Cargo VPN is a niche service designed exclusively for Mac and iOS devices, offering a package that includes 1,000 servers across 70 locations, up to five simultaneous connections, and additional premium features available for a fee.
Features
Developed by US-based Eltima Software, Cargo VPN is less known but caters specifically to Apple users. Unfortunately, it lacks compatibility with OpenVPN’s open-source protocol, limiting its versatility for those who prefer cross-platform solutions.
The interface is user-friendly, designed with novice users in mind. On the right-hand panel, users can navigate between tabs that provide access to the list of available servers, account information, privacy and security settings, license expiration details, and a censorship test. However, these features are quite basic and may not appeal to more advanced users.
Customer Support Challenges
One of the major drawbacks of Cargo VPN is its slow and often frustrating customer service. During several attempts to contact their support team with technical questions, response times were unacceptably long. Despite the presence of a live chat feature on their website, responses were slow, with one query taking as long as ten days to be addressed. Furthermore, the FAQ section is not only difficult to find but also lacks comprehensive information.
In another instance, despite successfully making a payment and registering as a paid user, the VPN failed to work. Resolution took over 48 hours, with the support eventually being handled by KeepSolid VPN rather than Eltima, raising questions about the actual support structure for this service. These long wait times, combined with inconsistent responses, make for an overall poor customer experience.
Server Performance and Security
Cargo VPN offers a robust selection of servers, providing useful real-time information about server load. While this is a positive feature, the privacy and security settings are quite minimal, consisting of basic toggles for encryption levels and DNS Firewall settings. The lower encryption setting offers protection from malicious URLs, while the higher level adds a DNS firewall to block tracking systems like Google Analytics.
A notable feature is the censorship test, allowing users to assess their local internet censorship levels. Additionally, one license can cover up to five devices, and for an extra fee, users can purchase static IP addresses, personal servers, and additional device slots. Torrenting and P2P file-sharing are permitted on select servers, but users should review the Terms of Service since certain servers are located in jurisdictions with stricter anti-piracy laws.
Pricing
Cargo VPN’s pricing model is less than straightforward. While it claims to offer a 24-hour free trial on its iTunes page, users have reported issues accessing the full trial period. In one case, the trial expired after significantly less than the advertised time, and support offered no resolution to this issue.
Paid plans are offered in three tiers: a monthly subscription costs $9.99, an annual plan is priced at $49.99, and a three-year plan is available for $99.99. All plans auto-renew by default, and payment is made via iTunes. The refund policy is ambiguous, filled with clauses that specify when refunds are not allowed, leaving it unclear if refunds apply to the VPN service at all.
Another limitation is the lack of alternative payment methods, such as Bitcoin, which would enhance privacy. Furthermore, since the download is tied to the user’s Apple ID, it compromises some aspects of privacy, making it unsuitable for those seeking a VPN that prioritizes anonymity.
It is worth noting that Cargo VPN appears to be a rebranded version of KeepSolid VPN, with an identical client, server options, and pricing, but with a significantly less favorable user experience.
Performance Tests
In testing, Cargo VPN showed a significant decline in speed. Initial connection speeds were good,
but when connecting from the US to another
US server, there was a noticeable drop.
The decline was even more pronounced when connecting to servers in the UK and Romania,
the latter being optimized for torrents.
Despite these performance issues, Cargo VPN passed all security tests successfully, with no detected DNS, WebRTC, or IPv6 leaks. It also offers servers optimized for streaming services like Netflix and BBC iPlayer, allowing smooth access to geo-restricted content.
Privacy and Security Concerns
Cargo VPN incorporates a range of protocols, including KeepSolid Wise UDP and KeepSolid Wise TCP, in addition to OpenVPN and IPSec. While this variety may seem comprehensive, the relationship between Cargo VPN and KeepSolid VPN lacks clarity. Specifically, it is unclear why KeepSolid—a completely separate VPN provider—is involved in the service. If Cargo VPN is utilizing KeepSolid’s servers and redirecting customer inquiries to KeepSolid’s tech support, does KeepSolid’s privacy policy also apply? Greater transparency is needed regarding this partnership.
Further investigation reveals that KeepSolid offers a reseller program, which could explain the connection. Upon reviewing my previous assessment of KeepSolid VPN, I found that Cargo VPN and KeepSolid VPN are nearly identical in both pricing and features. Both services charge $9.99 per month, but Cargo VPN is exclusive to Mac and iOS and lacks its own dedicated tech support team.
Cargo VPN provides 256-bit encryption and supports PPTP, IP2Sec, and OpenVPN, though access to information about these protocols appears to be restricted to active users within the app. The website offers limited details about the available security features, which undermines the user experience. Furthermore, while the service includes a DNS Firewall, the absence of a kill switch leaves Cargo VPN somewhat lacking in security. Additionally, the provider’s decision to restrict access to its server list, which is only viewable within the app, raises concerns about transparency.
Eltima Software, which operates Cargo VPN, has multiple sets of Terms of Service (ToS) and Privacy Policies (PP). Unfortunately, identifying the relevant documents for Cargo VPN is unnecessarily complicated and can only be done from within the app. The ToS and PP provided are concise but offer little reassurance. The company collects your username, password, and email, and if you purchase a subscription, they also gather payment details, including credit card information and Apple ID.
Eltima Software asserts that it does not collect activity logs, but it does record session data, such as the amount of web traffic used and session dates. Additionally, the company stores encrypted logs related to the number of devices connected per account. The VPN app itself collects data on connection times, encryption types, device types, and user IDs, and this information may be requested for troubleshooting or system improvements. The app also logs user interactions within the software, though it remains unclear how the company uses this data for “improvement” purposes without explicitly asking for it.
Perhaps most concerning is the provider’s data disclosure policy. Eltima Software is based in the United States, and it is bound to comply with U.S. court orders. Moreover, the company’s stance on privacy is troubling, given that the number of jurisdictions and laws that apply to your data equals the number of countries in which their VPN servers are located. This approach significantly limits the privacy protections users can expect. For those seeking a privacy-focused VPN service, Cargo VPN does not appear to be a suitable choice.
