VPN.AC Review

However, when we tested Hulu and HBO Max using the VPN.AC Chrome browser extension, we were able to successfully unblock both services. The same successful result was observed with the Amazon Fire TV app.

Torrenting

A Decent Choice for Torrenting

Rating: 8.0/10

VPN.AC proves to be a solid option for torrenting, achieving excellent P2P bitrates on a torrenting-optimized server located near us. While VPN.AC permits torrenting across its entire network, speeds on regular servers are significantly reduced.

Ranked #19 out of 62 VPNs for Torrenting

Although VPN.AC’s support for torrenting on its entire network is commendable, we were disappointed to find that speeds are considerably throttled on non-optimized servers during testing.

We recorded impressive download speeds on VPN.AC’s P2P-optimized servers in France and the Netherlands, averaging 9.0 MiB/s compared to 10.0 MiB/s without a VPN, which is excellent for torrenting.

However, speeds dropped significantly to an average of 1.5 MiB/s when connected to a UK server, due to the lack of P2P-optimized servers in the UK.

Although a workaround is possible, it may not be accessible to all users. Furthermore, Asia, Oceania, and South America do not have any dedicated torrenting servers. Users in these regions can still torrent on their nearest standard VPN.AC server, but should expect similar slow speeds.

A Secure Choice for Torrenting

VPN.AC provides a secure environment for torrenting with its functional kill switch and good speeds. However, it lacks port forwarding, which is a drawback. The VPN.AC knowledge base offers instructions for setting up the SOCKS5 proxy with qBitTorrent, uTorrent, and Deluge.

Additionally, VPN.AC provides a guide for configuring a torrenting-specific kill switch on Windows. Following these instructions will ensure that all torrenting traffic is halted if the VPN connection fails, thus preventing an IP leak.

Server Locations

Decent Coverage in US & Europe

Rating: 7.2/10

VPN.AC offers robust server coverage in North America and Europe, with servers in 26 countries and a strong presence in the Asia-Pacific region. All servers are physical and located in their stated regions, enhancing security and performance. However, the network does not extend to the Middle East or Africa, and South America has only one server location in Brazil. This makes VPN.AC a less suitable choice for users in these underserved regions.

Ranked #31 out of 62 VPNs for Server Locations

Coverage Details:

• 26 Countries
• 48 Cities
• 117+ IP Addresses

It is noteworthy that VPN.AC exclusively utilizes a fully privately-owned server network without virtual servers, which is a rare approach. This ensures a higher level of security and improved speeds. However, this commitment results in limited server distribution, leaving significant regions without nearby servers.

VPN.AC’s servers are concentrated in 26 countries, with 17 located in Western and Southern Europe. There are no servers in the Middle East or Africa, and South America is only represented by a single server location in Brazil.

For users in regions not served by VPN.AC, it is advisable to consider alternative VPNs to ensure optimal service and coverage.

Double Hop & China-Optimized Servers

VPN.AC provides an excellent range of Double VPN servers, branded as Double Hop in the app. This feature includes exit nodes in eight countries around the world, offering enhanced privacy and security for users.

Double Hop routes your internet traffic through a VPN server in an initial location before redirecting it to a second server, from which you receive your assigned IP address. This process may result in reduced internet speeds but significantly enhances security.

Additionally, VPN.AC offers servers in seven locations specifically optimized for use within China. While these servers may appear standard, they have proven highly effective in bypassing the Great Firewall.

Bypassing Web Censorship

Effectiveness in China:

Bypassing Censorship Rating: 6.8/10

VPN.AC was once a top choice for users in highly-censored regions such as China. However, recent tests indicate that it no longer reliably unblocks websites in China. Although it continues to offer a variety of servers and obfuscation tools, it may still be effective in bypassing censorship in countries like Russia, Turkey, and the UAE.

Ranked #23 out of 62 VPNs for Bypassing Web Censorship

Despite its substantial efforts and resources invested in overcoming censorship in China, VPN.AC’s effectiveness has significantly declined. Our testing has shown a marked decrease in its ability to bypass restrictions.

The advanced settings menu includes an option labeled “I am in China or other censored country.” Activating this option reveals a list of servers optimized for China. Combining one of these servers with the OpenVPN XOR protocol/obfuscation feature available in all its apps should enable users to bypass firewalls in countries such as Russia, Turkey, and the UAE.

Device & OS Compatibility

Compatible with All Popular Devices

Device Compatibility

While VPN.AC’s apps may not be the most visually striking, they maintain a consistent design across all major platforms, including desktop, mobile, and streaming devices. The service offers extensions for popular browsers, and for devices not directly supported, router installation provides an effective alternative.

Supported Devices and Platforms:

• Windows
• macOS
• iOS
• Android
• Linux
• Router

VPN.AC provides a uniform user experience across its most popular platforms, with its design appearing virtually identical on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.

The service also offers a full graphical user interface (GUI) application for Linux, compatible with Ubuntu, Debian, and Mint. Although labeled as beta, our testing on Ubuntu 20 revealed it performs well and mirrors the Windows version. Additionally, a command-line interface is available for those who prefer it.

Custom setup options for routers are also available, providing various configuration possibilities for different router types.

Router Type	OpenVPN	WireGuard
DD-WRT	✓	✗
Tomato	✓	✗
AsusWRT	✓	✗
pfSense	✓	✓
OpenWRT	✗	✓
OPNSense	✓	✓
Ubiquiti EdgeRouter	✓	✗

Router Configuration

VPN.AC provides WireGuard configuration files for three types of routers. However, it does not offer WireGuard as a selectable protocol within its main app, which is a notable omission. We hope to see this feature included in future updates.

Games Consoles & Streaming Devices

VPN.AC includes a dedicated app for Amazon Fire TV devices. While the app may not be visually appealing and can be somewhat cumbersome, it effectively unblocks streaming services available on the desktop version, such as Netflix US and Amazon Prime Video US, as well as additional services accessible only via browser extensions, including Hulu and HBO Max.

There is no dedicated VPN.AC app for Chromecast with Google TV, and VPN apps cannot be directly installed on other streaming devices or game consoles. However, VPN.AC’s router configuration files offer a solution for securing these devices.

Supported Devices:

• Apple TV
• Amazon Fire TV
• Chromecast
• Nintendo
• PlayStation
• Roku
• Xbox

Browser Extensions

VPN.AC’s browser extension, SecureProxy, is available for:

• Chrome
• Firefox
• Opera

The SecureProxy extension is highly effective, providing access to a broader range of server locations than the main app. It excels at unblocking streaming services, often surpassing the capabilities of the main app.

In addition to full encryption and efficient geo-spoofing, the extension includes a WebRTC blocker and can bypass internet censorship in China. It also features a website split tunnel, allowing users to designate which sites are tunneled by the browser VPN. These features contribute to making it one of the best VPN browser extensions for Chrome.

Ease of Use

Simple, Customizable Apps

Rating: 9.1/10

Although VPN.AC could benefit from a more modern design overhaul, its ease of use remains one of its strongest features. The interface is intuitively organized, with advanced features clearly labeled. Users can also choose between light and dark modes across all applications.

Ranked #7 out of 62 VPNs for Ease of Use

While we have previously discussed the technical aspects of VPN.AC across various platforms, here we provide a detailed look at each of its apps, starting with the VPN.AC Windows program.

VPNs typically prioritize Windows in their app development, and VPN.AC follows this trend, albeit not excessively.

Whether you’re new to VPNs or an experienced user, VPN.AC’s Windows client is user-friendly and straightforward. For basic protection, you only need to manage the server list and the connect button. However, its advanced features provide ample customization options to tailor the service to your preferences.

One notable omission is the lack of split tunneling, which is generally considered a fundamental feature for Windows VPN clients.

VPN.AC macOS App

The macOS app mirrors the design of the Windows version, which is beneficial as it reduces confusion and demonstrates VPN.AC’s commitment to Mac users, who are often overlooked.

The primary difference between the macOS and Windows versions is the absence of the DNS filtering ad blocker in the macOS app.

VPN.AC Linux GUI Client

Although VPN.AC’s native Linux app is labeled as beta, our testing has shown no issues that would discourage its use. However, it lacks IPv6 blocking, which means that your IPv6 address could be exposed if your connection supports it.

VPN.AC iOS App

The VPN.AC app for iOS is quite basic, offering only essential features. It includes a reliable kill switch and access to China-optimized servers, but little else. While the design resembles that of the desktop versions, functionality is limited to these core features.

VPN.AC Android App

The Android app for VPN.AC uniquely includes split tunneling, which allows users to select which apps are routed through the VPN and which remain outside the VPN tunnel. This feature sets it apart from other versions of the app. The design closely resembles the desktop versions, with the exception of IPv6 blocking, which is not included.

VPN.AC Fire TV App

The VPN.AC app for Amazon Fire TV devices is notably distinct in appearance compared to its other versions. While VPNs often face challenges in creating user-friendly apps for Fire TV, VPN.AC is no exception. Despite this, the app performs well, and navigation becomes manageable once familiar with it. It includes several features from the desktop app, making it suitable for connecting to a server and accessing your preferred streaming services.

VPN.AC Browser Extension

The VPN.AC browser extension is straightforward and easy to use. Although it resembles the full desktop app, it offers fewer options, focusing on essential features. Users can access all servers with just a few clicks. The preferences menu includes a toggle for China-optimized servers, a WebRTC leak blocker, and an ‘Excluded websites’ option. This option functions similarly to split tunneling but is specific to individual websites, allowing you to bypass VPN encryption for certain sites. This can be beneficial for avoiding CAPTCHAs, online banking security checks, or accessing region-specific streaming services.

Customer Support

Rating: 7.7/10

While VPN.AC provides useful online resources, including tutorials and a comprehensive knowledge base, it lacks live chat support from real human agents. This absence can be frustrating, particularly given that responses to support tickets typically take up to a day.

Ranked #30 out of 62 VPNs for Customer Support

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

VPN.AC offers two main support resources on its website: tutorials and a knowledge base. The tutorials provide step-by-step instructions for installing the VPN on various devices and operating systems, including guidance on setting up individual protocols through third-party software.

The knowledge base addresses a wide range of topics, including protocol differences, app features, and billing inquiries. The depth and detail of the available articles are commendable.

However, for direct support, users must rely on a ticketing system to communicate with a VPN.AC representative. Response times can be inconsistent; for example, a question submitted around 3 PM might not receive a reply until 8 AM the following day. Although there have been instances of quicker responses, such as within 25 minutes, the variability in support response times remains a concern. Prompt and reliable support is crucial when troubleshooting VPN issues.

Price & Value

A fair price, but we don’t like its refund policy

Rating: 7.0/10

VPN.AC offers competitive pricing, with its most affordable plan priced at $3.75 per month for a two-year commitment. The one-month plan, at $9.00, is also an excellent option if you wish to test the service. However, the refund policy is less favorable. The seven-day refund window is shorter than the industry standard of 30 days, and the policy’s vague language suggests that a clear reason may be required for a refund.

Ranked #19 out of 62 VPNs for Price & Value

VPN.AC provides four pricing plans:

• Monthly: $9.00 per month, billed monthly
• 3 Months: $8.00 per month, billed $24.00 every 3 months (11% savings)
• 12 Months: $4.80 per month, billed $58.00 every 12 months (46% savings)
• 2 Years: $3.75 per month, billed $90.00 every 2 years (62% savings)

The $9.00 monthly subscription is notably affordable compared to many competitors, making it a good option for those wanting to try the service before committing to a longer term. VPN is also a practical choice for short-term use, such as when traveling to locations like China.

Payment & Refund Options

VPN.AC supports a diverse range of payment methods, including:

• American Express
• Bitcoin
• Bitcoin Cash
• Giropay
• iDeal
• Mastercard
• PayPal
• UnionPay
• Visa
• WebMoney

However, VPN.AC’s refund policy is somewhat unclear. The seven-day refund period is notably shorter than the industry norm of 30 days. The policy’s wording implies that refunds may require a specific justification, with the company stating:

“Refund requests must be based on valid reasons. We do not refund orders for vague reasons like ‘it doesn’t work’ without providing us details and allowing us to assist.”

This ambiguity makes it difficult to understand what constitutes a valid reason for a refund.