FastestVPN Review

About FastestVPN

Based in the Cayman Islands, FastestVPN has more than 800 servers in 50 countries. Including cities and territories, it has servers in more than 100 locations. What’s more, those servers boast speeds of up to 10 Gbps. Of course, that won’t be your final speed output. A VPN won’t magically increase your internet speed, but FastestVPN’s 10 Gbps servers mean that they can handle a large amount of traffic from its users.

Another notable thing about FastestVPN is its location. Why a headquarters in the Cayman Islands? That doesn’t seem like an easy place to get work done. Well, the Cayman Islands are not part of any international surveillance alliance like the Fourteen Eyes, so governments can’t force them to hand over your data. The islands themselves have no mandatory data retention laws, so basically your secrets are safe with FastestVPN (just don’t do anything illegal).

Features of FastestVPN

You’re probably wondering how FastestVPN works, how much data it keeps, and if you’ll be able to torrent files and go on Netflix. I’ll answer all those questions and more in just a second.

>> Learn More: Changing the Region Setting on Netflix

Will FastestVPN Log My Data?

The only information that FastestVPN kept was my username, password, email address (for billing purposes), and any login attempts I made. If I ever deactivated my account, FastestVPN would remove my email address from their records. The important thing is that they didn’t log any of my history or session data, which is what you want in a VPN.

In terms of logging VPN activity, however, FastestVPN assures users that it doesn’t log anything that can identify a user and what he or she does while connected to the VPN. That’s called a “no-logs” policy, and to prove that it stays true to that policy, FastestVPN submitted its infrastructure to a third-party audit. The auditing firm Altius IT performed the review, and FastestVPN passed with flying colors.

Does FastestVPN Have A Kill Switch?

A kill switch, otherwise known as a network lock feature, will “kill” any web pages or apps that you have open if your VPN fails. Think of it like Harry Potter’s invisibility cloak— a nice backup plan that’ll save you in case you need it. Fortunately, FastestVPN comes with a kill switch to ensure your privacy if the VPN disconnects. And it worked just fine.

Does FastestVPN Offer Split Tunneling?

FastestVPN does offer split tunneling, which allowed me to be on a public and private network simultaneously, but it was a little spotty. If I wanted to “split tunnel” my apps, I could only do it on my Android device; not my iPhone. The same is true for desktops and laptops. Split tunneling works on Windows only, but not on macOS.

Can I Stream Netflix with FastestVPN?

Yes, you can. And plenty of other channels like Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Hotstar, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu. In fact, on the new FastestVPN app, there’s a dedicated streaming tab so you can get the best connection for your favorite channel with the click of a button.

Will I Be Able To Find a Double VPN feature?

Yes, they just rolled out this feature. If I wanted to completely cover my tracks, the new app funneled my encrypted data to one secure server (protection enough for most folks) and then shuttled it from there to a second server. While we cybersecurity experts never like to tout the words “complete anonymity,” this is pretty close to it.

Can I Save My Favorite Servers?

Yes. If you’re like me, when you find a server you like, you don’t want to have to look for it every time you connect, especially if the VPN you’re using has thousands of the servers, as is the case with many of the top VPNs. So I was happy to see that FastestVPn has added this feature to the updated app. All I had to do was tap on the server I wanted to use again and it automatically went into my favorites list.

FastestVPN Encryption

FastestVPN encrypts your data in the Advanced Encryption Standard of 256-bits, the industry standard. Let’s see how FastestVPN’s encryption actually works.

IP Security works in one of two ways. During transport mode, it encrypts only the data packet’s message itself, while during tunneling mode, it encrypts the entire data packet.

FastestVPN Protocols

Internet protocols determine how data is transmitted through a network. Think of it like a postal service transporting mail. The data is the mail and the protocols are routes that the mailmen can take. Some are more secure, some are faster, but ultimately, it’s a combo of different protocols that make FastestVPN both secure and fast.

Choosing the best combination can be a bit of a headache, especially if you don’t do much monkeying around under the hood of your VPN. One feature of the updated FastestVPN app I really liked was a brand new Auto Protocol button, which just chooses the fastest protocol for you.

If you want to be in the driver’s seat, however, here are your options.

OpenVPN

OpenVPN is the most widely-used VPN protocol, and for good reasons. It’s both fast and secure. OpenVPN is configured to work well with 256-bit AES, so in terms of security and privacy, it’s one of the top options.

OpenVPN comes in two flavors, so to speak: UDP (Used Datagram Protocol) and TCP (Transmission Control Protocol). Both are fast, but in terms of speed, UDP is the preferred option. Besides that, it uses less overhead data, so if you’re on a cellular network, we recommend using UDP. On the other hand, TCP is more reliable. If you’re downloading large files, for example, you may want to use OpenVPN TCP so it doesn’t get disrupted midway through.

IKEv2/IPSec

IKEv2 is less secure than OpenVPN because many believe that the NSA, which helped develop IPSec, added a backdoor to the protocol. There’s no concrete proof, but that has been the general consensus since the Snowden leaks in 2013.

Still, IKEv2/IPSec can efficiently protect you from other entities who might be spying on you, like the websites and services you use, your internet provider, or maybe even a hacker.

IKEv2/IPSec also stands out when it comes to establishing connections. For instance, if you’re connected to a VPN server and decide to switch from Wi-Fi to cellular data, IKEv2/IPSec is one of the few protocols that can adapt to the change without disconnecting you from the VPN server.

WireGuard

The latest addition to FastestVPN’s protocols is WireGuard. WireGuard is kind of like OpenVPN. It’s secure, it’s fast, and it’s reliable. Its biggest advantage, however, is that it’s lightweight. It runs on just a few lines of code – perfect if you’re using a PC that has seen better days or a laptop or mobile device that runs on batteries. WireGuard’s simpler coding also leaves less room for leaks and data compromisation.

WireGuard is one of the most efficient VPN protocols right now, and I recommend using it if you want a balanced delivery of speed and security.

Testing FastestVPN

Before I decide whether a VPN is worthwhile, I put them through three tests- speed tests, DNS leak tests, and WebRTC leak tests. Let’s see if FastestVPN makes the grade.

Speed Test

I test all of my VPNs on two computers, a Macbook Air and a Windows Vivobook, from my apartment in Brooklyn. To make this test as objective as possible, I make sure I’m the only one in the apartment so that no one can affect my connection with Optimum, my Internet service provider.

Upload Speed Tests

First I test the difference in upload speed with and without the VPN on both computers. As you can see, there was hardly any difference in upload speed on the Mac computer, while the Windows computer was slowed down by about 22%— not bad.

Download Speed Tests

As far as download speed goes, both the Windows and the Mac computers were slowed by about 45%. This is pretty average, but not as impressive as the upload speeds.

Ping Speed Tests

Finally, I tested the ping, or latency. There was literally no difference in latency on the Mac, while the Windows only had a difference of about 33%. All in all, FastestVPN definitely lives up to its name, especially on the Mac.

DNS Leak Test

To ensure that no traffic is sent outside of the VPN tunnel, I performed a DNS, or domain name server leak test on FastestVPN. Fortunately, there were no DNS leaks detected, making my tunnel secure.

WebRTC Leak Test

Remember when I talked about IP addresses? Of course, FastestVPN will provide you with an anonymous IP address, but I wanted to make sure this is true. WebRTC, which stands for Real-Time Communication, allows web browsers to communicate directly with each other rather than going through a server. Its benefits? Faster speed and less lag, especially for video chat, livestreaming, and file transfers. That’s why browsers like Firefox, Opera, Chrome, and Microsoft Edge default to WebRTC.

The main negative to using WebRTC is that it requires the users to know each other’s private IP addresses. Therefore, if you’re looking for security, however, you’ll want to make sure there are no WebRTC leaks.

Users will be happy to know that FastestVPN did not have any WebRTC leaks, so my anonymous IP address will remain anonymous— definitely a necessity when it comes to VPNs.

Video Review

FastestVPN Subscriptions

Now that you know most things about FastestVPN, let’s talk about what you’ve probably been wondering the whole time: pricing. Normally, sifting through VPN plans and tiers can be a hassle. FatestVPN has made it really easy, and I’ve got to say, really tempting. That’s because there’s an option to pay for a lifetime subscription – yes, lifetime!

Options

FastestVPN is one of the most affordable VPNs I’ve seen. If you’re shooting to pay per month, $5 is cheap for a VPN. Most charge upwards of $12 if you pay per month. That one year plan, I’d say, is average. It’s normal for VPNs to lower the price if you sign up for a longer subscription. And that Lifetime Plan isn’t a deal you see everyday. You pay $40 once, and that’s it. Enjoy your VPN for life.

Manual Configurations

FastestVPN is compatible with over 20 devices from brands like Windows, Android, iOS, MAC, Firestick, Xbox, Roku, PS4, Kodi, and Linux.

Browser Extensions

While FastestVPN does not have any browser extensions, the app should work on all browsers, from Chrome to Firefox and everything in between.

Dedicated IP Address

Using a VPN usually means sharing the same VPN IP address with hundreds or thousands of other users. Multiple users connecting from the same IP address is not normal behavior, and that’s why some websites including Google tend to flag down connection requests from VPN-connected devices. If you’re tired of solving CAPTCHAs, you might want to consider getting a dedicated IP address. You’d still be connected to the VPN, but instead of sharing IP addresses with other users, you’ll get a unique one just for you.

FastestVPN offers dedicated IPs as optional add-ons for $1.49 per month (on top of the VPN subscription).

Customer Support with FastestVPN

I’ll admit it: I don’t like talking to robots. Me? I’m old-fashioned. I prefer to get my customer support from a real, breathing human. Luckily, FastestVPN is with me on that one.

Features

FastestVPN offers live-chat 24/7 from real people, not robots. This may not sound like a big deal, but most VPN companies seriously skimp out with just an online support center to help customers. I love that FastestVPN has live chat in addition to pretty robust online documentation, and an email address. Granted, my personal support experience wasn’t stellar, but we all have good days and bad days.

Customer Support Ratings

FastestVPN has a perfect five-star rating on Trust Pilot, which is fantastic. When I looked at the reviews mentioning customer support specifically, they were all positive! That’s pretty much unheard of from any company, so FastestVPN seems to really live up to its promises of providing real, responsive, and informed humans to help customers.

“Gave FastestVPN a try after I saw it going for dirt cheap during a sale. Best bang for the buck! I initially had problem connecting to servers. Contacted their customer service and the guy was quick to point out the problem for me. Pretty quick response, totally satisfied now,”

The FastestVPN App

You can use the FastestVPN app on many devices: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Router, Kodi, Fire TV Stick, Smart TV, and Android TV boxes. When I first reviewed Fastest VPN, their app had received a 4.2 on the Apple store and a 3.2 on the Google Play store. This is a pretty significant difference in ratings, so I decided to take a closer look at what those Android users had to say.

It seems like the app worked for about half of the Android users who left reviews. The other half had to keep reinstalling the app and many even had to use other VPN apps to run FastestVPN. Personally, that would drive me crazy. In my experience, the overhauled app, which now comes with live chat support, didn’t have those issues. (I also know for a fact that serial Windows crashes and antivirus software marking FastestVPN as unsafe are no longer a problem.) Either way, if you’re on an iPhone, you may want to consider a VPN with better iPhone compatibility.