FastestVPN is a service hailing from the Cayman Islands. The newcomer in the industry offers low pricing options and a list of features. It offers custom apps for various devices, with browser extensions as well. Looking at its price, I decided to try the VPN to see if it lives up to its name.
In short, while the name suggests fast speeds, FastestVPN does not give competition to other providers. It’s not as fast as the name suggests, but it surely is cheap. Price is one of the most attractive features of FastestVPN is its affordable pricing plans.
The provider may not be fast, but it sure is secure and private. If your main concern is online privacy, FastestVPN’s jurisdiction and no-log policy will protect your data. However, if you are looking for a VPN for streaming, torrenting, and gaming, this isn’t the right choice.
Let’s dig deeper into the FastestVPN review to see whether it’s worth getting. Let’s see what the VPN has to offer, and is FastestVPN really fast as the name suggests?
For this review, I have been using FastestVPN for over 2 weeks now to see how well the service has improved thus far and is it worth getting in 2023.
Key Findings of FastestVPN Review
If you are short on time, here are the key findings of my review of FastestVPN.
| Servers | 500+ servers in 50+ countries |
| Streaming Services | Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video |
| Torrenting Support | Special P2P servers |
| Best Features | Smart Tunneling, Ad-blocker, NAT Firewall |
| No-log Policy | Yes (based in the Cayman Islands) |
| Simultaneous Connections | 10 |
| Customer Support | 24/7 live chat support |
| Best Deal | $1.11/mo (Save $320) |
| Money Back Guarantee | 15 Days |
FastestVPN Speed Test Analysis
Surprisingly, it turns out that FastestVPN is not fast at all. I ran speed tests on 4 of its server located at different distances from my location in the Netherlands. My test results showed that FastestVPN’s speed is very inconsistent across its servers.
Although a VPN connection changes your internet speed because of encryption, however, the best VPN makes sure the change in speed is negligible. Like when I reviewed ExpressVPN, I didn’t notice much of a speed drop.
I ran speed tests using FastestVPN on my 100-base connection, and the results were inconsistent. You can see the results in the table below.
| Server Country | Distance | Download Speed | Upload Speed | Ping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | 677.04 km | 85.14 Mbps | 23.08 Mbps | 195 ms |
| USA (Dallas) | 7505.72 km | 35.91 Mbps | 33.04 Mbps | 249 ms |
| Australia | 14792.34 km | 25.71 Mbps | 15.37 Mbps | 251 ms |
| Canada | 6453.43 km | 32.93 Mbps | 37.04 Mbps | 218 ms |
FastestVPN Speed on Short-Distance Servers
First, I connected to the UK server which was closer to me. Surprisingly, the download speeds were great as it offered 85.14 Mbps. However, the upload speed was only 23.08 Mbps and the ping was also high at 195 ms. I lost more than 77% of my upload speed on the UK server.
FastestVPN Speed on Long-Distance Servers
The next server on my list was the US server in Dallas. I wanted to check if I would be able to stream US Netflix without buffering issues. Sadly, the Dallas server was very slow and I instantly lost more than 67% of my internet speed as the download speed was recorded at 35.91 Mbps.
Australia is on the other side of the world from me, so I wanted to see how FastestVPN would perform on long-distance servers. Despite having a base connection of 100 Mbps, I got extremely slow speeds of 25.71 Mbps. There was more than a 75% drop in speeds.
As you can see from the results, FastestVPN is not fast at all, and its speed is very inconsistent on its server network.
FastestVPN For Gaming
As you can tell from the ping rate in the speed tests, FastestVPN is not the ideal choice for gaming. However, I still gave it a shot to see how it will perform.
I connected to the Germany server which was close to me and the results were quite good. Even though the ping was around 200, I did not experience any glitches while playing PUBG.
I chose a European gaming server, and the graphics were smooth. There was a slight latency that I experienced around 15 minutes into the game.
FastestVPN Pricing Plans
FastestVPN offers affordable pricing plans with a 1-month plan, 1-year plan, and 3-year plan that offers the best deal.
- 1-month plan for $10/mo – (No saving)
- 1-year plan for $2.49/mo – (Save $90)
- 3-year plan for $1.11/mo – (Save $320)
FastestVPNs 1-year plan is also affordable, but you can save more money on its long-term subscription (i.e. its 3-year plan for only $39.95).
Unlike most VPN providers that offer lengthy refund policies, FastestVPN only offers a 15-day money-back guarantee. It’s much shorter than 30 days, but it does give you a chance to try the service risk-free, and cancel your account to get a refund if you are not satisfied.
I tried the refund after 7 days and was able to cancel my account through live chat. I received a full refund within 15 days, which was slower than I expected because, with ExpressVPN, I only had to wait 5 days for the refund.
Overall, FastestVPN is an affordable VPN with great savings on its long-term plan. However, there are more affordable VPNs that offer better features.
FastestVPN Passed DNS Leak Test
I did not experience any IP, DNS, or WebRTC leaks while using FastestVPN. During testing, I connected to the UK server and used ipleak.net to perform all the tests. Fortunately, it did not leak my real IP address.
FastestVPN masked my real IP address successfully, but no DNS server was found during testing. I didn’t worry about it as FastestVPN has its own private DNS servers to keep you safe. That is why no DNS address was found on the tests. It confirms that the VPN connection is using private servers.
However, it also means that you cannot see where your DNS traffic is heading. I hope FastestVPN can resolve this so users can get a complete picture.
Can FastestVPN Unblock Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime?
FastestVPN can unblock various streaming services that are subject to geo-restrictions. It works with Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and even Hulu.
While testing, it easily unblocked Japanese Netflix on its Japan Streaming server. Yes, there are streaming-optimized servers in various countries like the US, the UK, and others.
Unfortunately, I could not unblock the US Netflix library that has exclusive shows and movies like Supernatural, The Vampire Diaries, and The Borgias. I tried three times, and it always redirected me to the international library.
So, if you want to stream Netflix, I recommend looking at our best VPN for Netflix guide for providers that are currently working with US Netflix and other regions.
Apart from Netflix, I also tried streaming BBC iPlayer on the FastestVPNs UK Streaming server, and it easily unblocked the British streaming service for me on the first try and I was able to stream RuPaul’s Drag Race.
The streaming experience could have been better as there was a lot of buffering mid-streaming, and the video quality wasn’t the best. It’s definitely not the best BBC iPlayer VPN out there.
FastestVPN also worked with Hulu and Amazon Prime Video, which are notorious for their advanced anti-VPN mechanisms.
I did face trouble streaming Disney+. It did unblock Disney Plus, however, the page became unresponsive and it would not load no matter how many times I tried. If you want to stream Disney+, you can look at my list of the best Disney Plus VPNs.
FastestVPN works with most streaming services, but it does not work well with US Netflix and other libraries. Moreover, considering its slow speeds, I don’t recommend using FastestVPN for streaming. If you do decide to use it, you will have to face buffering and video quality issues.
FastestVPN is a Good Choice For Torrenting
FastestVPN offers 500 servers and it supports P2P traffic on almost all of its servers. The VPN suggests avoiding some locations while torrenting such as Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, and India. There is no reason given behind it, but I believe it’s because these servers are the slowest.
The VPN is based in a privacy-friendly jurisdiction and offers military-grade encryption, so it’s a good choice for torrenting. There are no bandwidth limitations on FastestVPN servers, which is also great for downloading large files.
However, I won’t guarantee a fast torrenting experience as FastestVPN speeds are extremely slow and inconsistent.
I tried downloading a 2GB file using uTorrent on the FastestVPNs Germany server which was close to my location, but the experience wasn’t great. After three hours of downloading the same file, I finally gave up, because it was only 50% done.
FastestVPN Has a No-Logging Policy
FastestVPN is owned by Fast Technology Ltd which is founded by Azneem Bilwani, a Pakistani businessman. There isn’t much information regarding VPN ownership available online.
In terms of jurisdiction, FastestVPN is based in the privacy-friendly jurisdiction of the Cayman Islands. The Cayman Islands is not a part of the 5 Eyes Alliance so there are no mandatory data retention laws that the company has to abide by.
FastestVPN has a no-logs policy and it does not keep logs of IP addresses, and other information of its users. According to its privacy policy, FastestVPN only keeps minimal data of its users like your email address when you sign up for the service.
So all in all, on paper, FastestVPN appears to be trustworthy, however, due to the lack of information regarding who owns this VPN, I’m not 100% satisfied.
Key Features
FastestVPN offers tons of features for users. Here are the key features of FastestVPN that are worth highlighting.
- Secure VPN protocols
- 256-bit AES encryption
- Internet Kill Switch
- Free NAT Firewall
- Free Adblocker and Free Malware Protection
- Smart Tunneling
1. Secure VPN protocols
FastestVPN supports IKEv2, OpenVPN (TCP, UDP), L2TP, IPSec, and PPTP protocols across its apps. I recommend using OpenVPN which is the most secure tunneling protocol out of these. It also offers a great combination of fast speed with security.
When I tested FastestVPN on my macOS and Android phones, the default protocol was IKEv2. PPTP is outdated and is not recommended for security purposes. In comparison, IKEv2 is much more secure, but OpenVPN is recommended.
If we talk about speeds, as I mentioned earlier, they weren’t great.
2. 256-bit AES encryption
FastestVPN uses 256-bit AES encryption on all its apps. This is the highest encryption level that is used by most premium VPNs.
This is military-grade encryption that protects your data from theft. It means that your internet traffic is always encrypted and is impossible to decipher. In short, when you are connected to the VPN, no one can track your online activities.
3. Internet Kill Switch
FastestVPN has a kill switch for all of its apps. The kill switch disconnects your device from the internet connection in case your VPN connection drops. It prevents your online activity from being leaked online.
However, the kill switch feature is enabled by default in macOS and there is no option to disable it. Similarly, on Android, you can only use the kill switch feature on the OpenVPN protocol, as the feature isn’t compatible with IKEV2.
4. Free NAT Firewall
FastestVPN has an in-built NAT firewall. It acts as a barrier between your network and the internet. Basically, a NAT firewall protects your device by blocking unwanted or malicious traffic.
This is a plus point as only a handful of VPNs offer a NAT firewall. It can boost online protection against cyber attacks and hackers.
5. Free Adblocker and Free Malware Protection
FastestVPN also has a built-in ad blocker. I tried adblocker on various platforms, including social media and websites, and it successfully got rid of ads for me.
This is a great feature, and I wasn’t expecting it to work this great. It instantly blocked all ads from loading, including banner ads, video pop-ups, and side ads.
FastestVPN also claims to have an in-built malware protection feature. I couldn’t see the feature in action for myself, but according to the support, it acts more like a malicious website detector.
6. Smart Tunneling
FastestVPN’s split tunneling feature is called Smart Tunneling. However, this feature is only available on Android and iOS apps. Would have been great if it was available on all platforms as I often use this feature when I use ExpressVPN.
Split tunneling is a helpful feature that allows you to choose the traffic you want to route through the VPN and traffic that will pass outside the VPN connection. For example, you can use this feature to stream Netflix libraries, while using your local shopping sites or banking apps on the local network.
At the time of testing, this feature was only available on FastestVPN mobile apps for Android and iOS which is a shame as most premium VPNs like ExpressVPN have this feature for all apps.
Analysis of Servers
FastestVPN has a small fleet of 500 servers in 50 countries only. It is one of the smallest VPN server networks that I have come across.
I recommend going for VPNs that offer a large server network because that way, you can avoid the risk of overcrowding which ultimately leads to slow connection speeds and congestion.
It has servers across Asia, Europe, and the USA. In South Africa, you will only find one server i.e., in Brazil. Moreover, there are no servers in Africa.
The best server coverage is in the US, with over 16 server locations in the United States.
In Asia, you will find servers in Hong Kong, India, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, and Singapore. There are even servers in the UAE and Russia as well. This was a surprise to me as most VPNs don’t have servers in these countries because of heavy internet restrictions in Russia and the USA.
FastestVPN Apps Compatibility
FastestVPN offers apps for various devices and platforms. It supports 10 simultaneous connections on one account, but you can increase it up to 20 for an additional $1. It makes it a great option for a large household or office use.
| Windows | Kodi | Smart TVs | Nintendo |
| iOS | Chromecast | PlayStation | Browser Extensions |
| Android | Firestick | Synology NAS | Xbox |
| Mac | Chromebook | Roku | VU + Enigma 2 |
| Routers | Apple TV | Android TV | QNAP |
For macOS & Windows
FastestVPN apps are straightforward as they don’t require much customization. Its Windows and Mac apps are almost the same looking and very basic.
I found FastestVPN desktop apps very straightforward as they lack advanced features. You only have the choice to change the VPN protocol, as the kill switch is automatically enabled in the macOS app, and there is no split tunneling feature on desktop apps.
For Android & iOS
FastestVPN Android and iOS apps have more features as compared to desktop apps. The mobile apps have an additional split tunneling feature that comes in handy.
FastestVPN requires very little time to set up the VPN on your device, and after downloading the VPN, you simply have to log in as there aren’t many configurations to do.
Overall, I would say it’s great for beginners, but if you are an advanced user, you will find FastestVPN apps too basic. Almost all features like kill switch and adblocker are automatically enabled, so there isn’t much you can do in terms of customization.
Browser Extensions
FastestVPN offers lightweight browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. This is great as you can simply download the extension on your browser and browse safely.
The browser extensions have a kill switch, DNS leak protection, WebRTC blocking, and HTTPS Redirection enabled automatically. WebRTC blocking ensures that your online activities cannot be traced as it offers end-to-end encryption between websites and peers.
HTTPS Redirection takes you to the secure HTTPS version of the website instead of opening HTTP versions. Overall, I like this a lot.
Does FastestVPN Work in China?
FastestVPN claims to work in China. I confirmed with chat support and they said that you might have to manually configure the VPN via OpenVPN, OpenConnect, or AnyConnect configuration.
This is a great thing as not all VPNs are capable of working in China. If you are planning to use FastestVPN in China, it’s best to try using the OpenVPN TCP protocol first.
FastestVPN Customer Support
FastestVPN offers goos customer support in the form of live chat support, email, FAQ section, and tutorials.
| 24/7 live chat | ✔️ |
| FAQs | ✔️ |
| Email support | ✔️ |
| Knowledge-base | ✔️ |
| Phone line | ❌ |
FastestVPN has 24/7 live chat customer support available on its official website. This is great as not all VPNs have this feature available. 24/7 live chat support means you can get instant help in case you are facing issues with the VPN.
The customer support team has always been quick to respond to questions, so you don’t have to wait for long.
In addition to live chat, FastestVPN also has an FAQ section, VPN setup tutorials, and email support.
Best Alternative to FastestVPN
FastestVPN is a great choice offering a handful of features for a very affordable price. However, it lacks in some areas such as speed, streaming, and server network.
So, if you are looking for something different, you can check my VPN reviews of the following top VPN services in the industry right now:
ExpressVPN is the best alternative to FastestVPN because of its super-fast servers and unblocking capabilities. Unlike FastestVPN, ExpressVPN offers advanced features and apps for users.
For those who are looking for a budget-friendly VPN like FastestVPN, Surfshark is another worthy competitor. The provider offers the best apps with advanced features at a low price tag.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is FastestVPN safe?
Yes, FastestVPN is a safe VPN with strong security measures and a strict no-log policy. It is also based in the Cayman Islands, a privacy-friendly jurisdiction.
Is FastestVPN actually the fastest VPN?
It turns out that FastestVPN is not the fastest VPN. We tested its speed on 4 different servers located at different distances from my location in the Netherlands. The results showed that FastestVPN’s speeds are not consistent at all, as we experienced more than a 60% drop in speed on average.
Is FastestVPN any good?
Overall, FastestVPN has below-par speeds, with poorly designed apps. It may look cheap at $0.66/month, but you are getting very poor performance at that. Instead, we recommend trying out a premium VPN like ExpressVPN that offers the best performance.
Does FastestVPN have a lifetime subscription?
Yes, as of 2023, the lifetime subscription of FastestVPN costs $39.6 for 5 years. It is worth $600, so you get a discount of 93%. It comes with a 15-day money-back guarantee.
What to do if FastestVPN won’t connect?
If you are facing trouble connecting to FastestVPN, try switching between servers. Make sure your firewall is turned off. To do that, check your router’s setting as a firewall tends to disrupt VPN connections.
Do I Recommend FastestVPN?
In this detailed FastestVPN review, you now know that this VPN might be an affordable VPN, but that price comes with many sacrifices on speed, apps, and more. It is unreliable when it comes to unblocking streaming services, and lacks support. It is a bargain but comes at a cost in terms of performance.
Instead, we recommend trying out ExpressVPN as it’s not only the fastest VPN available in the market, but also offers the best performance in terms of streaming, gaming, and security that you will not find anywhere else.
If you are looking for a budget-friendly option, Surfshark is a great choice with affordable plans and premium features.
