Urban VPN Review—Free, But Is It Secure?
Protecting online data and maintaining privacy is essential for preventing identity theft and financial loss. With nearly 68% of internet users concerned about online privacy[1], Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have become a common tool for ensuring secure and anonymous browsing.
Urban VPN is one such service, and it has attracted over 70 million subscribers worldwide[2] during its six years on the market. To help you decide whether it's the right VPN for you, this Urban VPN review will answer the following questions:
- What features does the VPN offer?
- How does it compare with other VPN solutions?
- Which potential security concerns can it not address?
Disclaimer: The information in this review is accurate as of June 2024. For the most recent information, visit the official Urban VPN website.
Urban VPN Key Features
To review Urban VPN, we'll focus on six specific categories of features:
- Privacy and security
- Speed and performance
- Global server network
- Device compatibility
- UI and customer support
- Plans and pricing
Privacy and Security Features
Urban VPN uses the industry-standard OpenVPN protocol with a 256-bit encryption cipher[3]. OpenVPN creates a secure tunnel between the user and the VPN's network, and strong encryption ensures user data is unreadable even if intercepted.
Urban VPN lacks some common VPN features, such as the kill switch that disconnects users from the internet when the VPN connection drops. It also doesn't offer split tunneling, which allows users to route parts of their traffic through their regular connection while the VPN is on. Users who need those features may want to consider iTopVPN, PIA VPN, or ExpressVPN.
Urban VPN claims to collect "online identifiers," including users' IP addresses and cookie IDs, which they process for marketing, security, and fraud prevention purposes.[4]
Speed and Performance
Urban VPN promises blazing speeds[5] thanks to its global server network that helps distribute traffic efficiently. Various online independent tests have found the VPN capable of producing decent speeds, though with some inconsistencies.
Those looking for faster VPNs may want to explore other services, such as Ivacy VPN, Surfshark VPN, or NordVPN.
Global Server Network
Urban VPN boasts over 530 servers across 80+ locations[6]. This network enables users to bypass geo-blocks and access local websites from abroad, which can be beneficial when traveling or wanting to access region-specific services like news sites.
The VPN's distribution of servers also helps with:
- Balancing the traffic load
- Maintaining better performance
- Reducing latency
Device Compatibility
Urban VPN is compatible with the following platforms[5]:
- Desktop—Windows, Mac
- Mobile—Android, iOS
- Browser extensions—Chrome, Firefox, Edge
The installation steps vary depending on the operating system or extension of the target device:
UI and Customer Support
Urban VPN's Windows app features a minimalist design. The main window displays a large "play" button and a timer that measures the duration of the current VPN session. The list of servers is visible on the right-hand side of the main window. It has a search bar and an option to show recently used VPN locations.
The options menu is located in the upper left-hand corner of the app. When opened, it displays QR codes for downloading Android and iOS apps, the "Autorun on Windows start" toggle, and access to admin settings.
The desktop version of Urban VPN offers a knowledge center with an FAQ section and troubleshooting guides. Users can also open a support ticket via the smartphone app or official website.
Plans and Pricing
For its desktop apps, Urban VPN offers only a free plan, with unlimited bandwidth and access to all of its servers.
Mobile users can choose between a free plan and a paid premium one. The premium plan offers access to an expanded list of servers, allows users to opt out of the peer-to-peer network, and removes the 100-MB-per-day data cap.
Users looking for a different combination of features and functionalities in a free VPN should look into the following services with free plans:
- Proton VPN—Proton VPN's free plan comes with unlimited data and speed, a no-log policy, and a kill switch.
- Windscribe VPN—The Windscribe VPN's free plan offers access to all of its features and allows users to have unlimited simultaneous connections. Users can choose between ten server locations, with a monthly data cap of 10 GB.
- Hide.me VPN—Hide.me VPN doesn't restrict any features in its free plan, and it provides its service without data limitations. It doesn't log user data, but users can only connect one device and access eight of its 90 server locations.
- Hotspot Shield VPN—Hotspot Shield VPN's free plan allows users access to all the features, but it limits the number of connections and available server locations to one. The VPN has a data limit for free users, but mobile device users can surpass it by watching ads.
Security Issues Urban VPN Users Should Still Consider
While VPNs like Urban VPN offer significant privacy and security benefits, they are not a foolproof solution against all online threats. VPNs protect data in transit, encrypting internet traffic and masking IP addresses. However, several security risks remain that VPNs alone cannot address.
For example, if an online retailer suffers a data breach, your sensitive information, like credit card numbers and email addresses, can be exposed regardless of whether you used a VPN when transacting with the merchant.
Advanced persistent threats (APTs) are another security concern. Cybercriminals typically use these sophisticated attacks to infiltrate a network and remain undetected for long periods. APTs use a variety of attack vectors to gain access to sensitive data, including phishing emails and software vulnerability exploits.
To safeguard against these diverse threats, you should consider extra security measures, such as:
- Enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all online accounts
- Educating yourself about types of online privacy risks and how to mitigate them
- Using virtual cards for online transactions
Virtual cards can help protect your payment card information during online purchases, reducing the risk of financial loss in case of a data breach.
Banks like Capital One® and American Express® offer virtual cards, but dedicated card providers like Privacy offer extensive spending controls and robust security.
Privacy Virtual Cards Secure Online Transactions
Privacy Cards use unique card numbers, expiration dates, and CVV codes that protect your underlying financial information from potential hackers. You can checkout with Privacy Cards the same way you would your regular credit or debit cards, but the merchant never sees your actual card details
Privacy employs industry-grade security methods to safeguard sensitive information and protect your funds, including:
- Robust encryption—Using military-grade AES-256 encryption makes it impossible for unauthorized entities to access your data.
- Two-factor authentication—Privacy requires two forms of identification before granting access to your account.
- Transaction alerts—Privacy sends real-time notifications when your cards are used or declined, helping you spot potentially unusual activity.
- Fraud investigation—If you dispute a transaction, Privacy will investigate it and file a chargeback against the merchant if necessary.
Privacy Card Types and Features
Privacy offers three types of virtual cards:
- Single-Use Cards—These cards close shortly after the first transaction, becoming useless to hackers who may attempt to steal them. They are ideal for one-off purchases.
- Merchant-Locked Cards—These cards are "tied" to the first merchant you use them with, and they can't be used anywhere else. They are ideal for bills, subscriptions, and other recurring payments.
- Category-Locked Cards—These cards are "locked" to a specific merchant category, such as dining or entertainment. They may help you control spending on those types of purchases, making it easier to manage your budget.
You can set spending limits on Privacy Cards to protect your bank account against overcharging or hidden fees. If a merchant attempts to charge you above the limit, Privacy will decline the transaction.
Privacy Virtual Cards can also be paused and closed, and any further charge attempt on the card will be blocked. This feature can help limit unwanted charges, such as those that might occur when unsubscribing from subscription services.
Convenience Features
Privacy can make online shopping seamless thanks to the following features:
- Mobile app—The Privacy App, available on Android and iOS, allows you to create new virtual cards, view transaction history, and receive real-time alerts on your smartphone or tablet.
- Browser extension—Compatible with Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Safari for iOS, the Privacy Browser Extension enables you to generate virtual cards directly within your browser.
- 1Password integration—You can store, autofill, and update your card details within 1Password's browser extension.
- Shared Cards—You can share a Privacy Card with a family member or employee, helping you manage shared expenses.
- Card Notes—You can leave notes on cards, such as subscription renewal dates and merchants' names, helping you keep track of your expenses.
Getting Started With Privacy
To get started with Privacy, follow these steps:
- Sign up for a Privacy account
- Complete the Know-Your-Customer verification process
- Link a bank account or debit card to fund your Privacy account
- Request and generate your first Privacy Card
Privacy offers four plans tailored to different needs:
