Virtual private networks have increased in popularity as the risks of using the internet have gone up. People want to know their information is safe and that nobody can spy on their online activities.
While many VPNs require a subscription, Turbo VPN is one option you can get for free. You can expect that it may not perform as well as paid options, but it still isn’t a bad choice if you want something for casual browsing.
Turbo VPN Basics
Turbo VPN works by routing your online activities through its server. By doing this, you browse the web under the IP address of the VPN and not your own. It allows you to avoid tracking and makes it tough to figure out how to get into your system.
The VPN is a product of Innovative Connecting PTE. Limited, which is a software company out of Singapore.
There have been around 100 million downloads of this VPN service from Google Play. You can quickly go to the Play Store to see a Turbo VPN review list from actual users and scope out its current star rating.
The VPN service is available almost everywhere except China. Due to policies, Turbo VPN states it cannot operate in this country.
Turbo VPN is a one-click platform. You only need to press one button to connect and get going. It is straightforward to use and keeps its user interface simple with no settings or other details except choosing a server and language if the default is not to your liking.
Features
The basic function of any VPN is to hide your IP address and encrypt the data you send as your browse online. Turbo VPN does that well with no IP leaks.
Many people decide to use a VPN not only for security but also for unlocking websites and content they do not have access to normally due to geographic restrictions. To avoid this frustration, you simply set your VPN in a country where the content will unlock. For example, if you want to watch Netflix content available only in the U.K., but you are in the U.S., then you set Turbo VPN to use a UK server.
Turbo VPN is quite good at unblocking content and makes setting your server easy, but you do need the paid version of the service. With the unblocking, you can access restricted content on a variety of platforms:
- YouTube
- BBC iPlayer
- Netflix
- Amazon Prime
You also can use this VPN for torrenting. Keep in mind that since this is a free service, downloads can take longer than they would normally. The reason the limitations of the service. It is likely to be stretched thin by so many users accessing it at one time. Servers may easily overload, causing not only high download times but also low-quality streaming.
One missing feature is a kill switch. It won’t alert when the VPN drops at all and may even continue displaying a message that you are still protected.
Transparency and Security
Perhaps the area in which Turbo VPN is the worst is transparency. The service has a term of service that is very basic. It could come from any service and is not personalized to this specific company. That may leave you wondering is Turbo VPN safe.
The good thing is that the service does not take a lot of personal information from you, and it does not log your activity. So, with barely any access to you, there is not a high level of risk when it comes to the service sharing or using your information in nefarious ways.
Overall, the service banks on its offering as being free to carry it with users. It lacks a lot of transparency in the details of the service.
The website is quite simple, with the same general information repeated on every page. You won’t find details about supported protocols or encrypted DNA.
Turbo VPN connects through OpenVPN and IPsec. It uses 128-bit encryption, specifically AES-128-CBC. It has a certificate by QuickBird, which is a Chinese company now out of business, and it uses Google DNS.
Plans and Pricing
You can get this VPN for free. There are some limitations to the service, as mentioned. Plus, the free service gets support from ads. You can get Turbo VPN Pro to remove the ads and gain some important functionality. However, speeds are not much higher with the paid version.
If you decide to go with the premium service, you will get a three-day free trial before it charges you. It is an auto-renew subscription. Plans run monthly or annually. The one-month plan will cost $11.99, and the annual plan, payable all at once, runs around $36.
With any account, you can use the service on up to five devices, which is actually very good since most VPNs will give you a low limit on devices. Purchases go through the Apple App Store or Google Play.
Device Support
Turbo VPN is available on smartphones, tablets, Windows and Mac. The website also notes there is support coming soon for Amazon Fire TV and Chrome, which can help expand usability.
Installation
Download Turbo VPN through Google Play or the App Store. Once the download completes, select “Tap to Connect,” which will connect you to the service. It is that simple.
Changing servers or languages is also a one-tap function. Just tap the globe in the upper right to make these selections.
Servers and Speed
Of course, one of the top things you will want to know is if the service is fast. The company says it has 10,000 servers in over 50 locations around the world. However, if you are in the U.S., you’ll get access to eight servers in seven countries on the free plan with an increase in countries to 18 on the paid plan. The options are more than most free VPNs.
Speed is comparable to other free VPNs and many paid services. It offers up to 10 GB connectivity.
Alternatives to Turbo VPN
Not many free VPNs compare to Turbo VPN, but there are a couple of low-cost options you can consider.
ProtonVPN
ProtonVPN is from Switzerland. It uses Secure Core for extra security support and has 809 serves in 50 countries. It uses AES-256 and 4096 RSA with multiple platform support for mobile and desktop. The service does have a kill switch and doesn’t keep logs of your activity.
There is a free plan option with the service, or you can get it for $4.00 a month on an annual plan. Both options allow two devices. There are other plans available if you need to connect more devices.
Ivacy VPN
Ivacy VPN is in Singapore. It uses a secure DNS with 2000 servers in 100 locations. The service supports all major platforms and some niche ones. It features higher than average speeds and does offer a kill switch.
You get a five-device limit on the basic subscription. There is no free option. You’ll pay either $10.00 a month for the annual plan or $2.25 a month for a two-year plan.
Final Thoughts About Turbo VPN
Turbo VPN is a good choice for a free service. When you consider its paid option, you won’t get much more for your money, and other services can offer you a better overall value for less money. Plus, this service doesn’t have amazing speeds for streaming. However, if you just want basic protection while browsing, then this VPN will get the job done without you having to spend a dime.