We put these VPNs to the test to find out which is the best!
PureVPN is average in regards to speed; not slow, but not the fastest. VPNArea does offer better speeds at times, especially when using IKEv2 instead of OpenVPN. VPNArea claims to be the fastest with IKEv2, but can’t verify this just yet.
| VPN vendor |
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|---|---|---|
| Download speed reduction | 40% (UK) | 62% (UK) |
| Upload speed reduction | 37% (FRA) | 77% (FRA) |
| Ping time to google.com | 41ms | 20ms |
| Average time to connect (sec.) | 11ms | 11ms |
| Unblock successful for |
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| Visit Site | Visit Site |
Speed determines how fast content uploads, so if you’re torrenting or streaming, you want the speed to be somewhat identical to your regular internet speed. Since a VPN encrypts your data, it usually takes a bit longer to send your data back and forth, which can slow down your connection. However, if your ISP deliberately slows down your connection (also known as throttling) a VPN might increase your internet speed. Testing a VPN is somewhat pointless because new servers pop up and affect speed. Your speed can also differ according to your location, so your speed test might not match ours. Having said that, we tested the speed in numerous locations to provide you with the average.
PureVPN has the edge with a higher number of server countries and locations, but with 191 servers in 51 different countries, VPNArea is not too far behind, and does let you ping test each one before switching over.
| VPN vendor |
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|---|---|---|
| Server Locations | 180 | 130 |
| Server Countries | 141 | 70 |
| IP Addresses | 750 | 209 |
| Dynamic Server Switching | ||
| Visit Site | Visit Site |
The ratio of servers to countries is an important factor to look at when choosing a VPN. Only paying attention to location or number of servers can get you in trouble. More servers generally means faster speeds, but if VPN X has a few more servers than VPN Y but twice as many users, VPN X will typically have slower speeds. Ideally, you want a VPN that has a lot of servers in every location. This way you won’t have to worry that server/country that you want will be overburdened and running slow
Both PureVPN and VPNArea have great customer support. VPNArea has made an effort to address their formerly dismal customer service, and now offer 24/7 support, both via chat and Skype. Their email ticketing system is on par with PureVPN’s as well, but both are about the same in the knowledge base category.
| VPN vendor |
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|---|---|---|
| Email Response Time | 7 | 3 |
| 24/7 Support | ||
| Live Chat | ||
| Knowledge Base | ||
| Video Tutorials | ||
| Visit Site | Visit Site |
We personally test the customer support team of every VPN we review. This means asking technical question through the live chat feature (where applicable) and measuring the response time for email questions. Whether you need to connect to a specific server, change your security protocol, or configure a VPN on your router, finding a VPN with quality customer support should be important to you.
The PureVPN application is designed with user-friendliness in mind, making it accessible for both VPN beginners and experienced users. It provides a range of settings to cater to the needs of advanced individuals. The interface is straightforward, allowing you to effortlessly choose a server and establish a connection with a simple click. While the default protocol is set to automatic, you have the flexibility to select an alternative from the available options. Additionally, the app includes convenient tabs that enable users to personalize the settings according to their preferences.
PureVPN has apps for all major platforms. Plus, it offers browser extensions as well. The app works seamlessly and connects in just a few seconds. There is a large selection of servers and special servers for online streaming, sports streaming, anonymous file sharing, and data retention security. Or you can just connect to the fastest server of a particular country.
PureVPN works on mobile devices, and is generally successful accessing Netflix and Hulu, and definitely works in China.
Ease of use seems to be VPNArea’s biggest flaw. While the VPN experts may be able to take advantage of the many advanced features and options, it can be a little overwhelming to newer users and VPN novices.
Downloading and installation was simple enough, but once you open the dashboard, things get a bit odd, and certainly some getting used to. This obviously gets easier after awhile, but there is a learning curve. Mastering the many facets of VPNArea does allow the user to better utilize its features, to be fair. Using a UK or US server typically allows access to Netflix, but this VPN is not suited for use in China just yet.
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