Atlas VPN Review (2023): Security, Pricing & Features

Based in 2019, Atlas VPN is likely one of the newer digital personal community providers obtainable right this moment. It boasts a formidable IP-address swapping characteristic that privateness fanatics will respect, quick general velocity and limitless gadget connectivity — one thing even the largest VPNs don’t presently supply.

It even has a free model that offers customers entry to servers in three totally different areas. Regardless of this, there are tough edges resembling the shortage of safety audits and in-app bugs that hinder Atlas from being a flawless VPN choice.

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Atlas VPN Pricing

Atlas VPN free model

Atlas VPN’s free model presents servers in three totally different areas: the Netherlands, New York, and Los Angeles (Determine A). It additionally provides customers the power to attach an infinite variety of units, in addition to one server for streaming.

Determine A

Whereas the free model is sweet to have, particularly for individuals who solely plan to make use of the VPN sparingly, it’s very restricted. You solely get 5GB of month-to-month information, which may add up quick. You additionally don’t get most of Atlas’s standout security measures such because the specialised Privateness Professional servers.

The excellent news is that the Atlas VPN Premium plans are comparatively inexpensive. At $4.08 monthly (for the annual plan), it’s one of the inexpensive VPN subscriptions on the market. The premium model nets you the quickest speeds they provide, its SafeSwap IP swapping characteristic, limitless information and the complete server community.

If in case you have the choice to go for the premium tier, I might suggest it over the free model.

Is Atlas VPN protected?

Atlas presents two safety protocols, IPSec/IKEv2 and WireGuard. Whereas these newer protocols supply good safety, it’s a disgrace that OpenVPN isn’t obtainable. As one of the safe and broadly used protocols, it’s a disadvantage that will sway some customers altogether.

Atlas does present a no-logs coverage for its service, that means it doesn’t monitor, gather or log any person info. This covers issues resembling IP addresses, shopping historical past, outgoing visitors and different vital person information.

Nonetheless, Atlas is but to have an impartial audit that corroborates this coverage. This doesn’t make Atlas an outright unhealthy choice, particularly as a result of it’s a more moderen VPN and the corporate has dedicated to finish extra impartial checks sooner or later. However for customers who need a full portfolio of safety audits right this moment, Atlas is probably not the most suitable choice.

Proper now, Atlas VPN does have two audits below its belt: one on its iOS software and one other on its Home windows model. Whereas each audits discovered no high-level vulnerabilities, the iOS model did have a number of low-to-medium degree threats that the corporate stated are already being addressed.

Lastly, Atlas VPN was acquired by Nord Safety (Nord VPN proprietor) proper after these audits. That is essential as a result of, as a part of the Nord household of merchandise, Atlas will now be topic to the identical safety and transparency requirements held by the extra well-known, Nord VPN.

Key options of Atlas VPN

Atlas VPN provides customers quantity of privateness and security-focused options at an inexpensive worth. This consists of an IP swapping characteristic, a kill swap, assist for limitless units, and a knowledge breach monitor.

SafeSwap servers

Atlas VPN’s SafeSwap servers is essentially the most distinctive safety characteristic it brings to the desk. It provides customers a number of IP addresses (Determine B) that rotate when you browse the web, making it tougher for unhealthy actors to trace down your exercise.

Determine B

This can be a must-have for customers that need to defend themselves from advertisers (and customized advertisements), in addition to customers who need as little monitoring of their exercise as attainable.

Information Breach Monitor

Atlas additionally has a Information Breach Monitor instrument (Determine C) that checks whether or not your e-mail is included in any publicly leaked databases. With the monitor, you’ll get an immediate alert on any attainable safety breach associated to your account and even have the ability to test your account’s breach historical past. This can be a sensible instrument because it covers information not essentially related to your use of the VPN itself.

Determine C

Limitless Gadget Connection

Atlas VPN provides its Premium customers the power to attach an infinite variety of units concurrently together with the options within the free model. Which means that your laptop computer, smartphone, and desktop PC can all benefit from the safety of a VPN.

Atlas’ limitless gadget connection is a win from the useability standpoint, as customers gained’t have to fret about exceeding the variety of units they’ve related to the VPN. It’s additionally a plus for Atlas in comparison with its rivals, as different providers solely enable a most of six to eight simultaneous gadget connections without delay.

Pace and efficiency: How briskly is Atlas VPN?

For velocity, Atlas VPN was comparatively quick for day-to-day use. In my testing, the VPN dealt with social media shopping, watching on-line movies, downloading photos and utilizing Google providers with no drawback in any respect. I didn’t really feel any noticeable distinction within the velocity whether or not utilizing my very own web service supplier or Atlas.

I did, nonetheless, have a number of cases the place the VPN couldn’t correctly join once I tried switching servers. Whereas a fast reconnect resolved the difficulty, it did occur greater than a pair instances throughout testing. There have been additionally moments the place the app itself lagged or took a second to load — however these weren’t so excessive as to break the entire expertise.

For area title system leaks, I examined Atlas VPN’s free model for utilizing a public DNS leak instrument, and located no leaks after a number of runs.

Atlas VPN servers and areas

On the time of publication, Atlas presents 1,000 servers in over 49 areas. This can be a smaller server suite than most, so when you worth having essentially the most intensive server community, there are higher choices.

Nonetheless, Atlas does give customers a diverse selection of specialised servers for its premium customers. It has speed-optimized servers that give customers as much as 10Gbps. So when you plan on utilizing a VPN for streaming or torrenting, this may serve you effectively.

However, Atlas additionally presents two Privateness Professional servers: SafeSwap and MultiHop+. SafeSwap servers will let you have a number of IP addresses without delay. MultiHop+ robotically rotates your connection between totally different VPN areas. Each server sorts add an extra layer of safety and anonymity that will probably be helpful for privacy-focused customers.

Execs

• IP handle swapping characteristic.
• Limitless gadget connections.
• Specialised server sorts for various customers.
• Spectacular velocity throughout use.
• Has a free model.

Cons

• Comparatively small server fleet.
• Lack of impartial audit on no-logs coverage.
• A number of bugs throughout testing.
• 5GB month-to-month information cap on the free model.

Who’s Atlas VPN finest for?

Atlas VPN is finest for customers who need a budget-oriented VPN with specialised servers for various use circumstances. The mix of its affordability and limitless simultaneous connections make it a sensible choice for purchasers on a good price range and a number of units.

Though Atlas remains to be growing its portfolio of third-party safety audits, it’s a good choose for customers who need to attempt a brand new participant within the VPN house. You simply need to be aware of its younger safety audit portfolio and the few bugs its app might proceed to have.

Alternate options to Atlas VPN

Whereas Atlas VPN presents a compelling and inexpensive VPN bundle, it could not have the correct mix of options you want. We’ve listed a number of VPN options beneath that could be higher for you as a substitute.

NordVPN

As Atlas VPN’s massive brother within the Nord household, NordVPN is finest if you’d like a VPN that has already handed quite a few impartial safety audits for its claims. It has round 5,710 servers in 60 international locations, a singular Meshnet safe file-sharing characteristic and menace safety in opposition to malware and advertisements.

CyberGhost VPN

In case you’re searching for a extra intensive server suite, CyberGhost is likely one of the finest choices. It presents round 9,200 servers in 91 international locations — virtually 9 instances greater than Atlas. Whereas extra servers don’t all the time imply a greater expertise, it does will let you entry extra geo-restricted content material at steady speeds.

Proton VPN

Proton VPN is finest if you’d like a VPN that specializes in opposition to authorities surveillance and information requests. It operates below Swiss legal guidelines, which has a number of the strictest privateness and safety protections on the planet. It additionally presents different encryption-based providers resembling Proton Mail and Proton Drive.

Assessment Methodology

My overview of Atlas VPN concerned a complete evaluation of its security measures, product documentation, value, and real-world efficiency. I used Atlas VPN’s free model extensively and supplemented my findings with person testimonials and respected critiques for each its free and premium tier.

For velocity, I examined Atlas VPN Free utilizing a Home windows pc and ran it by Ookla’s Speedtest. As a disclaimer, VPN speeds will fluctuate relying in your web service supplier, your machine, your location and the actual server you select. In the meantime, I examined Atlas VPN’s DNS leak safety by working it by DNS leak take a look at a number of instances.

Lastly, I scored Atlas on every part from its pricing to its protocols based mostly on an inner algorithm to get a ultimate ranking of three.50 out of 5 stars. The scoring on the rubric was based mostly each on Atlas VPN by itself and in relation to different VPNs obtainable right this moment.