Hey there! Looking for an honest review of WeVPN to see if it‘s legit or a scam? As an online privacy guru and security specialist, I‘ve tested this new virtual private network (VPN) extensively.
Here’s the quick rundown:
WeVPN is a legitimate VPN provider that takes privacy seriously but is still establishing its reputation. Based in the British Virgin Islands, it offers easy-to-use apps, decent speeds, and good streaming unblocking.
However, the small server network leads to inconsistent performance at times. Advanced users may also find the apps lacking in customizable options.
While WeVPN looks promising, it has some way to go before it can compete with top providers like ExpressVPN and NordVPN.
Curious to learn more? Read on as I explore WeVPN in-depth to help you decide if it’s worth trying out.
Contents
VPN Security 101
Before we dive into this provider, let‘s do a quick VPN security 101!
A virtual private network encrypts your internet traffic and hides your IP address. This prevents hackers from snooping on you and lets you bypass geography-based blocks.
VPN services route your traffic through remote servers around the world, masking your real location. So you can access region-locked content and restricted websites.
For optimal security, use a no-logs VPN based in a privacy-friendly country like Switzerland or Panama. Top protocols like WireGuard and OpenVPN guarantee the strongest encryption too.
Now let’s analyze how WeVPN stacks up on these metrics!
WeVPN at a Glance
Launched in 2020, WeVPN is owned by activists and privacy advocates. It is based in the British Virgin Islands, which has no data retention laws or 14 Eyes alliance.
Some quick facts about WeVPN:
- Around 100 servers in 63 locations across 46 countries
- Apps for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux
- Protocols offered: WireGuard, OpenVPN
- Allows 10 simultaneous connections
- 30-day money back guarantee
Let‘s break down the key features that matter for privacy and security.
Apps and Usability
WeVPN offers dedicated apps for all platforms:
Windows and macOS – The desktop apps are fast and easy to use. You get quick connect and auto-launch options. But there are no advanced features like split tunneling or kill switch.
Android and iOS – The mobile apps have minimalist interfaces focused just on connecting. Changing specific servers is easier on the desktop versions.
Linux – WeVPN provides .deb packages and repo access for simplified installation on Linux.
Router – Installation guides for DD-WRT, AsusWRT and Tomato routers are offered. This allows securing all devices on your home network.
To compare, leading VPNs like ExpressVPN have apps packed with features – network lock kill switch, split tunneling, speed test, leak test, etc. WeVPN has some catching up to do here.
Speed and Performance
In my tests, WeVPN delivered good speeds when connected to nearby servers – around 200 Mbps down on a UK server from London.
But the speeds dropped to 70-80 Mbps when connecting to US servers from the UK. And just 15 Mbps for Asian servers!
This shows the limitations of WeVPN‘s small server network of just 100+ VPN servers so far.
Below are the typical speeds I recorded:
- UK to UK – 200 Mbps
- Germany to Germany – 180 Mbps
- UK to US – 80 Mbps
- Singapore to US – 15 Mbps
The speeds are alright for HD streaming. But laggy for 4K video or online gaming that needs low latency.
I also faced a few random disconnections which required switching servers. Leading competitors like NordVPN and Surfshark provided lower but more consistent speeds in my testing.
Streaming & Torrenting
The good news is WeVPN unblocks popular streaming sites reliably, including:
- Netflix
- BBC iPlayer
- Hulu
- Disney+
- Amazon Prime Video
I was able to access US, UK, Canada, Japan, and other regional Netflix libraries consistently. WeVPN also worked with other geo-restricted platforms like HBO Max and ESPN.
Speeds are fast enough for streaming in HD quality. But 4K video could buffer, especially when connected to far-off servers.
WeVPN allows P2P traffic and torrenting on all its 100+ servers. The speeds varied based on location but were decent overall.
To compare, Surfshark offers over 3200 servers optimized for streaming and P2P. This results in faster and more reliable performance.
Security and Privacy
WeVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands, outside the jurisdiction of intelligence agencies.
The company has a strict no-logs policy and does not record any activity or connection logs. No bandwidth usage or DNS requests are logged either.
The only information kept is your email and payment details required for billing purposes. Secure payment processors like Stripe are utilized.
I really like that WeVPN uses AES 256-bit and SHA512 encryption – the same protocols used by banks and militaries. OpenVPN and WireGuard VPN protocols guarantee secure connections too.
Useful security features like kill switch, IPv6/DNS leak protection, and port forwarding are provided. iOS and Linux also get a flexible kill switch option.
However, WeVPN has not yet undergone an independent audit of its no-logs policies and systems. Industry leaders like ExpressVPN and NordVPN have completed extensive third-party audits.
Until an audit happens, WeVPN’s privacy claims hold limited value and you have to take them at face value.
Server Locations
Some key things to know about WeVPN’s server network:
- 100+ servers in 63 locations across 46 countries
- Major countries covered include US, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, Brazil
- Servers are bare metal with SSD but not independently verified to be RAM-disk only
The server list is decent but small compared to the thousands of servers offered by leading VPNs:
- ExpressVPN: 3200+ servers in 94 countries
- NordVPN: 5500+ servers in 80 countries
- Surfshark: 3200+ servers in 100 countries
WeVPN lacks depth in Africa, South America and Asia-Pacific. With just 100+ servers, it is bound to experience more congestion and downtime issues.
Ease of Use
WeVPN apps are super easy to install and use, even for beginners.
Effortless connection in one click, clean interfaces, handy quick-connect and auto-launch options – it offers exceptional usability.
The desktop and mobile apps could however benefit from more advanced configurations like:
- Kill switch to stop all traffic if VPN drops
- Split tunneling to customize which apps use VPN
- Connectivity stats like latency, upload/download speeds
- Favorite/recent server lists
VPNs like CyberGhost and Private Internet Access offer far greater customization through their apps.
But for basic usage, WeVPN delivers on simplicity and convenience. Even my parents had no trouble using it on their devices!
Pricing and Plans
WeVPN has the following subscription options:
- 1 month – $9.95
- 1 year – $4.16/month ($49.95 billed annually)
- 2 years – $2.59/month ($69.95 billed every 2 years)
The 2-year plan brings the monthly cost down to only $2.59, an excellent deal if you want long-term savings. It includes 3 extra months free as well.
Payment methods accepted are credit card, PayPal, Amazon Pay, cryptocurrency, and other options. No pricing tiers based on features like with TunnelBear though.
WeVPN provides a 30-day money back guarantee allowing you to try it risk-free. Leading competitors like Surfshark and VyprVPN offer even longer trial periods.
Customer Support
WeVPN provides 24/7 customer support via live chat and email. I found the live chat quick to respond and the agents were knowledgeable regarding setup, connections etc.
Email support was a bit slower, with replies coming within 5-6 hours in my experience. Not ideal for urgent troubleshooting help.
The support site has a limited number of setup articles and how-to guides. Industry veterans like NordVPN provide far more extensive troubleshooting resources.
Online reviews of WeVPN‘s customer service are largely positive. People praise the friendly and patient support agents. The most frequent complaint is email replies taking too long.
Pros and Cons
Based on my own testing and research, here are the major pros and cons of WeVPN:
Pros
- Easy-to-use apps
- Based in privacy-friendly BVI
- Allows P2P traffic
- Unblocks streaming sites
- 30-day money back guarantee
Cons
- Small network of only 100+ servers
- Speeds inconsistent at times
- Apps lack advanced features
- No independent audits yet
The Bottom Line
WeVPN is a promising new VPN focused on privacy and security. It offers user-friendly apps, good speeds when servers are not congested, and unblocks Netflix etc. reliably.
But there are clear downsides – small server count leads to shaky performance at peak times. Apps need more advanced configurations and power user features.
WeVPN appears to be a legitimate VPN provider, but has not yet gained the established reputation of ExpressVPN, CyberGhost and other industry leaders.
So is WeVPN worth trying? At its budget-friendly pricing, I‘d say yes – take it for a spin using the 30-day refund guarantee. Just temper your expectations in terms of speed and features.
For a rock-solid VPN with proven reliability and performance though, I still recommend industry veterans like NordVPN as a better choice at this stage.
Let me know if you have any other specific questions! I’m always happy to help choose the best VPN for your needs and budget. Stay secure!
