FastestVPN: Low-Cost Lifetime VPN That Excels at Streaming

FastestVPN is secure and includes essential features, plus extras like an ad blocker and double VPN servers, but it’s not as advanced as VPNs like NordVPN or Windscribe. It lacks features such as RAM-only servers and GPS spoofing.

Split tunneling is available on all devices except macOS. The apps support WireGuard, OpenVPN (TCP & UDP), and IKEv2. We recommend OpenVPN or WireGuard for the best mix of speed and security.

Does FastestVPN Encrypt Your Traffic?

We verified FastestVPN’s encryption using Wireshark, a packet-sniffing tool.

As shown in our test, when connected to FastestVPN, our traffic became unreadable, confirming successful encryption.

FastestVPN uses AES-256 and ChaCha20, both industry-leading ciphers. This meets our expectations for a quality VPN.

FastestVPN’s Kill Switch Failed Our Tests

Leaks, Virus & Malware Checks

We ran leak, malware, and tracker tests and were disappointed with the results.

Our leak tests show FastestVPN does not leak IP, DNS, WebRTC, or Geolocation data on macOS, but it does on Windows.

Specifically, DNS requests leak on Windows. DNS leaks are serious because your ISP can still see which websites you visit, significantly reducing privacy. For this reason, we advise against using FastestVPN on Windows.

IPv6 leaks on Windows

FastestVPN does not support IPv6. On macOS, it blocks IPv6 traffic to prevent leaks.

Blocking IPv6 is a safe interim measure, but full IPv6 support is preferable.

On Windows, the app does not automatically block IPv6, and our tests confirmed IPv6 leaks. This is a major security issue.

With only 48 countries, FastestVPN trails many competitors. ExpressVPN, for example, has 109 countries.

It also has just 550 individual servers, whereas many rivals run thousands.

A smaller network increases the risk of server congestion, which can cause slower speeds and frequent CAPTCHAs. This will worsen as the service grows.

Most servers are in Western regions, so users elsewhere may struggle to find nearby, fast connections.

The US is best served, with 13 city-level locations across 13 states.

Available servers can also vary by protocol.

The FastestVPN protocol you choose affects which servers are available.

Physical Server Network

All FastestVPN servers are physical, bare-metal servers, located in the regions they represent.

By contrast, virtual servers provide IPs from a country while being physically hosted elsewhere.

This helps explain the smaller network, as physical servers are more costly to deploy and maintain. The upside is better security and stability.

The exception is India, where FastestVPN uses virtual locations to avoid compliance with India’s VPN data law requiring user data retention. We support this approach.

FastestVPN would not say whether it owns or rents its servers, calling this “confidential.” We assume they’re rented, as many providers publicize owning their infrastructure.

The apps need both design updates and stability improvements. The interface lags behind more polished, user-friendly competitors.

During testing, we ran into technical issues and bugs, such as servers that wouldn’t connect and long loading times.

At the same time, FastestVPN is so light on extra features that it remains simple and beginner-friendly: a home screen with a connect button, a server list, and a settings cog.

FastestVPN on Desktop: macOS & Windows

On macOS, FastestVPN only lets you change servers and protocols. There are no additional features. The kill switch is enabled automatically.

This keeps it simple but not necessarily better. You can have an advanced VPN that remains easy to use—Surfshark, for instance, strikes a good balance.

The Windows app is slightly more capable, with split tunneling and convenience options like Auto-Connect After Launch and Launch at Startup.

However, setting up FastestVPN on Windows is confusing—you must manually install the TAP adapter—and the app crashed frequently in our tests.

FastestVPN on Mobile: iOS & Android

On iOS, FastestVPN is minimal and straightforward, with a central connect button, a server list, and a basic settings page to change protocols or enable Smart Tunneling (split tunneling).

Smart Tunneling lets you route selected traffic outside the VPN tunnel.

The Android app is similarly simple and also supports split tunneling, but the kill switch must be set up manually through Android system settings.

Both mobile apps are extremely easy to use.

Fire TV App Only Works with UDP & TCP Protocol

FastestVPN claims to have a custom Fire TV app, but it doesn’t appear in the Fire TV app store.

Browser Extensions

These extensions include streaming servers for Netflix, Hotstar, PureFlix, and Prime Video US, plus options like Block WebRTC and an ad blocker.

However, in our tests, the extension streaming servers did not unblock the listed sites.

Additionally, the extension ad blockers performed worse than the desktop versions, blocking only 22% of ads and trackers in our tests.

FastestVPN’s extensions are limited and not free, unlike those from Windscribe, CyberGhost, and TunnelBear.

If you’re a FastestVPN subscriber, they can provide quicker, more private browsing. Remember: extensions are not full VPNs and only encrypt browser traffic. They don’t protect other apps like torrent clients or email.

FastestVPN’s browser add-ons are HTTPS proxies. They encrypt browser traffic but leave all non-browser traffic unprotected. They should not replace the full desktop VPN app.