Panda VPN Review
Reliable security and privacy brandIncludes a free product
Connect to 19 countries worldwide
Antivirus & antitheft
Unlimited bandwidth
Pros & Cons
- Free antivirus included
- Unlimited data and server switches
- Up to 5 simultaneous connections
- No iOS option
Plans & Pricing
Panda offers its VPN in two packages: Free and Premium.
The free package is completely free, without a time limit, but has limited features. It can be used on one device, there is only one default virtual location to connect to, and you are limited to 150/MB a day. While this may be enough for some users, most will find it very limiting. Still, it is a great option as a trial to see how the product works before upgrading to the premium package.
If you want all the extras that come with a paid package, the Panda DomeVPN Premium plan is the way to go. A one-month package is $9.99 a month, which is about average compared to most VPNs on the market. A three-year plan is the most affordable option at $2.97/month. For both of these packages, you are unlimited in MB per day, can choose any virtual location available worldwide, and can connect up to 5 devices.
Overview
Founded in Spain in 1990, Panda Security is an international company that provides internet security products. The company has offices in 80 countries around the world, products in over 20 languages, and over 30 million users in almost 200 countries worldwide. It’s one of the most popular options when it comes to security solutions, and it now offers a secure VPN service as well.
Since the company is already a veteran brand when it comes to security, their VPN’s security features are considered very reliable. Users can benefit from their VPN and online privacy and security products are very low rates, with a free option available as well.
- Virtual locations in 19 countries worldwide
- Up to 5 connected devices
- Compatible with Windows operating systems
- 24/7 technical support
Features & Functionality
Panda VPN is part of the Panda Security product, and includes a number of VPN and security features when you subscribe to the Premium package.
Auto-Reconnect
Using this feature, you can select a country you’d like the VPN to connect to automatically after restarting your computer. This is very useful if your computer crashes and you want to ensure that you are always on a secure connection. Turning this feature on is done with a simple toggle button, and you can either choose a specific location to connect to, or just select “Automatic” if you have no preference. This feature is off by default.
Process Monitor
The Process Monitor feature is turned on by default, and allows you to monitor the URLs accessed by each process to ensure that there is no suspicious activity.
USB Protection
This feature is part of Panda’s security features, and is automatically turned on. USD Protection scans every USD drive inserted in your PC to ensure that no threats are introduced to your device. It also includes another feature that is off by default, that allows you to automatically vaccinate every USB device you connect. Since this can lead to lost data, it needs to be turned on manually.
Comprehensive OS & Device compatibility
You get support for Windows, Mac and Linux, Android and iPhone, as well as support for most major gaming and media devices, including PS4, Xbox, Chromecast, Apple TV and many more. You can use ExpressVPN on three devices simultaneously [Updated – 8.7.16].
Antivirus
The Antivirus feature that comes with the VPN is part of Panda Security’s main product. There are a number of sub features that can be turned on or off with a toggle button. By default, there are a few that are not turned on – scan compressed files, ask before neutralizing a virus, and scan after cache synchronization. The other features are turned on by default, and they include: enable permanent protection, behavioral blocking, behavioral analysis, detect potentially unwanted programs (PUPs), and show warning upon detection. You can also set a number of seconds to block files from running until a result is obtained from the cloud. You can determine how often to automatically empty the quarantined files, and can add files, folders, and extensions to an “Exclusions” list to prevent them from being scanned and accessed.
Privacy and Security
Panda Security is already a leading company in privacy and security products, so their VPN is considered a great option if your main concern is privacy. When the VPN is on, your IP address is hidden, your WiFi connection is secure even on public networks, you can browse anonymously and protect your privacy, and you can access content worldwide that would otherwise be blocked due to your location. Panda encrypts all data and communications without collecting or sharing any information about your online activity.
Customer Support
Support is available to both free and premium users. You can click Support in the interface at any time, and you’ll get a support screen with links to the support forum, FAQs, technical support, and premium support. If you are a free user, you can contact technical support by filling out a form on the site, and they will get back to you. Premium support for users with the Premium package includes technical support 24/7 every day of the year.
Speed
We tested out the speed when browsing, gaming, and streaming, and saw no significant difference in the connection speed.
Ease of Use
The VPN appears as a feature in the main security product’s interface, and is very simple and straightforward to use. The main interface screen has several options to choose from: Search, Antivirus, VPN, My Devices, and Support. Simply click VPN, and you’ll be able to choose from a dropdown of countries to connect to. There are no complicated features or configurations to deal with, everything works very simply and is easy to understand even without a technical background.
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Phone Support
The company officials can be reached via phone during office hours (9am-6pm). -
Live Online Chat
There is an online chat feature available to reach customer service. -
Email
There is an online contact form.
Final Word
Overall, Panda’s VPN is a great choice, especially if you already plan on purchasing their security and privacy suite, since it’s all part of the same package. That said, the VPN itself is very simple, and while it works great, it is not for users that need complicated features and configuration options.