ZenMate VPN review
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Wondering how you can protect your privacy and security while browsing the Internet? You need a “Virtual Private Network” (VPN). You might find it hard to choose a VPN though since there are many VPN providers. ZenMate is one of them, and it’s offered by ZenGuard GmbH, a German company.
Apart from providing privacy and security, VPNs claim to unblock geo-restricted content and allow secure P2P/torrenting activities. They also promise speed, compatibility, and ease of use. VPNs claim to offer all of these and great customer support experience for a competitive price.
We have seen that reality often varies. Does ZenMate VPN deliver what is promises? We have reviewed it against all of the above criteria. Read on, and find out whether you should buy a ZenMate VPN subscription.
Features offered by ZenMate VPN
We now review the features that ZenMate offers.
Your privacy at ZenMateVPN
You probably consider privacy as important, and that’s why you want a VPN. You need a VPN that masks your IP address, encrypts your Internet traffic, and refrains from logging your online activities.
ZenMate successfully masks your IP address and encrypts your Internet traffic. The company also follows a “no logs” policy strictly, and it explicitly mentions it on its website. It doesn’t log any of your activities on the Internet.
When you buy a ZenMate VPN subscription, you need to enter your email address, username, password, name, address, and payment information. The company explains this in its privacy policy. You need to enter your name and email address when contacting the ZenMate customer support team via its contact form.
ZenMate uses this information to provide its products and services to you. The company secures this information and processes it per applicable laws. It doesn’t sell or rent your personal information.
When someone visits its website, ZenMate collects analytics information. This is anonymized and aggregate information, and it doesn’t have any relation to the usage of its VPN. ZenMate shares this anonymized information with its 3rd party partners to improve its products and services. We don’t see any privacy concern with this.
ZenGuard GmbH is a German company. However, the ZenMate VPN is subject to the jurisdiction of the UK. The UK is a part of the “5 Eyes” coalition of countries that conduct mass surveillance. This country isn’t the ideal jurisdiction for a privacy-focused VPN. However, ZenMate doesn’t keep any logs, therefore, it can’t hand over any information about the online activities of its users.
We are happy to see that ZenMate follows an effective “no logs” policy. We find that it’s a privacy-friendly VPN.
Is your data secure at ZenMateVPN?
You consider security as an important aspect while you browse the Internet, and that’s probably a key reason for you to look for a VPN. VPNs that support secure VPN protocols, provide strong encryption, and offer advanced security features and provide the security you want.
ZenMate supports OpenVPN, which is the most secure VPN protocol. On its website, ZenMate stresses on the fact it uses OpenVPN. We like that since we recommend our readers to always use OpenVPN. This VPN protocol doesn’t have any known vulnerabilities.
ZenMate supports IKEv2 and L2TP, and these are secure protocols too. This VPN offers AES-256 encryption. That’s military-grade encryption, therefore, your sensitive information is safe with ZenMate.
ZenMate prevents all IP, DNS, and WebRTC leaks. This VPN doesn’t have a built-in blocker for ads and malware. However, we noticed that it offers a software product called the “ZenMate Web Firewall” for free. This blocks ad, malware, and trackers.
ZenMate runs a monthly security check. It checks whether hackers have compromised the email address that you have used for registering with ZenMate. When hackers conduct data breaches, there are reports that list the credentials that have been compromised. If your email address figures in any such list, then ZenMate informs you. This helps you to take corrective actions.
ZenMate offers a kill switch. This is a key security feature that blocks your Internet connection when your VPN connection suddenly drops. Thanks to the kill switch, hackers can’t access your sensitive information even if the VPN connection terminates expectedly.
We noticed that the ZenMate VPN offers the “Perfect Forward Secrecy” (PFS) feature. This is an advanced security feature. PFS changes the encryption key regularly. Even if hackers get hold of your encryption key when you are using a VPN, they can’t use it for long. PFS will soon change it. As a result, hackers can’t access your sensitive information for long even if they manage to get your encryption key one.
The ZenMate VPN offers both basic and advanced security features. We find that it’s a very security-focused VPN.
Where are the servers of ZenMateVPN located?
While you might prioritize privacy and security, you don’t want a slow VPN. VPNs that invest in high-quality server infrastructure and have enough servers in all key geographies can offer good speed.
ZenMate has its presence in over 73 countries, and the company has 3,700 servers. It has a presence in all key geographies like North America, Europe, Asia, Oceania, Latin America, and Africa. The company shows the list of its servers on its website, and it indicates which servers allow P2P/torrenting activities.
ZenMate has an impressive server network. It offers good speed. Its speed helps users to have a good streaming experience, moreover, it helps in P2P/torrenting activities too. If you prioritize speed along with privacy and security, then ZenMate is a good choice.
What platforms are supported by ZenMateVPN?
You would want a VPN that’s compatible with all kinds of devices that you have ZenMate supports all key platforms, and we are happy to see that.
This VPN works with key desktop platforms like Windows, Mac, and Linux. ZenMate provides user-friendly custom apps for Windows and Mac. For Linux, you need to manually configure the OpenVPN client using the helpful guides from ZenMate.
ZenMate works with key mobile platforms like Android and iOS. It provides helpful custom apps for both of these platforms. This VPN provides browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Opera.
As we had stated, ZenMate stresses heavily on the fact that it uses the OpenVPN protocol. It offers detailed configuration guides and configuration information for this reputed VPN protocol. The company calls this “ZenMate VPN for OpenVPN”.
You can use it to configure a ZenMate connection on any device that supports OpenVPN. This can help you to set up a ZenMate VPN connection on any router that supports the OpenVPN protocol. You can then connect all your devices to that router, which counts as one VPN connection.
You can use ZenMate VPN for OpenVPN on devices that don’t support a custom VPN app. This enables you to configure a VPN connection on Amazon Fire Stick TV, Android TV, Apple TV, and other smart TV platforms. The ZenMate VPN is compatible with gaming consoles. You can also set up a VPN connection on other platforms like Raspberry Pi and Chromebook.
ZenMate allows you to secure an unlimited number of devices. Its compatibility with a wide range of platforms is a big advantage of ZenMate, moreover, the company offers helpful custom apps for most of the platforms it supports. While it doesn’t offer a custom app for Linux, setting up the OpenVPN client on Linux isn’t hard. Moreover, ZenMate provides very helpful guides.
Can ZenMate VPN unblock streaming services?
Many Internet users look for a VPN since they want to unblock geo-restricted streaming services. Popular streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, etc. impose geo-restrictions on their content due to their business reasons. These streaming services know that Internet users try to bypass these restrictions using VPNs. Many of these streaming services aggressively identify and block VPNs.
ZenMate claims to unblock a large number of popular streaming services. It promises to unblock Netflix US, Netflix France, Netflix, UK, BBC iPlayer, Globo Sportiv, Fox Sport (Brazil), Amazon Prime, and many more.
ZenMate also states that it offers dedicated streaming servers, which can block Hulu and other popular streaming services. We found that ZenMate nearly delivers all that it promises.
It can unblock Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, HBO GO, which are very popular streaming services. This VPN can’t block Hulu consistently. If you are a sports enthusiast, then you can watch live sporting events like Champions League, UEFA Europa League, NBA TV, etc. even if these are restricted in your region.
ZenMate offers good speed, therefore, you will have a good streaming experience. We find that ZenMate is a good choice for streaming geo-restricted content.
Does ZenMate VPN allow for P2P/torrenting?
Are you planning to access P2P/torrenting services? We recommend you check the laws. Some countries have banned P2P/torrenting services, moreover, you can get into copyrights issues even in countries that allow them.
Even when you try to access P2P/torrenting services legally, you need to contend with several challenges. Hackers target users that access P2P/torrenting services. Your ISP might throttle your Internet connection as soon as it finds out that you are trying to access such a service.
Many users want a VPN to access P2P/torrenting services securely. You should look for a VPN that doesn’t keep any logs, encrypts your Internet connection, and offers a kill switch. The ZenMate VPN meets all of these conditions.
This VPN doesn’t impose any bandwidth restrictions on P2P/torrenting. Its good speed helps too! ZenMate offers servers optimized for P2P/torrenting.
We find that ZenMate is an excellent choice for secure P2P/torrenting.
Note: ZenMate can’t bypass the “Great Firewall” of China. The company explicitly states that it can’t guarantee that its VPN will work in countries like China that impose Internet censorship. It advises the people living in these countries to refrain from buying a subscription even if they are able to download the ZenMate VPN app. We like this transparency and focus on customers!
Pricing of ZenMate VPN
You want value for money when you buy a VPN subscription. ZenMate offers 3 pricing packages, which are as follows:
· Monthly: You pay $10.99 per month;
· 6-months: You pay $32.34 every 6 months, therefore, your average monthly cost is $5.39;
· Yearly: You pay $39.96 per annum, which means that your average monthly cost is $3.33.
Note that if you buy an annual subscription, then you get 6 months for free during the first year. Effectively, your average monthly cost is $2.22 for the first 18 months. All the pricing packages include all the features that ZenMate offers.
ZenMate offers a free VPN, however, it has limitations. You can use it as Chrome and Firefox browser extensions only, and you can access only 4 server locations. The company limits the maximum speed to 2 Mbps in this free plan.
You can pay for a ZenMate VPN subscription using popular credit cards and PayPal. ZenMate offers a secure payment process, therefore, your sensitive information is safe with it.
ZenMate offers a 7-days free trial period. This VPN also offers a 30-days money-back guarantee.
Considering the features that ZenMate offers, it’s priced very competitively. The yearly plan offers steep discounts.
The pros and cons of ZenMate VPN
ZenMate offers many advantages, which are as follows:
· It protects your privacy, thanks to its strict “no logs” policy.
· The ZenMate VPN offers both basic and advanced security features.
· This VPN has over 3,700 servers in 73+ countries, and it offers good speed.
· ZenMate supports all key platforms and provides custom apps for most of them. It also offers browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Opera.
· This VPN allows unlimited simultaneous connections.
· ZenMate VPN apps are very easy to use.
· ZenMate unblocks popular streaming services like Netflix and BBC iPlayer.
· You can use ZenMate for securely accessing P2P/torrenting services.
· ZenMate offers excellent documentation and robust customer service.
· This VPN offers competitive pricing plans.
· ZenMate offers a 7-days free trial period and a 30-days money-back guarantee.
The following are the limitations of ZenMate:
· It can’t consistently unblock Hulu.
· This VPN can’t bypass the “Great Firewall” of China. However, the company informs this clearly. It asks users from countries that impose Internet censorship to refrain from buying a paid subscription.
We find that ZenMate provides a well-rounded set of products and services.
A few quick facts about ZenMate VPN
We now summarize a few quick facts about ZenMate, which are as follows:
· ZenGuard GmbH, a German company owns and operates ZenMate.
· ZenMate is subject to the jurisdiction of the UK.
· This VPN follows a strict “no logs” policy and offers excellent security features.
· ZenMate can unblock Netflix and BBC iPlayer, moreover, it allows secure access to P2P/torrenting services.
· With over 3,700 servers in 73+ countries, ZenMate offers good speed.
· This VPN supports all key platforms and offers custom apps for most of them.
· ZenMate allows unlimited simultaneous connections.
· This VPN provides robust customer support and documentation.
· ZenMate offers a 7-days free trial and a 30-days money-back guarantee, moreover, it’s priced competitively.
· It offers a limited free plan in the form of Chrome and Firefox browser extensions.
How is it like to use ZenMate VPN?
When you visit the ZenMate VPN website, you immediately notice how it provides all the important information prominently. You can easily find the key menu options and “Call To Action” (CTA) buttons. Buying a ZenMate VPN subscription requires a few simple steps.
You can easily find custom apps for different platforms and install them. ZenMate offers custom apps for most of the key platforms like Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. This helps users that aren’t tech-savvy since they don’t need to undertake the manual configuration process.
ZenMate provides easy-to-use guides for Linux and platforms that don’t support custom VPN apps. If you’re a tech-savvy user and want to set up a VPN connection manually, then you can use the manual configuration guides offers by ZenMate.
You will find the ZenMate custom apps very user-friendly. The apps offer easy options to customize the settings. We found that ZenMate is a very user-friendly VPN.
Is the customer service at ZenMate VPN any good?
ZenMate custom apps are user-friendly and stable, therefore, you won’t need much customer support. However, ZenMate has you well covered as far as customer support is concerned. Its support page is organized.
You can use its searchable knowledgebase. ZenMate offers excellent guides for its custom apps and manual configuration. This VPN provides detailed troubleshooting guides and FAQs.
You contact the ZenMate customer support team by opening a support ticket, moreover, you can send an email. You will receive responses promptly. The customer support representatives of ZenMate are professional, knowledgeable, and responsive. This company offers live chat support too. We find that ZenMate has excellent customer support capabilities.
What's the jurisdiction of ZenMate VPN?
While ZenGuard GmbH is a German company, it states in its “Terms of Service” that the ZenMate VPN is subject to the jurisdiction of the UK. The UK is a member of the “5 Eyes” coalition of countries that conduct mass surveillance. This country isn’t the ideal jurisdiction for a privacy-focused VPN. However, the strict “no logs” policy of ZenMate mitigates any risks concerning this.
Does ZenMate VPN keep any logs of your activity?
ZenMate follows a strict “no logs” policy. The company categorically states that it doesn’t collect any logs of its users’ online activities. We are satisfied with the privacy focus of ZenMate.
Encryption and protocols used by ZenMate VPN
ZenMate supports secure protocols. It supports OpenVPN, which has the reputation of being the most secure VPN protocol. This VPN also supports IKEv2 and L2TP, which are secure protocols too.
Thanks to AES-256 encryption, ZenMate keeps your sensitive information secure. This is the strongest encryption that you can get. ZenMate prevents all IP, DNS, and WebRTC leaks.
This VPN provides a kill switch. It blocks your Internet connection if the VPN connection terminates suddenly. Hackers can’t lay their hands on your sensitive information even if the VPN connection suddenly drops, thanks to the kill switch.
ZenMate offers PFS (Perfect Forward Secrecy). This security feature changes the encryption key regularly. If hackers manage to access your encryption key once, they can’t use it for long. PFS will soon change the encryption key.
This VPN doesn’t have a built-in blocker for ads, trackers, and malware. However, ZenGuard offers a free software product called the “ZenMate Web Firewall”, which blocks ads, malware, and trackers.
ZenMate executes a monthly security check. If it finds that the email address you have used for your ZenMate account registration has been compromised by hackers, then the company informs you. You can take appropriate actions.
ZenMate offers excellent security features.
The short conclusion of our review
The ZenMate VPN delivers almost everything that it promises. It offers privacy, thanks to its effective “no logs” policy. This VPN offers basic as well as advanced security features.
It unblocks Netflix and BBC iPlayer, however, it can’t consistently unblock Hulu. ZenMate can’t bypass the “Great Firewall” of China. This company maintains transparency about this though. It asks users from countries that impose Internet censorship to refrain from buying a paid subscription. Thanks to 3,700+ servers in 73+ countries, ZenMate offers good speed. You can use this VPN for securely accessing P2P/torrenting services.
This VPN supports all key platforms and offers user-friendly custom apps for most of them. ZenMate provides excellent documentation and robust customer support. It offers very competitive pricing plans, moreover, it provides a 7-days free trial and a 30-days money-back guarantee. We consider ZenMate a very good buy.
