Unblock-Us review

Proxy service with some extras

Unblock-Us
(Image: © Future)

TechRadar Verdict

Unblock-Us is a good choice if you only need a proxy service. It doesn’t have any native apps but successfully unblocks almost any censored or geographically restricted content with no speed losses.

Pros

  • +

    Free trial

  • +

    Top speeds

  • +

    Unblocks Netflix

  • +

    30-day money-back guarantee

Cons

  • -

    Not a full VPN

  • -

    Now owned by StrongVPN

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The best VPN services allow you to browse the web anonymously and unblock restricted sites in any region. Unblock-Us - which is now part of StrongVPN - is not your typical VPN service. It provides you with a new dedicated IP address by directing your DNS queries to its servers and changing your location based on the sites you browse.

This means that Unblock-Us effectively masks your location whenever you use sites that offer location-based services, allowing you to unblock their countries. This makes it different to how other VPN services operate. 

Unblock-Us: Pricing & plans 

Unblock-Us VPN in action

(Image credit: Unblock-Us)

Unblock-Us offers a one-week free trial that doesn’t require a credit card, giving you the opportunity to test the software. But there’s no free VPN offer here. Instead, the service has two subscription plans:

Monthly: $5.83

Yearly: $49.90 ($4.16/month)

Each plan only allows you to be connected to one device at a time. This does not meet industry standards, which would typically be 5 – 7 simultaneous connections. 

Unblock-Us is also below industry standards in terms of payment methods, as they currently only offer Visa and MasterCard. Sadly, there aren’t methods like PayPal or Bitcoin for maintaining anonymity. However, they do provide full refunds to users who cancel their annual subscription within the first thirty days of purchase.

Unblock-Us: Privacy & encryption 

Unblock-Us makes use of its SmartVPN to add an additional layer of security to your connection, as opposed to SmartDNS which uses a proxy to hide the origin of your IP address from the domains that ask for it. 

Rather than using encryption software, the company simply retains the entire content of your data for transfer so that the data within cannot be modified.

In its Privacy Policy, the company notes that it does not monitor or log any traffic or consumption of its services, nor does it store any of your data that passes through its servers. They also claim never to manipulate the content you access or provide information about your usage to others – unless they are legally forced to. In other words, it appears that some data is being gathered, and if a government agency requests any information about you, they would have comply.

Unfortunately, Unblock-Us has not contracted a third party to run a VPN audit and independently confirm its claims of zero logging. This means we have to take the service at its word that sensitive information about your online activities is not being jeopardized, which can be risky. However it’s important to reiterate that Unblock-Us claims that it doesn't collect any traffic data.  

Unblock-Us: Streaming 

Unblock-Us is a great option if you are looking for a top streaming VPN or dedicated Netflix VPN. That’s because customers can access streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and others that might be blocked in some locations due to geo-restrictions.  

Unblock-Us: Speed & experience 

Unblock-Us is owned by the company NetProtect Ltd, headquartered in Nicosia, Cyprus. It operates with the help of 100 servers in 17 countries.

Unblock-Us: Customer support 

Although Unblock-Us does not offer live chat, the webpage does have a support section with helpful articles on a variety of subjects and customer support via web ticket or phone. 

Unblock-Us: Apps 

Unblock-Us VPN in action

(Image credit: Unblock-Us)

Unblock-Us asserts that it can be set up on all popular desktops, with mobile VPN apps available. It also claims to work with a variety of other gadgets, such as Apple TV, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Wii and Amazon Fire TV.  

Unblock-Us: Alternatives 

Unblock-Us has been absorbed by StrongVPN as of the writing of this review – which is a great option for those specifically looking for a streaming or Netflix VPN. Read our StrongVPN review to find out more and see if it makes a good replacement, or checkout some other alternatives below. 

NordVPN

It ranks among the best VPNs, and has been operational for more than ten years. You have unrestricted access to your preferred websites and can take advantage of online security that meets military standards. Furthermore, it doesn't keep a record of your data, comes with a 30-day refund policy, and supports multiple client device connections.

Read our full NordVPN review

Windscribe

Windscribe has special software that blocks trackers from following you, a focus mode that makes it easier for you to concentrate when you need it, and a strict no-login rule that keeps your online activities strictly confidential. Additionally, the service provider has a protocol for getting around Internet censorship.

Read our full Windscribe review

Surfshark 

This provider unblocks all streaming content, has a user-friendly app and a generous unlimited devices policy, is lightning fast, and is stuffed with cutting-edge features that are easy to use. Additionally, it has allowed an independent audit to verify its software, unlike the large percentage of VPN providers being used today.

Read our full Surf Shark review

ExpressVPN 

ExpressVPN is based in a country that prioritizes privacy, provides swift and ensures security, unblocks highly regarded streaming services, supports torrents, doesn't hold any documentation of your data, has large numbers of servers distributed out across the world, and is simple to use. It also has a 3-month free trial and allows for five concurrent connections.

Read our full ExpressVPN review

CyberGhost 

CyberGhost provides a number of practical VPN features and a simple interface. It offers extensive P2P and torrent functionality and gives you access to over 1200 servers spread across more than 50 nations. Remote access, DNS leak protection, anonymous browsing, and more are among the features of the software.

Read our full CyberGhost review

TunnelBear

TunnelBear is a must-see for less discerning or casual users. The service has undergone the most exhaustive independent audits available, has a fun theme, strong security features, and unblocks the majority of streaming services, it also does a good job of simplifying VPNs for novice users.

Read our full TunnelBear review 

Verdict

Unblock-Us VPN in action

(Image credit: Unblock-Us)

Unblock-Us might have been a suitable VPN substitute, but since it is currently inactive, it is impossible for us to say. Instead we recommend reading our review of Strong VPN to find out if the VPN it was absorbed by offers better performance, or checking our top alternatives.

Aloysius Valentine

Aloysius Ejike Ukejeh is a seasoned tech and virtual private network writer. He has over 5 years of experience in the technology industry, focusing on streaming, web hosting, security, and privacy. Aloysius is an expert in virtual private networks (VPNs), and he frequently writes about the latest news and developments in this area. He is also a strong advocate for online privacy and security. Aloysius spends time reading about the latest technology news in his free time.

With contributions from