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vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover 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 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 to review VPN services and cover 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 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.

ZoogVPN Review 2024 — Read This Before Buying

Our Score: 6.7/10
Ranked 41st out of 198 VPNs
Matthew Amos Updated on 22nd July 2024 Fact-checked by Anneke van Aswegen Senior Editor

ZoogVPN claims to offer great performance with cheap plans that include a free tier. Its free app offers many features, and it boasts about its fast speeds and true no-logging policy. But, does it actually live up to its claims, or is it simply cheap because it’s no good?

After extensive testing, I can say that Zoog is a good VPN, but not great. It’s relatively fast and works well for gaming and torrenting. However, its server network is small, especially with the free app. It’s also missing a few key security features. I recommend you check out our list of the best VPNs before trying ZoogVPN.

Try ZoogVPN Risk-Free >>

Short on Time? Here Are My Key Findings

Pros

Cons

ZoogVPN Features — 2024 Update

6.6
💸 Price 2.49 USD/month
📆 Money Back Guarantee 7 Days
📝 Does VPN keep logs? No
🖥 Number of servers 100+
🛡 Kill switch Yes
🗺 Based in country Greece
🛠 Support 24/7 live chat
📥 Supports torrenting Yes

Streaming — Too Many Frustrating Issues

5.7

ZoogVPN can only securely access a small number of streaming platforms. My global testing team and I also encountered several annoying issues with the streaming services that did work. It does offer streaming-optimized servers, but they weren’t much help.

You’ll need to use the premium app for streaming since the free version failed completely. There were no streaming services we were able to safely access with the free servers.

Editor’s note. The VPNs we recommend usually follow strict no-logging policies. This prevents them from viewing your online activities. So, you’re responsible for how they’re used. The vpnMentor team and I urge you to follow all copyright laws.

Works With: Netflix, Max, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video

We could safely stream Netflix US, Canada, and the Netherlands’ full libraries with ZoogVPN.

Screenshot of Netflix player streaming Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F while connected to Zoog VPN's Dallas 1 server The streaming-optimized servers worked best with Netflix

However, many times we could only watch Netflix Originals. It was impossible to view the full libraries of Australia and the UK, for example. Originals only has the titles Netflix owns outright, so you miss out on a lot of content.

Many Netflix tests with the non-optimized servers were unsuccessful. So, you’ll be better off sticking with the locations you find under the Streaming tab. Although we did have one test with a UK streaming server that didn’t work either.

There were no issues with loading videos and streaming in great quality on Max.

Screenshot of Max player streaming Sarah Silverman: Someone You Love while connected to ZoogVPN's Dallas 2 serverThe WireGuard protcol offers the best speeds for minimal buffering

After several failed attempts, we could safely view movies on Amazon Prime Video Italy. It was a bit frustrating because each of our tests were done with locations labeled as supporting the platform. Plus, it took about 18 seconds for any video to load.

The same thing happened with BBC iPlayer. We could eventually stream BBC iPlayer, but the picture quality wasn’t great, and our video paused to buffer several times.

Doesn’t Work With: Hulu & Disney+

Zoog claims to be compatible with some platforms that never worked.

Screenshot of Hulu displaying an error message while connected to Zoog's Dallas 2 serverAttempts to switch browsers or servers didn't help

We also tried switching protocols, but none of them made a difference with Hulu or Disney+. So, ZoogVPN isn’t the worst VPN for streaming we’ve tested. However, there are many providers in a similar price range that make life much easier. You can check out our list of the best VPNs for streaming to stay safe on all the top platforms with less hassle.

Speed — Decent Rates at Any Distance

7.0

ZoogVPN offers above average speeds that are just below the top VPNs. To make sure we have accurate results, we try to get most tests done by our speed expert. This way they’re completed from the same location with the same connection for fairer comparisons. These tests were all done with the WireGuard protocol since it was the fastest protocol.

Screenshot of a chart showing speeds on various ZoogVPN serversWe lost 18% on nearby servers and 43% on distant ones

You can expect to lose about 10-20% of your speeds on average with a good VPN. At long distances, losses of up to 50% are acceptable, depending on how far away the server is. So, as you can see, ZoogVPN can offer fast speeds as long as your base rates aren’t too low.

Screenshot of Ookla speed tests done with no VPN connected and while connected to Zoog's Tokyo 2 serverThis Japanese server, 10,000km away, dropped our speeds 42%

Of course there are much faster VPNs, and I wish that Zoog offered a few more quality options when it comes to speed. For example, some VPNs show you the load for each server (how crowded they are). Some even display an estimate of the ping rate you can expect before you connect to a server or tell you how far away a location is.

Still, I can’t complain about Zoog in this category. The premium VPN isn’t bad at all in this regard. However, the free servers will lower your speeds considerably more, especially since you can’t use WireGuard with the free app.

Gaming — Low Ping for Smooth Gameplay

8.0

ZoogVPN’s nearby servers let us play online without any significant lag. Ping rates are what you want to pay attention to while gaming. These tell you how long it takes your data to travel. When it gets too high, there’s a delay between your button presses and your character’s actions. That makes it impossible to stay immersed in your games and play competitively.

Screenshot of World of Tanks being played while connected to ZoogVPN's Johannesburg serverYou always want ping to be below 85ms while you're gaming

We played a fast-paced game and could shoot and maneuver without any added delays. But, this test was done with a nearby server. Once you connect to a location about 5,000km away or more, your ping rate will probably become too high. This isn’t a knock against ZoogVPN because this happens with just about any VPN.

Server Network — Small With Limited Privacy Assurances

4.0

ZoogVPN has a small server network with only 100 servers in 70 countries. I do like that it offers city-level servers (there are 70+ locations in total), which make it easier to tell how far away a server truly is. They also claim to have 1,000+ IPs at their disposal.

It owns some of its servers but also rents a number of them from third parties. I couldn’t get any more concrete details from support, so it’s anyone’s guess which servers are Zoog's. I understand that it’s expensive, but I always have a little more peace of mind when a VPN owns all its servers (it cuts out a middleman that could access your data).

Screenshot of the ZoogVPN app for Windows highlighting the search bar in the Streaming tabIt won't work if you try it in the server list search bar

They also state that they mostly use physical servers, but have virtual locations as backups. Once again, it was difficult to get more information from its support staff. I’m not entirely sure what this means, but I do know that several of its IPs come with DNS servers in different locations, which could cause you problems when you’re trying to access specific websites.

There are optimized servers for torrenting and streaming. I like that these are clearly labeled within the server list, but I was a bit confused by the glasses icon. Support confirmed that these used to be their obfuscated servers. However, these are no longer relevant since it’s added an obfuscation protocol which works with every server. I’ll expand on this in the next section.

Finally, it doesn’t offer dedicated IPs or RAM-only servers. The former are provided by many VPNs for an additional fee and are helpful when you need a static online address for things like running a website. RAM-only servers delete all of their data after every reboot, so they’re a little more privacy-friendly.

In the end, this is one of ZoogVPN’s weakest areas. It’ll need to beef up this network if it wants to compete with the top players in the industry. To find a VPN with much better server selection and plenty of excellent privacy features, read this list of providers with great networks.

Security — Safe but Missing Many Useful Features

6.0

It can keep you safe, but this VPN doesn’t have the most extensive list of security features. It comes with top-notch encryption, all the best protocols, and a kill switch. However, it doesn’t offer a fully functional split tunneling feature. It’s also missing double VPN, ad-blocking, and some other customization options its competitors provide.

I’m happy that it passed all of our leak tests, but we ran into a strange issue with its DNS servers. As I stated above, sometimes you get DNS locations that don’t match the IP you’re given.

Screenshot of a leak test performed while connected to ZoogVPN's Athens server Our true IP address stayed hidden, even with its DNS issues

Support staff stated that it does this to “balance the load and improve performance.” However, it’s possible that these DNS servers could give you websites in a different language than you expected. For example, I was given Polish results on Google when I expected Greek content. Most of the top VPNs I’ve used offer DNS servers that match the IP’s location.

I’m also curious if this issue is linked to its use of virtual servers. But, since it doesn’t provide much information about them, I can’t be sure. Either way, ZoogVPN can keep you safe online, but it’s not the most convenient VPN. If you’re looking for more customization options, I recommend you explore this list of some of the safest VPNs around.

Encryption

The premium app uses AES 256-bit encryption, which is nearly unbreakable. It’s the standard encryption level used by many banks and militaries around the world. It’s basically impossible to crack its keys with current computing technology.

The free app only offers AES 128-bit encryption. This is still relatively safe. It’s also usually faster since it’s a bit more lightweight, but this probably won’t improve your speeds on its overcrowded free locations.

Security Protocols

The most important protocols ZoogVPN offers are OpenVPN and Wireguard. WireGuard is usually the fastest protocol offered with any VPN, and that was the case during our tests with ZoogVPN. OpenVPN was about twice as slow.

However, OpenVPN is usually considered the safest protocol since it’s open source. This means it’s always being tested for vulnerabilities by cybersecurity enthusiasts around the world. It also comes with two versions. OpenVPN TCP is known to be more reliable while UDP is a bit faster.

Shadow is its obfuscation protocol, and it hides your VPN use. This is useful on restrictive networks like you might find at a school or place of business. Although the VPN used to rely on obfuscated servers, you can now utilize obfuscation with any location by enabling this protocol.

It also offers some older protocols like IKEv2, but I’d stick with OpenVPN and WireGuard whenever possible. Lastly, there’s its ZoogTLS protocol, which is quite slow, so I’d avoid it.

Kill Switch

This is a necessary feature that blocks your internet connection if the VPN ever disconnects. I tested it out by enabling it and switching servers with a browser window open. Sure enough, when no server was connected, the website was inaccessible.

I appreciate that this is offered for all 4 major operating systems as well. Many VPNs fail to include this option on mobile devices or on Mac.

Privacy — Great Policies in a Good Location

7.5

ZoogVPN has an impressive privacy policy with a solid track record. I didn’t find any controversies related to the company or its ownership. It’s also located in a privacy-friendly country. Support staff claimed that a third-party audit of its policies are underway, and once that’s done, they could end up being one of the stronger options when it comes to privacy.

Does ZoogVPN Keep Logs? No

It will only collect your email address and the amount of data used. This is all it will record whether you’re using the free VPN or the premium app. That’s great because most VPNs store much more information like your device type, timestamps, the servers you’ve connected to, and more.

ZoogVPN claims it has no way to view any of our online activities. It also states it will never store personal information like your IP address. Its policy says all the right things, so I’m hopeful that it will be proven soon.

Was ZoogVPN Audited? No

Currently, there are no published audits of ZoogVPN’s infrastructure or policies. When the support agent told me an audit was underway, I asked who was conducting it. Unfortunately, they could not disclose that information. The best VPNs use reputable companies in the cybersecurity space and make the results public. I hope that ZoogVPN does the same.

Based in Greece

It’s headquartered in Greece, a country outside of the 14 Eyes Alliance. This is an agreement between governments to share their citizens' information. With Zoog’s excellent policies, it wouldn’t have anything to share anyways. But, I do feel more safe knowing that it doesn’t have to comply with any other countries requests.

Does ZoogVPN Work in China? Yes

Support confirmed that you can use ZoogVPN within China if you activate the Shadow protocol.

Screenshot of a conversation with ZoogVPN support staff where they claim it works in China You may want to download the VPN before entering the country

While many VPNs have been banned by the Chinese government, there have been no publicly-reported cases of them prosecuting individuals for using them. My team and I don’t condone any illegal activities. We ask that you please read up on the laws of the country you’re in before deciding to use a VPN.

Torrenting — Fast With Optimized Servers

7.5

ZoogVPN didn’t slow down my torrenting speeds at all. When I tested out a nearby torrenting-optimized server, I could complete a 700MB file in about 20 minutes. I downloaded the same file with no VPN connected, and it took the same amount of time. I found that the non-optimized servers were slightly slower, but only by a few minutes.

It doesn’t offer port forwarding, which can increase your seeding and downloading speeds. However, this isn’t a huge deal since it’s already so fast on its own. I also felt safe on P2P networks thanks to its kill switch and other strong security features. The main issue is you may have a tough time finding a nearby location since the server network is small.

While torrenting is legal in most countries, downloading copyrighted files isn’t. We urge you to only access torrents within the public domain, so you never break any laws.

Installation & Apps

7.0

Installation & Apps — Easy-to-Use With Adequate Compatibility

I never encountered any issues navigating ZoogVPN’s apps. The UI on mobile and desktop apps is very straightforward. This is partially due to its lack of customization features, but the settings it does offer are well-organized.

Screenshot of ZoogVPN's settings menu on the Windows app All these features can be found under the "Settings" tab

While it’s not the most attractive app, it gets the job done. Similar to how it performs in most areas, Zoog does well with what it has in this department, but it doesn’t do anything mind-blowing.

Setup & Installation

I was able to download ZoogVPN and get connected within 5 minutes.

Screenshot of ZoogVPN's download pageSome free VPNs can be installed without providing an email

Like with most modern VPNs, installation is straightforward. You’ll simply follow the instructions after downloading the app from its website or your mobile device’s application store.

Device Compatibility

The VPN offers native apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. It also has applications for a few streaming devices and smart TVs. You can use it on select routers and with a Linux desktop, but connecting on these devices is a bit more clunky.

Desktop — Apps for Windows, Mac, and Linux

The Windows and Mac apps are similar, but Mac is missing the Shadow protocol. That’s disappointing since the obfuscation servers are no longer functional. This means you may not be able to use your Mac app on restrictive networks.

Mac and Windows apps both get the kill switch, OpenVPN and WireGuard. That’s nice, but neither one gets access to split tunneling.

There is no Linux app, but you can manually configure it for these devices, even with the free servers. It’s rare for a provider to offer free tiers for Linux, so I greatly appreciate this. However, it’s too bad that you can’t use a real app (especially one with a GUI).

Manual connections mean you can’t use the kill switch, and you can only connect via OpenVPN, so I wouldn’t expect fast speeds. If you’re looking for comprehensive protection, I suggest you test out one of the best VPNs for Linux.

Android and iPhone (iOS)

Android has the split tunneling feature, but iOS gets access to every protocol. On your Android device, you’ll only be able to switch between OpenVPN, WireGuard, and Shadow. However, those are the best options, so it’s no big loss. Other than that, both apps are pretty similar, and I’m happy they both get the kill switch.

Browser Extensions for Chrome & Edge

These extensions are only proxies, so they won’t encrypt your connection. They will also only change the location on your browser, leaving all other apps with your current IP. I recommend using the ZoogVPN app at all times to stay safe.

These also have a crude form of split tunneling. It lets you exclude certain websites from the proxy, but once again, it won’t have any effect on the rest of your apps.

Apps for Android TVs, Amazon Fire TVs, & Amazon Fire Sticks

You can download complete apps for these devices right from the store on your TV. It’s great that you can use the VPN on these smart TVs, but many of its competitors are compatible with more brands. It also doesn’t offer smart DNS, which gives you another easy way to avoid speed throttling on your television.

Router Compatibility

Certain Guardian routers come with ZoogVPN pre-installed. This is the only way to use WireGuard on a router. Otherwise, you’ll have to rely on manual configurations through OpenVPN or L2TP. This will let you connect to a ZoogVPN server, but you don’t get its kill switch, and it’s obviously a pain to switch protocols (you’d have to set it up all over again).

You can also connect to the free servers on your router, but that will probably use up your monthly data limit in a hurry. Setting up a VPN on your router is the best way to protect all your non-compatible devices. If you’re looking to do this, I recommend you try one of the top VPNs for routers since they’re compatible with more brands and offer more security features.

Simultaneous Device Connections

ZoogVPN lets you connect an unlimited number of devices at once. Most VPNs only let you set up on 5 devices, so this is quite generous. I tested this out by connecting ZoogVPN to my Android phone, 2 Windows laptops, and my Android TV. I could stream YouTube on all of them at the same time without any buffering or quality issues, so it works as advertised.

Pricing

6.0
2 Years + 3 Months Free
$ 2.49 / month per month
1 Year
$ 3.39 / month per month
1 Month
$ 9.99 / month per month

Pricing — About Average

It has cheap long-term plans, but you can find even better value for less money. It’s only $2.49/month with its 2 year subscription, but CyberGhost is even less for the same term. ZoogVPN is certainly no slouch, but CyberGhost tops it in nearly every area. It’s faster, offers a much larger server network, has a proven privacy policy, and much more.

Its shorter-term plans aren’t the best deal, but its free app is a good way to test it. The free version comes with 10GB of data per month and 3 servers. Plus, it lets you use its kill switch and every protocol offered on your device except for WireGuard. That’s not bad, it's just annoying that the VPN defaults to WireGuard, so you have to switch before connecting.

I was disappointed that the money-back guarantee is only for 7 days. Most VPNs give you a chance to ask for a refund for a full month. However, I can confirm that their policy is reliable.

Screenshot of a conversation with support staff where they approved my cancellation and refund All of my money was returned within a week's time

On the other hand, I like that it accepts a wide variety of payment options, including several cryptocurrencies. This includes Ethereum, Bitcoin, Litecoin, Dai, and much more. You can also pay with more conventional methods like major credit cards and PayPal.

Reliability & Support

8.0

Reliability and Support — Legit 24/7 Live Chat

ZoogVPN has a reliable 24/7 live chat, which is usually only available with premium VPNs. While many VPNs claim to have these, they often come with caveats. For example, many of them are run by bots, or they have automated responses that tell you you’ll receive an answer to your question via email. With Zoog, I could always connect to a human support team member within seconds.

Screenshot of a conversation with support where they explained why IPs may not match DNS serversIts agents have in-depth knowledge of cybersecurity technology

You can quickly find an agent, but it often takes several minutes to get answers. I appreciate that they do their best to do accurate research, but I had to wait over 10 minutes to get responses at times. It’s not a big problem, but there are some VPNs I’ve tested that offer faster customer support.

It can also be contacted via telephone or through social media channels. These include X, Instagram, and Facebook. Finally, it has a pretty thorough knowledge base with tons of FAQs and setup guides, although I wish it offered video tutorials.

Compare ZoogVPN With The Top Alternative VPNs
Our Score: 9.9
Our Score: 9.7
Our Score: 9.6
Our Score: 9.5
Editor's Note: Transparency and impartiality are important to us when bringing you our best selection of VPNs. Some of the industry-leading products on our list, including Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost, and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company. The VPNs we choose are derived from a thorough testing process.

The Bottom Line

Final Verdict — A Good VPN but There Are Better

ZoogVPN has a lot going for it, especially with its price point. It will hardly lower your speeds at all on nearby servers. This makes it great for torrenting and gaming. Its privacy policy is great, and it offers high quality customer support 24/7.

However, top VPNs perform much better for the same price or less. You can definitely find a much better option for streaming. Zoog also has a small server network that holds it back, along with its limited customization options and basic security features. You can certainly do worse, but I recommend you try out one of our top-ranked VPNs before making a decision.

  • Good speeds
  • Great for gaming
  • 24/7 live chat support
  • Strict no-logging policy
  • Free app with a kill switch
  • Optimized servers for torrenting

FAQs on ZoogVPN

Is ZoogVPN safe?

Yes, ZoogVPN is safe. It comes with AES-256 bit encryption, a kill switch, and great protocols like WireGuard and OpenVPN. This let it successfully pass our leak tests on over a dozen servers. Just be aware that you only get 128-bit encryption with the free app.

Does ZoogVPN work with Netflix?

Yes, it’s possible to securely access Netflix from anywhere with ZoogVPN. My global testing team and I could safely watch full Netflix libraries, including Netflix US. However, there were a few times when we could only watch Netflix Originals, a version of the site that excludes region-specific content.

Is ZoogVPN free?

Yes, ZoogVPN has a free tier. It comes with 10GB of data per month, and you can use 3 servers in the US, the UK, and the Netherlands. This free app also lets you use every protocol the premium app offers, except for WireGuard.

Money Back Guarantee (Days): 7
Mobile app:
Number of devices per license: Unlimited
VPN Plans: zoogvpn.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 to review VPN services and cover 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 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.
ZoogVPN User Reviews (User reviews are not verified)
8.5
Based on 201 reviews in 6 languages

Write a Review on ZoogVPN

Please rate VPN.

All Speed Streaming Security Сustomer service
Lenjin
Lenjin
8/10
Good VPN

Zoogvpn is a good vpn. There is incorrect information in the review: 1. VPN works with Netflix. 2. Customer service responds to emails very quickly (I claim that their customer service is the fastest of all VPNs - from 5 to 25 minutes of waiting. Excellent). 3. Zoogvpn currently has around 70 locations with servers. 4. The right to a full refund is not if you use less than 2 GB of bandwidth but 10 GB. 5. Zoogvpn can be installed on an unlimited number of devices. 6. Zoogvpn has a Kill switch in its apps. As a satisfied user of Zoogvpn, please correct the review because you are informing readers incorrectly. Thank you.

    Coco Jamboo
    Coco Jamboo
    2/10
    No privacy, No security

    This VPN is asking your name, e-mail, etc :))) and uses cross-site trackers. No anonymous registration, no anonymous payment options. No Browser extensions. ZoogVPN Privacy Policy: "we will only collect, store and process your personal data only for as long as is necessary (in connection with the purpose for which we have collected it)" Do you really think this ZoogVPN protects your privacy? I don't think so ;)

    Abacus
    Abacus
    2/10
    Bad service, useless for streaming, thieving crooks

    Bought a 'lifetime' subscription a few years ago. OK, 1st year. Then, they have restricted servers to almost nill and want more money to get them back! Doesn't work with Disney+, BBC, IP geolocation avoidance doesn't even work with YouTube! VPN obfuscation renders the service totally unusable..no pages ever load.

    About the Author

    Matthew is a writer and editor for VPNMentor with a proven track record of providing in-depth analysis of the most highly regarded VPNs, including ExpressVPN and CyberGhost. His unparalleled expertise has enabled him to consistently deliver cutting-edge insights on the most sought-after (and newest) VPN services.

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