VPN.asia is one of the lesser-known VPN service providers on the market today.
But that’s okay.
Sometimes, you find gold where you least expect to find it.
But is VPN.asia that awesome service you’ve been looking for?
Or is it just worthless gravel?
In this VPN.asia review, I’ll let you in on everything you need to know about this service provider.
About VPN.Asia
VPN.asia is a Belize-based VPN service provider.
So why does it have Asia in its name?
Your guess is as good as mine.
The service boasts a rather small fleet of just over 40 servers in 30 different countries. On the plus side, it offers military-grade AES-256 data encryption with SHA-256 authentication.
VPN.asia offers a stealth VPN mode and supports the major protocols including OpenVPN.
VPN.asia is quite affordable with monthly plans costing $6 per month.
If you commit to the service with the annual plan, the cost comes down to $4.15/month. VPN.asia also claims to offer a 7-day money-back guarantee but the web is littered with complaints about delayed or unfulfilled refunds.
Features
VPN.asia offers the same features on all plans. According to their website, these include:
- Over 40 servers in 30 countries in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia
- VPN client software
- Stealth VPN mode
- Military grade 256-bit encryption
- No logging
- Available protocols include PPTP, L2TP, OpenVPN (TCP/UDP)
- A single subscription allows you to connect one of every type of personal device
- Customer support with 24/7 Internet chat availability
Most of the above offerings are standard from any VPN, however, this set of features is very comprehensive – which is good. If they are true to their word, this VPN provider should adequately cover most users’ requirements. As far as P2P services, although it isn’t immediately clear on the website if torrenting is allowed or supported – however, we’ve checked for you and it is. Some additional noteworthy features include:
Full Protection
An interesting feature of the VPN client is the Full Protection mode. Although this is not described anywhere on the website, from our examination of the parameters available in the client and from our comprehensive tests, we have verified that this feature adds protection to your device from potential eavesdroppers on your local LAN.
When Full Protection is enabled, connectivity to local LAN devices is blocked. Adding exceptions to this mode allows you to whitelist connectivity to specific local devices of your choosing.
DNS Control
DNS control allows you to use a set of DNS servers of your choice, overriding the default DNS used by VPN.asia. If you don’t configure this, VPN.asia will use its own DNS server.
Having the option to use a third party DNS server might appeal to some people, but, as a general rule, we prefer a solid VPN that proxies DNS requests via its own servers (as this is better for privacy).
One of the most important features of using a VPN service is the privacy that is provided. This, of course, can vary widely depending on the location of the VPN server you connect to, as this is affected by the relevant laws existing in that country.
As for their privacy policy, it clearly states that VPN.asia does not collect or log any traffic, or use of its VPN service. The only retained information is account data which includes a first name, email address, username, and payment information. How this information is used is also explicitly stated.
The policy includes a section on cookies that explains if and how they or third parties may use them, such as Google Analytics. Finally, VPN.asia includes a set of security measures that are in place to secure their systems from external attacks.
The policy is comprehensive and clear, plainly describing in understandable language what is provided. Assuming the firm adheres to these policies, the services provided seem adequately airtight.
Legal Situation
VPN.asia has servers in a wide variety of countries. Those that are well known to be the freest and most VPN-friendly are Switzerland, and the Netherlands in Europe, Mexico in North America, and Malaysia and Singapore in Asia.
VPN.asia has servers in all of these countries as well as others that may be of interest to you. In any case, the coverage of “safe haven” locations is more than sufficient.
Payment Processors
VPN.asia uses PayPal and PayWall to process payments. As mentioned before, the payment methods shown on the main page are a little misleading. Even though many credit cards are listed, payment can only occur via these two third-party payment services.
PayWall provides higher levels of anonymity whether you use a credit card, bitcoin, or even Mint. This is because, according to PayWall’s website, it “erases sensitive customer data immediately following a successful transaction.”
Be aware, however, that no matter how anonymously you register or pay, the VPN provider – as well as the payment service you use – will always have your real IP as well as some information obtained from you during the transaction. You are obligated to trust their claims of customer data erasure and the level of privacy they provide.
Now keep in mind that even though VPN.asia is based in Belize, Central America, and is subject to the laws of that country, the payment services provided are located in the U.S. and are subject to U.S. laws.
Of course, purchasing a VPN subscription is not illegal in most of the world, so this does not present any legal issues. However, for those who are exceptionally uncompromising when it comes to personal privacy, it’s important to know that the payment services are located in the U.S.
Speed and Performance
Below we will review the performance of the VPN service itself. These speed tests were performed using our updated speed test methodology.
Specifically, with average values of download speed approaching 23 Mbps, it was well above NordVPN’s speed of 17.8 but trailed CyberGhost and VyprVPN by about 10 Mbps. It was nowhere near ExpressVPN’s phenomenal 41.7 Mbps. However, VPN.asia provided this speed relatively steadily over the testing days unlike CyberGhost and VyprVPN which were somewhat erratic.
DNS Lookup speed, on the other hand, was a different story. Except for the very last day of testing, VPN.asia was very quick with DNS lookup times of less than 0.3 seconds. As can be seen from the graphic below, this value was steadily and consistently faster than the rest of the providers examined. As a result, VPN.asia provides excellent response times ideal for web browsing and web page response times.
Finally, connection time values recorded, which is the amount of time that elapses from the moment you hit the connect button to the moment you have Internet access via the VPN, were excellent for VPN.asia. Once again, except for the last day of testing, VPN.asia outperformed all the other providers included in this comparison.
IP leak tests
For this test, we used the CH Zurich server in Switzerland. Using the services provided by ipleak.net, we were able to verify that the IP address was indeed that of the VPN server in Zurich and that no forwarded IP was detected. WebRTC requests were not leaking and neither were DNS requests. Torrent address detection, as well as geolocation detection, also passed the test.
The only criticism to add here is the fact that the DNS control option did not seem to work. Even though we manually added an alternate DNS, ipleak.net indicated that VPN.asia’s default DNS server was still being used. Not a massive problem, because we do prefer DNS requests to be handled by the VPN. Perhaps the VPN would be better off losing this redundant feature.
With the exception of that DNS control feature, VPN.asia passed all leak tests with flying colors. As such, we can give it a thumbs up for privacy.
VoD Services
VPN.asia was also tested with the BBC iPlayer as well as the US Netflix service. The BBC iPlayer was immediately successful but the US Netflix service initially was not. Netflix indicated that “you seem to be using an unblocker or proxy.” This means that the use of a VPN was detected . After testing several more US VPN servers available from VPN.asia, however, I successfully connected. It is not certain how stable this setup is as services such as Netflix may change or improve their VPN detection techniques and block a service that was at one time accessible.
Price
VPN.asia offers three plans to choose from: a monthly, semi-annual, and yearly plan. The first is available for $5.99 a month while the yearly plan, the most cost-effective of the three, calculates to $4.17 per month.
The level of service for all three plans is the same. These are accompanied by a seven-day money-back guarantee allowing you to test and evaluate VPN.asia’s services before committing fully to their service.
When we reviewed VPN.asia a couple of years ago, they offered a no-strings-attached 24-hour free VPN trial. Since then, however, this option has been removed.
According to their main site, payment can be made via several methods.
However, when you actually come to pay, the only options available are PayPal and PayWall payment services. Although the above-mentioned payment methods are indirectly available via those two services, it is annoying that you are incorrectly given the impression that you have the option of paying directly without the use of an intermediary payment service.
What to look for in a VPN?
As an independent review site, we’ve tested dozens of VPNs in terms of speed, encryption protocols, server network, and more. For an average consumer, here’s what you should look for when choosing the best VPN for your needs:
Security: Some critical features include military-grade encryption, integrated kill switch, DNS and IP leak protection, forward secrecy, data breach monitor and safe browsing feature.
Privacy: Consider a VPN’s logging policy and geographic location. Always choose a VPN with an untarnished reputation and transparent zero-log policy. Steer clear of VPNs located in countries with a history of abusing user privacy.
Speed and reliability: Look for VPNs that offer uninterrupted high-speed browsing and unlimited bandwidth.
Simultaneous device connections: Look for VPN services that offer multiple device connections. This means you can protect all of your devices in the household with a single VPN subscription.
Device compatibility: Most VPNs have native apps for major platforms like Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. If you have a multi-platform household, look for a VPN that extends coverage to almost every device: from preconfigured routers to game consoles. Some VPNs also offer browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge.
Server network: In general, the closer you are to a server, the faster your connection. VPNs like Cyberghost and PIA have thousands of servers spread evenly across the world. This means there’ll always be a server nearby, no matter where you are. It also means less congestion on each server and, therefore, a faster connection.
Pricing – What is the cost of VPN.Asia?
VPN.Asia delivers relatively expensive pricing plans to its users. These plans are:
With a single subscription, users can connect with four devices that include:
- PC
- Smartphone
- Streaming device
- Wireless Router
Usually, VPN services do not layout which devices they allow to be connected simultaneously. But VPN.Asia specifies these four devices.
Following are some of the payment methods VPN.Asia provides:
- Bitcoin
- American Express
- MasterCard
- Discover
- PayPal
- Visa
- Diners Club International
Although VPN.Asia has a 7 days refund policy. The internet is flooded with complaints about this claim being bogus. Many users across the web claim that the VPN provides refunds after constant delays.
Comparison between ExpressVPN & VPN.Asia
I have mentioned both of these VPNs’ salient features to help you make the right decision about your privacy.
| Features | ExpressVPN | VPN.Asia |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $6.67/mo (Save 49% and get 3 extra months FREE with 12-month plan) | $4.15/mo |
| Servers | 3000+ in 94 Countries | 40+ in 30 Countries |
| Compatibility | All Devices | Windows, Mac, Android & iOS |
| Jurisdiction | The British Virgin Islands | Belize |
| Logging Policy | Zero Logs | Keep Logs |
| Customer Support | Live Chat & Email Support | FAQs, Live Chat & Email |
| Trust Pilot Score | 4.6 | 4.4 |
| Website | ExpressVPN | VPN.Asia |
Alternatives to VPN.Asia
I have highlighted all the strengths and drawbacks of this VPN. If you are not impressed, check out these alternatives.
- Review Turbo VPN
- Review PrivateVPN
- Review NordVPN
- Review Avast VPN
- Review ExpressVPN
- Review Private Internet Access
- Review PureVPN
- Review VPN Gate
How to Download and Install VPN.asia?
To download the VPN.asia client for your platform of choice:
- Head to the software page on their website.
- Click the icon for your platform
- You’ll be taken to the download page for that platform.
- Click on the download button to start the download
To install it, simply run the downloaded executable file on your computer.
To do this on a Windows PC:
- Double click on the VPNasia.exe file in your Downloads folder.
- Follow the installation instructions and click on Next when necessary.
- When the installation is complete, click on the Finish button.
If you’re on a Mac:
- Click on the VPNasia.dmg file
- Drag and drop the VPN.asia app into the Applications folder
If you’re using a mobile device, you can get the VPN.asia app from the app store for your platform. VPN.asia offers set-up tutorials for routers, consoles, and Linux devices.
Is VPN.asia Safe to Use?
VPN.asia does offer decent security features.
It also does not log your browsing activity.
Thus, the service is quite safe to use.
However, if you need the most secure service you can get, check out our No. 1 alternative – NordVPN.
Should I Subscribe to VPN.asia?
With its poor customer service, slow speeds, and trustworthiness issues, it’s difficult for me to recommend VPN.asia to anyone.
While the plans are quite affordable, the service falls short in many important areas. There are simply better options out there.
NordVPN, for example, offers more robust security, a much larger server fleet, and excellent customer service.
Check it out in the alternatives section below.
How to Cancel VPN.asia?
If you’ve already subscribed to VPN.asia and want out, follow these simple steps to cancel your subscription:
- Log into your account on their site by entering your username and password
- Head to the subscription settings
- Turn off automatic renewal
- Contact customer service to ensure that your subscription is canceled
Final Word
VPN.asia has some things going for it. It’s quite affordable, secure, and supports torrenting. So should you give it a try?
No. Unless, of course, you just want a VPN with Asia in its name.
The service is a huge letdown in the areas of customer service, speed, and trustworthiness.
VPN.asia is a VPN service that does most of the things it sets out to do. Clients behave as they are meant to, and deliver a comprehensive level of security, including military grade 256-bit encryption and good enough speeds for streaming. With the exception of support – which considering the price of the VPN we would expect to be much better – VPN.asia is a satisfactory VPN that provides adequate privacy and security for most people. With servers located worldwide, and good privacy levels, this VPN is good for unblocking and torrenting.