more security for your mobile in exchange for some inconvenience

In addition to its cloud subscription plans, Google offers VPN service to anyone who subscribes to a higher One plan; or buy a Pixel 7. It provides privacy, prevents websites from tracking internet usage and is quite fast: We tested Google VPN to verify this.

Along with the huge list of services that offer access to VPN servers, Google offers its own platform which, in turn, is included in two of its products: Google One and the Google Pixel 7. In both cases, the operation is the same, since this VPN activates connection security and privacy protection in order to protect the user, especially in public WiFi networks. In our tests, Google VPN performed well.

No activity log and hidden IP

Google VPN is all about privacy and security. To do this, the company uses its own servers to hide the user’s IP address, which makes it easier to no application, site or service records browsing data. Neither does Google: its VPN does not log activity on connections and does not associate Internet usage with the user’s profile. As the company points out, Google uses open source software in its VPN, which is fully auditable.

Beyond all the features of the VPN, its use is very simple and transparent: just activate it for stays active on the phone without disturbing its operation at all times. We didn’t encounter any problems browsing the Internet, using social networks, messaging or even media streaming platforms: the speed of Google’s VPN is high. Still with a logical loss:

• descent speed. 60% less with active VPN (284 to 171 Mbps).
• Download speed. 60% less with active VPN (from 181 to 110 Mbps).
• latency. 41% more with active VPN (7 to 17 ms).

All measurements were made with a home Wi-Fi network. We also carried out tests on Movistar’s 5G mobile network, but they were not conclusive: the connection area was very variable. On average, discounts when activating Google VPN remained at a similar level to WiFi.

As with all VPNs, browsing slows down. This implies that multiplayer games that require low latency also lose their appeal with the tunnel connection. general internet experience decreases in low coverage areas. For the rest of the cases, there would be no major problem.

We used the VPN on our Android and our iPhone, the operation is similar. In both cases via Google One: just install the app and the VPN will be activated from there (in higher level subscriptions). Our experience with the service is positive, although we wouldn’t recommend a Google One subscription just because of the VPN’s improvement. If you’re buying a Google Pixel 7, it’s worth using it, as it’s one of its exclusive perks.

Good VPN for privacy, bad if you’re looking to unblock platforms

Connections through tunneled servers provide greater privacy as long as the companies behind said servers guarantee all data flowing through the connections. This is the case of Google, its VPN is reliable. However, it does not offer one of the advantages that VPN services usually offer: mimicking connections in other countries to unblock catalogs from platforms such as Netflix.

Google does not allow you to change your VPN’s IP address, the service itself assigns a private IP. According to our tests, we were assigned Google addresses in our own country of connection. This implies that we will not be able to access services from another country by masking an IP address from that territory. A downside that Google itself specifies in the functions of the service. Also, having your VPN active does not reduce advertising on the phone (and might decrease battery life slightly).

The Google One VPN, also included in the Pixel 7, seemed like a good complement for those who want to leave no trace on the Internet with their mobile phones. It doesn’t weigh down the connection too much, it’s very stable, it works on both Android and iOS, and it’s reliable. Enough advantages to use it if it is already included in one of the two products that offer it.