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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.

SiteLock VPN Review 2024 - Expensive Plans - Worth the Price?

Our Score: 4.8/10
Ranked 235th out of 306 VPNs
Kristin Hassel Updated on 18th January 2024 Staff Writer

SiteLock VPN has basic security features and high-speeds, but it isn't worth the price. SiteLock VPN is proof that even if you have a brand known for security and can create a VPN, it doesn't mean you should.

It has apps for Android, macOS, iOS, and Windows. All of which have auto-connect options available on the Settings interface. Still, set up took an abnormally long amount of time for a VPN that offers easy install apps (more on that later).

Short On Time? Here Are My Key Findings:

SiteLock Features — 2024 Update

6.5
💸 Price 12.42 USD/month
📝 Does VPN keep logs? No
🖥 Number of servers 1000+
💻 Number of devices per license 5
🛡 Kill switch No
🗺 Based in country United States
📥 Supports torrenting Yes

Streaming - Can SiteLock VPN Unblock Netflix? Yes

I also tried Netflix Canada, Australia, Japan, and even India, with easy access. But Netflix Sweden and Germany didn't work. It routed me to Netflix UK each time (where I'm based).

If you're after European libraries, it seems like SiteLock isn't very reliable. I couldn't switch to different servers either to see if that worked, as there's only one location available in each country. There are many other VPNs that offer worldwide Netflix reliability – check out the best ones here.

Unblocked: SlingTV, HBO Max, Netflix US and multiple other libraries, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu

Streaming speeds were even fast enough to stream in HD, and I didn't experience any buffering or disconnects.

A screenshot of Netflix US, unblocked by SiteLock VPN.SiteLock VPN was able to unblock multiple Netflix libraries, Hulu, and more.

I tested more than Netflix though, to give you the full range of services available for access through SiteLock VPN. I was pleased with the results, SiteLock unblocks many popular streaming services.

Blocked By: Netflix Sweden and Germany

Speeds - Good Download Speeds, Not Much Else

Fast download speeds are incredibly important for being able to stream in HD and UltraHD/4k. Netflix recommends around 5Mbps download speeds for HD and upwards of 25Mbps for UltraHD/4k, anything under that and it's SD viewing for all you movie lovers out there.

SiteLock delivers on download speeds for the most part, even if its quick connect server was way slower than the other four I tested. Best connection servers or quick-connect servers are generally optimized for speed. That's why that result was so surprising. Still, I was able to stream in HD and even UltraHD/4k on most of the servers I tested.

A chart that displays the results of speed tests performed on SiteLock VPN servers.Most download speeds are good enough for HD and even 4k, but upload speeds were poor and pingback was high.

Upload speeds are more important for torrenting, loading images to social media sites, and using video calling services like Zoom or Skype. For example, Skype recommends upward of 10Mbps for HD video calling.

You can definitely stream in HD or even UltraHD/4k on most servers and it unblocks a fair amount of streaming services. However, the chart above confirms that the upload speeds are nowhere near fast enough for using HD video calling software. That means even if you can unblock Skype, most areas won't give you speeds enough to use it to its full potential. The same would go for Zoom, Facebook Messenger, and other video messaging apps.

Are SiteLock VPNs Speeds Fast Enough for Gaming? No

Gaming usually requires ping speeds that are anywhere from 20-100ms but no higher. This is simply because ping is the amount of time it takes for your data to travel to the server and back, if it's too slow it can result in latency issues that cause lag and disconnects during gaming. The lower the ping the better, so you want to stay near that 20-50ms mark whenever possible.

That means that half of the servers I tested aren't suitable for gaming, as many had a pingback that was over 100ms in most areas. The others were still on the higher end of ideal. If you want a VPN for gaming, check out the best VPNs for gaming.

Server Network - Decent Global Reach

SiteLock VPN offers unlimited data, speed, and bandwidth. I was able to choose from 1,000 servers in 40 countries worldwide. Sounds impressive but you only get 70 servers to choose from on the Android app. This means one of two things, (a) many of the servers are in the same location (b) the service uses a lot of virtual servers to provide more IP addresses to its users.

Unfortunately, I couldn't find the exact information about this on its website but considering that during the speed test it showed an IP address in Australia, even though I'd connected to Hong Kong, I am betting on virtual servers.

Does SiteLock Work in China? Yes

Working in China is the true test of any VPN. I had high hopes for SiteLock because it uses a server scrambling technique. Basically, this disguises your VPN traffic as normal internet traffic, so your Chinese ISP thinks you're just a regular internet user. It's unable to see you're using a VPN, so it's rare you'll be blocked. Of course, it can't see what sites you're accessing either.

I managed to unblock WhatsApp, Google, Facebook, Twitter, and yes, even Netflix.  I used the scrambling technique with the OpenVPN protocol and it worked seamlessly. There was a pretty big dip in speeds, though, as the extra privacy slowed me down. Streaming was more difficult, but it was fine for light, fairly quick browsing.

You can use the obfuscation method on both mobile and desktop, so you're not limited to just one device unless you're an iOS user. Since scrambling is only available with OpenVPN, iOS users don't have that function.

Since SiteLock has servers in Hong Kong, you can also use the VPN to access Chinese domestic sites from outside China, too. I had no trouble watching Chinese TV.

Security - Lacks Important Features

SiteLock prides itself on being a top cybersecurity company, so I expected to see high levels of security throughout its apps. That includes the highest level of encryption, the best security protocols, and of course, added features like an automatic kill switch. It even lets you choose between OpenVPN protocol with 128-bit encryption or IKEv2 protocol with 256-bit encryption.

The current industry-standard is OpenVPN for protocol and 256-bit AES for encryption, so it was nice to see SiteLock took that to heart during development.

IP Lock

Its main security feature IP Lock assigns a new random IP address every time you connect to a server. A useful feature for anyone worried about hackers. SiteLock VPN also offers DNS leak protection, no-logs, and a scramble feature.

Kill Switch

SiteLock used to offer an automatic kill switch that stops your internet traffic if your VPN connection fails. It does this by disconnecting your device from the internet connection if the VPN server fails. That way, your DNS requests and IP address remain safe from the prying eyes of your ISP or anyone else who may be watching.

Note: Due to conflicting information on the site, I contacted support about whether or not there was a kill switch option, and found out that it no longer has a kill switch. So, that was disappointing. I was also surprised to find that SiteLock VPN requires a name, email, and phone number before it will even allow you to talk to live chat support.

Privacy - Collects Information

SiteLock VPN claims it collects no personally identifiable logs, but a quick look at the site's privacy policy creates doubt. The VPN openly states that it collects the following information from its users.

  • Account: Including name, address, telephone number, billing information, and domain address
  • Cookies and tracking technologies: Allows them to capture and remember certain information by tracking users' movements around the website and gathering demographic information on its user base
  • Statistics: Including IP addresses, browser type, ISP, operating system, date/time stamps, and clickstream data

While it insists that it never share this information with third-parties, SiteLock VPN flat out says the advertising cookies are used by Google to show you ads that are relevant to your viewing habits and information. So it has to be sharing something, I can confidently say this is definitely not a no-logs VPN.

When I performed an IP leak test on the service, I was happy to see it didn't leak any of my information. It wasn't much of a comfort though, considering how much data it collects and uses.

A screenshot that displays the results of an IP leak test performed on SiteLock VPN.SiteLock didn't leak my true IP address.

Is SiteLock Good for Torrenting? No, Torrenting Isn't Supported

It doesn't support torrenting, which isn't unusual for most smaller VPNs. Don't worry, if you want a VPN for P2P/torrenting you can check out these great torrenting VPNs. There are plenty of options for affordable, secure VPNs that support file sharing.

Installation & Apps

6.3

Setup for Windows requires more work than I usually encounter for a VPN with device apps. After purchase, I needed to wait for a code, download the app, enter the code, wait for confirmation, complete setup, and then I was able to access the main interface. Usually, with device apps you simply download the app after purchase and log in.

Luckily accessing a server wasn't as taxing. Simply choose your designated server from the server selection area, connect, and enjoy browsing or streaming.

Curiosity hit me and I decided to see if the setup for Android was as exhausting. Nope! I was able to pay for my subscription online, install the Android app, enter login information and get to the server screen in less than 5 minutes.

Device Compatibility - Fairly Limited

SiteLock VPN offers apps for iOS, macOS, Android, and Windows only, and the Windows install is frustrating. Luckily the mobile apps are easy to install.

It isn't compatible with Linux, routers, or gaming consoles. Add the ping speeds and that's another hit for gamers. On the upside, it does offer compatibility with Smart TVs.

Pricing

2.3
Basic Plan Annually
$ 12.42 / month per month
Basic Plan Monthly
$ 14.99 / month per month
Pro Plan Monthly
$ 24.99 / month per month

SiteLock offers a 2-year, 1-year, and one-month subscription, compared to other vendors Sitelock is a bit expensive. Especially for a VPN that lacks some standard security features.

On the upside, SiteLock VPN has a 30-day money-back guarantee, just be prepared to give a reason for cancellation.

Reliability & Support

4.3

To get to live chat support I first had to provide 'Bot Norris' with a name, email, and phone number. It seemed like a lot of personal contact information just to speak to a representative. When I did get in contact with a SiteLock VPN representative he was courteous and helpful and answered my question quickly.

A screenshot of the Bot Norris chat app for SiteLock VPN.Bot Norris SiteLock VPN's chat associate requires personal information, like phone number, before it will help you.

SiteLock VPN also offers email and phone support and has both US and International numbers available on its site and in the Contact section of its app.

Compare SiteLock With The Top Alternative VPNs
Our Score: 9.9
Our Score: 9.7
Our Score: 9.5
Our Score: 9.4

The Bottom Line

Unblocks major streaming services but falls short in many key areas.

While most of SiteLocks servers offer fast speeds for streaming and it can unblock most major services, the other speeds aren't great. I wouldn't recommend this app for gaming, as the pingback speeds are too slow and it doesn't offer compatibility for routers or consoles. The same goes for anyone that loves video calling apps or uses desktop or mobile devices for attending work meetings, as the upload speeds are incredibly slow.

While it successfully cleared IP leak tests, this VPN probably utilizes virtual servers, potentially jeopardizing your personal data since it lacks a kill switch and ad/malware blocker. Furthermore, its claimed no-logs policy is misleading as it actually collects a considerable amount of personal information.

Ultimately this one is a no for me, you could get a secure VPN that's great for streaming, gaming, and video calling for less than what it costs to use SiteLock a month.

Vendor High Points

  • Access Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and more
  • IP Lock feature
  • User-friendly interface
  • Uses OpenVPN and IKEv2 secure protocols

FAQs

? Is SiteLock safe for browsing?

No. While SiteLock doesn't leak your IP address it collects information using tracking cookies so Google can personalize your ads. One of the main reasons people use a VPN is for anonymity, which makes the use of tracking cookies a big no-no.

If you want secure browsing, no-logs, and freedom from Google tracking cookies check out these top no-log VPNs.

? What is the difference between a virtual server and a dedicated server?

Virtual servers are servers that share resources with other operating systems and software, often Cloud-based, to create a faster way to share those resources. Dedicated servers are on-site servers that can be managed in real-time and are arguably more secure since it offers a more controlled and direct connection.

A virtual server is cheaper and faster to deploy than a physical server but it does have pitfalls. Virtual servers need a large amount of RAM and can be difficult to manage due to constant upkeep requirements. In addition, when a VPN creates many virtual servers on one host it can cause latency issues. Dedicated servers are way more expensive to maintain but the VPN provider has direct access to the server year-round to troubleshoot any issues that may arise. It also gives the VPN more control over user access and the connections tend to be more reliable.

? Are VPNs legal?

In most countries using a VPN is completely legal, but there are some places where using one is banned or heavily restricted; Russia or China for instance. While no tourist has ever gotten in trouble for using a VPN on vacation, citizens can land in hot water for using a non-sanctioned VPN.

You should always check the laws regarding VPN usage before visiting a country. To find out where VPNs are legal and illegal, check out this helpful guide.

Money Back Guarantee (Days): 0
Mobile app:
Number of devices per license: 5
VPN Plans: sitelock.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.
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About the Author

Kristin is a Multimedia Visual Communications entrepreneur who is experienced with identity access management and online security.

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