PureVPN review

PureVPN is one of the cheapest big-name VPNs, and one of the few that offers port forwarding – a feature torrent users on private trackers often look for and that NordVPN, ExpressVPN and Surfshark do not have. The catch is its history: in 2017 its logs helped the FBI identify a user, despite a no-logs promise. Here is what has changed since, and whether it is worth it today.

What is PureVPN?

PureVPN has been around since 2007. It is run by GZ Systems under the PureSquare brand, which also owns Ivacy VPN, and it is registered in the British Virgin Islands after moving from Hong Kong. It advertises 6,000+ servers in 65+ countries, including some virtual locations, and allows up to 10 devices per account.

Is PureVPN safe?

It is better than its reputation, but not as proven as the best. In 2017, court documents in a US cyberstalking case showed that PureVPN had provided information – including the IP addresses a customer connected from – that helped the FBI identify him, while the company was marketing itself as keeping no logs. Since then PureVPN has rewritten its privacy policy and signed an “always-on” no-logs audit with KPMG, which allows unannounced checks. It uses AES-256 encryption, has a kill switch and passes the usual IP, DNS and WebRTC leak tests in independent reviews. If maximum privacy is your top priority, NordVPN and ExpressVPN have stronger track records.

Is PureVPN good for torrenting?

Yes, and in one way better than the big three: P2P is allowed on most servers, and port forwarding is available as a paid add-on. With an open port, your torrent client can accept incoming connections, which helps seeding and ratio on private trackers. Turn on the kill switch (called IKS in the app) so your real IP never reaches the swarm if the VPN drops, and use split tunneling to route only your torrent client through the VPN.

PureVPN speed and protocols

PureVPN supports WireGuard, OpenVPN and IKEv2, with quantum-resistant keys on some connections. Independent tests show speeds that are fast on some routes and disappointing on others, especially across Asia, and some users report connection drops – it is less consistent than NordVPN or Surfshark.

Does PureVPN work with Netflix and streaming?

Independent reviews report that it unblocks Netflix in several countries, Disney+, Prime Video, HBO Max and BBC iPlayer. Apps cover Windows, macOS, Linux (with a graphical app), Android, iOS and Fire TV, plus Chrome, Firefox and Edge extensions.

PureVPN price and plans

There are three plans – Standard, Plus and Max – and long plans are very cheap: from roughly $1.50–2.20 per month on multi-year deals, against about $13 on a monthly plan. Port forwarding and a dedicated IP cost extra. Read the renewal terms carefully: plans renew at a much higher price, and some users report trouble with refunds, even though there is a 31-day money-back guarantee. A 7-day trial costs $0.99.

PureVPN vs NordVPN, ExpressVPN and Surfshark

PureVPN is cheaper than NordVPN and ExpressVPN and is the only one of the group with port forwarding. Surfshark is similarly cheap, faster and more consistent, with unlimited devices. Choose PureVPN if port forwarding matters to you; otherwise the others are safer bets. All our picks are in the VPN category.

PureVPN FAQ

Does PureVPN keep logs?

Today PureVPN says it keeps no activity logs and is under a continuous KPMG audit. In 2017, however, information it held helped the FBI identify a user in a criminal case.

Does PureVPN have port forwarding?

Yes, as a paid add-on – unlike NordVPN, ExpressVPN and Surfshark.

Can I use PureVPN for torrenting?

Yes, P2P is allowed on most servers, with a kill switch and split tunneling.

How many devices can I use with PureVPN?

Up to 10 at the same time.

Verdict

PureVPN is cheap, unblocks the main streaming services and offers port forwarding, which makes it interesting for private-tracker users. Its 2017 logs case and inconsistent speeds keep it a step below NordVPN, ExpressVPN and Surfshark. If you choose it, take a long plan, add port forwarding only if you need it, and turn off auto-renew.