PrivadoVPN Review
You may wonder if PrivadoVPN, a relatively new VPN service launched in 2019, can compete with the best VPNs. To find out, you can try all its key features. You can record several speed tests and check its streaming capabilities. On top of that, you can explore its security features and review its privacy policy to see if you can trust it with your data.
PrivadoVPN is a reliable and affordable VPN suitable for streaming, torrenting, and gaming. It offers both speed and security. However, there is still some room for improvement as it has a relatively small server network, and you may need access to all streaming platforms. It also lacks 24/7 live chat support. Suppose you want to access all popular streaming services and get responsive customer support. In that case, look at our list of premium VPNs.
Short on Time? Here Are The Key Findings
Pros:
- You can try unblocking several streaming services with ease. You’ll find it easy to access HBO Max, Disney+, and various Netflix libraries.
- You’ll experience fast speeds on local and long-distance servers. Your speed might only decrease by 20% on US servers, even if they are 5000 km away.
- You’ll get robust security features. It includes IP/DNS leak protection, solid encryption, and physical servers that reduce the chance of security breaches.
- You can enjoy a no-logs policy. That means the VPN doesn’t keep any information that can be used to identify you.
- Works with all significant operating devices. It is easy to download a native VPN app for the most common devices.
- There’s a free version available. Allowing you to try out many features without a subscription.
Cons:
- The server network might be relatively small. It offers 324 servers in 47 countries, with limited servers in Africa, South America, and the Middle East.
- There’s no 24/7 live chat support available. You can only contact support through email.
2023 Update Features Of PrivadoVPN
 Price | 1.99 USD/month |
 Money Back Guarantee | 30 Days |
 Does VPN keep logs? | No |
 Number of servers | 324+ |
 Number of devices per license | 10 |
 Kill switch | Yes |
 Based in country | Switzerland |
 Support | Email support |
 Supports torrenting | Yes |
PrivadoVPN: Unblocks Streaming Platforms
You can unblock several popular streaming platforms with PrivadoVPN, including Netflix US, HBO Max, and Disney+. However, you might not be able to access Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, or BBC iPlayer.
While PrivadoVPN doesn’t provide streaming-optimized servers, this is unnecessary as the platforms it can unblock typically work well with all its servers. It boasts superfast speeds, ensuring you won’t experience annoying slowdowns. It could unblock more platforms, though.
You should know that PrivadoVPN also provides a free version, but it comes with a monthly data cap of 10 GB. This implies you can stream for approximately 6 hours in HD quality before exhausting your data limit.
Unblocked: Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, YouTube, Disney+ Hotstar, and more
You should know that accessing various Netflix libraries, including the USA, France, UK, Germany, & Japan, along with 10 other libraries, is a breeze with PrivadoVPN. You’ll find that movies and shows load quickly, allowing you to stream in Ultra HD without buffering.
You can test PrivadoVPN's the New York server for free
If you’re interested in HBO Max, use PrivadoVPN, which should work well. This VPN allows you to unblock HBO Max so you can enjoy shows like “Euphoria.”
With its New York server, I instantly got a US IP address and unblocked HBO Max
Additionally, accessing Disney+ using PrivadoVPN’s New York server is easy. You’ll also find success with other platforms like Disney+ Hotstar and YouTube.
PrivadoVPN: Blocks By Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer
PrivadoVPN can’t unblock Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer. When you go to sign into Hulu, you can see that the VPN gets identified immediately.
Even though I tried accessing Hulu with 3 different browsers and various US servers, it didn't work
There could be a hint of something to look forward to with Amazon Prime Video, as you could sign in and select the series you need to watch. Nonetheless, you could get a mistake message after tapping the “Begin Watching” button.
I connected to more than 15 servers but none of them managed to work with Amazon Prime Video
It tends to be disheartening that PrivadoVPN doesn’t work with these famous streaming stages, particularly since most premium VPNs do.
PrivadoVPN: Fast Speeds on both Local & Long-Distance Servers
You can give PrivadoVPN a shot. It has fast servers for both local and long-distance connections. This is remarkable because most VPNs significantly slow down when connecting to faraway locations. Because they are among the places closest to you, you should consider testing in Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK. You can then proceed to test Brazil, Canada, and the United States.
Be sure to evaluate the three aspects listed below during your speed tests:
Tempo of download: Consider the megabits each second (Mbps) rate at which your web association gets information. This factor affects both the quality of streaming and the speed at which pages load.
Transfer speed: Measure how quickly your web association sends information to the server in megabits each second (Mbps). Posting on social media, making video calls, and sending emails all require this.
Ping: Find out, in milliseconds (ms), how long your data travels. A faster connection, which is crucial for gaming, is indicated by lower ping values.
My speeds were the fastest on the Frankfurt - Germany server
You can enjoy smooth web browsing and buffer-free streaming thanks to PrivadoVPN’s local and long-distance servers. Start by testing your speed without a VPN connection to set a baseline for comparison.
No VPN connected (Helsinki, Finland):
| Download speed (Mbps) | 92.57 |
| Upload speed (Mbps) | 93.71 |
| Ping (ms) | 13 |
Connecting to PrivadoVPN’s local servers in Amsterdam, Frankfurt, and London. You’ll notice only a slight decrease in speed, with the speed drop ranging between 8-15%. This is excellent news, as the average speed loss while using a VPN is typically around 15-20%. Remember that nearby servers are always faster than long-distance ones, making them a better choice for online gaming, streaming, and torrenting.
Amsterdam – Netherlands server:
| Download speed (Mbps) | 79.29 (14.3% decrease) |
| Upload speed (Mbps) | 86.16 (8.1% decrease) |
| Ping (ms) | 37 |
Frankfurt – Germany server:
| Download speed (Mbps) | 85.41 (7.7% decrease) |
| Upload speed (Mbps) | 83.02 (11.4% decrease) |
| Ping (ms) | 47 |
London – UK server:
| Download speed (Mbps) | 78.25 (15.5% decrease) |
| Upload speed (Mbps) | 79.35 (15.3% decrease) |
| Ping (ms) | 89 |
Suppose you try PrivadoVPN’s faraway servers in the USA and Canada. In that case, you may experience average speed losses of 10-25%, which is still quite good for long-distance connections. However, it’s worth noting that speeds dropped significantly when you connected to its São Paulo server. PrivadoVPN indicates that you can expect high latency with this specific location, marked in red, signifying slower speeds. Additionally, you may observe much higher ping on these long-distance servers.
New York – USA server:
| Download speed (Mbps) | 72.95 (21.2% decrease) |
| Upload speed (Mbps) | 69.43 (25.9% decrease) |
| Ping (ms) | 140 |
Montreal – Canada server:
| Download speed (Mbps) | 83.86 (9.4% decrease) |
| Upload speed (Mbps) | 71.27 (23.9% decrease) |
| Ping (ms) | 131 |
São Paulo – Brazil server:
| Download speed (Mbps) | 59.32 (35.9% decrease) |
| Upload speed (Mbps) | 54.54 (41.8% decrease) |
| Ping (ms) | 221 |
Overall, if you try PrivadoVPN, you may be impressed with its speed test results. You can expect fast speeds on both local and long-distance servers, enabling you to browse the web and stream content without interruptions.
Is PrivadoVPN’s Speed Fast Enough for Gaming? Yes, on Local Servers
If you try PrivadoVPN’s local servers, you’ll find that they offer superfast speeds, perfect for gaming. To game online without latency, you typically need a ping of 100ms or lower. When I tried these servers, my ping ranged between 35 – 90 ms, which is excellent. It’s advisable to use a server close to your location to reduce the ping rate and maximize your gaming performance.
On the other hand, if you try PrivadoVPN’s long-distance servers, you’ll notice good download and upload speeds, but the ping may range between 130 – 250 ms. This can result in longer loading times, especially in games like Runescape. For the best gaming experience, explore VPNs that offer great ping results even at long distances.
PrivadoVPN: Server Network Connections
Assuming you attempt PrivadoVPN, you’ll find that it works 324 servers across 47 nations, which, when contrasted with some top VPNs, could appear to be generally little. ExpressVPN, for instance, boasts a global network of over 3,000 servers in 94 nations. However, you’ll be pleased to know that PrivadoVPN always provides dependable connections.
Most of PrivadoVPN’s servers are arranged in Asia, Europe, and North America. Furthermore, you’ll track down servers in select areas in South America, Australia, Africa, and the Center East. PrivadoVPN’s inclusion of a server is particularly noteworthy in Turkey, a country renowned for its strict internet censorship regulations.
With PrivadoVPN’s free plan, you’ll gain access to servers located in 12 cities across Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Mexico, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Since the majority of free VPN services typically offer fewer locations, this might impress you. The servers you’ll access with the free arrangement ought to function admirably, and you won’t encounter blockage due to congestion.
You will, however, have access to a wider variety of server locations if you subscribe to a paid PrivadoVPN service.
| Albania | India | Serbia |
| Australia | Indonesia | Singapore |
| Austria | Ireland | Slovakia |
| Belgium | Israel | Slovenia |
| Brazil | Italy | South Africa |
| Bulgaria | Japan | South-Korea |
| Canada | Latvia | Spain |
| Czechia | Malaysia | Sweden |
| Denmark | Mexico | Switzerland |
| Finland | Netherlands | Taiwan |
| France | New Zealand | Thailand |
| Germany | Norway | Turkey |
| Greece | Philippines | Ukraine |
| Hong Kong | Poland | UK |
| Hungary | Portugal | USA |
| Iceland | Romania |
PrivadoVPN doesn’t provide specialized servers optimized for streaming, gaming, or torrenting, unlike some other premium VPNs. However, this isn’t a significant concern because most of its servers allowed me to stream, game, and torrent without any problems.
PrivadoVPN: Advanced Security Features
When you try PrivadoVPN, you’ll find it has strong security features like military-grade (AES 256-bit) encryption, auto-connect, various security protocols, and IP/DNS leak protection. However, remember to activate the kill switch, as it’s not turned on by default. Remember that the kill switch button disappears when you switch to the OpenVPN TCP protocol. Per customer support, the kill switch is unavailable for OpenVPN TCP or mobile devices.
You’ll appreciate that PrivadoVPN uses physical servers rather than virtual ones, providing an extra layer of security with fewer potential exploits and a lower chance of security breaches. Since PrivadoVPN owns its servers, there’s no third-party involvement, and they can respond quickly to issues when needed.
It’s worth noting that PrivadoVPN doesn’t offer split tunneling for all devices. Selecting which traffic utilizes the VPN tunnel is made possible by the handy feature of split tunneling. Keep in mind that if you’re using PrivadoVPN on your MacBook, you won’t have the option to use split tunneling, as this feature is exclusively available for Windows, Android, and Amazon devices. It’s not supported on the iOS and macOS apps.
It is disappointing that PrivadoVPN lacks an ad/malware blocker and dedicated IPs.
Protocols
The VPN supports the OpenVPN (TCP and UDP), WireGuard, and IKEv2 protocols. Numerous clients favor OpenVPN because it’s viewed as the highest quality level of web-based security.
In the application’s “inclinations” segment, you can change the convention to your inclination without much of a stretch. If you’re uncertain which protocol to use, you can explore the “automatic” option. PrivadoVPN will automatically choose the most suitable protocol for your needs by selecting this.
Leak Test Outcomes
When you try ipleak.net, you won’t find any IP/DNS/WebRTC leaks.
I tested 10 servers in the US, UK, Germany, France, and Brazil — my real location remained private
This ensures your personal information remains secure, protecting it from your ISP and other third parties.
Privacy & Security
While trying PrivadoVPN, you’ll notice that it maintains a zero-logs policy. It ensures there’s “no way to link any online activity to any individual account.” Moreover, its headquarters are located in Switzerland. Which indicates outside the intelligence-sharing agreement of the 5/9/14-Eyes Alliances. This is great news, as it means they are not legally obligated to disclose your personal information if authorities request it.
However, some basic information gets collected, including:
When you try PrivadoVPN, you should be aware of the data it collects, which includes:
Your email address and username
Payment info (excluding your credit card number)
Support tickets
Device details (such as the OS you’re using)
Cookie ID.
However, I’d like to see an independent security audit on PrivadoVPN’s policy
However, one potentially disappointing aspect of their policy is that PrivadoVPN states it retains the collected data for an unspecified duration. This implies that you need help understanding when the data linked to your account will be erased. Furthermore, details regarding its ownership still need to be discovered, and it’s worth noting that the service has been in operation since April 2019, which might raise some concerns about its history and reliability.
These concerns may not be major issues, given that PrivadoVPN doesn’t store data that can be used to identify you personally. Nevertheless, they can impact its overall trustworthiness as a VPN service.
PrivadoVPN: Safe and Fast Torrenting
When you try torrenting with PrivadoVPN, you likely experience fast speeds. For instance, if you connect to PrivadoVPN’s Paris – France server, which is nearby, you can achieve a download speed of 1.5 MB/s. Since the VPN upholds a no-logs policy, you can safely torrent files using PrivadoVPN. Connecting to a SOCKS5 proxy is also an option to boost seeding speeds. However, it’s important to note that this method won’t encrypt your traffic.
I had the same fast speeds when I tested its servers in the UK and Germany
However, it’s worth mentioning that PrivadoVPN doesn’t offer port forwarding. This feature can enhance download speeds, especially in NATed environments, for P2P file sharing. Nonetheless, its entire network is P2P supported.
While torrenting is legal in most countries, downloading copyrighted files without authorization is illegal. It’s essential to check torrenting regulations in your country and ensure you’re downloading copyright-free content, as vpnMentor does not condone any illegal activities.
Does PrivadoVPN Work in China? No
It is essential to remember that the support team could not confirm whether PrivadoVPN works in China if you are considering using it there. They emailed you that the service had not been tested in China, so they could not guarantee its functionality there.
However, PrivadoVPN does provide servers in Hong Kong, which can be very helpful for gaining access to Chinese websites and television channels when you are away from China. You can stream HD Chinese shows without buffering when you connect to its Hong Kong server.
If it’s not too much trouble, recollect that assuming you intend to involve a VPN in China, it’s fundamental to download and design it before your outing. China actively blocks all other VPN services and only allows VPNs that have been approved. It is still essential to be aware of the legal context surrounding VPN use in China, even though the authorities rarely target VPN users.
PrivadoVPN: Simultaneous Device Connections
With the paid plans, you can simultaneously use PrivadoVPN on up to ten devices. However, only one device can be connected to the free plan. You can give it a shot by streaming Netflix on different gadgets, like your iPhone, iPad, Windows PC, and MacBook, all simultaneously. You shouldn’t have any problems using it because it should work as promised.
PrivadoVPN: Installation & Apps
Flexible Device Compatibility
Native apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV are available from PrivadoVPN. You can likewise set it up on switches, including pfSense, DD-WRT, and Asus models. This adaptability is incredible if you have any desire to partake in your #1 shows on a bigger screen.
While PrivadoVPN doesn’t offer program expansions, you’ll be enjoyably amazed by its broad gadget similarity. It is uncommon to find a reasonably priced VPN that supports various devices, including routers, televisions, and all major operating systems.
Fast and Easy Setup & Installation
Setting up PrivadoVPN is a quick and straightforward process. You can start by clicking on “download PrivadoVPN for Mac” to initiate the setup. The PrivadoVPN software will automatically begin downloading. The app typically needs less than two minutes to install on a MacBook. The procedure is straightforward and quick if you ever need to remove the VPN from your MacBook. You can add the PrivadoVPN app to your trash bin and empty it.
2023 Updated Prices Of PrivadoVPN
PrivadoVPN offers three pricing options if you give it a try: free, multi-month, and a year. The superior arrangement costs are practically identical to other premium VPNs. There is also a 30-day money-back guarantee, but it only applies to the 12-month plan.
With the free arrangement, you will approach 12 server areas, one concurrent gadget association, and a month-to-month information cap of 10 GB.
It’s quite significant that you can involve servers in extraordinary areas like Buenos Aires, São Paulo, and Zurich for nothing. Additionally, you can unblock content in the USA, UK, and Canada. Be that as it may, if you need limitless information and admittance to all 47 nations, you’ll have to move up to a paid arrangement.
Because PrivadoVPN supports various payment options, users are guaranteed convenience and adaptability. Credit cards like Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, JCB, and Diners Club are available. You can likewise utilize direct charge, PayPal, or digital money as installment choices.
PrivadoVPN: Support & Reliability
When you try PrivadoVPN, you’ll notice that their customer support consistently responds within 24 hours. While their website mentions the availability of chat support, please be aware that there isn’t a 24/7 live chat option. Based on my experience, you can only email PrivadoVPN’s support team.
The responses to your questions are generally clear and informative. For instance, if you wonder why the kill switch feature disappears when using OpenVPN, the customer support team will explain that this feature isn’t available when using OpenVPN TCP.
PrivadoVPN’s customer support always sent back useful answers to all my questions
Despite offering a knowledge base with setup guides, it might take some effort to quickly find answers by scanning the page. Additionally, there are only two frequently asked questions available. They may enhance and expand their support section over time, given that they’ve been in operation since 2019.
While interactions with customer service are generally positive, it can be disappointing not to have access to immediate assistance through a 24/7 live chat, especially when you’re trying to stream live events and require timely help.
The Bottom Line:
Final Verdict
If you’re searching for a fast and straightforward virtual private network (VPN), PrivadoVPN is an excellent option. It incorporates strong security features and enforces a strict no-logs policy to protect your personal information.
In any case, it’s essential to remember that there needs to be assurance of its viability in China, and you might experience constraints with specific web-based features. The knowledge base could also benefit from additional enhancements. It is suggested PrivadoVPN, assuming you need a reasonable VPN for torrenting and gaming. However, it’s important to note that premium VPN options exist with China-specific 24/7 live chat support and larger server networks. In many ways, these VPNs on your list perform better than PrivadoVPN and typically offer dependable money-back guarantees.
- Consistently bypasses restrictions on Netflix, Disney+, and other streaming services
- Swift performance on both nearby and distant connections
- Secure for torrenting
- User-friendly interface
- Offers a free version
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about PrivadoVPN
Frequently Asked Questions (PrivadoVPN)-
Is PrivadoVPN a secure choice?
Yes, PrivadoVPN is a secure option. PrivadoVPN provides strong security features such as a kill switch, military-grade encryption, and multiple security protocols. Furthermore, it upholds a strict no-logs policy, guaranteeing the privacy of your personal information.
Can PrivadoVPN unblock Netflix?
Absolutely. PrivadoVPN can successfully unblock various Netflix libraries, allowing you to access a wide range of content. Streaming your favorite shows in Ultra HD is also possible without experiencing slowdowns.
Will PrivadoVPN impact my connection speeds?
While using PrivadoVPN may result in a slight speed reduction, it performs better than the average VPN. It’s common for VPNs to reduce speeds by approximately 15-20% due to encryption. To minimize speed loss, connecting to a nearby server is advisable.
Is there a free version of PrivadoVPN available?
Yes, PrivadoVPN offers a free plan that you can use indefinitely. However, this free version has limitations, including a 10GB data cap and access to only 12 cities.
