How to Use PureVPN: Complete Feature Guide (2026)

Quick Start

This guide covers every PureVPN feature:

• Getting Started — Create an account and connect in a few seconds
• How to Use Dark Web Monitoring — Get alerts when your email or password leaks online
• How to Use Password Manager — Store logins behind one master password on every device
• How to Use DNS Leak Protection — Keep DNS requests inside the encrypted VPN connection
• How to Use Internet Kill Switch — Cut the internet the moment your VPN disconnects
• How to Use Data Brokers — Send removal requests to sites selling your personal data
• How to Use IP Leak Prevention — Block WebRTC leaks that expose your original IP address
• How to Use Dedicated IP VPN — Keep one steady IP address for banking and work logins
• How to Use VPN Chrome Extension — Route only your browser traffic through a chosen server

Time needed: 5 minutes per feature

Also in this guide: Pro Tips | Common Mistakes | Troubleshooting | Pricing | Alternatives

Why Trust This Guide

I’ve run PureVPN for 14 months on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS and Android.

I tested every feature below on real hardware, including two routers.

PureVPN is one of the cheapest ways to get real online privacy.

Using a VPN on public Wi-Fi also keeps strangers off your data.

But most users only ever tap connect and stop there.

This guide shows you how to use PureVPN feature by feature.

Step by step, with screenshots and pro tips.

PureVPN Tutorial

This How to Use PureVPN tutorial walks you through every feature, from your first VPN connection to advanced settings most people never open.

PureVPN

Hide your IP address and unblock streaming services in a few seconds. PureVPN runs 6,500+ servers across 80+ locations and allows 10 simultaneous connections. Plans start at $2.15/per month with a 31-day money-back guarantee.

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PUREVPN ALTERNATIVES →

Getting Started with PureVPN

Setting up PureVPN is a three-step process: download, log in, connect.

It takes about three minutes on any device.

Step 1: Create Your Account

Go to the PureVPN website and pick a plan.

Enter your email, set a password, then check the member area for your VPN credentials.

Those credentials are what routers and manual OpenVPN setups need later.

✓ Checkpoint: A confirmation email lands in your inbox.

Step 2: Download or Access the App

Install the PureVPN app from the App Store, Google Play, or the site for Windows, Mac and Linux.

Log in with your PureVPN username and password.

On iPhone the app installs a VPN profile you approve once.

Here’s what the dashboard looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: You should see the main dashboard with a large connect button.

Step 3: Complete Initial Setup

Tap connect and the app picks the fastest purevpn server for you.

You get a new IP address within a few seconds.

Open Settings and stay on the General tab to choose your VPN protocol.

WireGuard suits streaming, while OpenVPN over TCP helps on restricted networks.

Most VPNs bury that switch, but PureVPN keeps it one tap away.

How to Use PureVPN Dark Web Monitoring

Dark Web Monitoring lets you scan breach databases and warn you when your email or password appears in a leak.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Open the Monitoring Tab

Sign in to the PureVPN member area and open Dark Web Monitoring.

Add the email addresses you actually use for logins.

Step 2: Run the First Scan

Start the scan and let it check historical breach dumps.

Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: A results list showing which sites exposed your data.

Step 3: Act on the Alerts

Change any password flagged as exposed straight away.

Turn on email alerts so future leaks reach you fast.

How to Use PureVPN Password Manager

Password Manager lets you store logins behind one master password and fill them on any device.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Open PureKeep

Launch the password manager from your PureVPN account dashboard.

Set a master password you have never used anywhere else.

Step 2: Import Your Logins

Import a CSV from your browser or add entries by hand.

Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: Your saved sites appear in one searchable list.

Step 3: Sync Across Devices

Sign in on your mobile device to sync the same vault.

The vault works on Windows, Mac, iOS and Android.

How to Use PureVPN DNS Leak Protector

DNS Leak Protection lets you keep every DNS lookup inside the tunnel instead of leaking to your provider.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Open Settings

Open the PureVPN app and go to Settings.

Find the DNS section under connection options.

Step 2: Enable DNS Leak Protection

Toggle DNS leak protection on before you connect.

Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: The toggle stays on and the test shows no ISP servers.

Step 3: Verify the Fix

Connect, then run a DNS leak test in your browser.

Only PureVPN DNS servers should appear in the results.

How to Use PureVPN Internet Kill Switch

Internet Kill Switch lets you cut all internet traffic the moment your VPN connection drops.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Find the Kill Switch

Open Settings and scroll to the Internet Kill Switch option.

It sits beside the Always-On reconnect setting.

Step 2: Turn It On

Enable the kill switch and confirm the prompt.

Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: Your browser shows no connection while the VPN is down.

Step 3: Test the Behaviour

Disconnect the VPN manually and try to load a page.

Nothing should load until the tunnel comes back.

This one toggle exists to safeguard sensitive information mid-session.

How to Use PureVPN Data Brokers

Data Brokers lets you send removal requests to companies that collect and sell your personal records.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Open the Removal Tool

Go to the data brokers section in your PureVPN account.

Enter the name and address tied to your public records.

Step 2: Review the Matches

Check the broker list for profiles that belong to you.

Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: A status column showing pending and completed removals.

Step 3: Submit Opt-Out Requests

Approve the removals and let PureVPN file each request.

Re-run the scan every quarter, because brokers relist people.

How to Use PureVPN IP Leak Protector

IP Leak Prevention lets you stop WebRTC and IPv6 from exposing your original IP address.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Check Your Real IP

Note your IP address on an IP checker before connecting.

This is the address you want hidden.

Step 2: Enable WebRTC Leak Protection

Turn on IP leak prevention in the app settings.

Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: The site reports the server country, not your home country.

Step 3: Re-test While Connected

Connect to any VPN server and reload the checker.

The page should show your new virtual location instead.

How to Use PureVPN Dedicated IP

Dedicated IP VPN lets you keep one consistent IP address for banking, work logins and whitelists.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Buy the Add-On

Add the Dedicated IP option from your PureVPN billing page.

Pick the country you need the address based in.

Step 2: Assign It in the App

Select the dedicated IP from your server list before connecting.

Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: The same IP address appears every time you connect.

Step 3: Whitelist the Address

Give the address to your IT team or bank.

Shared servers often trigger security checks that a dedicated IP avoids.

How to Use PureVPN VPN Chrome Extension

VPN Chrome Extension lets you route only your browser’s traffic through a chosen server while other apps stay local.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Install the Extension

Add the PureVPN extension from the Chrome Web Store.

Sign in with the same account you use on desktop.

Step 2: Pick a Location

Click the icon and choose a country from the list.

Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: The extension icon turns green and shows the active location.

Step 3: Turn On the Extras

Enable the Tracker Blocker to stop third-party web trackers.

WebRTC protection sits in the same panel.

PureVPN Pro Tips and Shortcuts

After 14 months of daily use, these are the settings that actually matter.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Hidden Features Most People Miss

• Quantum-Resistant servers: Available in select regions and built to survive future computing threats.
• Streaming shortcuts: Save a shortcut per service and PureVPN picks the optimal server automatically.
• Split tunneling: Choose specific apps for the tunnel while everything else uses your local connection, currently on Windows and Android.

Here are the benefits that made me keep the subscription:

PureVPN Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake #1: Leaving the kill switch off

Mistake #2: Picking a far server for streaming

Mistake #3: Ignoring the protocol setting

PureVPN Troubleshooting

Problem: Netflix or BBC iPlayer still shows a proxy error

Cause: Streaming services blacklist heavily used shared IP ranges.

Fix: Switch to another server in the same country, clear cookies, then reload the site.

Problem: The VPN disconnects every few minutes

Cause: Weak Wi-Fi or a protocol your network throttles.

Fix: Enable Always-On, then change your VPN protocol on the General tab to WireGuard or IKEv2.

Certain countries throttle VPN traffic, so OpenVPN over TCP is the safer fallback there.

Problem: The router keeps rejecting your login

Cause: Routers need VPN credentials, not your website account email.

Fix: Copy the username and password from the member area and upload the correct .ovpn configuration file.

📌 Note: If none of these fix your issue, PureVPN live chat replies within minutes.

What is PureVPN?

PureVPN is a VPN service that encrypts your internet traffic and hides your real location.

Think of it like a private tunnel between your device and the web.

The company launched in 2007 and now runs over 6,500 servers in more than 80 locations.

Watch this quick overview:

It includes these key features:

• Dark Web Monitoring: Scans breach dumps for your email and warns you fast.
• Password Manager: Saves and fills logins across Windows, Mac, iOS and Android.
• DNS Leak Protection: Forces every lookup through PureVPN DNS, never your ISP.
• Internet Kill Switch: Blocks all traffic if the tunnel drops without warning.
• Data Brokers: Files opt-out requests with brokers holding your records.
• IP Leak Prevention: Stops WebRTC and IPv6 from exposing your real location.
• Dedicated IP VPN: An add-on IP that only you use, ideal for whitelists.
• VPN Chrome Extension: A light proxy for Chrome when you do not need full tunneling.

One subscription covers ten VPN connections at once across Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android and routers.

It is an established VPN provider, not a Chinese company, despite the rumour.

The no-logs policy has been audited by third parties, which matters after the 2017 case where PureVPN shared user data with authorities.

For a full review, see our PureVPN review.

PureVPN Pricing

Here’s what PureVPN costs in 2026:

Free trial: No free plan, but a low-cost 7-day trial is offered in most regions.

Money-back guarantee: Yes, 31 days on all plans.

💰 Best Value: Plus — you get streaming performance and the password manager without paying for the full suite.

PureVPN vs Alternatives

How does PureVPN compare with other providers? Here is the landscape:

Watch this comparison:

Quick picks:

• Best overall: NordVPN — fastest apps and the strongest streaming record.
• Best budget: PureVPN — a full privacy suite for the price of a coffee.
• Best for beginners: PrivadoVPN — a simple app and a usable free plan.
• Best for streaming: CyberGhost — servers labelled for Netflix and BBC iPlayer.

🎯 PureVPN Alternatives

Looking for PureVPN alternatives? Here are the top options:

• 🌟 NordVPN: The all-rounder. Faster app, stronger streaming record, but you pay roughly double for the same simultaneous connections.
• 🚀 ExpressVPN: Best raw speed and the widest router support. Costs far more per month than any PureVPN plan.
• 💰 Surfshark VPN: Unlimited devices for a similar price. Good pick if your household runs more than ten devices.
• 🔒 Proton VPN: Swiss privacy law and open-source apps. The free tier has no ads and no data cap.
• 👶 PrivadoVPN: Very simple app with a usable free plan. Smaller server list, so streaming hits are less consistent.
• ⚡ AdGuard VPN: Pairs a VPN service with strong ad and tracker filtering. Split tunneling works well on Android.
• 💼 VirtualShield: Marketed at families and small teams. Fewer servers, but setup on routers is guided end to end.
• 🔧 StrongVPN: Solid OpenVPN and WireGuard support for tinkerers. Manual configuration files are easy to download.
• 🎯 FastestVPN: Cheap lifetime style deals. Speeds vary by region, so test before committing to a long plan.
• 🏢 Aura VPN: Bundled inside a wider identity suite with dark web monitoring. Weak as a standalone VPN.
• ⭐ CyberGhost: Streaming-labelled servers for Netflix and BBC iPlayer. Long plans only, short terms are pricey.
• 🧠 McAfee VPN: Comes free with McAfee antivirus. Fine for public Wi-Fi, limited for unblocking sites.
• 📊 Private Internet Access: Deep settings and a proven no-logs record in court. Interface feels dated to new users.
• 🔥 Mysterium: Decentralised, peer-powered network paid by crypto. Speeds are unpredictable by design.
• 🎨 SafeShell VPN: Built around streaming unblocking with dedicated media servers. Thin on privacy extras.
• 💡 Oyster VPN: Budget provider with a clean app and dedicated IP add-ons. Small server network.

For the full list, see our PureVPN alternatives guide.

⚔️ PureVPN Compared

Here is how PureVPN stacks up against each competitor:

• PureVPN vs NordVPN: NordVPN wins on speed and app polish. PureVPN wins on price, and both allow ten simultaneous connections.
• PureVPN vs ExpressVPN: ExpressVPN is faster and better at unblocking. PureVPN costs about a third as much per month.
• PureVPN vs Surfshark VPN: Surfshark allows unlimited devices. PureVPN gives you dedicated IP add-ons and dark web monitoring instead.
• PureVPN vs Proton VPN: Proton VPN has the stronger privacy story. PureVPN has more locations and a cheaper long plan.
• PureVPN vs PrivadoVPN: PrivadoVPN has a free tier. PureVPN has a far larger server list and better streaming reliability.
• PureVPN vs AdGuard VPN: AdGuard blocks ads better. PureVPN handles Netflix and BBC iPlayer more consistently.
• PureVPN vs VirtualShield: VirtualShield is simpler for families. PureVPN offers more protocols and far more servers.
• PureVPN vs StrongVPN: StrongVPN suits manual OpenVPN setups. PureVPN adds a password manager and data brokers removal.
• PureVPN vs FastestVPN: FastestVPN is cheaper upfront. PureVPN has audited no-logs claims and steadier speeds.
• PureVPN vs Aura VPN: Aura bundles identity monitoring. PureVPN is the better standalone VPN service for streaming.
• PureVPN vs CyberGhost: CyberGhost has more streaming-labelled servers. PureVPN has better short-term pricing and quantum-resistant servers.
• PureVPN vs McAfee VPN: McAfee VPN is a bundled extra. PureVPN gives real control over protocol and split tunneling.
• PureVPN vs Private Internet Access: PIA offers deeper settings. PureVPN is easier for beginners learning how to use PureVPN.
• PureVPN vs Mysterium: Mysterium is decentralised and unpredictable. PureVPN gives you a stable, server based connection every time.
• PureVPN vs SafeShell VPN: SafeShell targets streaming only. PureVPN covers privacy, routers, browser extensions and password storage too.
• PureVPN vs Oyster VPN: Oyster is a small newcomer. PureVPN has eighteen years of history and audited privacy claims.

Start Using PureVPN Now

You learned how to use every major PureVPN feature:

• ✅ Dark Web Monitoring
• ✅ Password Manager
• ✅ DNS Leak Protection
• ✅ Internet Kill Switch
• ✅ Data Brokers
• ✅ IP Leak Prevention
• ✅ Dedicated IP VPN
• ✅ VPN Chrome Extension

Next step: Pick one feature and try it now.

Most people start with the Internet Kill Switch.

It takes less than 5 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to use PureVPN for streaming?

Open the PureVPN app, pick a server in the content library country, then launch Netflix or BBC iPlayer. In 2026 you can save a shortcut per streaming service.

How to start PureVPN?

Buy a plan, download the PureVPN app for your device, log in with your username and password, then hit connect. The whole setup takes about three minutes.

Is PureVPN a good VPN?

Yes, for the price. It runs 6,500+ servers, allows 10 simultaneous connections, and its no-logs policy is third-party audited. Speeds average around 394 Mbps.

Is PureVPN a Chinese company?

No. PureVPN launched in 2007 and is operated by Hong Kong registered PureSquare, with headquarters in the British Virgin Islands, outside mainland Chinese jurisdiction.

Which is better NordVPN or PureVPN?

NordVPN is faster and unblocks more sites. PureVPN costs much less and matches it on simultaneous connections, so budget users usually pick PureVPN.