NymVPN is a distributed privacy solution that seeks to address the trust limitations of traditional VPNs. By leveraging blockchain technology, Nym aims to decentralize control over privacy, shifting it away from VPN providers and into the hands of individual users.

This new model does away with the need to trust any of the VPN server providers in your network – and the innovative approach to privacy uses a Mixnet, which routes traffic through distributed nodes to obfuscate its origin.

While NymVPN promises cutting-edge privacy, it's still in beta (though this also means that it's free). Compared to our best VPNs, however, it's missing several core features. To see whether it's worth checking out, I'll take a look at NymVPN in more detail, evaluating its speed, feature set, privacy options, and how it measures up in the current VPN landscape.

Features

This is a weird one. There's plenty to talk about if you're interested in how NymVPN works, but as the client is still in beta it's pretty bare-bones.

There isn’t even a kill switch built into the app. Both a kill-switch and split tunneling are reportedly "on the way" but, in the meantime, you're left with a VPN that's little more than a connect button and a list of countries to choose from.

So, what does NymVPN promise? Unparalleled anonymity, eventually. The whole VPN is based on the concept of a "Mixnet".

Instead of a normal VPN, which routes your traffic through a single VPN server, NymVPN uses a distributed set of "nodes" that all route your traffic back and forth. If you're thinking that this sounds pretty similar to Tor, you'd be correct. The difference is that NymVPN bakes all of this functionality into a crypto-currency ecosystem that allows node operators to be rewarded for providing high-quality networking to the Mixnet. Bandwidth isn't free, after all.

NymVPN promises the ability to distribute its own Nym token to node operators based on how well they provide quality of service (less dropped packets, more traffic mixed, you get the idea). They call this "proof of mixing", which guarantees an objective, crypto-backed way to see which nodes are serving your traffic in an anonymous way.

The actual NymVPN blockchain also promises to integrate with current blockchains while scrubbing the metadata that many of these protocols leak – reducing the overall privacy of blockchain transactions.

There aren't a lot of extras in NymVPN's roadmap. It's focused solely on improving privacy and expanding the existing blockchain to integrate with other products, so even when NymVPN finally reaches release, if you're looking for a VPN that's part of an integrated security suite, then this one probably isn't for you.

Features score: 5/10

Server network

Most VPN providers either rent out networking servers hosted by a third party or use their own managed servers at locations they control. For example, ProtonVPN hosts one of its Secure Core network clusters in a disused military base in Iceland.

NymVPN takes a different approach, using entirely distributed servers provided by volunteers in what it calls a "Mixnet". You can actually see every server that provides either routing or endpoint services to the Mixnet through its own dedicated server explorer, but unless you're interested in how individual nodes are performing, you're probably better off sticking to the location selector inside the app itself.

Currently, there are only 29 countries to choose from across Europe and Asia. You also can't choose between specific locations in the app, although I suspect this may change with time. You can, however, choose both your entry node and your exit node to optimize your connection.

Server network score: 6/10

Apps

There are beta clients of NymVPN available for Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. They're all more of a "proof of concept" at the moment, so each app works more or less how you'd expect a normal VPN to work.

The actual app design is pretty pleasing. It's all minimalist greys and whites with orange highlights, which is easy on the eyes. If you prefer a less funky aesthetic, the available dark mode swaps white to black.

While there are relatively few options to choose from, they all come with helpful tooltips that explain more about the functionality, and in-depth explainers link out to the support pages if you fancy doing some heavier reading.

One issue I've got with the layout is that there's relatively little information available about your connection on the main connection page. You can't see your IP address at a glance or, more importantly, how long your current subscription is going to last.

You also need to enable the ability to choose your entry hop from the settings menu. This feels like something you'd always want to be able to change, and it's not like it clutters the connect page when you enable it.

Overall, the NymVPN clients are all functional and pleasing to look at. The biggest complaint I have is that occasionally the app fails to connect, but this is to be expected in a beta.

Apps score: 5/10

Ease of use

NymVPN is very easy to use once you get past the initial login. Much like ExpressVPN, NymVPN asks you for login credentials that are mailed to you when you sign up.

The app doesn't work until these details are entered, so it's a little confusing not being given a login page first. That said, the actual connection process is straightforward and simple. You choose between "Anonymous" or "Fast" connections, both of which are clearly explained, and then hit connect.

However, I can foresee NymVPN being harder to use in the future if you're not informed about how cryptocurrencies work. I don't know how it's going to work just from trying out the beta, but you're going to need to top up your VPN with crypto continually to keep it working once the full rollout is here.

Ease of use score: 8/10

Speed and performance

There's good and bad here. For clarity, I use a 100 Mbps line with Ookla Speedtest to get a reading on the average speeds a VPN provider offers. Anyway, reading through NymVPN's white paper, the first objection I had was: "Wouldn’t a mixnet make this VPN incredibly slow?"

The answer is: Yes. Yes it does.

It's been a long time since I've used a VPN where I felt the lag made it nigh-unusable, but NymVPN's Anonymous mode took me there.

I'm not sure whether this is going to change as the network scales upwards, but connecting to Germany gave me speeds of 0.87 Mbps. Yes, you did read that correctly. I thought this might be a fluke, so I tried out the UK servers, too. No dice. Reading into it, the "Anonymous" setting pushes my traffic through five different servers.

The "Fast" setting, on the other hand, only uses two mixnet servers, so maybe it's a little better, right? Turns out, it's a lot better. I saw an average of 59.91 Mbps download and 16.85 Mbps upload, which is more than enough to stream video. The latency isn't that bad either.

While I'm sure the Anonymous settings make NymVPN absolutely bulletproof, the browsing experience is worse than going through the Tor network, which is saying something. I really hope that NymVPN gives you the ability to choose how many mixnet servers you want to use in the full release. as it stands, there's basically no point in using anything other than the Fast setting.

Speed and performance score: 3/10

Unblocking

This isn't a self-styled streaming VPN, but NymVPN does fairly well for a product that focuses on anonymity over other VPN use cases.

To figure out how well a VPN provider unblocks streaming content, we test against Netflix across the US, UK, Japan, Canada, and Australia, as well as Disney+ and Amazon Prime. There are also some regional providers we test, such as BBC iPlayer, ITV, 9Now, and 10Play.

I could access Netflix in the US, UK, and Japan, but it wouldn't let me access any content in either Japan or Australia. Disney+ and Amazon Prime worked, as well as BBC iPlayer, but I couldn't get ITV, 9Now, or 10Play to let me in despite connecting several times and bouncing between Fast and Anonymous settings.

This isn't terribly surprising, as the service relies on a mixnet of several different node providers to route your traffic.

There's no port forwarding option, but torrenting works as long as you're not looking for the absolute best speeds from the fastest VPN. Choosing the "Anonymous" option won't make a massive amount of difference to your unblocking capabilities for streaming, either, as your endpoint node will be the same regardless.

I'd say it might be worth it using the "Anonymous" feature for torrenting, but in practice the speeds you get are so abysmally slow that it actually causes connection issues with torrent clients. Even if you can maintain a connection with a peer, it'll take days to download even a few GB – so it's really not a good idea.

Unblocking score: 4/10

Privacy and security

NymVPN is being developed as a privacy-first network, drawing inspiration from the decentralized design of the Tor network as well as distributed VPN projects like Orchid. The way NymVPN works is quite complex, so I'll break down the basics of how the network functions and what it aims to achieve.

Nym operates using a protocol similar to onion routing, where traffic travels through multiple nodes between the entry and exit points. Each node encrypts the data differently, making it difficult for an adversary to track individual packets or streams of traffic.

The key difference between NymVPN and Tor is in their threat models: NymVPN is built on the assumption that a sufficiently large adversary, such as a government, could correlate traffic across both entry and exit nodes on the network. We're talking about powerful entities with access to vast amounts of data, and potentially even the ability to control a significant portion of the network's traffic.

To combat this, NymVPN sends traffic to multiple nodes on the network, mixing several traffic streams together from different users to obfuscate where and when traffic is being sent.

NymVPN also generates fake traffic and mixes it with real data to obscure traffic patterns, making correlation attacks far more difficult. However, this comes with a significant overhead cost compared to traditional VPNs, which impacts your overall speeds more as you use more Mixnet nodes.

The technology behind NymVPN is impressive, but since it's still in beta, it's not yet fully equipped to handle all of your privacy needs

As I've already mentioned, I noticed the absence of a kill switch feature. Without a kill switch, you are vulnerable to attacks where an adversary could force you to disconnect from the NymVPN network, causing your device to fall back on an unencrypted connection.

I've also noticed DNS and IPv6 leaks while using the client, which undermines the privacy of the app. DNS is a somewhat separate challenge from encrypting internet traffic, so I have to assume that NymVPN is going to solve this one by eventually supporting DNS servers inside the Mixnet as well. Time will tell.

Privacy and security score: 5/10

Track record

NymVPN doesn't have much of a track record as a VPN provider as it's still in beta and not yet an established player in the VPN market.

However, Nym itself is an established blockchain vendor with a strong commitment to building privacy solutions. The Nym blockchain has been in development since 2018, with its public mainnet being deployed in 2021. Since then, it has partnered with Google, Brave, and Signal amongst other notable partners.

It's not just all big-name tech companies, either. Nym has gained significant support from privacy advocates and academics across the industry, including notable figures like Chelsea Manning, a well-known data privacy advocate.

That said, it's difficult to recommend NymVPN based solely on its VPN track record. If you're looking for a more experienced, commercial VPN provider with a proven history, you may want to consider other options.

Track record score: 4/10

Customer support

Don't expect to find a 24/7 support team here. Sending an email ticket through the support page is the best chance you have of getting in touch with a NymVPN developer directly, although it does have Telegram and Discord accounts where you can chat with other users.

There's plenty of literature on how Nym's blockchain works and how the design enhances your privacy, but the actual support pages are a little lacking. Admittedly, NymVPN itself is still in beta and doesn't have a lot of extra knobs to turn, but it does feel like the support section is an afterthought.

Customer support score: 2/10

Pricing and plans

NymVPN is currently in beta testing – which means it's free to use for now. The VPN will eventually adopt a fast, crypto-based payment system using the Nym blockchain. Essentially, it acts as an anonymous bridge for onboarding and offboarding cryptocurrencies.

In simple terms, you'll be able to use various cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Monero, that can be converted into Nym's proprietary token. This token is then used to pay for your VPN connection on the network.

In practice, this means there's no traditional subscription model. Instead, you fund your account with cryptocurrency and your usage is billed based on bandwidth consumption, making it quite different from other VPN providers.

I always approach crypto projects that use proprietary tokens with a healthy dose of skepticism. Paying DVPN server operators sounds great in practice, but if the token you're paying them with is worthless, then you're doomed to failure.

However, the underlying technology here appears sound. Nym has the ability to easily onboard and offboard multiple cryptocurrencies from different blockchains which means you won't be stuck with an unusable token. That said, it remains to be seen how stable the economics of this model will be in practice when NymVPN is monetized.

Pricing and plans score: 5/10

Should you use NymVPN?

Right now, NymVPN is an interesting experiment in crypto-driven anonymity. It's not a VPN I would recommend for day-to-day usage, however, as it's still missing some critical privacy features that make it useful as a secure VPN.

It's also somewhat slower than other VPNs that use WireGuard, but this is to be expected given the unique Mixnet setup.

However, it's definitely one to watch when it comes out of beta. I've seen plenty of decentralized VPNs that claim to revolutionize the market, but NymVPN looks like it has a real shot at doing so.

Time will tell whether it can make the monetization work and incentivize its node operators properly but, in the meantime, you should look to a traditional VPN provider for best-in-class privacy and security.

NymVPN alternatives

NymVPN FAQs

SweatVPN might mystify you if you're not a gamer. The service caters specifically to gamers so, if you're not interested in hopping into online Call of Duty matches, you may want to continue your search for the best VPN.

Even the name "SweatVPN" is based on a gaming term – "sweaty", which refers to a highly skilled player who tries so hard to win that they're sweating by the end of the session.

Of course, if you're looking to wind down on the weekend or after work with some casual gaming, then running into "sweaty" players isn't ideal. SweatVPN promises to balance the playing field by providing access to lobbies with less skilled opponents, allowing you to enjoy a more chilled-out gaming experience.

While Sweat VPN is priced competitively at $6.99 a month, there are a bunch of issues with the service that keep me from recommending it. Let's take a look.

SweatVPN features

Sweat VPN offers a mix of standard VPN features with a few specialized tools tailored for gamers. However, there's very little that's actually unique to this VPN provider from an industry perspective. The more I dug into it, the more I found that the service struggles to stand out in a competitive market where many VPNs offer the same suite of tools.

SweatVPN has more than forty server locations available – and claims that this allows you to access "bot lobbies". These are less competitive gaming lobbies (digital waiting rooms) created to reduce matchmaking times when there aren't enough players for a full match.

So, using SweatVPN to change your location to a region with fewer players when playing a multiplayer game (like Call of Duty) means you'll end up in a lobby full of less-skilled players or AI-controlled bots (non-human players). However, this feature is not unique, as most VPNs can change your virtual location to achieve similar effects.

SweatVPN does one-up regular VPNs with its ability to spoof your location and reduce lag with its "SweatDUMA" feature, which geo-fences you to a specific area while choosing a game server, but still allows you to use your home connection in the game.

There are a handful of extra game-specific features built into SweatVPN that are all designed to optimize your gaming experience. The FPS booster is pretty self-explanatory: it's a bunch of default settings that ensure you get the best framerate when running a game.

What's more interesting (and, honestly, concerning) is the SweatBoost feature. Essentially, it's a series of macros designed to enhance your aiming abilities when playing on a controller by eliminating recoil. I'm not going to argue the ethics of using a tool like this, but if you're reported for using it in-game you're probably going to end up shadow-banned.

SweatVPN ease of use

SweatVPN's UI is cluttered in a way that’s not obvious until you compare it to other VPNs.

There's a bunch of useless information added to the connect page, which feels like it's there to pad out the page space. I'm not sure if anyone has ever asked for random geographical facts about the VPN location they're connecting to. The rest of the menus are poorly organized, too.

On the plus side, there's a "Meta" tab which provides insights into the current best loadouts in Call of Duty. It's a handy time-saving feature that saves you the hassle of researching optimal setups but, obviously, it's absolutely useless if you're using the VPN for anything that isn't playing CoD.

SweatVPN performance

Every millisecond of ping counts when it comes to gaming. Too much lag makes your gaming session unplayable, even if you're getting access to easier lobbies as a result. There's also the issue of how SweatVPN performs outside of a gaming setting as a general VPN, too.

In all cases, I tested SweatVPN using a 100 Mbps connection with Ookla Speedtest to capture speed test results.

During my tests, I connected to UK servers and observed download speeds of 61.76 Mbps and upload speeds of 30.32 Mbps. These speeds are more than adequate for most online activities. For instance, streaming Netflix in 4K requires about 25 Mbps, meaning my download speeds were sufficient to handle high-quality streaming without buffering. You should keep in mind that connecting to a VPN will always make your connection slightly slower.

I found that my Ping times were pretty reasonable. I usually get around 25-40ms when connecting to EU West servers, and didn't really notice a difference when using SweatVPN. So, no additional lag. I didn't notice any extra jitter either, as my gameplay remained smooth and stable across multiple rounds. This was the case throughout the day, both during peak and off-peak hours.

Netflix and global stream unblocking

While SweatVPN doesn't advertise itself as a streaming VPN, I was interested to see if it'd be able to unblock any popular streaming services.

Unfortunately, the VPN fell short. While it does manage to unblock Tubi, it failed to access every other streaming service I tested it out on. To be clear, my usual VPN testing regime involves accessing regional Netflix variants in the UK, US, Japan, Canada, and Australia, as well as 9Now, BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+.

In every case, SweatVPN caused the streaming service to either not play or display a warning telling me I was using a VPN. Even bouncing between different servers didn't help, and neither did the SweatDUMA service. I'm not surprised, as SweatVPN is really built to jump between Call of Duty servers.

However, SweatVPN does allow torrenting. It performed reasonably well during my connection tests, maintaining good speeds with a variety of peers across the world. I wouldn't necessarily recommend SweatVPN as a torrenting VPN, however, especially as there are some leak issues (which I'll discuss later in the article). There's also a lack of locations to choose from, so it's not an ideal choice when most top-tier VPNs offer at least double what SweatVPN does.

Privacy and security

The real issue I have with SweatVPN is that it's not private. Again, while it doesn't position itself as a privacy-focused VPN, I've got a bunch of concerns about the service.

The privacy policy is paper thin. All it does is outline the general data rights you've got under GDPR and tell you that it retains data in accordance with Dutch law. It's difficult to determine what data, if any, is being collected or stored.

Given that there's no third-party audit and a lack of a no-logs guarantee, it's quite likely that SweatVPN is logging your IP address and could very well be logging your internet browsing traffic too. They also state that any data you hand over to the service can be shared with their commercial partners, which is terrible news if you're concerned about being profiled by marketing companies.

In terms of VPN protocols, it's pretty bare-bones. Only OpenVPN is available, and while it's secure and battle-tested, it's also pretty slow compared to some of the newer VPN protocols out there like WireGuard.

I was surprised to find that SweatVPN was actually leaking my IP address when I booted up the app. This is dangerous behavior for a VPN, even if it isn't a privacy-first service. At first, I thought this was a complete failure to prevent IP leaks, but it's actually not as bad as that.

SweatVPN comes pre-packaged with the settings that lower your ping in a Call of Duty lobby as much as possible, so only the features that spoof your location are turned on. Once I changed the NAT type to direct, it passed all of the IPv4 leak tests I threw at it. I'm not impressed, but it's not as bad as the VPN just straight up not working.

I can't say the same about DNS leaks. Even after adjusting the settings to prevent IP leaks, the VPN continued to expose my DNS requests - meaning every site I requested while using SweatVPN was still being sent to my ISP. Ultimately, they'd be able to see both my home IP and every site I visit.

There's also no kill switch, split-tunneling, or anything else in the way of security you'd expect from a top-tier app. Also, installing it set off my anti-virus scanner. SweatVPN claims it's due to the "encryption" it uses on its app, but I would never recommend a VPN client that my AV suggests is actually a trojan with full access to my computer.

Server network

All of SweatVPN's servers are optimized specifically for gaming. It doesn't offer any streaming or torrenting servers, so unless you want a dedicated gaming VPN, there's not much on offer in terms of extras.

There are 40 server locations to choose from, however, ranging from those you'd expect like the UK, US, Canada, Greece, and Spain, to slightly more obscure locations such as Nigeria, Thailand, Kyrgyzstan, Indonesia, Singapore, and South Africa. Given that SweatVPN tries to give you access to locations with lower player bases, it makes sense that there's a fairly scattered set of locations to connect to.

SweatVPN apps

The actual SweatVPN app is only available for Windows, although there is a way to allow your console to connect to the SweatVPN service. You'll need a USB Wi-Fi adaptor to do so, however, as you're essentially turning your PC into a router that your console connects to in order to use the VPN service.

It's a pretty ingenious method, but it's also an absolute headache to get set up and requires installing a virtual machine and running an extra network adapter to get right. It's far from the most user-friendly experience in the world, even if you're following along with the extensive guide.

As far as the Windows app goes, it's also kind of a pain. I had to disable both Windows Defender and my AV system just to get it to install, and I found that I couldn't uninstall it without downloading a separate uninstaller file.

There's no other availability here: no MacOS, no Linux, no Android or iOS. It makes sense, as SweatVPN is based entirely around giving you an edge in Call of Duty. However, I suspect there’s another reason.

Much of SweatVPN's extra functionality is built around the DS4Windows driver, which provides native device support for a bunch of console controllers including the PS4 controller. As far as I'm aware there isn't an equivalent on MacOS or Linux, and I doubt SweatVPN's developers are building their own controller drivers any time soon. 

SweatVPN customer support

SweatVPN's customer support is pretty limited in comparison to other VPN services.

The primary support channel is a Discord server where you can interact directly with the developers, but this is only available if you pay the extra fee for VIP support. The issue with this is that the support staff aren't terribly professional, and most of the time if you can't get the lobbies you're looking for they'll tell you that you're on your own.

Sweat VPN does not offer a dedicated 24/7 live support team, or an AI chatbot, and their support literature is somewhat lacking. There is a single support page that lists a few support guides necessary for installing SweatVPN but, upon further inspection, at least half of these articles are very clearly spewed out by some variant of ChatGPT.

It's also pretty hard to find these documents at all, as they're hosted on a separate subdomain I only found while using some Google-fu on the site. It's not available anywhere from the main page, either, so you won't have access to it until you buy a subscription.

Overall, while there's certainly some support on offer for SweatVPN, it's nowhere near the standard I'd expect from a specialist VPN.

SweatVPN pricing plans

Sweat VPN offers a range of subscription plans, including options for one week, one month, three months, and one year.

However, the one-week package is suspiciously listed as "out of stock." which raises a few questions given that VPN subscriptions are digital products. They're virtual. There's nothing to run out of! Jokes aside, this is a fairly scummy tactic designed to make you view the rest of the price options as "discounts" to a package you literally cannot buy.

The one-month plan costs $15, while the three-month package is priced at $35. If you opt into the VIP plan, which promises additional server locations and access to a VIP Discord server, the cost is $20 per month or $50 for three months. An annual VIP subscription is available for $150.

However, I don't think the VIP plan provides substantial value, as the extra server locations aren't terribly useful and Discord access offers little advantage beyond connecting with other Call of Duty enthusiasts and a direct line to the support staff.

All in all, SweatVPN is pretty expensive compared to the competition given how little there is from a VPN perspective. Maybe it's worth it to you for the extra Call of Duty features, but given that there are much better cheap VPNs out there, I'd suggest you steer clear.

Track record

It's hard to gauge SweatVPN's track record given that it's a relatively new company. However, there are a bunch of extremely angry customers in SweatVPN's reviews across sites like Trustpilot insisting that the app doesn't work – and I'm inclined to agree.

The issue with a product like SweatVPN is it's trying to give you a service that's hard to guarantee. You're trying to fool Call of Duty's matchmaking system into giving you better lobbies to play in, but it's a black box that you have very little feedback from.

There's also some weirdness about where SweatVPN is based. I can't find any meaningful information about the developers behind the program, and while the Privacy Policy suggests they'd be managed under Dutch law, the support address listed on Trustpilot is actually for an office in Poland. There's very little actual transparency about who or what is funding SweatVPN which, in the context of everything else SweatVPN fails on, I'd call a big red flag.

SweatVPN review: Final verdict

There are so many things wrong with SweatVPN that I don't know where to begin. First, and foremost, is that it set off my anti-virus during installation. This simply should not happen.

Then there's the issue of the bot lobbies. Lots of gamers dislike skill-based matchmaking, sure, but using a VPN to bypass it by connecting to locations filled with bots is both unfair and will eventually get you shadow-banned. Even if you wanted to argue the morality of using a VPN to snipe bot lobbies, the extra aim-assistance macros that SweatVPN offers are outright cheating.

On top of that, SweatVPN is simply a bad VPN. It doesn't unblock streams, it's not particularly fast, and it lacks almost all of the security features you'd need to use a VPN with total peace of mind. If I haven't been clear enough already: do not buy SweatVPN.

SweatVPN alternatives

I seriously can't recommend SweatVPN. So, with that in mind, here are some reliable picks you'd be better off spending your money on.

If security is your main concern, then check out our NordVPN review. Its DoubleVPN feature routes your browsing traffic through two different VPN servers making it much harder for third-party snoops to track your activity. NordVPN also has its own built-in ad-blocker and malware protection, as well as industry-standard encryption. Plus, with over 5,500 servers worldwide, you can count on high-speed, low-ping connections to pretty much any part of the globe.

Our ExpressVPN review goes into detail about this rock-solid service, too, which always places high in our VPN speed tests. This makes it an excellent choice for gaming. ExpressVPN has also invested in a vast network of servers in 105 countries, so you'll be able to find a nearby VPN server with low latency no matter where you are in the world. ExpressVPN also supports a wide range of devices and provides 24/7 customer support.

Finally, in our CyberGhost review, we dig into this budget-friendly, low cost option that has its very own dedicated gaming servers. CyberGhost is nice and easy to use, even for total newbies, and offers the same bulletproof security you'll see from providers like NordVPN and ExpressVPN.

How we test VPNs

TechRadar's team of VPN experts use VPNs every day, at work and at home, and perform a thorough analysis of today's top services twice a year to make sure our rankings are all up to date – and how the competition has developed.

First, we'll take a look at each provider's site to check out its feature list and privacy claims, and whether anything has changed since our last review. We'll also see whether the provider site uses cookies to track visitors and if/when they activate.

We'll install and use each VPN service, next, and connect to a range of servers across different locations to get an overview of the service's performance. Then, we'll dive into the VPN settings to ensure all features work as advertised and which protocols are available.

Our VPN team isn't afraid to challenge the VPNs they test, either, and will cut the VPN connection to see whether the kill switch kicks in to prevent data leaks as it should.

We test every facet of the VPN – streaming, speed, customer support, ease of use. Everything you'd want to know about a service, we want to know, too. Check out our dedicated VPN testing methodology page to learn more.

SweatVPN FAQ

Howdy VPN is a confusing service, to say the least. The free VPN doesn't offer anything close to a traditional VPN provider at first glance – and the more I dig, the more I'm convinced that you should leave Howdy VPN alone. Keep reading, and I'll explain why it can't compete with today's best VPN services.

HowdyVPN: the basics

First off, let's go over the basics. Who is behind Howdy VPN? Unfortunately, I don't know.

Combing through the terms of service, privacy policy, and disclaimer only told me that the company is seemingly based in the Netherlands – or is at least subject to Dutch law. Beyond that, there’s not much more to know. The website itself is registered in Indonesia and you can reach out via a single Gmail address, but that's all I could find. It's not a great start.

I was expecting to find a traditional VPN provider, but as soon as I landed on the Howdy VPN website I realized I was looking at something entirely different. The website is light on details, but offers a few services you wouldn't expect to see side-by-side with each other.

Figuring out who Howdy VPN is for isn't straightforward, either. The VPN offers free networking services – which means there's a free VPN and a free VPN service, free RDP service, and something called "Find SNI", which initially perplexed me.

Each page offers virtually no information about what these tools do. Instead, they're bloated with loads of unrelated Chat-GPT-generated text about cryptocurrency and VPNs. Needless to say, this isn't very user-friendly. If you're not already aware of what these tools do, Howdy VPN won’t be of any help to you whatsoever.

Howdy VPN: features

Howdy VPN's selection of features worries me – it's like the VPN is throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks. So, with that in mind, I decided to take a closer look at the VPN tool.

There are actually two on offer – Howdy VPN and "Trojan VPN", which immediately rang some alarm bells. Upon closer inspection, I can see why it's called this, but it's still worrying.

Howdy VPN offers two free VPNs. The default VPN is available for seven days from the point you sign up for it, with unlimited bandwidth and a "no-logs" policy that I'm not entirely confident in.

The "Game" VPN provides lower latency at the cost of reduced maximum speeds and is available for thirty days instead of seven. Either way, you'll see a list of servers you can scroll through to see where each is located and the total number of users connected to the server. 

Once you've clicked through, you'll be presented with an options menu that allows you to set your username and password for the VPN, along with something called an "SNI" or "Bug Host". I'll dig into this more when I cover the SNI finder but, for now, clicking through the remaining options generates an OpenVPN config file that you'll then need to load into a third-party client.

Howdy VPN doesn't actually offer a VPN client of its own – and I think it's a little misleading to call it a VPN provider.

Then, there's the Trojan VPN based on TrojanGFW, an obfuscation service designed to evade deep packet inspection by tunneling your VPN traffic through an HTTPS tunnel. I was suspicious, seeing as Howdy VPN also offers "free RDP" services, that this was a Remote Access Trojan service, but it's relatively harmless. There's a quota system in place of a timed lockout, so when you sign up for a Trojan VPN server you'll only get around 30 GB or so of data before your account details stop working.

The VPN service requires you to visit a separate site that doesn't seem to be working, so I can't comment on it. Howdy VPN does have a bunch of additional servers with a bunch of obfuscation guarantees, including RDP servers that let you connect to a remote desktop to use as a proxy host.

However, the tool that really caught my eye was the "Find SNI" option.

Howdy VPN: Find SNI

There's hardly anything on the Howdy VPN website about what Find SNI is or what it does. In fact, the provider is weirdly coy about the tool, stating:

"We know you need this, but we can't show it to just anyone to make sure it will last longer so you'll have to figure out how to use this feature."

The Find SNO tool itself gave me a list of partially censored host names and, upon clicking through to one, I was presented with a captcha. Completing the captcha uncensored the host, giving me a full hostname and data about whether the IP associated with it was accessible, and a set of HTTP response headers. Weird. Really weird.

I managed to put two and two together after some digging and found what Howdy VPN was actually offering as a website. To give you the relevant context, I need to touch on bug hosts and how ISPs connect you to the internet.

When you connect to an ISP, your account is granted access to the World Wide Web – so long as you have a valid subscription. If you avoid paying your ISP bills for long enough, it'll cut off your internet connectivity. However, because your ISP does want you to pay your bills (and pay them as soon as possible), the username and password tied to your router will still be valid – it's just that your internet has been restricted so you can only access your ISP’s home page. All the requests you make to other hosts are processed by your ISP and dropped.

You'll see something similar if you try to access the internet without a data plan on mobile data, or if you're accessing a paid public router. Only certain websites are accessible without a subscription. I'll call these "zero-rated" websites, but they can be all sorts of different pages available for different reasons: think public health sites, government portals, and CDN hosts.

The important thing to note is that your ISP will allow you to connect to them without paying a subscription.

Here's where it gets tricky. The "SNI" I've been talking about is the Server Name Indicator and a key part of the TLS transaction that tells the server you're connecting to which website you want to visit. This makes SSL certification bookkeeping easier for servers that host multiple sites on the same IP, but that's not why we care about it today. Remember, you're advertising which hostname you want to connect to ahead of time. The ISP will read it and authorize your connection if it's to a zero-rated site, or drop the traffic otherwise.

What sites like Howdy VPN allow you to do is create a TLS connection through an SSL VPN that spoofs your traffic – making it seem as though it's heading to a zero-rated website through the SNI indicator before being sent on to the real destination by the VPN server. This is a massive violation of your ISP’s ToS by the way, if not outright illegal.

In the context of offering completely free VPN and VPS servers, I have no doubt that there's something weird going on here.

There's no third-party audit to validate Howdy VPN's privacy policy and, as a result, I'd have to assume that it's logging your traffic by default. In fact, there's no mention of what happens to the data that's passed through the free VPN servers – and I think this is a total failure to make explicit what it is you're giving up in return for the free service.

Howdy VPN: verdict

When I dug a little deeper into who actually providers Howdy VPN, I found two more websites: fastssh.com, which hosts most of the tutorial content for Howdy VPN on a separate blog space, and sshkit.com, which offers similar services.

There's a whole web of free VPN and SSH services associated with each other that all seem to do the same thing, all seemingly kept alive by aggressive website marketing popups and ad marketing agreements with Google.

As far as I can tell, it all falls under the ZXC brand, which operates several websites from the same hosting cluster in Indonesia. I can't say whether ZXC is just monetizing additional excess server capacity or up to something more nefarious – but if everything I've covered so far hasn't been enough to put you off, then let me make it clear: don't use Howdy VPN.

The complete lack of transparency surrounding the site, alongside some really suspect services and a total disregard for normal monetization practices, means I wouldn’t touch the service with a ten-foot pole. Plus, it looks like you can only sign up for Howdy VPN via telegram, which is the icing on the cake.

I'd instead recommend that you check out a legitimate VPN service that won't sell your data as soon as you fork it over –  like NordVPN.

NordVPN is the polar opposite of Howdy VPN in about every way I can think of. You'll get top-not encryption that'll keep personal data out of the hands of snoopers, an audited and airtight privacy policy, and some of the fastest speeds I've seen a VPN hit. Plus, if you're in the market for a streaming VPN, NordVPN leads the pack – and you can try it for yourself with its 30-day money-back guarantee.

Alternatively, if you'd rather stick to a free VPN, there are much better options out there. Proton VPN (designed by the minds behind Proton Mail) is a privacy-focused service that offers unlimited data with no catches; no ads, no tracking, just a really, truly, free service. The caveat is that you'll only have access to servers in three locations, and it's not as fast as other premium providers, but Proton VPN's free tier is more than enough for anyone wanting to shore up their digital security as they go about their day-to-day browsing.

AngelVPN is a relative newcomer to the VPN industry, having only established its presence in the last two years.

Still, while it lacks the extensive history of industry giants like NordVPN and ExpressVPN, Angel VPN has carved a niche in a very competitive marketplace as a budget provider with power.

In this review, I'll showcase the surprising strengths of AngelVPN, such as its speed and unblocking capabilities, as well as a few issues you'll want to be aware of being committing to a subscription.

About AngelVPN

AngelVPN, established in 2022, is headquartered in London. The UK isn't an ideal place to host a VPN company, unfortunately - after all, it's one of the primary members of the Five Eyes data-sharing alliance.

This raises several questions about how well AngelVPN is able to deal with law enforcement requests and targeted spying from intelligence agencies.

I'll get into the details a little later, but his potential government interference combined with a less-than-stellar privacy policy means that AngelVPN might not be your ideal provider if you want to prevent third-party snooping in an overzealous surveillance state.

On a more positive note, AngelVPN has servers in 67 countries, and more than 80 locations, and even boasts coverage across 13 points in America.

Normally, I'd say this puts AngelVPN squarely in the middle bracket when it comes to server networks, but I noticed a few interesting locations in the server list.

In addition to plenty of spots in Europe, like the UK, France, Italy, and Germany, there are a few lesser-covered regions listed, including  Russia, China, Brunei, the British Virgin Islands, and the Cayman Islands. This kind of spread is pretty rare, so if you need a VPN that can unblock content in these locations, AngelVPN might be worth a look.

AngelVPN pricing plans

Like most VPNs on the market today, AngelVPN offers a monthly subscription plan and some discounted long-term plans which significantly reduce the price.

A monthly plan costs $9.95. This is fairly cheap for a top-tier VPN but no extra features are bundled into the subscription – you just get the VPN.

Going for the 6-month plan knocks the price down to $3.33 per month for a total cost of $19.99. While this represents a 66% reduction in the monthly cost, buying the 12-month plan only reduces the cost by another 6% or so for a monthly cost of $2.83 and a total of $33.99.

Each AngelVPN plan comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee that allows you to test out the service before you commit to a subscription.

I was a little worried when I checked out the Terms of Service on the app and saw that it said no refunds would be processed, but after confirming with AngelVPN staff, and processing a refund based on the money-back guarantee, I'm happy to say it’s a legitimate promotion.

AngelVPN also supports a range of payment processors. In addition to the usual credit and debit card providers, there's support for Paypal, GooglePay, and a range of cryptocurrencies through BitPay, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin.

Privacy and security

AngelVPN is a mixed bag when it comes to privacy. There's nothing to complain about on a technical level – and, in fact, AngelVPN scores above-average marks in terms of VPN protocol support.

The Windows desktop app uses IKEv2 by default, which is a little unusual but definitely not a negative. IKEv2 is known for providing fast, high-security connections, but it's usually favored by MacOS and iOS devices.

There's also WireGuard support, as well as OpenVPN over both UDP and TCP. All three of these protocols are battle-tested and open-source, so you shouldn't have any concerns connecting to the internet.

I put AngelVPN's kill switch through its paces, too, in a series of stress tests designed to see if data would leak while the VPN is disconnected. I'm happy to report that it performed well in all cases. One caveat is that the kill switch only works while the VPN is connected. If you choose to disconnect manually while the client is open, it won't protect you. 

One of the primary concerns I encountered with Angel VPN pertains to its privacy policy. Despite claiming to be a strictly no-logs provider, a closer inspection of its privacy policy reveals that it retains several significant data points that could potentially compromise your anonymity. These include details such as the user's city, ISP, connection timestamps, and the specific server being accessed. 

While Angel VPN states that it does not record the contents of user connections, the retention of such information could still potentially lead to user identification if a third party was able to access the data, especially in the event of a request by law enforcement. Given that AngelVPN is headquartered in the UK, which has a less-than-stellar privacy reputation, it's entirely possible.

I raised this issue with AngelVPN's support staff. In response, they indicated to me that they have intentions to commission a third-party audit of both their privacy policy and server architecture in the near future. This is a positive step forward, as an independent audit will provide clarity on how AngelVPN captures data and potentially lead to revisions in its privacy policy. 

However, it remains to be seen how this audit will impact its approach to user privacy. If online anonymity is your main concern, it may be worth holding out on AngelVPN until its privacy policy is updated following a third-party audit.

Netflix and global stream unblocking

AngelVPN works with every streaming site I tested, including Netflix in several regions (America, Japan, Canada, and the UK), Disney+, Amazon Prime, and Hulu, as well as regional streaming services such as BBC iPlayer, ITVX, and All 4.

In all cases, accessing the streaming service was instant. No buffering, no stalling mid-way through an episode, and no lockout screens. AngelVPN boasts that its services are optimized for IPTV, and it's evident from its performance that it's able to keep up with some of the bigger VPN providers when it comes to unblocking and streaming. 

AngelVPN performance

AngelVPN impressed me with its performance – especially when you consider that it's a cheap VPN. To test its speed, I connected to the UK London server using a 100 Mbps connection, with the actual speed test being carried out by Ookla Speedtest.

Connecting over OpenVPN gave me download speeds of 63.85 Mbps and upload speeds of 20.89 Mbps. These speeds are more than enough to connect to a 4K streaming service without buffering or lag – even with other users on the same connection.

The only real complaint I have is that connecting or changing servers using AngelVPN took slightly longer than I expected, but your mileage may vary.

AngelVPN apps

AngelVPN is available on all major platforms, including Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS. Rather surprisingly for a smaller VPN provider, there's also a Linux client with a full GUI that works as well as the other desktop clients. 

The desktop app itself is pretty unremarkable. It's functional, but there's nothing here that would wow anyone who’s used a VPN before. It's simple and easy to set up, with a minimalist design that requires just a single click to get online. The P2P servers are clearly marked when you check out the location list, which is nice, but it'd be better to have a separate P2P tab.

AngelVPN customer support

AngelVPN's support is also better than I would've expected. The support staff stole the show – all of my queries got quick responses via the 24/7 live chat system and email. Each agent I chatted with was polite and knowledgeable, willing to have an in-depth discussion with me about both the scope of the VPN's streaming support as well as the shortcomings of its privacy policy.

Apparently, AngelVPN prides itself on having highly visible support channels and, as such, maintains an active presence on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram. I like email tickets better, but if you've got a different preference, AngelVPN has you covered.

The AngelVPN support library is pretty extensive, too, and has Quickstart guides for all platform applications. The apps aren't hard to use, but it's great to see each function clearly documented in the support library, as well as an FAQ section that covers questions about billing and AngelVPN’s service, too. There's even a guide on how to retrieve your credentials for OpenVPN if you want to set up your own third-party app.

AngelVPN alternatives

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is a great pick for unlocking geo-restricted streaming content such as Netflix, DAZN, Disney+, HBO Max, and Peacock. With a huge server network covering over 100 countries, it's one of the most expansive VPNs on the market. No matter where you're connecting from, ExpressVPN's ability to bypass geo-blocks ensures you'll be able to access a wide range of content from different regions. This is all powered by its proprietary Lightway VPN protocol, which delivers high-speed connections for uninterrupted streaming. ExpressVPN also guarantees a strict no-log policy, which is regularly audited by KPMG to demonstrate that ExpressVPN really doesn't hold on to your data.

NordVPN

NordVPN is another exceptional choice if you're looking for top-tier security and high-speed performance. In addition to its ability to effortlessly unblock content worldwide, NordVPN integrates cutting-edge security measures to safeguard you from online threats. With its innovative Threat Detection integrated scanning service, NordVPN continuously monitors incoming traffic for non-malware files, providing proactive alerts to preemptively protect your device. NordVPN also comes with Meshnet, which operates as a decentralized network that enables peer-to-peer communication and file sharing without relying on traditional centralized servers. It's all powered by NordVPN's high-quality VPN tunnels, so you can chat and send files safely in the knowledge you're protected by the highest standard of encryption.

Surfshark

Surfshark has a flexible subscription policy, allowing you to safeguard an unlimited number of devices under a single account. It's also got an extensive suite of tools designed to enhance the VPN for additional security. With Surfshark One, you get a comprehensive three-pronged solution to protect yourself from viruses, malware, data leaks, and privacy threats. Surfshark Antivirus shields your devices from viruses and malware with real-time protection and customizable security features. Then there's Surfshark Search, which allows you to perform web searches in complete privacy, free from ads, logs, and trackers. Finally, Surfshark Alert notifies you of personal data leaks in real time, helping you prevent potential damage before it's too late.

Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access easily matches the speed and power of other top vendors. It's one of the only top-tier VPN vendors in the industry to offer a fully-featured Linux client with a GUI, offering the same experience as AngelVPN but with more features. It also offers unique features such as anonymous purchase options for dedicated IPs, enabling access to sites that commonly block VPNs. Its "MACE" blacklist also effectively blocks ads, trackers, and malicious sites, further enhancing your privacy. If that wasn’t enough, PIA's commitment to a strict no-logs policy has been proven by several third-party audits and in court.

AngelVPN review: Final verdict

AngelVPN is a budget provider that punches above its weight in key areas. While it's not quite as feature-rich as Surfshark, or as globe-spanning as ExpressVPN, it's a quality VPN posed at a price that won't break the bank. If you're trying to watch IPTV or streaming services while abroad, you could do a lot worse.

However, if you're looking for a rock-solid VPN that comes with some extra security capabilities you won't find anywhere, I recommend you give NordVPN a shot. 

TechRadar rating: ⭐⭐⭐½

How we test VPNs

Beside using the top recommended VPNs for our daily activities, we also conduct a thorough analysis of the top 30 VPN services every 6 months to keep track on how the software compares with other providers as new developments come in.

We start by reviewing each provider's website to double check if its claims and offering changed. We also look for any tracking cookies on the site and if/when they activate to see if the service tracks people using the site.

We then install and use each VPN service across a wide range of location servers and devices to see how they perform across the board. We go through all the settings to make sure all the features work as promised, while playing around with encryption protocols. 

Our reviewers actively challenge the software, too, in the lookout for any flaws. For example, we purposely make the VPN connection drop so that we can test if the kill switch does its job of preventing data leaks correctly.

From speed connections and streaming unlocking results, to customer support and app usability, we regularly make sure to test every aspect of the software that could affect the experience of our readers.

As issues arise during our testing, we make sure to investigate these even by digging into the source code or the contents of its RAM if necessary. Head to our dedicated VPN testing methodology page if you want to know more.

Tested by

Meet the experts behind our AngelVPN review:

The market for virtual private networks (VPNs) is huge, and it can be difficult to figure out which services are reliable and which are better off avoided. Some VPNs are mediocre, most do the job without having any stand-out features, and a handful really knock it out of the park.

With this in mind, I'll be digging into OysterVPN (and whether it's worth your money.) I've been researching and reviewing VPNs for years, now, so you can rest assured you'll be getting first-hand info from a hands-on testing process (and not just the usual marketing blurb you can find on OysterVPN's website yourself.)

For a VPN that's only been on the block for a few months, OysterVPN is massively impressive—and definitely one to keep an eye on. With some adjustments to its toolset, the inclusion of WireGuard, and better performance, OysterVPN could be well on its way to giving the best VPNs a run for their money. For now, however, there are still plenty of snags to iron out.

OysterVPN features

OysterVPN is situated in Ireland and owned by Oyster Digital Solutions Ltd. It's a new-ish provider that kicked off its VPN services in early 2023 and, hopefully, this means that it's on the cutting edge of cybersecurity technology.

Ireland isn't part of any Western intelligence pacts, like the notorious 14 Eyes Alliance, so I'm also pretty confident in the provider's privacy policy. However, Ireland does impose mandatory data retention laws—so OysterVPN's no-logs policy has to do a lot of heavy lifting.

OysterVPN currently hosts 150+ servers in 17 countries, most notably:

• Australia
• Canada
• France
• Germany
• Hong Kong
• India
• Singapore
• Netherlands
• USA
• UK

This is a decent spread of locations, especially across Europe and Asia, but it’s nowhere near the extensive list of locations you would get from a top-tier VPN. Functional, but not amazing.

It's great to see OysterVPN offering split tunneling, which gives you full control over which apps are covered by the VPN connection. The downside is that it's only available on the Windows and Android apps, which is disappointing, considering that top-tier providers now offering split tunneling for MacOS.

Fortunately, OysterVPN's split tunneling works well. It's easy to specify which apps and sites use the VPN connection and whether you'd rather have the VPN cover your entire connection.

Torrenting with OysterVPN is seamless, too. I didn't encounter any issues while hopping from server to server, which suggests there’s a full P2P service enabled across all of them. The same goes for P2P gaming across Hamachi—it was a breeze.

OysterVPN pricing plans

OysterVPN has a single payment tier that allows you to choose how long you want to subscribe for. The monthly plan costs $9.99 and includes 3 free months upfront, which is pretty awesome.

The monthly plan is on the pricey side, given the lack of server locations, but OysterVPN's yearly plan is more modest at $2.50 per month. Alternatively, if you feel like making a bigger commitment, OysterVPN lets users make a one-off payment of $49.99 for lifetime access to the service. This works out at $0.42 a month—that's not bad at all, but it is a limited time offer.

No matter which subscription you pick, you'll be covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can put the provider to the test without risking a penny.

Unfortunately, there’s no free trial or free VPN tier, so you’ll have to purchase OysterVPN if you want to give it a shot. The provider only accepts major credit cards and PayPal, too, meaning there's no option to pay via Bitcoin. This is going to disappoint folks who want to really shore up their privacy.

All OysterVPN plans offer five simultaneous connections—which isn't massively generous. However, it will allow you to protect all of your favorite devices. A family household can easily have upwards of ten gadgets (including mobiles, PCs, consoles, and more), so if you're looking for unlimited connections, you're better off with Surfshark.

Privacy and security

OysterVPN comes with most of the features you need to maintain your digital privacy. There are four VPN protocols to choose from: IKEv2/IPSec, L2TP/IPSec, PPTP, and OpenVPN. I recommend steering clear of L2TP and PPTP, seeing as they're not secure, and sticking with IKEv2 or OpenVPN. Both of these picks offer industry-standard security and reliable speeds.

I was disappointed to see that OysterVPN doesn't offer WireGuard, though. It's a relatively new VPN that combines the tight security of OpenVPN with the speed of IKEv2, all while maintaining a much smaller resource footprint. Given that OysterVPN touts itself as a modern VPN, there's no excuse not to offer WireGuard. Ideally, I'd like to see the service ditch its outdated protocols and welcome WireGuard to the fold.

OysterVPN passed all of the IPv4, DNS, and WebRTC leak tests I put it through. It’s reassuring to see that OysterVPN really will preserve your privacy while you’re browsing online, given that there are so many leaky VPNs out there. The only real issue I found was that IPv6 wasn’t supported, but as long as you disable this service, you'll be alright.

Furthermore, thanks to AES-265 encryption, you can be sure your traffic is encrypted in a way that won’t expose your data. It’s the same technology baked into SSL, which is trusted by every major institution on the internet.

Similarly, OysterVPN’s kill switch worked well. A kill switch makes sure that if your connection to the VPN drops, you won’t immediately default back to your ISP’s internet connection and accidentally leak your original IP. While it might be a little inconvenient, it’s an essential part of preserving your privacy with any VPN. I put OysterVPN's kill switch through a series of disconnection scenarios and it didn't disappoint.

I was pleasantly surprised to see that OysterVPN also offers DNS-level ad-blocking. Most of us use an ad-blocker these days, to banish those annoying pop-ups and invasive ads, but OysterVPN augments this functionality by putting a stop to malware and preventing it from being downloaded to your computer by blocking the connection on the network. In practice, this worked pretty well, but I still noticed a few ads here and there. This isn’t a dealbreaker by any means, as the feature is still extremely useful.

Logging policy

OysterVPN claims that it's a no-logs service—most VPNs do. It's difficult to verify this without a third-party audit, however.

In theory, OysterVPN could have a server architecture set up using disk-less servers that operate entirely in RAM. Actual details about its implementation, and how it achieves zero-logging, are scant at best, and Ireland has mandatory logging requirements.

So, if you can't take any chances with your privacy, I'd recommend sticking to audited services like ExpressVPN and NordVPN.

Netflix and global stream unblocking

Streaming with OysterVPN was painless. It takes a whole lot of dedicated manpower (and server capacity) to keep up with Netflix’s policy of banning VPNs, but I was able to check out US and UK content without a hitch.

Accessing Hulu,  Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, and DAZN was just as straightforward—and that's an impressive spread of services. I was even able to access the WWE network, and OysterVPN claims it’s also able to unblock a wide range of additional sports platforms including UEFA, the Premier League, and the NBA. I haven’t tested this for myself, but given how well OysterVPN unblocked everything I did try out, I have no reason to doubt this is the case.

I didn't experience any major issues with lag or buffering, which is awesome news if you're in need of a tip-top streaming VPN, but streaming in 4K during busy periods did push OysterVPN to its limit. I'll dig into the details when we delve into the provider's performance, but overall, streaming with OysterVPN was adequate.

OysterVPN performance

OysterVPN has held its own so far but, unfortunately, it slips up where speed is concerned. Don't get me wrong, it's more than capable of handling day-to-day browsing—it's HD streaming that causes strain.

Using a 100 Mbps connection at 10 am, I connected to a UK server and captured 43.98 Mbps download speeds and 12.11 Mbps upload. That's respectable, but these numbers dropped dramatically when I ran my tests again at 6 pm.

The biggest dip in performance came when I switched to a US server. Download speeds clocked in at 11.59 Mbps and upload speeds at 3.79 Mbps. This wasn't enough to stream 4K content from Netflix US without significant buffering. I found similar speeds connecting to Hong Kong, at 8.91 Mbps down and 3.65 Mbps up.

So, while OysterVPN offers decent speeds if you’re connecting to a nearby server, long-distance connections tank its performance. That means that OysterVPN might not be your perfect pick if you're in the market for a reliable Netflix VPN that'll unblock geo-restricted content.

OysterVPN apps

Things improved when I switched my attention to OysterVPN's apps, however. There’s an install app for Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android, and the Windows and MacOS versions also have their very own installation wizards that make set up a breeze. If you're a mobile user, just head on over to your app store to find OysterVPN.

The service can also be set up on a range of routers, and there's browser support for Chrome and Firefox via add-ons.

Sadly, you won't find any native Linux support. Relying on OpenVPN configuration files and a third-party client makes OysterVPN look a little outdated, but there are, at least, a handful of articles that'll guide you through the process.

OysterVPN customer support

OysterVPN's customer support is pretty solid. I got in touch to clarify some of their marketing information and got a response almost instantly, which is surprising. I couldn’t find a phone number for their support staff and couldn’t get their live chat to work, but if they respond to emails this quickly, it's not going to be a huge issue.

The FAQ follows suit. It's not particularly expansive, but the available guidance is straightforward, easy to follow, and covers a range of topics. Its installation guides are clear, too, but there's not a lot of information about what to do if something goes wrong.

Alternatives

With so many VPNs to choose from, you're not tethered to OysterVPN—especially if you don't want to compromise on speed and security. Below, I've outlined some of my top picks.

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is my #1 VPN overall, and boasts a stacked roster of features. Plus, you'll be able to take your pick of more than 3,000 servers in 94 countries. ExpressVPN unblocks just about every streaming service you can imagine and can keep up with other resource-intensive tasks, like gaming, torrenting, and video calls. Its reputation for ironclad security is well-deserved, too, thanks to robust encryption protocols, a strict no-logs policy, and advanced features like a kill switch and DNS leak protection. 

NordVPN

NordVPN is another favorite of mine, and a powerhouse in the VPN sphere, that's committed to safeguarding your security. It packs military-grade encryption and a strict no-logs policy, as well as a handy Double VPN feature for folks who really want to fly under the radar. NordVPN is also the fastest VPN I've ever tested, ensuring smooth browsing, streaming, and downloading experiences that won't be interrupted by any buffering hiccups.

Surfshark

Surfshark is an awesome pick for folks on a budget—it's the best cheap VPN available. That doesn't mean it's lacking in features, however. With Surfshark, you'll get awesome speeds ideal for HD streaming, a CleanWeb tool that'll banish ads, malware, and trackers, and an audited no-logs policy. Surfshark is also one of a handful of providers to offer unlimited simultaneous connections, so you can secure a whole household of gadgets with one subscription.

Proton VPN

Wrapping up my recommendations is Proton VPN. Developed by the team behind Proton Mail, a renowned encrypted email service, ProtonVPN follows a similar philosophy of protecting user data. The service utilizes robust encryption protocols and offers a range of advanced security features, like Secure Core, which routes user traffic through multiple secure servers to prevent interception. ProtonVPN has a standout free VPN, too, although it's more limited than its paid alternative. Still, it's a great way to try the service before committing to a long-term plan.

OysterVPN review: Final verdict

OysterVPN isn't a bad VPN by any stretch of the imagination. It does what it needs to do, and fairly cheaply at that. Its biggest problem is that there's nothing that makes it stand out in a highly competitive market, and it’s somewhat lacking in server location and speeds.

These are totally fixable issues, however, and I have a feeling that OysterVPN is going to get better and better over time. In fact, for a VPN that's only been operating for a few months, it's already impressive.

Still, there are better-established VPNs with more servers, better speeds, and a wider feature set than OysterVPN. ExpressVPN and NordVPN are the cream of the crop (that tick all of the right boxes), and I'd recommend checking them out if you want a premium and polished service.

TechRadar rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Subscribe if:

✔️ You want to unblock a ton of content: OysterVPN had no trouble bypassing geo-blocks to access the likes of Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Hulu.
✔️ You're a mobile user: whether you're an Android or iPhone loyalist, OysterVPN has easy-to-use apps for your device.
✔️ You want a broad spread of servers: OysterVPN might not have a ton of servers, but the ones it does have are scattered across key locations.

Don't subscribe if:

❌ Speed is your priority: unfortunately, OysterVPN can't compete with the industry's top names when it comes to performance, especially when connecting to distant servers.
❌ You're on Linux: with no native Linux support, you'll need to jump through some complex hoops to get OysterVPN up and running.
❌ You need live chat support: I couldn't find OysterVPN's live chat, which might be a problem if you need quick answers to pressing problems.

How we test VPNs

Beside using the top recommended VPNs for our daily activities, we also conduct a thorough analysis of the top 30 VPN services every 6 months to keep track on how the software compares with other providers as new developments come in.

We start by reviewing each provider's website to double check if its claims and offering changed. We also look for any tracking cookies on the site and if/when they activate to see if the service tracks people using the site.

We then install and use each VPN service across a wide range of location servers and devices to see how they perform across the board. We go through all the settings to make sure all the features work as promised, while playing around with encryption protocols. 

Our reviewers actively challenge the software, too, in the lookout for any flaws. For example, we purposely make the VPN connection drop so that we can test if the kill switch does its job of preventing data leaks correctly.

From speed connections and streaming unlocking results, to customer support and app usability, we regularly make sure to test every aspect of the software that could affect the experience of our readers.

As issues arise during our testing, we make sure to investigate these even by digging into the source code or the contents of its RAM if necessary. Head to our dedicated VPN testing methodology page if you want to know more.