Atlas VPN is a relatively new VPN that started its services in 2019. Its growing success led Nord Security to purchase it a year after its launch. Nord Security is the same company behind NordVPN, but still, people want to know about this newcomer in more detail.
It is a fast-growing VPN provider with impressive features and services and ranks among the top-rated VPN providers. Below are the specifications offered by Atlas VPN.
Security and Privacy:
Encryption
- Poly1305
- BLAKE2s
- SHA-384 authentication key
- ChaCha20
- AES-256 bit encryption
Jurisdiction
- The United States of America.
Log Policy
- Follows a no-log policy but keeps some information
Security Features
- Network kill switch
- Split tunneling
- Private DNS
- Data breach monitor
- MultiHop+
- SafeSwap
- VPN leak protection
- Tracker, Ad and malware blocker
Streaming and Torrenting
List of Compatible Streaming Platforms
- Amazon Prime Video
- Disney Plus
- Dazn
- HBO Max
- Hotstar
- Hulu
- Netflix
- BBC iPlayer
- Sports streaming sites (ESPN, ESPN Plus)
List of Torrenting Features
- Split tunneling
- Torrent IP leak protection
User-friendliness
No. of Servers
- 750 servers in 42 locations while multiple servers at three locations in the free plan. Also, SafeSwap, streaming, and MultiHop+ special servers.
Pricing
- $10.99/m on a 1-month plan
- $3.299/m on a 1-year plan
- $1.99/m on a 3-year plan
Customer Support
- Email ticket
- Live chat support
- Online resources
Compatible Devices
- Android
- iOS
- macOS
- Windows
- AndroidTV
- Firestick TV
However, users are concerned about security and privacy since Atlas VPN hasn’t undergone a third-party log audit. This Atlas VPN review digs out all the strengths and weaknesses of the VPN provider and gives you a clear idea of whether you should use it. So, let’s begin with this.
Security and Privacy
Privacy and security are the most prominent reasons to shift to VPN use. A VPN provider should use strong encryption and tunneling protocols for maximum security. Also, it must protect against IP and DNS leaks and comes with a kill switch feature that helps secure your identity when the VPN connection drops.
Moreover, to keep your activities private and to ensure an anonymous browsing experience, the VPN must belong to a safe jurisdiction and follow a zero-logging policy.
What type of Encryption does Atlas VPN use
AtlasVPN uses the best-in-class encryption available in the market to protect your data traffic from snooping eyes. The VPN provider uses virtually uncrackable:
- AES-256 bit key is the largest and unbreakable size to encrypt and decrypt your data.
- ChaCha20 cipher for symmetric encryption
- Poly1305 for authenticity and data verification.
- BLAKE2s for fast and secure hashing
- SHA-384 for message authentication
This guarantees that the connection is not spoofed and the data traffic you receive has not been tampered with. To strengthen the encryption further, Atlas VPN uses the perfect forward secrecy feature and ensures that no one can compromise the session keys to decrypt your data.
Jurisdiction of Atlas VPN
AtlasVPN jurisdiction is one main reason people do not opt to use it. The VPN provider belongs to the United States jurisdiction, which is, unfortunately, a prominent member of the Five Eyes alliance. The country is subjected to data retention laws and bound by a formal agreement to gather and share users’ online data with international intelligence agencies.
Logging Policy – Does it keep logs
Despite having a shady jurisdiction, Atlas VPN claims privacy is its core value. Like other top-tier VPN providers, Atlas VPN follows a zero-logging policy and doesn’t log or share users’ data that might trace back. According to the VPN’s privacy policy, it doesn’t retain:
- IP address
- Browsing data
- Activity logs
However, the VPN provider records some basic analytics and labels it towards improving its service. Have a look:
A questionable aspect of Atlas VPN’s privacy policy is that it doesn’t mention that the same policy will apply to the free version. Furthermore, since it’s a relatively new VPN provider, the VPN hasn’t undergone an independent third-party log audit process to prove its stance of being a no-log VPN is valid. Also, the log audit report can further ascertain that the collected data has nothing to do with your activities and other sensitive data.
However, Atlas VPN completed its first independent security audit in 2021. Experts from the famous VerSprite firm audited the Atlas VPN iOS app and supporting APIs. During the test, the experts found a total of five vulnerabilities. The three were low-level threats that affected the iOS app, while the two were medium-level threats that affected the VPN backend service. Once the audit result was out, the vulnerabilities were soon fixed.
Which Tunneling protocols does it offer?
Atlas VPN uses the following two encryption protocols:
- WireGuard
- IKEv2/IPSec
The IKEv2/IPSec is a stable protocol that offers a top-notch level of security and works well against network changes. It is compatible with all popular devices and platforms and ensures a seamless browsing experience.
The VPN provider also deploys the advanced WireGuard protocol faster and more securely than the existing protocols. It uses state-of-the-art cryptography and is more suited for streaming, gaming, and downloading. A noise framework forward secrecy is integrated within the WireGuard protocol that helps establish encrypted channels between the users.
Both the tunneling protocols are reliable and secure; you can select which suits your needs. But if you ask for a recommendation, you should use the WireGuard protocol. It has a smaller code base which is easier to audit and thus is arguably more secure than IKEv2. Also, it’s lightweight, which makes it capable of delivering fast speeds while performing activities like streaming and downloading.
How good is Atlas VPN at bypassing censorship?
Atlas VPN can evade internet censorship and allow you to browse the web freely and safely.
Connecting to the SafeSwap servers allows you to have different IP addresses that automatically change as you move between the online sessions. The constant rotation of your IP address makes it difficult for anyone to track back your activities, making it easier to access the blocked sites and services. These servers are available in Singapore, Amsterdam, and Los Angeles.
Atlas VPN’s multi-hop VPN technology ensures maximum online protection and allows you to bypass government surveillance and tracking in restrictive countries. Furthermore, Atlas VPN offers servers in 40 locations, including Singapore and Hong Kong. Hence, you can even use it to bypass the Great Firewall and surf the web anonymously and privately in China.
Moreover, your connection is routed through the VPN server rather than going directly through the ISP. As a result, your actual IP address remains hidden, and a new IP address from a private VPN server is assigned to you. Thus, the websites you visit view that temporary IP address and allow you to bypass internet restrictions. With Atlas VPN, you can access a range of blocked sites, such as:
- Twitch
- Skype
- Dark web
- Tinder
- Viber
Overall, AtlasVPN is a good option for bypassing internet censorship. However, the VPN provider doesn’t mention whether the free version will help bypass censorship.
Past history of Atlas VPN
Atlas VPN started its services in 2019, and in 2021, Nord Security, the parent company of NordVPN, bought it. The VPN company is registered under Peakstar Technologies Inc, the USA, which falls under the jurisdiction of the five eyes alliance.
Atlas VPN is a newcomer, but it is one of the most reliable VPN providers you can consider using. No records are found that accuse it of breaching privacy or leaking user-sensitive data.
Are any extra privacy and security features by Atlas VPN?
Atlas VPN’s prime aim is to make digital privacy and security accessible to all people across the globe. For this purpose, the VPN has various privacy and security-boosting features like a network kill switch, split tunneling, and IP/DNS leak protection. But other than these features, Atlas VPN offers some extra features that stem from its popularity and improve user experience.
Here’s an overview of the extra features offered by Atlas VPN:
Tracker, Malware, and Ad blocker
Atlas VPN offers an excellent three-in-one privacy-enhancing tool that blocks ads, trackers, and malware. The tracker blocker disables third-party trackers and prevents them from gathering information about the users’ browsing insights. It also keeps your data and device safe from accessing malicious websites and reduces the risk of malware and other online threats.
Moreover, it lists the third-party trackers and informs you about who and when someone is tracking you. Another benefit of this feature is blocking ads on Chrome, Opera, Mozilla, and other browsers and enjoying an uninterrupted browsing experience. Atlas VPN can also block malware-distributing ads that install spyware, cryptojacking, or ransomware on your device. No ads mean you can save your bandwidth and browser faster than before.
Launch the Atlas VPN app > Open Assistant > Enable the tracker blocker feature to enable the tracker blocker feature. However, the tracker blocker feature is available for Android, iOS, and Windows devices.
MultiHop +
Atlas VPN MiltiHop+ is an advanced network topology that hides your online activities behind various server locations and encryption layers. It selects random exit servers from different locations, rotates them as you browse, and makes your online activities untraceable. It is an extremely useful feature to bypass high surveillance and internet censorship, meaning you can use it in countries that follow heavy internet censorship, like China and Russia. Also, if you want extra anonymity, privacy, and security on the web, you can use this feature.
However, the multihop feature is not for activities requiring high speed because your VPN traffic goes through multiple VPN servers, which might impact the browsing speed. Launch the Atlas VPN app > Choose the Privacy Pro Tab > Connect to Multihop to enable this feature. You can use this feature on your Android, iOS, and Windows apps while the feature is soon getting launched on MacOS.
Data breach Monitor
Another impressive feature Atlas VPN offers is the data breach monitor. It scans the publically leaked databases to access credentials connected with your email address. It sends you instant security alerts and insights into past data breaches. Also, you can find out what credentials have been leaked to prevent such incidents from occurring.
Launch the Atlas VPN app > Open Assistant > Scan for breaches to use this feature. Suppose you’re using the accessible version of Atlas VPN so. In that case, you’re limited to monitoring data compromises related to one email account, but if you use the premium version, you have unlimited access to this feature.
Private DNS
There are VPN providers that, despite protecting your internet traffic, expose your DNS requests and leave you vulnerable. Atlas VPN solves this issue by running its private and encrypted DNS on every VPN server. In other words, Atlas VPN relies on its private DNS servers instead of relying on public DNS servers. These servers don’t log your search queries or data related to websites you browse and visit, protecting you from DNS leaks. Remember, you can use all these features in the premium version. If you’re using the accessible version of Atlas VPN, you won’t be able to access these advanced features.
Streaming and Torrenting
Besides enjoying maximum security and privacy on the web, most netizens use a VPN for streaming and downloading torrents. Despite most VPN providers claiming to unblock the geo-blocked content and allow torrenting, only a few service providers live up to their claims.
Streaming and downloading torrents require unlimited bandwidth, fast speeds, and a few features that few VPNs offer. Fortunately, Atlas VPN offers unlimited bandwidth that helps prevent speed throttling issues and ensures the best streaming torrent downloading experience.
Compatible streaming platforms
Atlas VPN allows streaming in the premium version. If you’re using the accessible version of Atlas VPN, you won’t be able to unblock any streaming sites. With Atlas VPN, you can bypass the geo-blocks and access the blocked streaming content from the following platforms:
- Amazon Prime Video
- BBC iPlayer
- Disney Plus
- Dazn
- Hulu
- HBO Max
- Hotstar
- Netflix
- Sports streaming sites (ESPN, ESPN Plus)
Atlas VPN is a good option for streaming your favorite content in HD and 4K quality. The VPN offers seamless streaming servers that efficiently manage buffering and connection lags. There are multiple streaming servers at 15 different locations, including:
- Australia
- Canada
- France
- Germany
- Japan
- The US
- The UK
The VPN uses multi-hop technology that passes your traffic from multiple random servers in various countries, making it impossible to track your activities. This helps you escape censorship and access the blocked content from anywhere.
Besides this, Atlas VPN also offers the SafeSwap feature that allows you to browse the web from several IP addresses. To improve your streaming experience, always use the WireGuard protocol, which guarantees faster connection speed without any major speed drops.
Is Atlas VPN good for Torrenting?
Atlas VPN is a good choice for P2P file-sharing and downloading torrents. The VPN offers fast speed, a no-log policy, and torrent-specific features, ensuring a secure and hassle-free downloading experience.
All the Atlas VPN servers don’t impose data caps and are optimized for torrenting. You can safely connect to any server and download torrents, even in the free version. It works well with the uTorrent client and doesn’t record or share your torrent-related activities. You can even use the best location detector feature that picks the most suitable server according to distance, speed, and latency.
Moreover, the VPN uses the kill switch and split tunneling feature, further boosting your online security while torrenting. As you download torrents with Atlas VPN, you won’t experience any speed issues. The speeds are fast, and you won’t experience significant buffering and connection lags. Plus, the WireGuard protocol ensures you enjoy a stable connection throughout downloading.
How fast is Atlas VPN
Atlas VPN offers fast and reliable browsing, streaming, and downloading speeds. The speeds are good and impressive enough for your activities and won’t cause frequent lags and buffering.
Since implementing the WireGuard protocol, Atlas VPN speeds have been improved drastically. It uses highly advanced ciphers and has a lightweight codebase of 4000 lines, making it faster than other protocols.
Moreover, if you’re a mobile device user, you can use the IKEv2 protocol. It excels in switching connections from WiFi to cellular data and provides a stable and fast connection speed. Overall, Atlas VPN speeds are decent, and even users on Reddit appreciate it.
User-Friendliness
Atlas VPN is an easy-to-download and installed VPN provider. It has a simple and intuitive interface that’s easy for beginners and advanced users. The VPN also offers various customization options; you can change the protocols, connect to a server of your choice, and enable specific features.
The number of servers Atlas VPN provides
A VPN with an extensive server network that makes a quick connection and helps download and accesses the blocked streaming content. Atlas VPN offers a pretty decent server network spread across the globe. The VPN consists of 750 servers in 42 locations in the premium plan, including:
- Six countries in Asia
- Two countries in Australia
- Three countries in North America
- 23 countries in Europe
• Two countries in South America
It is constantly expanding its server network, which is good. The best thing about Atlas VPN is that it connects you with the ideal server in terms of speed, latency, and distance.
Besides this, Atlas VPN also offers various specialty servers that improve your user experience. These servers include:
- MultiHop + Servers: The VPN offers two MultiHop+ servers in Europe and North America and helps evade censorship and boost your online security.
- SafeSwap Servers: These servers help in enhancing your online anonymity and are located in three regions, namely the US, Netherlands, and Singapore region.
- Streaming Servers: Atlas VPN also offers dedicated servers for streaming in 12 countries. Connecting to these servers allows you to access the blocked content from anywhere.
If you opt for the free version, you can access servers in three locations i.e., Amsterdam, New York, and Los Angeles.
How good is Atlas VPN customer support
Atlas VPN offers a practical, user-friendly, and knowledgeable customer support team. If you have any queries or want to inquire about something, you can contact the support team via email or the 24/7 live chat. You can initiate the chat by clicking the blue button on the screen’s bottom right. The live chat option provides more instantaneous and satisfactory replies. You can initiate the chat by clicking on the blue button at the bottom right side of the screen. The live chat option provides more instantaneous and satisfactory replies. However, if you’re a free version user, you can’t use this feature, and you can contact the support team via email.
Besides this, the website also comprises helpful online resources in use cases, blogs, FAQs, and a separate help category. Here you can find promoted articles, general information, and troubleshooting issues. The website lacks video tutorials and a news category that might further help the users.
However, you can contact the support team via email if you are a free user. You can do this by submitting a support ticket via the website.
What devices Is atlas VPN compatible with
You can download and install Atlas VPN on all popular devices and platforms. The VPN is compatible with the following devices and operating systems:
- Android
- iOS
- macOS
- Windows
- Android TV
- Fire TV Stick
All the apps are easy-to-use and possess a simple and clean interface. The users like the iOS app the most, and users don’t have any complaints about it. However, unlike other top-rated VPN providers, the Atlas VPN offers limited compatibility, and people do not like this.
Conclusion
Atlas VPN is a new name in the VPN industry. It is a reliable, secure, user-friendly VPN provider that ensures a fantastic user experience. Using strong encryption and tunneling protocols, the Atlas VPN protects your activities and data traffic from ISPs and potential hackers. Besides this, the VPN offers a range of impressive security and privacy-oriented features that improve digital security and privacy and allow you to circumvent censorship; stream blocked content, and download torrents.
Atlas VPN also follows a no-log policy, but there are some concerns as the VPN keeps minimal information. Undergoing the log audit process will make them earn more users’ trust. Overall, it is an excellent option for beginners, but it must have a log audit report, more servers, and device compatibility to attract advanced users.
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About the Author
Rebecca James is an IT consultant with forward thinking approach toward developing IT infrastructures of SMEs. She writes to engage with individuals and raise awareness of digital security, privacy, and better IT infrastructure.
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