SaferVPN is an excellent option for individuals seeking a VPN service that is secure, fast, and user-friendly. One of the standout features is their 24-hour free trial, which does not require a credit card. The setup process is quick and simple, allowing you to have the desktop application up and running on your laptop within minutes. While it may not boast any groundbreaking features, SaferVPN excels in getting the fundamentals right. Additionally, its visually appealing design in both desktop and mobile applications is sure to impress users. With strong encryption, fast connection speeds, a vast network, and reliable customer service, SaferVPN has the potential to become one of the leading players in the industry.
SaferVPN Review
SaferVPN is an easy-to-use VPN with a couple of handy features like automatic wi-fi protection and 24/7 support. But subpar speeds, limited ability to unblock streaming services, and severe security bugs make it difficult to recommend. It doesn’t work in China. After using SaferVPN for a few weeks, I conducted a series of tests to evaluate its speed, streaming capabilities, and security. I utilized the VPN to secure my connection at wi-fi hotspots, privately download files, and access streaming sites that are blocked in other countries. Below is a summary of my findings, but for a more detailed analysis of SaferVPN, please read the full review.
SaferVPN Key Information
| OVERALL RANK: #29 OF 76 VPNS | |
|---|---|
| Speed |
6
|
| Average Speed* | 36 Mbps |
| Video Streaming Support | SD, HD |
| Streaming |
8
|
| Netflix | Yes |
| Other Streaming Services | None |
| Security |
10
|
| Encryption Type | 256-bit AES |
| Kill Switch | Yes |
| Log Policy | Connection timestamps, amount of data, server location, user location |
| Protocols | OpenVPN, IKEv2, L2TP, PPTP |
| Value for Money |
7
|
| Lowest Monthly Cost | $2.50 |
| Money Back Guarantee | 30 days |
Our Team Testing Criteria For SaferVPN
When it comes to testing SaferVPN, our team has a set of criteria that we follow to ensure that we provide an accurate and comprehensive evaluation. We assess the VPN’s speed, security features, customer support, ease of use, and compatibility with different devices. We also review its privacy policy and terms of service to ensure that user data is protected. By following these criteria, we aim to give users a clear understanding of what they can expect from SaferVPN and help them make an informed decision on whether or not it is the right VPN for their needs.
SaferVPN Security Vulnerabilities
SaferVPN is a reputable VPN service that prioritizes the security and privacy of its users. However, like any technology, it is not immune to vulnerabilities. In recent years, there have been reports of security vulnerabilities in SaferVPN’s software, which have raised concerns among users. These vulnerabilities have included potential leaks of user data and weaknesses in encryption protocols. It is important to note that SaferVPN has taken swift action to address these issues and has released updates and patches to mitigate these vulnerabilities. The company also regularly conducts security audits to identify and rectify any potential weaknesses in their system. It is always recommended for users to keep their software up to date and follow best practices for online security when using any VPN service.
SaferVPN Pros And Cons
SaferVPN is a VPN service that offers some useful features, such as automatic wi-fi protection and round-the-clock customer support. However, the service falls short in key areas like speed and unblocking capabilities for streaming services. Furthermore, there have been significant security vulnerabilities reported which make it challenging to recommend this VPN. When choosing a VPN, it is important to consider factors such as speed, security, privacy, and ability to bypass geo-restrictions. Therefore, it’s essential to do thorough research before deciding on a VPN service provider to ensure that you choose one that meets all your needs and requirements. Here’s a summary of what I liked and didn’t like about SaferVPN:
Pros
- Unblocks Netflix US and UK
- 24/7 support
- Automatic wi-fi protection
Cons
- Below average speeds
- Serious bugs that put user privacy at risk
- Doesn’t work in China
ExpressVPN
Speed: Is SaferVPN fast?
SaferVPN has a network of 1,300 servers spread across 50 countries, which is a typical offering for VPN services in this price range. In all the tests conducted at various times and locations, SaferVPN recorded an average download speed of 36 Mbps. This falls below the average, as indicated in the provided chart. I ran speed tests on servers in North America, Europe, and Asia at various times of day.
SaferVPN Region Wise Tests
Here are the results for each region:
- North America (nearest): 39 Mbps
- Europe: 35 Mbps
- Asia: 35 Mbps
Streaming HD Video And Downloading Torrents Service
The speeds remained sufficiently high to allow for streaming HD video and downloading torrents. I was able to play online games such as Rocket League and Brawlhalla with minimal lag, although the delay in your ping time largely relies on proximity to the nearest server. If you desire to stream content in 4K, engage in live video streaming in HD, or participate in HD video chats, it may be more advisable to seek alternatives.
Reliability
SaferVPN stands out for its exceptional speed and performance, as we experienced no noticeable decrease in upload speed while connected to its server. This VPN service prides itself on its incredibly fast speed, so we decided to put it to the test by connecting to multiple servers. Initially, our base speed was 97.81 Mbps for downloading and 52 Mbps for uploading.
Demanding Tasks
When we connected to the US server, we achieved a download speed of 57.03 Mbps and an upload speed of 23.07 Mbps. The server located in the EU provided us with a download speed of 79.01 Mbps and an upload speed of 27.87 Mbps. These results are quite impressive. Lastly, we attempted to connect to a server in Asia, which is located halfway across the world, and still managed to achieve a download speed of 1.29 Mbps. While this may be sufficient for day-to-day browsing and chatting, it may not suffice for more demanding tasks.
SaferVPN Working Devices
SaferVPN offers applications for Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android devices. Additionally, they provide web browser extensions that can be used on Chrome and Firefox. There are options to purchase VPN routers that are customized according to your preferences. These routers come at different price points, ranging from $199 to $299. If you happen to already own a router with compatible firmware (DD-WRT), it is feasible to manually set up SaferVPN on it. With a single plan, you can connect up to five devices simultaneously, which adheres to the common practice in the industry.
Unblock Streaming, Netflix, & Kodi
Does SaferVPN unblock Netflix? Absolutely! I successfully unblocked Netflix US on both a web browser and the Netflix mobile app. SaferVPN can be used to unblock both the US and UK versions of Netflix.
Regrettably, SaferVPN was not successful in unblocking other streaming services such as Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer. For Kodi users, SaferVPN may have some limitations. It does not have an app for Amazon Firestick or Linux, so you will need to use workarounds or manually configure it to get started. However, if you are using an Android TV box with access to Google Play, you can utilize the Android app. Once set up, it should be compatible with any Kodi add-on.
Does SaferVPN allow torrenting?
Engaging in torrenting is strictly forbidden according to the acceptable use terms of the company. Similarly, there are various other actions that are also prohibited, despite the fact that the company guides users to torrent on specific servers. Torrenting is solely permitted on servers located in the Netherlands, Canada, and Spain. Although piracy is not considered legal in these countries, they are recognized for being more tolerant towards individuals who engage in peer-to-peer file sharing.
Kill Switch
In both the desktop and mobile apps, you have the option to activate a kill switch that halts all internet traffic to and from your device in the event of a VPN connection failure. This feature is crucial for torrenters as it ensures that no identifiable data can be leaked through a direct and unencrypted connection.
Security, privacy, and logging
SaferVPN, headquartered in Israel, may deter certain users who are cautious about government surveillance and intelligence sharing with the USA and its allies. SaferVPN ensures that none of my traffic or IP address is logged. However, it does retain some minimal logs such as connection timestamps, data transmission per session, the location I connect to (excluding the server), and the country from which I connect (without recording the IP address). The security is composed of when connected with the OpenVPN protocol.
Security Options
- 256-bit AES encryption
- 2,048-bit RSA keys
- SHA256 authentication
DNS leaks Protection
Regrettably, perfect forward secrecy is not available, meaning that if a key is compromised, it can be utilized to decipher previous session traffic. SaferVPN encounters difficulties with DNS leaks. While some connections did not leak, a significant number defaulted to my ISP’s DNS servers rather than SaferVPN’s. This poses a serious issue for individuals aiming to access region-locked content, conceal their actual location, or prevent their ISP from monitoring their visited websites.
Safeguard Policy
There have been instances where the Windows application incorrectly connected to a different country. For example, when I connected to a UK VPN server, I was assigned a German IP address instead. Furthermore, there was another instance where the application indicated that I was connected to the UK, but in reality, the VPN connection was not established at all. These technical issues present a significant concern for users who rely on the VPN service to safeguard their privacy.
Prioritize Privacy
SaferVPN offers customer support through two channels: live support and a ticket submission system. The live support feature is powered by Zendesk, a third-party company. Therefore, users who prioritize privacy should consider using the ticket submission option. Concerns may arise when the Chrome extension requests permission to “read and change all your data on the websites you visit.” However, the extension’s privacy policy reassures users by stating that unlike other VPN services for Chrome, Chrome Proxy, unblocker VPN proxy services, and Free VPN Proxy services, SaferVPN does not display ads, keep logs, or sell user data to third parties.
Unique Feature
The apps have a unique feature called automatic wifi security, which is not very common. When this feature is enabled, the SaferVPN app will automatically detect if the wifi network you are connecting to is unsecured and connect to the VPN. This is particularly useful if you tend to forget or are too lazy to open and connect through the VPN app every time you connect to wifi at places like Starbucks or the airport. It’s important to note that in order for this feature to work, you need to have the app running on your desktop, at least in the system tray.
NordVPN
Does SaferVPN Works in China?
SaferVPN’s applications are not compatible with China. It is not possible to bypass the censorship of websites and apps such as Facebook, Google, Youtube, Gmail, Instagram, Tinder, and others that are typically restricted in mainland China. SaferVPN might be operational in other countries with less stringent censorship regulations; however, we do not have the ability to verify this ourselves.
Is SaferVPN’s customer service any good?
During the test period, I utilized the Zendesk live chat feature on SaferVPN’s website to inquire about various aspects of their service. On some occasions, the representatives requested my account email address, while on others, they did not. However, regardless of this discrepancy, the support team promptly responded with helpful answers.
Swift Responses
It was evident that some of the responses were pre-written and taken from a response book. It is possible that they employ chat bots in certain situations, although we cannot confirm this. Nonetheless, we received swift responses to all of our inquiries. If I desire a more private alternative to Zendesk, I also have the option to open a ticket. Additionally, there is a searchable knowledge base accessible on the website. However, it is not as comprehensive as what we have observed from competing companies.
SaferVPN pricing
SaferVPN provides a solitary level of service and offers significant reductions in price for customers who choose longer subscription periods.
- Monthly: $12.95 per month
- One year: $5.49 per month
- Three years: $2.50 per month
Do I recommend SaferVPN?
SaferVPN is user-friendly for beginners and provides attractive discounts for extended subscription periods. However, its benefits are overshadowed by sluggish speeds, limited ability to unlock region-locked content, and significant security flaws. Moreover, it is ineffective for users in China seeking to bypass censorship. These prominent drawbacks make it challenging for me to endorse SaferVPN over its competitors. Nevertheless, if you frequently travel and require automatic wi-fi protection, it may be suitable for basic internet browsing, accessing social media platforms, and streaming Netflix.
SaferVPN Alternatives
While SaferVPN failed to impress me, there are a few other VPNs that are worth considering. One such option is ExpressVPN, which is a premium choice offering fast servers, the ability to unblock nearly any content, and a wide network of servers spanning 94 countries. It also provides round-the-clock support, functions in China, and offers apps for various devices. Another option to consider is NordVPN, which is a reliable budget-friendly choice. In my recent speed tests, it outperformed other VPNs largely due to its new NordLynx protocol. It is effective at bypassing restrictions on streaming services and can be used in China. Now let’s compare SaferVPN with two of the most popular services, ExpressVPN and NordVPN.
TorGuard VPN Review
Speed, Connection Logs & Overall Rating
| Average Speed (Mbps) | 36 Mbps | 193 Mbps | 196 Mbps |
| OpenVPN data encryption | 256-bit AES | 256-bit AES | 256-bit AES |
| Kill Switch | Desktop only | ||
| Allows Torrenting | on the Netherlands, Canada, and Spain servers | ||
| Connection logs | Some aggregated data | ||
| Unblocks Netflix US | |||
| Unblocks Prime Video | |||
| Unblocks Hulu | |||
| Unblocks BBC iPlayer | |||
| Lowest monthly cost | $3.97 per month | $6.67 | $3.99 |
| Money back guarantee | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days |
| Overall rating | 3.5 | 9.3 | 9.7 |
| Best deal (per month) | $3.97 Save 66% on the 1 year plan |
$6.67 SAVE: 49% on the annual plan |
$3.99 SAVE up to 69% + 3 |