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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.

Unlocator Review 2024 — Is It Safe and Good for Streaming?

Our Score: 7.2/10
Ranked 102nd out of 306 VPNs
Doris Muthuri Updated on 5th January 2024 Fact-checked by Matthew Amos Senior Writer

Unlocator advertises itself as a VPN/Smart DNS hybrid. But, many popular VPNs offer smart DNS features. So, is this combo service actually worth it?

I tested everything Unlocator has to offer. My global team and I tried it with tons of popular streaming platforms available in our countries. I also tested its speeds, security features, customer support, gaming capabilities, and more.

My tests showed that Unlocator is excellent for streaming but has other drawbacks. It has extremely fast speeds and will work on nearly any device. However, its server network is small, and customer support is delayed. You can try out the premium version for 30-days with its money-back guarantee.

Try Unlocator Risk-Free >>

Short on Time? Here Are My Key Findings

Pros

Cons

Unlocator VPN Features — 2024 Update

7.0
💸 Price 4.99 USD/month
📆 Money Back Guarantee 30 Days
📝 Does VPN keep logs? Partially
🖥 Number of servers 43+
💻 Number of devices per license 5
🛡 Kill switch Yes
🗺 Based in country Denmark
🛠 Support Knowledge base
📥 Supports torrenting Yes

Streaming — Works With All the Platforms I Tested, With Excellent Playback

10.0

I was impressed by how easy it was to use with the top streaming services. My global testing team and I could watch various streaming services (and their respective libraries) using the VPN from our home countries. The image quality was uniformly great, and I hardly experienced any buffering or load times. We conducted tests on several operating systems, including Windows PCs, Android, iPad, Roku, and PlayStation 5. We were able to stream on all of them without issues.

Important. My team and I are against any form of copyright violation. Unlocator uses encryption and leak protection to keep your online activities private. You are responsible for how you use the VPN. We urge you to comply with all relevant rules and regulations when streaming with the VPN.

Works With: Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Max, Disney+, ESPN+, BBC iPlayer, ITVX, and More

Unlocator successfully works with even the most strict streaming services like Hulu. When testing Unlocator from the US, I was impressed that it instantly worked when using its Chicago server. I also like that it took the videos less than 5 seconds to load each time, and I never experienced any buffering.

A screenshot of Unlocator unblocking Hulu on its Chicago serverI didn’t experience slowdowns on Hulu, even with servers thousands of kilometers away

I also tried it with Amazon Prime Video and easily worked. I tested its servers in Los Angeles, New York, and Seattle and didn’t experience any problems. The only time I had to troubleshoot was with Max (formerly HBO Max). My first try with the Miami server didn’t work, but  it worked great on the next go, so it must have been a minor technical error.

A screenshot of Disney+ player streaming Spider-Man: Homecoming while connected to Unlocator's New York serverI could also watch Disney+ while connected to Unlocator’s server in Italy

My international team also tested Unlocator with over a dozen other services, including BBC iPlayer, ZDF, BT Sport, ITVX, and more. I was impressed that they could use all of them effortlessly from the respective countries.

Unlocator also works with Netflix. In my experience testing VPNs, even the best ones sometimes struggle with certain Netflix libraries. But with Unlocator, that was never a problem. My colleagues worldwide had no problem using the VPN with their respective Netflix accounts, including Japan, Spain, the US, Mexico, and more.

A snapshot showing Unlocator unblocking Netflix US with its Seattle serverMy video instantly loaded in UHD and played back without buffering

Overall, Unlocator is one of the best VPNs for streaming. The provider advertises its service as the best tool for streaming websites , and that’s a hard point to argue with. There aren’t many VPNs or smart DNS services out there that work as efficiently.

Speed — Fast on Nearby and Distant Servers

9.6

Unlocator Premium offers extremely fast speeds on nearby and distant servers.

Before we dig in, let me explain the 3 main things we examine in these tests:

  • Download speeds. This measures how fast you can download information, crucial for activities like browsing, torrenting, and streaming. It's measured in Mbps (megabits per second).
  • Upload speeds. This measures how quickly you can send data, which is important for tasks like sending emails and uploading videos swiftly. It's also measured in Mbps.
  • Ping. This shows how fast your data travels in both directions and impacts latency, which is significant for gaming. It's measured in milliseconds (ms).

To ensure fair and accurate comparisons, we performed all speed tests from a single location using the same internet connection. Our speed expert, based in the UK, also ran at least 10 tests on each server to calculate averages. In this case, we used the WireGuard protocol for speed testing on all servers since it was the fastest.

A snapshot showing the speed test results on various Unlocator serversOur speeds dropped by 5% on average with nearby servers and 18% on distant ones

I've tested tons of VPNs, and Unlocator is one of the fastest. On average, most VPNs reduce your speeds by about 10-20% on nearby servers, but Unlocator was much faster than that. Many VPNs can slow you down by 65% or more when you're far away (over 7,000 km), but Unlocator's long-distance speed was much better than that as well.

Screenshot of Ookla speed tests done with no VPN and while connected to UnlocatorMany VPNs drop your speeds in half when servers are more than 6000 km away

Overall, Unlocator’s results were excellent, but its ping rates do drop at long distances. This is typical of nearly every VPN I’ve tested, and I was impressed that upload speeds hardly budged at any distance. Its fast speeds allowed me to stream in UHD on a server that was over 10,000 km away from my location. So, I have no complaints about Unlocator in this category.

Gaming — Lets You Play Without Lag

9.2

Unlocator’s fast speeds allowed me to enjoy online gaming. In my first test, I tried the South Africa server — it’s the closest one to my location in Nairobi, with a ping of 81ms. When gaming, you want a ping rate between 50-85ms, so your character can instantly respond to your inputs.

I was able to play Valorant without any lag. After clicking the mouse, the gun fired instantly, so I could enjoy shooting down enemies without dying due to technical issues.

A snapshot of Valorant with Unlocator connectedIt took less than 10 seconds for my game to load and get started

I did experience significant lag when I tested the servers in France with a ping of 223ms. However, that was expected since Paris is over 10,000 km away from me. I’ve never found a VPN that lets you game lag-free on distant locations. I also tested over a dozen more servers in the US and Europe, and in most cases, I could play the game without significant issues.

Overall, I was impressed with Unlocator's gaming results. There aren’t many VPNs that let you play online games without lag, even with a nearby server.

Server Network — Small Without Any Extra Features

6.0

Unlocator has a small network of physical and virtual servers. There are 43 servers spanning 39 countries, which is fairly small compared to the top VPNs. It only offers 1 server in most countries, except for the US (5), the UK (3), and Canada (2). While you might think this could lead to overcrowding, it never affected our speeds.

It has a nice distribution of servers in Europe. Still, you might struggle to find a nearby server if you’re in Asia, Africa, or the Americas. So, I hope it adds more locations in the future.

Continent Countries
Europe Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, Belgium, Ireland, Brazil, Spain, Bulgaria, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland, Czechia, Latvia, Denmark, Lithuania, Ukraine, Finland, Netherlands, France, UK (2 Servers on Maidenhead), New Zealand, Poland, Germany, Norway, and Greece
Americas Mexico, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Seattle, and Canada (2 Server location in Montreal)
Asia Hong Kong, Singapore, India, Japan, and Thailand
Africa South Africa and Egypt
Oceania Australia (Sydney and Melbourne)

All servers are city-level. But this doesn't make much difference since most countries have only one server.

Unfortunately, it doesn't provide RAM-based or private DNS servers for added security. I also wish it has dedicated servers, which can be useful for specific activities, such as running a website.

Overall, its network is reliable, but the best VPNs often have twice as many locations. They also tend to offer more privacy features. If you want to make sure you can always find a nearby location, check out these VPNs with larger networks.

Security — Safe but Missing Some Features

7.4

Unlocator VPN offers basic security features to protect you online. You have the option to use the industry-standard AES 256-bit encryption level. However, using the Smart DNS service alone doesn’t encrypt your data, so the VPN is necessary for safety purposes. In my tests on over 20 servers, it never leaked my true location, and it also protects you against WebRTC leaks.

Unfortunately, the VPN lacks a few valuable security features, like a tool to protect you from accidentally entering malicious websites. It also doesn’t have double VPN (aka multi-hop) for additional protection. However, all of its other security options work as advertised.

Encryption

Unlocator uses the industry standard AES 256-bit encryption level. This is the same technology used by militaries, and it’s nearly impossible to crack. I’m satisfied with this, but many top VPNs do combine it with Perfect Forward Secrecy for added security. This changes the encryption keys frequently, so you’re protected if one session ever got compromised.

Security Protocols

Unlocator offers 4 security protocols to safeguard your data. Aside from the standard OpenVPN, IKEv2, and IKEv1, it also has WireGuard. OpenVPN and WireGuard are available for macOS, Android, and Amazon Fire. iOS users can choose between IPSec/IKEv1, WireGuard, and IKEv2 protocols. For Windows, Unlocator offers OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2 options. To use IKEv2, you have to configure it on your device manually.

Kill Switch

It has a kill switch, but you need to remember to activate it. Most top VPNs engage it automatically because it's important. I suggest you switch it on before you connect to Unlocator.

If the VPN disconnects unexpectedly, a kill switch blocks your network connection, ensuring you're always secure online. Unlocator's kill switch did the job well, blocking my network whenever I switched servers. It also offers a feature called Unlocator Shield, which prevents you from going online without connecting to the VPN once you enable it.

Split Tunneling

Unlocator's split tunneling lets you decide which apps or websites run through the VPN tunnel. This let me stream Hulu while still using my local banking app through my normal connection. It’s a useful feature, and I’m always happy when a VPN includes it.

Privacy — Might Log Your Data

4.4

Unlocator claims to protect your privacy, but I have some concerns. It admits in its privacy policy that it might collect some vital personal data. This privacy policy has also not been audited, so there is no way to prove that it actually works as claimed. Additionally, it’s located in Denmark, a member of the 14 Eyes Alliance.

Does Unlocator Keep Logs? Yes

While Unlocator promises that all user activities are kept entirely private, it admits to keeping logs at a personally identifiable level. Unlocator claims it deletes these records within 24 hours, but the top VPNs don’t need to do this to maintain their services. If you use the service frequently, this still gives hackers many opportunities to try and access your data.

A snapshot showing Unlocator's privacy policy stating that I keeps logsThe privacy policy states that the logs that it keeps can be traced back to you

Unlocator logs include your name, email address, credit card information, IP address, and more. The IP address is the most concerning thing, but it’s pretty common for Smart DNS services to require this for their services.

Another thing that worries me is there is no section where it clearly states what it doesn’t collect. If privacy is essential to you, you should consider other VPNs that practice a proper no-logging policy.

Was Unlocator Audited? No

Regrettably, there is no record of any independent audits being conducted on Unlocator's apps or privacy policy. I was unable to locate any information either on their website or online that suggests such a process has occurred. Upon inquiring with their support team, I was given an unclear answer.

A screenshot showing an email response from Unlocator's agentYou can opt out of all cookies if you don’t want Unlocator to track you.

The best VPNs are usually very open about their audits. I feel most at ease using a VPN that allows anyone to read these reports.

Based in Copenhagen, Denmark

Unlocator’s home country is Denmark, part of the 9 Eyes Alliance — an international agreement on digital surveillance. That means companies operating under their jurisdiction must comply whenever the government requests users’ data.

Furthermore, countries that are part of this alliance share information they collect amongst themselves. Considering that Unlocator admits that it might log identifiable data, this didn’t sit very well with me.

Does Unlocator Work in China? No

I can't confirm whether or not Unlocator works in China. I tried asking support staff about it, but the agent told me that I could use the VPN from anywhere in the world. That vague answer wasn’t very reassuring.

The Chinese government has banned numerous VPNs, but they mostly target the technology itself. It's uncommon for individuals to face issues with using them. However, I advise you to research the local laws before trying to use a VPN. If you still choose to do so, check out this list of VPNs that can work in China right away.

Torrenting — Slows Down Your Downloads on Most Servers

5.0

Unlocator doesn’t perform very well for torrenting. I first tested the server in South Africa, and it took more than 2 hours for a 1.32GB file to finish downloading. It took me less than 20 minutes to download the same file with a top VPN.

I tested a dozen or more servers in Europe and Asia, and the majority of them didn’t provide satisfactory results. Eventually, I did find a faster server in Miami that only took 25 minutes to complete the 1.32GB file. So, I advise you to test multiple locations to find the one that works. While I was able to find one fast server, this amount of trial-and-error isn’t necessary with a service optimized for torrenting.

Torrenting is legal in most countries, but downloading copyrighted files isn’t. We don’t condone illegal activities and recommend you only access torrents in the public domain. If you still want to download copyright-free files safely and reliably, you can check out this list of the best VPNs for torrenting.

Installation & Apps

8.8

Installation & Apps — Easy to Get Started

Unlocator has a simple interface across all devices. The conveniently located connect button and well-organized menus allow easy interaction with all its features.

Setup & Installation

I found Unlocator to be straightforward to set up and use. It took me less than 5 minutes to install and start using the Windows app.

Screenshot of Unlocator VPN's download page for WindowsFor Android and iOS, you can download the app from your device’s app store.

I also like that it provides detailed guides on configuring a diverse selection of devices.

Device Compatibility

It offers apps for most popular devices and operating systems, including Windows, iOS, MacOS, Android, and Amazon Fire. I was also pleased that I could configure it on my router, so I could stream on any of my devices effortlessly.

Desktop — Apps for Windows and Mac

Unlocator offers native apps for Windows and Mac. The apps are basically identical, and I’m happy that you can connect to OpenVPN and WireGuard on both, which isn’t always the case with most VPNs. There’s some Linux support too, but only through manual set ups.

Android and iPhone (iOS)

It also offers Android and iOS apps, which you can get from your device's app store. The apps are simple and have features similar to the desktop version, except there's no kill switch. This is quite disappointing as it’s necessary to keep you safe. On the plus side, both apps can use OpenVPN and WireGuard.

Browser Extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, etc

Unlocator doesn’t offer browser extensions. I know many people enjoy the convenience these provide, but they’re normally insufficient compared to VPNs, which encrypt everything on your device. So, it doesn’t bother me that Unlocator avoids these.

Apps for Amazon Fire TV, Smart TV, Nvidia Shield, etc

I was really impressed to find that it offers a native app for Amazon Fire TV. I haven’t tested many VPNs offering this app, which is a good plus. But, it doesn’t offer apps for any other streaming device, though. For example, on Chromecast, Sonos, Xiaomi Mi Box, Roku, and many other streaming devices, its site recommends you connect Unlocator on your router.

Its smart DNS service also lets you connect on any device that lets you alter DNS settings. That covers nearly everything, but remember it won’t encrypt your connection unless you combine it with the VPN.

Apps for PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, etc

Unlocator doesn’t offer apps for devices such as PlayStation and Nintendo. However, you can install it on your router and enjoy your online activities on any device.

Router Compatibility

Unlocator VPN supports tons of routers. I appreciate that it also offers step-by-step guides for setting up VPN connections on various supported models.

Check out this table to see the main router brands it supports:

Tenda Huawei 2wire BEETEL Fritz Box
DD-WRT D-Link Bell Fibe Airport Express Linksys
Tomato Asus ZyXEL Airport Extreme Netgear
Aris NetDuma Bell Aliant Speedstream Bell Aliant Siemens
GLi.Net Belkin Buffalo Cisco TP-Link

Simultaneous Device Connections

You can connect up to 5 devices, which is typical with VPN services. This number might look small, but it’s plenty for a small household to share one account. During my tests, I connected 2 computers, an Android phone, and an iPad and experienced no issues at all.

Pricing

7.0
Smart DNS + VPN 2 Years
$ 4.99 / month per month
Smart DNS + VPN Yearly
$ 6.99 / month per month
Smart DNS + VPN Monthly
$ 11.99 / month per month

Pricing — Affordable for Such a Unique Service

Unlocator offers 2 subscription plans: the Smart DNS and the Unlocator Hybrid (Smart DNS with VPN). If you want to secure your connection, be sure to choose the Hybrid plan that includes the VPN. This plan has three packages: monthly, 1 year, and 2 years.

The monthly plan is the most expensive. I recommend the longest subscription; it’s the most cost-effective at $4.99/month. However, it can be pricey upon renewal.

You can try Unlocator free for 7 days (Smart DNS only). I wasn’t even asked for a credit card to sign-up for a trial, which is excellent. All new subscribers also get a 30-day money-back guarantee. I tested this guarantee, and my refund was approved with no questions asked.

A screenshot showing Unlocator's customer support agent approving a request to cancel the subscriptionTo get a full refund, you’ll have to contact the support staff by email

You can pay through various credit/debit cards, PayPal, ApplePay, GooglePay, and more.
However, I was disappointed that it doesn't accept cryptocurrency, which is my preferred, most secure payment method.

Reliability & Support

5.0

Reliability and Support — Takes Too Long To Respond

The website has a chat support widget, but it doesn't work as expected. Instead of getting instant responses, it asks for your email address and your queries. It then sends a reply to your email much later. When I sent my questions, it took more than 48 hours to get a response.

It also offers email support, which you can contact through an in-app support button. However, the wait time is still long. I reached out through all the channels and received a consolidated response through email 48 hours later. Plus, the responses I received were fundamental, without details.

Screenshot of an email response from Unlocator customer supportI was disappointed with the experience I had through all of its customer channels

However, it offers a huge knowledge base with lots of info and helpful articles about smart DNS, VPNs, and their brand. It's a nice resource if you want to learn more. You can search for answers, and there's a dedicated "Support" section with installation guides for all the platforms Unlocator works on. Still, it can’t compare to a VPN that offers a 24/7 live chat.

Compare Unlocator VPN 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 — Great for Streaming, But Lacks Privacy

Overall, Unlocator is great for streaming if you can get past its privacy issues. It works with most major streaming services and offers excellent speeds for streaming in UHD. However, its privacy policy is a bit worrying, and its customer support is unimpressive.

I recommend you thoroughly read its privacy policy before committing. For better security and privacy online, check out this list of our top-ranked VPNs.

  • A smooth streaming experience
  • Excellent speeds
  • Great for gaming
  • Compatible with major operating systems
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

FAQs on Unlocator VPN

Is Unlocator VPN safe?

Yes, Unlocator VPN keeps you safe online, but its privacy policy is worrying. It uses military-level encryption, secure protocols, and a kill switch that makes sure you never go online without protection. It also passed all of my leak tests, so I’m confident it can hide your real location. However, it acknowledges that it might log and store your IP address for 24 hours, which makes me a little nervous.

Is Unlocator VPN free?

No, but it does offer a one week free trial. It doesn’t even require a credit card. However, this trial only lets you test out the Smart DNS service. To test out the VPN too, you can use its 30-day money-back guarantee and ask for a refund if it’s not for you.

Is Unlocator VPN any good?

Yes, Unlocator is excellent for streaming, although it has a few flaws. It offers great speeds, and it worked with every platform my global team and I tested it. But, there are some issues with its privacy policy, mainly that it stores your IP address for 24 hours after each connection.

Will Unlocator slow my speeds down?

Yes, but it's so minimal you probably won't even notice. Every VPN will somewhat lower your speeds because your traffic is being encrypted and rerouted. However, Unlocator's average speed drop on nearby servers was only 5%. This is very impressive.

Money Back Guarantee (Days): 30
Mobile app:
Number of devices per license: 5
VPN Plans: unlocator.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.
Unlocator VPN User Reviews (User reviews are not verified)
4.1
Based on 25 reviews in 4 languages

Write a Review on Unlocator VPN

Please rate VPN.

All Speed Streaming Security Сustomer service
James
James
2/10
Stopped working three days ago. Now The website is down.

Stopped working three days ago. Now The website is down. Customer service when I joined was amazing. Now it's only by email and it's a whole day to wait for feedback. So by the time you may find a solution, everyone has already seen the show you wanted to see. Unlocator sucks.

Dylan
Dylan
10/10
Unlocator still works and its great!

I have used unlocator for 2 years now. It has been awesome! Regardless of some reviews, I see here. It absolutely still works and works great! Their customer service is excellent and the speed of their servers is super fast! A+

Rodenthead
Rodenthead
2/10
Used To Be Good, but...

It's always breaking down and while they will remedy the problem quickly, if you're not on Denmark time, like me in Tokyo, you lose half the day, waiting for them to fix it. If the system were a little less prone to breakdowns, it would still be good. The setting up procedure is simple that even a dunce like me had no problem.

About the Author

Doris is a tech writer and a cybersecurity researcher for vpnMentor. She is enthusiastic about educating people about their rights to online freedom and provides actionable ways to protect their data.

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