VPNSecure Review for macOS and iOS – Mac, iPhone, and iPad

You’re connected to the internet right now. And if you’re connected to the internet, someone is trying to monitor your online activities. It could be your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or it could be the hacker one table over at Starbucks, but someone is watching you. That’s why a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a must have.

A VPN is the Swiss Army Knife of online tools. A VPN encrypts your internet connection, preventing outsiders from monitoring your online travels. In addition, it’s a great way to open access to content from other parts of the world, such as websites and services that might normally be blocked in your region. It also prevents your ISP from throttling or blocking your connection simply because you share files.

The top 5 reasons to use a VPN are:

1. To protect your personal and business information while using a public Wi-Fi.
2. To protect your online anonymity.
3. To access your favorite U.S.-based content while traveling abroad.
4. To access content in other regions of the world may normally be blocked.
5. To access content blocked by your school, employer, ISP, or government.

VPNSecure

As the latest installment of MacTrast’s ongoing VPN review series, I’ll be reviewing VPN provider VPNSecure. The provider offers above-average protection for your online activities, opens access to blocked content like Netflix and other streaming services in other countries, and prevents your connection from being throttled.

This reasonably priced VPN supports P2P file sharing, delivers fast download speeds, and offers optimal security and privacy for your online activities.

Features

Apps

VPNSecure provides multi-platform app support, with native apps for the big five device platforms. Apps are available for the following platforms:

• macOS
• iOS
• iPadOS
• Windows
• Android
• Linux

The provider can also be used to protect and enhance your online experience with your Apple TV (and other streaming devices, such Roku), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, smart TVs, Internet of Things (IoT) devices like cams, and other connected devices by setting the service up on certain Asus, Netgear, and Linksys routers.

When testing VPNSecure, I used the provider’s iOS and macOS apps. Both apps are easy to install and use. (The iOS app is, of course, downloaded and installed form the App Store, and the macOS version is a download form the VPNSecure website.) Both apps provide encryption for your internet connection in a matter of seconds.

Selecting a provider is as easy as scrolling through the list of servers and clicking on the location you’d like to connect to.

During testing, neither app put a large drain on my system resources, and both offered reliable encrypted connections to the internet.

Depending on your subscription, VPNSecure’s simultaneous connection limits are 5, 10, or 25 devices on a single username. Heads of large families, owners of small businesses, or even coaches of basketball teams will appreciate the additional user options.

Connection Speeds

While I strongly recommend you never select a VPN provider based entirely on connection speeds, it’s still an important consideration. Fast download speeds will come in handy for any online activity, particularly for users that enjoy file sharing, gaming, and streaming video and music.

All speed tests were performed on my 2015 MacBook Pro and iPhone XS Max via 5 GHz Wi-Fi. My home office Wi-Fi is connected to a gigabit internet connection. When viewing these results, keep in mind that your mileage will vary, depending on your usual connection speeds, the VPN server you select, type of router, time of day, and your geographical location.

I use the Speedtest app. I first test my ISP-provided download speeds. I then run the VPN app, connect to the VPN server closest to me (that’s in the Southeastern U.S.), and I then again test my VPN-protected download speeds using the Speedtest app.

My iPhone connection speeds without the VPN were 255 Mbps down and 74.8 Mbps up, while my VPN-protected download speeds came in at 83.5 Mbps down and 29.4 Mbps up.

My MacBook Pro tests showed unprotected connection speeds measuring in at 203 Mbps down and 107 Mbps up, while my VPN connected speeds were 76 Mbps down and  63.1 Mbps up.

While the speeds with the VPN turned on dropped more than half form my unprotected speeds, they were more than up to any of my favorite online activities. (I play a lot of games, and I watch a lot of 4K video.)

Global Server Network

The size of a VPN provider’s global server network is directly proportional to the access you’ll have to content around the globe. A comprehensive global server network ensures optimal access to your favorite streaming services, websites, gaming servers, and other services on the web that might normally be unavailable to you.

Residents and visitors in countries that greatly restrict their users access to the outside world (like Iran, the UAE, and other regimes) will appreciate a VPN’s ability to tunnel under virtual walls to open access to the free online world.

The VPNSecure global server network includes servers in 48 countries around the world. (They don’t list a specific number of servers in each country.) While that global coverage is a bit below average, most users should find it sufficient for their needs.

Access to Netflix and Other Streaming Services

VPNSecure does not promote access to any popular streaming services. The support agent I spoke to said the company has “moved away from promoting streaming websites and focusing on the main aim that is Internet security.”

That said, I went ahead and tested multiple streaming services, and I was turned away at the Netflix gates, both in the U.S. and other countries. Hulu also refused to play a movie. However, Amazon Prime Video U.S. played fine. Meanwhile, BBC iPlayer in the U.K. also refused to play while connected to a U.K. VPN servers.

Torrenting (P2P File Sharing)

Torrenting (Peer-to-peer file sharing) is both one of the most popular and one of the most controversial activities online today. While the technology is legally used by individuals and companies to share files, it is also used to share copyrighted materials, such as movies, music, and apps.

The illegal file sharing has led content owners – like movie studios, record companies, and others – to put pressure on ISPs to throttle or block P2P activity on their networks. ALL P2P activity.

Luckily, a VPN encrypts your internet connection, preventing your ISP from monitoring your online activities. If they can’t tell what you’re doing, they won’t be prone to blocking your activities, even P2P.

VPNSecure allows P2P file sharing activity on 90% of their servers around the globe. The activity is blocked only on the provider’s UK1/UK2/US10 servers.

Encryption, Privacy & Other Protection

All VPNSecure connections are encrypted using banking-grade encryption to keep your online travels incognito. Kill switch protection, as well as DNS and IPv6 protection keep your connection from leaking important information. The provider’s “Stealth VPN” option helps make your VPN traffic look like normal browser activity.

No server logs containing information about your online travels are saved by the provider, ensuring records of your activities will never be available.

Support

VPNSecure customer support is right up there with the rest of the VPN industry. It includes around-the-clock live support chat, a searchable support database, and a contact form. My support questions were responded to in just a few moments, and the answers were knowledgeable and polite.

Pricing

The provider’s normal pricing is somewhere around average for the VPN industry. You’ll pay $9.95 per month for the month-to-month option, $8.32 per month for the 6-month plan, and $6.66 per month if you opt for the annual subscription. Normally, a lifetime subscription isn’t available. However, if you purchase a VPNSecure subscription through our online store, you can choose a Lifetime Subscription for just $39.99 for 5 simultaneous connections or devices.

• 1 Month Plan at $9.95/mo
• 6 Month Plan at $8.32/mo
• 1 Year Plan at $6.66/mo
• Lifetime Plan at $39.99/ever – 5 devices

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Reasonable pricing
• Fast, if not spectacular download speeds
• App support for all popular platforms
• Around-the-clock live support chat
• Excellent security protections
• No-logs privacy protection

Cons:

• Global server coverage is merely average
• Doesn’t unblock streaming services
• No “optimal” or “fastest” connection option

Verdict

VPNSecure is a no-frills VPN provider that should be an attractive option for users looking for reasonably priced, yet comprehensive VPN protection.

While the provider’s download and upload speeds are far from the best in the business, they should be more than adequate for the needs of all but the most demanding users.

Sadly – while the provider’s download speeds could easily handle HD and 4K video – you won’t be able to use the VPN to access streaming content from Netflix, Hulu, and other streaming services in other countries.

The provider’s multi-platform app support is merely average, but most users will be able to make due, as the big five (iOS, macOS, Android, Linux, and Windows) are all covered.

VPNSecure P2P file sharing support is excellent, and I can’t think of any reason why a BitTorrent user would be disappointed by the provider’s support.

Users looking for a streaming-capable VPN provider are advised to look at other more suitable products. Specifically, VPN Unlimited does a good job unblocking most streaming services (Netflix, HBO, Amazon, Hulu, ESPN+). However, users in the market for an easy to use, low-priced VPN provider should take a closer look at this provider.

Score: 7.8/10

Summary