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vpnMentor was established in 2014 as an independent site reviewing VPN services and covering privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize the independent, professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.
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vpnMentor was established in 2014 as an independent site reviewing VPN services and covering privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize the independent, professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

F-Secure VPN Review 2024 - Keep This in Mind Before Buying

Our Score: 7.8/10
Ranked 66th out of 306 VPNs
Keira Waddell Published on 31st January 2024 Senior Writer

F-Secure is a Finnish company, founded in 1988. It’s established and well-known in the security industry, so I had high hopes for the F-Secure Freedome VPN. Unfortunately, it didn’t live up to my expectations.

F-Secure Freedome VPN is simple and easy to use and definitely suitable for beginners. However, it has some disappointing aspects.

It is comparatively expensive, with prices starting at $2.65/month for the most basic package with only 10 devices.

Its speeds were generally consistent and fast, but it has a small server network. There are only 28 servers in 22 countries.

While it proved successful at unblocking all Netflix libraries, it was blocked by other streaming services, like Hulu and HBO Max.

Freedome VPN also doesn’t support torrenting, and it proved impossible to use for gaming.

Their privacy policy is a little unclear, which automatically raises concerns. I found that the Freedome VPN does store some logs for up to 90 days which is really disappointing. There’s a lot of room for improvement with the F-Secure Freedome VPN, so we can only hope that it makes some changes soon.

If you’re looking for more reviews on a range of VPNs, visit our blog.

Try Freedome VPN Risk-Free >>

Short on Time? Here Are My Key Findings

F-Secure Freedome Features — 2024 Update

8.4
💸 Price 2.65 USD/month
📆 Money Back Guarantee 30 Days
📝 Does VPN keep logs? No
🖥 Number of servers 28+
💻 Number of devices per license 10
🛡 Kill switch Yes
🗺 Based in country Finland
📥 Supports torrenting Yes

Streaming — Good At Unblocking Netflix, But Failed At Many Others

Freedome VPN is great at unblocking Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and All4, but very limited with others. I wasn’t able to watch Hulu, Disney+, or HBO Max, or Amazon Prime Video US. So I wouldn’t recommend it if you’re looking to unblock more than Netflix. Instead, you can check out our best VPNs for streaming here.

Unblocked: All Netflix Libraries, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, All 4, and Disney+

I had no issues accessing Netflix’s libraries with F-Secure Freedome VPN. This is surprising, considering Netflix’s recent pushback against VPNs.

There were no problems with buffering or freezing, even on slower, long-distance servers. I watched Selling Sunset on Netflix Australia with no problems at all. I could also stream in HD on North American and European servers.

A screenshot of F-Secure unblocking Netflix AustraliaF-Secure Freedome is fast enough to stream in HD

I also unblocked Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video’s EU, UK, Australian, and Asian libraries. Again, there were no problems with buffering on any of these.

BBC iPlayer and All4 also worked on the UK servers. I could stream Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK with no issues.

A screenshot of F-Secure unblocking BBC iPlayerF-Secure Freedome’s UK servers work for streaming

Blocked By: Hulu, Disney+ US/Canada, HBO Max, DAZN, and Amazon Prime Video US

I couldn’t access Disney+, HBO Max, or Hulu on any of the US/North American servers — they wouldn’t even let me get past the login pages.

A screenshot showing that Hulu blocks F-Secure FreedomeI couldn’t even log into Hulu, HBO Max, or Disney+ US

US Servers were the only ones that had problems with Prime Video. The app picked up on the VPN and blocked my access. It let me log in, but I was unable to stream any TV shows or movies without encountering the VPN/Proxy error.

Amazon Prime Video detected and blocked F-Secure FreedomeF-Secure Freedome can’t unblock Prime Video US

I asked customer support to check if it’s possible to stream DAZN with Freedome. However, he confirmed that it probably wouldn’t work the same way that other US-based streaming platforms were blocked by the Freedome VPN.

F-Secure customer support confirmed Freedome can't unblock DAZNF-Secure Freedome won’t work with DAZN, either

Its customer support said that it couldn’t guarantee access to Comedy Central, NBC, Kodi, ESPN, and Youtube.

F-Secure customer support confirmed it can't guarantee access to Comedy Central, NBC, Kodi, ESPN, and Youtube.F-Secure Freedome can’t guarantee access to Comedy Central, NBC, Kodi, ESPN, and Youtube.

Speeds — Consistent And Fast

In general, F-Secure Freedome’s speeds were pretty consistent. Even though long-distance servers — like in Australia — were pretty slow, I was able to surf different websites and stream Netflix with little buffering.

It’s normal to experience a speed loss of around 10-20% on a VPN. When connected to the North American servers, I noticed a loss of around 20-30%. I’m located in the UK, so this isn’t too bad considering the distance.

On most of the European servers, the loss was around 15%.

The biggest loss was when I was connected to the Australian servers, which dropped more than 50% from my original spread.

Most of the servers were pretty quick and didn’t go under 30 Mbps, apart from the Australian server, which was only around 27. However, web pages and Netflix shows still loaded quickly.

A screenshot of Freedome's speed test resultsFreedome VPN is quite fast

Connecting to local servers didn’t affect my speed. I could use social media, stream TV shows and load websites without any issues, although they were not fast enough for gaming.

Connecting to European servers only slowed my internet down a small bit. However, there was no noticeable difference between those and my local server.

A screenshot of speed test results on Freedome's EU serversThe EU servers gave me impressive speeds

Connecting to the US North East and Vancouver, Canada servers slowed me down a little more, but it wasn’t noticeable.

The Singaporean server was surprisingly high-speed. There was no real difference between using this server and the European or local servers.

There was a bigger drop connecting to the Melbourne server. This went below 30Mbps. However, I didn’t really notice a huge difference when using this server. Netflix Australia worked well, and I didn’t notice a lot of lag when using social media or loading web pages.

A screenshot of the speed test results on Freedome's Australian serverFreedome’s Australian servers were a little slower — but not much

Are F-Secure Freedome’s Speeds Fast Enough For Gaming? No

F-Secure’s speeds aren’t fast enough for gaming, even on local servers. After loading up Steam, I was able to get past the home page to begin playing.

My connection had an average ping of 50ms, which would normally be considered decent for gaming. Still, I found it impossible to load games and play.

Another disappointing aspect of Freedome VPN is that you can’t use it on gaming consoles either. If you’re looking for a better VPN for gaming, check out our top 3 here.

A screenshot of F-Secure failing to load my game.Freedome isn’t any good for gaming

Server Network — Small Network But Reliable Connections

Freedome has one of the smallest networks offered by a VPN. It only offers 28 servers in 22 countries. Most of these are in Europe, and it doesn’t cover any of Africa. It’s extremely lacking in South America and most of Asia. The 22 countries available on Freedome VPN are as follows:

The UK Germany Switzerland
Belgium Ireland The Netherlands
Austria Italy Canada
Czech Republic Norway The US
Denmark Poland Mexico
Finland Spain Japan
France Sweden Tokyo
Australia

There are a total of 28 cities to choose from, most of these are located in the US.

All of Freedome’s servers are also virtual, there are no physical structures, which is really disappointing. This means that the servers are not actually in that country. They have four servers based in the UK and US, which I confirmed with customer support. Its servers are a mix of leased and owned by F-Secure.

Considering that it’s not the cheapest VPN, this is pretty disappointing.

It’s important to take into account the number of servers when choosing a VPN because VPNs with more servers will generally have faster speeds. If there are fewer servers, it’s more likely there will be more people using them, which means you’ll experience lower speeds.

However, connection speeds on each of Freedome’s servers were mostly strong and reliable.

Security — F-Secure Freedome VPN Showed Strong Security Features

F-Secure Freedome VPN relies on industry-standard AES-256 encryption. It’s considered the strongest option on the market.

Most users will find Freedome VPN to be secure enough, but it may not be suitable for those looking for something really robust.

The Windows, macOS, and Android VPN apps use the OpenVPN VPN protocol, which is considered one of the most secure protocols you can use without compromising performance.

The iOS app uses IKEv1 by default but it can be set to IKEv2 by the user, which I would recommend. There is no option to choose the WireGuard protocol on Freedome VPN’s apps.

I performed a DNS test and no leaks were detected. This test also confirmed that there were no IP leaks when using the VPN.

Freedome VPN also uses its own DNS servers, to protect you even further. Freedome VPN also uses its own DNS servers to protect you even further.

Unfortunately, Freedome VPN cannot prevent IP addresses from leaking through WebRTC. It goes into detail about this in its FAQs. It states that the only thing it could do to theoretically prevent this would be to inspect the JavaScript code and isolate the WebRTC code. However, it is impossible for Freedome to do this in reality.

A screenshot of Freedome's statement regarding WebRTCFreedome VPN can’t prevent WebRTC leaks

Freedome VPN comes with a kill switch, which cuts off your traffic if your VPN disconnects unexpectedly, to prevent your actual IP address from being leaked. I tested this a few times and on each attempt, the VPN blocked my internet access and automatically reconnected.

The VPN also blocks malicious sites. It says that it will block access to any sites that could try to steal your personal information, like credit card details.

A screenshot of F-Secure's website explaining the malware blocker.F-Secure has a malware blocker

I tested the Freedome VPN download file using VirusTotal, which showed zero malware issues. This is an important step to take before downloading any VPN.

A screenshot of F-Secure's malware scan resultsFreedome’s apps don’t contain any malware

Privacy — Logging Policy is Rather Confusing

F-Secure states that it does not store data logs, but it logs information and can store this for up to 90 days.

This is a long time, and many other VPNs have much better privacy policies and make greater efforts to keep your information private.

Its privacy policy also tells us that it will share user data if it is justified or permitted, or where it may be obligated by applicable laws to disclose information to comply with lawful warrants and court orders. .

Freedome VPN logs the following information:

  • Logs that contain the duration of the VPN sessions
  • Amount of data transferred
  • Device ID
  • Public IP address
  • Hostname from where the client connects to the VPN service

Logging your IP address is the most concerning since this can be used to identify you.

A screenshot of Freedome's log policy.Freedome’s log policy is confusing

Since Freedome VPN is part of F-Secure, which is based in Finland, it’s subject to strict EU data retention and user privacy laws.

However, its location may not be a negative point in terms of privacy. Since Finland is not included in the Five Eyes Alliance (between Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK, and the US), it’s unlikely to share your data with other countries.

Freedome VPN has a Tracker Mapper that is automatically enabled when you connect. It checks all the URLs you visit and logs them in order to show you which websites are trying to track you.

The logs are deleted after 3 days, but it’s still a major privacy concern that it stores this info in the first place. I recommend that you turn the Tracker Mapper off before you start using the VPN.

A screenshot of F-Secure's statement about its Tracker MapperThe Tracker Mapper is a privacy concern

Another concerning aspect of Freedome’s privacy policy is under the Customer Relationship Data. This states that Freedome will “track how our services are acquired and used so that we can improve the services, manage your customer relationship, and approach you with relevant messages.” This sounds worryingly close to it using your data to advertise to you.

A screenshot of Freedome's Customer Relationship policyF-Secure’s policy indicates it may approach you with relevant messages

Torrenting — Doesn’t Allow Torrenting

Freedome mentions in its FAQ that it has ‘technically’ blocked P2P filesharing. So, I wouldn’t recommend this as a safe torrenting option.

A screenshot of Freedome's P2P policyFreedome VPN goes a long way to discourage torrenting

If torrenting is detected on the following servers (basically all of the servers that Freedome VPN offers), F-Secure states that it will temporarily block your access:

Australia Mexico
Belgium Netherlands
Canada Poland
France Singapore
Germany The UK
Italy The US
Japan

My team and I don’t condone illegal torrenting, so be sure to check the rules and regulations in your country.

Using a VPN protects you while you’re torrenting by hiding your real location and IP from others in your swarm. This can prevent stalking and DDoS attacks. So, if you need a VPN for torrenting, I recommend one of these services instead.

Does F-Secure Freedome VPN Work In China? No

Freedome VPN does not work in China. Its website states that it can’t connect when you’re in China. Although in some locations it may work, it will most often not. It states that trying to access Chinese websites outside of China will result in seeing the error message that the server IP address cannot be found.

The justification provided is that VPN usage is limited in China and, as a result of the Chinese government's policies, VPN connections are obstructed in their network for both residents and tourists.

If you need a VPN you can use in China, I recommend choosing one from this list.

A screenshot of Freedome saying it doesn't work in China.Freedome says its service doesn’t work in China

Freedome also doesn’t work in Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, or the United Arab Emirates.

Simultaneous Device Connections — Up to 7

You can connect up to 10 devices with F-Secure Freedome VPN, depending on your subscription plan. This is really limiting if you’re purchasing the VPN for your family or if you own multiple devices. Most premium VPNs offer around 5 simultaneous connections.

This implies that if you wish to set up Freedome on over 7 devices, you'd have to resort to using several accounts, potentially leading to higher costs and complexity.

Device Compatibility — Works With Most Operating Systems

Freedome has apps for Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows. It is very limited in terms of device compatibility. You can’t use it on your smart TV or Amazon Fire TV Stick. It also cannot be used on games consoles, like Playstation or Xbox.

There aren’t browser extensions for Chrome, Opera, Firefox, or Safari, nor does it offer a Linux version. It doesn’t work with Tor, either.

Other VPNs are compatible with routers, but Freedome is only compatible with F-Secures SENSE routers.

Freedome is really easy to use — its app has a clean, simple, beginner-friendly layout. However, experienced users might be disappointed by the lack of customization options.

There is a handy ‘view quick guide’ feature in the app, which explains every feature.

A screenshot of the Freedome VPN app.It’s easy to understand the app’s features

It’s worth noting that the app is available in 20 languages, including Spanish, German, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese

There are some obvious features missing from the app. For example, it would be handy to have server speed figures visible. The server locations are only viewable in a list, it would be good to have a search function here so you don’t need to scroll to find these each time.

Installation & Apps

8.6

Setup & Installation

I set up F-Secure Freedome VPN on my iPad, iPhone, MacBook, and Chromebook. It couldn’t have been more simple, to be honest. It only took me a few minutes to download, install, and start using it.

A screenshot of the Freedome VPN set up process.The Freedome app is easy to install

Once you have downloaded the app, created a free trial account, and verified your email, you can start using it without the need to furnish any banking information.

Pricing

6.0
1 Device (12 months)
$ 2.65 / month per month
5 Devices (12 months)
$ 3.7 / month per month
10 Devices (12 months)
$ 4.23 / month per month

F-Secure Freedome VPN offers 3 different subscription options. The only difference in these is the number of simultaneous connections you get; you can choose 3 or 10 devices.

They also provide a customizable plan that allows you to select the desired number of devices and the duration of the plan according to your preferences.

  • 10 devices for 1 year costs $2.65/month.
  • 7 devices costs $69.99 for 1 year, or $89.99 for 2 years.
  • There is no monthly plan.

There’s a 30-day money-back guarantee. It’s a really simple process if you purchased the VPN through their website. You don’t need to provide a reason for canceling. If you purchased from a third party, you’ll need to contact them regarding your subscription.

You can also take advantage of a 5-day free trial, or a 7-day free trial if you register through iOS. No banking information is required, alleviating concerns about unwanted charges.

F-Secure allows the following payment options:

  • PayPal
  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • American Express
  • JCB
  • Wire transfer

Unlike other VPN providers, there is no option to pay with cryptocurrency.

Reliability & Support

8.3

F-Secure Freedome’s chat support is a little disappointing. I had to attempt to start a chat a few times before getting through to an agent, which was frustrating. I eventually got through to ask about the money-back guarantee and my questions were answered quickly.

It also offers support by email, an online help forum, a blog, and a FAQ section. You can also contact it by phone, which is uncommon, so this is a nice touch.

Support is available from 9 am until 6 pm in most countries, with the exception of Sweden, Finland, and Denmark, where it’s open from 8 am until 5 pm. Chat and phone support are available in English, Dutch, German, French, Japanese, Finnish, Danish, Italian, Polish, Swedish, and Norwegian.

Given that F-Secure provides an array of products, it's crucial to mention the VPN product specifically when reaching out to them for support.

If you buy F-Secure through a reseller, you’ll have to contact them directly.

A screenshot of Freedome's live chat pageThere were some delays with live chat

Compare F-Secure Freedome With The Top Alternative VPNs
Our Score: 9.9
Our Score: 9.7
Our Score: 9.5
Our Score: 9.4

The Bottom Line

Final Verdict

F-Secure is on the high-end pricing-wise, but offers low-end features. It doesn’t allow torrenting and gaming is nearly impossible. It can’t unblock most US streaming services, either.

This VPN isn’t my top recommendation. There are many other VPNs out there that are better suited for gaming, streaming, and torrenting.

  • Easy to use
  • Simple installation
  • Fast speeds
  • 28 different servers in 22 countries
  • 24/7 live chat support
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

FAQs on F-Secure Freedome VPN

Is F-Secure Freedome VPN safe?

Yes, F-Secure Freedome VPN is safe to use. It uses AES-256 encryption, which is the strongest available option on the market. I tested and reviewed all of its security features for you.

Can F-Secure Freedome VPN unblock Netflix?

Yes. I was able to access Netflix libraries in the US, Canada, Europe, Australia, and Asia during my tests.

Will F-Secure Freedome VPN slow my speeds down?

No. I didn’t experience a noticeable slowdown when connecting to different servers with F-Secure Freedome. Speeds slowed down a little when connecting to long-distance servers but not enough to disrupt productivity.

Money Back Guarantee (Days): 30
Mobile app:
Number of devices per license: 10
VPN Plans: f-secure.com
We review vendors based on rigorous testing and research but also take into account your feedback and our affiliate commission with providers. Some providers are owned by our parent company.
Learn more
vpnMentor was established in 2014 as an independent site reviewing VPN services and covering privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize the independent, professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.
F-Secure Freedome User Reviews (User reviews are not verified)
6.6
Based on 39 reviews in 10 languages

Write a Review on F-Secure Freedome

Please rate VPN.

All Speed Streaming Security Сustomer service
Joel
Joel
Feb 27, 2024
10/10
Overall very good. Recommendable.

First of all, it's cheap. The application starts without any problems, does not disconnect the connection, does not burden the computer or phone like some others. Overall it works without any problems. Worth recommending. I've been using it for over a year and haven't had any major problems.

Markku Lahti
Markku Lahti
4/10
Beware of logs!

Freedome stores logs of your internet activity for 90 days. Many have feared that this may lead to abuse by the authorities. And guess what: that happened! In January 2019, the National Bureau of Investigation in Finland raided Freedome and confiscated VPN logs on a single user. The information had been requested by the police in Germany as part of a criminal investigation. This week, Freedome was able to beat the confiscation in court, and the NBI was ordered to destroy any data it had acquired from Freedome. But this doesn't negate the fact that the NBI had the data in its possession for over a year! Who knows what they did with it during that time? For your VPN needs, do not choose a provider that is situated in Finland. Despite all outward appearances, Finland is not a country where due process is respected, and it does not have a very strong system in place against government abuse. Sources: yle.fi/uutiset/3-11605233 (the news story in Finnish); afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2020/10/21/vpn-provider-wins-a-court-fight-police-can-t-get-or-use-its-database (paraphrase in English)

Dolores Soileau
Dolores Soileau
2/10
False expiration notice

7 months in to my 12-month subscription I received notice that the subscription expired. Could not receive password change on weekends. Support M-F only. Cannot trust if service goes out without renewal notice and in my case incorrect notice.

About the Author

Keira is an experienced cybersecurity and tech writer dedicated to providing comprehensive insights on VPNs, online privacy, and internet censorship.

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