FastestVPN Review 2024: Does It Live Up to Its Name?

FastestVPN is a mixed bag of good privacy and security with some performance issues. We liked its security setup, proven no-log policy, seamless geo-unblocking, and affordable pricing. Its server count is low, but we still got decent speeds using nearby server locations.

If you're a casual VPN user who wants to stay safe while binging Netflix U.S., this might be the right service for you. Learn all about its features and performance in our FastestVPN review below.

4.0

AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

Editorial Rating

Learn More

On FastestVPN's website

FastestVPN

• Proven no-logs policy
• 24/7 live chat support
• Drastically reduces upload speeds

FastestVPN review at a glance

Who is FastestVPN best for?

• Recommended for: Beginners or casual VPN users who want to stay safe and unblock streaming catalogs on a budget

We recommend FastestVPN if you don't need super-advanced features and blazing speeds. It can protect you online and unblock Netflix and other streaming platforms. The best thing? Its prices are surprisingly low for the value it offers. You can even get their lifetime plan and save a lot of money in the long run.

Its limited server network will result in considerable speed drops. So we recommend using VPN servers close to your location. High pings and upload drops make it a poor choice for online gaming and upload-heavy tasks.

FastestVPN offers more than enough to justify its low prices. However, it's not intended for power users.

FastestVPN pros and cons

FastestVPN prices and subscriptions

FastestVPN provides an excellent price-to-value ratio. Despite its low price tag, it doesn't sacrifice user security. It even goes one step further and offers free ad blocking and malware protection. The latter works server-side, so you won't see it in your VPN client.

FastestVPN is one of the rare services with a lifetime plan: A one-time $40 payment gets you permanent VPN protection. Every subscription also comes with a free year of PassHulk password manager. If you need more than 10 simultaneous connections, you can add them for $4 per device. You can also buy dedicated IPs and port forwarding for $1.49/mo and $1.20/mo, respectively.

FastestVPN is cheaper than services like ExpressVPN and NordVPN. However, it lacks their advanced features, large server networks, and speed. It can be a good fit if you're looking for a decent budget-friendly VPN. However, if you want the best that money can buy, there are plenty of better options.

FastestVPN cost

FastestVPN features

FastestVPN offers a decent collection of features, ranging from solid VPN protocols to split tunneling. However, the service is still not on par with the biggest VPNs on the market. Keep reading to learn why.

Server count and countries

• 800+ servers in 49+ countries

FastestVPN operates 800+ servers in 49+ countries and 100+ locations. This is a modest network that can't rival NordVPN's 6,000+ servers, for example. Having an extensive network ensures better speeds and connectivity with less server crowding.

We liked that FastVPN’s servers are optimized for lag-free streaming and safe torrenting. Furthermore, FastestVPN's 99.99% server uptime claims held up during our testing. We didn't experience connectivity issues or drastic server connection times (except in Australia).

If you need help finding the best server for your location, the Smart Connect feature can pick one automatically. You can also create a list of favorites for easier access.

No-logs policy and headquarters

• FastestVPN logs policy: No logs
• FastestVPN headquarters: Cayman Islands

FastestVPN is headquartered in the Cayman Islands, which is a VPN-friendly location. It has no mandatory data retention laws and doesn't belong to the Eyes Alliance. In other words, they're not legally obligated to log your private data.

The company maintains a no-logs policy verified by Altius IT in an independent audit. They only record your email, payment method, and connection duration. None of these logs can be used to identify you or trace your online traffic back to you.

The Cayman Islands court is the only entity that can request user data from FastestVPN. However, the company would have nothing dangerous to hand over in this scenario.

Security features

We like FastestVPN's security setup. It offers features usually reserved for VPNs with much higher price tags.

Here are the most important ones:

• Kill switch: A fail-safe that cuts your internet connection if your VPN stops working. It prevents you from accessing the internet without protection and leaking your data.

• Split tunneling: A feature that lets you exempt parts of your traffic from VPN protection. For example, you can browse your local news site without a VPN and unblock Netflix US simultaneously.

• VPN protocols: FastestVPN supports OpenVPN (TCP/UDP), IKEv2, and WireGuard. OpenVPN will meet most of your needs, thanks to its speed/security balance. WireGuard is faster but not great at geo-unblocking. IKEv2 is the best tunnel for your phone – it won't disconnect your VPN when changing networks (for example, when you switch from mobile to Wi-Fi). If you want to set up servers manually, you can also employ PPTP, L2TP/IPSec, and OpenConnect. We don’t recommend this unless you have the necessary tech skills.

• Malware protection: FastestVPN offers free server-side malware protection. However, the support team didn't give us a good explanation of how this actually works. We presume it only detects malicious websites and blocks your access; it can't handle any actual malware. VPNs with real antivirus add-ons like Surfshark provide them for a fee. So, we don't believe FastestVPN can match them for free. As such, we don't recommend using it as a substitute for a good antivirus program.
• Ad blocker: It eliminates annoying ads, trackers, and malicious pop-ups. It worked well during our tests on YouTube and some torrenting sites known for intrusive ads.
• NAT firewall: A built-in NAT firewall protects you against external threats. It's enabled automatically, and you can't turn it off.
• Multi-hop (double VPN): This feature routes your traffic through two VPN servers instead of one. It adds an extra layer of encryption, which helps with geo-unblocking and internet censorship. However, it’s also slower than regular VPN connections. We don’t recommend using multi-hop unless you absolutely have to.

Our experience with FastestVPN

Our FastestVPN testing circuit started with a hassle-free download and installation of their Windows app. We also tested it on Mac. The official website offers plenty of helpful tutorials and setup guides. If you can't find a solution to your problem, you can contact their 24/7 customer support via live chat.

The VPN client is clean and well designed. You should have no problem finding your way around, even if you've never used a VPN. Navigating the app felt intuitive, and we like having all the settings within a single screen.

The server list is well organized, and the client has enough on-screen info to remove any guesswork. Overall, FastestVPN was a pleasant surprise in terms of design and user friendliness.

FastestVPN test results

We checked FastestVPN's performance, security, and stability during our testing phase. These aspects are crucial for a good user experience. If your VPN is slow, frequently crashes, and leaks your data, you shouldn't use it. The main goal of our testing circuit is to help you avoid such services.

Speed tests

• FastestVPN speed test results: Passed

We tested FastestVPN from the US across various servers in the US, EU, and Australia. Our upload was drastically lowered across the board. So, we don't recommend FastestVPN for upload-heavy tasks like video conferencing or streaming your content.

Our download was serviceable, except in Australia, where we lost over 80% of our original speed. We were able to stream content on Netflix without any lag or buffering. The ping values were also high, so FastestVPN is not ideal for online gaming.

In conclusion, FastestVPN didn't live up to its name during our tests. There are plenty of faster VPNs out there. Even with significant drops, our original speed was high enough to remain serviceable. However, we don't recommend using FastestVPN if you're on a much slower network.

FastestVPN speed test results

FastestVPN Netflix tests

• FastestVPN Netflix test results: Passed

We managed to unblock Netflix U.S., U.K., Australia, and Canada during our testing. FastestVPN is a great choice if you're looking for a true geo-unblocking powerhouse. It will allow you to access the best Netflix catalogs, no matter where you live.

We didn't experience any lag or buffering while streaming with FastestVPN. It was a surprisingly seamless experience, given its limited server network. However, we have to reiterate that we were on a high-speed network. If your internet is much slower (10-20 Mbps), you might experience lag, depending on the VPN server and your physical location.

FastestVPN Netflix test results

DNS and WebRTC leak tests

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

WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communications) enables real-time video, text, and voice communication between devices and web browsers. A WebRTC leak refers to the unwanted visibility of your IP address. FastestVPN passed this test with flying colors; our IP was masked at all times.

DNS (Domain Name System) is the phonebook of the internet. We primarily work with domain names like allaboutcookies.org. However, web browsers communicate through IP addresses. DNS translates domain names to IP addresses in your browser, allowing it to display the site you're requesting.

DNS leaks occur when your queries leak out of the VPN tunnel. In such cases, your ISP, hackers, and third-party organizations can see your IP address, browsing activity, location, and more. Fortunately, FastestVPN provides excellent DNS leak protection; we saw zero leaks during our testing.

FastestVPN compatibility

Modern VPNs should work on all the devices in your home. Here are the platforms you can secure with FastestVPN:

• Windows
• macOS
• iOS
• Android
• Amazon Fire TV Stick
• Android Box
• Roku
• Gaming consoles (PS4 and Xbox)
• Linux
• Apple TV
• Smart TVs
• Routers
• Google Chromecast

FastestVPN has native apps for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Amazon Fire TV Stick. It also offers Edge, Chrome, and Firefox extensions. If you want to use it on different systems, you'll have to set it up manually.

FastestVPN customer support

FastestVPN offers a robust customer support system. Their website features all the manuals and setup guides you'll ever need. There's also an FAQ section and a decent blog.

You can reach their support agents 24/7 via email or live chat. We recommend using the live chat since you'll be talking to an agent in under 20 seconds. When we took the email route, we had to wait around 2 hours for a response.

The agents were helpful, polite, and knowledgeable. They were focused on customer satisfaction and resolving any issues we've encountered.

FastestVPN alternatives

While FastestVPN offers a range of features suitable for many users, some of the best VPN services might better suit your specific needs. Here are a few top-tier alternatives:

• Surfshark: Known for its unlimited device support and excellent speeds. Surfshark has over 3,200 RAM-only servers in 100 countries. It offers advanced features like Camouflage mode (obfuscation), NoBorders mode (for geo-unblocking), and CleanWeb (blocks ads, trackers, malware, and phishing). You can customize your subscription with various add-ons like Surfshark Alert, Search, and a fully fledged antivirus program.

  Get Surfshark | Read Surfshark Review

• NordVPN: The VPN service with the best security setup. It operates over 6,000 servers in 60+ countries, including specialty servers (P2P, double VPN, and Onion over VPN). It supports obfuscation and offers dedicated IPs. Its advanced security features include Threat Protection (blocks malware, trackers, ads, and other threats), Dark Web Monitor (checks the dark web for leaked data), and a proprietary VPN protocol called NordLynx. NordVPN supports up to six simultaneous connections.

  Get NordVPN | Read NordVPN Review

• CyberGhost: A budget-friendly VPN service known for its beginner-friendly interface. CyberGhost operates more than 11,000 RAM-only servers across 100 countries. Some locations are optimized for torrenting, streaming, and gaming. The advanced add-ons include CyberGhost Security Suite for Windows (antivirus and security updater) and dedicated IPs. CyberGhost supports up to seven simultaneous connections.

  Get CyberGhost | Read CyberGhost Review

FastestVPN FAQs

Bottom line: Is FastestVPN good?

FastestVPN offers a solid balance of security, privacy, user friendliness, and affordability. It also excels at geo-unblocking — you can use it for anything from accessing Netflix US to bypassing online censorship. Its customer support team was also a pleasant surprise. They're available 24/7 via live chat and always ready to help.

Having said that, FastestVPN's server network is modest at best, and its speeds are not great. If you're on a slower network, you'll definitely feel the speed drops. Having servers optimized for streaming and torrenting is a big plus, though. A few multi-hop options can also help with severe online censorship.

With all that in mind, we recommend FastestVPN to beginners looking to secure their traffic on a budget. It will allow you to unblock the best streaming catalogs and stay safe while saving money on your VPN.

4.0

AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

Editorial Rating

Learn More

On FastestVPN's website

FastestVPN

• Proven no-logs policy
• 24/7 live chat support
• Drastically reduces upload speeds

Author Details

Ryan L. Clancy

About the Author

Ryan Clancy is a freelance writer and blogger. With 5+ years of mechanical engineering experience, he's passionate about all things engineering and tech. He loves bringing engineering (especially mechanical) down to a level that everyone can understand.