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ZoogVPN Review

 Rated 4 out of 5 
3 user reviews
Screenshot of ZoogVPN's Windows app
Callum Tennent's profile image

Callum Tennent oversees how we test and review VPN services. He's a member of the IAPP, and his VPN advice has featured in Forbes and the Internet Society.

Fact-checked by Callum TennentAdditional Testing by Alyx Morley

Ask Callum About ZoogVPN

Our Verdict

7.77.7/10
How is this calculated?

Our overall rating is reached by combining several subcategories. The subcategories are weighted as follows:

  • Logging & Jurisdiction: 30%
  • Speed & Reliability: 25%
  • Security & Extra Features: 20%
  • Streaming: 10%
  • Torrenting: 5%
  • Ease of Use: 5%
  • Support: 5%

See our full methodology in how we review VPNs.

ZoogVPN is a promising VPN with fast speeds, a private logging policy, and a good free version. Its low price is tempting, but its performance is inconsistent and it often fails to connect. Though ZoogVPN is safe and works with BBC iPlayer and Disney+, there are plenty of VPNs that offer better quality for the same price.

Ranked #24 out of 56 VPNs

ZoogVPN Category Ratings

  • 5.25.2/10
  • 88.0/10
  • 99.0/10
  • 8.18.1/10
  • 7.17.1/10
  • 77.0/10
  • 77.0/10
  • 66.0/10
  • 6.56.5/10
  • 7.57.5/10

ZoogVPN Pros & Cons

  • Fast VPN speeds
  • Works with BBC iPlayer & Disney+
  • No data logs or leaks
  • Servers optimized for P2P activity
  • Affordable price tag
  • Good free service

  • Very small VPN server network
  • Server connection failures
  • No Netflix or HBO Max access
  • Unreliable customer support
  • No advanced security features

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 Testing30,000+
Weekly Speed Tests3,000+
VPN Services Reviewed56
Streaming Platforms Tested Daily12
IP & DNS Leak Tests Performed9,500+
How Much We've Spent On Testing$25,000+

Blazing fast speeds, complete online privacy, and instant access to any website from any country are just some of the things that ZoogVPN promises on its homepage.

Do these claims hold any weight? We put ZoogVPN to the test to find out for ourselves.

We’ll also let you know the answers to the following questions and more:

  • Is ZoogVPN safe?
  • How fast is it?
  • Does ZoogVPN work with Netflix?
  • Is torrenting permitted?
  • Is ZoogVPN any good?

This ZoogVPN review will tell all you need to know about this VPN – the good, the bad, and the awful. Here’s a quick summary of what’s to come:

ZoogVPN Key Data

Data CapSpeedLogging PolicyData LeaksJurisdictionServersIP AddressesCountriesUS NetflixTorrentingSimultaneous ConnectionsWorks In ChinaSupportCheapest PriceMoney-Back GuaranteeOfficial Website
Premium
Free
Unlimited10GB
84Mbps90Mbps
No LogsNo Logs
NoNo
Greece (EU Member)Greece (EU Member)
435
50+5+
225
NoNo
PartiallyPartially
Unlimited1
UnreliableNo
Live ChatLive Chat
$1.87/mo over 24 monthsFree
7-day Money-Back Guarantee-
Zoog.com

Privacy & Logging Policy

A No-Logs VPN Service

99.0/10
How is this calculated?

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.

ZoogVPN is based in Greece, an EU member state, but it's a no-logs service, which makes up for its less-than-ideal jurisdiction. The only information the service collects is aggregated total upload and download data transferred on its servers. This isn't personally identifiable.

Ranked #23 out of 56 VPNs for Privacy & Logging Policy

ZoogVPN was founded in May 2013 by “a bunch of networking geeks and techies.” Their names are George Agal, Alex Ovan, and Sam Jones. We couldn’t find any information about them online, though.

The VPN service is owned by Zoog Services IKE, which is now based in Greece following its incorporation in the Isle of Man, a self-governing British Crown Dependency (and frequent tax haven).

Zoog Services provides an address on its website, which isn’t as common in the VPN industry as we’d like it to be.

Greece isn’t part of the 14-Eyes international intelligence-sharing alliance. This is a positive. But it is a member of the EU, which still engages in data sharing between member states.

In order to find out what that means for you, let’s take a look at ZoogVPN’s privacy policy.

Logging Policy

ZoogVPN is based in Greece, which falls under the jurisdiction of the EU. It therefore has to follow the EU’s data retention laws.

For the time being, you shouldn’t have any concerns regarding ZoogVPN’s Greek jurisdiction. This VPN is strictly no-logs.

ZoogVPN’s privacy policy clearly states that the service doesn’t log:

  • Usage information on user activity.
  • The websites or apps the user visits.
  • Timestamps.
  • User IP addresses.

The only information Zoog collects, aside from your email address, is aggregated information about the total upload and download data transferred on its servers. This is used to maintain the VPN service.

None of this information is shared with any other company or party, save for customer emails in cases where they’re required to verify payment (for example with PayPal or your credit card provider).

ZoogVPN also publishes a regular warrant canary, which currently states that company has received:

  • 0 – National Security letters
  • 0 – Gag orders
  • 0 – Warrants or subpoenas from a government organization

The problem is this Warrant Canary hasn’t been updated since March 2022, which is somewhat alarming.

Furthermore, the VPN service’s logging policy hasn’t been verified by external audit firms, by real-life server seizures, or by court cases.

We’re glad to see ZoogVPN take a privacy-focused approach to its logging policy, but we do need to see stronger proof that the service is truly no-logs.

Security & Technical Features

Strong Encryption, Basic Security

77.0/10
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.

ZoogVPN provides basic security. It offers industry-standard encryption, OpenVPN (but no WireGuard), a functional kill switch, and effective leak protection. This will protect your privacy on public WiFi networks, but if you're looking for extensive security, we suggest looking elsewhere.

Ranked #30 out of 56 VPNs for Security & Technical Features

ProtocolsAvailable in ZoogVPN
IKEv2/IPSecYes
OpenVPN (TCP/UDP)Yes
WireGuardNo
EncryptionAvailable in ZoogVPN
AES-128No
AES-192No
AES-256Yes
BlowfishNo
ChaCha20No
SecurityAvailable in ZoogVPN
DNS Leak BlockingNo
First-party DNSNo
IPv6 Leak BlockingNo
Supports TCP Port 443No
VPN Kill SwitchYes
WebRTC Leak BlockingNo
Advanced FeaturesAvailable in ZoogVPN
Ad BlockerNo
Dedicated IPNo
Double VPNNo
Smart DNSNo
Static IPNo
SOCKSNo
Split TunnelingNo
Tor over VPN ServerNo
Tracker BlockerNo

ZoogVPN doesn’t provide any additional features when it comes to security, but it does include the bare essentials. It supports OpenVPN by default – one of the most secure connection protocols available. Traffic is encrypted with AES-256, a cipher considered uncrackable.

Our tests detected no IP, DNS, or WebRTC leaks, and the VPN kill switch works as intended. Overall, ZoogVPN is a safe and secure VPN service that will effectively encrypt your browsing data and hide your IP address.

As well as OpenVPN, there’s also IKEv2/IPSec, L2TP/IPSec, and PPTP protocols available. The first two are fine but we absolutely don’t recommend PPTP, as it’s very insecure.

There is no WireGuard, which is a newer protocol that we like to see alongside OpenVPN. This speaks to ZoogVPN’s basic level of security investment.

The iOS app runs exclusively on IKEv2/IPSec, which is fast, safe, and particularly useful for mobile devices that dip in and out of WiFi and 4G.

ZoogVPN doesn’t have any advanced options, like split tunneling or Double VPN. But it does have a VPN kill switch for Windows and Mac, which is responsible for preventing personal data leaks should the VPN connection drop suddenly.

ZoogVPN also passed our tests for IP, DNS, and WebRTC leaks:

Screenshot of ZoogVPN leak test results

We test from the UK. You can see that ZoogVPN is effectively hiding our IP address.

As you can see, ZoogVPN relies on third-party DNS servers, which isn’t ideal. That said, OpenDNS is secure enough.

ZoogVPN gets the basics of security right, so it’s safe to use. But it’s not offering anything unique or advanced for experienced VPN users.

Speed

Fast Short & Long Distance Speeds

8.18.1/10
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.

ZoogVPN is fast on local connections and distant international ones whether you're using the paid or free version. We recorded a 12% speed loss on local connections, which is a good result. Long-distance speeds were also strong. Its latency/ping score could be better but most users won't even notice.

Ranked #32 out of 56 VPNs for Speed

ZoogVPN’s speeds didn’t disappoint – the VPN performed well, both over short-distance connections and further afield.

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.

Here are our local speed test results in full:

Local Speed Test results before using ZoogVPN:

  • Download Speed: 96.06Mbps
  • Upload Speed: 98.9Mbps
  • Ping: 2ms

Local Speed Test results with ZoogVPN:

  • Download Speed: 84.35Mbps
  • Upload Speed: 94.54Mbps
  • Ping: 15ms

Download speed loss when ZoogVPN is running: 12%

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 very, very good.

Here’s a quick look at how well ZoogVPN performed internationally:

  • USA:
    • Download: 59Mbps (38% speed loss)
    • Upload: 73Mbps (27% speed loss)
  • Germany:
    • Download: 74Mbps (23% speed loss)
    • Upload: 94Mbps (5% speed loss)
  • Japan:
    • Download: 23Mbps (76% speed loss)
    • Upload: 22Mbps (78% speed loss)
  • Australia:
    • Download: 33Mbps (66% speed loss)
    • Upload: 31Mbps (69% speed loss)

These speeds will enable you to stream, torrent and browse to your heart’s content.

ZoogVPN Free Speed Test Results

ZoogVPN’s free version speeds are just as fast as the premium version.

Testing local and international free servers, these are the average results we recorded:

  • UK:
    • Download: 90Mbps
    • Upload: 88Mbps
    • Ping: 8ms
  • USA:
    • Download: 65Mbps (23% speed loss)
    • Upload: 16Mbps (5% speed loss)
    • Ping: 100ms
  • Netherlands:
    • Download: 83Mbps (76% speed loss)
    • Upload: 38Mbps (78% speed loss)
    • Ping: 116ms

This makes ZoogVPN one of the fastest free VPNs around, with no sign of speed throttling.

Server Locations

Only 22 Countries On Server Network

7.17.1/10
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.

You can only get IP addresses in 22 countries when using ZoogVPN. This isn't a lot at all. There are no servers in South America, and only a hand full in Asia. North American and European users should be fine, but we also experienced some random connection issues.

Ranked #38 out of 56 VPNs for Server Locations

Globe with a blue flag
22 Countries
Image of a city landscape
34 Cities
Image of a pink marker
50+ IP Addresses

ZoogVPN’s server network is underwhelming at 43 physical servers located in 22 countries. The best VPNs have hundreds, if not thousands, of servers.

To make matters worse, we experienced quite a lot of server connection failures during our tests, further narrowing the choice of available locations.

The vast majority of ZoogVPN’s servers are situated in Europe and North America, but there are a handful in Asia-Pacific too.

If you live in South America there’s no countries at all. For those in Africa the only server on the continent is located in South Africa.

ZoogVPN’s website claims that there are “thousands” of shared IP addresses available to users, which should go some way to reducing server congestion.

As is expected for such a small VPN server network, ZoogVPN doesn’t provide city-level servers in many countries, but there are two options in Germany and eight in the US.

If you need more server choice then you’ll find plenty on our list of the top five VPNs for 2023.

Streaming

No Netflix, HBO Max, or Hulu

5.25.2/10
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, Amazon Prime Video and more are all tested on a weekly basis.

ZoogVPN disappoints when it comes to streaming. It lists lots of streaming-optimized servers but we only had success accessing Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+. That means Netflix libraries, HBO Max, Hulu, and DAZN all remain blocked.

Ranked #27 out of 56 VPNs for Streaming

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 unlock Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and ITV Hub. We failed to get 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 good enough for HD streaming with little buffering.

Torrenting

P2P Servers & Kill Switch Fail-Safe

88.0/10
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.

ZoogVPN has a number of P2P servers that are optimized for torrenting. It also comes with the necessary kill switch to prevent accidental IP exposures and a suitable privacy policy. This is a good option for torrenting, although there is no port forwarding.

Ranked #20 out of 56 VPNs for Torrenting

ZoogVPN has P2P servers optimized for torrenting, but only on some of its VPN servers.

These P2P-friendly servers are clearly marked within the app’s server locations list. They span 16 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.

ZoogVPN’s no-logs policy will be attractive for torrenting fans. So will the VPN kill switch, which prevents your IP address from being exposed to peers and your ISP should the VPN connection drop.

Bypassing Web Censorship

Obfuscation Tools May Work in China

77.0/10
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.

ZoogVPN has obfuscation tools designed to get around state censorship, but we can't guarantee that it'll work in China. It's likely to work in Russia, Turkey and the UAE, though.

Ranked #21 out of 56 VPNs for Bypassing Web Censorship

It’s hard to say for sure whether ZoogVPN can be used to consistently bypass internet censors in China. But we find it unlikely.

That said, the Windows and Android VPN apps do have ZoogVPN Shadowing – an extra obfuscation tool designed to make VPN traffic look like normal internet traffic in order to help you beat censorship blocks.

It’s a promising sign, and will almost certainly do the trick in slightly less heavily censored countries like Russia and the UAE, but it’s a fairly recent development and we can’t be sure that it works reliably in China yet.

For now, we recommend you use an effective anti-censorship VPN service like ExpressVPN.

Device & OS Compatibility

Custom Apps for Fire TV & Android TV

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.

ZoogVPN has custom apps for a wide range of devices, including the most popular ones like Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, as well as for Fire TV Stick, Android TV, and Linux. It doesn’t offer browser extensions but it can be installed at router-level for house-wide coverage. There’s plenty of options.

Apps

ZoogVPN has apps, or is available to use, on these devices:

  1. Windows
  2. Mac
  3. iOS
  4. Android
  5. Linux
  6. Router

It is possible to install the software on Linux and routers but it requires some manual config.

You can use ZoogVPN on up to five devices at once using just one subscription.

Games Consoles & Streaming Devices

  1. Apple TV
  2. Amazon Fire TV
  3. Chromecast
  4. Nintendo
  5. PlayStation
  6. Roku
  7. Xbox

For those who want to protect their streaming devices, ZoogVPN provides a great solution: custom apps for both Amazon Fire TV Stick and Android TV.

What about smart TVs and games consoles?

Well, you can use ZoogVPN use on pretty much any internet-connected device by installing the software on a supported router. It’s a pretty complex process, but ZoogVPN provides simple setup instructions on its website.

Ease of Use

Simple But Unreliable Applications

66.0/10
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.

ZoogVPN has stripped back, simple apps that anyone can use without complications. It suits newcomers and those who want to use the free version for a quick fix. But this comes at the cost of advanced performance and we experienced slow connection times and frequent connection failures.

Ranked #43 out of 56 VPNs for Ease of Use

How to Install & Set Up ZoogVPN

ZoogVPN’s apps will be immediately familiar to anyone who’s ever used a VPN before, and intuitive to anyone who hasn’t.

After a quick and easy setup, the ZoogVPN app displays a big central connect button and a server list sorted in alphabetical order.

There’s not many options to play around with – just a choice of protocol and a kill switch toggle.

This is reasonable enough. But when you experience frequent connection failures ZoogVPN’s ease of use score plummets. On several occasions, we waited a long time for the VPN to connect only for it to fail altogether.

If you’re planning on using a VPN frequently, ZoogVPN might become frustrating quite quickly.

Customer Support

Useful Live Chat Support, Limited Online Resources

6.56.5/10
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.

ZoogVPN has an FAQ, some setup guides, and online resources. You can also send an email for specific enquiries or contact the live chat support for quick assistance. There's a good amount of help available, but the chat doesn't operate 24/7 and the website information could be more in-depth.

Ranked #36 out of 56 VPNs for Customer Support

Customer SupportAvailable in ZoogVPN
24/7 Live Chat SupportNo
24/7 Email SupportNo
ChatbotNo
Live Chat SupportYes
EmailYes
Email Support via Online FormNo
Tutorial VideosNo
Online ResourcesYes

While only available intermittently, ZoogVPN’s live chat support is useful for quick answers to simple questions.

For more technical questions we were told to contact ‘Level 2 Support’ via email.

We waited several hours 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

Very Cheap & Good Free Version

7.57.5/10
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.

ZoogVPN is very cheap on its best deal, so it's a tempting service. You'll get your money's worth, nut there are actually cheaper VPNs that we rate much higher.

Ranked #12 out of 56 VPNs for Price & Value

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 fully-featured VPN services we’ve seen. The prices are as such:

  1. Monthly

    US$9.99/mo

    Billed $9.99 every month
    Save 23%
  2. 12 Month(s)

    US$2.99/mo

    Billed $35.99 every 12 months
    Save 77%
  3. 2 Year(s)

    US$1.87/mo

    Billed $44.99 every 2 years
    Save 86%

At $1.87 per month on its two-year plan ZoogVPN is one of the absolute cheapest fully-featured VPN services we’ve seen.

If you’re looking for a shorter commitment the 12-month plan is a steal at $2.99 per month. Even if you pay month-to-month, it’ll cost you an affordable $9.99.

Payment & Refund Options

You can pay for ZoogVPN with the following payment methods:

  1. American Express
  2. Bitcoin
  3. Mastercard
  4. PayPal
  5. UnionPay
  6. 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 seven-day money-back guarantee for users that paid with credit/debit cards or PayPal, but it comes with some terms.

  1. You aren’t eligible for a full refund if you’ve used more than 2GB of data, but ZoogVPN may offer a partial refund at its discretion.
  2. You may only receive a partial refund if “only some of the desired services are not availalbe [sic].”
  3. Even if you do qualify for a refund you’ll be subject to a 5% admin fee.

There’s a free version of ZoogVPN available, too, but we would strongly recommend you opt for the premium version. The free version of ZoogVPN limits you to 10GB of data and five VPN server locations. It’s limited, but it’s safe.

ZoogVPN Has One of the Best Free Services

ZoogVPN has a completely free VPN service. You can sign-up easily with no payment details needed.

ZoogVPN Free gives you access to five server locations: US, UK, Poland, Singapore, and the Netherlands.

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 the no-limit Proton VPN Free is better.

Other restrictions include a one-device limit and inferior 128-bit encryption instead of AES-256.

You can stream with ZoogVPN Free. It works to unblock HBO Max. With 10GB you’ll be able to watch around 10 hours of content. Its Amsterdam server is also P2P-optimized, which means secure torrenting, too.

We picked up fast speeds, too. On its free London server we recorded 95Mbps local download speeds – a 5% speed loss to our normal internet.

Most importantly, ZoogVPN Free is safe. Its security package is almost identical to the premium version (OpenVPN protocol is available) and is subject to the same zero-logs privacy policy. There’s no speed throttling or annoying pop-up ads, either.

If you want a simple, free VPN to browse safely with no strings attached, ZoogVPN is definitely worth checking out.

The Bottom Line

A Promising Mid-Tier VPN

ZoogVPN is promising in some areas – it’s a fast zero-logs provider with good security, and it unblocks BBC iPlayer and Disney+.

But its score falls when it comes to stability. ZoogVPN often fails to connect to certain servers, which quickly becomes very frustrating.

ZoogVPN’s affordable price is undoubtedly attractive. But there are plenty of other VPN services around that offer much higher levels of quality for around the same monthly cost.

 

Alternatives to ZoogVPN

Surfshark VPN logo

Surfshark

9.29.2/10

For roughly the same price as ZoogVPN, Surfshark is far superior, with top-notch security features and easy access to Netflix. Read Surfshark review

PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN

8.98.9/10

PrivateVPN is another really cheap VPN service that doesn’t compromise on quality. It keeps no logs, is quick, and works with all your favorite streaming channels. Read PrivateVPN review


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