AirVPN: A Reliable but Outdated Option for Privacy Advocates

AirVPN is a VPN service that has garnered a dedicated following among privacy enthusiasts and power users. Similar to Mullvad VPN, AirVPN is deeply committed to privacy and security, favoring the OpenVPN protocol for encryption. Established in 2010 by a collective of hacktivists, AirVPN’s core mission is to combat censorship and protect net neutrality. It stands out for its unwavering adherence to its principles, often sticking to its comfort zone without adopting many of the new trends or flashy features seen in other VPN services. In this review, I revisit AirVPN to see how it stacks up against today’s top VPN services and its place in the modern consumer market.

The Interface: Functional but Behind the Times

One of the first things you’ll notice about AirVPN’s desktop software, known as Eddie, is its outdated design. Although AirVPN was launched in 2010, the Eddie client has the aesthetic of the early internet days—its interface could easily be mistaken for something from the ’90s. Unlike the sleek, user-friendly designs found in more mainstream VPN services like NordVPN or Surfshark, AirVPN opts for a more utilitarian interface. This may be preferable for some users, especially those who prioritize function over form, but in this case, utilitarian doesn’t always mean intuitive or easy to navigate.

Eddie’s left-hand rail features six main menu items: Overview, Servers, Countries, Speed, Stats, and Logs. This layout has remained unchanged from previous versions, which may disappoint users hoping for an updated look or more modern functionalities. The simplicity of the interface can be a bit off-putting, especially since AirVPN’s design doesn’t exactly prioritize ease of use.

Detailed Server Information and Transparency

When it comes to the functionality of Eddie, the primary sections that users will interact with are Overview, Servers, and Countries. The Overview section is where you log in and connect to a VPN server. The Servers tab lists available servers along with key stats such as server location, latency, current load, and the number of active users. Each server also features a refresh button, allowing users to update the server list in real-time.

The Countries tab offers a comprehensive overview of all 23 countries where AirVPN has servers. Here, users can find detailed information about the number of servers in each country, their current load, and the number of users connected. This transparency is one of AirVPN’s strong points, providing power users with the data they need to select the optimal server. While it may not be the most user-friendly interface for those who prefer simplicity, it’s a great feature for data enthusiasts and advanced users.

Customization and Advanced Settings

For those who enjoy tinkering with settings, AirVPN offers an extensive range of advanced configuration options. By navigating to the Settings menu, users can access a variety of tools for network routing, proxy configuration for Tor, DNS server customization, and more. These options provide a high level of control over your connection, which could be invaluable for users who prioritize maximum privacy and security.

However, it’s worth noting that AirVPN limits users to five simultaneous device connections. While this might have been a reasonable offering a few years ago, many VPN providers now offer unlimited connections, which makes AirVPN’s limit feel somewhat restrictive in comparison.

Pricing: Above Average for Long-Term Subscriptions

AirVPN offers several subscription lengths, ranging from three days to three years, with prices listed in Euros. At the time of writing, a one-year subscription costs about $53 USD, which is above average compared to other VPN providers. The one-month subscription is priced at approximately $7.50, making it a relatively affordable option for those who only need short-term access to a VPN.

In terms of payment methods, AirVPN accepts PayPal, credit cards, Amazon Pay, and a variety of cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Dogecoin. These options cater to privacy-conscious users who prefer to pay anonymously.

Performance: Solid but Not Exceptional

During my testing, I measured AirVPN’s speeds across five different countries and compared them to my baseline internet speed. Overall, the results were promising, with the average download speed hitting 52% of my base speed and the average upload speed at 66%. While these numbers are respectable, they don’t quite match the speeds of the fastest VPNs on the market.

What impressed me, however, was the consistency in performance. While server speeds can vary based on location, time of day, and other factors, AirVPN’s servers showed relatively steady performance across different regions. I also found the server load data useful when selecting servers. By choosing servers with lower loads, I was able to enjoy faster speeds. This level of transparency regarding network conditions is a feature I wish more VPN providers would offer.

Unblocking Streaming Services: A Miss

A major drawback of AirVPN is its inability to unblock popular streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney Plus, and Peacock. Since many users choose VPNs specifically to bypass geo-restrictions, this is a significant issue. If unblocking region-locked content is a key factor for you, AirVPN may not be the best choice. In this area, it falls behind other VPNs that excel at accessing streaming services.

Security and Privacy: Strong but Lacking Independent Audits

AirVPN uses AES 256-bit encryption, the industry standard for VPNs, and offers two primary protocols: OpenVPN and WireGuard. While many VPN services provide a range of protocols, AirVPN sticks to these two, which it believes offer the best balance of security and performance. For privacy-focused users, this setup offers robust protection.

AirVPN also includes a kill switch feature, which worked flawlessly in my testing, cutting off internet access when the VPN connection dropped unexpectedly. Additionally, I found no DNS leaks during my tests, ensuring that your true location remains concealed.

AirVPN’s privacy policy states that it does not track your online activities, and any data it does retain is stored on disk-less RAM servers for only as long as necessary to provide the service. While the company’s no-log policy is reassuring, it lacks an independent third-party audit, which has become a standard expectation for many VPN providers. Given the importance of transparency in the VPN space, it’s disappointing that AirVPN has yet to undergo such an audit.

Final Thoughts: A VPN Sticking to Its Roots

AirVPN is a solid VPN service with a lot of transparency and strong security features. Its consistent speeds, robust privacy measures, and high level of configurability make it a good choice for privacy-conscious users and tech enthusiasts. However, its outdated interface and lack of support for streaming services are major drawbacks in the current VPN landscape. While AirVPN’s commitment to its original mission is admirable, it may struggle to keep up with competitors offering more modern, feature-rich experiences.

For users looking for a simple, fast, and modern VPN that can unblock geo-restricted content, AirVPN might not be the best fit. However, if your primary concern is security and privacy, and you don’t mind an older interface, AirVPN still offers a reliable service.