TorGuard Review 2025

A VPN good for configurations but with a complicated user interface.

TorGuard has servers in 82 locations across 49 countries and can unblock some streaming platforms, albeit with delays. The VPN service is reliable but fails to stand out.

Rank #53 / 68
TorGuard
Our TorGuard score
  • Features
    8 / 10
  • Pricing
    8 / 10
  • User-friendliness
    6 / 10
  • Speed
    6 / 10
  • Security
    7 / 10
  • Privacy
    5 / 10
  • Streaming
    7 / 10
  • Servers
    8.5 / 10
  • Service
    4 / 10
  • Apps Support
    7 / 10
Streaming Access
logo-netflixlogo-prime-video
Last update: July 31, 2024

Quick Summary: TorGuard Review

TorGuard has servers in 82 locations across 49 countries. It offers secure protocols that run on AES-256 and AES-128 encryption, and it adheres to a strict no-logs policy. Overall, it’s a decent VPN, but it can’t compete with some of the best VPN services. 

Overall Rating 6.7 / 10
TorGuard

If you ask anyone for a VPN recommendation, they’ll likely name one from this list of the best VPNs, which doesn’t feature TorGuard VPN. That doesn’t mean TorGuard is an ineffective virtual private network, but it does reflect privacy concerns that make me and my colleagues unwilling to recommend it without qualifications. I’ll explain in this TorGuard review. 

Like every other VPN, TorGuard has strengths and weaknesses, and my detailed review explores them all. I will look at the security and privacy features, connection speeds, history, device compatibility, pricing and more so you can get a clear picture of where TorGuard VPN stands.

Before purchasing a TorGuard VPN subscription, I recommend that you read this review to the end. If TorGuard isn’t for you, we also list alternative VPN services for different users.


TorGuard VPN Review Overview

In this VPN review, I will conduct hands-on testing and investigate all the claims TorGuard makes regarding its features, especially the logging policy. I will look at the server distribution and security features, and conduct speed tests. Let’s start with a quick overview of what the VPN offers.

  1. Overall Rating 6.7 / 10
    TorGuard
    Pros
    • Decent server network
    • Affordable subscriptions
    • Offers a seven-day free trial
    • Compatible with key platforms
    • VPN scripts for advanced users
    • Unblocks some streaming services
    Cons
    • Slow speeds
    • No third-party audits
    • Unresponsive live chat
    • Complicated user interface
    • Overly complex pricing plans
    • 7-day money-back guarantee
    Free trial
    No
    Money-Back Guarantee
    7 Days
    Worldwide Server Amount
    82 locations in 49 countries
    Simultaneous Connections
    12
    Works with
    logo-windowslogo-mac-oslogo-ioslogo-androidlogo-chromelogo-firefox
    Streaming Access
    logo-netflixlogo-prime-video

How Good Is TorGuard VPN? 

TorGuard VPN is a good-enough VPN to keep you safe online. It has a server network large enough to get past geo-restrictions. The speeds may not be as fast as those we cover in our Surfshark review, but they’re fast enough for streaming HD content without buffering. The main standout feature is VPN scripts, which allow users to modify how the VPN functions. 

With all that said, its performance as a VPN app is immaterial until it undergoes a third-party audit and publishes its results. Without that evidence, I can’t trust TorGuard’s privacy policy enough to suggest you use it.


TorGuard: Latest News & Updates 

torguard vpn
TorGuard VPN has been around for 12 years.

TorGuard’s most recent VPN app updates include version 4.8.29 for Windows, Linux and macOS, released on Feb. 26, 2024. The last Android updates were released on April 18, 2023, (Google Play and APK direct link) and Jan. 10, 2023 (Amazon). The iOS app was last updated on March 24, 2022. TorGuard Windows torrent applications were last updated on May 7, 2024.

What Is the TorGuard Controversy?

In 2022, TechRadar ran a piece about Ben Van Pelt, TorGuard’s CEO, who was allegedly facing five years in prison over fraud in Greece. However, the headline was misleading — the issue involved an anonymous TorGuard VPN user who tried to make online purchases of more than $2,000 with a stolen credit card.

Since the Greek authorities couldn’t find anything to identify the user, they tried charging Ben Van Pelt by attributing responsibility for the activity to him. However, he was acquitted of all charges on Feb. 24, 2023, and the matter was laid to rest.


TorGuard Background & History

Like any virtual private network, TorGuard was created to meet a demand for security and privacy services — a demand we’ve explored in our Why Use A VPN? article. Here’s a look at the service’s history.

What Is TorGuard?

TorGuard was founded in 2012. It offers an anonymous VPN, email, a proxy and a torrenting client that keeps you safe as you navigate torrent sites and download files.

Who Owns TorGuard?

VPNetworks LLC owns TorGuard. The company operates under a U.S. legal jurisdiction. Check out our article Who Owns Your VPN? if you’re interested in the implications of VPN ownership.

Where Is TorGuard Located?

TorGuard VPN’s parent company is based in Orlando, Florida.

Is TorGuard Safe?

TorGuard has not experienced any security or privacy breaches that have put customer data at risk. However, its privacy policy includes concerning loopholes, and it hasn’t undergone an audit to ease the minds of its customers. If you want a service that’s believably focused on privacy, check out our Mullvad review.


TorGuard VPN Features

Features
Rating 8 / 10

Basic Features 

The only basic feature of TorGuard VPN is auto connect, an often-ignored feature that can save you time. In the “generaltab in the settings, you’ll see different options based on how you want the VPN to operate. You can set it to auto-connect when you start up the device or launch the VPN, which is very handy if you normally forget to connect to the VPN before going online.

I could find very little else in the way of basic features. For a more full-featured VPN, click over to my colleague’s CyberGhost review.

auto connect
Auto-connect lets you determine how you want the VPN to connect.

Advanced Features

TorGuard has a kill switch that keeps your IP address and browsing history hidden from sight if the VPN connection drops. TorGuard features two types of kill switches. The first one, called “app kill,” terminates the internet connection for specific apps rather than disabling the internet for your entire device.

app kill
TorGuard’s “app kill” terminates specified apps when the VPN disconnects.

The second option is the network kill switch, which blocks all internet connectivity when the VPN is disconnected. You can activate both at the same time, but I recommend prioritizing the network kill switch, which is safer and protects everything.

network kill switch
The TorGuard kill switch disables the internet if the VPN connection drops.

TorGuard VPN also offers dedicated IP with the Anonymous VPN Pro plan. This gives you an exclusive, personal IP address. A dedicated IP is ideal for activities like online banking, where the chances of your account being flagged for suspicious activity increase if you hop around IP addresses. You also bypass mandatory verification captchas when accessing certain websites.

It offers split tunneling on Android. This feature lets you choose the apps you want to funnel through or exclude from the encrypted tunnel, which is ideal for apps that don’t work with VPNs. Unlike VPN scripts (which I discuss in the next section) that require sophisticated setups, split tunneling is simple. All you need to do is toggle it on and then add or remove apps.

split tunneling
Split tunneling is only available on Android.

What Is a TorGuard VPN Script? 

The standout feature TorGuard offers is VPN scripts. These are special commands that advanced users can use to modify their VPN connection. 

For example, you can write scripts that command the TorGuard app to open a particular website or close a program when the VPN launches. You can also download ready-made scripts from TorGuard’s website to automate features like the kill switch, setting up static DNS and launching the app on connect, among others. 

Once you have the script file ready on your device, open the “utilities” tab in the app settings, import the downloaded zip file, toggle the“execute scripts” checkbox and tap “save”to complete the process.


TorGuard Cost: Plans & Value for Money

Pricing
Rating 8 / 10

TorGuard is a premium VPN with different pricing packages. Compared to alternatives like ExpressVPN, TorGuard’s pricing is quite affordable, with the full-featured Standard Plan available for the equivalent of $2.50 per month.

However, its pricing scheme is overly complicated and opaque. I had to collate information from three different pages to figure out what subscription plans were offered and what they cost. This section has the whole story gleaned from various parts of TorGuard’s website.

Breaking Down TorGuard Pricing & Plans

TorGuard has three price plans, each giving you two choices; monthly and annual. The cheapest option is called Standard and costs $9.99 per month. All the three price plans come with a seven-day money back guarantee.

Plan:One MonthOne YearFeatures
Standard Plan$9.99$29.99-8 simultaneous devices
-Static IP
-Port Forwarding
-Ad Blocking
-NAT Firewal
Pro Plan$12.99$59.50-12 simultaneous devices
-1 Dedicated IP
-Port Forwarding
-Ad Blocking
-NAT Firewall
Premium Plan$14.99$64.99-30 simultaneous devices
-1 Dedicated IP
-Port Forwarding
-Ad Blocking
-NAT Firewall
-Free Router

Torguard VPN Business Pricing

There’s also four separate Business options, detailed below. 

Pla:nMonthly PricingFeatures
Business VPN Starter$32 per month-5 users
-5 email accounts
-1 Dedicated IP
Business VPN Small$69 per month-10 users
-10 email accounts
-3 Dedicated IPs
Business VPN Medium$110 per month-15 users
-15 email accounts
-5 Dedicated IPs
Business VPN Large$169 per month-20 users
-20 email accounts
-10 Dedicated IPs

Is TorGuard Free? Is There a Free Trial? 

TorGuard doesn’t have a free version like Proton VPN. The best you can get is a seven-day free trial.

free trial error
TorGuard has a seven-day free trial.

However, I experienced many issues trying to sign up for the free trial. I kept getting checkout errors despite entering the right details and agreeing to the free trial terms, and ultimately couldn’t get past the checkout page.

Although I’ve reproduced the error several times over the last few weeks, I haven’t found any other reports of problems with the free trial, indicating that this may be a new issue. If you encounter it as well, I’d love to hear about it in the comments.


Apps & Support

Apps & Support
Rating 7 / 10

TorGuard has VPN apps on the following platforms:

However, there’s a bit of fine print, so keep reading.

What Devices Work With TorGuard?

TorGuard VPN is compatible with the 64-bit versions of Windows 7, 8.1, 10 and 11, as well as macOS version 10.12 and above. The 64-bit Linux versions compatible with TorGuard VPN include Ubuntu 14+, Mint and Debian, REDHAT, Fedora 26+, CentOS 7+, ARM Arch and ARCH Linux. The 32-bit version of ARM Arch also works with TorGuard VPN. 

It’s rare for VPN services to refuse to work with 32-bit operating systems, and this odd choice makes TorGuard less accessible than most other options. A large chunk of users are still on 32-bit versions of Windows; if you’re one of them, look for another VPN.

Mobile platforms compatible with TorGuard VPN include Android and iOS. It supports Firefox and Chrome browser extensions. TorGuard also offers its own BitTorrent clients for Windows, though with its privacy concerns, you’re better off with one of the best VPNs for torrenting instead.


Server Locations

Server Locations
Rating 8.5 / 10

The more server locations there are, the more capable the VPN will be of bypassing geo-restrictions. You’re also likely to experience better speeds when connecting to a VPN server closer to your location. 

To save time, I’ll just let you know that TorGuard’s server network is a lot less impressive than ExpressVPN’s — see our ExpressVPN review to learn more.

Where Are TorGuard VPN Servers Located?

TorGuard has servers in 82 locations across 49 countries. Below is a table detailing the global server distribution.

Region:CountriesLocations
North America322
South America34
Europe3038
Asia811
Africa11
Oceania23
Middle East23

You’ll see the usual concentration of locations in Europe, but the most glaring discrepancy is that it only has one server in Africa. The United States is the country with the most locations, with 18. TorGuard’s server distribution is inferior to that of other VPNs I’ve reviewed, such as ExpressVPN, CyberGhost and NordVPN. 


Hands-On Testing & Ease of Use

User Friendliness
Rating 6 / 10

For this review, I used TorGuard VPN for Windows, macOS and Android to test its overall usability. Let’s see how the VPN performed.

TorGuard Desktop Apps

desktop app
TorGuard for PC can look a little intimidating.

TorGuard for macOS and Windows is identical, which is a first among VPNs I have reviewed. However, the app’s settings section can be intimidating to a new user. TorGuard has many options for manual configurations, like VPN scripts. Though that may sound like heaven to advanced users, newbies will have a hard time knowing what to do with them.

TorGuard Mobile Apps

mobile app
TorGuard for Android has a better UI.

TorGuard VPN’s mobile apps are a little better than its desktop apps. For instance, the Android version has a cleaner user interface, and navigating will be much easier for first-time users. The Android app is also the only one with split tunneling. However, the mobile apps lack features like an app kill and VPN scripts.

Summary: My Experience With TorGuard

Advanced users will feel right at home using the desktop versions of TorGuard VPN. The VPN scripts feature gives you more control over the VPN but at the cost of aesthetics, which may matter to some people. The mobile apps are easier on the eyes, and navigating through the key features is smoother.

However, TorGuard isn’t a fun app to use overall on PC or mobile. I even had problems logging in to the app on my Windows, macOS and Android devices. I kept getting login errors despite using the right username and password. Connecting to a server was another long process, and more than one attempt was necessary to get through.


Speeds & Performance Testing: Is TorGuard Fast?

Speed
Rating 6 / 10

I’m in Kenya, using a network with unprotected speeds of about 40 Mbps. Based on my tests, TorGuard is not a fast VPN. It averaged a speed drop of 54.38%, and went as low as 90% in some locations.

TorGuard Speed Test Results

Location:Latency (ms)Download (Mbps)Upload (Mbps)
🇰🇪 Kenya*104040
🇿🇦 South Africa121626.6318.72
🇬🇧 UK30222.7511.52
🇦🇺 Australia42318.0320.98
🇺🇸 New York2989.7616.02
🇯🇵 Japan2066.3412.34
🇧🇷 Brazil4124.2317.35
Averages266.71 (2,667% increase)18.25 (54.38% lost)19.56 (51.09% lost)
*Unprotected
1. Fastest server

South Africa was the fastest server and the closest one to my physical location, yielding 26.63 Mbps, a 33.43% speed drop. This allowed me to stream HD content without buffering, but there was some lag when I switched to ‘Fortnite’ on my Windows PC. 

The slowest location was Brazil, which averaged 4.23 Mbps, a huge 89.43% speed drop.There was significant buffering while streaming, forcing me to switch from 1080p to 720p.


Streaming Performance

Streaming Performance
Rating 7 / 10

I unblocked Netflix, Peacock TV and Amazon Prime Video using servers in the United States and the United Kingdom, but the process wasn’t smooth. For example, the New York server kept disconnecting when I tried to unblock Peacock TV, so I switched to the Miami server.

In other words, TorGuard is not likely to top my list of streaming recommendations anytime soon. These lists of the best Netflix VPNs and best VPNs for Hulu will steer you better.

Can TorGuard Unblock Netflix or Other Streaming Sites?

gintama netflix
TorGuard unblocked Netflix Japan.

Yes, TorGuard can get Netflix unblocked in different libraries. I streamed the live ‘Gintama’ movie using a Japanese IP address. I also managed to stream some English Premier League highlights on Peacock TV with a Miami server. However, I didn’t have any success unblocking HBO Max, BBC iPlayer or ESPN+

Is TorGuard Good for Torrenting?

Yes, TorGuard is decent for torrenting. You can use the VPN with BitTorrent, uTorrent, Vuze and more to hide your IP address and secure your downloads. However, the speeds during testing weren’t too impressive, and downloads took a while.


Security: Is TorGuard Safe?

Security
Rating 7 / 10

A VPN secures your online traffic by encrypting your connection. Let’s see how safe TorGuard VPN is.

Encryption & Protocols

TorGuard uses AES-256 encryption plus SHA-512 as default across its protocols. Combined, these two ensure no one can intercept your traffic to see where you’re connecting from or the sites you’re browsing. However, Android users can switch to AES-128, which is less secure than AES-256 but provides better speeds. 

mobile encryption
TorGuard for Android lets you switch between AES-256 and AES-128.

As for VPN protocols, TorGuard VPN is equipped with four. OpenVPN, which is open-source, is one of the most secure protocols and common among the best VPNs. There are two versions of OpenVPN: TCP, which offers stable encrypted connections, and UDP, which provides better speeds.

You can also switch to OpenConnect, which is faster than OpenVPN but less secure. TorGuard also offers the WireGuard protocol, which provides the fastest speeds and top-notch security. It’s the ideal protocol for streaming, gaming and torrenting.

The last protocol, Stealth, is designed to bypass VPN blocks. It is engineered to disguise your VPN network and make it look like an ordinary HTTPS connection so you can sneak past the deep packet inspection some networks employ. Stealth is useful when faced with VPN bans, like in China and Russia or while on school or work networks. Stealth is only available on Windows.

Leak Test Results

I ran my encrypted traffic through WireShark to see if TorGuard’s encryption works. Below is a screenshot of my test results.

encryption test
TorGuard passed the encryption test.

I didn’t see any information related to my IP address, the name of my network or the internet service provider. The only information displayed was a jumble of symbols, numbers and nonsensical text. This is what successful encryption looks like and is exactly what anyone who manages to intercept your traffic will see.


Is TorGuard Private?

Privacy
Rating 5 / 10

TorGuard says it keeps your online activity private and doesn’t store logs, according to its own privacy policy. I’m not sure I believe that, though — let’s take a closer look and learn why.

Privacy Policy: Does TorGuard Keep Logs?

Based on TorGuard’s privacy policy, it doesn’t store user logs, but there’s no independent evidence of that claim. As far as I can tell, TorGuard doesn’t have RAM-only servers, which are better for privacy because they’re periodically wiped. It has also never undergone a third-party audit of its privacy policy.

Independent Audits

Independent audits are one of the most reliable ways of determining whether a VPN truly lives up to its no-logs policy. Unfortunately, TorGuard VPN has not undergone any third-party audits,so there’s no credible way of confirming whether it stores logs.

The following line in TorGuard’s privacy policy caught my attention: “No data is ever provided to a third party unless required to do so by law.”

privacy policy
TorGuard VPN’s privacy policy allows user data to be handed over when required by law.

That line hidden in the privacy policy makes it sound like TorGuard may store user data and can provide it if legally obliged. My attempts to reach out to customer support for clarification received no response. Therefore, until an independent audit focusing on the zero-logging policy is done to dispel this, I don’t recommend TorGuard if you value your privacy.


Customer Support

Customer Service
Rating 4 / 10

Customer support is necessary so clients can voice their dissatisfaction with the service or get an issue fixed. TorGuard VPN has several avenues through which you can contact the support team.

How to Contact TorGuard

TorGuard VPN has a live chat option that was a little hard to find, as it’s not readily available on the homepage. Furthermore, when I opened it, I received a “we are away at the moment”message, which means it’s not operational 24/7. I didn’t get a reply to the question I asked.

livechat
TorGuard’s live chat was unresponsive.

If live chat doesn’t work, you can also email support directly. However, response times vary and can take up to 48 hours.

There’s a “frequently asked questions” section where common problems are addressed in detail. TorGuard VPN also offers a knowledgebase with articles and guides on how to set up and operate the VPN on different operating systems.

faq
TorGuard has a detailed FAQ section.

You can also use the community forum to share the connection issues you’re facing in the hopes of finding someone else with a solution. TorGuard also runs a very informative blog with articles covering various topics and current cybersecurity developments.

community forum
TorGuard has a lively community forum where users answer questions.

Bottom Line: Do I Recommend TorGuard? 

I wouldn’t recommend TorGuard VPN for a number of reasons. The VPN is buggy, slower than most VPNs and takes slightly longer to unblock content.

The overall usability isn’t smooth, either. A simple action like signing in shouldn’t cause users any problems. Navigating in the app is also not optimized for first-time users, though I’m sure advanced users will be happier with the setup on the PC apps. The lack of third-party audits is another cause for concern.

Most importantly, there’s a high chance that TorGuard stores user logs and can hand them over to law enforcement when it comes down to it. So you can’t rely on it to protect your privacy. There are way better alternatives that offer more and cost less.

Overall Rating 6.7 / 10
TorGuard
Our TorGuard score
  • Features
    8 / 10
  • Pricing
    8 / 10
  • User-friendliness
    6 / 10
  • Speed
    6 / 10
  • Security
    7 / 10
  • Privacy
    5 / 10
  • Streaming
    7 / 10
  • Servers
    8.5 / 10
  • Service
    4 / 10
  • Apps Support
    7 / 10

Do you agree with my verdict, or has TorGuard worked for you without issues? Would you subscribe to this VPN, or would you opt for an alternative? Let us know what you think in the comments below, and thank you for reading our blog.


TorGuard Alternatives: TorGuard vs Other VPN Providers 

If TorGuard does not meet your needs, here are some good alternatives. Here’s how TorGuard compares to other VPN providers.

ExpressVPN vs TorGuard

ExpressVPN has servers in more than 164 locations across 105 countries. It is a reliable ad and malware blocker, has parental controls and is compatible with a wide range of devices. Read our ExpressVPN review for more.

  1. Overall Rating 6.7 / 10
    TorGuard
    Pros
    • Decent server network
    • Affordable subscriptions
    • Offers a seven-day free trial
    • Compatible with key platforms
    • VPN scripts for advanced users
    • Unblocks some streaming services
    Cons
    • Slow speeds
    • No third-party audits
    • Unresponsive live chat
    • Complicated user interface
    • Overly complex pricing plans
    • 7-day money-back guarantee

TorGuard vs NordVPN

NordVPN has a bigger server network than TorGuard, and it even comes with specialty servers like double VPN, which encrypts your traffic twice, and Onion Over VPN servers, which add more privacy when accessing the Onion network. NordVPN has also been audited multiple times, which makes it a more credible privacy VPN, as discussed in this NordVPN review.

  1. Overall Rating 9.3 / 10
    Visit NordVPN
    Pros
    • Easy to operate
    • Unblocks every major streaming service
    • Great savings on one- & two-year plans
    • Includes a kill switch & ad blocker
    • Strict no-logs policy
    • 30-day money-back guarantee
    Cons
    • Suffered a security breach in the past
    • Split tunneling isn’t available on all OSes
    • Mobile UI map challenging

Surfshark vs TorGuard

If you have a large household, Surfshark is the ideal choice, as it supports unlimited simultaneous device connections. The VPN provider is also one of the fastest and has a large server network for accessing blocked content. Read our Surfshark review for more.

  1. Overall Rating 9.2 / 10
    Visit Surfshark
    Pros
    • Very good price-performance ratio
    • High security level
    • Netflix-compatible
    • Unlimited simultaneous connections
    • Great support with live chat
    Cons
    • No information on individual servers
    • Can have issues establishing a connection

ProtonVPN vs TorGuard

Proton VPN is one of the best free VPNs, with five free locations and reliable encryption. The premium version is cheaper than TorGuard and gives you access to Secure Core servers that route your traffic through multiple private locations. Our Proton VPN review explains this in more detail.

  1. Overall Rating 8.8 / 10
    Visit Proton VPN
    Pros
    • Fast download & upload speeds
    • Impeccable security
    • Unblocks all streaming services
    • Unique quality-of-life features
    • Servers in oft-ignored locations
    Cons
    • High latencies on most servers
    • No live chat support
    • Overpriced plans
    • Few servers overall
    • Manual router installation only

PIA vs TorGuard

Private Internet Access has a bigger server network than TorGuard, which makes it better at unblocking content. PIA also has extra security features like a reliable ad blocker that stops trackers, malware and ads from interfering with browsing activity. Our Private Internet Access review explains all this and more.

  1. Overall Rating 8.7 / 10
    Visit Private Internet Access
    Pros
    • Affordable plans
    • Servers in 84 countries
    • Streaming-optimized servers
    • Obfuscation with Shadowsocks & SOCKS5
    • Unblocks Netflix & Hulu
    • Highly customizable split tunneling
    Cons
    • Desktop app often lags
    • Uneven download speeds
    • Can’t access HBO Max or Disney+
    • No live chat customer support
    • Many countries have only virtual servers

FAQ: Torguard VPN Review 

Read more VPN reviews

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