ZenMate VPN Review

Zenmate VPN offers their users both free and paid subscription.

Their free version has IPSec IKEv2 & L2TP protocols, only the premium version comes with OpenVPN tunneling protocol.

Many VPNs offer 256-bit AES encryption, but Zenmate has only 128-bit encryption.

They claim to have reached as many as 43 million users, founded loudly and proudly on three simple words: Fast. Secure. Easy.

But does ZenMate meet its promise?

Find out in this review…

Zenmate VPN Overview

OVERALL RANK:	64
USABILITY:	0/5
LOG FILES:	Grey Area
LOCATIONS:	31 countries, 298 servers
SUPPORT:	Contact Form Only
TORRENTING:	Not allowed
NETFLIX:	Unblocks Netflix USA
ENCRYPTION/PROTOCOL:	128 and 256-bit encryption AES; OpenVPN, IPSec, IKEv2, L2TP
COST:	$2.05/Month
OFFICIAL WEBSITE:	www.ZenMate.com

ZenMate Pros

1. Safe Encryption, Strong Protocols

Your VPN protocol is what tunnels your signal around the world. It’s how you get from Point A to Point B.

There are many different VPN tunneling protocols in use today, some far better than others.

For Mac users, ZenMate uses IPSec and IKEv2 protocols. This is a stable and secure protocol that performs well. It’s one of the fastest protocols out there and it’s super easy to set up, so, awesome.

It does have limited platform support, though, and may be vulnerable to firewalls.

Windows users have access to IPSec and IKEv2 as well, with the added option of L2TP/IPSec.

ZenMate Ultimate, their premium plan, is compatible with OpenVPN software. Through this system, users can “upgrade” ZenMate’s service to the infinitely preferable OpenVPN tunneling protocol. OpenVPN open sourced system is maintained by the entire cybersecurity community and is widely considered the industry standard for safety.

For encryption, ZenMate’s protocols support AES, which is used by fortune 500 companies and the federal government alike. It’s powerful and secure.

These protocols can run both AES 128 and 256. While 256 is stronger, ZenMate repeatedly states that they believe the 128 is more effective.

They claim that the 256-bit AES used by government agencies is overkill on the individual level, and not worth the added cost. (It also makes it a little faster.)

Still strong enough to land it under the Pros.

2. Speed Loss is Within Acceptable Levels

There are VPNs which slow your internet speed to a screeching halt, and there are some which cause a hardly noticeable shift.

But make no mistake:

All VPNs will slow you down, at least a little bit.

So where does ZenMate fall between the atrociously slow and the moderately decreased?

Somewhere in the middle.

The EU test saw a strong download speed, with the upload falling more into the average range than we usually like to see.

EU Speed Test

• Ping: 39 ms
• Download: 63.44 Mbps (34.5% Slower Than 97 Mbps Benchmark)
• Upload: 12.81 Mbps (75.8% Slower Than 53 Mbps Benchmark)

The US server that we tested fared about the same, except upload speeds plummeted into unacceptable levels.

US Speed Test

• Ping: 204 ms
• Download: 57.03 Mbps (41.2% Slower Than 97 Mbps Benchmark)
• Upload: 2.98 Mbps (94.3% Slower Than 53 Mbps Benchmark)

So, while we consider these speeds to be in the pro column, it was a close decision.

Out of the 78 VPNs we’ve tested, we rank ZenMate #23 in terms of speed.

3. Works With Netflix

Have you ever cursed at this screen?

That error code is the bane of a VPN user’s existence.

It’s a Netflix error blocking access to their service for using a VPN. Why do they do this? Because Netflix doesn’t want you duping its system.

Netflix’s content is geo-locked, so different areas have different television shows and movies to choose from.

We tested five of ZenMate’s servers and two of them managed to work with Netflix. It might be worth noting that both of those servers were located within the US.

Because of this, ZenMate made it onto our list of VPNs that work with Netflix.

4. Sizable Server Park and Kill Switch

According to the main page of their website, they have 298 servers located within 31 different countries. That’s pretty impressive, considering a year ago they barely had 40.

They’re big into the bypassing of censorship, which is especially helpful if you’re using their service in a country that restricts internet use.

They allow five connections per account, which is pretty similar to most VPNs we’ve reviewed.

One of my favorite ZenMate features is its built-in kill switch. This is an added layer of protection that will abruptly end your session if your signal becomes unsecured. This has become a common feature of most of the best VPNs that we review.

5. Unlimited P2P Torrenting

ZenMate used to get a lot of heat for not allowing torrenting on their servers.

But they’ve seemingly wisened-up in recent years, offering unlimited P2P traffic on their premium and ultimate packages.

It should be noted, however, that in their terms of service, ZenMate talks about banned activities, and includes something that sounds an awful lot like torrenting.

Torrenting utilizes peer to peer communication to download small bits of large files from multiple people. There’s a danger associated with this, of course. You’re letting strangers into your system.

That’s why most torrenters like to use a VPN as an extra layer of armor between their private information and cybercriminals who want to loot and plunder their system.

Many companies have taken to banning the use of P2P torrenting on their servers, but I’m happy to see ZenMate and others continuing to support this valuable service.

6. No Viruses

We always check our VPNs for viruses, scanning the program in search of 66 different viruses which could be betraying system security.

ZenMate received a clean bill of health.

7. Supports Many Devices

Thanks to the recent edition of OpenVPN software, ZenMate has become a much more versatile VPN alternative.

ZenMate works across web browsers, desktop computers, and mobile platforms. Smart TV devices aren’t officially covered, but they can be used with OpenVPN software.

You can officially use ZenMate with Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and on the Chrome, Firefox, Opera browsers, and even for your routers through their downloadable VPN service.

This impressive lineup, coupled with the recent addition of OpenVPN software makes ZenMate a VPN that you can use on a wide variety of devices anywhere in the home.

 

ZenMate Cons

While there’s much to love about this service, there’s still quite a bit to be nervous about.

Unclear logging policies and a jurisdiction placing it right in the crosshairs of a multi-nation surveillance alliance make me antsy.

On top of that, their customer support leaves much to be desired, consisting of a contact form with less-than-stellar responses.

Let’s dive into the other side.

1. Logs Your Original IP Address

ZenMate claims that they don’t log or hold onto any of your activity or data.

They say in their official privacy policy, “Our objective is that no personal data is collected, processed or permanently stored.”

Digging a little deeper, I found some more information:

Collecting information about my browser and operating system are not a violation of my privacy. It’s not identifying information, so I’m good with this.

Whoa.

Back up.

They’re logging my original IP address?

They make sure it’s anonymized and it is mentioned that all of it isn’t logged. However, it’s still collected which still raises a red flag.

It’s important to note that the company makes sure to stress that information is not stored once the VPN is enabled. But if you can be identified as someone who is using a VPN, it’s not truly anonymous service, even if your activity remains safe.

2. Located in Germany (Within 14 Eyes Jurisdiction)

ZenMate’s German location falls under the scope of the 14 Eyes surveillance alliance, the infamous espionage alliance.

How secure is “secure” when 14 different governments can have their hands in your information?

3. IP Leaks Detected

DNS and WebRTC leaks can completely unravel a VPNs ability to protect your information.

Whether it’s a DNS server ignoring your VPN tunnel or WebRTC APIs undoing your security, the end result is the same.

Your original IP is out for the world to see.

Out of six tests, ZenMate only failed one, but even one failure is enough to put a VPN’s safety into question.

• https://ipleak.net/ – Failed

• https://www.perfect-privacy.com/check-ip – Passed

• https://ipx.ac/run – Passed

• https://browserleaks.com/webrtc – Passed

• https://www.perfect-privacy.com/dns-leaktest/ – Passed

• https://dnsleak.com – Failed

That’s a major issue.

4. Buggy, Crashing, and Wouldn’t Start

I attempted to use ZenMate for Windows.

Please note the word “attempt.”

When I first clicked the download link on their website, I was shocked at how fast it loaded onto my laptop. It was downloaded and opened within 10 seconds.

Then, my astonishment turned to frustration very quickly.

That blank white screen was all I got. If I moved the mouse over where login fields should be I got a cursor, so this was clearly just an issue with the program.

I minimized the window and opened it back up.

The blank white screen turned into a blank black screen.

I stopped banging my head on my desk, took an ibuprofen, and reached out to their customer support department, receiving the following email the next day:

This was irritating as it is clearly a ‘copy and paste’ response. I had already sent them the two screenshots with my ticket submission, so it seems like my initial request for help was barely read.

If I were a consumer and not a reviewer, I would have uninstalled their program immediately and moved on with my life.

Instead, since I love my job, I answered their questions and sent them the screenshots for a second time.

Still no response.

5. Timely, But Vague Support Response

ZenMate uses a contact form for their customer support tickets. I was very impressed by how much their system has changed since I first tried to use it in early summer 2018.

First, you click on the support link at the top of the page.

Once you’ve arrived at the Support page, you’ll notice a small “Help” button in the lower right-hand corner.

After you’ve clicked on that, their customer support contact form pops up.

I asked about their torrenting services, and whether or not the TOR service works on their network. My request was sent through at around 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, September 16, 2018.

I was dismayed to find that I received no automatic email confirming that my question was received. This is usually a good service as it gives a consumer peace of mind knowing that someone has received their query and will be in contact.

Instead, I was left scratching my head and wondering when or if I would receive any response.

I received a response less than 24 hours later, though I wasn’t thrilled with it at all.

This was a timely response, however, it doesn’t really answer my questions. I asked if their service allows TOR and torrenting. They answered questions related to torrenting service but they never directly addressed my initial query.

I know from my own research that they allow P2P services with their paid plan. I think that’s what Adam here is trying to tell me, but he doesn’t come out and say it.

Instead, they pushed their premium service on me without ever acknowledging the initial question.

While they’ve definitely stepped up their customer support game over the years, ZenMate still has a long way to go in this regard.

ZenMate VPN Costs, Plans, & Payment Options

There are three tiers to ZenMate besides the free option.

Like most free services, the free option is quite limited. You’ve got TLS encryption, their firewall services, browser extensions, and servers located in Germany, Hong Kong, the United States, and Romania.

But since the free service is limited only to the browser extensions, it’s a proxy and not a full VPN. It encrypts the data passing through the browser, but not through other services on your computer.

Otherwise, you gotta pay.

The Premium package comes with the full desktop VPN client for Windows or Mac, the fastest speeds, the use of almost 300 servers in 31 countries, Malware blocking, and tracking protection.

It is priced at $11.99 per month on a month to month basis, which is on par with what most VPNs are charging for no commitment. For a one year plan, you’re saving 67% and paying $3.99 per month. If you want to use it for two years year, the price drops down to an even better $2.05 per month.

The Ultimate Package includes everything you get with the premium, plus a streaming guarantee.

All paid plans come with a 30-day money back guarantee, which is great. I love to see companies standing behind the performance of their product.

As far as payment options go, you have a few choices.

You can use PayPal, credit card, Union Pay, or Qiwi Wallet. No cryptocurrency, unfortunately.

Do We Recommend ZenMate?

No, we do not.

Protocols and encryption are decent. I was happy to see their embrace of OpenVPN, effectively bringing the service to multiple platforms. Definitely a positive step in the right direction!

But…

The fact that it’s logging my original IP address and is located within the jurisdiction of a surveillance alliance makes me nervous.

The leaks we found were worrisome. If I’m using a device for security I need to know that it’s bulletproof.

My hands-on test was an utter disaster, and I couldn’t get the program to work. That solidified my recommendation.

Had the customer service team actually walked me through the issue I was having, I would have been more forgiving. But they clearly only skimmed my questions and offered the most basic non-personalized responses they could muster.

Out of the 78 VPNs we’ve reviewed, we rank ZenMate at number 64. It missed our bottom 10 by two slots.

I recommend getting a VPN like NordVPN, Surfshark or ExpressVPN.

Don’t waste your time (and money) with Zenmate.

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