ZoogVPN review

Super-affordable and capable

ZoogVPN
(Image: © Future)

TechRadar Verdict

ZoogVPN was a true discovery for us, with an offering that matches even some of the industry’s biggest names while being available at the lowest prices on the market or even for free. It may not have the biggest server network but its platform is capable of unblocking all sorts of geographically restricted services, while allowing as much torrenting as you want.

Pros

  • +

    Unblocks 20 Netflix libraries, BBC iPlayer

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    Very low prices

  • +

    Free plan

Cons

  • -

    Not a very large server network

  • -

    Doesn’t have many features

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When it comes to privacy tools and online security, ZoogVPN does a good job. It is one of the best options available in the market today. In this review, we will discuss the features that make ZoogVPN a great choice for those looking for online security and privacy. We will also look at how ZoogVPN compares to some of the best VPN providers on the market.

Zoog Services IKE was founded in 2013 by IT professionals with experience dating back to the 1990s. Zoog Services is the leading provider of ZoogVPN with headquarters in Patras, Greece, and offices in different continents like Asia, and North America. With ZoogVPN, you can have access to over 60 VPN servers

ZoogVPN: Price 

ZoogVPN in action

(Image credit: ZoogVPN)

ZoogVPN's pricing structure is pretty straightforward. The free VPN plan allows you to use the program without spending a dime. With the free plan, you will have access to 10GB of bandwidth and you can connect up to 2 devices at the same time. 

The monthly plan starts at $9.99. This gets you access to all of ZoogVPN's servers in over 50 locations, over 1000s IPs, unlimited devices, P2P included, 256-bit encryption, full features, 20 Netflix regions, Hulu, Disney+, iPlayer as well as their strong encryption software and 24/7 customer support.

If you need more than that, they also offer a yearly plan for $2.99 per month (billed annually at $35.99). This plan comes with everything in the monthly plan, plus additional features like unlimited bandwidth and access to "stealth servers" in 10 additional countries. 

Finally, it offers a 2-year plan for $1.87 per month (billed annually at $44.99). This is the top-of-the-line offering and includes everything in the monthly plan, plus even more features like dedicated IP addresses and priority customer support. 

ZoogVPN offers a 7-day money-back guarantee. This allows you to test-run the service before making a long-term commitment. The VPN accepts payment methods from credit cards, PayPal, WebMoney, Qiwi, and Mint. There are other options such as cryptocurrency (BTC, ETH, LTC, DAI, USDC, and BCH).

In comparison to other top VPN providers, ZoogVPN's pricing is on the lower end of the spectrum. For example, ExpressVPN - one of the most popular VPNs on the market—starts at $12.95 per month for their annual plan (or $8.32 per month if you want to pay monthly). So, already you're looking at savings of over 50% with ZoogVPN's premium plan compared to ExpressVPN's monthly price. 

NordVPN is another popular option that starts at $11.95 per month for their annual plan (or $12.95 per month if you want to pay monthly). Again, that's a significant saving compared to ZoogVPN's premium plan—over 30%. Needless to say, when it comes to price, ZoogVPN is tough to beat.  

ZoogVPN: Privacy and encryption 

As far as ZoogVPN is concerned, it takes its customer's right to privacy seriously and provides full details on how they work to ensure your privacy. It uses AES-256 encryption with a 2048-bit key while transferring data over its VPN tunnel. In addition to this, they use other advanced technology including SHA1 and SHA256 authentication mechanisms which ensures no third-party can see what you are doing on the internet. The result? Your activities can never be traced back by third-parties or by government agencies, allowing you to use the internet freely.

ZoogVPN provides you with the most reliable and secure VPN protocols. By default, ZoogVPN comes with IKEv2 and OpenVPN connections as well as L2TP and IPSec protocols for maximum online security. One thing we love is its built-in VPN kill switch feature. This protects you from unexpected VPN connection drops by automatically locking your internet when they happen for extra peace of mind.

When you are connected to ZoogVPN, your IP address and DNS will be fully anonymous. There is no risk of identity theft or other unwanted activity when using this service because it comes equipped with leakproof enabled by default that ensures there are never any leaks. 

However, we are not impressed with ZoogVPN’s keeping a log of the email and activities of its users. We do not know the intention behind this, but if top-notch anonymity is your goal, then ZoogVPN is not the best choice. You may consider going for ExpressVPN and IPvanish VPN, which offer zero-log policies. 

ZoogVPN: China 

ZoogVPN in action

(Image credit: ZoogVPN)

At the time of writing, this VPN does work in China. You may be met with a few speed issues, but other than that there are no major problems reported by users using this as a VPN for China. This tool is able to bypass the Great Firewall of China using its Shadowing feature. 

ZoogVPN: Ad blocker 

During our test, we found out that ZoogVPN includes an ad blocker in its service that can help to prevent ads from appearing on your browser while you are connected to the VPN. This is a great feature for those who want to stay distraction-free and focus on their online activities without having to deal with pesky advertisements at all times. 

You can simply enable the ad blocker within the ZoogVPN app and enjoy a seamless browsing experience free of ads. Additionally, this feature also helps to improve your browsing speed by blocking unnecessary trackers, cookies, and other resources that may cause unwanted popups. 

ZoogVPN: Torrenting and P2P 

ZoogVPN serves up a reliable VPN for torrenting and P2P file-sharing. Additionally, the strong security features of ZoogVPN also offer added protection and privacy when using torrenting and P2P networks, keeping your activities and personal information safe from prying eyes.  

ZoogVPN: Streaming 

ZoogVPN in action

(Image credit: ZoogVPN)

During our test, ZoogVPN unblocked US Netflix and Disney+. Also, we were able to stream content from Hulu, BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, and RTE. ZoogVPN performed above our expectations in terms of bypassing geo-restricted content from the US, UK, and many other countries. Ideal if you’re on the hunt for a streaming VPN or a VPN for Netflix.  

ZoogVPN: Customer support 

The VPN is compatible with all of the popular operating systems which include Windows, macOS, and Linux, with mobile VPN apps for Android and iOS. It even supports certain TV and routers. You’ll also find secure access over OpenVPN protocols. Customer support was a big concern for us, so we reached out to see how it went. 

Using the live chat, we received an instant response that was genuinely helpful. Via email, we had an answer to our query within 10 minutes of sending. The company also lists its contact information on official websites which adds credibility when needed like during emergencies or crisis situations where having quick access can be crucial. 

ZoogVPN: Speed and experience 

Ookla speed test

(Image credit: Ookla)

While this VPN is pretty quick, make no mistake, this isn’t the fastest VPN in the world - and the servers are not as quick and reliable as the speeds they advertise. We connected to one of their VPN servers, but it dropped down unexpectedly after just a few seconds. We connected to one of its US servers and found that our internet speed without ZoogVPN was 51.41 Mbps, but when we hooked up with the service it decreased to 13.67Mbps. 

ZoogVPN: Alternatives 

NordVPN is a popular VPN service that offers unlimited bandwidth, multiple server locations across the globe, 2 simultaneous logins, and P2P support for downloads. It also provides additional features like a kill switch, dedicated IPs at an affordable price, and 24/7 customer support through live chat or email.

ExpressVPN is another excellent choice if you're looking for a fast and reliable VPN service. ExpressVPN has servers in 94 countries, which means that you can unblock nearly any website or online service in the world. ExpressVPN encrypts your traffic with strong encryption, making it impossible for anyone to snoop on your connection. ExpressVPN also offers live chat support 24/7 in case you ever need help with the service. 

PureVPN is yet another popular name in the VPN industry and offers many useful services like unlimited bandwidth, high-speed servers across the world, P2P file sharing, malware protection, DDoS protection, etc. This service comes with a good privacy policy as well and you can use it without any worries about your confidential data getting leaked or compromised in any way. 

Zoog VPN: Pros and Cons 

ZoogVPN in action

(Image credit: ZoogVPN)

One of the biggest pros of using ZoogVPN is its excellent customer support. The live chat feature allows you to get in touch with a representative quickly and easily, and the helpful responses we received from the team really impressed us.

Another major benefit of this service is that it offers great security features like strong encryption and an effective kill switch, which help keep your data safe from hackers and other online threats.

However, some users may find that the limited number of server locations available can be a drawback when trying to access certain websites or content that may not be available in specific regions. Another con of ZoogVPN is that it keeps logs of users’ email and online activities. Additionally, ZoogVPN slows down the internet connection.

Verdict

Overall, ZoogVPN is a reliable and secure VPN service that offers great customer support and good security features. It does keep logs of its users’ activities, so if you want to remain completely anonymous online, you may consider a different VPN service. But, if you're looking for a decent VPN service with plenty of features at an affordable price, then ZoogVPN should meet your needs. 

Sead is a seasoned freelance journalist based in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. He writes about IT (cloud, IoT, 5G, VPN) and cybersecurity (ransomware, data breaches, laws and regulations). In his career, spanning more than a decade, he’s written for numerous media outlets, including Al Jazeera Balkans. He’s also held several modules on content writing for Represent Communications.