TrueVPN is an Australian-based VPN proxy service that offers zero-knowledge DNS and supports perfect forward secrecy. While it packs a heavy punch when it comes to user privacy, it lacks power in other areas.
TrueVPN doesn’t have an app for any of the devices it currently supports. Instead, you load the TrueVPN file into OpenVPN’s app and create a profile. The OpenVPN app is easy to use and despite needing to use second-party software, setting up TrueVPN is pretty straightforward.
If you want a VPN that offers an in-house app, check out one of these vendors.
Short On Time? Here Are My Key Findings
- Unblocks Netflix US, Disney+, and more. I was also able to stream in HD on all of the servers I tested. See what geoblocks it wasn’t able to bypass.
- Good speeds for streaming, not for gaming. The speeds were fast enough to upload YouTube videos and stream in HD comfortably, but it fell short when it came to gaming. Find out why.
- Small global server selection. The server selection is extremely small and only spread over 90 countries. Learn more about servers counts.
- Decent security features and a solid privacy policy. I wasn’t able to find any major red flags regarding security or privacy but a couple addition features would make it better for torrenting. Discover what its missing.
- No in-house app. You need to set the service up via OpenVPN Connect on all compatible devices. Find out if it’s worth it.
[features-overview-table]
Can it Unblock Netflix? Yes
Not only can it unblock Netflix, but it also bypassed geoblocks for Disney+ and BBC iPlayer! TrueVPN also offers unlimited speed and bandwidth, so you can watch as much as you like. On the downside, the limited amount of servers does mean you’ll be dealing with slower speeds during peak hours.
Unblocked: Disney+, Netflix US, and BBC iPlayer
Despite the small server selection I was able to access major streaming services
Blocked By: Amazon Prime Video and Hulu
Speeds – Fast Enough for HD Streaming
The server network is small but if the servers are powerful, sometimes that’s all it takes. The true test of a server is how it performs during peak hours, so that’s when I tested. I was pleasantly surprised to find out I could stream content in HD on each of the servers I tested. On the downside, only the local servers gave me ping and upload speeds that were acceptable for gaming.
Download speeds were fast enough for HD streaming on each server, but speeds for ping and upload mean local gaming only
For reference, streaming in HD requires speeds of 5Mbps+, with UltraHD/4k requiring around 25Mbps+ to have a buffer-free viewing experience. Only the local US server was able to reach UltraHD/4k speeds, though I was able to stream HD content seamlessly on each of the other servers I tested as all had download speeds of 10Mbps+.
Ping is the amount of time it takes for your data to travel from your device, to the server, and back again. If pingback is too high it can severely impact gaming and video calling, causing buffering and lag that could eventually lead to disconnects. Ping speeds on each server, aside from the local US server, were 100ms+. That means this isn’t the best VPN for gaming or conferencing apps like Zoom or Skype, even though the upload speeds are suitable for both.
Is TrueVPN Fast Enough for Gaming? No
TrueVPN’s high pingback speeds on international servers make it a no for anything but local gaming. Some areas also had extremely low upload speeds, which means there could be a life altering delay for your player.
Optimum speeds for gaming are around a 20-100ms ping, of course lower than 20ms is preferable too. Unfortunately, the speeds on the international servers I tested were upwards of 100ms, which means you could experience lag and disconnects.
If you’re looking for a VPN that works great for gaming, I would recommend one of these providers instead.
Server Network – Extremely Small
While TrueVPN’s servers are spread out across 90 countries, it only has around 9.700+ servers. That’s an extremely small server network, which could mean being booted from the server or dealing with overcrowding during peak hours; especially the further you get from your bas location.
Does TrueVPN Work in China? No
TrueVPN doesn’t have a server located in China. If you need a VPN for bypassing the Great Firewall, check out one of the best VPNs for China.
Security & Privacy – Strong Features
TrueVPN has two impressive features for a lesser-known, zero-knowledge DNS and supporting perfect forward secrecy. Zero-knowledge DNS means that TrueVPN runs its own DNS for every server, it never collects connection logs, browsing data, or any personally identifiable information. Perfect forward secrecy is a continual change in encryption keys, that can help protect your sensitive data in the event of a malware or hacker attack.
It also features security standards like OpenVPN protocol, 256-bit AES encryption, and a no-logs policy. If it had a kill switch and allowed split tunneling, it would have all the top-notch security features most VPN users are looking for.
The Privacy policy is very straightforward and I couldn’t find anything that lead me to believe the service collects or shares personally identifiable information.
TrueVPN is no-logs
Is TrueVPN Safe for Torrenting? Not Really
I can’t give a definitive no on this, it doesn’t collect logs and it doesn’t leak your IP address or DNS requests. If you add the zero-knowledge DNS and Perfect Forward Secrecy to that, it would seem almost perfect for torrenting. The only problem is it doesn’t offer a kill switch.
The inclusion of an in-house app with a built-in kill switch would make TrueVPN a definite yes for torrenting but as it stands, I can’t recommend it. Try one of these VPNs that’s proven to keep you safe while torrenting instead.
- Supports perfect forward secrecy
- Unblocks most major streaming services
- Connect to Unbegrenzt devices simultaneously
- Zero-knowledge DNS
Before it can compete with heavy-hitters, it’s going to need a few additional features. For starters, it needs an app for all compatible devices and a live chat feature that doesn’t ask you to leave a message. Add a few more servers and torrenting favorites like a kill switch and split tunneling, and it would be on its way.
In the meantime, if you want a full VPN that affordable but still has the power to unblock and stream content at lighting-fast speeds, check out our best VPNs for streaming.
- Supports perfect forward secrecy
- Unblocks most major streaming services
- Connect to Unbegrenzt devices simultaneously
- Zero-knowledge DNS
FAQs
Is using OpenVPN Connect with TrueVPN safe?
Yes. OpenVPN Connect is a reliable and trustworthy app for using VPNs that don’t have an in-house app. Simply install OpenVPN Connect on your device and then import TrueVPN server profiles one at a time or all at once. The downside is OpenVPN Connect doesn’t have a kill switch or many other security features offered by in-house app.
If you don’t want to bother with downloading and importing several server profiles, try one of these top vendors that offer in-house apps for multiple devices.
Does TrueVPN offer a free trial?
No. TrueVPN doesn’t currently offer a free trial but it does have a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test it risk-free. To see more vendors that allow you to test their services with a risk-free guarantee, check out these providers.
Are VPNs illegal?
VPNs are legal in most countries but there are a few areas that ban or restrict the use of VPNs. Belarus and North Korea ban them, while China and Russia impose heavy restrictions on content. If you aren’t sure if VPNs are legal in your area, you can find information on VPN legality for multiple countries in this handy guide.