Compare Perplexity AI and Turbo VPN: Which App is the Best?
A smart search app that gives you direct answers with sources, instead of just showing you websites to visit. It is a good alternative to ChatGPT. | Turbo VPN is a popular free VPN service with 100M+ downloads, offering fast connections and unlimited bandwidth, though it comes with significant advertising that impacts the user experience. | |||||
| Key Features A summary of the most important features offered by each app. |
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| Our Rating Prod Apps's expert review score for each app, based on hands-on testing and research. | 8.2 Winner in this category | 5.3 | ||||
| Total users Total active users across all major browsers: Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari. | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Total ratings Total number of user ratings received across all supported browsers. | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Average rating Average user rating across all browsers, calculated from available store ratings. | — ⭐ | — ⭐ | ||||
| Entry Level Price The minimum price required to start using the app. "Free" means a free tier is available. | Free | Free | ||||
| Android User rating and stats for the app on Android browser. |  Downloads | Downloads | ||||
| iOS User rating and stats for the app on iOS browser. |  | | ||||
| Features Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Features' aspect of each app. | 9.0 Perplexity has all the features you'd want from an AI search tool, plus some nice extras that make it really useful. What We Like Most:
Winner in this category | 6.0 Turbo VPN delivers a solid foundation of core VPN features that meet the basic needs of most users. The app's feature set is straightforward and focused on simplicity rather than advanced functionality, which aligns well with its target audience of casual VPN users. Key features we found most valuable include:
However, Turbo VPN lacks many advanced features that users expect from premium VPN services. There's no kill switch to protect against connection drops, no split tunneling to route specific apps through the VPN, and no specialized servers for streaming or torrenting. The server selection is limited compared to premium alternatives, and there's no way to manually choose specific server locations in the free version. While the core features work well for basic privacy and geo-unblocking needs, power users will find the feature set limiting. For users who need advanced features like kill switches, split tunneling, or specialized servers, alternatives like Proton VPN offer more comprehensive free tiers, while NordVPN provides extensive advanced features for premium users. We rate features at 6.0 out of 10—good for basic VPN needs but lacking the depth and reliability that serious users require. | ||||
| Performance Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Performance' aspect of each app. | 8.0 The app runs smoothly most of the time. We tested it on different devices and network conditions, and it usually responds within a few seconds. The voice recognition works well even with background noise. Search results load quickly, and the app handles complex questions without crashing or freezing. The sync between devices works reliably, so you can switch between your phone and computer seamlessly. We did notice some slowdowns during peak hours, and occasionally the app would take longer to respond to very complex questions. Some users have reported connection issues, but we didn't experience any major problems during our testing. Overall, it performs well for an AI app. The occasional hiccups are minor and don't really affect the user experience. Winner in this category | 5.5 Turbo VPN's performance presents a mixed picture that reflects the challenges of maintaining a free VPN service with heavy advertising monetization. While the app can deliver fast connections when working properly, reliability issues and the advertising model significantly impact the overall performance experience. Performance strengths include:
However, significant performance issues undermine the user experience:
User reviews reveal a pattern of performance degradation, with newer reviews showing more complaints about connection stability and speed issues. The app's heavy reliance on advertising revenue may be impacting server quality and maintenance, leading to the performance decline observed in recent reviews. For users seeking reliable performance, alternatives like Proton VPN offer more consistent free performance with better server maintenance, while NordVPN provides premium performance with dedicated servers and better reliability guarantees. We rate performance at 5.5 out of 10—good speeds when working but undermined by frequent connection drops and advertising interruptions that create an inconsistent and frustrating user experience. | ||||
| Design Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Design' aspect of each app. | 8.0 The app looks clean and modern, which makes it easy to use. We really like how simple the interface is - there's no clutter or confusing buttons.
There have been some recent updates that confused users at first, but the design team seems to be listening to feedback and making improvements. Overall, it's a good-looking app that's easy on the eyes. Winner in this category | 5.5 Turbo VPN's design philosophy centers on simplicity and accessibility, which works well for its target audience of casual VPN users. The interface is clean and uncluttered, with a prominent connect button that makes the core functionality immediately obvious to new users. Design strengths we observed include:
However, the design experience is significantly compromised by the advertising model. The requirement to watch 4 ads to connect and 4 more to disconnect creates a jarring user experience that breaks the otherwise clean interface. Users frequently mention that the ads feel intrusive and disrupt the app's flow, making what should be a simple action feel cumbersome. Additionally, the ads themselves are often inappropriate or malicious, with users reporting redirects to scam websites and inappropriate content. This undermines the otherwise user-friendly design and makes the app feel more like an advertising platform than a privacy tool. While the core interface design is solid, the advertising intrusions significantly impact the overall design experience. For users who value a clean, uninterrupted interface, alternatives like Proton VPN offer a more polished design without advertising interruptions, while Windscribe VPN provides a cleaner free experience with less aggressive monetization. We rate design at 5.5 out of 10—good core design principles undermined by intrusive advertising that compromises the user experience. | ||||
| Value for Money Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Value for Money' aspect of each app. | 8.0 The free version is surprisingly good. You get most of the core features without paying anything, which is rare these days. We tested the free version extensively and found it works great for everyday use.
What we really like is that the free version doesn't feel like a limited trial. You can use it indefinitely without feeling like you're missing out on essential features. That's refreshing compared to other apps that constantly push you to upgrade. For most people, the free version is all you need. Only upgrade if you find yourself hitting the limits or need the advanced features. Winner in this category | 5.5 Turbo VPN's value proposition is fundamentally compromised by its advertising model and billing practices, creating a confusing experience where the free tier's value is undermined by its own monetization strategy. Value strengths include:
However, the free tier's value is significantly compromised by the advertising model:
The premium pricing is more reasonable than Now VPN ($0.99-$69.99), but the billing issues and poor customer support undermine confidence in the service. Premium VPN services like NordVPN and Surfshark VPN offer more comprehensive features, better privacy protection, and more transparent pricing for similar or lower costs. For users seeking genuine value, alternatives like Proton VPN offer a more generous free tier with better privacy protection and fewer restrictions, while Windscribe VPN provides a more respectful free experience with clearer upgrade paths. We rate value for money at 5.5 out of 10—good value in theory but severely undermined by advertising and billing issues that make the free experience feel more like a trial than a genuine free service. | ||||
| Ease of Use Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Ease of Use' aspect of each app. | 9.0 This might be the easiest AI tool we've ever used. You literally just open it and start asking questions - no setup, no learning curve, no complicated menus. We tested it with people who aren't very tech-savvy, and they figured it out immediately. The voice feature is especially intuitive - you just tap the microphone and start talking. The app responds quickly, and the conversation flow feels natural. You can ask follow-up questions without having to repeat yourself, which makes it feel like talking to a real person. Everything is where you'd expect it to be:
That's why we gave it a 9 out of 10. It's so simple that anyone can use it, but it still has enough features to be useful for power users. Winner in this category | 4.5 Turbo VPN's ease of use is fundamentally compromised by its advertising model, despite having a simple core interface. While the app's basic functionality is straightforward, the requirement to watch multiple ads for basic actions creates a frustrating user experience. Usability strengths include:
However, the ease of use is severely undermined by the advertising model and forced interactions. The requirement to watch 4 ads to connect and 4 more to disconnect transforms what should be a simple one-tap action into a frustrating experience. Users consistently report that these ads make the app feel "pushy" and interrupt their workflow. Additionally, the ads themselves are often inappropriate or malicious, with users reporting redirects to scam websites and inappropriate content. This creates a poor user experience that goes beyond simple inconvenience and into potentially harmful territory. While the core interface is genuinely easy to use, the advertising interruptions and forced interactions significantly compromise the overall user experience. For users seeking a truly hassle-free VPN experience, alternatives like Proton VPN offer a cleaner free tier without forced interactions, while Windscribe VPN provides a more respectful free experience with fewer interruptions. We rate ease of use at 4.5 out of 10—excellent core usability severely undermined by advertising interruptions that make simple actions unnecessarily complex and potentially harmful. | ||||
| Security & Privacy Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Security & Privacy' aspect of each app. | 7.0 Security and privacy get a 7 out of 10 from us. The app uses standard security practices like encryption, which is good. The privacy policy is clear about what data they collect and how they use it. You have some control over your data:
However, some users have concerns about how much data is being collected for AI training. The privacy controls could be more detailed and easier to access. We'd like to see more options for users who want to limit data collection. Overall, it seems safe to use, but we'd recommend reading the privacy policy if you're concerned about data collection. Winner in this category | 5.0 Turbo VPN's security and privacy practices present significant concerns that raise legitimate questions about the service's trustworthiness. While the app claims to offer secure connections and privacy protection, several factors undermine confidence in its privacy commitments. Security strengths include:
However, significant privacy concerns emerge from the business model and operational practices:
User reviews reveal additional concerns about the authenticity of the service, with reports of unauthorized charges and poor customer support. This lack of transparency about the service's legitimacy further undermines trust in its privacy practices. For users who prioritize privacy and security, alternatives like Proton VPN offer Swiss-based privacy protection with independent audits and transparency reports, while Windscribe VPN provides Canadian privacy protection with more transparent data handling practices. We rate security and privacy at 5.0 out of 10—basic security features present but significant concerns about data handling, jurisdiction, and transparency that compromise trust in the service. | ||||
| Conclusion A summary of our findings and final thoughts for each app. | We've been using Perplexity for a while now and honestly, it's become our go-to when we need quick, reliable answers. It's super easy to use and the fact that it shows you where it got its information from is really helpful. The free version is great for most people, but if you use it a lot, the Pro version is worth considering. If you want a search tool that actually gives you good answers instead of just links, definitely give Perplexity a try. | Turbo VPN represents a cautionary tale of how a promising free service can be undermined by its own monetization strategy and business practices. While the app delivers on its core promise of free, unlimited VPN access with simple one-tap connection, the aggressive advertising model and billing issues create a frustrating user experience that often feels more like a trial than a genuine free service. The app's massive popularity (100M+ downloads, 4.7-star rating) reflects genuine demand for free VPN services, and many users do find value in its basic functionality. However, the recent rating decline (4.7 to 4.5 in last 100 reviews) and increasing complaints about connection stability, malicious ads, and unauthorized charges suggest that the advertising model may be impacting the service quality. For users who can tolerate the ads and billing issues, Turbo VPN provides a functional free VPN, but the experience comes with significant trade-offs. For users seeking a more respectful free VPN experience, Proton VPN offers better privacy protection and fewer restrictions, while Windscribe VPN provides a cleaner free tier with more transparent monetization. For those willing to pay for premium features, NordVPN and Surfshark VPN offer more comprehensive solutions with better reliability and privacy guarantees. | ||||
| Our Recommendation | ||||||
