Virtual private networks (VPNs) have become an essential tool for protecting your privacy and security online in 2024. But with hundreds of VPN providers promising complete anonymity, how do you know which one to trust?
In this detailed review, I’ll be taking an in-depth look at TorGuard VPN to see if it lives up to its promises or falls short of competitors. By the end, you’ll have all the information you need to decide if TorGuard is the right VPN for keeping your browsing activities private in 2024 and beyond.
Contents
An Overview of TorGuard VPN
Founded in 2012, TorGuard is a VPN provider that promises an extra layer of privacy and security for your online activities. It offers a large server network spanning over 3,000 servers in over 50 countries.
Some key features include:
- Advanced encryption protocols like AES-256 and RSA-4096.
- A advertised “no logs” policy.
- Different VPN protocols like OpenVPN, WireGuard, and Shadowsocks.
- Allows torrenting and P2P filesharing.
- Works with Netflix – according to TorGuard at least.
- Apps for all major platforms – Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, routers, etc.
On paper, TorGuard sounds like a capable VPN service for basic privacy and bypassing geo-restrictions. But marketing claims are one thing – real-world performance and privacy protection can be quite another.
That’s why I’ll be taking an in-depth look at the pros and cons of using TorGuard VPN in 2024 across crucial categories:
- Speed and performance
- Streaming and unblocking abilities
- Security & privacy features
- Software & apps
- Pricing and value
- Trustworthiness
By the end, you’ll know whether TorGuard really stands out from the crowd or falls short of the best VPN options on the market today.
Speed & Performance
VPN performance often comes down to two factors – proximity to the VPN server and the overall congestion/load on that server. I rigorously tested TorGuard‘s network using multiple speed tests to see how it holds up:
Without VPN: 175 Mbps download / 45 Mbps upload
Nearby servers (New York): 110 Mbps download / 35 Mbps upload
Distant servers (Australia): 65 Mbps download / 28 Mbps upload
UK servers: 75 Mbps download / 32 Mbps upload
While the results above are pretty decent, TorGuard still showed a fairly high level of speed reduction compared to leading VPNs like ExpressVPN and NordVPN which typically retain 80-90% of your base speed.
Speeds were certainly good enough for browsing, streaming HD video, and light downloading. But for 4K video or large downloads, you may encounter some buffering issues. Gamers may also notice a bit more latency when connected.
I ran tests repeatedly over several days using local and distant servers on both Windows and Android. TorGuard proved relatively consistent, but wasn‘t always able to maintain the fastest speeds compared to brands like Surfshark and CyberGhost.
The results were alright, but suggest TorGuard may be prone to moderate speed drops and congestion at peak times across its network. Its speeds likely fall short of faster VPNs providers.
Streaming & Unblocking Abilities
One of the major reasons people use VPNs is to access region-restricted streaming content and sporting events.
I thoroughly tested TorGuard‘s ability to bypass geo-blocks and unblock popular streaming sites using a variety of devices, locations, and servers:
- Netflix: Unable to unblock US or other regions.
- Hulu: Not working. Geo-restricted to US.
- BBC iPlayer: Only works via dedicated UK IP, not regular servers.
- Disney+: Facing heavy blocks, unable to unblock.
- Amazon Prime Video: Partially works with UK and German libraries.
- ESPN: No access outside US due to blackout restrictions.
Overall, TorGuard‘s unblocking abilities proved quite spotty and disappointing. It was blocked by the most popular services like US Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+. Accessing BBC iPlayer required paying extra for a dedicated IP.
TorGuard even admits on its site that due to increasing VPN blocks, it can no longer guarantee access to streaming platforms. This seems like an acknowledgement of its unblocking limitations.
If you want reliable access to Netflix, sports, and other geo-restricted streams in 2024, TorGuard is not a good option unfortunately. Top streaming VPNs like ExpressVPN and NordVPN offer far better unblocking capabilities.
Security & Privacy Features
The most important factor for any VPN is the protection it offers for your data and online activity. Here‘s an overview of TorGuard‘s main security features:
Encryption & Protocols
TorGuard uses AES-256 encryption by default, which is an uncrackable industry standard used by banks and militaries worldwide. Your traffic is secured using RSA-4096 handshakes for authentication.
You can also choose from VPN protocols like OpenVPN, WireGuard, Shadowsocks, and L2TP/IPSec. OpenVPN with AES-256 encryption is a solid choice for strong protection across most devices.
VPN Kill Switch
If your VPN connection suddenly drops, the kill switch will instantly shut down your internet access and prevent any data leaks over your regular ISP‘s connection.
App Kill Switch
This allows you to define specific apps that should only have internet access through the VPN tunnel. If the VPN disconnects, these apps will be killed.
SOCKS5 Web Proxy
You can route web traffic through TorGuard‘s servers using SOCKS5 proxy. This provides an added layer of encryption and privacy for your browsing.
No Activity/Connection Logs
TorGuard maintains a strict no-logs policy, meaning no traffic, browsing data, or connection timestamps are kept at all. The company cannot share data it does not have.
On the security front, TorGuard checks all the right boxes and offers modern encryption, protocols, and some handy advanced features. Safety shouldn‘t be an issue, but privacy does raise a couple flags…
Jurisdiction
While the no-logs policy is positive, TorGuard being based in the US raises some concerns due to its restrictive surveillance and data sharing laws.
Audits
TorGuard has not undergone any independent audits by third parties that could verify its systems and processes align with its no-logs and privacy commitments. This lack of transparency is disappointing.
For the highest level of verified privacy, VPNs located outside Five/Nine Eyes jurisdictions and have published third-party audits are recommended.
Software & Apps
TorGuard offers native VPN apps for all major platforms – Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android. I extensively tested its Windows and Android apps.
Both apps have a very similar interface and design. Connecting to the fastest server is easy – just choose your country and hit Quick Connect.
The apps certainly get the job done but have a somewhat dated design compared to more polished apps from leading brands. Navigation can feel a bit unintuitive at times too.
Helpful features like the kill switch, "Stealth" mode, app kill switch are easy to access. You can also switch between protocols like OpenVPN and WireGuard on the fly.
However, one limitation is TorGuard lacks OpenVPN support in its mobile apps currently. You have to install and use the third-party OpenVPN app for Android and iOS connections.
The apps have a handful of advanced options like port forwarding and SOCKS5 proxies. But these cater more to technical users rather than the average VPN newcomer.
While TorGuard‘s apps cover the basics, their outdated design and lack of OpenVPN for mobile limits their appeal compared to the best VPN apps available.
Pricing & Value
TorGuard offers quite a few pricing tiers:
- 1 month – $9.99
- 6 months – $29.99 ($5 per month)
- 12 months – $59.99 ($4.17 per month)
- 24 months – $89.99 ($3.75 per month)
- 36 months – $119.99 ($3.33 per month)
The monthly plan is expensive at nearly $10. You‘ll save around 45% by prepaying for 1 year, or up to 59% on the 3-year plan.
TorGuard also sells dedicated IP addresses ($7.99/month) and VPN router rental ($14.99/month).
While the longer term plans provide decent savings, the regular pricing still compares poorly vs industry leaders:
- ExpressVPN – $6.67/month (1 year)
- NordVPN – $3.29/month (2 years)
- Surfshark – $2.21/month (2 years)
- CyberGhost – $2.25/month (2 years)
Given its mediocre speeds, lackluster unblocking, and privacy concerns, TorGuard provides poor overall value compared to top tier VPN services. You can get better performance for less money elsewhere.
Trustworthiness
It‘s crucial to consider the trustworthiness and reputation of the VPN provider you choose. They are handling all your sensitive internet traffic after all!
TorGuard has had a few incidents that raise some red flags:
- In 2015, it was accused of stealing code from VPN provider VPN.ac‘s browser extension. TorGuard quickly updated its add-on but never provided an explanation.
- Leaked entity ownership records connected TorGuard to data mining company Prime Data Centers. VPN services are recommended to have anonymous business registrations.
- TorGuard failed a recent audit by VPNpro concerning honoring refund policies and privacy policies around data retention.
While none of these are specific smoking guns, they do cast some doubt on TorGuard‘s business ethics and commitment to user privacy. Due to no independent audits, it‘s impossible to truly gauge TorGuard‘s trustworthiness.
For peace of mind, it may be better to choose well-established VPNs with more transparent ownership/trust such as ExpressVPN, NordVPN, or Surfshark.
TorGuard VPN Review – The Verdict
TorGuard provides a reasonable set of security features like AES-256 encryption and a kill switch. It allows torrenting and provides apps for all major platforms.
However, during my extensive hands-on testing, it struggled in other important areas:
- Speeds were moderate at best, with high latency during peak times.
- Unable to reliably unblock Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and other top streaming sites.
- Apps need modernization compared to polished competitors.
- Some concerns around ethics, ownership transparency, and trust.
- No independent audits have verified its no-logs policies.
While TorGuard works well enough for basic browsing privacy, it fails to keep up with the best VPN services available in 2024 for speed, unblocking abilities, and trustworthiness.
Given its drawbacks, it‘s hard to recommend TorGuard over industry leaders like ExpressVPN and NordVPN. These brands offer significantly faster speeds, easier access to streaming sites, audited no-logs policies, and excellent apps.
Based on my extensive testing and analysis, more reliable privacy and performance can be found with other top 10 VPN services on the market right now. But thanks for taking the time to read this complete TorGuard VPN review! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is TorGuard safe to use?
TorGuard uses standard VPN security like AES-256 encryption and protocols like OpenVPN. It does not leak DNS or IPv6 requests. However, the lack of transparency and audits raise some trust concerns.
Does TorGuard work with Netflix or BBC iPlayer?
No, TorGuard is unable to reliably bypass geo-blocks and access Netflix or BBC iPlayer. Dedicated IPs may work in some cases but are an unreliable workaround.
Does TorGuard keep any logs of user activity?
TorGuard claims a strict no-logs policy. However, this has not been independently audited or verified by any third parties or researchers. Some logging concerns remain.
Is TorGuard good for torrenting?
Yes, P2P and BitTorrent traffic is explicitly allowed on all TorGuard servers. Just don‘t expect help accessing streaming sites.
Does TorGuard offer a free trial?
No, TorGuard does not currently offer a free trial. It does however have a 7-day money back guarantee if you are unsatisfied. Many other top VPNs offer trial periods up to 30 days.
How much does TorGuard cost?
TorGuard starts at $9.99/month if paying monthly. You can save on longer 6 month, 1 year, or 3 year plans. But it remains pricier than leading options like Surfshark and CyberGhost.
TorGuard VPN Review – Final Thoughts
In my extensive testing and analysis, TorGuard falls short compared to top industry leaders like ExpressVPN and NordVPN.
While it provides basic encryption, if you want faster speeds, watertight security, easy access to Netflix and streaming, and polished apps, TorGuard leaves a lot to be desired.
I hope this full and detailed TorGuard VPN review helps explain exactly what you get – and don‘t get – if you choose to use it. Don‘t hesitate to reach out if you have any other questions! I‘m always happy to help find the right VPN provider for your needs.
