Buffered VPN Review 2024 — Read This Before Buying

Our Score: 4.6/10

Status Update: Buffered VPN is No Longer Active

Buffered VPN offers several appealing features, including a user-friendly interface, fast connection speeds, and reliable security. However, it struggles to unblock Netflix, necessitating a premium provider such as ExpressVPN for that capability.

The service includes dedicated applications for all major platforms and supports router compatibility. Buffered VPN operates over 40 servers across 37 countries, with three server locations in the United States.

Detailed Overview of Buffered VPN’s Performance and Features:

Streaming – Compatibility with Netflix

Buffered VPN faced challenges in bypassing stringent geo-blocks on popular streaming platforms during our testing. Attempts to connect to Netflix from the UK, Canada, and various U.S. server locations resulted in repeated VPN bans.

Similar difficulties were encountered with other major streaming services, including Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and HBO GO.

On a positive note, our connection speeds were sufficiently robust, allowing for seamless streaming of HD YouTube videos without any buffering delays.

Buffered VPN Speeds

Buffered VPN asserts that it consistently ranks among the top five fastest VPNs during speed tests. To evaluate this claim, we conducted our own speed assessments, starting with a baseline speed of 70 Mbps.

Overall, we were pleased with the performance when connecting to nearby Buffered VPN servers. The speed reduction when connecting to the server on the U.S. East Coast was minimal.

We were similarly pleased with our speed results when connecting to Buffered’s UK server.

However, we observed a significant decrease in speed when connecting to more distant servers in Japan and Australia, with both locations averaging download speeds of under 5 Mbps.

Performance Overview

Despite the challenges with distant servers, Buffered VPN consistently delivered fast connection speeds for most locations.

Is Buffered VPN Suitable for Torrenting?

Buffered VPN is a torrent-friendly service that permits P2P activity on all its servers. With support for torrenting on every server, users can expect good speeds when connected to nearby locations.

Security – Is Buffered VPN Safe?

Buffered VPN employs robust security measures, including 256-bit AES encryption, DNS leak protection, and an automatic kill switch (available for activation in settings) on Windows and macOS platforms. No leaks were detected during our testing.

For added security, Buffered VPN utilizes Perfect Forward Secrecy, which generates a unique encryption key for each session. This feature ensures that even in the unlikely event of an encryption key compromise, both past and future data remain secure.

Buffered VPN exclusively supports OpenVPN protocols, allowing users to choose between UDP and TCP. OpenVPN is widely recognized as the most secure protocol, safeguarding connections against vulnerabilities found in older alternatives.

Does Buffered VPN Keep Logs?

According to its privacy policy, Buffered VPN does not retain records of user activity; however, it does maintain partial connection logs for up to 30 days. These logs include:

Your real IP address
The duration of your connection
The amount of data transferred during your session

The privacy policy also mentions that some device information may be collected for troubleshooting, but users can opt out of this data collection through the app’s settings. While the collection of partial logs may not meet the needs of those seeking complete anonymity, Buffered VPN’s privacy policy is generally satisfactory for most users.

Notably, Buffered VPN recently relocated its headquarters from Hungary to Gibraltar, a jurisdiction with no mandatory data retention laws. Although a British Overseas Territory, Gibraltar is fully autonomous, privacy-friendly, and operates outside the jurisdiction of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance.

Price and Value for Money

Buffered VPN offers various pricing plans of different lengths, with all plans providing the same features. While a free trial is not available, Buffered VPN does offer a 30-day money-back guarantee on all subscription plans.

Payment methods include:

Major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express)
PayPal
Bitcoin for enhanced anonymity

Is Buffered VPN Compatible with My Device?

Buffered VPN is compatible with all major platforms. In addition to specialized applications for Windows and macOS, it has recently introduced dedicated apps for Android and iOS, eliminating the need for manual configuration.

Buffered VPN supports the following devices:

Windows
macOS
Android
iOS
Linux
Tomato- or DD-WRT-enabled routers

The features are consistent across platforms, although the mobile version does not include an automatic kill switch. Users can connect up to five devices simultaneously with a single Buffered VPN subscription.

Buffered VPN Customer Service

Our experience with Buffered VPN’s customer support team was positive. Users can reach support via an email form or through a 24/7 live chat service, both of which are responsive and helpful.

The Buffered VPN website also offers a wealth of resources to assist with common issues, including an extensive FAQ section, troubleshooting guides, setup tutorials, and detailed information on VPNs and cybersecurity.

User Experience

The Buffered VPN app features an intuitive layout that simplifies navigation. Users are greeted with a list of server locations, making it easy to connect with just a click.

Users can easily access their recent server locations or create a list of favorites within the Buffered VPN app. Once connected to a server, the app provides essential information regarding data transfers and connection duration. Additionally, it indicates whether the kill switch is currently activated, which enhances user awareness and control.

Users have the option to allow the app to automatically select a port or to manually choose one from a list of available options. Additional useful features include the ability to test current bandwidth and firewall protection directly within the app.

Buffered VPN is an excellent choice for those seeking a simple, user-friendly VPN that provides robust security and fast connection speeds. This provider prioritizes quality over an abundance of features, making it particularly suitable for VPN beginners who can benefit from Buffered VPN’s secure protection without feeling overwhelmed by complex options. It is also a commendable option for torrenting.

However, we were disappointed by the absence of a kill switch on mobile devices. Additionally, we do not recommend Buffered VPN for streaming, as it struggled to bypass geo-restrictions on most popular streaming platforms.

For those seeking a reasonably priced VPN that excels in torrenting and offers industry-leading security across all major platforms, we recommend considering our top-rated providers, such as ExpressVPN.

Buffered VPN Features — 2024 Update

💸 Price	9.99 USD/month
📆 Money Back Guarantee	30 Days
📝 Does VPN keep logs?	No
🖥 Number of servers	30+
💻 Number of devices per license	5
🛡 Kill switch	No
📥 Supports torrenting	No

Installation & Apps: 8.8

Buffered VPN is straightforward to install and set up. Its user-friendly website facilitates a seamless process for selecting a plan, completing payment, and downloading the appropriate software for your device within just a few minutes.

Once the installation is complete, Buffered VPN’s dedicated app presents a list of server locations for selection. While there is no option to automatically detect the fastest available server, connecting to any chosen location requires only a single click.

Although the app offers limited advanced options, the available settings are easy to navigate. Users must manually activate the automatic kill switch in the settings, as it is deactivated by default.

It is important to note that any changes made to the settings will not take effect until a new connection is initiated.

Pricing: 6.3

Pricing Plans

Annual Plan: $8.33 per month
Unlimited Plan: $9.99 per month

Buffered VPN offers a variety of subscription plans with the same features, with longer plans providing better overall value. While the service does not include a free trial, it does offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing users to evaluate the service risk-free.

Accepted payment methods include:

Major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express)
PayPal
Bitcoin for enhanced anonymity

Reliability & Support: 8.6

Buffered VPN provides several support options for users encountering issues with the service. The website features a wealth of resources, including a comprehensive “Definitive Guide to VPNs,” an extensive FAQ section, troubleshooting guides, and detailed setup tutorials.

If these resources do not resolve your questions, the support team is available 24/7 via email or live chat. Our experience with the support team was positive, as they were responsive and helpful.

The Bottom Line

Buffered VPN delivers fast, secure, and user-friendly connections, making it an appealing choice for many users. However, it does have notable drawbacks, including the absence of a kill switch on mobile devices and its inability to bypass geo-restrictions on popular streaming platforms like Netflix.

For a deeper understanding of geoblocking and its implications for VPN users, read our comprehensive guide, which covers everything you need to know.