AirVPN

AirVPN is an Italian VPN service that stands apart from the crowded VPN market through its activist roots, technical sophistication, and unwavering commitment to open source software. Founded by hackers and privacy activists who believe in internet freedom as a fundamental right, AirVPN has developed a loyal following among technically-minded users who appreciate its advanced features and transparent operations.

Activist Origins

AirVPN was born from the hacker and digital rights activist community. The founders believe that privacy and freedom of speech on the internet are fundamental human rights that must be protected through both technology and advocacy. This philosophy permeates every aspect of AirVPN's operations, from their technical decisions to their public communications.

The team is active in discussions about internet freedom, net neutrality, and digital rights. They have taken public stances against surveillance, censorship, and data retention laws. This activist approach means users can be confident that AirVPN's priorities align with privacy protection rather than maximizing profit.

Italian Jurisdiction

Italy is an EU member state with GDPR protections and a relatively favorable legal environment for VPN services. While Italy is part of the 14 Eyes intelligence alliance, AirVPN has structured its operations to minimize data collection, meaning there is little data that could be requested or shared. The company has been transparent about legal requests and their responses.

Being based in the EU means AirVPN must comply with GDPR, providing users with strong data protection rights. The company's privacy policy is clear about what limited data is collected and how it is handled.

Fully Open Source Client

AirVPN's custom client, called Eddie, is fully open source under the GPLv3 license. Unlike some VPN providers that only open-source parts of their applications, Eddie's entire codebase is available for inspection. This includes the GUI, connection logic, and all security features. Users can compile it themselves if they prefer.

Eddie is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android. It offers advanced features including network lock (kill switch), DNS leak protection, double-hop connections, and detailed connection logs. The client can also connect through SSH or SSL tunnels to bypass VPN blocking.

Advanced Technical Features

AirVPN offers features that appeal to power users. Double-hop allows routing traffic through two VPN servers for additional protection. Port forwarding enables up to 20 forwarded ports per account, useful for P2P, gaming, or running servers. The service supports connecting through SSH or SSL tunnels, which can bypass deep packet inspection and VPN blocking.

Tor over VPN routes traffic through the Tor network after it exits the VPN, combining the benefits of both. DNS is handled by AirVPN's own servers to prevent leaks. IPv6 is fully supported with native IPv6 addresses available on most servers.

Real-Time Server Statistics

AirVPN provides unusually detailed real-time statistics about their servers, including current load, bandwidth usage, number of connected users, and uptime. This transparency allows users to make informed decisions about which servers to use and demonstrates AirVPN's commitment to openness.

The server statistics are available on their website without requiring a login. Users can see exactly how busy each server is before connecting, helping to optimize performance.

OpenVPN Focus

Unlike many VPN providers that have moved primarily to WireGuard, AirVPN continues to focus on OpenVPN. They argue that OpenVPN's maturity, extensive auditing, and flexibility make it more suitable for privacy-focused users. However, WireGuard support has been added for users who prefer it.

AirVPN's OpenVPN implementation includes all the latest security improvements and can be configured with various encryption ciphers. The Eddie client handles configuration automatically, but manual configuration is also well-documented for users who prefer to use native OpenVPN clients.

Pricing and Plans

AirVPN offers competitive pricing, especially for longer subscription periods. Monthly plans are more expensive, but 3-year plans bring the cost down significantly. They accept various payment methods including Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies for anonymous payment. No email is required to create an account.

Limitations to Consider

AirVPN's server network is smaller than major commercial VPNs, with servers in around 21 countries. The interface may feel overwhelming for non-technical users due to the many advanced options. Mobile apps are less polished than competitors. There is no 24/7 live chat support, relying instead on forums and email. Speed can be variable depending on server load.

Who Should Use AirVPN

AirVPN is ideal for technically-minded users who want full control over their VPN, privacy enthusiasts who value open-source software and transparency, users who need advanced features like port forwarding and double-hop, Linux users who want first-class support, activists and journalists who share AirVPN's values, and anyone who appreciates a VPN run by people who genuinely care about privacy.