VyprVPN has been top-class for years. It’s known for its powerful security features, fast speeds, and compatibility with Mac, Android, iOS, and more. But recently, I've seen many people claim that the service has gaps in its online protection.
So, I carried out in-depth tests to see if VyprVPN is safe. I began by testing its security features and deep diving into its privacy policy. I also put the VPN through its paces regarding speed, accessing content, customer support, and more.
After my tests, I can confirm VyprVPN is a secure and privacy-friendly VPN. It passed all my leak tests and has several proprietary features, like a private DNS network and Chameleon Protocol. The VPN also provides good speeds and bypasses geoblocks with ease. The only drawback is VyprVPN's price point, which is slightly higher than some competitors.
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Pros
Cons
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VyprVPN Features — 2023 Update
9.0
💸
Price
|
5 USD/month
|
📆
Money Back Guarantee
|
30 Days |
📝
Does VPN keep logs?
|
No |
🖥
Number of servers
|
700+ |
💻
Number of devices per license
|
10 |
🛡
Kill switch
|
Yes |
🗺
Based in country
|
United States |
🛠
Support
|
24/7 Live Chat Support |
📥
Supports torrenting
|
Yes |
Streaming — Unblocks Every Major Streaming Service
9.4
VyprVPN is a great choice for streaming on all the major platforms. It generally maintained good streaming quality, allowing me to watch shows in HD for hours without a dip in performance. I was able to unblock 30+ different streaming platforms. The only issue was I had to try out a few different browsers and protocols for services with tougher blocks like Amazon Prime Video.
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Unblocked: Netflix
VyprVPN could easily unblock Netflix on several different servers. I started my tests connected to the nearby Hong Kong server.
Netflix loaded just as fast as when I don’t use a VPN. I watched Love to Hate You in crisp HD without any delays. Then, I connected to a more distant server in San Francisco and the results surprised me. Although this server was farther away, its performance was nearly as good as my local server in Japan. But, it did take around 10 seconds longer to load compared to when I’m not using a VPN.
VyprVPN’s San Francisco server let me load videos on Netflix in less than 10 seconds
I was also impressed that I could unblock tons of full libraries. It was easy to stream exclusive content from Brazil, Germany, Spain, Thailand, the US, Hong Kong, and the UK.
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Unblocked: Disney+
Disney+ has really upped its game with VPN blocking technology, so I had to see whether VyprVPN could bypass it. Thankfully, I could stream Thor Love and Thunder perfectly on VyprVPN’s Chicago server. The movie took only a few seconds to load, and I enjoyed excellent picture quality from the get-go.
I was also able to access Disney+ with VyprVPN’s servers in the UK and Singapore
However, I could not get Disney+ to load with the Melbourne location. The situation was the same even when I changed to the Perth server. However, this isn’t a major issue as most content on this service is the same around the world.
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Unblocked: Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video has notoriously powerful VPN detection, but I managed to watch it with VyprVPN.
The Austin server worked best for buffer-free streaming on Prime Video
I first tried the nearby Hong Kong server in Google Chrome, but I was blocked. I talked to VyprVPN’s 24/7 support and they recommended changing protocols, browsers, and servers. I followed their instructions and was able to stream Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power on the Austin server using the IKEv2 protocol and FireFox.
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Unblocked: Hulu
When I first tried logging in to Hulu while connected to VyprVPN, I received a message saying that my login was incorrect. I could log in while disconnected, so this was clearly the VPN’s issue.
Once the video loaded, I was able to watch without buffering even while skipping around
Then, I tried again with the Chicago server, and it worked. The videos loaded in about 3 seconds. It started out a little pixelated, but after 5 seconds, it resolved into HD quality.
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Unblocked: BBC iPlayer
VyprVPN eventually unblocked BBC iPlayer while I was connected to its London server. I had to wait about a minute for Match of The Day to load. Once it did, I could watch the show without delays.
The United Kingdom server let me stream with a clear picture after a few seconds
However, you’ll probably have better results if you live closer to the United Kingdom. In addition, this platform is free to watch if you’re in the UK, so I love it when a VPN can unblock BBC iPlayer.
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Also Unblocks: Peacock, ITVX, SkyTV, Apple TV+, and more
VyprVPN had no problem unblocking ITVX, SkyTV, Crunchyroll, DAZN, All 4, ESPN+, and AppleTV+. ITVX (formerly ITV Player) was blurry at first while I was connected to VyprVPN’s UK server, but the picture stabilized after about a minute. The other services loaded almost immediately. I was especially impressed by how the VPN let me stream AppleTV+ with the same high quality on distant servers in Australia and Canada.
I had one more issue when I first tried accessing Peacock. My login didn’t work, even though my details were correct. I reported the issue to VyprVPN’s 24/7 chat and they gave me advice that quickly fixed the problem. All I had to do was disable my computer's location services (GPS) and change my browser to Firefox to get Peacock working.
Overall, VyprVPN is a good option for streaming, but you'll need to tweak some settings. While I did have some difficulties trying to unblock certain platforms, support always came up with a solution for my problems. That’s impressive, and I wouldn’t be surprised if VyprVPN continued to improve in this area.
Speed — Impressive but Inconsistent Speeds
8.6
VyprVPN is fast on nearby servers, but it was slow on some distant ones. Using speed-optimized protocols, like WireGuard or IKEv2, I registered decent rates on distant servers too. However, when I used its own Chameleon protocol, or OpenVPN, my connection speeds plummeted.
While testing VyprVPN’s speeds, I focused on the following:
- Download Speed (Mbps). This is how long it takes information from a server to reach your device. Low download speeds equals poor streaming performance.
- Upload Speed (Mbps). This is how long it takes to send data. It’s important when you’re doing things like uploading a video or sending an email.
- Ping (ms). This refers to how quickly your system responds to a command. Low ping is critical for online gaming. It is measured in milliseconds (ms).
We test all VPNs fairly by using the same UK location and connection. Our speed expert tests each VyprVPN server 10 times a day to create accurate averages for the chart below. She also conducts these tests over several months, so we know these are VyprVPN’s typical speeds. The tests were done with the IKEv2 protocol since it was the fastest.
VyprVPN’s download speeds dropped 15% on nearby servers and 37% on distant servers
With the IKEv2 protocol, download speeds never fell below 50 Mbps, even on distant servers. This is more than enough to stream movies in HD.
Plus, while these tests show averages, there were times when the VPN was faster. For example, the local server in Germany registered some impressive speeds for our tester.
VyprVPN also delivers great speeds at mid-range distances, around 5,000 km or less
I also performed some of my own tests (with IKEv2 as well). Using VyprVPN’s “Fastest Server”, I was able to get an average drop in local speeds of only 7%. Many VPNs drop your speeds 15% to 25%, even at close range. So, these nearby speeds are very impressive.
But, VyprVPN’s speeds were inconsistent on distant servers. I registered great speeds when connected to the Brazil server. It’s over 18,000 km away and only dropped my speed by 31%. That’s a strong result for that distance.
However, connected to servers in India, my speeds dropped a ton. It’s only around 6,000 km from me, but I lost 91% of my download rates and websites took up to 1 minute to load. This could be due to overcrowding. VyprVPN doesn’t display a load percentage on its servers, so I hope it implements that feature in the future.
Unfortunately, Chameleon and OpenVPN dropped my nearby speeds by an average of 70%. Using these protocols, I was still able to stream and torrent without issues, but online multiplayer gaming was impossible. When using these protocols, it’s worth experimenting with close to mid-range server distances to find the best performance.
So, VyprVPN is a great choice if you mostly plan on using local servers. If you need quick speeds at any distance, you’re better off using ExpressVPN. It’s consistently the fastest VPN in our tests.
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Gaming — Standout Performance for Gaming
9.2
VyprVPN is a good choice for gamers. Closer servers worked best, as you’d expect. But, I could still play with a small amount of lag on faraway locations.
When gaming, how quickly your connection registers your inputs is important. The way this is measured is with ping. A ping of over 100 ms results in an unplayable experience, and ideally you want something much lower.
First, I booted up DOTA2 while connected to VyprVPN’s server in my country. I registered a ping of 9 ms while connected to the “Fastest Server.” With servers in Europe, my ping increased to around 21 ms, but I couldn’t detect any real change in gameplay.
VyprVPN gave me solid gaming performance on nearby and faraway servers
When I connected to servers farther away, like in New York, I noticed a small difference. My ping was 85 and I had a slight delay between my keyboard inputs and the action happening on screen. Even with this higher ping, DOTA2 still ran smoothly. As an experienced player, I was able to enjoy the game and perform well. However, you’ll want to stick to nearby servers for serious competitive play.
Overall, I recommend connecting to a local VyprVPN server when gaming. My tests also registered lower ping for faster protocols like WireGuard and IKEv2. I can’t really complain about how VyprVPN performed here because I haven’t found a VPN that gives you zero lag on distant servers.
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Server Network — Few Servers, but Spread Worldwide
9.0
Although VyprVPN's network is smaller with 700 servers, it covers 70 locations around the world, which is great for accessing content. I tested dozens of country servers and never had any connection issues.
There are 30 locations available in Europe and an impressive 14 in Asia
VyprVPN operates both physical and virtual servers. Virtual locations are simulated servers that are in a different country than the one listed. On the plus side, this can be more secure than having a physical server in a country with known security risks such as Cambodia. On the other hand, the server might be farther away than you expect. This will most likely result in slower speeds.
Unfortunately, VyprVPN doesn’t offer RAM-only servers. These give you extra security because they’re wiped each time they’re turned off. However, it runs its own zero-knowledge DNS servers, so this wasn’t a big downside for me (more on that later).
VyprVPN also owns its entire server network. I always appreciate it when VPNs own their servers because it gets rid of the middleman which could potentially compromise your privacy.
VyprVPN also lets you favorite servers by clicking on the star icon to their right
The only big downside of VyprVPN’s network is that you can’t choose city-level locations in many countries (only in the US and Australia). It also doesn’t offer dedicated/static IP addresses. So, while the servers perform well, there are a few things VyprVPN could do to improve its network.
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Security — Robust Security Features Make VyprVPN Safe
9.2
VyprVPN’s security is top-class. Powerful encryption and custom features like its Chameleon protocol keep your online activity protected from snoops and hackers. It also offers a service called VyprVPN Cloud, which helps you encrypt connections on cloud networks (primarily useful for businesses). Lastly, it comes with a NAT firewall that blocks any unrequested connections while you’re using the VPN.
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Industry-Leading Encryption
VyprVPN is very secure because it uses best-in-class AES-256 bit encryption. This is the same military-grade encryption used by the US government to secure state secrets. The strength of this encryption lies in the fact that the number of possible keys is so large that it’s practically impossible to crack.
AES-256 works by scrambling your online data with an unbreakable wall of encryption. It’s so strong that even a fleet of the world’s most powerful supercomputers would need thousands of years to decrypt your information.
It also uses Perfect Forward Secrecy to generate a unique encryption key every time you connect to a server. So, even if an old key was ever unlocked, you’d still be safe with a brand new one.
Passes All Leak Test Results
VyprVPN offers the same DNS and IP leak protection as other top-tier VPNs. With ipleak.net, I tested servers in 17 countries, each passing its DNS and IP leak tests. It also protected me from IPv4, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks.
I confirmed the encryption was fully functioning using Wireshark. When I followed the WireGuard UDP stream, all I could see was gibberish. That was one more assurance that VyprVPN never revealed my true IP address.
Private DNS Servers
VyprVPN operates its own DNS servers, a unique security benefit compared to other services which rent 3rd party servers. While connected to VyprVPN, it runs all your requests through VyprDNS. This gives you an extra layer of protection. What’s more, this feature is automatically enabled across VyprVPN’s whole network. You only need to connect to a server to benefit from this additional security.
Versatile Protocols, Including the Custom Chameleon Protocol
One of VyprVPN’s best features is its proprietary protocol. Chameleon offers all the security benefits of OpenVPN, but also scrambles your metadata to prevent DPI, VPN blocking, and throttling. This means Chameleon is great for bypassing restrictive networks, like schools and public libraries. Here’s a quick rundown of the other protocols VyprVPN offers:
- WireGuard. This protocol prioritizes security while optimizing for speed. During my tests, I found WireGuard to be nearly as fast as IKEv2. I love how balanced it is, so this is my go-to protocol when using VyprVPN.
- IKEv2. This protocol gave me the best streaming performance. Its fast speeds meant there was no buffering, even while connected to distant servers in the US. It’s slightly less secure than the others, but it’s a great choice for mobile networks since it can quickly reestablish connections.
- OpenVPN. This protocol is a good all-arounder optimized for security and firewall evasion. It’s the safest protocol since it’s open-source, so it’s constantly being checked for vulnerabilities by people around the world.
Public WiFi Protection
VyprVPN has a WiFi protection feature to keep you safe on public networks. Once you enable this feature in the settings menu, VyprVPN will automatically activate whenever you connect to untrusted networks. It gives me peace of mind when I’m in cafes or using public transport in Tokyo.
Kill Switch
VyprVPN has a kill switch, but it’s not automatic. I had to enable the kill switch in the app's “customize” tab. As this is a key feature that makes sure you’re never online with an unencrypted connection, this annoyed me. For most of the VPNs I test, the kill switch feature is enabled by default.
Split Tunneling
VyprVPN’s split tunneling feature (Connection Per App) lets you choose which apps bypass the VPN. This is useful if you use services like online banking, and need a local connection to gain access.
It’s important to note all apps are set to “Use VPN” by default in VyprVPN’s settings to prioritize security. This can be a little annoying if you only want 1 app or site to be encrypted. Another downside to this feature is that it’s only available on the Mac app.
Privacy — Your Private Information Remains Confidential
9.0
VyprVPN is a reliable service. It adheres to a no-logs policy that has been independently validated and operates out of Switzerland, known for its privacy-friendly regulations. Additionally, VyprVPN maintains full ownership of all its servers, eliminating any concerns about intermediaries dealing with your data.
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Does VyprVPN Keep Logs? No
VyprVPN maintains a strict no-logs policy. It guarantees on its website that your data will never be sold to third parties. It doesn’t record your IP address, how often you connect, timestamps, or any of your online activities.
VyprVPN mentions in its privacy policy that they may retain personal data associated with your account “only for as long as is necessary…” However, this only refers to the information you give them to sign up. If you want even more privacy, you can create an account with a new email address. At first, this policy seemed too good to be true, but I trust it based on the audit it passed.
Was VyprVPN Audited? Yes
In 2018, VyprVPN hired independent security auditor Leviathan Security to verify its no-logs policy. The audit initially identified areas where VyprVPN was potentially exposing users’ information, such as the kill switch, which was inadvertently storing user IP addresses. The report confirms that VyprVPN immediately fixed every issue.
Despite the no-logs policy being proven, this audit was conducted years ago. I would prefer if VyprVPN conducted annual audits like some other top-class VPNs. However, Leviathan Security is a reputable firm. Plus, VyprVPN has had no controversies in the years since its audit. So, I still trust its privacy claims.
Based in Switzerland
VyprVPN is registered in Switzerland, a privacy-friendly jurisdiction outside the reach of the 5/9/14-Eyes Alliance — a group of countries that collect and share information on its citizens. Plus, VyprVPN follows the Safe Harbor Privacy Principles to ensure maximum transparency in handling customer data. On this point, it isn’t required to share customer data with any third parties by law. This is just one more reason VyprVPN is one of the most privacy-friendly VPNs available.
Does VyprVPN Work in China? Yes
VyprVPN has developed the Chameleon protocol specifically for navigating through the constraints imposed by restricted countries such as China. This protocol was effectively employed by my team in China to successfully access websites from the US, UK, and Australia, including popular streaming platforms like Netflix.
VyprVPN can be used inside China thanks to its custom Chameleon protocol
The Chameleon protocol has also been beefed up with Smart IP technology. This changes the IP address of the server you’re connected to periodically without dropping your connection. This makes it even harder for restrictive governments to block you.
While the Chinese government has banned many VPNs, it doesn't normally go after individuals for using them. Please read up on the country's laws, before you decide to use a VPN in China.
Torrenting — A Good Choice For P2P
9.0
VyprVPN is a reliable choice for torrenting. I could download copyright-free files from BitTorrent on VyprVPN’s servers in the UK, the US, Thailand, and Australia. I experienced fast download speeds and no issues while torrenting.
For example, I downloaded a 2.1 GB file on several servers, and it only took a few minutes. With nearby servers, there was only a few seconds' difference in download speed compared to my base connection. I found that the farther the server was from me, the longer the download took, however. I recommend connecting to your nearest server for the best torrenting experience with VyprVPN.
Although torrenting is generally legal in the majority of countries, it's important to note that downloading copyrighted content is not. Therefore, I strongly advise only torrenting files that are within the public domain to ensure compliance with the law.
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Installation & Apps
9.4
VyprVPN’s desktop and mobile apps are easy-to-use. All apps have a modern and intuitive interface. It also never took long to navigate its menus and find the feature I needed.
Mobile apps can be found on the Apple and Google Play stores; every other app can be downloaded from its website. Installation and setup are fast and straightforward on most devices, though I found setting it up on my router a little trickier.
VyprVPN has a small number of menu options, so it's easy to figure out
The main screen — which is the same on all devices — has a large “Connect” button. There is also a list of servers you can scroll through or search. The “Customize” menu has a simple list of all the major settings you can adjust. I really appreciated having everything I needed within three clicks or taps.
Setup & Installation
Setting up VyprVPN is simple. It took me less than 5 minutes to subscribe, download, install, and connect. What's more, this was the same across multiple devices, including Windows, Android, iOS, and Mac.
Simply choose your device, and you will be taken straight to the download page
One thing I love about VyprVPN is its simple interface, which is the same across all devices. For example, the main screen lets you easily choose from a drop-down list of servers and connect.
However, for VPN veterans, the user-friendly interface may lack customization options. Some competing VPN apps let you get into the nitty gritty of each feature, like having more split tunneling options. This is something to bear in mind if you’re looking for a VPN that gives a lot of manual setup options.
Device Compatibility
VyprVPN is compatible with every major OS, including Mac, iOS, Windows, Android, Linux, and routers. I tested the app across various devices, and this is what I found.
Desktop — Apps for Windows, Mac, and Linux
The desktop app for VyprVPN is basically the same for Windows and Mac. It has three simple screens. From the “Connections” screen, you can choose a server and connect. The “Servers” screen shows a list of servers, along with their current ping.
VyprVPN is easy to use if you regularly switch between Windows and Mac
The third screen lets you customize most of VyprVPN’s features. The interface is simple and clear, so it’s easy to set up the kill switch, public WiFi protection, and the automatic reconnect option. Unfortunately, you can only use split tunneling on the Mac apps. But, I appreciate that that’s the only major difference between these 2 apps.
Linux
VyprVPN offers manual configuration for Linux for Ubuntu and Mint. I was able to set up the CLI in under 5 minutes. However, I prefer when VPNs offer a native app for Linux, especially with a GUI. For example, Private Internet Access gives you a full app on Linux with a graphical interface. Another disappointing aspect of VyprVPN on Linux is that you can’t use the WireGuard protocol.
Android and iPhone (iOS)
The VyprVPN app for Android and iPhone are nearly identical to the desktop apps, so it’s easy to switch between mobile devices.
VyprVPN’s mobile apps make it easy for you to secure your connection in one tap
Unfortunately, the Android app doesn’t support the IKEv2 protocol. However, it does have WireGuard. The iOS app lets you use every protocol, which is rare. So, I’m happy about that, but I wish you could use split tunneling on mobile devices.
Browser Extensions
VyprVPN doesn’t currently support browser extensions. I found some outdated information online that suggested there was an extension for Chrome. However, the VyprVPN support team confirmed that they removed the Chrome extension.
Apps for Amazon Fire TVs, Android TVs & Nvidia Shield
The VyprVPN app is compatible with Amazon Fire TV 2 and above (and Fire TV Sticks). You can download the app from the Amazon App store, or you can also sideload it. I downloaded it in less than 3 minutes, and it was as easy to set up as any Amazon TV app.
As long as you're running on Android 5 or above, you can also download the app to your Android TV through the Play Store. You can subscribe via that store, or log in to the app if you subscribed via VyprVPN’s website. It’s nice that it supports these popular smart TVs, but it’s not that easy to hook up any others, as you’ll see below.
Router Compatibility
I configured VyprVPN for my router which runs the Tomato firmware using the instructions on VyprVPN’s website. Connecting my router lets me use VyprVPN with my PS5, XBox Series X, and Nintendo Switch. You can also set it up on DD-WRT, Asus-WRT, or Open-WRT routers.
The setup took me over 30 minutes, and it was pretty technical. So, I wouldn’t recommend configuring the VPN on your router unless you’re comfortable setting up systems.
VyprVPN doesn’t currently have any dedicated apps for routers, but I hope they add some in the future. It would also be nice if it added Smart DNS to let you connect game consoles and unsupported smart TVs more easily.
Simultaneous Device Connections — Up to 10
You can connect up to 10 devices with VyprVPN simultaneously. I decided to test this out by streaming shows on Netflix on my Mac, iPhone, iPad, Android Phone, and Amazon Fire TV. With every device connected to a local server in Japan, I was impressed that I could stream You in HD without any delay.
When I connected all my devices to more distant servers in the UK, the show took longer to load. After a minute of buffering, I was back to an HD picture on all devices. The only exception was my Android phone which stayed pixelated a little longer. Overall, you can use VyprVPN on multiple devices without any significant performance issues.