Our Score: 5.8/10
Ranked 87th out of 198 VPNs
F-Secure, a well-established Finnish company founded in 1988, is renowned in the cybersecurity industry. Given its strong reputation, I had high expectations for F-Secure Freedome VPN. However, the service fell short of those expectations in several key areas.
F-Secure Freedome VPN is user-friendly and ideal for beginners, but it also has several shortcomings that may deter more experienced users.
One of its main drawbacks is its pricing. Starting at $3.90/month for the basic plan with a 5-device limit, it is on the expensive side compared to other VPNs. While speeds were generally fast and consistent, the server network is relatively small, offering only 28 servers across 22 countries.
Although Freedome VPN successfully streams multiple Netflix libraries in HD, it does not support other major streaming platforms such as Hulu and HBO Max. Additionally, it does not allow torrenting and is unsuitable for gaming.
A further concern is the VPN’s unclear privacy policy. Freedome VPN retains some logs for up to 90 days, which raises privacy concerns for users seeking complete anonymity. There is certainly room for improvement, and it remains to be seen if F-Secure will address these issues.
For additional reviews on various VPN services, you can explore our blog.
Short on Time? Key Findings:
- Streaming: Freedome VPN is effective for streaming some platforms securely. It successfully unblocked Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+ in HD.
- Speed: The VPN provided fast and consistent speeds on most of its 28 servers across 22 countries. However, slower speeds were experienced when connecting to distant servers, such as in Australia.
- Security Features: Freedome VPN offers standard security features, including a kill switch. It uses OpenVPN and passed DNS and IP leak tests.
- Privacy Concerns: As a company based in Finland, F-Secure is subject to EU privacy laws. However, the VPN logs some user data for up to 90 days, which may be concerning for privacy-conscious users.
- No Torrenting Support: Freedome VPN restricts internet access if torrenting activity is detected.
- Pricing: At $3.90/month for the 1-year plan (5-device limit), Freedome VPN is relatively expensive. It does offer a 5-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Customer Support: F-Secure offers a variety of support channels, including online chat, phone, email, forums, FAQs, and a blog.
- Compatibility: Freedome VPN is compatible with Windows, Android, macOS, and iOS. While installation is simple, the VPN lacks advanced configuration options.
- Censorship Bypass: Freedome VPN is unable to bypass censorship in several countries, including China, Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
F-Secure Freedome Features — 2024 Update
Rating: 8.4
| 💸 Price | 3.90 USD/month |
| 📆 Money Back Guarantee | 30 Days |
| 📝 Does VPN keep logs? | No |
| 🖥 Number of servers | 28+ |
| 💻 Number of devices per license | 5 |
| 🛡 Kill switch | Yes |
| 🗺 Based in country | Finland |
| 🛠 Support | Live chat |
| 📥 Supports torrenting | No |
Streaming – Access to Netflix, BBC iPlayer, but Limited Elsewhere
Rating: 3.8
Freedome VPN provides seamless access to popular platforms such as Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and All4 from any location, without interruptions. However, it struggles with several other streaming services. During testing, we were unable to access Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, or Amazon Prime Video US. If you are seeking a VPN for secure streaming across multiple platforms, Freedome VPN may not be the best choice. Instead, you may want to explore our top VPNs for streaming, which offer broader compatibility.
Editor’s Note:
Our recommended VPNs uphold strict no-logging policies, ensuring that your online activities remain private. While these tools enhance privacy, it is essential to use them responsibly and in accordance with copyright laws. We do not condone illegal activities of any kind.
Works With:
- Netflix Libraries (All Regions): We experienced no issues streaming Netflix content, even in HD, across various regions. Notably, Freedome VPN worked flawlessly with Netflix Australia, as well as on North American and European servers.
- Amazon Prime Video (EU, UK, Australia, Asia): The VPN successfully accessed these libraries, delivering high-definition streaming without buffering.
- BBC iPlayer & All4: The UK servers provided smooth, delay-free access to popular shows, such as RuPaul’s Drag Race UK.
Does Not Work With:
- Hulu, Disney+ (US/Canada), HBO Max, DAZN, and Amazon Prime Video US: Unfortunately, we could not access these services via Freedome VPN’s US or North American servers. In some cases, we were unable to get past the login screens.
The US servers were the only ones that had problems with Prime Video. The app detected the VPN and blocked our login attempts. We weren’t able to safely stream any TV shows or movies without encountering the VPN/Proxy error.
I reached out to Freedome VPN’s customer support to inquire about streaming DAZN with their service. Unfortunately, they confirmed that it is unlikely to work, as DAZN would face the same restrictions as other US-based streaming platforms that are blocked by Freedome VPN.
If DAZN access is a priority, you may need to explore alternative VPN options that offer more robust support for bypassing these regional restrictions.
The customer support team indicated that they could not guarantee access to platforms such as Comedy Central, NBC, Kodi, ESPN, and YouTube.
Speeds – Consistent and Reliable
Rating: 7.8/10
F-Secure Freedome VPN generally delivers consistent speeds. While some long-distance servers, such as those in Australia, exhibited slower performance, we were still able to browse websites without any significant issues.
It’s common to experience a speed reduction of around 10-20% when using a VPN. When connected to North American servers, we observed a loss of approximately 20-30%, which is reasonable given the UK location of our tester and the distance involved.
On most European servers, the speed loss was around 15%. The most significant drop occurred when connected to Australian servers, where speeds decreased by more than 50% from our original levels.
Despite this, most servers remained fast, maintaining speeds above 30 Mbps, with the exception of the Australian server, which was around 27 Mbps. However, even with the reduced speeds, web pages still loaded promptly.
Connecting to local servers had no significant impact on our speeds. We were able to use social media, stream TV shows, and browse websites without any issues. However, the connection was not quite fast enough to support online gaming.
When connected to European servers, there was only a slight reduction in speed, with no noticeable difference in performance compared to our local servers.
Connecting to the US Northeast and Vancouver, Canada servers resulted in a slight slowdown, though it was not noticeable during regular usage.
Surprisingly, the Singapore server delivered high-speed performance, comparable to both European and local servers.
The most significant speed drop occurred when connecting to the Melbourne server, where speeds fell below 30 Mbps. However, this did not result in a significant difference in user experience, as we encountered minimal lag when using social media or loading web pages.
Are F-Secure Freedome’s Speeds Fast Enough For Gaming? No
F-Secure’s speeds aren’t fast enough for gaming, even on local servers. After loading up Steam, I was able to get past the home page to begin playing.
My connection had an average ping of 50ms, which would normally be considered decent for gaming. Still, I found it impossible to load games and play.
Another disappointing aspect of Freedome VPN is that you can’t use it on gaming consoles either. If you’re looking for a better VPN for gaming, check out our top 3 here.
Server Network — Small Network But Reliable Connections
Rating : 5.2
Freedome has one of the smallest networks offered by a VPN. It only offers 28 servers in 22 countries. Most of these are in Europe, and it doesn’t cover any of Africa. It’s extremely lacking in South America and most of Asia. The 22 countries available on Freedome VPN are as follows:
| The UK | Germany | Switzerland |
| Belgium | Ireland | The Netherlands |
| Austria | Italy | Canada |
| Czech Republic | Norway | The US |
| Denmark | Poland | Mexico |
| Finland | Spain | Japan |
| France | Sweden | Tokyo |
| Australia |
Server Locations – Limited and Virtual Presence
F-Secure Freedome offers 28 city locations to choose from, with the majority situated in the US. However, all of Freedome’s servers are virtual, lacking any physical infrastructure, which is somewhat disappointing. This means that the servers are not physically located in the country they represent. After confirming with customer support, we learned that Freedome operates four servers in both the UK and the US, and its servers are a mix of leased and F-Secure-owned infrastructure.
Given its pricing, this limited server setup is underwhelming. It’s important to consider the number of servers when selecting a VPN, as more servers typically lead to faster speeds. Fewer servers mean that more users share the same resources, potentially resulting in slower speeds.
Despite this, Freedome’s connection speeds were generally strong and reliable across most of its servers.
Security – F-Secure Freedome VPN Delivers Strong Security Features
Rating: 6.0/10
F-Secure Freedome VPN offers solid security features, relying on industry-standard AES-256 encryption, which is widely regarded as the strongest encryption method available today.
While this level of security will be adequate for most users, those seeking more advanced or customizable security solutions may find Freedome lacking. The Windows, macOS, and Android apps use the OpenVPN protocol, one of the most secure options without sacrificing performance.
The iOS app, by default, uses the IKEv1 protocol, but users can switch to IKEv2, which is highly recommended for better security. However, Freedome does not support the WireGuard protocol, which is becoming increasingly popular for its speed and security balance.
In our DNS leak test, no leaks were detected, confirming that Freedome provides robust IP protection during use.
Unfortunately, Freedome VPN is unable to prevent IP address leaks through WebRTC. This limitation is detailed in the platform’s FAQs, where it explains that the only theoretical solution would involve inspecting JavaScript code and isolating the WebRTC components. However, this is not feasible for Freedome to implement in practice.
Freedome VPN includes a kill switch feature designed to terminate your internet traffic if the VPN connection is unexpectedly disrupted, thereby preventing your actual IP address from being exposed. I tested this feature multiple times, and each time, the VPN successfully blocked my internet access and automatically reconnected.
Additionally, Freedome VPN offers protection against malicious websites. It claims to block access to sites that may attempt to compromise your personal information, such as credit card details.
I tested the Freedome VPN download file using VirusTotal, which showed zero malware issues. This is an important step to take before downloading any VPN.
Privacy – Confusing Logging Policy
Rating: 4.0/10
F-Secure claims that it does not maintain data logs; however, it does log certain information and retains this data for up to 90 days. This retention period is significant, especially when compared to many other VPNs that have more stringent privacy policies and actively prioritize user anonymity.
The privacy policy indicates that user data may be shared if deemed justified or permitted, or if there is a legal obligation to comply with warrants and court orders.
Freedome VPN logs the following information:
- Duration of VPN sessions
- Amount of data transferred
- Device ID
- Public IP address
- Hostname from which the client connects to the VPN service
The logging of your IP address is particularly concerning, as this information can potentially be used to identify you.
Since Freedome VPN is part of F-Secure, which is based in Finland, it operates under strict EU data retention and user privacy laws.
This location may not necessarily pose a privacy risk, as Finland is not part of the Five Eyes Alliance (comprising Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK, and the US). Therefore, it is less likely that your data would be shared with other countries.
Freedome VPN features a Tracker Mapper that is automatically activated upon connection. This tool monitors all the URLs you visit and logs them to inform you of websites attempting to track your activity.
Although these logs are deleted after three days, the mere fact that this information is stored raises significant privacy concerns. It is advisable to disable the Tracker Mapper before using the VPN to enhance your privacy.
Another troubling aspect of Freedome’s privacy policy lies within the Customer Relationship Data section. It states that Freedome will “track how our services are acquired and used so that we can improve the services, manage your customer relationship, and approach you with relevant messages.” This wording raises concerns that Freedome may utilize your data for advertising purposes.
Torrenting — Doesn’t Allow Torrenting
1.2
Freedome mentions in its FAQ that it has ‘technically’ blocked P2P filesharing. So, I wouldn’t recommend this as a safe torrenting option.
If torrenting is detected on the following servers (basically all of the servers that Freedome VPN offers), F-Secure states that it will temporarily block your access:
| Australia | Mexico |
| Belgium | Netherlands |
| Canada | Poland |
| France | Singapore |
| Germany | The UK |
| Italy | The US |
| Japan |
My team and I don’t condone illegal torrenting, so be sure to check the rules and regulations in your country.
Using a VPN protects you while you’re torrenting by hiding your real location and IP from others in your swarm. This can prevent stalking and DDoS attacks. So, if you need a VPN for torrenting, I recommend one of these services instead.
Does F-Secure Freedome VPN Work In China? No
Freedome VPN does not work in China. Its website states that it can’t connect when you’re in China. Although in some locations it may work, it will most often not. It states that trying to access Chinese websites outside of China will result in seeing the error message that the server IP address cannot be found.
The justification provided is that VPN usage is limited in China and, as a result of the Chinese government’s policies, VPN connections are obstructed in their network for both residents and tourists.
If you need a VPN you can use in China, I recommend choosing one from this list.
Freedome VPN is unavailable in Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
Simultaneous Device Connections – Up to 5
Users can connect up to five devices with F-Secure Freedome VPN, depending on the subscription plan. This limitation can be restrictive, especially for families or individuals with multiple devices. If you need to set up Freedome on more than five devices, you would need to create multiple accounts, which could increase both costs and complexity.
Device Compatibility – Limited Operating System Support
Freedome VPN offers applications for Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows; however, its compatibility with devices is quite limited. It cannot be used on smart TVs or Amazon Fire TV Stick, nor is it compatible with gaming consoles like PlayStation or Xbox.
The VPN does not provide browser extensions for Chrome, Opera, Firefox, or Safari, and there is no version available for Linux. Additionally, it is incompatible with Tor networks.
While other VPNs support routers, Freedome is only compatible with F-Secure’s SENSE routers.
Despite these limitations, Freedome is user-friendly, featuring a clean and simple app layout that caters to beginners. However, more experienced users may find the lack of customization options disappointing. The app includes a helpful “view quick guide” feature that explains each available option.
It is important to note that the Freedome VPN app is available in 20 languages, including Spanish, German, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese.
However, there are some noticeable features lacking in the app. For instance, displaying server speed metrics would be beneficial. Additionally, server locations are presented only in a list format; a search function would enhance usability, eliminating the need to scroll through the entire list each time.
Installation & Apps
Rating: 8.6/10
Setup & Installation
I set up F-Secure Freedome VPN on my iPad, iPhone, MacBook, and Chromebook, and the process was incredibly straightforward. It took only a few minutes to download, install, and begin using the service.
Upon downloading the application, creating a free trial account, and verifying your email, you can begin using the service without the necessity of providing any banking information.
Pricing Options
F-Secure Freedome VPN offers three distinct subscription plans, differentiated solely by the number of simultaneous connections permitted:
- 1 Device (2 years): $3.90 per month
- 3 Devices (2 years): $6.13 per month
- 5 Devices (1 year): $8.09 per month
Additionally, a customizable plan is available, allowing users to select the desired number of devices and subscription duration based on individual preferences.
F-Secure also provides a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you purchased the VPN through their website, canceling is a straightforward process, and no reason is required. For purchases made through third-party vendors, you will need to contact them directly regarding your subscription.
You can take advantage of a 5-day free trial, or a 7-day free trial if you register through iOS, without the need for banking information, thereby eliminating concerns about unintended charges.
Accepted Payment Methods:
- PayPal
- Visa
- Mastercard
- American Express
- JCB
- Wire transfer
It is worth noting that, unlike other VPN providers, F-Secure does not offer cryptocurrency as a payment option.
Reliability & Support
F-Secure Freedome VPN has received a reliability rating of 8.3. However, the chat support experience may leave room for improvement. Users may find it necessary to attempt multiple times to initiate a chat before successfully connecting with an agent. Despite this, inquiries regarding the money-back guarantee are typically addressed promptly once contact is made.
Support is available through various channels, including email, an online help forum, a blog, and a comprehensive FAQ section. Additionally, phone support is offered, which is relatively uncommon in the industry and adds a valuable option for users.
Customer support operates from 9 AM to 6 PM in most countries, except in Sweden, Finland, and Denmark, where hours are from 8 AM to 5 PM. Chat and phone support are available in multiple languages, including English, Dutch, German, French, Japanese, Finnish, Danish, Italian, Polish, Swedish, and Norwegian.
When seeking support, it is essential to specify the VPN product due to F-Secure’s diverse product offerings.
If you purchased F-Secure through a reseller, direct contact with them is required for any inquiries.
The Bottom Line
Final Verdict
F-Secure Freedome VPN is positioned at a higher price point; however, it offers a range of features that may not fully justify the cost. The service does not support torrenting, and gaming performance is suboptimal. Additionally, it has limited compatibility with many U.S. streaming services.
Given these considerations, F-Secure is not my top recommendation. There are numerous other VPN options available that are better suited for gaming, streaming, and torrenting.
Key Features:
- User-Friendly: Easy to navigate interface
- Simple Installation: Quick setup process
- Fast Speeds: Maintains good performance
- Server Network: 28 servers across 22 countries
- Support Availability: 24/7 live chat support
- Satisfaction Guarantee: 30-day money-back guarantee
FAQs on F-Secure Freedome VPN
Is F-Secure Freedome VPN safe?
Yes, F-Secure Freedome VPN is safe to use. It employs AES-256 encryption, which is considered the strongest encryption available in the market. I have thoroughly tested and reviewed all of its security features.
Does F-Secure Freedome VPN work with Netflix?
Yes, my international team successfully accessed Netflix content from the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia, and Asia during testing.
Will F-Secure Freedome VPN slow my speeds down?
No, I did not notice any significant slowdown while connecting to various servers with F-Secure Freedome. While speeds did decrease slightly when connecting to long-distance servers, it was not enough to hinder productivity.
- Money-Back Guarantee: 30 days
- Mobile App: Available
- Number of Devices per License: Up to 5 devices
