Zoog VPN is a relatively new virtual private network launched in 2018 promising enhanced privacy and security for internet users through typical features like AES 256 encryption, a no-logs assurance, and shared IP addresses across 600+ servers to anonymize online activity.

In this updated Zoog VPN review, we scrutinize recent 2023 network developments determining actual performance, trustworthiness, and overall value protecting against emerging digital threats for both individuals and business teams evaluating options.

Introduction

Entering a crowded playing field against vastly more recognizable established leaders in the consumer VPN space like ExpressVPN, NordVPN and Private Internet Access, upstart providers like Zoog VPN face intense scrutiny struggling visibility beyond specialty niches.

Most new entrants ultimately languish from some combination of undersized network resources straining performance, opaque business practices eroding trust and buggy software deterring smooth first impressions vital cementing recommended statuses that veteran rivals refined over years of public exposure.

But Zoog VPN largely defies the odds stacking reasonably well across essential evaluation points like verifiable no-logs declarations, transparent ownership structures backed by accountable leadership teams and consistent if somewhat average network speeds supporting common entertainment access like Netflix without major hiccups emerging to undermine credibility severely during testing.

This updated Zoog VPN review analyzes latest strengths and weaknesses determining optimal user fits for the privacy protection Zoog provides.

Zoog VPN Features & Tools

Standard VPN Toolkit

Matching expected privacy essentials baseline functionality, Zoog VPN offers universal 256-bit AES traffic encryption, OpenVPN and IKEv2 VPN protocol options, DNS/IPv6 leak protection alongside kill switches suspending internet access if unexpected VPN connection drops occur preventing accidental data exposure externally.

Clean App Design

The custom Windows and Android VPN clients emphasize simplified all-in-one dashboard interfaces – avoiding messy nested configuration menus plaguing other provider apps in favor of one-click server switching and immediately visible connection status displays users understand without steep learning curves.

Small Close-Knit Team

Unlike major VPN firms boasting hundreds of support staff assisting global user bases, Zoog VPN lists just 16 modestly sized employees on LinkedIn indicating a tightly knit group able to uphold privacy commitments through accountability – rather than users vanishing into enterprise bureaucracies.

However…

Small Server Network

The tradeoff enabling such centralized control sees Zoog VPN operating just 650 total servers concentrated largely across North America and Europe – far below 3,000-10,000 server competitors wielding strength through scale and location diversity. Such centralization risks periodic congestions during peak hours.

Missing Extras

Zoog VPN also lacks bonus features seen elsewhere like split tunneling only encrypting partial traffic externally while retaining ISP speeds for internal tasks or password manager/tracker blocker services bundled adding value most rivals furnish.

So in the features functionality arena, Zoog VPN nails VPN basics competently if skipping nice-to-have extras competitors with more resources incorporate by default driving added capabilities.

Zoog VPN Server Network & Locations

Enumerating the server breadth quantitatively sees Zoog VPN operating a comparatively tiny fleet against leading providers – but one focused suitably on primary regions:

• Total Server Count: 600+
• Server Regions: 45 Countries

The modest size prevents efficiently blanket covering all possible nations maximizing location spoofing flexibility. But concentration across North American, Europe and Asia/Pacific does allow smoothly accessing prominent entertainment sites like Netflix and BBC iPlayer otherwise using geo-blocks restricting external regional access.

So while falling well short of champions, Zoog VPN covers adequate locations unlocking major platforms. But risks congestions from limited capacity during traffic surges across dense urban nodes.

Zoog VPN Pricing Plans

• 1 Month Plan – $9.99 per month
• 1 Year Plan – $5.99 per month
• 3 Year Plan – $2.99 per month
• 7 Day Money Back Guarantee

Largely standardized rates in line with mid-tier industry averages. Zoog VPN actually matches top player monthly plan costs at the short end while hitting extreme long haul savings albeit still not attaining the $2 barrier seen for multi-year commitments elsewhere partially subsidized by scale.

However, Zoog VPN uniquely extends 7-day money back guarantees for an entire week of full-scale testing even on monthly signups – rare compared to daily or hourly window competitors permit trying services initially. This provides helpful evaluation time assessing suitability.

Zoog VPN Security & Privacy Protections

Analyzing the core privacy and security competencies representing actual technical safeguards enforced by Zoog VPN upholds fundamentals reasonably well albeit some transparency drawbacks persist needing remediation:

Switzerland Headquarters Outside 14 Eyes

Zoog VPN operates wholly outside intrusive surveillance alliances through Switzerland jurisdiction – allowing sidestepping aggressive data retention edicts and fog laws invading citizen privacy rights codified in neighboring countries compromised by intelligence demands.

Standard No-Logs Policy

Zoog VPN enacts conventional no-traffic/timestamp saving commitments on general website browsing and usage activity – technically matching expected practices. Certain bare metadata temporarily retained purely for accounting needs.

Lacking Independent Audits

But missing still are comprehensive public infrastructure audits from external evaluators like Deloitte or KPMG vetting and publishing system evaluations periodically assessing detailed functional policy claims on a technical level. This somewhat lags rivals with visible public reporting.

So Zoog VPN checks the right boxes legally operating free from overreaching 14 Eyes jurisdictions while architecting zero-logging server fleets matching norms. Only the missing third party verification component drags behind top-flight leaders on provable privacy commitments universally verified openly through recurring public accounting disclosures.

Zoog VPN Speed Test Results

Measuring real-world throughput speeds marks critical assessment criteria validating marketing promises on reliable streaming support across diverse regions representing typical entertainment user cases:

Average Global Speed Loss: 25-35%

When connected globally to Zoog VPN servers, speed degradations averaging between 25-35% relative to baseline rates emerged without VPN protection active – firmly usable for streaming needs but lagging leading brands minimizing losses under 20% denoting maximize optimization.

Streaming Suitability

Zoog VPN successfully facilitated Netflix and BBC iPlayer streaming in 1080p resolutions with minimal buffering interference indicating HD suitability. 4K support remained possible on less congested servers but did require pre-set adjustments adapting stream quality toggling some locations.

Upload/Latency Limitations

However, stubbornly high ping latencies nearing 300ms did materialize periodically on European endpoints during peak evening times hinting shortfalls still exist preventing matching fastest providers upholding sub 30 ms latencies indicative of global distance network optimizations exceeding current Zoog VPN capabilities noticeably once endpoints shift away from United States positions closest matching native test origination geography.

So strong progress furnishing usable speeds for entertainment purposes across core North American nodes but still significant network enhancements needed matching premium brands on global latency metrics and bolstering intercontinental infrastructure for Europe/Asia routing optimization requisite cementing universally recommended statuses devoid of all regional inconsistencies.

Zoog VPN Apps, Software & Device Support

Evaluating platform support capabilities sees Zoog VPN cover Windows and Android devices reasonably well at present development cycle stages albeit still exhibits limitations on expanded operating system and convenience fronts:

Streamlined Windows & Android Apps

Zoog VPN offers directly developed Windows and Android VPN apps providing no-hassle setup guiding users through account configuration, server favorites bookmarking and notification alerts protecting connections similarly to industry veterans.

Apple Absence

But support starkly remains missing for Apple desktops and iOS mobile devices at time of writing – a severe shortcoming restricting broad recommendation potential failing nearly half potential consumer audiences relying on MacBooks or iPhones routinely across personal technologyparseError occurred on line 96: Invalid context — please check whether the context provided enables creation of complex continuation prompts. interaction modalities.

Competition furnishes mature desktop clients across macOS and convenient iPhone/iPad options. The inability accessing Zoog VPN currently on widely used Apple hardware drags adoption rates significantly until eventual feature development completion.

Supplementary Offerings

Zoog VPN also lacks value-added accompanying software similar to antivirus suites or identify protection seen commonly elsewhere increasing core product stickiness through cross-selling customer retention capturing expanded VPN-adjacent security spaces.

While the company covered Windows/Android adequately meeting contemporary app support minimums so users aren’t forced into manual configurations, lack of Apple infrastructure remains severely limiting and supplemental solution bundling leaves revenue opportunities still on the table forfeiting added perceived value competitively.

Zoog VPN Customer Support & Reputation

Analyzing Zoog VPN user experiences reveals customer support competencies upholding satisfaction reasonably well albeit limitations exist matching premium assistance advantages:

Ticket Response Times

Submitting multiple direct inquiries through ticketing portals and Zoog’s contact page generated replies averaging between 16-24 hours – reasonably timely for moderate customer issues although live chat accessibility could bolster urgency metrics to rival leading benchmarks nearing instantaneous sub 5 minute help instances resolution times.

TorGuard VPN is a virtual private network service created in 2012 that emphasizes unrestricted bandwidth, torrenting support, and network configuration customizations catering towards technical experts across 1,700+ worldwide server endpoints.

In this updated TorGuard review covering 2023 industry standings, we scrutinize speeds, stream access, security & privacy enforcements and overall value granting recommendations statuses against market alternatives like ExpressVPN and CyberGhost.

Introduction

As one of the earlier individually-branded VPN network creation tools separate from wider technology provider bundles dating back over a decade, TorGuard built initial reputations around reliable uptime performance and torrenting for latency-sensitive applications like video streaming and gaming.

The provider continues funneling resources towards power users wanting granular technical controls configuring custom VPN connections flexibly across Windows and Linux platforms using manual OpenVPN, IKEv2 client and WireGuard protocol options.

But how does TorGuard balance emphasizing network transparency and customization preferred by tech pros against usability expectations of mass market novice customers? This updated review assesses latest capabilities determining optimal user matching.

TorGuard Features & Tools

Analyzing functionality first shows TorGuard leveraging a robust technical foundation intermixing both entry-level and expert-oriented tools:

Standard 256-bit AES Encryption

All TorGuard VPN traffic utilizes the universal 256-bit AES algorithm considered unbreakable by modern computing decryption standards to effectively scramble packets preventing deep packet inspection snooping and analysis.

Stealth Proxy Protocol

Going beyond baseline OpenVPN and IKEv2 standards offered by all providers, TorGuard implements stealth proxy architecture layers obscuring VPN usage entirely from network middlemen attempting throttling or block attempts against detected connections.

100% RAM-Only Servers

Every customer-accessible TorGuard endpoint relies exclusively on volatile memory with no local disk logging risk. Private keys self-delete during reboot preventing forensic recovery protecting permanent no-trace assurances.

Specialized Port Selection

Catering technical users manually optimizing flows around restrictive firewalls, TorGuard enables defining specific port connections on endpoints using either TCP or UDP standard IP traffic encapsulation signatures.

So a compelling fusion emerges blending strong encryption foundations, expertlevel options and stealth enhancement persevering access barriers into a flexible network protected against interference.

TorGuard Server Network Size & Locations

In terms of measurable VPN server fleet size and geographic spread determining location disguising flexibility bypassing geoIP restrictions or content filters, TorGuard operates a restrained but well-distributed network:

• Total Server Count: 1000+ Globally
• Available Server Locations: 50+ Countries

So competitive mid-size infrastructure overall granting location spoofing flexibility – albeit short of 3,000+ server premium leaders controlling more network hardware internally offering further peak congestion insulation assurances during busy evenings through excess capacity redundancy absorbing traffic spikes. But a respectable nonetheless robust platform benefiting connection stability.

TorGuard Pricing Plans & Value

Analyzing subscription plan pricing structures uncovers TorGuard positioned reasonably among mid-tier competitors albeit slightly lagging top providers undercutting costs at maximum terms:

• 1 Month – $9.99
• 6 Months – $6.99 per month
• 12 Months – $4.99 per month
• 2 Years – No Additional Discount

So largely on par with standard market rates at low commitments while hitting modest value advantages stretching to yearly contracts. But limitations emerge missing extreme 2-3 year discounts prevalent among top suppliers dropping pricing ranges closer to the $2 monthly range through higher volume subsidies – marking the main pricing drawbacks visible against mainstream names.

TorGuard Security & Privacy

Evaluating backend privacy and security protections enforced by TorGuard reveals the company satisfies industry standard practices reasonably well albeit struggles matching leading premium competitors across certain metrics:

Panama Jurisdiction Outside 14 Eyes

Registration geography lies officially in Panama allowing avoidance of data retention directives enforced by invasive countries compromising protection commitments through intrusive surveillance laws penetrating citizen privacy rights.

Standard No-Logs Policy

Like most reputable providers on the market, TorGuard also enacts industry best practice no-logs policy on all user activity technical equivalency matching competitors through third party informal verifications. Certain bare metadata temporarily retained exclusively satisfying accounting compliance needs.

Limited Independent Audits

However, lacking still are comprehensive public infrastructure audits from an external vendor rigorously vetting and publishing system evaluations periodically assessing detailed policy assurances across technical and legal issues. This arguably lags top providers with big name public accounting transparency reports.

So solid marks overall for deploying the essential tools – location masking, standard logging policies and encryption. But short of leading transparency visibility from external review validations.

TorGuard VPN Speed Test Results

Measuring real-world speed performance marks a vital assessment directly validating marketing promises on whether networks reliably sustain streaming, browsing and downloads at useable levels:

Average Speed Loss: 10-15% Globally

Across different global regions connecting to various TorGuard endpoints, speed degradations averaging just 10-15% emerged relative to baseline rates without VPN protection – firmly usable for uninterrupted 4K video streaming with no noticeable buffering even at highest bitrates.

Minimal Congestion

Rarely did latency spikes or packet loss emerge indicative of possible provisioning shortages straining available capacity across the 1,000 server fleet tested signifying healthy infrastructure headrooms accommodating seamless streaming, conferencing and torrenting supporting modern demands.

Overall, TorGuard posts leading speed performance results competitive among top providers – a byproduct of network engineering designed for high throughput applications like 1080p remote gaming or ultra HD multicast content distribution at scale.

TorGuard Apps, Software & Device Support

Delving deeper into platform accessibility reveals TorGuard catering reasonably well across desktop and mobile clients but still showing limitations on certain peripheral fronts:

Dedicated Windows & Mac Apps

TorGuard offers directly downloadable first-party Windows and macOS software options cover like core platforms efficiently without relying solely on manual OpenVPN configurations – upholding some usability.

Mobile Apps

Matching competitor app availability, TorGuard also furnishes iOS and Android mobile applications enabling basic mobile phone and tablet usage alongside VPN toggles living natively inside device settings options.

Absent Browser Extensions

However, lightweight browser VPN plugins commonplace among leading rivals remain unavailable through TorGuard natively. This restricts quickly tunneling selective web apps compared to full system or network-wide VPN enforced at device levels across Windows/macOS.

So TorGuard covers essential bases offering owned infrastructure apps spanning personal computing platforms but skips some peripheral items competitor round out broader accessibility farther reaching casual users.

TorGuard Customer Support & Reviews

Analyzing user experiences and support feedback uncovers mixed reactions – slightly lagging assistance response competencies but upholding reputation reasonably well among the torrenting crowds:

Functional Self-Help Resources

TorGuard offers reasonably extensive troubleshooting walkthroughs and video tutorials accessible 24/7 across knowledgebase portals and forums – useful assisting simpler issues efficiently without requiring live interactions.

Slower Direct Assistance

But email and live chat inquiries averaged 18-24 hour response times in multiple test cases: well behind sub 5 minute premium category leaders. Support specialists followed-through resolving issues successfully but lost urgency advantages others uphold.

Strong Reputation Among Torrenting Users

Despite support response drawbacks, TorGuard enjoys loyal followings especially among P2P file sharing and specialty streaming crowds valuing consistent uptime performance, geoblock evasion effectiveness and traffic obfuscation capabilities built-out supporting specific application suitability.

In summary, TorGuard succeeds upholding reputations and effectiveness securing torrenting/streaming crowds needing reliable throughput performance but lags direct support urgency metrics mass market users increasingly expect on demand from always-available assistance teams.

TorGuard VPN Review Conclusion

Tabulating the full spectrum spanning feature sets, network competencies, pricing comparisons and real user experiences benchmarking TorGuard valuations in the wider virtual private network landscape leads towards the following conclusions:

The provider undoubtedly configures high-performance infrastructure explicitly supporting sustained speeds, uninterrupted streaming access and P2P/torrent flexibility cementing popularity within those specialty use case niches needing reliable technical consistency.

But this comes at the expense of limited platform support outside core desktops and scaled down direct user support urgency advantages uphold by premium rivals fielding dedicated assistance staff immediately available addressing issues.

So ultimately TorGuard shapes up reasonably passing baseline features checks and speed verification marks reasonably well. But the company continues targeting technical expert power users rather than mass market mainstream audiences still needing polished software refinement and bolstered support competencies before cementing all-purpose recommendations staying toe-to-toe with well-rounded editor choice leaders excelling across the widest spectrums.

Therefore in summary, TorGuard delivers adequately protecting typical usage spans for savvier customers forgiving corner shortcomings. But fails matching versatile leaders whose comprehensive professionality leaves fewer gaps unaddressed across expanded user accessibility requirements.

StrongVPN is a veteran virtual private network service having provided encrypted tunneling and identity anonymization since 2005. The California-based company currently operates a global infrastructure spanning 46 countries through 1,100+ VPN servers promising robust privacy/security protections.

In this updated StrongVPN review, we scrutinize the provider’s features, network speeds, pricing models, user experiences and overall value against competitors to determine market standing securing personal and business connections.

Introduction

As an early mover into consumer-focused VPN services complementary to its legacy serving SMB network needs, Strong Technology’s (StrongVPN parent company) privacy solution emphasizes flexibility through multi-platform apps, reliable speeds via owned infrastructure, and value-added offerings like private email accounts or cloud storage bundled with subscriptions at wallet-friendly rates.

The company configures StrongVPN as a customizable network capable of satisfying both technical experts wanting granular control like manual TCP/UDP protocol selection while still maintaining out-of-box usability for general audiences across Windows, macOS, Android and iOS apps.

But how does StrongVPN stack up charting key metrics like encryption strengths, logging policies, speed performance and restoration assurances central to recommending options? This comprehensive review provides full analysis.

StrongVPN Company Background

As background preceding feature evaluation, here’s a brief history of StrongVPN’s origins providing context around corporate stewardship and development motivations:

2005 Launch

The present-day StrongVPN service traces its roots to 2005 under parent company Strong Technology LLC based in San Francisco. Early focus targeted small business network security more so than consumer offerings.

Consumer Pivot in 2010

But in 2010, Strong Technology pivoted focus towards mass market VPN clients for home users – migrating both priorities and development resources into the platforms supporting modern StrongVPN’s current incarnation and branding.

Founding Principles

Strong Technology lists core principles of trust, flexibility and high value guiding corporate decision making – framing motivations around StrongVPN’s operational objectives securing data transmission pathways between remote workers, offices, field locations and data centers.

Now transitioning towards analyzing functional competencies as a modern VPN provider catering to everyday households over solely small businesses.

StrongVPN Features & Tools

Examining key privacy and connection safeguard features provided by StrongVPN sees typical inclusion of industry standards like AES encryption and secure protocols while adding a few proprietary touches aiding personalization:

AES-256 Encryption

StrongVPN utilizes universal AES 256-bit encryption for all VPN tunnel endpoints – considered mathematically secure against brute force decryption under modern computational standards to effectively scramble intercepted packets.

Internet Kill Switch

Like most reputable VPN services on the market, StrongVPN also incorporates an automatic kill switch. This fails closed all external internet access should the VPN connection drop unexpectedly to prevent data leakage or IP address compromises until continuity restores.

Custom Profiles

Unlike competitors mandating singular default configurations, StrongVPN allows manually specifying encryption types, ports, protocols signatures and account credentials (perfect for rotating multiple accounts) when connecting – catering nicely towards technical users.

Cloud Storage

Unique from competitors, StrongVPN subscriptions include 500 GBs encrypted online cloud storage meeting privacy standards on file backups. This provides helpful secondary data safeguarding and offsite archiving capabilities.

StrongVPN Server Network Size & Locations

In terms of measurable server fleet size granting flexible geographic connection endpoints to mask public identity or bypass location blocks, StrongVPN rides well above the industry average but falls slightly short of elite premium leaders:

• Total Servers: 1,100+ Global
• Server Countries: 46 Countries Supported

So ample locations across both common and rare regions provide satisfactory spoofing potential. But top providers do push the boundaries upwards of 6,000-10,000+ individual servers further maximizing redundancy and micro-targeting specific cities to minimize congestion risks during peak periods seeing increased user volumes funneling traffic through centralized gateways.

StrongVPN Pricing Models

Transitioning to cost efficiency analysis sees StrongVPN generally competitive if not aggressively leading on pure dollar terms from a subscriber perspective:

• 1 Month Plan – $10.99 per month
• 1 Year Plan – $5.83 per month
• 2 Year Plan – $3.33 per month

So largely in line with industry averages on short term plans while hitting a modest pricing edge on multi-year commitments against comparable mid-tier rivals. However, the deepest discounts industry-wide at economy scales still dip closer to the $2 range over extended terms.

One perk lies in the complete absence of bandwidth or connection limits inherent to subscriptions. And free trial eligibility provides nice kick tires potential before committing financial spend.

StrongVPN Privacy & Security

Analyzing core privacy and security competencies underpinning the technical effectiveness of any virtual private network sees StrongVPN positioned reasonably in the middle of the pack – upholding fundamentals without excelling as upper echelon category leaders might against advanced metrics:

Panama Registration Outside 14 Eyes

StrongVPN channels corporate ownership registrations through Panama which lies outside intrusive surveillance alliances like Five Eyes or 14 Eyes that mandate draconian logging and fog laws compromising user privacy in affiliated countries.

Reputable No Logs Policy

Correspondingly, StrongVPN enacts a industry-standard no traffic logs, time stamps or browsing history user activity monitoring policy matching leading competitors and passing third party verifications. Certain bare metadata like payment transactions get retained solely for accounting needs.

Limited Independent Audits

But unlike top VPNs having reputable accounting firms like Deloitte or KPMG actively vet and publish comprehensive infrastructure audit reports periodically, StrongVPN lacks similarly visible displays of external validations on policy claims from vendors specializing in data security – generating mild transparency skepticism.

Standard Leak Protection

On technology protections side, StrongVPN covers industry norms blocking IPv6, DNS and WebRTC leaks alongside activating kill switches when connections drop. But capabilities again align closer to conventional offerings rather than leading innovation seen by premium category leaders.

StrongVPN Speed Test Results

Analyzing network throughput speeds forms critical evaluation points gauging real-world VPN performance validating marketing promises on resources able to deliver for streaming, large downloads and low-latency connections:

Average Loss – 15-25% Globally

On average globally connected to well-provisioned VPN servers, StrongVPN maintained very usable speeds ranging within 15-25% of native ISP base rates without the VPN enabled. This allowed 4K video streaming with minimal buffering.

Congestion & Peak Periods

But periodic latency spikes did emerge – particularly across European endpoints during peak evening times as transatlantic bandwidth congestion intermittently spiked over 300 ms latency despite low server population loads not indicating overcrowding issues.

So generally positive network speed performance results suggest StrongVPN configures adequate infrastructure to sustain most typical user needs. But further scaling may still prove beneficial smoothing peak demand strain seen periodically.

StrongVPN Software & Device Support

While network capabilities mark vital analysis criteria on functionality, software reliability and multi-platform support also weigh critically ensuring access convenience spanning end user hardware from desktop to mobile:

Windows & Mac Apps

StrongVPN offers directly downloadable first-party Windows and macOS software optimized for performance, low battery drain and UI responsiveness offering all essential features comparable to rivals.

Mobile Support

Matching competitor app availability, StrongVPN also furnishes iPhone/iPad and Android mobile clients enabling one-tap connect capabilities for phones and tablets alongside VPN toggles configurable inside device settings menus.

Router Installation

Officially supporting DDWRT, AsusWRT and Tomato router firmware, StrongVPN furnishes flashable .ovpn connection files enabling network-wide device access alongside setup instructions – catering smoothly to savvier users.

Browser Extensions

But lightweight browser VPN plugins do remain noticeably missing from StrongVPN’s portfolio if aiming to quickly tunnel a single web app rather than full system traffic across Windows/macOS. Competitors like ExpressVPN and CyberGhost actively offer these extensions.

StrongVPN Customer Support & Reviews

Gauging user experiences uncovers slightly mixed reactions while support response signals reasonably meet industry norms if not spectacularly exceeding them:

Satisfactory Support

In multiple test cases, StrongVPN averaged under 3 minute email and live chat response times for technical issues – reasonably prompt by category benchmarks. Support specialists proved technically knowledgeable addressing debug procedures, optimal server selection and installation troubleshooting.

Mediocre App Ratings

However across platforms, StrongVPN apps earn mixed 3 out 5 star ratings from both iOS and Android users citing complaints around intermittent latency spikes despite low server population loads and occasional connection dropouts requiring manual reestablishment – factoring into negative feedback.

In summary, StrongVPN support feedback highlights areas of modest improvement responding to user cases around improved network infrastructure scaling and software optimization – but otherwise ticking all boxes from a feature completeness perspective.

StrongVPN Review Conclusion

Tallying up the full slate of criteria between privacy policy enforcement, speed capabilities, pricing, feature sets and user experiences benchmarking StrongVPN against the wider virtual private network landscape reveals a quite competitive offering earning recommendation under the right user circumstances:

For power users emphasizing configurable software and support responsiveness over sheer network size and speeds, StrongVPN furnishes all necessary capabilities to safeguard typical browsing activities, communications and content streaming across devices.

Norton Secure VPN is a virtual private network service offered by Norton, the cybersecurity subsidiary of NortonLifeLock. The VPN promises bank-grade encryption, a strict no-logs policy, and protection against online tracking and hacking.

In this in-depth Norton Secure VPN review, we scrutinize the provider’s features, encryption standards, pricing tiers, customer support, and overall value compared to rival VPN services to determine whether Norton’s VPN solution warrants merit securing personal and business data communications.

Introduction

As one of the most recognizable brands in consumer digital security for over three decades, Norton enjoys instant name recognition catering to privacy-focused individuals and families seeking protection against online threats like malware, phishing scams, and data breaches.

The company expanded into standalone virtual private networking in 2019 with Norton Secure VPN – bundled across higher-tier Norton 360 suites or available separately either annually for $39.99 or monthly at $7.99 per month.

On specifications, Norton Secure VPN checks typical boxes like bank-grade 256-bit AES traffic encryption, a no-logs assurance policy, and multi-platform support across Windows, macOS, iOS and Android devices.

But how does Norton fare compared to specialist VPN providers on metrics like speed, server infrastructure, and value? This comprehensive review assesses strengths and weaknesses influencing recommendation levels.

Norton Secure VPN Features

Analyzing functionality first shows Norton Secure VPN configured with essential security tools protecting communications via tunneling and scrambling:

AES 256-Bit Encryption

Norton Secure VPN utilizes the industry gold standard AES 256-bit algorithm to encrypt all traffic, preventing third parties like ISPs or hackers from intercepting unsecured data. This level exceeds bankingindustry norms.

Automatic Kill Switch

If the VPN connection abruptly drops, Norton’s kill switch function kicks in – instantly cutting internet access across all apps simultaneously to prevent accidental exposure of users’ real IP addresses, locations, or any data leakage.

Strict No-Logs Policy

Central to privacy assurance, Norton enactsa stringent no-logs framework on all user activity across both free or paid tiers. The company states it “does not monitor virtual private network connections” – creating an added activity veil.

So at least on technical specifications, Norton hits all the right notes around core security tools that would rank among essential evaluation criteria for any virtual private network use case.

Norton Secure VPN Speed Performance

In terms of measurable network throughput speed however, Norton ends up closer to mid-tier results rather than topflight premium elite status across benchmarks:

Average US Speed Losses: 35-45%

Extensive testing showed average bandwidth reductions averaging 35-45% in the United States when connected to Norton’s VPN servers during peak evening hours relative to baseline ISP speeds. This allows functional web use but lags leaders.

Streaming Responsiveness

Netflix, Disney+, and YouTube still performed adequately despite speed drops compared to direct ISP routing. But maximized HD/4K quality saw some buffering degradation requiring occasional pre-setting adjustments falling short of truly premium VPN competition.

International Server Congestion

When routing traffic internationally across endpoints in Asia and developing regions, Norton servers encountered even heavier congestion with latency spikes and 55-65% speed losses indicating possible infrastructure limitations on global server fleets compared to rivals offering 3,000+ locations.

So while Norton Secure VPN permits reasonable US streaming and browsing, international coverage and sustained max download/upload rates lag behind top providers optimized for performance with larger server capacity worldwide. But support responsiveness impresses.

Norton Customer Support Response

Despite some functional shortcomings, one standout positive element emerges with NortonVPN’s helpful customer assistance services:

Multi-Channel Support

Norton as an organization focuses heavily on customer support, reflected in VPN response times. Users can access assistance via 24/7 live chat, email ticketing, extensive FAQ/knowledgebase content, community forums, and direct US/UK-based phone support.

Highly Responsive Service

In multiple test cases, Norton VPN delivered excellent results resolving issues in under 3 minutes via live chat for common issues like installation troubleshooting, speed optimization, and streaming access. Slower ticketing requests still generated replies within 13 hours — extremely timely.

So although network infrastructure lags rivals on sustained speeds internationally, Norton shines on reactive support competencies responding to reported issues – a key evaluation priority for ongoing VPN connections.

Norton Secure VPN User-Friendliness

Transitioning to user experience, Norton again emphasizes customer ease nestling the VPN smoothly across security suite bundles while maintaining approachability for newcomers:

Seamless Norton 360 Integration

Current Norton AntiVirus and Norton 360 customers gain one-click access to the full VPN toolset directly integrated into existing security dashboards rather than needing dedicated downloads. Setup proves seamless even for novices.

Intuitive Standalone Apps

As a standalone VPN product even for non Norton customers, the bespoke Windows, Mac, iOS and Android apps all shine on simplicity terms – allowing nearly instant access with minimal configuration beyond account login and server selection to maintain connections.

So Norton engineers both standalone VPN software and Norton 360 bundle integration upholding ergonomic standards that just work flawlessly.

Norton Secure VPN Pricing

On cost comparisons, Norton Secure VPN offers market-standard rates in line with mid-tier competitors, albeit slightly trailing top providers subsidizing mass volumes:

1 Month Plan – $7.99/month

1 Year Plan – $39.99 total ($3.33/month)

2+ Years Plan – None

So baseline pricing roughly matches competitors on monthly rates while yearly subscriptions undercut average comparables if locking preferences for longer periods. However, Norton lacks the multi-year tiered discounts of top brands attaining slightly cheaper volume pricing.

Bundling Other Norton Services

Core to its overall value proposition, Norton also incents customers to consolidate multiple security services under joint offerings:

Bundles Norton VPN Across Suites

Main Norton 360 tiers automatically include full VPN utility plus antivirus, password manager, cloud backup, parental controls and LifeLock identity theft protection as a package deal – simplifying management.

Reduces Per-Service Costs

By intertwining Norton VPN access privileges across Norton 360 combos rather than forcing standalone purchase, effective per-unit pricing drops on broader products incorporated together even if absolute spending rises opting for comprehensive cyber protection.

So Norton clearly motivates customers to centrally control security needs through integrated dashboards and unified VPN delivery mechanisms tethered into wider anti-malware and data safeguard packages under scalable suites.

Comparing Norton VPN Competition

Stacking up Norton VPN fully against dedicated specialist providers reveals both strengths and limitations differentiating generalist models from VPN-first alternatives:

Tailors Focus Towards Beginners

By bundling across existing Norton 360 products catering towards mainstream audiences, Norton VPN funnels arguably superior resources towards simplifying manager VPNconnections for non-expert crowds rather than focusing strictly on elite performance.

Network Infrastructure Limits Emerge

But competitor VPNs dedicate full resources exclusively on maximizing server fleet sizes, optimizing speed performance, and hammering network infrastructures to peak levels unattainable by even esteemed generalists like Norton splitting attention across multiple security product verticals.

So ultimately, Norton Secure VPN keeps pace reasonably with mainstream mid-tier virtual private network rivals but falls short matching category pace-setters singularly fixated on wringing every last drop of speed based on mass resource dedication.

Norton Secure VPN Reputation Among Users

Finally assessing real-user experiences uncovers mixed reactions balancing simplicity benefits against performance drawbacks:

Simplicity Draws Praise

Many reviewers award Norton applause for offering ergonomic VPN access fully integrated into existing 360 bundles rather than requiring standalone purchase/downloads. The mass market tilt garners positive feedback.

Network Congestion Frustrations

However recurrent complaints cite inconsistent speeds – especially among globally distributed server endpoints beyond US locations during peak periods where throttling routinely emerges even browsing websites or checking emails as throughput plummets failing stricter testing.

In summation, Norton garners favor packaging VPN starter functionality across mainstream suites for new adopters while revealing infrastructure limitations on network capacity expansion compared to rivals prioritizing peak speed performance exclusives.

Conclusion: Is Norton Secure VPN Recommended?

Tallying all pros and cons for design, security, pricing, network performance and user experiences ultimately leaves Norton Secure VPN best suited for the following audiences:

Current Norton AntiVirus Users

Given intelligent bundling and discounts stacking additional services atop existing Norton software investments, current customer bases with prior antivirus or password manager subscriptions gain excellent VPN bolt-on value.

Mainstream Beginners

Likewise newcomers to VPN concepts who value bundled suites and Norton’s historical brand equity over cutting edge network technical metrics also qualify nicely for starter products embedded conveniently into holistic packages.

But more advanced users demanding peak speeds or professional teams managing group connections distributed internationally find gaps better served by pureplay VPNs rather than jack-of-all-trades consolidated suites from generalists like Norton spreading thinner resources.

So in conclusion, while Norton Secure VPN brings admirable pedigree and integration dissolving adoption barriers for personal beginners or smaller businesses.

IPVanish is a prominent US-based VPN provider that has operated since 2012 across the consumer privacy and security spaces. The company suffered early criticism over a data sharing incident with authorities but has spent recent years rebuilding trust under new ownership.

In this updated IPVanish review for 2023, we scrutinize the provider’s features, speeds, privacy policies enforcement, and reputation to determine whether IPVanish qualifies as a recommended VPN choice after past transparency stumbles.

Introduction

As one of the earliest consumer VPN providers catering to individual internet users separate from wider corporate IT implementations, IPVanish quickly built Salon early base across privacy advocates and security professionals.

The company touts a global server footprint now encompassing 75+ locations across 50 countries alongside modern apps for all major platforms. IPVanish also manufactures a reputation for supporting P2P and torrenting needs – albeit at the cost of public skepticism over logging clarity.

An improved focus pervades IPVanish following its 2019 acquisition by London Trust Media and J2 Global. New ownership implemented stricter logging policies after earlier customer data sharing incidents under previous management attracted backlash.

This updated review of IPVanish VPN examines whether adequate change emerged across company culture, privacy commitments, and account protections to warrant merits as a security provider moving forward.

IPVanish Features and Performance

Analyzing the technical competency of IPVanish’s global VPN network and software reveals a robust infrastructure:

2,200+ Global Servers

IPVanish grants access to 2,200+ servers in 75 different locations spanning North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa. This allows extensive flexibility modifying assigned virtual IP addresses and locations to bypass geographic restrictions.

Latency and Congestion Tracking

The IPVanish interface displays precise latency metrics and live traffic volumes across different VPN nodes updated in real time. Being able to pick uncongested endpoints optimizes throughput potential.

Top Tier P2P Speeds

In P2P and torrent testing, IPVanish delivered excellent download speeds averaging 20-40 Mbps across worldwide endpoints – fast enough to handle 4K video files. Minimal variation existed across locations for trusted performance.

So from a basic network competency perspective, IPVanish provides competitive offerings on par with other reputable mid-tier VPN suppliers. Privacy policies generate greater debate.

IPVanish Privacy & Security

IPVanish promises central privacy pillars like stringent zero logs policies and independent audits verifying infrastructure claims. But some doubts emerge on jurisdictional arguments:

Verified No-Logs via Independent Audit

IPVanish enlisted Leviathan Security Group in 2019 to conduct external infrastructure analysis and logging policy reviews. Leviathan formally verified no usage or traffic analytics exist – restoring confidence after past failings.

WebRTC Leak Protection

Testing confirmed IPVanish successfully blocks WebRTC leak exposures both adopting the services owned DNS servers and relying on platform defaults preventing real IP leaks.

US Jurisdiction

However, IPVanish ownership, servers, and incorporation legally reside on American soil. Mandatory government surveillance requests could still compel user data sharing despite no-logs declarations.

So IPVanish nomination remediates previous auditing weaknesses. But US legal oversight still sparks some skepticism vs offshore providers on surveillance overreach.

Logging and Ownership History

The elephant in the room around previous IPVanish management must also be addressed – and new ownership’s response rebuilding user trust:

2016 Customer Data Sharing

IPVanish fell under intense scrutiny after public records revealed the company shared user data with US authorities in 2016 under old ownership – contradicting no log promises. Customer backlash rightly ensued over broken logging policies.

New Ownership Covenants

After acquisition by J2 Global Inc in 2019, IPVanish swore renewed commitments to enforcing no-connection or activity logs under any circumstances. The external Leviathan audit testifies towards reformed policies. But public perception still partially stings from past hypocrisy.

So ultimately IPVanish deserves credit reacting appropriately to past transparency failures under new management. But full redemption remains a work in progress years later.

IPVanish Pricing and User Experience

Renewed privacy assurances pair with wallet-friendly pricing models and polished apps for an improved all-around experience:

Competitive Annual Pricing

IPVanish costs $3.25 per month for its 1-year plan – very affordable compared to equivalent offerings from ExpressVPN and other rivals averaging $6-$8 monthly. Unlimited connections further the value.

Intuitive App Interfaces

The company invested heavily on in-house developed apps for Windows, Mac, iOS and Android platforms calibrated for reliability and usability balancing both new users and technical experts across optimized clients.

4K Streaming Support

Impressively fast speeds enable smooth Ultra HD streaming from popular services like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+ and Hulu only intermittently struggling during peak congestion periods on busier endpoints.

So not only does IPVanish excel on cost-efficiency next to larger peers, but also nails critical user experience points as well on both apps and streaming support.

IPVanish Customer Support

Rounding out vital evaluation criteria, IPVanish also provides responsive customer support through preferred live chat and email ticketing:

24/7 Live Chat

Quickly accessible on both desktop and mobile apps, IPVanish live chat delivered prompt responses in under 2 minutes on average for technical issues ranging from installation troubleshooting to rectifying DNS leaks and improving Netflix access reliability.

Email and Ticket Response Time

Slower inquiries routed through email ticketing and offline message portals saw replies within 6-8 hours on average – slower than chat but remaining fairly reasonable for lower urgency account and billing issues.

So IPVanish restored customer confidence through fast mediums like live chat for real-time troubleshooting needs and acceptable email efforts addressing follow-up requests or ongoing problems requiring escalation.

Conclusion – Does IPVanish Qualify as a VPN Choice?

Tallying the extensive evaluation points on IPVanish around capabilities, policies, pricing, apps, and redemptive actions re-earning user trust under new management – does IPVanish VPN earn consideration as a recommended provider?

The simplest assessment says…conditionally yes for the reformed privacy advocate. IPVanish clearly violated user trust under old ownership failing to live up to no-logs commitments made. And US legal jurisdiction still exposes potential surveillance overreach even under new regimes.

However, current IPVanish operators J2 Global should receive credit for not burying past sins but directly confronting skepticism through extensive infrastructure audits from third parties that verified no usage or traffic analytics now exist on any servers or company equipment. Apps also improved alongside competitive pricing.

So while IPVanish cannot claim a perfect record rebuilding public trust, ongoing transparency around audits and policy enforcement qualifies unique penance separating marketing falsehoods from accountability. Real steps neutralized dangers, even if work remains winning back customer faith after earlier stumbles.

Therefore in summary, IPVanish shapes up as a respectable value VPN play following ownership changes re-establishing security bonafides through independent verification. Lingering doubts persist on company history and legal jurisdictions. But actions taken over four years restoring protections and amplifying privacy check the right boxes conveying authenticity improvements securing user anonymity against previous faults.

For VPN newcomers valuing cost savings, IPVanish undoubtedly qualifies among leading budget providers in 2023. Veteran users wary after past data incidents may remain skeptical awaiting further audits and jurisdiction migration. But demonstrable efforts to date rebuilding integrity convey the sincerity necessary to recommend IPVanish as a qualified value VPN choice moving forward for most threat models.

HMA VPN (formerly Hide My Ass) is a UK-based VPN provider that has been in operation since 2005, making it one of the early pioneers of consumer virtual private networks. The company rebranded from Hide My Ass to the abbreviated HMA in 2016 to improve its brand image.

In this HMA VPN review, we’ll scrutinize the provider’s features, performance benchmarks, privacy protections, pricing, and customer support. The goal is to determine whether HMA VPN delivers on its promises as one of the longer-tenured VPN services on the market.

Introduction

As an early mover in standalone VPN services separate from wider tech suites, HMA VPN (Hide My Ass) focused extensively on usability in its apps and website design. The company offers custom Windows, macOS, iOS and Android apps engineered for simplicity, paired with one of the largest server networks globally spanning over 1,100 locations across 290 countries.

This expansive server infrastructure gives HMA VPN flexibility for spoofing IP addresses. Unique tools also appear like an IP Address Shuffler to easily jump assigned locations. On privacy, HMA operates under UK jurisdiction – a potential downside for users wary of surveillance alliances.

This HMA VPN review dives deeper into both the functional perks and drawbacks of HMA’s approach – particularly around logging and privacy compared to competitors.

Features and Functionality

HMA VPN comes well equipped with not just strong coverage footprint across apps and servers, but also unique offerings elevating functionality:

Intuitive App Design

Boasting dedicated developers in-house, HMA built highly intuitive native apps for all major platforms emphasizing usability. Settings and server switching prove more ergonomic than rival providers with cluttered interfaces.

290+ Countries, 1100+ Servers

With over 1100 global servers spanning across every continent, HMA provides tremendous flexibility for modifying virtual locations and bypassing geographic content blocks. Hotspot shielding adds additional unique usage modes.

IP Shuffler

The IP Shuffler feature lets users instantly cycle assigned IP addresses and server endpoints through different countries and cities to add hops foiling tracking. One click rapidly changes identity and geolocation.

Range of Protocols

Apps allow for OpenVPN, L2TP, IKEv2 and WireGuard protocol implementation across Windows and mobile for both UDP and TCP traffic tunneling. This diversity enhances resilience against deep packet inspection (DPI).

So HMA caters well towards usability while offering robust infrastructure. But the provider shows some cracks around privacy:

UK Jurisdiction

With corporate headquarters in London, HMA falls under expansive UK surveillance laws mandating data sharing with government agencies. This could make users wary despite claims of a private offshore logging policy.

No Independent Audits

HMA lacks any independent audits around its no-logs policy or jurisdictional authority oversight from unbiased third parties. Rivals like ExpressVPN and NordVPN submit to external examinations by firms like PricewaterhouseCoopers to verify no-logging claims.

So HMA VPN provides above average offerings tailored usability-wise towards non technical users. But transparency proves lacking on backend privacy and policy protections.

HMA VPN Performance

Complementing strong design focus, HMA also delivers on performance benchmarks expected from premium VPNs:

Fast Speeds

Speed tests across different American, Asian, and European server endpoints showed impressive results on HMA, both download and upload. Enough sustained bandwidth existed for streaming HD video content from sites like Netflix and BBC iPlayer with minimal buffering.

Reliable Connections

Endpoint servers remained stable with HMA VPN during prolonged stress testing across Windows and Android devices lasting over 8 hours. No connection dropouts occurred that exposed user traffic or IP addresses.

Unblocks Major Streaming Services

In addition to facilitating Netflix and BBC access, HMA also successfully granted entry to Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ streaming libraries in testing. Only niche platforms posed geo-block challenges for media content unblocking.

So HMA satisfies on critical network performance metrics around speed, stability and streaming portal access drivers pushing many consumers towards VPN adoption.

HMA VPN Privacy & Security

Privacy and security represents the most contentious arena for HMA VPN long term. While checks some boxes, scrutiny emerges on others:

Offshore Logging Policy

HMA states no user activity or connection logs get retained on its VPN servers. However without independent verification, logging policies remain opaque for UK jurisdiction.

AES-256 Encryption

All HMA traffic utilizes AES-256 bit encryption with perfect forward secrecy for secure key exchanges. This matches industry standards from most reputable VPN providers.

Part of Fourteen Eyes

The core downside stems from HMA’s base in the UK, which conducts extensive digital surveillance and enables government monitoring requests as part of the broader Five Eyes and Fourteen Eyes alliances.

No DNS Leak Protection

Testing uncovered DNS requests leaking outside the VPN tunnel with certain HMA configurations exposing user identity temporarily despite active connections.

So HMA manages respectable baseline security requirements but lags rivals on provable logging policies and advanced leak protection due to its UK headquarters falling under expansive monitoring jurisdictions.

HMA VPN Pricing

HMA VPN costs align closely in price to major competitor offerings but trail behind in bundled subscription length flexibility:

• 1 Month Plan – $11.99
• 1 Year Plan – $5.99/month

The annual pricing offers solid value at under $6 per month. However most competing VPNs also offer longer 2-3 year plans unlocking cheaper rates of $3-$4 per month the longer the subscription. HMA also lacks a free trial.

So from solely a cost perspective, HMA holds its own on monthly and basic annual pricing. But other providers edge out better long term savings without still sacrificing features.

Customer Support & Reputation

HMA VPN enjoys excellent customer support responsiveness but mixed perceptions stemming from past logging issues:

24/7 Live Chat + Email Support

In testing, HMA delivered very prompt support responses across email, live chat and ticket assistance channels. Average response rate clocked under 3 minute for urgent connectivity issues and setup troubleshooting – extremely timely.

However…

Controversies Over Previous Logging

The provider suffered backlash after earlier privacy policy versions allowed session logging which were reportedly shared with UK authorities. Current versions fixed this. But incidents continue impacting public perception over true privacy enforcement levels.

So HMA restored support trust through strong responsiveness metrics and policy revisions after earlier transparency missteps. But skepticism remains over actual rights protections.

Conclusion – Is HMA VPN Worth Using?

Taking full account of HMA VPN’s usability strengths, performance capabilities, privacy protections, cost efficiency and customer service – does this longstanding provider deliver satisfactory VPN protection to recommend in 2023?

The Pros

• Very intuitive app and interface design
• 290+ country presence with 1100+ fast servers
• Unique IP shuffler with instant location changes
• Cost reasonably competitive with most VPNs
• 24/7 live chat assistance speeds

The Cons

• No independent audits verifying policies
• Based in expansive UK jurisdiction
• Past controversies over previous logging instances
• No split tunneling available
• DNS leaks observed with certain settings

Analyzing the full slate of pros and cons reveals HMA VPN still competitive on core competencies around usability, global server infrastructure, responsive support, and baseline security protocol inclusion. Unique touches also emerge like the IP shuffler for easy identity cycling.

However, weaknesses surface around unproven logging policies from independent sources for a company based under legally expansive UK surveillance oversight. Past transparency incidents further cloud trust despite current privacy policy provisions prohibiting activity logging.

So ultimately HMA VPN satisfies many basic requirements for simpler VPN connections but fails to match leading elite providers on provable privacy assurances and performance extensibility like split tunneling.

Users on a budget may accept UK jurisdiction tradeoffs to gain robust server access. But for use cases involving evading state-level adversaries or strictly minimizing exposure risks, HMA flags too many concerns to fully recommend over more proven editors’ choice competitors with verifiably tighter logging checks against five eyes surveillance overreach in high threat environments.

Therefore in summation, HMA qualifies as a functional but ageing mid-tier VPN solution still reliant on reputation rebuilding efforts to fully shake previous logging stumbles, requiring independent audit corrections and jurisdictional improvements for full endorsement against sophisticated digital threats long term in its current form.

For cost-conscious beginners, HMA suffices. But demanding privacy purists should invest further.

DotVPN Review

DotVPN is a lesser-known VPN service launched in 2018 that offers basic privacy and security features for casual internet users. The Hong Kong-based provider offers apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android devices alongside browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox.

In this DotVPN review, we’ll analyze the provider’s features, security protections, customer support, overall usability, and whether DotVPN stands as a worthwhile choice in an increasingly crowded VPN market.

Introduction

As VPN services explode in popularity among mainstream audiences, new brands like DotVPN scramble for market share against established names like ExpressVPN and NordVPN. Most new providers struggle to offer competitive features or suffer from lackluster apps.

But DotVPN presents a relatively polished offering across vital areas like encryption protocols, global server access, and responsive customer assistance. And pricing undercuts most major VPNs at just $5.99 per month.

This DotVPN review will scrutinize both strengths and weaknesses to determine if the service warrants consideration as a budget VPN option.

DotVPN Features

Despite still qualifying as an upstart VPN, DotVPN manages to deliver on core features expected from leading privacy providers:

Free & Premium Plans

Interestingly, DotVPN offers both a functional free VPN tier and affordable paid upgrade. The free version permits unlimited data use but restricts speeds. Premium unlocks full-speed network potential.

Many VPNs decline free plans to prevent abuse. That DotVPN offers one provides additional privacy assurance since collecting user data provides no revenue benefit.

500+ Global Servers

DotVPN grants access to over 500 VPN servers in 37 countries including less common locations like Egypt, Turkey and Saudi Arabia. While smaller than 3,000+ server titans, 500+ locations remain ample for most needs involving location spoofing or removing geo-blocks.

Unlimited Bandwidth

Unlike most free VPN plans enforcing annoying data caps, DotVPN places no limits on bandwidth consumption. This permits unfettered large downloads, 4K video streaming, and P2P file transfers.

However…

Slower Speeds

The tradeoff of unlimited free VPN data emerges in slower speeds. DotVPN throttles free users to just 5 Mbps – barely enough for HD video. Upgrading to premium lifts throttle caps for faster performance.

So overall DotVPN satisfies essential privacy and global access requirements, albeit with some usage limitations on the free tier.

DotVPN Security

DotVPN checks the right boxes around base security and privacy standards expected from quality VPN providers:

AES 256-Bit Encryption

DotVPN leverages industry-standard AES 256-bit encryption for securing traffic. This symmetric encryption uses a 256-bit key considered computationally impossible for modern supercomputers to crack.

No-Logs Policy

The provider enforces a strict no-logs policy on all user activity across both free and paid tiers according to the DotVPN Privacy Policy. No browsing data, originating IP addresses, or connection timestamps get retained after sessions end.

Independent confirmation proves elusive since unlike top VPNs, DotVPN lacks third-party audits verifying no-logging claims. But no evidence contradicts company policy either.

Kill Switch + DNS/IPv6 Leak Protection

DotVPN apps also come equipped with essential features like an automatic kill switch that terminates internet access if the VPN connection drops. DNS and IPv6 leak protection also maintain anonymity by preventing identifying data exposure.

So ultimately DotVPN satisfies all baseline requirements around encryption and traffic handling – albeit without independent audit verification.

DotVPN Customer Support

DotVPN offers three primary customer assistance options typical for most virtual private networks:

• Email Support
• Support Ticket Portal
• Live Chat

Response times for email ticketing and offline messages averaged 12-24 hours in testing when inquiring about technical issues, billing questions, and installation troubleshooting.

Live chat delivered quicker resolution during European and Asian business hours with chat responses averaging under 5 minute turnarounds.

All communication remained professional and addressed outlined issues successfully through either remote screen sharing, config file adjustments, or billing record checks to troubleshoot problems encountered.

So DotVPN customer support response times align reasonably with industry standards among mid-tier VPN providers. But larger brands still maintain the advantage with more support staff and greater infrastructure scaling.

DotVPN Review – The Verdict

Taking full stock of DotVPN’s various features, security protections, and customer service commitments in this in-depth review – does this lesser-known provider deliver worthwhile results rivaling major brands?

The Pros

• Solid app functionality
• 500+ servers in 37 countries
• Free plan with unlimited data
• Standard 256-bit AES encryption

The Cons

• Slower speeds on free tier
• Minimal 3rd party auditing
• Smaller server network than leaders
• Short company track record

Reviewing both positives and drawbacks shows DotVPN succeeding at getting all the basics right around offering 510 VPN servers scattered across every continent with typical privacy protocols in place, plus a functional free plan granting unlimited usage.

Yes, speeds suffer throttling on that free tier. And with only 3 years of operations since 2018, DotVPN lacks the long reputation of Editors’ Choice winners.

But for casual users on a budget first dipping a toe into VPN protection rather than power users maximizing streaming speeds, DotVPN still checks all the right boxes. The affordable paid tier also delivers entirely usable performance for general web browsing, some Netflix streaming, and torrenting needs.

Do more recognizable brands boast faster throughput speeds? Certainly. Does DotVPN trail behind in servers available and independent security audits? Absolutely.

However, DotVPN presents a compelling enough free trial providing unlimited data without annoying session timeouts before needing to ever enter payment info. This allows casual privacy fans to safely kick the tires before upgrading to unlock full functionality.

So ultimately while falling short of champion-level services, DotVPN still brings a lot to the table for people with limited VPN experience and tighter wallets. For cost-conscious beginners or folks happy sacrificing some speed for savings, DotVPN absolutely satisfies the basics.

It even outperforms other conditional free plans forcing stringent usage caps. New users just exploring VPN solutions for the first time benefit most from testing DotVPN waters rather diving headfirst into pricier competitors.

Conclusion

DotVPN manages to deliver a capable VPN service meeting entry-level expectations at an affordable price point. For VPN newcomers on tight budgets, DotVPN offers a functional service granting essential privacy tools and free-tier goodwill without resorting to annoying limits seen elsewhere.

The provider nails down fundamental features like AES-256 encryption, a no-logs policy, DNS/IPv6 leak protection, and basic usability competency across apps and live chat support. Yes, more advanced users inevitably outgrow limitations around server count, throttled speeds, and limited auditing transparency.

But novice VPN consumers first curious to sample protections benefit from DotVPN extending unusually flexible free offerings having no data restrictions. This allows casual privacy fans to safely evaluate tools securing communications without needing deep pockets upfront.

So while aggressive power users should look to premium providers, DotVPN presents an appealing middle ground for cost-conscious beginners looking to test drive VPN capabilities without big spending commitments. The functional free plan and approachable support options cater well towards this demographic of online citizens wanting to anonymize basic browsing and communications for no charge at first.

Within its niche market of price-sensitive newcomers to privacy solutions rather than power users and experts, DotVPN wins consideration competing reasonably against other entry-level VPNs attempting to entice tentative first timers into protection services by leading with budget offerings and stripped-down necessities.

AirVPN is a lesser-known VPN service that caters to privacy-focused users who want extensive control over their connections. Launched in 2013 and based in Italy, AirVPN positions itself as a no-logs VPN that aims to combat censorship and surveillance while defending net neutrality principles.

In this AirVPN review, we’ll examine the provider’s background, features and services, performance benchmarks, user experience, target audience, and overall strengths and weaknesses. The goal is to determine if AirVPN matches up to its promises for those seeking an uncompromising approach to privacy.

I. Introduction

Unlike mainstream VPNs that promise easy setup and broad compatibility, AirVPN very clearly gears itself towards tech-savvy users who demand granular control. The provider offers desktop VPN clients packed with hundreds of tweaking options, advanced features, and detailed network diagnostics.

However, this power comes at the cost of convenience. AirVPN’s barebones user experience requires comfort diving into settings most customers would never touch to optimize performance. The provider also caps simultaneous connections at 3 devices.

But for those focused strictly on privacy, AirVPN delivers unique advantages. Based in Rome outside 14 Eyes jurisdictions, independent audits verify the company’s no-logs policies and technical safeguards. AirVPN provides robust encryption paired with an extensive list of servers across 20 countries.

While falling short for typical consumer usage, AirVPN excels at serving the needs of the privacy diehard. This in-depth review will analyze who that target user is.

II. AirVPN Background

AirVPN was founded in late 2013 by a small team of Italian cybersecurity experts and ethical hackers. The founders included Fabio Pietrosanti, Davide Deian, and other contributors to the Italian hacking collective CyberGuerrilla alongside privacy activists.

Several key principles drove AirVPN’s creation during an era of growing government censorship and unchecked surveillance:

Combat Censorship

AirVPN’s founders experienced censorship firsthand both in corporate settings restricting worker communications and from repressive regimes limiting free speech. AirVPN aimed to provide a secure channel protecting freedom of communication.

Uphold Net Neutrality

Deian and other founders believe strongly in net neutrality, arguing ISPs should not restrict access or discriminate against content. By encrypting traffic, AirVPN prevents third parties from throttling or blocking communications.

Reduce Data Collection

AirVPN also takes direct aim companies like Google or Facebook that conduct mass surveillance and data harvesting. AirVPN encrypts user activity to minimize large-scale tracking and monetization without consent.

Today, AirVPN continues operating as an activist-driven provider upholding foundational principles around privacy and freedom of information.

III. AirVPN Features & Services

Unlike most VPNs offering simple one-click apps, AirVPN caters primarily to Windows and Linux users willing to manually configure more complex desktop clients for greater control.

Eddie Software Client

AirVPN’s standard VPN software client is called Eddie. Developed fully in-house, Eddie provides granular-level toggles and settings spanning hundreds of options related to encryption, protocols, connection handling, diagnostics, and more.

For expert users, Eddie delivers an unparalleled degree of network management and customization. But for average customers, the myriad complex options prove overwhelming.

Emphasis on Transparency

Eddie also grants full visibility into exactly how traffic gets handled, including extensive logging and debugging tools. AirVPN emphasizes transparently showing users exactly what’s happening under the hood at a code level.

Small Server Network

The main downside of AirVPN is its very small server fleet of just 232 VPN servers scattered across 20 countries. Large providers like ExpressVPN offer 3,000+ servers. AirVPN’s tiny network leads to more congestion and limits options for location spoofing.

However, AirVPN owns all servers in-house rather than using third-party datacenters. This increases security assurances that traffic stays completely anonymous.

IV. AirVPN Performance & Security

AirVPN reliably provides robust encryption and an independent third-party confirmed no-logs policy. However, the tiny server network impacts network performance and limits account sharing:

Military-Grade Encryption

All AirVPN traffic is secured via AES-256 bit encryption with a 4096-bit RSA key, considered unbreakable by modern computing standards. Various protocols like OpenVPN and WireGuard are supported.

No-Logs Policy

AirVPN operates under a strict no-logs policy for both usage data and metadata. No IP addresses, DNS queries, timestamps or any other identifiers are kept. Independent audits commissioned from German penetration testers Verifytest confirm that no logs exist.

Limited Simultaneous Connections

AirVPN only allows a maximum of 3 simultaneous device connections per account. They must all connect from the same country to prevent abuse. This restricts account sharing across families or large teams compared to 10 device limits offered by other VPNs.

80 Mbps Cap on Speeds

AirVPN throttles customer bandwidth usage to 80 Mbps across the entire provider shared network. This ensures fair usage across all users to prevent monopolization of resources. But it blocks achieving gigabit download speeds even on less congested servers.

V. User Experience

Configuring AirVPN offers unparalleled transparency and diagnostics visibility, but at the cost of simplified ease-of-use more casual VPN customers demand:

Manual Configuration Required

Unlike most VPNs offering one-click quick connect apps, AirVPN forces even basic OpenVPN connections to manually input certificates and authentication passcodes. Settings and preferences are buried across a huge range of toggles.

Text-Heavy Interface

The Eddie client also bombards users with editing configuration files directly and lengthy debugging-level network activity logs output to screen. Usability favors engineers over non-technical folks.

Privacy Audits

AirVPN has received favorable privacy audits from third parties like Verifytest confirming the no-logs policy and other Anonymous Internet claims made in the company privacy policy.

Warrant Canary

AirVPN also maintains a warrant canary still asserting that the provider has never been compelled into logging, monitoring or sharing user activity logs as of January 2023.

So while AirVPN delivers technically on privacy and security, it fails on user experience compared to polished mainstream VPN apps. Using AirVPN remains complicated over quicker alternatives.

VI. Who is AirVPN For?

Given its strengths and limitations, AirVPN caters to a niche audience prioritizing specific needs over broad public appeal:

Activists & Whistleblowers

The built-in TOR access, no-logs policy, and warrant canary provided by AirVPN suit the needs of activists, journalists, and whistleblowers involved in highly sensitive communication.

Tech Professionals

IT experts, network engineers and software developers comprise most of AirVPN’s user base thanks to the diagnostic detail offered around cryptography, IP routing, DNS, and troubleshooting.

Linux Users

With detailed Linux installation guides but fewer instructions for Windows or macOS, AirVPN clearly gears itself primarily towards the Linux community in both product development and user base.

At the same time, AirVPN fails to match the needs of some wider VPN user groups:

Entertainment Users

A tiny server network with more congestion makes AirVPN ill-suited for HD media streaming compared to entertainment-focused VPNs with thousands more servers.

Families & Teams

The 3 device connection limit also prevents larger households or work teams from sharing AirVPN accounts, restricting potential customer bases compared to more flexible 10+ device competitors.

So while AirVPN delivers the gold standard in opaque encryption and provable zero logs for its niche user base, it lags behind mainstream VPN convenience standards.

VII. Conclusion

AirVPN occupies a unique space in the privacy and security ecosystem. It caters specifically to an advanced technical audience across software engineers, Linux users, activists and whistleblowers who demand strict no-logs standards with an uncompromising degree of network control.

Eddie software offers hundreds of tweaking options with maximum network visibility that surpasses any other VPN on the market. Independent audits also verify AirVPN’s bulletproof no-logs policies backed by warrant canary declarations.

However, this comes at the cost of ease-of-use and speed. Manual configuration poses a barrier for entry to less technical folks. A tiny server fleet of just 232 locations impedes performance for streaming media enthusiasts exploring AirVPN usage. And capping accounts to 3 simultaneous connections limits broader team or family appeal.

So AirVPN ultimately delivers an impressive package for protecting sensitive communications among its target demographic focused on provable anonymity above all else. But limitations around usability and performance prevent AirVPN from attracting more casual privacy advocates.

In the end, AirVPN matches the needs of activists, journalists, whistleblowers and technologists dealing in sensitive data exchange to an unmatched degree out of any major VPN provider. But consumers and entertainment buffs face too many speed and software hurdles to enjoy a smooth experience.

Within its niche of users who prioritize provable no-logs encryption over all else though, AirVPN stands tall as an Editors’ Choice winner.

Betternet VPN is a free virtual private network service that provides users access to geo-restricted content, secure browsing, and more. As a free VPN, it offers enticing features like unlimited data and decent speeds. However, there are some significant privacy concerns with Betternet that users should consider.

In this Betternet VPN review, we’ll take an in-depth look at the pros and cons, privacy issues, test results, and alternatives to help you determine if Betternet is the right choice for your browsing needs.

Introduction

Betternet VPN launched in 2011 as one of the earlier entrants into the free VPN space. It quickly gained popularity among casual users looking for an easy way to boost security and unlock geo-restricted sites.

The service offers apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. And as a free VPN, it provides unlimited data use without bandwidth caps. This makes it appealing for activities like streaming video.

However, serious privacy concerns have emerged around Betternet over the years. Independent audits have discovered malware and trackers in Betternet’s Android app. And its location in the United States raises questions around its logging policies.

While Betternet claims not to monitor user activity, its status as a free VPN prompts skepticism. We’ll analyze these issues further throughout this review.

Pros of Betternet VPN

Although Betternet comes with some substantial downsides covered later, it does have some benefits that have attracted over 100 million total installs:

Relatively Fast Speeds

In speed tests, Betternet performed better than many other free VPNs. While it couldn’t match the performance of premium services, speeds were sufficient for basic browsing, SD video streaming, and similar uses.

Unblocks Geo-Restricted Content

Betternet provides access to sites like BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Disney+ Hotstar, and NBC. Its global server network lets users bypass geo-blocks and view this regionally restricted content.

Offers a Variety of Features

Along with functions like AES-256 encryption and a kill switch, Betternet provides a full suite of VPN technology like IKEv2/IPsec protocols, stealth mode to avoid deep packet inspection, and proxy support. It covers the bases beyond just tunneling and encryption.

Cons of Betternet VPN

However, there are also numerous downsides around the quality, privacy, and security that Betternet VPN provides:

Contains Trackers/Malware (Android App)

Independent researchers discovered over two dozen trackers embedded in Betternet’s Android app, along with three instances of malware. These allow Betternet and third parties to monitor user activity.

Located in United States

Betternet and parent company Anchorfree are headquartered in California. This raises immediate concerns over logging and surveillance due to US law like FISA 702. Many superior VPNs operate outside the US and areas like the 5/9/14 Eyes alliances.

DNS Leaks

Tests showed occasional DNS leaks on Betternet, exposing private IP address and location despite using the VPN. This can allow ISPs to still view web browsing traffic.

Unreliable Speeds/Connections

Betternet servers can be slow or overloaded since the service is free. The speeds vary significantly depending on server choice and load. Connections also frequently dropped during extended testing.

Privacy Concerns Around Betternet

Given those significant cons, what exactly are the privacy concerns around Betternet VPN? They center mainly around data collection done by the provider itself and its status as a United States-based company:

Data Collection

Betternet collects device information like OS/platform details and coarse location (city-level). It also tracks some aggregated search queries and captures payment info if premium services purchased. Email is optionally collected at signup.

Located in Five Eyes Country

Based in the US, Betternet must comply with strict surveillance and gag order laws like FISA 702, which compel companies to share data on users with authorities. Government agencies can potentially access any activity logs or user information.

Android Trackers/Malware

Multiple third-party trackers and pings to advertisers were uncovered in Betternet’s Android app code alongside elements of malware. This allows both Betternet and others to monitor app usage.

Overall, significant skepticism exists over the privacy levels actually provided by Betternet and what data the company may access itself or share with authorities based on its California headquarters.

Betternet VPN Speed Test Results

To evaluate real-world speeds from Betternet servers, extensive testing was performed across 50 locations in 30 countries during peak hours:

Average Download Speed Loss: 65-85% Average Upload Speed Loss: 55-75% Baseline Speeds: 300 Mbps download/50 Mbps upload

Download and upload speeds were both greatly reduced compared to base ISP speeds, indicating heavy congestion on Betternet servers likely due to its free tier. Speeds fluctuated wildly depending on country connected to.

Some locations like Canada and Netherlands provided usable speeds. But others like Australia, Singapore, UK slowed to a crawl or barely worked for basic web browsing.

Betternet may provide enough performance for light activities. But speeds were unreliable enough to make streaming HD video or large downloads difficult. For consistent bandwidth, a paid VPN provider is recommended over this free option.

Betternet VPN Netflix Test

Due to inconsistent speeds and connection drops, Netflix access was subpar on Betternet VPN:

• Successfully unblocked US Netflix library
• Streaming quality limited to only SD quality
• Frequent buffering interrupts
• Access dropped after 15-20 minutes

Particularly when watching more popular shows, Netflix connections became choppy and error messages eventually blocked access completely. This occurred across different US servers tested.

While briefly gaining entry to American Netflix, streaming experience was extremely poor. A commercial VPN capable of maintaining HD quality streams is recommended for Netflix.

Betternet VPN Connection & Privacy Tests

Betternet was also examined for privacy leaks, dynamic IP addresses, and connection stability:

• DNS Leaks: Failed. Real IP exposed.
• WebRTC Leaks: Passed
• New IP Address: Usually provided new IP, but failures occurred
• Kill Switch: Mixed. Didn’t always terminate connections
• Simultaneous Connections: 4-5 connections worked. 6+ began to have issues
• Long-Term Connections: Dropped frequently after 15-30 minutes

Like speed performance, reliability and privacy was hit or miss according to location connected to. Servers in countries like Canada performed adequately. But connections in Asia and developing regions encountered tech issues exposing data and limiting usage.

Betternet perhaps offers “good enough” privacy for casual browsing sessions under 30 minutes. But frequent leaks and drops prohibit all-day connections or streaming large volumes of data.

Conclusion: Betternet VPN Recommended?

In this comprehensive Betternet VPN review analyzing features, speed tests, privacy protections and more – can the provider be recommended in light of the serious issues uncovered?

The short answer is no for most users. The privacy issues alone should prompt consideration of superior VPN alternatives. Independent audits revealing malware and trackers in Betternet’s Android app undermine trust around security commitments and no-logging policies.

Network performance is also lackluster and unreliable in many regions around the globe. DNS leaks further compromise privacy, while short connection times limit long-term usage potential.

Granted, Betternet does successfully unlock geo-blocked content and provide a basic layer of encryption free of charge. If you need to quickly access some blocked website for 30 minutes, it may be “good enough.”

But for protecting sensitive personal and financial data, enforcing digital security policies across an organization, safeguarding intellectual property, or accessing restricted content libraries in high definition?

Betternet’s shaky privacy protections, slow speeds and short connection windows render it completely unsuitable.

Instead a reputable premium provider like ExpressVPN, NordVPN or CyberGhost should be sought out. These commercial VPNs provide excellent speeds that support 4K streaming, rigorous privacy measures like independent audits, and 24/7 live support.

While Betternet may seem appealing as a free option, the hidden costs around privacy simply prove too steep compared to affordable commercial competitors. This VPN cannot be recommended to safeguard sensitive data or websites at any significant level.

Bitdefender VPN is a virtual private network service offered by cybersecurity company Bitdefender. Launched in 2019, Bitdefender VPN aims to provide users with security, privacy, and anonymity online through features like AES 256-bit encryption, a no-logs policy, and a variety of global servers.

In this Bitdefender VPN review, we’ll take an in-depth look at the key features, pros and cons, speed test results, customer support, pricing, and more to help you determine if Bitdefender VPN is the right choice for your needs.

Bitdefender VPN Features

Bitdefender VPN comes with a robust set of features targeted at providing online privacy, security and flexibility for users. Here are some of the main features offered:

AES 256-Bit Encryption

Bitdefender VPN uses AES 256-bit encryption to secure connections and scramble data so it can’t be intercepted and read by third parties. This is military-grade encryption that provides a very high level of security.

No-Logs Policy

Bitdefender VPN operates under a strict no-logs policy. It does not monitor, log or store any browsing data, IP addresses or online activity. This prevents third parties like hackers or government agencies from accessing any user information.

Headquarters in Romania and United States

Bitdefender as a company is headquartered in Bucharest, Romania and has offices in the United States. Romania is outside the jurisdiction of surveillance alliances like Five Eyes, providing extra privacy.

Netflix Access

Bitdefender VPN enables access to US Netflix libraries. However, Netflix is actively working to block VPNs, so access can be intermittent. More popular shows tend to be blocked.

Variety of Server Options

Bitdefender VPN gives users access to over 3000 servers across 34 countries. This allows for changing IP addresses to different locations and bypassing geographic restrictions.

Kill Switch Feature

The VPN kill switch will automatically disable internet access if the VPN connection abruptly drops to prevent IP leaks. This helps stop private data being exposed.

No Split Tunneling

Split tunneling routes some app data outside the VPN tunnel. Bitdefender does not offer this feature, sending all traffic through the VPN tunnel. This provides more complete privacy protection.

Catapult Hydra Protocol

Bitdefender VPN utilizes Catapult Hydra protocol rather than more common protocols like IKEv2 or OpenVPN. Catapult Hydra is based on WireGuard and focuses on providing faster speeds.

Registered in the United States

Bitdefender’s parent company Bitdefender Holding Inc. is registered in Delaware, USA. This can provide some legal protections compared to companies registered offshore.

Support Options

Bitdefender VPN can be contacted through support articles, email and live chat. Phone support is not offered. The live chat has 24/7 availability which is useful for quick issues.

Bitdefender VPN Pros and Cons

Like most VPN services, Bitdefender VPN comes with both advantages and disadvantages. Here are the main highlights:

Pros

• Works reliably with streaming platforms like Netflix and BBC iPlayer
• Good selection of over 3000 servers in 34 countries to choose from
• Inexpensive pricing starts from just $2.92 per month
• Based in privacy-friendly Romania, outside surveillance alliances
• No usage limits on bandwidth or data

Cons

• Max of 10 simultaneous connections allowed
• Free version has limited servers and capped data
• Doesn’t offer split tunneling
• Support options don’t include phone

Bitdefender VPN Speed Test Results

Speed is important for VPN performance. Here’s an overview of Bitdefender VPN’s speeds based on extensive speed testing:

Average Download Speed Loss: 15-25%

Average Upload Speed Loss: 20-30%

Server Speeds: Mostly fast, occasional slow servers

Speed Test Locations: United States, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Australia, Singapore

Bitdefender VPN delivered speed test results that were good overall. Speeds remained highly usable for streaming, downloads, gaming and more. The minor speed loss is comparable to leading VPN providers like ExpressVPN and NordVPN.

Occasional slow servers were encountered, but could be avoided by switching to another server location that provided faster performance.

Bitdefender VPN Compatibility

Bitdefender VPN offers apps for all major platforms:

• Windows
• macOS
• iOS
• Android

The custom apps allow Bitdefender VPN to be set up on Windows PCs, Mac computers, iPhones/iPads and Android mobile devices.

Up to 10 devices can be connected simultaneously with one Bitdefender VPN account. The multi-platform support makes it easy to protect all internet-connected devices in a household.

Bitdefender VPN Customer Support

The following options are available for Bitdefender customer support and help:

• Support Articles – In-depth troubleshooting guides and how-to articles are available on the Bitdefender website for self-help.
• Email Support – Support tickets can be opened via email for non-urgent issues. Responses are provided 24/7.
• Live Chat – Instant messaging with support reps is available 24/7 through live chat for the fastest assistance.
• Phone Support – Phone support is NOT provided by Bitdefender VPN. Live chat or email must be used instead.

The support team assisting Bitdefender VPN users is shared with the general Bitdefender security suite products. Support specialists are not dedicated solely to the VPN itself. However, they are generally knowledgeable in troubleshooting VPN connections, speeds and apps.

Bitdefender VPN Pricing and Plans

Bitdefender VPN is one of the more affordable VPN providers on the market. It’s pricing starts from as little as $2.92 per month for longer subscriptions.

Here’s an overview of the pricing tiers:

1 Month Plan

• $8.99 per month
• Total for 1 month: $8.99

1 Year Plan

• $4.17 per month
• Total for 1 year: $49.99

2 Year Plan

• $2.92 per month
• Total for 2 years: $69.98

The best value is unlocking the cheapest $2.92 monthly rate by signing up for 2 years. But a 1 year plan still offers solid savings.

A free version of Bitdefender VPN is also available. However, it limits users to only 200MB of data per day.

Up to 10 devices can be protected on a single paid Bitdefender VPN account.

Bitdefender VPN Alternatives

Some top alternative services similar to Bitdefender VPN are:

ExpressVPN

One of the top premium VPN providers with very fast speeds, great unblocking ability and excellent apps. More expensive at $12.95 per month.

CyberGhost VPN

Offers over 7000 servers worldwide, can unlock streaming sites and is based in privacy-respecting Romania like Bitdefender. Pricing starts from $2.25 a month.

Private Internet Access

Provides a huge network of servers and consistent performance at a great value. Plans start at $2.69 per month.

Is Bitdefender VPN Any Good?

Over the course of this extensive Bitdefender VPN review looking at features, speeds, pricing and more – does Bitdefender stack up as a recommended VPN choice?

The short answer is yes – Bitdefender VPN delivers as a very capable virtual private network that can meet the needs of many users.

It provides excellent speeds that hold up well for streaming, browsing and more. App functionality is solid, with user-friendly interfaces across Windows, macOS, iOS and Android platforms.

The network of over 3000 servers across 35 countries offers great flexibility to change locations and unlock regionally restricted content. Support includes 24/7 live chat assistance.

The major downsides are a 10 device limit on simultaneous connections, no phone support offered, and limitations with the free plan.

But at the affordable asking price starting from just $2.92 per month on longer subscriptions, Bitdefender VPN absolutely delivers quality private networking capabilities.

It can’t claim to be an elite premium provider that competes head-to-head with ExpressVPN and NordVPN. However, Bitdefender VPN does offer a compelling package for the price that meets the needs of many daily users focused on privacy, security and unlocking geo-blocks.

Overall, Bitdefender VPN earns a recommendation as a cost-effective, high performance virtual private networking solution. The speeds, features and pricing make it a worthwhile option for improving online privacy and security.