Namecheap VPN (aka FastVPN) is a steal for the value. Keep tuned as we take you inside out on this new child VPN service.
Namecheap began in 2000 as a site registrar. Since then it has added hosting, cybersecurity merchandise and far more to its portfolio.
The newest providing is a digital personal community: Namecheap VPN (now generally known as FastVPN).
Namecheap VPN is a curious case of a rookie making an attempt to beat veterans.
Let’s analyze the case. However first issues first.
What’s a VPN?
I will begin with the identical picture for example a VPN I utilized in my HideMyAss VPN evaluate.
A VPN tries to vary your digital id by hiding your IP handle. It’s achieved by means of a extremely encrypted knowledge tunnel.
That is how a VPN lets you:
- Maintain your searching actions personal.
- Conduct safe on-line transactions on public WiFi
- Train web freedom in international locations like China, Russia, and so on.
- Unblock geo-restricted content material on platforms like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and so on.
- Share information by way of P2P switch mechanisms similar to torrenting.
We examined Namecheap VPN on varied parameters similar to privateness protocols, geo-unblocking, and community pace.
Briefly, it is laborious to not advocate what Namecheap VPN has to supply for the quantity it prices.
However let’s save that for final and begin extra conventionally.
Namecheap VPN Trial
The primary month prices simply $0.99 with the month-to-month package deal, which renews at $7.88 monthly. The annual package deal remains to be extra reasonably priced at $18.88 and renews at $34.56.
Merely register with Namecheap and confirm your most well-liked cost methodology: credit score/debit playing cards, PayPal or Bitcoin. It’s hanging that you don’t pay something for this trial interval at checkout.
Namecheap VPN offers you limitless connections, which is uncommon elsewhere. Furthermore, you should utilize it on virtually any platform: Home windows, Android, macOS, iOS, Linux and WiFi router.
Please notice that this Namecheap VPN evaluate relies on the Home windows software.
Let’s run by means of some options earlier than we begin testing.
Consumer atmosphere
The consumer interface could be very easy so {that a} newbie will really feel snug. The center part brings out the options on the left panel, whereas the remaining stays unchanged.
The benefit of the interface is that nothing is hidden beneath. So there’s a negligible probability that you’ll miss an obtainable characteristic.
Lastly, you’ll be able to contact the FastVPN group instantly for assist by means of the consumer dashboard.
VPN connection
The default display has the choice to hook up with the obtainable servers. On the time of writing, there have been 1000 in over 50 international locations.
You’ll be able to click on on the Greatest obtainable on the high to hook up with the closest server. This feature offers you the quickest speeds obtainable.
Nonetheless, the server load (displayed as Load % by the server identify) additionally impacts the displayed speeds. You’ll be able to mark your favourite servers after which filter them to be on the high.
Re-marking a rustic with a number of servers will robotically join you to the very best one. Or you may as well search by means of the listing to focus on a selected location inside a rustic.
Kill swap
Kill swap defends your IP handle from publicity when a VPN connection is misplaced. This might be as a result of switching between the servers, forgetting to activate the VPN, or a technical drawback.
So there isn’t any web if the Kill Change is enabled if the VPN connection is misplaced.
Protocols
VPN protocols are the networking conventions you employ to get on-line by means of a VPN software.
There are various VPN protocols, every of which has sure traits and utilization situations.
For instance the IKev2 is finest for cellular units. It shortly reconnects whenever you swap between completely different networks.
And the OpenVPN protocol affords an ideal stability between privateness and pace.
This additional makes use of TCP or UDP community protocols. TCP mode is considerably gradual, however very safe and environment friendly at breaking by means of firewalls. UDP helps quick connections, however places safety within the backseat.
You’ll be able to try our VPN protocol information to dive deeper into this.
Replace: FastVPN has now added the WireGuard protocol to strike an ideal stability between connection speeds and safety.
Chrome extension
Namecheap now affords a Chrome extension that unlocks extra streaming websites for the US, Canada and UK.
The extension lets you hook up with worldwide content material by means of the browser and play on-line video games which are blocked in your area or have a unique model.
Log knowledge
Make certain that is turned off.
Regardless of the promise, utilizing a VPN with it turned on kills the elemental thought – privateness – behind utilizing a VPN.
Let’s transfer on to actual world achievements.
Velocity check
The encryption and distance between you and the VPN server inevitably take their toll on community pace. Whereas no VPN service supplier can totally compensate for the pace throttling, minimal influence is clearly higher for finish customers.
Listed below are the outcomes of checks carried out with the OpenVPN TCP protocol:
| Server | Ping (ms) | Obtain (Mbps) | Add (Mbps) | Tax (%) | About. Distance (KM) |
| Customary | 7 | 49.14 | 40.04 | THAT | THAT |
| Greatest (computerized) | 24 | 46.92 | 40.88 | 31 | 500 |
| Denver | 272 | 13.84 | 18.94 | 16 | 12770 |
| New York | 279 | 24.15 | 23.49 | 16 | 11980 |
| Glasgow | 385 | 12.28 | 8.69 | 14 | 7015 |
| Singapore | 78 | 37.67 | 0.26 | 21 | 6200 |
Whereas it appears fairly good to debate pace check outcomes, they’re very depending on the circumstances. You would be fortunate if you happen to get comparable outcomes for 2 checks run back-to-back on the identical server, simply seconds aside.
Mainly, these are for reference solely and should fluctuate as you blink.
Encryption check
I used Wireshark to confirm that the information packets are literally encrypted.
Whereas the With out VPN encryption particulars will not be that vital to a layperson, hackers can use these bits of knowledge to wreak havoc.
In conclusion, the random knowledge on the best of the previous picture attests to the encryption.
DNS leak check
A DNS leak check tells you who’s dealing with your DNS requests. Inefficient VPNs typically use these requests to establish your ISP’s DNS servers (and due to this fact your self), even if you happen to’re linked by means of a VPN.
Take a look at these DNS leak check outcomes with a VPN mishandling DNS requests or with no VPN connection:
With the VPN:
The DNS leak check steered that the DNS requests go to the VPN servers, and there’s no leak.
Geo unblocking check
That is one other (and typically the one) motive why a consumer subscribes to a VPN service. Briefly, Namecheap VPN handed this check with flying colours.
Whereas no streaming-optimized servers have been listed and it is best to strive country-specific areas, it labored for all: Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and Amazon Prime USA.
Listed below are the screenshots:
Netflix US
That is the earlier than image. I looked for Final account, a US present, and the outcomes steered related titles, however skipped the precise search time period as a result of I do not stay within the US.
Then I linked to the Ashburn server (United States) and clicked refresh. The brand new solutions this time gave the specified output as the primary end result:
BBC iPlayer
Equally, BBC iPlayer has locked me out The vacationer.
And once more, Namecheap VPN involves the rescue, this time with their Maidenhead server, UK.
Amazon Prime US
I had comparable success unlocking Amazon Prime US:
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Hulu
Hulu turned out to be lots smarter. Their methods double verify your US location. First, I used to be in a position to bypass it and create an account with them.
However I used to be held again on the cost web page as a result of I did not have a US registered cost choice.
Don’t worry. You’ll be able to nonetheless personal a reputable US pay as you go bank card with no US social safety quantity. Simply google US bank card for non-residents begin.
Conclusion
Namecheap VPN is nice particularly for streaming apps. Even the privateness options are nothing to complain about.
That mentioned, break up tunneling might be a terrific addition, together with a listing of devoted streaming and P2P optimized servers.
However the filth low cost quantity it prices negates all these issues effortlessly.
You must also evaluate some options to contemplate earlier than buying a VPN.