TorGuard VPN Review 2023: 3 Cons and 4 Pros

by Vít Nováček
updated August 24, 2023 (Report a bug)

1. TorGuard VPN: VPN Primarily Focused on Torrenting

   • Complex desktop app that gets stuck when used
   • App is in English only
   • Headquartered in the USA, which is a member of the 5 Eyes Countries

   • Very good support for torrenting
   • Stealth feature disguises VPN as a regular connection
   • Advanced settings for more demanding users
   • Custom routers are available for sale, on which TorGuard VPN can be used

   The operator of TorGuard VPN is VPNetworks LLC, based in Orlando, Florida. The United States is generally not a popular location among VPN service providers, as the country is a member of the 5 Eyes grouping, which shares collected user information among them. However, TorGuard VPN says it does not store any user data and has nothing to hand over if called upon by authorities.

   TorGuard VPN is available for all common operating systems. Desktop apps differ from mobile apps in their broader configuration options, mostly benefiting advanced users who can upload their own scripts to the app. The desktop application was unstable during our testing, crashing or freezing several times. We did not experience such problems with the smartphone app.

   The TorGuard VPN service is suitable for torrenting, as its name implies. A surprising obstacle for TorGuard VPN was a video stream from American Netflix, which we were unable to unblock. Other VPNs are better suited for this purpose.

   Security is high with TorGuard VPN. A modern and fast protocol, Wireguard, is available and is becoming increasingly popular with VPNs. The app reliably hid our real IP address during our tests. Some advanced features, like multi-hop TorGuard VPN connectivity, are missing; split tunneling is only available on the Android app.

   TorGuard VPN is not bad; it reliably fulfills the purpose that VPN users provide it for. Its overall rating of 7.4/10 is affected by a not-very-good desktop app, worse streaming video support, and an opaque subscription system. Many features are paid for separately, which reminded us of micropayments in games. You can buy an IP address for streaming, for example, while NordVPN can unblock video in its basic subscription.

2. TorGuard VPN Subscription: Discount Code, Free Trial, Money Back Guarantee…

   • Your Price: $9.99​61% off  $3.89 /mo (8 devices)
   • Money Back Guarantee: Yes (7 days)
   • Free Trial: Yes (7 days)
   • Cryptocurrency payments:
     Yes

     Bitcoin :Yes
     Dash :No
     Ethereum :No
     Ripple :No

   

   7.4

   ★★★☆

   Secure service with excellent support for torrenting and the ability to disguise VPN as regular traffic. The application allows for advanced settings and router use.

   $3.89 /moFree 7-day trial​7-day money back guarantee

   Get this VPN 61% cheaper

   The subscription structure for TorGuard VPN is quite complex. Several subscription levels are on offer, plus a number of additional services that can be purchased individually or as part of various packages. The VPN offer consists of two tariffs, Standard and Pro, with a special variant available for businesses.

   The tariffs primarily differ in the maximum number of devices that can be simultaneously connected under one account; the reviewed TorGuard VPN Standard can be used on 8 devices simultaneously.

   Among the extras available at an additional cost are dedicated IP addresses, residential IP addresses, or streaming IP addresses to guarantee the unlocking of foreign content on video platforms. A TorGuard VPN compatible router can also be purchased to protect all devices connected to the network. The Premium option includes a compatible router already in the subscription.

   The free TorGuard VPN variant with limited features is not offered; the full trial version can be used for 7 days. To activate the trial version, payment details must be filled in; after the time limit expires, the subscription money will be charged. TorGuard VPN offers a money-back guarantee with a duration of 7 days, but it does not apply to dedicated IP addresses.

   Debit and credit cards, Amazon Pay, Paymentwall, Paygarden, and several cryptocurrencies can be used to pay for TorGuard VPN subscriptions. When ordering through the mobile app, subscriptions can be paid through a Google Pay or Apple Pay account.

3. TorGuard VPN and Supported Devices: Android, iOS, macOS…

   • Device limit: 8

   Platforms supported

   • Android:
     Yes

     Android is supported by 98 % of reviewed VPNs
   • Android TV:
     No

     Android TV is supported by 37 % of reviewed VPNs
   • Apple TV:
     No

     Apple TV is supported by 18 % of reviewed VPNs
   • Fire TV:
     No

     Fire TV is supported by 44 % of reviewed VPNs
   • Chromebook:
     No

     Chromebook is supported by 21 % of reviewed VPNs
   • Chromecast:
     No

     Chromecast is supported by 16 % of reviewed VPNs
   • iOS:
     Yes

     iOS is supported by 99 % of reviewed VPNs
   • Kodi:
     No

     Kodi is supported by 22 % of reviewed VPNs
   • Linux:
     Yes

     Linux is supported by 60 % of reviewed VPNs
   • Mac:
     Yes

     Mac is supported by 98 % of reviewed VPNs
   • NAS:
     No

     NAS is supported by 25 % of reviewed VPNs
   • nVidia Shield:
     No

     nVidia Shield is supported by 15 % of reviewed VPNs
   • Playstation:
     No

     Playstation is supported by 20 % of reviewed VPNs
   • Raspberry Pi:
     No

     Raspberry Pi is supported by 18 % of reviewed VPNs
   • Roku:
     No

     Roku is supported by 16 % of reviewed VPNs
   • Router:
     Yes

     Router is supported by 54 % of reviewed VPNs
   • Windows:
     Yes

     Windows is supported by 100 % of reviewed VPNs
   • xBox:
     No

     xBox is supported by 20 % of reviewed VPNs

   Browser Extensions

   • Brave :
     Yes

     The Brave browser add-on is offered by 45 % of reviewed VPNs.
   • Chrome :
     Yes

     The Chrome browser add-on is offered by 45 % of reviewed VPNs.
   • Edge :
     Yes

     The Edge browser add-on is offered by 19 % of reviewed VPNs.
   • Firefox :
     Yes

     The Firefox browser add-on is offered by 35 % of reviewed VPNs.
   • Opera :
     Yes

     The Opera browser add-on is offered by 45 % of reviewed VPNs.
   • Safari :
     No

     The Safari browser add-on is offered by 0 % of reviewed VPNs.
   • Vivaldi :
     Yes

     The Vivaldi browser add-on is offered by 45 % of reviewed VPNs.

   TorGuard VPN can be used on 8 devices simultaneously within a single subscription. The Pro variant can be used on 12 devices at a time.

   The apps are available for Windows, macOS, and Linux desktop platforms and for Android and iOS mobile devices. TorGuard VPN can also be used through Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge browser extensions.

   The advantage of TorGuard VPN is that it can be used on a router, where all devices connected to the same network can easily be protected. On the TorGuard VPN website, you can order pre-configured routers where full compatibility is guaranteed. Alternatively, you can buy a router separately, download the OpenVPN configuration, and set it up manually. Our guide on how to set up a VPN on a router can help.

   TorGuard VPN does not support any other device types. Android TV, Apple TV, and Fire smart TVs, or Playstation and Xbox gaming consoles, can only be protected through a connected router.

4. TorGuard VPN App: User-friendliness, whitelist, server selection…

   • App Languages: 🇺🇸 English
   • Whitelisting:
     Yes

     Whitelisting is supported by 52 % of reviewed VPNs

   The TorGuard VPN desktop app is one of the less successful VPNs compared to competing ones. The graphical design is weak, and worse, the app repeatedly stuttered during use on a laptop. We even entered an invalid password once while logging in. The app tried to connect to the VPN for a few minutes, after which it completely crashed and required re-entering the password.

   The app environment is only in English; translations into other languages are not available.

   The app provides a wide range of individual settings that can be rather confusing for the average user. Advanced users will appreciate, for example, the ability to load custom scripts into the settings, which can be run before, during, or after the connection. The app’s environment offers a so-called modern and classic theme, with no effect on functionality. The option to switch between light and dark mode is missing.

   The mobile app TorGuard VPN is significantly more successful, has a cleaner design, and runs on smartphones without stuttering.

   Although the account on the TorGuard VPN website is comprehensive and offers many individual settings, subscription management, and add-on purchases, it lacks a list of connected devices. TorGuard VPN can only be used on 8 devices simultaneously, but you can bypass the limit by installing a VPN on your router. It is treated as a device in terms of available quota, but it will protect all devices connected to the same network.

   Server selection is only available via a list with TorGuard VPN; there is no clearer world map with locations marked. The servers in the list can be filtered by continent and saved as favorites. After a successful connection to a server, a “Connected” message is displayed, and a “Verified” field confirms the secure connection. Clicking on it will display information about the assigned IP address, including its location and other properties of the connected device.

   Automatic connection can be set whenever the device boots up or only when connected to a public wi-fi network. In the TorGuard VPN app, we miss the option to automatically select the fastest server to ensure maximum connection speed. However, you can sort the list of servers by distance from your actual location and manually connect to the closest one.

   The split tunneling feature is only available in the app for Android devices. Split tunneling allows you to choose apps that will connect to the internet without a VPN, while all others remain protected.

5. TorGuard VPN Connection Speed: Upload, Download & Latency

   • Traffic limit: Unlimited

   Download speed

   Higher is better. The average download of all tested VPNs is 110 Mb/s.

   Upload speed

   Higher is better. The average upload of all tested VPNs is 76 Mb/s.

   Server latency

   A lower value is better. The average response rate of all tested VPNs is 55 ms.
   There is no limit to the amount of data transferred with TorGuard VPN; this is standard among paid VPNs.

   On the mobile app, connecting to the server was fast and seamless. On the desktop app in particular, connecting to more remote servers took longer, was stuttering, and overall not comfortable. On both device types, we missed the ability to automatically connect to the fastest available server. Connection speed is also affected by the protocol chosen, with WireGuard being the fastest available.

   When connecting to the geographically closest server, we measured the average download speed at 100 Mb/s. This value is easily enough to watch 4K videos, and compared to other VPNs tested, TorGuard VPN ranks somewhere in the middle of the field.

   Upload speeds were also average compared to other VPNs, with 78 Mb/s measured in repeated tests. For uploading large amounts of data or torrenting, it is sufficient.

   The server response speed of 44 ms is average in the context of other VPNs. Should it not degrade during the use of TorGuard VPN, it will provide a sufficient experience for gaming or other response-sensitive activities. Better results in the test were achieved by, for example, NordVPN (11 ms) or Private Internet Access (11 ms). For response speeds, as opposed to transfer rates, lower is better.

6. TorGuard VPN Server Locations

   • Number of servers:
     3,000

     The average number of servers for the reviewed VPNs is 1661.
   • Number of countries:
     47

     The average number of countries available for the reviewed VPNs is 40.

   Europe	🇧🇪 Belgium 🇧🇬 Bulgaria 🇨🇿 Czech Republic 🇩🇰 Denmark 🇫🇮 Finland 🇫🇷 France 🇮🇪 Ireland 🇮🇸 Iceland 🇮🇹 Italy 🇱🇺 Luxembourg 🇭🇺 Hungary 🇲🇩 Moldova 🇩🇪 Germany 🇳🇱 Netherlands 🇳🇴 Norway 🇵🇱 Poland 🇵🇹 Portugal 🇦🇹 Austria 🇷🇴 Romania 🇬🇷 Greece 🇸🇰 Slovakia 🇬🇧 United Kingdom 🇷🇸 Serbia 🇪🇸 Spain 🇸🇪 Sweden 🇨🇭 Switzerland 🇹🇷 Turkey 🇺🇦 Ukraine
   North America	🇨🇦 Canada 🇲🇽 Mexico 🇺🇸 USA
   South America	🇧🇷 Brazil 🇨🇱 Chile
   Asia	🇭🇰 Hong Kong 🇮🇳 India 🇮🇩 Indonesia 🇮🇱 Israel 🇯🇵 Japan 🇰🇷 South Korea 🇷🇺 Russia 🇸🇬 Singapore 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates 🇹🇭 Thailand 🇹🇼 Taiwan
   Africa	🇿🇦 South Africa
   Oceania	🇦🇺 Australia 🇳🇿 New Zealand

   TorGuard VPN operates 3,000 servers in 47 countries around the world. In the context of competing VPNs, the range is above average.

   Most servers are traditionally located in Europe, but Africa, South America, and Oceania are also represented. Servers for TorGuard VPN are also available in the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. The list also includes countries where government censorship occurs, such as Russia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.

   All available locations support all available VPN protocols. For a detailed list of sites with detailed information about them, see TorGuard VPN‘ website.

   Some of the available servers are virtual only, where the physical device is located in another country. For example, a virtual server may be located in Mexico, but the physical hardware is located in the US. By doing so, VPN providers can avoid challenges to the release of user data from authorities in countries with virtual servers. For example, due to new legislation, a number of VPN providers started to shut down servers in India after 2022. Virtual servers can cause problems in unblocking geolocation.

   TorGuard VPN does not operate servers specifically optimized for torrenting or gaming. IP addresses optimized for streaming can be added to a Standard account, or you can get a Pro subscription, of which they are part.

   Although TorGuard VPN operates 3,000 different servers, the user can only choose a location, unlike some other VPNs. Selecting a specific server is not available.

   Some sites are labeled Stealth in the desktop application. Their advantage is the ability to disguise the VPN as a normal connection, so they find use in less secure countries. Locations that support Stealth can be filtered in the list, or saved to a favorites list.

7. TorGuard VPN Security Features: DNS Leak Protection, Kill Switch…

   • DNS leak protection :
     Yes

     DNS leak protection is offered by 93% of the reviewed VPNs.
   • Kill Switch:
     Yes

     Kill Switch is supported by 85% of the reviewed VPNs.
   • Multi-Hop:
     No

     Multi-Hop connection is offered by 20 % of the VPNs reviewed.
   • Tor:
     No

     Tor support is offered by 18 % of the reviewed VPNs.

   TorGuard VPN includes DNS protection, a custom firewall, and some other forms of security.

   An important security feature is the kill switch, which comes standard with most services. The kill switch disconnects the device from the Internet if the connection to the VPN server is lost. The user’s IP address and location will remain protected, and the transmitted data will not be compromised. In the desktop application for TorGuard VPN, the kill switch can be set individually for each application.

   Multi-hop connections are not supported by TorGuard VPN. Its principle is to connect via two different VPN servers at the same time, which increases both privacy and security of the service. Its disadvantage is the negative effect on connection speed.

   IPSec, IKEv2, OpenConnect, OpenVPN UDC, OpenVPN TCP, and modern WireGuard protocols can be used to secure the connection. Some protocols are only available on selected platforms. All available protocols are widely used among VPN providers and are generally considered proven. OpenVPN offers advanced users a large amount of manual configuration. WireGuard is a state-of-the-art protocol, with the advantage of lean code and high transfer speeds. By default, the application uses WireGuard, however, the option can be changed in the settings.

   The TorGuard VPN uses 256-bit AES encryption by default, the same as banks and government institutions. It is generally considered very secure and nearly unbreakable. For devices with weaker performance, OpenVPN offers the option to manually switch to 128-bit encryption. This places fewer demands on computer power and is still sufficient for normal users.

   For improved user account security, two-factor authentication can be enabled via the TorGuard VPN website. When logging in, you will then be required to enter a code from the authentication application in addition to your password.

   TorGuard VPN does not offer data leak monitoring on the dark web.

8. TorGuard VPN & Streaming: Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime…

   • Amazon Prime:
     Yes

     Amazon Prime streaming is supported by 51 % of reviewed VPNs
   • Disney+:
     No

     Disney+ streaming is supported by 54 % of reviewed VPNs
   • HBO:
     Yes

     HBO streaming is supported by 57 % of reviewed VPNs
   • Hulu:
     No

     Hulu streaming is supported by 48 % of reviewed VPNs
   • Netflix:
     No

     Netflix streaming is supported by 65 % of reviewed VPNs
   • YouTube:
     Yes

     YouTube streaming is supported by 95 % of reviewed VPNs

   With a subscription to TorGuard VPN, we were able to unblock streaming from YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, and HBO Max platforms. Connections to foreign content libraries on Netflix and Disney Plus failed, and the latter service’s app did not work at all with the VPN activated.

   TorGuard VPN does not have servers optimized to unlock foreign streaming platforms in the base package. One dedicated IP address for streaming is included in the Pro package, or it can be added to the Standard option for a monthly fee. TorGuard VPN also provides the option to purchase a streaming package containing two streaming IP addresses.

   We have not tested the additional streaming IP addresses. Their principle of operation is that they are dedicated to a single user and do not carry as much traffic as addresses shared by hundreds of users. Streaming platforms monitor such IP addresses and block access from them in an attempt to prevent users from accessing content not intended for their actual location. The reason for this is copyright protection, as the companies do not hold the relevant licenses for the programs in that country.

   If you have trouble unblocking a stream, disconnecting from the VPN and then reconnecting can help. Some streaming platforms block the IP addresses of VPN operators to prevent content from being unblocked. Reconnecting may change the IP address to one that is not blacklisted.

   Seamless streaming of foreign content, including Netflix, is possible, for example, with NordVPN or Surfshark. In addition to reliably unlocking all popular streaming platforms, both services offer the high bit rates needed to watch high-definition 4K videos.

9. Features of TorGuard VPN: AdBlock, Static IP…

   • Blocks Ads:
     Yes

     Ad blocking is offered by 43 % of the VPNs reviewed.
   • Blocks Malware:
     Yes

     Malware blocking is offered by 33 % of the VPNs reviewed.
   • Blocks Trackers:
     Yes

     Trackers blocking is offered by 36 % of the VPNs reviewed.

   Ad blocking is available in applications and browser extensions. They can also be used to virtually change your location while browsing the web. The TorGuard VPN has also implemented anti-malware protection and tracker blocking.

   The app can activate automatic VPN connections in two situations: either when the device boots up or when connected to selected Wi-Fi networks. Wireless networks can be included in whitelist and blacklist lists.

   Selected servers of TorGuard VPN support Stealth, where a VPN connection pretends to be a regular Internet connection. This makes VPN use harder to detect, which is useful, for example, for visits to sites that private networks block.

   An interesting feature of TorGuard VPN for advanced users is the ability to upload custom scripts to the application that will automatically perform defined actions. The script can be run before connecting to the VPN, after connecting, or after disconnecting. For example, you can set the email client to automatically turn on after the connection is established. When uploading the script, we again confirmed that the desktop application is not very reliable, as it got stuck and had to be restarted.

   Dedicated and residential IP addresses are available at an additional cost. When purchasing the TorGuard VPN Pro option, one dedicated address is included in the price. In the user account management on the TorGuard VPN site, you can also add private email, cloud storage, and an anonymous proxy.

10. TorGuard VPN‘s CPU usage and App Performance

    The device load was higher with TorGuard VPN than with other VPNs tested. The running desktop application took 130 MB of RAM, which is usually not a serious problem for today’s computers, but competitors have values as low as half that.

    With battery power consumption and CPU processing power, TorGuard VPN fit within 1% of the maximum value. VPN apps are usually developed in a way that they don’t strain your computer.

    After the VPN connection is closed, the application continues to run in the background. If you want to optimize your computer’s performance, you can turn it off completely. Similarly, you can turn off the automatic connection when the device boots up, thus slightly speeding up the start of the device.

11. TorGuard VPN Torrenting Servers

    • Torrenting servers:
      Yes

      Torrenting support is offered by 88 % of the reviewed VPNs.

    TorGuard VPN is a good service for torrenting. After all, “Tor” in the name refers to torrenting.

    The VPN provider boasts one of the highest speeds for P2P file sharing, although it does not operate any servers specifically optimized for torrenting. It allows sharing on all servers, with a maximum transfer rate of up to 10 Gbps supported. The download (100 Mb/s) and upload (78 Mb/s) speeds measured in our testing are fully sufficient to transfer large files.

    The TorGuard VPN works with popular apps like uTorrent or qBittorrent and also offers a SOCKS5 proxy that allows you to use the VPN directly in the BitTorrent app.

    An interesting feature is the “Check My Torrent IP” feature, which monitors the IP address displayed by your account when torrents are transferred. This way, the user can be sure that their real IP address has not been revealed.

    In the past, TorGuard VPN had a problem with authorities in the US, where torrenting was temporarily blocked on local servers after complaints of copyright infringement by major movie studios. Although TorGuard VPN reliably hides your real IP address when torrenting, you should not break the law by using the service.

12. What is the country of origin of TorGuard VPN?

    • VPN Provider: VPNetworks LLC
    • Country of origin: 🇺🇸 USA

    The operator of TorGuard VPN is VPNetworks LLC, headquartered in Orlando, Florida. The creator of GhostVPN is also based at the same address (not to be confused with CyberGhost VPN), so an ownership connection can be assumed.

    The United States is not the best place to set up a VPN. The country is a founding member of the 5 Eyes Countries alliance, which has an agreement to share citizen information between government agencies.

    TorGuard VPN does not store any logs generated by the use of the VPN. If the service provider receives an official request to release data, it has nothing to release, although it does collect certain information such as email address and payment details.

13. TorGuard VPN and Privacy: Logging Policy, Security Issues…

    • No-Logs Policy:
      Yes

      The No-Logs Policy is followed by 78% of reviewed VPNs.

    TorGuard VPN states that it does not store any information about user activity while using the VPN, such as IP addresses, websites visited, or services used. In this case, the fact that it is based in the US shouldn’t be a problem. If the company is presented with a data subpoena, it has nothing to release.

    Nevertheless, the provider TorGuard VPN does collect some information about users. This includes the email address needed to create an account, information provided when using customer support, and payment information. Sharing this information can be avoided by paying with cryptocurrencies.

    In addition, the provider also collects anonymized data for Matomoto Analytics, which is used to optimize the functioning of the company’s website. This collection can be easily prevented as the company offers an option on its site to disable the collection of this data.

    The company also collects logs from the Apache webserver, which may include, for example, the IP address or pages visited. This data is periodically deleted according to TorGuard VPN‘s privacy policy. Passwords or usernames are not stored.

    TorGuard VPN has not undergone any independent audit of application security and data handling to support the “no logs” claim. Additionally, you won’t find any transparency report on the company’s website reporting on data release challenges or discovered security issues.

    Disclosing these would certainly increase the company’s credibility. The best VPN services, such as NordVPN or Surfshark, undergo audits regularly and publish their results.

14. TorGuard VPN Support: Chat, e-mail…

    Technical support is available via chat on the TorGuard VPN website. The VPN provider states that support is available 24/7, however, based on our experience, this is not the case. During our testing, the support staff sometimes responded to us immediately in chat, but we often received a machine response about forwarding our query to tech support.

    You can also create a ticket via the form and send it to support; you just need to be logged into your account. Non-registered users can contact technical support at helpdesk@torguard.net. We sent several queries to support during testing, and the response rate was usually within a few days.

    If you want to try to solve your problem yourself, TorGuard VPN has an “FAQ” section on the site with frequently asked questions and a knowledge base where you can find tutorials on how to use the application. Alternatively, you can ask a question in the community forum, where you can find advice from hundreds of experienced users or even TorGuard VPN staff.

15. TorGuard VPN FAQ

    Is TorGuard VPN free?

    TorGuard VPN is a paid service; the most affordable subscription option is $3.89 per month. Users can choose from several options depending on the length of the subscription, always paying the full amount upfront. The longer the subscription period, the lower the per-month price.

    There is no free option for TorGuard VPN. However, for the duration of 7 days, you can use the trial version of TorGuard VPN, which offers the same features as the paid service. To activate the trial, you must fill in payment details. If the trial is not canceled within 7 days, the paid subscription will be automatically charged.

    A money-back guarantee can be applied to the purchased subscription for the duration of 7 days.

    Where does TorGuard VPN reside?

    The headquarters of TorGuard VPN is in Florida, USA, and the operator of the service is VPNetworks LLC. The USA is not one of the best countries for VPN operators to be based in. The country is a member of the 5 Eyes Countries group, whose members share intelligence on citizens among themselves.

    The privacy policy of TorGuard VPN states that if presented with a legally compliant request to release user data, it must comply. At the same time, thanks to its no-logs policy, it has effectively nothing to hand over to the authorities, as it does not collect any data on user activity.

    Is TorGuard VPN secure?

    TorGuard VPN offers WireGuard and OpenVPN protocols combined with 256-bit encryption. These are proven methods that are generally considered very secure.

    During our testing, we tested the TorGuard VPN application for IP address leakage, DNS, and WebRTC. No leaks occurred. In addition, you can turn on a kill switch that will disconnect the internet if the data transfer is not secured via VPN.

    TorGuard VPN doesn’t keep a log of your internet activity while using the VPN, so usage is truly anonymous.

    Overall, the security of the app is good, and there is nothing to worry about. An audit by an independent company to confirm the security would give the company credibility and assurance. For example, Proton VPN Plus boasts such an audit.