Simon Migliano is a recognized world expert in VPNs. He's tested hundreds of VPN services and his research has featured on the BBC, The New York Times and more.
X-VPN is easy to use and is an acceptable option for unblocking Netflix. The VPN also has a huge server network of 8,000+ servers, with fast short-distance connections. However, X-VPN is secretive about its proprietary VPN protocols and the service can’t be used to bypass censorship. It’s also poor for torrenters, doesn’t use its own DNS servers, and has ties to China. We can’t recommend this VPN for internet privacy and security, only streaming.
Ranked #35 out of 56 VPNs
X-VPN Category Ratings
8.88.8/10
4.44.4/10
5.85.8/10
6.66.6/10
9.29.2/10
11.0/10
5.65.6/10
8.38.3/10
8.68.6/10
66.0/10
X-VPN Pros & Cons
Fast speeds on nearby VPN servers
Works with Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, and more
8,000+ VPN servers in 60 countries
Easy to set up and use
Intrusive logging policy
WebRTC leaks on Chrome extension
Lack of information about proprietary protocols
Expensive subscription
Slow average bitrate for torrenters
Why Trust Our Review?
We’ve spent thousands of hours testing and reviewing 56 VPN services using our impartial review process to recommend you the best VPN software.
Here are some of our key VPN testing statistics:
Total Hours of Testing
30,000+
Weekly Speed Tests
3,000+
VPN Services Reviewed
56
Streaming Platforms Tested Daily
12
IP & DNS Leak Tests Performed
9,500+
How Much We've Spent On Testing
$25,000+
X-VPN’s paid version excels at streaming and supports one of the largest server networks we’ve ever reviewed.
The service uses self-developed, close-sourced VPN protocols and AES-256 encryption. However, our tests reveal the protocols lack known security measures, such as TLS handshakes and the SSL protocol.
X-VPN isn’t a private service either. The software collects too many logs and we uncovered concerning ties to China.
We also weren’t impressed by the lackluster torrenting speeds of X-VPN’s P2P-optimized servers and its inability to bypass the Great Firewall of China.
But, the paid version of X-VPN can unblock US Netflix and BBC iPlayer, which is impressive for a mid-tier VPN service.
X-VPN Free should be avoided at all costs. You can only connect to your nearest server, you can’t access any streaming platforms, and it doesn’t work on the desktop version of X-VPN.
Access to the full service sets you back $5.99 which is too costly in X-VPN’s current state.
EXPERT ADVICE:ExpressVPN is the best VPN of 2023 and it costs less than X-VPN. Try ExpressVPN risk-free for 30 days.
We dissect the logging and privacy policies of every VPN. A VPN should never log:
Your real IP address
Connection timestamps
DNS requests
A base of operations outside of 14-Eyes or EU jurisdiction is preferable.
Our main concern with X-VPN is its boardroom has ties to mainland China, a country extremely hostile to both VPNs and digital rights. In addition to that, X-VPN’s logging policy collects connections timestamps, which we aren’t comfortable with.
Ranked #38 out of 56 VPNs for Privacy & Logging Policy
X-VPN is owned by Free Connected Limited, which was incorporated in July 2017 and is based in Hong Kong.
From a data retention point of view, Hong Kong is a privacy-friendly VPN jurisdiction. It’s not part of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance either.
However, our free VPN ownership investigation revealed that X-VPN does have links to mainland China, which is a privacy concern.
Jin Li, the company’s director, and Chengdu Zhuozhuo Technology Co, the sole shareholder, are based in the Sichuan province of China.
Logging Policy
X-VPN’s logging policy is clear and transparent, displaying all the necessary information in a simple table:
X-VPN’s data collection varies by device.
This isn’t an awful logging policy but it does collect a considerable amount of user data, including:
VPN connection timestamp
Choice of VPN protocol
Network type
These logs used to be stored for 96 hours before being erased. Thankfully, X-VPN has since reduced this timeframe to 48 hours, decreasing the risk of your data being compromised.
However, it’s still concerning that X-VPN logs connection timestamps for two days. Better VPNs are able to optimize their service without retaining any logs.
X-VPN attempts to track your activity both online and across different apps on iOS.
X-VPN is unique in that the amount of data collected depends on the device in use. This becomes apparent when first starting up X-VPN’s iOS app which requests permission to track your activity.
X-VPN’s justification is “to cover the free server cost,” however this is not the case on the free Android app. You can decline this prompt but it’s still troubling that X-VPN has the capacity to track your data on iOS.
When accessing the app, X-VPN also logs:
Device information
Data usage
City-level location
This information is used to help X-VPN with product development, and can be deleted upon request.
While none of the information X-VPN logs is identifiable in isolation, collecting your geo-location and connection timestamp is, in theory, enough to de-anonymize your activity.
We would feel more assured about X-VPN’s logging policy if it was verified by an independent audit or even a warrant canary.
In summary, X-VPN’s logging policy doesn’t do enough to protect its users’ privacy, especially considering its links to China.
Speed
Fast on nearby connections, but disappointing over long distances
6.66.6/10
How is this calculated?
Speed ratings are calculated using upload speeds, download speeds, and ping (latency).
We test average speeds regularly using a dedicated 100Mbps connection in London, UK. Local download speed is considered the most important factor.
Protocol M performed best in our speed tests, managing some surprisingly fast local speeds. However, we could only get mediocre speeds on long-distance connections no matter which mystery protocol we selected.
Ranked #37 out of 56 VPNs for Speed
Before reading the results below, be aware that X-VPN doesn’t use standard VPN protocols like OpenVPN or WireGuard, which we usually use for our tests.
X-VPN employs a proprietary protocol named Protocol-X, but confusingly this isn’t the terminology used within the VPN apps, where you’ll find protocols labeled Protocol A through to Protocol I.
We asked X-VPN’s support team for the best protocol to use for speed and were advised to use Protocol M while connected to a CF-Line server. Frustratingly, this isn’t made apparent in the app nor is it clear that you can access Protocol M by first connecting to a CF-Line server.
We tested every single protocol to be sure and Protocol M came out on top in our speed tests.
EXPERT ADVICE: X-VPN only has CF-Line servers in the UK, US, Germany, Japan, and Singapore. If you need fast connection speeds outside of these locations then we recommend using the second fastest protocol: Protocol E.
Protocol M is also one of the select protocols available on all versions of X-VPN, so your speeds should be consistent regardless of what platform you’re using.
Local Speed Test results before using X-VPN:
Download Speed: 99Mbps
Upload Speed: 99Mbps
Ping: 9ms
Local Speed Test results with X-VPN:
Download Speed: 76Mbps
Upload Speed: 27Mbps
Ping: 17ms
Download speed loss when X-VPN is running: 23%
We recorded a respectable average download speed loss of 23% when connected to nearby servers from our UK office.
If you don’t need to connect to servers overseas, then using X-VPN won’t noticeably affect your internet speeds. X-VPN is fast enough for web browsing, HD streaming, torrenting, and online gaming.
Our internet speeds were much slower on longer-distance connections but still acceptable for most online activities.
Here’s a breakdown of X-VPN’s international speeds:
USA: 74Mbps (download) & 5Mbps (upload)
Germany: 76Mbps (download) & 17Mbps (upload)
Japan: 66Mbps (download) & 3Mbps (upload)
Singapore: 41Mbps (download) & 3Mbps (upload)
Most notably, we recorded a speed loss of just 25% when connecting to the US as well as an average ping of 88ms. While this doesn’t compete with the fastest VPNs we’ve reviewed, it’s still fast enough for most online activities.
The upload speeds across all locations were disappointing but we were impressed by the consistency of the download speeds. Our tests to the UK, Germany, and US all regularly hit an average of 75Mbps with minimal fluctuation.
Which X-VPN Protocol Is the Fastest?
X-VPN provides barely any contextual information about its proprietary protocols, citing ‘privacy reasons’. You can find a table on the VPN service’s website ranking seven of the 11 protocols by different categories, including:
Speed to connect
Speed after connect
Security
Unblock
We don’t trust X-VPN’s rating system. It provides no information on why Protocol H and Protocol C are rated five out of five stars for security but the rest of the protocols are capped at four.
We’re also unconvinced by the speed ratings as Protocol E performed second best in our tests despite its lowly ranking.
We’ve compiled the average download and upload speeds of X-VPN’s ‘fastest’ protocols on Windows so you can compare and contrast them to ‘Protocol M’:
X-VPN Free’s Speed Test Results
We couldn’t apply our speed testing methodology to X-VPN Free as our VPN connection was periodically interrupted to encourage an upgrade to the premium version.
To make matters worse, X-VPN Free automatically picks a server location for you, and it may not be close by.
During our testing, we were only ever assigned IP addresses in Amsterdam and London. This was close to us, but you might not be as fortunate.
After repeated reconnections, we were eventually able to speed test X-VPN Free’s iOS app.
Our short-distance connection to London produced an impressive 9% loss in speed, but there’s no guarantee your connection will be as local.
Connecting to the Netherlands from the UK saw a 45% loss in download speed. This is very poor for a fairly nearby connection and doesn’t bode well for longer-distance connections.
SUMMARY Unless you can connect to a VPN server local to you, X-VPN Free is too slow to use for anything other than online browsing and standard definition streaming.
Server Locations
Large network of 8,000+ VPN servers in 60 countries
9.29.2/10
How is this calculated?
The global spread and coverage of the VPN server network is the most important factor here.
We also consider the number of city-level servers, plus how many IP addresses are maintained.
This rating does not directly contribute to the Overall Rating, but instead makes up a portion of the Security & Features rating.
X-VPN has one of the largest server networks we’ve seen. The 60 countries on its network are well spread out, and eight of them have individual city-level choice. 8,000+ virtual servers puts X-VPN right up there with the best VPNs in terms of server network size. However, X-VPN Free is limited to one server location only.
X-VPN’s server network is one of the largest in the market with 8,000+ individual servers.
The server network covers 60 countries, which is on par with the best VPN services.
What’s impressive is X-VPNs coverage in regions typically less served by VPN services. Its network covers popular locations like Australia, Canada, the UK, and the US. Asia is well accounted for too, with X-VPN covering 11 countries.
X-VPN’s server network encompasses all six inhabited continents.
There are servers at both ends of Africa (Egypt and South Africa), and five server locations categorized as the Middle East (Bahrain, Cyprus, Israel, Turkey, UAE). There are also South American servers in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico.
There’s also a number of specialized servers for streaming and gaming, including services like Netflix and Hotstar and games like League of Legends and Roblox.
Previously X-VPN used a mixture of bare metal and virtual servers but has since changed to exclusively the latter. This is a disappointing regression from X-VPN as it means all of its servers aren’t really located in the country they say they are.
X-VPN Free’s Server Coverage
When you use X-VPN Free it automatically connects you to the nearest server location.
You aren’t given a choice in location or any prior information about the region you’re connecting to.
You’re only told your server location after connecting.
X-VPN also couldn’t confirm for us how many server locations are available to free users so there’s no way of knowing whether you’re near a free VPN server until you try it out for yourself.
The full list of premium server locations are included in the apps but if you click on one X-VPN will prompt you to upgrade.
Streaming
X-VPN unblocks US Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+ and more
8.88.8/10
How is this calculated?
Streaming is rated by the number of different services unlocked, how many regional libraries are viewable, and how consistently the VPN can access them.
Netflix, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, DAZN, and Amazon Prime Video are all tested on a weekly basis.
X-VPN excels at unblocking streaming services. In our tests it consistently unblocked major streaming platforms such as US Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video. X-VPN also offers streaming servers for less popular platforms in South Korea and Italy.
Ranked #16 out of 56 VPNs for Streaming
X-VPN comes with servers optimized for popular streaming services like Netflix and BBC iPlayer.
Selecting Video&Game in the X-VPN app displays a list of services categorized by both region and streaming platform.
X-VPN provides streaming optimized servers for 11 countries.
Using X-VPN’s dedicated American servers we were able to unblock US Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video.
On its British equivalent, we were able to access BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, and All 4.
We found Protocol D to be the best for reliably unblocking US Netflix.
X-VPN can only unblock the US and Australian Netflix libraries but since the US library is one of the most coveted, this is still a fairly strong streaming performance.
The main issue with streaming with X-VPN is its slow international speeds. While the VPN unblocks many content platforms, the streaming quality isn’t what you get with the best streaming VPNs.
We’ve tested every X-VPN server and summarized the best one for each streaming service below:
Streaming Service
Best X-VPN Server
US Netflix
US-Video-N
HBO Max
US-Video-N-1
Disney+
US-Video-D+-1
Amazon Prime Video US
US-Video-A
BBC iPlayer
GB-Video-B
ITV Hub
GB-Video-iV
All 4
GB-Video-iV
X-VPN Free’s Streaming Performance
X-VPN’s Free service is a bad VPN for streaming. The paid version of X-VPN has dedicated streaming servers, but they are not available for free users.
We were unable to access US Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and all other streaming services in our testing. Sadly, most free VPN services don’t prioritize streaming access.
X-VPN Free automatically assigns you a server as close as possible to your real-life location which defeats the purpose of accessing geo-restricted content in different regions.
We tried using the free London server to unblock content in the UK but couldn’t access a single British streaming service.
We were never assigned a server location outside of Western Europe during any point in our testing.
If you want a free VPN for streaming then consider using Windscribe Free. It can stream 6 Netflix libraries, more than either version of X-VPN, as well as HBO Max, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video.
Torrenting
Slow P2P speeds and an untrustworthy logging policy
4.44.4/10
How is this calculated?
We calculate the average download bitrate of every VPN using a bespoke torrenting setup.
Testing also factors in the percentage of servers which permit P2P, plus useful features like port forwarding.
X-VPN is a poor torrenting VPN for a number of reasons. The main issue is the company's mysterious ownership and its logging policy, neither of which we trust entirely. Beyond that, though, it simply doesn't download or upload fast enough.
Ranked #36 out of 56 VPNs for Torrenting
X-VPN’s stance on torrenting and P2P activity hasn’t been clear in the past so we contacted live chat support and received this response:
X-VPN makes no reference to Ultimate Line or torrenting on its website.
This is not made obvious within the VPN client or on the X-VPN website. The ‘Ultimate Line’ servers are found in the default server list without any accompanying information.
It’s also not made clear that Protocol K can only be accessed through the Ultimate Line servers. Selecting Protocol K on a standard VPN server forces the connection to switch to Protocol B with no explanation.
We carried out several torrenting tests using X-VPN’s Ultimate Line Frankfurt server and recorded a disappointing average bitrate of 4.1MiB/s.
X-VPN performs marginally better on its standard protocols and servers but it’s still not fast enough to qualify as a top torrenting VPN.
Its logging policy isn’t good enough to safeguard its customers’ privacy, either. For us, using a no-logs VPN for torrenting is critical.
Security & Technical Features
Confusing protocols and features that vary by device
5.65.6/10
How is this calculated?
Top-rated VPNs offer OpenVPN or WireGuard protocols, AES-256 encryption, and a functional kill switch. We also consider additional security features and the global spread of VPN servers.
There’s too much secrecy surrounding X-VPN to label it a secure service. Its mysterious protocols are, at best, a derivation of OpenVPN TCP and it doesn’t own first-party DNS servers. We’re also unimpressed by the paywalled kill switch across all platforms, putting your personal data at risk.
Ranked #37 out of 56 VPNs for Security & Technical Features
Protocols
Available in X-VPN
IKEv2/IPSec
No
OpenVPN (TCP/UDP)
No
Proprietary
Yes
WireGuard
No
Undisclosed
Yes
Encryption
Available in X-VPN
AES-128
No
AES-192
No
AES-256
Yes
Blowfish
No
ChaCha20
No
Security
Available in X-VPN
DNS Leak Blocking
Yes
First-party DNS
Yes
IPv6 Leak Blocking
Yes
Supports TCP Port 443
No
VPN Kill Switch
Yes
WebRTC Leak Blocking
No
Advanced Features
Available in X-VPN
Ad Blocker
No
Dedicated IP
No
Double VPN
No
Smart DNS
No
SOCKS
No
Split Tunneling
Yes
Tor over VPN Server
No
Tracker Blocker
No
X-VPN uses proprietary protocols rather than the standard ones – these are labeled from A to I and, according to X-VPN’s website, vary in speed and security levels.
While X-VPN claims its proprietary technology is better than the standard protocols, there’s no way to know this for sure because the company doesn’t publish any technical details about it.
We analyzed our data packets when connected to X-VPN using Wireshark and couldn’t identify a known VPN protocol. We didn’t capture any TLS handshakes and a follow-up test confirmed it didn’t use SSL either.
Our traffic was at least encrypted, only displaying incoherent symbols when inspected.
Based on our results we can confirm X-VPN uses a TCP-based protocol that will encrypt your traffic but we can’t evaluate its strength or reliability.
According to X-VPN’s website, the service uses AES-256 cipher to encrypt traffic at least, which is the industry-standard.
Moving forward we would like to see X-VPN make its protocol open-source so it can undergo proper scrutiny or, even better, use trusted standard protocols like OpenVPN or WireGuard.
We ran X-VPN through our leak testing tool and the results were mixed:
X-VPN doesn’t leak your IPv4 or IPv6 address.
X-VPN didn’t leak during our IP test, which is the most important one, but we found an issue with its DNS requests.
Our test revealed that X-VPN doesn’t support first-party DNS servers and instead runs all of its requests through Google. This isn’t a total breach of anonymity as your information requests will be one of thousands, but it still isn’t great from a VPN service.
Reliable but Paywalled Kill Switch
All of X-VPN’s apps come equipped with a VPN kill switch but you have to upgrade to premium to use it on iOS and Android.
This is bad practice and puts your personal data at risk if you unexpectedly disconnect from the internet on mobile.
We tested the VPN service using our first-of-its-kind kill switch testing tool. This checks for any IP leaks in two instances: when changing VPN servers and when the VPN disconnects unexpectedly.
X-VPN’s kill switch never leaked our real IP address.
X-VPN passed all parameters of our test multiple times confirming that its kill switch works properly.
X-VPN is Safe to Use but Not Private
We ran X-VPN’s Windows installer through VirusTotal.com and it only detected one anomalous piece of software.
Our tests revealed one outlier in X-VPN’s software.
The tool detected an unknown entity and displayed it as ‘Trojan Generic.’ This is the default label assigned to any software that VirusTotal doesn’t recognise.
Based on our testing, we can confirm that this software is unlikely to be malicious. There is nothing to indicate the presence of malware in any of the VPN’s apps.
X-VPN is safe to install on Windows.
We also scanned the Android app with the εxodus tool to see what trackers and permissions it implements:
X-VPN uses an unnecessary amount of trackers on Android.
We’re not impressed with the amount of trackers X-VPN uses on Android. Its privacy policy does at least admit to collecting analytic data on mobile to: “help us understand users, plan product development and improve user experience.”
This is a poor excuse, other premium VPN services are able to maintain a high quality service without using any trackers.
The presence of advertisement trackers is also concerning. X-VPN’s privacy policy insists that these third-party services operate “independently” from the VPN service.
On this basis we can confirm that X-VPN is safe to use on Android, but not entirely private.
Limited Advanced Features
X-VPN’s extra features fall short of what we expect from a quality VPN service.
All X-VPN apps come equipped with a split tunneling feature called Application control, allowing you to select which applications enter the VPN tunnel, and a VPN kill switch. Although, both of these features are limited to the premium version.
The Android app exclusively has access to its own private browser. This allows you to browse the web on X-VPN’s own browser exempt from cookies and advertisement trackers. Frustratingly, this is also hidden behind a paywall.
Both mobile apps come with support for a proxy server that can be used to tether your VPN connection to a games console. This is another paid-only feature and we can’t recommend it on the basis of X-VPN’s fluctuating ping speeds and unconvincing logging policy.
Security Features We’d Like to See from X-VPN
X-VPN lacks the security features we expect from a premium VPN service. Here are some features we’d like to see X-VPN add:
Standard VPN protocols to improve the VPN’s security, speed performance, and overall trustworthiness.
First-party DNS to eliminate any DNS leaks and maintain your online anonymity.
Double VPN to reduce the likelihood of traffic correlation attacks.
Ad Blocker to ensure a smooth browsing experience free from ads.
Bypassing Web Censorship
No longer works in China
11.0/10
How is this calculated?
Our remote-access server in Shanghai, China routinely tests if a VPN can beat restrictions and access a free, open internet. Obfuscation technologies and nearby servers are also a contributing factor.
This rating does not directly contribute to the Overall Rating, but instead makes up a portion of the Security & Features rating.
X-VPN fails to connect to China on all of its protocols and servers. It also doesn’t support any obfuscated protocols or servers to help bypass censorship. We find it unlikely that X-VPN works in any restricted regions.
Ranked #50 out of 56 VPNs for Bypassing Web Censorship
We tested every protocol on multiple server locations nearby to China, but X-VPN failed to connect every time.
We contacted X-VPN’s support and were told: “Sorry, X-VPN does not work in China.”
Considering X-VPN’s lack of VPN obfuscation tools, we suspect it won’t work in other restricted countries such as Iran, UAE, and Russia.
Device & OS Compatibility
Simple custom VPN apps for wide range of devices
How is this rated?
A quality VPN should maintain functional, fully-featured applications and extensions for as many platforms and devices as possible.
This does not directly contribute to the Overall Rating, but instead makes up a portion of the Ease of Use rating.
X-VPN is capable of covering every device in your home. There’s a dedicated native app for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, a terminal command line for Linux, and router coverage for everything else. X-VPN also has a browser extension for Google Chrome.
Apps
You can download and install X-VPN on the following devices:
Windows
Mac
iOS
Android
Linux
Router
X-VPN has custom apps for:
Microsoft Windows
Apple macOS
iOS
Android
Linux
X-VPN can be installed on five different devices simultaneously. Once this limit is reached you’ll be forced to change your password effectively logging you out of your other devices.
X-VPN’s Windows Client
X-VPN is threadbare on Windows and its ‘free’ version is confusing. You can either download a version of X-VPN directly from its website or through the Microsoft store. The former is equipped with 12 VPN protocols but its free data limit is exceeded by default (meaning you can’t use it) and the latter only has four protocols but you do have access to the 500MB data limit.
Regardless of which version you install you won’t be able to establish a VPN connection unless you upgrade to premium. Even if the free version of the app did work, a one-time data limit of 500MB isn’t enough to cover the most basic of activities.
You must upgrade to the premium version on Windows to connect to a VPN server.
The main menu of the Windows app is identical to all other versions of X-VPN, a large connect button with the option to change VPN server and protocol below.
X-VPN on Windows lacks the complexity of its mobile versions.
macOS App
X-VPN’s macOS application is identical to Windows visually, however, the free version works and supports all 12 proprietary protocols.
Unlike on Windows, you can use X-VPN Free on macOS.
You’re restricted to a data limit of 500MB on X-VPN’s free macOS app which never renews once depleted. This is poor from X-VPN, most free versions of premium VPN services will renew their data allowances daily or monthly.
The paid version of X-VPN operates in the same way as the Windows app. The server network, protocols, and absence of advanced features, are all identical
Android App
X-VPN’s Android app is its most developed, supporting the service’s full server network as well as several advanced features.
X-VPN’s Android App is the best the service has to offer.
You can use the Android app for free, without any data limits, but you’re periodically disconnected without warning to restrict your usage. This puts your personal data at risk as the VPN kill switch is paywalled on Android, allowing your internet connection to continue unprotected.
On the paid version you have access to 13 VPN protocols, one more than Windows and macOS, as well as split tunneling.
You can only use X-VPN’s private browser on Android.
There’s also a private browser on Android, deleting your history, cookies, and session data every time you exit the app.
You also have access to the VPN tethering feature on Android, allowing you to create a VPN hotspot for your games console.
iOS App
X-VPN on iOS replicates the Android app in most departments but lacks some of the more advanced features.
The iOS app is identical to its Android counterpart apart from the removal of private browser.
The iOS app is the only platform not to support split tunneling and its VPN kill switch is restricted to the premium version.
There isn’t a data limit on iOS but your connection is constantly interrupted.
You can use X-VPN on iOS for free but you’ll frequently be disconnected without warning to manage your data usage.
The server network is identical to Windows, macOS, and Android with the Boost Streaming button simply redirecting you to the streaming-optimized servers.
You can’t access the private browser feature on iOS but the paid version does support the VPN tethering feature for gamers.
Games Consoles & Streaming Devices
X-VPN doesn’t have Smart DNS for streaming on consoles, but you can connect to a VPN hotspot on the mobile apps.
Apple TV
Amazon Fire TV
Android TV
Chromecast
Nintendo
PlayStation
Roku
Smart TV
Xbox
Alternatively, you can cover all devices in your household by installing X-VPN on your router.
This is only an option for specific types of routers, though, so be sure to check if yours is compatible before you take out a subscription.
The X-VPN website has setup guides for the following brands of router:
Asus
D-Link
Huawei
Linksys
TP-Link
Xiaomi
It also has flashed firmware for any routers that run OpenWrt, DD-Wrt, and Tomato.
You only have access to the following five VPN server locations on router:
US – Dallas
Hong Kong
United Kingdom
US – Netflix
New Zealand
Considering X-VPNs fluctuating connection speeds and dubious links to China we recommend using one of the best VPNs for gaming instead.
X-VPN also provides a native app for Amazon Fire TV users.
X-VPN’s Amazon Fire TV App doesn’t come with any extra features.
The Fire TV app is very basic but you do have complete access to the X-VPN server network. We didn’t encounter any issues using the free or paid version of the Fire TV app but we would like to see X-VPN introduce a kill switch moving forward.
Browser Extensions
There’s an X-VPN browser extension for Google Chrome, but we don’t recommend using it.
Chrome
We ran the extension through our in-depth testing process and found that although it did encrypt our traffic: our WebRTC, DNS, and geolocation were all leaked.
X-VPN’s Chrome extension performed poorly in our tests.
WebRTC leaks are a web browser issue that exposes your true IP address. The best chrome extensions block these leaks, but X-VPN’s fails to do so, putting your privacy at risk.
We also struggled to connect to some of the streaming-optimized servers. Most worryingly, we were unable to connect to a single US-Netflix server.
Ease of Use
Simple set up but lacks customization
8.38.3/10
How is this calculated?
This rating mainly consists of the intuitiveness of setup and everyday use.
Device or platform compatibility and customization options are also a factor.
X-VPN is extremely easy to use, mostly because of its complete lack of extra features. The lack of information surrounding the protocols is frustrating but the apps themselves are straightforward. If you have experience with VPNs then you’ll likely find X-VPN extremely stripped-back.
Ranked #21 out of 56 VPNs for Ease of Use
How to Connect to a Server with X-VPN
Selecting a server in X-VPN for Windows
Selecting a server in X-VPN for Android
How to Change Settings in X-VPN
Choosing settings in X-VPN for Windows
Choosing settings in X-VPN for Android
X-VPN is really easy to use, at the expense of configurability.
All you need to do is download the custom app for your device from X-VPN’s website, run through some installation prompts, select a server location, and connect.
The only exception is the Windows app which varies in protocol depending on where you download it from. Once installed, though, it’s simple to use.
The most complicated part of the apps are the protocol options. X-VPN doesn’t use standard VPN protocols and labels them from Protocol A to Protocol I.
You’re given no context about the protocols and it was only after contacting customer support we were informed that you need to connect to an Ultimate Line server to access Protocol K and a CF Line server to access Protocol M.
It takes no time to set up X-VPN’s browser extension for Google Chrome.
All you need to do is add it to your browser from the Chrome Web Store and log in. There aren’t any settings, so just choose a server and click the connect button.
We experienced WebRTC leaks while using the extension, though, so we advise against installing it.
Customer Support
Decent resources, unreliable live chat
8.68.6/10
How is this calculated?
This rating is based on our assessment of each VPN’s:
Email support
Live chat support
Online resources
Not every VPN offers all of these, and they often vary in quality and response time.
X-VPN live chat support is clearly not manned 24 hours-a-day, but it doesn't tell you that. Multiple times we spent hours sat waiting for a response, even when the chat window said that agents were online. The written resources are useful, with some popular topics covered, but are nowhere near as comprehensive as some rivals.
Ranked #15 out of 56 VPNs for Customer Support
Customer Support
Available in X-VPN
24/7 Live Chat Support
No
24/7 Email Support
No
Chatbot
No
Live Chat Support
Yes
Email
Yes
Email Support via Online Form
No
Tutorial Videos
No
Online Resources
No
X-VPN live chat support is not at all reliable.
We were told that live chat is available Monday to Saturday but even within those days we were left waiting hours for a response.
When an agent did eventually answer they lacked technical knowledge and asked us to send an email with our questions for the manager.
It took a couple of days for the manager to reply, and they still didn’t answer all of our questions.
X-VPN’s online resources are nothing special, either.
There are a few basic setup articles and some general FAQs, but it lacks troubleshooting and technical resources.
There seems to be quite a lot of information on the website that conflicts with what customer support told us, too. While it has clearly been updated recently (and is a big improvement on what it used to be) it still has a long way to go.
Price & Value
X-VPN is not worth the price
66.0/10
How is this calculated?
Price & Value for Money receives a rating, but is not factored into our Overall Rating. We believe the reader should decide what is or isn’t a reasonable price.
A good rating here isn’t just based on how cheap the VPN is, but for the value it offers overall.
X-VPN is overpriced. While it may offer some solid features and benefits, even at its cheapest monthly rate you could get almost any other VPN on the market - many of them much better than X-VPN.
Ranked #31 out of 56 VPNs for Price & Value
X-VPN is rather expensive, particularly because it doesn’t provide any long-term plans to bring the monthly price down.
There’s a one-month plan for $11.99, a six-month plan for $8.99, or a yearly plan for $5.99 a month.
X-VPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee in case you change your mind.
Just get in touch with live chat support to request a refund. The agent may ask you the reason for canceling the service but they will issue a refund, whatever the reason.
You can also try out X-VPN’s seven-day free trial but this will require your payment details to activate and will renew automatically once the trial period ends.
X-VPN accepts the standard payment methods like credit card and debit card, as well as PayPal.
You can also pay with cryptocurrencies through CoinPayments for more privacy, as well as via gift card.
The Bottom Line
X-VPN has potential, but it's not secure enough
X-VPN is not terrible, and gets some things right: it’s easy to use, it unblocks most streaming services, and has a huge server network.
However, it’s unclear what protocols the software uses to (often incorrectly) encrypt traffic, it logs too much data, and its owners have ties to China.
We’re also not impressed by X-VPN’s lack of obfuscation tools and subsequent failure to bypass the Great Firewall of China. We would also like to see an overall improvement to connection and torrenting speeds in the future.
We don’t recommend X-VPN Free at all. It doesn’t work on desktop and it’s limited to the nearest server location on mobile. The lack of a kill switch means it should be avoided at all costs.
Alternatives to X-VPN
Windscribe
8.68.6/10
Windscribe Free unblocks more Netflix libraries than even X-VPN’s paid version and comes with a generous monthly data cap of 10GB. You can connect to servers in 11 different countries and your data is kept secure with a reliable kill switch. Read Windscribe review
ExpressVPN
9.79.7/10
A little more expensive than X-VPN, ExpressVPN offers a much better package. It’s compatible with loads of devices, uses the most secure encryption and technology, and it works in China. Read ExpressVPN review