Panda Security VPN Review 2024: Before You Buy, Is It Worth It?

Decent Speeds and Stable Connection

If you are in need of a dependable and swift connection for streaming and downloading, Panda Security VPN might be a suitable option. While it may not be the fastest VPN I have personally used, it did perform reasonably well during my trials.

There are numerous factors that can impact the reliability of a VPN connection, such as distance, device, and network issues. Panda Security VPN’s server availability is limited to certain countries, which means that if you’re connecting to a distant server, the ping rate may be higher, leading to reduced speed and efficiency.

Speed Test Results

Panda Security VPN provides good speeds on local and European servers, but the speed may vary significantly when using remote servers. I conducted a speed test using servers in the US, UK, France, and Australia to evaluate the VPN’s performance. My baseline speed without a VPN connection was 24 Mbps for downloads, 20 Mbps for uploads, and 12 ms for ping time.

When connected to a US server, I noticed a 49% decrease in download speed and a 31% decrease in upload speed, with a latency of 31 ms. The UK servers performed slightly better, with a 34% reduction in download speed and a 57% reduction in upload speed. A server in France showed a 43% decrease in download speed and a 7.6% decrease in upload speed.

However, the speed drops were more significant when using a server in Australia, with an average of 66% reduction in download speed and a 65% reduction in upload speed, and a latency of 400 ms. These slowdowns might not be noticeable while browsing, but they could make streaming or gaming more difficult.

For a smoother experience, it is advisable to use a VPN with fast speeds to avoid any potential slowdowns. Based on my personal experience, ExpressVPN offers the most consistent and reliable speeds compared to other VPNs I have tried.

Try Panda Security VPN risk-free

Server Network — Small Number of Virtual Locations

Panda Security allows you to connect to 22 different countries around the world. However, they do not disclose the exact number or IP addresses of these servers, nor is it possible to connect to a specific city through their service.

Panda Security VPN provides allows you to connect to countries on every continent except Africa, with the majority in Europe. While it shares servers with Hotspot Shield, Panda Security does not offer dedicated streaming or gaming servers as Hotspot Shield does.

One potential downside to Panda Security is the lack of information about its virtual servers. Virtual servers can help VPN providers serve regions with low bandwidth or difficult server maintenance, but users should be aware if they connect to one. Moreover, it is unclear from Panda’s website whether the service relies on RAM-based or disk-based servers, which could have implications for security and stability.

In contrast to Panda Security VPN, Private Internet Access offers cutting-edge capabilities via an unprecedented 35,000+ servers in over 91 countries.

Editors' Note: Private Internet Access and this site are in the same ownership group.

Security — 256-Bit Encryption

Compared to other VPNs, Panda Security falls short in terms of security features. One major drawback is the absence of a kill switch, which is a crucial feature that disconnects you from the internet if your VPN connection drops. In addition, Panda VPN’s selection of connection protocols is limited, making it less suitable for users who need more flexibility.

The security features offered by Panda Security VPN include:

• Military-grade encryption — One standout feature is its use of military-grade 256-bit encryption to secure data. This level of encryption is the highest standard currently available and guarantees that your data is well protected.
• One protocol option — Panda Security offers a single protocol — Hotspot Shield’s Hydra Catapult, which is an improved version of the widely-used OpenVPN. The protocol has been optimized for speed, and its security has been independently verified.
• Smart Connect — I was able to use the Smart Connect feature to easily select the fastest servers based on my location. This was a helpful feature that saved me time and ensured that I had the best possible connection.

I wanted to see if Panda Security VPN was leaking my IP/DNS, so I conducted several tests using different servers and DNS leak test tools. Fortunately, the results showed that the VPN did not leak any DNS requests and no IPv6 or WebRTC leaks were detected. It’s worth noting that the VPN does not have a dedicated leak protection feature.

Privacy — No Activity Logs

There is a lack of transparency in Panda Security’s approach to privacy. The provider may not monitor your online activity, but it does gather a considerable amount of personal data like your name, address, email, IP address, and phone number. While I find it reassuring that IP addresses are truncated before transmitting, those concerned with privacy may prefer a VPN that does not collect such information.

Additionally, the company’s location in Spain raises further concerns as the country is a member of the 14 Eyes surveillance agreement. This agreement has received criticism for its invasive nature towards online privacy in the pursuit of counter-terrorism efforts.

The fact that Panda Security and Hotspot Shield use the same server infrastructure adds an additional layer of complexity to data collection and storage. However, Hotspot Shield has a firm policy against user monitoring and has refused to comply with any data requests since 2016. This dedication to protecting user privacy has earned the company recognition and praise from various organizations.

Try Panda Security VPN risk-free

Torrenting — Supports P2P File Sharing

While Panda’s network does allow for torrenting, it does not have specific servers designated for this purpose. Although the speeds were not the fastest, the connection was still sufficient for my needs. In fact, I found that torrent connections were established faster than usual.

One of the standout features of Panda is its strong encryption and commitment to not keeping activity logs, which helped to keep my real IP address and torrenting sessions private. However, it does not have the kill switch feature that allows you to disconnect from the internet in the event of a network disruption.

You are expressly forbidden by Panda’s Terms of Service from engaging in illegal activities, such as downloading protected content. My team and I also do not endorse illegal torrenting, so it is important to familiarize yourself with the laws and regulations in your country.

It is important to note that only premium Panda VPN users have access to torrenting. The free, limited version of the service does not offer this feature, and even if it did, it would not be effective due to the 150 MB cap.

Does Panda Security VPN Work in China? No!

Although a Panda Security customer service representative claimed that it works in China, Panda Security VPN does not have the necessary obfuscation technology to bypass China’s Great Firewall. Furthermore, the company does not have servers in China.

It is crucial to choose a VPN that has been proven to work in China if you intend to travel there. Please exercise basic caution when using a VPN in China, as the protection provided by a VPN does not give you permission to engage in illegal activities.

Try Panda Security VPN risk-free

Panda Security provides a comprehensive support system, including different channels for getting assistance. Support requests can be made by submitting a ticket, or filling out an online form, and premium users also have access to round-the-clock phone assistance and live chat.

In addition, the company’s website features an FAQ section, blog, and how-to guides to help you find answers to common questions on your own. If you prefer a more interactive approach, the support forum allows you to connect with other users and seek answers to your questions. The support team can also be reached through Twitter for additional assistance.

I had several interactions with Panda Security’s help desk through live chat. Even though they got back to me quickly, their answers rarely addressed my concerns. They seemed to rely on canned answers rather than tailor their explanations to my inquiries. For example, when I asked about torrenting, I got the same answer as when I asked if the VPN worked in China.

Try Panda Security VPN risk-free