Entire History of PrivadoVPN
Tracing Swiss Origins.
Ech here. While giants like Nord and Express have been battling for a decade, a challenger emerged in 2019 from the privacy haven of Zug, Switzerland. PrivadoVPN didn't just copy the old guard; they rewrote the rules for "Freemium" services. In this forensic history, we analyse their rise, their Swiss defence strategies, and why they are now considered a top-tier budget contender as detailed in our comprehensive PrivadoVPN review.
Era 1: 2019 - The Swiss Foundation
PrivadoVPN was founded in Zug, Switzerland, often referred to as "Crypto Valley". This location was strategic, not accidental. Switzerland offers some of the robustest privacy laws in the world and, crucially, is not a member of the EU or the 14 Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance.
The Strategy: From day one, the company utilised Swiss Federal Data Protection Act regulations to build a service that was legally shielded from foreign data requests. Unlike competitors in the US or UK, PrivadoVPN cannot be compelled to log user activity by a mere warrant from abroad.
Era 2: 2020 - The Freemium Revolution
In 2020, PrivadoVPN disrupted the market by launching a "Free Plan" that functioned differently from the industry standard. Most free VPNs were slow, ad-ridden, or sold user data. PrivadoVPN took a different approach.
The Zero-Compromise Model
They offered 10GB of monthly data with full premium speeds and the same encryption standards as paid users. This "try before you buy" model allowed users to verify the service's quality without risk, quickly building a massive user base who appreciated the transparent value proposition.
Era 3: 2021 - Physical Infrastructure
While many providers rent virtual servers, PrivadoVPN began heavily investing in physical hardware. By 2021, they had established a network where they owned and managed a significant portion of their infrastructure.
This allows for better quality control and security. By minimising reliance on third-party hosting centres, they reduced the risk of "Man-in-the-Middle" attacks at the data centre level. They also optimised their backbone for low latency, crucial for the European and North American markets.
2022: Tech Upgrades & WireGuard
In late 2021 and into 2022, PrivadoVPN aggressively modernised its protocol stack by rolling out WireGuard support. This modern protocol is leaner and faster than the older OpenVPN standard.
Additionally, they integrated SOCKS5 proxy support. This became a favourite among torrenters as it masks the IP address within the torrent client without the overhead of full encryption, offering faster download speeds while maintaining anonymity.
2023: The Streaming Expansion
By 2023, the focus shifted to unblocking capabilities. PrivadoVPN engineered its network to reliably bypass geo-restrictions for major platforms like Netflix US and BBC iPlayer.
This period also brought a major improvement in its IP refresh rate, so if a server IP was blacklisted by a streaming platform, a fresh one could be rotated in quickly. If you’re evaluating the service more broadly, see our “Is PrivadoVPN safe?” guide.
2024: Launching Control Tower
In 2024, PrivadoVPN launched Control Tower, a comprehensive threat protection suite. This moved the service beyond a simple VPN tunnel into active cyber defence.
Control Tower operates at the DNS level to block ads, trackers, and known malware sites before they even load on your device. Features like this are becoming a key differentiator among the best cheap VPNs, especially for families who want safer browsing without installing extra software.
2025-2026: Global Expansion
As we move through 2026, PrivadoVPN is focusing on expanding their physical server footprint in underserved regions like Asia and South America. They continue to refine their "Kill Switch" technology, ensuring zero data leaks even during unstable network conditions.
From a small start-up in Zug to a global privacy player, their trajectory has been defined by a commitment to Swiss privacy laws and a generous free tier that prioritises user trust over quick profits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PrivadoVPN truly free?
Yes. They operate a "Freemium" model. The free plan includes 10GB of data every 30 days, access to 12 global servers, and the same security features (Kill Switch, WireGuard) as the paid version. There are no ads in the app.
Where is PrivadoVPN based?
PrivadoVPN is headquartered in Zug, Switzerland. This provides strong legal protection for user data, as Switzerland is outside the 14 Eyes alliance and has strict federal data privacy regulations.
Does PrivadoVPN keep logs?
No. They maintain a strict No-Log policy. They do not track your browsing activity, connection timestamps, or IP addresses. Their revenue comes from premium subscriptions, not selling user data.
Does it work with BBC iPlayer?
Yes. PrivadoVPN is well-optimised for UK streaming services. By connecting to their London or Manchester servers, users can reliably access BBC iPlayer, ITVX, and Channel 4.
This historical analysis has been researched and written by the FindCheapVPNs team on the 04 January 2026. Data privacy laws and software features are subject to change, but our team will keep updating teh article regularly.