For many individuals, selecting the ideal VPN is a top priority. In today’s digital landscape, the need for secure and private internet access is paramount, and a reliable VPN service can provide that protection. With countless options available at varying price points, investing in a quality VPN is often worth considering for those who value their online security and privacy. However, with so many choices, it’s essential to conduct thorough research to determine which VPNs are truly worth the investment.
ProXPN, while a lesser-known VPN service, has been around for quite some time. But does the longevity of a VPN service necessarily indicate its effectiveness? I investigated this question to find out. Unfortunately, I experienced difficulties accessing the ProXPN app on my laptop due to its unavailability in my country. After reaching out to their customer support for assistance, I conducted further research to gather as much information as possible about ProXPN.
What I discovered is that ProXPN, while a viable option for certain uses like torrenting and occasionally streaming US Netflix, is largely outdated and overpriced. Keep reading to explore the details of my findings on ProXPN. For more comprehensive VPN reviews, visit the vpnMentor website.
Key Findings (Summary)
- ProXPN can stream US Netflix with minimal issues, but it struggles to unblock other popular streaming platforms.
- It offers both free and premium account options, but the basic tier lacks key features.
- ProXPN experiences significant speed reductions, affecting torrenting and streaming performance.
- Its security and privacy features are outdated, leaving users uncertain about the protection it offers, although it does include a kill switch.
- ProXPN is not functional in mainland China due to its slow speeds and security limitations.
- The service is compatible with all major platforms including Windows, Mac, iOS, Chromebook, Android, and Linux.
- Registration and installation are straightforward, but a minimum three-month subscription is required upfront, with a 30-day risk-free trial. However, ProXPN does not support anonymous payment methods.
ProXPN Features (2024 Update)
- Price: $6.25 USD/month
- Money-back Guarantee: 30 Days
- Logging Policy: No logs kept
- Servers: 20+ locations
- Devices per License: 3 devices
- Kill Switch: Yes
- Headquarters: Netherlands
- Torrenting Support: No
- Streaming: Unblocks US Netflix
Streaming Capabilities
In my research, ProXPN was found to reliably unblock US Netflix with minimal buffering or lag. However, attempts to access other popular streaming services such as BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and HBO were unsuccessful. Based on its slow speeds, especially with the basic plan, ProXPN is not ideal for users looking to stream a wide range of content. Other VPNs on the market offer more success in unblocking popular streaming platforms.
- Unblocked: US Netflix
- Blocked: BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, HBO
Speed Performance
ProXPN’s speed performance is below average, typically ranging between 30-45 Mbps. Notably, servers located in the US and UK are among the slowest. These speeds make it challenging to enjoy a seamless gaming or streaming experience. Although ProXPN’s speeds are considered adequate for torrenting, if speed is a critical factor for your online activities, there are other VPNs that perform better.
- Gaming Performance: Given the slow speeds and limited testing, it is unlikely that ProXPN is suitable for gaming. Several other VPNs offer superior speeds for gaming purposes.
Server Network
ProXPN’s server network is limited compared to many other VPN providers. It offers servers in only 12 countries, including Canada, the USA, Australia, Hong Kong, Costa Rica, France, Iceland, Japan, Netherlands, Singapore, Sweden, and Switzerland. However, it lacks servers in key locations like Russia and Germany, which limits its global reach.
Security and Privacy
ProXPN employs basic security features such as VPNGuard and encryption, which are common in VPN services. However, these features are relatively outdated. The encryption provided by ProXPN is based on a 2408-bit key, which is considered weak by modern standards and susceptible to cyber threats. Although ProXPN includes a kill switch, its overall security infrastructure leaves much to be desired.
The VPN supports three protocols: OpenVPN, PPTP, and IPSec. While OpenVPN and PPTP are well-established and reliable, IPSec is a newer protocol and offers decent encryption but is still not as secure as more advanced protocols. For users seeking robust online security, ProXPN may not be the best option.
Privacy — Trust at Your Discretion
ProXPN provides a privacy policy on its website, though it is notably brief—less than a page in length. Based in the Netherlands, a country recognized for its strong privacy laws, ProXPN asserts that it only collects essential sign-up information. The service follows a no-logs policy, meaning it does not track any additional user data. Sensitive information such as email addresses, passwords, and payment details are safeguarded using “standard security measures.” Moreover, the service does not require users to provide a phone number. However, the accuracy of these claims cannot be independently verified.
It is concerning that the privacy policy has not been updated since September 2018, which aligns with the overall outdated nature of the ProXPN website and its content.
Torrenting — P2P-Friendly
ProXPN has surprisingly proven to be a torrent-friendly VPN, with effective mechanisms in place to prevent IP leaks. It also includes a killswitch feature, ensuring secure torrenting while maintaining user anonymity. Although connection speeds are often reported as slow, ProXPN remains a reliable option for those seeking to torrent with a secure identity and location.
Does ProXPN Work in China? — Uncertain
I was unable to personally test whether ProXPN can bypass the Great Firewall of China, as it is situated outside of the country. Despite offering a server in Hong Kong, it remains unclear whether ProXPN can function reliably within mainland China. Customer support responded to my query by stating that, while some customers have successfully used the VPN in China in the past, they could not guarantee its functionality.
Based on my experience with VPNs in China, I suspect that ProXPN’s encryption may be too outdated to circumvent the country’s stringent VPN detection methods. China has blocked the OpenVPN protocol entirely, which ProXPN recommends on its Help page. The lack of stealth protocols and the unreliable killswitch also limit ProXPN’s ability to bypass China’s Deep Packet Inspection (DPI), making it an unreliable option for users within mainland China.
Simultaneous Device Connections — Multiple Devices Allowed
ProXPN does not specify an exact number of devices that can be connected simultaneously under one account. However, based on my research, it appears that users can connect up to four devices at once. ProXPN advises users to distribute their connections across different servers to avoid potential performance issues.
You can easily verify this by connecting multiple devices simultaneously and monitoring their performance to ensure no slowdown or connection errors occur.
Device Compatibility — Wide Range of Supported Devices
ProXPN is compatible with a variety of devices, including Linux, Windows, Android, Chromebooks, iOS, and Mac. The website provides direct links to the Apple App Store and Google Play Store for easy app installation. However, ProXPN does not support routers, smart TVs, or gaming consoles, limiting its compatibility with certain platforms.
Installation & Apps
Set-Up & Installation — Quick and User-Friendly
Signing up for ProXPN is a straightforward process. The website is simple and intuitive, allowing even first-time VPN users to easily navigate through it. Users only need to provide an email address, create a password, and choose a payment method before downloading the app. ProXPN’s website provides direct links to the relevant app stores for both iOS and Android devices.
However, I encountered an issue while attempting to download the ProXPN app onto my MacBook Air and iPhone X. A notification appeared, stating that the app was unavailable in my region. I reached out to ProXPN’s customer support for clarification on this matter.
ProXPN, a Netherlands-based VPN provider, has garnered attention for its privacy-focused features and torrent-friendly service. However, it has some limitations that users should be aware of.
Privacy and Security
ProXPN’s privacy policy is brief and hasn’t been updated since 2018, which raises concerns. While it states that only essential sign-up details are collected and there is a no-logs policy, the accuracy of these claims cannot be independently verified. Sensitive information like email, passwords, and payment details is said to be protected using standard security measures, but given the outdated policy and lack of transparency, users should approach with caution.
Torrenting: P2P-Friendly
ProXPN supports torrenting and provides robust privacy protections such as IP leak prevention and a killswitch feature. However, users report slower connection speeds, which may affect the overall torrenting experience. Despite this, ProXPN remains a secure choice for torrenting if maintaining anonymity and a masked location are your primary concerns.
Functionality in China: Uncertain
The ability of ProXPN to bypass China’s Great Firewall is uncertain. Although it offers a server in Hong Kong, customer support could not confirm its ability to consistently work within mainland China. Given that China has blocked OpenVPN (ProXPN’s recommended protocol) and employs advanced methods like Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) to block VPNs, ProXPN’s outdated encryption and lack of stealth protocols make it an unreliable option for Chinese users.
Simultaneous Device Connections
ProXPN allows multiple devices to connect, though the exact number is not specified. From research, it appears that up to four devices can connect simultaneously. Users are advised to distribute connections across different servers to avoid performance issues.
Device Compatibility
ProXPN supports a wide range of devices, including Linux, Windows, Android, iOS, and Mac. However, it does not support routers, smart TVs, or gaming consoles, which limits its compatibility with certain platforms.
Installation & Apps
ProXPN’s sign-up process is user-friendly and straightforward, offering direct links to app stores for easy installation. However, issues have been reported in regions where the app is unavailable, such as certain areas for MacBook and iPhone users. This lack of regional availability might cause inconvenience for some users.
Conclusion
ProXPN provides a reliable service for privacy and secure torrenting, but its outdated privacy policy, uncertain ability to bypass China’s VPN Service restrictions, and device compatibility limitations may deter potential users. If you’re looking for a simple and secure VPN service without requiring high-speed connections or access in restricted regions like China, ProXPN may still be worth considering.