CactusVPN

CactusVPN Review: A Thorough Analysis from a VPN Expert Overall Score: 49.25/93.5 (D Tier) After extensive testing and analysis, CactusVPN lands in the D tier of VPN providers, scoring just under 53% in our comprehensive evaluation framework. While it offers some solid basic features, significant performance issues and missing functionality hold it back from competing with industry leaders. Overview CactusVPN is a Moldova-based VPN service that's been operating since 2011. The provider maintains a modest network of 35+ servers across 22 countries - notably smaller than major competitors like ExpressVPN (3,000+ servers) or NordVPN (5,400+ servers). While it offers core VPN functionality and some streaming capabilities, my testing revealed concerning speed issues and feature gaps that impact its overall value proposition. Detailed Category Analysis Pricing & Value (6.5/10) CactusVPN offers relatively competitive pricing: - Monthly: $9.99 - Quarterly: $20.97 ($6.99/month) - Annual: $54.99 ($4.58/month) - 2-Year: $88.99 ($3.70/month) The 30-day money-back guarantee is a positive, but the value proposition is diminished by limited features and poor performance compared to similarly priced competitors. For example, Surfshark offers significantly more features at a similar price point. Features (6.75/15) Core Features: + WireGuard protocol support + Kill switch functionality + DNS leak protection + Smart DNS for streaming Missing Features: - No split tunneling - No port forwarding - No dedicated IP options - No multi-hop connections - No 2FA login security - No ad/malware blocking The feature set covers basics but lacks advanced functionality found in top-tier providers. The absence of split tunneling is particularly disappointing for a modern VPN. Speed & Performance (2.5/10) My speed testing revealed significant performance issues: - Base connection (500Mbps fiber): - Local server (US): 65-85 Mbps average - International (UK): 25-45 Mbps average - Asia servers: 15-30 Mbps average These speeds are well below industry standards. For comparison, NordVPN maintains 65-80% of base speeds on most connections. CactusVPN's performance would struggle with 4K streaming or large file transfers. Privacy & Trust (11/16) Privacy Policy Highlights: + No-logs policy + No collection of connection logs + Based in Moldova (privacy-friendly jurisdiction) + Accepts cryptocurrency Concerns: - No independent security audits - Apps not open source - Limited transparency reports While the privacy policy is solid on paper, the lack of third-party verification and transparency creates trust issues compared to audited providers like OVPN or Mullvad. Customer Support (2.5/5) Support options: - Email ticket system - Basic knowledge base - Limited live chat hours Response times averaged 4-6 hours for email support during my testing. The knowledge base lacks depth, and the absence of 24/7 live chat is notable when most competitors offer this standard feature. Streaming Capabilities (7.5/15) Successfully accessed: - Netflix US (inconsistent) - BBC iPlayer - Hulu - Amazon Prime Video Failed to access: - Netflix in several regions - Disney+ - HBO Max Smart DNS feature helps with streaming but reliability issues and limited speeds impact viewing quality. Dedicated streaming servers would improve performance. Technical Implementation (0/2.75) Notable absences: - No IPv6 support - No custom DNS options - No Shadowsocks/obfuscation - Limited protocol options The technical foundation is basic compared to advanced providers like ProtonVPN or IVPN. GUI & User Experience (5/10) The desktop and mobile apps are functional but dated: + Simple interface + Easy server selection - Limited customization - Basic settings - No advanced features - Occasional stability issues Real-World Testing Results During my two-week testing period: - Connection drops: 5 instances - DNS leaks detected: None - WebRTC leaks: None - Average connection time: 8-12 seconds - Server switching time: 6-8 seconds Torrenting & P2P P2P is allowed on US servers with decent performance for smaller files. However, limited speeds and the absence of port forwarding impact torrent functionality. Dedicated P2P servers would improve the experience. Security Analysis Security features are basic but solid: + AES-256 encryption + WireGuard support + OpenVPN option + Kill switch functionality - No perfect forward secrecy - Limited protocol options - No multi-hop or advanced features Who Should Use CactusVPN? CactusVPN is best suited for: - Basic users seeking privacy protection - Light streaming users - Those prioritizing cost over performance - Users in supported server regions Who Should Look Elsewhere: - Power users needing advanced features - Heavy streamers or gamers - Users requiring maximum speeds - Those needing specialized features like split tunneling Conclusion CactusVPN is a budget-friendly option that covers basic VPN needs but falls short in several key areas. The combination of limited speeds, missing features, and dated applications makes it difficult to recommend over comparably priced competitors like Surfshark or Private Internet Access. While it may serve basic users adequately, those needing performance or advanced functionality should look elsewhere. The service needs significant improvements in speed, feature set, and technical capabilities to compete in today's VPN market. At current pricing, better alternatives exist unless you have specific needs aligned with CactusVPN's strengths.