Choosing the right VPN can feel like navigating a maze. With so many options, it’s easy to get lost.
Mysterium and AuraVPN are popular choices, each promising online security and privacy.
But which one comes out on top?
In this guide, we’ll break down the key features of Mysterium vs AuraVPN.
We’ll compare their speeds, security measures, and ease of use. By the end, you’ll be equipped to decide which VPN fits your needs.
Let’s dive in!
Overview
We’ve spent weeks testing Mysterium and AuraVPN to give you the most accurate comparison.
We’ve evaluated their performance in real-world scenarios, from streaming and gaming to downloading and browsing.
This hands-on experience gives us a clear picture of how each VPN stacks up.
Experience true online privacy with Mysterium VPN. Join a network with over 2,400 residential IPs today!
Pricing: 7-day money-back guarantee. Plan Starts at $3.19/month
Key Features:
- DVPN
- Pay-As-You-Go System
- No-Logs Policy
Safeguard your digital life with AuraVPN. Get unlimited secure device connections today!
Pricing: 60-day money-back guarantee. Plan Starts at $10/month
Key Features:
- Unlimited Device Connections
- Ad Blocker
- Malware Protection
What is Mysterium?
Have you ever heard of a VPN that its users power? That’s Mysterium in a nutshell.
It’s built on a decentralized network. This means it doesn’t rely on central servers.
Instead, it uses the computing power of its community. Pretty cool, right?
This makes it super secure and resistant to censorship.
It also offers some unique features not found in your average VPN.
Also, explore our favorite Mysterium alternatives…
Our Take
Mysterium VPN is popular because its decentralized network offers a unique approach to VPN technology. It’s a good option for privacy-conscious users.
Key Benefits
- Decentralized network: Increased privacy and security.
- No-logs policy: Doesn’t store your data.
- Open-source: Transparent and community-driven.
- Pay-as-you-go pricing: Only pay for what you use.
Pricing
- 2-Year Plan: $3.19/mo.
- 1-Year Plan: $5.14/mo.
- 6-Month Plan: $6.85/mo.
- 1-Month Plan: $9.99/mo.
Pros
Cons
What is AuraVPN?
Are you looking for a VPN that works? AuraVPN might be your answer.
It’s a solid all-rounder. This means it’s great for everyday tasks like browsing, streaming, and torrenting.
AuraVPN focuses on speed and simplicity. It’s easy to use, even for beginners.
It offers some handy features like unlimited simultaneous connections.
This means you can protect all your devices with one account.
Also, explore our favorite AuraVPN alternatives…
Our Take
Aura VPN is popular because it offers a comprehensive security solution at a reasonable price. It’s a good choice for those who want more than just a VPN.
Key Benefits
- Part of a comprehensive security suite: Includes antivirus, malware protection, and more.
- Good speeds: Suitable for streaming and downloading.
- Growing server network: Expanding to more locations.
- User-friendly interface: Easy to set up and use.
Pricing
- Kids: $10/month.
- Individual: $12/month.
- Couple: $22/month.
- Family: $32/month.
Pros
Cons
Feature Comparison
Let’s dive deeper into the technical differences between these two VPN services.
Understanding these features will help you see why one might be a better fit for your specific online security needs than the other.
1. Core Technology: Decentralized vs Centralized
- Mysterium: Mysterium is a decentralized VPN (dVPN), powered by blockchain technology. This means it doesn’t rely on central servers. Instead, it uses a global community of everyday people running nodes. This architecture makes it extremely resilient to censorship.
- AuraVPN: AuraVPN is a traditional, centralized VPN service. Like the vast majority of VPN services, it uses its own global network of servers to route your traffic. This model is reliable and familiar but lacks the unique, distributed security of a dVPN.
2. IP Address Type
- Mysterium: As a decentralized vpn, Mysterium connects you through nodes run by its global community. This means you are often assigned a residential IP address (residential IP). This is a huge advantage as residential IPs are much harder to detect and block by websites than the typical IP addresses used by most vpns.
- AuraVPN: AuraVPN, like most vpns, assigns you a standard commercial IP address. While this still masks your true IP address, it’s more easily identified as a VPN connection by streaming sites and other services.
3. Payment Model and Price
- Mysterium: Mysterium uses crypto payments (its own native token, MYST) for a pay-as-you-go model. You only pay for what you use, which can be an affordable vpn option. This system prioritizes user anonymity, as you don’t need a traditional subscription.
- AuraVPN: AuraVPN uses the traditional subscription model, requiring you to pay upfront monthly or annually. While convenient, it lacks the pay-per-use flexibility and anonymous payment options of Mysterium.
4. Extra Security and Identity Features
- Mysterium: The Mysterium VPN is a dedicated security tool focused solely on providing a secure vpn connection and open internet access. It doesn’t include other security tools.
- AuraVPN: AuraVPN is part of a comprehensive security suite. Higher-tier Aura plans include robust services like identity theft protection, credit monitoring (including access to your Experian credit file), dark web monitoring, a password manager, and antivirus software (Aura Antivirus). This makes it a compelling choice for total identity protection services.
5. Malware and Identity Theft Protection
- Mysterium: Mysterium‘s core function is to encrypt your online activities and provide an anonymous connection. It does not include malware protection or any form of identity theft protection services.
- AuraVPN: The Aura suite offers dedicated real-time malware protection and an extensive identity theft protection service. It includes features like credit fraud alerts, monitoring of data broker sites for your personal information, and up to $1 million in identity theft insurance.
6. Speed Protocol
- Mysterium: Mysterium supports multiple VPN protocols and is currently implementing the WireGuard protocol. This is a modern, faster protocol designed for a fast vpn connection with zero interruptions.
- AuraVPN: AuraVPN uses standard industry protocols like IKEv2 and OpenVPN, which ensure a strong and secure vpn connection.
7. Server Reliability and Up-time
- Mysterium: Because it relies on everyday people running a node, the reliability of a single connection can vary. However, the vast global network ensures that another connection is quickly available.
- AuraVPN: AuraVPN‘s servers are professionally managed, leading to highly consistent connection stability and reliability, similar to other best vpns.
8. User Privacy and Logging Policy
- Mysterium: Due to its decentralized nature, there is no central entity to log your data, making it highly secure and private. You use a vpn without a central server.
- AuraVPN: AuraVPN maintains a strict, audited no-logs policy. They promise not to log your web activity or download history.
9. Installation and Device Support
- AuraVPN: Aura installed its apps on iOS devices and major desktop operating system platforms, providing a simple setup process.Both are excellent VPNs offering strong security and privacy. Ultimately, your best choice depends on your specific needs and priorities.
- Mysterium: You can install the Mysterium VPN using dedicated apps on most major operating system platforms.
What to Look for When Choosing a VPN?
- Security Beyond the VPN: Does the provider offer more than just a VPN? Aura offers a security package with the same core features as its AuraVPN, including parental controls and safe browsing against malicious websites.
- Total Identity Protection: Look for services like Aura’s identity theft protection. This includes monitoring financial accounts and bank accounts, checking your Experian file, and helping with annual credit report checks to catch credit inquiries and prevent financial fraud.
- Family Security Needs: If you’re considering a family plan, check for features like screen time limits and the ability to add every adult member. This provides real-time protection against identity thieves for the whole household.
- Data Breach Remediation: A good service should monitor for data breaches, and help with spam list removal from data brokers and address monitoring to protect your sensitive information.
- Financial Monitoring: Look for features like investment account monitoring and monitoring of credit scoring systems to ensure your credit reports are accurate. This is key to determining if Aura is worth the price.
- Ease of Use and Support: Can you easily install the VPN and other apps? A helpful support team should be available for further assistance.
- Advanced Protections: Services should monitor for most malware, offer home title monitoring, and protect against dangerous sites for safe gaming.
- Payment and Transparency: Consider how you’ll be paying. While some use cash or crypto, most VPNs use a subscription. Also, check if the developers have public audits.
- Connection Reliability: The VPN connection should ensure zero interruptions to your internet connection while shielding you from your ISP.
Final Verdict
It’s tough to choose between Mysterium and AuraVPN. Both are excellent VPNs with unique strengths, but Mysterium is the clear winner for us.
Why? Its decentralized network offers unparalleled security and privacy. Plus, it’s super fast and affordable.
We’ve spent weeks testing these VPNs, examining everything from speed and security to pricing and ease of use.
Our goal? To help readers like you find the best VPN for their needs.
Whether you choose Mysterium or AuraVPN, you’re making a smart choice for a secure and private internet experience.
But if you want the best of the best, Mysterium is our top pick.
More of Mysterium
We’ve explored alternatives to Mysterium, so how does Mysterium stack up directly against them?
- Mysterium vs NordVPN: Mysterium offers a decentralized network for ultimate privacy, while NordVPN provides a massive server fleet for speed.
- Mysterium vs ExpressVPN: It is known for its consistently fast speeds and user-friendly interface, which make it superior for streaming and ease of use compared to Mysterium’s potentially variable speeds and more technical setup.
- Mysterium vs PureVPN: It has a larger server network, which often translates to better speeds and more reliable connections for streaming compared to Mysterium’s decentralized network.
- Mysterium vs SurfsharkVPN: It is generally faster and easier to use, and it allows unlimited connections, a significant advantage over Mysterium’s pay-as-you-go mode, which can become costly for heavy use.
- Mysterium vs ProtonVPN: It focuses on strong security and privacy with potentially faster and more stable connections than Mysterium’s peer-to-peer network. However, Mysterium offers a different approach to decentralization.
- Mysterium vs PrivadoVPN:Â It offers a more traditional VPN experience with potentially better and more consistent speeds for streaming and general browsing compared to Mysterium.
- Mysterium vs AdGuard VPN:Â It’s strength is its ad-blocking, while Mysterium offers a unique decentralized VPN approach, but may not be as user-friendly or consistently fast.
- Mysterium vs Virtual Shield:Â It aims for simplicity, but Mysterium offers a more unique, albeit potentially complex, decentralized approach to VPNs.
- Mysterium vs StrongVPN: It is known for its robust encryption and reliable connections, often offering more consistent performance than Mysterium’s decentralized network.
- Mysterium vs FastestVPN: It aims for speed and affordability, often providing more consistent performance for streaming and general use than Mysterium’s potentially variable speeds.
- Mysterium vs AuraVPN: It includes identity theft protection, while Mysterium focuses on its decentralized VPN network, which might appeal to a specific set of privacy-conscious users.
- Mysterium vs CyberGhost: It is user-friendly and has specialized servers, often providing better and more consistent speeds for various online activities compared to Mysterium.
- Mysterium vs McAfee VPN:Â It is a basic VPN often bundled with security software. At the same time, Mysterium offers a unique decentralized approach, though it may not be as user-friendly or consistently performant.
- Mysterium vs Private Internet Access: PIA is known for its customization and generally offers more consistent speeds and a larger server network than Mysterium’s decentralized model.
More of AuraVPN
We’ve explored alternatives to AuraVPN, so how does AuraVPN stack up directly against them?
- AuraVPN vs NordVPN: It offers a massive server network, while AuraVPN provides a built-in antivirus.
- AuraVPN vs ExpressVPN:Â It is known for its consistently fast speeds and user-friendly interface. AuraVPN provides a broader security package, while ExpressVPN excels in VPN performance.
- AuraVPN vs PureVPN:Â It boasts a larger server network. AuraVPN integrates a VPN with other security tools.
- AuraVPN vs SurfsharkVPN:Â It typically offers more features and unlimited connections. AuraVPN provides a security bundle.
- AuraVPN vs ProtonVPN:Â It emphasizes strong security and privacy. AuraVPN offers a wider security suite.
- AuraVPN vs PrivadoVPN:Â It offers a strong focus on privacy. AuraVPN includes antivirus and identity theft protection.
- AuraVPN vs AdGuard VPN: AdGuard VPN excels at ad and tracker blocking, while AuraVPN offers a broader security package.
- AuraVPN vs Virtual Shield:Â It offers a more comprehensive security suite than the very basic Virtual Shield.
- AuraVPN vs StrongVPN:Â It is known for robust encryption. AuraVPN provides a wider range of security features.
- AuraVPN vs FastestVPN:Â It is a budget-friendly option. AuraVPN offers a bundled security approach.
- AuraVPN vs CyberGhost:Â It offers a large server network and specialized servers. AuraVPN provides a broader security suite.
- AuraVPN vs McAfee VPN: Both often come bundled with antivirus software. AuraVPN offers a more modern interface and additional identity protection.
- AuraVPN vs Private Internet Access: PIA offers a large server network and customization. AuraVPN provides a broader security package.
- AuraVPN vs Mysterium:Â It is a decentralized VPN. AuraVPN uses a traditional server network with added security features.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between Mysterium and AuraVPN?
Mysterium stands out with its decentralized network, offering superior privacy. AuraVPN focuses on speed and ease of use, making it great for beginners.
Can I use these VPNs to access geo-restricted content?
Yes, both Mysterium and AuraVPN have extensive server networks. This allows you to bypass geo-restrictions and access content from anywhere worldwide.
Which VPN is the fastest?
Both VPNs deliver impressive speeds. In our tests, AuraVPN had a slight edge in raw speed, but Mysterium also performed exceptionally well.
Do these VPNs offer a free trial?
Neither VPN offers an entirely free version. However, Mysterium offers a free trial, and AuraVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test them risk-free.
What is the best VPN for private internet access?
Both are great options for private internet access. Mysterium’s decentralized network offers a unique privacy advantage. AuraVPN, with its no-logs policy and strong encryption, also prioritizes privacy.
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