Azire VPN Review
Azire VPN offers a cost-effective option priced at $3.25 per month for a two-year subscription. This could be appealing for individuals conscious of their budget.
However, it is important to consider its limited server network alongside the secure protocols it supports, such as OpenVPN and WireGuard.
Although torrenting is permitted on all servers, the lack of a universal kill switch and the slower response times of customer support may affect the user experience.
For those comparing different VPN services, evaluating these features alongside competitors can provide a clearer understanding of Azire VPN’s offerings.
Key Takeaways
- Azire VPN offers budget-friendly pricing with plans as low as $3.25/month for a 24-month subscription.
- Supports OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols with AES-256 encryption but lacks independent security audits.
- Operates 80 RAM-only servers across 26 countries, providing limited global coverage.
- Allows torrenting on all servers but has inconsistent performance with streaming services like Hulu and BBC iPlayer.
- Customer support is limited to email with response times up to 24 hours, lacking live chat or phone support.
Pricing and Plans
AzireVPN offers a clear and flexible pricing structure in the VPN market. Prospective users can choose from four subscription options based on their needs. The 1-month plan is priced at $10.00, suitable for short-term requirements. The 3-month plan offers a slight cost reduction at $12.00 or $4.00 per month.
Opting for the 12-month plan further decreases the monthly expense to $3.75, while the 24-month plan provides the lowest monthly rate at $3.25, totaling $78. This pricing positions AzireVPN competitively within the market.
The service allows connections for up to five devices simultaneously, accommodating both individual and family usage. Each plan comes with a 7-day money-back guarantee, enabling users to evaluate the service without long-term commitment.
However, refunds aren’t applicable for the 1-month plan and certain payment methods, which is important to consider. AzireVPN supports a variety of payment options, including credit cards, PayPal, Swish, cryptocurrency, and cash, catering to different user preferences.
Features
AzireVPN offers a range of features focused on security and performance. It supports OpenVPN, WireGuard, and SOCKS5 protocols while implementing AES-256 encryption, which is considered secure.
The service operates on RAM-only servers, meaning data isn’t stored permanently. They adhere to a no-logs policy, retaining only email and payment information, which is relevant for privacy-conscious users.
AzireVPN allows torrenting on all its servers and includes port forwarding to potentially improve download speeds for large files. However, the server network is relatively small, with 80 servers across 26 countries, mostly located in Europe and North America. This limited server presence could impact users requiring connections in regions like Asia or the Middle East.
The mobile application includes a LAN device exclusion feature but lacks functionalities such as split-tunneling and an automatic kill switch, which might be important for some users.
Despite these limitations, its security features and support for torrenting present it as a suitable option for users prioritizing these aspects.
Privacy and Security
AzireVPN provides a browsing experience that emphasizes privacy through a no-logs policy, stating that only email and payment details are stored. However, the absence of independent audits may lead to some privacy concerns.
Operating under Swedish jurisdiction, AzireVPN is subject to the 5/9/14 Eyes alliance, which could potentially involve government data requests. They do attempt to address this by issuing a warrant canary for greater transparency.
In terms of security, AzireVPN uses 256-bit AES encryption, coupled with OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols, both known for their strong security measures. Despite these protections, there have been reports of DNS and WebRTC leaks, which may expose a user’s real IP address if not resolved, posing a concern for users focused on privacy.
Additionally, AzireVPN lacks a universal kill switch, which is currently only available on Android devices. This limitation can lead to data exposure during unexpected disconnections for users on platforms without this feature.
While AzireVPN has solid security components, these issues may impact its overall effectiveness in safeguarding user privacy.
Streaming and Torrenting
When evaluating VPN services, users often prioritize both privacy and security, along with performance for activities such as streaming and torrenting.
AzireVPN offers adequate performance for torrenting, as it permits P2P traffic on all its servers and supports popular clients like uTorrent and BitTorrent. Users can typically download large files within 10-15 minutes, though the download speeds don’t match those of leading VPN providers. The service includes port forwarding, which can improve torrenting speeds, but users should note the absence of a kill switch, which could result in the exposure of their real IP address if the server connection fails.
For streaming, AzireVPN can access Netflix and Disney+ on desktop platforms, which may be beneficial if these are the main services you use. However, it’s less reliable with platforms such as Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video.
Streaming performance is generally acceptable on nearby servers with minimal speed reduction, though connecting to distant servers might lead to a notable decrease in speed, sometimes up to 56%.
Considering these factors, AzireVPN appears more suited for torrenting activities, especially for those who prioritize privacy and download speed over streaming capabilities.
User Experience and Apps
Using AzireVPN on a daily basis involves a straightforward user experience, though it does come with some limitations. The interface is simple, yet it lacks a user-friendly dashboard for efficient server management. Switching servers requires logging out, which may be inconvenient for some users.
During installation, individuals with technical expertise may find setting up the OpenVPN client to be straightforward. However, the WireGuard setup could present challenges for those who are new to VPNs.
The registration process is privacy-focused, requiring only a username and password, and doesn’t necessitate an email address. This approach makes signing up quick and efficient. The mobile app is functional and includes a LAN device exclusion option for improved operation. However, it’s important to note that the kill switch feature is available only on Android devices.
AzireVPN’s user experience has both positive and negative aspects. Customer support is limited to email communications, with responses generally provided within 24 hours. For users who don’t require immediate assistance, this may not pose a significant issue.
Customer Support
AzireVPN’s customer support may be considered limited in comparison to other VPN services. The only available method to contact their support team is through email, with a typical response time of up to 24 hours. This timeframe is slower than what’s generally offered by many other providers in the industry.
AzireVPN doesn’t offer live chat or phone support, which means immediate assistance isn’t available. This could be a significant inconvenience for users experiencing urgent issues.
The AzireVPN website features a knowledge base that includes FAQs, though they’re relatively basic and don’t cover an extensive range of topics. This may pose challenges for users seeking detailed guidance or troubleshooting information.
User feedback varies; some users report positive experiences with the clarity and thoroughness of the email support received, while others find the limited support hours (8:00 am to 9:00 pm UTC) and options less accommodating, particularly for those in different time zones.
Nevertheless, some users have expressed appreciation for the detailed responses provided via email, noting the thoroughness of the assistance when it’s given.
However, for individuals who prioritize fast and diverse support channels, AzireVPN’s offerings mightn’t meet their expectations.
Comparison with Competitors
AzireVPN offers a budget-friendly pricing option at $4.00/month for a 24-month plan, positioning it as a more economical choice compared to ExpressVPN, though it’s slightly more expensive than Surfshark and NordVPN.
However, beyond pricing, AzireVPN’s server coverage is limited, featuring only 80 servers across 26 countries, which is significantly less than NordVPN’s extensive network of over 5,000 servers.
Regarding features, AzireVPN supports torrenting on all its servers and is capable of unblocking Netflix and Disney+.
However, it faces challenges with streaming services such as Hulu and BBC iPlayer, where ExpressVPN and Surfshark have a stronger performance.
Additionally, AzireVPN lacks a kill switch on most devices, an essential security feature that’s commonly available with competitors.
In terms of customer support, AzireVPN’s email response time is approximately 24 hours, which may be slower for users accustomed to the immediacy of live chat or phone support provided by other VPN services.
While AzireVPN offers a service that may appeal to users prioritizing competitive pricing and specific streaming needs, its limited server network and slower support response could be seen as disadvantages when compared to other leading VPN providers.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, Azire VPN offers an affordable option with plans starting at just $3.25/month, making it attractive for budget-conscious users. You’ll appreciate its support for secure protocols like OpenVPN and WireGuard, along with torrenting capabilities on all servers. However, the limited server network might impact performance. The absence of a universal kill switch and slower customer support are drawbacks you should consider. When compared to competitors, Azire VPN balances cost and features, but it may not meet all your expectations.
