DotVPN, headquartered in Hong Kong, is a lesser-known name in the VPN market. With over 700 servers optimized for lightweight browsing and privacy, its browser-based approach appeals to users who want quick, hassle-free protection. But does it deliver where it matters, or is it just another average VPN extension?
In this DotVPN review, I put DotVPN to the test—examining its features, performance, and user experience. Whether you’re a privacy enthusiast, a casual browser, or someone trying to bypass geo-restrictions, I’ll give you all the details you need to decide if this VPN is worth your time.
Here's what you'll learn in this article:
- How DotVPN performs in terms of speed and security
- If it can effectively bypass geo-restrictions for streaming
- How easy it is to install and use
- Whether it's going to slow down your internet connection
- If DotVPN is really as trustworthy as it claims to be
Let's jump right in and uncover what DotVPN has to offer!
In a Hurry? Here's a Quick Summary
If you're short on time, here's a quick overview of my findings for this DotVPN review:
What You'll Like:
- Easy-to-use browser extensions
- Effective for streaming
- Decent server coverage
- Ad-blocking and tracker blocking features
- Reasonable speeds for most online activities
What You May Not Like:
- Limited to browser extensions only
- Lack of advanced VPN protocols
- No independent privacy audits
- Limited payment options
- Outdated information on their website
What Makes This DotVPN Review Different?
Many VPN reviews out there seem to skip over the essential details, often repeating information straight from the provider's website. That's not my style. For this DotVPN review, I went all in, purchasing a subscription and putting the service through its tests on my own devices.
I spent over two weeks testing DotVPN on my Dell XPS laptop, examining every feature and capturing numerous screenshots to give you a clear, objective picture of what this VPN offers. From streaming tests to speed measurements, I left no stone unturned.
My goal is to provide you with a honest, hands-on account of my experience with DotVPN. No fluff, no embellishment – just direct insights to help you decide if this VPN is right for you.
Buying DotVPN
When it came time to purchase DotVPN, I found the process to be simple, albeit with a few peculiarities. Here's what you need to know:
DotVPN offers three subscription periods: 1 month, 1 year, and 3 years. The longer plans come with significant discounts – 22% off for the 1-year plan and a whopping 68% off for the 3-year option. If you're not ready to commit long-term, the 1-year plan strikes a good balance between cost and commitment.
Unfortunately, there's no free trial available, but DotVPN does offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, which provides some peace of mind if you're on the fence.
To buy DotVPN, I clicked the "Upgrade" button on their website and was prompted to create an account with my email address and password. After that, I was directed to the checkout page where I could choose my subscription period and payment method.
Speaking of payment, your options are limited to debit/credit cards or PayPal. Interestingly, even when I selected the credit card option, I was still required to go through PayPal to complete the transaction. For those concerned about privacy, note that there are no cryptocurrency payment options available.
The purchase process was free of additional offers, which I appreciate. After completing my purchase, I received a confirmation email from PayPal about setting up an automatic payment to Smart Security Limited, DotVPN's parent company.
Overall, while the buying process was relatively smooth, the limited payment options and the mandatory use of PayPal for credit card transactions might be drawbacks for some users.
Installation
Installing DotVPN was a breeze, especially if you're familiar with browser extensions. The process is simple for both Chrome and Opera browsers:
- Visit the DotVPN website and click on the download links for either Chrome or Opera extensions.
- You'll be redirected to the respective browser's web store.
- Click "Install" and follow the prompts to add the extension to your browser.
That's it! The simplicity of the installation process is definitely a point in DotVPN's favor.
One thing I particularly liked was DotVPN's online dashboard. After logging in, you can easily manage your account, edit your password, view your subscription details, and see the number of devices you're using. The dashboard also provides quick access to download links for other supported devices.
Compared to some other VPN services I've used, DotVPN's dashboard is refreshingly simple and user-friendly. It's a small detail, but one that makes the overall experience more pleasant.
Interface
DotVPN's user interface is clean and simple, especially in its Chrome extension. Let's take a closer look:
DotVPN's main interface in the Chrome browser features a background images related to the selected location.The main screen of the Chrome extension features:
- A large connect/disconnect button
- Your current IP address
- The selected server location
- Options to choose a server and access settings
It's worth noting that the Opera extension looks quite different, but offers similar functionality:
DotVPN's main interface in the Opera browser is a lot different, displaying a world map.In both versions, you'll find easy access to server selection and settings. The interface is designed for simplicity, making it accessible even for VPN beginners.
One limitation I noticed is that the UI is only available in English. There are no language options or themes to choose from. Also, since it's a browser extension, the interface isn't resizable.
Despite these minor drawbacks, I found the interface to be intuitive and easy to navigate. The large connect button and clear indicators make it simple for anyone to use, regardless of their technical expertise.
VPN Servers
DotVPN boasts a network of 700 servers spread across 60 countries. While this isn't the largest server fleet I've seen, it's certainly respectable and should provide enough options for most users. If you're looking for more coverage, I recommend NordVPN and PIA, each with thousands of servers worldwide.
Server selection in the Chrome extension: you can browse locations based on continents.Here's what you need to know about DotVPN's servers:
- Location Variety: With servers in 60 countries, you have a good range of options for bypassing geo-restrictions.
- Server Types: DotVPN doesn't offer specialized servers for streaming or torrenting. All servers are for general use.
- Physical vs. Virtual: While DotVPN doesn't explicitly state this, it appears that all their servers are physical rather than virtual.
- Privacy Consideration: DotVPN is based in Hong Kong, which is not part of the 5/9/14 Eyes alliance. This could be seen as a privacy advantage.
During my DotVPN review tests, I found the server connections to be generally stable and quick to establish. The ping values for servers closer to my location in Romania were impressively low, mostly below 30 ms, which is great for activities like gaming.
While DotVPN's server network might not match the sheer numbers of some top-tier VPNs, it provides a solid foundation for most VPN use cases. The low ping times and stable connections make it a viable option for users looking for decent performance without too much complexity.
Gaming
For gamers looking to use a VPN, DotVPN offers some interesting advantages. While it doesn't have gaming-specific features that set it apart from other VPNs, my experience using it for gaming was generally positive.
The main benefits of using DotVPN for gaming include:
- Protection against DDoS attacks
- Potential access to region-locked games or servers
- Possibly improved routing to game servers in some cases
In my tests for this DotVPN review, I played World of Warcraft and League of Legends while connected to DotVPN. The experience was smooth, with no noticeable disconnects or major lag spikes. The ping was consistently low, hovering around 30 ms, which is quite good for a VPN connection.
It's worth noting that while 30 ms ping isn't the absolute best you can get, it's certainly respectable for a VPN and should be more than adequate for most gaming scenarios. I didn't feel at a significant disadvantage during my gaming sessions.
However, if you're a professional gamer or someone who requires the absolute lowest latency possible, you might want to test DotVPN thoroughly before committing to it for your gaming sessions.
Overall, while DotVPN might not be marketed specifically for gaming, it performs admirably in this area. The combination of low ping times and stable connections make it a viable option for gamers looking to secure their connection without sacrificing too much in terms of performance.
Torrenting
When it comes to torrenting, DotVPN doesn't prohibit P2P activities on their servers, which is good news for users who engage in file sharing. Here are some key points about using DotVPN for torrenting:
- All servers support P2P traffic
- No bandwidth limitations
- Decent speeds for downloads
During my DotVPN review tests, I used DotVPN to download several Linux distributions and other open-source software via BitTorrent. The experience was smooth, with no connection drops or sudden speed fluctuations. I was able to achieve download speeds of around 250 Mbps, which is quite respectable.
However, it's important to note that while DotVPN allows torrenting, they don't offer specialized P2P servers or advanced features like port forwarding that some other VPNs provide for optimal torrenting performance.
Also, keep in mind that DotVPN's privacy practices haven't been independently audited. If absolute anonymity is crucial for your torrenting activities, you might want to consider VPNs with more transparent privacy policies and proven no-logs practices.
As always, I must emphasize the importance of only downloading legal content. While DotVPN doesn't restrict P2P traffic, they likely won't protect you from legal consequences if you're caught downloading copyrighted material.
In conclusion, DotVPN performs adequately for torrenting, offering decent speeds and no restrictions on P2P traffic. However, if torrenting is your primary use case for a VPN, you might find more specialized options elsewhere.
Streaming
One area where DotVPN really surprised me was its streaming capabilities. Despite not advertising itself as a streaming-focused VPN, DotVPN performed admirably in unblocking various Netflix libraries.
Here's a breakdown of my streaming tests with DotVPN:
- Netflix US: Worked flawlessly
- Netflix UK: Successfully unblocked
- Netflix Germany: No issues accessing content
- Netflix France: Unfortunately, this was the only one that didn't work
- Netflix Spain: Worked without problems
I was genuinely impressed by DotVPN's ability to unblock more Netflix catalogs than some more popular VPNs I've tested. This is a significant advantage for users who enjoy accessing content from different regions.
DotVPN doesn't offer specialized streaming servers. All servers are general-purpose, which makes it even more impressive that they perform so well for streaming.
However, keep in mind that streaming performance can vary over time as streaming platforms constantly update their VPN detection methods. While DotVPN worked great during my tests, your experience might differ.
Overall, if you're looking for a VPN primarily for streaming, DotVPN could be a solid choice. Its ability to unblock multiple Netflix libraries is a strong point in its favor, especially considering it's not marketed specifically as a streaming VPN.
To test DotVPN's speed and performance, I used my Dell XPS laptop with an Intel i7-1065G7 CPU @ 1.30GHz and 16 GB of RAM, running Windows 11. My network setup uses Wi-Fi 5 protocol with a theoretical speed of 866 MBps.
Throughout my testing period for this DotVPN review, I found DotVPN to be generally stable and consistent in terms of speed. Here are the results from my speed tests using Ookla's Speedtest:
- No VPN (Romania): 442 Mbps download, 354 Mbps upload, 14 ms latency
- New York: 46 Mbps download, 181 Mbps upload, 370 ms latency
- Chicago: 193 Mbps download, 169 Mbps upload, 192 ms latency
- Germany: 423 Mbps download, 133 Mbps upload, 30 ms latency
- France: 356 Mbps download, 160 Mbps upload, 57 ms latency
- Spain: 22 Mbps download, 80 Mbps upload, 82 ms latency
- Italy: 244 Mbps download, 134 Mbps upload, 59 ms latency
- UK: 210 Mbps download, 235 Mbps upload, 45 ms latency
- Brazil: 203 Mbps download, 84 Mbps upload, 239 ms latency
- India: 178 Mbps download, 191 Mbps upload, 214 ms latency
These results reveal some interesting patterns. Nearby European servers (Germany, France, Italy, UK) generally performed well, with speeds often reaching 200+ Mbps. The German server was particularly impressive, nearly matching my base speed.
However, there were some inconsistencies. The Spain server, despite being relatively close, showed surprisingly low speeds. Conversely, some distant servers like Brazil and India performed better than expected.
US servers showed mixed results, with one performing poorly (New York) while another (Chicago) delivered decent speeds.
Latency increased with distance as expected, but remained reasonable for most use cases, especially on European servers.
Overall, DotVPN's performance is quite good, especially considering it's a browser-based VPN. While there are some inconsistencies, the speeds are generally sufficient for streaming, browsing, and even gaming in many cases. However, if you require consistently high speeds across all server locations, you might want to look at some premium VPN options.
VPN Privacy Features
At this stage, I'll dissect the VPN’s privacy measures, reviewing its encryption strength, the caliber of its security protocols, and the legitimacy of its no-logs policy.
VPN Protocols and Encryption
DotVPN's approach to protocols and encryption is somewhat limited compared to many other VPNs. Here's what you need to know:
- SSL-proxy: This is the only protocol DotVPN uses for its browser extensions. While it's not a standard VPN protocol, DotVPN claims it secures high speed and stability of the connection.
- Encryption: DotVPN uses a 4096-bit key for encryption, which is generally considered very secure.
The advantage of using SSL-proxy is that it's well-suited for browser-based VPNs, potentially offering good performance and compatibility. However, the lack of support for more standard protocols like OpenVPN or WireGuard is a significant weakness. These modern protocols are often preferred for their balance of security and speed.
In my DotVPN review testing, the SSL-proxy connection was stable and reasonably fast. However, without the option to switch protocols, you're stuck if you encounter any issues or prefer a different protocol for specific use cases.
No-Logs Policy and Transparency
DotVPN claims to have a no-logs policy, but there are some concerns in this area:
- They state they keep some connection logs and connection details.
- There has been no third-party audit of their privacy practices.
- The website contains outdated information and broken links, which doesn't inspire trust in their attention to detail.
The lack of a third-party audit is particularly worrying. Many top VPN providers now regularly submit to independent audits to verify their no-logs claims. Without this, users have to take DotVPN's word for it.
Moreover, the outdated website and broken links for Firefox, iOS, and Android apps suggest a lack of active development or support for the service. This could potentially indicate larger issues with the company's operations and commitment to user privacy.
DNS and IP Leak Protection
DotVPN includes some features to protect against DNS and IP leaks:
Chrome extension settings showing WebRTC protection, ad blocking, tracker protection, and more.- WebRTC Protection: The Chrome extension includes a feature to hide your IP address from WebRTC, which is a nice addition.
- General Leak Protection: While not explicitly stated, DotVPN claims to protect against DNS and IP leaks.
To verify these claims, I ran several leak tests:
- IP Leak Tests: DotVPN passed tests on ipleak.net and perfect-privacy.com.
- DNS Leak Test: The VPN also passed the test on dnsleaktest.com.
These results are encouraging, suggesting that DotVPN does indeed provide effective protection against common types of leaks. However, it's worth noting that leak protection technologies need to be continuously updated to remain effective, so regular testing is recommended.
Wi-Fi Protection
DotVPN offers basic Wi-Fi protection through its encrypted tunnel, which is standard for any VPN service. Interestingly, the Opera extension includes an additional firewall feature:
Opera extension settings showing various features: bandwidth saver, adblocker, firewall, and more.While I couldn't find detailed information about what this firewall does, it's generally a positive addition. A VPN firewall can provide an extra layer of protection against potential threats when connected to public Wi-Fi networks. For additional security, I also recommend using a dedicated antimalware solution like McAfee and Norton. These programs can stop downloadable malware in their tracks.
However, it's odd that this feature is only available in the Opera extension and not in Chrome. This inconsistency across platforms is a bit confusing and might be annoying for users who switch between browsers.
Ad Blocking
DotVPN includes ad blocking features in its extensions:
- Ad blocking: Aims to block ads on websites
- Ad tracker blocking: Designed to block ad trackers
- Analytics blocking: Claims to prevent Google Analytics from tracking you
These features are a nice addition, especially for a browser-based VPN. However, in my testing for this DotVPN review, the ad blocker's performance was inconsistent. It failed to block ads on many websites, making it less reliable compared to dedicated ad-blocking extensions.
While the idea of built-in ad and tracker blocking is attractive, the implementation here leaves something to be desired. If ad blocking is a priority for you, you might want to consider using a separate, more effective ad-blocking extension alongside DotVPN.
Device Compatibility
DotVPN's device compatibility is quite limited compared to many other VPN services. Here's what you need to know:
- Chrome and Opera: These are currently the only fully supported platforms. The extensions work well on these browsers.
- Firefox: While there used to be a Firefox addon, it's no longer available.
- Mobile Apps: DotVPN used to offer iOS and Android apps, but these are no longer available on the respective app stores.
- Windows App: The website mentions a Windows app was in development, but there's no sign of it being released.
This limited compatibility is one of DotVPN's biggest weaknesses. In today's multi-device world, many users expect a VPN to cover all their devices - from computers to smartphones and tablets. DotVPN's browser-only approach might be sufficient for some users, but it's likely to be a deal-breaker for others.
The lack of mobile apps is particularly disappointing, as many people rely on VPNs for privacy and security on their smartphones. Similarly, the absence of a desktop app means you can't protect your entire system - only your browser traffic is secured.
If you primarily use Chrome or Opera and don't need VPN protection outside your browser, DotVPN might still be a feasible option. However, for users looking for thorough protection across all their devices, DotVPN's limited compatibility is a significant shortcoming.
DotVPN Review: Conclusion and Recommendations
After spending a lot of time to write this DotVPN review, I've come to a mixed conclusion. While it has some strengths, there are also significant limitations to consider.
Strengths:
- Easy to use Chrome and Opera extensions
- Surprisingly good at unblocking streaming services
- Decent speeds for most online activities
- Built-in ad and tracker blocking (though effectiveness varies)
Weaknesses:
- Limited to browser extensions only
- Lack of support for standard VPN protocols
- No independent audits of privacy practices
- Limited payment options
- Outdated website and lack of support for previously available platforms
DotVPN performs well as a simple, browser-based VPN solution. It's easy to set up, offers reasonable speeds, and is surprisingly effective for streaming. However, its limited device support and lack of advanced features make it hard to recommend as a thorough VPN solution.
Recommendations:
- For Casual Browsing: If you're looking for a simple way to protect your browser traffic and occasionally access geo-restricted content, DotVPN could be a decent choice.
- For Streaming: Despite not being marketed as a streaming VPN, DotVPN performed well in unblocking various Netflix libraries. It could be a good option if this is your primary use case.
- For Privacy-Conscious Users: The lack of independent audits and the limited information about their privacy practices make DotVPN hard to recommend for users who prioritize privacy. Consider VPNs with proven no-logs policies and regular third-party audits.
- For Multi-Device Protection: If you need VPN protection across multiple devices and outside of your browser, DotVPN isn't the right choice. Look for a VPN service that offers apps for various platforms.
- For Advanced Users: DotVPN's lack of protocol options and advanced features make it unsuitable for users who like to fine-tune their VPN settings.
Looking for other tools beyond DotVPN? CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are top VPN picks. Explore our best VPN recommendations for 2025.
FAQs
- Is DotVPN free? No, DotVPN is not free. They offer paid subscription plans with options for 1 month, 1 year, and 3 years.
- Does DotVPN work with Netflix? Yes, in my tests, DotVPN successfully unblocked several Netflix libraries, including US, UK, Germany, and Spain.
- Is DotVPN safe to use? While DotVPN uses strong encryption, the lack of independent audits and limited information about their privacy practices make it difficult to fully evaluate their safety. Use with caution if privacy is a top concern.
- Can I use DotVPN on my phone? Currently, DotVPN doesn't offer mobile apps. It's limited to Chrome and Opera browser extensions.
- Does DotVPN allow torrenting? DotVPN doesn't prohibit torrenting on their servers. However, they don't offer specialized P2P servers, and their privacy practices haven't been independently verified.
Octav Fedor (Cybersecurity Editor)
Octav is a cybersecurity researcher and writer at AntivirusGuide. When he’s not publishing his honest opinions about security software online, he likes to learn about programming, watch astronomy documentaries, and participate in general knowledge competitions.