FastVPN Review 2024
FastVPN is a proprietary VPN app developed by Namecheap, a popular Web hosting and domain name provider. In our tests, we found that it offers a good balance of privacy and performance. However, it’s based in the US, a jurisdiction of the Five Eyes Alliance. This means that the US government could access and use the data collected by Namecheap FastVPN for surveillance purposes.Â
On the bright side, FastVPN claims to keep no user logs and hasn’t experienced any data breaches in the past. It also offers a number of security features, along with a server network in 50+ countries.Â
In terms of performance, FastVPN is generally fast and reliable. It can unblock streaming services like Netflix and Disney+, and it’s also good for torrenting. However, the gaming performance is rather disappointing. On top of that, you could face connection problems during peak hours.
Overall, if you’re looking for a VPN service that’s affordable and easy to use, then FastVPN could be a good option for you. Here’s a table that shows the main features of Namecheap FastVPN:
FastVPN by Namecheap claims to be one of the best VPN services on the market, but is it really? We’ll find that out for ourselves by putting it through a series of rigorous tests. We’ll look at its reputation, speed, security, privacy, pricing, and customer support to see how it compares to other VPNs we’ve reviewed.
Our review process is consistent for every VPN we evaluate. We use various tests and criteria to measure different aspects of a VPN’s performance and quality. If you want to know more about our methodology, you can check out how we review VPNs.
Table of Contents
Background, Jurisdiction & Reputation
FastVPN comes from the USA, which can be worrisome. However, there's no reason not to trust this company, as there are no reports that could point to data leaks in the past. Our Score: 8/10
When choosing a VPN, it’s imperative to know where it comes from. That’s because VPNs deal with private and personal information, and you want to make sure that no one is forcing the VPN to collect any data. So, let’s find out more about this aspect of FastVPN.Â
Where Is FastVPN Based?
FastVPN is based in the US. When you subscribe to this VPN, as their Privacy Policy says, your rights and actions are governed by the laws of the United States and the State of Arizona. This is a big red flag since the US is perhaps the most aggressive country when it comes to logging PII.
To persuade you into subscribing, FastVPN is transparent about its data logging. It states that your personal information is never collected. Except for some data that’s required by the company to analyze and improve their software. In general, this is nothing to be worried about. Many VPNs do this, and this shouldn’t be a problem unless your personal data gets collected along the way.
Now, the problem is that Namecheap's FastVPN comes from a member of the 5/9/14-Eyes Alliance, which is a group of countries collecting and exchanging all kinds of intelligence data. That’s precisely why VPNs are usually based in exotic locations with no data retention laws such as the British Virgin Islands, Seychelles, and similar.Â
In other words, it's always a better idea to use a VPN in a country without a record of collecting data or forcing data processors to log any kind of information.
Did FastVPN Leak Personal Data in the Past?
No, FastVPN has had no data leaks in the past. In all fairness, this is still a relatively new VPN, and we believe that it isn’t used by a large number of individuals around the globe. However, it’s good to know that this VPN’s reputation is still intact.
All in all, we have no reason not to trust FastVPN. It says what kinds of data it collects and has no previous data leaks. However, it's worrying that it comes from the USA. So those of you who are truly concerned about privacy should look for another VPN solution.Â
Supported Platforms & Devices
FastVPN currently covers all of the major desktop and mobile platforms. In addition, you can use it on VPN-compatible routers as well. Our Score:8/10
Generally, VPNs let you access secure servers from multiple devices simultaneously. This means you need to check which platforms are compatible to ensure your safety both at home and while on the go. Here's a summary table for FastVPN's performance in this aspect.
FastVPN offers native apps for Windows and macOS, ensuring a consistent experience on desktops with intuitive interfaces. For Linux users, there’s the option to manually configure OpenVPN. You could also configure the service on other devices, like Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, LG, and Samsung Smart TVs. The setup guides on FastVPN’s website are pretty detailed and easy to follow.Â
Mobile platforms are also well-supported, with apps available for both Android and iOS devices. Notably, FastVPN has expanded its compatibility to include routers such as DD-WRT and Tomato. Using this service on a router lets you connect as many devices as you would like to the VPN’s network without running out of support.Â
Additionally, this VPN offers unlimited simultaneous connections, so you don't have to worry about any restrictions in that regard. This flexibility allows users to connect all their computers and smartphones to the VPN at once.Â
Not many VPNs offer such a wide range of supported devices and unlimited connections. So we definitely think FastVPN deserves extra points for this reason.Â
Installation & Initial Configuration
Luckily, installing FastVPN's VPN software is quite simple. Download the app from its official website, install it, and then sign in using your credentials. Our Score: 10/10
In this section of our FastVPN review, we'll guide you through the simple process of installing and setting up the service. The process is straightforward – void of any third-party components or bundled offers. Overall, it's a breeze to get started with FastVPN. Let’s show you how.
How to Download and Use FastVPN?
To use FastVPN, you need to sign up and pay for a subscription. Once subscribed, you can now download the app. Here are the steps in detail:
- Go to the official website and subscribe to FastVPN.
- Access your account on the site with your credentials.
- Go to the "Apps" dashboard and select the "FastVPN" app button to download it onto your device.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to install the app.
- Now, launch the app and log in using your credentials.
- Choose a server manually, or let the app automatically do it for you.
- You’re now ready to browse the Internet securely and privately with FastVPN.
Through the user control panel, you have the convenience of reviewing all the services you've acquired from FastVPN, which may also include Web hosting plans and domain names. The dashboard is also a convenient hub to access various installation guides available in the help center.
Prominent Features
While FastVPN prioritizes essential VPN features, it lacks advanced options like split tunneling, anti-malware, dedicated IP, and ad-blocking. Without these extra features, it significantly reduces its power compared to other services. Our Score: 4.5/10
In this section, we‘ll evaluate how FastVPN performs according to our standards and highlight some of its main features. We know FastVPN is a newcomer in the VPN market and hasn’t added many new features to keep up with its rivals. It mainly offers the basic features that are essential for a VPN service, rather than a variety of advanced options.Â
That said, here’s what you can expect from the VPN:
- DNS Leak Protection: To ensure your data remains secure within the VPN tunnel, FastVPN offers DNS leak protection. This feature prevents any leaks and ensures your online activities are kept private. However, it's important to note that FastVPN doesn't provide IPv6 support, so users will need to manually disable this protocol and rely on IPv4 instead.
- AES-256 Encryption: You’ll be happy to know that FastVPN comes with the highest level of encryption. By encrypting your data, you’re basically making it unreadable to anyone else. This means that you’re safe even if someone gets to your data.Â
- Kill Switch: The service has recently introduced a kill switch feature for Windows users. This valuable addition prevents any data leaks in case your VPN connection drops. It blocks all data traffic until you reconnect to the VPN or disable the kill switch, making sure that your IP address, data, and online activities remain protected.
- Auto Protect: FastVPN has an ‘Auto-Protect’ feature that’s designed for Windows, macOS, and iOS users. This feature automatically initiates the VPN connection as soon as you go online. This gives you immediate and seamless protection without any manual intervention.
- Unlimited Server Switches and Bandwidth: With this VPN, you can enjoy unlimited bandwidth for all your online activities. Whether you want to watch HD videos, download large files, or play online games, you can do it all without any data limits or speed issues. You can also switch between servers as often as you like, with no extra fees or limitations.Â
Server Count & Infrastructure
When it comes to its server count, FastVPN falls somewhere in the middle in comparison to other VPNs with 1,000+ servers. Our Score: 7/10
Having a wide range of server options is crucial to ensure unrestricted access to global content. FastVPN aims to fulfill this need by offering an extensive network of servers distributed across the globe. Let's evaluate its server coverage in this segment. Here’s a table with some key details:
FastVPN boasts a well-spread network with 1,000+ servers in 53 countries and about 80+ locations. Even when compared to more established VPN providers, its number of server locations is still impressive.
While the European region stands out with over 30 countries covered, major regions like the United States enjoy multiple server options. It has servers in 6 Asian countries and even in South Africa.Â
FastVPN’s app also displays scores of server load and ping. The ping information is generally accurate, with minor discrepancies on distant servers. To easily find your server, you also have the option to mark them as favorites. In terms of performance, all servers proved to be reliable, connecting within a few seconds.Â
During our evaluation, we found a virtual server in India, which was surprising since the VPN mainly uses physical servers. Moreover, their support team told us that FastVPN was created in cooperation with StackPath, a private equity funded cyber security company. As a result, Namecheap servers are powered by StackPath.
UI/UX Design & Ease of Use
FastVPN has been rapidly improving its applications across the board. There are still some inconsistencies between different versions, but the situation is much better than before. Our score: 8/10
In this segment, we'll explore FastVPN's applications for Windows and talk a bit about its apps on iOS and Android. First of all, FastVPN has made significant improvements to its desktop applications, providing a more comprehensive user experience. Let's take a closer look at this and explore the app's features.
- Home Screen: The Windows app’s home screen has a user-friendly interface. Here, you can choose a server or pick a saved location to instantly connect using the prominent ‘Connect VPN’ button. Apart from that, you can view important details about your VPN connection like virtual IP address, protocol used, session duration, and total data usage.Â
The left-side menu in FastVPN's Windows app provides various customization options to tailor the VPN experience according to your preferences. Let's explore what you can do with it.
- Locations: This section neatly organizes all the servers by their name. You can sort the list alphabetically or by load time or ping time scores. Moreover, favorite locations can be saved with a simple click on the star icon. Clicking on a location also reveals other available server options within that country.
- Settings: In this panel, you'll find toggles and options to enhance your VPN usage. You can set Kill Switch, Startup, and Auto Protect features here to ensure continuous traffic security. There’s also the Network Detection Notification option to send you alerts every time it discovers a new network. Plus, you can customize the app's appearance and save trusted WiFi networks conveniently from this section.
- Account: The Account section displays your username and subscription details, including the plan and its expiration date. You can also enable auto-renewal of their subscription with the ‘Renew Subscription’ button. Additionally, a sign-out option is also available here.
- Protocol: This section on the Windows app allows users to choose from three protocols: WireGuard, IKEv2, and OpenVPN. When using OpenVPN, you can further select between TCP and UDP, with an additional Scramble option with obfuscation capabilities for bypassing network traffic sensors. Keep in mind that you can only switch protocols when you’re not connected to a server.
- Log Details: This section provides you with valuable troubleshooting information by logging your VPN activities. It also displays the total data downloaded and uploaded through the VPN.
- Notifications: To ensure that you can easily address any issues that require attention, the app has a Notifications section where all app-related messages are shown. However, we haven’t seen a single notification in this section. On the brighter side, the VPN conveniently notifies you every time the VPN connects or disconnects.
- Get Help: In this section, FastVPN provides direct access to its Knowledgebase for VPN support and offers a Live Chat option to connect with customer support.
- Legal Information: It’s important for a VPN to be transparent about its policy and compliance. To do that, the app provides access to important documents, including FastVPN’s Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Licenses, in this section.
When it comes to FastVPN's iOS app, it boasts a clean UI with a world map background. This makes connecting and disconnecting from servers effortless. The Android app also shares the same design with a world map and a list of countries. However, it lacks many settings options compared to the iOS app.Â
While both mobile apps are functional, the Android app could use further development to match top-rated VPNs.
Media Streaming, Torrenting, and Gaming Support
FastVPN lets you watch various streaming services and share files via P2P from many locations. However, it doesn’t offer a great gaming experience. Our Score: 6/10
We thoroughly tested FastVPN's performance in accessing online content through streaming services, torrenting sites, and gaming platforms. Here are our findings to help you determine if it meets your requirements.
Is FastVPN Good for Streaming?
Yes, FastVPN is good for streaming. It offers several features that enhance your streaming experience.Â
Firstly, it uses strong encryption to protect your data. Secondly, FastVPN has a large server network, providing you with a wide selection of servers to choose from, resulting in better connectivity and faster speeds.Â
One of the standout features is its ability to unblock geo-restricted content. This allows you to access your favorite shows and movies from anywhere in the world. However, during our testing, Hulu is the only provider that doesn’t get through.Â
Despite this limitation, here are some of the most notable US-based streaming platforms this VPN can unblock.
It can also unblock a variety of non-US streaming platforms, including:
It's worth mentioning that Namecheap VPN shares the infrastructure with IPVanish, which is also used by other VPN providers. This means that if a streaming platform decides to block the VPN, Namecheap has limited control over the situation since the server network is managed by IPVanish.
Is FastVPN Good for Torrenting?
Yes, FastVPN is good for torrenting. With a large server network and reliable unblocking capabilities, it allows you to securely access torrents from anywhere in the world.Â
During our tests, FastVPN demonstrated impressive download speeds, reaching up to 10MB/s. However, it currently doesn’t support port forwarding.
To ensure your online activities remain private, FastVPN also implements security measures, including strong encryption. Additionally, the VPN's strict no-logs policy guarantees that no information about your torrenting activity is stored, further enhancing your privacy.
However, it's important to consider the legal implications of torrenting while using FastVPN. As FastVPN is based in the United States, it's subject to US laws. Downloading copyrighted content without proper permission is illegal and can lead to serious legal consequences. To minimize these risks, we recommend sticking to legal torrents only.
Is FastVPN Good for Gaming?
No, FastVPN isn't a good option for gaming due to its limitations. While it provided satisfactory results on local servers, we encountered significant latency issues when connecting to its US servers.
For a smooth gaming experience, it's generally recommended to have a ping of around 50 ms or lower. Unfortunately, with FastVPN, we experienced high ping rates, which resulted in frequent disconnects and lags. This put us at a disadvantage in multiplayer games, as our screens often buffered during the gameplay.
A static IP address can help you access region-locked games, but FastVPN doesn’t offer this feature. Overall, FastVPN may not be the best choice for gamers. You might want to look for other VPNs that suit your gaming needs better.
Security & Privacy
FastVPN offers strong encryption and capable VPN protocols, but its Privacy Policy hasn’t been audited. This lack of transparency is concerning, especially given the fact that FastVPN is based in the United States. Our Score: 5/10
VPNs are supposed to keep your online identity and private data secure. So we assessed FastVPN through its VPN protocols, logging practices, and DNS leaks to see how well it does that. Here’s what we found.
FastVPN Protocols
With FastVPN, you can use three different protocols to encrypt your data: WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2. The table below shows which platforms are compatible with each protocol.
- WireGuard: This is an emerging VPN protocol known for its remarkable speed and robust security capabilities. One of its notable advantages is its ease of configuration and use. However, it’s important to note that FastVPN currently offers WireGuard on its Windows, macOS, and iOS app.
- IKEv2: Designed with a primary focus on mobile platforms, IKEv2 offers impressive speeds and robust security. While this protocol is available for users of iOS, macOS, and Windows, other operating systems don’t support this protocol.
- OpenVPN: This is one of the most trusted VPN protocols and is renowned for its reliability and security measures. It offers widespread compatibility across a diverse range of devices, including Windows and Android. Currently, macOS, iOS, and Linux users along with some supported routers can set up an OpenVPN connection through external applications.
FastVPN's protocol support varies across platforms, resulting in different user experiences. The Windows app currently offers the most extensive support. Additionally, factors like distance to the VPN server and server traffic can affect the speed and security of the VPN protocol.
Does FastVPN Keep Logs?
No, FastVPN doesn't keep logs of your online activities, but it does collect some non-identifiable data for troubleshooting purposes. This may raise some concerns, especially since the company has not had any independent audits.
The company's Terms of Service (ToS) clearly states that FastVPN doesn't log user activity such as visited websites, DNS lookups, or emails. However, it would be more reassuring if FastVPN underwent an independent audit and provided clearer guidelines around data collection.
Overall, FastVPN’s privacy practices could be improved. If you’re looking for a VPN with the strongest possible privacy protections, we recommend choosing a different provider.
Does FastVPN Leak/Expose Your Private Data?
No, FastVPN doesn’t leak your private data. We have done an extended DNS test and found that third parties will only see what FastVPN shows them: your virtual IP, hostname, ISP, and country.
As you can see from the screenshot above, FastVPN has successfully hidden our IP address and location. The DNS addresses point only to FastVPN's servers, which means that the VPN is effective in preventing DNS leaks and keeping our online activity private.
This VPN also shows our virtual IP address or location and prevents websites or third parties from seeing our real ones.
Speed & Performance
FastVPN slowed us down by 47.8% on average. Your mileage can vary, but this VPN’s performance is below average. Our Score: 6/10
In this review section, we'll conduct speed tests to evaluate FastVPN's performance. We'll measure our Internet speed without the VPN and compare it to speeds on both nearby and remote servers.Â
Our baseline test achieved download speeds of 105.19 Mbps and upload speeds of 113.60 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection.Â
Here are the results from our tests on different servers around the world:
- USA Server: Among all the tested servers, the USA server had a notably subpar performance. It reduced the download speed by 44% or 58.59 Mbps, which was considerably lower than the baseline. Similarly, the upload speed was also affected, reaching only 1.95 Mbps.
- UK Server: This one performed worse than the US server. Here, the download speed was reduced by 52% or 50.17 Mbps. It was much slower than most other servers. The upload speed also dropped to 2.69 Mbps. Both speeds were significantly lower, making it less suitable for bandwidth-intensive tasks.
- Canada Server: This server performed similarly to the UK server in terms of download speed, reducing it by 52% or 50.11 Mbps. This provided a decent connection for most online activities. However, the upload speed dropped to 1.18 Mbps, which was only slightly better than India’s upload speed.
- India Server: The Indian server had the poorest performance, significantly affecting the speed. It cut down the download speed by 54% or 47.96 Mbps, but the connection could still handle basic online tasks. The upload speed also dropped sharply to 0.84 Mbps.
- Australia Server: This server offered a relatively strong performance compared to other servers in the list. It reduced the download speed by 35% or 68.20 Mbps, maintaining higher speeds than most servers. The upload speed was also slow at 1.84 Mbps.
- Italy Server: The Italian server showcased decent performance, reducing the download speed by 50% or 52.98 Mbps. It delivered satisfactory speeds for most online activities. However, the upload speed was also affected, dropping to 3.17 Mbps.
According to our tests, FastVPN slowed down our Web connection by 48% on average compared to the baseline speed. This isn't a major issue unless you use congested servers that are very far from your location. In that case, you’ll notice a significant drop in your download and upload speeds.Â
Customer Support
Even though there are various communication channels available, the process of getting help can be a somewhat frustrating one. Our Score: 8.5/10
FastVPN is owned by Namecheap, which isn’t a freshly established company - so you can expect a comprehensive customer support system. There are several ways of communicating with the company and having your questions answered.
- FAQs: This is FastVPN’s first line of support for getting help from Namecheap. Here you can find answers to common questions and troubleshoot any concerns you may have regarding FastVPN's features, functionality, and usage.
- Knowledgebase: This is where you can find valuable information categorized by devices. While the majority of the content is up-to-date, it's important to note that some articles date back to 2021 and 2022. However, FastVPN has made recent updates in 2023 to ensure the accuracy of its content. Additionally, there's a general section that provides users with a range of self-help resources.
- Live Chat: FastVPN recently opened its live chat feature to all users, not just registered customers. While this is a welcome change, we found the wait times to be excessive. It took us 15 minutes and two agents to answer our questions about supported protocols and P2P permissions. While live chat is a convenient way to get help, it’s not very efficient.
- Support Ticket: Another feature that FastVPN offers is the option to submit a support ticket. To use this feature, you need to fill out a form with your name, email address, and a detailed description of your problem. However, you need to complete Google’s CAPTCHA to verify that you aren’t a robot. This method allows FastVPN to provide a more formal and structured response to your queries.
- Troubleshooting and Setup Guides: If you encounter any common problems, you can use the guides in this section to solve them. They’re organized by troubleshooter categories, and each one has easy-to-follow steps. You can also contact customer support if you need further assistance.
All in all, FastVPN offers a way for you to have your questions answered. However, we were surprised by the lack of knowledge displayed by its support agents. They struggled to answer even the most basic questions. This may be attributed to the fact that the same support team handles queries related to other products from Namecheap.
Pricing
FastVPN is among the most affordable VPNs. In the end, we do have to admit that it brings good value for its price, overall. Our Score: 6/10
At the moment, FastVPN offers two subscription plans. Let’s see how much they cost and how much money they can potentially help you save.
How Much Is FastVPN?
Starting at $0.99/month, FastVPN offers two subscription plans to suit different needs and budgets. You can also try any of these plans risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Here’s a breakdown of each plan and what you can expect from them.
- 1-Month Plan: The monthly plan only costs $0.99 per month and provides an 87% discount from the regular price of $7.88/mo. Since it's a short-term plan, it allows you to adjust your VPN usage based on your needs. The plan automatically renews at $7.88 per month.Â
- 1-Year Plan: This one-year subscription is priced at just $1.57 per month and provides a 45% discount on the regular price. The plan simplifies your billing process with a single upfront payment of $18.88 for the entire year, eliminating the need for monthly transactions. The plan, however, renews at $34.56 per year, if you want to continue accessing FastVPN’s services without interruption.
FastVPN offers a range of payment options, including major credit cards, PayPal, and popular cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, Litecoin, and more. By accepting crypto, you have the flexibility to top up your account balance and conveniently use it for FastVPN and other Namecheap services.
Final Thoughts
Namecheap FastVPN is a VPN service that’s affordable and easy to use. It comes with strong security-related features as well. However, there’s the question of data logging. At the moment, we can only recommend it to those who wish to unblock Netflix at an affordable rate and who aren’t overly concerned about their digital privacy.
If you’re looking for a VPN service that offers strong privacy and security features, we’d recommend looking elsewhere. However, if you believe this VPN meets your needs, feel free to subscribe to FastVPN by Namecheap.
PROS
- Simple and easy to use.
- Over 1,000 servers.
- Affordable plans.
- Can unblock Netflix.
- Covers essential security features.
CONS
- Based in the USA.
- Vague privacy policy.
- Lacks advanced features.
- Semi-helpful customer support.
| Review Summary FastVPN has some promising features, but it also has some weak points. We recommend it for those who want to unblock Netflix outside the USA and for average home users. However, if you’re looking for the best VPNs available today, you should continue your search. | 7 Overall Score | ||
| Background, Jurisdiction & Reputation | 8 | ||
| Supported Platforms & Devices | 8 | ||
| Installation & Initial Configuration | 10 | ||
| Prominent Features | 4.5 | ||
| Server Count & Infrastructure | 7 | ||
| UI/UX Design & Ease of Use | 8 | ||
| Media Streaming, Torrenting, and Gaming Support | 6 | ||
| Security & Privacy | 5 | ||
| Speed & Performance | 6 | ||
| Customer Support | 8.5 | ||
| Pricing | 6 | ||