Planet VPN Review – Is It Safe in 2024
The choice of a reliable VPN service in the current realities is a key factor in maintaining online security, as well as bypassing various blockages. Planet VPN is one of such services, promising not only to protect your digital life, but also to provide uninterrupted access to content without geographical restrictions.
In this article, we’ll take a look at Planet VPN service, tell you about its advantages and disadvantages, break down the differences between the paid and free versions, and provide some instructions for a quick start.
Planet VPN Features
One more major benefit of Planet VPN is that using it requires no personal information or registration. This lets users stay anonymous and prevent needless registering processes.
Planet VPN free download for PC is not like many other VPN providers in that it does not limit bandwidth, duration, or traffic. Users get unrestricted internet access free from time or data constraints. Planet VPN offers five free sites for usage, so you may select the most appropriate server location to guarantee the greatest connection and performance. Planet VPN servers feature great speeds on par with most commercial services, albeit free access.
Along with free Planet VPN for Chrome extension, Firefox, Yandex, Edge, and Opera browsers, the service supports all main platforms including Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Linux. For consumers running many devices and operating systems, Planet VPN is therefore a flexible option.
Support for up to ten devices at once is accessible for consumers who want to buy a premium membership. This enables the VPN to be used on any device, thereby guaranteeing safety and privacy in every context.
Regular users as well as those seeking more sophisticated capabilities and a high degree of protection find Planet VPN appealing because of its many advantages.
Privacy and Logging
When people mention the privacy of VPN services, they mean the provider’s policy regarding the logging of user activity. The user must be sure that his activity on the Internet, the addresses of the sites he visits will not fall into the hands of a third party, including law enforcement agencies. It’s not that VPN providers should cover crime, but there are basic human rights, including privacy. Of course, in this matter, we can only rely on the statements of Planet VPN itself, which are posted on its website, in a special section dedicated to security protection and Privacy Policy.
So, what does Planet VPN write about its actions with regard to recording the user’s activity while using the service?
The statement sounds good, but still take your time and see what Planet VPN’s Privacy Policy says.
Well, we have to admit that this does not contradict the words “We don’t keep any records” in the slightest. Records are kept but deleted after a few hours. And such an honest attitude should be respected. It is also said that users are assigned “random names” in the logs, which means additional protection for your private information.
Speed Tests – How Fast is Planet VPN
The connection speed of the Planet VPN provider is the main factor that users who want to use the provider’s services pay attention to. We will compare the speeds using the branded applications for macOS and iOS. No special subscription was purchased for the review, as the service is positioned as free. As already mentioned, the company also offers Planet VPN free download for PC and a free Planet VPN for Chrome extension, in which you can use several free servers. We will also test it further.
PC Test
So, let’s install the macOS application and check the connection speed. First, let’s check the connection speed without using the VPN service Planet VPN. Let’s connect and test on the speedtest.net service.
- Download speed: 94.1 Mbps
- Upload speed: 93.9 Mbps
- Ping: 13 ms
- Jitter: 0 ms
- Packet loss: 0%
These results indicate a high-speed, stable internet connection without using a VPN service, ideal for activities such as streaming, gaming, and video conferencing.
And this was the speed when connecting to a free server in France, Planet VPN.
Speed Test Results:
- Download Speed: 16.5 Mbps
- Upload Speed: 83.1 Mbps
- Ping: 50 ms
- Jitter: 1 ms
- Packet Loss: 0%
Using the Planet VPN service connected to a server in France, the download speed decreased by approximately 82.5%, and the upload speed decreased by around 11.5%. Which allows general internet surfing without obstacles. We managed to scroll social media like Instagram and TikTok with Planet VPN being on as well.
Browsers’ Extensions Test
Now let’s check the speed of the internet connection when using the free VPN Planet for Chrome extension. First, we measure the speed without connection to the VPN.
- Download Speed: 93.88 Mbps
- Upload Speed: 93.75 Mbps
- Ping: 13 ms
- Jitter: 1.35 ms
- Packet Loss: 0%
These results indicate a high-performance internet connection without the use of a Planet VPN, providing excellent speeds and stability, ideal for any online activity.
Let’s repeat the test with Planet VPN connected to a server in the UK.
- Download Speed: 10.24 Mbps
- Upload Speed: 51.94 Mbps
- Ping: 49 ms
Using Planet VPN results in a decrease in download speeds of approximately 89.08% and upload speeds of 44.59%. We managed to use Google without any problem, but for social media platforms this speed is not sufficient. Even though we managed to open it and scroll, it was difficult to open reels and watch videos.
Mobile Test
Now let’s do the same operations with the VPN application on iOS installed on IPhone 11.
On the mobile test without using a VPN, the results show:
- Download Speed: 75.5 Mbps
- Upload Speed: 85.4 Mbps
- Ping: 75 ms
- Jitter: 62 ms
Let’s repeat the test with a Planet VPN connected to a server in France.
- Download Speed: 72.7 Mbps
- Upload Speed: 81.5 Mbps
- Ping: 92 ms
- Jitter: 37 ms
When the VPN was activated and connected to the server in France, the upload speed dropped slightly to 72.7 Mbps and the download speed to 81.5 Mbps. Ping increased to 92 milliseconds, indicating slower response times. However, jitter improved significantly, dropping to 37 milliseconds, indicating more stable variability in the connection.
Despite these changes, we were able to use Google, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and play games without having any problems. Mobile test has shown the best results.
About Safety – How Secure is VPN?
The primary features of a virtual private network are anonymity and security. When it comes to safety, we give Planet VPN an 8 out of 10. Here’s why:
In terms of security, it makes use of protocols like PlanetX (2048-bit RSA, UDP/TCP), IKEv2, L2TP, and StarGuard.
It does not record or save any information about its users and has a firm no-logging policy.
Upon disconnection, it contains a kill switch that stops any sensitive data from seeping out.
The free VPN proxy by Planet VPN for Windows does not demand any personal information upon registration, so you may use it without any hassle.
Secure tunnels allow VPN to transmit data to VPN servers. It is up to the VPN protocols to decide how this encrypted tunnel is constructed. Various virtual private network protocols provide varying degrees of anonymity and connection speeds.
You should be able to pick which protocol to use, so be certain, as Planet VPN provides more than one. You may choose between PlanetX (2048-bit RSA, UDP/TCP), IKEv2, L2TP, or StarGuard at Planet VPN.
Furthermore, Planet VPN employs the gold standard in encryption, 256 bits, to provide the utmost safety. Our testing has validated this claim.
Desktop Apps
If you want your workday to go off easily, your VPN should be simple to set up and use. Planet VPN received an 8 out of 10 for usability after extensive testing, thanks to the following features:
- Planet VPN is an attractive and user-friendly website.
- The installation is easy.
- A breeze to use and understand is the Planet VPN app.
In our experience, Planet VPN is quite user-friendly. We are certain that even complete novices will find it easy to use. A “Connect” button and a server location selection option are on the main screen.
You won’t find any complex setup options or very many settings in Planet VPN. While this works well for newcomers, advanced VPN users will find it missing in several key areas. For example, it doesn’t have split tunneling, which is a feature that might be helpful while banking online.
Mobile Apps
Planet VPN’s mobile software is very user-friendly. It is obvious that the developers have spared no effort to make the program user-friendly and easy to understand. Everything is easy and quick to accomplish when you download it. Quickly and easily connect to any network using the app’s step-by-step instructions. The app’s ease of use makes it suitable for everyone, including people who aren’t great with technology. Overall, the user experience is improved by the design’s cleanliness and aesthetic attractiveness. Every function and option is conveniently located in the app’s well-organized structure, making navigation and usage a breeze.
Browser Extensions
Planet VPN for Chrome is a handy extension that provides a secure and anonymous internet connection. It allows you to bypass geographical restrictions and stay anonymous on the internet.
The extension has a simple interface that allows you to activate VPN with a single click, change virtual location and provide data encryption for better security. Planet VPN for Chrome is suitable for both experienced users and beginners.
Planet VPN provides fast connection speeds, which is important for comfortable video streaming and quick access to websites. Naturally, the extension allows you to bypass blocking, providing free access to Internet resources.
Performance
One of the great things about Planet VPN provider is its multi-platform nature. The company offers applications for Windows, MAC, and Linux. The two most common mobile platforms are covered – there are applications for Android and iOS. For Windows, in addition to the proposed program that works on all new versions of this operating system, you can use the free VPN proxy by Planet VPN for Windows. Download and install the client, then download the configuration file for a specific country and use it on your computer.
Planet free VPN for PC provider also offers to configure the connection for a router. Devices from the majority of manufacturers common in our country are supported. In case of problems with router configuration, the provider’s technical support will help you.
Let’s discuss a rather subjective user experience of using the client. In our opinion, it is made as simplified as possible to facilitate the use of the service for any, even completely unprepared users. A minimum of settings and even, in our opinion, too small. Very modest and simple window, although someone may like it. Apart from selecting servers, the user can set very few settings — automatic booting into the system, automatic connection at program startup, and Killswitch. Unfortunately, as it was mentioned above, it is impossible to choose advanced settings. The client works quite stably. When changing geolocation, especially if you want to connect to a geographically distant server, it may take quite a long time, up to 10 seconds.
Work in Highly Restricted Countries
We reached out to Planet VPN’s support, and they confirmed that it works in China and other highly restricted countries.
Currently, they advise moving the location “China” to a top-notch one methodically using the L2TP protocol if the program is to run correctly in China. Following that, the program or free Planet VPN for Chrome extension will let you utilize the connection to their servers without limits.
Server’s locations
All users have 5 free servers available for connection. This is not a test period, these are full-fledged servers that can be used without payment.
What Bonuses Does the Paid Version Offer, and How Much Does It Cost?
Below are the subscription options for Planet VPN:
- Completely free version with access to five locations and no data limits
- Monthly plan for $9.99 per month
- Annual plan for $3.99 per month
- Three-year plan for $1.99 per month
Planet VPN is comparable to some of the cheapest VPNs, the kind that also cost around a couple of dollars a month.
You have two payment options, namely:
- Credit card
- Various cryptocurrencies
The advantage of paying with cryptocurrencies is that it helps you sign up for a VPN completely anonymously. This is very convenient in terms of privacy.
About Support
The big plus point of Planet VPN is the availability of qualified support. The company’s specialists work, according to their claims, in 24/7 mode. You can contact tech support from the homepage. There is a feedback form where you need to enter your email address, name and ask a question in text format. You can also email support@freevpnplanet.com.
We sent a test email, around 9am. The tech support response came back in 5 hours. That’s fast enough, no need to complain. An automatic return email confirming receipt of the email can also be considered a plus. However, we would like the company to add new channels of communication with customers, now, in the era of mass distribution of messengers not to have an employee working with customers via Telegram or Facebook is just strange.
Planet VPN Review: Final Statement
Planet VPN free fro PC provides free access to VPN servers in several countries, providing a secure and anonymous connection to the Internet. It differs from other free VPN services by having no limits on the amount of data transferred and no mandatory registration. However, connection speeds can be below average and the choice of available countries is limited.
On the other hand, the paid version of Planet VPN offers a wider selection of servers and supports streaming services, including the likes of HBO Max and Netflix. Torrenting is also allowed on all servers. The application provides a secure and anonymous connection to the internet with fairly fast download speeds.