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Features
Simultaneous connections
3
Server locations
26
VPN.ht offers a variety of useful features, such as:
- 128 servers in 24 countries
- Unlimited data & bandwidth
- 100% anonymous registration
- P2P support
- Up to 3 simultaneous connections
- Unlimited speeds
- Unlimited server switching
With the amount of servers offered by VPN.ht, you should have no difficulty accessing whatever country’s content you want to access. Furthermore, with unlimited server switching, you’re free to explore which servers work best for your needs.
As for protocols, VPN.ht offers standard protocols TCP and UDP via OpenVPN, as well as PPTP and L2TP.
Smart DNS
A Smart DNS is mostly used for unblocking geo-restricted content – think websites like Netflix and Hulu. While a Smart DNS doesn’t offer security or privacy features, it can be extremely useful when paired with a VPN.
As such, VPN.ht is one of the few VPN providers that includes a free Smart DNS with the purchase of one of their plans. This is extremely useful, as VPN.ht is already one of the more affordable VPNs. For more information on Smart DNS services, visit our website entirely dedicated to the topic by clicking here.
Speed and Performance
An important part of choosing the best VPN is testing its performance for things like speed and leaks. To see how VPN.ht scores on this part of the review, continue reading below!
Speed Testing
We use our rigorous testing methodology to measure the speeds of different VPNs in our reviews. VPN.ht scored an average download speed of 25.6 Mbps and a maximum download speed of 97.3 Mbps. More speed comparisons coming soon.
For more information on how these speed tests are done, visit here.
Leak tests
ProPrivacy.com SpeedTest (average)
N/A
Speed
N/A
Using the website ipleak.net, I tested VPN.ht for leaks – including IP, DNS and WebRTC leaks. Fortunately, VPN.ht came back negative for all leaks.For more information on IP leaks, see our Complete Guide to IP Leaks.
Price
VPN.ht is offered at such a low price that their lack of a free trial isn’t even worth arguing over. You can choose between two different payment options (monthly & annual). The options are:
- Monthly - $1.00 for the first month & then $4.99/month
- Annually - $39.99/annually
In addition to their low pricing, VPN.ht also offers a 100% money-back guarantee for the first 30 days of service. This is especially useful if you choose the annual option, as you can rest in ease if you end up not liking the service.
VPN.ht offers an assortment of different payment methods, including Bitcoin! You should be aware, however, that using Bitcoin isn't completely anonymous; the VPN provider will still have your IP address. The payment methods offered by VPN.ht include:
- Major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Amex, Discover)
- PayPal
- Cryptocurrencies
- PaymentWall
- iDEAL
- And more!
Ease of Use
The VPN.ht website is extremely user-friendly and easy to navigate, although its claim to be "completely anonymous" is false (no VPN is completely anonymous). All of the major links are offered at the top of every page, and the homepage offers relevant and useful information. In addition, you can access the provider’s Warrant Canary and Terms of Use at the bottom of every page – as well as useful tools and blog articles.
Another awesome feature of the VPN.ht website is the ability to change the website text language. You can choose between English, Dutch, French, and German.
VPN.ht Customer Support
Free trial
VPN.ht doesn’t offer live chat, but its ticket-based support system does offer fast response times with helpful solutions. In addition to this, VPN.ht also offers a large variety of different help articles and setup guides.
The Process
Not only is registration for VPN.ht extremely easy, but it only requires an email and password. In addition, VPN.ht doesn’t require a billing address and titles the invoice to “Anonymous Customer”. This is extremely ideal if you don’t want your VPN to have your full name.
Windows Client
Setup for VPN.ht is extremely easy, and using it is even easier. I will go into detail on how to use VPN.ht with Windows OS below.
- Download the appropriate file for your OS
- Follow the installation prompts
- The VPN.ht interface will pop up
- Under Login, sign into your account
- Select Connect to VPN to connect
- Under Servers, choose the server you want
- Select Preferences
- Under Encryption, select the drop-down menu
- Choose the encryption you want (256-bit AES recommended)
- Under General, you can check or un-check different settings
That’s it! You’re officially running VPN.ht.
Please note: VPN.ht desktop client is currently under the testing phase and could be unstable.
Other Platforms
VPN.ht is available for Windows, Mac OSX, Android and iOS.
Android & iOS
When attempting to download the VPN.ht app to my iOS device, I was left with an endless loading icon in the app store. I’m not sure if this is an issue on my device or a wider issue altogether. It is somewhat expected, however, as the apps are still in testing phases.
Privacy and Security
VPN.ht is based in Hong Kong, obviously meaning they are not subject to laws such as the US Patriot Act. Moreover, Hong Kong is also home to some of the best anti-censorship measures in the world. Not only does Hong Kong steer away from censorship, but they provide their citizens with a mostly open and free internet. Hong Kong authorities and government officials allow citizens their right to freedom of speech (and press). Furthermore, they also don't require Hong Kong-based VPNs to store logs.
And while Hong Kong does criminalize internet activities involving copyrighted materials or the distribution of obscene images, it's not unusual for a country to comply with criminalizing copyright violations, and the distribution of obscene images is heavily focused on child pornography. In conclusion, Hong Kong is still the ideal place for VPN.ht to be based, especially for users concerned with privacy.
Website Tracking
VPN.ht tracks you using a couple different Google services (like Double Click). If you want to avoid getting tracked by other websites, read about the Privacy Badger extension here.
For more information on how to stop websites from tracking you, click here.
Payment Processor
After several attempts at identifying the payment processor of VPN.ht, I've ceased my messages to support. For whatever reason, VPN.ht does not want to answer the question. If I receive any news regarding the payment processor for their service, I will update it here.
Encryption Protocols
VPN.ht offers 64 bit Blowfish encryption, 128 bit AES encryption, and 256 bit AES encryption for its control channel cipher. The best and most secure choice is 256-bit AES, as it offers military-grade encryption when paired with its 256-bit AES data channel cipher. It also provides RSA-2048 for keys and HMAC SHA1 (160-bit) for SHA hash authentication.
In addition to their strong security features, VPN.ht also offers DNS leak testing through their website, a free proxy, and a “What is my IP” feature also accessed through their website.
Final Thoughts
Graduating from an integrated Popcorn Time VPN to its own VPN service, VPN.ht is definitely making its way up there in terms of best VPN choices. Still, its apps are in testing phases which means the VPN service might not be as secure and private as you’re wishing it to be.
In conclusion, VPN.ht is definitely worth keeping an eye on as they refurbish and upgrade their VPN service and features. At the very least, their claims are true: you can access blocked content easily.
Try out the service for yourself by clicking the button below!