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PrivateVPN vs AirVPN is a match between two European VPNs that both forward ports for torrent users. AirVPN, founded in Italy in 2010 by privacy activists, forwards up to 20 ports, runs the open-source Eddie client and needs no email. PrivateVPN, from Sweden, forwards ports at no extra cost too, adds free dynamic dedicated IPs and a Stealth mode, and costs about $2 a month.
This guide compares ports, openness, anonymity, stealth, ease, price and fit.
PrivateVPN vs AirVPN on Ports
However, ports on PrivateVPN depend on the server.
Secure any service you expose, and allow only trusted IPs.
AirVPN lets you forward up to 20 ports, ProPrivacy notes, which suits self-hosted sites and game servers as well as torrents. PrivateVPN shows an available port in its Advanced view, though one 2026 review says ports work on selected locations over OpenVPN.
For many open ports, AirVPN goes further.
Openness, Evidence and Anonymity
In short, AirVPN shows more of its workings.
Open code is not an audit, but experts can read it.
AirVPN’s open-source clients and live server statistics let outsiders inspect parts of how it works, and in 2024 it stopped serving users in Italy rather than apply the Piracy Shield blocklists. PrivateVPN’s apps are closed, and no outside firm has checked its no-logs policy, Comparitech notes.
Neither has a full audit; AirVPN offers more to inspect. Our VPN audit tracker lists audited providers.
Write down your AirVPN account details somewhere safe.
AirVPN needs no email and accepts several cryptocurrencies, ProPrivacy notes. We found no anonymous sign-up option for PrivateVPN in our sources.
For anonymous use, AirVPN is ahead.
Blocked Networks
However, no VPN can promise constant access in China.
Install before you travel; app stores may be blocked.
AirVPN can run OpenVPN over TCP port 443, and Gizmodo found it reliable in China in 2026. PrivateVPN’s Stealth mode runs on Windows, macOS, iOS and Android, a 2026 review notes, but we found no China test for it.
For China, AirVPN has the tested record.
Ease of Use
PrivateVPN’s simpler apps suit beginners.
Eddie suits people who enjoy tuning every setting.
PrivateVPN’s Advanced view shows whether a port is available.
Eddie has 12 tabs of settings, Cloudwards found, and no iOS version. PrivateVPN’s apps are simpler but lack split tunnelling, and WireGuard needs manual setup, the 2026 review notes.
Beginners will find PrivateVPN easier.
Price
Also, AirVPN accepts several cryptocurrencies.
Compare totals over the term you keep.
PrivateVPN’s monthly plan starts around $8.99, Capterra lists.
PrivateVPN costs about $2 a month on its longest plan, Comparitech notes. AirVPN works out to about $4.31 a month on a one-year plan, Cloudwards notes, and sells a three-day plan for testing.
PrivateVPN is cheaper. Our renewal price guide compares renewals.
Devices, Fixed IPs, Base and Streaming
A router covers devices without apps.
PrivateVPN covers 10 devices and adds free dynamic dedicated IPs. AirVPN allows five connections, ProPrivacy notes.
Households with six to 10 devices fit PrivateVPN without a router.
Both are long-standing European services.
AirVPN is based in Perugia, Italy, and PrivateVPN in Sollentuna, Sweden. Both are EU members under the GDPR, and both countries belong to the 14 Eyes.
Our VPN ownership guide explains why evidence matters more than address.
Reviewers report AirVPN struggling with major streaming platforms, our review notes, and one 2026 review rates PrivateVPN’s streaming as weak.
Neither is a streaming pick; look elsewhere if that matters most.
Who Each Is For
Both suit torrent users; skill decides.
Pick by skill level and how many ports you need.
AirVPN suits technical users, self-hosters and privacy purists who want open source and anonymity. PrivateVPN suits torrent users who want simple apps, fixed IPs and up to 10 devices at a low price.
Try AirVPN’s three-day plan or PrivateVPN’s 30-day refund before committing.
Live Stats, Tor and Networks
Also, Tor routing costs a lot of speed.
AirVPN publishes live load and users for every server, and Eddie can route traffic through Tor before the VPN, ProPrivacy notes. PrivateVPN’s Advanced view shows your connection type, port availability and session data instead.
Both give technical users more detail than most VPNs.
PrivateVPN lists more than 200 servers in 63 countries, Tekpon says. AirVPN runs about 200 servers in some 22 countries, vpnpro counts.
PrivateVPN reaches more countries.
Protocols, Speed, Support and Refunds
AirVPN runs WireGuard and OpenVPN, including OpenVPN over TCP ports 22 and 443, Gizmodo notes. PrivateVPN supports OpenVPN in its apps, with WireGuard needing manual setup, and ProPrivacy measured it averaging 55.5 Mbps.
Test both from home before committing.
PrivateVPN offers 24/7 support, Tekpon notes, and refunds within 30 days, our tables record. AirVPN’s refund position is unclear, our review found, so its three-day plan is the safest test. For a head-to-head, see our hide.me vs AirVPN comparison.
Ask any refund question in writing.
How We Research
This page draws on Cloudwards’, ProPrivacy’s and Gizmodo’s AirVPN reviews, our AirVPN review, Comparitech’s PrivateVPN review and a 2026 PrivateVPN review. We cross-checked these sources against each other, and where they conflict or something can’t be verified, we say so in the text rather than guessing. We checked time-sensitive figures, including prices in US dollars, on 8 October 2026. The main source we relied on is Cloudwards’ AirVPN review. Our full approach lives on the About Us page.
PrivateVPN vs AirVPN FAQ
AirVPN for openness and anonymity; PrivateVPN for ease, fixed IPs and price.
Yes; AirVPN up to 20 ports, PrivateVPN at no extra cost.
AirVPN, in Gizmodo’s 2026 tests.
PrivateVPN, at about $2 a month on its longest plan.
With 10, PrivateVPN covers more.
The Verdict
PrivateVPN vs AirVPN: AirVPN for open source, anonymity and China; PrivateVPN for simpler apps, fixed IPs and a lower price.