Atlas VPN boasts of being among the few premium VPN services that offer a free version. It has robust security features, zero ads, a no-logs policy, and unlimited data. On the other hand, the paid packages are reasonably priced, making the VPN a great budget-friendly option.
Atlas VPN is a relatively new provider founded in 2020. It has come a long way in a short time and now competes with more established services. Atlas VPN was initially available as a mobile app but has recently introduced desktop apps.
In this unbiased review of Atlas VPN, we’ll look at its different aspects like the performance, unblocking capability, user interface, and more in detail.
Atlas VPN quick review
| Jurisdiction | United States |
| Lowest price | $1.89 |
| Logs | Zero-logs policy |
| Support | FAQs, email |
| Torrenting | Yes |
| Unblocks sites | Yes |
| Server locations | 43 countries |
Atlas VPN pros and cons
Here are some of the Atlas VPN’s strengths and weaknesses:
- Robust encryption
- Automatic kill switch
- Free version
- P2P support
- Unblocks most streaming platforms
- Two-factor authentication
- Web filters
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Small server network
- No live chat support
- Only a single protocol option
- Headquartered in the US
Servers and locations
This VPN service offers a smaller network of over 1,000 servers distributed across 42 countries worldwide. The VPN server locations are primarily in North America, Asia, and Europe, with one solely in Africa.
Atlas VPN provides servers in the locations listed below:
| Continents | Atlas VPN (premium) Nations | Atlas VPN (Free) Nations |
|---|---|---|
| North America | 3 | 1 |
| Africa | 1 | 0 |
| Europe | 25 | 1 |
| South America | 3 | 0 |
| Oceania | 2 | 0 |
| Asia | 7 | 0 |
Atlas VPN should add major countries like South Korea and India in their future updates. The current servers are simply typical, lacking dedicated servers for obfuscation and dedicated IPs. In addition, the app does not include details like ping and server load, making it difficult to select the most suitable server.
On the other hand, Atlas VPN Free only offers servers in 3 cities and 2 countries: Amsterdam in the Netherlands as well as Los Angeles and New York in the US. Unfortunately, this is poor compared to the best free VPNs, such as Hide.me and Windscribe, which offer servers up to 12 server locations. The European IP is a modest improvement, as many free VPNs only provide US servers.
Zero virtual server locations are available
Each Atlas VPN server is situated physically in its own country, implying that each IP address allocated and its actual location are both in the same region. This method allows you to be certain you are not using distant servers. Conversely, it restricts the number of nations in which Atlas VPN offers server locations.
Speed and performance: How fast is Atlas VPN?
Almost all VPNs will slow down your connection, but some can mitigate the speed loss. I measured the baseline speeds in different locations and calculated the drop-off percentage to get the most accurate picture.
Baseline: ping – 15m/s, download speed – 83Mbps, Upload speed – 22Mbps
| Location | Ping (m/s) | Download speed (Mbps) | Upload speed (Mbps) |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK | 19 | 61 | 20 |
| US (LA) | 89 | 81 | 12 |
| US (NY) | 76 | 78 | 9 |
| US (FL) | 92 | 72 | 11 |
| Spain | 102 | 32 | 8 |
| Germany | 17 | 75 | 21 |
| Australia | 121 | 22 | 7 |
| Singapore | 114 | 33 | 12 |
| India | 132 | 28 | 10 |
| Sweden | 24 | 56 | 19 |
As the table above shows, the upload and download speeds you get will mainly depend on where you are. For example, the speed reduction with US and UK servers is less than 10%. However, with remote servers like in India and Australia, the connection slowed by over 70%. On the other hand, the ping rate increases as the distance gets further.
Atlas VPN servers are not the fastest in the industry. Making the matter worse, the provider does not offer a variety of tunneling protocols. This is a significant issue considering other services such as ExpressVPN and NordVPN gives you more protocol options and better speed. Nonetheless, Atlas VPN is relatively new, so catching up will take some time.
Atlas VPN’s ping is very high for online gaming
During our tests, we realized Atlas VPN lags excessively while gaming on distant servers. We did test the VPN by connecting a Brazil server to access a less demanding gaming lobby.
However, our ping went from 1ms up to 114ms, which was extremely high for demanding games such as CS: GO. The latency is worse than that of top-notch VPN services, such as ExpressVPN, which has an average latency of 3ms. Therefore, this makes them a better choice for online gaming without lags.
The VPN service had a better performance on the cloud-based gaming option. When streaming them, the speed download rates were nearly similar to when we gamed locally on our gadget. In addition, we were able to unblock geo-restricted cloud gaming services such as Xbox Cloud Gaming.
Speed tests for Atlas VPN Free
This VPN’s Free service is faster than most free VPN providers. We only recorded a 6% speed loss during our testing when we connected to our nearby London server.
Even so, the user experience differs considerably depending on your location because the Atlas VPN Free only connects to two countries. The further you are from the servers, the slower and more unreliable the connection.
We obtained the following results while connecting to the 3 Atlas VPN Free server locations using a 100Mbps internet connection.
| Server location | Download speed | Upload speed | Ping | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No VPN (London) | 100Mbps | 100Mbps | 1ms | 0 miles |
| UK (London) | 95Mbps | 94Mbps | 8ms | 5 miles |
| US (Los Angeles) | 86Mbps | 96Mbps | 80ms | 3,000 miles |
| Netherlands (Amsterdam) | 94Mbps | 95Mbps | 86ms | 4,700 miles |
The Atlas VPN Free servers are similar to its premium version ones, and neither are throttled. Therefore, the slow speeds could only have been caused by server congestion due to the large number of users connected to a single server.
Unluckily, unlike other Free VPN services, Atlas VPN’s app does not offer any details about the server load and lacks various servers in these locations to connect to. We would like this VPN to offer more server alternatives or information regarding server load in their next update to avoid congestion.
Security – Is Atlas VPN safe?
Given its low pricing, Atlas VPN offers typical VPN security features. Like most VPN providers, it includes a WireGuard protocol, IP leak prevention, and a kill switch. However, the service does not employ RAM-diskless servers or include split tunneling in desktop apps. Fortunately, you may rely on Atlas VPN to safeguard your web traffic, but you will not have access to advanced features found in top-tier VPN services.
Encryption and tunneling protocols
The VPN will encrypt your connection immediately you connect to a server. Apart from changing your actual IP address, it will also scramble your data. In case your traffic leaks accidentally, no one will be able to read your information.
Particularly, Atlas VPN uses AES 256-bit encryption, which is the standard security level in the industry. In addition, it rearranges your data into random numbers, letters, and characters, making it almost impossible to crack.
Unfortunately, Atlas VPN only offers IPSec/IKEv2 option. Although this is still functional and safe, it is becoming outdated, and the company should upgrade. In addition, many services are increasingly embracing WiredGurad protocol, which is hailed for improving security and speed.
Kill switch
Recently, the provider has added a feature that prevents leakage. It is known as a kill switch and is intended to cut the internet connection if the VPN is compromised. We tested it by blocking the router’s connection. The kill switch was swift at blocking the traffic when we interrupted the connection to the server. Thankfully, the traffic flow resumes automatically if the VPN reconnects.
Atlas VPN passed all our leak tests
We tested Atlas VPN via our DNS, WebRTC, and IP leak testing. This VPN service passed all the tests, and not a bit of our personal data was compromised.
We were quite impressed with how this VPN assigned us an IPv6 address. On the other hand, most VPNs only attempt to restrict IPv6 connections, which may pose a privacy risk.
It rents servers from unapproved third-parties providers
Atlas VPN rents its 1,000 servers from a third-party provider. After contacting them, the service confirmed they do not go through an evaluation process for every server, raising security concerns. In addition, the service claims to enact its security precautions on every leased server but does not provide any information about them.
Unfortunately, the service does not offer diskless servers, implying that your data may be kept or seized from a faulty VPN server.
Considering its purchase by the Nord Security firm, it is our only hope that Atlas VPN will soon adopt some advanced features in NordVPN, such as diskless servers and colocated servers. These features would significantly lower the threat to user data presented by unreliable third-party server providers.
Encrypts traffic twice via multihop+ servers
Atlas VPN’s premium services offer the MultiHop+ feature. This option routes your web traffic via two separate VPN servers, whereas a regular VPN connection merely utilizes one server. You can access them in the app’s ‘Privacy Pro’ menu, with two choices, i.e., North America and Europe.
Since you cannot select the destination of your exit server, this feature is not ideal for circumventing geo-restrictions on the internet. Unfortunately, you can only connect the multi-hop server to an entire continent rather than a specific country, resulting in a random IP address every time you establish a connection.
Moreover, unlike most Double VPNs we tested, MultiHop+ encrypts your traffic on both servers, which solely encrypts traffic at the final server. Double encryption is a minor security upgrade, although not promoted on the VPN’s official site. We found the feature after testing the encryptions with Wireshark.
Missing security features
Atlas VPN does not have many security features as you would expect from a premium VPN provider. We would like to see the following features in a future update:
- Diskless VPN server: They would help ensure that user data cannot be recovered from a VPN server because they clear all data after every session.
- Onion over VPN: This feature lets you easily and seamlessly access the Tor network.
- Split tunneling: The tool encrypts crucial web traffic while maintaining compatibility with online banking and local streaming platforms. Presently, only mobile apps support this option.
The absence of advanced features with this VPN is a significant drawback. It should enhance its services to compete with top-notch VPN services like ExpressVPN.
Privacy – Is Atlas VPN private?
Atlas VPN includes a transparent privacy policy that details the minimal data it collects. This comprises your payment information and email address for creating an account. The provider does not trade or sell your personal information according to the privacy policy.
Furthermore, this VPN’s Warrant Canary is constantly updated. This report informs you of any data breaches or government appeals for user data. Luckily, they have not encountered any of these issues. Additionally, Atlas VPN was recently purchased by Nord Security, the parent company of NordVPN, one of the most reputable VPN providers in the industry.
Logging
According to its privacy policy, Atlas VPN does not store any private information. While it doesn’t mention it explicitly, the zero-logging policy also applies to the free version. So, this may be a better option than entirely free services caught stealing data and selling data to third parties without the user’s consent.
One privacy feature that is gaining ground in the VPN industry is the warrant canary. It is a document that shows whether the company has received orders to submit data to authorities. However, Atlas VPN does not have it. On the brighter side, you can get in touch with customer support to terminate your account permanently. In addition, you can ask the company to provide you with a copy of the data they have on you if you are in California.
Based in the US
Atlas VPN is based in Delaware, USA, and thus obligated to the 5 Eyes Agreement. The members of the 5 Eyes Alliance, which comprise the UK, Canada, the US, New Zealand, and Australia, share intelligence. This implies that if Atlas VPN gets a request to hand over user data to the courts or authorities, it will comply, making your data available to the 5 Eyes members.
However, the VPN service follows a firm policy of not storing user data and only keeping a few necessary logs. Therefore, there is a minimal chance that the VPN will share any identifiable personal information.
What information does Atlas VPN need?
The VPN only requires you to provide your payment details and email address to create an Atlas VPN account. It accepts payments through PayPal, Credit cards, Google Pay, or cryptocurrencies. We recommend using cryptocurrencies if you want to purchase your VPN subscription in complete anonymity.
The privacy policy isn’t audited
Given that Atlas VPN is a reasonably recent service, its privacy policy has yet to be confirmed in the real world. This makes it difficult to tell if the claims made in terms of privacy are genuine. On the other hand, logging policies of top-notch VPN services like ExpressVPN have been validated by various independent audits by reputable firms like PwC, Deloitte, and Cure53.
Following Atlas VPN’s recent purchase by Nord Security, we anticipate this requirement to be made in the near future because the company swore to include constant third-party audits to measure up to NordVPN’s merit.
Who owns Atlas VPN?
Nord Security, the father company of reputable VPN provider NordVPN, acquired Atlas VPN in 2021. However, the VPN service is still registered under Peakstar Technologies Inc. in Delaware in the USA.
The company recently identified some of its employees, like CEO Dainius Vanagas, who all used to work for Nord security companies. Atlas VPN initially refused to reveal information about its ownership team, but they have since taken the initiative to enhance transparency and build trust with its users.
Atlas VPN’s unique features
Besides bypassing geo-restrictions and allowing torrenting, Atlas VPN provides some other notable features. They include:
1. SafeBrowse
SafeBrowse or SafeBrowse Plus on iOS and macOS is found under the security options button. It’s an optional security feature that stops malicious websites. In fact, you’ll be denied access if you try to open a blacklisted web page.
This feature is pretty standard in the industry, and you will find it with different names on other services. For instance, NordVPN calls it a CyberSec feature.
2. SafeSwap
This is a unique feature, and you won’t probably see it on other providers. When using the SafeSwap servers, you can switch your IP address while still connected. Many VPN services will require you to disconnect from the server to connect to another one. However, SafeSwap allows you to do so while online.
What’s more, the provider offers a multitude of IP addresses, giving you many options to choose from. Remarkably, they are shared among users, and the rotation is unpredictable. This makes it difficult to trace your traffic or location.
These servers are located in the United States, the Netherlands, and Singapore. There are rumors that the company is planning to add more locations. Unfortunately, the feature isn’t available on the macOS platform.
3. Data hack detection
While this may sound like a complicated high-end technology, it’s a simple feature that checks whether your data has been compromised. Sadly, it is only available on the premium package, so free users won’t access it.
If your data has been breached, you’ll receive a detailed report of the kind of data that was exposed. This will help you know where the problem is and address it.
4. Tracker blocker
Atlas VPN mobile apps include a tracker blocker feature. This tool prevents third-party trackers from collecting your data or monitoring your online activity. In addition, this feature can be enabled in the ‘Assistant’ tab of the iOS or Android app.
5. Split tunneling
This feature is also only available on Atlas VPN’s mobile apps. Split tunneling allows you to route a portion of your web traffic via the encrypted VPN tunnel while the rest is directed outside the VPN. This is essential if you wish to access the local content without disabling your VPN connection or if you are having trouble utilizing specific apps with a VPN connection on.
You may enable this tool in Atlas VPN’s mobile apps by going to the ‘Settings’ menu. In addition, you can choose the apps to connect to the internet normally via your ISP. The VPN will automatically protect the remaining data.
User interface: Is Atlas VPN easy to use?
In this section, we’ll look at the interface’s layout on both mobile and desktop devices.
Android
This was the first app that Atlas VPN introduced. It has a minimalist interface, giving you a smooth user experience. In terms of features, it has a system-wide kill switch and SafeBrowse. Also, the Data hack detection feature will enable you to check if your email appears in any data breaches. Generally, this is a robust app that you can use every day.
iOS
It isn’t easy to differentiate between the Android and iOS apps because they look and feel similar. The only difference is the name assigned to the SafeBrowse feature. For example, it is called SafeBrowse on Android and SafeBrowse Plus on iOS. However, this is not something that will change the user experience.
Windows
The desktop app copies the design of the mobile apps as they came much earlier. Regardless, it is easy to use and navigate to find what you want. The only issues we experienced were display connection errors and occasional freezes.
Since the server network is modest, a quick search function may not be necessary. Instead, it is straightforward to browse through the server list to choose the one you want.
One of the most outstanding features is the built-in two-factor authentication. This means you’ll receive a code in your mail whenever you try to log in with a new device. Although it may seem tedious, this adds an extra security layer.
macOS
The user experience on the macOS app is also seamless. Overall, the text is readable, although the image and text scaling may require some polishing. I noticed that the VPN would connect to the nearest server if you don’t explicitly choose the one you want. Also, there is an option to switch between dark and light modes.
Linux
Unlike other operating systems, Atlas VPN does not offer a specific app for Linux. However, the VPN service launched a service for Linux that includes specialty servers and an advanced WireGuard protocol. Moreover, Linux users can enhance their online privacy by utilizing streaming-optimized servers, as well as MultiHop+ and SafeSwap servers.
Atlas VPN lacks a graphical user interface for Linux, but you can install the service and connect to servers via the command terminal. Furthermore, an advanced Linux user can easily access the service.
Games consoles & streaming devices
Atlas VPN is incompatible with any streaming devices or gaming consoles because it cannot be configured on a router. Also, we were unable to tunnel traffic on our Apple TV and Roku. In addition, the VPN service offers apps for Android TV and Fire TV.
Unlimited number of connections simultaneously
This VPN provider is among the few VPN services that do not restrain the number of gadgets you may connect to a single account simultaneously. We were able to connect over 12 devices to a single server without encountering any issues.
Moreover, unlike the Windscribe VPN and other VPNs that allow unlimited connections simultaneously, Atlas VPN does not threaten to suspend your account when you use it with others.
Streaming: Does Atlas VPN unblock streaming services?
| Platform | Does it work? |
|---|---|
| Netflix | Yes |
| BBC iPlayer | Yes |
| HBO Max | Yes |
| Hulu | Yes |
| YouTube | Yes |
This VPN service is an excellent choice for streaming because it can unblock major streaming platforms. As a result, you can select from the extensive content libraries without limitation. In addition, it offers super-fast speeds that ensure you have a smooth and lag-free streaming experience. Atlas VPN also includes dedicated streaming servers, which maximize the user experience.
Unblocking Netflix with Atlas VPN
Surprisingly, Atlas VPN unblocked 11 distinct Netflix libraries. You can easily download and install the app to freely watch content in other countries.
We had no trouble accessing US and UK libraries and Japanese Netflix. In addition, if you find an ideal server, this VPN is an excellent provider because it allows you to stream any content on Netflix.
Unblocking other streaming sites with Atlas VPN
Atlas VPN unblocked other popular streaming platforms, such as BBC iPlayer. This means you can easily access popular UK shows without issues. Additionally, we experienced no buffering while streaming BBC iPlayer, making the VPN a great option.
Moreover, Atlas VPN simply unblocked Hulu, and we accessed the service without lags or interruptions. Likewise, we unblocked HBO Max with high video quality and without lags or interferences.
In addition, we tested Atlas VPN on accessing geo-restricted NBA highlights on YouTube that were solely available to US users. The service was efficient, like most popular streaming platforms. In general, Atlas VPN is a reliable choice as a VPN service for streaming.
Atlas VPN free streaming tests
Atlas VPN Free launched a dedicated US streaming server for free users in February 2022. Previously, the VPN could not access any streaming platform over our years of testing.
The VPN Free now functions with various US streaming sites. We were able to circumvent geo-restrictions on HBO Max, Disney+, and US Netflix.
Unfortunately, we could not access Peacock, Amazon Prime Video, or Hulu while connected to the same server. Moreover, we could not even try to access BBC iPlayer since the Atlas VPN Free lacks a UK-based server.
Does Atlas VPN support P2P sharing?
Most VPNs will brag about how they allow torrenting, but they don’t. However, although Atlas VPN does not have dedicated P2P servers like NordVPN, we can confirm that torrenting actually works.
While the download speed will be a bit slower than its competitors, you’ll still be able to download whatever you want. For example, it took around 30 minutes to download a 1.1 GB torrent file. However, many variables can affect the speed on your end, such as your base ISP connection. So, you need to install the VPN yourself to see how it performs realistically.
During our review, we found out that Atlas VPN’s free version also supports torrenting even though the company does not advertise it. The disadvantage is that the speeds are that great.
Customer support
Atlas VPN customer support isn’t reliable compared to its competitors. However, the FAQ section provides workarounds and explanations to address various technical issues. Sadly, there aren’t 24/7 live chat or phone options. So, the only way to contact the customer agent is through email.
Plans and pricing
The provider offers a pricing structure similar to other VPN services, where longer subscriptions come with more significant discounts. For example, its 3-year package is one of the cheapest in the industry, making it a good option if you are on a tight budget.
Similar to Surfshark, it doesn’t limit the number of connections on a single subscription. In addition, the plans have a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free. At the end of the period, you can ask for a refund if you feel the service isn’t exemplary for you. Fortunately, it supports various payment methods, including PayPal, Google Pay, and credit cards.
Free version
Atlas VPN is among the few providers that offer a free version. It stands out from the rest as there is no data cap and has a no-logs policy. Unfortunately, you can only use three server locations in the US, Australia, and Japan. In addition, you won’t be able to use features such as 24/7 support, streaming-optimized servers, SafeBrowse, and unlimited simultaneous connections.
Conclusion
Atlas VPN is worth trying if you are looking for an affordable service to protect your data and encrypt your connections. It has native apps for Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android that are effortless to install and use. In addition, as you have seen in this extensive Atlas VPN review, this VPN can unblock several streaming services, such as Netflix.
But, it does not have clients for routers, Smart TVs, Roku, Fire Sticks, and other devices, unlike top market players. Also, the provider only offers one VPN protocol and is not among the fastest VPNs available today. So, Atlas VPN needs to lift its game to become a top VPN. Nevertheless, being a new kid in the town, it’s evolving impressively and is a good choice for users who prefer simple-to-use use.
FAQs
Yes, by choosing the free version. It comes with unrestricted data usage and does not collect logs. However, it is limited in terms of the server access, device connection, and SafeBrowse feature.
Most Atlas VPN reviews say that it works in China perfectly. We asked customer support whether the service is available in China. The response was that it is not a guarantee that it’ll work due to the strict Great Firewall of China. Out of our 5 testers in China, it worked only for 1.
Yes, slightly. However, it will mainly depend on the server you use. For example, you’ll get better speed with nearby servers, but it can reduce if you connect to faraway servers. This is because the data packets will have to travel a longer distance.
Unfortunately, Atlas VPN does not offer a browser extension and does not allow you to manually set up a Chrome, Safari, or Firefox proxy. However, it is compatible with various devices, including Android, Windows, macOS, and iOS.
The first thing that you need to do is to create an account. Then, download and install the app or software compatible with your device. Next, sign in and connect to a server in whatever country you want from the list.
Yes, Atlas VPN offers a secure VPN service with all the essential features required to keep you safe online. It provides AES-256-bit encryption, has a strict zero-logs policy, and supports the secure WireGuard protocol. In addition, it includes a kill switch that prevents data leaks by disabling your internet connection when the VPN connection fails.
Yes, this VPN service allows access to Netflix via its premium servers. Unfortunately, Atlas VPN Free servers cannot unblock Netflix. Furthermore, the VPN lacks the best server coverage, so you may be unable to unblock Netflix in your region. However, Atlas VPN unblocks most streaming platforms, allowing you to watch shows and movies in high definition and without buffering.
Yes, Atlas VPN experiences minimal, unnoticeable speed drops. Most VPNs will slow you down slightly, but this VPN service performed exceptionally well in our speed tests. The speed loss on distant servers was a bit higher, whereas the loss on nearby servers was only 6%.
You may access the free Atlas VPN version without paying a penny or providing your payment details. It only requires you to submit your email address. However, Atlas VPN Free has several limitations, including only three server locations, access to the HBO Max streaming site only, and a 5GB data cap.
Atlas VPN is an easy-to-use and lightweight VPN service. This VPN’s premium version appears slightly deficient, but its free version is one of the best services.
For mobile gadgets, go to Apple’s App Store or Google’s Play Store, search for the app, and then download and install it. You must navigate to their website for desktops and then download the app. After that, click ‘Connect’ to start using Atlas VPN.
Atlas VPN allows you to connect unlimited devices from a single account simultaneously.