Goose VPN Review 2023 - Keep This in Mind Before Buying

Goose VPN, founded in 2016, is based in Rotterdam, Netherlands. It boasts its company is by the Dutch, for the Dutch.

Goose implements a zero-log policy which means it doesn’t store any of your information. That also helps to protect sensitive data — such as banking details.

Even though Goose has a small server network of 100 servers in 24 countries — it does have specialized streaming servers. However, I could access only Netflix US. If you’re big on streaming, I recommend using a top-tier VPN.

I found Goose's rare unlimited simultaneous device connection feature especially interesting.

One drawback I noticed is that its speeds are inconsistent, creating a frustrating user experience.

I put Goose to the test — looking into how well it works, prices, servers, security features, and privacy policies.

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Streaming — Unblocks Netflix US, but That’s It

Goose can only unblock Netflix US. I couldn’t access Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, HBO Max, or Amazon Prime Video on its specialized streaming servers.

Streaming platforms' technology sometimes catches onto VPNs when too many users use the same shared IP address that the VPN issues. This sends a red flag to the streaming platform and blocks the IP address from being used to access the service.

Unblocked: Netflix US

I connected to Netflix US while Goose was enabled but it was too slow for HD, and I encountered some buffering.

Goose VPN unblocks Netflix US, but I did encounter some buffering

Blocked By: Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video

I was unsuccessful in getting Goose to unblock anything else.

HBO Max and Amazon Prime Video blocked the VPN immediately

Disappointingly, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu all detected the VPN, and I couldn’t view anything. I had hoped for Disney+ to work with the VPN enabled, but speeds were too slow to even load.

Customer support recommended disabling Goose’s Smart Server feature to find all available UK servers

I contacted Goose when testing BBC iPlayer after the streaming site detected the VPN. Its support suggested I disable the Smart Server feature to find all the UK servers — which is what I did in the first place. After many attempts, I still couldn't access BBC iPlayer with this VPN.

Unblock Netflix US with Goose

Speeds — Varying

Inconsistent is how I’d describe my speed results. There are much faster VPNs on the market.

I conducted a series of speed tests on Android using the IKEv2 protocol — the only protocol available on the app. I also tested on Windows for the gaming section and was far from impressed.

First, I measured my baseline speed in Alabama, US.

Depending on your location, your results may be different

I experienced little speed reduction on Android using Goose’s North American servers.

However, Goose’s international servers cut my speed drastically but were still in a usable range.

You may experience slower speeds using Goose's faraway servers

Japan was the only server whose download speeds fell under 30 Mbps. The other servers performed slightly better.

When it came time to test Goose on my laptop, I was greatly disappointed. It slashed my speeds as soon as I enabled it.

I couldn’t test a game because my speed decreased to barely nothing

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Are Goose’s Speeds Fast Enough for Gaming? Not on Windows

Trying to use Goose for gaming was frustrating — with close to a 100% decrease in speed. Anytime I used the VPN on Windows, my speeds were greatly affected but were much worse when I was gaming.

My starting speed was decent.

When I connected to the VPN, my speeds dropped significantly.

I tested a local server and a server in Madrid using the Smart Server feature, but neither did well. My connection became unusable, and I couldn’t get Runescape to load.

I couldn’t test a game because my speed decreased to barely nothing

I recommend using a better VPN for gaming due to the inconsistency.

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Server Network — Small Network, Lacking Variety

Goose has 100 servers in 24 countries.

When choosing a VPN, the network size is important for user experience. If there aren’t enough servers, you might run into a “server traffic jam,” meaning you’ll have slower speeds because too many users are trying to cram their way onto one server.

Goose has a Smart Server feature that automatically connects you to the optimal server. The best way to find a specific server is to disable the Smart Server feature to get a more in-depth list.

Most servers are located in Europe and North America, leaving out areas like South America, Africa, and most of Asia. However, you can find servers in Japan, Australia, and Singapore.

I contacted support and asked if Goose takes server requests, and its representative told me it does. Surprisingly, the servers would be physical — not virtual. At the time of writing, Goose’s support mentioned it’s changing server providers and plans on expanding its network.

Goose says that if you’d like to request a server in your location, reach out, and it will take it into consideration

Try Goose’s Servers Today

Security — Standard

Goose has standard security features, but they are different on each operating system.

It uses AES-256 encryption, HMAC Sha1, and RSA (2048) keys for authentication purposes. These are military-grade security features.

Your VPN client encrypts your data, making them indecipherable. Once they're encrypted, the data travels to the VPN server via your Internet Service Provider, and then they go out into the web. This way, your information is safe from any invisible on-lookers — giving you peace of mind.

A kill switch is automatically turned on when Automatic Pilot is enabled. This feature shuts your internet down if your VPN connection breaks, so your data stays safe.

Goose offers a variety of protocols:

• OpenVPN — reliable and the most recommended.
• L2TP/IPSec — a great alternative if you cannot use OpenVPN.
• PPTP — fast but isn’t as secure as other protocols.
• IKEv2 — fast and a good choice if you’re switching between internet connections (e.g., from WiFi to mobile) or have an unstable connection.

Windows supports all of these protocols, Apple users can choose between L2TP and IKEv2, while Android users have only one — IKEv2.

Customer support says IKEv2 is the only protocol Android users have

DNS leak protection is available on Windows but not on Android.

Users can switch DNS leak protection on and off on Windows

To see for myself, I performed a DNS leak test using the OpenVPN protocol and it showed no signs of leaks.

You can be sure that Goose will protect your true identity

Unfortunately, WireGuard is not supported at this time.

Protect Yourself With Goose

Privacy — Protective of Your Privacy

Goose has a no-log policy, and your information is never shared with third-party companies.

Goose VPN says it does not store IP addresses

The only stored information is your email address and your bandwidth — per its “fair use policy.” Goose’s website says, “Users, who use more than 1% of the entire bandwidth of the GOOSE network, will be approached by GOOSE to reduce the use, or to make a higher payment.”

Goose’s customer support reaffirms the privacy policy

Its privacy policy states it has to comply with the law in the case of suspicion of criminal activity. Goose is based in the Netherlands, part of the 14 Eyes Alliance, but since it doesn’t keep records, there wouldn’t be much to hand over if the company gets subpoenaed.

However, there is some contradictory information in its Privacy Policy. First, it says it doesn’t register your IP address; in the following sentence it says it does, but only once.

Goose’s privacy policy is contradictory

This is slightly confusing, so I reached out to customer support for clarification. The representative told me the app itself doesn’t log your IP address. However, when you log onto the website, your IP address is logged for location purposes to display the correct language, currencies, and billing tax information when you purchase a plan.

I was impressed by how customer support addressed this question

Fortunately, there are tried and tested VPNs that really don’t keep logs.

Goose has not undergone any third-party security audit. Security audits ensure that companies uphold the policies that keep your information private and secure.

Goose supports extra privacy tools:

• TOR browser — provides an extra layer of security and privacy.
• Cyber Alarm — which is a built-in malware scanner.

Keep Your Privacy With Goose

Torrenting — P2P-Friendly

Goose has dedicated P2P servers, which equals faster and safer torrenting. You can select a list of just P2P servers on Windows to narrow down your search. There’s a similar list on Android.

Both versions have the exact server list

Goose has a much more extensive selection of P2P servers than streaming servers but is still a small network with limited options.

P2P servers are in:

Be sure to check the rules and regulations for your country before torrenting. My team and I do not condone illegal torrenting.

Torrent With GooseToday

Does Goose Work in China? Maybe

Goose says users may be able to use Goose in China, depending on the region and individual ISP's policies on VPN.

Customer support recommends OpenVPN protocol as the best option for using Goose in China

There are VPNs that can bypass the Great Firewall, but it’s not exactly certain if Goose can.

China restricts the use of most VPNs and only approves the ones operating in China. However, there have been no cases of prosecuting tourists for using VPNs.