Atlas VPN has only been in the VPN business for a few years, but has made a name for itself primarily with its free-to-use Android app. Recently, however, the makers of NordVPN swallowed up the up-and-coming newcomer. We show what Atlas VPN can do.
VPN services actually have to cost money, because after all, the operation and maintenance of the offers is expensive and a high level of security and data protection is required. Despite this, most users are looking for free VPN solutions. Atlas VPN, launched in 2019, slipped into this free niche and scored particularly well with the Android app.
Atlas VPN works on the freemium model. This means you can use the VPN permanently for free, but you don’t get all the features. For the complete package you have to go to the paid subscription get in. In the fall of 2021, Nord Security, makers of NordVPN, acquired Atlas VPN to cover this space as well.
Atlas VPN: Key Points
VPN service for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS as well as Android TV and Amazon FireTV:
- Free version: The free version limits use to 3 server locations (New York, Los Angeles, Netherlands). In addition, only two connections are possible at the same time and there is a data limit of 2 GB per month in the apps and 10 GB per month in the desktop versions. The support article lists differences to the paid version.
- Premium version: All functions can be used with the paid Unlock premium version. We show the details below.
- WireGuard: Atlas VPN relies on the fast and secure Wireguard protocol.
- No logs: According to their own statements, no log files are stored that could link Internet use via the VPN to a specific person.
- Speed: The free version is badly throttled, only 39 MBit/s remain from the GBit line. Only the premium version releases the brakes, which apparently only apply to the download. Upload and latency are good even in the free version.
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Atlas VPN security and privacy
The basic security is right with Atlas VPN. The WireGuard protocol is the standard way for the encrypted connection, alternatively there is also IPSec/IKEv2. OpenVPN doesn’t exist and other providers have more choices, but the basic encryption works at a high level. We could not find any data leaks from the VPN tunnel.
There is also an optional automatic connection to the VPN and a kill switch that cuts the Internet connection if the VPN fails. You have to switch both on via the settings. Only an email address is required for the service, and there are also anonymous payment options such as Bitcoin.
According to its own statements, it is a no-logs VPN. However, under iOS, for example, you are immediately greeted with a screen that breaks down which data is then logged. IP addresses or websites visited are not among them, but at least you allow yourself a lot of analysis data, for example about the hardware used. The whole thing is bundled via a randomly generated ID. This analytics function is also pre-activated under Windows.
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Atlas VPN features and operation
The paid version is easy to use despite the English interface. There is a list of over 30 locations from which you can help yourself as a user. Servers specially optimized for streaming or security are listed separately. The characteristics:
- more than 30 locations worldwide
- more than 750 servers in total
- unlimited number of connections
- additionally Tracker Blocker and Data Breach Monitor
- Multihop and split tunneling
- changing IP addresses via SafeSwap technology
- Streaming and P2P file sharing possible
- no limits for speed and data volume
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AtlasVPN Speed
Our Internet access manages 1 GBit/s in download, plus 53 MBit/s in upload and a latency of 9 ms. The VPN slows down significantly:
- Downloads: 130 MBit/s (Premium) / 39 MBit/s (Free)
- Upload: 48 MBit/s (Premium) / 45 MBit/s (Free)
- Latency: 24ms (Premium) / 26ms (Free)
The server change works quite quickly, even initial connections and ending a VPN connection do not put users’ patience to the test.