Our Verdict
Overall Rating: 6.6/10
AirVPN is an excellent choice for users who prioritize privacy and torrenting. It offers robust encryption and exclusively utilizes the OpenVPN protocol. The applications are secure and fast but suffer from a visually outdated interface, making them challenging for beginners. While AirVPN is a reliable option for advanced users, it is not recommended for iOS users or those interested in streaming.
Ranked #29 out of 62 VPNs
AirVPN Category Ratings
- Streaming: 1.8/10
- Torrenting: 8.8/10
- Privacy & Logging: 5.9/10
- Speed: 9.2/10
- Server Locations: 7.5/10
- Bypassing Censorship: 6.6/10
- Security & Features: 9.5/10
- Ease of Use: 3.3/10
- Customer Support: 7.8/10
- Price & Value: 7.0/10
AirVPN Pros & Cons
Pros:
- High same-country speeds
- Effective operation in China
- Torrenting allowed on all servers
- Secure connections to 22 countries
- Comprehensive manual setup guides
Cons:
- Limited number of VPN servers
- Inability to access streaming services
- Located in a privacy-unfriendly jurisdiction (Italy)
- Complicated desktop application
- Limited customer support
An independently-operated VPN founded by activists, hacktivists, and hackers might sound too good to be true—but is it?
This is the premise behind AirVPN, which pledges to offer its users “the air to breathe the real internet.” To evaluate these claims, we conducted an in-depth review.
In our comprehensive AirVPN review, we assess its security, effectiveness in unblocking streaming services, and overall user experience, among other aspects.
Below, you’ll find detailed insights and answers to these questions and more.
AirVPN Key Data
| Data Cap | Unlimited |
|---|---|
| Download Speed | 94Mbps |
| Logging Policy | No Logs |
| Data Leaks | No |
| Jurisdiction | Italy (14-Eyes Member) |
| Servers | 200 |
| IP Addresses | 200+ |
| Countries with Servers | 22 |
| US Netflix | Yes |
| Torrenting | Unlimited |
| Simultaneous Connections | 5 |
| Works In China | Yes |
| Support | Email Support via Online Form |
| Cheapest Price | $3.69/mo over 24 Months |
| Free Trial | 3 Days (No Payment Info Required) |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30-day Money-Back Guarantee |
| Official Website | AirVPN.org |
Privacy & Logging Policy
A Trusted Service, But Requires Further Validation
Privacy & Logging Policy Rating: 5.9/10
AirVPN is known for its minimal logging policy, which does not retain any personally identifiable information. Over the past decade, the service has established itself as a trusted VPN provider, free from logging or security incidents. However, to enhance its privacy rating, AirVPN must offer concrete proof of its zero-logs policy, beyond the assertions made in its documentation.
Ranked #31 out of 62 VPNs for Privacy & Logging Policy
Summary of Information Logged by AirVPN:
| Data Type | Logged by AirVPN |
|---|---|
| Account Information | No |
| Browsing Activity | No |
| Date of Last Connection | No |
| Device Information | No |
| DNS Queries | No |
| Individual Bandwidth Usage | No |
| Individual Connection Timestamps | No |
| ISP | No |
| Number of Simultaneous Connections | No |
| Originating IP Address | No |
| VPN Server IP | No |
| VPN Server Location | Yes |
You can access AirVPN’s comprehensive privacy policy on its official website.
As detailed, AirVPN does not collect any personally identifiable user data. The service only temporarily logs your VPN server location, which is automatically deleted once the session ends. This approach is significantly less intrusive compared to the logging policies of many other VPN providers.
Moreover, AirVPN’s use of a diskless server network ensures that no activity data is retained beyond the duration of the session.
The service also supports anonymous payment methods, such as Bitcoin, for added privacy when subscribing.
AirVPN’s Logging Policy Needs Independent Verification
While AirVPN claims to have a minimal logging policy, it lacks detailed transparency. Upon contacting their customer support, we were informed that only ‘technical data’ is collected for server maintenance, which users can request to be deleted at any time.
However, we are unable to independently verify these claims, as AirVPN has yet to provide tangible evidence supporting its no-logs policy.
To enhance trust and credibility, we recommend that AirVPN undergo an audit of its logging practices by an independent cybersecurity firm. Such third-party verification would significantly bolster AirVPN’s privacy reputation.
Implementing a regularly updated warrant canary and disclosing any law enforcement requests would also contribute to improving AirVPN’s transparency.
Trustworthy Ownership but Concerning EU Jurisdiction
AirVPN, established in Italy in 2010 by a group of activists and hackers, with assistance from two lawyers, has maintained a solid reputation for over eleven years without any security scandals or acquisitions by larger companies.
Initially operated by Iridium, a satellite communications company, AirVPN transitioned to independent management in November 2012, with Paolo Brini currently listed as the owner. The service is still based in Perugia, Italy, and is managed exclusively by activists and individuals knowledgeable about security issues.
However, AirVPN’s location within the European Union raises concerns, particularly regarding EU data retention laws. This further underscores the importance of third-party verification of AirVPN’s logging practices.
Speed Performance
Enhanced Speeds Across All Locations
Speed Rating: 9.2/10
AirVPN demonstrated significant improvement in our most recent speed tests, showing a noticeable enhancement compared to earlier results. Using a dedicated 100Mbps connection, we recorded an average download speed of 94Mbps when connected to a local server, and 92Mbps on a distant UK server. These speeds are robust enough to support all data-intensive online activities, including torrenting, 4K streaming, and online gaming.
Ranked #22 out of 62 VPNs for Speed
To assess AirVPN’s speed rating, we measured the connection speed between our location and various AirVPN servers worldwide. The average result was derived from multiple weeks of rigorous speed testing.
Performance Analysis
Previously, AirVPN was among the slower premium VPN services, particularly over long distances. However, it has significantly enhanced its connection speeds. Notably, its average local download speed increased by 30%, and its international connection speed to Germany improved by 67%.
When connected to a nearby New York server, our download speed decreased from 100Mbps to an average of 94Mbps, resulting in a minimal speed loss of just 6%—an excellent outcome.
Despite these improvements, AirVPN still lags behind the fastest VPN services, especially over longer distances. For instance, AirVPN experienced an average speed loss of 31% when connecting to Australia, compared to just 1% for Hotspot Shield.
To provide a clearer comparison, the chart below illustrates how AirVPN’s average international download speeds stack up against the top VPNs in the market:
As demonstrated above, while AirVPN approaches the speeds of leading VPNs, there remains some disparity, particularly with international connections.
Server Locations
38 Cities Across 22 Countries
Server Locations Rating: 7.5/10
AirVPN offers decent server coverage across Europe and North America, though it falls short when compared to other top-tier VPN services.
Ranked #26 out of 62 VPNs for Server Locations
- 22 Countries
- 40 Cities
- 200+ IP Addresses
Despite being a premium VPN service, AirVPN has one of the smallest server networks we’ve encountered. With only 200 individual servers, there is a potential for server congestion during peak times. However, the app’s ‘server load’ section allows users to easily monitor and choose locations with available capacity.
Server Availability
AirVPN provides 37 VPN servers across 10 cities in the United States, allowing users to connect to servers in:
- Atlanta (5)
- Chicago (3)
- Dallas (10)
- Fremont (3)
- Jacksonville (1)
- Los Angeles (3)
- Miami (3)
- New York City (3)
- Pennsylvania (1)
- Phoenix (5)
In addition to its U.S. coverage, AirVPN offers city-specific servers in the UK, including London, Maidenhead, and Manchester, as well as three servers in Canada located in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver. Other countries with city-level options include Germany, Spain, and Sweden.
Europe enjoys the most extensive coverage, with 153 servers distributed across 15 countries. In contrast, AirVPN’s presence in Asia is limited to Japan and Singapore. Previously, AirVPN operated a server in Hong Kong, but it was removed in July 2020 due to increased digital surveillance in the region by China.
South America is served by a single VPN server in Brazil, while Africa has no coverage from AirVPN.
Streaming Performance
AirVPN Is Not Ideal for Streaming
Streaming Rating: 1.8/10
AirVPN is generally not a suitable choice for streaming. It rarely functions with popular services such as BBC iPlayer or Netflix, and even when it does, users often face extensive trial and error to locate a functioning server.
Ranked #43 out of 62 VPNs for Streaming
Below is a list of streaming services that AirVPN currently supports:
| Streaming Platform | Works with AirVPN |
|---|---|
| Amazon Prime Video | No |
| BBC iPlayer | No |
| Channel 4 | No |
| Disney+ | Yes |
| Hotstar India | No |
| Hulu | Yes |
| ITVX | Yes |
| Max | No |
| Netflix US | No |
While AirVPN is sufficiently fast for buffer-free Full HD streaming, it does not support access to Netflix or BBC iPlayer.
Due to the lack of servers specifically optimized for streaming services, users often face a trial-and-error process to find a working server. We have been unable to unblock US Netflix for several months and have consistently faced difficulties with BBC iPlayer, which remains inaccessible through AirVPN’s UK servers. Other VPN services do offer access to BBC iPlayer.
Interestingly, despite these challenges, AirVPN was one of the few providers that successfully supported Disney+ at its launch, which is a notable achievement.
For users seeking updates on streaming site access, AirVPN provides a list of ‘blocked websites’ on its website, allowing users to check if the situation with these services improves.
Torrenting
P2P Allowed on Every Server
Torrenting Rating: 8.8/10
AirVPN excels in torrenting, offering excellent P2P speeds along with essential advanced features such as port forwarding and a kill switch. These attributes make it a strong choice for torrenting activities.
Ranked #10 out of 62 VPNs for Torrenting
Below is a summary of AirVPN’s performance in our most recent torrenting tests:
| Torrenting Attribute | Result |
|---|---|
| Average Download Bitrate | 9.7MiB/s |
| No. of P2P Servers | 200 |
| Logging Policy | No Logs |
| Kill Switch | Yes |
| Port Forwarding | Yes |
AirVPN is an excellent choice for anonymous torrenting and P2P activities, standing out as one of the best options we’ve encountered.
With strong download and upload speeds, a minimal logging policy, and a comprehensive suite of privacy tools, including a VPN kill switch, AirVPN is well-suited for P2P use.
Advanced users will appreciate that AirVPN supports port forwarding on up to 20 ports simultaneously, which further enhances transfer speeds. This feature can be managed in the ‘Client Area’ of the AirVPN website. For more information on AirVPN’s remote port forwarding, click here.
Comparing AirVPN to Other VPNs for Torrenting
While AirVPN is among the top VPNs for torrenting, it is useful to see how it stacks up against competitors.
Bypassing Web Censorship
Effectiveness in China with Manual Configuration
Bypassing Censorship Rating: 6.6/10
AirVPN features advanced obfuscation technology, which can help bypass web censorship, but it requires manual configuration to achieve optimal results.
Rank: #25 out of 62 VPNs for Bypassing Web Censorship
Currently, the most effective method to connect to a VPN server in China with AirVPN is to utilize the OpenVPN protocol over SSL. This approach encrypts your OpenVPN ‘fingerprint,’ making it harder to detect. While this process is relatively straightforward on desktop devices, it is more complex on mobile devices.
For mobile users in China wishing to connect via AirVPN, installing OpenVPN files and performing manual configuration is necessary. Detailed step-by-step guides are available on the AirVPN website to assist with this setup.
AirVPN is also effective in bypassing censorship in countries with stringent restrictions, such as Turkey and Iran. Its additional obfuscation features, including SSH/SSL tunneling and Tor access through the VPN, contribute to its effectiveness in these regions.
However, the VPN’s limited server network may impact speed, as users might need to connect to servers located far from their physical location.
Security & Technical Features
One of the Most Secure VPN Services Available
Security & Technical Features Rating: 9.5/10
AirVPN excels in security, employing AES-256 encryption and the industry-standard OpenVPN protocol to meet and exceed our security expectations.
Ranked #5 out of 62 VPNs for Security & Technical Features
Below is a detailed overview of the VPN protocols, encryption ciphers, and additional security features utilized by AirVPN:
Protocols
| Protocols | Available in AirVPN |
|---|---|
| IKEv2/IPSec | No |
| OpenVPN (TCP/UDP) | Yes |
| SSL VPN | Yes |
| WireGuard | Yes |
Encryption
| Encryption | Available in AirVPN |
|---|---|
| AES-128 | No |
| AES-192 | No |
| AES-256 | Yes |
| Blowfish | No |
| ChaCha20 | Yes |
Security
| Security | Available in AirVPN |
|---|---|
| Diskless Servers | Yes |
| DNS Leak Blocking | Yes |
| First-party DNS | Yes |
| IPv6 Leak Blocking | Yes |
| Supports TCP Port 443 | Yes |
| VPN Kill Switch | Yes |
| WebRTC Leak Blocking | Yes |
Advanced Features
| Advanced Features | Available in AirVPN |
|---|---|
| Ad Blocker | No |
| Dedicated IP | No |
| Double VPN | No |
| SOCKS | No |
| Split Tunneling | Yes |
| Static IP | No |
| Tor over VPN Server | Yes |
| Tracker Blocker | No |
AirVPN is an excellent choice for those prioritizing privacy. It employs the robust AES-256 encryption cipher and operates on the highly secure OpenVPN or WireGuard protocols, providing an optimal balance between security and performance.
Additionally, AirVPN includes a crucial kill switch feature to safeguard your data in the event of a connection drop. The service also utilizes its own DNS servers, ensuring that your personal information remains protected.
AirVPN demonstrated 100% effectiveness in protecting against DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks in our most recent tests.
Additionally, AirVPN allows you to access the Tor browser, providing an extra layer of encryption if needed. The desktop application also features a ‘doublehop’ option, which routes your traffic through an intermediate server to help circumvent geolocation-based censorship.
Device & OS Compatibility
Compatible with All Major Platforms & Routers
Device Compatibility
AirVPN provides native applications for Windows, macOS, Android, and Linux. For iOS devices, the VPN requires manual configuration through a third-party client.
Apps Available:
- Windows
- macOS
- iOS (requires third-party OpenVPN software)
- Android
- Linux
AirVPN also supports DD-WRT, pfSense, Tomato, and AsusWRT routers, though setup and configuration must be done manually. Consequently, AirVPN may not be the ideal choice if you prefer a plug-and-play VPN solution.
Simultaneous Connections
AirVPN allows up to five simultaneous connections, which should accommodate most users’ needs, though some providers offer more.
Games Consoles & Streaming Devices
AirVPN provides a native app for Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick. It can also be used with various gaming consoles and streaming devices by connecting them to a configured router or sharing the VPN connection from another device running the software.
While there are no specific setup or troubleshooting guides for these devices, AirVPN’s online forums offer a wealth of helpful hints and tips.
Ease of Use
User Experience: Cluttered and Challenging Interface
Ease of Use Rating: 3.3/10
AirVPN’s desktop application, colloquially known as ‘Eddie,’ presents an outdated and cluttered interface that can be intimidating and difficult to navigate. While it offers a range of advanced features that may appeal to tech-savvy users, the overall user experience remains challenging, even for those familiar with VPN technology.
Ranked #56 out of 62 VPNs for Ease of Use
The Eddie client is among the least user-friendly applications we have evaluated.
AirVPN’s settings are organized into multiple tabs, each containing a variety of options. This extensive configuration can be overwhelming for less experienced VPN users. However, the availability of a reset-to-default option provides a valuable safety net for those who may find the settings challenging to manage.
The process of selecting a VPN server with AirVPN is unnecessarily complicated. The extensive list of servers lacks a search feature, making it difficult to find a specific location. Additionally, the servers are named after stars, which can become frustrating when users simply want to select a city and connect.
Customer Support Overview
24/7 Live Chat Compensation for Limited Resources
Customer Support Rating: 7.8/10
AirVPN’s customer support differs from many other VPN providers. Although it does not offer live chat, it boasts a highly active support forum where both the service team and community members contribute.
Ranked #29 out of 62 VPNs for Customer Support
Here is a summary of the customer support resources available with AirVPN:
| Customer Support | Available in AirVPN |
|---|---|
| 24/7 Email Support | No |
| 24/7 Live Chat Support | No |
| Chatbot | No |
| No | |
| Email Support via Online Form | Yes |
| Live Chat Support | No |
| Online Resources | Yes |
| Tutorial Videos | No |
AirVPN emphasizes that its customer service is not outsourced to ensure “high-quality support.” However, the absence of live chat and slow response times to email inquiries can be frustrating for users seeking quick answers to straightforward questions.
On a positive note, AirVPN offers a comprehensive knowledge base on its website, including a well-organized FAQ section categorized by topic. Additionally, the extensive AirVPN community forums cover a wide range of subjects, which may reduce the need to contact the support team frequently.
Price & Value
Exceptional Value with the Longest Subscription Plan
Price & Value Rating: 7.0/10
AirVPN delivers commendable value across its subscription plans, with the most significant savings available for those who commit to a two-year plan.
Ranked #19 out of 62 VPNs for Price & Value
All AirVPN subscription tiers offer the same features; however, the cost per month decreases with longer commitments.
The single-month plan is priced at $7.76, but a substantial discount is available with the two-year plan, reducing the cost to $3.65 per month—a 53% savings. Alternatively, the 12-month plan is available at $4.52 per month, offering a 42% discount.
Pricing Options:
- Monthly: $8.33 per month (billed monthly)
- 6 Months: $5.75 per month (billed $34.49 every 6 months; 31% savings)
- 12 Months: $4.88 per month (billed $58.28 every 12 months; 45% savings)
- 2 Years: $3.92 per month (billed $93.96 every two years; 53% savings)
Payment & Refund Options
AirVPN supports a diverse range of payment methods, including:
- American Express
- Bitcoin
- Bitcoin Cash
- Giropay
- iDeal
- Mastercard
- Monero
- PayPal
- Visa
A three-day free trial is available by requesting a coupon code from the support team. Although the code is usually provided within a day, some users have experienced delays.
Additionally, AirVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, an improvement from its previous three-day window. The refund process is straightforward and typically completed within two business days.
AirVPN’s payment options include most major credit cards, PayPal, and a wide variety of cryptocurrencies, as well as international options like Alipay and Giropay.
