What is PrivateVPN?
PrivateVPN is a Swedish VPN provider emphasizing ease of use, streaming access, and solid security basics. Despite its relatively modest size, it punches above its weight when it comes to unblocking content, and offers features many users expect from premium services.
Apps & User Modes
PrivateVPN’s apps often present two modes: a **Simple** view for users who just want “connect now” with minimal fuss, and an **Advanced** view for those who want to tweak protocol, encryption, port forwarding, or stealth settings. For many users, the Simple mode is enough, but the Advanced view gives the flexibility that more experienced users appreciate.
Performance & Streaming
In our tests and those by reviewers, PrivateVPN delivers solid speeds for HD streaming, video calls, and web browsing. What often sets it apart is its ability to unblock major streaming services: Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer among them. That said, the server network is not huge, so if you're far from a covered location, performance may drop.
Security & Privacy
PrivateVPN uses industry-standard encryption (AES, OpenVPN, etc.) and includes IPv6/DNS leak protection and a kill-switch mechanism. There’s also a “Stealth VPN” mode which helps disguise VPN traffic in more restricted networks. The privacy policy states it does not log browsing or traffic, but as of now, there’s no widely published third-party audit to independently confirm the claim.
P2P, Port Forwarding & Use Cases
PrivateVPN allows peer-to-peer traffic and supports port forwarding on specific servers, which benefits torrent and remote access users. The combination of these features with the streaming unblocking capability makes it a versatile option for many users.
Pricing & Value
The pricing structure is simple: month, a few months, or long-term plans (3 years) with large discounts. In many cases, long-term users see costs around \$2/month in promotional offers. Given its feature set and streaming strength, that’s a compelling bargain compared to many more expensive competitors.
Who Should Use PrivateVPN?
- Streamers who want to access content libraries globally.
- Casual but privacy-aware users who want a balance of usability and security.
- Torrenters & remote users who need port forwarding support.
- Budget shoppers looking for feature-rich VPNs without a premium tag.
Bottom Line
PrivateVPN may not be perfect, but it offers an appealing mix of streaming performance, decent privacy features, and affordability. If you live in or travel to regions covered by its server network, it’s a strong option — especially if unblocking content is a priority. Just be aware of the trade-offs: smaller network, no native WireGuard (yet), and reliance on stated privacy promises.