Does Aura give you a VPN?

Does Aura Give You a VPN?

Yes, Aura includes a built-in VPN[/b] across all of its all-in-one digital security plans. While you cannot purchase the VPN as a standalone service, every subscription covers up to 10 devices per adult user with features like a Kill Switch and Split Tunneling.

Does Aura Give You a VPN?

Yes, Aura includes a built-in VPN with all of its subscription plans. However, it is only available as part of the all-in-one digital security suite, meaning you cannot purchase the VPN as a standalone product.

The bundle approach makes sense for comprehensive protection, but it forces you into a specific ecosystem. Aura provides access to over 100 virtual locations across more than 80 countries, including over 20 server locations in the United States alone. I will be honest - when I first tested this suite, I expected a stripped-down afterthought of a VPN. I was wrong. The interface is clean and handles basic encryption perfectly well. But there is one critical limitation of Auras network that most users discover too late - I will explain exactly what this dealbreaker is in the censorship section below.

Key Features of the Aura VPN

Device Limits and Compatibility

Each adult user on the plan can install and run the application on up to 10 devices simultaneously. This generous limit covers your phone, laptop, and tablet with plenty of room to spare. It works seamlessly across Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS platforms. Very convenient. But it lacks router support, which means you cannot easily protect smart TVs or gaming consoles at the network level.

Security and Privacy Tools

The application features a Kill Switch, which automatically blocks internet traffic if the connection drops unexpectedly. This prevents accidental data leaks on public networks. It also includes Split Tunneling, allowing you to choose which specific apps bypass the encrypted tunnel entirely. I use this feature constantly. My banking apps immediately lock my account if they detect a VPN connection. Bypassing the tunnel for those specific apps saves me hours of frustrating password resets.

Unsure if Aura's bundled VPN provides the same performance and speed as dedicated standalone VPNs?

This is a completely valid concern. Conventional wisdom says you should always buy specialized standalone tools instead of bundles. But after years of testing network tools, I find an integrated suite often performs better for average users who just want a simple solution. The global VPN services market reached 2.93 billion USD in 2026, driven largely by specialized providers focusing on extreme speeds. Aura takes a slightly different approach.

Lets talk about performance. Any encryption process typically reduces internet speeds by 15 to 30 percent depending on server distance. Standalone services mitigate this with custom protocols. Aura uses standard protocols, so you might feel a slightly heavier speed impact on slower connections. Not ideal. But for basic browsing and reading emails, the difference is virtually unnoticeable to the average user.

Confused about whether the VPN can be purchased separately?

You cannot buy the VPN by itself[/b]. It is fundamentally tied to the identity theft monitoring and antivirus software. Some users find this annoying - and I completely understand why. If you already pay for a password manager and antivirus, buying Aura just for the VPN is a terrible financial decision. You are paying for redundant features you will never use.

Does Aura's VPN Work for Streaming Platforms?

Many users buy a VPN specifically to access geo-blocked content on entertainment platforms. With over 100 virtual locations, you might assume Aura is a streaming powerhouse. In reality, it is a mixed bag. Streaming giants actively hunt down and block external IP addresses.

Because Aura does not refresh its IP addresses as aggressively as specialized services, you will often encounter proxy errors. During standard use, it typically unblocks basic US libraries without much hassle. But - and this frustrates many users - it completely struggles with more stubborn international platforms. If you are a hardcore streaming enthusiast, this will eventually drive you crazy. You will spend more time switching servers than actually watching shows.

Privacy Concerns and the No-Logs Policy

Aura claims a strict no-logs policy, meaning they do not track your browsing history or DNS queries. This is exactly what you want to hear from a security company. However, there is a catch. Most top-tier standalone providers have their policies verified through rigorous third-party audits. Aura has not undergone this independent verification.

This lack of an audit means you are taking their privacy claims entirely on faith. For average users checking emails at a coffee shop, this is probably fine. But if you are handling highly sensitive corporate data, this is a glaring omission. I always advise people to trust verified data over marketing promises.

Worried about the lack of advanced obfuscation features for bypassing strict censorship?

Here is that critical limitation I mentioned earlier: Aura completely lacks advanced obfuscation. Standard encrypted traffic is remarkably easy for corporate and government firewalls to detect. Internet censorship increased globally by 18 percent recently, and authoritarian networks actively block standard ports. If you travel to heavily restricted regions, Aura simply will not connect. Period.

I learned this the hard way. During a trip last year, I assumed my standard bundled VPN would keep me connected to my company workspace. Big mistake. The local network immediately detected and blocked the connection. I spent three hours of frustrating troubleshooting in my hotel room before I realized the protocol itself was blocked. I had to scramble to purchase a specialized standalone service with stealth servers just to read my emails. If you need to bypass heavy censorship, a bundled suite is the wrong tool.

Evaluating the Aura Bundle vs Standalone VPNs

Aura Security Suite

• Basic Kill Switch and Split Tunneling, but no obfuscation or dedicated IPs
• Over 100 virtual locations in 80 countries
• Requires full suite subscription, making it expensive if you only need a VPN

NordVPN (Standalone)

• Includes obfuscated servers, double VPN, and custom fast protocols
• Thousands of optimized servers globally with specialized categories
• Lower standalone cost, highly cost-effective for pure network protection

Remote Work Network Configuration

David, a marketing consultant in Chicago, wanted a single solution to protect his 6 household devices. He purchased the Aura suite primarily for identity protection but planned to use the bundled VPN for his daily coffee shop work sessions.

First attempt: He installed the application on his laptop and phone, leaving it on 24/7. Result: His local bank app immediately locked his account due to suspicious login locations, and his Zoom video calls started dropping frames constantly.

The frustration was intense. He spent two days on customer support calls trying to figure out why his internet felt entirely broken. He finally realized the network was routing his traffic through a server three states away, adding massive latency to his connection.

Second attempt: He enabled the Split Tunneling feature for his banking applications and manually selected the closest Chicago server for his general traffic. Response times dropped back to normal immediately, and he maintained his security without sacrificing his daily workflow efficiency.