WARP Review 2024 — Is It Really Free & Safe?

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

After my team and I thoroughly tested all its features, I can’t recommend the free WARP service or its premium version, WARP+. It can't securely access most streaming platforms; server speeds are slow, and customer support is nonexistent. If you want a fast and easy way to stay safe online, I recommend you try one of our top-rated VPNs from this list.

Warp by Cloudflare Pros, Cons, and Needed Improvements

WARP+ supported smooth and secure streaming on several services we tested. However, if you’re a binge-watcher like me, I recommend you explore the best VPNs for streaming that offer greater flexibility. The biggest problem is that you can’t switch servers, which is often necessary when you’re troubleshooting streaming issues. On a positive note, WARP (without the +) worked just as well as its paid counterpart.

Popular Streaming Platforms We Tested

The VPN performed better in this round of tests, working with more services. Previously, it only worked well with Netflix and Max. Videos loaded quickly, and the picture quality was consistently sharp across most platforms.

The connection remained stable throughout the tests

With that said, Disney+ was slightly blurry with a few videos before clearing up. The frame rate was also fairly choppy on both Amazon Prime Video and Max. And, even after disconnecting and reconnecting, it couldn’t safely access Hulu.

Switching browsers and clearing the cache didn’t help

There are many VPNs that make it possible to stream safely all the major platforms from anywhere. You can maintain your online privacy while watching your favorite shows if you try out one of the best VPNs for Hulu.

WARP’s speeds have improved, but they’re still relatively slow. It used to consistently cut our base rates in half. That can still happen, but we also had a few tests where it never exceeded that threshold.

I looked into 3 factors while testing its speeds:

• Download speed (in Megabytes per second — Mbps) is how fast you receive data, which is useful for streaming and loading websites.
• 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, all our speed tests are conducted from one location in the US using the same internet connection. Over several days, our tester recorded rates during multiple tests.

However, since the VPN automatically connects you to the nearest server, I also ran some tests myself. My results (connected from Nairobi) were better than those of my colleagues in the US. You can see our average results below.

Switching to WARP+ didn’t result in a significant improvement. I had hoped for better performance, given the VPN’s claim that WARP+ subscribers gain access to a larger network. This should, in theory, place you closer to a Cloudflare data center, reducing latency and enhancing browsing speeds. However, since the VPN doesn’t allow you to select specific servers, I couldn’t confirm this.

If you’re looking for a VPN with excellent speeds for all your online activities, check out this list of the fastest VPNs.

My gaming experience with WARP wasn’t great due to high ping rates. It’s recommended that you have a ping rate below 100ms for smooth gameplay, but my connection consistently exceeded that.

It took more than 30 seconds to load the game with WARP

However, my teammate in the US had a much better gaming experience since the VPN gave him latency below 100ms. When I tried playing Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO), frustration set in as I repeatedly faced the “Matchmaking failed” message every time I hit the play button.

Fortunately, there are many VPNs you can use for seamless online play. I recommend you check out these options that are perfect for gaming without lag.

WARP uses Cloudflare’s vast global network in 120 countries, and it auto-connects you to the closest one. This coverage, spanning over 330 cities, makes it possible for the VPN to connect you to a fast, nearby server.

The VPN uses Argo Smart Routing to determine the shortest path through its worldwide network of data centers for optimal speeds. I was also impressed by the near-instant connection times and the stable performance throughout.

However, there are times when WARP may not connect you to the nearest server. This can occur if the nearest servers encounter issues or aren’t WARP-enabled, as not all Cloudflare locations support WARP. However, the company claims it will continue adding more WARP-enabled servers to its network.

Click “Cloudflare status” on its website to access this page

Asia, Europe, North America, and Latin America, and the Caribbean host the majority of servers, including AI inference locations. These are physical sites within the network equipped with hardware, such as GPUs, designed to handle AI tasks efficiently. Cloudflare places these servers near end users to deliver low-latency AI processing.

Cloudflare claims to own and operate all of its servers, but recent partnerships with other companies might have shaken things up. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to reach support for clarification or to confirm whether 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.

Does Cloudflare WARP Work in China? Unsure

I can’t say for sure whether or not this 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. I reached out to support for more information, but unfortunately, I never received a response.

Cloudflare works with JD Cloud to improve web experience in China

The Chinese government has blocked some VPNs, but it usually targets the technology. So far, there have been no publicly reported cases of people being prosecuted for using VPNs in the country. My team and I don't support illegal activities, so make sure to read up on the laws before using a VPN there. If you’re looking for a VPN that will work in any country, look at this list of the top VPNs for China.

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. Besides

But, 1.1.1.1 doesn’t protect you from everyone else looking to spy on your data. That’s where the WARP addon comes into play. It turns 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 and malware (1.1.1.1 for Families).

Security Protocols

WARP offers two protocols, though their availability depends on the device. On devices that support both, it automatically selects a protocol by default, but you can also choose your preferred one. These are your options:

• WireGuard. WARP uses a version of the WireGuard protocol called BoringTun. It claims this offers the security and efficiency of WireGuard while ensuring smooth operation on iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, and Linux devices. WireGuard is known for its solid security and speed.
• MASQUE. MASQUE is an emerging protocol that builds on HTTP/3 and QUIC technologies to efficiently proxy IP and UDP traffic. It allows WARP to route traffic through Cloudflare's network securely while optimizing performance. It’s currently available on mobile devices.

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.

Proxy Mode

This feature functions similarly to WARP’s split tunneling. When WARP is set up as a local proxy, only the apps you configure (using HTTPS or SOCKS5) will route their traffic through WARP. This lets you selectively encrypt traffic. At the moment, this option is only available on desktop clients.

Local Domain Fallback

This lets you send DNS requests to a private DNS resolver instead of Cloudflare's public DNS resolver. It's especially useful for accessing resources on local or private networks that aren’t reachable via the public internet.

DNS, IP, and WebRTC Leaks

We never experienced leaks testing the VPN. Normally, we like to test 10+ servers, but this wasn’t a possibility with WARP since you can't switch servers. Keep in mind, though, that your IP might 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.

There were no leaks over the course of 4 days

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.

This negates the reason for using it to stay private online

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 looking for a VPN for maximum online security, check out this list of top VPNs that offer kill switches and military-grade encryption.

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 Cloudflare Keep Logs? No

WARP claims that it doesn’t log any “user-identifiable data”, and it doesn’t hurt that you don’t need to register to use the service. Cloudflare states that it logs the absolute minimum amount of data necessary to provide the service. However, it does record a bit more than some of the most popular VPNs.

For instance, WARP logs your app installation ID, operating system, 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 says it will give out personal data if ordered to by a court or if it needs to look into illegal activities or suspected fraud. However, this shouldn’t be a huge concern since it doesn’t store any identifiable data anyway.

Was Cloudflare 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.

Cloudflare also completed another audit in 2022 to meet Germany’s BSIG requirements. The independent TÜViT assessment checked areas like asset management, risk analysis, encryption, and network security.

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.

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. I don’t recommend using a VPN that lacks this feature 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.