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VyprVPN review
Golden Frog GmBH is based in Switzerland. Allegedly all of their customer data is stored near the Alps and hosted on their own. Is it true? Read VyprVPN review.
Price: 2.5
Price Currency: $
Operating System: Windows
Application Category: Utility
5.4
Does VyprVPN Pack A Deadly Bite?
Let’s be honest, safeguarding your privacy and security is more crucial than ever. VPNs are now deemed essential tools for anyone looking to protect themselves online. In our in-depth review, we will thoroughly examine the features, performance, and overall effectiveness of VyprVPN to determine if it’s the right choice for you.
Let’s dive in and explore what this VPN has to offer.
VyprVPN Overview
| Parent company: | Golden Frog |
| Jurisdiction: | Swiss |
| Server Network (Server locations / Countries): | 70+ countries / 700+ servers |
| Torrenting: | Yes |
| Netflix: | Yes |
| Encryption/protocols: | WireGuard protocol, OpenVPN, IPsec/IKEv2, Chameleon |
| Support: | Email Support, FAQ |
| Cost: | $3.75 to $12.95 per month (depending on the plan) |
| Official site: | www.vyprvpn.com |
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
 High-speed servers in 70+ countries |
 No adblocking capabilities |
| Uses a variety of encryption protocols |
Doesn’t accept cryptocurrency payments |
| No-logs policy |
|
| Works with iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, browser extensions, and more |
|
| Supports split tunneling / kill switch |
Vypr VPN’s Company History
VyprVPN is a VPN service founded in 2009. Its legal entity Golden Frog, Inc. is a cybersecurity group in Texas and Switzerland.
The first question that pops into my mind: In which jurisdiction is it? – Switzerland or the U.S? Because one is part of 5 eyes alliance and the other one is not.
…Sort of.
Golden Frog GmBH is incorporated in Switzerland and therefore has favorable privacy laws. All of their customer data is stored near the Alps and hosted on their own.
But, what did I mean by Switzerland being sort of part of 5 eyes?
Switzerland is a 5 eyes partner and therefore in some cases willing to co-operate with foreign authorities.
And why does Golden Frog have a presence in Texas?
According to their founders Ronald and Carolyn Yokubaiti, it’s because Texas is where they got started.
VyprVPN is only one of their brainchildren. The couple in their 70s are Internet veterans who have been in business since 1994. Their ventures include Texas.net (ISP), Giganews (Usenet provider), and Data Foundry (data center and colocation/managed services).
Streaming Movies and TV Shows With Vypr VPN
We tested how Vypr VPN deals with some of the most popular streaming services. Now we all know that streaming giant Netflix is well-known for geo-restricting some of its content, but using Vypr VPN we were able to unblock it and check out the US content from further afield. Besides Netflix, Vypr VPN works with many other streaming services, like:
- Disney+
- Amazon Prime Video
- HBO Max
- Paramount+
- BBC iPlayer
- YouTube
- Hulu
Meanwhile, you can also use Vypr VPN on your Wi-Fi router to get the full benefits of a VPN on all your devices. Whichever method you choose, Vypr VPN works with:
We did not experience any issues with buffering during streaming. Of course, these issues also depend on the speed of your internet connection and ISP.
Vypr VPN Features
Logging Policy
Last year when we performed the first tests, VyprVPN was still one of the data logging VPNs.
According to an independent audit by Leviathan Security Group, Inc. Golden Frog has fixed all high and medium severities discovered. As a result, the user can now be sure that VyprVPN does NOT log your data.
We’re glad to hear that. Great job!
And if you are interested in Golden Frogs internal spirit, here’s an explainer on the architecture and previous risk diagram:
Red indicates a major threat in that the component has full data on the users’ activity and can log it. Orange indicates a minor threat in that the component has some user data that could be logged.
Just to be sure the audit is the real deal we did a quick background check on the security firm. This is what we found:
Leviathan Security Group, Inc. is an IT company in Seattle. They have ~28 employees and have been awarded by the US Defence department programs twice:
- Creators of an image exploitation detecting system for DARPA (The Defence Advanced Research Project Agency)
- Received $143,300.00 for malicious behavior detection tool for high-risk data types (DetChambr)
Looks legit to me. Let’s move on.
Operating Systems
One factor that you should definitely keep in mind is whether the VPN you choose actually supports your operating system. Thankfully Vypr VPN doesn’t disappoint in this regard. Whether you use Windows, MacOS, ChromeOS, QNAP, Kodi, or Linux – Vypr VPN has got you covered. Meanwhile, they also provide mobile apps for Android and iOS. Android TV users even get a look in with this provider. In most cases accessing the app couldn’t be easier as you simply download the VyprVPN app quickly from the VyprVPN website and start using the service on your device.
Ease of Use
VyprVPN has got it right in terms of user interface. Large connection button, simple navigation, and logical structure. Servers are categorized and easy to find. While using it for 5 days, I didn’t reckon any connection or software bugs whatsoever. The only complaint would be the tiny settings button under exit. A bit difficult to hit this one on a small screen.
And speaking of servers.
VyprVPN manages 700+ independent servers in 70+ countries. According to their website, users have total access to 200 000 IP addresses. It’s not bad considering the market average, which is around ~40 countries.
Privacy and Security
Let’s be honest, if privacy and security weren’t super important to you then you probably wouldn’t be reading this review in the first place. In this section we will take a look at whether your privacy and security is protected by Vypr VPN while doing the activities you enjoy most online.
A VPN For China?
If you are a frequent traveler like me, you want to make sure VPN has your back everywhere you go.
China has blocked a large number of websites (and internet traffic generally) like Google, Youtube, Wikipedia, and not only. Even most of the VPNs blocked. Thankfully some VPNs still work and we were eager to find out if Vypr is one of them.
Let’s imagine you are already walking on a Great Chinese Wall and discover you have some business to do. You usually use Gmail and only know the client’s e-mail address. Would you be able to access VyprVPN site, download the app, and access Gmail?
Nope, it’s blocked. But if you have the account ready and software in your device before arriving in the country, then I have good news for you… VyprVPN software works in China while using China Unicom ISP.
Streaming Netflix and Torrenting
Streaming can be limited by the host. For example, Netflix blocks certain IP addresses and doesn’t allow users to watch movies out of their geographical region. Here, VyprVPN comes in handy, because 2 out of 3 randomly tested servers worked fine:
Another great thing about VyprVPN is that according to the provider: torrenting is available. Let’s try to download copyright-free Jon Waynes “The Lucky Texan”:
Not the greatest speed yet works like promised.
Technical Details
Here we delve into some of the more technical aspects of this popular VPN service.
Vypr VPN encryption and protocols
Finally, arriving back to the most important part – security. VyprVPN is equipped with military-grade AES 256-bit encryption. AES-256 stands for Advanced Encryption Standard and is used by Defence Agencies for highly sensitive data around the world. Encryption comes with different protocols and varies by speed, safety, and overall performance. Let me illustrate:
Encryption is like a door and a VPN protocol is like the pin inside the lock. You have to choose between different materials: sliding plank for old barn door (robust yet vulnerable as everybody knows how it works), a metal lock with pins (much more modern yet a locksmith can easily enter) and smart locks (complex, requires high knowledge and skills).
VyprVPN protocols:
- PPTP – The only advantage is speed. Not good for safety can be easily blocked.
- L2TP/IPsec – Suffers from limited ports. Hackable, but can be ok for casual use.
- IKEv2 (Manual setup and iOS only) – Useful if you’re constantly switching connections. Stable. Good choice for travelers.
- OpenVPN – an Industry standard. Highly recommended due to great speeds and security
- Chameleon™ – VyprVPN’s own protocol, that uses unmodified OpenVPN 256-bit protocol and scrambles the metadata to prevent DPI, VPN blocking and throttling.
Vypr VPN DNS Leaks
During our study in 2018, 22 VPNs out of 51 leaked your DNS. DNS – Domain Name Service is what converts hard-to-remember IP address numbers into a hostname. DNS server leak is what happens if the VPN tunnel fails to prevent DNS information from going out of the tunnel. There is one simple method to test it, we are going to use 5 web tools while connected to the service servers. Here’s the result:
All other engines showed the same results. We can safely say that during our tests, VyprVPN didn’t leak any DNS data.
NAT Firewall
Vypr VPN also offers NAT firewall functionality. This offers an additional layer of security for your browsing experience. Basically it blocks any unrequested inbound traffic once you’re connected to Vypr VPN.
Vypr VPN Speedtest
Each service we review gets tested with 3 servers around the globe – The United States, The United Kingdom, and Asia (Tokyo or Hong Kong). Keep in mind that the server speeds vary due to your geographical location and usable server. We tested the download, and upload speeds of VyprVPN servers in various locations in a bid to find the fastest server with low latency. The results are shown in Mbps, indicating the speed of the connection.
Here are the results of VyprVPN:
| Country | Ping | Download | Upload |
| U.S | 1161.11% | -85.16% | -60.58% |
| U.K | 461.11% | -83.48% | -29.82% |
| Asia | 1461.11% | -87.78% | -10.53% |
Download speeds are probably the most important for you to consider, as it influences the user experience while streaming videos and loading websites. The results were not good at all. As a comparison, ExpressVPN, one of the key players on the market decreases your download speeds only by -5% to 25%.
VyprVPN Pricing
You have 2 options – Monthly or yearly billing.
For personal use, the pricing of packages is very clear. VyprVPN offers both year plan and month plan options to cater to different user requirements.
The plan includes up to 10 simultaneous connections and costs $5 per month if you pay for a year upfront. Meanwhile, monthly plan users will have to shell out $10 per month for the same service.
Payment Methods
There are 3 ways to pay for your VyprVPN subscription, and it doesn’t include cryptos. Bummer! Either use a credit card, PayPal, or AliPay. Suit yourself.
Downloading took only a few seconds thanks to the super small file size: only 5.25 MB!
Customer Support
One of the factors that you should always keep an eye out for when choosing a VPN is the availability of customer support and the methods that you can use to contact them. With Vypr VPN you can simply submit a ticket via email in order to have your query solved or alternatively you can check out the helpful FAQ section of the company’s website.
Wrapping Up
Do we recommend VyprVPN?
Unfortunately, the reality is not black and white as an old movie. If you handle highly sensitive data in the banking industry, run a competitive company or just have blessed with a high level of paranoia, it wouldn’t be your best option. This is because Switzerland is not a privacy haven, your payment data is not anonymous. In addition, the server speeds will likely disappoint you.
However, if you are looking for a VPN for regular use like unblocking content, streaming movies, and changing your virtual location to anonymously review your boss, good old Texan has your back.
FAQs
How does VyprVPN stack up against NordVPN or Surfshark?
There is a lot of talk about trying to find the best vpn but ultimately Vypr VPN, Surfshark, and NordVPN provide reliable services. They offer a lot of similar features including in-house encryption protocols, a wide range of servers, and easy-to-use mobile apps. Ultimately, which VPN connection you use will come down to your personal choice and requirements as both are decent vpn providers with decent functionality.
