Ultrasurf VPN Review 2024: Before You Buy, Is It Worth It?

Slow And Unreliable Connection Speeds

Despite not being the slowest VPN I have ever tested, UltraSurf VPN consistently fails to deliver. Within reason, I wouldn’t expect great speeds from free VPNs. However, there are still some basic performance requirements that a VPN must meet in order to work effectively.

The fact is that no VPN service can guarantee you a download speed of 100% of your base speed. UltraSurf VPN will consume a large percentage of your bandwidth and leave you with very low download and upload speeds.

Speed Test Results

Based on the results of my speed test, it is evident that the claims of high speeds made by Ultrasurf VPN are not accurate. To assess the impact of the VPN on my internet speed, I performed a comparison of my download and upload speeds with and without the VPN active. The server assigned to me was located in the United States, which restricted my testing to that specific region.

My baseline download speed was recorded at 332.69 Mbps. However, when UltraSurf VPN was active, my download speed dropped significantly to 7.60 Mbps, a decrease of 97%. This represents one of the most significant reductions in performance that I have ever recorded.

Considering that Ultrasurf is designed specifically to encrypt traffic and is intended for users in nations where there are heavy restrictions on internet access, speeds are not necessarily an issue. This service was not intended to be used for streaming content or downloading files. Having said that, speed for any VPN is for sure one of the crucial factors to consider. A factor that Ultrasurf doesn’t provide.

It is without a doubt one of the slowest VPNs I’ve ever tested. Even on a US-to-US connection, you can clearly see that download and upload speeds are both slowed down quite significantly. There is an even greater problem when connecting over long distances. If speed is a top priority, ExpressVPN is a superior choice as I found it to be the fastest solution available in the market.

Is UltraSurf VPN Fast Enough for Gaming? No!

Tests conducted on Ultrasurf’s US servers showed that there was a significant delay in ping time, indicating that it does not meet the standards required for optimal gaming performance. It’s also important to know that Ultrasurf is not an authentic VPN, but instead a browser-oriented solution aimed at overcoming regional restrictions within a specified browser.

Server Network — Undisclosed Number of Server Locations

Ultrasurf VPN is restricted to IP addresses that exclusively originate from the United States. The specific count of servers operated by the provider remains undisclosed on the official website, but it’s likely that the number is restricted, possibly falling within a small range of single digits.

UltraSurf connects you to the nearest server to you which will give you the best performance whenever you launch it. While testing the speed and privacy of the VPN, I was automatically connected to the server located in the United States. Providing VPN service for free is one of the major factors contributing to this lack of information.

Upon initiation of the VPN, it automatically established a connection to a proximal server. Multiple attempts to connect and disconnect resulted in the same outcome, with persistent connection to the same location. My inquiries regarding this matter, submitted via the customer support’s email platform, were met with no response.

CyberGhost boasts a comprehensive server infrastructure of over 11,780+ servers dispersed across 100+ nations, thereby ensuring that a suitable server for your requirements is always readily accessible.

Editors' Note: CyberGhost VPN and this site are in the same ownership group.

Security — Bare-Bones Security Features

Ultrasurf VPN doesn’t quite measure up when it comes to providing high-level security features, especially in terms of a kill switch. Nowadays, it’s extremely important to have strong security measures to protect against possible dangers from hackers and governments. Without these types of features, Ultrasurf VPN leaves you vulnerable to potential breaches of your data and violations of your privacy.

Although, it is worth mentioning that Ultrasurf VPN does offer some basic security features, which include:

• Solid encryption – UltraSurf VPN makes sure its servers are super secure by using a very advanced method called 256-bit military-grade encryption. It even gives you the choice to use an extra secure way called SHA-256 to protect your information.
• HTTPS protocol – Ultrasurf VPN, while effective in bypassing firewalls and censorship through the utilization of secure HTTPS end-to-end encryption facilitated by TLS/SSL protocols, falls short in regards to advanced security protocols such as OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard.
• Content filtering – Ultrasurf VPN utilizes an intrinsic content filtering system, which is capable of restricting access to certain web domains or materials that may be deemed inappropriate or offensive, such as pornography. This censorship can be attributed to the adherence to US legal requirements.

I conducted comprehensive testing of Ultrasurf’s security protocols, including a DNS leak test, IPv6 leak test, and WebRTC leak test. The results were quite impressive, as I did not encounter any DNS or IPv6 leaks. Also, there were no WebRTC leaks detected, which is a prevalent issue with many VPNs due to inherent flaws in certain web browsers.

The screenshot displays the results of my test, indicating a disparity between the recorded IP address and my actual physical location. The DNS servers listed are also incongruous, consisting of arbitrary servers from the United States. This constitutes empirical evidence of the efficacy of UltraSurf’s measures to prevent leaks.

Privacy — Intrusive Logging Policy

The company’s website claims to prioritize privacy by being transparent, offering anonymity, and providing protection against blocking. However, if you read the privacy policy and terms of service, you’ll find that the company actually collects and stores a lot of data. This includes your IP address, the links you click on the site when you visited, the sites you visit after leaving their site, and even some personal information. They may also share this data with others if required.

In one respect, UltraSurf explicitly states that activity logs aren’t recorded or stored. However, when you delve a little deeper into the policy, there are some troubling aspects. The company acknowledges that it collects certain data about you, such as the IP address and connection time stamp. The logs are stored for a maximum of 30 days and they are not shared with third parties except when it is necessary to comply with the law.

In addition, the provider states that it may disclose personally identifiable information to law enforcement officials, business partners, and for legal purposes. Despite UltraSurf not requiring users to disclose their names, emails, or payment information, this statement is concerning to say the least.

UltraSurf is headquartered in the United States, which is not the best location. Because it is a member of the 5 Eyes Alliance, an organization renowned for excessive government surveillance and breach of privacy. Thus, if a government organization requests that Ultrasurf VPN provide data on its users, under the law they will have to comply with that request. That is if they collect sensitive information. Overall, we are talking about a very basic provider whose website is extremely outdated and offers very few features.

If you don’t feel comfortable trusting your data to a company based in the US, I’d recommend ExpressVPN for its true no-logs policy that is not only foolproof but also one that is proven to work.

Editors' Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.

Torrenting — Supports P2P Sharing but Not Recommended

UltraSurf VPN supports torrenting, but you’re more likely to have your browsing history tracked if you connect to it. The jurisdiction in which this VPN operates falls under the 14 eyes, so torrenting through it is not recommended.

UltraSurf doesn’t restrict any P2P traffic from being routed through its servers on any of its platforms. However, there is a distinct difference between granting access to torrents and providing secure torrents. Please remember that other users connected to the same torrent swarm can see your IP address while you are downloading torrents.

It’s not just copyright trolls lurking in these swarms, but hackers as well, waiting to prey on the unwitting victim. Consequently, you should ensure you have robust encryption when you visit torrent sites like The Pirate Bay. Sadly, UltraSurf’s HTTPS security is just not robust enough to keep your sensitive data secure.

Due to the proxy’s browser-based controls, BitTorrent and Ultrasurf cannot sync together when it comes to torrenting. Fortunately, you may be able to torrent large files using the Android app (if you do not mind waiting a few weeks for your files to download). Basically, even if you had access to BitTorrent, the server speeds would prevent you from accomplishing much.

Does Ultrasurf VPN Work in China? Yes!

UltraSurf was created with the intention of working around China’s Great Firewall. According to the website’s “About” section, the company is dedicated to providing a free service to all Chinese users. They wanted Chinese citizens to be able to circumvent censorship and freely access the internet without any restrictions.

The question is, does the VPN really deliver on this front? Absolutely. So far, UltraSurf has been successful in evading China’s Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) safeguards, so residents can freely access censored sites such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

With UltraSurf you don’t have to worry about VPN protocols such as OpenVPN that have been heavily targeted by censors. In place of that, it employs a network of proxy servers to ensure its traffic blends seamlessly with normal web traffic.

In my assessment, Ultrasurf is deficient in its customer support as compared to other prominent VPNs in the market. The only mode of support it offers is through email. Despite the service providers’ assertions of rapid response times, I have yet to receive a reply to my email, submitted over a week ago.

This lack of response suggests that the developers have likely forsaken the project due to its lack of appeal and subpar quality. Additionally, the absence of an FAQ and Knowledge Base section is notable. However, considering that the service is offered without cost and registration requirements, it would be unreasonable to expect much more.