Speed
|
4.0 / 10 |
Servers
|
4.0 / 10 |
User Experience
|
5.0 / 10 |
Support
|
4.0 / 10 |
Pricing
|
7.0 / 10 |
VPNSecure Review 2024: Before You Buy, Is It Worth It?
VPNSecure Overview
I was interested to see if VPNSecure could live up to its name. With “Secure” in the title, I expected an air-tight VPN with advanced security protocols and a vast array of protections. While this VPN has a lot to offer in terms of security, it fell behind my expectations in other key areas which in turn weakened its security measures.
This VPN has a modest network of servers, average connection speeds, and lackluster unblocking capabilities. Where it should shine is its military-grade AES-256 bit encryption and seemingly air-tight no-logs policy. However, some digging revealed that this VPN will monitor your usage and the report said logs to the Australian authorities if it suspects you of illegal activity.
While there is no free trial available, there is a 7-day money-back guarantee and a low-cost 30-day trial period with VPNSecure. These options make it easy to try this VPNSecure out without a large financial commitment.
Don’t Have Time? Here’s a 1-Minute Summary
- Unblocks some streaming platforms. I found that VPNSecure unblocked half of the streaming platforms that were tested. Jump here to see which ones it unblocked.
- Decent but inconsistent speeds. VPNSecure offered average speeds with low latency, but the speeds were inconsistent. Jump here to view my test results.
- Average server network. This VPN had modest coverage in most regions. Jump here for a full breakdown.
- Knowledgeable but slow support. It took some time to hear back from VPNSecure’s support team. Jump here to read about my experience.
- Affordable pricing. VPNSecure offers competitive plans and a low-cost trial period. Jump here to view your options.
VPNSecure Unblocks Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+ (But Can’t Access Hulu, HBO Max, or BBC iPlayer)
During my testing, I discovered that VPNSecure managed to unlock a limited number of streaming platforms, but it didn’t provide a fully comprehensive unblocking experience. I consistently achieved successful access to my Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+ accounts. Even when using servers in different regions, I was able to stream content without any problems. However, I did encounter occasional instances where Netflix and Hulu detected my VPN usage, although this issue was resolved by simply refreshing the page. It’s worth noting that you might encounter difficulties on specific servers.
Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+: Unblocked
VPNSecure was able to consistently unblock content from Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+. Unblocking services like US Netflix is notoriously difficult for smaller VPNs, so I was pleased to find that this service didn’t run into many issues unblocking these platforms. Now, there were a couple of hiccups that resolved themselves. If you run into an initial block, I would try and refresh to see if it goes away before changing servers.
I had a consistent experience while streaming content from Netflix with VPNSecure. The quality never dropped, and I did not experience any noticeable lagging or stuttering while streaming.
Both Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ offered quality streaming experiences while connected to VPNSecure’s network. I found that my quality remained the same regardless of which server I was connected to, though shows did load quicker on VPNSecure’s dedicated streaming servers.
Hulu, HBO Max, and BBC iPlayer: Blocked
VPNSecure was picked up by Hulu, HBO Max, and BBC iPlayer immediately. For all of them, there were similar error codes and the VPN was unable to access the catalog of content on these sites.
The provider also has a Smart DNS feature to help unblock streaming services. However, it is unable to unblock any of the mentioned streaming platforms. I recommend trying ExpressVPN for a more reliable streaming experience on a VPN. It unblocks all major streaming platforms, which means you will be able to enjoy your home content while you travel abroad.
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Speed
- 4.0
/ 10
Inconsistent Connection Speeds but with Low Latency
I found that VPNSecure had lower-than-average connection speeds that varied a good deal between server regions. It’s expected for a VPN to slow down your connection to some degree, but the inconsistent nature of the experience led to severe slowdowns on some servers.
Speed Test Results
With a home network speed of 400Mbps, I found that my speed fell to around 40% of that figure on average with the occasional plummet to only 17% of my base speeds. These are significant slowdowns that did impact my browsing and content streaming experience.
While my download speeds were inconsistent, I was quite impressed with how low my latency remained. Even on servers where my connection speeds fell to a fraction of my base home speed, I found that my latency was low enough for high-paced tasks such as gaming. Some servers near my location even offered latency so low that it was nearly identical to my base connection speed without a VPN.
Is VPNSecure Fast Enough for Gaming? Yes, but only on Short-Distance Servers!
VPNSecure didn’t affect my gaming experience when I connected to servers close to my location, despite the reduced speed. However, there was some lag when I switched to servers that were much farther away. This was due to higher ping or latency numbers, which can impact the performance of serious gamers.
In general, it’s important for gamers to have low ping rates, ideally below 120ms. For those who are highly competitive, below 50ms is even better. When I connected to a UK server, my ping rate was around 134ms, which was higher than ideal for serious gaming, but I didn’t experience any lagging issues.
To sum up, I suggest playing serious games using this VPN but only on servers located within an intermediate range. However, if you’re worried about slower speeds on long-distance servers, you can check out ExpressVPN which has been established to be a better VPN for gaming.
Why Most Speed Tests are Pointless & How We Correctly Test VPN Speeds
Speed determines how fast content uploads, so if you're torrenting or streaming, you want the speed to be somewhat identical to your regular internet speed. Since a VPN encrypts your data, it usually takes a bit longer to send your data back and forth, which can slow down your connection. However, if your ISP deliberately slows down your connection (also known as throttling) a VPN might increase your internet speed. Testing a VPN is somewhat pointless because new servers pop up and affect speed. Your speed can also differ according to your location, so your speed test might not match ours. Having said that, we tested the speed in numerous locations to provide you with the average.
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Servers
- 4.0
/ 10
Server Network — A Modest Selection
VPNSecure has a small network that services 33 different countries with around 80 total servers. The site has some mixed information with claims of over 40 countries supported, but I counted through the site’s server list and through the application’s list to confirm the 33 regions figure.
This VPN owns all of its servers. There aren’t any third-party entities to worry about VPNSecure sharing your data with. The company states this fact clearly on its server list page.
The server list also shows which servers are currently online and where you will be routed through. The application also lists the use case for each server. VPNSecure has a range of servers optimized for streaming and ad-blocking. With these clear labels, it is easy to find the right server to suit your intended use. However, there are no details regarding the latency or capacity of a given server, so slowdowns due to overcrowding are possible. I prefer VPNs with larger networks — ExpressVPN has a massive server network that never became crowded when I tested it.
Security — Military-Grade Encryption
VPNSecure, as its name suggests, places a significant emphasis on security, aiming to provide users with a reliable and secure VPN experience. This VPN employs advanced encryption techniques and various protective measures to ensure that user data remains confidential and safeguarded at all times.
Some of the key features of VPNSecure’s robust security approach include:
- Solid encryption – you can choose from DES-CBC, AES-128-CBC, and AES-256-CBC encryption ciphers, the latter of which is highly regarded as uncrackable.
- OpenVPN protocol – VPNSecure operates a variety of protocols, allowing you to select based on your specific protocol requirements. The client applications only function via OpenVPN, which is an industry benchmark protocol that provides a tradeoff between speed and enhanced security measures. Other supported protocols include SSH SOCKS and HTTP Proxy.
- Kill switch – you will also find an easy-access kill-switch option labeled “Disable internet on disconnect” that will ensure your IP isn’t leaked even if your connection to VPNSecure breaks or falters. Enabling this feature will make it so that your connection to the internet is completely severed in the event of an outage or break in coverage.
- IPv6 leak protection – this feature is designed to prevent the unintentional exposure of your IPv6 address while using a VPN service.
- Adblocker – VPNSecure includes a built-in adblocker that serves to enhance your online browsing experience by blocking unwanted ads and potentially malicious content. To identify these servers, look for the “+Adblocker” label displayed in front of the server name. This feature makes it easier to avoid ads while browsing.
As the provider’s website did not explicitly mention DNS leak protection, I deemed it necessary to verify whether my true IP address or DNS queries were exposed to external parties by running assessments for both IP and DNS leakage. These potential security flaws, if exploited, can pose a significant threat to my confidentiality.
It can be inferred from the image above that there was no disclosure of my IP address and DNS information by the service provider. The IP address from Indonesia that VPNSecure allocated to me was displayed in my test results.
Privacy — Complies with Australian Privacy Laws
On the face of it, VPNSecure seems to offer a robust, uncompromising no-logs policy. The privacy page clearly states that this VPN doesn’t keep any logs regarding user activities, IP, or bandwidth usage. However, digging into the VPN’s terms of service revealed that this no-logs policy can be swept away if it suspects you of engaging in illegal activity.
In addition, to maintain your account, the provider retains your username, email address, and password. Although these retained details should not cause concern, utilizing a temporary email can help avoid potential issues related to identity tracking.
With the VPN being based in Australia, you will have to worry about the rather strict and intrusive privacy laws. If you do not adhere to those laws then this VPN can and will report all of your usage to authorities. Now, this VPN is in the process of mitigating this by moving its central location to Hong Kong. However, this move has not yet occurred at the time of writing this review, and there is no firm timeline for the completion of this transfer.
Torrenting — Supported but not recommended
While P2P connections are supported on any of VPNSecure’s servers, I would not recommend torrenting with this VPN due to Australia’s restrictive content-sharing laws. With the looming possibility of authorities being able to request your data from this VPN, I would not risk engaging in any sort of P2P file-sharing.
If you do attempt to torrent a piece of content, be sure to confirm that the content is readily available in the public domain. Also, make sure to adhere to and consult your local laws and ordinances before engaging in P2P file-sharing.
Does VPNSecure Work in China? Potentially.
The application boasts a “Stealth Mode” that claims to obfuscate your location and bypass restrictive firewalls such as the one used by the Chinese government. As I am not located in China, I was unable to test VPNSecure’s claims personally.
However, reports from users regarding this feature have been mixed. While it does look as though this VPN can unblock sites for users in China, it does not seem to be able to do this consistently. I suggest ExpressVPN as a reliable VPN for China, capable of regularly circumventing its censorship constraints.
If you do plan on traveling to China, make sure to download your VPN of choice ahead of time. Chinese authorities have been known to block non-approved VPNs, which can make it so that you cannot access content from your home region while you travel. While these policies do exist, there are no reported cases of Chinese officials punishing or fining travelers for using non-approved VPNs.
Server Locations
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User Experience
- 5.0
/ 10
Simultaneous Device Connections — Up to 5 Devices
VPNSecure does not list how many simultaneous connections it supports on its site, so I had to reach out to the support team to get that information. The support team noted that the VPN supports up to 5 device connections with a single account subscription. That number isn’t ideal if you have a lot of devices, but it is about average when it comes to VPNs of similar size.
If 5 simultaneous device connections don’t quite cut it for your specific use case then you should consider using CyberGhost, as it supports 7 device connections with a single membership.
Device Compatibility — Generous Coverage
VPNSecure supports standard operating systems like Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. This VPN provides support not only for well-known platforms, but also allows you to set it up on compatible routers, such as DD-WRT, NETGEAR, and Asus. By doing this, all devices connected to that network can take advantage of the features offered by VPNSecure’s network.
As an alternative to the VPN’s full coverage, there are HTTP and SSH SOCKS proxies available through VPNSecure. Proxies are particularly useful for tasks such as P2P file-sharing. A proxy won’t encrypt your traffic or data, so it is much faster than your standard VPN connection. What it does instead is masking your IP address and keep your location shrouded while you are connected to something like a torrenting client.
It’s important to mention that, as of writing this review, the app is not available for download on MacOS and Windows. Despite multiple attempts to contact customer service for help, there has been no resolution.
Ease of Setup & Installation — Straightforward
I found it pretty easy to install and configure VPNSecure. It only took me a couple of minutes from landing on the site to signing into the client and connecting to a server. To download the client, you just need to head over to the “Support” tab. There you will find the download page that lists all supported platforms and clients.
There are simple, illustrated instructions for each operating system. These instructions were easy to follow and made setting the application up easy. You will need to save the generated password provided to you along with your chosen username credentials.
My only point of frustration with the application is that it cannot be pinned to your taskbar. It is easy to lose the VPN window by clicking on a different application. To retrieve it, you will need to go to the bottom-right hidden icon menu on your taskbar to access the VPNSecure application. Additionally, the client failed to launch occasionally. I found that launching the application as an administrator resolved this issue.
Steps to Installing VPNSecure on iOS
- Open the App Store. Locate the App Store icon on your iOS device and tap on it to open.
- Search for VPNSecure. In the App Store, tap on the search icon (magnifying glass) and type “VPNSecure” in the search bar. Press “Search” to find the app.
![Screenshot showing VPNSecure's iOS download page]()
- Download and install the app. Locate the VPNSecure app in the search results and tap on the “Get” button to download and install the app on your device.
- Open the VPNSecure app. Once the app is installed, tap on the VPNSecure icon to open the app.
- Sign in or create an account. If you already have a VPNSecure account, enter your email address and password to sign in. If you’re new to VPNSecure, tap on “Create Account” and follow the prompts to set up a new account.
- Choose a server location. After signing in, you’ll see a list of available server locations. Choose a server location that suits your needs, or allow the app to automatically select the best server for you.
![Screenshot showing VPNSecure's server interface]()
- Connect to the VPN. Tap on the “Connect” button to establish a VPN connection. You’ll see a VPN icon appear in your device’s status bar, indicating a successful connection.
![Screenshot showing VPNSecure's connection interface]()
- Browse securely. With VPNSecure now connected, you can browse the internet safely and privately on your iOS device.
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Support
- 4.0
/ 10
VPNSecure offers a simple ticket-based support system. There is no live chat or phone support, and I found that turnaround times were right around 24 hours. The support team members that I spoke to were knowledgeable and able to answer my questions, but it will take at least a day to hear back regarding an issue. This can be frustrating if you have a pressing concern or an account problem that needs immediate attention.
There is a knowledge base on the site that does cover many frequently asked questions. This is a great resource full of detailed guides and tutorials for troubleshooting common issues. However, a more immediate support option would still be beneficial.
How We Test Customer Support and Why Should You Care
We personally test the customer support team of every VPN we review. This means asking technical question through the live chat feature (where applicable) and measuring the response time for email questions. Whether you need to connect to a specific server, change your security protocol, or configure a VPN on your router, finding a VPN with quality customer support should be important to you.
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Pricing
- 7.0
/ 10
VPNSecure offers a reasonably priced monthly subscription, with even greater discounts available for long-term plans compared to other VPN services. All of their plans include the same features. When it comes to payment options, VPNSecure accepts only PayPal and CoinPayments, a cryptocurrency platform. Choosing the latter enables you to maintain your anonymity while using the VPN service.
If you’re interested in trying out VPNSecure, they provide a 30-day low-cost trial period that grants access to all features. However, you can only use this trial once. After the trial, you can opt for a monthly subscription. If you find that you’re unhappy with the service, you can ask for a full refund within 7 days of your purchase.
Keep in mind that VPNSecure has a more stringent refund policy than other providers. For example, if the VPN fails to unblock a specific website or streaming platform, this won’t be considered a valid reason for a refund. Consider our best monthly VPN options if you require a more generous money-back guarantee than what VPNSecure provides for VPN choices.
VPNSecure offers the following plans
Final Verdict
VPNSecure fell short of my expectations. It is an average VPN in terms of the server network, connection speeds, and unblocking capabilities. What brings this VPN down is its dubious no-logs policy and compliance with Australian authorities. The strict privacy laws of that region coupled with VPNSecure’s admission that it does keep track and store data of certain users make this service impossible for me to trust.
I was impressed by this VPN’s military-grade encryption and overall ease of use. I think that this VPN will have a lot more to offer if and when it does make the move to Hong Kong as its main location. In this VPN’s current state, it’s difficult to recommend for most use cases. It doesn’t quite unblock all streaming sites. Its server network is fairly limited. Support inquiries take some time to hear back about.
I liked the affordable one-month trial of this VPN because it let me try it fully without spending a lot of money. I also valued the one-week refund offer, even though the return rules are strict. However, if you’re looking for a more robust and reliable option, ExpressVPN might be a better choice. With its stellar reputation and strong security features, it can offer you an enhanced VPN experience. Additionally, ExpressVPN offers a full 30-day money-back guarantee, giving you more time to decide if it’s the right fit for you.
FAQs About VPNSecure
Is VPNSecure good?
Is VPNSecure really safe?
Can I use VPNSecure for free?
No, VPNSecure does not have a free trial. It does have a 7-day money-back guarantee and a low-cost 30-day trial period that allows you to try out the full service with minimal risk.
I don’t often recommend free VPNs since they often have to compromise security, speed, and/or privacy. However, there are some reliable free VPN options available if you want to try a VPN without worrying about any financial commitment.
| Australia | |
| 2010 | |
| No | |
| 5 | |
| 7 days guaranteed |
