering key, no one can figure out what the data says.

In conclusion, PrivadoVPN is a safe VPN with encryption that works.

PrivadoVPN Privacy

Privacy is often the deal-breaker for anyone picking a VPN, and this part of the PrivadoVPN review focuses on exactly that. People want to know what data gets collected, what doesn’t, and whether the company sticks to its promises. So let’s look at the facts, not the fluff.

PrivadoVPN has a no-log policy, which means it doesn’t record your browsing history, IP address, or connection timestamps. According to their privacy policy, the only data they keep is what’s needed to run your account, like your email address and billing info if you’re on a paid plan. No usage data is stored or shared.

Jurisdiction

PrivadoVPN is based in Switzerland, which has strict privacy laws and isn’t part of data-sharing alliances like the Five Eyes. This gives users an extra layer of protection from government surveillance or forced data handovers. The country’s legal stance on privacy works in the user’s favor.

Who Owns PrivadoVPN?

PrivadoVPN is owned by a company called Privado Networks AG. So far, there’s no public record of the company misusing customer data or being involved in shady practices. That’s a good sign, especially in a VPN space filled with services that have sold data or been caught lying about their policies.

Current and Past Logging Policies

Early versions of PrivadoVPN’s terms weren’t as detailed, and some users online questioned the lack of clarity back then. Since then, they’ve updated their privacy policy to be more direct and user-focused. Current policies clearly state that no logs of your activity are stored, which is a big shift from past uncertainty.

Independent Audits

As of now, PrivadoVPN hasn’t published any third-party privacy audits. Now, I’ll be honest here and say how much of a big deal this is for a VPN provider that claims to uphold privacy. Without independent audits, all we have is PrivadoVPN’s word, and that isn’t enough. 

So while their policy sounds good on paper, there’s no external proof yet to back it up, and that’s not a good thing.

PrivadoVPN Features

A good VPN works best when features come together to protect you, speed things up, and give you more control. This next section of the PrivadoVPN review looks at the tools that make it click.

Kill Switch

The kill switch is one of the most important tools for privacy, and PrivadoVPN includes it on Windows, Android, and macOS. It works by instantly cutting your internet access if your VPN connection drops, so your real IP and location don’t accidentally leak. 

That might sound like a rare problem, but connection interruptions happen more often than you’d expect. They’re common on unstable networks or when switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data. 

With the kill switch turned on, your connection stays private even during those drops. You don’t have to remember to turn it back on or fix anything manually; it works automatically.

SOCKS5 Proxy

PrivadoVPN also offers a SOCKS5 proxy, which is useful if you want speed over full encryption. It doesn’t provide the same level of security as the full VPN, but it’s much faster and still hides your IP. 

This makes the SOCKS5 proxy a solid option for fast torrenting, streaming region-locked content, or using apps that need a faster connection. Many users set it up with BitTorrent clients to stay anonymous without slowing down their downloads. 

SOCKS5 proxy is available on Privado VPN for macOS, Windows, and Linux, though you’ll need to configure it manually in your torrent app or browser. It’s a good add-on for more advanced users who want that extra flexibility.

Control Tower

Control Tower is PrivadoVPN’s way of combining ad-blocking, malware protection, and parental control into one tool. It’s available on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android and helps clean up your browsing experience. 

The ad blocker removes most ads before they load, cutting down on clutter and speeding up page load times. The malware blocker works in the background to prevent access to dangerous sites that might try to infect your device. 

On top of that, you get content filters that let you block certain types of websites by category. This is useful if you’re setting up a device for kids or just want to avoid specific content. It’s all controlled from a single dashboard, which keeps things simple.

Antivirus

PrivadoVPN also includes antivirus protection, currently available on Windows only. It runs real-time scans of your files and software, checking for viruses, spyware, and other threats. This can be especially helpful if you’re not already running a separate antivirus program. 

The antivirus works quietly in the background and sends alerts if it finds anything suspicious. You can also run manual scans when you need to check specific files or folders. 

While it doesn’t replace a full security antivirus suite like Bitdefender, it’s a convenient add-on for people who want basic protection without the hassle of extra software installs. 

SmartRoute (Split Tunneling)

SmartRoute is PrivadoVPN’s version of split tunneling, and it gives you more control over how your data is sent. It lets you choose which apps or websites go through the VPN service and which don’t. 

For example, you might want your banking app to use your regular internet while your browser stays protected. This helps improve speed and reduce issues with sites that block VPNs. It’s available on Android and Windows for now, and it’s easy to set up through the app settings. 

It’s especially useful if you stream local content but still want to protect other activities, like downloads or browsing. Once you get used to it, it’s hard to go back to using a VPN without this option.

PrivadoVPN Server Network

A VPN’s ability to bypass geo-restrictions depends on the quantity (and quality) of its server network. A bigger server network means you can access more server locations without worrying about overcrowding. 

There’s also the bit about virtual servers, which make it possible to connect to countries that ban VPNs or lack the infrastructure to set up physical servers. This PrivadoVPN review section looks at the server size.

PrivadoVPN has 50 server locations in 67 countries. Most of these are concentrated in Europe and North America, which have a combined 48 server locations. The USA alone has 14 server locations that include New York, Miami, and LA.

You get 15 server locations in Asia Pacific, two in South America, and just one in Africa. There are no server locations in the Middle East. Here’s a quick breakdown of where the servers are located.

REGION	COUNTRIES	SERVERS
Europe	29	31
North America	3	18
South America	2	2
Africa	1	1
Asia Pacific	15	15
Total	50	67

The free PrivadoVPN version comes with 13 server locations. They’re found in the following countries.

• United Kingdom
• Germany
• India
• Argentina
• Brazil
• France
• Canada
• Mexico
• The Netherlands
• The United States

PrivadoVPN Speed & Performance

A fast VPN means streaming without buffering, fast downloads, and video gaming without lag. However, many factors can affect VPN speeds, and we cover that in great detail in our VPN internet speeds post, which you should check out.

As is our practice, we conducted speed tests to see how fast PrivadoVPN is. I’m in Kenya, and I average 30 Mbps on my unprotected internet speeds. 

I first connected to the nearest server, which is South Africa, and I got 21.53 Mbps, a 28% speed drop. This is a significant drop, but it was still enough to handle most of my streaming and torrenting needs.

Then, I connected to the furthest location I could find, Sydney, Australia. I got 15.76 Mbps, a 47% speed drop. This was too slow for streaming HD content on Netflix, and I also had a little trouble with gaming.

As for the free version, the speeds weren’t that far off from what I got on the premium tests. However, expect some lag during peak hours when the free servers are overcrowded.

PrivadoVPN Streaming

One of the biggest reasons people get VPNs is to access restricted streaming sites. Take me for instance, being in Kenya, I can’t access Peacock TV, HBO Max, or Disney+. Fortunately, PrivadoVPN unblocked all the streaming platforms without issues.

I even managed to watch the Gintama Movie on Netflix, which is only available on Netflix Japan. Here’s a quick breakdown of all the major streaming sites that PrivadoVPN can unblock.

SERVICE	UNBLOCKED?
Netflix	✅
Hulu	✅
Prime Video	✅
Disney+	✅
HBO Max	✅
BBC iPlayer	✅
Peacock TV	✅
ESPN+	✅
Paramount+	✅

PrivadoVPN OS Support and Usability

One of the key things people look for in a virtual private network is whether it works across all their devices. Here’s a list of supported operating systems and the versions that work with Privado VPN:

• Windows: Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Windows 11
• macOS: macOS 10.13 (High Sierra) and above
• Linux: Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora (manual setup only)
• Android: Android 5.0 (Lollipop) and above
• iOS: iOS 11.0 and above
• Android TV: Android TV 5.0 and above
• tvOS: tvOS 15 and above
• FireTV: FireOS 5 and above
• Browser Extensions: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge
• Routers: Asus (with stock firmware), DD-WRT, pfSense (manual configuration)

This wide compatibility means you can use PrivadoVPN almost anywhere: at home, on the move, or even across an entire network. It’s flexible enough for daily use and simple enough to install on most devices without extra steps. 

That’s a big plus for anyone looking for a VPN provider that just works.

PrivadoVPN Customer Support

Support is an important part of VPN providers, especially when something breaks or just won’t connect. In this part of the PrivadoVPN review, we’ll look at what kind of help you can expect if you run into issues. While there’s no live chat, there are still a few solid ways to get assistance.

PrivadoVPN offers email-based support, which you can reach by submitting a request through their contact form. Most users get a response within 24 hours, though times may vary. It’s not instant, but the answers are usually detailed and useful. You can also attach screenshots to explain your issue better.

There’s also a knowledge base with setup guides, account help, and troubleshooting tips. It’s organized by category, so it’s easy to search for common problems. Whether you’re installing the VPN on your router or trying to fix a connection drop, there’s a good chance you’ll find an article for it.

If you prefer community support, there’s a section where frequently asked questions are listed and updated. This helps with smaller fixes or common user errors. It’s not the same as a forum, but it still gives quick answers without needing to wait for a response from the team.

PrivadoVPN Pricing

PrivadoVPN offers a free version, which is one of the best, and a premium version. The free version comes with 10GB of free data, AES encryption, a kill switch, and 13 free server locations. 

The biggest drawback for me is the 10GB data limit, as it can’t handle heavy streaming for long. Once you deplete it, your speeds will drastically reduce.

Fortunately, the premium version is one of the cheapest VPNs around and comes with three price plans. There’s a 27-month plan that costs $1.11 per month and a 15-month plan that goes for $1.33 per month. If you want something short-term, consider the monthly option, which costs $10.99.

All the premium plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

PrivadoVPN Alternatives

If you’re reading this PrivadoVPN review and feel like trying something with a different feature set or pricing model, you’re not short on choices. Here are three strong alternatives that offer different strengths depending on what matters most to you.

1. NordVPN

NordVPN is one of the biggest names in the VPN space, with over 7,000 servers in 126 countries, with solid speeds across the board. It includes extras like threat protection, Meshnet, and a custom protocol called NordLynx built for fast, secure connections. 

Compared to PrivadoVPN, NordVPN is more feature-packed but also more expensive. Privado VPN’s free plan makes it more accessible, while NordVPN leans toward users who want full control and advanced tools. If you’re after deeper customization and faster global access, NordVPN might be a better fit.

More in our NordVPN review.

2. PureVPN

PureVPN comes with 6,000+ servers across 65+ countries, plus features like dedicated IP, port forwarding, and secure file sharing. It supports nearly every platform, including smart TVs and routers, and recently added new security tools to its desktop apps.

The VPN stands out for users who want more manual control and a wide selection of server options. While PrivadoVPN keeps things simpler and more beginner-friendly, PureVPN offers more advanced options for users who know exactly what they want from a VPN.

3. Surfshark

Surfshark is known for allowing unlimited device connections on a single account. It includes CleanWeb to block ads and trackers, plus options like rotating IPs and NoBorders mode for bypassing VPN blocks. It’s affordable, easy to set up, and runs smoothly across mobile, desktop, and smart TVs.

While PrivadoVPN also has a clean design and strong privacy, Surfshark adds more flexibility with extra tools built in. If you have a lot of devices or want a VPN that covers your whole household, Surfshark offers a better deal. It’s a good pick for users who want both simplicity and reach.

More in our Surfshark review.

So, Is PrivadoVPN Worth It?

After testing and breaking down everything from security to streaming, this PrivadoVPN review shows that the service does a lot right, especially for a free VPN. Its encryption is solid, the privacy policy is clear, and features like the kill switch and Control Tower are practical without being too technical. 

That said, there are some gaps. No live chat, no independent audit, and a smaller server network compared to bigger names like NordVPN or Surfshark. But if you’re just getting started or want solid protection without paying right away, Privado VPN gives you that option with very few strings attached.

So, is PrivadoVPN still the best free VPN? If you’re looking for a balance of privacy, ease of use, and basic streaming access, it’s a strong contender. But if you need more advanced tools or wider global coverage, one of the alternatives might suit you better. Either way, this Privado VPN review proves it’s worth a serious look.

Grab your discount by clicking on the cute red PrivadoVPN coupon below

FAQ