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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.

Webroot WiFi Security Review 2024: Read This Before Buying

Our Score: 5.3/10
Ranked 225th out of 306 VPNs
Aleksandra Kovacevic Updated on 29th December 2023 Cybersecurity Researcher

Webroot has been around since 1997, but Webroot’s VPN is relatively new, and the company is pushing it as a pairing companion to its antivirus software.

The great news is — Webroot WiFi Security VPN is a solid choice for streaming. Though a basic VPN, I was pleasantly surprised that Webroot WiFi Security could unblock Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+.

On top of that, it has excellent security features. The VPN has top-notch encryption (AES 256-bit) and uses the most reliable OpenVPN protocol. Also, it has a kill switch that stops your connection if your VPN temporarily disconnects and IP leak protection that keeps your real identity safe.

Privacy-wise, Webroot WiFi Security claims to be a no-log service, but my findings show it does log a lot of information.

If you wonder what my top VPNs for 2024 are, you can view some articles from our catalog.

Try Webroot WiFi Security Today!

Short on Time? Here Are My Key Findings

Webroot WiFi Security Features — 2024 Update

6.8
💸 Price 3 USD/month
📝 Does VPN keep logs? No
🖥 Number of servers 700+
💻 Number of devices per license 5
🛡 Kill switch Yes
🗺 Based in country United States
🛠 Support The knowledge base, support ticket, phone
📥 Supports torrenting Yes

Streaming — Wonderful

Webroot WiFi let me stream all my favorite shows on Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and even Amazon Prime Video. I accessed Netflix US shows, BBC iPlayer (using its UK streaming server), and Disney+. I was also able to unblock Amazon Prime Video using the Eastern US server. However, this VPN did not unblock HBO Max and Hulu.

Depending on the time of the day, your playback quality may differ. During my streaming tests using Webroot’s VPN in the evening EST (internet rush hours), my video quality was poorer than streaming in off-peak hours. If your bandwidth is strong enough during off-peak hours, you can easily stream in HD.

However, if you are thinking about using this VPN to watch 4K content, I suggest using a fast VPN that allows for a smooth streaming experience.

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

If you are a Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, or Disney+ user, you are in luck — I easily accessed all 4 platforms using Webroot WiFi Security.

I had no trouble using US servers to access videos on Netflix US.

Screenshot of Webroot’s VPN unlocking US NetflixI was able to access Netflix US from multiple servers using Webroot WiFi

Accessing BBC iPlayer using Webroot’s UK streaming server was also a breeze.

Screenshot of Webroot’s VPN unlocking BBC iPlayerWebroot let me access BBC iPlayer

Only the US East server worked with Amazon Prime Video. Streaming quality can vary based on your bandwidth.

Screenshot of Webroot’s VPN unlocking Amazon Prime VideoAmazon Prime Video worked well for me with the server on the US East Coast

While connected to the US East server, I was able to access titles from Disney+ without being flagged as a VPN user.

Screenshot of Webroot’s Wifi unlocking Disney+Streaming Disney+ with Webroot was easy

Blocked By: Hulu, HBO Max

Webroot’s VPN could not get me on Hulu or HBO Max.

Hulu tagged me as an anonymous proxy service user and closed its doors. HBO Max also detected that I was using a VPN and would not let me log in.

Screenshot of HBO Max not being unblocked by Webroot’s VPNWebroot WiFi could not get past HBO Max's strong geoblocks

Speeds — Needs Massive Improvement

Webroot claims that it doesn't affect your browsing speed, but my experience says otherwise. I ran speed tests using Webroot’s VPN in the evening EST (peak hours), and the results were less than great. I noticed that some websites take a very long time to load or do not load when I use the mobile app.

Screenshot of speed tests while using Webroot’s VPN for servers in Australia, Brazil, South Africa, Japan.Speedtest results with Webroot’s VPN for Australia, Brazil, South Africa, and Japan

To measure the speeds, I tested servers in 9 countries: America, Singapore, Canada, England, Japan, Brazil, Switzerland, South Africa, and Australia. The speeds were significantly better when I did tests outside of peak hours. However, most people will be on in peak hours. Compared to the tests done in peak hours, the download speeds in off-peak hours increased by 35%, and the upload went up by 80%.

I will post the speed tests results in peak hours.

Country  Ping (ms) Download (Mbps) Upload (Mbps)
Baseline speed (Kingston, Jamaica) 22 12.17 0.86
Canada 73 0.80 (93.3% loss) 0.72 (16.3% loss)
US (East) 66 10.84 (10.93% loss) 0.82 (4.7% loss)
US (West) 110 10.93 (10.91% loss) 0.79 (8.1% loss)
Australia 254 9.79 (19.56% loss) 0.74 (14% loss)
Singapore 291 4.40 (63.85% loss) 0.76 (11.6% loss)
Japan 203 0.28 (97.7% loss) 0.37 (57% loss)
South Africa 321 0.27 (97.78% loss) 0.00 (100% loss)

The US servers were fast, but the ones in Canada weren’t. I also tested servers in Asia and Australia. The Australian server performed surprisingly well, but I can’t say the same for those in Asia. The slowest of all the servers I tested was in South Africa.

Lastly, I also tested 2 servers in Europe. I experienced an average of 92% speed loss when connected to these servers.

Your results will be different depending on your location. For me, the decrease in speed was massive, especially on faraway servers.

Are Webroot WiFi Security’s Speeds Fast Enough for Gaming? No

If your download and upload are below 80 Mbps, you won't be able to game without issues while using this VPN. I should also mention the poor ping times (latency over 150 ms in almost every case) that will spoil your day if you try to game using Webroot's VPN. I tried to play Free Fire while connected to Webroot, but I could not load the game.

Screenshot of a frozen game on VPNWebroot’s VPN decreased my speeds so much that the game would not even start

If you need a VPN to play online games, you should look for a faster VPN with more consistent speeds.

Server Network — Small but Positioned Well

Webroot has 700 servers in 30 countries. I’m not impressed with this because the limited servers affect your speeds.

On the bright side, it has servers in almost every region of the world, including South America, Africa, and Asia. Here is the list of countries in which Webroot has servers.

USA Argentina Australia Austria Belgium
Brazil Canada Cyprus Denmark Finland
France Germany Hong Kong Hungary India
Ireland Israel Italy Japan Mexico
Netherlands New Zealand Norway Poland Portugal
Romania Russia Singapore South Africa Spain
Sweden Switzerland Thailand United Kingdom

On the Webroot application, you can let the app automatically choose the optimal server or choose from the list of all servers. The list also has a “Most Recommended” section at the top.

Screenshot of Webroot’s app with server listYou can let Webroot suggest the best server for you

From my experience with the app, I found that the recommended server section has servers that people in my region and myself frequently use. That’s a helpful feature that makes it easy to quickly find the best servers.

Unfortunately, sometimes there are issues when trying to connect to some servers. I’ve encountered this issue with servers in Argentina, Japan, and Thailand.

Screenshot showing connection error from Webroot’s VPNI encountered a connection error when trying to connect to a server in Argentina

Some of the servers listed on Webroot’s VPN app are virtual servers. Webroot says it uses virtual servers in locations close to the region it is servicing, but only in times of high demand.

Webroot has only country-level servers on its list except in the US and UK. That could cause problems if the server you automatically connect to isn’t performing and you have no way of choosing another without switching countries.

Security — Very Good

Webroot is a company that started in the browser security business, so I wasn’t surprised that its VPN product is entirely secure.

The VPN uses AES 256-bit encryption, which is almost impossible to crack. It will keep you safe and give you peace of mind while using it.

Webroot works with 4 major protocols. Here is a look at the settings menu on the PC app, where you can see all the available protocols.

Screenshot of Webroot's protocolsWebroot’s WiFi Security offers most major protocols

Because OpenVPN is the best for security, it is the recommended protocol. OpenVPN is open-source, which is great because the code is available for anyone to make improvements where necessary.

Another protocol on the list is IKEv2, which is usually slightly faster than OpenVPN.

Webroot also offers Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP), which is considered obsolete by today's standards. That is not the most secure protocol on the market today, as the data security landscape is different now than in 1995.

Unfortunately, Webroot WiFi Security does not have the WireGuard protocol.

If you're like me and sometimes forget to connect to a VPN before using free WiFi, you'll love Webroot’s Automatic WiFi Security feature. By enabling it, you're automatically protected whenever you connect to unsecured networks.

Screenshot of Webroot WiFi Security connections settings menuWebroot's Automatic WiFi Security feature keeps you safe even while using public WiFi

Another crucial feature is the kill switch which keeps your identity and data safe by disconnecting you from the internet if your VPN temporarily disconnects.

One more great security addition is its web filtering feature. Webroot uses BrightCloud Threat Intelligence to filter out and protect you from potentially dangerous websites.

I also ran a DNS leak test to ensure that Webroot’s VPN was truly keeping my data safe. My test showed that the app did not have any DNS leaks.

Screenshot showing DNS test of Webroot’s VPNMy tests showed no IP or DNS leaks which means Webroot will keep your data safe

Privacy — Average and Could Improve

Webroot claims to have a no-log policy, but by looking at its privacy statement, it's evident that it logs a lot of information.

Webroot’s VPN keeps logs of the date and time of your sessions, the server locations you use, and the amount of data transferred during each session. Lastly, it logs the number of devices used during each session. It keeps the information for 90 days.

If your Webroot VPN app crashes, Webroot may create anonymous logs of what happened on the device before the crash for troubleshooting purposes. These logs could include some downloaded data and DNS queries.

Webroot's headquarters are in a 5 Eyes country in Broomfield, Colorado, USA. That means that your information collected by the VPN could end up in the hands of the authorities.

All 5 Eyes countries heavily collect and scrutinize internet traffic, and they can then share this information with other member nations. If the authorities request your private data from Webroot, it can’t refuse. Here is a complete list of collected data from Webroot's privacy policy statement.

Screenshot of the categories of data logged by Webroot’s VPNWebroot logs a lot more data than other no-log VPN providers

Under California’s “Shine the Light” law, residents of California can ask for information on any personal data Webroot shared with other businesses twice per year. Webroot states it currently does not share your personal data with other businesses for its marketing use.

However, Webroot has a parent company called Carbonite Inc, a US company that offers cloud and hybrid backup solutions. In 2019, OpenText acquired both Webroot and Carbonite. OpenText is a Canadian software company and a leader in information management solutions, helping businesses secure and manage data. For Webroot users, this means even greater security standards and constant innovations, but it can also mean less privacy because the company is not independent.

Torrenting — Not Supported

It was a big disappointment when I tested a popular torrenting client using Webroot WiFi Security and realized that it does not support torrenting. There are many top-tier VPN services that allow torrenting. However, my team and I do not condone illegal torrenting, so make sure always to check the rules and regulations of the country you are in.

Does Webroot WiFi Security Work in China? No

Webroot WiFi Security is highly unlikely to work in China based on my research.

When I reached out to its customer support to ask whether Webroot could work in China, its representative told me it is “not designed to bypass locally blocked websites.”

Screenshot of customer service's response regarding China queryWebroot isn't the best option if you are travelling to China

China is a very strict country regarding censorship and online surveillance. Only powerful VPNs with the best technology work in China. If you want a VPN that you can use in China, it needs to bypass the Chinese government’s strong censorship measures. China has blocked most VPNs and approved only the ones run in China. But as no tourists have been prosecuted yet, this doesn't seem to be a threat to those using them.

Installation & Apps

6.8

Simultaneous Device Connections — Average

Webroot allows you to connect up to 5 devices per subscription while charging a premium price. I connected 2 PCs and 1 Android device, and it worked smoothly. This is the industry standard among VPNs, but some top-rated VPNs are offering more simultaneous connections on their basic plan.

Device Compatibility — Could Be Better

The Webroot VPN app works on 4 platforms: iOS, Android, Mac, and Windows. I used it on my Android mobile device and on my Windows PC with no issues.

Unfortunately, individuals using Linux, Blackberry-powered devices, or Windows phones will encounter limitations and be unable to utilize the VPN service.

Unfortunately, you can’t use it as a browser extension, and you won’t be able to install it on any router either. There are great VPNs for routers should you need to go that route.

Set-Up & Installation — Straightforward

After downloading the apps, the set-up was a breeze. The application has clear prompts that will guide you through the entire process.

Screenshot of Webroot WiFi Security set-up screenSetting up the Windows app was easy

All the features on all the Webroot VPN apps are easy to use. Once you install the app, you can automatically connect to the server closest to you or choose one yourself.

Pricing

2.8
Plus
$ 3 / month per month
Complete
$ 4 / month per month
Premium
$ 6.50 / month per month

Webroot's yearly package starts at $3/month. You can also buy it with other Webroot products for a bundle discount. Webroot is currently offering its Internet Security Plus product bundled with the VPN at a discounted rate of 54%.

I was a little disappointed to find out Webroot doesn't offer a typical money-back guarantee; however, some subscriptions start with a free trial. For example, you can sign up with the mobile app to pay per month, as the website only has yearly plans. This way, you get a 7-day trial and monthly payment options.

As stated in its Cancellation and Refund Policy:

Webroot does not offer refunds for payments made on a month-to-month subscription plan.

The same goes for its annual plans.

However, if you bundle it with its virus protection, you get a 70-day money-back guarantee, which is more than generous.

Webroot offers mainstream payment methods, such as credit cards and PayPal. However, it does not provide alternative payment options like cryptocurrency, which ensures greater privacy.

Reliability & Support

4.8

Webroot VPN’s support is not easy to get to and slow to respond to queries. There is a contact option at the end of most pages on the website. You can also access the contact pages from the drop-down menus For Home, For Business, and Threat Intelligence.

When you go to the support page, you will have numerous help options. There are help videos, ask the community forum, FAQs, create a support ticket, and knowledge base. You can also reach Webroot’s customer support via phone, but there is no live chat option.

Screenshot showing support option from Webroot’s dropdown menuWebroot’s support button is not always easy to find

The knowledge repository, instructional videos, FAQ segment, and community discussion platform encompass nearly all the information you'd require about the VPN.

When I tested the support ticket option, the support team took 2 days to respond. From my experience, the support team is slow, uncoordinated, and not the most helpful. I had to speak to 5 people to get an issue resolved. This interaction lasted for over a week.

A screenshot of Webroot's support team reply to my question about whether it works in ChinaIts support team is slow to respond which can be bad if you need help urgently

Compare Webroot WiFi Security 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

Webroot is an average VPN that can unblock most streaming websites. The VPN has some shortcomings, but if you are looking for a VPN service that is secure and is easy to use, Webroot is a good option.

  • Good for streaming
  • Strong encryption
  • Kill switch
  • Easy to install and use

FAQs on Webroot WiFi Security

Is Webroot WiFi Security safe?

Yes. Even though there is no malware and pop-up blocker protection from the VPN, it has AES 256-bit encryption and top-notch protocols that will keep your online activity secure. You can opt to pair it with other products from Webroot to get deals and added protection. Review all the security features and protocols here.

Can Webroot WiFi Security unblock Netflix?

Yes, this VPN can unblock Netflix US and other streaming websites. See the details of my streaming results here.

Will Webroot WiFi Security slow my speeds down?

Significantly. If you use the VPN during off-peak hours, you may experience at least a 50% reduction in speeds. While using it during peak hours, it could get even worse. Review all my speed tests here.

Money Back Guarantee (Days): 0
Mobile app:
Number of devices per license: 5
VPN Plans: webroot.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.
Webroot WiFi Security User Reviews (User reviews are not verified)
8.0
Based on 1 reviews in 1 languages

Write a Review on Webroot WiFi Security

Please rate VPN.

All Speed Streaming Security Сustomer service
Anonymous
Anonymous
8/10
WiFi Security is great but needs some small improvements.

Overall a great app, small concerns with some stability but I cant tell if it was my base connection or the VPN. Speeds were solid not quite Nord speeds, but good enough to stream. A little confusing on whether or not you can stream being that their is not notice on this, but I was successful in streaming to various apps.

About the Author

Aleksandra is an experienced vpnMentor editor, passionate about protecting people against data monitoring and theft. She specializes in online security and privacy, with a knack for simplifying complicated features so beginners can keep their data safe.

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