ProXPN VPN Review
If you’re evaluating ProXPN VPN for your online privacy needs, it’s important to weigh its features carefully. ProXPN offers unlimited bandwidth and adheres to a zero-logs policy, which are positive aspects for privacy-conscious users. However, its limited server locations and reliance on outdated encryption methods may be points of concern.
The VPN tends to deliver slower speeds relative to its competitors, and the basic interface may not offer the user experience some might expect.
When considering its pricing, streaming capabilities, and customer support, it’s essential to analyze how these aspects align with your specific needs. ProXPN’s pricing may be competitive, but its ability to unblock streaming services might not meet expectations.
Additionally, the level of customer support offered should be evaluated in terms of responsiveness and effectiveness.
In summary, ProXPN VPN presents a mix of advantages and limitations. It may be suitable for users with straightforward needs but could fall short for those requiring advanced features or better performance.
Exploring alternative VPNs with more robust offerings could be beneficial for those seeking comprehensive protection and functionality.
Key Takeaways
- ProXPN offers unlimited bandwidth, but outdated Blowfish-CBC encryption poses security risks.
- Pricing starts at $6.25/month, higher than competitors like Surfshark and IPVanish.
- Server locations are limited, impacting performance compared to VPNs like ExpressVPN.
- Streaming capabilities are restricted, with adequate speeds only for US Netflix on premium plans.
- Customer support is email-only, lacking the immediacy of live chat offered by competitors.
Pricing and Plans
ProXPN offers various pricing plans to accommodate different user preferences. The most economical option for their premium accounts is the annual subscription, priced at $6.25 per month. For those who prefer shorter commitments, there’s a 6-month plan at $8.33 per month and a 3-month plan at $9.98 per month. Each premium account permits connections for up to four devices simultaneously, which can be advantageous for users managing multiple devices.
For users seeking a lower-cost option, the basic account is available, though it comes with significant limitations. It includes a speed cap of 300 Kbps, which may not be suitable for activities such as streaming or torrenting but could suffice for basic browsing tasks.
ProXPN’s website provides clear information regarding payment options, which include Visa, MasterCard, PayPal, Bitcoin, and cash, offering users flexibility in managing their subscriptions. Additionally, a 30-day money-back guarantee is available, allowing users to evaluate the service without financial risk.
Although ProXPN doesn’t offer a free plan, the money-back guarantee can provide reassurance for those hesitant to commit immediately.
Features
ProXPN’s VPN service offers a range of features aimed at a global user base, with 18 server locations in major cities around the world. This server network helps users bypass geographic restrictions, facilitating access to content from various regions.
A key aspect of ProXPN’s service is its no-logs policy, which ensures that user activity, connection times, and origin IP addresses aren’t tracked, thus maintaining user privacy.
The service provides unlimited bandwidth and data transfer, allowing users to stream, download, and browse without concerns about data limits. Additionally, ProXPN includes a feature called VPN Guard, an application kill switch that protects user data if the VPN connection is interrupted by stopping selected programs, thereby safeguarding privacy and security.
ProXPN is compatible with multiple platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS, offering versatility across different devices. However, it doesn’t support routers and gaming consoles, which may be a limitation for users seeking broader device coverage.
Privacy and Security
Navigating the landscape of privacy and security with ProXPN’s VPN service reveals both strengths and vulnerabilities. ProXPN asserts a zero logs policy, suggesting that connection times, user activity, and origin IPs aren’t recorded. However, the absence of independent audits to verify this claim makes reliance on their assurance a matter of trust.
ProXPN employs Blowfish-CBC encryption to protect user data, but this method is considered outdated by current standards and may pose security risks, potentially compromising the protection of sensitive information.
The VPNGuard feature includes a kill switch that can automatically close selected applications if the VPN connection is interrupted, offering a layer of protection. However, reports indicating the use of outdated software elevate the risk of data exposure.
ProXPN is headquartered in the Netherlands, a country with strong data privacy laws, which could bolster user confidence in their privacy practices. Despite this, the brevity of their privacy policy may leave users uncertain about the extent of transparency and data protection measures in place.
Additionally, concerns have been raised about the potential for ProXPN to share customer information with third parties, which could infringe upon data privacy rights. These considerations suggest that while ProXPN endeavors to uphold user privacy, certain areas may require further scrutiny to ensure comprehensive security.
Streaming and Torrenting
Users often utilize VPNs to enhance their streaming and torrenting experiences, aiming for unrestricted access to content. ProXPN VPN allows users to unblock US Netflix, enabling access to a wider range of media with minimal buffering.
However, challenges may arise when attempting to access platforms such as BBC iPlayer, Disney+, or Hulu, as ProXPN has limitations in unblocking these services.
The basic plan of ProXPN, with a speed cap of 300 Kbps, isn’t adequate for streaming and torrenting activities due to the significant restriction on speed, which affects the quality of streaming and efficiency of P2P file sharing.
For those seeking better performance, upgrading to a premium account is recommended. Premium users can expect improved speeds, approximately 17 Mbps in Europe and 12 Mbps in the US, which are more suitable for streaming activities. Additionally, premium accounts permit P2P file sharing on servers located in the Netherlands, making ProXPN a viable option for torrenting.
Nonetheless, users may experience frequent disconnections and speed limitations, particularly on slower servers in the US and UK, which can degrade overall streaming quality.
Consequently, while ProXPN can meet some streaming and torrenting requirements, considering faster alternatives may be advisable for a more consistent and reliable experience.
User Experience and Apps
Several users have identified areas for improvement in ProXPN’s user experience and app functionality. The Windows client, notably, hasn’t received updates for nearly three years, raising concerns about its current functionality and potential security vulnerabilities.
Users frequently report connectivity problems and reliability issues, including frequent disconnections. These disconnections often necessitate manual reconfiguration, which can be both tedious and time-consuming.
The user interface across various platforms has been described as basic and cluttered, offering limited features for data encryption and IP address management. Additionally, the mobile apps haven’t been updated since 2017 and share similar issues with the Windows client, such as connectivity problems and difficulties in recognizing paid accounts.
These issues contribute to a less-than-optimal user experience.
ProXPN permits simultaneous connections for up to four devices, which is below the industry standard. This limitation affects platform compatibility, as there’s no support for router configuration files. As a result, users may find it challenging to secure all of their devices or integrate ProXPN into their home network.
These constraints may prompt users to seek a more reliable VPN solution.
Customer Support
ProXPN users face challenges with its usability and app functionality, which extends to its customer support experience. Currently, ProXPN offers customer service solely through an email address, potentially falling short for those who prefer live chat support options. The typical response time is around 24 hours, which may not be ideal for users with urgent issues requiring prompt assistance. The lack of live chat support limits the ability for real-time communication.
Users have reported difficulty understanding account information on ProXPN’s website, which can result in delays in issue resolution. Despite the support team being recognized for their friendly and professional assistance, navigating these challenges without immediate access to a representative can be difficult.
Furthermore, ProXPN’s help page has occasionally been unavailable, restricting access to FAQs and troubleshooting resources when needed. While some users find the email responses satisfactory, the overall support experience is affected by the limited support resources.
As a VPN provider, ProXPN has the potential to enhance the customer support experience by diversifying their contact methods and ensuring consistent availability of their help page.
Comparison with Competitors
When evaluating ProXPN in comparison to its competitors, several areas of concern are evident, particularly in pricing, server network, and performance. ProXPN’s pricing begins at $6.25 per month, which is relatively high compared to Surfshark, which offers plans starting at $1.99 per month, and IPVanish at $2.49 per month.
These competitors not only have more budget-friendly options but also deliver superior performance and features.
Regarding server locations, ProXPN provides access to only 18 locations, whereas ExpressVPN offers over 160, thus offering better connectivity and more options for users.
In terms of average speeds, ProXPN delivers between 30-45 Mbps, which is considerably slower compared to NordVPN and ExpressVPN, both of which provide faster speeds that are suitable for activities such as streaming or gaming.
Device compatibility is another limitation for ProXPN. It has outdated software that doesn’t support a wide range of devices, such as routers and smart TVs, unlike many of its competitors.
Customer service is also less robust, as ProXPN lacks a live chat feature, in contrast to the 24/7 support offered by many other providers.
While ProXPN employs encryption keys to secure VPN connections, its competitors often offer more advanced options and require fewer payment details, enhancing user privacy.
Conclusion
You might find ProXPN VPN’s pricing attractive, but its drawbacks are hard to ignore. With limited server locations, outdated encryption, and no independent audits, your security could be at risk. The connectivity issues and basic interface might frustrate you, especially with customer support only available via email. If you need robust performance and advanced features, ProXPN might not be the best choice. Consider exploring other VPNs that offer better speed, security, and user experience.
