OctaneVPN review

OctaneVPN is a VPN provider based in the US that began operations in 2012 and has a reasonably sized network covering different countries. The company offers a variety of packages, from its own custom plan to year-long plans. Users can also get OpenVPN, PPTP, and L2TP with IPSec protocols in their network while they're based out of a privacy-friendly country. Their network of 142 servers is spread across 44 countries.

Price

Cost is one of the big reasons you may be considering a free VPN over a paid-for virtual private network. But free VPNs also risk sharing or selling your data in some way.

The upshot is, OctaneVPN offers a number of different subscription options, letting you choose the payment plan that best fits their budget. The month plan costs $3 (approx. £2.50 / AU$4.45). The quarterly plan, billed every three months, is $2.33 (approx. £2 / AU$3.50). The 12-month subscription costs $1.70 a month (approx. £1.40 / AU$2.50), billed yearly.

New customers can pay through credit or debit cards, PayPal, Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Ethereum. All packages have one to five simultaneous connections and no free trial. But you can get a refund within 7 days after purchase.

Privacy

Data privacy is at OctaneVPN’s core. It uses strong encryption software to protect your data and files while ensuring that it's inaccessible to anyone other than the intended recipients.

OctaneVPN keeps no logs of user activity and offers strong AES-256 encryption to protect user data. It also has a no-logs policy for DNS requests and offers a wide range of Protocols, including OpenVPN, IKEv2, and L2TP/IPSec.

China compatibility

Since China is known for its strict censorship laws, it's difficult for many people to access the internet. Some have found ways to get around these restrictions. One of the most popular methods is through a VPN. However, Octane VPN does not work in China. When we tested this VPN, there was no server location for mainland China. Other rivals such as IPvanishVPN and ExpressVPN may be a better choice if you want a VPN that works in China.

Ad blocker and torrenting/P2P

The app serves up an ad blocker, and promises to provide protection against online spying. It's also claimed to be a good VPN for torrenting and P2P activities.

But there's no evidence that OctaneVPN actually reliably blocks ads. Additionally, we found out that some users have complained about having ads while the app is on.

Server network

The VPN provider has servers located globally. Among them, you can count the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Netherlands, Panama, Poland, Romania, Russia, and more.

You will find server locations on the website, which makes it easier to find the best one. Clicking on a location will take you to where you need to go to view all of the available servers in that region.

Streaming

When we tested OctaneVPN, we were able to use our US Netflix account and watch an episode of V Wars. One of the things we liked was its ability to provide speed and quality streaming. With it, we got HD speeds and access to a good number of servers in the US.

We did find, though, that it doesn’t work with some other popular streaming services out there. These include Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video. If you’re looking for a VPN that can unblock all the major streaming services, OctaneVPN may not be the best option for you.

Speed and experience

We tested multiple US cities and found that we could achieve a high download speed in the city of Atlanta, at 63.39 Mbps. We were able to achieve a 7.64 Mbps upload speed when testing a VPN server in London from the US, which is considered to be a fast internet connection speed.

Support

You have a few options when you need to reach customer support. You can open a ticket, fill out a web form, or send an email. If customers need assistance but cannot access the website, they can also contact customer support by phone.

Unfortunately, there’s no live chat support. On the plus side, though, the FAQs and online knowledgebase provide thorough explanations on how to use the service and troubleshoot a lot of common issues.

OctaneVPN supports a wide range of devices, including Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, routers, and more. You can also use it on your gaming console or streaming device. We found out it’s one of the few VPNs that offer unlimited simultaneous connections, so you can connect as many devices as you want.

Final verdict

OctaneVPN is a good choice if you’re looking for security and privacy on a budget. However, this VPN does have some drawbacks, such as its lack of a free trial and poor ad blocker, and less-than-stellar encryption protocols. Overall, it remains a good choice for those who are looking for an affordable and reliable VPN service.

Pros & cons

Pros

OctaneVPN is a secure and efficient way to protect your online privacy. It also allows you to bypass censorship and access blocked websites. It's easy to use and has a user-friendly interface. It's affordable, too, so you can afford to protect your online privacy and security on a budget. It offers a variety of server locations around the world to ensure that you can find an optimal VPN connection for your needs.

Cons

The service does not currently offer a free trial, so you must pay for the product before you can see if it’s right for you. Some users have complained about poor customer service and technical issues.

OctaneVPN Alternatives

NordVPN is one of the most popular VPN services on the market. It has a strong presence in many countries, and its customer service is excellent. NordVPN also offers a wide range of features, including a built-in ad blocker and dedicated servers for streaming.

ExpressVPN is another well-known VPN service. It has millions of satisfied users, and its customer service is second to none. ExpressVPN also offers a wide range of features, including dedicated IP addresses and ports for streaming.

VyprVPN is one of the fastest VPNs on the market. It also has one of the best customer service teams in the business. VyprVPN offers a wide range of features, including stealth technology and a kill switch.