AirVPN Review: Is It Worth Buying?

The Internet wasn’t always inundated with VPN services urging us to give us unbreakable encryption and total anonymity as we go about our daily Internet activities. Before Edward Snowden showed the world how much governments care for our privacy, VPNs were scarce, and only the most defensive among us used them. But, even back then, AirVPN was around, and it was already among the most popular choices.

Well, the VPN is still around. It has an excellent reputation for taking privacy seriously.

Despite its long history, I’ve never used AirVPN before. So, I’m curious about doing this review and finding out how AirVPN compares against other well-known VPN networks.

A few questions about a VPN service we all want to be answered: how fast is it? Does AirVPN work with Netflix and other streaming sites? How secure is it? Is it helpful in China? What protocols are supported by the network? Is AirVPN safe? Is AirVPN free? In this unbiased AirVPN review, you will find out the answers to those questions and a few more.

Short on time? Here are my key findings

• AirVPN Speeds: The average speed for AirVPN is 46.7 Mbps. However, it may vary based on your region. For instance, in Asia, the speeds are 34Mbps, in Europe 41Mbps, and in North America 68Mpbs.
• Support for devices and apps: It supports various devices, including Windows, macOS, routers, Linux, iOS, ChromeOS, Raspberry Pi, etc.
• Routers and AirVPN: AirVPN works with most OpenVPN-enabled routers. All you need is to get a compatible router and configure AirVPN.
• AirVPN and streaming: AirVPN supports video streaming on Amazon Prime and Disney+. However, it struggles a bit with Netflix streaming.  
• AirVPN and BitTorrent: The service supports P2P networks and torrent websites. You only need to select your preferred server and start torrenting.
• AirVPN and split tunneling: AirVPN supports split tunneling. However, you can’t route your connection based on the active application.
• Security, privacy, and encryption: It supports 256-bit AES with forwarding security. There is also a kill switch and no logs policy for improved security.
• Server networks: It has 242 servers in over 21 nations, allowing users to choose from a variety of networks.
• Customer service: Its support is email-based and user forum.
• China and AirVPN: From a theoretical perspective, it should work. However, there are no guarantees since it requires advanced configuration skills to bypass the Great Firewall of China.
• Subscription: Based on your preferred plan, it costs between $2.37 and $8.31. There is also a 30-day cash back for first-time users.

AirVPN’s outline

AirVPN came online in Italy in 2010 as a completely free VPN. However, it’s evolved into a paid service with over 200 servers in 23 countries. The project’s leadership comprises activists and privacy advocates, and those values show in some of its policies. It’s passionate about online privacy and personal freedom on the Internet. So, it has a strict no-logs policy. It makes it a priority not to gather more information than is essential. As a result, speeds are outstanding, and the VPN is feature-rich.

That being said, OpenVPN is the only protocol supported, and the app isn’t pretty. In fact, the app could scare the newbie user, but you could use it for nothing more than to choose a server and connect.

So AirVPN will do the job for the privacy-aware user, but those who lack expertise could find themselves needing to learn quickly.

My honest, extensive AirVPN review will expand on all the details we mention in this outline and more.

Vital stats for AirVPN

As I used AirVPN, I found speeds to reach 46.7Mbps, it supports streams of 4K resolution, but you won’t be able to unblock Netflix or any other streaming service.

There is a kill switch feature, and the encryption is the industry-standard AES256 with perfect forward secrecy. The best news is that you can probably use it for a fee as low as 2.75EUR ($3.27), so even with all its limitations, it offers excellent value for money.

Other fine features include good security in servers and apps, split tunneling, support for Linux and routers, Tor browsing over VPN, and many advanced settings.

On the not-so-good side of things, we find that it only supports OpenVPN. In addition, the client is not user-friendly, it’s useless with streaming services, and it has no native support for iOS or ChromeOS.

We included the advanced features as a con and pro because some users will find it to their advantage, and some won’t. More on that later.

AirVPN key features

Price	$2.93/month
Money-back guarantee	30 days
User logs	No
Server networks	246+
Devices per license	5
Kill switch	Yes
Home country	Italy
Customer service	Email
Torrenting	Yes

AirVPN pros and cons

AirVPN’s speeds

AirVPN stands out for its transparent approach to service offerings. For example, it allows you to check the connection speed of various servers at any time. If there’s a significant drop in speed or dissatisfaction, notifying AirVPN is an effortless process. They actively utilize client feedback to enhance the quality of their services, which is commendable.

We drew a few conclusions when analyzing the speed performance; 

• Servers near our office offered a speed similar to our usual internet connection, which is impressive. 
• Faraway servers significantly slowed our download speed to about half the usual speed. 
• The VPN ran smoothly in the background without causing any noticeable disruptions in our day-to-day usage. 

While AirVPN’s speeds didn’t always reach the fastest levels we desired, its local servers performed exceptionally well, earning them a respectable 8/10 rating for speed.

Speed test results

We conducted multiple tests on speedtest.net to obtain an unbiased assessment of AirVPN’s speed capabilities. To establish a baseline, we initially ran a test without using a VPN, which serves as our benchmark for comparison. 

Many factors can influence your connection speed, including the proximity to the VPN server and whether you’re connected via Wi-Fi, using a cable, or cellular data. Due to these variables, your own speed test outcomes may differ from ours. The results presented below offer a general idea of the potential overall impact of using AirVPN on your speed. 

Server	Download speed (Mbps)	% Download	Upload speed (Mbps)	% Upload	Ping (ms)
Not connected to VPN	97.23	100	29.98	100	8
UK (London)	91.96	94.9	28.75	96.91	9
US (New York)	66.92	68.4	26.99	95.32	165
US (Los Angeles)	51.34	54.2	25.21	85.24	294

As depicted in the test results, the network maintains its speed when routed through an AirVPN server close to our physical location. Even when connecting to a distant server (in this case, a US server from the UK), the results were still quite respectable. 

However, when comparing these outcomes to our baseline results, we observed a nearly 49% reduction in download speed with faraway servers. Additionally, the ping increased, resulting in longer reaction times during practical usage. On the positive side, the upload speed remained remarkably stable. In summary, these results demonstrate excellent performance for local servers but less impressive performance for faraway ones, yet not too bad.

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Speed during daily use

We manually evaluated AirVPN’s performance during our testing process, and the results were quite impressive. Whether connected to a local server or one in the United States, we experienced seamless internet browsing. There was no noticeable lag while loading YouTube videos or opening web pages, indicating smooth and swift connectivity. 

Even when we initiated file downloads, the AirVPN connection speed remained steadfast without any lag. The only minor observation was that the computer’s workload slightly increased to maintain a cool temperature during prolonged use. However, AirVPN proved to be a reliable and commendable VPN option for regular and daily usage.

In general, AirVPN’s speeds are quite impressive for gaming. Besides unblocking VoIP features, the ping is low enough to ensure a smooth gaming experience. However, if you experience lags due to slow speeds or frequent disconnections, you should try connecting to a different server, preferably a nearby one.

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Support for devices and apps

These are the supported systems and platforms in AirVPN:

• Routers
• Windows
• Linux
• RaspberryPi
• Android
• iOS
• ChromeOS

The native Linux app is welcome for sure, but we should have one for iOS and ChromeOS in this day and age.

The platforms include a configuration generator, which should make life a little easier for newbies.

In AirVPN, you can use a VPN on five devices simultaneously with one subscription. This is the standard across VPNs – some allow for more, however. A few, like Surfshark, even offer unlimited simultaneous connections.

The VPN app is called Eddie. Really. It’s not too friendly or pretty. It looks like it was designed some time ago, and was never updated. Eddie is overflown with advanced options and customization settings. This is the kind of thing that the most advanced users will love, but that will turn off those who are not very experienced with VPNs.

Let me be clear about something: I like advanced settings. It empowers the user, it makes things more transparent, and it’s just what some of us want. That being said, there are better ways to make them available than just dumping them all into a single page. That just discourages newer users.

Eddie includes an “expert mode.” Unfortunately, it does nothing as far as I can tell, and the app just looks and feels like it’s in expert mode from the start.

The server list allows you to white or black list any server you want and choose the countries you wish to use.

If you visit the website, you will find the “Download” tab where you can perform the AirVPN free downloads you need for your operating system or router.

Routers and AirVPN

Any OpenVPN-enabled router works with AirVPN. In addition, most routers that support VPNs are compatible with OpenVPN (it’s another industry standard), so finding a suitable router for AirVPN should be easy.

I mentioned earlier that I could configure AirVPN on my router to use with one of my gaming consoles, and everything went well.

But what is the point of configuring a VPN on a router? If you do so, you can connect any device to the router and remain protected by your VPN service, even if the device in question is not supported natively. Also, you can have more concurrent connections in that way because every connection to the VPN that goes through your router counts as a single one for your provider.

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Setup and installation

AirVPN is known for its user-friendly installation process on PC and Android devices, making it a straightforward experience for those platforms. However, it becomes more complicated when installed on iOS devices.

For Windows (7, 8, and 10), Linux, and macOS users, the installation process involves these steps:

1. Visit AirVPN’s homepage and click on the ‘Download’ button. 
2. Choose your operating system (OS). 
3. Select your preferred ‘flavor.’ 
4. Click on the prominent ‘Download’ button to start the automatic download of the installer.
5. Locate the installer file at the bottom left side of your screen and proceed with installing Eddie (AirVPN’s client). 

On the other hand, setting up AirVPN on an Android device is much simpler: 

1. Launch the Google Play Store and type ‘AirVPN’ on the search bar. 
2. Select ‘Install’ for the ‘Eddie – AirVPN official OpenVPN GUI’ app. 
3. Open the app and connect to a server. 

However, if you want to use AirVPN on your router or iOS devices, like iPhone or iPad, you’ll have to configure it manually. While AirVPN does offer detailed guides on their forum for such setups, it might be a bit more effort than some users are willing to invest. Many other options offer smoother setup processes if you prefer a VPN for iOS that doesn’t require manual configuration.

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Streaming- Does AirVPN unblock streaming services?

Regrettably, we couldn’t assess AirVPN’s streaming capabilities due to a VirusTotal test indicating the presence of malware in its Windows client. Consequently, we emailed its customer service to inquire about AirVPN’s compatibility with streaming platforms like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, Disney+, and Hulu. Unfortunately, even after waiting for three working days, we did not receive any response from its customer service team. 

Unblocks: None

We decided to explore the VPN’s official forum for more insights. After reviewing various customer posts and staff replies, we discovered that AirVPN does not unblock any of the mentioned platforms.

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Blocked by: Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video

Several users mentioned that AirVPN no longer works with Netflix, a sentiment that was supported by the forum’s moderator, who also expressed doubts about AirVPN’s reliability in unblocking Netflix. 

BBC iPlayer presented similar challenges, with numerous complaints from users stating that AirVPN couldn’t bypass its geo-blocks, likely due to the platform blocking AirVPN’s UK-based IP addresses. 

Additionally, AirVPN faced issues with Hulu, as the platform blocked all of its servers. Further perusing the forum revealed that AirVPN encountered difficulties in unblocking other streaming services such as Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and HBO Max. The absence of streaming-optimized servers contributed to its struggle to bypass these platforms’ geo-blocks. To confirm this, you can refer to the ‘Blocked websites’ posts on AirVPN’s official forums, which compile a list of sites with restricted access to AirVPN’s servers.

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Does AirVPN support torrenting?

AirVPN presents itself as a robust choice for those seeking anonymity while torrenting. The service boasts commendable download and upload speeds, ensuring a smooth torrenting experience.

Alongside its minimal logging policy, AirVPN offers a range of advanced privacy tools, including a VPN kill switch, making it ideal for P2P activities. AirVPN goes a step further for seasoned torrent users by allowing port forwarding on up to 20 ports simultaneously, enhancing transfer speeds significantly. To access this feature, you can easily navigate to the ‘Client Area’ on the VPN’s official website. 

It’s essential to know that AirVPN is based in Italy, which means it falls under the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance. This presents a risk as the provider can be compelled to share user information with other countries within the alliance. While AirVPN claims not to log any data, its assertion can’t be entirely verified without a thorough cybersecurity audit.

How does AirVPN compare to other VPNs for torrenting?

AirVPN is undoubtedly one of the rising torrenting VPNs in the market. We further compared other VPNs to understand AirVPN’s position in the VPN landscape. 

VPN provider	P2P Bitrate	Number of P2P servers	Automatic kill switch	Port forwarding	Jurisdiction
AirVPN	9.7 MiB/s	200+	Yes	Yes	Italy
ExpressVPN	9.4 MiB/s	3,000+	Yes	Only on the router app	British Virgin Islands
NordVPN	9.8 MiB/s	5,000+	Yes	No	Panama
Surfshark VPN	9.5 MiB/s	3,200+	Yes	No	Netherlands
Private Internet Access (PIA)	9.4 MiB/s	30,000+	Yes	Yes	Denver

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AirVPN features

Split tunneling

Split tunneling is a feature that allows you to choose how to route your traffic. AirVPN supports it, as many other providers also do these days.

The split tunneling option commonly allows you to define your traffic by IP address, hostname, or application.

It’s advantageous to be able to route traffic depending on the active application because you can’t know beforehand every hostname, let alone the IP address, that a specific app is going to need. Unfortunately, that’s something you can’t do in AirVPN because you can only route your traffic depending on your IP address or hostname. It’s still a helpful feature, but this is a department in which it could be way better.

Because Eddie is not the most straightforward beast to tame, let me tell you how to enable split tunneling on AirVPN:

1. Look on the bottom-left side of the app and find the slider icon menu. Click it.
2. From Settings, choose Routes.
3. Add an IP address, IP address range, or hostname by clicking on + on the top right.
4. Select between Inside the VPN tunnel or Outside the VPN tunnel according to your wishes.
5. Click on Save.
6. You’re done.

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DNS routing

Bypassing geo-blocks with a VPN and other geo-spoofing technology is being prohibited by an increasing number of streaming providers. However, AirVPN circumvents these limitations via an innovative DNS routing scheme that “double-hops” your connection over two internal servers.

Therefore, this VPN is ideal for accessing US streaming services like Hulu. AirVPN works with Hulu and Netflix even when connected to servers located outside the US. However, it doesn’t support BBC iPlayer.

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Through Tor

AirVPN supports the Tor network. You can prevent your ISP or other third parties from monitoring your online activity by routing your Internet traffic through the AirVPN servers and the Tor network. Further, encryption and the anonymity the Tor network provides protect you from cybercriminals, phishing attacks, and malware.

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SSL and SSH tunneling

AirVPN offers various alternative ports, such as 443, that help establish a VPN connection. Using alternative ports helps bypass VPN blocks in countries like Iran and China (although it is partially effective). 

Furthermore, AirVPN offers a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) tunneling. The method involves establishing a secure connection between a client and a server over the Internet. It is often used to secure web traffic, e.g., HTTPS. On the other hand, Secure Shell (SSH) tunneling remotely and securely connects to and interacts with a remote server and executes commands. It is often used to administer servers remotely or securely transfer files between computers.

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Security- Is AirVPN secure?

Ensuring online safety is a crucial aspect when evaluating a VPN. The primary purpose of using a VPN is to safeguard and anonymize your internet activities. Below are our key observations regarding AirVPN security features: 

• AirVPN utilizes OpenVPN and offers a beta version of WireGuard to enhance security further. 
• The provider strictly adheres to a no-log policy and employs RAM systems to guarantee that your activity logs are not retained. 
• AirVPN includes a kill switch feature, adding an extra layer of protection by disconnecting your internet if the VPN connection drops. 
• AirVPN allows you to create an account entirely anonymously by making payments with cryptocurrency if you prioritize anonymity. 

AirVPN’s notable strength lies in its dedicated emphasis on privacy and safety, resulting in an impressive rating of 9.0/10 for this particular aspect. Rest assured, AirVPN takes security seriously and strives to offer users a safe and private online experience.

Encryption

AirVPN likes to provide much technical information on everything, and encryption technology is no exception.

As a result, the network supports many encryption algorithms, including:

• AES-256-GCM
• AES-256-CBC
• AES-192-GCM
• AES-192-CBC
• AES-128-GCM
• AES-128-CBC
• CHACHA20-POLY1305
• TLS-DHE-RSA-WITH-AES-256-CBC-SHA
• TLS-DHE-RSA-WITH-CHACHA20-POLY1305-SHA256
• TLS-DHE-RSA-WITH-AES-256-CBC-SHA256
• TLS-DHE-RSA-WITH-AES-256-GCM-SHA384
• Perfect Forward Secrecy via Diffie-Hellman key exchange DHE. Right after the first key negotiation, re-keying gets performed every hour time (the client can unilaterally lower this value)
• 4096-bit RSA key size
• 4096-bit Diffie-Hellman keys size (unique for each server, VPN, or webserver)

You don’t need to understand the mathematical details that make the difference between AES-256-GCM and AES-256-CBC. The thing you need to know is that the world’s scientific community has tested each of those algorithms. As a result, it’s deemed perfectly safe as no attack has been found against it — a bit of information that is also detailed on AirVPN’s policy page.

AirVPN can also unblock HBO GO through the US servers and Hulu.

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Protocols 

AirVPN supports the OpenVPN protocol, which is popular among highly-performing VPNs and is regarded as one of the most secure protocols. Moreover, AirVPN uses AES-250-GCM, 4096-bit DH, CHACHA20-POLY1305, or RSA keys encryption protocols, which are pretty solid. 

Furthermore, AirVPN offers OpenVPN over SSL, SSH, or Tor, which are ideal for bypassing censorship. In addition, AirVPN has designed a unique protocol dubbed ‘Eddie.’ Also, other premium VPN services like ExpressVPN and NordVPN have proprietary protocols called Lightway and NordLynx, respectively.

AirVPN announced that it was testing WireGuard Protocol, which may be available soon on Android, Windows, Linux, macOS, and iOS platforms.

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Kill switch 

AirVPN uses an automatic kill switch to cut your internet if it detects a VPN malfunction, preventing your data from falling into the wrong hands. To activate this feature, launch the app and click on ‘Activate Network Lock.’

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Privacy- Is AirVPN private? 

AirVPN’s commitment to protecting your privacy is unmatched. The VPN values your online privacy, and as such, it employs specific measures to uphold this commitment. Despite being situated in a 5/9/11 Eyes Alliance jurisdiction, AirVPN uses key features such as a no-logs policy, encryption, an automatic kill switch, and secure protocols to safeguard your privacy.

Logging and privacy 

AirVPN’s privacy statement assures users that the provider adheres to a strict no-logging policy. The only exception is the email address you use when creating an account. So, you shouldn’t use an email that contains private information.

To enhance your privacy, AirVPN actually recommends using an anonymous email address while signing up. One crucial aspect of AirVPN’s commitment to user privacy is that they are adamant about not keeping any records of user activities.

In fact, they explicitly state that sharing user data under pressure from private companies is considered illegal. While some information is necessary for the service to function and get you online, AirVPN takes extra measures to ensure your privacy.

Any essential data required for operations is stored in random-access memory (RAM) through automatic systems. This means that your activity logs, IP address, and any other identifiable information are not retained in any way. In short, if you aim to maintain anonymity online, AirVPN stands as an excellent option to safeguard your privacy.

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What information does AirVPN need?

When signing up for an account on AirVPN, you’ll be asked to provide a username, email address, and password. However, it’s worth noting that according to AirVPN, a ‘real email address’ is NOT mandatory. 

If you prefer not to share your email address, you can use a random string instead. It’s important to consider that certain private information about yourself may be disclosed when using payment methods like PayPal, credit cards, or Amazon Pay. 

Nevertheless, rest assured that this sensitive data will be handled and processed by the payment system itself and not by AirVPN. Consequently, the provider will not have access to your payment details, ensuring an extra layer of privacy. 

Furthermore, AirVPN allows payment with various types of cryptocurrencies. This allows you to subscribe to AirVPN completely anonymously, safeguarding your identity throughout the process.

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AirVPN requires third-party verification 

AirVPN is not clear on its logging policy, so we contacted its support team looking for answers. We were surprised to learn that it collects technical data, which you can later request for deletion. However, the support team also claims that it hasn’t been found collecting user logs, so the question is still unclear. 

In the future, we would love to see AirVPN undergo an independent audit to substantiate its non-logging claims. This would give users the confidence needed to build trust in the VPN’s credibility and reliability. 

Furthermore, keeping its privacy policy up-to-date would go a long way in improving its transparency.

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Trustworthy ownership but troubling EU jurisdiction

AirVPN boasts an impressive history, having been established in 2010 by a small group of passionate activists and hackers who sought the guidance of two lawyers in Italy. Remarkably, for over eleven years, AirVPN has never encountered any security scandals or been acquired by a larger corporation.

Initially, the service was under the management of Iridium, a satellite communications company, until November 2012, when AirVPN took the reins. Presently, Paolo Brini is credited as the current owner, and the operations continue to be centered in Perugia, Italy.

One notable aspect of AirVPN’s commitment to privacy is the management by activists and individuals keenly attuned to security concerns. However, being located in Italy, the company falls under the purview of EU data retention laws.

This EU jurisdiction raises concerns and accentuates the importance of third-party verification of AirVPN’s logging practices. Ensuring transparency becomes paramount to addressing these potential challenges.

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The AirVPN server network

If you’re seeking ways to bypass censorship, having a VPN provider with a wide range of IP addresses across various countries can be extremely beneficial. This is particularly useful when you’re abroad and encounter difficulties accessing local websites. In general, a VPN enables you to gain better access to location-specific content. Regarding AirVPN’s server network, we observed the following key points: 

• AirVPN boasts a relatively small server network, but it functions exceptionally well. 
• Its servers have to adhere to strict requirements, ensuring a high level of quality and security. 
• If you need a dedicated IP address, you can contact AirVPN and request a custom plan.
• AirVPN even allows you to suggest additional servers, which can help bypass geo-blocked content effectively. 

Given its focused and well-maintained network, we gave AirVPN a commendable rating of 7 out of 10 for its server network.

Number of servers and locations

AirVPN maintains an impressive network of nearly 250 servers spanning 22 countries. In addition, it has eight internal servers exclusively used for double-hop connections. These specialized servers are strategically placed in Australia, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Let’s take a closer look at their server offering: 

Continent	Countries
Asia and Oceania	Singapore, Japan, New Zealand
Europe	Germany, Austria, Latvia, Belgium, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Norway, United Kingdom, Romania, Spain, Ukraine, Sweden, Serbia, Estonia, Bulgaria
North America	United States, Canada
South America	Brazil

Despite having a smaller server network compared to other well-known VPN providers, AirVPN deliberately makes this choice. It prioritizes quality over quantity and refrains from adding server locations merely for the sake of increasing the number of countries they cover. 

Each of AirVPN’s servers must meet rigorous criteria concerning privacy, net neutrality, bandwidth, peering (data exchange between ISPs), and usage policy. This ensures that all servers uphold high standards and deliver reliable performance to their users. 

One impressive aspect of AirVPN’s transparency is the ‘Servers’ tab on their website. Here, you can instantly access real-time information about the status of servers, connection speeds, and any ongoing issues. 

While the dashboard might appear slightly overwhelming initially, it offers a comprehensive and detailed overview of everything happening with AirVPN’s servers. Overall, AirVPN’s focus on quality and openness regarding its server operations makes it a trustworthy choice for those seeking a secure and dependable VPN service.

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Dedicated IP address

AirVPN utilizes shared IP addresses as a default setting, meaning that all users connected to a particular server will share the same exit IP address. However, if you prefer a dedicated static IP address for your exclusive use, you can request to contact AirVPN for a custom plan. 

However, AirVPN does not explicitly state the specifics of such a custom plan on its website. With a dedicated IP address, you’ll have a fixed and unique IP solely for your use. However, it’s essential to consider that this can lead to reduced privacy compared to shared IPs, as anyone can track your online activities.

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Suggest new servers

AirVPN encourages user involvement in suggesting new servers. If you have a server location in mind that you believe would be beneficial, you can send them a request. Before adding any new servers, AirVPN subjects them to thorough testing to ensure they meet the company’s stringent requirements. This dedication to maintaining high standards ensures a reliable and secure server network.

Regarding servers intended solely for bypassing geo-restrictions, AirVPN adopts a slightly different approach. While their regular servers must adhere to all requirements, those intended explicitly for unblocking purposes may undergo evaluation on a case-by-case basis. This approach allows them to maintain flexibility while prioritizing the overall quality of their services.

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Customer service

Customer service in AirVPN is email-based. There is also a user forum.

There is no live chat or phone customer service, so the customer service would seem to be below the industry standards, but it’s not.

I sent an email asking for help, and I had a helpful answer within 24 hours. It answered my question with all courtesy.

So while it could lack some features, the customer service is good enough.

China and AirVPN

Many prospective VPN users want to know if a given VPN works in China. So, will AirVPN work in China?

AirVPN provides no information or guarantees, so you have to ask the customer support service directly if you want to know. This should not come as a surprise because using VPNs to bypass the Great Firewall of China is illegal inside that country, and you can’t expect any organization to advertise its product as a resource to support criminal activities.

So I asked the question. The customer support team answered with an email explaining how to configure my VPN service to work from China. So AirVPN works in China, theoretically. But I will not tell you that it, indeed, does the trick because I could not verify it personally. As far as I can tell, it could go both ways. So if you want to be sure, you must try it yourself.

After reading through posts made by AirVPN users on this topic, it seems that AirVPN will bypass the Great Firewall of China if you have the advanced skills you need to configure it correctly. So, it’s a qualified yes, but not the best VPN for China. That being said, my experience is that if you just ask the customer support team to tell you how to do this, they will give you all the information you need within 24 hours.

Ease of use 

Signing up for the service across multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS is easy. These clients are easy to install and offer numerous servers, no logs policy, and a kill switch, among other customizable settings.

The payment method is straightforward as well. If you’re using a different cryptocurrency, it only requires Bitcoin payments via coinbase and CoinPayments.

Setting up Windows VPN clients is also easy. You can find detailed documentation and tutorials on its website on how to get started with the service and troubleshoot any issues you may encounter.

Subscription costs

Now, we arrive at one of AirVPN’s most attractive features: the price.

Let’s start with the market’s context. A good VPN with every feature you want (some that work with Netflix and some that don’t) will set you back by 10 USD monthly. That’s the average monthly fee.

AirVPN’s subscription will cost you anywhere from 2 to 7 EUR monthly ($2.37 to $8.31), depending on your chosen plan. That makes it cheaper than the average high-quality VPN.

Let’s see the numbers a little closer. First, there is a three-day trial at 2 EUR. Then, the plans can be of various lengths: one, three, six, twelve, twenty-four, and thirty-six months are the options.

The poles are the single-month and the thirty-six-month plan, costing 7 and 99 EUR, respectively. That translates into a monthly cost of as low as 2.75 EUR ($3.27), way below the industry’s average price. Even the one and two-year plans will give you significant savings as you will pay 4.08 or 3.29 EUR per month.

This pricing scheme makes AirVPN one of the most cost-effective options on the Internet.

How does AirVPN compare with other options in the market?

It compares well, but let me show you the details.

Let’s start by pointing out the better features of other VPNs – NordVPN and ExpressVPN- specifically as they are the top providers today.

Streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Primer, and BBC iPlayer can be unlocked with Nord and Express, while AirVPN is useless in this regard.

AirVPN’s speeds do not look very sexy compared with NordVPN or ExpressVPN. The speeds are 46.7, 115, and 134 Mbps, respectively, so AirVPN is much slower than those other two options. However, a little over 46Mbps is still enough for an excellent online experience unless you’re very used to higher speeds. But that’s just one thing; let’s see others.

Now, let’s look at the features in which AirVPN is just as good as the other two top premium VPNs:

• Allows torrents.
• It has a kill switch.
• Keeps no logs
• It uses the same AES256 encryption as the others.
• It has a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Last but not least, AirVPN’s price is better than any of the other two options, which might not be a small thing to consider for many.

1. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN has server networks in over 94 countries. It supports various devices, including Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux, for $6.67 per month. Unfortunately, the service is more expensive compared to other providers. However, you can get value for money due to various security and privacy features such as no logs policy, kill switch, and fast and unblocking streaming sites. Also,, it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and works in China.

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2. Private Internet Access (PIA)

Private Internet Access (PIA) is a pocket-friendly VPN with high regard for user privacy and security. The VPN has many premium features that give it an edge over its competitors. PIA boasts a top-level encryption protocol, a network kill switch, a strict no-logging policy, and a blend of other security features.

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3. NordVPN

NordVPN is available for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS and can be used on multiple devices with a single account. It has 400+ servers spread across 60+ countries with a price start of $2.99 per month. The service has a no-logs policy, high-speed servers, and strong encryption features.

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4. Surfshark

Surfshark has server networks in 65+ countries and supports various devices such as macOS, Linux, Windows, iOS, and Android. Subscription starts from $2.05 per month and offers a range of features and protocols, including support for unlimited simultaneous devices, high-speed servers, and a no-log policy. The service also unblocks almost all popular streaming services.

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AirVPN comparison table

Comparison Table 

	AirVPN	ExpressVPN	Private Internet Access (PIA)	NordVPN	Surfshark
Average speed (Mbps)	44.5	475	350	369	324
Data encryption	AES 256-bit encryption	AES 256-bit encryption	AES 256-bit encryption	AES 256-bit encryption	AES 256-bit encryption
Automatic kill switch	Yes	Desktop only	Yes	Yes	Yes
Torrenting	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
User logs	No	Some aggregated data	No	No	No
Unblocks Netflix US	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Unblocks Prime Video	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Unblocks Hulu	No		Yes	Yes	Yes
Unblocks BBC iPlayer	No		Yes	No	Yes
Lower monthly subscription	$2.37		$2.99	%6.67	$2.21
Money-back guarantee	30 days		30 days	30 days	30 days
Overall rating	6		9.7	9.3	9.3
Best deal per month	$2.37		$2.99	$6.67	$2.05

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How we tested Air VPN

We did several tests to evaluate AirVPN’s performance. 

1. Performance – VPNs reduce internet speed because of the encryption and traffic rerouting processes. So, we tested our speed before connecting to the VPN to establish a baseline. Then, we connected to the VPN server in different locations and tested the speed for various applications like streaming, gaming, and downloading torrents. The speeds remained stable and consistent, demonstrating excellent performance.
2. Compatibility – A good VPN should work well with all popular operating systems. Therefore, we downloaded and installed the apps AirVPN claims to support to see if they work optimally. Thankfully, the installation process is user-friendly on all devices except iOS. 
3. Unblocking capability – Unfortunately, we couldn’t test AirVPN’s streaming capabilities as our antivirus flagged malware on the VPN’s Windows app. 
4. Security – Not all VPNs are secure. So, we tested AirVPN’s security features to see if they work. The VPN changed our IP address when we connected to a server. Also, we checked if the kill switch is effective or if the VPN leaks DNS requests. Finally, we read the privacy policy to see if the provider collects logs. All these tests were satisfactory. 
5. Money-back guarantee – This is a great way to test the VPN service without financial risk. We requested a refund, and the company didn’t require much explanation.

So what is the tea in AirVPN?

Ok, so now that I’ve shown you all you need to know about AirVPN’s features, privacy policies, background, and functionality, the question is: will I recommend it to you? I do. But let me offer you a more nuanced answer.

AirVPN is a good service. It knows how to secure its servers, and it’s committed to minimal data collection; it supports Linux (and routers) natively; it has a kill switch, split tunneling, and Tor over VPN. But, on the other hand, it’s fraught with advanced options for the experts. On top of that, it’s cheap.

So what is not to like, then? Well, if you lack expertise, this may not be the VPN for you. Eddie (the app’s name) is not user-friendly, and the overabundance of configurable options can only confuse newcomers to the VPN world. Of course, you can always just log in, pick the server you want inside the app, get connected, and forget about everything else. Inexperienced users don’t have to mess around with the myriad advanced settings in the app. But they could still get scared.

So, if you are looking for the first VPN you will ever use, this is not your best option. Other VPNs such as ExpressVPN and Surfshark are also good (actually better) but also more friendly towards beginners.

The lack of native apps for Chrome OS and iOS looks terrible, but it could be good. That will make you use third-party clients that are undoubtedly easier to use, with more friendliness in the design and a more straightforward user interface. And since AirVPN offers a configuration generator, you need not bother with the pains associated with manual connections.

Besides that, the only other limitation of AirVPN’s service is that it’s useless for unblocking streaming services. We don’t mind that much, though. A VPN’s vital mission is to protect my privacy and not guarantee my entertainment, so we’re all for the VPNs that focus on fulfilling that mission. But I know it could be a problem for many.

FAQs