Planet VPN Review (2024): Trusted VPN with a Free Version
Planet VPN is a popular free VPN that also has a premium version. The free version offers access to five server locations with no speed or data caps, while the premium version offers over 1,260 servers across 60 countries.
However, are both versions of Planet VPN safe? And how does it perform when it comes to unblocking Netflix or other geo-restricted content?
We put both the free and premium versions to the test in our full Planet VPN review below.
On the whole, we found that Planet VPN offers great privacy but needs to improve on certain features. For instance, we found the speeds to be quite slow and could only unblock Netflix but not other streaming services like Disney Plus or Hulu.
Check out our full Planet VPN review below for all the details.
Planet VPN: A Short Review
Pros
- Free version has no speed caps
- No-logs policy that protects users from harmful data handling
- Premium version unblocks Netflix
- Kill switch to ensure privacy
Cons
- Inconsistent speeds on distant servers
- Does not unblock Disney Plus, Hulu, or other streaming services
- No live customer support
If you’re looking for a reliable free VPN, Planet VPN is a great service. It gives access to five server locations with no data limits. For access to more servers, it has an affordable premium subscription that starts at just $1.99 per month when you get the three-year plan.
We tested Planet VPN and found it to be a safe and secure service that doesn’t keep logs of user data. It uses industry-standard 256-bit encryption and secure protocols to ensure you stay safe online.
Moreover, we could unblock Netflix USA using Planet VPN, though it didn’t work with other streaming services like Disney Plus or Hulu. The speed was also quite slow when connected to the US servers, so it’s not optimized for streaming like other providers such as NordVPN are.
On the plus side, Planet VPN is available on all major operating systems like Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux, along with routers and browser extensions. For instance, the Planet VPN Chrome extension is a free VPN proxy that helps you quickly access any geo-restricted website while also blocking ads.
You can take advantage of a 30-day money-back guarantee to try out the premium version of Planet VPN and get a refund if you’re not satisfied. Read our full Planet VPN review below to learn more about the service.
| 💵 Price | From $1.99 a month |
| 📱 Operating systems | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux |
| 💻 Connections | 10 |
| 💳 Payment methods | PayPal, Other, Credit card, Cryptocurrency |
| 🔒 Protocols | OpenVPN, IKEv2, L2TP/IPsec, PPTP |
| 📥 Torrent options | Torrenting allowed |
| 📅 Money-back guarantee | Money-back guarantee, 30 Days |
| 📋 Logs | Zero logs |
| 🎬 Works with |
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Speed – How Fast is Planet VPN?
Speed is a prime factor to consider when getting a VPN. We tested the premium version of Planet VPN and gave it a score of 5 out of 10 for speed due to the following:
- We noticed significant drops in upload and download speeds when connected to distant servers.
- The speeds were sufficient for online activities like streaming videos, torrenting, and gaming, provided we connected to nearby servers.
Speed test results for Planet VPN
We use the trusted website speedtest.net to check Planet VPN’s speeds from our office in the Netherlands. First, we determined our base speed (a.k.a., our internet speed without using a VPN). Next, we connected to different Planet VPN servers and ran speed tests for each one. The results are summarized in the table below.
Note:
Remember that VPN speeds can depend on many factors such as internet connection speed, the physical distance of different VPN servers, server load, etc. Therefore, these speeds are only for reference. You may get different results depending on your location.
| Server | Download (Mbps) | Upload (Mbps) | Ping (ms) |
|---|---|---|---|
| No VPN | 204.51 | 249.6 | 4 |
| US (New York) | 23.73 | 5.34 | 209 |
| US (Los Angeles) | 13.07 | 2.51 | 319 |
| UK | 63.89 | 20.79 | 20 |
| Japan | 11.9 | 1.47 | 478 |
| Australia | 9.01 | 1.3 | 544 |
| The Netherlands | 51.27 | 26.23 | 8 |
| Germany | 62.17 | 69.68 | 17 |
| Brazil | 0.42 | 0.09 | 589 |
| Canada | 22.21 | 4.91 | 195 |
| South Africa | 5.55 | 2.02 | 385 |
As shown in the table above, we got moderate speeds on servers located close to our office. These include servers in the Netherlands, the UK, and Germany. However, for servers located further away, such as in the US, Brazil, and South Africa, we experienced significantly slower speeds and very high ping.
Speeds were similar on the free and premium versions. There are no speed caps if you use the free Planet VPN, which is a plus in our books.
Speed during daily use
Both the free and premium Planet VPN worked well for us when we connected to geographically close servers. We didn’t notice any delays or lags when browsing, streaming, or even gaming.
For instance, we streamed the old favorite The Big Bang Theory on Netflix without any interruptions besides just a couple of seconds of load time between episodes.
We also tested games like Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, Minecraft, and Fortnite. Reaction time is of paramount importance in these games, and thankfully, we did not experience any lags.
However, Planet VPN failed to perform well when connected to servers further away, such as in the US. We tried to stream Supernatural on Netflix using a US server, but the show frequently got stuck on buffering due to the low speeds.
Even websites like Facebook and Twitter needed a few extra seconds to load. Moreover, the ping was way too high for online gaming.
So, Planet VPN is not the most reliable when it comes to speeds, even when you opt for the premium version. When speed is a priority, we recommend NordVPN, which is over 80% faster and gives excellent results on both nearby and faraway servers.
Safety – How Secure is Planet VPN?
Security and privacy are the most important aspects of a VPN. We rate Planet VPN 8 out of 10 on safety because of the following reasons:
- It uses secure protocols, including OpenVPN (2048-bit RSA, UDP/TCP), IKEv2, L2TP, and PPTP.
- It has a strict no-logs policy and does not track or store user data.
- It’s got a kill switch that prevents sensitive information from leaking when your connection drops.
- You can use the free version, which doesn’t require personal information during signup.
Protocols
A VPN transmits data through encrypted tunnels to VPN servers. How this encrypted tunnel is formed is determined by VPN protocols. There are different types of VPN protocols, each offering different levels of privacy and speed.
It’s important for a VPN provider to offer multiple protocol options so that you can choose which to use. Generally speaking, OpenVPN is the current standard, as it is highly secure and results in decently fast speeds.
Planet VPN gives you the choice between OpenVPN (2048-bit RSA, UDP/TCP), IKEv2, L2TP, and PPTP. However, on macOS, it only offers OpenVPN (UDP/TCP).
It also uses industry-standard 256-bit encryption, which means that it offers the highest level of security — and our tests confirmed that Planet VPN is safe to use.
Logging and privacy
It’s important to research a VPN provider’s privacy policy before using it to avoid having your data handed over to third parties like advertisers or government authorities.
Planet Free VPN has a transparent privacy policy and doesn’t have harmful data-logging policies like some other free VPNs. As such, the provider does not collect or misuse your personal data.
Moreover, the provider is based in Romania, which is outside the 5 Eyes, 9 Eyes, and 14 Eyes Alliances. These intelligence alliances across specific geographical regions collect and share users’ personal information and internet usage data with government authorities.
However, we would like to see Planet VPN get independently audited in the future to establish more trust that it upholds its privacy practices.
Our most recommended VPN, NordVPN, has been independently audited multiple times. It has proven time and again that it is transparent about its logging policies and does not collect any information about you or your online activities.
Kill switch
A kill switch disconnects you from the internet when your VPN connection drops. This ensures that sensitive information doesn’t “leak” through in case your connection fails. We were pleased to see that the kill switch is also included in the free version of Planet VPN.
Planet VPN has a kill switch, but it’s not enabled by default. So, you need to go to Settings > General > Network Killswitch and enable this feature, as shown in the screenshot below.
Does Planet VPN leak your data?
We conducted a variety of leak tests to check if Planet VPN does a good job of protecting your data.
First, we conducted an IP leak test and found that both the free and premium versions of Planet VPN did not reveal our original IP. So, it does not suffer from any IP leaks. This also means that the VPN does not expose your real location, thereby protecting your privacy.
Next, we did a DNS leak test and Planet VPN passed the test. So, the VPN does not send DNS requests directly to your ISP. Hence, your internet traffic stays secure.
Lastly, we did a WebRTC leak test to ensure that peer-to-peer communication between browsers and web pages does not slip outside the safety net.
We’re happy to report that Planet VPN passed this test, too. Hence, the VPN does not leak any data.
What information does Planet VPN need?
Planet Free VPN can be used without providing any personal information, which is a huge plus. You can simply download the app and begin using it right away.
However, if you opt for the premium version, you need to provide:
- An email address
- Payment information (Credit card or cryptocurrency)
Usability – How User-Friendly is Planet VPN?
A VPN needs to be easy to install and use so that you can get it working without any trouble. After intensive testing, we give Planet VPN a score of 8 out of 10 on usability due to the following aspects:
- The Planet VPN website is well laid out and easy to navigate.
- The installation process is quick and straightforward.
- The Planet VPN app is user-friendly and intuitive.
- Planet VPN has a good free version, and its paid version is quite affordable.
- Customer support is available via email or a web form.
Planet VPN’s website and installation process
The Planet VPN website is easy to navigate. It has all the essential information you need, such as an overview of server locations, different plans and prices, features, and more. In the center of the home page, there is a button to download Planet Free VPN for your device.
The VPN is available for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, routers, and several web browsers. This includes Planet VPN extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Opera, and more.
To install Planet VPN on Mac, follow the steps below. The process is more or less the same for Windows, too.
- Click on the “Free VPN for Mac” button on the Planet VPN homepage. This will trigger the download of the installer file.
- Install and then launch the Planet VPN app. By default, you will have the free version of the app.
- To sign up for a premium account, click on the green Login button.
- Click “Get Access.”
- This will launch a browser window where you will be asked to enter an email address to create a Planet VPN account.
- After you enter your email, you will receive an email at the address you provided with an automatically generated password and a link to confirm your registration. Click the confirm button.
- You will be redirected to your account section on the Planet VPN website. Here, click on the “Buy Premium” button.
- Choose a plan and a payment method. Then click “Get your subscription.”
- Enter your payment details to complete the process.
- Once processed, return to the Planet VPN app and log in with your email address and password to begin using the Premium version of Planet VPN.
Planet VPN appearance and ease-of-use
We found Planet VPN pretty straightforward to use. We’re sure even beginners will have no problems with it. The home screen consists of a “Connect” button and an option to select a server location.
Click on the server location at the bottom of the screen to reveal the full list of available locations.
To establish a VPN connection, pick a server and then hit the “connect” button. You will then have the option to change the automatically assigned IP address you get or to disconnect.
To access the settings menu, click the hamburger menu at the top left of the home screen.
Planet VPN’s settings are pretty minimal, and it does not offer any advanced configurations. This is good for beginners but leaves something lacking for those who want to do more with a VPN. For instance, it lacks split tunneling, which can be useful for online banking purposes.
Planet VPN browser extension
Planet VPN offers free browser extensions for the following browsers:
- Google Chrome
- Mozilla Firefox
- Microsoft Edge
- Opera
- Yandex
On all these browsers, the extension functions like a proxy service that changes your location according to the server you choose. Just like the Planet VPN app, the free version gives access to five locations, while premium users can choose from locations in over 60 countries.
This browser extension makes it easy and efficient to access geo-restricted content, such as certain websites. For instance, we were able to quickly access the Indian travel booking site makemytrip.com without being physically present in India.
Unfortunately, the browser extension did not work for us when we tried to unblock streaming services like HBO Max and Hulu. It only works for Netflix US.
Keep in mind that using the Planet VPN browser extension will not encrypt all your internet traffic. It will only secure the traffic on the respective web browser it’s being used on. Moreover, it lacks the kill switch that the Planet VPN app has.
So, to enjoy full functionality, you need to install the Planet VPN app rather than just the browser extension.
Pricing and payment methods
Below are the Planet VPN subscription options:
- Planet VPN 1 Month $9.99mth
- Planet VPN 1 Year $3.99mth
- Planet VPN 3 Years + 1 Year $1.99mth Deal
- A completely free version with access to five locations and no data limits
- A monthly plan for $9.99 per month
- An annual plan for $3.99 per month
- A three-year plan for $1.99 per month
Planet VPN is comparable to some of the cheapest VPNs like CyberGhost and Surfshark, which are also priced at around a couple of dollars per month. However, Planet VPN lags behind in speed and features, which is why it doesn’t make it to our list of the best cheap VPNs.
You have two payment options, namely:
- Credit Card
- Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin
The advantage of paying with cryptocurrencies is that it helps you sign up for a VPN completely anonymously. This is great from a privacy standpoint.
How does Planet VPN’s money-back guarantee work?
Planet VPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. So, you can cancel a premium plan within 30 days of purchase and get a full refund by contacting customer service through email.
Specifically, you can email support@freevpnplanet.com requesting cancellation of your subscription and mentioning the email address associated with your account.
Note:
Be sure to send your cancellation email at least 24 hours before the 30-day trial period is over.
We tried this and were able to successfully get a refund, so we can assure you that the money-back guarantee works like a charm.
Customer service
After scouring the Planet VPN website, we found that it does not have a knowledge base to help users with technical matters or troubleshooting.
There’s a Planet VPN blog, which has plenty of information about setting up the VPN and fixing issues, but this is rather difficult to locate. It is only accessible via a single link at the bottom of the homepage, so it’s not very visible. Moreover, we found the information on the blog to be quite complex and not user-friendly.
As for customer support, Planet VPN customer service can be contacted via email or through a form on their website. You can access this form by clicking the “Help button” at the bottom right of the homepage. The screenshot below shows what the form looks like.
The provider claims to have 24/7 customer support, but you only have the option to send them a message through their website or through email. You then have to wait for them to email you back. They offer no live support via chat or phone.
We received a reply in a few hours. The customer support agents were friendly and knowledgeable. They answered all our questions about the different server locations, and we were satisfied with the service.
So, you can rest assured that Planet VPN customer support will help you out if you run into any technical issues. However, we think the provider should definitely add a knowledge base to their website to provide users with more information and add a live chat option.
In this regard, top providers such as NordVPN have extensive help sections on their websites that are designed to help users get quick answers to their questions and troubleshoot common issues.
Server Network – Can Planet VPN Unblock the Internet?
Servers are the backbone of a VPN, so it’s important to assess them when testing a VPN. We give Planet VPN a score of 6.5 out of 10 in server network due to the following:
- Planet VPN has 1,260+ servers in over 60 countries.
- We could unblock Netflix US using Planet VPN but not any other streaming services.
- Torrenting is allowed, but speeds are inconsistent.
- Planet VPN does not currently offer dedicated IPs.
Number of servers and locations
Planet VPN has over 1,260 servers across more than 60 countries. This is pretty decent given the low price point of Planet VPN. Even our favorite NordVPN has servers in 60 countries.
However, bear in mind that most of Planet VPN’s servers are in Europe and Asia, and there’s only one location in Africa. The complete list of locations is given below:
- Europe: Albania, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom
- Asia: Bahrain, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, UAE, and Vietnam
- America: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Peru, and the United States
- Africa & Oceania: Australia and South Africa
Out of these, the free Planet VPN version gives access to France, Germany, the Netherlands, the UK, and the USA.
If you want to connect to servers in Africa, we recommend CyberGhost, which has server locations in six African countries.
Planet VPN and streaming (Netflix, Disney Plus, Hulu, BBC iPlayer)
A key advantage of using a VPN is being able to access geo-restricted content on streaming services. Even when you’re away from home, you can keep up with your favorite entertainment.
Unfortunately, we cannot recommend Planet VPN for streaming because we could not access most streaming services with it.
| Platform | Can Planet VPN unblock it? |
|---|---|
| Netflix | ✔ |
| Disney Plus | ✖ |
| Hulu | ✖ |
| BBC iPlayer | ✖ |
We only had success with Netflix US and not with other Netflix libraries, such as those in Germany or Canada.
Therefore, if you want a good VPN for streaming, we recommend NordVPN, which offers a safe and affordable way to unblock almost any streaming service worldwide.
Planet VPN and torrents
Planet VPN supports torrenting and provides the privacy and security needed for torrenting. However, we found that it falls short due to its inconsistent speeds. So while we can recommend it for safe torrenting, it’s not the most efficient choice.
Moreover, it doesn’t have any torrenting-specific features, such as specialized P2P servers or obfuscation. Therefore, for fast torrenting, we would recommend NordVPN, which has these features along with great speeds across its extensive server network.
Warning:
Bear in mind that we do not condone the torrenting of copyrighted material. Moreover, beware that torrenting is illegal in several countries, so read up on your local rules and regulations to avoid problems.
Dedicated IP address
A dedicated IP address is an add-on provided by some VPNs. It allows you to have the same IP address each time you use the VPN, which has the advantage of looking more legitimate to the websites you access.
Unfortunately, Planet VPN does not currently offer dedicated IPs. So, we recommend checking out NordVPN if you want this handy additional feature.
Our Experience With Planet VPN
To conclude, if you need a good free VPN, Planet VPN is safe and reliable. It does not have any data limits and gives access to five free locations. But as for its premium VPN service, we found Planet VPN’s speeds quite inconsistent, especially on distant servers.
This makes the VPN connection quite unsuitable for streaming and other online activities like gaming. So, we do not recommend Planet VPN and instead suggest you go with NordVPN, which has great speeds, security features, and the ability to access geo-restricted content.
Got a question about Planet VPN? Check out our FAQ section below. Click a question to view the answer.
Planet VPN is a good free VPN that allows access to five server locations without any data or speed limits. For access to more locations and the ability to unblock Netflix, the premium Planet VPN comes at an affordable price of $1.99 per month for a three-year subscription.
Yes, Planet VPN unblocks Netflix USA. But it doesn’t work for other streaming services such as DisneyPlus or Hulu. You can try out some of the best VPNs like NordVPN to unblock any streaming service of your choice.
Planet VPN allows torrenting and is safe to use. However, its speeds are quite inconsistent so it’s not the most efficient. You can therefore opt for other options from our list of the best VPNs for torrenting such as NordVPN.
Yes, our tests have revealed that Planet VPN is incredibly safe and secure. It does not collect user data and uses the best encryption protocols to keep your data secure.
Personal Opinions of VPNOverview’s Experts
