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.
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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.
Advertising Disclosure

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.

Buffered VPN vs Zenmate VPN 2024

Table of Contents
    Our Score: 8.1/10
    %s User Reviews
    More Info
    Our Score: 9.1/10
    %s User Reviews
    More Info

    Which VPN is better?

    Author Image Kristina Perunicic
    Kristina Perunicic

    Managing Editor

    Gibraltar-based Buffered VPN and Germany-based ZenMate are two popular VPN service providers with refreshing approaches to delivering their services. They both use military grade 256-bit encryption to secure your data on all platforms. Dedicated apps for MacOS, Windows, iOS, and Android devices are also available with either of these VPN providers, and subscribers to either VPN service can use up to five devices at once per account. While ZenMate offers around 300 servers in 30+ countries, Buffered has a single server in each of 46 countries. On the other hand, Buffered offers very responsive 24/7 customer support, which is absent with ZenMate. In addition, if you’re a new subscriber, Buffered offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, compared to ZenMate’s 14-day refund policy. In terms of privacy policies, while ZenMate may store partial logs, Buffered does not store any user logs at all. Keep on reading to discover what separates these VPNs and which of them is really better in the areas that matter most.

    Our Score

    Features 8.1/10
    Pricing 6.3/10
    Ease of Use 8.8/10
    Reliability & Support 8.6/10
    Features 9.1/10
    Pricing 9.4/10
    Ease of Use 9.2/10
    Reliability & Support 9.2/10

    Reviews

    Review by our expert
    Author Image Doris Muthuri
    Doris Muthuri

    Senior Writer

    Our Score: 8.1/10

    Update: Buffered VPN merged with Encrypt.me. We have thoroughly tested Encrypt.me, and you can find everything you need to know in our review. Buffered VPN has a lot to offer due to its user-friendly interface, fast connection speeds, and reliable security. One thing it can't do is unblock Netflix, you'll need a premium vendor like ExpressVPN for that. In addition to dedicated apps available for ...

    Read all
    Latest positive user review
    D
    Don Bartlem
    10.0/10
    I considered a number of VPN's before going with Buffered which I find excellent.

    No issues in any aspect, On the rare occasions that I required assistance (in the initial set up stage... ), the Help Desk was outstanding. Would highly recommend Buffered to anyone considering using a VPNMore

    Latest negative user review
    T
    Trev
    2.0/10
    They are no more

    After being a customer for more than 2 years and paying a premium price for a good service. THEY DON'T...  EXIST ANYMORE.. No warning, just logged in one day and my app doesn't work and they have changed their website name. STAY AWAY, sounds dodgy.More

    Read the full review
    Review by our expert
    Author Image Matthew Amos
    Matthew Amos

    Senior Editor

    Our Score: 9.1/10

    ZenMate has been a popular VPN for 10+ years, especially with its free browser extensions. It offers low prices and many appealing features like streaming servers and fast speeds. But none of this matters if it can’t keep you safe, so I decided to find out if it really can. After my tests, I can say ZenMate is a safe VPN offering great value. It works great for streaming, has fast speeds at cl...

    Read all
    Latest positive user review
    M
    Mattew
    10.0/10
    Good experience

    No matter your location, using a VPN is important for your online security. I got ZenMate for exactly ... that and I am satisfied with it, especially when it constantly improves its service. Customer support helped me so much and I just wanted to say that I've asked for their help a few times. And every time the support was respectful and fast in their response time. Keep it up!More

    Latest negative user review
    K
    Kaleo
    4.0/10
    Buggy and Unreliable

    Good when it works, with a limited number of available servers. However, 1. Does not always connect ... to the fastest server. 2. On the Mac, it does not automatically connect to a server. 3. On iOS, it does connect automatically BUT does not do so consistently. 4. The Mac app has been buggy and not connecting at all, FOR MONTHS. They still have not fixed it.More

    Read the full review

    Pricing

    Starting price $8.33/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 30 Days
    Number of devices per license 5 devices
    Starting price $1.99/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 30 Days
    Number of devices per license Unlimited devices

    Best VPN by Category

    Best VPN Overall

    Buffered may not have a very large network, but it uses strong encryption across apps for all major platforms and its servers are very effective for bypassing tough geoblocks. ZenMate is known for providing an innovative service with many advanced security features and user-friendly layouts across its apps.

    Best VPN for Torrents

    Buffered is our recommended choice, as it offers a few dedicated servers that allow you to download torrents without leaving a trace. ZenMate also claims to support torrenting, but users have complained in the past that they were unable to do so effectively with the provider.

    Best VPN for Windows

    Buffered is a great choice for PC users, offering a very user-friendly app for Windows that features a firewall-based kill switch to keep you protected at all times. By protecting your data from wi-fi hacking and ISP tracking while providing a dedicated client with VoIP capabilities, ZenMate provides a really practical service for Windows.

    Best VPN for Android

    Buffered’s Android app is very easy to use, thanks to its straightforward layout. It also includes a useful feature that ensures the VPN connection is always active, even in the background. Meanwhile, ZenMate’s Android app features a dedicated VoIP feature that allows you use services like Skype from anywhere in the world.

    Best VPN for Mac

    Access to a dedicated app, 24/7 live support, 256-bit encryption, and a useful diagnostics feature are some of the key benefits of using Buffered VPN for MacOS. ZenMate provides a well-rounded VPN service for MacOS users that includes a very intuitive app with many advanced security features, including malware protection.

    Best VPN for iOS

    Buffered provides an iOS app that’s effective for accessing geo-restricted content from top providers worldwide. The app also features a smooth interface and a firewall-based kill switch. ZenMate’s iOS app has a very user-friendly layout that would suit VPN newcomers well and includes features like tracking and malware protection.

    Best VPN for USA

    In spite of having just a single dedicated US server, Buffered is highly effective for unblocking US content from web services like Netflix, regardless of your location. ZenMate also reliably unblocks Netflix-US and other top American streaming platforms from any location worldwide, offering around 70 US servers.

    The Bottom Line

    See Plans & Pricing

    The small size of Buffered’s network makes it easy to underrate the VPN at first glance. However, the provider makes constant improvements, especially in the area of 24/7 support, which now includes live chat. This exceptional customer service, along with the remarkable performance of servers that consistently bypass geo-restrictions on services like Netflix, makes Buffered the winner of this comparison. Buffered also provides more budget-friendly subscription prices than ZenMate, although it does not match the sharply discounted prices regularly offered by top VPNs like NordVPN and CyberGhost

    Time to decide which one is best for you

    Go with Buffered VPN
    Go with Zenmate VPN
    Or click here to check best VPNs, rated by {{review_count}} users

    FAQ

    Is Buffered VPN better than Zenmate VPN?

    Yes, Buffered VPN is better overall than Zenmate VPN. It has 30 servers in 37 countries, fast speeds, and impressive security features.

    Best of all, you can take advantage of its latest discount and get it for only $8.33 a month.

    What should I keep in mind when choosing between Buffered VPN and Zenmate VPN?

    When choosing a VPN, you want to pay close attention to its number of servers, overall speed score, pricing, and the number of simultaneous device connections it offers. While some VPNs provide a flawless online experience, others will really slow you down.

    If you’re ready to commit, then Buffered VPN may be perfect for you due to its performance during the tests .

    Is Buffered VPN faster than Zenmate VPN?

    Yes, Buffered VPN is faster than Zenmate VPN. Since your VPN is your computer’s main connection to the internet, you need to use a service that won’t slow you down by more than 20%.

    If speeds are important to you, then I recommend you take a look at ExpressVPN. It’s the fastest service out there, provides unlimited bandwidth, and you won’t experience any slowdowns even when you connect to the other side of the planet. You can try it out risk-free. It’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can get a full refund if you don’t like it.

    Do Buffered VPN or Zenmate VPN offer any deals?

    Both Buffered VPN and Zenmate VPN offer deals on occasion. You can check out the current coupons and discounts here. However, ExpressVPN has the best deals. Right now, you can get a 49% discount and up to 3 months for free with a new subscription.

    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.

    About the Author

    Kristina Perunicic is a former editor for vpnMentor. She’s a cybersecurity expert with an interest in VPNs and their importance in the digital privacy landscape.