FastestVPN Review (2024)

FastestVPN, a provider based in the Cayman Islands, supports a range of platforms and protocols, including OpenVPN, PPTP, L2TP, and IKEv2, all secured with 256-bit AES encryption. It allows up to three simultaneous connections and offers unlimited bandwidth.

Features

FastestVPN operates servers in over 60 locations globally. It provides dedicated applications for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Linux, along with manuals for manual configuration. However, their promotional material includes an exaggerated claim about compatibility issues with Microsoft Windows, which lacks substantial evidence.

The Windows and Android applications were evaluated. Notably, there is no customer dashboard on the FastestVPN website. After payment, VPN credentials are sent via plain text email. Configuration options are only accessible within the VPN software.

The Windows desktop application functions smoothly, with efficient connectivity and a user interface designed for novices, featuring minimalist settings. Users can mark servers as favorites, but the app only displays frequently used servers rather than creating a distinct favorites list.

In contrast, the Android application mirrors the Windows version but exhibits performance issues, including lag and connectivity problems, suggesting it is still under development.

Customer support via live chat was unresponsive during testing, despite claims of 24/7 availability. To initiate a live chat session, users are required to provide an email address and phone number. The knowledge base is well-organized, but discrepancies in the refund and privacy policy warrant a thorough review.

The app’s features are basic, including OpenVPN TCP and UDP, PPTP, L2TP, and IKEv2, with a bandwidth tracker for each session. P2P torrenting is permitted on some servers, although no servers are specifically marked as P2P-ready within the app. There are no options for a kill switch or NAT firewall, which is inconsistent with the pricing page’s claims.

Pricing

FastestVPN does not offer a free trial but provides a limited 7-day money-back guarantee with a maximum bandwidth of 3GB. There is a discrepancy between the 30-day money-back guarantee stated on the pricing page and the 7-day period mentioned in the Terms of Service, which may affect user trust.

Current pricing includes a month-to-month subscription at $10, an annual plan at $29.95, and a three-year plan at $39.95. A five-year plan is available at $49.95, a significant discount from the listed $600 price, raising concerns about the sustainability of such pricing.

FastestVPN accepts payments via credit cards, PayPal, Bitcoin, and AliPay, with Bitcoin payments being non-refundable. All paid plans include access to the cross-platform VPN client, a variety of protocols, unlimited bandwidth and server switches, up to three simultaneous connections, and support for P2P activities?

Tests

FastestVPN exhibited consistent DNS leakage across all tested protocols, rendering it unsuitable as a secure option. Despite further evaluations indicating no WebRTC or IPv6 leaks—though these are comparatively minor—the persistent DNS leaks undermine overall security by exposing your location.

Speed tests yielded satisfactory results, though not the fastest available. The default speed measurement was:

• Speed reduced by one-third when connected to the FastestVPN US server.

• Speed reduced by two-thirds when connected to the UK server.

• Speed reduction on the Australian server.

FastestVPN asserts the capability to unblock “hundreds” of geo-blocked channels; however, my streaming tests did not align with these claims. Netflix promptly detected VPN usage:

BBC iPlayer was initially unresponsive with OpenVPN:

• A connection via PPTP enabled access to BBC iPlayer.

HBO allowed viewing of a Game of Thrones episode, yet Channel 9 in Australia blocked access due to persistent DNS leaks.

Privacy and Security

Engaging with a FastestVPN support agent requires providing personal information such as your name, email, and phone number—a level of intrusion that many VPN users find unacceptable.

Although the main and pricing pages assert a no-logs policy, the FAQs and Privacy Policy suggest otherwise. FastestVPN logs usernames, passwords, session details, and other unspecified data. The Privacy Policy lacks clarity regarding session logs but assures data protection “at all costs” and non-disclosure to third parties.

The provider’s Terms of Service are notably lacking, with the company disclaiming responsibility for various issues. Additionally, the refund policy is limited to seven days, contrary to the 30-day refund period mentioned only on the pricing page. In the event of a dispute, it is uncertain which refund claim would prevail.