VPNGates Prices and Features – Full Review 2015
” VPNGates.com Provide USA VPN Services, UK VPN Services, German VPN Services, Netherlands VPN Services, Canada VPN Services, China VPN Services and so on. We have 72+ Servers in 10 countries around the world to provide our customer professional VPN Services and proxy services, include SSTP VPN Services, PPTP & L2TP vpn services, OpenVPN services, Socks & Http proxy services and SSH Tunnel services. VPNGates start to provide vpn services online since Feb. 2007, We have experienced engineers to provide technical support to our customers. Welcome to VPNGates.com and try our services!”
That is what you would read when you visit the VPNGates website. Since its foundation in 2007 in China, VPNGates offers its users an above average VPN service that allows them to hide their IP addresses and replace it with an undetectable IP in order to surf the internet anonymously, securely and unrestrictedly. In addition, using a different IP, e.g: US IP, makes it easy for the user to unblock regionally restricted websites and services, such as: Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Hulu, Netflix, video games, VoIP apps and so on.
VPNGates Features
VPNGates is packed with decent features. It has “the standard features of OpenVPN but has not many application features of its own to the standard OpenVPN configuration. It has no automated features, choice of fast servers or other features that the better VPNs have and this basic OpenVPN application is a nuisance.
VPNGates doesn’t offer dedicated IP option which complicates online shopping and banking as the merchants and third-party payment processers see multiple IPs which will trigger fraud alerts. Also there is no way of knowing in advance which server is currently not available or slow due to its location or current load.”
Pricing and Payment Options
VPNGates offers its subscribers a wide range of pricing plans. They have 7 different packages for users to choose from. “All plans are the same by country, and start at $15 a month. However, users can pay by the quarter and just pay $40, or twice a year, paying $70. The company also has a yearly contract with a $120 total. The company also offers a list of additional services, including SSTP services ($15 a year), open VPN options ($15 a month also) and socks proxy services ($15 a month). One problem in pricing structure is the fact that if you want to use more than one country server you will have to buy multiple plans” since VPNGates doesn’t offer free switching between server locations
On a brighter note, VPNGates offers a variety of payment options to satisfy its customers, including: Discover, American Express, Mastercard, Visa, Western Union, Liberty Reserve, Moneybookers or PayPal .
Countries and Server Locations
VPNGates has about 118 servers in 9 different countries scattered all over the globe, to include: the US, the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Canada, China, Australia, Switzerland and France. Having servers in important internet markets allows internet surfers located behind tough firewalls and bound by geo-restriction policies to navigate the internet unrestrictedly and anonymously to gain access to any blocked website or service.
Encryption Protocols
VPNGates offers servers with all technologies, including OpenVPN, SSTP and PPTP, L2TP. This system allows the company to assign your computer or mobile device a new IP address, which you can then use to surf the Internet. The company owns the IP address, and thus “encrypts” all of your information. The local ISP you are using will only see a single encrypted data stream, which means the days of being monitored, logged or blocked from viewing are over.
Customer Support
The company offers services in English by way of a ticket support system, a remote desktop feature and a live chat system. VPNGates also offers email assistance through three different emails for sales, trial and support (all @vpngates.com). Customer reviews indicate that customer support is attentive, despite not having a dedicated toll free phone line.
Free Trial and Money Back Guarantee
VPNGates offers “a free trial period for a VPN account. The process takes only two minutes and the trial is absolutely free. The company has an entire email address devoted to questions about the free trial. During the trial period you can choose a server, choose an OS and for what purpose you want this trial.” Moreover, the company has a refund policy in which users can get their money back within 5 days of signing up to the service. “However, the company is not willing to offer an unconditional refund, or “satisfaction guaranteed” arrangement. They do not refund money for slow server speeds or because users find out their favorite application does not work.”
Speed
Even though VPNGates doesn’t have a large network of servers, it has servers located in major internet markets and delivers average internet speed. The company also offers unlimited bandwidth. However, the company doesn’t protect the user’s original IP address in case the connection is lost or interrupted. They don’t have a kill switch or a DNS leak protection. Users should note that the closer they are from the server, the faster the speed and the better the connection.
Supported Platforms and Devices
Many devices can work with this VPN provider, given the protocols available. Compatible devices include iPhone, iTouch, iPad, Android, Windows Mobile, Smart phones, PCs and laptops. Most devices will have no trouble finding a secure connection with VPNGates. “VPNGates Company states on its website that all of the following operating systems are available: Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP or 2000, Linux (all types, including Unbuntu and Fedora) and Mac OS X 10.5 X Leopard or 10.4 Tiger. There is also a set of instructions on how to install the software for each OS. Along with all of these standard OS’s, users can also expect to access their favorite applications and online websites, such as Zattoo, BBC iPlayer, 4oD, ITV Catchup, Hulu and other streaming technologies.”
Conclusion
VPNGates is a decent VPN provider that delivers basic services and features. Encryption strength of this server is reliable and people can use it for personal as well as for commercial purposes. Guaranteed online privacy protection is accessible with this very server that adds to your anonymous web surfing giving you easy access to various banned programs or websites like hulu, BBC iPlayer, Skype and many more.
PROS:
• Good Privacy
• Various Protocols
CONS:
• No server switching, if you want multiple countries, you have to buy multiple plans.
• Expensive service when you consider switching country servers
• Software standard OpenVPN with NO features and user un-friendly & inconvenient
• No automation on start up
• No automatic choice of fastest server (lowest latency)
• Dynamic IPs and Static IPs not available
• Does not protect your originating IP if the internet connection fails. All your applications will be switched to your local IP and you may not know it – an OpenVPN problem that is fixed by the better VPN services.
• Poor FAQs
• Does not support IPv6
