FastestVPN
While the VPN service appears to be more secure than not using a VPN, the lack of detail to quality control for information provided on their website and out-of-date Apple device apps is concerning. Would prefer to see app development upgraded and correct details about the service provided. Price seems fair based on other VPN pricing.
- DESIGN
- EASE OF USE
- PRICE
- APP SUPPORT
FastestVPN leaves users frustrated and confused.
Editors Note: We don’t insert VPN affiliate links into our reviews and we are not paid to complete reviews on any VPN services. All VPN reviews are based on our own testing and experiences. Always do your own testing before deciding on a VPN service.
Access to a reliable VPN service is essential to any internet user who travels. Virtual Private Networks – or VPNs – provide users with a protected tunnel to use when they are on public networks so that others can’t peer into your system. This review will focus on FastestVPN.
Who is FastestVPN?
According to their website, FastestVPN is a Cayman Island-based company. It looks as though the VPN is owned by the parent company Fastest Technology Limited.
The company was founded in 2017 with the promise to provide a secure internet experience without leaking your data to third parties. FastestVPN uses 256-Bit AES encryption to secure users when they are on public WiFi networks. The goal is to protect the user’s identity and provide anonymity. Servers are available in 40+ countries and more than 52 locations.
Features
- Online Privacy & Security – 256-Bit encryption, best protocols, and anti-malware are incorporated in FastestVPN connection
- Open & Free Internet
- Fastest Blazing Speed – FastestVPN is optimized for P2P file-sharing; choose a server location and get the highest speeds. With 99.99% uptime, enjoy the fastest VPN connectivity round the clock
- No Log Policy – FastestVPN has a strict no-log policy and does not keep any data that could be used to identify its users
- Compatibility with 20+ devices
- Connect up to 10 devices and use them simultaneous with a single FastestVPN subscription
- FastestVPN ensures high security with its built-in DNS leak protection
- Smart Tunneling routes select traffic with VPN automatically even when the app is not open
- Internet Kill Switch – terminates internet connection in the event connection to VPN server is lost
- Multiple protocols available such as OpenVPN, IKEv2, IPSec, OpenConnect, L2TP
- FastestVPN protects your data with military-grade 256-Bit AES encryption
- NAT Firewall provides an extra added layer of security
- Unix-based P2P Optimized Servers
- Unlimited Bandwidth
- 99.99% Uptime
- Unlimited Server Switching
- Anonymous torrenting
- Fast buffering and downloading
- Prevent ISP Throttling
- Access geo-restricted content
Pricing & Availability
FastestVPN provides flexible payment plan options including monthly, yearly, or every 3 years. All plans come with free 2TB of cloud storage and a password manager. Plus, a 15-day money-back guarantee is available to anyone who is unsatisfied with the service.
VPN Plans
- 1 Month Plan = $10 per month
- 1 Year Plan = $2.49 per month (billed $29.95 annually)
- 3 Year Plan = $1.11 per month (billed $39.95 triennially)
All plans include –
- Internet Kill Switch
- P2P Optimized Servers
- Free Malware Protection
- Free NAT Firewall
- Free Adblocker
- 256-bit AES Encryption
- 10 Multi Logins
- Unlimited Server Switching
- 24/7 support via Live Chat
Platforms & Devices (as listed on FastestVPN’s website)
While these are all the platforms that FastestVPN lists as compatible on their website, this review is focused on the Mac and iOS versions.
- Windows
- Mac
- iOS
- Android
- Amazon Firestick
- Android Box
- Kodi
- Roku
- PS4
- Linux
- Apple TV
- Xbox
- Chrome Extension
- Firefox Extension
- Smart TV
- Android APK
- Router
- Apple Chromecast
Privacy Policy
According to the App Store, the FastestVPN app does not collect any data from its users. The full privacy policy can be found here. Because the VPN is located in the Cayman Islands, it is not subject to any of the known intelligence alliances currently available.
User Experience
One of the first things I noticed about using FastestVPN was the inconsistency there seems to be with the service’s app support. The website lists support for Mac and iOS. When I clicked on the link for the Mac app, I was taken to the Mac App Store. The app that was shown was listed as “Fastest VPN” and the seller is listed as “360 Digital Marketing LLC.” This app is listed with version 1.4.3 as the most up-to-date option. It was last updated 2 years ago.
When I manually searched for FastestVPN in the Mac App Store, the app “FastestVPN – Security for WiFi” was available. This app has the seller listed as “FASTEST TECHNOLOGY PTY LTD” and is currently on version 2.4.1. It was last updated 1 year ago. Both versions of the app have copyright listed with Fast Technology Limited.
Aside from their being two totally separate versions of an app for this service, the iOS version of the app lists compatibility with iPad, iPhone, and Mac. The Mac compatibility states “requires macOS 11.0 or later and a Mac with Apple M1 chip” but the 360 Digital Marketing version of the app is only compatible with macOS 11.0 or later and does not list any M1 support.
I have seen this happen with other VPNs, but it doesn’t change the fact that it is extremely confusing for the user. On top of that, the iOS version that should work with M1 Mac devices was completely non-functional for me. My 2020 M1 MacBook Air would get caught in a möbius loop trying to connect to the VPN. The VPN status on my system would fluctuate and would continuously connect and disconnect. It didn’t even pause operation long enough for me to remove the VPN option from my Network settings until I uninstalled the app.
When I installed the real Mac app, it worked fine. My larger concern is that neither of the apps has seen an update in a very long time. With some apps, this isn’t an issue, but since these are VPNs, I prefer to see more updates to coincide with security updates. Plus, since the native Mac app hasn’t been updated in 2 years, it is not compatible with M1 Macs.
Despite the app support being outdated, they seemed to provide a secure connection to FastestVPN servers. To get started, you have to sign up for an account with an email address and password. You also have to select the billing plan you want to use. There doesn’t seem to be a free option for the service like some VPN providers offer.
Once you get logged in, using the app is self-explanatory. You select a server manually and click the lightning bolt to connect or you can select Smart Connect to have the VPN connection to the best connection option for your location.
You have the option of selecting the VPN protocol you want to use when your system connects to your provider’s servers. A protocol defines how your system talks to that server and can affect your connection speed and security as well. FastestVPN lists OpenVPN, IKEv2, IPSec, OpenConnect, and L2TP as the protocols that are available to use with their service, but when I opened the protocol settings options the only ones listed are IKEv2, IPSec, TCP, and UDP. When you select the protocol in the preferences of the app, it only shows the servers that use that protocol.
Once I’m connected to a VPN I run it through speed and security testing. The speed test is simply testing the network connection speed when I’m not connected to the VPN and when I am connected to the VPN. I typically connect to more than one server location.
- Without VPN Connected: 651.99 Mbps Download
- With VPN Connected (Charlotte NC): 330.65 Mbps Download
- With VPN Connected (India): 1.17 Mbps Download
- With VPN Connected (Bulgaria): 358 Mbps Download
- With VPN Connected (Australia): 101 Mbps Download
The security testing I ran was using bash.ws. Without the VPN connected, my network only scored a 41%. With the VPN engaged, our network scored a 50%. The results are highlighted below. The best score I’ve gotten with a VPN so far is 66%.
Without VPN Connection | With FastestVPN Enabled | |
---|---|---|
IPv4 | -1 | +1 |
IPv6 | N/A | N/A |
Connection | IPv4 +1 | IPv4 +1 |
Location | United States of America -1 | United States of America -1 |
WebRTC | IP is not leaking +1 | IP is not leaking +1 |
DNS | IP is leaking -1 | IP is not leaking +1 |
System | iOS -1 | iOS -1 |
Browser | Safari -1 | Safari -1 |
DNT | Inactive -1 | Inactive -1 |
Proxy | N/A +1 | N/A +1 |
Ports | N/A +1 | 2 ports opened -1 |
Tor | N/A +1 | N/A +1 |
ASN | AS3456 Charter… | AS397423 Tier.N… |
Anonymity Rating | 5 out of 12 points 41% | 6 out of 12 points 41% |
Conclusion
While FastestVPN appears to provide a secure server connection to the internet, there are certain parts of the service that are unappealing to me. I feel that the apps should be brought up to date with current operating system standards as well as security protocols. There seems to be some misinformation provided on the service’s website that is inconsistent with what you actually get with the product.
I also noticed that there were some misspelled words and the Chromecast is referred to as the “Apple Chromecast” which is inaccurate. If FastestVPN can invest some time into quality control for the website information and development of the app support, then this could be a really good option as a VPN.
For more information, visit fastestvpn.com, Facebook, and Twitter.
1 Comment
Fastestvpn is very good in China, it is very stable using its cisco anyconnect severs.