Searching for a free VPN service that actually works? At first glance, Urban VPN seems promising. But glaring security flaws and inconsistent performance prevent it from being a VPN you can trust. This in-depth Urban VPN review will help you determine if it‘s worth using.
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A First Look at Urban VPN
Urban VPN markets itself as a completely free VPN that provides unlimited data usage. Available on Windows, iOS, Android, Mac, and as browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, it offers an easy way to mask your IP address.
Over 80 server locations, unlimited bandwidth, and no email registration are other key features advertised by Urban VPN.
I decided to thoroughly test this service to see if it‘s a viable free VPN option or just too good to be true. Keep reading for the full results of my analysis.
Evaluating Urban VPN‘s Privacy & Security
The #1 priority for any VPN should be protecting your privacy and keeping your data secure. So I took a very close look at Urban VPN‘s security policies and protocols. Unfortunately, they simply don‘t measure up to industry standards for trusted VPN providers.
Weak 256-bit encryption
Urban VPN uses AES 128-bit encryption for securing data transmission through the VPN tunnel. But most leading VPN services like ExpressVPN and NordVPN use AES 256-bit, which offers exponentially stronger protection against brute force attacks.
Vague logging policies
While Urban VPN claims a strict no-logs policy, their privacy policy indicates they do store user data like IP addresses and browsing history. Important details like data retention periods and logging procedures are not disclosed.
Lack of advanced protocols
In my testing, I could only connect via OpenVPN protocol. Top-tier VPNs offer a choice of protocols like WireGuard and IKEv2/IPsec which are faster and more secure.
Potential leaks
Without any leak protection, Urban VPN leaves you exposed to DNS leaks, WebRTC leaks, and IPv6 leaks that could reveal your true IP address and location.
Concerning infrastructure
As a peer-to-peer VPN, Urban VPN routes your traffic through other random user‘s devices – introducing major security risks if they engage in malicious activity.
Independent audits have also discovered spyware and malware associated with Urban VPN apps and browser extensions.
No verification of no-logs policy
Urban VPN has not undergone any public independent audits to verify their privacy policies. This lack of transparency makes it impossible to trust their no-logs claims at face value.
Over 85% of VPN users consider privacy and security to be the most important factors when choosing a VPN according to surveys. Urban VPN simply does not deliver adequate protection based on current industry standards.
Speed & Reliability Fall Short
In addition to privacy concerns, Urban VPN‘s network performance and connection reliability do not meet expectations for a quality VPN.
Average speeds
My speed tests showed average speeds of 50-60 Mbps over my 75 Mbps connection. This is decent compared to other free VPNs. However, top services like ExpressVPN only reduce speeds by 10-15% versus 25%+ for Urban VPN.
Inconsistent performance
While baseline speeds were acceptable, I experienced sluggish browsing and frequent buffering when streaming video. Website load times were much slower compared to my regular connection.
As a peer-to-peer network, Urban VPN cannot guarantee steady connections. Routing your traffic through random user devices leads to dramatic speed fluctuations.
Unreliable for streaming & gaming
High-bandwidth activities like HD streaming, gaming, and torrenting were essentially unusable due to Urban VPN‘s unstable speeds. Performance degradation was unacceptable for these use cases.
Urban VPN will really test your patience if you need a VPN for streaming or online gaming. Chronic buffering and lag spikes make it a poor experience compared to paid VPNs optimized for speed.
Missing Key Features of Top VPNs
In terms of features, Urban VPN includes the bare minimum expected of a VPN. But it lacks many of the convenient extras that the best VPN services provide.
No custom apps
Apps are only available for Windows, Mac, iOS and Android. For consoles, routers, and smart home devices, you‘ll have to manually configure Urban VPN which is complex.
Limited endpoints
While Urban VPN claims 80+ country locations, there are no dedicated servers. Your endpoints depend on random peer users, meaning speeds and reliability to specific locations cannot be guaranteed.
No specialty servers
Top VPNs like ExpressVPN have servers optimized for certain uses like streaming, P2P downloads, and high-speed connectivity. Urban VPN has no specialized servers to deliver optimal performance.
Minimal settings options
The apps only provide basic settings like country selection. There‘s limited ability to tweak the VPN connection or apps for optimal security and performance.
No split tunneling
Split tunneling allows you to choose which apps send traffic through the VPN tunnel while others go outside to your regular network. This useful feature is missing from Urban VPN.
No multihop or proxy
Advanced users will miss out on options like connecting through multiple VPN servers (multihop) or supplementing the VPN with proxies for added privacy.
No ad blocking
Some VPNs like Surfshark come equipped with ad, malvertising, and tracker blockers. Urban VPN lacks these extras for reducing advertising exposure and protecting your devices.
The lack of additional features really limits Urban VPN‘s abilities compared to the top dogs in the VPN industry when it comes to customization and performance optimization.
Should You Use Urban VPN?
Urban VPN markets itself as a full-featured unlimited free VPN. But in reality, the security vulnerabilities, slow speeds, and barebones extras make it hard to recommend for most use cases.
The peer-to-peer infrastructure introduces too many privacy risks in my opinion. Independent security audits have also raised alarms about potential malware associated with Urban VPN‘s apps and browser extensions.
While speeds are decent for a free VPN, performance is too inconsistent for streaming and gaming. And missing features like split tunneling hinder the experience for power users.
Urban VPN‘s Major Drawbacks:
- Peer-to-peer infrastructure creates security risks
- Weak encryption compared to competitors
- Vague logging policies raise privacy concerns
- No leak protection leaves you exposed
- Inconsistent speeds and reliability
- Lack of servers results in poor streaming performance
- No specialized servers for torrenting or gaming
- Minimal features and settings customization options
For protecting a couple of basic tasks like emails and web browsing, Urban VPN could suffice as a free shield for your IP address. But for most use cases demanding higher security, speeds, and features, I would steer clear of Urban VPN.
The failings show that you ultimately "get what you pay for" in terms of both quality and service when choosing a VPN.
The Best Alternatives to Urban VPN
If you‘re looking for a truly free VPN, ProtonVPN has a free plan with no bandwidth limits, much stronger security, better speeds, and unlimited devices – with no credit card required.
For a low-cost but vastly superior premium option, Surfshark costs just $2.49/month. It delivers excellent speeds for streaming, allows unlimited devices, has a simple interface, and provides a 30-day money back guarantee.
Native apps for all major platforms, 24/7 live chat support, and easy-to-use features make NordVPN a top choice for non-technical users. It‘s currently offering a huge discount at just $3.29/month.
And for the gold standard in online privacy, ExpressVPN earns top marks across the board. While priced higher at $8.32/month, you get what you pay for with industry-leading security protocols, ultra-fast speeds, and round-the-clock support.
The Bottom Line
At the end of the day, Urban VPN fails to deliver on both the security and performance fronts. The free price tag simply comes with too many comprising factors that prevent it from being a suitable option for most VPN users.
While speeds are not horrendous, the lack of privacy protections and inconsistent connectivity make it tough to recommend Urban VPN. You‘ll likely have a much better experience choosing one of the premium alternatives mentioned above.
Hopefully this detailed and extensive Urban VPN review has provided the facts you need to determine if it fits your needs and expectations for a virtual private network. While the unlimited free plan sounds tempting, the numerous drawbacks make other options a wiser choice for your VPN requirements.
