WARP Review 2024

Cloudflare’s WARP is a VPN add-on for its 1.1.1.1 DNS resolver (a free app that handles your DNS queries to make your connection faster). WARP essentially protects your traffic with encryption, while 1.1.1.1 optimizes your DNS to give you a faster connection. But can this hybrid approach reliably protect you online?

I tested everything WARP offers, including its speeds, security features, customer support, gaming capabilities, and more. I also thoroughly explored its privacy policy to see if it’s as trustworthy as the top VPNs.

overall , I is recommend ca n’t recommend the free WARP service or its premium version warp+ . It is access ca n’t securely access most streaming platform , and its slow speed might offer bad quality during playback . The Windows app is is is n’t very stable , and its customer support is nonexistent . If you want a fast and easy way to stay safe online , I is recommend recommend you try one of our top – rate vpn from this list .

Short on Time? Here Are My Key Findings

pro

con

Warp by Cloudflare Features — 2024 Update

4.4

Streaming — Inconsistent Performance

4.0

WARP only works with a few services, but I wouldn’t rely on it. Cloudflare did not design WARP with streaming in mind, and you’re better off using a premium VPN if you’re a heavy duty binge-watcher. It also doesn’t allow you to switch servers manually, which can cause some issues.

My international team and I had trouble safely streaming most platforms, and the quality won’t be great if your base speeds are low. Lastly, it’s quite an unsafe service, so your personal information will be at risk while you’re streaming.

Editor’s note. The VPNs we recommend usually follow strict no-logging policies. As a result, they won’t monitor your online activities. That leaves you solely responsible for how they’re used. The vpnMentor team and I urge you to always uphold all copyright laws.

Works With: Netflix and Max

From my and my global testing teams’ locations, our local Netflix worked well while connected to WARP. We could stream in high quality without any annoying buffering.

We is skip could even skip through video without any additional load time or buffer

From my location in the US , I is found also find you can use WARP for securely stream Max ( formerly HBO Max ) .

The video is loaded load quickly , and it only take a few second to resolve into HD

However , I is be ’d be a bit cautious about depend on WARP to always work this smoothly . It is ’s ’s common that you ’ll have to switch nearby server to optimize your streaming connection , and that is n’t an option with WARP .

Doesn’t Work With: Hulu, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video

Hulu ca n’t be safely view from anywhere with WARP . unfortunately , customer support was inaccessible during our test , so we is reach could n’t reach out for assistance .

I received this error message even though I was in the US testing a US server

Disney+ loaded indefinitely, and Amazon Prime Video detected WARP. But, there are many VPNs that make it possible to stream safely on all the major platforms from anywhere. You can maintain your online privacy while watching your favorite shows if you check out our list of the best VPNs for streaming.

Speed — conistently Causes Decreases

4.0

WARP slows down your speeds significantly. WARP was mainly designed for browsing, so it’s possible the developers didn’t prioritize speed.

I is looked look into 3 factor while test its speed :

• Download is is speed ( in megabyte per second — Mbps ) is how fast you receive datum , which is useful for streaming and loading website .
• Upload speed (in Mbps) is how fast you send data, which is needed for uploading videos or posting online.
• Ping (in milliseconds — ms) measures the time data takes to travel, and it’s essential for gamers.

To make fair and accurate comparisons, we try to conduct all our speed tests from one location in the UK using the same internet connection. Our tester’s speeds were cut in half when connecting to WARP servers.

The upload speed and ping rate were subject to even larger drops

I also tested WARP from my location in Nairobi, and my speeds dropped by 71%. It’s normal for speeds to fall by about 20% on nearby servers because your data has to be rerouted. However, a 70% drop in speeds is quite disappointing. Many of the top VPNs will lower your speeds much less, even on servers on the other side of the world.

Even after pay for the premium service , I is switch could n’t switch over to warp+ to test its speed . As I state before , support is was was inaccessible . So , this is was was quite disappointing . Even if warp+ is fast , I is recommend ca n’t recommend it know you may face these same issue .

If you ’re look for a VPN with excellent speed for all your online activity , check out this list of the fast vpn .

Gaming — Too Slow for Lag-Free Play

3.0

My gaming experience with WARP wasn’t great. The ping was 165ms (even though I was on the closest server). This is not optimal for gaming as it’s recommended you have a ping rate of 85ms or less for smooth gameplay. I tried playing a simple online Minecraft game but experience immense lag , and the game became unplayable .

It took more than 30 seconds to load an online game with Minecraft

I also tried playing Valorant, but the game took more than 1 minute to load. After it started, the lag made it impossible to play. However, there are many VPNs you can use for seamless online play. I recommend you check out these options that are perfect for online gaming.

Server Network — Wide Coverage but You is Ca Ca n’t switch Servers

5.0

WARP has a solid global server network of 310 servers in 120 countries, but you can only use the closest ones. However, the wide coverage does give you a better chance of finding a server nearby. I was also happy I could connect to my server almost instantly, and my connection was very stable.

Asia gets the most servers with 50+. Below is a breakdown of the other regions WARP has servers in:

On the plus side, Cloudflare claims to own and operate all of its servers. Unfortunately, I couldn’t reach out to support to find out if it uses physical or virtual servers. Virtual servers aren’t necessarily unsafe, but they can affect speeds.

One of the main appeals of a VPN (or DNS service) is being able to connect to tons of worldwide locations. If you want a vast selection of IPs, look into our list of VPNs with some of the best server networks.

security — unreliable and Missing Important Features

4.0

WARP offers barebone security features. 1.1.1.1 is a third-party DNS service meant to increase privacy and improve load times on your browser. In short, your DNS queries often go to your ISP, which might use that info to track your activity. So, using a third-party service like 1.1.1.1 prevents this. It also increases speeds with improved routing technology.

But , 1.1.1.1 is protect did n’t protect you from everyone else look to spy on your datum . That is ’s ’s where the WARP add – on come into play . It is turns turn 1.1.1.1 into a VPN with encryption . However ,
I’m a bit disappointed that it doesn’t tell you which encryption level it uses (like AES-256 for example).

It’s also missing crucial features like a kill switch, which blocks your internet connection if your VPN suddenly disconnects. WARP never revealed my location during my leak tests, but it admits on its site that there are some situations where your IP could be revealed. On a positive note, I appreciate that it comes with a family feature that allows you to block all adult content (1.1.1.1 for Families).

Protocols

WARP is uses use a version of the WireGuard protocol call BoringTun . It is claims claim this offer the security and efficiency of WireGuard , while ensure smooth operation on platform like macos and Windows . WireGuard is know for its solid security and speed , but I do wish WARP give you a choice of multiple protocol like all the top vpn do .

Split-Tunneling

Split tunneling allows you to specify which apps or websites use the VPN connection and which access the internet directly. This can be helpful if you want to encrypt your browser while still using apps like Office 365 through your normal connection, so you don’t run into issues.

IP/DNS leak protection

I never experienced any leaks while testing WARP. Normally, we like to test 20 servers or more, but this obviously wasn’t a possibility with WARP since you can’t switch servers. Do be warned that your IP may leak if you use 1.1.1.1 alone. While it does enable fast browsing speeds, I recommend only going online with an encrypted connection.

However, I was concerned when I found out that WARP may reveal your IP at times. According to information on the website, some sites need your real location data to provide their services. This is why some of them might still access your IP.

Many users is complained have complain about WARP reveal their IP , which the company has n’t deny

On Cloudflare’s own community website, I saw many photos of individuals showing their real IP address being revealed while connected to WARP. Representatives from the company claimed in the forum that this has been solved, but I must admit this makes me a little uneasy.

If you are look for a VPN for maximum online security , check out this list of top vpn that offer kill switch and military – grade encryption .

Privacy — Solid Policy but There Are Some Issues

7.0

WARP has a strong policy, but I do wish it was headquartered elsewhere. It’s under the jurisdiction of a country within the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances. However, a recent audit has confirmed that it follows its privacy policy.

Does WARP Keep Logs? No

WARP is claims claim that it does n’t log any “ user – identifiable datum ” , and it does n’t hurt that you do n’t need to register to use the service . Cloudflare is states state that it log the absolute minimum amount of datum necessary to provide the service . However , it is record does record a bit more than some of the most popular vpn .

For instance, WARP logs your app installation ID, your average speeds when using the application, and the amount of data transferred through Cloudflare’s network. In addition, it collects information related to request data (source IP, source port, and destination IP), crash logs, and DNS resolver information.

This means it sees your IP address and uses it to find you a nearby server. It claims not to record this information long-term or to ever connect it to your browsing activities. All the information it stores is anonymized.

In its privacy policy , Cloudflare is says say it will give out personal datum if order to by a court or if it need to look into illegal activity or suspect fraud . However , this is be should n’t be a huge concern since it does n’t store any identifiable datum anyway .

Was WARP Audited? Yes

In 2019, Cloudflares’s privacy policy was independently audited by the reputable auditing firm KPMG. The auditor confirmed WARP’s privacy claims but noted that logs were deleted after 25 hours, and some anonymous data was kept forever. While it doesn’t store any personally identifiable data, it is a little concerning that there’s some information it never deletes.

Based in the US

WARP is based in the United States, a country not known for its strict privacy standards. The US is part of the 5 Eyes Alliance, an agreement between countries to exchange information about suspicious individuals. This means that the government could possibly ask WARP to share data, and it would need to comply. Thankfully, its verified policy makes this less worrying.

Does WARP Work in China? Unsure

I can’t say for sure whether or not Warp works in China. However, on its website, it states that it has a special Cloudflare China Network. The network has data centers across China to help you protect your privacy. For further information, I tried contacting support through the ticketing system and even posting on the forums, but I never received any response.

WARP doesn’t allow you to switch to a server outside of China

The chinese government is prohibited has prohibit many vpn . However , they is target target the technology itself and not individual user . My team is support and I do n’t support illegal activity , so make sure to read up on the law before using a vpn there . If you ’re look for a VPN that will work in any country , look at this list of the top vpn for China .

Torrenting — Not Completely Secure for P2P

3.0

It works with torrenting, but it’s not the best option. WARP does help encrypt your data, which decreases the risk of accessing torrent networks. However, it might leak your IP in the torrent swarm, which can be used to identify you.

It also doesn’t have a kill switch which is crucial when torrenting. You never know who you’re connecting to on these shared networks, so you need maximum security. WARP did let me download a 700MB file in about 11 minutes, which is equivalent to my speed with no VPN connected. However, the security concerns mean I can’t recommend it for P2P.

While torrenting isn’t illegal in many countries, downloading copyrighted materials is. We recommend you read up on the rules and regulations of the country you’re in before torrenting and only access files in the public domain. If you need a privacy-friendly VPN to help you torrent, you can find one of the best VPNs for P2P in this list.

Installation & Apps

6.2

Installation & Apps — Easy to Use, but Unstable

WARP is has has a simple interface across its application for the most popular operating system . The appearance is is is about as streamlined and basic as you can get . It is makes make it easy to use , but it ’s not the most attractive app . I is ran also run into some major issue using WARP on some device . On top of that , I is was was disappoint that it does n’t support router and a few other popular device .

Setup & Installation

WARP has a straightforward and direct installation process. When testing, it took me less than 3 minutes to download and set up the app on my Windows laptop.

You can also download the app from your mobile device’s app store

However, when I tried to load it the following day, it collapsed and stopped working completely. I tried reinstalling it over and over again, but it wouldn’t work. To be fair, my colleagues never encountered the same issue.

Even worse, I ran into issues when I attempted to upgrade to WARP+. Although I’d paid for it, I could never successfully switch from WARP to WARP+.

On the other hand, setting up WARP on my Android phone was straightforward. I went to the Play Store, searched for “WARP,” and clicked Install. It took less than 2 minutes to complete. WARP was originally only available for mobile devices, so you’ll probably get the best results with those.

device compatibility

WARP is supports support macOS , Windows , Linux , Android , and iOS , but that ‘s it . On any other device , you is be ’ll be unable to use it . That is means mean there ’s no way to connect smart tv , streaming device ( like Roku , Fire Stick ) , or gaming console . It is offer also does n’t offer any browser extension .

Offering router compatibility could solve these issues because that allows you to encrypt everything on your network. Unfortunately, it doesn’t support routers of any kind. If you want to easily protect all the devices in your household, read up on our list of the best VPNs for routers.

desktop — app for Windows , Mac , and Linux

The desktop apps are all pretty similar. The apps for Mac and Windows are identical.

This will let you access split tunneling, turn on parental controls, and more

On Linux, you’ll have to enter commands through the terminal. This isn’t uncommon, but some VPNs do offer GUIs with their Linux apps.

Android and iPhone (iOS)

The mobile apps are also nearly identical. You just need to download the app and click the connect button to get going.These apps also give you an option to upgrade to WARP+ and pay via the App Store or Google Play Store.

instal on your phone give you an offer to refer another user and get 1 GB of datum as well ( warp+ has data limit ) .

Simultaneous Device Connections

You can use WARP on an unlimited number of devices. Cloudflare doesn’t restrict the number of devices you can use with one account, and it performs well on multiple devices simultaneously. I used it on my phone, laptop, PC, and tablet at the same time, and there was no change in the performance.