AirVPN Review: Promising VPN App w/ Small Server Network (2026)

AirVPN is a VPN that allows its users to encrypt their connection to the Internet. It uses both OpenVPN and WireGuard tunneling protocols with AES-256-GCM encryption to hide your IP and keep your browsing session fully private.

It was founded in 2010 by a group of Italian “hacktivists” and activists. Fast forward fifteen years, and AirVPN has grown into a full-service premium VPN with a server network spanning 23 locations around the world. Its parent company is Air di Paolo Brini, c.a.

But when it comes to a VPN, action can be summed up in two words: Performance & Privacy.

Air VPN Overview

OVERALL RANK:	#19 Out of 30 VPNs
USABILITY:	4/5
LOG FILES:	No Logging Policy
LOCATIONS:	23 Countries, 265 Servers
SUPPORT:	Contact Form, Forum
TORRENTING:	Allowed
NETFLIX:	2/5
ENCRYPTION/PROTOCOL:	AES-256-GCM, OpenVPN, WireGuard
COST:	From $3.00/mo
OFFICIAL WEBSITE:	www.airvpn.org

AirVPN Pros

On paper, there’s a lot to like about this VPN.

It uses top-tier VPN protocols, including both OpenVPN and the newer WireGuard, along with industry-leading encryption standards.

Its logging policy is very thorough and honest. This is one of the only surveillance alliance jurisdiction companies that truly logs no data or personal information.

It was free of leaks and viruses, and it works with some Netflix libraries and unlimited torrenting.

To top it all off, its speed ranges from good to average, and you can have five devices connected simultaneously.

So let’s take these points one at a time and dive a little deeper.

1. No Logging Whatsoever

We use VPNs to protect online privacy. We want our activity to be invisible to hackers, government agencies, and even the companies that create the VPN that we’re using.

Logging is one of the grossest betrayals that a VPN company can enact upon its customers.

AirVPN states in no uncertain terms on their homepage that they keep no logs whatsoever.

But that is a statement echoed by almost every VPN we review. Then, when you dig deeper, you see that they’re actually logging a ton of your personal information.

So we dug deeper into AirVPN, going so far as to read through their privacy policy.

What we found was actually very encouraging.

I had to read this over several times to make sure I was getting it right. They don’t want ANY of your information. Not even your email address. You have the option to include some info, but those seeking total anonymity can find it here.

On top of not logging your online activities or personal information, this site isn’t even storing cookies on your system. It appears to be a truly private service.

2. Advanced Protocols and Encryption

AirVPN has a solid technological base to power it up.

For starters, it uses the OpenVPN protocol, which remains the industry standard for reliability and compatibility.

But AirVPN has also embraced WireGuard, the modern protocol that’s revolutionizing VPN technology in 2025. WireGuard offers significantly faster speeds while maintaining the same level of security as OpenVPN.

It’s created using open source technology, so it’s not the property of one company, which is responsible for its updates. The security community as a whole works together to constantly update these protocols and keep them on the cutting edge.

The advanced AES-256-GCM encryption they’re using is also excellent to see. It’s the gold standard of encryption, completely invulnerable against even the most advanced modern technology.

AirVPN also implements Perfect Forward Secrecy through Diffie-Hellman key exchange, with re-keying performed every 60 minutes to ensure maximum security.

All in all, the last thing you’ll ever have to worry about with AirVPN is security. You’re covered.

3. Leak and Virus Free

Even the most advanced protocols and encryption mean nothing if your IP is leaking. It’s the fundamental task of a VPN, and if it doesn’t adequately protect against leaking your home IP address, then there’s just no point using it.

If a DNS server is causing your VPN tunnel to be bypassed, then your original IP will be out there before the eyes of your ISP.

Likewise, if API’s associated with WebRTC systems uncover your IP, using a VPN becomes risky.

That’s why it’s so important for a VPN to be leak-proof. We trust AirVPN is doing the most it can to keep its service leak-free, but we’d be doing you a disservice if we didn’t put its VPN client to the test for ourselves.

We loaded up IPLeak.net and ran the basic DNS tests over AirVPN while the client was active. Of course, AirVPN came back with a clean bill of health.

What’s worth pointing out here is that AirVPN is one of the rare VPNs that passed the IPv6 test, too. Usually, VPN providers block IPv6 to keep the protocol from leaking your IP. If you absolutely need IPv6 connectivity and care about your privacy, AirVPN is your best bet.

 

Moving on to BrowserLeaks.com, we verified that our DNS leak results weren’t just a fluke. Indeed, we found that BrowserLeaks also confirmed that AirVPN doesn’t suffer from DNS leaks.

More importantly, our results from BrowserLeaks also showed that AirVPN doesn’t leak your IP via WebRTC either. WebRTC is a protocol that allows browsers to talk directly to each other by creating a tunnel between devices. Unfortunately, it’s one of the biggest culprits when it comes to home IP leaks through VPNs.

So, it’s great to see that AirVPN protects against these leaks too.

We also had to make sure the kill switch works. The kill switch is one of the most important parts of a VPN, as it’s responsible for keeping your traffic private when you disconnect from the VPN. Basically, it kills the connection to the rest of the internet, making sure that your traffic doesn’t leak through an unencrypted network until the VPN connection comes back online.

Our results below show that the VPN adequately protects against traffic leaks through the kill switch. When we’re disconnected, we’re not able to route any traffic whatsoever.  

We tested AirVPN’s install files for 66 viruses and found that it had a clean bill of health.

4. Improved Speed Performance With WireGuard

Every VPN is going to slow you down. That doesn’t mean your session needs to come to a screeching halt, though.

With the addition of WireGuard protocol in 2025, AirVPN’s speed performance has significantly improved compared to previous years when only OpenVPN was available.

Current testing shows that servers using the WireGuard protocol deliver notably better speeds than the older OpenVPN-only configurations. We used a 250Mbps download and upload line to test out AirVPN, and the results are mostly impressive.

Some issues are holding back AirVPN from competing with the bigger VPNs, though, which we’ll get into down below.

Baseline

• Download: 250.41Mbps
• Upload: 245.32Mbps
• Ping: 1ms

Nearest Server

• Download: 227.93Mbps
• Upload: 13.55Mbps
• Ping: 38ms

Europe

• Download: 195.45Mbps
• Upload: 149.68Mbps
• Ping: 108ms

 

Asia

• Download: 126.42Mbps
• Upload: 86.06Mbps
• Ping: 334ms

US East

• Download: 214.64Mbps
• Upload: 232.69Mbps
• Ping: 108ms

US West

• Download: 218.21Mbps
• Upload: 149.25Mbps
• Ping: 171ms

The WireGuard implementation has made AirVPN much more competitive in terms of speed while maintaining its excellent security standards. AirVPN’s download speeds to Europe and the US are in line with what we expect, although the Europe result is just beyond the cusp of what we consider acceptable.

The real issue we have is that AirVPN’s upload speeds across the board range from mediocre to abysmal. Getting 13Mbps upload while connected to our nearest server on a 250Mbps line is just not something we’d expect from any VPN, let alone one with AirVPN’s lineage.

So, while not quite making our list of the fastest VPNs, the improvements in download speeds are significant and make daily use much more pleasant. However, if you’re regularly uploading files, steer well clear of AirVPN.

5. Some Streaming Capabilities

One of the main benefits of a VPN is the ability to stream geo-locked content.

Netflix has a ton of content that’s inaccessible based on where you’re located. A VPN is an efficient workaround, but Netflix doesn’t make it easy.

This started to happen.

Netflix was blocking VPNs and proxy servers from accessing its content. Their anti-VPN system has become increasingly sophisticated, so when you find a VPN that works with Netflix, it’s worth noting.

AirVPN’s Netflix performance in 2026 is mixed. Some servers still work with certain Netflix libraries, but it’s not reliable across all regions.

The streaming service game is constantly evolving, and AirVPN maintains a community forum with threads keeping users updated on which servers are currently working with various streaming services.

However, we’ve had more success with some of the other popular streaming services out there, including ones that other providers sometimes struggle to unblock. For example, we loaded up HBO Max on AirVPN and found that it worked the first time.

We can say the same for Paramount Plus, which is tough for some VPN services to access, too.

We were also able to stream Amazon Prime from AirVPN’s Germany servers, which is pretty impressive considering most VPN providers we test can’t provide access to Amazon Prime Video.

6. Unlimited Torrenting

AirVPN is torrenting-friendly and supports port forwarding, allowing you to seed easily.

Torrenting is one of those services where a VPN is at its most useful.

Peer-to-Peer connections (P2P) are a great way to download large files. That’s why many VPNs allow torrenting, including AirVPN. But still, there are many who limit or ban P2P traffic on their servers.

AirVPN also supports port forwarding, which is essential for optimal torrenting performance and is increasingly rare among VPN providers in 2026.

7. Compatible With Computers, Mobile, and Routers

In today’s landscape, people want more from their VPN than just anonymous web browsing.

Content streaming has become one of the service’s most popular uses. In the era of smart streaming devices, people want to experience content on their television.

AirVPN doesn’t have functionality with gaming systems like PlayStation 4 or Xbox One, nor does it have an app on streaming devices such as Roku or FireTV, but it can be used with a wireless router, protecting all of your activity on those devices.

That’s an impressive list, ranging from computer operating systems to mobile, browsers, and several routers.

It’s also awesome to see the TOR network listed so prominently. There are many VPNs that ban access to this anonymous web browser.

So while it would be nice to see some other smart devices on this list in the future, AirVPN has decent compatibility, which can protect your activity on and off the computer.

8. Enhanced Security Features

AirVPN has significantly improved its client experience in recent years while maintaining its reputation for advanced security features.

Its client program, Eddie, now offers a better user experience while providing access to sophisticated security options, including:
– Network Lock (their version of a kill switch) that prevents data leaks
– Multiple connection modes to bypass censorship and restrictions
– SSL and SSH tunneling for additional obfuscation
– Support for running over multiple ports, including 443, for maximum compatibility

The installation process remains straightforward, and Eddie continues to provide detailed server information and performance metrics to help users choose optimal connections.

The interface shows real-time server performance data, making it easy to select the best-performing server for your needs.

Connection times have improved, and the network lock feature ensures your traffic is always protected, even if the VPN connection drops unexpectedly.

The overall user experience has been refined while maintaining AirVPN’s reputation for technical excellence and user control.

AirVPN Cons

While our pros list was extensive, AirVPN also has downsides you should know.

Some issues need to be addressed before deciding whether to recommend this service.

Despite their impressive no-logging policy, they’re still located within the 14 Eyes surveillance alliance jurisdiction.

Their server network remains relatively small compared to major competitors, and streaming service support is inconsistent.

Their customer service experience could also use improvement.

1. Located in Italy (14 Eyes Jurisdiction)

Italy belongs to the 14 Eyes surveillance alliance, which shares information gathering efforts with 13 other nations.

So, what does that mean for AirVPN?

Despite their no-logging policy (which remains excellent), it means that the Italian government could theoretically demand they turn over any and all information and share it with other member countries.

• The United States
• The UK
• Canada
• Australia
• New Zealand
• Denmark
• France
• The Netherlands
• Norway
• Germany
• Spain
• Belgium
• Sweden
• Italy

That’s an awful lot of governments that can potentially access user information at a moment’s notice.

Since AirVPN logs virtually no information, this concern is somewhat mitigated, but the jurisdiction issue remains a consideration for privacy-conscious users.

2. Limited Server Network

AirVPN operates fewer than 265 servers across 23 countries around the world.

While this represents growth from their previous 265 servers in 23 countries, it’s still significantly smaller than major competitors like ExpressVPN, which operates thousands of servers globally.

This smaller network can lead to server congestion during peak usage times and limit geographic options for users needing specific locations.

AirVPN maintains a status page on its official site providing real-time updates on server performance and availability.

The limited server count is particularly noticeable in regions outside Europe and North America, where coverage remains sparse.

3. Inconsistent Streaming Performance

While AirVPN allows access to some streaming content, its performance with services like Netflix, Disney+, and other major platforms is inconsistent in 2026.

This makes AirVPN less reliable for users whose primary VPN need is streaming geo-restricted content.

As we’ve mentioned before, AirVPN struggles with Netflix. We’ve also found during testing that BBC iPlayer is a sticking point for AirVPN, which is a pity. Most VPN providers we test can easily unblock iPlayer, but none of AirVPN’s UK servers granted us access.

4. Customer Service Challenges

Customer service continues to be an area where AirVPN could improve significantly.

They rely primarily on a contact form system and community forums for support, with no live chat option available.

Response times can be lengthy, and some users report receiving dismissive responses that simply direct them to existing documentation rather than providing personalized assistance.

While their community forums are knowledgeable, the lack of immediate support options can be frustrating for users experiencing urgent connectivity issues.

The support experience often feels more suited to technically-minded users who are comfortable troubleshooting issues independently.

5. No iOS Client

AirVPN doesn’t have a dedicated client for iOS, and unless Apple changes its software licensing policies, it’s likely they’ll never build one. Instead, AirVPN recommends you download a third-party WireGuard or OpenVPN client for iOS.

6. Mediocre App Reviews

Google Play Store

AirVPN’s Android app only has 3.4 stars after 473 reviews and 100K+ downloads. Not surprising, as it’s not the easiest VPN client to set up.

Trustpilot

AirVPN has a rating of 3.2 stars on Trustpilot and 64 reviews. Not a huge amount, but enough to suggest there’s something wrong with the service.

AirVPN Cost, Plans, & Payment Options

AirVPN offers a single premium plan with multiple billing periods and no free option.

As the subscription length goes up, so do the savings. AirVPN only offers pricing in euros, but we’ve also included the conversion into US dollars.

This is what AirVPN’s pricing looks like in 2026:

• 3 days: €2 (approximately $2.36)
• 1 month: €7 (approximately $8.26)
• 3 months: €5/month (approximately $5.90/month)
• 6 months: €4.83/month (approximately $5.70/month)
• 1 year: €4.08/month (approximately $4.81/month)
• 2 years: €3.29/month (approximately $3.88/month)
• 3 years: €2.75/month (approximately $3.00/month)

There is an extensive selection of payment options, including PayPal, various credit cards, and an impressive array of cryptocurrency options.

Having the option to choose between over 20 different forms of cryptocurrency is extremely helpful for users seeking robust anonymity throughout their VPN experience.

There is no free trial, but AirVPN offers a 3-day money-back guarantee with the restriction that you must not exceed 5GB of data transfer to qualify for a refund.

Do We Recommend AirVPN?

Only if you’re willing to get hands-on with a highly technical VPN.

AirVPN is not for beginners. The actual VPN client offers tons of options to get AirVPN working exactly the way you want it to, but it’s not exactly user-friendly. Plus, the design is totally outdated compared to the modern, sleek VPN clients you’ll get from providers like NordVPN and Surfshark. If you’ve got the patience to sit down and learn what AirVPN does, it might be exactly what you’re looking for.

The most obvious example of this is that AirVPN offers port forwarding. Most VPNs don’t offer port forwarding anymore, even if they do support P2P connections. With AirVPN, you’ll be able to get the best connectivity out of torrenting, as port forwarding allows you to accept inbound connections.

However, if you’re just looking for a plug-and-play VPN that’ll get you streaming video in minutes, AirVPN isn’t for you. It doesn’t offer as many locations as the competition, and the speeds leave much to be desired. We had some success streaming, but not across the board.

Worst of all, any trouble with AirVPN and you’re basically on your own. The forums are helpful, but it’s no replacement for a full team of 24/7 support staff.

Bottom Line: AirVPN has some serious cred as a privacy VPN if you’re willing to deal with a VPN client geared towards technical users. Otherwise, you’re better off choosing a VPN that won’t make you want to tear your hair out when it stops working.

Alternative Recommendations:

• For streaming: NordVPN or ExpressVPN
• For budget-conscious users: Surfshark
• The best free VPN: ProtonVPN
• Need a 45-day money-back guarantee: CyberGhost
• Servers in all 50 states: Private Internet Access