Thursday, April 17th
2025 VPN Service Provider Reviews
Fastest VPN
- Pricing: $5/month (monthly plan), $40 lifetime plan, or $19.95 biannually for two years (promotional offer)
- Over 800 servers in more than 49 countries
- Based in the Cayman Islands
- 31-day money-back guarantee
- Supports multiple protocols: WireGuard, IKEv2, OpenConnect, IPSec, OpenVPN, and L2TP
- Features include DNS leak prevention, split-tunneling, kill switch, NAT firewall, and ad-blocker
- Unlimited bandwidth with no cap for uploading or downloading
- Static IP option available
- Supports up to 10 devices simultaneously
- 24/7 live chat support
Based in the Cayman Islands, FastestVPN has over 800 servers in more than 49 countries. It's owned by Fast Technology Ltd, of which Pakistani businessman Azneem Bilwani is the founder. You may want to know that another of his companies has been accused of fraud.
$5 a month
FastestVPN's pricing starts at $5 per month, billed monthly. They also offer a $40 lifetime plan. During our visit, they were running a promotion: $19.95 billed biannually for two years (one year paid, one year free). After 2 years, we assume you'd resume paying $19.95 each year. We are a bit apprehensive about their lifetime plan - several other VPN providers in this review have stated that they will never offer one-time lifetime payments because it would not support the costs of running their businesses. A struggling VPN service might resort to alternative revenue sources (like selling your data) to make ends meet. FastestVPN accepts payment via credit card and PayPal, but not cryptocurrency. If you choose to try FastestVPN out, you have 31 days to get your money back.
Standard features
FastestVPN's features include DNS leak prevention, split-tunneling (which they call Smart Tunneling), a kill switch, a NAT firewall, and an ad-blocker. They say you'll get unlimited bandwidth with no cap for uploading or downloading files. FastestVPN doesn't offer dedicated IPs, but you can upgrade your subscription to get a static IP. This is similar to a dedicated IP in that it's the one you'll always browse from, though other users might also be assigned the same IP address - it's not exclusively yours.
Lifetime plan might not include access to all features
Protocols supported by FastestVPN include WireGuard, IKEv2, OpenConnect, IPSec, OpenVPN, and L2TP. However, we found complaints from some customers that after upgrading to a Lifetime subscription, they lost access to certain features and a few protocols, including WireGuard - which many people prefer for its speed. That seems like evidence of the cost-cutting we were concerned about.
History of leaking user IPs
FastestVPN makes the standard "no-logs” promise and submits to third-party audits by Altius IT, although not as regularly as some other VPN services. A few years ago, they were found to leak users' real locations in several different tests. While from the latest audit these appear to have been resolved, we still found a few recent complaints about DNS request leaks here.
Use 10 devices simultaneously
FastestVPN is supported on Windows, Playstation, Mac, Android, Android Box, iOS, routers, and FireTV. You can use up to 10 devices at once on any single subscription.
Issues with kill switch and speeds
FastestVPN has a 24/7 live chat support team - which is good, because you might find yourself needing to ask for help frequently. From what we can tell, this VPN service can get pretty buggy - whether it's certain protocols not working on particular devices, the kill switch failing, or video streaming speeds being throttled. Despite the company's name, we found quite a few complaints about connection speed.
They seem to pay for fake reviews
Although FastestVPN scores well on third-party review platforms, we'd urge you to take these reviews with a grain of salt - not many of the reviews read like a real person wrote them. The company also appears to employ bots on Reddit to leave positive-but-bland comments on posts asking for VPN recommendations.
Not a trustworthy VPN service
Our trust in FastestVPN to deliver what they promise is low. Between past leaks, kill switch failures, and potentially fake reviews, we would suggest you try a higher-rated VPN service instead.
More VPN Service Provider Reviews
The 11 Best VPN Service Providers
What is the Best VPN Service?
When you browse the internet, your personal information can be at risk. Whether you're checking your bank account from a café, streaming content from abroad, or simply browsing from home, using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) can protect your privacy. A VPN encrypts your data and routes it through secure servers, making it harder for hackers, governments, or companies to track your online activity.
VPNs are especially useful for frequent travelers, remote workers, or anyone concerned about security when using public Wi-Fi. They can also help bypass geographical restrictions, so you can access websites or content not available in your region. But not all VPNs are created equal.
VPN Service Provider FAQ
Continued from above...
Some offer blazing-fast speeds, while others might slow your connection. Some provide extra security features, like multi-hop encryption or malware protection, while others focus on ease of use and broad device compatibility. Free VPNs exist, but they often come with limitations like data caps, slower speeds, or even questionable privacy practices. (Ironic, no?)
Another important aspect to consider when choosing a VPN is the availability of advanced features like split tunneling and kill switches. Split tunneling lets you decide which apps or websites use the VPN connection and which ones connect directly to the internet. This feature is helpful if you want to protect sensitive activities, like online banking, while still using your regular internet speed for things like streaming or gaming. A kill switch, on the other hand, is a safety feature that automatically disconnects you from the internet if your VPN connection drops. This prevents your data from being exposed during those brief moments when you're not protected, ensuring that your privacy remains intact at all times.
You should carefully consider the country where the company operates. This is important because of international surveillance alliances like the Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, and Fourteen Eyes. These alliances are agreements between countries to share intelligence information, which could potentially include data collected by VPNs. If you're using a VPN based in a country within these alliances, your data might be at risk due to laws requiring VPN providers to collect and share user information. For maximum privacy, you might want to choose a VPN provider based outside of these alliances, in countries with strong privacy laws. By doing so, you can reduce the risk of your data being shared or accessed by government agencies, even if requested.
Here are a few things to think about when choosing a VPN provider:
- Speed. If you stream movies, download large files, or play online games, speed should be a priority. Some VPNs slow your connection significantly, while others offer minimal disruption. Look for services that are known for high performance in your region.
- Security and privacy. Not all VPNs offer the same level of protection. Check if the VPN uses military-grade encryption (AES-256) and has a no-logs policy to prevent your data from being stored or shared. Features like kill switches (which disconnects your device from the internet if the VPN connection drops) and DNS leak protection add extra layers of security.
- Device compatibility. If you need a VPN for more devices than just your computer (like your phone, tablet, or even a smart TV) it's a good idea to go with a VPN that supports all your devices. Some services allow multiple simultaneous connections, while others limit you to one or two.
- Server locations. A VPN with more server locations allows you to access content from different countries. If you need a specific location, like for streaming services or online shopping, verify that the VPN provider has servers there.
- Ease of use. Some VPNs come with complex setups, while others offer user-friendly apps that require just a tap to protect your connection. Choose a provider that matches your comfort level with technology.
- Customer reviews. Feedback from real users can give you insight into a VPN's reliability and performance. Look for patterns in reviews, like frequent mentions of connection drops, poor customer support, or ease of use, to make a more informed decision.
Top Consumer Reviews has evaluated and ranked the leading VPN providers available. We hope this review helps you find the best protection for your needs.
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