CactusVPN Review 2025: A Competitive VPN Service

CactusVPN impresses with its robust security features, including AES-256 encryption and a strict no-logs policy, but not much else. The downside is that its performance proved to be lackluster. CactusVPN failed to unblock Netflix's geo-restrictions, and its small server network is further hindered by spotty connections.

Although CactusVPN can be more expensive than other VPNs, it does offer unlimited simultaneous connections to enhance its value. Overall, CactusVPN is an okay choice, but going for one of the best VPNs may serve you better.

At a glance

Price	$2.77-$9.99/mo
Free version	No
Max # of connected devices	Unlimited
# of servers	36 servers in 22 countries
VPN protocol	SSTP, IKEv2, OpenVPN, L2TP, PPTP, WireGuard
Encryption	AES-256
No-logs policy	No logs
Headquarters	Moldova
Netflix access	Yes
Learn more	Get CactusVPN

We last tested CactusVPN on September 10, 2025.

Our experience

We had a notably straightforward process when installing and using CactusVPN. The downloading and installation were hassle-free, and we encountered no issues.

Although CactusVPN offers device-specific tutorials via the web portal, we didn't need the Windows guidance to download the VPN client. It was easy to navigate the settings and connect to a server, thanks to the intuitive interface.

Our first server connection went smoothly, and we were able to browse as normal without any noticeable slower speeds. Once we tried to connect to different countries, however, some issues did come to light.

CactusVPN only has 36 servers, and we weren't able to connect to about half of them, especially the specialty P2P servers.

And even though we weren't able to connect to the optimized peer-to-peer (P2P) servers, we appreciate the transparency and accessibility of the VPN server list. 

But these connection issues highlight why it's important for VPN services to have a high number of servers in general. The more servers you offer, the less likely you will be hindered by duds or traffic congestion. 

Weird note: Some servers we were able to connect to actually made our Spotify glitch out, making it skip every song.

In our previous testing, we weren't able to connect to CactusVPN's Canadian and Australian servers, which limited our testing capabilities. The good news is that this time around, we could connect to servers in Canada, the United Kingdom, and even Australia without any hiccups. The bad news is that, unlike in previous testing, we weren't able to unblock regional Netflix libraries. Before, we could at least stream content from the UK and Australia (though the latter caused a ton of lag).

So if you're the type of VPN user who just uses one country and sticks to it, this has what you need.

Who is CactusVPN best for?

• Recommended for individuals and small teams who prioritize security without breaking the bank.

CactusVPN offers affordable pricing coupled with robust encryption and many VPN protocols. With its support for unlimited connected devices, it’s also a good choice for families or small businesses that have a lot of devices connected to the internet.

The large range of VPN protocols allows CactusVPN to cater to a variety of needs. Whether you’re looking to secure data on public Wi-Fi, bypass geo-restrictions, or access streaming services, there’s a protocol that aids you.

Its straightforward setup and user-friendly interface make it an accessible option for VPN newcomers. CactusVPN also offers more advanced features for the tech-savvy, such as the kill switch, split tunneling, and torrenting support.

CactusVPN prices and subscriptions

CactusVPN boasts a range of subscription options from $2.77-$9.99/mo. The long-term subscriptions can help you save money on a VPN.

The plans start with a one-month subscription, costing $9.99/mo, which is competitive compared to other one-month plans in the VPN market. This plan offers flexibility to users looking for short-term commitments.

However, the price does decrease with the length of the subscription, with the three-month plan offering $7.99/mo (billed every three months), the annual plan offering $5.83/mo (billed annually), and — most economical — the two-year plan offering $3.95/mo (billed every two years).

Plan	1-month plan	3-month plan	1-year plan	2-year plan	Learn more
Price per period	$9.99/mo	$7.99/mo (billed every three months)	$5.83/mo (billed annually)	$3.95/mo (billed every two years)	View plans

CactusVPN features

CactusVPN stands out for its robust security features, affordability, and user-friendly interface, though it might fall short in terms of server count compared to some larger VPN providers.

Server count and countries

• 36 servers in 22 countries

CactusVPN has only 36 servers in 22 countries, which is low compared to other VPN services. Most VPNs offer hundreds, if not thousands, of VPN servers. For example, take NordVPN (8,100+ servers) and Surfshark (3,200+ servers).

A high server count and a broad distribution across countries are crucial for accessing geo-restricted content and maintaining speeds. The limited server count makes it difficult to find specific server locations and avoid overcrowding.

On the plus side, CactusVPN makes sorting the VPN servers list by speed or specialty, like optimized P2P servers, super easy.

No-logs policy and headquarters

• Logs policy: No logs
• Headquarters: Moldova

CactusVPN boasts a no-logs policy and is headquartered in Moldova, a country known for not being part of the invasive surveillance alliances of the Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, or 14 Eyes.

The no-logs policy ensures that the VPN provider doesn’t keep a record of users’ online activities, enhancing both privacy and security. However, the policy hasn’t undergone a third-party audit, which can be a concern to some.

The jurisdiction of a VPN’s headquarters can have a significant impact on its ability to resist government demands for user data. Being in Moldova, CactusVPN is in a favorable position to uphold its no-logs commitment without legal pressure to disclose user information.

Split tunneling

Split tunneling allows you to choose which apps use the VPN and which don’t, offering flexibility in managing network traffic. This is ideal for someone who wants to use a VPN for watching Netflix content in a different country, but still needs full internet speeds for online gaming, for example.

Split tunneling is easily turned on in the mobile versions of CactusVPN, but we were unable to locate the option in the Windows app.

Kill switch

A kill switch protects data by cutting off internet access if the VPN connection drops, thus preventing data leaks. 

You can turn this on for most protocols in the Settings tab under the VPN category. CactusVPN doesn't call it a kill switch directly, so just look for the option described as "Stop internet traffic if VPN connection is dropped."

Apps Killer

Similar to the kill switch, the Apps Killer feature allows you to block specific applications automatically if your internet connection drops. So if you are logged into your online banking account or various social media accounts, listing them in the Apps Killer can protect you from hackers should your secure VPN connection be lost. 

VPN protocols

CactusVPN supports multiple VPN protocols, including:

• OpenVPN (TCP and UDP)
• WireGuard
• SSTP
• IKEv2
• L2TP/IPSec
• PPTP

CactusVPN doesn't have an auto-select feature, which makes it harder if you're unsure which protocol works best. You can choose which VPN protocol to use by selecting one in the dropdown in the Settings tab.

Smart DNS

As part of your subscription with CactusVPN, you also get free DNS servers. You can find them in your account settings on the website by going to Settings > DNS Servers.

You can think of these as shortcuts to tricking websites into thinking you're from a different geographic location without being connected to a VPN. This means you can surpass geographic restrictions without taking a hit to your speed (which is the case when you connect to VPNs).

You can customize the Smart DNS specs via Settings. 

CactusVPN test results

Our comprehensive review process was designed to thoroughly evaluate the performance and reliability of CactusVPN. It’s essential to test VPNs to understand how they will impact a user's internet speed, security, and overall usability.

In our tests, we focused on speed, streaming service accessibility, and leak protection to provide you with a clearer picture of what you can expect.

Speed tests

• Speed test results: CactusVPN dropped our download speeds by an average of 60%. 

For our first test, we measured internet speeds with CactusVPN, both activated and deactivated, to assess its impact on connectivity. We tested CactusVPN's macOS app from a physical location in the U.S.

Test type	No VPN	US to US	US to CA	US to EU	US to AU
Download speed	512.46 Mbps	100.15 Mbps	286.86 Mbps	189.81 Mbps	241.71 Mbps
Upload speed	311.09 Mbps	81.15 Mbps	200.44 Mbps	76.61 Mbps	51.64 Mbps
Latency (ping)	16 ms	34 ms	60 ms	120 ms	307 ms
Download speed % difference	N/A	-80.46%	-44.02%	-62.96%	-52.83%
Upload speed % difference	N/A	-73.91%	-35.57%	-75.37%	-83.40%
Latency % difference	N/A	+112.50%	+275.00%	+650.00%	+1,818.75%

Previously, CactusVPN improved our download and upload speeds with most of the servers we tested. We saw an increase in performance when connected to servers in Albany, Montreal, and London. 

So we were disappointed that CactusVPN's most recent results were much worse. We sorted CactusVPN's list of servers by speed and selected the fastest location (Kansas City). Surprisingly, this server dropped our download speeds by over 80% and our upload speeds by close to 74%.

Once we connected to servers outside of the U.S., our speeds actually got better. Canada, the U.K., and Australia still decreased our download speeds, but none as brutally as the U.S. server.

Despite the slow speeds, we only noticed some lag while connected to the Sydney server, but this outcome was expected. Our latency shot up by over 1,800%, which leads to slow page loading, buffering videos, and lag while video gaming. 

Overall, these results indicate that while CactusVPN is inconsistent, so you may need to try multiple servers for optimal performance.

Netflix tests

• Netflix test results: CactusVPN failed to unblock most of the regional Netflix libraries we tested.

CactusVPN was unsuccessful in accessing Netflix libraries in Canada, the U.K., and Australia. This is a significant disadvantage for users looking to unblock geo-restricted content and enjoy a wider variety of shows and movies. 

	US to US	US to CA	US to UK	US to AU
Did it work with Netflix?

In our previous testing, we could unblock regional libraries in the U.K. and Australia (though the latter had so much buffering we weren't actually able to stream). 

This time, we could only connect to the U.S. Netflix library. At least we had no issues streaming content when connected to a server in New York.

DNS and WebRTC leak tests

• DNS leak test results: CactusVPN passed its DNS leak test.
• WebRTC leak test results: CactusVPN passed its WebRTC leak test.

Domain Name System (DNS) translates domain names to IP addresses, allowing browsers to load internet resources. DNS leak tests check if your internet traffic is being routed through your VPN's DNS servers or if it's leaking to your ISP's servers, potentially exposing your browsing activity.

Web Real-Time Communication (WebRTC) enables direct communication between browsers for activities like video chatting. A WebRTC leak test determines if your real IP address is exposed while using WebRTC services, even when connected to a VPN.

CactusVPN passed the DNS and WebRTC leak tests, so it can effectively mask your IP address and route your DNS requests through its servers. That way, your online activities and real location remain private during use.

Kill switch test

• Kill switch test results: CactusVPN passed its kill switch test. 

To test if a kill switch is working properly, we opened up IPLeak.net, which detects our DNS every second. If our real IP shows up between the first server and the second, then the VPN was not able to terminate our internet connection when we lost connection to the server, which left our information vulnerable.

CactusVPN has previously leaked our real IP address and location. This time, we switched between servers with no leaks, so CactusVPN passed this test. 

CactusVPN compatibility

CactusVPN offers broad compatibility across a range of devices and platforms, ensuring you can secure your internet connection on most devices. Here’s a list of devices and platforms CactusVPN supports:

• Windows
• Android
• macOS
• iOS
• Android TV
• Fire TV
• Chrome
• Firefox

CactusVPN customer support

CactusVPN provides comprehensive customer support through various channels, including online tutorials, guides, support tickets, and email.

While it's nice to have a variety of options, we would love to see 24/7 support and a live chat option.

Online guides

CactusVPN's tutorials and guides are clear and easy to follow, so you should be able to set up and troubleshoot the VPN on your own if you prefer.

You can find tutorials with screenshots, FAQs, guides, and even search for your topic to find it in their knowledge base.

Support tickets and emails

When we reached out to customer service via a support ticket, we received a response within a few hours. The representatives were helpful, polite, and thorough in their assistance.

Top alternatives

For those considering alternatives to CactusVPN, here are three other best VPN services that offer distinct features and benefits:

CactusVPN FAQs

Bottom line: Is CactusVPN good?

CactusVPN has solid security standards, including AES-256 encryption and a strict no-logs policy, but its limited server network and struggles to unblock geo-restrictions are disappointing. But it does support for unlimited devices, which could be appealing for individuals with multiple devices or large families. 

If you're looking for a VPN option with a wide range of servers that stand up to all our tests, check out our list of the best VPN services around.