My Expat Network presents an intriguing, albeit limited and relatively expensive, VPN service. Utilizing L2TP and OpenVPN with 64-bit encryption, it aims to offer improved speeds through its network of 120 servers across 12 locations.
Features
Based in Hong Kong with British origins, My Expat Network has been in the market for nine years. It primarily focuses on unblocking streaming services rather than enhancing connection security.
The VPN supports a wide range of platforms, including Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, Amazon Fire, and routers. The customer area is well-designed and user-friendly, providing access to downloads, installation guides, FAQs, invoices, and support tickets. Although there is no live chat option, the email-based support is responsive and knowledgeable.
The Windows client for My Expat Network is a customized version of the OpenVPN GUI. Users familiar with OpenVPN will find the interface simple and easy to navigate. When the app is active, it appears as an icon in the taskbar, and clicking on it opens a small floating window with server options. Each server comes with a drop-down menu for connecting, disconnecting, and viewing status and connection logs.
The settings are minimalist, with just three tabs: About, General (where you can change the app’s language), and Proxy. The Proxy tab offers three options: using My Expat Network config files, system proxy settings, or manual configuration.
While the clean, straightforward design and ease of use are commendable, the absence of advanced features like a kill switch or DNS leak protection is a drawback. Torrenting copyrighted material is explicitly prohibited. The All-in-One plan allows for five simultaneous connections, though configuring the service on a router can effectively cover all your devices, mitigating this limitation.
Pricing
Despite My Expat Network’s efforts to simplify the user experience for non-technical users, its pricing structure is unnecessarily complex. Customers must select the country they wish to unblock, the devices they intend to use, and the subscription duration. There is an option to select all devices and all countries.
For coverage across all countries on PC/Mac/Router devices, the service is priced at $4 per month. The same rate applies to a package covering all countries for tablet/mobile-only devices. The option for all devices with up to five simultaneous connections is available at $6 per month.
Interestingly, there is no option to select a one-country plan that includes all devices. If you require all devices, the subscription defaults to cover all countries, adding to the complexity. Payment methods are limited to PayPal and credit cards, and while there is no free trial, a refund is possible within the first 30 days of the subscription.
For its non-technical audience, My Expat Network offers live support and remote assistance for installation and troubleshooting via TeamViewer.
Performance Tests
My Expat Network employs 64-bit encryption to prioritize faster connection speeds for streaming. The servers are intended to operate below 75% capacity, and the provider claims to unblock even live sports events. However, during testing, the VPN consistently delivered sluggish connection speeds.
Without the VPN, my initial speed was above 30Mbps. When My Expat Network was enabled, the connection speed dropped significantly. Ookla’s speed test repeatedly failed, turning the testing process into a frustrating experience.
Please check the speeds for the following connections:
- US Connection
- UK Connection
- Australian Connection
Unfortunately, the connection speeds were inconsistent across all locations, and the overall performance was disappointing, particularly for streaming purposes.
On a positive note, the VPN did not leak DNS, WebRTC, or IPv6 details, which is reassuring for privacy.
However, the most significant drawback was the poor speeds, which made streaming BBC iPlayer impossible due to constant buffering.
While I was able to access Australia’s Channel 9, the connection speeds were still below acceptable levels.
Netflix blocked access immediately, and HBO was the only streaming service that worked reliably with My Expat Network VPN enabled.
Privacy and Security
My Expat Network does not prioritize privacy or security. While the company’s Terms of Service and Privacy Policy are concise, they raise some concerns. The company is based in Hong Kong, which is somewhat favorable due to the absence of data retention laws, although the jurisdiction still falls under China’s influence.
To comply with local laws in the US, UK, and other countries where its servers are located, the provider retains connection logs and bandwidth usage records. These logs may be disclosed to law enforcement if required. Additionally, the use of the service for file-sharing of copyrighted material is strictly prohibited.
The technical specifications are basic—Open VPN with 64-bit encryption for desktops and L2TP for mobile devices. Although the encryption is minimal, it is important to note that the provider does not claim to prioritize privacy, so the transparency is appreciated. On a final note, My Expat Network does not monitor your usage activity.
