Fast Facts about TorGuard VPNCommencement price: $9.99 per single user per month
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When considering a VPN service, TorGuard, aptly named, emerges as a stable option VPN, especially for individuals seeking high-speed VPNs for torrenting. The VPN boasts robust security attributes and a vast array of servers in more than 50 countries. Nonetheless, obtaining the trial version entails navigating through several obstacles, and the reimbursement process is equally convoluted. This situation prompted me to ponder the value of this swift VPN investment.
This comprehensive TorGuard evaluation addresses all aspects of the VPN, disclosing both the favorable and unfavorable facets, allowing you to determine its suitability as the leading VPN for personal or corporate use.
Is TorGuard a Reliable VPN for Streaming?
Even though TorGuard provides excellent VPN security and speed across all its subscriptions, your ability to stream geo-restricted content with the VPN is contingent on the selected package. During my evaluation, I found that TorGuard’s usual servers were inconsistent for streaming Netflix or Amazon Prime Video in specific regions. Luckily, the VPN’s Pro plan includes a complimentary dedicated IP option, enabling you to acquire a streaming IP address for unblocking content from any designated region.
EXPLORE: The Top 5 VPNs for Streaming in 2024 (TechRepublic)
However, if you desire a plug-and-play VPN suitable for streaming platforms, alternatives like ExpressVPN, NordVPN, or Surfshark VPN may offer a more seamless solution.
Price Points of TorGuard VPN
The pricing structure of TorGuard VPN is categorized into two schemes: Standard and Pro, each offering both monthly and yearly billing choices. Here is a concise comparison table illustrating how the pricing strategies differ from one another.
| TorGuard VPN subscriptions | Shielded VPN (Standard) | Secure VPN (Pro) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $9.99 per month | $12.99 per month |
| Annual | $59.99 per year | $69.99 per year |
| Differentiating Features | x8 Devices, Fixed IP Range, Top-grade Security,Maximum Velocity | a Dozen Devices, a Single Streaming IP, Utmost Safety, Maximum Velocity |
No matter which TorGuard VPN plan you opt for, you’ll receive nearly the same top-notch security features. Features such as access to 3,000 servers across 50 countries, and limitless speeds and bandwidth are accessible in all packages.
Some distinctions still exist among the pricing plans offered by TorGuard. The TorGuard VPN Pro plan provides a complimentary dedicated IP and streaming option, and can concurrently connect to up to a dozen devices, whereas the Standard plan lacks in these aspects and only permits eight simultaneous device connections.
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Additionally, like most VPNs, the longer the billing term you select, the more expenses you will trim on subscriptions. Opting for the annual billing choice in the TorGuard Standard plan will slash up to 50% of the expense. This results in you paying $60 instead of $120 when computed based on a $10 monthly billing cycle. On the contrary, the Pro plan saves you around 42% of the subscription amount when you go for the annual billing choice.
I recommend choosing the annual billing option if TorGuard fits your VPN requirements perfectly. This way, you can make significant savings on billing expenses. However, if you are merely testing the service, opt for the monthly payment scheme.
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I suggest utilizing the seven-day money-back guarantee offered in all packages to evaluate the product before committing for an extended period.
Key Highlights of TorGuard VPN
TorGuard VPN is recognized for possessing one of the swiftest torrenting capabilities without any capped download speed. It also provides other valuable VPN features such as Stealth Protocol and Port Forwarding.
TorGuard Concealment protocol
The Concealment VPN protocol makes it nearly impassable to hinder VPN usage, empowering you to bypass deep packet inspection and overcome the most stringent firewalls, even in nations that limit VPN ports. TorGuard extends several Concealment VPN protocols for censored and severely restricted regions or firewalls, which encompass — SSTP protocols, OpenVPN obfuscation, and OpenConnect/AnyConnect.
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During trials, TorGuard’s Concealment protocol allowed me to bypass firewalls in China, Russia, and Turkey when coupled with the Concealment proxy.
Port Redirecting by TorGuard
The port redirect feature enables you to unlock a port to the web while connected to a VPN, allowing you to have remote entry to software hosted on your network. This capability is accessible in TorGuard’s member’s section, which permits you to promptly activate various port forward regulations and apply whitelisted firewall adjustments to your port forward appeals.
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Nevertheless, it is crucial to remember that when revealing a port to the web, ensure that you secure the login to your software and allow only specific IPs to remotely access the port over the VPN.
TorGuard VPN Ad Blocking
Ad blocking safeguards your privacy and plays a crucial role in fortifying your overall online security. By default, TorGuard VPN’s DNS relies on its internal VPN server DNS; nevertheless, you can opt for the “Ad Blocking DNS” alternative in the VPN client settings for added protection. TorGuard asserts that this feature undergoes regular updates to ensure continuous effectiveness.
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While TorGuard’s ad blocking serves as a remarkable privacy tool, combining it with other tactics enhances your security even further. I suggest utilizing privacy-centric browsers like Firefox or Brave for the optimal performance of this TorGuard feature, as they can actively work to obstruct fingerprinting and other tracking forms that may elude DNS-based ad blocking.
Many VPN Servers and Geographical Locations
TorGuard showcases a vast network of more than 3,000 VPN servers spread across multiple locations and countries. This encompasses significant areas such as the US, UK, Switzerland, Canada, Netherlands, Turkey, Germany, Australia, Japan, and Hong Kong. With extensive coverage on four continents, TorGuard enhances the likelihood of discovering a nearby server and presents numerous virtual destinations for secure browsing and geo-spoofing. Nonetheless, comparable VPN providers like ExpressVPN and NordVPN also feature extensive server networks, diminishing the uniqueness of this advantage in certain scenarios.
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While TorGuard maintains a solid presence in most regions, additional server locations in regions like North America and Africa, where Africa presently possesses only one server in South Africa, would further enhance accessibility and performance.
OpenVPN Cloaking
The majority of VPN services today leverage the OpenVPN protocol. However, despite its effectiveness and excellence, the protocol leaves behind minimal traces of VPN utilization, detectable by internet service providers.
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OpenVPN cloaking conceals VPN traffic to circumvent DPI and firewalls, complicating the detection of VPN usage by censors or ISPs. TorGuard furnishes various cloaking options via Stunnel, enabling you to seamlessly switch to an alternative method if one is ineffective.
TorGuard advantages
- Unlimited velocities.
- Limitless bandwidth.
- Provides 3,000+ servers across 50+ nations.
- Surmounts VPN barriers with stealth mode.
- Suitable for torrenting.
TorGuard disadvantages
- Outdated interface design.
- The standard plan may not unblock Netflix in certain regions.
Substitutes for TorGuard VPN
Despite TorGuard’s exceptional speed, there are alternative VPN services worth considering. Here are the top three options I evaluated.
| TorGuard VPN | Surfshark | NordLayer | CyberGhost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing (monthly subscription) | $9.99 per month | $15.45 per month | $10 per user per month | $12.99 per month |
| Total servers and locations | 3,000+ servers in 50+ location | 3,200+ servers in 100 countries | 30+ global server locations | Thousands of servers in 124 global locations |
| Free trial period | 7-day money-back guarantee | 7 days free trial | 14-day money-back guarantee | 24 hours free trial or 45-day money-back guarantee |
| Device connections allowed | Up to 12 simultaneous device connections | Unlimited device connections | Up to 6 simultaneous device connections | Up to 7 simultaneous device connections |
| Main features | Offers unlimited bandwidth and speed, stealth mode, and internal encrypted DNS | Surfshark antivirus, Surfshark search, alternate ID, Free GPS spoofing, camouflage mode, Dynamic MultiHop, etc. | Virtual private gateway, smart remote access, custom DNS, device posture security, etc. | 45-day money-back guarantee,specialist servers for gaming, peer-to-peer sharing, and live streaming. |
Surfshark Virtual Private Network
If you’re seeking a budget-friendly VPN with a comprehensive package, I suggest Surfshark. Surfshark premium packages—Surfshark One and One+—deliver robust VPN security features along with other premium functionalities such as Surfshark antivirus, Surfshark search, Surfshark alert, and alternate ID.
SEE: Is a VPN Really Worth It in 2024? (TechRepublic)
While TorGuard excels in speed and performance, it lacks broader protections like antivirus. Surfshark also allows unlimited device connections, unlike TorGuard’s limit of 12 devices. Hence, opt for Surfshark if you manage a larger organization with multiple devices needing protection.
To find out more, check out our complete Surfshark VPN review.
NordLayer Virtual Private Network
NordLayer offers an all-in-one network security solution with a robust VPN service. I recommend this solution for businesses requiring a VPN with strong cybersecurity features. NordLayer’s 30+ global server locations may not match TorGuard’s 50+ locations, but its offerings, including cloud firewall, device posture security, virtual private gateways, and dedicated servers with fixed ID make it a superior choice.
NordLayer Control Panel simplifies network management tasks into one user-friendly interface, unlike TorGuard’s interface, which appears outdated.
CyberGhost Virtual Private Network
CyberGhost is a solid alternative to TorGuard for unblocking geo-restricted content online. I appreciate the thoroughness of CyberGhost in specifying the ideal use for each server. It classifies servers into three categories—gaming, peer-to-peer sharing, and live streaming.
Although CybeGhost’s monthly plan is more expensive than TorGuard, its 14-day and 45-day money-back guarantees for monthly and bi-annual subscriptions offer more time to evaluate the package before deciding to cancel.
For more information, refer to our detailed CyberGhost VPN review.
Approach
When assessing TorGuard VPN, I focused on its characteristics, security, and pricing. With TorGuard’s seven-day refund policy, I signed up for a hands-on experience with the VPN to evaluate its effectiveness, even though the process wasn’t as simple as the company claimed.
While TorGuard’s Android and iOS applications appear similar, I observed that the Android version supports OpenVPN and WireGuard, unlike the iOS version which uses IKEv2/IPSec protocols. The Stealth protocol successfully bypassed geo-restrictions in China and Russia.
In my opinion, none of the TorGuard apps are as user-friendly as they could be. Tech-savvy individuals may find them more appealing than the average user. Overall, I found TorGuard VPN to be a reliable choice, particularly for peer-to-peer sharing.
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