TorGuard VPN Review 2023: Pros, Cons, and Features
In today’s increasingly digital world, privacy and security have become more important than ever. This is why VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) are a popular choice for individuals and businesses looking to protect their online activities. One such VPN service provider is Torguard.
This comprehensive Torguard VPN review will help you understand its features, pricing, security measures, and overall performance, enabling you to make an informed decision on whether it’s the right VPN for your needs.
We will delve into the company’s background, jurisdiction, transparency, and reputation, as well as cover the various aspects of its service, such as encryption protocols, server locations, streaming capabilities, and torrenting support.
Company Background
Torguard VPN was founded in 2012 with the aim of providing secure and private internet access to users worldwide. Over the years, the company has grown steadily and now has a large customer base.
Torguard VPN has consistently expanded its services to meet the increasing demand for secure internet access. It offers users a choice of over 3000 servers in more than 50 countries worldwide, ensuring fast and reliable connections.
Jurisdiction and Legal Policies
Torguard VPN is based in the United States, which is a member of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance.
While this might raise concerns for some users, the company maintains a strict no-logs policy, ensuring that it cannot provide any user data even if requested by the authorities.
Additionally, Torguard adheres to all applicable laws and regulations within its jurisdiction, including data protection and privacy laws.
Customer Reviews and Testimonials
Torguard has received positive reviews from customers and industry experts alike, praising its security features, robust encryption, and consistent performance. Users appreciate the company’s dedication to privacy and its transparent approach, as well as responsive customer support.
However, some users have expressed concerns about the VPN’s user interface, which may not be as user-friendly as those of some competitors. Despite this, Torguard continues to be a popular choice for those seeking a reliable and secure VPN service.
Customer Support and Resources
Torguard offers multiple support channels for its users, including a ticket submission system and email support. This ensures that customers can quickly receive assistance with any issues they may encounter while using the service.
Knowledge Base and Guides
The Torguard website features a comprehensive knowledge base, which includes an extensive collection of articles, guides, and frequently asked questions (FAQs) to help users troubleshoot issues and make the most of the VPN service.
The resources cover a wide range of topics, from setting up the VPN on various devices and platforms to optimizing security settings and resolving common issues.
Community and Social Media Presence
Torguard maintains an active presence on social media platforms such as Twitter, where it shares updates, promotions, and security tips with its users. The company also fosters a community of users who can share their experiences, seek advice, and provide feedback on the service.
Features and Pricing
Torguard offers a range of VPN packages to cater to the diverse needs of its users. The pricing structure is based on the subscription duration, with options ranging from monthly to annual plans.
Refund Policy and Money-Back Guarantee
Torguard offers a 7-day money-back guarantee for all of its VPN packages. If users are not satisfied with the service within the first 7 days, they can request a full refund with no questions asked.
This ensures that users have ample time to test the service and evaluate its features before committing to a long-term subscription.
Supported Devices and Platforms
Torguard VPN is compatible with a wide range of devices and platforms, ensuring that users can protect their online activities across multiple devices:
Windows
Torguard offers a dedicated VPN client for Windows users, which is compatible with Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11.
macOS
Mac users can download and install the Torguard VPN client, which is compatible with macOS 10.12 (Sierra) and later versions.
Linux
Torguard provides a Linux-compatible VPN client, supporting various Linux distributions, including Ubuntu, Fedora, and Debian.
Android
The Torguard VPN app is available on the Google Play Store and is compatible with Android devices running version 4.4 (KitKat) and later.
iOS
Apple users can download the Torguard VPN app from the App Store, which is compatible with iOS devices running iOS 9.0 and later.
Routers and Other Devices
For users who want to secure their entire network, Torguard offers compatibility with various routers, including DD-WRT, Tomato, and pfSense.
This allows users to connect multiple devices to the VPN through a single router, providing comprehensive protection for their home or office network.
Simultaneous Connections
Torguard allows up to 8 simultaneous connections per account, enabling users to secure multiple devices at the same time. This ensures that users can enjoy privacy and security across all their devices, whether they are at home, at work, or on the go.
In summary, Torguard VPN offers a variety of features and pricing options to suit the diverse needs of its users.
With subscription plans ranging from monthly to annual, and the availability of coupon codes for a 50% lifetime discount, users can find a plan that fits their budget and requirements.
The wide range of supported devices and platforms, along with the allowance for 8 simultaneous connections, ensures that users can enjoy comprehensive protection across all their devices.
Security and Privacy
Torguard VPN places a strong emphasis on security and privacy, using a variety of encryption and protocols to ensure the safety and anonymity of its users. The following are the key encryption and protocols offered by Torguard:
AES-256 Encryption
Torguard employs Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) with a 256-bit key length, which is widely considered the gold standard in encryption technology.
This level of encryption ensures that users’ data remains secure and virtually impossible to decrypt, providing maximum protection against cyber threats.
OpenVPN
OpenVPN is an open-source protocol known for its flexibility and strong security features. Torguard supports both OpenVPN UDP and OpenVPN TCP, allowing users to choose between faster connection speeds (UDP) and more reliable connections (TCP).
OpenVPN is compatible with a wide range of devices and platforms, making it an ideal choice for users seeking both security and versatility.
WireGuard
WireGuard is a relatively new VPN protocol that has gained popularity due to its simplicity, high performance, and strong security. Torguard offers WireGuard as an option for users who prefer cutting-edge technology and faster connection speeds without sacrificing security.
IKEv2/IPsec
Torguard also supports the IKEv2/IPsec protocol, which is known for its stability and fast reconnection capabilities. This protocol is particularly well-suited for mobile devices, as it can quickly re-establish a VPN connection when switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data networks.
DNS and IP Leak Protection
Torguard VPN offers built-in DNS and IP leak protection to ensure that users’ true IP addresses and DNS requests remain hidden while connected to the VPN. This prevents third parties, such as ISPs and hackers, from monitoring users’ online activities and accessing their personal information.
Torguard uses its own private DNS servers to further enhance privacy and security, ensuring that DNS requests are not exposed to external entities.
Kill Switch Feature
The Kill Switch feature is an essential security tool offered by Torguard VPN. In the event of a VPN connection failure, the Kill Switch automatically disconnects the user’s internet connection, preventing any data leaks and maintaining the user’s privacy.
Torguard’s Kill Switch can be configured to either block all internet traffic or only specific applications, allowing users to customize the feature according to their needs and preferences.
No-Logs Policy
Torguard maintains a strict no-logs policy, ensuring that no records of users’ online activities, connection timestamps, or IP addresses are stored by the VPN provider.
This policy guarantees that even if Torguard were to be legally compelled to provide user data, there would be no information available to hand over to authorities or third parties.
The no-logs policy is a crucial aspect of Torguard’s commitment to user privacy and security.
Performance and Speed
A key factor in choosing a VPN service is its performance and speed, as these can significantly impact the user experience. In this section, we will discuss Torguard VPN’s performance in terms of server locations, connection speeds, and stability.
Server Locations and Coverage
Torguard offers an extensive network of more than 3,000 servers across 50 countries, providing users with a wide range of options for connecting to the internet.
This extensive server coverage ensures that users can easily find a server close to their location, resulting in lower latency and faster connection speeds.
Additionally, the wide geographical distribution of servers allows users to bypass geo-restrictions and access content from various regions around the world.
Connection Speeds
Download Speed
Torguard VPN is known for providing consistently fast download speeds, making it an excellent choice for users who engage in data-intensive activities such as streaming or downloading large files.
While the specific speed may vary depending on factors such as server location and network conditions, users can generally expect a minimal impact on their download speeds when connected to Torguard.
Upload Speed
Torguard VPN also offers impressive upload speeds, ensuring that users can seamlessly engage in activities such as file sharing, video conferencing, or online gaming.
Similar to download speeds, the actual upload speed experienced by users may vary depending on various factors but typically remains consistent and reliable.
Latency
Torguard VPN consistently delivers low latency connections, which is crucial for users who require real-time interaction, such as online gamers and video conferencing participants. By connecting to a server close to the user’s location, Torguard minimizes latency and ensures a smooth, lag-free experience.
Connection Stability
Reliability
Torguard VPN is known for its reliable connections, ensuring that users can maintain a stable VPN connection without frequent disconnections or downtime. This reliability is essential for users who rely on a VPN for their daily activities or those who require uninterrupted connections for tasks such as streaming or online gaming.
Consistency
In addition to its reliability, Torguard VPN offers consistent performance across its server network. This means that users can expect similar connection speeds and stability regardless of the server they choose.
This level of consistency is particularly valuable for users who frequently switch between servers or travel to different locations.
Torrenting support and P2P policy
Torrenting and P2P file sharing are popular activities among VPN users.
In this section, we will discuss Torguard VPN’s support for torrenting, including its policies, performance, and security features.
P2P-Friendly Servers
Torguard VPN explicitly supports P2P file sharing and torrenting on its network. The provider offers a range of dedicated P2P-friendly servers, ensuring that users can find a suitable server for their torrenting activities.
These servers are strategically located across various countries, allowing users to maintain fast download and upload speeds while engaging in P2P file sharing.
Speeds and Performance
Download Speed
As mentioned in the previous section, Torguard VPN provides consistently fast download speeds, which is crucial for a smooth torrenting experience.
Users can expect minimal impact on their download speeds while connected to Torguard’s P2P-friendly servers, ensuring quick and efficient torrent downloads.
Upload Speed
Torguard VPN also delivers impressive upload speeds, which are essential for users who seed torrents or engage in other P2P file sharing activities. With Torguard, users can share files at a consistently high speed, making it an excellent choice for torrenting enthusiasts.
Security Features for Torrenting
Torguard VPN offers various security features that are particularly beneficial for users who engage in torrenting:
AES-256 Encryption
As mentioned earlier, Torguard employs AES-256 encryption, which ensures that users’ torrenting activities are secure and private, preventing unauthorized access to their data.
Kill Switch Feature
The Kill Switch feature is particularly valuable for torrenting, as it prevents accidental data leaks in case the VPN connection drops.
By automatically disconnecting the user’s internet connection when the VPN is not active, Torguard ensures that torrenting activities remain private and secure at all times.
DNS and IP Leak Protection
Torguard’s built-in DNS and IP leak protection features ensure that users’ true IP addresses and DNS requests remain hidden while torrenting. This prevents third parties, such as ISPs and copyright trolls, from monitoring users’ P2P activities.
No-Logs Policy
With Torguard’s strict no-logs policy, users can be confident that their torrenting activities are not being monitored or recorded by the VPN provider. This guarantees that Torguard cannot provide any information about users’ P2P activities, even if legally compelled to do so.
Pros and Cons
In this section, we will summarize the key advantages and disadvantages of Torguard VPN, providing a balanced overview of the service to help users make an informed decision.
Pros
Strong Security and Privacy Features
Torguard VPN offers a comprehensive suite of security and privacy features, including AES-256 encryption, various VPN protocols, a Kill Switch, DNS and IP leak protection, and a strict no-logs policy. These features ensure that users’ online activities remain private and secure at all times.
Fast and Consistent Speeds
Torguard is known for providing consistently fast download and upload speeds, ensuring a smooth user experience for activities such as streaming, gaming, and torrenting. Users can expect minimal impact on their connection speeds when using Torguard VPN.
Wide Server Coverage
With over 3,000 servers across 50 countries, Torguard offers an extensive server network, providing users with numerous options for connecting to the internet. This wide server coverage allows users to bypass geo-restrictions and access content from various regions around the world.
Torrenting Support
Torguard VPN explicitly supports torrenting and P2P file sharing. This versatility makes Torguard an excellent choice for users who value both privacy and entertainment.
Responsive Customer Support
Torguard offers multiple customer support channels, including email and a support ticket system. Users can expect prompt and helpful responses to their inquiries, ensuring that any issues are resolved quickly and efficiently.
Cons
Limited Trial Period
Torguard offers its users a limited trial period of 7 days. While this trial period can be a useful tool for users to test out the service and its features, it may not be sufficient for everyone to fully evaluate the service.
Potential Drawbacks Based on User Preferences
Some users may find that Torguard’s interface and advanced features have a steeper learning curve compared to other VPN providers.
However, this is subjective and may not be an issue for users who are willing to invest some time in learning and customizing the VPN to their preferences.
Conclusion
In this Torguard VPN review, we have provided a comprehensive analysis of the service, covering various aspects such as company background, features and pricing, security and privacy, performance and speed, torrenting, customer support, ease of use, and pros and cons.
Based on our evaluation, Torguard VPN stands out as a reliable and versatile VPN provider, offering robust security and privacy features, consistently fast speeds, and extensive server coverage.
The service’s support for torrenting further enhances its appeal to users who value both privacy and entertainment.
While there are some minor drawbacks, such as the limited trial period and potential user preference issues, these do not significantly detract from the overall quality of the service.
In conclusion, we believe that Torguard VPN is a strong contender in the VPN market and is well-suited for users seeking a reliable, secure, and feature-rich VPN service.
Whether you are a privacy-conscious individual or a torrenting enthusiast, Torguard VPN offers a comprehensive solution to meet your needs and protect your online activities.