VPNBook Is Free, But Is It the Right VPN For You?
Reading Time: 3 minutesMost free VPNs are marred by limitations and drawbacks. Is VPNBook any different? Learn about its features and decide if it’s the best fit for you.
VPNBook is a free VPN service that claims to offer the usual features and advantages of a paid VPN. It says it has zero bandwidth limitations, offers complete anonymity, fast speeds, and strong encryption.
But given the poor quality of most free VPNs, we were skeptical about these audacious claims. We put VPNBook to a series of tests to see what it offers in terms of security, server network, and overall performance.
VPNBook Overview
VPNBook is slightly different from the standard VPNs as it doesn’t come with a client app or software package. It only provides server details that you can connect to via OpenVPN and Outline VPN client apps or a PPTP connection.
The complex setup isn’t suitable for beginners as you will first need to download and install OpenVPN or Outline VPN apps and import the configuration files before you can connect to the servers.
Here are the steps to use VPNBook through OpenVPN client.
1. Download OpenVPN software from OpenVPN’s website.
2. Follow the prompts to install the software on your device.
3. Download the VPNBook’s configuration files for OpenVPN. You can find them under the OpenVPN’s tab on VPNBook’s homepage.
4. Upload the configuration files to OpenVPN app. You can do so by tapping Import Profile in the sidebar or the + button.
5. Enter the username and password and click Connect to establish connection. VPNBook publishes server credentials on its website, but we had issues connecting to some servers despite using the right username and password.
Server Network
VPNBook offers 11 servers in six locations, which is significantly fewer compared to premium VPNs like ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access. The limited server network resulted in slow connection speeds, longer wait times, and poor performance, especially during peak hours during our tests.
It’s pertinent to note that these servers are primarily concentrated in Europe and North America, making it less suitable for users who require greater geographic diversity and consistently fast speeds.
Is VPNBook Safe?
VPNBook lacks crucial security features like a kill switch, double VPN, and ad-blocker. The OpenVPN configuration allows you to choose between AES 128-bit and 256-bit encryption levels while PPTP connections only employ the less-secure 128-bit encryption.
We couldn’t find any IP and DNS leaks during our tests. While this is a good outcome, the lack of a kill switch means there’s still a risk of your data being exposed in case your connection drops.
Does VPNBook Log Your Data?
VPNBook is based in the privacy-friendly jurisdiction of Switzerland, which falls outside the Five-Eyes alliance. However, the vague and contradictory logging policy suggests that VPNBook isn’t the right choice for privacy-conscious users.
The policy claims that it doesn’t log your data and internet activities but also states that it logs your IP address and the connection timestamp. The privacy policy further states that these records are automatically deleted after a week, but there is no independent audit to verify it.
Can You Stream Using VPNBook’s Free Service?
As a free VPN service, VPNBook’s streaming capabilities are not as reliable as premium providers like Surfshark and ExpressVPN. We were able to unblock Netflix but experienced severe buffering due to slow connection speeds.
VPNBook failed to unblock other major streaming platforms, including Amazon Prime Video and Hulu. These platforms could easily detect and block access, which is a common problem with free VPNs.
If you are seeking a VPN for heavy streaming activities, VPNBook is not an optimal choice due to a limited server network, slow speed, and performance issues.
Support
VPNBook offers limited customer support. You can get in touch with the support team via email, but be prepared to wait for help. The FAQ section lacks a lot of helpful information and the setup guides may not be easy to follow for a VPN beginner. VPNBook doesn’t offer live chat support, which, to be fair, is a common trade-off for using a free VPN service.
Should You Use VPNBook?
Based on our test results, we advise you to exercise caution when using VPNBook. The lack of fundamental security features like kill switch, subpar unblocking capabilities, and dubious logging policy make it hard for us to recommend the free VPN service. While VPNBook won’t cost you anything, it falls short on almost every important VPN feature. It has a limited server network, slow connection speeds, and a privacy policy that raises some questions.
It may be suitable for users who want a basic VPN for casual browsing and streaming without spending a dime. However, for those who need better security, reliable performance, and dedicated customer support, alternative options may be more appropriate.
Reference: https://www.makeuseof.com/vpnbook-free-is-it-best-vpn-for-you/
Ref: makeuseof
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