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ZoogVPN Review
Privacy & Logging Policy
Can You Trust ZoogVPN?
Here’s a table summarizing the information that ZoogVPN logs:
Data Type | Logged by ZoogVPN |
---|---|
Account Information | Yes |
Browsing Activity | No |
Date of Last Connection | No |
Device Information | No |
DNS Queries | No |
Individual Bandwidth Usage | Yes |
Individual Connection Timestamps | No |
ISP | No |
Number of Simultaneous Connections | No |
Originating IP Address | No |
VPN Server IP | No |
VPN Server Location | No |
You can read ZoogVPN’s full privacy policy on its website.
ZoogVPN is virtually a no-logs VPN that doesn’t collect personally-identifiable data. It does collect anonymized bandwidth data to maintain its free version’s 10GB data limit and account information for processing refunds and customer support queries, but this is typical for most VPN services.
Importantly, ZoogVPN does not collect your originating IP address, DNS requests, timestamps, assigned IP address, or ISP.
Without this information, ZoogVPN cannot help authorities identify a specific user’s browsing history.
One drawback is ZoogVPN hasn’t implemented a diskless server network yet. Many top-tier VPNs like ExpressVPN and NordVPN have fully converted their networks to prevent logging at a hardware level.
No-Logs Policy Proven in Law Enforcement Data Request
ZoogVPN actually reached out to us and has shown us proof that the service refused to share customer information with government authorities. It has said it “consistently refused such requests.”
The data request was sent via email and the VPN replied it did not have the requested data, and so could not provide it.
You can also use a temporary email address with no personal information included to be extra sure your identity is hidden.
Overall, ZoogVPN has a strict no-logs policy that will protect your identity online, though it doesn’t rank as highly as our favorite no-logs VPN: Private Internet Access.
No Independent Audit & Worrying Warrant Canary
Unlike top-tier VPNs, ZoogVPN doesn’t publish regular third-party audits that confirm its privacy policy is being adhered to.
In comparison, Proton VPN conducts regular audits to prove its paid and free versions don’t log identifying information.
ZoogVPN also hasn’t updated the date in its warrant canary since March 2022, which is when we last emailed ZoogVPN to request clarification on why it hadn’t been updated.
An out of date warrant canary is meant to warns its users service has received an official data request and provided this information on a specific date.
Given ZoogVPN provided us with proof they received a data request and refused cooperation, it seems the VPN just hasn’t made the page update every month.
In short, ZoogVPN should really keep an up-to-date warrant canary or (even better) a transparency report on its website.
Who Owns ZoogVPN?
ZoogVPN is owned by Zoog Services Single Member Private Company, which is incorporated in Greece, but is headquartered in Ukraine. A majority of its employees are also in Ukraine.
ZoogVPN is featured as a product of Softoria, a company registered in Ukraine, which also advertises data mining services.
Softoria’s management team is a mix of individuals from ZoogVPN, DataforSEO, and DataImpulse.
It’s usually a bit suspicious when affiliated companies of VPNs are also actively operating advertising or data mining businesses.
We reached out via email for clarification on its ownership structure and employees. ZoogVPN confirmed that Softoria and ZoogVPN are owned by the same person, but didn’t confirm who this person was.
ZoogVPN also explained that the company’s corporate structure is not detailed on its website, because of “threats from authorities and law enforcement agencies” and “dangers faced by those who advocate for online privacy, as seen in cases like Pavel Durov.”
Uses Third-Party DNS Servers
Using our IP and DNS leak test tool, we found that ZoogVPN passed our IPv4, IPv6, and WebRTC leak tests. However, it uses third-party DNS servers.
It also failed to mask our geolocation with its macOS app. In theory, it could stop HTML5 leaks on its Chrome extension if there was an HTML5 blocker, but it currently doesn’t have this feature.
As you can see in the image above, ZoogVPN doesn’t support first-party DNS servers, and instead routes all your traffic through Google DNS servers.
This isn’t a total breach of anonymity as your requests are still among thousands of others, but it still isn’t as good as first-party DNS servers.
It’s fairly common for mid-tier VPNs to rely on third-party DNS servers, but ZoogVPN will need to fix this to earn a higher rating in this category.
Security & Technical Features
Secure on Windows & Android
You can see the full selection of encryption and technical features that ZoogVPN offers below:
Protocols | Available in ZoogVPN |
---|---|
IKEv2/IPSec | Yes |
OpenVPN (TCP/UDP) | Yes |
TLS VPN | Yes |
WireGuard | Yes |
Encryption | Available in ZoogVPN |
---|---|
AES-128 | No |
AES-192 | No |
AES-256 | Yes |
Blowfish | No |
ChaCha20 | Yes |
Security | Available in ZoogVPN |
---|---|
Diskless Servers | No |
DNS Leak Blocking | No |
First-party DNS | No |
IPv6 Leak Blocking | No |
Supports TCP Port 443 | No |
VPN Kill Switch | Yes |
WebRTC Leak Blocking | No |
Advanced Features | Available in ZoogVPN |
---|---|
Ad Blocker | No |
Dedicated IP | No |
Double VPN | No |
SOCKS | Yes |
Split Tunneling | Yes |
Static IP | No |
Tor over VPN Server | No |
Tracker Blocker | No |
ZoogVPN has the basics covered when it comes to security and additional features.
It connects to OpenVPN by default — one of the most secure connection protocols available – and WireGuard has also been added.
Traffic is also encrypted with AES-256, a cipher that’s considered unbreakable.
There’s also WireGuard and ChaCha20 encryption, which is much faster and uses less data.
Outside this basic foundation, ZoogVPN has a few advanced settings, like split tunneling on Android and Windows, and a SOCK5 proxy.
This might be enough for casual users, but if you’re experienced with VPN services, then you might find the lack of options frustrating.
There isn’t double VPN, ad blocking, tracker blocking, or WebRTC blocking.
It does have a VPN kill switch for Windows, Android, and macOS, which is responsible for preventing personal data leaks should the VPN connection drop suddenly.
However, we experienced some issues with ZoogVPN’s kill switch in our testing, which we detail below.
Unlike NordVPN, which has extremely detailed software release notes, ZoogVPN doesn’t release any software update notes for any platforms. This means you might miss out key details on important bug fixes and new features.
ZoogVPN Owns Some of Its Servers
Almost all of ZoogVPN’s servers are bare-metal (physical) servers based in the locations described. The service owns a few servers, but leases a majority of them from trusted third-party companies.
ZoogVPN doesn’t specify which of its servers are virtual or physical in the app, but in an email confirmed that servers in “exotic locations” may be virtual.
This isn’t as good as ExpressVPN, which owns its entire physical server network, or PIA, which labels clearly which servers are virtual.
Kill Switch Leaked Our Real IP Address on macOS
We had mixed results when testing ZoogVPN’s kill switch. On Windows, the kill switch was effective and never leaked our real IP address.
But on macOS, ZoogVPN leaked our real IP address when switching servers and when our internet dropped.
Put simply, ZoogVPN’s kill switch did not work on macOS at the time of testing, and we don’t recommend relying on it if you’re using an Apple computer.
Missing Technical Features We’d Like to See
ZoogVPN offers the essentials when it comes to security, which may be enough for beginners or irregular users.
However, there are better VPNs with more advanced features and secure kill switches on all devices.
For ZoogVPN to improve its security rating, it needs to invest in its suite of additional features.
Here are some features we’d like to see ZoogVPN add to its service:
- Kill switch on iOS devices.
- Dedicated or static IP address to counter IP address blocklisting and annoying CAPTCHAs on search engines.
- Double or multi-hop VPN servers to enhance your security and privacy on your VPN connection.
- Open-source code to improve transparency.
- Smart DNS for bypassing streaming service geo-restrictions.
Speed
Both Premium & Free Versions Are Surprisingly Fast
ZoogVPN’s speeds didn’t disappoint — the VPN performed well, both over short-distance connections and further afield.
Here’s a table showing ZoogVPN’s speed test results:
Uploads and downloads were consistently quick enough for HD streaming and smooth torrenting when we connected to nearby VPN servers. This is much faster than other mid-tier VPNs we’ve reviewed.
Ping times were a little less impressive, but shouldn’t affect the vast majority of users. For a lesser-known product, ZoogVPN’s speeds are great.
These speeds will enable you to stream, torrent, and browse without any buffering or lag.
ZoogVPN Free Speed Tests
ZoogVPN Free is very fast for a free VPN service. In our tests, ZoogVPN’s free version was almost as fast as the premium version. This makes ZoogVPN one of the fastest free VPNs around, with no sign of speed throttling.
For the best speeds, we suggest choosing a server that’s close to your actual location. However, since ZoogVPN Free only has servers in 3 countries, a majority of people will not have a server nearby.
To mitigate this issue, we recommend using a free VPN like TunnelBear Free, which gives you access to servers in 47 countries.
Here’s a table showing ZoogVPN Free’s speed test results:
Server Locations
Which Countries Does ZoogVPN Have Servers In?
ZoogVPN has servers in the following regions:
Continent | ||
---|---|---|
Europe | ||
Asia | ||
South America | ||
North America | ||
Oceania | ||
Africa |
Like most VPNs, a majority of ZoogVPN’s servers are concentrated in Europe. If you live in Africa or Oceania, there’s only two options in each continent.
All of ZoogVPN’s servers are in fact bare-metal servers — that means they’re physically located in the countries they claim to be, which helps prevent slower speeds than you might expect.
With ZoogVPN Free, you can get an IP address in 3 locations – in the Netherlands, UK, and US . This is less than half the amount of server locations that Windscribe Free offers.
It used to offer a free server in Asia, but this was removed recently. ZoogVPN Free used to be one of the best VPNs for Android, but now our recommendations are Windscribe Free and Proton VPN Free.
A ZoogVPN subscription comes with multiple specialized servers for streaming, torrenting, and obfuscation.
These servers are designed to be faster and more efficient than regular servers at certain tasks. They are also clearly labeled in the app with icons:
ZoogVPN free used to offer a streaming and P2P server for free, but now you only get one obfuscated server location – the UK.
Here’s a table detailing the number of specialized servers ZoogVPN offers:
Subscription | ||
---|---|---|
Streaming Servers | ||
Obfuscated Servers | ||
P2P Servers |
Streaming
Can’t Unblock US Netflix, DAZN, or Hulu
Here are the results of our streaming tests when using ZoogVPN:
Streaming Platform | Works with ZoogVPN | Works with ZoogVPN Free |
---|---|---|
Amazon Prime Video | Yes | No |
BBC iPlayer | Yes | No |
Channel 4 | No | No |
Disney+ | Yes | No |
Hotstar India | No | No |
Hulu | No | No |
ITVX | Yes | No |
Max | Yes | Yes |
Netflix US | No | No |
ZoogVPN provides a bunch of streaming-friendly servers in several locations — they’re clearly marked with a play button symbol.
But they don’t always work; we managed to unblock geo-restricted content on Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and ITV Hub, but we failed to gain access to any Netflix library, including the US one.
You can easily find out which servers are intended to work with your favorite streaming service on ZoogVPN’s network status page.
As for the video quality, ZoogVPN’s speeds are more than fast enough for Full HD streaming with little buffering.
Tested: ZoogVPN Unblocks UK Streaming Services
In our streaming tests, ZoogVPN successfully bypassed geoblocks on BBC iPlayer and ITVX. We were able to stream shows like Doctor Who, Industry, and Love Island without blocks or buffering.
ZoogVPN Doesn’t Unblock US Netflix
Using ZoogVPN, we weren’t able to access US Netflix or any international Netflix library. If you want a VPN that’s reliable with US Netflix and other streaming services, ExpressVPN is the best VPN for streaming.
Despite it not working with Netflix, we were able to stream Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, HBO Max, and YouTube with ZoogVPN.
ZoogVPN Free Doesn’t Unblock US Netflix
ZoogVPN Free doesn’t unblock as many services as its paid version, which is typical for a free VPN. Its 10GB monthly data cap also doesn’t allow for endless streaming — it will run out after roughly four hours of Full HD viewing.
Using ZoogVPN Free, we weren’t able to access US Netflix or Disney+, but it did occasionally unblock HBO Max. We used it to stream The Last of Us in HD without buffering.
ZoogVPN Free doesn’t come with any streaming-optimized servers for US streaming services, but it does for Singapore.
Torrenting
39 P2P-Optimized Servers, But Not the Safest Torrenting VPN
Torrenting Attribute | ||
---|---|---|
Average Download Bitrate | ||
No. of P2P Servers | ||
Logging Policy | ||
Kill Switch | ||
Port Forwarding |
ZoogVPN’s premium version offers P2P servers optimized specifically for torrenting.
These P2P-friendly servers are clearly marked within the app’s server locations list. They span many countries including Canada, the US, and a handful of servers in Europe and Asia-Pacific.
We picked up a fast average bitrate when using these servers – 9.6MiB/s. This makes ZoogVPN faster than ExpressVPN (9.4MiB/s) and NordVPN (9.8MiB/s), the best two VPNs on the market.
Although it works on Windows, the kill switch on macOS actually leaks your IP address when your connection drops. This presents a serious risk if you’re using the VPN for protection while torrenting.
If you’re planning to purchase or use a free VPN for torrenting, we highly recommend checking out Private Internet Access or PrivadoVPN Free.
Bypassing Web Censorship
Does ZoogVPN Work in China?
ZoogVPN has obfuscated servers and a feature called “Zoogshadowing” for bypassing online censorship. These tools can be effective, but they aren’t the most reliable over a long period of time.
In our recent China tests with ZoogVPN, it took more than five minutes for the VPN to connect to a South Korean obfuscated server (KR – Seoul 2). However, once connected we were able to unblock YouTube and other censored websites.
While ZoogVPN’s paid version is sometimes able to bypass some firewalls, its free version isn’t as reliable in censored regions. We weren’t able to connect to a single server using ZoogVPN Free in China.
If you’re looking for a free VPN to use in censored regions, we recommend checking out Windscribe Free, which has more server locations to choose from and more reliable obfuscation tools.
Device & OS Compatibility
Custom Apps for Many Devices, Including Firestick and Android TV
Apps
ZoogVPN has apps for the following devices:
- Windows
- Mac
- iOS
- Android
- Linux
It is possible to install the software on Linux and routers, but it requires some manual configuration.
You can also use ZoogVPN on up to 1 devices at once using just one subscription, which is a generous amount compared to some of its main competitors.
Here’s a summary of the key differences between ZoogVPN’s applications:
Games Consoles & Streaming Devices
- Apple TV
- Amazon Fire TV
- Chromecast
- Nintendo
- PlayStation
- Roku
- Xbox
If you want to protect your streaming devices, ZoogVPN has custom apps for both Amazon Fire TV Stick and Android TV.
You can also install ZoogVPN on your router to cover multiple devices at once. We don’t recommend this solution to beginners as it’s quite a complex setup process, but ZoogVPN provides some instructions on its website for more advanced users.
Ease of Use
Simple but Unattractive Apps
We found it easy to install and set up ZoogVPN on all our test devices. The VPN service has easy-to-follow tutorials on its website.
You can download ZoogVPN and start using it for free on all major platforms once your email address is verified. All versions of the app feature minimal features, just a choice of protocol, a kill switch toggle, and a few extra features on Windows and Android.
Here’s a more detailed look at the interface of each ZoogVPN application:
Desktop & Laptop (Windows & Mac)
ZoogVPN’s desktop clients have some key differences, including the number of protocols available and whether the client is size-adjustable.
Windows is simply the better client, with no bugs and easier navigation. However, both desktop versions have the basics: OpenVPN, a kill switch, and the option to launch the app on startup.
ZoogVPN used to have software bugs on macOS, where the window was fixed to the center of the screen and couldn’t be moved.
We’re really glad to see ZoogVPN has recently fixed these issues, but we would also like the option to resize the window on macOS.
In previous tests, ZoogVPN failed to connect using the OpenVPN protocol on our MacBook Pro. We’re glad to see the VPN is always improving, as this bug has also been fixed following recent software updates.
Mobile (iPhone & Android)
ZoogVPN’s mobile apps are easy to install from official app stores, and straightforward to use on mobile.
A kill switch and split tunneling is available on Android, which is great for maintaining your online privacy while on the go. We would like ZoogVPN to develop the same for iOS in the future.
Both mobile apps feature the same dull green and gray color palette as on the desktop clients.
There are other VPNs that are much more attractive on Android and iOS. The only redeeming quality is that ZoogVPN Free on iOS doesn’t require an email address.
The free version on Android and all other platforms requires you to hand over your email address for account verification.
Amazon Fire TV & Android TV
ZoogVPN’s custom apps for Amazon Fire TV and Android TV are user-friendly enough for beginners, but doesn’t actually perform well at unblocking georestricted video content.
It’s also missing key features more advanced users will need. You only have one choice of protocol (OpenVPN) and it doesn’t have a kill switch to prevent IP address leaks.
Unlike other ZoogVPN apps, there isn’t the option to search servers by country on Amazon Fire and Android TV. Instead, you have to manually scroll through every server available.
Lastly, you don’t get access to ZoogVPN’s full catalog of servers on Amazon Fire TV, but you can use 58 of its specialized streaming servers.
Customer Support
24/7 Live Chat Support
Customer Support | Available in ZoogVPN |
---|---|
24/7 Email Support | Yes |
24/7 Live Chat Support | Yes |
Chatbot | No |
Email Support via Online Form | Yes |
Online Resources | Yes |
Tutorial Videos | No |
ZoogVPN’s 24/7 live chat support is useful for quick answers to simple questions. Replies are usually helpful and polite.
For more technical questions, we recommend going straight to ZoogVPN’s email ticketing system. We waited an hour for a response, but replies were helpful when they eventually came.
There’s a basic FAQ section on the ZoogVPN website, along with setup wizards for numerous platforms, but the online resources are far from comprehensive.
Price & Value
Cheap But No Refund Guarantee
If a relatively unknown VPN service is to really challenge the best VPN providers, then it also needs to come in at an attractive price point, and ZoogVPN’s is an absolute jaw-dropper.
On its two-year deal, ZoogVPN is one of the cheapest VPN services we’ve seen.
The paid version of ZoogVPN has three subscription plans:
Monthly
$9.99/mo
Billed $9.99 every month12 Month(s)
$2.99/mo
Billed $35.99 every 12 months2 Year(s)
$1.87/mo
Billed $44.99 every 2 years
At $1.87 per month on its two-year plan, ZoogVPN is one of the absolute cheapest VPN services we’ve seen.
If you’re looking for a shorter commitment, the 12-month plan is also a steal at $2.99 per month. Even if you pay month-to-month, it’ll cost you $9.99 — that’s cheap for a one-month plan.
However, despite its cheap price tag, ZoogVPN isn’t necessarily worth it because there are much better options that offer more value for your money.
For just 32 cents more each month, PIA has even faster speeds, the largest server network available, an effective kill switch on all popular devices, and a court-case verified no-logs policy.
Payment & Refund Options
You can pay for a ZoogVPN subscription the following ways:
- American Express
- Bitcoin
- Mastercard
- PayPal
- UnionPay
- Visa
ZoogVPN accepts the standard payment methods including credit and debit cards, PayPal, and Bitcoin.
It also accepts payments via Paymentwall, which lets you use various international methods such as AliPay.
ZoogVPN offers a 7-day money-back guarantee for new users that paid with credit/debit cards or PayPal, but it comes with some unusual terms:
- You are only eligible for a full refund if you’ve used less than 10GB of data within the first 7 days of your subscription, and you’ve purchased the subscription through the VPN’s website.
- You may only receive a partial refund if “only some of the desired services are not available” with ZoogVPN.
- All refunds are subject to a 5% admin fee.
These conditions (an admin fee especially) are virtually unheard of in the world of VPNs.
We’d much rather ZoogVPN took a similar approach to ExpressVPN or NordVPN, and offered a no-questions-asked 30-day money-back guarantee.
There’s a free version of ZoogVPN available, too, which we recommend for trialing the service before making a purchase. The free version of ZoogVPN limits you to 10GB of data and five VPN server locations.
ZoogVPN Free
ZoogVPN has a completely free VPN service. You can sign up easily with no payment details needed. ZoogVPN Free gives you access to 3 server locations: US, UK, and the Netherlands.
There’s no speed throttling or annoying pop-up ads, which is great for user experience.
But the service is limited to 10GB of data per month. While this is restrictive, it’s actually one of the most generous data allowances around.
Only Proton VPN Free is better, which puts no restrictions on your data usage at all.
OpenVPN is free to use. But you disappointingly can’t use the WireGuard protocol. Advanced features are often paywalled with free VPNs, but we hardly ever see a VPN paywall an essential protocol.
With 10GB you’ll be able to watch around four hours of content in Full HD. Unfortunately, there aren’t any streaming servers available on its free version.
If you want a simple, free VPN to browse the internet with no strings attached, ZoogVPN is definitely worth checking out.