PrivateVPN Review: Uncovered Truths (2026)

In this PrivateVPN review, I’ll go through its servers and protocols and conduct tests, like speed, security, P2P, and streaming tests.

I’ll also share my user experience with PrivateVPN’s apps and customer support.

Updated October 2026: I re-checked PrivateVPN’s prices, server list, apps, refund terms and privacy policy, measured where its servers really are, and re-scored every section. The hands-on speed, streaming, torrenting and gaming tests are from my original 2023 testing.

Spoiler alert – PrivateVPN is easy to use, worked with Netflix and BBC iPlayer in my tests, and costs just $2.00 a month on its 36-month plan. It could’ve fared better in other areas, like speed on Windows and independent proof of its no-logs policy, so it scores 7.5 out of 10.

Want to learn more about PrivateVPN and what it can do for you?

Keep reading, or grab 36 months of PrivateVPN for $72 now!

Overview of PrivateVPN

Overall, PrivateVPN was straightforward to install and use, with apps for most devices, including PC and mobile. I also had no trouble unblocking Netflix, although BBC iPlayer was trickier. Torrenting was also a seamless experience.

Moving on, my security tests for PrivateVPN revealed that top-level encryption and two types of kill switches worked very well.

However, an external party hasn’t audited PrivateVPN’s security features, unlike Surfshark and NordVPN.

PrivateVPN’s server network is also much smaller than those providers’: about 200 servers in 62 countries.

It does still run a server physically inside India (Bangalore), which is handy if you need an Indian IP address, but read the caveat in the server section first.

Here’s an overview of the rankings of PrivateVPN’s key features.

The overall score is the average of these 12 ratings (90 ÷ 12 = 7.5). I re-scored every section in October 2026, and each section below says what changed and why.

Overall, PrivateVPN VPN service is a strong choice if your priorities are:

• User-friendly apps
• Unblocking abilities
• Good value for money
• 10 simultaneous connections
• (Dynamic) Dedicated IP

If you’re uncertain, my detailed review of PrivateVPN will help you decide whether it’s the VPN for you. Let’s delve into the specifics!

View PrivateVPN Latest Offer

Server Locations

PrivateVPN advertises 200+ servers in 63 countries, while its June 2026 support FAQ still says 43. When I counted its live server list on 23 October 2026, it had 83 cities in 62 countries, with no Russian locations. Compared to other providers like Surfshark (100 countries), it’s still a relatively small network.

Score update (October 2026): 3 → 6. The old score leaned on PrivateVPN’s conflicting country counts. Its live list now confirms 62 countries, which is broad for a provider of its size, but about 200 servers is a small pool, and my checks below found two locations, probably three, that aren’t in the country they’re named after.

Does PrivateVPN Rent or Own Its Servers?

A PrivateVPN representative confirmed that PrivateVPN owns some of its servers but rents others.

The network records back that up. When I looked up its server addresses in October 2026, the Latin American locations sat on IFX Networks, Bangalore on DigitalOcean and Dubai on M247, while Mumbai used PrivateVPN’s own PVDataNet address block.

The more parties involved in managing a server network, the higher the risk of these servers being compromised. Therefore, this is a disadvantage of PrivateVPN, not least because PrivateVPN doesn’t say its servers run on RAM only, as Surfshark’s and NordVPN’s do.

Where Are PrivateVPN Servers?

Here’s a list of PrivateVPN’s most popular servers, updated from its server list in October 2026. Virtual? marks the locations my October 2026 latency checks placed outside the country they’re named after (PrivateVPN no longer labels virtual servers itself), and Dedicated IP? follows PrivateVPN’s list of dynamic dedicated IP locations.

So, despite a small number of servers, PrivateVPN is present around the world: the full list also covers Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Peru, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Turkey, Ukraine and more of Europe. It even has servers in India and the UAE.

Does PrivateVPN Offer Dedicated IPs?

Strictly speaking, PrivateVPN doesn’t sell static dedicated IPs.

However, it does offer dynamic dedicated IP servers, included in every plan, in eight locations: Sydney, Tokyo, Oslo, Torun, Stockholm, London, Los Angeles and New York. You pick them from the Dedicated IP tab in the Windows, macOS, Android and iOS apps, and you get an IP address no one else is using while you’re connected, though it changes when you reconnect. All other locations use shared static IPs. That’s great for extra anonymity, and a fresh address can help with sites that block shared VPN IPs.

But if you want a static Dedicated IP, try NordVPN instead.

Does PrivateVPN Have Virtual Servers?

Yes, PrivateVPN has virtual servers, although its server list no longer says which ones. When I first reviewed it in 2023, it marked six locations as virtual: Argentina (Buenos Aires), Chile (Santiago), Colombia (Bogotá), India (Bangalore), Mexico (Mexico City) and Panama (Panama City).

In October 2026, I checked where those servers really are by measuring the delay to each one from test machines in the city it’s named after. A server in the same city answers within a few milliseconds:

• Argentina – Buenos Aires: physical (5–11 ms from Buenos Aires)
• Chile – Santiago: couldn’t tell (the server didn’t answer)
• Colombia – Bogotá: physical (about 1.5 ms from Bogotá)
• India – Bangalore: physical, hosted with DigitalOcean (about 2 ms from Bangalore)
• India – Mumbai: virtual (traffic from Mumbai went via Marseille and New York)
• Mexico – Mexico City: virtual (54–77 ms from Mexico City, routed through Miami)
• Panama – Panama City: probably virtual (55 ms or more before the route ended)

A physical server in India comes with a catch, though. Since June 2022, India’s CERT-In rules have required VPN providers to keep customers’ names and assigned IP addresses for five years, which is why ExpressVPN and others pulled their servers out of the country. PrivateVPN doesn’t say how its Bangalore server handles this, so I wouldn’t use it for anything sensitive.

PrivateVPN Protocols

PrivateVPN supports WireGuard, OpenVPN (TCP and UDP), IKEv2, IPSec and OpenConnect (Cisco AnyConnect), plus L2TP and PPTP for older devices, although protocol availability and setup vary by device. Skip PPTP unless nothing else works: PrivateVPN itself rates its security as low.

On iOS and iPadOS, the PrivateVPN app now offers WireGuard alongside OpenVPN, IKEv2 and IPSec.

PrivateVPN now supports WireGuard in its Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS/iPadOS apps. It also publishes manual WireGuard setup guides for additional platforms, including ChromeOS, several Linux distributions, and selected routers and firewalls.

Does PrivateVPN Work in Russia?

PrivateVPN still markets itself to users in Russia: in February 2025, it published a guide to reaching Instagram there with its app, and its Stealth VPN mode is built to get past VPN blocking. Russia keeps tightening its VPN blocks, though, and I haven’t tested PrivateVPN from inside the country, so treat it as worth a try rather than a sure thing.

It no longer has servers in Russia either: the Krasnoyarsk and Moscow locations are gone from its server list, so it can’t give you a Russian IP address to reach Russian resources from abroad.

Speed & Performance

The results below come from my original 2023 tests, with OpenVPN and L2TP on Windows and IKEv2 and IPSec on an iPhone. Since then, PrivateVPN has added WireGuard, usually the fastest protocol, to its Windows, macOS, Android and iOS apps, but it isn’t part of these results.

Score update (October 2026): 4 → 5.5. The results are mixed rather than poor: slow on Windows, but fast on my iPhone, where the UK, Swedish and US servers cost me only 5–11% of my speed. The old score counted mostly the Windows results. I’ll only move it higher once I’ve re-tested with WireGuard.

Let’s take a closer look.

Speed Tests Conducted

To test PrivateVPN’s speeds, I conducted several tests using speedtest.net. 

I used several servers and protocols on my Windows and iOS devices.

Let’s look at the results.

Speed Tests Results

This is my baseline for my Windows device:

And this is my baseline for my iPhone:

Here are the results of PrivateVPN speed tests across the British, Swedish, American, and Mexican servers.

As you can see, PrivateVPN performed poorly on my Windows device across most protocols. Only the nearby UK server kept its speed over OpenVPN (6–8% drops), and the average speed drop was 63%, which is very high.

However, it did much better on my iOS device with the IPSec and IKEv2 protocols: an average speed drop of 28.5%, or just 5–11% on the UK, Swedish and US servers. Only the virtual Mexico City server was slow on every device.

Streaming

If you want to enjoy Netflix shows from all over the world or watch your home country’s TV from abroad, consider PrivateVPN. Here’s why PrivateVPN is a great choice for streaming.

Is PrivateVPN Good for Streaming?

PrivateVPN is good for streaming. In my 2023 tests, it unblocked Netflix in two regions, BBC iPlayer and foreign TV channels, and PrivateVPN still advertises support for Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Prime Video, BBC iPlayer and RTÉ Player. I recommend it, especially for Netflix and Swedish TV. With BBC iPlayer, it took a while to get it working. Streaming services block VPN addresses on and off, so results can change.

Does PrivateVPN Work With Netflix?

PrivateVPN works very well with Netflix. I connected to its Danish server to watch a Scandinavian series called “Tuntematon Sotilas.”

Connecting to a PrivateVPN New Jersey server also proved fruitful, as I could watch US-only Netflix shows like “Alexa & Katie” and “Sugar Rush.”

Does PrivateVPN Work With BBC iPlayer?

I’m based in the UK, so I tested PrivateVPN from abroad to see whether it worked with BBC iPlayer.

Luckily, PrivateVPN works with BBC iPlayer! I connected to a London server to test it, and it worked. However, it did take three tries of reconnecting to the server and clearing my browser cache before I could access “Doctor Who.”

Can You Watch Local TV With PrivateVPN?

I tested PrivateVPN with German and Swedish TV channels.

Good news! PrivateVPN allowed me to watch the German TV channel Deutsche Welle when I connected to its Frankfurt server.

Similarly, I could watch a Swedish TV channel called Sveriges Television (SVT) when connected to PrivateVPN’s Gothenburg server.

Therefore, PrivateVPN works with local TV channels.

Torrenting (P2P)

If you use torrenting technology to share files, you want a VPN that supports torrenting, downloads your files fast, and doesn’t leak your IP.

Let’s see if PrivateVPN delivers.

Is PrivateVPN Good for Torrenting?

PrivateVPN is a good VPN for torrenting.

All PrivateVPN servers are P2P-friendly, and you can enable its kill switch or Application Guard to protect your data if your VPN disconnects. PrivateVPN also allows seeding.

For seeding, use its Dedicated IP servers: they let you forward any port you like, while the regular servers give you a random one.

Does PrivateVPN Support Port Forwarding?

Yes, PrivateVPN supports static and dynamic port forwarding on selected protocols and locations.

On its regular servers, it assigns a random port number rather than opening a specific one. On its Dedicated IP servers, you can use any port you like.

You’ll find the forwarded port in the Windows and macOS apps. Just click “Advanced View,” and you’ll see the port forwarding data on the dashboard.

This is the port that you can use to forward your data.

Torrent Tests & Results

I tested PrivateVPN’s P2P download speeds in 2023 using video files of around 3 GB on UK, US, and Sweden servers. I used the recommended OpenVPN + TUN + UDP protocol for this.

These are the results:

In October 2026, I corrected two figures in this table using my own screenshots: the UK average, which a 3.11 GB file finishing in 40 minutes puts at 1.3 MiB/s rather than 2.3, and the US row, where the average and maximum speeds had been swapped.

The max download speed was the highest when I was connected to the UK server. 

The download also finished in the quickest time. That’s not surprising, as I’m in the UK.

With the Swedish PrivateVPN server, the download time was the second shortest, only longer than the UK’s by 2 minutes.

And the US-based server gave me a slightly longer download time, but not by much.

Overall, all three PrivateVPN servers performed well for torrenting.

PrivateVPN Torrenting Policy

Nothing in PrivateVPN’s terms of use or privacy policy prohibits torrenting. 

In fact, they emphasize safe P2P file sharing on their website.

However, the Terms of Use mention that users agree not to distribute, upload, download, or reproduce copyright-protected content. Therefore, you shouldn’t use PrivateVPN to pirate copyrighted content over P2P technology.

Gaming

If you like playing online games but don’t want to expose your IP address, you need a VPN with excellent speeds, low latency, and privacy protections.

Score update (October 2026): 10 → 8.5. Both games I tried in 2023 ran without lag, and I saw no packet loss, so PrivateVPN is good for gaming. A perfect 10 overstated what two casual games can show, though, especially next to the slow long-distance speeds I measured on Windows.

Let’s see if PrivateVPN makes the cut.

Is PrivateVPN Good for Gaming?

PrivateVPN is a good VPN for gaming. It can unblock region-restricted games and doesn’t cause UX issues.

I tested PrivateVPN with a game called “Devil Book” on my mobile device and “Rage of Kings” on my PC. Let’s see what I got.

Playing Games With PrivateVPN

Since “Devil Book” isn’t available in the UK, I wanted to check whether PrivateVPN would unblock it.

I’m happy to report that PrivateVPN unblocked “Devil Book” just fine. 

I enjoyed playing it when connected to PrivateVPN’s New Jersey server with any PrivateVPN protocol. And I haven’t noticed any lags or drops in my UX quality.

Meanwhile, given the rich graphics and multiplayer interface of “Rage of Kings,” I wanted to ensure PrivateVPN didn’t cause lags or buffering.

I’m happy to report that there was no buffering or delay in interacting with other players, and my experience was seamless.

However, is PrivateVPN good for latency when playing games? Let’s find out!

PrivateVPN Gaming Latency & Packet Loss Tests & Results

I play mobile games on my iPhone a lot, so PrivateVPN needed to offer decent latency.

My baseline latency on my iPhone is 14 ms, which is very low and works quite well with games like “Devil Book.”

Here are the latency results of my connections to three PrivateVPN servers across different protocols on iOS.

It’s not surprising that the lowest latency is on the server closest to me (London).

The packet loss on the US server amounted to 0.00% on my mobile.

I also tested the latency and packet loss on my desktop with PrivateVPN. 

In that case, the baseline latency was 9 ms.

Here are the latency and packet loss test results on my Desktop across 3 PrivateVPN servers and different protocols.

Like with my mobile, the best latency was on the server close to me (London). 

None of the servers reported any packet loss.

Based on these results and my experience playing the two games with PrivateVPN, I recommend PrivateVPN as a good VPN for gaming.

If you want to access a game unavailable in your location, use PrivateVPN’s latency indicators to choose the server with the lowest latency.

Privacy & Jurisdiction

If your primary concern when choosing a VPN is privacy, PrivateVPN could be your VPN provider. Here are some things you need to consider, however:

Score update (October 2026): 4 → 5. The written policy is now more specific (no connection timestamps, IP addresses or DNS queries), and the old score also counted data collection that turns out to be standard. Without an audit, a court test or RAM-only servers, though, the policy still rests on PrivateVPN’s word, and its Android app carries two Google trackers.

PrivateVPN’s No-Logging Policy

According to its privacy policy, last updated on 16 October 2023, PrivateVPN doesn’t collect or log any traffic or use of the Service. It specifically rules out logging your browsing history, traffic destinations, connection timestamps, DNS queries, IP addresses and bandwidth.

On paper, this is excellent news for users concerned about privacy.

However, the policy also stipulates that it does collect some data, such as your email and billing information. The latter is done via third parties like PayPal or Stripe.

That’s standard practice, since most VPNs bill through processors like these, but it still means your name and card details sit with a third party.

After all, the more third parties that have your data, the higher the risks of leaks.

Has PrivateVPN’s Privacy Policy Been Audited?

As of October 2026, PrivateVPN still hasn’t published any audit of its privacy policy or overall product.

This differs from ExpressVPN and Surfshark, which underwent several audits to prove their privacy claims.

PrivateVPN hasn’t verified their no-logging claims any other way either, unlike PIA, who confirmed via a court case.

This lack of proof of PrivateVPN’s privacy policy is the biggest downside of PrivateVPN for me as a privacy-conscious user.

Where Is PrivateVPN Based?

PrivateVPN is based in Sweden.

Here’s what you should know about the Swedish data retention laws.

Sweden is a 14-eye state, which means it can share information with other countries in the alliance.

However, Sweden’s data retention rules apply to telecom operators, not VPN services, so PrivateVPN isn’t required to store user data. In December 2016, the EU’s top court also ruled, in a case brought by the Swedish operator Tele2, that blanket data retention breaks EU law.

That doesn’t make PrivateVPN untouchable: Swedish courts can still order a provider to hand over whatever data it holds. What protects you is how little PrivateVPN keeps, and only its own policy vouches for that.

Who Owns PrivateVPN?

A Swedish private company called PrivateVPN Global AB owns PrivateVPN.

However, in June 2022, an international web hosting company Miss Group, also based in Sweden, bought PrivateVPN. Miss Group itself is majority-owned by the private equity firm Perwyn.

When I requested more details from PrivateVPN, they confirmed the acquisition had no impact on its privacy policy.

Security

PrivateVPN’s security features are quite comprehensive, including the choice between two encryptions, two kill switches, and DNS leak protection.

However, PrivateVPN doesn’t say its servers run on RAM only. Data recorded on traditional disk servers isn’t erased automatically on reboot, as it is on RAM servers.

And as a result, such data can be at risk of a breach.

Let’s take a look at PrivateVPN security!

Is PrivateVPN Secure?

PrivateVPN offers top-level encryption, two types of kill switches, obfuscation with Stealth VPN, and DNS and IPv6 leak protection.

The encryption options include 256-bit AES and 128-bit AES encryption on all devices, including Windows, iOS, and Android.

While the industry standard for top-level privacy is 256-bit encryption, you might have to use 128-bit if speed is a concern. WireGuard connections use ChaCha20 encryption instead.

PrivateVPN Kill Switch

PrivateVPN has a kill switch that terminates your Internet access when your VPN connection breaks. It’s built into the Windows, macOS and Android apps. On iPhone and iPad, PrivateVPN relies on the kill switch built into the IKEv2 protocol.

You can find the kill switch in the “Advanced View” menu on the Desktop.

In addition, PrivateVPN has another kill switch called “Application Guard,” available on Windows devices.

This feature works like a kill switch for individual apps.

Say you’re downloading something on uTorrent while browsing the Internet, and your VPN disconnects. In that case, Application Guard can terminate uTorrent to stop your IP from leaking to peers.

Simply add “uTorrent” to the list of programs that terminate when the VPN disconnects by pressing the “Add” button and choosing the program from your device.

Stealth VPN

Stealth VPN allows you to bypass VPN blocks and DPI firewalls by disguising your VPN traffic as regular web traffic, concealing VPN usage from your ISP. 

StealthVPN is built into the Windows, macOS, Android and iOS apps, and you can set it up manually on Linux.

StealthVPN can help if, for example, you’re traveling to a country with Internet restrictions and want to access restricted content.

Android & iOS Permissions

Some VPN providers, including PrivateVPN, have specific permissions that enable their functions on your mobile devices. I checked PrivateVPN’s permissions on my iOS and Android phones to ensure they don’t have access to the data or functions they don’t need.

Android PrivateVPN Permissions

I used a tool called Exodus to check the permissions attached to PrivateVPN’s Android applications.

When I first checked, two trackers and eight permissions weren’t bad at all.

These 8 permissions were related to Internet access, running at start-up, wake-lock, and others I had expected.

The 2 trackers collect data on crash reporting (Google Crashlytics) and analytics (Google Firebase Analytics).

When I re-checked Exodus in October 2026, its latest report (app version 4.3.0, May 2026) still found the same two trackers, but the permissions had grown to 13, including the advertising ID (AD_ID) and ad attribution, which a VPN app has no obvious need for.

iOS PrivateVPN Permissions

To check which permissions PrivateVPN has on my iPhone, I went to “Settings” and clicked “Privacy & Security.” Then I accessed the App Privacy Report.

PrivateVPN didn’t appear in the report, which means it doesn’t have access to your iOS device’s data. Its App Store privacy label (October 2026) lists only your email address and crash data, neither linked to your identity.

If you do see PrivateVPN having permissions you don’t want, check the video below to see how you can change them.

PrivateVPN Security Tests

To verify PrivateVPN’s security claims, I ran some tests.

First, I ensured my IP wasn’t leaking with IPLeak.net and that there were no DNS leaks with DNSLeaktest.com.

Then, I tested the encryption with WireShark software, the kill switch, and the Application Guard.

Here’s what I found.

IP Leak Test

I connected to PrivateVPN’s Swedish server to test for IP leaks. Since it showed a Swedish IP address and I’m in the UK, I’m satisfied that PrivateVPN isn’t leaking it.

DNS Leak Test

I used DNSLeakTest.com to check for DNS leaks when connected to PrivateVPN’s USA server.

The test showed that there were no DNS leaks and that my IP was US-based. 

Therefore, PrivateVPN protects against DNS leaks.

Encryption Test

To test PrivateVPN’s encryption, I used Wireshark while connected to PrivateVPN’s New Jersey server using OpenVPN protocol.

By right-clicking the appropriate network in the Wireshark menu, enabling the capture, and following the UDP stream, I saw that PrivateVPN’s encryption works fine. 

Here’s the proof.

As you can see, this data is gibberish, which means it’s encrypted.

Kill Switch Test

I also tested the PrivateVPN kill switch on my Windows when my VPN connection broke. Here’s the alert I received.

Since I could not access the Internet until I turned PrivateVPN off and back on again, I’m satisfied that the PrivateVPN kill switch works.

Application Guard Test

This is how I tested Application Guard:

1. I added uTorrent to the list of applications that must be terminated when the VPN connection breaks.

2. I connected to PrivateVPN’s server in Dublin and launched uTorrent.

3. I then disconnected from PrivateVPN, and uTorrent disappeared off my screen immediately!

Therefore, I’m satisfied that PrivateVPN’s Application Guard kill switch works well.

Platforms & Devices

If a VPN provider doesn’t offer sufficient simultaneous connections, it may severely limit your household’s online activities that you want to keep private.

How does PrivateVPN fare in that regard? Let’s find out!

What Devices Does PrivateVPN Support?

PrivateVPN supports a wide range of popular devices. Let’s take a closer look.

Desktop, Laptop, and Mobile

You can use PrivateVPN on Windows, macOS, and Linux laptops and desktop computers, iOS and Android mobile devices, and tablets.

PrivateVPN offers native apps for Windows, iOS, Android, and macOS. There’s also a Fire TV app, a Chrome extension that works as a proxy for your browser only, and the Android app runs on Chromebooks. The Windows app supports Windows 7 SP1 to Windows 11, the Mac app needs macOS 12 or later, and the iPhone app needs iOS 18 or later.

There’s no Linux app, but you can download installation files from PrivateVPN’s website and configure them manually on your device, with OpenVPN, WireGuard, OpenConnect or Stealth VPN.

Routers

PrivateVPN works with compatible routers. Some of these routers are:

• Asus RT routers
• Synology
• QNAP
• pfSense
• OpenWrt and GL.iNet

Depending on the type of router, PrivateVPN provides files or credentials you can download and then configure for your device.

Smart TV Devices

You can also use PrivateVPN on Smart TV devices such as FireStick or Roku (Roku through a VPN router, since there’s no Roku app).

Samsung smart TVs can’t install VPN apps, but PrivateVPN’s native Fire TV app works on them through a Fire TV Stick plugged into the TV, as PrivateVPN’s own guide for Samsung Smart TV explains.

How Many Simultaneous Connections Does PrivateVPN Allow?

PrivateVPN allows 10 simultaneous connections. That’s a good amount, level with what providers like ExpressVPN and NordVPN (10 connections each on their base plans) offer. However, it’s no match for Surfshark, which offers unlimited simultaneous connections.

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Features

Unlike popular providers like ExpressVPN and NordVPN, PrivateVPN doesn’t offer traditional split tunneling.

Its help center only offers manual workarounds, such as editing a WireGuard configuration or using the OpenVPN GUI and OpenVPN for Android apps.

PrivateVPN also doesn’t offer MultiHop, ad blocker, or threat manager (offered by ExpressVPN).

Score update (October 2026): 3 → 5. The old score only counted what’s missing. PrivateVPN still lacks split tunneling, an ad blocker and multi-hop, but it includes extras that NordVPN and Surfshark don’t, like port forwarding and dynamic dedicated IPs in every plan, plus SOCKS5 and HTTP proxies, Stealth VPN, Application Guard and OpenConnect servers.

But let’s see which extra features PrivateVPN does offer!

OpenConnect Servers

PrivateVPN also runs OpenConnect Servers, compatible with Cisco’s AnyConnect Secure Mobility clients, which you can use on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, ChromeOS and Linux.

Here’s how to enable PrivateVPN with Cisco AnyConnect on your macOS (for Macs with Apple chips running macOS 11 or later, PrivateVPN’s help center also has a separate guide that uses Cisco Secure Client from the Mac App Store):

1. Download the .DMG Cisco Mobility client and double-click on it.

2. Double-click on the icon to start the installation.

3. Click “Continue.”

4. Click “Continue” once more.

5. Uncheck all boxes except “VPN” and click “Continue.”

6. Click “Install.”

7. Enter your macOS credentials and close.

8. Go to “Applications” – “Cisco” and open the AnyConnect client.

9. Enter one of the addresses below and click “Connect.”

10. Enter your PrivateVPN credentials and click “OK.”

11. You’re all set!

SOCKS5 Proxy

PrivateVPN also offers SOCKS5 and HTTP proxies on all its servers.

If you don’t want to use a VPN for your torrents due to speed concerns, SOCKS5 can be the answer, as it masks your IP. However, ensure you don’t use SOCKS5 to illegally download torrents. With SOCKS5 on, your ISP can still see when you visit pirating sites.

Check out our guide on how to use SOCKS5 with PrivateVPN!

Customer Support

PrivateVPN has a decent customer support system. The available channels are the 24/7 Live Chat and email – support@privatevpn.com. It will also help you install or fix the app for free over a TeamViewer remote session on Windows, macOS and Linux.

PrivateVPN’s Live Chat does work 24/7, but it sometimes takes me up to 2 minutes to get a response. Also, its interface is very simple but could be more user-friendly. 

It also doesn’t allow me to send messages by hitting the “Enter” key, which is what I’m used to. 

I was, however, pleased that I was put directly through to the operator rather than having to deal with a chatbot when I tested it in 2023.

Customer Support Tests & Results

To test how well PrivateVPN customer service worked, I asked them two questions.

First, I asked whether the VPN allowed seeding when torrenting, and if yes, how my IP was kept safe in that process.

The answer took about 2 minutes to arrive, which was within the specified reply time.

I was pleased with the answer as it explained the technology behind it and how PrivateVPN’s dedicated IPs made it possible to seed.

I also asked a harder question – to explain the difference between the two StealthVPN ports (443 and 22). Here’s the answer I got.

This question took the support team a bit longer to answer – I had to wait 7 minutes and needed to push a couple of times. However, once the answer did come, it was comprehensive. It clarified how different ISPs treat different ports and when they’re likely to be throttled.

User Experience

Score update (October 2026): 10 → 9. The apps are still simple and easy, and my one complaint below has been fixed. They’re not flawless, though: the Android app averages 3.9 out of 5 from about 8,300 Google Play reviews (4.6 on the US App Store), and the apps still lack split tunneling.

To test PrivateVPN, I installed it on my Windows laptop, iPhone, and Android device. 

I found the installation process straightforward across all three platforms.

Once the app was installed and running, switching between the main and advanced menus with a single button click was very user-friendly. Likewise with choosing a server, especially on Windows, as the options indicated the latency next to them.

Overall, I’m pleased with PrivateVPN’s UX. In 2023, I would’ve preferred the option to sign up via a mobile device rather than a browser, and that’s now fixed: since late 2023, the iPhone app lets you create an account and buy a subscription inside the app. App Store purchases aren’t covered by PrivateVPN’s own money-back guarantee, though.

PrivateVPN for Windows

It was very easy to install PrivateVPN for Windows. Here’s how it’s done.

1. Go to the PrivateVPN website and click “Why PrivateVPN?”

2. Go to “View our software” and choose Windows as your operating system.

3. Click “Download for Windows,” and your download will begin.

4. Click on the file in your Downloads and press “Yes” when prompted.

5. Click “Log In.”

6. Enter your credentials, choose the server to connect to, and you’re all set!

PrivateVPN for iOS

PrivateVPN’s native iOS app was also easy to install. Here’s how to set up PrivateVPN on your iPhone:

1. Download the PrivateVPN app from your App Store.

2. Open the app on your device, enter your credentials, and press “Log In.”

3. Tap “Allow” to configure the VPN on your device and use Touch ID or your passcode to confirm.

4. Press the Power button or choose another server to connect to by pressing “Change,” and you’re all set!

PrivateVPN for Android

And here’s how you can install PrivateVPN’s native app on your Android device:

1. Download the PrivateVPN Android app from your PlayStore and wait for it to finish installing.

2. Open the app on your device and press “Log In.”

3. Enter your credentials and press “Log In.”

4. Click “Allow” to configure your VPN, and click “OK.”

5. Click the Power button to connect or click “Change” to choose another server, and you’re all set!

Price & Value for Money

PrivateVPN is on the cheaper side of VPNs. The best deal on offer is the 36-month deal: $72, or $2.00 a month, which PrivateVPN labels “save 85%.” It then renews at $72 a year. You can grab PrivateVPN’s 36-month deal here.

Score update (October 2026): 10 → 9.5. $2.00 a month and a $72 yearly renewal are still excellent value, but the refund rules keep it off a perfect score: the 30-day guarantee doesn’t cover the 1- and 3-month plans, renewals, crypto payments or App Store purchases.

The plans on offer are 1 month ($9.90), 3 months ($17.99, or $6.00 a month) and the 36-month plan, which PrivateVPN sells as 12 months plus 24 months extra (US prices, checked 23 October 2026). PrivateVPN advertises a 30-day money-back guarantee, but its Terms exclude purchases under $45, which rules out the 1- and 3-month plans, so check eligibility before buying.

Payment Methods

You can pay for PrivateVPN with most major credit and debit cards and PayPal. 

You can also use Apple Pay or Google Pay if you’re purchasing it on your mobile device or a cryptocurrency like Bitcoin. Card payments go through Stripe and crypto through Coinify, and crypto payments can’t be refunded.

PrivateVPN doesn’t accept cash payments.

Does PrivateVPN Have a Free Trial?

PrivateVPN used to hand out 7-day free trial coupons now and then.

Even in 2023, they were hard to get. This is what I got when I tried to click on the above button:

In October 2026, PrivateVPN’s free-trial page no longer exists and its pricing page offers no trial, so the money-back guarantee on the 36-month plan is the way to try it.

To review PrivateVPN’s current plans and refund terms, click here.

What Is PrivateVPN’s Money-Back Guarantee?

PrivateVPN advertises a 30-day money-back guarantee for eligible new purchases.

That’s about the same as most providers.

According to PrivateVPN’s current Terms of Use, you must request a refund within 30 days by emailing support@privatevpn.com and provide a reason.

The Terms exclude renewals, cryptocurrency payments, App Store or iTunes purchases, changes to the original purchase, and contractual amounts below SEK 400 or USD 45. At today’s US prices, that means only the 36-month plan ($72) qualifies: the $9.90 monthly and $17.99 3-month plans fall under the limit. PrivateVPN’s site banner still says “ALL PrivateVPN subscriptions are protected by a 100% money back guarantee.” Because its marketing and legal pages differ, confirm eligibility at checkout.

If you subscribe inside the iPhone app instead, Apple handles refunds, and the prices differ: $9.99 a month, $24.99 a quarter or $69.99 a year on the US App Store.

PrivateVPN says eligible refunds return to the original payment method unless otherwise agreed.

PrivateVPN Pricing vs. Other Providers

Let’s see how PrivateVPN’s pricing compares against the pricing of other VPN providers (US prices, checked 22–23 October 2026)!

Therefore, PrivateVPN’s monthly plan is cheaper than all four rivals here, and its 36-month deal is both the longest and the cheapest per month: $2.00, against $2.19 to $3.49.

What Do Users Think About PrivateVPN?

To find out other users’ experience of PrivateVPN, I went on TrustPilot. 

When I first checked in 2023, PrivateVPN’s overall score was a very impressive 4.9/5. In October 2026, it’s still 4.8/5 (“Excellent”) from 4,808 reviews.

People are particularly praiseful of the provider’s customer service and speed of response via different channels.

A lot of users are also happy with streaming with PrivateVPN.

That’s not to say that PrivateVPN doesn’t have any negative reviews. 

In 2023, they made up less than 2% of the 1,850 reviews then on Trustpilot and mostly related to misunderstandings of the refund policy. PrivateVPN representatives usually answered them promptly and clarified the situation. Trustpilot’s summary of the most recent reviews still praises the support team, and mentions occasional login and setup problems.

PrivateVPN Alternatives

PrivateVPN offers a straightforward VPN solution that’s good value for money and can be used on many devices for streaming and secure browsing.

However, other VPN providers might be more suitable, depending on your use case.

NordVPN

The Panama-based VPN provider NordVPN matches PrivateVPN with 10 simultaneous connections but has a higher price tag.

However, it offers a much larger server library of over 7,000 servers worldwide. 

And thanks to its NordLynx VPN protocol, which is based on WireGuard, it offers better speeds.

Finally, its RAM-only servers and no-logs policy, verified by an independent audit, confirm its strong privacy and security features.

Try NordVPN Now

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Surfshark

The Dutch provider Surfshark is slightly more expensive than PrivateVPN but offers unlimited simultaneous connections.

Its servers all run on RAM only, Deloitte has audited its no-logs policy twice (2023 and 2025), and it offers fantastic speeds compared to PrivateVPN. And its library of over 4,500 servers in 100 countries is much more extensive than PrivateVPN’s.

However, Surfshark doesn’t offer port forwarding, so PrivateVPN is the better pick if you seed a lot.

Try Surfshark Now

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CyberGhost

The Romania-based VPN provider CyberGhost is on par with PrivateVPN in terms of pricing ($2.19 a month on its 2-year plan) but offers a much larger server library of over 9,500 servers in 100 countries, including servers optimized for streaming and torrenting.

CyberGhost does offer only 7 simultaneous connections compared to PrivateVPN’s 10, and PrivateVPN lets you install its apps on as many devices as you like.

CyberGhost was also faster in our tests: its average speed drop was 34%, against PrivateVPN’s 63% on Windows.

Try CyberGhost Now

All VPNs Compared

Here’s an overview of how three popular VPN providers compare to PrivateVPN.

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FAQs

Conclusion

After testing PrivateVPN for several days for speed, security, privacy, streaming, torrenting, customer service, user experience, and value for money, this is my conclusion.

PrivateVPN is a good provider for users that want to pay less for basic VPN features and solid streaming and torrenting offerings. At $2.00 a month on its 36-month plan, it’s one of the cheapest VPNs we’ve reviewed, and it scores 7.5 out of 10 overall.

However, if you’re willing to spend more on verified privacy and security features and great speeds, consider other providers like Surfshark or NordVPN.

Want to try out PrivateVPN for yourself? Grab 36 months of PrivateVPN for $72!