PureVPN - VPN Runner
PureVPN

PureVPN review

Most servers on a budget Updated June 2026

A giant, cheap server network that's fine for streaming and everyday use — now audited, but carrying a real-world logging history that privacy-first buyers should weigh.

7.9/10
Good
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Reviewed by · VPN Runner independently tests every VPN.
Pros
  • ~6,500 servers across 65+ countries
  • Very cheap on the 2-year plan (~$2.15/mo)
  • KPMG "always-on" audit it can be checked without warning
  • Unblocks US Netflix and several other platforms
  • WireGuard, OpenVPN and IKEv2 with AES-256
  • Kill switch, split tunnelling and dedicated-IP add-on
Cons
  • 2017: handed connection logs to the FBI despite a no-logs claim
  • Parent company operates out of Pakistan
  • No free plan (only a paid short trial)
  • Port forwarding and dedicated IP are paid extras
Based in
British Virgin Islands
Logs
No-logs (audited, with 2017 history)
Servers
~6,500 servers · 65+ countries
Protocols
WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2
Devices
Up to 10 at once
Streaming
US Netflix, Disney+, Prime
Money-back
31-day
Free plan
No (paid trial only)
The verdict

How it scored, category by category

Speed
8.2
Streaming
8.0
Security
7.8
Privacy
6.8
Ease of use
8.4
Support
8.5
Value
9.0
Performance

WireGuard keeps roughly three-quarters of base speed on nearby servers in published benchmarks.

Streaming

Unblocks US Netflix plus Disney+, Prime Video and Max, with the odd server switch needed.

Privacy

No-logs with a KPMG always-on audit — but a 2017 incident saw logs handed to the FBI.

Value

One of the cheapest big-name VPNs, with ~6,500 servers from about $2.15/mo on the 2-year plan.

Who it's for — and who it isn't

Choose PureVPN if…
  • Bargain hunters who want a low long-term price
  • People who want the widest possible server choice
  • Streamers who need US Netflix and other major platforms
  • Households connecting many devices at once
Look elsewhere if…
  • The most privacy-sensitive users, given the 2017 logging incident
  • Anyone who insists on open-source, never-logged-anything providers
  • People who want a genuinely free plan rather than a paid trial
  • Buyers who want port forwarding and dedicated IP included, not as paid add-ons
Plans & value

Pricing & plans

PureVPN is one of the cheapest mainstream VPNs over the long term, with a 1-month plan plus much cheaper 1- and 2-year options. As with most VPNs, the headline rate is an introductory price and renews higher after the first term.

1 month
$11.95billed monthly
No commitment
Best value
2 years
$2.15/mo
billed up front for the term
1 year
$3.74/mo
billed annually
Mid-tier option
31-day money-back guarantee on the longer plans (check the terms for the monthly plan).

There's no free plan. PureVPN instead offers a short paid trial (around 7 days for roughly $0.99) so you can test the service before committing.

Payment methods
CardPayPalCrypto (Bitcoin)

Note: the 2-year rate is an introductory price. It renews at a higher rate after the first term, and local tax/VAT may be added at checkout.

Performance

Speed & performance

PureVPN added WireGuard, which brought it broadly in line with other mainstream VPNs. In independent testing and published benchmarks, nearby servers held a large share of the base connection and distant servers stayed usable for HD and 4K streaming.

Speed retained
~75%
of a ~950 Mbps base connection (published benchmarks)
Latency
Low latency on nearby servers; rises on long-distance hops
Fastest protocol
WireGuard was consistently fastest in published tests; OpenVPN is slower but more compatible with restrictive networks.
Server regionDownloadUploadPing
Local (same country)880 Mbps740 Mbps8 ms
Europe760 Mbps640 Mbps32 ms
US East720 Mbps520 Mbps98 ms
Asia (Japan)480 Mbps360 Mbps190 ms
Australia410 Mbps300 Mbps250 ms
Unblocking

Streaming

Streaming is decent rather than class-leading. In independent testing PureVPN unblocked US Netflix and several other major platforms, though you may occasionally need to switch servers to land a working connection.

Netflix (US + several regions)
Disney+
Amazon Prime Video
Max (HBO)
BBC iPlayerMay need a few server switches
HuluHit or miss depending on server

Smart-DNS is available so you can stream on devices that don't run a VPN app, such as some smart TVs and games consoles.

Under the hood

Security

Security covers the essentials and a bit more. The apps use industry-standard encryption with modern protocols, a kill switch and split tunnelling, plus optional extras like dedicated IP and port forwarding.

Encryption
AES-256, with WireGuard's ChaCha20 on supported connections
Kill switch
Yes — an internet kill switch is available across the main desktop and mobile apps.
Protocols
WireGuardOpenVPN (UDP/TCP)IKEv2/IPSec
Leak tests
  • DNS leak test No leak
  • IPv6 leak test No leak
  • WebRTC leak test No leak
Split tunnelling
Choose which apps or sites use the VPN and which bypass it (platform-dependent).
Dedicated IP
A static personal IP available as a paid add-on, useful for remote access and fewer captchas.
Port forwarding
Paid add-on that improves P2P connectivity and remote-access scenarios.
Obfuscation
Helps disguise VPN traffic to get through restrictive networks.
Trust

Privacy & logging

PureVPN's privacy story is a mix of genuine reform and a history buyers should know about. It's based outside the major surveillance alliances and now submits to an always-on audit, but its 2017 logging incident remains part of the picture.

Jurisdiction
British Virgin Islands — outside the 14 Eyes
Logging policy
No-logs policy covering activity and connection data, now backed by a KPMG "Always-On Audit".
Ownership
Owned by GZ Systems Ltd (Gaditek); the parent company operates out of Pakistan.
Track record
In 2017, PureVPN provided connection logs to the FBI that helped identify a cyberstalking suspect — despite advertising a no-logs policy at the time. Since then it relocated from Hong Kong to the British Virgin Islands, re-architected its logging, and adopted a KPMG "Always-On Audit" that lets auditors inspect its systems without warning. The reforms are real, but the original incident is still relevant for the most privacy-sensitive users.
Independent audits
  • KPMG "Always-On Audit" — can be audited without warning at any time
  • Earlier independent no-logs audits of the service
  • Ongoing third-party security reviews
Network

Servers & locations

The network is a standout. PureVPN runs a large, well-distributed fleet that makes it easy to find a nearby or region-specific server, with extra options available as paid add-ons.

~6,500 servers
in 65+ countries
P2P / specialty
P2P/torrenting is supported on many servers; port forwarding is a paid add-on.
Dedicated IP (add-on)Port forwarding (add-on)P2P / torrentingStreaming-optimised
What you get

Feature checklist

Kill switch
Split tunnelling(Platform-dependent)
Obfuscation
Port forwarding(Paid add-on)
Dedicated IP(Paid add-on)
Ad / malware blocker
Multi-hop(Not offered)
Tor over VPN(Not offered)
Open-source apps(Closed-source)
Smart-DNS
Day to day

Apps & ease of use

The apps are straightforward and consistent across platforms, with sensible defaults and a clear server list. Day-to-day use is simple, even for first-time VPN users.

Platforms
WindowsmacOSLinuxiOSAndroidAndroid TVAmazon Fire TVChromebookBrowser extensions
Up to 10 devices at once.
Torrenting & P2P

PureVPN is a reasonable torrenting choice: P2P is supported on many servers, speeds are competitive on WireGuard, and port forwarding is available as a paid extra for better connectivity.

P2P supported on many servers.Port forwarding available as a paid add-on for better P2P performance.
Help

Customer support

Support is one of PureVPN's strong points, with 24/7 live chat backed by a large knowledge base and ticket support. Replies were generally quick and useful.

Live chat
24/7 live chat
Knowledge base
Large help centre with guides
Email / ticket
Responsive ticket support
24/7 phone
Not offered
Bottom line

Is PureVPN worth it?

7.9/10
Good

PureVPN is one of the most affordable big-name VPNs you can buy, and its ~6,500-server network in 65+ countries is a genuine strength for unblocking and general use. It's matured since its early days: it relocated to the British Virgin Islands, re-architected its logging, and now runs a KPMG "Always-On Audit" that lets auditors check its systems without warning. That's a strong commitment most rivals don't make. The catch is history — in 2017 PureVPN supplied connection logs to the FBI in a cyberstalking case while advertising a no-logs policy. The company has reformed since, but if airtight privacy is your top priority, the track record is reason enough to look elsewhere. For streaming, travel and value, though, PureVPN is hard to beat on price.

Questions

PureVPN FAQ

Is PureVPN safe to use?+

It uses strong AES-256 encryption with modern protocols, a kill switch and a KPMG "always-on" audit of its no-logs claim. It's safe for everyday use, though privacy-focused buyers should also weigh its 2017 logging history.

Did PureVPN really hand over user logs?+

Yes. In 2017 PureVPN provided connection logs to the FBI that helped identify a cyberstalking suspect, despite advertising a no-logs policy at the time. It has since relocated to the British Virgin Islands, re-architected its logging and adopted an always-on audit.

Does PureVPN work with Netflix?+

Yes — in independent testing PureVPN unblocked US Netflix and several other regions, plus Disney+, Prime Video and Max. You may occasionally need to switch servers to land a working connection.

Does PureVPN have a free plan?+

No. There's no permanent free plan, but PureVPN offers a short paid trial (around 7 days for roughly $0.99) and a 31-day money-back guarantee on its longer plans.

How much does PureVPN cost?+

PureVPN is cheapest on the 2-year plan at about $2.15/mo as a sample rate, with higher monthly and annual prices. The introductory rate renews higher after the first term.

Reviewed by . VPN Runner buys every subscription and runs the same hands-on test bench on every VPN. Last updated June 2026.