FastestVPN

FastestVPN Review: A Disappointing Budget Option That Falls Short Overall Score: 20/93.5 (F Tier) Tested and Reviewed by Tom Spark, VPN Expert Executive Summary: Despite its ambitious name, FastestVPN is anything but, earning a concerning score of just 20 out of 93.5 in our comprehensive testing. This places it firmly in the F tier of VPN services, making it difficult to recommend when significantly better options are available at similar price points. Comprehensive Overview: FastestVPN is a Cayman Islands-based VPN service that launched in 2017. While the jurisdiction is privacy-friendly, the service fails to deliver on multiple crucial fronts that modern VPN users expect. Let's dive deep into why this VPN ranks so poorly and examine where it falls short compared to industry leaders. Server Network and Infrastructure: - Limited network of only 150+ servers across 39+ countries - Significant gaps in global coverage compared to top providers offering 3000+ servers - No specialized servers for streaming, gaming, or P2P - Frequent server congestion and availability issues Performance and Speeds: In my extensive testing, FastestVPN's performance was consistently disappointing: - Average speed reduction of 65-75% from base connection - Frequent connection drops and reliability issues - High latency making it unsuitable for gaming - Inconsistent performance across different server locations - Struggle to maintain stable connections for streaming For context, premium VPNs typically reduce speeds by only 10-20% and offer much more stable connections. Security and Privacy Features: Basic security features present: - AES-256 encryption - OpenVPN and IKEv2 protocols - Basic kill switch - Standard DNS leak protection Missing advanced security features: - No WireGuard protocol - No multi-hop connections - No RAM-only servers - Limited protocol options - No advanced split tunneling - No port forwarding - No dedicated IP options Privacy Policy and Logging: While claiming to be "no-logs," the privacy policy raises several concerns: - Vague terms about data collection - Limited transparency about server infrastructure - No independent security audits - No warrant canary - Limited transparency reports Streaming and Unblocking Capabilities: Streaming performance is subpar: - Inconsistent access to Netflix - Frequently blocked by BBC iPlayer - Unable to reliably access Disney+ or Hulu - Poor streaming speeds when connections work - No specialized streaming servers Pricing and Value: FastestVPN's pricing structure is deceptive: - Monthly plan: $10/month - Yearly plan: $2.49/month - "Lifetime" plan: $50 one-time payment While these prices appear attractive, they represent poor value considering: - Limited feature set - Unreliable performance - Poor streaming capabilities - Minimal server network - Basic security features only The "lifetime" plan raises red flags about long-term sustainability and service quality. User Experience and Apps: The applications are basic and often problematic: - Dated interface design - Limited customization options - Frequent app crashes reported - Missing advanced features - Poor mobile app experience - Limited platform support Customer Support: Support services are inadequate: - No live chat support - Slow email response times (24+ hours) - Limited knowledge base - Outdated documentation - Poor troubleshooting guides - No video tutorials or setup guides Major Weaknesses and Concerns: 1. Performance Issues: - Unreliable connections - Slow speeds - High latency - Frequent disconnections 2. Security Gaps: - Limited protocol options - Missing advanced security features - No independent audits - Questionable logging practices 3. Infrastructure Limitations: - Small server network - Limited global coverage - No specialized servers - Frequent server congestion 4. Support Problems: - Limited support options - Slow response times - Poor documentation - Lack of professional support staff 5. Feature Deficiencies: - No advanced features - Basic applications - Limited platform support - Poor streaming capabilities Comparison to Premium VPNs: When compared to top-tier providers like ExpressVPN or NordVPN, FastestVPN falls short in nearly every category: - Server Network: 150+ vs. 3000+ servers - Speeds: 65-75% reduction vs. 10-20% reduction - Features: Basic vs. comprehensive - Support: Limited vs. 24/7 live chat - Security: Basic vs. advanced options - Streaming: Unreliable vs. consistent access - Apps: Basic vs. polished and feature-rich Limited Use Cases: FastestVPN might be acceptable only in very specific situations: - Basic web browsing with minimal security needs - Users on an extremely tight budget - Temporary VPN needs - Basic IP masking only - Non-critical casual use However, even in these cases, better options exist at similar price points. Conclusion: FastestVPN earns its low F-tier rating through consistently poor performance, limited features, and questionable value proposition. While the price point may seem attractive, the service fails to deliver on basic VPN requirements, let alone modern features users expect. Recommendations: - New VPN users: Choose a more reliable service like NordVPN or ExpressVPN - Budget-conscious users: Consider Surfshark or Private Internet Access - Privacy-focused users: Look at ProtonVPN or IVPN - Streaming users: Opt for ExpressVPN or CyberGhost The VPN market offers many superior alternatives at similar price points. While FastestVPN may be tempting due to its low cost, the service's numerous limitations and reliability issues make it difficult to recommend for any serious use case. Users would be better served by investing in a more capable and trustworthy VPN service. Final Verdict: With a score of 20/93.5, FastestVPN demonstrates why choosing a VPN solely on price can be a costly mistake. The service fails to deliver on its promises and falls far short of modern VPN standards. Users should strongly consider alternative options that offer better value, reliability, and features, even if they cost slightly more.