As we delve deeper into the digital age, there are few things more precious than our online privacy and security. How well does LiquidVPN hold up under scrutiny? In this comprehensive and critical review, we examine its merits and drawbacks in light of the fierce competition it faces in the virtual private network (VPN) market.
Summary of Key Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| đź’¸ Price | 7 USD/month |
| 📆 Money-back guarantee | 7 days |
| đź“ť Does the VPN keep logs? | No |
| đź–Ą Number of servers | 40+ |
| 🛡 Kill switch | Yes |
| đź—ş Headquarters | United States |
| đź› Support | Ticket-based, Email |
| đź“Ą Torrent support | Yes |
| 🎥 Streaming service support | Limited |
Security and Encryption
When it comes to VPNs, security is the first order of business. It’s the foundation upon which every other feature is built. So, how does LiquidVPN stand in the realm of security? Let’s find out.
Used Security Technologies
LiquidVPN utilizes the standard security technologies seen in most VPN services. Primarily, it employs the 256-bit AES encryption, which is considered the gold standard for data encryption in the VPN industry. It’s the same level of encryption used by the U.S. government and by banks to secure sensitive information, indicating the robustness of this choice.
However, one could argue that in this age of rapid digital advancement, leaning solely on standard technologies might not suffice. More forward-thinking competitors are continually innovating, incorporating cutting-edge security technologies like WireGuard and Lightway. By comparison, LiquidVPN’s reliance on tried and tested methods, while dependable, seems somewhat lackluster.
Used Encryption Technologies
The company offers three different types of VPN tunneling protocols: OpenVPN, SSTP, and L2TP/IPSec. OpenVPN is known for its balance between speed and security, whereas L2TP/IPSec and SSTP are typically valued for their sturdy security features. On the surface, this might seem adequate. However, the absence of other advanced protocol options, like the increasingly popular WireGuard protocol, leaves LiquidVPN lagging behind.
Did you know? The WireGuard protocol is known for its lean and efficient code, which makes it faster and less vulnerable to security issues.
Principles of Personal Data Protection and Jurisdiction
The value of a VPN service is heavily dependent on its respect for your data privacy and its jurisdiction. A cursory glance at LiquidVPN’s data protection principles and jurisdiction might make you raise an eyebrow.
Analysis of Personal Data Protection Principles
LiquidVPN promises not to log any of your online activities. This “no-logs” policy is a standard claim in the VPN world, but the real measure is in its application. The company’s privacy policy further reinforces this, stating that it does not monitor or record your online activities.
But while the policy paints a satisfactory picture of data protection, there have been instances where VPN providers claim a “no-logs” policy while continuing to keep minimal logs. The risk is real and always present.
Is your data really private with LiquidVPN? It’s a gamble, just like with most VPN providers. As the saying goes, “Trust, but verify.” However, without third-party audits to corroborate their claim, verification remains a blind spot for LiquidVPN.
Company Jurisdiction
LiquidVPN is based in the United States, a founding member of the international surveillance alliance, Five Eyes. The US jurisdiction is known for its intrusive surveillance laws, which can force companies like LiquidVPN to hand over any user data they might possess. The location of LiquidVPN raises significant concerns about data privacy, particularly given the jurisdiction’s infamous reputation.
Did you know? The Five Eyes is an intelligence alliance comprising Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. These countries share intelligence information, raising concerns about data privacy.
These initial findings place LiquidVPN firmly in the realm of ‘average’ when it comes to VPN services. Its security measures are by no means inadequate, but they’re also not particularly innovative or ahead of the curve. With robust competitors constantly pushing boundaries, one can’t help but question if “average” is good enough.
As we move further into this review, remember: when it comes to your online security, settling for less might not be the best strategy. So, will LiquidVPN surprise us in other areas? We’ll find out in the subsequent sections.
Server Network
The efficiency of a VPN service is often judged by the breadth and quality of its server network. With LiquidVPN, we get a mixed bag of good and not-so-good features. Let’s dive into the details.
Overview of the Server Network
LiquidVPN boasts a humble network of servers. With about 40 servers spread across 11 countries, it doesn’t have the massive global coverage seen with some of its competitors. However, it does claim that each server is optimized for speed and stability, offering unlimited server switching to ensure an uninterrupted experience for users.
But here’s the catch. With server numbers that low, LiquidVPN falls far behind many competitors, which could potentially impact the quality of your connection. A larger server network ensures load balancing and redundancy, which in turn can lead to more stable and faster connections. In the world of VPNs, it’s clear that size does matter.
Global Coverage and Availability
Despite the limited number of servers, LiquidVPN provides a decent geographical spread. You’ll find their servers in key locations across Europe, North America, and Asia. However, the absence of servers in Africa, South America, and the Oceania region might present some challenges, particularly for users located in or trying to connect to these regions.
While global coverage might not seem crucial to the average user, it plays a vital role in ensuring a consistent connection. More servers in diverse locations offer greater opportunities for bypassing geo-restrictions and censorship. With limited coverage, LiquidVPN misses out on catering to a broader user base.
Number of Servers
As noted earlier, LiquidVPN’s server count leaves a lot to be desired. In comparison, leading VPN providers offer thousands of servers, ensuring their network can handle heavy traffic while providing numerous connection options.
A sparse server network could potentially impact your VPN experience during peak times, as congested servers can lead to slower speeds or even disconnections. Unfortunately, LiquidVPN’s low server count fails to inspire confidence in this regard.
Server Speed
LiquidVPN claims that each of their servers is high-speed, but the lack of independent speed test results is a glaring omission. Without these results, it’s hard to validate the company’s claims about speed, leaving us to take their word for it.
Server Speed Table in Different Countries
Unfortunately, due to the lack of third-party speed test results, we cannot provide a detailed table outlining LiquidVPN’s server speed in various countries. As a potential customer, it’s advisable to seek out these metrics from independent sources before committing to a subscription.
Streaming and Torrenting
A VPN that allows you to bypass geo-restrictions and enjoy your favorite content from anywhere is always a plus. Furthermore, many users turn to VPNs for torrenting activities to ensure their downloads remain private and secure. How does LiquidVPN fare in these areas?
Streaming
LiquidVPN purports to be a reliable solution for streaming, claiming to unblock numerous streaming platforms. However, these claims often fall short in real-world application.
LiquidVPN struggles to consistently unblock the most sought-after platforms such as Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Hulu. The VPN’s ability to unblock these services seems to vary from one day to another, with no guarantees. Compared to industry leaders, this inconsistency could be a major setback for avid streamers.
Supported Services
The lack of reliable information on the exact streaming services that LiquidVPN can unblock consistently adds another layer of uncertainty. It’s always recommended to check with customer service before committing, to avoid disappointment later.
Supported Services Table
In lieu of concrete data from LiquidVPN, we can’t provide a definitive table outlining the streaming services the VPN can unblock consistently. It’s wise to take the company’s claims with a grain of salt until they can be independently verified.
Torrenting
On a more positive note, LiquidVPN supports torrenting on all its servers. This unrestricted P2P support places it ahead of some competitors who only allow torrenting on specific servers.
However, the smaller server network could still pose issues, particularly with potential server overload and slower speeds. Additionally, the lack of a kill switch on all of its applications raises concerns. This essential feature ensures your real IP address is not exposed if your VPN connection drops, which is critical when torrenting.
Supported Clients
While LiquidVPN supports popular torrenting clients like BitTorrent, uTorrent, and Deluge, it’s important to remember that the absence of a kill switch on all apps could pose a risk to your privacy.
Supported Clients Table
| Torrenting Client | Supported by LiquidVPN |
|---|---|
| BitTorrent | Yes |
| uTorrent | Yes |
| Deluge | Yes |
| Vuze | Yes |
In conclusion, LiquidVPN exhibits significant weaknesses in crucial areas like server network and streaming. For the unblocking of streaming services, consistency is the key, and LiquidVPN falls short. The company also has a modest server network that pales in comparison to other industry leaders, which could limit its performance and reliability.
Compatibility and User-Friendliness
When it comes to VPNs, ease of use, and compatibility with various platforms, these are important considerations. A VPN that supports a range of devices and is easy to navigate can significantly improve your online experience. Does LiquidVPN make the grade? Let’s find out.
Compatibility with Different Platforms
LiquidVPN offers applications for the most commonly used platforms: Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS. They also offer configuration files for Linux users, which is commendable, considering many competitors often overlook Linux.
Additionally, LiquidVPN also supports a range of routers. However, it’s worth noting that setting up a VPN on a router might require some technical know-how.
While the cross-platform support is adequate, the absence of browser extensions is a noticeable drawback. Browser extensions offer quick and convenient access to VPN services, and their absence from LiquidVPN’s suite of offerings is a miss.
Did you know? VPN browser extensions allow you to control your VPN connection directly from your browser, which can be handy for tasks like quickly changing your location or adjusting security settings.
User-Friendliness Rating
LiquidVPN’s applications are designed with simplicity in mind, which should be good news for VPN beginners. The interface is clean and uncomplicated, making it easy to select a server and connect.
However, it lacks some of the more advanced features that seasoned VPN users might be looking for, such as a kill switch in all its applications. This essential feature helps protect your online privacy if your VPN connection drops.
The VPN’s user-friendliness is undermined by its customer support. Users have reported slow response times and lackluster support, which can be frustrating when you need help right away.
Pricing and Package
No review would be complete without considering the cost. Is LiquidVPN a good bang for your buck? Here’s what we found out.
Overview of Prices and Packages
LiquidVPN offers three pricing tiers: SideKick, Road Warrior, and Ultimate. Each package offers an increasing number of simultaneous connections, starting from two with SideKick, to eight with Ultimate. The cost ranges from $7 per month for SideKick to $18 per month for Ultimate if you opt for a monthly subscription. However, these prices can drop significantly if you commit to a longer plan.
While it’s good to see a variety of options, the price point is on the higher side compared to other VPN services that offer more features and better performance. Moreover, only offering two simultaneous connections at the lowest tier might be insufficient for modern users who often have more than two devices.
Trial Version
One area where LiquidVPN excels is in offering a trial version. Users can avail of a 24-hour free trial to test out the service before deciding to purchase. This is a nice touch, showing that LiquidVPN has faith in its product.
Money-Back Guarantee
In addition to the trial version, LiquidVPN also offers a 7-day money-back guarantee. While a week might be enough time to determine if the VPN meets your needs, the refund period is relatively short when compared to the 30-day guarantees offered by many competitors.
In these two sections, LiquidVPN shows mixed results. While the service has decent platform compatibility and offers user-friendly apps, it falls short in areas like browser extensions and advanced features. When it comes to pricing, the VPN is on the pricier side considering its feature set and performance. However, the availability of a free trial is a positive aspect, allowing potential users to give the service a spin before investing in it.
Customer Support
Good customer support can make or break a user’s experience with a product or service. In the realm of VPNs, where technical issues can crop up, having a responsive and knowledgeable support team is crucial. How does LiquidVPN fare in this aspect?
Table of Support Contact Options
Here’s a snapshot of LiquidVPN’s customer support options:
| Support Type | Available |
|---|---|
| Live Chat | No |
| Email/Support Ticket | Yes |
| Phone Support | No |
| Knowledge Base/FAQs | Yes |
LiquidVPN doesn’t offer live chat support, which is disappointing, as this has become the industry standard due to its promptness and convenience. Instead, users are left with email or support ticket options for direct contact, which may not provide the instant answers many users look for, especially during urgent situations.
LiquidVPN does have a knowledge base on its website, including setup guides and FAQs. While these resources can be helpful, the absence of community forums or a searchable database is noticeable. Such features could help users troubleshoot minor issues without requiring direct support.
Perhaps the biggest point of contention is the responsiveness and efficiency of the support team. There have been reports of slow response times, even with urgent matters, which can be frustrating for users experiencing issues with the service.
LiquidVPN is also available on Twitter.
Pros and Cons
Like any product, LiquidVPN has its strengths and weaknesses. It’s important to evaluate both to see if the VPN suits your needs.
Analysis of Advantages and Disadvantages
On the upside, LiquidVPN offers strong encryption and security protocols, an important aspect for any VPN user. The support for torrenting on all servers and the availability of a free trial also deserve commendation. However, these advantages are somewhat overshadowed by a litany of drawbacks.
LiquidVPN’s small server network, inconsistent streaming performance, lack of a kill switch in all applications, absence of live chat support, and relatively high prices all combine to paint a picture of a VPN service that may struggle to keep up with the competition.
Description of Pros and Cons for Users
Let’s break down the pros and cons for users:
Pros
- Strong Security: With the use of OpenVPN and L2TP/IPSec protocols along with AES-256 encryption, LiquidVPN offers robust security to protect your online privacy.
- Supports Torrenting: Unlike some VPNs that limit P2P activities to certain servers, LiquidVPN allows torrenting on all its servers.
- Free Trial: A 24-hour free trial allows potential users to test out the service before committing to a subscription.
Cons
- Small Server Network: With only about 40 servers in 11 countries, LiquidVPN’s server network is modest compared to other leading VPN providers.
- Streaming Inconsistency: While LiquidVPN claims to unblock popular streaming platforms, user experiences suggest this is not consistently true.
- Lack of Kill Switch in All Apps: This essential feature is missing in some of LiquidVPN’s applications, which could expose your real IP address if the VPN connection drops.
- No Live Chat Support: LiquidVPN does not offer live chat support, leaving users with slower methods of contact when they need assistance.
- High Pricing: Considering its features and performance, LiquidVPN is priced higher than many of its competitors that offer better services.
Summary in Bullet Point in Table Format
Here’s a quick glance at the pros and cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Strong encryption and protocols | Small server network |
| Supports torrenting | Inconsistent streaming performance |
| Free trial available | Lack of kill switch in all apps |
| No live chat support | |
| Higher prices |
In conclusion, while LiquidVPN has some commendable aspects like strong security and torrenting support, it falls short in key areas like server network size, streaming performance, user support, and pricing. Potential users should weigh these pros and cons carefully before deciding if LiquidVPN is the right choice for them.
Alternatives
While LiquidVPN has its strengths and weaknesses, it’s crucial to understand how it stacks up against the competition. Below, we’ll compare LiquidVPN with other popular VPN services in the market: NordVPN, Surfshark VPN, PureVPN, and ExpressVPN.
LiquidVPN vs NordVPN
When compared to LiquidVPN, NordVPN stands out as a more robust option. NordVPN boasts a much larger server network, with over 5400 servers in 59 countries, vastly outnumbering LiquidVPN’s offerings. Furthermore, NordVPN consistently unblocks popular streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer, providing a more reliable streaming experience than LiquidVPN. Additionally, NordVPN offers live chat support, a feature sorely missing in LiquidVPN’s service.
However, LiquidVPN does provide a free trial, an option NordVPN doesn’t offer. Yet, considering NordVPN’s extensive features and consistent performance, it is generally seen as a more comprehensive solution compared to LiquidVPN.
LiquidVPN vs Surfshark VPN
Surfshark VPN is another tough competitor for LiquidVPN. With over 3200 servers in 65 countries, Surfshark VPN surpasses LiquidVPN’s server count by a significant margin. Surfshark VPN also supports an unlimited number of devices simultaneously, which is considerably more generous than LiquidVPN’s limit of eight connections for its top-tier plan. Furthermore, Surfshark VPN has live chat support and a more user-friendly interface, enhancing its overall user experience.
LiquidVPN’s edge over Surfshark VPN lies in its free trial offering. However, Surfshark VPN counters this with a very competitively priced 24-month subscription plan, making it a value-for-money choice in the long run.
LiquidVPN vs PureVPN
When it comes to PureVPN, it offers more than 6500 servers across 140+ countries, leaving LiquidVPN far behind. PureVPN also supports up to 10 devices simultaneously, outperforming LiquidVPN’s maximum of eight. PureVPN’s 31-day money-back guarantee trumps LiquidVPN’s seven-day offer, providing users more time to evaluate the service.
On the positive side, LiquidVPN supports torrenting on all servers, whereas PureVPN restricts P2P activities to selected servers. LiquidVPN also offers a free trial, unlike PureVPN.
LiquidVPN vs ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN, with its ultra-fast speeds, strong security, and consistent ability to bypass geo-restrictions, has set a high standard in the VPN industry. It offers servers in 94 countries, live chat support, and a highly intuitive interface across all its apps.
LiquidVPN does score points over ExpressVPN by offering a free trial and allowing more simultaneous connections at its highest tier. However, ExpressVPN’s top-notch performance and extensive features largely overshadow these minor advantages.
Conclusion
LiquidVPN, while offering a reasonable level of service, falls short when compared to some of the leading VPN providers. Issues such as a limited server network, inconsistency in streaming, lack of certain crucial features, and higher pricing mar its overall appeal.
The service does have its advantages, including robust encryption protocols and support for torrenting. The free trial is also a welcome feature. However, these positives don’t entirely make up for its shortcomings, especially when compared to other providers offering more comprehensive services at competitive prices.
Ultimately, whether LiquidVPN is a good fit for you depends on your specific needs and expectations. However, if a vast server network, consistent streaming performance, responsive customer support, and value for money are important to you, then you may want to consider other alternatives in the market.
In the complex and competitive world of VPN services, LiquidVPN has some ground to cover if it wants to match up to the market leaders. It’s a service that might suffice for basic VPN needs, but for users seeking a comprehensive, reliable, and high-performance VPN solution, there seem to be better options available.
The final decision, as always, rests in the hands of you, the user. We hope this review helps inform that choice.
FAQ
LiquidVPN uses AES-256 encryption, considered the industry standard for its robustness and security. This level of encryption is virtually uncrackable and used by banks and governments worldwide.
Yes, LiquidVPN offers apps for both Android and iOS devices. However, keep in mind that the user interface and certain features may differ from the desktop versions.
While LiquidVPN has in the past claimed to work in China, the constant changes to the country’s internet restrictions make this a bit of a grey area. If you’re traveling to China or any other country with strict internet censorship, you may want to opt for a VPN known for its reliability in such regions.
Yes, LiquidVPN can be installed on certain routers. This allows you to protect all devices connected to your home network, which can be beneficial if you have devices that don’t natively support VPNs.
No, LiquidVPN offers unlimited data usage on all of its plans. This means you can browse, stream, and download as much as you want without worrying about hitting a data cap.
According to its privacy policy, LiquidVPN doesn’t keep any logs that could be used to identify a user’s online activity. However, they do collect some minimal information for account management and troubleshooting.
