Planet VPN review: Pros & cons

Today, we bring you a full review of Planet VPN, covering user feedback, technical features, pros and cons, available plans, user experience, and more.

When choosing a VPN, most people check user reviews and explore the features it offers. A good VPN should provide fast and reliable connections along with strong security such as military grade encryption, a kill switch, malware protection, and split tunneling. Just as importantly, it should respect your privacy by keeping no logs of your activity, ideally verified through independent audits. But does Planet VPN meet all these expectations? Let’s take a closer look in this full review.

What is Planet VPN?

Before we dive into its features, let’s introduce today’s star. Planet VPN is a virtual private network provider that was founded in 2017 in Bucharest, Romania. Since then, it has grown into a popular choice for users looking for a free VPN. For those who want more advanced features, Planet VPN also offers premium plans. Overall, it stands out as a solid option in the crowded and competitive VPN market.

Now, we’ll take a closer look at Planet VPN’s technical features to see if it can compete with the top players in the market. Most importantly, we’ll examine how well it protects users’ privacy and security.

What does Planet VPN offer? Analysis of its main technical features

Planet VPN positions itself as a strong choice for anyone looking for a VPN that balances security, privacy, and ease of use, supported by a no-logs policy and an infrastructure built to protect your online activity. On paper, it seems to offer all the features you would expect from a solid VPN. But to be sure, we’ll take a closer look at some key aspects, drawing on user reviews and performance tests.

Here is a table with the main technical features of Planet VPN, followed by a comparison of its premium plans with the free version:

Planet VPN: Free version vs. premium version

One of the benefits of Planet VPN is that it offers both a free and a paid version. This means it’s accessible to users who want to invest in a VPN as well as those who prefer not to spend. Of course, as you might expect, there are some differences between the two plans. Here are the key ones:

As you can see, the main difference between the two plans is the number of servers and access to specialized servers, which is only available with the premium plan. Support is also expected to be better for subscribers, and the overall experience is generally improved. That said, the free plan holds up surprisingly well compared to other fully free VPNs.

Planet VPN premium plans

Here is some information about the premium plans offered by Planet VPN:

• One-month plan: $9.99
• Three years (plus one year free): $1.99/month
• One-year plan: $3.99/month.

It accepts payment via Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, and cryptocurrencies. In every case, you get a 30-day money-back guarantee if you’re not satisfied with the service.

Is Planet VPN suitable for streaming and gaming?

Planet VPN works for streaming, but not across every platform or library. For instance, users trying to access Disney+ and Hulu haven’t had much luck. However, it does work with popular services like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video. The paid version also includes servers specifically optimized for streaming, helping to keep playback smooth. Keep in mind, though, that with distant servers, the quality may drop due to slower speeds.

How does it hold up for gaming? For casual players, local servers provide smooth gameplay with minimal lag. But for competitive gaming, distant servers can introduce noticeable delays, which may affect performance. That’s because Planet VPN doesn’t include servers specifically tuned to reduce gaming latency, unlike some other premium VPNs.

If you have particularly high demands in these areas, you might want to look at alternatives like NordVPN or ExpressVPN, which provide faster speeds and features tailored for streaming and gaming.

Speed: How fast is Planet VPN?

One of the main things users look for when choosing a VPN is how little it affects connection speed. In this regard, Planet VPN generally delivers fast and stable performance, though it still can’t quite match the top providers like Proton VPN. Based on user feedback, here’s what stands out about Planet VPN:

• On distant servers, significant drops in upload and download speeds were noticed in some cases.
• For nearby servers, speeds were sufficient for online activities such as gaming, video streaming, and torrenting.

In short, Planet VPN’s speeds can be inconsistent, especially when connecting to servers far from your location. This may impact activities that rely on a fast and stable connection.

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Is Planet VPN secure? We analyze the main security features

Speed and security are two key factors for any VPN. We’ve already seen that Planet VPN delivers only moderately on speed. But what about security? Can it be trusted? Let’s find out!

• It uses the highest standard of encryption currently available (AES 256-bit). That’s certainly good, but it’s not exactly groundbreaking, since most VPNs already use it.
• It supports several secure protocols, including OpenVPN (RSA 2048-bit, UDP/TCP), which is both safe and reasonably fast, as well as IKEv2, L2TP, and PPTP. One thing to note is that on macOS, only OpenVPN (UDP/TCP) is available.
• Planet VPN has a strict no-logs policy, meaning it doesn’t track or store user data. Its headquarters in Romania also place it outside the Five Eyes surveillance alliance. The downside is that there are no independent audits verifying its no-logs policy, so users have to take the company at its word.
• Planet VPN includes a Kill Switch that blocks all internet access if the VPN connection drops, keeping your data safe from exposure. It is not enabled automatically, so you will need to turn it on in the settings, which is an important step for protecting your online security.
• The service protects against DNS and IP leaks, making sure your real IP address and DNS requests stay hidden and your privacy remains secure at all times.
• It allows you to use torrents safely and anonymously, providing an optimal experience for P2P file sharing.

In conclusion, we can say that Planet VPN offers a solid set of security features that make it a reliable option.

Compatibility with devices and operating systems

In this regard, Planet VPN is a strong choice. It works with all major platforms, including Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, and popular browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, and Yandex, making it easy to use across different devices.

As for gaming consoles and Smart TVs, while there are no dedicated apps, users can set up Planet VPN on a router or use the Smart DNS feature to access content from around the world.

Even the free Planet VPN plan for PC lets you set up the connection on your router. This way, you can secure your entire home or work network without spending a dime.

User experience with Planet VPN

Another key requirement for a VPN is that it’s easy to set up and simple to use. In this regard, Planet VPN proves to be user-friendly, even for those with little technical experience.

The installation process is quick and straightforward, whether you’re using the desktop apps or browser extensions. You can download the app from the official website or app stores like Google Play and the App Store. Once installed, you just need to sign up or log in if you already have an account. For the free version, no personal information is required. With a single click, you can connect to the nearest server or choose one manually from the available list.

The website is clean and easy to navigate, with all the information users might need readily accessible. For example, you can quickly check server locations, pricing and plans, the differences between free and premium versions, and more.

The interface is simple and easy to use, so even beginners can get connected without any trouble. You just hit the “Connect” button and pick a server if you want. There aren’t many advanced settings, which might disappoint experienced users, but for those new to VPNs, it’s a real advantage. There’s also a “Quick Connect” option that automatically links you to the best server available.

Advantages and disadvantages of Planet VPN

Like any VPN provider, Planet VPN has its strengths and areas for improvement. We’ll break it down for you in a simple table.

Overall, Planet VPN has a lot to offer, but if speed is a top priority, some other premium VPNs might be a better choice. Ultimately, it comes down to what each user needs. The user reviews below give a good sense of how it performs in real life.

Planet VPN: User reviews

Here is a selection of Planet VPN reviews covering different aspects:

Planet VPN reviews for remote working

“Planet VPN has allowed me to connect to my work networks securely when using public Wi-Fi. It’s simple and functional.” – David R., Trustpilot

For travel

“I used it to access restricted services while traveling in Asia, and it worked perfectly.” – Luis G., Trustpilot

Planet VPN reviews: Entertainment

“I use Planet VPN to watch Netflix in the US, and I haven’t had any problems with speed. It’s fast and reliable.” – Clara M., Google Reviews

Digital nomads

“It’s an excellent option for unblocking banking sites when I’m outside my country.” – Ana S., Trustpilot

Alternatives to Planet VPN

If you are not satisfied with the service provided by Planet VPN, you can switch to other premium or free providers.

Among paid VPNs, there are plenty of well-known options like ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark, but ProtonVPN stands out above the rest in terms of features. It’s one of the top brands on the market, offering advanced security tools, excellent speeds, reliable performance, and a network of 15,000 servers across 120 countries. With strict privacy laws under Swiss regulations and military-grade AES-256 encryption with RSA-4096 keys and SHA-384 HMAC authentication, it ensures your anonymity and online safety.

If you want a free VPN, ProtonVPN’s free plan is a solid choice. It offers unlimited data and a smooth, ad-free experience. And if you need more features or extra protection, you can upgrade for as little as $3.44 per month.

Frequently asked questions about Planet VPN

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Paula Henderson

Spanish-English Translator

Hi! I'm a Spanish-English translator working with Holafly, helping bring travel content to life for curious travelers. As a digital nomad with a passion for exploring, I'm always adding new spots to my bucket list. If you love to travel like me, stick around because you're in the right place to find inspiration for your next trip! ✈️🌍

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