“TorGuard and ZenMate are two VPNs that at first seem rather similar – but a closer look reveals some important differences.
TorGuard offers over 2,000 more servers in 20 more countries than ZenMate, offers essential security features like a kill switch, and is the better choice for privacy and unblocking. It works well against deep packet inspection, and can access Netflix reliably with the optional dedicated IP address, while ZenMate struggles heavily to unblock Netflix and other closely guarded content.
ZenMate has transitioned from a proxy to a VPN service, but still has a long way to go. The biggest issue here is the extensive storage of connection logs, all while ZenMate is advertised as a no-log VPN. Even ignoring this glaring issue, there isn’t much to make ZenMate appealing – a limited server network, poor speeds, and a lack of any advanced security don’t speak well of this VPN.
ZenMate’s only advantage is its 14-day money-back guarantee, a whole week more than TorGuard. ZenMate also offers a 7-day free trial.
Features
8.8
Pricing
7.4
Ease of Use
8.8
Reliability & Support
9.1
Features
8.2
Pricing
8.4
Ease of Use
8.2
Reliability & Support
8.4
Rating
Features
8.8
8.2
0.0
Pricing
7.4
8.4
0.0
Ease of Use
8.8
8.2
0.0
Reliability & Support
9.1
8.4
0.0
Reviews
Review by our expert
Katie Kasunic
Technology Researcher
8.0
TorGuard is best known for its large server network and strong torrenting support.
Is TorGuard really privacy-friendly? How does TorGuard perform in other areas, such as streaming?
We tested TorGuard’s VPN service across a number of categories to find out its strengths and weaknesses.
TorGuard’s best features include robust security, a built-in adblocker, P2P support, a strict no-log...
Excellent ServiceLove this VPN, I only use the iOS app and it's the fastest I have ever used - the options available in the desktop app are very nice compared to other simplistic plastic-looking apps, looks are not everything on a VPN.
Latest negative user review
James
2.0
It is absolutely abominable!!!First of all, recently the speeds of all servers are noticeably slow, giving me 8 Mbps download speed, which is horrendous.
Secondly, sometimes I have to try to log on 3 or 4 times before I'm logged on.
As for the Norway server, I haven't been able to log on for the last 3 days. There is no notice regarding the issue from them as usual.
Thirdly, their customer service is abominable. Without notice, they deleted one server, the only server available for that particular country, and when I asked when they would reinstate it, they said, the server has closed down but they think it will replace with a new one in no time. It took them almost a month to come up with a replacement! And they're not courteous in any respect, either!
Once my yearly subscription is over, I'm getting the hell out!!!
Ariel Hochstadt
Ex-Google, International tech speaker
8.2
ZenMate is an easy-to-use, high-speed VPN with military-level security features. It operates servers in 30+ global locations.
ZenMate is a great choice if you want to unblock Netflix. With a premium account, you’ll enjoy its streaming guarantee: Choose your favorite streaming service from the comprehensive list, and if there’s an outage, ZenMate will discount your next renewal.
Let’s ...
Good experienceNo 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!
Latest negative user review
Mark J
2.0
70% of the time it is not workingZenMate is not working most of the time.Support is very bad.I am using them for more than one year.
Untill now they are the worst vpn provider i worked with.I hope my review will make you think twice before you buy from them.
TorGuard is best known for its large server network and strong torrenting support.
Is TorGuard really privacy-friendly? How does TorGuard perform in other areas, such as streaming?
We tested TorGuard’s VPN service across a number of categories to find out its strengths and weaknesses.
TorGuard’s best features include robust security, a built-in adblocker, P2P support, a strict no-log...
ZenMate is an easy-to-use, high-speed VPN with military-level security features. It operates servers in 30+ global locations.
ZenMate is a great choice if you want to unblock Netflix. With a premium account, you’ll enjoy its streaming guarantee: Choose your favorite streaming service from the comprehensive list, and if there’s an outage, ZenMate will discount your next renewal.
Let’s ...
Excellent ServiceLove this VPN, I only use the iOS app and it's the fastest I have ever used - the options available in the desktop app are very nice compared to other simplistic plastic-looking apps, looks are not everything on a VPN.
Mattew
10.0
Good experienceNo 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!
Latest negative user review
James
2.0
It is absolutely abominable!!!First of all, recently the speeds of all servers are noticeably slow, giving me 8 Mbps download speed, which is horrendous.
Secondly, sometimes I have to try to log on 3 or 4 times before I'm logged on.
As for the Norway server, I haven't been able to log on for the last 3 days. There is no notice regarding the issue from them as usual.
Thirdly, their customer service is abominable. Without notice, they deleted one server, the only server available for that particular country, and when I asked when they would reinstate it, they said, the server has closed down but they think it will replace with a new one in no time. It took them almost a month to come up with a replacement! And they're not courteous in any respect, either!
Once my yearly subscription is over, I'm getting the hell out!!!
Mark J
2.0
70% of the time it is not workingZenMate is not working most of the time.Support is very bad.I am using them for more than one year.
Untill now they are the worst vpn provider i worked with.I hope my review will make you think twice before you buy from them.
TorGuard covers all aspects of a premium VPN service – it gets the job done whether you’re a casual user or you’re looking for a dependable VPN for China. ZenMate isn’t nearly on the same level yet and scores poorly in crucial categories.
TorGuard covers all aspects of a premium VPN service – it gets the job done whether you’re a casual user or you’re looking for a dependable VPN for China. ZenMate isn’t nearly on the same level yet and scores poorly in crucial categories.
TorGuard is very much suitable for torrents, although you’ll need to pay extra for port forwarding if you really want full P2P support. While ZenMate offers unlimited P2P traffic, its servers are too slow to guarantee smooth torrenting.
TorGuard is very much suitable for torrents, although you’ll need to pay extra for port forwarding if you really want full P2P support. While ZenMate offers unlimited P2P traffic, its servers are too slow to guarantee smooth torrenting.
TorGuard shines on Windows with support for multiple protocols (including OpenVPN), as well as 3,000+ servers and great security features. ZenMate has a neat, easy to use interface, but not much else.
TorGuard shines on Windows with support for multiple protocols (including OpenVPN), as well as 3,000+ servers and great security features. ZenMate has a neat, easy to use interface, but not much else.
TorGuard could’ve done a better job on mobile platforms – although it offers a stable, simple client, the kill switch is missing. ZenMate’s Android client is intuitive as well, but you may be disappointed by the sluggish speeds.
TorGuard could’ve done a better job on mobile platforms – although it offers a stable, simple client, the kill switch is missing. ZenMate’s Android client is intuitive as well, but you may be disappointed by the sluggish speeds.
TorGuard is as impressive on Mac as it is on Windows – it offers the same great functionality, which will please Apple users. ZenMate’s Mac app isn’t too different from its Windows client, either, but that means the same problems with the service exist.
TorGuard is as impressive on Mac as it is on Windows – it offers the same great functionality, which will please Apple users. ZenMate’s Mac app isn’t too different from its Windows client, either, but that means the same problems with the service exist.
TorGuard performs well on iOS, and you can use it on up to five devices. ZenMate also offers five simultaneous connections, but the poor speeds take away from an otherwise decent VPN app for iOS.
TorGuard performs well on iOS, and you can use it on up to five devices. ZenMate also offers five simultaneous connections, but the poor speeds take away from an otherwise decent VPN app for iOS.
Even though TorGuard is US-based, it’s the better (and more secure) VPN for the United States in this comparison due to its larger, faster server network. Note, however, that accessing US Netflix requires paying extra for a dedicated IP. ZenMate struggles with providing server variety and reliable speeds, so unblocking and streaming content is a major challenge for this VPN.
Even though TorGuard is US-based, it’s the better (and more secure) VPN for the United States in this comparison due to its larger, faster server network. Note, however, that accessing US Netflix requires paying extra for a dedicated IP. ZenMate struggles with providing server variety and reliable speeds, so unblocking and streaming content is a major challenge for this VPN.
This comparison is a little one-sided, and for good reason – ZenMate has a lot of work ahead of it if it wants to reach the caliber of TorGuard. The contradictions between its landing page claims and actual privacy policy are definitely alarming, but even if you look away from this serious flaw, you won’t find too many advantages to this VPN. ZenMate is a little cheaper, but not enough so to justify picking it over TorGuard for anything other than casual use. TorGuard is bigger, faster, and better – so it’s only logical that it wins this comparison by a landslide.
Interestingly, if you compare TorGuard with NordPass, which is our top ranked vpn, you'll see that TorGuard can learn a lot from NordPass. Compare TorGuard with NordPass
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