AzireVPN Review 2024: Before You Buy, Is It Worth It?

Consistently Good Download Speeds

AzireVPN’s performance surpasses typical expectations, given its relatively small server network. My tests indicate that this VPN service has consistently fast upload and download speeds, making it a good option in regions where it has servers.

Notably, streaming (often a critical measure of VPN speed) is smooth and uninterrupted within its service areas. While suitable for gaming, occasional high ping might pose a challenge for international gamers.

Speed Test Results

I ran speed tests on AzireVPN using my Three Broadband connection as a baseline, with download and upload speeds of 92.06 Mbps, and 12.80 Mbps, respectively. These speeds were the standard against which I measured AzireVPN’s performance across servers in the UK, US, France, and Singapore.

I was impressed to find that AzireVPN didn’t reduce speeds by more than 30% at any point, even on long-distance connections. My download speeds were consistently fast enough for UHD streaming, torrenting, and online gaming (although distant servers had higher ping, which could cause lags during gameplay).

AzireVPN’s speeds are reliably fast on its network

The test results show that closer servers, like London, are ideal for gaming and VoIP calls, offering minimal delay. Even distant servers, like New York at 3,369 miles, maintain decent latency at 119 ms. This shows AzireVPN is reliably fast for time-sensitive activities without significant performance drops.

Is AzireVPN Fast Enough for Gaming? Yes!

When I played Brawlhalla using AzireVPN’s UK and European servers, I found them fast and reliable. But when I connected to farther servers, the ping was higher. If you want to play fast-paced games like COD: Warzone or Fortnite, choosing a nearby server with AzireVPN ensures your gameplay remains quick and smooth.

Gaming was a breeze with AzireVPN’s local servers

It also ensures your game stays smooth with consistently low latency, which is vital for strategy games and MOBAs. Even during long sessions, you won’t face any lag or interruptions. It’s impressive how AzireVPN keeps up its performance, even during busy hours, making it a solid choice for uninterrupted gaming.

Stability is AzireVPN’s strong suit for high-bandwidth gaming, offering peace of mind for gamers. There are no sudden ping spikes or drops, allowing you to play games without worry.

Server Network — Minimal Country Options

AzireVPN has a relatively small server network compared to industry leaders, mainly because they use physical servers instead of virtual ones. It provides about 80 servers spread across 18 locations. For a service that’s been around for almost a decade, this range might seem underwhelming.

Its servers are mainly in Europe and the US, with no presence in the Middle East or Africa. For users in these regions, this means having to connect to far-off servers, which could slow down your upload and download speeds. This geographical spread is something to consider based on your location.

Here’s a breakdown of server locations:

• Americas – United States (6 locations), Canada
• Europe – Germany (2 locations), Spain (2 locations), Sweden (2 locations), Denmark, France, Finland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Ukraine
• Asia Pacific – Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore

The way AzireVPN manages its server network is a testament to its commitment to security. Unlike many VPNs that rent server space, AzireVPN independently operates its servers. This direct control over hardware reduces risks but results in a more compact server network, a trade-off for enhanced security.

Navigating the server list is straightforward from the app’s home screen. Upon connection, it displays the specific city, providing more detailed location information. However, you won’t find real-time data like ping or server load in the app, which could be a downside for some.

Starting up the AzireVPN client doesn’t automatically connect you to the best server. To get the best speeds, manually select the nearest server with the lowest ping. Connection times are quick for nearby servers, taking only a few seconds, while more distant ones could take up to 16 seconds.

Security — Ensures Anonymity

AzireVPN positions itself as a reliable choice for secure browsing, striking a balance between robust data protection and user privacy. It utilizes a suite of advanced security protocols to keep your online activities shielded.

Let’s delve into the specifics of its security features to understand how it stands against online threats.

• Encryption methods — AzireVPN incorporates WireGuard encryption with the ChaCha20 cipher for secure connections, alongside OpenVPN, which uses AES 256-bit encryption. This level of encryption is trusted by financial institutions and government bodies, offering you top-notch data protection.
• Protocol options — you can choose between OpenVPN and WireGuard. OpenVPN works across all supported devices, making it a versatile choice. WireGuard, offering newer technology, is available for macOS, Linux, Android, and some routers. However, setting up WireGuard can be complex and requires manual scripting.
• SOCKS5 protocol allows you to route your internet traffic through a proxy server. It’s particularly useful for tasks that need faster connection speeds, like torrenting or streaming.
• Split tunneling — available exclusively on the Android app, this feature lets users selectively apply VPN protection to specific apps.
• Blind operator mode — an open-source rootkit designed to prevent third-party data access, thereby boosting your privacy. This mode conceals endpoint displays and keeps IP fields from WireGuard confidential, adding an extra layer of security.

To test its security effectiveness, I conducted IP, DNS, and WebRTC leak tests. The results consistently showed AzireVPN’s assigned IP address, with no leaks detected. This indicates that its secure tunnels effectively mask your real IP address, ensuring your online anonymity remains intact.

My IP and DNS data were protected with AzireVPN

A critical shortfall in AzireVPN’s design is the absence of a kill switch. This means that in cases of connection drops, your data could be compromised. While its encryption and protocols are effective during stable connections, this vulnerability is significant for those who want constant privacy safeguards.

Privacy — Zero-Logging Policy

AzireVPN’s commitment to privacy is evident in its rigorous no-logs policy. Owned by Netbouncer AB, a tech company based in Stockholm, Sweden, it stands out for its transparency. Despite being in a country within the 5/9/14 Eyes alliance, which is known for digital surveillance to boost cybersecurity, AzireVPN maintains a clear stance on user privacy.

AzireVPN’s privacy policy guarantees no collection of user activity or traffic logs, session timestamps, or bandwidth usage. Additionally, it doesn’t log original user IP addresses or the IP addresses assigned by AzireVPN. This thorough approach to user anonymity sets a high standard in the VPN industry.

AzireVPN is very clear that it does not keep any of its users’ logs

AzireVPN uses a RAM-only storage system, unlike typical physical hardware. This means your data vanishes when the system restarts, boosting your data safety. Additionally, by eliminating unneeded ports and drives, AzireVPN strengthens its servers against attacks, ensuring your information is protected by high security standards.

Torrenting — Works at Decent Speed

AzireVPN prioritizes your privacy, allowing you to torrent anonymously across all servers. Performance tests highlight its efficiency, with good speeds downloading a 2.2 GB public domain video in 15 minutes. This ensures quick file sharing and downloading while maintaining your privacy.

However, the lack of a kill switch poses a risk to secure torrenting. Should AzireVPN’s connection unexpectedly drop, your real IP address could be exposed, risking the disclosure of your online activities. The missing kill switch highlights a potential vulnerability for your digital privacy.

Downloading copyrighted content without permission is illegal. Remember, while AzireVPN lets you torrent anonymously, it doesn’t support breaking the law. You should always follow copyright rules and download legally. Being a responsible internet user means sticking to these laws, and AzireVPN emphasizes this as a key part of its service.

Does AzireVPN Work in China? No.

AzireVPN’s functionality in China is limited. It lacks nearby servers and specialized technology to handle China’s internet censorship, which poses a challenge if dependable access in China is a critical need for you.

Customer support at AzireVPN suggests using their 7-day money-back guarantee to personally test its effectiveness in China. However, it’s important to note that AzireVPN hasn’t conducted its own tests in this area. This lack of firsthand testing adds to the uncertainty about its performance in China.

Instead, it might be a better idea to consider trusted alternatives like ExpressVPN for China. ExpressVPN is known for its solid performance in places with strict censorship, making it a reliable choice if you need working connections in China.

Remember, using non-government-approved VPNs in China is illegal. While ExpressVPN offers a way to explore the internet, it’s not a tool for unlawful activities. Caution is advised, as the legal landscape around VPN use in China is complex and often subject to change without notice.

AzireVPN provides customer support mainly via email, as it doesn’t have live chat or phone support. Support is open from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm UTC. This approach, while direct, lacks the instant communication offered by most competitors. If you have an urgent problem, you might have to wait longer for a solution, which could affect your overall experience.

Despite the absence of live chat, the support quality is good. I posed a query and received a detailed response within a day. While not as swift as some leading VPNs, the response was informative. However, the turnaround time might not suit those needing immediate assistance.

AzireVPN endorses torrenting but reports inconsistent results in China