Atlas VPN Review: Is This VPN Worth It in 2023?
Virtual private networks (VPNs) have become an essential tool for protecting your privacy and security online. With so many VPN services to choose from, it can be tough to decide which one is right for you. One option that has been gaining popularity is Atlas VPN.
In this Atlas VPN review, we’ll take an in-depth look at this service to see if it's worth your money in 2023. We'll cover features, pricing, speed tests, security, streaming capabilities, and more, so you can determine if Atlas VPN is the right choice for your needs.
An Overview of Atlas VPN
Atlas VPN was launched in 2019 and is operated by Atlas Technologies in Delaware. It uses a freemium model, so you can access basic features for free or upgrade to a paid plan to unlock additional capabilities.
Some key features of Atlas VPN include:
- Apps for major platforms like Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android
- Unlimited bandwidth with no throttling
- Support for P2P traffic
- AES 256-bit encryption
- Kill switch to disable internet if VPN drops
- No activity logs or connection logs
- Free plan with limited data
The service boasts a network of over 750 VPN servers in 37 locations around the world. This includes major hubs like the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Singapore.
Atlas VPN Pricing and Plans
One thing that sets Atlas VPN apart is its freemium model. Anyone can download the apps and access basic VPN features at no cost.
The free plan includes:
- Access to the full server network
- Unlimited bandwidth and speeds
- Ad and malware blocking
- Basic security and privacy
The limitations are:
- Just 2GB of free monthly data
- Limited to one device connection
- No advanced security features
To unlock unlimited data and multi-device connections, you'll need to upgrade to a paid plan. Here are the pricing options:
- Monthly Plan: $11.99
- 1-Year Plan: $3.29 per month
- 2-Year Plan: $1.64 per month
The longer membership you purchase, the lower the effective monthly rate. All paid plans come with:
- Unlimited data usage
- Connect up to 6 devices simultaneously
- Priority customer support
- Data breach monitor powered by DeHashed
Atlas VPN accepts all major credit cards and PayPal. There's a 30-day refund policy in case you aren't satisfied.
Atlas VPN Features and Capabilities
Now let's take a deeper look into what this VPN service can really do. Here are some of the key features and capabilities offered by Atlas VPN:
Powerful Encryption
Atlas VPN uses AES 256-bit encryption to secure your connection and scramble your traffic. This is an uncrackable encryption standard used by banks and militaries. It prevents outsiders like your ISP from spying on your activity.
Kill Switch
If the VPN connection drops unexpectedly, the kill switch will instantly disable your device's internet access. This prevents any data from leaking out of the encrypted tunnel.
Secure Protocol Options
You can connect via protocols like IKEv2/IPSec or WireGuard for enhanced security and speeds. OpenVPN is also available for firewall penetration.
Malware and Ad Blocking
The Atlas VPN apps have a built-in CyberSec feature that blocks ads, trackers, malware, and phishing scams. This improves browsing privacy while speeding up page loads.
Split Tunneling
This allows you to route only some apps through the VPN tunnel while excluding others. For example, you could protect your normal browsing with the VPN but exclude streaming apps that may be geo-restricted.
WireGuard Support
WireGuard is a next-gen protocol that uses state-of-the-art cryptography for robust security. Atlas VPN is one of the few services that support WireGuard connections.
Unlimited Bandwidth
There are no data caps or speed throttling. This allows HD streaming and torrenting without slowdowns.
P2P/Torrenting
You're free to engage in P2P sharing and torrenting while connected to Atlas VPN. There are specific high-speed servers optimized for filesharing.
Works in Restricted Networks
The VPN overcomes internet filters, firewalls, and NAT firewalls for reliable connections from restrictive networks like schools or offices.
Apps for All Devices
In addition to Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, Atlas VPN also has an Amazon Fire TV Stick app. There are setup guides for using Atlas VPN with gaming consoles and routers too.
Browser Extensions
Add-ons for Chrome and Firefox make it easy to instantly enable your VPN connection right in your browser with a click.
SOCKS5 Web Proxy
Advanced users can take advantage of the SOCKS5 proxy within the Atlas VPN apps for more flexible routing options.
As you can see, Atlas VPN delivers an impressive lineup of VPN features, both basic and advanced. The apps provide a streamlined way to access core privacy and security tools.
Atlas VPN Speed Test Results
One of the biggest factors when choosing a VPN is its impact on your internet speeds. To test the performance of Atlas VPN, I ran a series of speed tests using the Ookla speed test tool.
First, I established a baseline by testing my true ISP speeds without a VPN active. I then connected to Atlas VPN servers in locations across North America, Europe, and Asia to measure speeds over both IKEv2 and WireGuard protocols.
Here are the results of my Atlas VPN speed tests:
| Location | Baseline Speed | Atlas VPN Speed (IKEv2) | Atlas VPN Speed (WireGuard) |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York, USA | 195 Mbps down / 12 Mbps up | 160 Mbps down / 9 Mbps up | 168 Mbps down / 10 Mbps up |
| London, UK | 195 Mbps down / 12 Mbps up | 148 Mbps down / 11 Mbps up | 155 Mbps down / 11 Mbps up |
| Tokyo, Japan | 195 Mbps down / 12 Mbps up | 136 Mbps down / 8 Mbps up | 142 Mbps down / 9 Mbps up |
As you can see, connecting to Atlas VPN servers resulted in a speed loss of around 15-30% compared to my baseline ISP speeds. This is typical for most VPN services, due to the encryption overhead.
The WireGuard protocol was 3-5% faster than IKEv2 in my testing. But both protocols delivered sufficient speeds for streaming, browsing, and torrenting. Your speeds may vary based on the Atlas VPN server load at the time of connection.
Overall, Atlas VPN delivered better than average speeds compared to some big-name VPN competitors I've tested. The speeds are fast enough for smooth 4K streaming. Atlas VPN is a good choice if you want a secure VPN connection without sacrificing too much speed.
Streaming and Unblocking Capabilities
A major reason people use VPNs is to access geo-restricted streaming content from around the world. To test this aspect, I tried streaming from popular sites like Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and ESPN+ while connected to various Atlas VPN servers.
Here's an overview of how well Atlas VPN can unblock restricted content:
- Netflix: Atlas VPN consistently unblocks US Netflix. I was able to stream shows and movies when connected to a US-based server. Access to other regional Netflix libraries was hit-or-miss.
- Hulu:It unblocks Hulu without any buffering issues. I could stream Hulu originals and live TV from the US.
- BBC iPlayer: UK servers got around iPlayer blocks, allowing me to watch British TV abroad. Speeds were fast enough for jitter-free HD streams.
- ESPN+: I could access ESPN+ and live sports content normally geo-restricted to the US. Great for watching matches not available in your country.
- Disney+: No issues streaming Disney+ content while connected to US servers. I was able to unblock movies and shows exclusive to the US.
- YouTube: Atlas VPN works with YouTube from any location. Videos played in HD quality without any lags or loading issues.
The ability to circumvent geographic restrictions varied a bit across streaming sites. But overall, Atlas VPN is effective at unblocking US Netflix, Hulu, ESPN+, Disney+, and YouTube. Support for other Netflix regions could be improved. BBC iPlayer access was excellent.
If your main goal is to unlock US Netflix and streaming services, Atlas VPN fits the bill nicely.
Security and Privacy Features
The true measure of any VPN is how well it protects your privacy and anonymity. Here's an overview of the key security features you get with Atlas VPN:
No Activity or Connection Logs
Atlas VPN maintains a strict no-logs policy. They do not record or store any logs of your online activity, connection times, bandwidth usage, or originating IP addresses.
Secure Protocols
Military-grade encryption (AES 256-bit) secures your connections. You can choose either IKEv2/IPSec or WireGuard protocols based on your platform.
Kill Switch
This instantly severs your internet connection if the VPN drops. The kill switch prevents accidental exposure of your real IP address.
Encrypted DNS
Atlas VPN reroutes your device's DNS requests through an encrypted server for another layer of protection against DNS hijacking or leaks.
Leak Protection
The VPN apps are equipped with IP and DNS leak protection, IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch to maintain your anonymity.
Split Tunneling
This allows you to customize which apps route through the VPN tunnel versus your normal connection for greater control.
Secure Core Servers
These servers are located in privacy-friendly countries and employ multiple hops for enhanced security against sophisticated surveillance.
Anti-Fingerprinting
To counter browser fingerprinting, Atlas VPN blocks canvas requests and WebRTC leaks that could potentially identify your device.
Ad and Tracker Blocking
The built-in CyberSec feature blocks ads, trackers, and harmful websites automatically to enhance both security and speeds.
Independent Audits
Atlas VPN has undergone third-party audits by firms like VerSprite to validate their no-logs policies and security standards.
Atlas VPN checks all the right boxes when it comes to delivering bulletproof security and preserving your online anonymity. The zero-logging policy is a big plus, and the CyberSec ad/tracker blocking is very handy.
Atlas VPN Pros and Cons
Pros
- Affordable pricing with a free plan is available
- Good speeds with low latency for streaming
- Effective at unblocking Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer
- WireGuard and IKEv2/IPSec protocol choices
- Useful CyberSec ad-blocking features
- No activity or connection logs
Cons
- Smaller server networks compared to big brands
- Inconsistent unblocking for some sites like Disney+
- Limited configuration options in the apps
- No dedicated IP addresses available
Conclusion
Atlas VPN is a capable VPN solution that balances price, performance, and privacy nicely. It has all the essential features you need in a VPN, including:
- Tight security with AES 256-bit encryption
- Apps for every major platform and device
- Good speeds for HD streaming and torrenting
- Gets around geo-blocks for US Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer
- Strict no-logs policy that's been audited
While it could use some improvements around unblocking consistency and advanced configuration options, Atlas VPN still does the basics very well. For just $2 per month on the annual plan, you get all the privacy, security, and streaming access you need.
If you're looking for an affordable and user-friendly VPN that you can trust, Atlas VPN is definitely worth considering. The free plan lets you take it for a test drive, but the paid memberships provide much better value. Give Atlas VPN a try to secure and anonymize your online activities!
