Aura VPN Review 2025
Complete Analysis of Identity Protection Giant's VPN Service
Executive Summary
🚨 Important Clarification: Aura is NOT primarily a VPN company
Aura is a $2.5 billion identity protection and digital security company that includes VPN as one of many bundled features. Users seeking dedicated VPN services may find better alternatives with specialized VPN providers.
Key Strengths
- Comprehensive Identity Protection: Industry-leading monitoring across credit bureaus, dark web, and data brokers
- $1M Identity Theft Insurance: Extensive coverage for eligible losses and recovery costs
- Military-Grade Encryption: VPN uses AES-256 encryption with 100+ global server locations
- All-in-One Solution: Combines identity protection, VPN, antivirus, and parental controls
Key Limitations
- VPN Performance Issues: Reddit users report slow speeds and connection problems
- Limited Streaming Support: VPN component struggles with geo-blocked content
- Premium Pricing: More expensive than dedicated VPN services ($12-15/month minimum)
- Customer Service Complaints: Multiple Reddit reports of billing and refund issues
Our Verdict for VPN Users
According to our analysis, Aura is best suited for users who primarily need identity protection and view VPN as a secondary benefit. For dedicated VPN needs, specialized providers like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or Surfshark offer better performance and value.
Company Background: The $2.5B Identity Protection Giant
Foundation & Leadership
Investment & Growth
Series C Funding (2021)
$200 million raised, led by Warburg Pincus
Notable Investors
- • Jeffrey Katzenberg (Hollywood mogul)
- • General Catalyst
- • WndrCo
Company Evolution Timeline
2017 – Founded as iSubscribed
Started as subscription management service by Hari Ravichandran
2018 – Strategic Acquisitions
Acquired Intersections Inc. and Identity Guard, expanding into identity protection
2019 – Rebranded as Aura
Unified all services under Aura brand, focusing on comprehensive digital security
2021 – Unicorn Status
Achieved $2.5B valuation, becoming major competitor to LifeLock
Service Overview: Identity Protection First, VPN Second
Understanding Aura's Business Model
Aura generates revenue primarily through identity protection subscriptions. The VPN service is positioned as a value-add feature rather than a core product, which explains its limitations compared to dedicated VPN providers.
Identity Protection (Primary)
- • Credit monitoring (all 3 bureaus)
- • Dark web scanning
- • SSN monitoring
- • Data broker removal
- • $1M identity theft insurance
Digital Security Suite
- • VPN (100+ locations)
- • Antivirus protection
- • Password manager
- • Spam call protection
- • Safe browsing alerts
Family Protection
- • Parental controls
- • Screen time management
- • Cyberbullying alerts
- • Safe gaming monitoring
- • Content filtering
Aura VPN Technical Specifications
Network & Infrastructure
| Server Count | 100+ locations globally |
| Countries | 50+ countries covered |
| Protocols | OpenVPN, IKEv2 |
| Encryption | AES-256 military-grade |
Features & Limitations
| Simultaneous Connections | Unlimited (family plans) |
| Kill Switch | Yes (automatic) |
| Split Tunneling | Limited functionality |
| Streaming Support | Basic (limited geo-unblocking) |
Multi-Platform User Reviews Analysis
Trustpilot Reviews: Mixed Reception
Screenshot: Aura's Trustpilot page showing 4.4/5 rating with 844 reviews
Trustpilot Analysis
Positive Feedback
- • “Comprehensive protection” – identity monitoring praised
- • “Easy to use and set up” – user-friendly interface
- • “Great customer service” – responsive support team
- • “Peace of mind” – effective fraud alerts
Common Complaints
- • VPN connection issues and slow speeds
- • Billing problems and difficulty canceling
- • Limited VPN server options
- • Higher cost compared to VPN-only services
Reddit Community Insights: Real User Experiences
r/privacy Community Feedback
“My experience with Aura has been very unpleasant… it's a huge time waster, and I can't help but feel like I was robbed of $15.”
“The VPN part is very basic. It connects quickly, and it works fine for casual browsing, but it doesn't hold up well for streaming.”
“I've been using Aura for a few months and I generally like it for identity protection, but the VPN is just okay.”
r/antivirus & r/IdentityTheft
Billing & Service Issues
- • “DO NOT RECOMMEND. The company has no integrity and does not provide refunds”
- • “They had misrepresented my coverage for two persons”
- • “AURA is a RIP OFF – canceled after billing issues”
VPN Performance Feedback
- • “The VPN was simple and easy to use, I never had any issues with it”
- • “VPN slows down connection significantly”
- • “Not good for streaming or gaming purposes”
App Store Performance Summary
High rating focuses on identity protection features
Good overall rating with mixed VPN feedback
844 reviews, mostly identity protection focused
Expert Analysis: Technical Performance & Limitations
VPN Performance Metrics
*Based on community reports and testing data from various sources
Security Features Analysis
Competitive Analysis: Aura vs. Dedicated VPN Providers
| Feature | Aura VPN | NordVPN | ExpressVPN | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Server Count | 100+ | 6,000+ | 3,000+ | 3,200+ |
| Streaming Support | Basic | Excellent | Excellent | Very Good |
| Speed Performance | Moderate | Fast | Very Fast | Fast |
| Price (Monthly) | $12-15 | $3-12 | $8-13 | $2-13 |
| Identity Protection | Excellent | None | None | None |
Aura VPN Advantages
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Comprehensive Security Suite: Identity protection, VPN, antivirus, and parental controls in one package
-
Strong Encryption: Military-grade AES-256 encryption with reliable security protocols
-
Family-Friendly: Excellent parental controls and family protection features
-
Identity Insurance: $1M coverage for identity theft recovery costs
Aura VPN Disadvantages
-
Limited VPN Performance: Slower speeds and fewer servers compared to dedicated VPN providers
-
Poor Streaming Support: Struggles with geo-blocked content and streaming optimization
-
Premium Pricing: More expensive than dedicated VPN services for VPN-only users
-
Customer Service Issues: Multiple reports of billing problems and difficult cancellation
Pricing Analysis: Value for VPN Users
Individual Plan
Identity protection + VPN + Security suite
- • Credit monitoring
- • Dark web scanning
- • VPN (10 device)
- • Password manager
- • $1M identity insurance
Family Plan
Up to 5 adults + unlimited children
- • All Individual features
- • VPN (unlimited devices)
- • Parental controls
- • Safe gaming monitoring
- • Family identity protection
Couple Plan
2 adults
- • Credit monitoring
- • Dark web scanning
- • VPN (20 device)
- • Password manager
- • $2M identity insurance
Cost Comparison: Aura vs. Dedicated VPN Services
Key Insight: Aura VPN costs 2-3x more than dedicated VPN services but includes comprehensive identity protection worth $10-20/month alone.
Final Verdict: Should You Choose Aura VPN?
✅ Choose Aura If You:
- Need comprehensive identity protection as your primary concern
- Want an all-in-one security solution for your family
- Use VPN primarily for basic privacy on public WiFi
- Value convenience over specialized VPN performance
- Have budget for premium comprehensive security ($15-25/month)
❌ Avoid Aura If You:
- Need VPN primarily for streaming geo-blocked content
- Require maximum VPN speeds for gaming or large downloads
- Want dedicated VPN features like advanced split tunneling
- Prefer budget-friendly VPN-only solutions ($3-5/month)
- Don't need identity protection services
Expert Recommendations by Use Case
For Identity Protection
Aura excels at comprehensive identity monitoring and protection with industry-leading features.
For Basic VPN Needs
Adequate for public WiFi protection and basic privacy, but limited for advanced use.
For Dedicated VPN Use
Overpriced and underperforming compared to specialized VPN providers.
average for VPN-only needs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aura primarily a VPN service?
No, Aura is primarily an identity protection company valued at $2.5 billion. The VPN service is a secondary feature bundled with their comprehensive digital security suite.
How does Aura VPN compare to dedicated VPN providers?
Aura VPN has fewer servers, slower speeds, and limited streaming capabilities compared to dedicated providers like NordVPN or ExpressVPN. However, it includes comprehensive identity protection worth $10-20/month.
What are the main complaints about Aura VPN?
Reddit users commonly report slow VPN speeds, connection issues, poor streaming support, billing problems, and difficulty canceling subscriptions.
Is Aura VPN worth the price?
For identity protection needs, yes. For VPN-only use, no. Aura costs $15-25/month while dedicated VPN services offer better performance for $3-8/month.
I'm Morgan, the creator of VPNForMe — a site born from too many hours spent side-eyeing sketchy VPN reviews and buffering videos.
I wanted a place where people could get straight answers about privacy, streaming access, and which VPNs actually deliver — without the hype or tech jargon.