Cloudflare Warp+
Warp+ is an enhanced version of Cloudflare’s Warp VPN service. It uses the WireGuard VPN protocol, which is known for its speed and security, to encrypt and secure your internet connection. Warp+ also includes Cloudflare’s Argo technology, which uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to optimize the routing of your internet traffic for faster performance.
Cloudflare Warp+ is available as an add-on service for users of Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1 app, which is a DNS resolver that helps to improve the privacy and security of your internet connection. To use Warp+, you will need to download the 1.1.1.1 app and purchase a Warp+ subscription through the app. Warp+ is available for both iOS and Android devices.
Depending on your threat model, Warp or Warp+ may or may not be what you need. Remember that VPNs come in many different types, all offering unique abilities or features, most of which come at a cost. WARP isn’t like a regular VPN. It isn’t meant for advanced users, but it’s good for beginners because it’s so easy to use.
It doesn’t let you choose your location, and it isn’t good for streaming. This got me wondering: is it really a good alternative to the more traditional VPNs out there? So, I put WARP through a series of tests to see if it’s safe, reliable, and useful.
Cloudflare’s official position on privacy is that it “stores the absolute minimum amount of data we believe is required to provide the 1.1.1.1 service”, including “limited DNS query and traffic data”, your app installation ID, average speed and amount of data transferred, which it pledges to never sell, rent or disclose “except as necessary to provide our services.”
The company says that it stores no personally identifying data. But other VPN companies have previously made no-logging claims only to renege on that and hand user data over to government agencies, so we tend to prefer those who’ve either had this demonstrated through legal or police action, or with an independent audit, neither of which applies to Warp. And although Cloudflare’s reputation is generally very robust when it comes to privacy, it’s worth once again noting that this is not a full, privacy-oriented VPN service in the first place.
Cloudflare insists that WARP is built for the ‘average consumer’, but that line is very much predicated on the assumption that other VPN services are hard to use. In reality, when it comes to mobile VPNs your only challenge is picking a decent provider – we recommend ProtonVPN and Windscribe for free, and NordVPN, Private Internet Access or ExpressVPN if you’ve got money to spend.
Actually using a mobile VPN is generally a one-tap affair – two if you want to select your endpoint location from an extended list. 1.1.1.1 with Warp is best regarded as a local security tool that could potentially provide a connection speed boost. It’s free and unlimited, but it won’t conceal your IP address from the sites you connect to.