An Italy-based AirVPN has become a reliable VPN service provider since 2010. AirVPN will encrypt your device’s IP address to become unidentified by anyone; even your ISP will be unaware of the details shared through the private network. It makes it impossible to identify the type of traffic or protocol used on the web. You only need to select a server, and the rest of the job will be handled by the software itself. But what about other characteristics? Does AirVPN cover all your needs in 2021? The following article will provide all the essential details about using the VPN service.
Is IVPN Good and Safe to Use?
There have been several situations where hackers steal user identities. The easiest way to protect your data is by getting a Virtual Private Network (VPN in short). The fundamental trick is to hide the true identity of the user surfing online through the browser. VPN tool will convert any public network to a virtual private network with a single click. However, how do you choose a suitable one among the various providers? You have to think about many things; the most common are speed, leak tests, servers’ location, and pricing.
This section will examine different criteria to help you understand whether AirVPN meets your expectations or not.
AirVPN Pros and Cons
AirVPN provides a powerful connection in the servers of the same country. The users can easily stream any online video platform of their choice without the issue of buffering. Besides, all the servers are compatible with torrenting and a detailed manual setup for precise changes. Regardless of the server’s distance and the user’s current location, AirVPN will provide the internet’s best quality.
It has a comparably less number of servers and might not be available in some of the countries. The websites deny access in case of streaming, and customer support has several limitations. The desktop application is quite complicated and might require a lot of improvements. The developers are sparing no effort to bring out regular updates for the application.
We like:
- Unlimited and free server switches
- High-performance network connection
- Encrypted user identification
- Kill switch
- Passed DNS leak test
- Affordable price
We don’t like:
- Number of servers available
- Connects up to 5 devices simultaneously
- Member of 14-Eyes Alliance
- No 24/7 support
Features of AirVPN
There is no doubt that AirVPN is a popular brand in the industry for providing private network service. As per the latest statistics, the software allows users to connect with more than 230 online servers. It has extended the service in around 22 countries and is constantly expanding the reach. Almost all the servers provide high-speed internet connection without any subsequent lag. However, the competitors offer their users more servers. Why is the amount of servers that substantial? Firstly, it influences users’ access to international content. Moreover, the number of global users significantly reduces, as they cannot access geo-restricted services in their location.
Multiple Connections
AirVPN grants up to 5 connections happening at the same time. It’s an excellent option for those who own multiple devices, as one can easily connect a phone, tablet, and several more devices. Nonetheless, we can’t help but emphasize that many other VPN providers now provide clients with seven, ten, or even an unlimited number of connections.
Speed and Performance
Despite its small network, AirVPN meets the needs of users looking for a fast connection. It does not reach exceptional speeds like some of the quickest VPN service providers, but it’s definitely above average. Your experience is going to mostly depend on how fast your local connection is without a VPN. If your ISP offers a high speed and unlimited bandwidth, you will likely enjoy fast connections using AirVPN. Otherwise, it’s not going to be an enjoyable experience.
Despite the speed reduction of using a VPN, AirVPN is fast on local and international connections. However, the farther the server, the more likely your speed is going to take a hit. Mostly, it’s a good choice for people who like to stream and download torrent files. Gamers, on the other hand, might need a faster VPN service provider.
Streaming and Torrenting
Netflix has become the reference point for streaming services. Most premium VPN services unblock Netflix libraries with ease. Fortunately, AirVPN can unblock Netflix’s US library. It also unblocks HBO GO, Hulu, and Disney + with ease but struggles with other platforms. Despite having 16 servers in the UK, AirVPN cannot get past BBC iPlayer’s geo-restriction. It also has the same problem with Amazon Prime Video.
Unlike premium VPNs with several specialty servers, AirVPN dedicates only a few servers for its Double VPN or DoubleHop feature. Despite not having any special servers for torrenting, AirVPN is a good choice for any P2P activity. All servers support anonymous torrenting. Advanced torrent users will be happy to hear that it supports port forwarding with a limit of 20 simultaneous port connections. Overall, AirVPN is excellent for torrenting, but it can do better when it comes to unblocking streaming platforms.
24/7 Support
Live chat is unavailable, but you may check out the provided forum or submit a support ticket.
Access AirVPN in Censored Areas
Internet Censorship has gained a lot of acceptance in most of the sectors that use online platforms. It is commonly observed that some websites don’t allow a VPN connection to access their content. In case the AirVPN gets blocked in a censored area, you can apply some simple solutions:
- Switch to a different VPN server where there is no issue of censorship.
- Use the mobile connection network instead of WiFi.
- Turn on the incognito browser mode to hide your identity.
AirVPN Reliability and Security
Security
Whenever you’re choosing the right VPN, you need to pay attention to two main security components: encryption they use to protect their data and VPN protocols they use to carry your information. AirVPN employs various encryption types: 256-AES, RSA-4096, HMAC SHA384. The first type, 256-AES, is used to protect tons of governmental secrets, so it’ll take a lot to break through it. It’s also said, the best combination for security is AES-256 encryption paired with OpenVPN protocol. And here, we smoothly move to the protocol mentioned above.
AirVPN supports OpenVPN protocol only. The protocol aids a secure tunnel between two points in a network. Simply put, OpenVPN is a credible technology used by many VPNs that ensures any data sent over the internet is encrypted and confidential.
Privacy
There’s no doubt that security is crucial for VPNs, but another keystone shouldn’t be taken for granted. It’s privacy. It has been a trend among various VPNs that no logs are recorded as per the latest guidelines. When we speak about logging, we mean the information VPN provider saves about your online activity, including current IP address, browsing history, pretty much everything you do online. AirVPN follows the no monitoring and no-logging policy for the users. You can be sure that you are anonymously browsing the internet. Even your VPN provider is not collecting any personal data and protects it from external attacks. It is vital while you are sharing sensitive information through online platforms.
AirVPN’s privacy policy provides a fair share of details regarding what data it collects, how the data is stored, and for how long. AirVPN has a no-logging policy and limits the information it knows about you to a username and payment method. If maximum privacy is your number one priority, paying with crypto will minimize the data that AirVPN has about you.
Still, one thing to be aware of is AirVPN’s location, Italy, which is part of the 14 Eyes Alliance. This agreement allows countries to gather and share information more easily.
According to AirVPN’s privacy policy, user’s information is protected by EU data protection laws. Additionally, it states that it is under the EU’s jurisdiction and will only act in answer to European Union laws and not those of the 14-Eyes Alliance.
AirVPN Speed Test Results
How Much is AirVPN Cost – Pricing Packages and Discounts
Like any other substantial VPN service available out there, AirVPN charges you for providing the access. There are several subscription plans available for the users (and you can always check the official website for up-to-date information). The prices are as follows:
- 2€ for two days
- 7€ for 30 days
- 15€ for three months (5€/ month)
- 29€ for six months (4.83€/ month)
- 20€ for one year (3.27€/ month)
- 20€ for two years (2.63€/ month)
- 20€ for three years (2.20€/ month)
You can decide to purchase the plan accordingly and initiate the process. They accept several payment options from users across the globe.
How to cancel your AirVPN subscription
There are minimal chances that AirVPN will not be able to satisfy your daily needs. Still, if you feel that the software has not met your expectation, you can always cancel your subscription. The developers assure you that you can cancel your subscription plan anytime before completing three days of purchase. They will get a complete payback in the coming 30 days after initiating the request for the same. Moreover, it would help if you were within the company’s guidelines and not exceed 5 GB of data consumption.
Support and Customer Service
AirVPN’s customer support offers you two options: use a forum or an online ticketing system. The forum is active, and staff tends to reply within 48 hours.
If you choose to use the ticketing system, you can expect to wait a minimum of two business days for a reply. Unfortunately, there’s no live chat option for customers, which is a must-have nowadays, so it’s a bit upsetting that AirVPN doesn’t implement a better support service. If it stops working, you must have access to help quickly, regardless of the time of day.
With that said, we found the staff to be polite, professional, and helpful. They are genuinely interested in assisting their customers.
How to Install AirVPN on Windows or Mac OS
AirVPN is quick to install and easy to use. It’s excellent for newbies, but it is a bit obsolete. You won’t find some features that most present-day VPNs use, like optimized servers and automatic connections. This makes server selection a lengthy process.
Nonetheless, advanced users will definitely be satisfied with AirVPN. Why so? One can customize almost every part of their VPN within the app. If you need some help, you can find comprehensive instructions from AirVPN staff on the forums.
You have two options on connecting after you’ve logged in; you may either connect to the fastest nearby server automatically or manually select the desirable server.
You’ll need to whitelist the country (create a list of trusted counties) you want to connect to in the Countries panel. Then, you’ll need to switch to the server panel and find the one you need. It’s a rather exhausting and time-consuming process – there’s a high chance you’ll need to test several servers before finding one that can access the content you need.
Final Verdict
AirVPN targets to become a user-friendly VPN provider that is under a reasonable price range. No doubt the road is long and will take some time to reach the destination. AirVPN is suitable for your homes and serves the same purpose at the office in 2021. AirVPN is a good, affordable choice if you’re willing to compromise on a few time-saving features. However, if the convenience of modern VPNs is a must, you should consider other providers.