CactusVPN Review 2024: A Competitive VPN Service

CactusVPN impresses with its robust security features, including AES-256 encryption and a strict no-logs policy, but its performance proved lackluster. Our speed and streaming tests were disapponting, and its small server network is further hindered by spotty connections.

The pricing strategy, offering a range from $2.77-$6.99/mo, positions it as an affordable option for privacy-conscious users and streamers alike.

Overall, CactusVPN is an okay choice, but going for one of the best VPNs may serve you better.

CactusVPN review at a glance

Price	$2.77-$6.99/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 December 19, 2024.

Our experience

We experienced a notably straightforward and user-friendly process from installing and using CactusVPN. The downloading and installation were hassle-free, and we encountered no issues.

Although the VPN service doesn’t offer an introductory tutorial, 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. This included the entirety of Canadian and Australian servers, so we weren't able to conduct our tests as normal. We'd just be stuck in an endless loop of error messages.

This highlights why its important for VPN services to have a high level of servers. The more servers you offer, the less likely you are to be hindered by duds.

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

But every server that was able to connect was able to access Netflix at decent speeds with no annoying buffering. So if you're the type of VPN user that 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 privacy and security without breaking the bank.

CactusVPN offers affordable pricing coupled with robust encryption and many VPN protocols. This makes it an attractive choice for privacy-conscious users. With its support for unlimited connected devices, it’s also a great choice for families or small businesses who 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 to suit users of all budgets, making it accessible to a wider audience and for those looking to save money on a VPN.

The plans start with a one-month subscription, costing $6.99/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 $5.59/mo (billed every three months), the annual plan offering $4.08/mo (billed annually), and — most economical — the two-year plan offering $2.77/mo (billed every two years).

CactusVPN’s pricing is certainly on the lower end of the spectrum in the VPN market, especially the long-term plans. This affordability, when combined with unlimited devices, robust encryption, and a no-logs policy, offers a strong value proposition.

However, potential users should consider the relatively small number of servers and countries available. For those prioritizing a vast network of servers, the lower price may reflect the limited geographic reach.

Plan	1-month plan	3-month plan	1-year plan	2-year plan	Learn more
Price per period	$6.99/mo	$5.59/mo (billed every three months)	$4.08/mo (billed annually)	$2.77/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 (6,800+ servers) and Surfshark (3,200+ servers).

A high server count and a broad distribution across countries are crucial for allowing users to access geo-restricted content. It also helps to provide better speeds, as users can connect to a server close to their location.

The limited server count may affect users looking for very specific server locations or those in less-covered regions.

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 users 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 want 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."

VPN protocols

CactusVPN supports multiple VPN protocols, including:

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

Users might prefer OpenVPN or WireGuard for a balance between speed and security. CactusVPN does not have an auto-select feature, which makes it more difficult for users who are unsure which protocol works best for their situation.

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).

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: Cactus VPN dropped our download speeds by an average of 83%

Our testing methodology included measuring internet speeds with CactusVPN, both activated and deactivated, to assess its impact on connectivity. The device used for testing was a standard laptop running Windows 11 from a physical location in the U.S.

The baseline internet speed without the VPN connection showed download and upload speeds of 294.54 Mbps and 118.70 Mbps, respectively, with a latency of 14 ms.

Test type	No VPN	US to US	US to CA	US to EU	US to AU
Download speed	294.54 Mbps	165.93 Mbps	19.13 Mbps	11.06 Mbps	0.52 Mbps
Upload speed	118.70 Mbps	108.85 Mbps	41.97 Mbps	2.8 Mbps	0.36 Mbps
Latency (ping)	14 ms	43 ms	65 ms	134 ms	492 ms
Download speed % difference	N/A	-43.66%	-93.51%	-96.24%	-99.82
Upload speed % difference	N/A	-8.30%	-64.64%	-97.65%	-99.70%
Latency % difference	N/A	+207%	+364%	+857%	+3,414%

We had a rough start with CactusVPN. We sorted the server list by speed and selected Atlanta, hoping for minimal impact. Instead, CactusVPN dropped our download speed by over 40%.

Once we connected to servers outside of the U.S., our speeds actually got much worse. Canada, U.K., and Australia all dropped our download speeds by over 93%. Casual browsing would lag our device performance, so high bandwidth activities would likely be impossible. 

These results indicate that while CactusVPN can maintain a usable connection speed for servers closer to the user's actual location, distant servers may significantly affect internet speed and reliability. The detailed speed test results underscore the importance of server location choice when using CactusVPN to ensure optimal performance,

Netflix tests

• Netflix test results: CactusVPN unblocked most of the regional Netflix libraries we've tested

CactusVPN was successful in accessing Netflix libraries in the US and U.K., which is a significant advantage for users looking to unblock geo-restricted content and enjoy a wider variety of shows and movies. This makes CactusVPN a viable option for streamers who prioritize access to content from these regions.

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

However, we were unable to unblock Netflix Canada with the two available servers. Netflix detected CactusVPN both times. 

We were able to unblock Netflix Australia, but our speeds were incrediblyy slow so it took a long time to buffer. We don't recommend CactusVPN for long distance streaming. 

DNS and WebRTC leak tests

• DNS leak test results: Passed
• WebRTC leak test results: Passed

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 both DNS and WebRTC leak tests, indicating it effectively masks your IP address and routes your DNS requests through its servers, ensuring your online activities and real location remain private.

Kill switch test

• Kill switch test results: Passed

To test if a kill switch is working properly, we open up IPleak.net and switch servers while it 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. This time around, we were able to switch between servers with no leaks. 

CactusVPN compatibility

CactusVPN offers broad compatibility across a range of devices and platforms, ensuring users can secure their internet connection no matter how they choose to browse or stream. 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

The tutorials and guides available are clear and easy to follow, making it straightforward for users to set up and troubleshoot the VPN on their own.

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

In our experience, when reaching out to their customer service via support ticket, the response was prompt, received within a few hours, and 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 stands out for its strong privacy features, including AES-256 encryption and a strict no-logs policy, but its limited server network and unimpressive speeds may deter some users. 

Its ability to unblock Netflix in the US and UK, alongside the support for unlimited devices and multiple protocols, makes it appealing for individuals and small businesses focused on privacy without sacrificing the ability to access geo-restricted content.

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.