VPN Unlimited Review – Unlimited Security or Limited Potential in 2024?

VPN Unlimited, a product of KeepSolid, has been around since 2013 in the VPN market. But does it live up to its name in 2024? That's what I set out to discover in this thorough review.

As someone who values online privacy and security, I've tested numerous VPNs over the years. However, with the constant evolution of cyber threats and changing internet landscape, it's crucial to reevaluate even established players like VPN Unlimited.

In this VPN Unlimited review, you'll learn:

• How VPN Unlimited performs in terms of speed and security
• Its effectiveness in bypassing geo-restrictions for location and account
• The user-friendliness of its interface and installation process
• Whether it's a good value for your money
• How it compares to other top VPNs in the market

Let's examine and see if VPN Unlimited can truly provide unlimited protection and freedom online.

In a Hurry? Here's a Quick Summary

If you're short on time, here's a quick overview of what I found out for this VPN Unlimited review:

What You'll Like:

• Simple and intuitive user interface
• Dedicated servers for streaming and torrenting
• Robust encryption and security features
• Browser extensions for quick protection
• Supports up to 5 simultaneous connections (with option to add more)

What You May Not Like:

• Limited advanced customization options
• Speeds can be inconsistent on some servers
• Based in the US (part of Five Eyes alliance)
• No split tunneling on Windows or Mac

What Makes This VPN Unlimited Review Different?

Many VPN reviews out there seem to just repeat information from the product's website. That's not my style. For this VPN Unlimited review, I went hands-on, purchasing a subscription and testing the service extensively on my own devices.

I spent about two weeks using VPN Unlimited on my Dell XPS laptop running Windows 11, as well as on my Android smartphone. During this time, I tested everything from speed and security to streaming and torrenting capabilities.

You'll find numerous screenshots throughout this VPN Unlimited review, giving you a real look at the VPN in action. I've also included my personal experiences and observations, both good and bad, to give you an honest picture of what it's like to use VPN Unlimited.

My goal is to provide you with a thorough, impartial review based on real-world usage. So, let's get into the details and see how VPN Unlimited performs.

Buying VPN Unlimited

When it comes to purchasing VPN Unlimited, you've got a few options to choose from. I found the buying process simple, but there are some things you should know.

First off, VPN Unlimited offers two main product lines:

1. The simple VPN service, available for 1 year or lifetime
2. The MonoDefense security bundle, which includes VPN Unlimited, Passwarden, DNS Firewall, SmartDNS, and Authenticator

For this review, I opted for the simple VPN subscription for 1 year. I didn't want to commit to a lifetime plan, and I was primarily interested in testing the VPN service itself.

Now, let's talk about discounts. At the time of my purchase, there weren't any special discounts available. However, VPN Unlimited does offer a 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans, which is always nice to have.

Also, while there's no free trial for the Personal Server and Personal IP options, the 30-day money-back guarantee applies to these as well.

The buying steps were simple enough. I chose my subscription, then entered my personal information - just my email and payment details. Interestingly, they didn't ask for my name or address, which some privacy-conscious users might appreciate.

Speaking of privacy, VPN Unlimited does offer some anonymous payment options. You can pay with cryptocurrency via BitPay, which is great if you want to keep your purchase as private as possible. Other payment methods include debit/credit card, PayPal, Amazon Pay, and Paymentwall.

After completing my purchase, I received a confirmation email from KeepSolid with links to download the VPN client for various platforms (App Store, Mac App Store, Google Play). They didn't bombard me with marketing emails, which I found refreshing.

Also, watch out for is the additional offers. After buying the basic VPN, they offer extras like Private Server, Private IP, and DNS Firewall. These might be useful for some users, but aren't necessary for everyone.

Overall, the buying process for VPN Unlimited was smooth and uncomplicated. The variety of payment options and the 30-day money-back guarantee are definite pluses in my book.

Installation

Installing VPN Unlimited was a pretty simple process, but there are a few things worth mentioning.

After purchasing, I logged into the online dashboard using my email address. VPN Unlimited uses a unique security system where they send you a temporary code to log in, rather than having a permanent password. While it might seem a bit inconvenient at first, it's actually a nice security feature.

Initially, I downloaded the installer from their website. However, I later discovered that installing via the Microsoft Store is actually the better option, especially for Windows users. The Microsoft Store version is more up-to-date and runs smoother on different screen resolutions.

The installation itself was quick, taking less than a minute. There was only one option during installation - whether to install Passwarden or not. I declined since I hadn't purchased a license for it. If you install via the Microsoft Store, you won't even see this option.

 noticed that the version I initially installed from their website downloader was a bit buggy on my laptop. The Microsoft Store version, on the other hand, ran much more smoothly.

In terms of ease, I'd say the installation process is very user-friendly. There's no need to configure anything or select different options during installation. It's pretty much a 'click and go' affair.

All in all, while the installation process is simple, I'd recommend going with the Microsoft Store version for Windows users. It's more current and seems to be better optimized for different systems.

Interface

The user interface of VPN Unlimited is one of its strong points. It's clean, intuitive, and easy to navigate, even for VPN novices.

VPN Unlimited's main interface shows a map of the locations you can connect to.

The main screen is well-organized and tidy. Here's a breakdown of what you'll see:

• A large connect/disconnect button dominates the center of the screen
• Your selected or recommended server location is prominently displayed
• A map showing your virtual location (which can be animated or static)
• Tabs for different features like streaming and torrenting

One nice touch is the option to have animations on the map. I found this adds a bit of visual appeal without being distracting. You can toggle this on or off in Options > Map Animations.

In terms of personalization, VPN Unlimited offers both Light and Dark themes, which you can switch between in Options > Application. This is great for personalizing your experience or reducing eye strain in low-light conditions.

The settings screen allow you to enable notifications, dark or light mode, languages, and more.

The interface is resizable, which I appreciate. You can maximize the window to see more of the UI without needing to scroll or click through different tabs. This is useful when browsing the server list or accessing different features.

One minor drawback is that the UI is only available in English. While this wasn't an issue for me, it might be a limitation for non-English speakers.

A feature I found particularly useful during my VPN Unlimited review was the ability to get quick connection info by clicking on the rectangular buttons at the bottom of the main screen. This gives you a snapshot of your current connection status, IP address, and other relevant details.

You can see the detailed IP info of each connected location.

Overall, I found the interface of VPN Unlimited to be user-friendly and functional. While it might not have as many customization options as some other VPNs, it provides all the necessary information and features in an easily accessible format.

VPN Servers

VPN Unlimited boasts a network of over 3000 servers spread across more than 80 locations worldwide. This is a respectable number, providing users with a good range of options for connecting to different parts of the world. However, competitors like CyberGhost and ExpressVPN provide more locations and diversity.

The server list includes optimal and streaming servers.

The server selection interface is well-organized and easy to navigate. Here's what you'll find:

• All: A complete list of all available servers
• Favorites: Servers you've marked for quick access
• Recommended: Suggested servers based on your location and network conditions
• Streaming: Dedicated servers optimized for accessing streaming platforms

One feature I liked was the workload indicators next to each server. These green and yellow markers give you a quick visual cue about how busy each server is. If you're looking for the best performance, you can opt for servers with green indicators, which signify lower user loads.

There's also a handy search bar at the top of the server list, making it easy to find specific locations quickly.

VPN Unlimited's parent company, KeepSolid, is based in New York, which puts it under US jurisdiction. This means it's part of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, which some privacy-conscious users might be concerned about. However, VPN Unlimited maintains a no-logs policy, which we'll discuss more in the privacy section.

In summary, while VPN Unlimited's server network might not be the largest I've seen, it offers a good spread of locations and some useful features for server selection. The workload indicators are a nice touch that I haven't seen in many other VPNs.

Gaming

VPN Unlimited markets itself as a good option for gamers, so I decided to put this claim to the test. Here's what I found out:

VPN Unlimited does offer some features that can be beneficial for gaming:

• Decent speeds on many servers
• A wide selection of global server locations
• Special offerings like Personal Server options

These features can potentially help with accessing geo-restricted games, reducing ping in some cases, and protecting against DDoS attacks.

However, using a VPN for gaming isn't always straightforward. As VPN Unlimited themselves point out, the encryption and routing of your traffic through a VPN server typically increases your ping to some extent. This is true for most VPNs, not just VPN Unlimited.

In my VPN Unlimited review testing, I tried playing World of Warcraft while connected to VPN Unlimited. The experience was decent, but not outstanding. My ping increased by about 50-100ms compared to my normal connection, which was noticeable in fast-paced situations.

VPN Unlimited does offer some features to help optimize your gaming experience, such as the "Optimal server" and "Optimal protocol" options. These can help you find the best connection for your needs.

What sets VPN Unlimited apart for gaming is their Personal Server option. While I didn't test this specifically (as it's an additional purchase), it could potentially provide better speeds and more consistent performance for gaming.

To conclude, while VPN Unlimited can work for gaming, it's not necessarily the best option out there if gaming is your primary use case for a VPN. It's serviceable, but dedicated gamers might want to look for a VPN that specializes more in low-latency connections.

Torrenting

When it comes to torrenting, VPN Unlimited takes a somewhat cautious approach. They're upfront about the fact that their primary use is not for downloading torrents, but rather for offering online security.

VPN Unlimited torrenting warning: you should enable the kill switch while torrenting.

That said, VPN Unlimited does allow legal usage of P2P file sharing on specific servers. As of my testing, these torrent-friendly servers were located in:

• Canada-Ontario (Ontario, Toronto)
• Romania (Bucharest)
• France (Paris)

VPN Unlimited may limit connection speeds in some cases due to torrenting activity. They're quite clear about this in their terms of service.

When you select the Torrenting tab in the app, you'll see a warning message reminding you to only use torrents for legal purposes. This is a standard disclaimer that many VPNs include, but it's good to see VPN Unlimited being transparent about it.

The advantage of having dedicated torrenting servers is that they're optimized for P2P traffic. This can potentially lead to better performance when downloading or uploading torrents. Additionally, by separating P2P traffic to specific servers, VPN Unlimited can better manage their network and potentially reduce the risk of their other servers being blacklisted by streaming services.

In my testing for this VPN Unlimited review, I used VPN Unlimited to download some Linux distribution torrents. The speeds were okay, not the fastest I've seen, but certainly usable. The connection remained stable throughout the downloads, which is crucial for torrenting.

While the limited number of torrenting servers might be seen as a drawback by some users, it's actually not uncommon in the VPN industry. Many VPNs restrict P2P activities to specific servers to better manage their network and comply with various legal requirements.

All in all, if you're looking for a VPN primarily for torrenting, VPN Unlimited might not be your best choice. However, for occasional P2P use alongside other VPN activities, it's certainly capable.

Streaming

One of the key features that many users look for in a VPN is the ability to access geo-restricted streaming content. VPN Unlimited addresses this need with dedicated streaming servers.

These servers are specifically designed to help you unblock popular streaming services like Disney Plus, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and others, regardless of your physical location. It's a nice touch that sets VPN Unlimited apart from some of its competitors.

In the VPN Unlimited app for Windows, you can easily access these streaming servers by clicking on the streaming icon. The app will then show you a list of servers optimized for different streaming services, complete with icons for easy identification.

During my testing, I tried accessing a few different streaming platforms:

1. Netflix Germany: This worked well. I was able to connect to a German server and access the German Netflix library without issues.
2. BBC iPlayer: Again, success here. The UK streaming server allowed me to watch BBC iPlayer content, which is normally restricted to viewers in the UK.
3. Other platforms: Results were mixed. Some streaming platforms detected that I was using a VPN and blocked access.

Note that the success rate of VPNs for streaming can change over time, as streaming services are constantly updating their VPN detection methods. However, VPN Unlimited's dedicated streaming servers do seem to make a difference in many cases. Other top VPN providers like NordVPN and Private Internet Access performed great, too.

One feature I particularly liked was the convenience of having the streaming service icons right in the VPN app. This made it easy to connect to the right server for the content I wanted to access.

Overall, while VPN Unlimited's streaming capabilities aren't perfect, they're certainly above average. The dedicated streaming servers are a definite plus, and the success rate with major platforms like Netflix and BBC iPlayer is encouraging.

VPN Speed and Performance

For my speed tests, I used a Dell XPS laptop with an Intel i7-1065G7 CPU @ 1.30GHz and 16 GB of RAM running on Windows 11. My network configuration is Wi-Fi 5 protocol with a potential speed of 866 MBps.

Over the course of my VPN Unlimited review tests, I found VPN Unlimited to be generally stable and consistent in terms of speed. However, as with most VPNs, performance can vary depending on the server location and time of day.

Here are the results of my speed tests using Ookla's Speedtest:

• No VPN: 470 Mbps download, 490 Mbps upload, and 14 ms latency
• San Francisco, USA: 175 Mbps download, 246 Mbps upload, and 190 ms latency
• Denver, USA: 137 Mbps download, 78 Mbps upload, and 155 ms latency
• New York, USA: 332 Mbps download, 89 Mbps upload, and 121 ms latency
• GERMANY: 23 Mbps download, 3.6 Mbps upload, and 55 ms latency
• FRANCE: 411 Mbps download, 485 Mbps upload, and 15 ms latency
• SPAIN: 124 Mbps download, 55 Mbps upload, and 84 ms latency
• ITALY: 317 Mbps download, 167 Mbps upload, and 53 ms latency
• UK: 86 Mbps download, 56 Mbps upload, and 57 ms latency
• BRAZIL: 135 Mbps download, 108 Mbps upload, and 234 ms latency
• INDIA: 4 Mbps download, 1.3 Mbps upload, and 348 ms latency

The speed test results while connected to the San Francisco server.

As you can see, the speeds vary quite a bit depending on the server location. Some servers, like the one in France, performed exceptionally well, while others, like the one in India, showed significant slowdowns.

Remember that VPN speeds can be affected by many factors, including your base internet speed, distance from the server, and current server load. Your results might differ from mine.

In general, I found VPN Unlimited's speeds to be decent, but not outstanding. For most everyday tasks like browsing, streaming, and light downloading, the speeds should be more than sufficient. However, if you're looking for the absolute fastest VPN out there, you might want to look at some other options.

VPN Privacy Features

Next in this VPN Unlimited review, we’ll focus on its privacy capabilities, examining encryption standards, protocols, and no-logs practices to see how well it ensures privacy.

VPN Protocols

VPN Unlimited offers a range of VPN protocols to balance security and speed. You can choose your preferred protocol in the Options > Protocols section of the app.

You can choose from different protocol options, such as WireGuard, OpenVPN, and more.

The available protocols include:

• IKEv2
• OpenVPN
• KeepSolid Wise UDP
• KeepSolid Wise TCP
• WireGuard

If you're not sure which protocol to use, VPN Unlimited has an "Optimal protocol" option that automatically selects the best protocol for your connection.

One standout feature is the KeepSolid Wise protocol. This is a proprietary protocol exclusive to VPN Unlimited, designed to hide your VPN connection in networks that block VPNs. It's based on OpenVPN but with additional concealment capabilities, making it useful for bypassing VPN blocks in restrictive networks or countries.

In my testing for this VPN Unlimited review, I found that:

• WireGuard generally provided the fastest speeds
• OpenVPN offered a good balance of security and performance
• The KeepSolid Wise protocol was indeed effective at bypassing VPN detection in some cases

The variety of protocols available is a definite plus, allowing users to customize their VPN experience to their specific needs.

Strong Encryption

VPN Unlimited uses AES-256 encryption, which is the industry standard for top-grade security. This level of encryption is considered virtually unbreakable with current technology, ensuring that your data remains secure as it travels through the VPN tunnel.

The use of such strong encryption is crucial in today's online environment, where cyber threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Whether you're using public Wi-Fi, accessing sensitive information, or just browsing the web, AES-256 encryption provides a robust layer of protection.

No-Logs Policy and Transparency

VPN Unlimited claims to adhere to a strict no-logs policy. According to their Privacy Policy:

"KeepSolid does not monitor, store, or log your online activity, including your browsing history, connection times, metadata, downloads, server usage, or data content during your session in the VPN Services."

They also state that they don't store or log your IP address after your VPN session ends.

While this policy sounds good on paper, VPN Unlimited is based in the United States, which is part of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance. This location might be a concern for users who are particularly privacy-conscious.

Unlike some other VPN providers, VPN Unlimited hasn't undergone independent audits of their no-logs policy, which would provide additional assurance of their privacy practices.

Kill Switch

VPN Unlimited includes a Kill Switch feature, which you can enable in Options > Kill Switch.

The options screen allows you to enable or disable the kill switch and other features.

The Kill Switch is an important security feature that blocks all internet traffic if your VPN connection unexpectedly drops. This prevents your real IP address from being exposed, ensuring your online activities remain private even if the VPN fails.

In my testing, the Kill Switch worked as expected. When I deliberately disconnected the VPN, my internet connection was immediately cut off until I reconnected to the VPN or disabled the Kill Switch.

This feature is particularly crucial for activities where maintaining privacy is important, such as torrenting or accessing geo-restricted content.

DNS and IP Leak Protection

VPN Unlimited includes built-in protection against DNS and IP leaks, which are common vulnerabilities that can expose your real location and browsing activity even when using a VPN.

To test these protections, I used several online tools:

• IP Leak Tests: I used ipleak.net and perfect-privacy.com. VPN Unlimited passed both these tests, showing only the VPN server's IP address.
• DNS Leak Test: Using dnsleaktest.com, VPN Unlimited again passed, showing only DNS servers associated with the VPN.

These results suggest that VPN Unlimited's leak protection features are working effectively, providing an additional layer of privacy and security.

Wi-Fi Protection

VPN Unlimited offers Wi-Fi protection, which is particularly useful when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks. These networks are often unsecured and can be hotspots for cyber attacks.

When you connect to a public Wi-Fi network with VPN Unlimited active, your data is encrypted, making it much harder for potential attackers to intercept your information. This feature provides peace of mind when using Wi-Fi in cafes, airports, or other public spaces.

While I couldn't test this feature extensively in various public locations due to current circumstances, the automatic connection feature worked well in simulated tests. The VPN connected quickly when joining new networks, ensuring continuous protection.

Device Compatibility

VPN Unlimited offers broad device compatibility, allowing you to protect multiple devices with a single subscription. Here's a breakdown of the supported platforms:

• Desktop: Windows, macOS, Linux
• Mobile: iOS, Android
• Browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Edge
• Other: Routers, Smart TVs (via DNS setup)

With one subscription, you can use VPN Unlimited on up to 5 devices simultaneously. If you need more, you can purchase additional device slots.

I tested VPN Unlimited on Windows 11 and Android, and found the experience to be consistent across both platforms. The apps looked and functioned similarly, which is great for users who switch between devices frequently.

Some features, like split tunneling, are only available on certain platforms (Android, in this case). This is something to keep in mind if you're looking for specific features across all your devices.

Browser Extensions

VPN Unlimited offers browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Opera, and Edge. These extensions can be a convenient way to quickly secure your browser traffic without affecting your entire system.

From the browser extension window, you can connect to a server with one click.

I tested the Chrome extension and found it to be lightweight and easy to use. It connects to servers quickly from its dropdown menu, which is great when you need to change your IP address on the fly.

The browser extension settings include enabling the auto connection, WebRTC leak prevention, and more.

The extension includes some useful features like WebRTC protection and the ability to enable the KeepWise protocol. However, it doesn't have as many options as the full desktop app.

The browser extension only protects your browser traffic, not your entire system. For better protection, you'll want to use the desktop or mobile app, or use antimalware software like Bitdefender or Norton.

VPN Unlimited Review: Conclusion and Recommendations

After spending two weeks with VPN Unlimited, I've formed a pretty clear picture of its strengths and weaknesses. Here's my overall evaluation for this VPN Unlimited review:

Pros:

• Good server variety, including locations in less common areas
• Dedicated servers for torrenting and streaming
• Stable connections with decent speeds on many servers
• Proprietary KeepSolid Wise protocol for enhanced privacy
• User-friendly interface and easy setup
• Effective kill switch and leak protection

Cons:

• Speeds can be inconsistent, especially on distant servers
• Limited advanced features compared to some competitors
• Based in the US (Five Eyes jurisdiction)
• No split tunneling on Windows or macOS

In terms of value, VPN Unlimited's pricing is competitive, especially if you opt for longer-term plans. The 30-day money-back guarantee gives you a chance to test it out risk-free.

Overall, I'd recommend VPN Unlimited for:

• Users who prioritize ease of use
• Those who want a VPN primarily for streaming and occasional torrenting
• People looking for a balance of features and affordability

If you fall into these categories, VPN Unlimited is definitely worth considering. Remember to make use of the money-back guarantee to ensure it meets your specific needs before committing long-term.

FAQs

1. Is VPN Unlimited safe to use? Yes, VPN Unlimited uses strong AES-256 encryption and offers features like a kill switch and leak protection. However, its US jurisdiction might be a concern for some users.
2. Can VPN Unlimited unblock Netflix? In my testing, VPN Unlimited was able to unblock Netflix in some regions, including Germany. However, results may vary as streaming services continually update their VPN detection methods.
3. Does VPN Unlimited allow torrenting? Yes, but only on specific servers located in Canada, Romania, and France. They're upfront about limiting speeds in some cases due to torrenting activity.
4. How many devices can I use with VPN Unlimited? A standard subscription allows you to connect up to 5 devices simultaneously. You can purchase additional device slots if needed.
5. Does VPN Unlimited offer a free trial? VPN Unlimited doesn't offer a free trial, but they do provide a 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans, allowing you to test the service risk-free.

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.