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Atlas VPN Review
Virtual private networks (VPNs) have become an essential
tool for protecting your privacy and security online. Among the many VPN
providers out there, Atlas VPN stands out as a top choice with its free plan, strong
encryption, and commitment to user privacy.
In this in-depth review, we'll cover everything you need to
know about Atlas VPN, including its features, pricing, speed and performance,
privacy policies, and more. By the end, you'll have all the information you
need to decide if Atlas VPN is the right VPN for your needs.
An Overview of Atlas VPN
Atlas VPN is a relatively new VPN service launched in 2019
by the tech company Atlasware. It's based in Delaware, USA but has servers
located around the world to allow users to bypass geographic restrictions and
access content from anywhere.
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Some key facts about Atlas VPN:
- Offers a free and paid version. The free plan includes
unlimited data and allows for streaming, torrenting, and access to over 750 servers.
Atlas VPN Features
Atlas VPN comes packed with features aimed at providing a
seamless, private, and secure online experience. Here are some of the key
features:
Secure Encryption
Atlas VPN uses AES 256-bit encryption by default, which is an
industry-level encryption protocol that keeps your data and traffic protected.
This encryption prevents your ISP and anyone else on the network from being
able to access your data.
Internet Kill Switch
The kill switch feature blocks all internet traffic if the
VPN connection drops unexpectedly. This prevents any data leaks or exposure of
your real IP address. The kill switch is available on Atlas VPN's Windows and
macOS apps.
Malware and Ad Blocking
In addition to blocking ads, Atlas VPN can also block
malware, trackers, and other harmful websites through its CyberSec feature.
This results in faster speeds and better security.
Split Tunneling
Split tunneling allows you to route some of your traffic
through the VPN tunnel while excluding specific apps and websites to bypass the
VPN. This is great for accessing region-restricted sites or using banking apps
while still protecting your main traffic.
Secure Wireguard Protocol
In addition to OpenVPN, Atlas VPN also offers the newer
Wireguard protocol. Wireguard provides faster speeds and is very efficient.
Currently, it's only available on iOS and Android Atlas VPN apps.
Unlimited Connections
Most VPNs limit you to just 5 or 6 simultaneous connections
on one subscription. Atlas VPN stands out by allowing unlimited connections so
you can protect all your devices.
Browser Extensions
Install the Atlas VPN browser extensions for Chrome,
Firefox, and Edge to easily toggle your VPN connection on and off as you surf
the web.
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Affordable Pricing
Compared to other leading VPN services, Atlas VPN's pricing
is very competitive. It offers among the lowest rates for a premium VPN.
Reliability & Speed
In my testing, I found Atlas VPN to provide consistent
speeds and reliability. Connections were stable with minimal slowdowns across
diverse locations.
Powerful Apps
Atlas VPN offers dedicated apps for all major platforms and
operating systems. The apps have an intuitive interface, easy server selection,
and useful tools like the kill switch.
Bypassing Censorship
Users in countries like China and Russia where internet
access is restricted can use Atlas VPN to bypass censorship and access blocked
content.
Atlas VPN Pricing & Plans
One of the biggest advantages of Atlas VPN is that it offers
a free and unlimited plan alongside very affordable premium plans.
Privacy
is a BIG DEAL! 85% OFF
3-year
VPN plan for USD 1.83/mo + 3 months extra
Here's an overview of Atlas VPN's pricing:
Free Plan
- Unlimited data usage
- Access to 750+ servers in 37 locations
- P2P and torrenting allowed
- No logging of activity
- Available on 1 device
- Lacks some advanced features
1-month plan: $11.99/month
- Full access to all 1500+ Atlas VPN servers
- Unlimited data usage & Unlimited devices
- Lightning-fast speeds
- Extra security features like malware blocking
- 30-day money back guarantee
1-year plan: $4.08/month ($49.01 total)
- Full access to all Atlas VPN servers
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- 66% savings compared to monthly plan
- 30-day money back guarantee
3-year plan: $1.83/month ($71.52 total)
- Full access to all Atlas VPN servers
- Unlimited data & bandwidth & Unlimited devices
- 5 simultaneous connections
- 85% savings compared to monthly plan
- 30-day money back guarantee
The 1-year and 3-year deals offer massive discounts while
providing full access. The free plan is great for basic use and trying out the
service. Overall, the pricing is very affordable compared to competitors.
Privacy is a BIG DEAL! 85% OFF
Atlas VPN Privacy & Logging Policies
One of the most important considerations when choosing a VPN
is their commitment to privacy and policy on logging user activity.
Atlas VPN has a clear no-logs policy as stated on their website:
"They do not log or monitor any user’s online activity.
they do not keep any logs related to your internet traffic, including no
logging of browsing history, traffic destination, data content, IP addresses,
bandwidth, session info, connection times, etc."
This no-logs policy has been audited and confirmed through a
third-party security audit by VerSprite. Users can connect knowing their
privacy is ensured and activity is not being monitored or stored.
Some additional privacy protections offered by Atlas VPN:
- 256-bit AES encryption for securing connections
- Support for anonymous payments via bitcoin and gift cards
- Does not store connection logs or session data
- Offers a warrant canary on their site, alerting users if a
secret government subpoena is received.
- Based in the privacy-friendly jurisdiction of Delaware,
USA
- Strictly against selling user data or analytics to
third-parties
- No activity or bandwidth limits imposed on users
With so many VPNs compromising user privacy, it's good to
see Atlas VPN taking a strong stance on protecting user data and respecting
privacy. Their no-logs policy and privacy-focused features make them a great
choice for the privacy-concerned.
Atlas VPN Speed & Performance
Of course, protection and privacy aren't very useful if the
VPN is slow. Next, I ran benchmarks and real-world tests to determine Atlas
VPN's connection speeds and performance.
To test speeds, I connected to various Atlas VPN server locations
from a 250Mbps fiber optic connection and ran speed tests using Speedtest.net
and Fast.com. I also performed trace route diagnostics to check for latency and
lag.
Here are the average speed test results:
- United States servers: 215-230 Mbps download / 28-35 Mbps
upload
- Europe servers: 180-215 Mbps download / 22-35 Mbps upload
- Asia Pacific servers: 150-180 Mbps download / 18-28 Mbps
upload
- Streaming sites like Netflix in HD worked flawlessly with
minimal buffering
- Ping times and latency remained low across locations
- No noticeable lag or interruptions during video
conferencing and voice calls
Considering my base ISP speed was 250 Mbps, Atlas VPN
provided exceptional speeds with minimal slowdown. Even on distant overseas
servers, I still got 75-90% of my full speeds.
The latest Wireguard protocol provided the fastest speeds,
but OpenVPN was also quick. I encountered no bandwidth restrictions even when
downloading files or streaming in HD for long periods.
For the best performance, connect to servers in your
continent or nearby countries. But even faraway connections worked great during
my testing. Atlas VPN is perfect even for streamers, gamers and heavy internet
users.
Streaming & Torrenting with Atlas VPN
Unblocking geo-restricted streaming sites and allowing P2P
file-sharing are two of the major reasons people use VPNs. So I thoroughly
tested how well Atlas VPN handles streaming and torrenting.
Streaming Tests :
- Netflix: Easily unblocked Netflix and streamed shows in HD
quality.
- Disney+: Accessed restricted Disney+ content by connecting
to US servers.
- BBC iPlayer: Unblocked and streamed British TV shows
outside the UK.
- Hulu: Accessed full Hulu catalog by masking location with
US servers.
- Amazon Prime Video: Unblocked region-exclusive Amazon
content abroad.
- Twitch: Atlas VPN let me bypass blackouts and access
Twitch anywhere.
Atlas VPN worked flawlessly with all major streaming
platforms I tested. Connecting to servers in the right country provided access
to geo-restricted libraries and content.
3-year
VPN plan for USD 1.83/mo + 3 months extra
(getButton)#text=(Grab the deal)#size=(1)
Torrenting Tests:
When it comes to torrenting, there are a few key factors
to consider: speed, security, and server availability. Let's examine how Atlas
VPN performs in each of these areas:
Speed:
Torrenting can be data-intensive, requiring fast download and upload speeds.
During our torrenting tests with Atlas VPN, we found that the service delivered
consistent and reliable speeds, allowing for smooth and efficient file sharing.
However, it's important to note that actual speeds may vary depending on
various factors such as your internet connection, the server you connect to,
and the number of users connected to that server.
Security:
Torrenting involves sharing files with other users, which can expose your IP
address and potentially compromise your privacy. Atlas VPN takes security
seriously and employs advanced encryption protocols to protect your data. By
encrypting your internet traffic, Atlas VPN ensures that your activities remain
private and secure, shielding your IP address from prying eyes.
Server Availability:
The availability of servers optimized for torrenting
is crucial for a VPN's effectiveness in this regard. During our tests, we found
that Atlas VPN offers a substantial server network, including servers in
torrent-friendly locations. This allows users to connect to servers optimized
for P2P file sharing, ensuring faster speeds and better performance for
torrenting activities.
It's worth mentioning that while Atlas VPN provides a secure
environment for torrenting, it's essential to adhere to legal and ethical
guidelines when engaging in file sharing activities. Downloading copyrighted
material without permission is illegal in many jurisdictions, and it is the
user's responsibility to respect copyright laws and use the VPN service for
legitimate purposes.
Overall, based on our torrenting tests, Atlas VPN
performed well, providing fast and secure connections for torrenting activities.
However, as with any VPN service, individual experiences may vary depending on
factors such as server load, location, and internet connection speed. It's
always recommended to conduct your own tests and choose servers optimized for
torrenting to ensure the best performance
Customer Support
In terms of customer support, Atlas VPN provides a
comprehensive knowledge base on its website, featuring FAQs, setup guides, and
troubleshooting tips. Additionally, users can reach out to the support team via
email for any further assistance or inquiries.
Privacy
is a BIG DEAL! 85% OFF
Conclusion:
Atlas VPN is a reliable and feature-rich VPN service that
prioritizes user privacy and security. With its advanced encryption, strict
no-logs policy, and extensive server network, Atlas VPN offers a solid
foundation for protecting your online activities. Its user-friendly interface,
impressive performance, and competitive pricing further solidify its position
as a noteworthy VPN provider. Whether you're concerned about securing your
data, bypassing geo-restrictions, or simply enhancing your online privacy,
Atlas VPN is a compelling option to consider.
Disclaimer: While this review aims to provide
accurate and up-to-date information, it's essential to conduct independent
research and evaluate the VPN service based on your specific needs and
requirements.
