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Reviews

PrivadoVPN Review 2024

Written by Cherry Ann Venus
Last updated June 6, 2024

PrivadoVPN is a privacy-focused VPN service based in Zug, Switzerland. It has some advantages from Switzerland’s strong privacy laws and favorable jurisdiction, but it also has some red flags that might turn off potential users.

Even though PrivadoVPN is outside intelligence-sharing alliances like the 5 Eyes or 14 Eyes, it tracks individual bandwidth usage and device information. This raises privacy concerns, especially since it claims not to log sensitive data. The lack of independent audits or transparency reports doesn’t help either.

However, PrivadoVPN can unblock popular streaming platforms and offers good speeds for watching content. For torrenting, the service supports P2P file sharing on all its servers and offers a SOCKS5 proxy for extra security. Even though it has no official gaming support, this VPN provides a fairly decent gaming experience.

PrivadoVPN also uses AES-256 encryption and protocols like WireGuard, which are industry standards. However, it doesn’t have the bells and whistles of top-tier VPNs.

We want to help you decide if PrivadoVPN is the right fit for you. To do that, we’ll review its performance and features. Here’s a table that shows its main features.

NordVPN PrivadoVPN (Premium) PrivadoVPN (Free)
Jurisdiction Panama. Switzerland.
Logs No logs (independently audited). No logs.
Servers 6,300+ in 111 countries. Undisclosed number of servers in 49 countries. 12 servers in 10 countries.
Simultaneous Connections 10. 10. 1.
Data Allowance Unlimited. Unlimited. 10GB/30 days
Supported Devices Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, routers, browsers and more. Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Fire TV, Android TV, and routers.
Features Kill Switch, split tunneling, private DNS, Threat Protection Lite, and plenty more. Advanced encryption, kill switch, SmartRoute, SOCKS5 proxy, Control Tower, Parental Controls, and more. Advanced encryption, kill switch, SmartRoute, and more.
Protocols NordLynx, IKEv2/IPsec, OpenVPN. OpenVPN (UDP/TCP), IKEv2, and WireGuard.
Supports Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Max, BBC iPlayer, torrenting, gaming, and more. Torrenting and streaming Netflix, Max, Hulu, and more.
Customer Support Email, 24/7 live chat, tutorials, and FAQs. Live chat, email, knowledge base, and installation/troubleshooting guides.
Price From $3.09/month. From $1.99/month. N/A.
Live Deal Save up to 74% OFF + 3 Months FREE 82% OFF (24-month plan + 3 Months FREE)
Our Score 9.6 out of 10. 7.8 out of 10.

In this PrivadoVPN review, we’ll put the VPN to the test and see how it stacks up against the best VPN services. We’ll check its reputation, speed, security, privacy, and more using various tests and criteria.

We don’t play favorites in our reviews. We make sure they’re fair and accurate. If you want to know how we do our reviews, we have an article that explains how we review VPNs.

Background, Jurisdiction & Reputation

PrivadoVPN is based in Switzerland, which has strict privacy laws. However, we’re not sure about its link to Usenet services. This makes us doubt if it’s the best option for users who want to protect their privacy. Our Score: 9/10

To choose a VPN, you need to know its background, jurisdiction, and reputation. These aspects tell you how well it can keep you safe and private online. Here, we’ll look at where PrivadoVPN is from and if it ever exposed any personal data.

Where Is PrivadoVPN Based?

PrivadoVPN is based in Zug, Switzerland, a country with strong privacy laws. This means you’re safe from government snooping and data requests. Switzerland is also outside the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance, a group of countries with mutual surveillance. This gives PrivadoVPN the freedom to avoid any foreign data or censorship laws.

The service says it doesn’t log any user data, online activity, or IP addresses. But we’re concerned about PrivadoVPN’s link to Usenet providers like Newshosting and Tweaknews. They used to rely on WLVPN, a service that rents its servers and infrastructure to others. However, they switched to PrivadoVPN in 2020. Before that, Newshosting had its own VPN service.

Usenet services suggest PrivadoVPN because they offer an alternative to torrenting. But they also log users’ IPs, so they advise using a VPN with their service to hide your real IP. PrivadoVPN’s tie with Usenet services is suspicious, especially since the VPN has no evidence for its “no logs” claims.

Did PrivadoVPN Leak Personal Data in the Past?

No, PrivadoVPN hasn’t had any data leaks or scandals in the past, but it hasn’t proven its no-logs policy with an independent audit. Therefore, we recommend using PrivadoVPN with caution.

PrivadoVPN claims to have a strict no-logs policy, meaning it doesn't collect or store any information about its users' online activities, IP addresses, or personal data. However, it hasn’t backed up this claim with evidence from a third-party auditor, a transparency report, or a warrant canary.

This means that we can't verify how reliable the service is in terms of privacy. However, according to its website, a team of experts with more than 20 years of experience in the VPN industry runs it. The service does have some strong features, but these aren't enough to compensate for its lack of security audits.

Is PrivadoVPN Safe?

Yes, PrivadoVPN is a safe VPN to use. It has a kill switch, military-grade 256-bit-AES encryption, and a no-logs policy – all the essentials for keeping your data safe. Plus, the fact that it doesn't track your online activity is a big win for privacy.

PrivadoVPN also offers secure connections through OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard protocols. However, there are no third-party audits to verify PrivadoVPN's no-logging claims. This is something to consider if independent verification is important to you.

Overall, PrivadoVPN seems like a solid option for security and privacy, but without that third-party audit, it's a bit tough to say for sure they're not keeping any logs.

Supported Platforms & Devices

You can use PrivadoVPN on most devices. However, only premium users can install it on routers. Our Score: 7/10

Here’s a table that shows you which platforms and devices PrivadoVPN supports. You can check it out quickly, and then we’ll explain more about it in detail.

Desktop Platforms macOS, Windows, Linux (manual configuration).
Mobile Platforms iOS, Android.
Web Browsers N/A.
Routers DD-WRT, Asus, pfSense, and more.
Other Devices Fire TV, Android TV.

PrivadoVPN is compatible with various platforms and devices, such as Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Fire TV, and Android TV. It also provides guides on how to manually configure the VPN on routers and other devices.

PrivadoVPN allows up to 10 simultaneous connections with its premium account, which is more than the industry average of five. This means that you can protect multiple devices at the same time without having to switch between them.

However, unlike some of its competitors, PrivadoVPN doesn’t offer a Chrome extension or any browser extension. Browser extensions can make it easier to switch between VPN servers and access geo-restricted content on the Web. However, it does have a SmartDNS feature that can help you bypass geo-blocks on streaming devices without affecting your speed or encryption.

Overall, PrivadoVPN has good compatibility and device support, but it could improve by adding more features and options for its users.

Installation & Initial Configuration

PrivadoVPN has a simple and hassle-free installation process. Our Score: 10/10

In this section of our PrivadoVPN review, we’ll show you how to install and set up this service. You’ll see that the process is a piece of cake and simple to follow.

How to Download and Use PrivadoVPN?

Steps on how to download PrivadoVPN apps

Once you access your PrivadoVPN account, you can visit the 'Software' section on its website to download its app(s). Then, you install the software and log in using your credentials - and that's it! 

If you’re still unsure, here are step-by-step instructions on how you can get PrivadoVPN on your device:

  1. Subscribe to PrivadoVPN on its website using any Web browser.
  2. Go to the dashboard panel to select and download the installation file.
  3. Install the PrivadoVPN app by following the screen prompts.
  4. Launch the app and log in with your account details.
  5. Choose a server or let the “Click to Connect” button do it for you.
  6. Enjoy secure and private online surfing with PrivadoVPN. You're all set!

We'll note that PrivadoVPN comes with lightweight apps. So, even if you have a relatively slow Web connection, you'll get to download them with no issues. Also, it doesn’t have bundled software or any other annoyances. Just install the VPN, log in, and you're ready to go!

Prominent Features

PrivadoVPN provides basic security features such as 256-bit encryption, split tunneling, a kill switch, and a no-logs policy. However, it lacks dedicated/static IP addresses and other advanced features. Our Score: 7.5/10

PrivadoVPN is a fairly new VPN provider, but it has kept pace with the competition by introducing new features over the years. In this section, we’ll evaluate how well PrivadoVPN meets our criteria for a good VPN service and highlight some of its key features.

PrivadoVPN settings showing the Kill Switch and Auto Connect features
Steps on how to enable the SmartRoute feature of PrivadoVPN
Steps to set up Parental Controls within PrivadoVPN dashboard

Server Count & Infrastructure

PrivadoVPN offers a global network spanning 49 countries and 66 locations, with all servers supporting P2P traffic. Their total server count remains undisclosed, but the coverage should be sufficient for basic users and beginners. Our Score: 3.5/10

Having a VPN with many servers is important for several reasons. For one thing, it gives you access to a wide range of countries and IP addresses. Another thing is that it helps you get fast speeds by distributing the load among all the servers. Let’s check out how Privado does in this regard.

Number of Servers Server info not disclosed
Number of Locations 66
Number of Countries 49
Specific Cities Selection YES
Unlimited Switching YES

PrivadoVPN offers a premium server network that mainly covers Europe and the Asia Pacific, with only a few locations in Africa and the Americas. However, its selection is limited compared to the VPNs with the most servers.

One of the factors that limits PrivadoVPN's network size is its commitment to building only physical servers. This is more costly and challenging. Physical servers have some advantages for privacy, but we’re concerned that they’ll get overcrowded as more users join PrivadoVPN.

PrivadoVPN Free has a much smaller network than the paid version, but it still gives you 10 countries to choose from, which is impressive for a free VPN. Its network consists mostly of European and North American servers, but you can also connect to Argentina, Brazil, and India. There are also three city-level options in the US.

To make things easier, PrivadoVPN has a handy color-coded system that shows you nearby servers. If you see a country with 3 green bars, it means you'll get low latency. So, you can enjoy smooth gaming and streaming on those servers.

On the contrary, if the country you want to connect to has red bars, it means it's far from your location. So, you should avoid it. Otherwise, you'll face high latency.

UI/UX Design & Ease of Use

PrivadoVPN home screen on a Windows PC

PrivadoVPN's apps have improved in design and user experience, offering a user-friendly and consistent service. Our score: 10/10

We'll focus on PrivadoVPN's interface for Windows in this segment. The VPN has consistent and user-friendly apps for all devices, so most of what we'll cover here also applies to other platforms. We'll also briefly mention how the options and menus work on different devices at the end.

The Windows app has a sleek home screen design with a handy kill switch toggle. This feature lets you suspend all Internet applications and browsing if you lose connection to the VPN. The settings menu, however, opens in a separate window that you have to close manually every time you make a change. This can be annoying and messy.

For a quick connection, simply click the prominent keyhole button in the center of the home screen. This will connect you to the best available server. However, if you need to connect to a specific location, just click on 'Selected Location' below the 'Click to Connect' button. This will open a list of all available servers for you to browse and choose from.

Once connected, the keyhole button will turn green, indicating you're securely connected through the VPN. If not connected, the button will remain red.

How to connect to PrivadoVPN on Windows

On the left sidebar menu, there's a tool called 'Control Tower.' This tool allows you to fine-tune your privacy experience. Here, you can set up a custom DNS server, activate the built-in ad blocker, control access to inappropriate content, and manage social media app access for a safer online experience.

How to access and fine-tune the Control Tower tool of PrivadoVPN for Windows

Next to the 'Control Tower' is PrivadoVPN's settings menu, which lets you customize various aspects of the app. Let's take a look at what you can do with it.

PrivadoVPN settings showing four VPN protocol options
PrivadoVPN Application settings on Windows

When it comes to mobile apps, PrivadoVPN keeps things nice and simple. Both the iOS and Android versions offer a clean interface that's easy to navigate. However, there are some key differences to consider depending on your needs.

If you prefer a minimalist approach, the iOS app is a great pick. It lets you tweak core settings like protocols, auto-connect, and language. This straightforward design keeps things clutter-free and user-friendly.

Now, the Android app takes things a step further for those who like to have more control. It offers features like 'SmartRoute,' which allows you to choose which apps go through the VPN tunnel and which don't. Plus, it boasts a kill switch for added security. Although the design remains user-friendly, these features provide a level of customization that the iOS app currently lacks.

PrivadoVPN Android and iPhone interface

On a separate note, the Fire TV Stick app has received a welcome upgrade, allowing access to streaming services. It now sports a modern look and even lets you mark favorite servers for quick access. It's also worth mentioning that PrivadoVPN currently doesn't offer browser extensions.

Media Streaming, Torrenting, and Gaming Support

PrivadoVPN provides decent streaming support and works consistently with popular sites like Netflix US and Disney+. It's also a good option for torrenting and gaming. Our Score: 7.5/10

When it comes to accessing different types of online content like streaming services, torrenting sites, or gaming platforms, VPNs are often sought after. However, not all VPNs are equally capable of handling these tasks. To provide you with valuable insights, we thoroughly tested PrivadoVPN's performance in these three areas. 

In this segment, we’ll present our findings and assist you in determining whether this VPN aligns with your requirements.

Is PrivadoVPN Good for Streaming?

Yes, PrivadoVPN is a good VPN for streaming. In fact, it can access many US-based and international streaming platforms. Some of the US-based ones are:

Netflix Disney+ Max
Hulu Prime Video Paramount+

For accessing international and non-US streaming platforms, here’s a preview of what you can expect: 

BBC iPlayer (UK) CBC (Canada) SBS on Demand (Australia)
9NOW (Australia) ITVX (UK) Zattoo (Germany)

PrivadoVPN performs well with the supported streaming apps. It can unblock various Netflix libraries, including the US one. We hardly encountered any proxy errors, buffering issues, or latency problems when streaming.

However, PrivadoVPN doesn’t make it easy to find the best servers for streaming. You may have to try several servers before you find one that works for your desired platform. You can also ask the VPN’s support team for help, but that can be a little inconvenient.

We think PrivadoVPN should be more transparent about this requirement. We also think it should offer clearly labeled streaming-optimized servers. Right now, you have to rely on trial and error to find the right servers.

Is PrivadoVPN Good for Torrenting?

Yes, PrivadoVPN is a good VPN for torrenting due to its various features that enhance the overall experience. First and foremost, it seamlessly integrates with popular P2P clients like qBittorrent and uTorrent. Additionally, the VPN boasts an extensive network. This global presence allows for faster download speeds.

Another notable advantage of PrivadoVPN is its SOCKS5 servers. Through our tests, we observed a remarkable increase in download speed when utilizing these servers. However, it’s worth mentioning that PrivadoVPN doesn’t offer port forwarding. This means the opportunity to connect with more peers and further optimize download speed isn’t available here.

In terms of security and privacy, PrivadoVPN excels. It incorporates essential features such as a kill switch and DNS leak protection. Furthermore, it follows a strict no-logs policy, which means your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or any other prying eyes can’t monitor or track your torrenting activities.

Is PrivadoVPN Good for Gaming?

Yes, PrivadoVPN is a good gaming VPN. With its fast connections across various platforms, you can enjoy your games without worrying about lag, geo-blocks, or privacy issues. To offer low ping and high speeds for gaming, the service lets you choose servers from 47 countries. 

PrivadoVPN also has a SOCKS5 proxy feature that can boost your gaming performance. This feature lets you skip the VPN encryption and get faster speeds. However, it doesn’t have gaming-optimized servers, so you may need to experiment with different locations to find the best one for your game. On the bright side, it protects you from cyberattacks that could ruin your gaming experience or give cheaters an edge.

One drawback of PrivadoVPN is that it requires a router that supports OpenVPN to work with gaming platforms without a built-in VPN option, such as Steam, Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch. This means you’ll need to set up the VPN on your router to use it on these platforms.

Security & Privacy

PrivadoVPN has a strict no-logs policy, doesn't share your data with third parties, and is located in a privacy-friendly country. The only downside is that its no-logs policy hasn't been audited. Our Score: 7/10

To find out whether we could trust PrivadoVPN, we evaluated it based on three critical criteria: VPN protocols, logging policy, and potential vulnerabilities such as IP/DNS leaks. Here are our findings.

PrivadoVPN Protocols

PrivadoVPN offers three VPN protocols: IKEv2, OpenVPN, and WireGuard. Each of them has advantages and disadvantages, depending on your needs and preferences. Here's a brief overview of what they can do for you.

IKEv2 WireGuard OpenVPN
Windows YES YES YES
macOS YES YES YES
Linux NO NO YES
iOS YES YES YES
Android YES YES YES
Router NO NO YES

Does PrivadoVPN Keep Logs?

No, PrivadoVPN doesn’t keep logs of your online activities. However, we recommend using PrivadoVPN only if you’re not very sensitive about your online privacy. 

The reason for this recommendation is that PrivadoVPN collects your email address and your data usage, which may be used to identify you or limit your bandwidth. PrivadoVPN also hasn’t proven its no-logs policy with an independent audit, transparency report, or warrant canary. This means that we can’t verify how trustworthy and reliable PrivadoVPN is when it comes to protecting your online privacy.

PrivadoVPN does have some strong features, such as 256-bit encryption and a Swiss jurisdiction, but these aren’t enough to compensate for its lack of audits.

Does PrivadoVPN Leak/Expose Your Private Data?

No, PrivadoVPN doesn’t leak your private data. But how can you be sure that the service works as advertised? One way to test it is through a DNS leak test, which can check if your DNS requests are leaking to your ISP or other third parties.

To test, you need to connect to a PrivadoVPN server of your choice and then visit this website. Click on the 'Standard Test' or 'Extended Test' button and wait for the results. You should see something like this:

PrivadoVPN DNS leak test result showing a US IP location

As you can see from the screenshot above, PrivadoVPN has successfully hidden our IP address and location. It points to PrivadoVPN's servers only, which means that PrivadoVPN is effective in preventing DNS leaks and keeping our online activity private.

This VPN doesn’t allow websites or third parties to see our real IP address or location and instead shows our virtual IP address and location.

Speed & Performance

PrivadoVPN speed test result

PrivadoVPN optimizes for speed, but performance can vary depending on server load. While some users may experience a moderate slowdown, congested servers can cause a more significant impact. Our Score: 7/10

Let’s see how PrivadoVPN VPN affects our connection speed in this part of our review. We have a 400 Mbps connection without the VPN, which showed 307.80 Mbps for downloads and 293.32 Mbps for uploads in our baseline speed test.

However, VPNs tend to slow down your Web traffic by making connections travel longer routes. We connected to different servers around the world and compared the results. So, how well did PrivadoVPN perform in this aspect? Let’s see how it performed:

  Download Speed Upload Speed Speed Reduction
Baseline Data 307.80 Mbps 293.32 Mbps 0%
USA (Miami) 210.17 Mbps 76.29 Mbps 32%
UK (Manchester) 165.77 Mbps 58.84 Mbps 46%
Canada (Montreal) 190.32 Mbps 74.28 Mbps 38%
India (Mumbai) 147.13 Mbps 35.98 Mbps 52%
Australia (Sydney) 183.58 Mbps 66.98 Mbps 40%
Italy (Milan) 181.47 Mbps 14.93 Mbps 41%

PrivadoVPN has optimized its servers for speed and performance, but it still slowed down our Web connection by 41.5% on average compared to the baseline speed. However, this isn’t a major issue unless you use congested servers that are very far from your location. In that case, you’ll notice a significant drop in your download and upload speeds.

During our tests, nearby servers can also be slow if they're overloaded with requests. Conversely, a faraway server with plenty of capacity can be quite fast. In other words, connecting to a less busy PrivadoVPN server, near or far, will be faster.

Customer Support

PrivadoVN has 24/7 live chat and email support, but the reps aren't always helpful. Its support section has useful FAQs along with troubleshooting and setup guides. Our Score: 8/10

PrivadoVPN provides subscribers with four options for assistance: live chat, FAQs, email support, and setup/troubleshooting guides.

In conclusion, PrivadoVPN’s support options are decent but not impressive. The 24/7 live chat isn't always available as claimed, which is a disappointment. You can also find some FAQs and guides on their website, but they’re not very detailed or engaging. If you need more help, you may have to look elsewhere.

Pricing

PrivadoVPN offers a range of plans, including a free option, monthly, yearly, and a 24-month plan. The paid plans are affordable and provide good value, considering the security features this VPN comes with. Our Score: 9/10

PrivadoVPN’s free plan offers 10GB of data per month, 12 city servers, and 1 connection. However, you can upgrade to a paid plan for 49 country servers, 10 simultaneous connections, and SOCKS5 proxy servers. Read on to find out the price of PrivadoVPN and some other interesting facts.

How Much Is PrivadoVPN?

Starting at $1.99 per month, PrivadoVPN offers three subscription plans to suit different needs and budgets. Here's a breakdown of the plans and what you can expect from them.

Per Month Total Price Savings
1 Month $10.99 $10.99 0%
12 (+3) Months $2.99 $44.85 73%
24 (+3) Months $1.99 $53.73 82%

You have several payment options when you subscribe to PrivadoVPN. You can use credit cards, PayPal, UnionPay, Mint, Sofort, cryptocurrency, and many more.

Is PrivadoVPN Free?

Yes, PrivadoVPN has a free version, but it does have some restrictions compared to their paid plans. If you're looking to experience everything they offer before you commit, there isn't a traditional free trial.

However, their 1- and 2-year plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. This essentially gives you a full month to test out all the features risk-free.

PrivadoVPN FREE PrivadoVPN Premium
VPN Connections 1 10
Servers/Countries Undisclosed/49 12/10
Performance/Speed Limited Unlimited
No-Logs Policy YES YES
P2P Support NO YES
Media Streaming NO YES
Ad Blocker NO YES
Parental Controls NO YES
SOCKS5 Proxy NO YES
Threat Prevention NO YES

As you can see, PrivadoVPN's free tier is ideal for casual browsing. But for the full experience, consider the Premium plan. It unlocks unlimited data, simultaneous connections on 10 devices, streaming, and torrenting support, along with advanced 'Control Tower' features.

Final Thoughts - Is PrivadoVPN Good?

Yes, PrivadoVPN is a good VPN to use. It comes with bank-grade encryption, a strict no-logs policy, a kill switch, and split tunneling features. Plus, it has decent speeds on uncongested, distant servers. However, there are much better options out there in a similar price range.

It’s also important to note that PrivadoVPN's no-logs policy hasn't been audited yet, and there are no other transparency reports available to show that the VPN doesn't keep any logs.

PrivadoVPN is a solid option for basic online security during browsing. However, if you're seeking a comprehensive VPN experience with a vast server network, exceptional speeds, and advanced security features, we highly recommend NordVPN as an alternative.

PROS

  • Easy to download.
  • User-friendly apps.
  • Has a free version.
  • SOCKS5 proxies.
  • Torrenting support.
  • Good security features.
  • Strict no-logs policy.

CONS

  • No advanced security features.
  • Hasn’t been audited yet.
  • No port forwarding.
  • Doesn’t have browser extensions. 
  • Occasional buffering on nearby servers.

FAQ

What Is PrivadoVPN?

PrivadoVPN is a Switzerland-based VPN service that encrypts your online traffic and hides your IP address. It offers both free and paid plans, with access to servers in 47 countries.  

Is PrivadoVPN Legit?

Yes, PrivadoVPN is a legit VPN service. It uses strong encryption (AES-256) and secure VPN protocols to shield your data. Additionally, it implements a strict no-logs policy, ensuring that your online activity remains private.

Does PrivadoVPN Have Port Forwarding?

No, PrivadoVPN doesn't have port forwarding. This can be a limitation if you need it for specific activities like P2P file sharing.

Review Summary

PrivadoVPN is a VPN service that offers decent security features and moderate speeds, along with P2P support on all its servers. However, it falls short in terms of advanced security features and lacks independent auditing.

8.1
Overall Score
Background, Jurisdiction & Reputation
9
Supported Platforms & Devices
7
Installation & Initial Configuration
10
Prominent Features
7.5
Server Count & Infrastructure
3.5
UI/UX Design & Ease of Use
10
Media Streaming, Torrenting, and Gaming Support
7.5
Security & Privacy
7
Speed & Performance
7
Customer Support
8
Pricing
9


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