Atlas VPN Review & Speed Test - All You Need to Know
From speed and server network to particular features, you'll find here all you need to decide if AtlasVPN is worth your while
10 min. read
Updated on
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Update: AtlasVPN has shut down on April 24, 2024. Its existing customers have migrated to NordVPN. We’ll keep this AtlasVPN review as a reference for whoever needs any information.
Atlas VPN is a US-based VPN that helps its users unblock geo-restricted content and protect their online privacy. With both free and premium subscription options, this provider can be an accessible option for VPN newcomers.
Hereโs an overview of what Atlas VPN has to offer:
- Free subscription tier
- Over 1000 servers in 48 locations
- Advanced security features such as multi-hop+
But is it really worth trying out? Letโs find out in this comprehensive Atlas VPN review.
Atlas VPN Summary
Check out this quick summary of Atlas VPN:
Number of servers | 1000+ | Customer Support | 24/7 live chat & email |
Server locations | 48+ | Speed | 8/10 |
VPN protocols | IKEv2/IPSec & WireGuard | Safety | 8/10 |
Simultaneous connections | Unlimited | Value | 9/10 |
Features
Atlas VPN has plenty of features that can keep you safe and ensure an optimal online experience. Hereโs what you can get from this service:
Kill Switch
A kill switch is designed to prevent your sensitive data from being exposed, even for just a second. If your VPN connection drops for whatever reason, it will instantly disconnect you from the internet, stopping any potential data leaks.
This is a must-have feature as it will protect your privacy even if your VPN connection is unstable. Atlas VPN claims its automatic kill switch will provide โunyielding protection 24/7โ.
Split Tunneling
Another valuable feature that Atlas VPN provides is split tunneling. This enables you to divide your internet connection and reroute just some of it through the VPN servers. This can be a useful addition in multiple cases.
For instance, you may want to stream US Netflix content whilst still having local search results. Split tunneling support makes this possible since you can opt to reroute only the Netflix website connection.
Multi-Hop+
If you want to secure your connection even more, youโll benefit from Atlas VPNโs multi-hop+ feature. Multi-hop adds an extra layer of security by rerouting your connection through multiple VPN servers rather than just one.
Atlas VPN goes a step further by rotating from a pool of servers in different locations while you browse. This makes it near-impossible for outsiders to trace your online activity.
Simultaneous Connections
Atlas VPN offers unlimited simultaneous connections, so you can use it on as many devices as you want at the same time. This is ideal if you live in a large household, but is also suitable for anyone with multiple devices.
This VPN is compatible with all Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux operating systems. For phones, you can just head to the Google Play Store or Apple Store to download the app.
Atlas VPN is also available on various smart TVs such as Amazon Fire TV and Apple TV, giving you the chance to stream online content from a bigger screen.
Server Network
Many of us turn to VPNs to access geo-blocked content from other countries. Whether you want to stream a certain show, play games early, or avoid price discrimination, youโll need a VPN with a large network of worldwide servers.
Therefore, itโs great to see that Atlas VPN has more than 1000 servers in over 48 locations.
Atlas VPN Speed Test
Speed is one of the most important aspects of any VPN. A slow VPN, regardless of its available features, will always be a pain to use.
For this review, I tested the speeds of three servers. Here are the results:
โก๏ธ I started by testing the speed of my connection without a VPN.
Then I connected to a server location in Amsterdam, Netherlands. As expected, connection speeds experienced a notable drop.
The next server I tried out was from Singapore which is one of the furthest points from my location. The speeds are still fairly high, and definitely suitable for streaming or downloading.
Finally, I connected to a US server. A lot of fantastic content is geo-restricted outside this country, such as programs from Hulu and HBO GO. Although this was the biggest drop in speed, it still isnโt too bad.
Itโs perfectly normal for your speeds to drop by up to 50% when using a VPN. Since your connection is being rerouted through a server, it will take longer to reach its final destination.
Although Atlas VPN isnโt the fastest VPN Iโve encountered, itโs far from the slowest. Even when connecting to long-distance servers, I only experienced a 10% – 30% drop in download speed.
Protocols
VPNs use various protocols to secure user connections. Each protocol has set rules that determine how the encryption tunnel is formed and how data is transmitted. With Atlas VPN, you have two protocol options:
- IKEv2/IPSec – Fast, secure, and highly stable
- WireGuard – Super-fast with advanced cryptography
Privacy
The location of a VPN provider can give you insight into how your data will be handled. For example, some countries require VPNs to record and provide user information.
Since Atlas VPN is based in the US, it falls under the Five Eyes Alliance. The countries in this alliance have an agreement to share citizen data from ISPs and other third-party surveillance services. Of course, this is not ideal for VPN users.
However, Atlas VPN does have a strict no-logs policy. This means the provider will never collect or store any sensitive information, such as your connection logs (IP addresses, connected servers, session dates) and usage logs (visited websites, search queries, downloads).
When checking out the VPNโs privacy policy for more information regarding data collection, I noticed there was a jargon-free summary for each section. I also located an up-to-date warrant canary on the website that shows the number of warrants, gag orders, and national security letters Atlas VPN has received. Additionally, this provider says that they have never suffered a data breach.
Itโs clear that Atlas VPN aims to be as transparent as possible with its users.
Is Atlas VPN Safe?
DNS and IP leaks can happen if your VPN connection isnโt secure. We already know that Atlas VPN has a kill switch to prevent exposure. But, is this feature actually doing its job? I put it to the test with a DNS/IP detection tool.
I found that the VPN successfully hid both my IP address and DNS address. I tried this with several servers and had the same results each time.
Is Atlas VPN Good for Streaming and Torrenting?
One of the main reasons people turn toward VPNs is to stream or torrent content. So, letโs take a closer look at how Atlas VPN performs in these areas.
Streaming
If youโve ever tried to watch your favorite shows, sports events, or movies aboard, you probably already know how frustrating it is to encounter a geo-blocked error message. Due to licensing agreements, many streaming services are restricted to certain regions. They can see your IP address and block you accordingly.
Luckily, with a VPN, you can dodge geo-blocking altogether. However, to have an enjoyable streaming experience, you need a VPN with fast speeds. As weโve seen, Atlas VPN performs reasonably well in this area.
I managed to watch a movie on Netflix through a US server with minimal buffering. YouTube videos were also loading quickly, even in 1080p. So, I think Atlas VPN is capable of providing high-quality streams.
Torrenting
Similar to streaming, torrenting requires fast connection speeds. However, when it comes to torrenting, youโll also want to have some safety measures in place.
Whenever you download files from the web, youโre at risk of revealing sensitive information such as your location. But, with a VPN, you can mitigate this risk.
Atlas VPNโs servers are all P2P friendly, so you can engage in file-sharing activities without any restrictions. This, combined with the kill switch feature, makes Atlas VPN a suitable option for torrenting.
I highly recommend using a VPN whenever you download or seed files. Your ISP may throttle your bandwidth if it suspects you’re torrenting, even if youโre doing so legally. With a VPN such as Atlas VPN, you can completely hide your activities to prevent this.
Atlas VPN Pricing
If you want to test out this VPN without any commitment, you can use its free version. This will give you access to four locations (Netherlands, Singapore, Los Angeles, and New York) and 5GB of monthly data.
Although this version wonโt give you all the bells and whistles of the paid one, youโll still have the same military-grade encryption. Plus, both the US servers are optimized for streaming, so you can enjoy any geo-blocked US content without spending anything.
On the other hand, if youโre interested in Atlas VPNโs advanced features, you can try out its premium plan. This will give you access to absolutely everything the VPN has to offer.
Here are Atlas VPNโs premium payment options:
- 1 month – $11.99 per month
- 1 year – $4.08 per month
- 3 years (+ 6 months free) – $1.70 per month
You can also purchase the VPN+ package, which includes:
- Shield – A tracker and malware-blocking tool.
- Data Breach Monitor – A tool that scans publicly leaked databases to alert you if your credentials have been exposed.
The value for money of this VPN definitely shoots up if you decide to purchase the three-year plan. But even the one-year plan is a good deal, considering all the features you get.
Atlas VPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for the one and three-year plans. If you purchase the one-month plan, this guarantee goes down to 14 days.
Atlas VPN
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Atlas VPN Review – Conclusion
Overall, Atlas VPN is a decent option for anyone who:
- Is looking for a cost-effective VPN;
- Wants to stream geo-blocked content from tons of locations;
- Cares about their online safety.
Although Atlas VPN doesnโt have the fastest connection speeds, itโs still able to provide an enjoyable streaming experience. Youโll have plenty of servers to choose from in countries all around the world.
Plus, with its P2P-friendly servers, this VPN allows you to privately torrent content. However, if you want to prioritize your privacy, I suggest turning to a VPN that’s not located in the 5 eyes, 9 eyes, or 14 eyes alliances.
Finally, with affordable payment plans, this VPN is suitable for you if you’re looking to get the best bang for your buck. Due to this, I can confidently recommend Atlas VPN. If youโre still on the fence, I suggest trying out the free version to test all its features first-hand. If you face any issues, consult this guide.