2023-11-16 14:00:00
In 2023, Atlas VPN emerges as a major player in the world of VPN services. As one of the few feature-rich freemium VPNs, it has won over users from all walks of life. The performance and speed offered by this solution make it a little-known gem of online security. Discover the Atlas VPN test.
In a world under intense surveillance, the quest for an open Internet persists. Atlas VPN, the new kid on the block, promises this freedom, already attracting six million users thanks to its high performance, its rich range of features, its competitive prices and a powerful free offer. The giant Nord Securityparent of NordVPN, even acquired it in 2021. In this analysis, let’s dive into the heart of its performance, streaming and security.
Atlas VPN prices:
36-month offer: €67.05 (€1.72/month) 12-month offer: €47.78 (€3.82/month) 1-month offer: €11.22
Looking for a powerful and user-friendly VPN? Atlas VPN might be the answer. In this review, explore everything it offers.
Technical characteristics
Encryption: AES-256, ChaCha20/Poly1305
Servers : more than 1,000 servers in 77 countries
Simultaneous Connections : up to 6 devices
Leak protection : IPv6, DNS, WebRTC
Additional Features : kill switch, split tunneling, ad blocker Affordable price Solid performance Useful features Slightly high price No independent security audit
What is Atlas VPN?
Atlas VPN, founded in 2019, stands out despite its youth against veterans such as NordVPN or ExpressVPN. This new kid on the block has won the hearts of users thanks to its competitive prices and impressive feature set. In 2021, he joined Nord Security, which testifies to its rise in power. To date, this VPN has more than 6 million users worldwide.
Unlike most VPNs, Atlas VPN adopts a freemium model, offering both paid subscriptions and a free plan. Both options have their advantages, but the premium option clearly stands out. It guarantees ultra-fast connectivity thanks to the protocole WireGuard, while supporting unlimited device connections. In addition, it effectively unblocks geo-restricted content thanks to its extensive network of more than 1,000 servers spread across 42 countries.
However, Atlas VPN is not free from criticism. Headquartered in the United States, where privacy protections are weak and links to the Five Eyes alliance are of concern. Additionally, the lack of router configuration files and Smart DNS functionality limits configuration on VPN-incompatible devices. Finally, the service suffers from the lack of an independent audit to confirm its allegations of non-preservation of logs.
Free VPN Atlas: limits and possibilities
Atlas VPN stands out by offering free version, a rarity in the world of VPNs. However, it is essential to note that a 5GB data limit applies to this plan, making it less suitable for downloads and streaming of large files.
As a free user, you get access to three locations:
Netherlands – Amsterdam United States – Los Angeles United States – New York.
However, it is important to note that the free version does not give you the benefits of the premium subscription. Among other things, access to servers optimized for streaming, unlimited bandwidth,assistance 24h/24 et 7j/7unlimited simultaneous connections or even fonction Shield.
Atlas VPN: an overview of its security
Atlas VPN offers basic security, but other VPNs offer more robust cybersecurity. It ensures essential features such as a no-logging policy, AES encryption and one kill switch reliable. However, the options for tunneling protocols are limited to IKEv2 et WireGuardalthough the latter are recognized as reliable.
However, Atlas VPN still has room for improvement. The service does not use RAM servers, instead keeping data on fully encrypted drives. Furthermore, its no logging policy has not been independently audited, except for Atlas VPN security testing performed for iOS and Windows apps.
As Atlas VPN is owned by Nord Security, this association suggests that the security standards of this VPN provider will match those of NordVPN.
Atlas VPN encryption and tunneling protocols
When you connect to Atlas VPN’s servers, your online traffic is secured via strong encryption.
Atlas VPN makes use ofAES-256, a benchmark in data protection, widely adopted by government and financial entities. For state-of-the-art security, they have also implemented the ChaCha20 encryption With l’authentificateur Poly1305.
Regarding tunneling protocols, you have the choice between IPSec/IKEv2 and WireGuard. The latter, as a standard protocol, ensures higher speeds and low ping. It is supported on various devices including Android, Windows, macOSet iOS.
Logging policy
Atlas VPN is headquartered in the United States, more precisely in Delaware. Unfortunately, the United States is at the forefront of the 5-Eyes alliance and is not known for its privacy, making it a less compelling selling point for Atlas VPN.
However, like other quality VPN services, Atlas VPN has a strict no-logging policy. Their policy assures users that no private information is kept. Besides, although it is not explicitly mentioned, this policy seems to apply to the free version as well.
Additionally, they offer users the option to permanently delete their account, and California residents can even request copies of their data.
Kill switch
Atlas VPN has integrated an essential security feature called “ kill switch » to avoid data leaks. This kill switch automatically interrupts your Internet traffic if the connection to the VPN server is interrupted. Two tests were carried out to evaluate its operation: the first by blocking access to the server at the router level and the second by disabling background VPN processes.
In the first Atlas VPN test, the kill switch worked well, cutting off the connection when access to the server was blocked. However, it does not emit any notifications when triggered. However, it is convenient to be able to restore the Internet connection by activating then deactivating the kill switch.
The second test presented some complexities, as Atlas VPN does not support OpenVPN. As a result, VPN processes are client-bound, which required us to disable the client while keeping the kill switch enabled. Despite this, the kill switch proved effective even in such circumstances.
Atlas VPN Speed and Performance
Atlas VPN stands out for its speed, thanks to the adoption of the protocol WireGuard, modern and efficient. Although it’s not among the top five fastest VPNs, Atlas VPN’s tests reveal impressive performance.
Indeed, Atlas VPN keeps approximately 92% of initial download speed, a remarkable result. The five locations that were evaluated confirm that the connection remains stable. This prevents any noticeable slowdown in download or upload speeds.
This performance is an expected feature of WireGuard, known for its speed. However, other factors can influence connectivity. Thus, it is relevant to compare Atlas VPN’s speed retention with that of other major VPN providers using WireGuard or similar protocols.
Atlas VPN: servers and locations
With a strong network of over 1,000 servers distributed in 42 pays, Atlas VPN does not compete in size with heavyweights such as NordVPN or Surfshark. However, it stands out by offering specialized servers for specific uses, in particular streaming.
Here are the server distributions:
Europe: 26 Asia: 7 Americas: 6 Rest of the world: 3
Focused on mobile applications, Atlas VPN has since expanded its offering. Moreover, its fleet could still grow.
Additionally, this VPN provider has recently added 10 Gbps servers. With increased bandwidth, these servers transmit data faster, improving the user experience.
Finally, a recent update to Atlas VPN addresses server maintenance notifications. In the event of temporary maintenance, users macOS et iOS are now informed for a seamless experience.
Atlas VPN price
Atlas VPN currently offers three plans, each with a different price depending on the length of commitment. You can opt for:
36-month offer: €67.05 (€1.72/month) 12-month offer: €47.78 (€3.82/month) 1-month offer: €11.22
By analyzing Atlas VPN prices, you’ll discover substantial savings when you choose longer-term subscriptions. The cost difference between a monthly subscription and a 36-month commitment is remarkable.
Opting for the 36-month subscription equates to a monthly cost of only 1,72 €a saving of 85% compared to the monthly subscription, priced at 11,22 €. Likewise, the 12 month option significantly reduces the monthly cost to 3,82 €offering a savings of 66% compared to the monthly subscription.
Test Atlas VPN : verdict
Atlas VPN stands out as an accessible VPN service, offering a no-data retention policy and robust security features. Its affordable price makes it an attractive choice for users concerned about their online security. However, it is important to note that connection speed may vary from server to server. Despite this, Atlas VPN remains a solid choice for those looking for effective online protection.
No-logging policy Advanced security features Ease of use and ergonomics Customer service needs improvement Limited number of features with the free version
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