The "1-Minute" Review
Verdict
Unless you’re looking for an ultra-simple option, ZenMate simply doesn’t compete with other services in terms of value.What's good
- Intuitive and easy-to-use interface
- Killswitch
- Free browser-based service
- P2P support
What's bad
- No 24/7 support
- Mediocre performance
- Not a lot of features
Catering more towards the non-technical crowd, ZenMate has been around since 2013. As the zen in ZenMate suggests, it’s fairly simple and sparse in terms of features. With so many competing options available, is it even worth looking at ZenMate?
Price
ZenMate offers three different subscription tiers, including one-month, six-month, and 12-month options. Pricing for the monthly tier is on the high end, but the price drops once you get to the annual subscription. They offer a Streaming Guarantee, providing credits if you can’t access your favorite streaming sites.
ZenMate also offers a basic free service using Chrome, Firefox, and Opera extensions. However, it’s limited to only four locations and transfer speeds are capped at 2Mbps.
Supported Devices
For the paid subscription you can use ZenMate on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android as well as browsers. OpenVPN support also allows you to set up the service on routers, TVs, game consoles, and Linux devices.
Ease of Use
As you would expect of a VPN catered towards non-technical folks everything is basic. From the client setup to the user interface, the design is simple and the UI intuitive.
All you do is click on the app in your taskbar and choose your server.
There is a settings menu to enable a couple of extra features, but overall, there’s not a lot of tabs or settings for you to go through. If you’re looking for something easy to use, this is a perfect option.
Simultaneous Connections
With the subscriptions, you can connect up to five devices -- a total on par with other VPNs.
Included Features
Simplicity is its main selling point, so if you’re looking for a VPN loaded with features, you probably want to look elsewhere.
With that said ZenMate offers the basics such as:
- Killswitch
- P2P and torrenting support
- Auto start on computer startup
- Tracking protection
- Malware blocking
- Smart Locations
Privacy and Logging
While their website seems straightforward enough, their FAQs and privacy policy noted only one concern: they keep some connection logs.
However, these are mainly for if support needs information for help with their service.
Based in Germany -- a country with strict privacy laws -- ZenMate does not store or log personal data or monitor your activity. They also allow Bitcoin payments for additional anonymity.
In terms of security, they use the industry standard 256-bit encryption and when tested experts found no DNS or IP leaks.
Performance
With over 30 countries, there are plenty of options for you to choose from.
Unfortunately, general performance did not impress reviewers. Many noticed a significant drop in speeds when connected to the client with some noting decreases as high as 68%.
Servers in Europe, the UK, and the US had the best speeds ranging from 20-35Mbps. Asia fared the worst ranging only from 5-15Mbps.
Support
If you want fast customer support, you’re better off looking elsewhere. ZenMate only offers email support.
While critics were happy with how quickly the representatives responded to their queries (around 24 hours), it still can’t beat live chat.
Luckily, ZenMate has a useful FAQ and setup guide so you can generally find answers to your questions without ever emailing someone.
_
Summary
ZenMate is not the cheapest or most feature-filled VPN available. Nor is it the fastest. And while it offers an intuitive interface and good privacy protection, it’s too much of a mixed bag for experts to recommend.
PC World states, “ZenMate is a fine choice if you need a VPN that works well in Europe and North America. Power users, however, will probably want to look elsewhere…”
TechRadar states, “ZenMate’s free browser-based service might be useful, but inconsistent speeds and a distinct lack of features make it hard to recommend the paid products.”
What the Critics Are Saying...
- Simon Batt, Make Use OfOverall, ZenMate will make watching Netflix or viewing restricted YouTube videos a breeze (and it’s temporarily cheap at $1.75 a month). However, with its lack of advanced features, shady past, and a high price point for what ZenMate provides, you’ll definitely find better for the same price.
- Stuart Andrews, Expert ReviewsZenMate wins on the simplicity front – it couldn’t be much easier to use – but it’s far from the most fully-featured or fastest VPN. It can’t match the best VPN services for security features or performance, and it can’t boast such a wide selection of servers or locations. That leaves its key sellin...
- Mike Williams, TechRadarA barebones VPN which offers little more than the core basics. It's hard to complain at this price, though - maybe worth a look for bargain hunters.
- Stuart Andrews, Tech.CoIt’s hard to strongly recommend ZenMate VPN when rival services do a better job for a similar price. It doesn’t really do anything that badly, but it’s not as speedy as claimed and it feels a touch basic. Given the fierce competition in the market, you could easily find a better VPN.
- Aazim Akhtar, VPN RanksWe recommend ZenMate VPN for people who do not have high requirements for security and privacy, but are looking for instant accessibility of content.
Details
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Germany |
| Pricing/Sign Up | |
| Starting Price (per Month) | $2.22 |
| Plans and Pricing | Visit Site |
| Free Trial | 7 days |
| Money Back Guarantee | 30 Days |
| Payment Options | Credit Cards, PayPal |
| ID Required | Valid email address |
| Features | |
| Server Locations (# of Countries) | 74 |
| Number of Servers | 3800 + |
| Devices Per License | 5 |
| Simultaneous Connections | 5 |
| Unlimited Bandwidth | Yes |
| Double-Hop / Double VPN | No |
| Accesses Netflix | Yes |
| P2P / Torrenting Allowed | No |
| Accepts Bitcoin | No |
| Non-US Company | Yes |
| Protected | |
| Protocols | IPSec, L2TP, OpenVPN, PPTP, SSTP |
| Encryption | AES-256, RSA-4096 |
| No Logs / No Tracking | Yes |
| Dedicated IP Available | No |
| VPN Over Tor | No |
| Wi-Fi Leak Protection | No |
| Private DNS Server | No |
| DNS Leak Protection | Yes |
| IP Leak Protection | Yes |
| WebRTC Leak Protection | Yes |
| IPv6 Leak Protection | Yes |
| Kill Switch | Yes |
| Supported Platforms | |
| Operating Systems | Windows, Mac OSX, iOS, Android |
| Mobile App | Yes |
| Router | No |
| Browser Extension | Yes |
| Customer Support | |
| 24/7 Support | No |
| Live Chat Support | No |
| Telephone Support | No |
| Email Support | Yes |
| More | |
| Additional comments |
Other Names (AKA): Zen Mate |
| Terms & Conditions | Official Terms & Conditions |
| Suggest a correction |
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Critic Reviews
Designed to get around geo-blocking
Overall, ZenMate will make watching Netflix or viewing restricted YouTube videos a breeze (and it’s temporarily cheap at $1.75 a month). However, with its lack of advanced features, shady past, and a high price point for what ZenMate provides, you’ll definitely find better for the same price.
Overall, ZenMate will make watching Netflix or viewing restricted YouTube videos a breeze (and it’s temporarily cheap at $1.75 a month). However, with its lack of advanced features, shady past, and a high price point for what ZenMate provides, you’ll definitely find better for the same price.
A simple VPN without much substance
ZenMate wins on the simplicity front – it couldn’t be much easier to use – but it’s far from the most fully-featured or fastest VPN. It can’t match the best VPN services for security features or performance, and it can’t boast such a wide selection of servers or locations. That leaves...More
ZenMate wins on the simplicity front – it couldn’t be much easier to use – but it’s far from the most fully-featured or fastest VPN. It can’t match the best VPN services for security features or performance, and it can’t boast such a wide selection of servers or locations. That leaves its key selling points as price and ease-of-use, and it works as a cheap and easy VPN. However, it’s not so far in front of the best VPNs on these counts, either. While its new owners have big plans for ZenMate, it’s got a long way to go before it reaches the top tier of VPNs.
A simple and straightforward VPN with a free plan
A barebones VPN which offers little more than the core basics. It's hard to complain at this price, though - maybe worth a look for bargain hunters.
A barebones VPN which offers little more than the core basics. It's hard to complain at this price, though - maybe worth a look for bargain hunters.
Simple to use, but on the slow side
It’s hard to strongly recommend ZenMate VPN when rival services do a better job for a similar price. It doesn’t really do anything that badly, but it’s not as speedy as claimed and it feels a touch basic. Given the fierce competition in the market, you could easily find a better VPN.
It’s hard to strongly recommend ZenMate VPN when rival services do a better job for a similar price. It doesn’t really do anything that badly, but it’s not as speedy as claimed and it feels a touch basic. Given the fierce competition in the market, you could easily find a better VPN.
Tricky privacy policy
We recommend ZenMate VPN for people who do not have high requirements for security and privacy, but are looking for instant accessibility of content.
We recommend ZenMate VPN for people who do not have high requirements for security and privacy, but are looking for instant accessibility of content.
This simple VPN clears your mind of complexity
A solid choice for VPN novices that don't want a lot of fuss. Advanced users who prefer tweaking features and choices would do well to look elsewhere. ZenMate's speeds are not outstanding but are good enough in the locations that matter most.
A solid choice for VPN novices that don't want a lot of fuss. Advanced users who prefer tweaking features and choices would do well to look elsewhere. ZenMate's speeds are not outstanding but are good enough in the locations that matter most.
Simple and straightforward, great if that is what you are looking for
A fairly priced and simple VPN that provides good levels of security and privacy. It is a good choice for those who want a ‘plug and play’ approach, however, if you are looking for something that you can tweak to suit your individual needs, then it is not for you. If you can get a server with...More
A fairly priced and simple VPN that provides good levels of security and privacy. It is a good choice for those who want a ‘plug and play’ approach, however, if you are looking for something that you can tweak to suit your individual needs, then it is not for you. If you can get a server with a good speed, then it is perfect for your Netflix needs. Unlimited server switching is a definite bonus on this front.
Offers the security and streaming capabilities you need
Not a top-draw provider although its features do provide everything that basic users will need to connect through one of their server locations. Value for money is good, it’s a zero logs provider, and we found the customer service team to be responsive and competent.
Not a top-draw provider although its features do provide everything that basic users will need to connect through one of their server locations. Value for money is good, it’s a zero logs provider, and we found the customer service team to be responsive and competent.
Good reliability and security
Although the Germanic-headquarters are alarming, the VPN provider still manages to deliver quite the impressive safety features, excellent compatibility, and decent customer support. The prices of using the service are also quite low, especially if you opt for the yearly plan. Overall, users look...More
Although the Germanic-headquarters are alarming, the VPN provider still manages to deliver quite the impressive safety features, excellent compatibility, and decent customer support. The prices of using the service are also quite low, especially if you opt for the yearly plan. Overall, users looking for good reliability and security will definitely find ZenMate certainly fitting their style.
Isn’t secure enough
By combining the strength of the app and the speed of the browser add on, you could probably get all you need out of this VPN service. The VPN probably isn’t secure enough to be reliable for those in locations such as Iran, Pakistan, or Saudi Arabia who need air-tight privacy to keep safe on th...More
By combining the strength of the app and the speed of the browser add on, you could probably get all you need out of this VPN service. The VPN probably isn’t secure enough to be reliable for those in locations such as Iran, Pakistan, or Saudi Arabia who need air-tight privacy to keep safe on the web. However, gamers and streamers would be well served by the browser extension. Those who need more privacy should switch to the app.
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