Atlas VPN Review (2024): A New Freemium VPN That Was Worth It (2024)

Atlas VPN used to be one of the best freemium VPNs available, as our cybersecurity team frequently testified in this Atlas VPN review. Unfortunately, the provider won’t continue to provide its services.

Instead, all premium Atlas VPN users will be transferred to NordVPN, a sister company and one of the best VPNs on the market.

Below, we tell you everything you need to know about Atlas VPN and how its features compare to NordVPN. To be honest, as much as we loved Atlas VPN, NordVPN is our top pick. Former Atlas users won’t be disappointed with the new subscription, and new users can enjoy a big discount using our link below:

Since NordVPN has a 30-day money-back guarantee, you can try out the VPN for yourself and see why Atlas users have lucked out.

Atlas VPN: Pros and Cons

Atlas VPN used to be one of the best free VPNs that you could find, available for all major operating systems. Unlike most free VPNs, Atlas did not keep logs of any user data. On top of that, you could use it to unblock streaming services and torrent safely — rare for a free VPN!

Unfortunately, the VPN will be discontinued starting April 24, 2024. But we’re here to bring you some good news! Atlas has stated that all premium Atlas VPN users will automatically get access to all of NordVPN’s features, at no extra cost. This includes a wide range of benefits, including:

• NordVPN is faster than Atlas VPN. You’ll be able to browse and stream without even noticing you’re using a VPN.
• NordVPN is more reliable at unblocking streaming sites. You’ll find that all geographical barriers disappear, and you can unblock any streaming platform from anywhere.
• NordVPN has unlimited bandwidth, whereas Atlas VPN’s free version had a data cap of 5 GB. With a premium provider like NordVPN, you never have to worry about your bandwidth being throttled or your access getting cut off.

Atlas VPN was a solid free VPN that will be missed! Below, you can read more about its features. To give you perspective, though, we’ll incorporate some comparisons to NordVPN — that way, you’ll see what else is out there!

SpecificationsNordVPN

💵 Price	From $ 3.09 a month
📱 Operating systems	Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux
💻 Connections	10
💳 Payment methods	Sofort, Cryptocurrency, Credit card, Other
🔒 Protocols	OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard
📥 Torrent options	Torrenting allowed
📅 Money-back guarantee	Money-back guarantee, 30 Days
📋 Logs	Zero logs
🎬 Works with

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How Much Does Atlas VPN Cost?

Atlas VPN used to offer both a free and a premium version of its service. The free Atlas VPN allowed for 5 GB of monthly daily traffic and access to 3 server locations. On the other hand, the premium plan never had a data cap. It came with more security features, unlimited simultaneous connections, and specialized servers for streaming.

Luckily, you’ll get even more features with NordVPN, including a Dark Web monitor, the option to use a VPN combined with Tor (Onion over VPN), and an optimized streaming tool called SmartPlay.

NordVPN has a trial period of 30 days, so if you’re new, don’t worry! You can always cancel within 30 days and get a full refund.

As for Atlas VPN, these are the subscription plans that used to be available:

It was possible to pay via Google Pay, credit card, PayPal, and even crypto. Luckily, NordVPN is also one of the best VPNs to buy with cryptocurrency, should you be looking for that.

Do you get your money’s worth with Atlas VPN?

While the free tier will certainly be missed, overall, you’ll get more value for money with NordVPN.

Besides faster and more reliable servers, NordVPN’s features are designed to elevate your overall online security, not just encrypt your internet traffic. That’s why you’ll see a Threat Protector tool to keep malware at bay, as well as Meshnet, a way to link and secure multiple devices.

Does Atlas VPN Work With Streaming?

Atlas VPN was able to unblock various streaming services:

Atlas VPN Premium allowed us to watch the American version of Netflix and enjoy a wide variety of shows. In the past, we’ve also found Atlas to be compatible with other streaming services, thanks to its dedicated streaming servers.

However, the experience has always varied, especially when it comes to the free version of Atlas, which couldn’t reliably unblock streaming sites.

With NordVPN, you won’t ever need to worry about this. Not only does NordVPN have lightning-fast speeds for streaming, but it’s also one of our best streaming VPNs overall.

You can connect to any of NordVPN’s 6331 servers with a single click and stream Netflix, Max, Disney+, Paramount+, Hulu, and more you’d want to unblock.

Torrenting With Atlas VPN

Atlas VPN allowed for P2P traffic and would have kept you safe while torrenting. Speeds on the Atlas VPN servers, however, were not always that impressive.

NordVPN has specialized servers for torrenting — a perk for Atlas users who are making the switch!

When testing Nord, we didn’t experience any speed throttling. We also made sure to test for IP leaks, but there was no reason for concern. NordVPN will mask your real IP address while you’re downloading torrent files.

In fact, it’s such a quick and easy experience that NordVPN is one of our best VPNs for torrenting.

Atlas VPN Servers and Locations

Since Atlas used to be a relatively new VPN, we never expected it to have thousands of servers. However, we were still impressed with the number of sufficient options and the decent speeds we got on Atlas VPN servers.

Atlas used to have 750+ servers across 44 server locations. The free version only allowed for three locations: the Netherlands, Singapore, and the United States.

Here’s an overview of the server locations premium users got access to:

• Americas: Canada and the United States
• Asia-Pacific: Australia, Hong Kong, India, Japan, and Singapore
• Europe: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom
• Middle East: United Arab Emirates

As you can see, there were no servers in Latin America or Africa — two key regions that NordVPN does provide access to.

With 6331 servers in 111 countries, NordVPN outperforms Atlas VPN when it comes to VPN server network.

Specialized servers

Atlas VPN Premium offered specialized servers for its premium users. By using any of its SafeSwap servers, you could add extra layers of security.

The Atlas VPN mobile apps also offered MultiHop+ servers. Atlas claimed these offered optimal latency and speed designed to “randomly rotate between various gateways.” These types of servers were perfect for bypassing censorship and government surveillance. They offer robust protection in highly restricted countries.

NordVPN also offers this tool: it’s called Double VPN. Double VPN adds an extra layer of security, perfect for bypassing censorship in restrictive countries like China.

Dedicated IP

One of the drawbacks of Atlas VPN was that it didn’t offer dedicated IP addresses. These are private servers that you use exclusively, making it less likely that your traffic is detected as VPN traffic.

NordVPN does offer dedicated IP addresses.

How Fast is Atlas VPN?

Nobody wants to sit and wait while a show buffers, a webpage loads, or a download completes. Atlas VPN offered pretty decent speeds across most servers.

Below, you can find a comparison of Atlas VPN speed test results vs. NordVPN’s current speeds. Both VPNs are tested from the exact same location, using the same devices.

As you can see, NordVPN’s speeds are more impressive. Except a few dips on the upload side, you’ve got fantastic results.

Do keep in mind that VPN speeds can be influenced by various factors, like your location and the time of day. Our results just give a general idea of what to expect, but you may well see variations when doing your own testing.

Is Atlas VPN Safe?

The most important aspect of any VPN is safety. Secure protocols and strong encryption will keep your data traffic hidden from anyone trying to see your data.

Atlas VPN scored really well in terms of safety. It offered secure protocols like WireGuard and did not store any user-identifiable data. However, in comparison to NordVPN, Atlas’ features are a bit bare-bones.

With NordVPN, you get access to a wide range of advanced security features, including an ad blocker, DNS leak protection, and browser proxy extensions.

On top of that, Nord is a leader in the security field, offering some of the best cloud storage, password managers, and antivirus solutions. You can have a look at the different packages by visiting the provider’s website right away.

Let’s take a look at Atlas VPN’s former features and see how they compare to NordVPN.

Does Atlas VPN leak your data?

When we review VPNs, we always check to see whether the software suffers from IP/IPv6, DNS, or WebRTC leaks, all of which can risk your privacy.

The good news is that Atlas VPN never suffered from any leaks that could expose your real location. When connected to a Japanese VPN server, each test showed that our IP was being cloaked. Here, you can see that we suffered no IP or DNS leaks while connected to the VPN server:

Our IP address tool agreed with this outcome, showing us that our location was in “Tokyo,” even though we were from the Netherlands.

What does all of this mean? Atlas VPN didn’t leak any data, meaning that you won’t be potentially exposing your location without knowing about it.

Luckily, NordVPN’s testing shows the same results. We don’t experience any data leaks with NordVPN, so former Atlas users won’t have to worry about making the transition.

Can you sign up to Atlas VPN anonymously?

Signing up for Atlas VPN is no longer possible since the VPN is going to be discontinued. In the past, you only needed to provide the following information:

• An email address
• Payment information (credit card, PayPal, or Google Pay)

The provider also used to accept various cryptocurrencies as payment, making it possible to buy a VPN with more anonymity.

NordVPN is actually the #1 VPN to buy with crypto since it offers various crypto options.

Logging and privacy

We were pleased to find that Atlas VPN never logged any sensitive data, including your IP address, location, and internet usage. They did, however, collect some minimal information:

• VPN app use: Changes you made to your settings and the date and time at which you connect and disconnect to the Atlas app
• Device data: What type of device you use, including information about its make, model, and operating system
• Device identifiers: IDs assigned to your device by the OS manufacturer, collected for analytics and marketing purposes

Since Atlas already belonged to Nord Security, they upheld a similar no-log policy as NordVPN’s, with one major difference: Atlas used to be based in the United States, which is part of the 5 Eyes Alliance.

The level of surveillance in the United States is very high. The good news is that NordVPN is based in privacy-friendly Panama. On top of that, NordVPN has RAM-only servers that immediately erase your data.

Protocols and encryption

Atlas VPN used to protect your data with industry-standard 256-bit encryption. It also offered two VPN protocols: IKEv2 and WireGuard.

NordVPN, on the other hand, offers both protocols, plus OpenVPN, which is widely considered to be the most secure VPN protocol in the business. NordVPN also offers NordLynx, a proprietary protocol based on WireGuard. NordLynx has smaller code than OpenVPN, making it less vulnerable than even OpenVPN.

When using the VPN, Nord will automatically connect you to the best protocol for your device, but you can change this manually if you wish.

Kill switch

A kill switch is a vital security feature for any VPN. It “kills” your internet connection if the VPN connection unexpectedly drops or while you’re switching between servers. This allows you to remain anonymous, since none of your data leaks through.

Atlas VPN had a functioning kill switch across all its apps. We did notice, occasionally, that we had to manually reconnect to the VPN after the kill switch would activate. This was somewhat annoying and time-consuming.

NordVPN’s kill switch has no such issues. The NordVPN kill switch worked flawlessly during our extensive testing.

Tracker blocker

Atlas VPN mobile apps had a feature called Tracker Blocker, which stopped third-party trackers from gathering insights about your online activities. The Tracker Blocker could be enabled in the “Assistant” section of the Android or iOS app.

On the other hand, NordVPN offers Threat Protection, a feature that not only blocks trackers and malicious websites but also scans files for malware and blocks ads effectively. This is just one of the reasons NordVPN provides better security than Atlas VPN.

Split tunneling

Another mobile-only feature that Atlas offered was split tunneling. This is a tool that lets you channel part of your internet traffic through the encrypted VPN tunnel while the remaining traffic is routed outside the VPN.

If you’re facing difficulties using certain apps with a VPN, split tunneling lets you separate your traffic. NordVPN also has a split tunneling feature, so former Atlas users won’t miss out!

Data Breach Monitor

With the Atlas VPN premium version, you got access to the Data Breach Monitor. This feature monitored any online breaches containing your personal information. It would scan any leaked databases and let you know if your data was exposed.

NordVPN has a similar feature that specifically scans the dark web: the Dark Web Monitor. You can visit NordVPN to see a full overview of all security features, but we listed the main ones here for you:

• Threat Protection: Keeps ads, trackers, and malware at bay
• Meshnet: Secures different devices in your house at once
• Double VPN: Routes your VPN through multiple servers (double encryption)
• Onion Over VPN: Allows you to combine NordVPN with the Tor browser
• Browser proxy extensions: Connect easily to NordVPN through your browser

Is Atlas VPN Easy to Use?

When testing Atlas VPN previously, we noticed that it had several technical kinks. While the website was well-designed, it lacked detailed information. On top of that, our Atlas VPN Windows app was blocked by antivirus software.

Atlas VPN’s website and installation process

The Atlas VPN website was simple and easy to use. You could easily navigate to different pages, including “Features” and “Pricing.”

Having said that, the information available on the website was always somewhat minimal. Information about certain features was lacking, and we couldn’t always find what we were looking for.

It was always very straightforward to download Atlas VPN app. But since you can’t subscribe to the VPN anymore, we’ll quickly show you how to set up its replacement, NordVPN:

1. Go to the NordVPN website by clicking the button below. Using our link automatically applies a 58% discount to your subscription.

   NordVPN

   Our choice

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   $ 3.09

   9.3

   • Fast and large worldwide network of VPN servers
   • Perfect for privacy and streaming
   • Trusted by many, with over 14 million users

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2. Enter your payment details.
3. Download the NordVPN software for your device.
4. Log in with the account you just created.

That’s it! Now all you need to do is connect to a server.

Atlas VPN’s appearance and ease-of-use

Overall, we’ve always found Atlas’s software easy to use. The VPN used to be available for Android (Google Play Store), macOS, iOS (Apple App Store), Windows, Android TV, and Amazon Fire TV.

Connecting to the VPN server network never gave us any issues, and the settings were easily customizable in the Settings menu.

Unfortunately, we did experience some issues with the Atlas VPN Windows app when testing this VPN for the first time. Our antivirus software blocked it initially. To disable this, we had to remove some drivers, restart the computer twice, and turn off the firewall.

Users who make the switch to Nord will likely find NordVPN to function better than Atlas. The provider rarely suffers from any functionality issues and runs seamlessly in the background of your device.

Customer Service

Atlas VPN’s customer service will no longer be functional since the VPN is going to disappear. Previously, users could reach out to them via email, though replies were often slow.

On the Atlas website, you could always find more information in the “Help” section on the website, though information was also limited. Premium users could reach out via “live chat support,” as well, though it wasn’t an actual live chat — just a contact form.

Since Atlas VPN’s former customer service had room for improvement, users who will move on to NordVPN will be happy to know they can reach out to Nord’s support in various ways.

Most notably, NordVPN lets you speak to a live agent via their 24/7 live chat support. This usually provides you with an adequate answer in minutes!

Comparisons With Other VPNs

Atlas VPN provided us with great service, so we’re a little sad to see it go. Thankfully, there are other VPN providers that can fill the void. Here’s how Atlas VPN compares to our other favorite VPNs:

		Editor’s Pick
VPN
Score	7.3	9.3	9.0	8.8	8.8
Operating systems	Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux	Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux	Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux	Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux	Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux
Compatibilities
Netflix	Works with Netflix	Works with Netflix	Works with Netflix	Works with Netflix	Works with Netflix
Servers	1000-2000	5000+	3000-5000	5000+	Thousands
Torrent options	Torrenting allowed	Torrenting allowed	Torrenting allowed	Torrenting allowed	Torrenting allowed
Connections	Unlimited	10	Unlimited	7	8
Protocols	IKEv2, WireGuard	OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard	OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard	OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard	OpenVPN, IKEv2, L2TP/IPsec, Lightway
Logs	Connection Logs	Zero logs	Zero logs	Zero logs	Zero logs
Payment methods	PayPal, Cryptocurrency, Credit card, Other	Sofort, Cryptocurrency, Credit card, Other	PayPal, Cryptocurrency, Credit card, Other	PayPal, Cryptocurrency, Credit card, Other	Sofort, MINT, UnionPay, PayPal, Bitcoin, iDeal, Cryptocurrency, Credit card
Money-back guarantee	Money-back guarantee, 30 Days	Money-back guarantee, 30 Days	Money-back guarantee, 30 Days	Money-back guarantee, 45 Days	Money-back guarantee, 30 Days
Free subscriptions			None Offered
Price	$ 1.70	$ 3.09	$ 2.49	$ 2.03	$ 8.32
	Visit Atlas VPN	Visit NordVPN	Visit Surfshark	Visit CyberGhost	Visit ExpressVPN

What Reddit Users Think About Atlas VPN

The news that Atlas will be discontinued has spread on Reddit, too. While some people emphasize their good experiences with Atlas VPN, the consensus is that the transfer to NordVPN might ultimately be a better choice.

As you can see, Atlas is certainly praised a solid provider, but most people agree that there are better, more reputable VPNs out there.

Do We Recommend Atlas VPN?

Atlas VPN used to offer a great free VPN service plus an affordable VPN plan. Alas, the provider is no more. From April 24, 2024, all premium Atlas users will automatically be transferred to NordVPN.

While we had some technical issues with Atlas VPN at times, overall, the app worked well and let us browse the web safely. We also appreciated its no-logs policy.

Luckily, not all is lost! With the move to NordVPN, users will get access to extra security features, a much faster VPN, and the ability to unblock any streaming service in seconds.

If you’re looking for alternative free options, we recommend having a look at our PrivadoVPN review, which is our best free VPN for Windows and macOS.

What Our Experts Think About Atlas VPN

“A freemium VPN we’re sad to see go”

7.3

Chris Bluvshtein

Senior Journalist

Atlas VPN was a strong contender, with good speeds and a wide server choice. Of course, like most free VPNs, I only got limited features with the free version. On the plus side, AtlasVPN kept no logs, suffered no leaks, and was overall a good pick. It’s unfortunate the service had to end, but at least users get transferred to one of the best VPNs on the market.

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Get a two-year subscription for only $1.70 per month plus 6 months extra

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From $1.70 per month