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Strong privacy features, including AES-256 encryption and a strict no-logs policy
Maintains improved internet speeds when connected to VPN servers
All About Cookies is an independent, advertising-supported website. Some of the offers that appear on this site are from third-party advertisers from which All About Cookies receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear).
All About Cookies does not include all financial or credit offers that might be available to consumers nor do we include all companies or all available products. Information is accurate as of the publishing date and has not been provided or endorsed by the advertiser.
The All About Cookies editorial team strives to provide accurate, in-depth information and reviews to help you, our reader, make online privacy decisions with confidence. Here's what you can expect from us:
CactusVPN impresses with its robust security features, including AES-256 encryption and a strict no-logs policy, as well as fast internet speeds. The downside is that its performance proved to be lackluster. Our streaming and leak tests were disappointing, 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 users who want fast speeds but don't mind sacrificing privacy.
Overall, CactusVPN is an okay choice, but going for one of the best VPNs may serve you better.
| 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 complete standardized hands-on tests for each VPN we review so we can put their claims to the test. This includes vigorous third-party testing by comparing our internet speed while connected to different servers, checking for DNS leaks, making sure the kill switch actually works, and more. We also make sure we can comfortably access popular streaming sites, like Netflix, and still do our day-to-day work without interruption.
Once we’ve completed the testing, our editorial rating is calculated by taking into account key features you’d expect from a good product. We score each VPN in the following categories and use a weighted average to calculate the final rating out of 5 stars: price, server count, speed, security, and features.
To learn more about how we test, check out our full VPN methodology here.
We last tested Cactus VPN on May 18, 2025.
#1 rated VPN with over 7,000 ultra-secure, high-speed servers in 125 countries
Reliably unblock popular streaming services like Netflix with a single click
All-in-one security product with antivirus, ad blocker, password manager, and more
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 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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 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 for 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 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.
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 (7,800+ 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.
On the plus side, CactusVPN makes sorting the VPN servers list by speed or specialty, like optimized P2P servers, super easy.
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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 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.
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."
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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.
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CactusVPN supports multiple VPN protocols, including:
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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 707.90 Mbps and 41.28 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 | 707.90 Mbps | 814.53 Mbps |
913.67 Mbps | 728.63 Mbps | 374.14 Mbps |
| Upload speed | 41.28 Mbps | 41.37 Mbps |
41.46 Mbps | 41 Mbps | 38.32 Mbps |
| Latency (ping) | 14 ms | 17 ms | 22 ms | 84 ms | 263 ms |
| Download speed % difference | N/A | +15.39% | +29.43% | +3.22% | -47% |
| Upload speed % difference | N/A | +0.22% | +0.43% | -0.67% |
-7.17% |
| Latency % difference | N/A | +21.42% | +57.14% | +500% | +1778.57% |
We were pleasantly surprised not to have any glaring issues with CactusVPN's speed tests. Previously, CactusVPN dropped our download speed by over 40% when connected to a U.S. server. Additionally, once we connected to servers outside of the U.S., our speeds actually got much worse. Canada, the U.K., and Australia dropped our download speeds by over 93%. Casual browsing would lag our device performance, so high-bandwidth activities would likely be impossible.
However, during our latest round of in-house testing, CactusVPN improved our download speeds. We saw an increase in performance when connected to servers in Albany, NY, Montreal, and London from our physical location in Pennsylvania. We did experience a significant performance drop when connected to a server in Sydney, Australia, but this outcome is to be expected. When connected to a VPN, internet speeds usually drop significantly when connected to distant VPN servers.
Overall, 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.
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. Unfortunately, these results can be a dealbreaker for streamers prioritizing access to content from these regions.
In our previous testing, we were able to unblock regional libraries in the U.K. and Australia (though the latter had so much buffering we weren't actually able to stream).
| US to US | US to CA | US to UK | US to AU | |
| Did it work with Netflix? |
We were only able to connect to the U.S. Netflix library and had no issues streaming content when connected to a server in New York.
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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.
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CactusVPN passed the WebRTC leak test but failed the DNS leak test, indicating it can't effectively mask your IP address and route your DNS requests through its servers, ensuring your online activities and real location remain private.
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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. In our last testing, we were able to switch between servers with no leaks. This time around, it failed the kill switch test again.
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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:
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.
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.
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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.
For those considering alternatives to CactusVPN, here are three other best VPN services that offer distinct features and benefits:
|
|
|
|
| Award | Best overall VPN | Best value VPN | Best Apple VPN |
| Star rating | |||
| Price | $3.39–$17.99/mo | $2.19–$20.65/mo | $2.19–$12.99/mo |
| Max # of connected devices | 10 | Unlimited | 7 |
| # of servers | 7,800+ servers in 125 countries | 3,200+ servers in 100 countries | Unlisted in 100 countries |
| Netflix access | |||
| Learn more | Get NordVPN | Get Surfshark | Get CyberGhost |
Not reliably so. CactusVPN uses AES-256 encryption and offers a no-logs policy, ensuring that your data and online activities are protected and not recorded. However, it can't consistently pass our leak tests, meaning our IP address was exposed when the internet connection dropped. For this reason, we can't say CactusVPN is 100% safe compared to other premium VPN providers.
A good virtual private network (VPN) should encrypt your internet connection, hide your IP address and location, and ensure your online activities remain private and secure from eavesdropping.
Our previous testing proved CactusVPN can access Netflix libraries in the U.S., U.K., and Australia. We experienced so much buffering when connected to the server in Sydney that we couldn't actually stream the content. However, during recent testing, we couldn't unblock any regional Netflix libraries, indicating that CactusVPN is unreliable and not the best VPN for streaming.
In previous testing, CactusVPN slowed our speeds by an average of 83%. However, during our recent in-house testing, CactusVPN surprised us by actually improving our download speeds when connected to servers in Albany, Montreal, and London.
CactusVPN is an independent VPN provider, but specific ownership details are not publicly disclosed, emphasizing its commitment to privacy and security.
CactusVPN stands out for its strong privacy features, including AES-256 encryption and a strict no-logs policy, but its limited server network and inconsistent leak test performance may deter some users.
Its support for unlimited devices and multiple protocols makes it appealing for individuals or families who want fast internet speeds.
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.
Strong privacy features, including AES-256 encryption and a strict no-logs policy
Maintains improved internet speeds when connected to VPN servers
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