SkyVPN Review

Our Verdict

Overall Rating: 1.1/10

SkyVPN Free is among the least reliable VPNs we have tested, ranking 49th out of 61 services. It is an untrustworthy option that logs your IP address, fails to adequately encrypt web traffic, and cannot unblock any Netflix regions. Recent speed tests revealed an alarming 90% reduction in both local and international speeds. Due to these significant security concerns, we recommend avoiding SkyVPN altogether.

Ranking: 49th out of 61 VPNs

SkyVPN Category Ratings:

• Streaming: 0.8/10
• Torrenting: 1.5/10
• Privacy & Logging: 0.1/10
• Speed: 0.6/10
• Server Locations: 5.8/10
• Bypassing Censorship: 0.1/10
• Security & Features: 1.5/10
• Ease of Use: 2.0/10
• Customer Support: 1.2/10

SkyVPN Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Extensive server locations available on desktop.

Cons:

• Invasive logging policy.
• Ownership ties to Chinese companies, raising privacy concerns.
• Insufficient traffic encryption on Windows.
• Extremely slow speeds.
• Inability to access Netflix.
• Subpar user experience.

SkyVPN Free is the lowest-rated VPN in our evaluations. Launched in 2017, it is owned by Tengzhan Hongkong Limited, which has undisclosed connections to Chinese firms that may compromise user privacy.

While SkyVPN offers both free and paid versions, this review focuses exclusively on its free iteration. We subjected SkyVPN Free to our comprehensive testing process, assessing its speed performance, Netflix accessibility, customer support, and other critical features.

SkyVPN Key Data:

Data Cap	600MB per day
Download Speed	10Mbps
Logging Policy	Intrusive Logging
Data Leaks	No
Jurisdiction	Hong Kong (Privacy-Hostile)
Servers	Not disclosed
IP Addresses	Not disclosed
Countries with Servers	13
US Netflix	No
Torrenting	Permitted
Simultaneous Connections	1
Works In China	No
Support	Online Resources
Official Website	SkyVPN.com

Privacy & Logging Policy

Rating: 0.1/10

SkyVPN fails to protect your online privacy, as it logs personally identifiable information, including your IP address and location data. Additionally, the service has connections to China and has stated that it will comply with government requests for user data.

Ranking: 51st out of 61 VPNs for Privacy & Logging Policy

The table below details the specific information that SkyVPN logs:

Data Type	Logged by SkyVPN
Account Information	Yes
Browsing Activity	Yes
Date of Last Connection	No
Device Information	Yes
DNS Queries	No
Individual Bandwidth Usage	Yes
Individual Connection Timestamps	No
ISP	No
Number of Simultaneous Connections	No
Originating IP Address	Yes
VPN Server IP	Yes
VPN Server Location	No

You can access SkyVPN’s Privacy Policy directly on its website.

As indicated in the previous table, SkyVPN logs significant amounts of identifiable user data, including both your IP address and the VPN server IP address. The claim made in its privacy policy that it operates as a “no-log network” is misleading.

SkyVPN asserts that it distinguishes itself from other free VPNs that track user activity, stating, “SkyVPN never does like that [sic].” However, it does indeed log various unnecessary details that could be utilized to monitor a user’s online behavior.

We are particularly disappointed with the vagueness of SkyVPN’s privacy policy. In the data collection list, the mention of “other technical data” and “certain information” raises concerns, as it could encompass a broad range of data types.

Furthermore, SkyVPN explicitly states, “Ads appearing on SkyVPN Software or any of our websites may be delivered to users by advertising partners, who may set cookies.” This indicates that user data may be shared with third-party advertisers.

SkyVPN also acknowledges that it will comply with any court requests for user data, further compromising user privacy.

Worrying Connections to Chinese Entities

SkyVPN, Inc. is headquartered in Hong Kong, with its corporate address registered at Room 2103, Futura Plaza, 111 How Ming Street, Kwun Tong, Hong Kong.

Our research into the ownership of this free VPN revealed that SkyVPN, Inc. is operated by Tengzhan Hongkong Limited (騰展香港有限公司). This entity is known to refer to itself as SkyVPN Inc., Secure Sentry Communications, and Dingtone, depending on the context.

According to a Chinese language disclosure document, the Tengzhan Group acquired Dingtone in 2015, though there are no references available in English-language media.

Tengzhan Hong Kong Ltd. was incorporated in December of that year, with You Xiumie (游秀妹) listed as the director and sole shareholder.

This information is not readily accessible, and there are no indications of ownership or corporate history on SkyVPN’s website.

Given these factors, SkyVPN raises significant trust concerns. Legally, the Chinese government could demand logs and information on any of its users, and SkyVPN would be obliged to comply.

Security & Technical Features

Rating: 1.5/10

SkyVPN is not a secure option for users, lacking essential security features typically expected from a VPN service. Our packet inspection tests revealed that it does not encrypt web traffic, leaving your online activities exposed to anyone who may intercept your connection. While it does provide a functioning kill switch on Windows, this feature is not available for Android and iPhone users.

Ranking: 58th out of 61 VPNs for Security & Technical Features

Protocols

Protocols	Available in SkyVPN
IKEv2/IPSec	No
OpenVPN (TCP/UDP)	No
Undisclosed	Yes
WireGuard	No

Encryption

Encryption	Available in SkyVPN
AES-128	No
AES-192	No
AES-256	Yes
Blowfish	No
ChaCha20	No

Security

Security	Available in SkyVPN
Diskless Servers	No
DNS Leak Blocking	No
First-party DNS	No
IPv6 Leak Blocking	No
Supports TCP Port 443	No
VPN Kill Switch	No
WebRTC Leak Blocking	No

Advanced Features

Advanced Features	Available in SkyVPN
Ad Blocker	No
Dedicated IP	No
Double VPN	No
SOCKS	No
Split Tunneling	No
Static IP	No
Tor over VPN Server	No
Tracker Blocker	No

Like other low-tier free VPNs, such as SuperVPN, SkyVPN offers minimal information regarding its security measures on both its website and app. This lack of transparency raises significant concerns about the app’s security protocols.

While SkyVPN’s website asserts that it utilizes AES-256 encryption, our tests using Wireshark indicated that traffic remained unencrypted while connected to the VPN. This discrepancy highlights serious doubts about the effectiveness of SkyVPN’s security claims.

As illustrated in the screenshot from our testing, Wireshark was able to identify our visit to the test website while connected to SkyVPN. This indicates a failure to fulfill the fundamental purpose of a VPN service. Consequently, anyone intercepting your connection—including your Internet Service Provider (ISP)—can access the web pages you visit and any information transmitted online.

Additionally, there is no publicly available information regarding the VPN protocol employed by SkyVPN. This lack of clarity leaves us uncertain whether it utilizes secure protocols like OpenVPN or IKEv2, or potentially less secure options such as PPTP.

The combination of this opacity and the complete absence of effective encryption renders SkyVPN one of the most insecure VPNs we have tested. For these reasons, we strongly recommend avoiding this service.

Kill Switch Effectiveness

In our tests, SkyVPN successfully prevented IP address leaks on Windows when the connection dropped or when switching between server locations.

We are pleased to note that SkyVPN’s kill switch operates effectively on Windows; however, it is not available on other platforms. In comparison, Proton VPN Free provides a reliable kill switch for both desktop and mobile, ensuring your IP address is protected across all devices.

No IPv4, IPv6, or WebRTC Leaks

Our VPN leak tests revealed no significant issues. However, we have some concerns regarding SkyVPN’s use of Google DNS servers, which is not uncommon among lower- to mid-tier VPNs.

In contrast, most VPNs that operate their own first-party DNS servers are typically top-tier services, such as ExpressVPN.

While SkyVPN did not leak our IP address, geolocation, or WebRTC information, we still do not recommend using this VPN. Although it may temporarily mask your IP address, it does not encrypt your data and logs a significant amount of personally identifiable information.

IP Leak Protection & Split Tunneling Available

SkyVPN offers some basic features on Windows, including IP leak protection and split tunneling (referred to as Smart VPN). However, its 600MB data cap often renders the app impractical, diminishing the value of these features.

It is important to note that these offerings represent the bare minimum expected from a VPN service. Numerous better free VPN options are available that provide fully-featured applications.

Security Features We’d Like to See

SkyVPN is not a secure option and requires significant enhancements to its security suite. Here are some features we would like to see added to its applications:

• A functional kill switch for iOS and Android to prevent accidental data leaks.
• Support for OpenVPN or WireGuard protocols.
• Data leak protection on iOS and Android.
• Effective AES-256 encryption across all applications.
• Open-source software code to enhance transparency and allow users to evaluate SkyVPN’s security measures.

Speed

Rating: 0.6/10

SkyVPN ranks among the slowest VPNs we have tested. Regardless of whether you connect to a nearby or international server, you can anticipate a speed reduction of approximately 90%.

Ranking: 56th out of 61 VPNs for Speed

The table below presents SkyVPN’s speed test results based on a 100Mbps baseline internet connection:

No VPN (New York)	US (New York)	Germany (Berlin)	Australia (Sydney)
Server Location
Download Speed	100Mbps	10Mbps	10Mbps	9Mbps
Upload Speed	100Mbps	9Mbps	9Mbps	3Mbps
Ping	1ms	5ms	90ms	212ms
Distance	0mi	5mi	4,000mi	9,900mi

As demonstrated by the data above, SkyVPN struggled to achieve even 15Mbps on both local and international connections during our tests.

These speeds are exceptionally poor and fall far short of those provided by reputable free VPNs, such as Windscribe Free. A 90% drop in download speeds is simply unacceptable.

The consistent performance across various servers indicates that SkyVPN may be throttling its download speeds as well.

Overall, we cannot recommend SkyVPN for anyone looking to browse the internet, stream videos, or engage in online gaming, as its speeds are inadequate for these purposes.

The sole advantage of SkyVPN’s speeds is its relatively low local ping time of 5ms. However, this benefit is overshadowed by the overall slowness of the service, rendering it unsuitable for online gaming or even for downloading games.

To provide context for its inadequate speeds, the chart below illustrates how SkyVPN’s performance compares to other VPNs.

Server Locations

Rating: 5.8/10

SkyVPN offers a surprisingly varied list of servers on its desktop application, allowing connections to 13 different server locations. This is commendable for a free VPN. However, the mobile app restricts users to a single US server, which is disappointing.

Ranking: 42nd out of 61 VPNs for Server Locations

• 13 Countries
• 13 Cities
• Undisclosed Number of IP Addresses

SkyVPN enables connections to servers in the following regions:

Continent	Countries with Servers
Europe	6
Asia	3
North America	2
South America	1
Oceania	1

SkyVPN offers one US server for users of the ‘Basic’ version on mobile devices, including both iOS and Android.

In contrast, the desktop app provides a much more robust experience, featuring a commendable range of 13 server locations, including two in the US.

For a free VPN, this diverse server list is impressive, with options available in South America, Asia, North America, and Europe. However, we are disappointed to note the removal of its sole server in the Middle East, which was located in Turkey.

Without city-level server options, users are limited to just one server to cover vast regions like Canada, Australia, and the US. Additionally, the app does not specify the exact locations of its servers.

Upon investigation, we found that SkyVPN’s Canada server is located in Toronto, the US server is in New Jersey, and the Australia server is in Brisbane. If you are not situated near these locations and wish to use SkyVPN’s local connection, you can expect even slower speeds than those recorded in our tests.

Streaming

Rating: 0.8/10

SkyVPN ranks among the least effective free VPNs for streaming. In our recent tests, it was unable to access popular platforms such as US Netflix, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, or Disney+. While it does successfully unblock All 4, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube, its limited speeds and data cap make it unsuitable for comfortable movie or TV show viewing. In summary, there are significantly better free VPN options available for streaming.

Ranking: 48th out of 61 VPNs for Streaming

SkyVPN successfully unblocks the following streaming services:

Streaming Platform	Works with SkyVPN
Amazon Prime Video	Yes
BBC iPlayer	No
Channel 4	Yes
Disney+	No
Hotstar India	No
Hulu	No
ITVX	No
Max	No
Netflix US	No

SkyVPN Free is unable to unblock any of Netflix’s global libraries, meaning users cannot access collections from the US, UK, or Japan while overseas.

While you may gain access to Netflix’s own library of original content, the VPN is likely to disconnect after a couple of hours due to its restrictive 600MB daily data allowance.

We also evaluated SkyVPN’s sole UK server to determine its ability to bypass geo-restrictions on BBC iPlayer, and found that it is unable to unblock the streaming service.

If you’re looking for a VPN to access Netflix or BBC iPlayer, it would be unwise to choose SkyVPN, particularly given its one-server mobile app, which lacks a UK server and has a US server that also fails to unblock Netflix.

For better streaming options, consider alternatives like PrivadoVPN Free, which can access US Netflix, and Windscribe Free, which successfully unblocks five global Netflix libraries.

SkyVPN’s Streaming Performance Compared to Other Free VPNs

VPN Service	Streaming Rating	Number of Netflix Libraries	US Netflix	BBC iPlayer	HBO Max
PrivadoVPN Free	8.8	2	Yes	No	Yes
Windscribe Free	8.5	5	No	Yes	Yes
SkyVPN Free	0.8	0	No	No	No

Torrenting

Rating: 1.5/10

While SkyVPN does permit torrenting, we strongly advise against using it for this purpose. The 600MB daily data cap severely limits the size of files you can download before the VPN disconnects. Additionally, the VPN’s extensive logging practices make it relatively easy to trace your identity through your P2P activity. Furthermore, its download speeds are alarmingly slow, barely reaching 0.8MiB/s.

Ranking: 49th out of 61 VPNs for Torrenting

Here’s a summary of SkyVPN’s performance in our torrenting tests:

Torrenting Attribute	Results
Average Download Bitrate	0.8MiB/s
Dedicated P2P Servers	0
Logging Policy	Intrusive Logging
Kill Switch	Yes
Port Forwarding	No

P2P file-sharing is allowed on certain servers within SkyVPN’s network. However, its Terms of Service clearly state that P2P activity is prohibited on several servers, including those in Canada, France, the UK, and the US.

During our testing on a UK SkyVPN server, we found that our torrenting traffic was completely blocked. Moreover, the 600MB daily data cap means the VPN is likely to disconnect before a file download is complete, increasing the risk of exposing your true IP address.

We strongly recommend against using SkyVPN for torrenting due to its logging of both your original IP address and server IP address, which could compromise your privacy and expose your torrenting activities.

Overall, SkyVPN is virtually unsuitable for torrenting. Its restrictive daily data cap, slow speeds, and intrusive logging policy make it a poor choice and position it among the least favorable VPNs for torrenting.

Bypassing Web Censorship

Rating: 0.1/10

SkyVPN is ineffective for use in China or any other country with stringent online censorship, such as Russia or Turkey. Upon opening the VPN in China, we received a notification indicating that the service is unavailable in the region, and the app closed automatically. Even if it were functional, its lack of privacy and security makes it unsuitable for bypassing censorship.

Ranking: 56th out of 61 VPNs for Bypassing Web Censorship

SkyVPN lacks obfuscation features to conceal VPN usage, and it does not provide information regarding the security protocol it employs.

During our testing in Shanghai, we encountered a notification upon installing and opening the app, stating that the service is no longer available due to local regulations, leading to an automatic shutdown of the application.

Using SkyVPN in China or other highly censored regions is not advisable. If you’re looking for a free VPN to navigate internet restrictions, we recommend Windscribe Free.

Windscribe offers advanced obfuscation protocols and has demonstrated an 85% success rate in bypassing censorship in China over the past year. Additionally, it provides a significantly more generous data cap of 10GB per month, making it a better choice for users in restrictive environments.

Device & OS Compatibility

Availability on Major Devices

SkyVPN is compatible with Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. However, all versions of the app lack customizable options and advanced features. Notably, the macOS version requires a device with the M1 chip, limiting compatibility with many existing devices. Additionally, SkyVPN does not support gaming consoles or streaming devices.

Supported Platforms SkyVPN offers native applications for the following platforms:

• Windows
• macOS
• iOS
• Android

During our testing, we successfully downloaded SkyVPN on Windows using a link from the VPN’s website. However, attempts to install it on our MacBook and iMac were unsuccessful due to incompatibility, as neither device features the latest M1 chip.

SkyVPN is not compatible with gaming consoles such as PlayStation or Xbox, nor with streaming devices like Android TV or Amazon Fire TV. Furthermore, the service does not provide browser extensions for Chrome or Firefox.

On the free plan, SkyVPN allows usage on only one device at a time. If you require protection for multiple devices simultaneously, you may need to consider alternative VPN options.

Ease of Use

Frustrating Experience with Ads and Software Bugs

Ease of Use Rating: 2.0/10

Our testing of SkyVPN revealed a frustrating user experience. The desktop versions of the app presented numerous software issues. On Windows, we encountered difficulties refreshing the 600MB daily data allowance, and on some occasions, we only received 500MB. For macOS users, compatibility was a significant problem, as the app failed to function on our devices. Although the mobile versions were somewhat easier to navigate, they were plagued by intrusive pop-up ads.

Ranked #61 out of 61 VPNs for Ease of Use

SkyVPN’s mobile applications feature a straightforward layout, with a prominent ‘Connect’ button in the center and a server list displayed above. While this design is standard, it lacks essential features that would enhance usability.

In our tests, we were unable to download SkyVPN onto our MacBook Pro or iMac from the App Store, nor did the official website’s macOS download link work effectively.

Windows & macOS Experience

While using SkyVPN on Windows, we encountered a range of software bugs and inconsistencies. Notably, the app did not consistently provide the advertised 600MB of daily data; we frequently received only 500MB instead. In comparison, alternatives like Windscribe Free offer 10GB per month, and Proton VPN Free provides unlimited data.

Additionally, there were instances when our data usage did not decrease while connected to SkyVPN, making it challenging to assess the duration for which we could use the service effectively.

Unfortunately, we were unable to test SkyVPN on macOS, as the latest version requires a device equipped with the Apple M1 chip or later, which is not available in our testing suite. It is quite uncommon for a free VPN to impose such stringent hardware requirements.

In contrast, Atlas VPN Free operates on macOS 11.0 and NordVPN requires only macOS 10.15 or later. None of the top-tier VPNs limit their macOS compatibility with an M1 chip prerequisite.

Android & iOS Experience

SkyVPN’s mobile applications are straightforward; however, they are inundated with pop-up ads and notifications. We observed that SkyVPN offers users the option of accessing “premium traffic” in exchange for watching video ads, which detracts from the overall user experience.

While this premium traffic is advertised as being faster and increasing the daily data cap, our tests indicated that it performs no better than the basic traffic, maintaining similarly slow speeds.

We are disappointed to note that SkyVPN does not provide any technical features on its mobile applications. Neither iOS nor Android versions include essential functionalities such as a kill switch, data leak prevention, or split tunneling.

Similar to the Windows version, the mobile apps do not allow users to switch between protocols or encryption methods, limiting the overall flexibility and security options.

Customer Support

Limited Support Options Available

Customer Support Rating: 1.2/10

SkyVPN’s customer support is notably inadequate. The absence of a live chat option combined with minimal and unhelpful guides on its website significantly hampers user assistance. As of 2024, our attempts to reach SkyVPN’s customer support via email have gone unanswered. Consequently, if you encounter software issues or have any inquiries, you will find no support from SkyVPN.

Ranked #58 out of 61 VPNs for Customer Support

Here’s an overview of the customer support options offered by SkyVPN:

Customer Support	Available in SkyVPN
24/7 Email Support	No
24/7 Live Chat Support	No
Chatbot	No
Email	Yes
Email Support via Online Form	No
Live Chat Support	No
Online Resources	Yes
Tutorial Videos	No

SkyVPN’s customer support requires significant enhancement. The website features an extremely limited FAQ section and provides only an email address for support. Unfortunately, the available resources are sparse and lack effectiveness.

Upon reviewing SkyVPN’s FAQs, we noted that some information is outdated. For instance, it incorrectly states that SkyVPN Free offers unlimited data, while in reality, users are subject to a 600MB data cap, as confirmed in our tests and outlined in its Terms of Service.

We reached out to SkyVPN’s support email address multiple times over several weeks to assess the responsiveness and quality of assistance, but unfortunately, we did not receive any replies to our inquiries.

The absence of essential customer support features significantly hampers the ability to resolve issues with the app. This is particularly disappointing, as we encountered serious problems related to the daily data allowance that remained unaddressed.