Our Verdict
Our Thoughts on WideVPN
WideVPN secures a respectable position with a rating of 58.0%. The company’s strength is in its balance. It’s reliable but not groundbreaking. Performance is solid, though it doesn’t top the charts. It offers good functionality at a fair price. All these make WideVPN a viable choice for those seeking a balanced blend of functionality and affordability in their VPN service.
Market Benchmarks
Our reviews delve deeply into each VPN service, scrutinizing aspects such as privacy, customer feedback, pricing, and usability to provide well-rounded insights.
Ratings are based on our comprehensive research of 96 VPN companies. Out of 96 VPNs we reviewed, only 11 surpass the 75% threshold in our evaluation, while half of the reviewed services score below average (54.1%).
Why Read Our Review?
- Our VPN reviews are unbiased and data-driven. We are not affiliated to any of the VPN companies listed on this website.
- Our rating system covers diverse user needs. We delve deeply into each VPN service, scrutinizing aspects such as privacy, customer feedback, pricing, and usability to provide well-rounded insights.
About WideVPN
Operated by Amplusnet SRL and based in Romania, WideVPN has a network of 40 servers across 32 countries. The service maintains a clear no-logging policy and is transparent about its terms, including storing account information and web cookies. WideVPN supports multiple platforms such as Windows, Mac OS, Linux, iPhones, iPads, and Android-based devices. However, it does not offer its own VPN client, requiring manual setup. Guides are provided for setup on various operating systems.
WideVPN offers different subscription plans. The cheapest plan starts at $0.83/mo and require a 12-month commitment.
Visit WideVPN Online: https://www.widevpn.com/
WideVPN Technical Specs
| Features | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | Romania |
| Servers | 50 |
| Countries with Servers | 32 |
| Works In China | Likely |
| Encryptions | AES-256 |
| Cheapest Price | $0.83/mo, 12-month Subscription |
| Protocols | IKEv2/IPSec, L2TP/IPSec, OpenVPN, SSTP, PPTP, and WireGuard |
| Simultaneous Connections | 7 |
| Unblock Streaming Platforms | Netflix |
| Dedicated Device Apps | Android |
| Ads Blocking | No |
| Support | Email, WhatsApp, and Telegram |
WideVPN Pros & Cons
Listed below are what we like and dislike about WideVPN. As you explore the list, it’s crucial to weigh what sets this VPN apart from competitors against the aspects you might not favor.
The strengths of WideVPN highlight its unique advantages in the VPN market – offering features and services that may align perfectly with your specific needs. On the flip side, the cons, while not deal-breakers, are areas that may not meet everyone’s preferences or requirements.
It’s important for you to carefully consider these factors in relation to your individual needs and priorities in choosing a VPN service.
✅ Jurisdiction Outside of 14-Eye Alliance Countries
Romania-based WideVPN is headquartered outside the 14-Eye surveillance network. The company HQ’s location can be advantageous for users seeking enhanced privacy. Being outside these jurisdictions reduces the risk of government surveillance and data requests. Privacy-conscious users often prefer VPNs based in non-14-Eye countries for these reasons.
What is the 14-Eyes Alliance?
The term “14-Eyes” refers to a group of countries that participate in a surveillance alliance known as SIGINT Seniors Europe (SSEUR). This alliance, an extension of the original Five Eyes (FVEY) agreement, includes countries that agree to collect, analyze, and share intelligence with one another. The 14-Eyes nations comprise the original Five Eyes — the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand — plus Denmark, France, the Netherlands, Norway, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Spain, and Sweden.
What does jurisdiction outside of the 14-Eyes Alliance mean to you as a VPN user?
For those looking for a VPN service, the jurisdiction of the VPN provider is a crucial consideration. Why:
- Data Privacy Laws: Countries within the 14-Eyes alliance have agreements that may involve sharing intelligence and surveillance data. If a VPN provider is based in one of these countries, there’s a potential risk that user data could be collected and shared among these nations. This is particularly concerning for users who prioritize privacy.
- Legal Compliance: VPN providers operating in these jurisdictions may be legally obliged to comply with government requests for data. This compliance could include handing over user logs or other data, even if the VPN service claims to have a no-logs policy.
- Trust and Transparency: For users seeking the highest levels of privacy and anonymity, operating outside the 14-Eyes jurisdiction is often preferred. VPN services based in non-14-Eyes countries are perceived as less likely to be subject to government surveillance and data requests.
❌ Kill Switch Not Supported
WideVPN’s VPN service currently does not include a kill switch feature. This means that in the event of a sudden VPN disconnection, your devices might not automatically disconnect from the internet, potentially exposing your real IP address and online activities.
While the absence of a kill switch might not be a significant issue for casual browsing, it could be a concern for users who require a higher level of security and privacy assurance. As such, those who prioritize uninterrupted privacy protection might need to consider other VPN options or additional security measures.
Note: In comparison, 79 out of the 96 VPN companies we studied come with a kill switch feature.
❌ Not a Zero-Log VPN
According to our research, WideVPN does not maintain a strict no-logging policy.
Without a no-logging policy, WideVPN may collect and store data about your online activities, potentially impacting your digital privacy. While this is not an uncommon practice (41 out of the 96 VPNs we studied do not maintain a no-logging policy), the absence of a no-logging policy might raise concerns for users highly sensitive about their online privacy.
You should weigh the implications of this policy when considering WideVPN and determine if this level of privacy aligns with your needs.
✅ Support Double VPN
One key differences between WideVPN with most other VPNs is the inclusion of a double VPN function. Double VPN is an advanced security feature typically offered by premium VPN providers – it is only available in 26 VPNs (out of the 96) we studied.
What is a Double VPN?
Typically, only one VPN server is used to route data. Double VPN technology routes data through an extra server, making it essentially twice as secure. The core benefits of double VPN are a further boost in security and anonymity. Since all your data is protected with an extra layer of encryption, this makes it twice as hard for hackers to crack. Users requiring higher security levels, such as journalists or activists, might need to look for other providers that offer this enhanced privacy feature.
❌ Split Tunneling Not Available
Unfortunately, WideVPN does not offer the split tunneling feature in its services. All your internet traffic will go through the VPN server when it’s active.
Split tunneling is a VPN feature that helps manage the flow of data on your device. It allows users to choose which data is sent through the VPN and which is sent through a regular internet connection. This can help increase speed and lower latency for certain tasks. At the same time, critical operations will still benefit from VPN security.
✅ Likely to Work in China
According to our research, WideVPN has demonstrated effectiveness in bypassing China’s stringent internet restrictions. The ability to work in China means WideVPN can navigate through the Great Firewall, providing access to blocked content and ensuring communication freedom. This can be a notable advantage – especially you are living in or traveling often to the region.
However, it’s important to acknowledge that this capability may not be consistent in the future. The ever-evolving firewall policies and political factors in China could impact WideVPN’s effectiveness. Users should stay informed about these changes to manage their expectations and plan accordingly.
❌ Small Server Fleet
We noted in our market research that the average server fleet size is1,679. In comparison, WideVPN operates just 50 servers. This places it below half the market average in terms of server count. While a small server network might suggest limited geographical reach and potentially higher server load, it doesn’t automatically equate to a compromised user experience. You should consider how the server count aligns with your specific needs, such as subscription cost, desired server locations and expected network performance.
✅ Unblock Major Streaming Platforms
Our analysis indicates that WideVPN excels in bypassing geo-restrictions on most streaming platforms including Netflix. Whether you’re a film buff, a TV series enthusiast, or simply wish to enjoy local content while traveling abroad – its proficiency in unblocking streaming platforms enriches your viewing experience without the hassle of geographical limitations.
Bottom Line: Is WideVPN Right for You?
Verdict Recap
WideVPN secures a respectable position with a rating of 58.0%. The company’s strength is in its balance. It’s reliable but not groundbreaking. Performance is solid, though it doesn’t top the charts. It offers good functionality at a fair price. All these make WideVPN a viable choice for those seeking a balanced blend of functionality and affordability in their VPN service.
When considering our VPN ratings, remember they are for reference only and may not reflect every individual’s unique needs. It’s essential for you to understand your specific requirements and choose a VPN service accordingly.
If your priority is extreme security, features like a double VPN and a jurisdiction outside of the 14-Eyes should be your focus, rather than factors like pricing, streaming platforms unblocking, or server count. Conversely, if you’re seeking extra privacy for casual internet browsing, advanced security features might be less critical, allowing you to opt for a more basic, cost-effective VPN solution.
We encourage you to actively try and test various VPNs yourself to find the one that best fits your unique requirements.
Alternatives to WideVPN
There are many WideVPN alternatives in the market – many of which are powerful and reasonably priced. Read further to compare and choose below.