VPNht Review

VPN.ht is a virtual private network (VPN) provider that focuses primarily on helping users access websites that are blocked in their countries. VPN.ht claims to provide access to websites like Netflix, Spotify, Gmail, Skype and even Google. At such an affordable price, VPN.ht could be the ultimate solution if their claims prove to be true. Considering VPN.ht used to be automatically included in the Popcorn Time client PT.io fork (no longer available), one can only assume there’s truth in their words. If you’re curious to find out, keep reading our detailed review on VPN.ht below!

Our Score
3.45 / 5
Pricing
From $3.34
Simultaneous connections
3
Server locations
26
Jurisdiction
Hong Kong
ProPrivacy.com SpeedTest (average)
0 Mbps
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Features

Simultaneous connections 3
Server locations 26

VPN.ht offers a variety of useful features, such as:

  • 128 servers in 24 countries
  • Unlimited data & bandwidth
  • 100% anonymous registration
  • P2P support
  • Up to 3 simultaneous connections
  • Unlimited speeds
  • Unlimited server switching

With the amount of servers offered by VPN.ht, you should have no difficulty accessing whatever country’s content you want to access. Furthermore, with unlimited server switching, you’re free to explore which servers work best for your needs.

As for protocols, VPN.ht offers standard protocols TCP and UDP via OpenVPN, as well as PPTP and L2TP.

Smart DNS 

A Smart DNS is mostly used for unblocking geo-restricted content – think websites like Netflix and Hulu. While a Smart DNS doesn’t offer security or privacy features, it can be extremely useful when paired with a VPN.

As such, VPN.ht is one of the few VPN providers that includes a free Smart DNS with the purchase of one of their plans. This is extremely useful, as VPN.ht is already one of the more affordable VPNs. For more information on Smart DNS services, visit our website entirely dedicated to the topic by clicking here.

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Speed and Performance

An important part of choosing the best VPN is testing its performance for things like speed and leaks. To see how VPN.ht scores on this part of the review, continue reading below!

Speed Testing

We use our rigorous testing methodology to measure the speeds of different VPNs in our reviews. VPN.ht scored an average download speed of 25.6 Mbps and a maximum download speed of 97.3 Mbps. More speed comparisons coming soon. 

For more information on how these speed tests are done, visit here.

Leak tests

ProPrivacy.com SpeedTest (average) N/A
Speed N/A

Using the website ipleak.net, I tested VPN.ht for leaks – including IP, DNS and WebRTC leaks. Fortunately, VPN.ht came back negative for all leaks.For more information on IP leaks, see our Complete Guide to IP Leaks.

Price

VPN.ht is offered at such a low price that their lack of a free trial isn’t even worth arguing over. You can choose between two different payment options (monthly & annual). The options are:

  • Monthly - $1.00 for the first month & then $4.99/month
  • Annually - $39.99/annually

In addition to their low pricing, VPN.ht also offers a 100% money-back guarantee for the first 30 days of service. This is especially useful if you choose the annual option, as you can rest in ease if you end up not liking the service.

VPN.ht offers an assortment of different payment methods, including Bitcoin! You should be aware, however, that using Bitcoin isn't completely anonymous; the VPN provider will still have your IP address. The payment methods offered by VPN.ht include:

  • Major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Amex, Discover)
  • PayPal
  • Cryptocurrencies
  • PaymentWall
  • iDEAL
  • And more!

Ease of Use

The VPN.ht website is extremely user-friendly and easy to navigate, although its claim to be "completely anonymous" is false (no VPN is completely anonymous). All of the major links are offered at the top of every page, and the homepage offers relevant and useful information. In addition, you can access the provider’s Warrant Canary and Terms of Use at the bottom of every page – as well as useful tools and blog articles.

Another awesome feature of the VPN.ht website is the ability to change the website text language. You can choose between English, Dutch, French, and German.

VPN.ht Customer Support

Free trial

VPN.ht doesn’t offer live chat, but its ticket-based support system does offer fast response times with helpful solutions. In addition to this, VPN.ht also offers a large variety of different help articles and setup guides.

The Process 

Not only is registration for VPN.ht extremely easy, but it only requires an email and password. In addition, VPN.ht doesn’t require a billing address and titles the invoice to “Anonymous Customer”. This is extremely ideal if you don’t want your VPN to have your full name.

Windows Client 

Setup for VPN.ht is extremely easy, and using it is even easier. I will go into detail on how to use VPN.ht with Windows OS below.

  1. Download the appropriate file for your OS
  2. Follow the installation prompts
  3. The VPN.ht interface will pop up
  4. Under Login, sign into your account
  5. Select Connect to VPN to connect
  6. Under Servers, choose the server you want
  7. Select Preferences 
  8. Under Encryption, select the drop-down menu
  9. Choose the encryption you want (256-bit AES recommended)
  10. Under General, you can check or un-check different settings

That’s it! You’re officially running VPN.ht.

Please note: VPN.ht desktop client is currently under the testing phase and could be unstable.

Other Platforms 

VPN.ht is available for Windows, Mac OSX, Android and iOS.

Android & iOS 

When attempting to download the VPN.ht app to my iOS device, I was left with an endless loading icon in the app store. I’m not sure if this is an issue on my device or a wider issue altogether. It is somewhat expected, however, as the apps are still in testing phases.

Privacy and Security

VPN.ht is based in Hong Kong, obviously meaning they are not subject to laws such as the US Patriot Act. Moreover, Hong Kong is also home to some of the best anti-censorship measures in the world. Not only does Hong Kong steer away from censorship, but they provide their citizens with a mostly open and free internet. Hong Kong authorities and government officials allow citizens their right to freedom of speech (and press). Furthermore, they also don't require Hong Kong-based VPNs to store logs.

And while Hong Kong does criminalize internet activities involving copyrighted materials or the distribution of obscene images, it's not unusual for a country to comply with criminalizing copyright violations, and the distribution of obscene images is heavily focused on child pornography.  In conclusion, Hong Kong is still the ideal place for VPN.ht to be based, especially for users concerned with privacy.

Website Tracking

VPN.ht tracks you using a couple different Google services (like Double Click). If you want to avoid getting tracked by other websites, read about the Privacy Badger extension here.

For more information on how to stop websites from tracking you, click here.

Payment Processor 

After several attempts at identifying the payment processor of VPN.ht, I've ceased my messages to support. For whatever reason, VPN.ht does not want to answer the question. If I receive any news regarding the payment processor for their service, I will update it here.

Encryption Protocols

VPN.ht offers 64 bit Blowfish encryption, 128 bit AES encryption, and 256 bit AES encryption for its control channel cipher. The best and most secure choice is 256-bit AES, as it offers military-grade encryption when paired with its 256-bit AES data channel cipher. It also provides RSA-2048 for keys and HMAC SHA1 (160-bit) for SHA hash authentication.

In addition to their strong security features, VPN.ht also offers DNS leak testing through their website, a free proxy, and a “What is my IP” feature also accessed through their website.

Final Thoughts

Graduating from an integrated Popcorn Time VPN to its own VPN service, VPN.ht is definitely making its way up there in terms of best VPN choices. Still, its apps are in testing phases which means the VPN service might not be as secure and private as you’re wishing it to be.

In conclusion, VPN.ht is definitely worth keeping an eye on as they refurbish and upgrade their VPN service and features. At the very least, their claims are true: you can access blocked content easily.

Try out the service for yourself by clicking the button below!

Visit VPN.ht

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Written by: Thomas Ujj

Thomas is an experienced technology writer with a passion for digital privacy and politics.

19 Comments

feliscanis canis
on August 13, 2017
WallyDZ and his colleagues are my favorite support contact of all time!, VPN.ht is easy to configure if you read and follow the instructions (which I didn't, and the problems were with Network Manager, NOT the client from VPN.ht). I have configured it from the downloaded .ovpn file on android 4+ & windows 10 first try, both with their client and directly from openVPN client. Slackware 14.2 64bit Linux , same, but it took longer because NM was deleting the resolv.conf file when it connected the VPN and crashing within a minute. It worked flawlessly with WICD, inet, and wpa_supplicant-with or without the supplied client apps. The price and terms of service are the best I found in looking around. It inspired me to set up an openVPN server and run my own vpn service to my house machines-and I never touched VPN's until this week.
TICP
on April 24, 2017
An updated version of the review of this VPN provider. Thank you!
Bilbo Baggins replied to TICP
on July 20, 2017
I'm assuming it was considered and rejected? I've been using their service for a couple of years and it's been 100% faultless on the PCs but clunkier on both my ipad/iphone and android TV boxes.
https://cdn.proprivacy.com/storage/images/2024/01/douglas-crawfordpng-avatar_image-small_webp.webp
Douglas Crawford replied to Bilbo Baggins
on July 20, 2017
Hi Bilbo and TICP, Not rejected, as such, but we are very busy...
https://cdn.proprivacy.com/storage/images/2024/01/douglas-crawfordpng-avatar_image-small_webp.webp
Douglas Crawford replied to TICP
on April 25, 2017
Hi TICP, I have passed this request on for consideration by the team.
jaipee
on January 2, 2017
VPN.ht may be a solution for some of us. But you better not have to rely on solving a problem with their support: shortcut, unfriendly and eventually not solving the problem you depended on to run VPN.ht.
Tom R replied to jaipee
on April 15, 2017
They have software now that makes connecting much easier. I have to reboot to restore my connection, however, if my Mac goes to sleep (not so with Windows 10). I have been using for about 3-years and am able to be connected on both my computers at the same time. I've had consistently good speed ratings, only slightly slower than my ISP alone, and found that choosing a single Montreal server (the software allows for random and nearest) gives most consistent results. Finally, VPN.HT is a tremendous value, at $40/year.
Paul
on September 28, 2015
Initially I gave this company a huge failing grade. However, after spending three hours trying to figure out why OpenVPN wasn't creating a connection, I figured it out. You have to manually generate a .config file from VPN.ht's website. DO NOT USE the .config file that comes with their tutorial. It will probably not work. Once I figured out that it wasn't my network, firewall, router etc. causing the connection failure, things worked as they should. Their customer service was a bit slow, but I mentioned my issue to them and hopefully they will revise their tutorial to prevent other people from having the same issue.

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