Atlas VPN Review – Pros & Cons in 2022

Atlas VPN is the best freemium VPN available in 2022. The free version offers strong security features, zero ads, and a solid no-logs policy. Meanwhile, the premium plans are really inexpensive, making it an excellent budget-friendly VPN.

Furthermore, Atlas VPN is based in the US and uses the next-gen WireGuard tunneling protocol. There are over 750 servers in 37 countries too choose from. They all support torrenting and unblock many streaming platforms, including Netflix.

In this Atlas VPN review, I’ll overview its connection speeds, privacy and security features, supported platforms, pricing plans, and much more.

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Overview

Pricing: Atlas VPN free and premium plans

Atlas VPN is the cheapest top-rated provider. It has four premium and free subscription deals for November 2022:

• Free
• 1-month plan for $10.99
• 1-year plan for $3.29/month
• 3-year + 3 months free plan for $1.64/month

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All premium plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee and unlimited simultaneous connections. Compared to the free version, you get more locations, better connection speeds, 24/7 customer support, UHD streaming, and no ads. Payment options include credit cards, PayPal, Google Pay, and cryptocurrencies.

You can also try out Atlas VPN Premium without spending money or giving your credit card details. Both Android and iOS mobile apps let you invite your friends to register using your link, and you will receive 7 days of the paid version.

And if you’re looking for a better deal on the premium plan, you can find a multitude of Atlas VPN coupon codes on our website.

Free version

You can download Atlas VPN for free by going to their website and choosing your preferred platform. You will get three locations – two in the US (New York, Los Angeles) and one in the Netherlands. That’s not great news if you live in South America, Africa, Asia, or Oceania because the distance to the servers will impact latency and speed.

Moreover, the data cap is set to 5 GB/month. Also, the free version doesn’t include streaming-optimized and Privacy Pro servers with SafeSwap and MultiHop+ features.

Atlas VPN speed: is Atlas VPN fast?

AtlasVPN offers fast speeds, thanks to the WireGuard tunneling protocol and quality server list. However, it greatly depends on the distance between you and the country you’re connecting to.

Below are some of our Atlas VPN speed test results using WireGuard, with the baseline download speed at 93 Mbps. I did the test in Europe, so we expected the best performance in the UK, followed by the USA, Japan, and Australia. We also compared the results with some of the fastest VPNs.

Overall, the results are pretty good. There were no significant download drop-offs until we moved to the Asia Pacific.

And even though Atlas VPN was slower than NordVPN or Surfshark in all countries, most users shouldn’t feel the difference until they try downloading GBs worth of data. Compared to ExpressVPN, the speeds were pretty similar.

As always, you shouldn’t take these numbers for granted as the results depend on many factors, such as your internet connection, location, and server load, to name but a few. But I can conclude that download and upload speeds won’t slow down much with Atlas VPN.

Atlas VPN server list

Atlas VPN offers 750+ bare-metal servers in 37 countries. Choosing the US will give you 7 available cities: New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Dallas, New Jersey, Pheonix, and Las Vegas. Below is the full list of available countries in different locations.

Compared to the top VPN providers, Atlas VPN offers a modest server and country selection. While the former doesn’t always reflect the overall quality of the service, not having a server nearby will impact latency and speed. On the other hand, there are plenty of options in the leading North American and European markets.

The free version of Atlas VPN will unlock only two countries for you – the Netherlands and the USA (New York and LA).

Is Atlas VPN good for security and privacy?

Atlas VPN is a good choice if you care about your online privacy and security. This provider offers military-grade encryption, a reliable kill switch, and solid leak protection. At the same time, Atlas VPN endorses a no-logs policy that negates its US jurisdiction’s possible impact.

Encryption and tunneling protocols

Atlas VPN has AES 256-bit encryption – the same cipher used by the military and financial institutions. It also implements ChaCha20-Poly1305, which provides better performance on mobile apps. Both ciphers are practically unbreakable and should make Atlas VPN users feel very safe indeed.

When it comes to tunneling protocols, Atlas VPN offers WireGuard on all apps, which is both very fast and secure. Alternatively, you can choose IKEv2/IPSec, which is not too shabby by itself. Some users might miss OpenVPN, but the provider doesn’t support any devices that would work with just this protocol anyway.

Kill switch

Atlas VPN has a kill switch for all apps. Fortunately, it’s also available in the free version. Android owners can also turn on the native “Always-on VPN” feature.

A kill switch is used to block your internet connection in case of a VPN failure. It ensures that none of your personal data, such as an IP address, gets leaked. While it’s disabled by default, we highly recommend having the kill switch turned on all the time.

No IP, DNS, or WebRTC leaks

Atlas VPN has no IPv6, DNS, or WebRTC leaks. It’s difficult to say how sophisticated their leak protection is, but my actual location or IP didn’t pop up during any tests.

I connected to a server in Canada and saw only this country as the assigned IP address location wherever I went. Atlas VPN also passed the IP and WebRTC leak tests with flying colors.

As you can see from the image below, the DNS servers are also in Canada, so everything seems to be in order.

Atlas VPN leak protection is always turned on, meaning you don’t have to toggle any settings to keep your device safe.

Where is Atlas VPN located?

Atlas VPN is based in the United States, and its Terms of Service are in accordance with the laws of Delaware. Previously owned by Peakstar Technologies Inc., it’s been part of Nord Security since 2021. The company is known for NordVPN, NordLayer, and Surfshark VPN products.

In its press release, Atlas VPN states that it aims for “transparent ownership, a clear privacy policy, and adherence to the highest privacy standards.” It remains to be seen if these words are true, but one thing is certain – a founding Five Eyes country is not the best place for the privacy-minded.

Does Atlas VPN keep logs?

Atlas VPN doesn’t keep any logs that could trace internet usage to you. It collects only minimal data needed to run the service and comply with applicable laws. New users will only have to share their email, but the payments made via Google Play or Apple Store won’t be anonymous.

Further in the Privacy Policy, it’s stated that Atlas VPN may collect app usage data, device data (model, OS version), and the device ID for marketing and analytics. While the latter technically could help identify someone, you can reset it any time.

So is there anything you can do about the data that’s being collected? Well, California residents may ask for a copy of their data once a year. Moreover, users can contact customer support and request an edit or complete deletion of their data.

Finally, just like the other Nord Security products, Atlas VPN should get a third-party audit of its no-logs policy in the near future.

Is Atlas VPN safe?

Atlas VPN is one of the safest providers in 2022. First, it uses military-grade encryption to hide all of your traffic. Next, this VPN has a strict no-logs policy, meaning no personal data is stored.

What’s more, all Atlas VPN apps have a kill switch and use reliable tunneling protocols. This makes a solid foundation for ensuring online privacy and security. And then there are quite a few extra features for even more safety.

Another safety feature called Tracker Blocker blocks malicious domains used for phishing attacks and malware distribution. It also stops third-party cookies and ads. We also recommend turning on the Data Breach Monitor to check if your email account hasn’t been compromised.

You can also connect to the SafeSwap servers, which rotate your IP address. This further enhances your anonymity without the need to reconnect. Also, using SafeSwap won’t affect the performance.

Atlas VPN also offers the MultiHop+ feature for VPN chaining in North America and Europe. Regular multi-hop (Double VPN) involves running your traffic via two servers, effectively doubling the encryption. In this case, your online activities are hidden by also rotating exit servers in different locations, which works even better against surveillance and censorship.

Atlas VPN for Netflix and streaming

Atlas VPN is reliable and an excellent choice for streaming enthusiasts. I was able to unblock multiple Netflix libraries, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, and Hulu, among other platforms.

Users can choose from streaming-optimized servers in 12 countries, including the US, the UK, Japan, and other popular destinations.

Atlas VPN claims to unblock Netflix in the US, Canada, the UK, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain. After testing, I can confirm this to be the case.

In the screenshot below, I’m connected to a Canadian Atlas VPN server and watching Doctor Strange – a Canada exclusive at the time of writing this review). The speed was more than enough to stream in 4K (UHD) without noticeable buffering.

Unfortunately, the free version of Atlas VPN doesn’t unblock Netflix or other streaming services. On the other hand, the same can be said about the majority of free services.

Is Atlas VPN good for torrenting?

Atlas VPN is a good option for torrenting. P2P is allowed on all servers, and the speeds are great, thanks to the bare-metal servers and WireGuard. Plus, a kill switch and leak protection keep your IP hidden.

What’s more, Atlas VPN is a no-logs provider, meaning it doesn’t collect data about your torrenting or any other online activities. And since the connection is fully encrypted, there’s virtually no way for a third party to see what you’re downloading.

There are a few shortcomings, though. Atlas VPN lacks a SOCKS5 proxy and port forwarding. The first one is great if you want to protect just your P2P traffic, while the latter is essential if you’re behind a firewall and need to seed before downloading more.

Atlas VPN’s split tunneling could be an alternative to the SOCKS5 proxy, but it works on Android only.

You can also download torrents using the free version but the 5 GB/month limit will probably make you go premium soon.

Does Atlas VPN support my device?

Currently, Atlas VPN supports Windows, macOS, Linux Android, iOS, Android TV, and Amazon Fire Stick & Fire TV. Also, a browser extension for Chrome is under development. Unfortunately, at the moment, there’s no support for routers.

Generally speaking, all Atlas VPN apps are easy to install and use. My biggest complaints are the lack of Favorite servers for quick connection and sorting them according to the continent. To my mind, a simple A to Z list would work better, especially when Atlas VPN doesn’t offer that many countries in the first place.

Atlas VPN for PC: Windows and Mac

Atlas VPN for PC is visually similar to the Android and iOS interfaces. However, the mobile apps have a friend referral option that gives you 7 days for free. There is no difference between the Windows and Mac versions which is nice because the latter tends to be watered-down on most VPNs.

There aren’t many options to choose from. You can connect to regular, streaming-optimized, and Privacy Pro servers. The latter are further divided into SafeSwap and MultiHop+ types.

By clicking Assistant on the left sidebar, you’ll be able to toggle Threat Protection and Data Breach Monitor. The former blocks dangerous websites, trackers, and ads, while the latter checks for your personal data leaks. We strongly suggest having both of them on for maximum safety.

Under Settings, you will find the kill switch, protocol selection, and connectivity options. Auto-Connect turns on the VPN as soon as you launch the app. In the meantime, Quick Connect lets you customize the default location from fastest to the nearest. Alternatively, it can be any specific country of your choice.

Atlas VPN for Linux

Premium customers can now enjoy Atlas VPN on Linux. Specifically, the software is currently compatible with the Ubuntu distribution.

The experience is slightly different because users don’t get a complete graphical interface like with Windows and Mac operating systems. Instead, Linux enthusiasts are catered to and can control the VPN via the terminal using commands.

For maximum speed, the software runs on WireGuard and can’t be switched to another protocol. Additionally, you can choose between standard and the already-familiar Atlas VPN specialty servers (Streaming, SafeSwap, and MultiHop).

However, other critical features are absent, such as the kill switch, Tracker Blocker, and Data Breach Monitoring. Thankfully, the provider announced that additional features and greater Linux distribution support are on the way.

Atlas VPN for mobile: Android and iOS

Atlas VPN for Android and iOS is simple, easy to use, and similar to the desktop version. Most importantly, Android users exclusively get the split tunneling feature. It allows you to choose which apps will use the VPN and which will connect directly to the internet.

Both mobile apps have four buttons on the bottom panel – Home, Assistant, Invite Friends, and Settings. A fifth one appears in the middle if you’re using the free version, urging you to upgrade.

From the Home section, you control the VPN connection. You can click the massive button in the center to connect to the faster server or choose the location below.

The Assistant lets you turn on Data Breach Monitoring and Tracker Blocker. In the meantime, Invite friends gives you 7 days’ worth of Atlas VPN Premium per successful conversion.

Finally, the Settings are pretty similar to those in Windows or Mac apps. However, you can switch between Light and Dark modes, toggle Haptic Feedback, or spread the good news by sharing and rating Atlas VPN.

Atlas VPN for Amazon Fire TV and Android TV

Starting from 2022, Atlas VPN has apps for Android TV and Amazon Fire TV & Fire Stick. These are great news for streaming fans who want to watch their favorite shows and movies on the big screen. Atlas VPN servers are fast enough to handle 4K video quality, especially when using the next-gen WireGuard protocol.

Unfortunately, Atlas VPN still doesn’t support routers which would expand the device range significantly. There are also no browser add-ons or other manual configuration alternatives.

Atlas VPN customer support overview

Atlas VPN has the following customer support options:

• 24/7 live chat
• Submitting a ticket
• FAQ
• Knowledgebase

24/7 live chat is available to premium users only. I contacted them a couple of times and got quick and polite responses. The agent could not answer one of the questions right away, so he emailed me an answer in a couple of hours.

Submitting a ticket is another option. Depending on the question, you can expect an answer on the same or the next day. This is probably the best choice for free Atlas VPN version users.

You can find the FAQ in the knowledgebase under the General info tab. It has over 20 articles and covers some basics like what a VPN is and how to use it. There are also more Atlas-related questions on supported devices, bandwidth limitations, and leak protection.

The rest of the knowledgebase covers setting up Atlas VPN on different platforms, available features, and unblocking streaming platforms. There’s a separate section for billing and account questions, plus one for troubleshooting.

All in all, I was happy with the Atlas VPN customer support. The 24/7 live chat is responsive, and the whole help section is well-written. I liked that there were articles not only about the VPN itself but also with more general tips, like cleaning cache or disabling location services.

Atlas VPN video review

Watch our in-depth video review of the Atlas VPN free version. Check out the second video if you’d like to know how Atlas VPN compares against Proton VPN, another excellent VPN with a worthwhile free version.

How Atlas VPN compares to other VPNs

Atlas VPN has the lowest price among all top VPNs. However, I would say that Surfshark has the best price-to-value ratio. On the other hand, for an extra buck per month, you can grab NordVPN, the #1 VPN in 2022.

Regarding server and location selection, Atlas VPN has the least to offer. But here, you should ask yourself if you need a connection to a country that’s not on the list. If you do, pick Surfshark with the broadest global coverage.

Speed shouldn’t be an issue because Atlas VPN uses WireGuard, meaning the drop-off will be minimal unless you connect to another continent. As you can see, the download numbers are similar to those of ExpressVPN and Surfshark. For maximum performance, go for NordVPN, the fastest provider.

Should you get Atlas VPN?

Atlas VPN is definitely worth getting if you are looking for a cheap, fast, and simple VPN. First off, the apps are easy to use, and you can install them on as many devices as you want. Additionally, Atlas VPN is great for unblocking Netflix and other popular streaming platforms.

I loved the extra security features of Atlas VPN, such as Tracker Blocker, Data Breach Monitor, and Privacy Pro servers. Unfortunately, split tunneling works on Android only, and torrenting fans might also miss port forwarding. Adding a Stealth VPN for circumventing internet censorship in certain countries would be great too.

While being the cheapest top-grade service, Atlas VPN has the best free version for trying things out risk-free. It won’t unblock Netflix but allows P2P. In the end, I firmly believe that teaming up with Nord Security means a bright future for Atlas VPN.

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FAQ

Is Atlas VPN safe?

Yes, Atlas VPN is safe because they have a strict no-logs policy and military-grade encryption. Try Atlas VPN risk-free for 30 days and see for yourself.

Is Atlas VPN good?

Atlas VPN is good, if not great, service that can do most of the things that more expensive VPNs can. First of all, it’s ridiculously cheap and has an excellent free version. Secondly, it unblocks Netflix, allows torrenting, and offers fast speeds thanks to WireGuard.

Does Atlas VPN work with Netflix?

Atlas VPN works with Netflix and other streaming platforms. These include Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and HBO Max, among others. The speeds will be enough to stream in 4K (UHD) with minimum or no buffering, depending on your internet connection.

How to get Atlas VPN for free?

You can get Atlas VPN for free by downloading the app and creating an account. However, only the paid version unblocks Netflix and other streaming platforms while offering a full server list and maximum performance.

How do I use and install Atlas VPN?

First, download the Atlas VPN app. It’s available on their website, Google Play Store, and Apple App Store. Afterward, install Atlas VPN and sign up for the service.

How much is Atlas VPN monthly?

You can get Atlas VPN for as low as $1.64/month when choosing a 3-year plan. More pricing options are available.