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Our experts have reviewed 53 VPN providers, which were put through extensive rounds of testing. To learn more about that process, here’s how we review VPNs, where we explain our criteria and our policy of being fully transparent.
Established in 2012, TorGuard is a privacy-focused VPN based in Orlando, Florida. The catch is, being based in the US binds it to play by American rules, including the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), opening the door for government snooping. This could turn into trouble for users' privacy.
The US is also part of the Five Eyes intelligence club, a group of countries that work together to collect and share sensitive information. But, make no mistake, TorGuard VPN is a powerhouse in the security arena. It also proves to be a reliable companion for streaming, gaming, and torrenting, thanks to its commendable speed.
To start off, Torguard has a vast array of servers that leave the competition in the dust. Then, WireGuard delivers top-notch performance, while OpenVPN operates smoothly with consistent results. There’s also a lot of fine-tuning available, making TorGuard VPN an excellent pick for advanced users.Â
Regarding its privacy policy, Torguard claims that it doesn't collect or log data. There has been no audit to verify the claim, but the VPN does offer plenty of technical features for privacy and security. These include stealth and obfuscation technologies, manual control of encryption, WebRTC and IPv6 leak protection, and, yes, a kill switch.Â
To start things off, we're going to highlight the key features of this VPN. The table below will give you an overview of some of TorGuard's standout points.
Our TorGuard VPN review will cover the company’s background, its privacy and security features, its performance, as well as its suitability for different types of activities, like streaming, torrenting, and gaming.Â
We’ll also examine how TorGuard VPN compares to other VPNs on the market (especially to the best VPN services). To learn more about our process of reviewing VPNs, visit our in-depth guide on how we review VPN services.Â
TorGuard comes from the USA, which isn’t ideal. However, they’ve proven they know how to keep your online privacy and anonymity intact. Our Score: 8/10
When evaluating a VPN's trustworthiness, it's essential to understand how it oversees and safeguards your data. In this context, two key factors to consider are the VPN's background and the jurisdiction. Now, let's explore how these aspects connect to TorGuard VPN.
TorGuard is based in Orlando, Florida (the United States). If you visit TorGuard’s website, finding the location of its headquarters (or the name of its parent company) isn’t exactly straightforward. That's always a red flag and usually means that the VPN comes from a less-than-ideal country for this type of business.
TorGuard is a product of a company called VPNetworks LLC, which is owned by a parent company called Data Protection Services LLC. All those business entities are founded and still run by Benjamin Van Pelt, the owner of Private Router LLC (focusing on selling pre-flashed VPN routers) and PrivateMail (an encrypted email and cloud storage service).
Therefore, it's good to know that TorGuard isn't owned by a multinational corporation if that's something you see as beneficial. In that sense, TorGuard is an independent VPN. Still, keep in mind that this VPN comes from the USA, so let's see why that's important.
In case you didn’t know, the USA is one of the founding members of the 5 Eyes Alliance. And we hope that we don’t have to tell you about the highly publicized mass surveillance done by this country.
As you can see, that puts TorGuard in a problematic situation. Still, that doesn’t mean that you can’t trust this VPN, as there are ways for TorGuard to avoid collecting data.
In 2019, an interesting report started circulating on the Web about a breach that reportedly happened in 2017, affecting VPNs such as NordVPN, TorGuard, and VikingVPN. That report turned out to be accurate after being acknowledged by the affected VPNs.
As explained by TorGuard, that was an isolated incident in which an individual gained access to a secure server used by TorGuard and hosted by a third party. However, since this VPN uses secure PKI management, the primary CA key remained protected. In other words, even though TorGuard went through a breach in 2017, no sensitive information was exposed.
With that said, we're happy to report that TorGuard was never involved in any data leaks. Also, there are no reports of this VPN collecting user information or allowing third parties to track individual users. Since the VPN is more than a decade-old service, all of that sounds reassuring.
Yes, TorGuard is considered safe. It employs robust encryption, ranging from AES-128 to AES-256 (GCM and CBC) for various protocols. If speed is a priority, the option of Blowfish 128-bit encryption is available, trading a bit of security for faster performance. When opting for WireGuard, TorGuard relies on the secure ChaCha20 and Poly1305 for authentication.
In terms of VPN protocols, TorGuard offers a diverse selection, including OpenVPN, WireGuard, OpenConnect, IKEv2, PPTP, L2TP/IPsec, and SSTP. Unfortunately, there's no independent audit confirming its no-logs policy.
Adding an extra layer of security, TorGuard's Stealth VPN disguises VPN usage as regular Internet traffic. By concealing OpenVPN headers through obfuscation and rerouting traffic through a standard HTTPS port, it allows VPN use in locations where such technology is typically restricted.
You can use TorGuard on a wide range of desktop and mobile platforms - via native apps. The same applies to media streaming devices and compatible routers. Our Score: 10/10
VPNs usually offer several simultaneous connections, protecting many devices at once. That said, let’s see on what devices you can use this VPN and whether it offers native apps or you need to configure it manually.
We can see that TorGuard has done a great job of supporting just about every popular platform out there. When it comes to desktop platforms, you can count on Windows, macOS, and Linux (Ubuntu, Fedora, Redhat, CentOS, Arch Linux, and more).
And there are also Android and iOS (including iPadOS) apps for when you’re on the go. TorGuard even has certain gaming consoles covered!
Aside from supporting Web browsers (Firefox, Edge, and Chrome extensions), you can also use TorGuard on compatible VPN routers. To make that installation process as simple as possible, you can use router VPN setup tools. Once installed on routers, you can connect pretty much any other device and get TorGuard's protection.
And finally, TorGuard also supports media streaming devices powered by platforms like Android TV and Amazon Fire TV, including compatibility with Kodi. We're talking about TorGuard's native apps here, which means that unblocking new streaming apps is achievable quite easily.
Before we conclude this segment, you should also know that TorGuard comes with support for 8 simultaneous connections in its "basic" plans. If you need support for more connections, this VPN also offers plans that allow up to 30 devices.
You can set up TorGuard in a matter of minutes. Download the app from TorGuard's site, install it, and you’re good to go. This seems like a simple procedure overall. Our Score: 7/10
In this part of our TorGuard review, we'll guide you through the steps of getting the VPN, including installing and setting it up for the first time. It's a super easy process.
To kick off your TorGuard experience, begin by subscribing, downloading the installation file, and installing the VPN app on your device. The whole process is quick and straightforward, taking only a brief moment of your time.
Here are the steps:
After installation, you can configure the settings to tailor the VPN to your preferences. If you've never installed any VPN application before, you won't have a hard time with this one. Even complete beginners should be covered well.
TorGuard offers just about any feature you would expect from a powerful VPN. However, there's no split tunneling across supported devices, which is a downside. Our Score: 8.5/10
In this section, let's take a look at what TorGuard brings to the table. We'll cover its basic offerings like leak protection and also dive into advanced features such as a dedicated IP, Pin an IP, App Kill, Stealth VPN, port forwarding, and more.
Here's what you can expect in terms of features from this VPN service:
TorGuard comes with 3,000+ servers, which is a lot. However, those servers are present in only 50+ countries, and a small group is virtual. Our Score: 7.5/10
TorGuard has often been praised for the size of its server network, which means it could contend with other VPNs with the most servers. So, let's talk about how many TorGuard servers are there, the countries they cover, and more.
Having access to more than 3,000 servers means that you have a lot of freedom, no matter what you plan on doing online. This also includes easily locating the fastest TorGuard server nearby, ensuring low latency and consistently speedy performance. Of course, we’re going to test the performance of this VPN later on in the review.
Among other things, this VPN’s servers are found in 50+ countries. In general, that's more than what the average home user would need. However, if you have specific needs and want an IP address associated with a particular country, we recommend checking TorGuard's list of servers before getting a subscription.
We should also mention that TorGuard offers 10 VPN virtual locations. These virtual servers include Argentina (Buenos Aires), Brazil (Sao Paulo), Mexico (Mexico City), Greece (Athens), Russia (Moscow), Turkey (Istanbul), Indonesia (Jakarta), Taiwan (Taipei), Bahrain (Manama), and India (Mumbai).
That means if you pick a server in any of those countries, you'll connect to a server that's not located in the chosen country (but you'll still get the desired country's IP address).
TorGuard brings an incredible level of customization, which is great for advanced users. Still, even complete beginners should now feel happy as TorGuard has recently redesigned and simplified its apps. Our Score: 7/10
In this section, let's get into TorGuard VPN's performance on desktop and mobile platforms. Since this VPN also provides a handy Web browser extension, we'll take a closer look at that, too.
As soon as you install TorGuard and launch its application on Linux, Mac, or Windows, you’ll see its home screen. This is now a redesigned home screen, which is a drastic departure from what was available in the past.
The largest portion of the VPN's home screen is reserved for the ON/OFF switch, which you can use to connect and disconnect from servers. At the bottom of the home screen, you'll find a button that opens TorGuard's list of servers.
You can filter the available servers in many different ways, letting you easily find a server that will support your planned online activities in the best possible way.
Once you return to the home screen, you'll see two important icons at the top. In the top-left corner, there's the hamburger button. That one allows you to switch between different VPN protocols without going into the application's settings.
In the top-right corner, you'll see a cogwheel icon, letting you fine-tune TorGuard by launching its settings. Speaking of those, let's see what exactly you can fine-tune.
We'd like to take a moment to talk about TorGuard's recently redesigned mobile apps as well. While its desktop apps have kept fragments of the VPN's old interface, that's not the case with its Android, iOS, and iPad apps. These are now modern and easy to use, on par with what TorGuard's competitors currently offer.
On both Android and iOS, TorGuard comes with a simple home screen that looks identical to what you'll find on desktop platforms. In the center, you'll find the ON/OFF switch, and when connected, the yellow-orange ring turns bright green, indicating your connection status.
At the bottom, you'll find a nicely designed list of TorGuard's servers. There are many ways to filter the available servers as well as check their locations in relation to your physical location.
Also, don't forget to check TorGuard's settings behind the cogwheel/hamburger button in the top-right corner. That's where you can enable the kill switch, ad-blocking DNS, switch servers, make use of a dedicated IP, and more.
However, we have to say that the Android app has more settings you can tweak, while the iOS app is simpler. If you're new to VPNs, the Android interface might seem a bit overwhelming with all its options, but the iOS app should be straightforward for anyone.
Here's what you can find in the Android app:
Now, let's talk about TorGuard VPN's browser extensions, available for Chrome, Edge, and Firefox. They all look the same and work the same way. In the screenshot below from the Chrome extension, it's easy to click and connect or disconnect from servers.
However, like most proxies, it only has a few basic features like blocking ads, changing your location, and choosing which sites don't use the VPN.
Overall, we like the new direction TorGuard has taken. When it comes to its mobile apps, they really are highly polished. The VPN's desktop apps could use a bit more polishing, but even complete beginners shouldn't have a problem using them.
Even though there's some confusion regarding TorGuard's usability with media streaming, our experience was quite positive. Torrenting works well, while gaming over this VPN requires diving deep into its settings. Our Score: 9/10
Aside from privacy and security, we also use VPNs for different online activities, like streaming shows, downloading files, or gaming. But not every VPN delivers a smooth experience for these tasks. Now, let's explore how TorGuard handles these aspects and see if it's up to the mark.
Yes, TorGuard is good for streaming TV shows and movies. Although it's not the best VPN for streaming TV, we managed to unblock some popular streaming services using one of the "Anonymous VPN" plans via Amazon Fire TV.
We unblocked and streamed Netflix, Hulu, Apple TV+, and Max without any buffering or other annoyances. However, challenges arose during our tests with BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and Prime Video. These streaming services can detect when you're trying to connect from locations beyond their borders.
That said, let's take a look at the table below for some popular US streaming platforms that this VPN unblocks for you.
TorGuard is also useful for unblocking non-US and other international streaming platforms. Here's a preview of what it offers.
TorGuard VPN also works with Firestick and Kodi just fine. That said, we recommend that you carefully inspect TorGuard's options if you decide to subscribe. And also, we can't claim that what happened in our case will happen to you as well.
Still, even if you don't get to use "Anonymous VPN" plans for streaming, you can always upgrade (but that will cost you as "Streaming Bundle" plans are pricey).
Yes, TorGuard is good when it comes to torrenting. Though it's not the best torrenting VPN, it can protect your P2P traffic, which means that no one will track your online whereabouts. On top of that, this VPN allows you to use SOCKS5 proxies, obfuscating your IP address without slowing down your Web speed.
Practically, all its servers support torrenting. It also seamlessly integrates with well-known apps like uTorrent, Vuze, BitTorrent, and qBittorrent. Moreover, it offers a kill switch for extra security and handy features like port forwarding, which enhances download speed.
Yes, TorGuard seems to be a good option for gaming as well. It's user-friendly enough to share with gaming consoles like PS3 and Xbox One. However, be prepared to dive deep into its settings.
This VPN can't really handle your ping and latency out of the box, which is why you'll need to optimize it. So, gaming over TorGuard is an option for advanced users only.
For TorGuard to be the best VPN for gaming, it needs to naturally reduce ping and control latency without you having to tweak a lot of settings. So, although TorGuard has a sizeable network coverage, we'd suggest it with the note that there's room for improvement before we fully recommend it.
There’s no reason not to trust TorGuard with your private data. It features strong encryption, capable VPN protocols, and provides a leak-free tunnel for your data. The only thing missing is an independent audit of its infrastructure. Our Score: 8/10
We’re sure you'll want to know whether TorGuard can be trusted with your personal data. To answer that question, we’ll check this VPN’s protocols, logging policy, and we’ll do a thorough DNS leak test.
In terms of encryption, you can count on everything from AES-128 up to AES-256 (GCM and CBC) with compatible protocols. And if you decide to use WireGuard, TorGuard will rely on ChaCha20 and Poly1305 for authentication, both of which are highly secure. If you want things a bit speedier, you can opt for Blowfish 128-bit encryption, which is a tad less secure but faster.
For the available VPN protocols, you can rely on OpenVPN (UDP/TCP), OpenConnect, and WireGuard. L2TP/IPSec, SSTP, PPTP, and IKEv2 are available but not via TorGuard's apps. That means that you'll need to configure those on your device manually.
No, TorGuard doesn’t collect or log any data via its Virtual Private Network or Proxy services. That means that as you browse the Web with TorGuard enabled, everything you do is encrypted and deleted as you end your sessions. Since the VPN runs on RAM-only servers, no data is stored whatsoever.
After checking TorGuard's history, we can say that we're happy to report that TorGuard was never involved in any data logging case. With that said, there's no reason not to trust this VPN, at least until proven otherwise.
Still, we need to note that TorGuard has an extensive section on its site about DMCA notices, saying that it respects the intellectual property rights of others. That might be problematic if you plan on downloading torrents, even though there are no reports of TorGuard users receiving copyright infringement notices. Still, that's something to keep in mind.
No, TorGuard doesn't leak your data. To test the strength of TorGuard's VPN tunnel, we tested the VPN against a range of data leaks.
As you can see from the image above, it’s all good here. No DNS leaks were detected. So, third-party websites will only see your virtual IP address and other information served by TorGuard. In other words, there’s nothing to worry about when it comes to this VPN provider.
TorGuard isn’t the fastest VPN service out there, but it does come with speedy performance. That especially applies to nearby servers, even though remote VPN servers can be quite fast at times. Our Score: 7/10
The time has come to check TorGuard's speed and performance. For this purpose, we tested nearby and remote VPN servers, giving us an idea of what to expect from TorGuard.
We started by checking the speed of our barebones Web connection - without using TorGuard in the background. So, when it comes to our connection's baseline data, we managed to get 383.42 Mbps for downloads and 306.53 Mbps for uploads.
To make sense of the numbers displayed above, we placed them into the following table. So, let's check TorGuard's performance and draw some conclusions.
On average, TorGuard made our Web connection slower by 36%. It's not one of the fastest VPNs, but those slowdowns weren't as noticeable when using nearby servers. However, even some remote connections managed to perform quite admirably.
With that said, we conclude that TorGuard comes with speedy performance. Of course, keep in mind that every VPN will slow you down (here's how to speed up a slow VPN, by the way). So, the faster your Web connection is, the faster your VPN connection is going to be as well.
TorGuard doesn't offer live chat via its website, which is clearly a downside. However, it does offer plenty of other (highly useful) customer support resources. Our Score: 7.5/10
When having technical difficulties, you need to rely on support. And when it comes to VPNs, today’s top-rated services bring different kinds of customer support channels. So, here's what kind of support you’ll find if you become a TorGuard subscriber.
Although TorGuard's pricing structure is overly complicated, this VPN comes as a more affordable option when compared to its direct competitors. Our Score: 7.5/10
The truth is that TorGuard comes with overly complex subscription plans. That said, chances are that you'll be confused while signing up. So, we'll do our best to explain what to expect and how to pick the best possible plan per your needs.
TorGuard starts at $4.27/month when you subscribe to its standard 3-year plan. If you prefer a more flexible monthly payment, you'll pay $10.99 for the standard plan and $14.29 for the pro plan.
TorGuard offers different subscriptions on its website, catering to different types of users. Here's what's different about those types of subscriptions.
We believe you'll want one of TorGuard's 'Anonymous VPN' plans. That said, here's a breakdown of how much you'll need to pay for this VPN.
Now, let's take a separate look at how much you'll pay if you get TorGuard's Premium Proxy service.
As you can see in the table above, you'll be able to save 53% if you opt for the 24-month Premium Proxy plan. Now, the TorGuard Secure Business VPN plan is more about keeping business info safe. All plans pretty much offer the same things, except for how many people can use them. Here's what each plan costs.
For the cost breakdown of the Private VPN Cloud, see the details below.
As you can see, choosing the 3-year plan for the VPN cloud gives you bigger savings of 43% than going for the monthly. Overall, with all these pricing tiers, you can explore your options and discover the ideal match for your requirements.
Even though TorGuard's pricing plans can be confusing, it all comes down to the following. If you want to pay monthly, you'll need to pay $10.99 for the 'Standard' plan or $14.29 for the 'Pro' plan. Savings are found in long-term plans only. With that said, the more you can pay right now, the lower TorGuard's price is going to be.
We'll also mention that TorGuard supports a wide range of payment options. Aside from using your credit card or Amazon Pay, you can also pay using cryptocurrencies and even gift cards.
Lastly, TorGuard doesn't have a free version but offers a 7-day free trial on iOS devices. However, it has a limited 7-day money-back guarantee policy. This isn't as generous as what you'll find offered by other VPNs. Still, that period should be enough for you to test the VPN and decide whether to continue being a subscriber.
Yes, TorGuard VPN is good and has a lot to offer. It packs quite a punch with fast speeds and a ton of security features, including strong encryption, zero-logs policy, ad-blocking, stealth mode, and more.Â
With a vast network, it's also suitable for streaming and downloading. Moreover, its flexible pricing and an extensive collection of add-ons only add to the user’s convenience.
However, if you're not tech-savvy, you might find TorGuard’s advanced options a bit challenging. It's not exactly user-friendly, but if you know your way around VPNs, you'll find that TorGuard has some pretty impressive tricks up its sleeve.
If you want a VPN that covers the basics, TorGuard is good. But if you want something better, with more servers, and excellent overall performance, we strongly recommend NordVPN.
PROS
CONS
Review Summary TorGuard is, without any doubt, one of the most feature-rich VPNs right now. However, we primarily recommend it to more advanced users. | 7.9 Overall Score | ||
Background, Jurisdiction & Reputation | 8 | ||
Supported Platforms & Devices | 10 | ||
Installation & Initial Configuration | 7 | ||
Prominent Features | 8.5 | ||
Server Count & Infrastructure | 7.5 | ||
UI/UX Design & Ease of Use | 7 | ||
Media Streaming, Torrenting, and Gaming | 9 | ||
Security & Privacy | 8 | ||
Speed & Performance | 7 | ||
Customer Support | 7.5 | ||
Pricing | 7.5 |