As a relative newcomer to the VPN scene, DotVPN doesn’t offer the same features or massive list of server locations you’ll find with more established VPN providers. However, they’re hoping to make up for it with a range of browser extensions and mobile options. Does it hit the mark? Let’s see what the reviewers have to say.
DotVPN offers a basic free browser version if you’re looking to try things out before buying.
On the paid tier, their premium plans come in lower than most options on the market -- both for month-to-month and annual subscriptions.
Interestingly, there is no desktop client. However, their site states there will Mac and PC versions in the future.
Until then, you can use DotVPN on Android and iOS and there are browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Opera.
If you’ve used a VPN before then you’ll be right at home with DotVPN’s interface. It is super simple to use. You can find everything you need with just a couple of taps.
The main screen gives you information on your connection status and time, server location, and malicious activities.
The UI also changes color when you’re connected or disconnected giving you immediate visual feedback on whether the VPN is active.
If you pay for the premium tier, you can get up to five simultaneous connections -- an average amount for the current VPN market.
However, the free tier only supports a single connection. Don’t expect to protect every device in your home on the free plan unless you sign up for multiple accounts.
Even with the premium version, DotVPN features are sparse. However, they offer just enough to make sure the service is easy to use and effective.
Popular features include:
The only major omission is the lack of a killswitch. For many, this is a must-have for security.
DotVPN touts a no logging policy and also runs their own DNS servers to avoid DNS leaks.
However, when experts inspected their privacy policy, they found that some minor information is in fact logged -- such as your IP address. Still DotVPN only stores it for 24 hours after you connect.
With that said, the company says they won’t sell or share the information with anyone unless forced to do so by a Hong Kong court.
Critics weren’t expecting too much in the performance department. And yet, they were still disappointed with the very slow speeds offered by DotVPN -- even when testing locally.
When testing servers further away, speeds dropped to the point they could not stream HD videos.
Have some questions? Unfortunately, the only way you’ll get them answered is by emailing support or browsing the FAQs. And while you’ll get a response in an hour, many reviewers had trouble understanding responses because of grammar and language issues.
Also, the company has not updated its mobile apps since 2015. So if you run into any bugs, you might not see updates to fix them anytime soon.
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It might be cheap, but reviewers have a hard time recommending DotVPN -- even with its free option.
TechRadar states, “Underpowered, with broken features, dire performance and no updates for the mobile apps since 2015, DotVPN is an unprofessional mess of a service.”
- Mike Williams, TechRadarPoor as a VPN, and not even a good proxy, it's hard to see why anyone would spend money on DotVPN Premium.
- Usman Hayat, VPN RanksYou cannot accomplish your Netflix media streaming cravings. In addition, you will not be able to play your favorite online games as DotVPN usually struggles in terms of speed and connectivity. DotVPN needs to improve its credibility when it comes to experiencing multiple platform support feature.
- Stuart Andrews, Expert ReviewsDotVPN’s pricing is undeniably attractive, but the service is somewhat limited compared to a proper VPN. You’re only protected while you’re working in your browser, the feature set is basic and we’re not wholly confident that all of DotVPN’s servers are based where the company says they are.
- The VPN LabDotVPN provided us with a pretty disappointing performance when it comes to overall download/upload speed and protecting our real identity online. On top of that, the experience was pretty shaky due to frequent disconnects.
- Max Ostryzhko, VPNProsThe free plan offered by the service would be a great option for users looking to bypass geographic restrictions and access their favourite websites. It is the Premium plan that comes packed with features and lets DotVPN act as a VPN service. Though the features are good for what users pay, privacy...
Overview | |
---|---|
Headquarters | Hong Kong |
Pricing/Sign Up | |
Starting Price (per Month) | $2.99 |
Plans and Pricing | |
Free Trial | 30 days |
Money Back Guarantee | 30 Days |
Payment Options | Credit Cards, PayPal |
ID Required | Valid email address |
Features | |
Server Locations (# of Countries) | 10 |
Number of Servers | 700 + |
Devices Per License | 1 |
Simultaneous Connections | 5 |
Unlimited Bandwidth | Yes |
Double-Hop / Double VPN | No |
Accesses Netflix | No |
P2P / Torrenting Allowed | No |
Accepts Bitcoin | No |
Non-US Company | Yes |
Protected | |
Protocols | IPSec, OpenVPN, SSL |
Encryption | AES-256, RSA-4096 |
No Logs / No Tracking | Yes |
Dedicated IP Available | Yes |
VPN Over Tor | Yes |
Wi-Fi Leak Protection | No |
Private DNS Server | No |
DNS Leak Protection | No |
IP Leak Protection | No |
WebRTC Leak Protection | No |
IPv6 Leak Protection | No |
Kill Switch | No |
Supported Platforms | |
Operating Systems | 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 | |
More | |
Additional comments | |
Terms & Conditions | Official Terms & Conditions |
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