SmartVPN review

SmartVPN - a virtual private network that's inexpensive, but slow

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SmartVPN
(Image: © Future)

TechRadar Verdict

SmartVPN does well in some areas, like unblocking Netflix, acceptable prices, and simplicity of its apps. However, it underperforms in many other respects: it doesn’t have any apps for iOS or Android, its server network is extremely small, it allows only one connection at a time, keeps certain logs, has trouble connecting and its customer support is barely reachable.

Pros

  • +

    Reasonably priced

  • +

    Unblocks Netflix

  • +

    Extremely beginner-friendly

Cons

  • -

    No true mobile VPN apps

  • -

    Tiny server network

  • -

    Only one simultaneous connection

  • -

    Some logs are kept

  • -

    Can't unblock another streaming platform other than Netflix

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Owned by the company Anonymous, SmartVPN is a VPN with a Moroccan base. They claim to do everything a VPN does - mask your IP address to protect your personal information. SmartVPN has 100+ servers in 18 countries, which is limited in comparison to the industry giants that have thousands of VPN servers and cover multiple locations. 

SmartVPN: Pricing 

(Image credit: Future)

SmartVPN provides three different packages. There is no free VPN option available, but you get a 7-day free trial period to test the software before you purchase a subscription. PayPal, AmanPay, and Bitcoin are all accepted forms of payment. 

Basic Package

For this package, you receive a shared IP and unlimited bandwidth, but you only have access to servers located in Germany and the Netherlands.

1 month: $3.50/month

6 months: $18.95 ($3.16/month)

Annual: $35.90 ($2.99/month)

Premium Package

Provides servers in 12+ countries, offers a shared IP, and unlimited bandwidth.

1 month: $6.95/month

6 months$37.90 ($6.31/month)

Annual: $71.50 ($5.96/month)

Dedicated Package

You get a dedicated IP address, unlimited bandwidth, and access to servers in more countries

1 month: $14.95 /month

6 months: $81.50 ($13.58/month)

Annual: $154.00 ($12.83/month)

Since VPNs function in an extremely sensitive environment where conditions can quickly change, it is strongly advised to select the monthly plan instead. So, in case, the service doesn't meet your expectations, you get a 7-day money-back guarantee “only when the subscriber has sworn to demonstrate the unavailability of the service, or that the same was used during the subscription period, or that many reasonable efforts were made to contact SmartVPN to resolve the problem."

As complicated as the situation may seem, it simply means that SmartVPN must not function on your device before and after contacting SmartVPN support. Most VPN service providers don't offer bitcoin refunds, SmartVPN does, although in USD.

SmartVPN: Privacy and encryption 

(Image credit: Future)

The VPN protocols used by SmartVPN include OpenVPN, PPTP, L2TP/IPSec, and IKEv2 which depend on 256-bit encryption, with the exception of PPTP, which uses 128-bit encryption. 

The company's website states that it doesn't collect information about the sites you visit, however, it stores connection times and data usage, and keeps them for an unspecified time. It is advised to proceed with caution with the connection to the service because, in accordance with its Privacy Policy, the company may share your personal information.

SmartVPN: Streaming 

First of all, although this VPN can unblock Netflix, its speeds occasionally fluctuate, which isn't all that good compared to ExpressVPN. Keep in mind that it cannot unblock streaming services like Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, or Hulu. For similar tools, check out the best Netflix VPNs and dedicated streaming VPNs.  

SmartVPN: Speed and experience 

This VPN claims that it is faster than other VPNs. However, we discovered during our speed test that SmartVPN delivered average speeds. 

It is crucial to keep in mind that speed test results are only a helpful guide and not set in stone, as they depend on the network conditions in effect at the time the test was run, which frequently keep changing.

During our testing, speeds were consistently excellent throughout all servers. For both German and UK connections, downstream speeds were averaging around 15 Mbps. Despite the geographical distance, US speeds were surprisingly good as well, averaging 12 Mbps downstream.

Considering its location, the Dutch server provided a download speed of only 16Mbps on a 60Mbps test connection.

SmartVPN: Customer support 

(Image credit: Future)

The VPN's blog and FAQ section contain fundamental information about it, and customer service is available through its support page, though you must have an account to access it. For additional support, SmartVPN also has a Facebook and Twitter page. You should turn away if you're looking for a live chat section on smart VPN because there isn't one. 

SmartVPN: Apps 

SmartVPN offers a virtual private network for Windows and Mac computers, as well as manual configuration options for Linux, Android, iOS, Blackberry, Mac, routers, and Windows Phones. Unfortunately, that means while you can run it on portable devices, there are no true mobile VPN apps for Android and iOS. 

Although we couldn't find a Linus set-up guide, the FAQ section, and manual setup tutorials provided us with the basic information we needed to set up the apps. To use this VPN with ease we suggest you use the  Windows and OS X apps.

SmartVPN: Verdict  

SmartVPN is only for you if you're looking for a very basic VPN service or If you only need a VPN to occasionally access restricted areas of the internet, this is the VPN for you. Serious internet users who want the best security and advanced functionality should use something else. 

SmartVPN alternatives 

NordVPN

You can easily access regionally restricted content from anywhere in the world with NordVPN. The app provides Strong encryption to add an extra layer of security for your internet activities, protection against IP leaks, vulnerability exposure, and DNS leaks. Other helpful features include a kill switch, peer-to-peer networking, web threat management, and several servers option to choose from as well as multiple simultaneous device connections.

Read our full NordVPN review


CyberGhost

CyberGhost is a VPN with strong encryption that is very user-friendly and relatively quick. It provides reasonably priced subscription plans along with an incredibly generous 45-day money-back guarantee for larger subscriptions. It allows torrent downloads, unblocks streams, provides 1200 servers in more than 50 countries, is simple to use, and supports up to seven devices at once.

Read our full CyberGhost VPN review


PureVPN

This VPN offers the best protection against ISP speed throttling, helps you access blocked websites, and guards you against third parties spying on their digital assets online. You can anticipate the highest level of network threat protection with the availability of clever features like intrusion detection systems, anti-spam, IP protection, and web threat monitoring.

Read our full PureVPN review


Express VPN

Express VPN is a well-known and well-respected player in the commercial VPN market. It is based in China, has thousands of servers spread across different locations, is safe, does not log, unblocks streaming websites, supports five simultaneous connections, and has fast speed.

Read our full ExpressVPN review  

Sead Fadilpašić

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.