Author: ashleyeggens

Surfshark is a new, up-and-coming VPN provider that has been making a big splash in the industry.

The service has a lot of great features, and it is very easy to use. Surfshark is perfect for those who want to keep their data safe and secure online.

Here are three reasons why you should buy this VPN as per our Surfshark review 2023:

1. Surfshark is affordable.
2. Surfshark has a great selection of features.
3. Surfshark is reliable and trustworthy.

Overall, Surfshark is a great choice for those who are looking for a reliable and affordable VPN service. If you’re considering buying Surfshark, don’t hesitate – it’s definitely worth it.

This was our verdict. But we at Best VPN Comparison got deep into the nitty-gritties to find out how every feature of this VPN actually works. So, if you want to read a more detailed Surfshark VPN review, make sure to stick around all the way to the end.

Surfshark pros and cons

Surfshark is a top-rated VPN service that has been praised for its user-friendly interface and strong security features. However, Surfshark is not without its faults. Here are the pros and cons of Surfshark:

Pros:

• User-friendly interface
• Strong security features
• Excellent customer support

Cons:

• Expensive compared to other VPNs
• A limited number of servers

Overall, Surfshark is a great VPN service with some excellent features. However, it offers a limited number of servers compared to NordVPN and CyberGhost.

Can Surfshark unblock streaming services?

In our review of Surfshark, the first thing we tested were its unblocking capabilities.

Surfshark is one of the most popular VPNs on the market and has a strong reputation for being able to unblock streaming services. In this Surfshark review, we’ll take a look at how well it actually performs in this area.

First of all, Surfshark is great for streaming Netflix. It can unblock the U.S. version of Netflix as well as other regional versions, so you can watch your favorite shows and movies no matter where you are in the world.

Surfshark is also good for streaming Hulu and BBC iPlayer. It can unblock both of these services even when they are blocked by other VPNs. Surfshark also has a large number of servers located in the U.S., which makes it a great option for streaming American content.

Overall, Surfshark is an excellent VPN for unblocking streaming services. It has a strong reputation for being able to unblock popular streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer. If you’re looking for a VPN that can unblock streaming services, Surfshark is definitely worth considering.

Unblocking Netflix with Surfshark

We conducted a detailed Surfshark Netflix review to see how this VPN works with the streaming service. Netflix is one of the most popular streaming platforms in the world. However, not every country has access to all of its content. If you’re traveling or living abroad, you may find that you can’t watch your favorite shows and movies on Netflix.

This is where Surfshark comes in. Surfshark is a VPN service that allows you to unblock Netflix and other streaming platforms from anywhere in the world. Surfshark is one of the only VPNs that can still unblock Netflix, making it a great choice for anyone looking to stream content from overseas.

With 3200+ servers in 65 countries, Surfshark can help you unblock at least 14 Netflix libraries at super-fast speeds based on our testing.

We were able to stream without buffering because the speeds were fast enough. Even when the server was on the other side of the planet, we never had to wait more than a few seconds for a show or movie to load.

On Netflix France, the only time we saw severe buffering was when we tried to fast forward a long time. Even yet, there were no issues when we watched the show normally rather than skipping forward.

In most cases, the resolution was equally excellent. We only experience buffering issues with Netflix France. However, the quality decrease was not great enough to render it unwatchable.

Unblocking Amazon Prime Video with Surfshark

Surfshark is ideal for accessing popular streaming services like Amazon Prime since it uses robust encryption technology, as well as a GPS spoofing capability and DNS and IP leak protection.

It also works with a variety of platforms, including Windows, iOS, Android, macOS, Firestick, and Smart TVs. This means you can use Surfshark to access Amazon Prime content on these devices.

When we tested it out, we were able to stream a bunch of shows on Amazon Prime without any buffering issues. As for speeds, Surfshark by far offers the fastest speeds we have ever witnessed.

Surfshark also has a Trust DNS function that works in conjunction with the rest of its server network to make switching DNS services easier. Smart DNS, as we all know, is a technology that allows you to unblock geo-restricted websites and services by leveraging your DNS.

For testing purposes, we tried streaming a new show on Amazon Prime Video called “Reacher”. As soon as we clicked on the title, it started playing right away in HD quality.

Does Surfshark unblock other streaming platforms?

Yes, Surfshark unblocks other streaming platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime.

However, please be advised that not all streaming platforms are available in all regions. For example, Hulu is only available in the United States. Additionally, some streaming platforms may block Surfshark VPN.

If you experience any issues while trying to unblock a particular streaming platform, please contact Surfshark’s customer support for assistance.

As per our testing, it unblocked every streaming service that we tested it with without any issues. Word of advice, if you can’t unblock any streaming service with Surfshark, just get in touch with Surfshark’s live chat support team and ask for a recommended server.

Is Surfshark good for torrenting & P2P?

Torrenting and P2P file-sharing can be a great way to get your hands on new content, but it can also be quite risky. Your IP address is exposed when downloading files, making you vulnerable to copyright trolls and other threats. A VPN can help protect your privacy by encrypting all of your traffic and hiding your true location.

So, does Surfshark offer good protection for torrenting and P2P?

In short, yes. Surfshark has a strict no-logs policy in place, meaning that your data is never stored or monitored. The company also has a range of features specifically designed to protect your privacy when torrenting, including an automatic kill switch and leak protection.

To test it out extensively, we used Surfshark with a bunch of BitTorrent clients like uTorrent and qBittorrent and found it to offer exceptionally fast speeds. We also didn’t notice any throttling issues when downloading large files for top torrent sites like The Pirate Bay and RARBG.

We did a few tests to check how quick torrenting using Surfshark is. We connected to a Singapore server using the WireGuard protocol. The torrent client we used was uTorrent since it’s the most popular.

Without Surfshark, our internet speed was 50 MB/s. We were able to get around 350-380 Mbps using uTorrent. It took us roughly 15-20 minutes on average to download two 20 GB files. Our uTorrent speeds plummeted to roughly 100-120 Mbps when we connected to Surfshark’s Singapore server. The estimated download time also bumped up to an hour or so.

While it may seem as if Surfshark is slow, it is not. Keep in mind that P2P downloading takes a toll on your connection speeds anyway. Pairing it with a VPN is bound to slow down your speeds even more.

Overall, Surfshark is an excellent provider for torrenting and P2P file sharing. The company’s strong security features, combined with its no-logs policy, make it a great choice for protecting your privacy online.

Plans and pricing

Surfshark offers three pricing plans: a monthly plan, an annual plan, and a bi-annual plan. The monthly plan costs $12.95 per month, the annual plan costs $3.99 per month (or 59.76 annually), and the bi-annual plan costs $2.30 per month (or 59.76 billed annually after 26 months). Surfshark also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all of its plans, so you can try it out risk-free.

Surfshark is one of the cheapest VPN providers on the market, and it offers some of the best features available. If you’re looking for a quality VPN at an affordable price, Surfshark is definitely worth considering.

Surfshark Server Coverage

VPNs are a great way to stay safe and secure when browsing the internet, and Surfshark is one of the best VPN providers out there. But what many people don’t know is that Surfshark also has excellent server coverage, which means you can access geo-blocked content no matter where you are in the world.

Surfshark has over 3200 servers in 65 countries, so you can always find a VPN server that’s close to you. All of its servers are RAM based, do store any data, and are wiped occasionally. Their server network supports Wireguard, IKEv2, and OpenVPN protocols.

As for server location, their servers are strategically placed all over Europe, Americas, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa.

This is great for streaming content, as it means you’ll get less lag and better speeds. And if you’re traveling or living abroad, Surfshark will let you access your favorite websites and streaming services, no matter where in the world they are.

So if you’re looking for a VPN with great server coverage, Surfshark is definitely a provider worth considering.

Does Surfshark VPN work in & for China?

Surfshark is one of the few VPNs that still work in China. The Surfshark VPN server is specifically optimized for use in China, so you can be sure that your VPN connection will be fast and stable. What we figured in our Surfshark China review is that you can unblock websites and apps like Facebook, Google, YouTube, and more.

How fast is Surfshark VPN?

Surfshark VPN is one of the fastest VPNs on the market, and it offers servers in 65 countries. In our Surfshark speed testing using speedtest.net, we got some pretty amazing results.

We had no problems with daily use, and we were able to stream HD videos, browse the web, and download heavy files without any problems.

We conducted speed tests on a variety of Surfshark servers. Here are the speeds we received when tested on our 100 Mbps connection:

Server Location	Download Speed	Upload Speed
Australia	83.28 Mbps	79.24 Mbps
Canada	80.21 Mbps	76.45 Mbps
United Kingdom	85.72 Mbps	71 Mbps
India	79.23 Mbps	74.51 Mbps
United States	84.95 Mbps	70.23 Mbps

As you can see, the speeds are simply fantastic. Surfshark maintained over 80 percent of your actual download speed on average in these five regions.

Surfshark’s performance with other protocols

The total VPN performance is highly dependent on the protocol you pick — here are the average download and upload speeds of Surfshark for various protocols, based on 10 different locations around the world:

By far the best performance came from WireGuard. The smallest decrease was merely 6% in some European countries that provided the fastest servers. So, if you choose a nearby location, it’s almost pointless to switch off your VPN for performance reasons.

Also, the largest download was just 23%. It happened when connecting to Argentina as well, indicating that distance is an issue.

Surfshark’s second fastest option is IKEv2. During our tests, the fastest download speed was 18 percent in adjacent European countries, while the slowest download speed was 45 percent when connecting to an Australian server.

The speed of OpenVPN is mostly determined by whether you use UDP or TCP. The largest reduction on TCP was a whopping 98 percent, while the smallest was only 49 percent. The largest download speed loss using UDP was 64 percent, while the smallest was 54 percent.

Interface and ease of use

Devices	Interface and experience
macOS	There are two versions of the software, each with limited features
Mobile	Efficient applications for Android and iOS
Linux	There isn’t a visual interface, only through terminal
Browser	Equips browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox, along with a cookie blocker
Windows	Offers the complete Surfshark experience

These are just the basics. Let’s dive deeper into these apps and versions:

Windows

Surfshark features a modern Windows client that looks great and is easy to navigate. You can choose one of three categories from the main screen: Features, Locations, or Settings.

Each is quite self-explanatory, so even inexperienced users will have no trouble locating what they require. Even when it comes to advanced settings, it’s a no-brainer.

There is no map interface, but there are flags in the nation list and you can use the search bar, so it’s not a major flaw. Each server has a marking that shows how much load it can handle

macOS

The Mac version of Surfshark is somewhat less comprehensive than the Windows version, and it lacks some functions. That, however, may vary depending on the version you downloaded.

Surfshark is available in two versions: one through Surfshark’s own website, and the other from Apple’s App Store.

Surprisingly, the version on the Surfshark website is poorer. On it, only the IKEv2 and WireGuard protocols are supported. While the app store version offers OpenVPN as well.

There are other features as well that the Mac app lacks. These include split tunneling and NoBorders.

Linux

The Surfshark app does not provide a visual interface for Linux users. Their sole choice will be terminal, that will show you a number of countries and corresponding numbers to which you can connect.

The connections will be established by putting in the numbers, which isn’t the most efficient technique, but it works.

On the plus side, the terminal specifies which servers you can choose from. However, if you need to switch servers rapidly, this makes the whole process take more time than it should. Overall, the connectivity was reliable, and the app did not crash or disconnect in any unusual ways.

Mobile Applications

Visually, the Android and iOS applications are nearly identical. They  will adapt and display the appropriate theme if you enable system-wide dark mode.

Our Surfshark VPN Android review confirmed that GPS spoofing is available in the Android version, which is a capability that no other significant VPN offers.

There’s also support for Whitelister (split tunneling), so you’re getting desktop-grade functionalities on your phone.

iOS, on the other hand, appears to be a little more modest. The GPS spoofing and Whitelister functionalities aren’t available. It does, however, have numerous features that are seldom seen on mobile VPNs, including a kill switch and compatibility for the WireGuard protocol for improved security and speed. So, while the iOS version isn’t as stunning as the Android version, it’s still a good app.

Browser extensions

Surfshark also has Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox browser extensions.

Basic features include masking your actual IP address, encrypting your connection, and unblocking geo-restricted content. However, there is a new feature that sets this extension apart from the competition.

It’s the cookie blocker, which eliminates one of the most vexing aspects of modern browsing: continuous demands to allow cookies. You may choose which sites are blocked or allowed, resulting in a far less congested browsing experience.

Surfshark features – What USPs does it offer?

Surfshark, which was first launched in 2018, has made great strides since then, and is now a full-fledged VPN that can compete with all the best VPNs. It has a variety of robust features that make this VPN stand out in the lot.

Surfshark Antivirus

The integrated antivirus feature in Surfshark is little more than a basic website blocker tool that many VPN companies offer. The feature can safeguard your device against all varieties of malware, including trojans, worms, backdoors, and other viruses. 

Surfshark AV detects and eradicates the viruses if you scan your device as you would with any other antivirus product.

However, according to our Surfshark antivirus review, this feature is currently only available on Android smartphones and Windows. It will soon be available for Mac users as well.

The tool is part of the Surfshark One bundle and can be used on up to five devices.

NoBorders

NoBorders is a one-of-a-kind feature that enables you to use a VPN in countries where it is strongly blocked. If your client identifies network constraints, it immediately switches to NoBorders to get around them.

You can also manually activate this mode anytime you need it. It’s compatible with Windows and mobile devices.

Search

Surfshark also provides a secure and private search engine that is ad-free, would be unaffected by prior queries, and collects no personal information from users. Paid users can access complete incognito mode via s.surfshark.com or the dashboard of their VPN.

Smart DNS

There are times when the VPN application isn’t present for your device, particularly for PlayStations and Smart TVs. It eliminates the ability to use your favorite device to access geo-restricted streaming services like HBO Max or Hulu.

Surfshark Smart DNS works on a variety of devices, including those that don’t have VPN clients. You’ll need to enable it from your primary account dashboard, after which they’ll produce DNS addresses for you to use on your devices.

Whitelister

Having a VPN on all the time can be inconvenient at times. For example, you might wish to utilize a VPN to browse your regional streaming library while using a VPN server for something else. Whitelister, also known as split tunneling, is required for this.

It can be done in two ways: by routing only specific apps through a VPN connection, or by routing the entire connection through a VPN connection and adding exclusions. It’s also possible to configure it per IP address.

MultiHop

Surfshark owns a list of MultiHop servers that operate in pairs. Your connections are directed to the second VPN server after they reach the first one. The last intermediary, in other words, has no connection to your genuine IP address or location.

Camouflage Mode

Camouflage Mode, commonly known as Obfuscation or obfuscated servers, is one of Surfshark’s many security features.

It will disguise your VPN traffic as conventional network traffic, allowing you to remain undetected. When using the OpenVPN UDP and TCP protocols, the mode is activated automatically.

When your school or company bans internet traffic, or when your government blocks VPN ports, this capability comes in handy.

Alerts

Surfshark’s goal is to keep you safe not just through VPN connections. They’ve added the option of using alerts to notify you if your data is leaked across all of their subscribers.

As per our Surfshark alert testing, this feature functions with credit cards, emails,  and IDs. To protect your data, you must use two-factor authentication.

A periodic newsletter option keeps you up to date on current data breaches and only sends you notifications if your accounts are compromised.

CleanWeb

Surfshark’s patented DNS technology, CleanWeb, prevents ads from loading and numerous online trackers from collecting your information. You’ll need to go to settings to turn it on.

When enabled, it will prevent IP addresses from being blacklisted from being used. This implies that known ad hosts will be unable to load, and their pop ups will not appear. The same is true for hosts that distribute malware or collect user data.

We conducted a detailed Surfshark CleanWeb review, and you can see in the screenshots below how effective this feature was:

Here is what happened as soon as we turned CleanWeb on:

Amazing, right?

GPS spoofing

If you have an Android device, you can use Surfshark to spoof your IP address and physical GPS position. You don’t even need to download any additional software. Because most apps on your phone have access to your location data, it’s one of the most widely collected bits of data on any user.

Is Surfshark VPN secure?

Surfshark is one of the most secure VPN services available. It features a no-logs policy that has been certified, and you can choose your chosen encryption technology and tunneling protocol.

Let’s have a glance at some of the key features that distinguish Surfshark as a safe VPN:

Encryption protocols

AES-256-GCM, a secure and upgraded version of the AES-256 encryption algorithm, is available on Surfshark.

On Android, there’s also a Chacha20Poly1305 cypher option, which is quite close and safe. The key difference between them will be speed: AES-256 will be faster on newer devices with AES hardware acceleration, while Poly1305 will be faster on older phones.

Meanwhile, SHA-512 encryption protects your authentication. That means it’ll be encrypted into 512 binary digits and compared to login data kept on their systems, with a green signal given if the passwords match.

Tunneling protocols

Surfshark also has a wide range of tunnelling protocols to choose from.

WireGuard is the most advanced tunnelling protocol available today. It’s not only effective, but it’s also quite safe. Surfshark is also the first VPN company to make WireGuard the default protocol in all critical apps (except Linux for now).

One of the most widely used tunnelling protocols is IKEv2. It has significant support, and its speeds are equivalent to WireGuard’s. It’s ideal for older devices and works well even with slow Internet connections. Android, macOS, Linux,  Windows, and iOS are all supported.

Another tunneling protocol is OpenVPN (TCP/UDP). Despite the fact that it was released about two decades ago, it is still incredibly secure and speedy. If you require more security, though, TCP is the way to go. Choose UDP if you want fast speeds.

Please note that we tested all protocols for our Surfshark speed review and confirmed how swift all of them are.

Kill switch

The kill switch feature is simple to use and protects you even if Surfshark disconnects abruptly (which did not happen during my tests). The kill switch disables your internet connection for a short period of time before automatically reactivating it when you’re connected again, ensuring that none of your data is exposed while the VPN tries to connect.

RAM-only servers

When you turn off your VPN, Surfshark’s server network is completely diskless, meaning all data is automatically erased. This is to keep malevolent third parties out of the system.

This also adds an extra layer of security because there isn’t any information that might be shared.

Audits

Transparency is critical for cybersecurity companies to build confidence. Surfshark has been independently audited to ensure that confidence may be built.

Cure53 penetration testers performed both Surfshark security exams in 2018 and 2021, respectively.

They initially concentrated on Surfshark’s Chrome and Firefox extensions, as browser extensions are typically the least secure applications. The second time, they concentrated on server infrastructure and security in general. Surfshark performed excellently on both occasions.

Customer support

Surfshark offers excellent customer service around the clock, including

• Live chat is available 24/7.
• Email assistance is available.
• The knowledgebase is superb, with numerous useful guides.

There are already multiple good text and video guides for various difficulties. Surfschool allows you to identify related topics with a single click and learn something new

The customer service agents were super-friendly, fast, and helpful. They also answered all our queries quite easily.

Is Surfshark value for money?

Yes! At a cost of only $2.30 per month, it’s safe to say that Surfshark is extremely value for money, all hails to its fantastic service, affordable price, robust security, and unblocking capabilities. It’s also worth noting that it’s one of the fastest VPN services available.

Surfshark is an excellent choice if you don’t have a VPN provider and want a low-cost, high-quality solution with a lot of features.

If you have any questions or issues about Surfshark, please leave a comment and we’ll be pleased to respond!

FAQs

Is Surfshark VPN worth buying?

Yes, Surfshark is an extremely reliable VPN service. The results of our testing were great! Surfshark offers various highly-secure protocols and robust encryption, unblocks all popular streaming services, doesn’t keep any logs, and equips other proprietary features.

Which is better: ExpressVPN or Surfshark?

Surfshark is better than ExpressVPN in every way as confirmed through our detailed Surfshark vs. ExpressVPN comparison. It offers 3200+ servers in 65 countries, super-fast speeds, and incredible security features. Other than that, you can easily avail its 2-year plus 2 months free offer at only $2.30/mo.

Is Surfshark good for gaming?

Yes, Surfshark is a great choice for gaming. It stabilizes your connection and offers a consistent ping rate. However, it might lag a bit, if you connect to a server far away from your location.

Some more VPN reviews for you!

• ExpressVPN Review
• NordVPN Review
• CactusVPN Review
• BulletVPN Review
• Speedify VPN Review
• AltVPN Review
• Atlas VPN Review

So we all know how our privacy is eroding with each passing day. Companies know more about us than we know about ourselves. We’re essentially moving towards a world where there will be no more privacy.

Even the technology we use to stay anonymous online, the technology we trust to safeguard our privacy, keeps logs. We’re talking about VPNs.

Sure, most VPN providers say they offer a zero logs policy.  But how can you be certain?

In our experience reviewing VPNs, there is no concrete way to tell whether a company follows a no-logs policy or not.

However, it seems like these days of mistrust may be coming to an end thanks to a revolutionary new concept that promises to entice even more privacy enthusiasts like us: a decentralized VPN.

Yes, that’s right! We recently came across a new VPN by the name of Mysterium Network dVPN. It is a node-sharing P2P decentralized VPN network that is still in its early stages of development.

Mysterium is powered by an open-sourced network, which means that all you tech-savvy individuals out there can easily spot what goes on under the hood of a VPN and learn exactly how your private information is handled, which is not what happens with the vast majority of consumer VPNs.

To test out how practical Mysterium VPN is, we conducted this VPN review by putting this Mysterium through a battery of tests to see how it performs and where it can be improved. Our evaluation is based on its streaming performance, speeds, privacy, security features, torrenting, and other factors.

Let’s dive in to find out if this is really a game-changing VPN.

Mysterium Network VPN pros and cons

Although Mysterium VPN is still a work in progress and is still improving, it is not yet perfect. Based on our testing, the security features appear to be a little lacking, but it has an excellent ability to unblock streaming platforms.

Let’s look at the VPN’s pros and cons and see where it stands:

Pros	Cons
It is technologically impossible to store user logs centrally in a decentralized system	Speed tests showed a 30% drop in base speed
Cryptocurrency, along with credit cards, GooglePlay, PayPal, and more are accepted for payment	Several DNS leak tests revealed the location of network nodes, revealing inconsistencies in coverage and security
Works in China, but not consistently	The beta version is free to try, but users will have to pay with cryptocurrency on a pay-per-use basis.
There is no affiliation with the 5 Eyes, 9 Eyes, or 14 Eyes surveillance alliances
Unblocks streaming sites such as Netflix
Desktop and mobile VPN clients that are both stylish
The ability to run your own node to earn cryptocurrency
A protocol, tool, and infrastructure ecosystem that is open source

Speed and performance: Is Mysterium VPN fast?

The “node-runners” that provide the IPs you connect to are essential for decentralized networks. The speeds that are provided are determined by the nodes, which should get better over time as more providers join the market.

For speed testing purposes, we chose a close-by Canadian server with a strong connection and performed a speed test. The findings are shown below:

As you can see, we received an average speed drop of 30%, which is normal when considering that you’re using a VPN service. Using these speeds, you can perform all activities you like, including streaming, browsing, and torrenting.

We also connected to its far-away UK server, and got a speed drop of 37%. While this was a bit high, we’re sure that the speeds would improve once the VPN starts offering more nodes.

Streaming: Does Mysterium Network VPN work with Netflix?

Every streaming service we tried was instantly unblocked by Mysterium VPN. First, we connected to a US servers and were able to access the US Netflix library.

Disney+, HBO Max, and Hulu, three other popular US streaming services, also functioned without any issues. By connecting to a Canadian server, we could also bypass CraveTV’s geo-restrictions.

There may be a few streaming platforms that the VPN might not be able to access, but that wasn’t the case in our tests. Overall, we were really pleased with its ability to circumvent geo-blocks as it worked just like other premium VPNs like ExpressVPN.

Is Mysterium Network good and safe for torrenting?

Although torrenting is not forbidden by Mysterium anywhere, you need to take privacy issues into account.

Since torrenting is frequently used for illegal activities, the VPN may view it as inconsistent with its standards and exclude it from the whitelist vetting procedure. Hence, before attempting to torrent, be sure that it is legal where you are.

Is Mysterium Network safe and secure?

Strong encryption protocols like OpenVPN and the more recent WireGuard are offered by Mysterium VPN, yet we had some reservations. The network operates similarly to a hybrid Tor-VPN, theoretically providing better security and anonymity.

However, it is slightly deficient in some capabilities found in conventional VPNs, such as a split tunneling, MultiHop, and kill switch.

Moreover, keep in mind that decentralizing the network improves security, but also increases your vulnerability to man-in-the-middle attacks if a node-runner acquires access to your online traffic.

DNS leak test

When we tested the VPN for DNS leaks, the dVPN gave us mixed results. On a few servers, we were absolutely secure.

However, it did leak our DNS/IP once when we connected to its UK server. This is not ideal because leak protection ought to be reliable and constant. Your online activities may be compromised if your DNS address is visible, putting you at risk from malware.

Using Mysterium Network dVPN, your information won’t be logged since the corporation, which is based in Panama, is not subject to any “Eyes” agreements. You are, however, placing a great deal of faith in each node’s service providers.

Mysterium Network servers and locations

The network of Mysterium Network VPN is decentralized. This distinguishes itself from other VPNs because it uses nodes from users all around the world. These nodes basically act as servers and let you connect to them.

The nodes are available across 130+ countries, and has an excellent coverage across Africa, North and South America, Europe, and more. While reviewing, we were pleasantly surprised by the variety of places we could pick from.

Does Mysterium Network work in China?

Mysterium Network clearly mentions on their website that the VPN does work in China. However, they do get blocked sometimes.

The provider further mentioned that they’re trying to refine their bypassing methods, so users can enjoy their service while traveling to China.

Well, we couldn’t help but appreciate their honesty over the service.

Plans and pricing

Using Mysterium VPN is free. This is due to the fact that it is still in the development stages and will eventually switch to a fully crypto-powered configuration.

Once the system is completely functional, customers will pay in MYST. Nevertheless, your average price over time will probably equal to that of a budget-friendly regular VPN. However, this is susceptible to changes in the cryptocurrency market.

Interface and ease of use

Despite having cross-platform compatibility, Mysterium VPN does not currently offer an iOS app. However, it works with Android, macOS, Windows, Avado Raspberry Pi, and Linux.

Desktop versions

Installing the Windows software was really simple, and once you launch the app, you’ll see all your location options.

You must choose from a number of nodes in that country as you cannot specify a specific city. You can see a description of each one’s quality and cost next to it.

Once you’ve installed the app, you don’t need to establish an account or log in. It simply manages your MYST/ETH spending and revenue using a generated “key.”

Remember that you will lose the key and the ensuing cryptocurrency earnings if you delete the app. Moreover, there is also no need to input any payment information.

Mobile apps

The Android app has few configuration choices but is equally user-friendly. You might be a little concerned when the software asks for permission to access storage and images when you install it.

Once it is installed, you can import your private key, which is connected to your MYST/ETH.

Customer support

The chat support is the only way to get in touch with the dVPN’s representatives, and it never seemed to be active at all when tested. It turned out to be more of an online form with a ticket system, where you may expect a response in one day.

After almost 16 hours, we received an email response that was incredibly brief yet provided the information we needed.

In addition, there is an FAQ section that appears to address the majority of common queries.

Conclusion

The future of VPNs may well be decentralized crypto markets, but Mysterium Network dVPN needs some improvement if it wants to draw in users.

There are some privacy issues since you need to be able to blindly trust every node owner. However, one selling feature of cryptocurrency payments, no-login apps, and decentralized monitoring is the natural anonymity they provide.

You also get robust encryption, and the ability to unblock a variety of streaming platforms.

FAQs

Is Mysterium Network safe?

Although Mysterium Network offers excellent encryption, our DNS was compromised once. Since Mysterium VPN is still in its early stages, it is difficult to declare with certainty that it is completely secure.

How do I pay for Mysterium VPN?

Mysterium accepts cryptocurrency and lets you pay anonymously for your security. It also allows you to pay through credit cards, GooglePay wallet, PayPal, and more.

Choosing a VPN might be challenging because you are unsure of what you will receive for your money.

Amongst all VPNs in the industry, there’s HideIPVPN – a VPN and Smart DNS combo – that claims to provide super-fast speeds and highest level of security at an affordable cost.

Moreover, it has several commendable features, that are perfect for unblocking streaming platforms that you might find appealing.

However, by the looks of it, it also offers a limited variety of servers and fewer simultaneous connections per subscription.

In this VPN review, let’s address multiple factors of this VPN to check if it lives up to our criteria and can be called a great choice for all your activities.

So, let’s get right into the HideIPVPN review!

HideIPVPN pros and cons

HideIPVPN offers many incredible features. It does, however, have drawbacks, just like any other VPN. Let’s examine the VPN’s advantages and disadvantages for a quick overview:

 

Pros	Cons
Offers a Smart DNS service	Small server network
Fast speeds	Located in the US
Unblocks Netflix, Hulu, and other streaming platforms
Multiple security protocols
Offers P2P support on some servers
Unlimited bandwidth
3-day free trial
Doesn’t require users to enter a payment method on its free trial
5 simultaneous connections

Speed and performance: Is HideIPVPN fast?

We conducted all speed tests after setting up the VPN protocol to OpenVPN (UDP). While testing, we faced no lags, thanks to HideIPVPN’s fast connection speeds.

However, it’s a fact that the average download/upload speed will inevitably slow down due to the great proximity between your physical location and the server, regardless of which server you choose.

We established a connection to its UK3 server to evaluate its performance. On this server, our speeds dropped slightly on our 100 Mbps connection, but still managed to offer 78.21 Mbps download and 60.72 Mbps upload, which is FAST considering we live far from the United Kingdom.

We then tested its local US1 server, which gave off a 81.27 Mbps download speed and a 68.82 Mbps upload speed. That’s literally what you expect from a top VPN!

Overall, HideIPVPN is great if all you need is anonymity and fast connections.

Streaming: Does HideIPVPN work with Netflix?

With only 20+ servers, we were amazed that HideIPVPN could unblock a variety of well-known streaming services.

While testing, we were able to unblock Netflix, Channel 4, Hulu, Amazon Prime, BBC Player, and HBO Max with HideIPVPN, but we couldn’t access Disney+ at all. The best aspect is that watching the content in HD didn’t cause any buffering, which is fantastic.

However, with the SmartDNS feature, we weren’t as fortunate. We couldn’t unblock Netflix, but we were able to access geo-restricted YouTube videos.

Is HideIPVPN good and safe for torrenting?

HideIPVPN allows torrenting on just a few servers, located in the Netherlands and Germany.

For our HideIPVPN review, we connected to a server in Germany and were able to download a 1.2GB file on Bittorrent in 7 minutes.

We then established a connection to a server in the Netherlands, using which we successfully downloaded a 2GB file on uTorrent in about 12 minutes. 

Even though we were happy with the torrenting performance, HideIPVPN should mention more clearly that only servers in Germany and the Netherlands are supported.

HideIPVPN features

HideIPVPN offers a few cutting-edge features to all its users. Let’s check them out in detail below:

Application Killer

An essential component of a VPN service is a kill switch. When the connection suddenly drops, it serves the purpose of protecting your data.

HideIPVPN doesn’t offer a regular kill switch. Its macOS and Windows apps offer ‘Application Killer’, which stops particular apps when there is a network instability. However, the apps need to be manually added.

Smart Location

HideIPVPN makes it simpler for you to choose a VPN server if you are unsure. The quickest and closest server to you is automatically selected by Smart Location when you click the button. If speed is your main concern, then this is that right option for you.

Smart Location is not consistently precise. During testing for our HideIPVPN review, it occasionally picked a far-off server over a nearby one. However, the majority of the time, it optimized speed flawlessly.

Smart DNS

A Smart DNS solution enables you to access geographically restricted online material. It doesn’t change your IP address or encrypt your internet connection, unlike a VPN.

It only modifies your device’s DNS to send requests to its own DNS servers.

Although HideIPVPN offers the functionality, you can also buy it separately. Using Smart DNS, you can unblock Hulu, Amazon Prime, and Netflix pretty easily.

Is HideIPVPN safe and secure?

Yes, this VPN is pretty safe to use, thanks to its robust encryption, protocols, and secure logging policy. Read more about it in detail:

Protocols

HideIPVPN offers 5 VPN protocols: OpenVPN, L2TP/IPSec, SoftEther, SSTP, and PPTP, with corresponding 128-bit and 256-bit AES encryptions.

According to us, OpenVPN is the most reliable choice. It is an open-source implementation of a protocol that many people have already inspected. You should choose this when given the option because it is secure and has been proven effective.

Juridiction

A downside of this VPN is that it registered in the anti-privacy state of Delaware in the US.

But, many VPNs headquartered in the US do offer a strict no-logging policy. So, we decided to look through HideIPVPN’s policy thoroughly in the section below.

Logging Policy

HideIPVPN adheres to a strict no-logs policy, which is a promising beginning. However, it hasn’t gone through any independent audits to support the policy. You have to accept HideIPVPN’s statement without an audit to back it up.

In accordance with its privacy policy, HideIPVPN gathers the information required to access DNS and VPN servers. However, it doesn’t clarify what it means by “necessary data.”

HideIPVPN servers and locations

The VPN offers 24 servers across 12 countries. These include 6 servers are located in the United States, 1 in Canada, 5 in the United Kingdom, 1 in Germany, 2 in the Netherlands, 3 in Poland, 1 in Russia, and more.

Additionally, subscribers get access to a Smart Location feature that chooses the best server for you.

Does HideIPVPN work in China?

Yes, HideIPVPN works in China. The VPN service provider made some improvements to its service back in 2009, in order to allow users from China to circumvent its infamous Great Firewall.

Plans and pricing

Plans	Price
1-month	$6.99
12-month	$4.99/mo
24-month	$2.99/mo

HideIPVPN is reasonably-priced, as can be seen from the table above. And, truth be told, the cost really does represent the true worth of the service.

The SmartDNS is a bonus that comes with every package, which is amazing. We were relieved to see that you can use JSB, Discover, MasterCard, Bitcoin, PayPal, Diners Club, VISA, and Amex to pay for its service.

Interface and ease of use

HideIPVPN is compatible with several operating systems, including iOS, Windows, Linux, Mac, Android, and more. You can also use HideIPVPN with TP-Link, D-Link, and DD-WRT routers.

But, how do its apps perform? Let’s see below:

Desktop versions

The Windows client has an easy-to-use interface, a server list that lets you choose locations within each country, and a simple Favorites option that lets you organize your frequently-used servers.

Your nearest server is immediately connected via “Smart Location,” which works pretty smoothly. We tested it from the US and instantly got connected to a Canadian server.

Moreover, it offers numerous protocols and DNS leak protection. There is a kill switch somewhere, but it’s application-based, so you have to configure the apps to shut down when the connection breaks.

Mobile apps

HideIPVPN recently updated the Android/iOS software, which has now become extremely easy to navigate and efficient to use. We tested its Android app and were able to install it easily on our device, as well as connect to a server within seconds.

Customer support

HideIPVPN’s customer support includes email, ticketing, and live chat. You don’t get phone support. But, the most efficient option in case of any queries is its live chat.

Moreover, the provider offers an extensive knowledgebase and FAQs on its website. There are setup instructions to assist you in getting HideIPVPN on a variety of platforms, including Windows, routers, Linux, etc.

We discovered that customer service agents’ were pretty supportive and responded quickly when we first tried it. But, when we tested it again the next couple of times, there was simply no reply to our messages.

Conclusion

HideIPVPN is a great VPN service that unblocks practically everything, offers adequate security, and is affordable. Even though its servers connections are smaller in number, its download and upload speeds are phenomenal.

With HideIPVPN, we were able to enjoy a secure connection for as much as we’d like.

In short, we recommend you try this VPN. In case you’re not up for paying the full amount instantly, you can try the VPN out through is 3-day free trial.

CactusVPN is a prominent small VPN service that helps you conceal your IP addresses, circumvent geo-restrictions, and browse anonymously.

The VPN’s Smart DNS feature enables you to unblock over 300 international streaming websites, which is one of its main selling points.

Although CactusVPN is a small, it has managed to attract a loyal fanbase. So we decided to find out if it lives up to or even beyond these claims by conducting a Cactus VPN review.

For this VPN review, our put CactusVPN through a rigorous testing process to determine where it shines and where it falls short. Let’s check out the VPN’s features in detail below!

CactusVPN pros and cons

Every VPN in the industry has its own unique features including some tradeoffs as well, and CactusVPN is no different. So, in our review of CactusVPN, let’s examine the advantages and disadvantages first before we get into the details:

Pros	Cons
Easy-to-use apps	Server network is small
Unblocks Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and more	Doesn’t enable leak protection by default
Offers P2P support
Unlimited simultaneous connections
Offers a kill switch
Strict no-logs policy
24/7 live chat support
Decent speeds

Speed and performance: Is CactusVPN fast?

The speeds that CactusVPN offers are enough for torrenting, streaming, and online browsing. 

We evaluated this VPN’s speeds using the OpenVPN protocol. We checked our base speeds without a VPN before we started, and it was 95 Mbps.

In our speed test, CactusVPN performed reasonably well — certainly well enough to watch HD video.

We first connected to this VPN’s local US server, and our speed dropped by 24%. These local speeds are very fast, and could be compared to top VPNs like Surfshark and ExpressVPN.

We then connected to its UK server to test out its speeds. On a 100 Mbps connection, we faced a speed drop of 30%, which is pretty normal for a VPN.

 

In short, CactusVPN’s speeds were great.

Streaming: Does CactusVPN work with Netflix?

CactusVPN is perfect for accessing streaming platforms. The VPN claims to work with 340+ streaming sites of 10+ countries with its Smart DNS.

Our team tested its Smart DNS feature and was successful at unblocking Disney+, Netflix, ABC, HBO Max, Amazon Prime, Hulu, BBC iPlayer.

When we connected to its Chicago server, we were able to access Netflix US easily. With no buffering, we watched Atypical from the American Netflix library.

We also performed five further tests and successfully unlocked Netflix libraries in the Australia, Canada and UK.

Is CactusVPN good and safe for torrenting?

CactusVPN only allows P2P traffic on certain servers, but they are well-labeled and easy to find in the app. When properly configured, there aren’t any leaks, which is vital if you want to torrent safely and anonymously.

CactusVPN features

In addition to offering secure VPN protocols and industry-level security features like 256-bit AES encryption, kill switch, and a strict no-logs policy, CactusVPN also provides:

• Dedicated P2P servers – CactusVPN offers dedicated torrent servers in multiple countries, and is compatible with every well-known torrent client like Vuze, Deluge, and uTorrent.
• Perfect Forward Secrecy (PFS) – This feature prevents hackers from obtaining your data from a previous or upcoming internet session by changing your encryption key each time you begin a new session.

Is CactusVPN safe and secure?

In our CactusVPN review, we examined its protocols, privacy and logging policies, and more to evaluate its security. We ensured that this VPN is quite safe after studying the following factors:

Protocols

You can select from a number of encryption protocols when using CactusVPN, including OpenVPN, PPTP, L2TP, IKEv2, and WireGuard. Amongst all, we highly recommend using OpenVPN.

Logging

Although CactusVPN claims to have a strict no-log policy, what the VPN mentions in it’s privacy policy is a bit vague.

According to the VPN service, they are permitted to block specific websites or applications in order to “protect other users, to adhere to legal requirements, or to lessen the threat or necessity of legal action against us and our users.”

Additionally, CactusVPN keeps certain anonymous data as part of fraud prevention efforts. This includes some system records for troubleshooting, and the IP address and host that you used to sign into the CactusVPN website previously.

Kill switch

Despite not having a kill switch, you can disable specific websites or apps with the killer feature the moment your VPN disconnects. This means that even if you lose connection, your data will be secure and your real IP address will be concealed.

CactusVPN servers and locations

CactusVPN offers 39 servers spread across 22 countries in Europe, North America, and Asia. Despite having a small server network, CactusVPN does a decent job at spreading its servers across multiple countries worldwide.

Does CactusVPN work in China?

Despite not mentioning China on its website, CactusVPN’s support confirmed that the VPN operates there. The VPN uses obfsproxy, a technique that alters the path your web traffic takes by encrypting it.

As a result, you can safely unblock content in restricted areas since obfsproxy will fool ISPs or governments into believing its just the regular traffic.

Plans and pricing

Plans	Price
1-month	$9.99/mo
3-month	$7.99/mo
1-year	$5.83/mo
2-year	$3.95/mo

The various payment plans offered by CactusVPN include 1-month, 3-month, 1-year, and 2-year plans. The 2-year subscription offers the best value, costing only $3.95 per month.

It even allows you to pay through several methods, and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

It even offers a 3-day free trial without ads. We hope this answer your “Does free version have ads?” query in our CactusVPN review.

Interface and ease of use

The apps from CactusVPN are quite easy to set up and use. Simply download the relevant app for your device, then log in using your credentials.

Desktop versions

The home screen of CactusVPN’s desktop app will inform you that you are not secure once you log in. Click the Connect button to establish a connection after choosing a server. The dropdown list can be used to choose any server you prefer.

After connecting to a server, the server dropdown list becomes unavailable, and a blue Disconnect button appears on the main screen.

You can change VPN protocols by going to the Settings tab at the top. Keep in mind that when you are connected to a VPN server, this and many other features will look greyed out and would become unavailable.

Mobile apps

The mobile app’s home screen and the desktop apps are extremely similar. You only have access to the server locations and connectivity status.

You can choose a server location by clicking the dropdown, and if you’d like, you can arrange this list by speed.

The menu (three lines) symbol is located in the upper-left corner of the screen, and tapping it will take you to the settings page. The next screen lacks a kill switch and DNS leak protection, and is noticeably less cluttered than the options menu of the desktop app.

Customer support

CactusVPN offers multiple customer support options. To start, the VPN offers helpful live chat support. A ticketing system, email assistance, FAQs, and a page with setup instructions are all available.

The configuration guides and FAQs are rather in-depth and provide practical step-by-step instructions to assist you in effectively resolving issues.

Although the FAQ section is fairly comprehensive, you might need to contact CactusVPN for assistance with more technical queries. Thankfully, they have a customer service team available via live chat around-the-clock.

In our opinion, the support representatives are pretty knowledgeable about the provider. For consumers who care about their privacy, the fact that the live chat is not outsourced is a major bonus.

Conclusion

Now that our CactusVPN review is over, we’d like to recommend anyone searching for a provider with affordable prices and robust security features to use CactusVPN.

The VPN is compatible with a wide variety of devices despite having a small server network. Even better, a single subscription allows you to connect an infinite number of devices at once.

Moreover, the VPN also offers a robust privacy policy, no data limits, torrenting on some servers, has an app-specific kill switch, and is therefore perfect for users.

FAQs

Is CactusVPN legit?

Yes, CactusVPN is legit and very secure. It safeguards your data using secure protocols, 256-bit AES encryption, and a kill switch to stop data breaches.

What is Cactus VPN?

CactusVPN is a small VPN service which promises to help you conceal your IP addresses, get around geo-restrictions, and browse anonymously.

Some more VPN reviews for you!

• ExpressVPN Review
• NordVPN Review
• Surfshark Review
• BulletVPN Review
• Speedify VPN Review
• AltVPN Review
• Atlas VPN Review