AceVPN – High card or a joker? We’re here to find out how much value and performance AceVPN can give customers.
Let’s jump right in.
AceVPN Specs & Offers
| VPN Name | AceVPN |
|---|---|
| Leak Test | Leaks Detected |
| Logging Policy | Some Logs |
| Speed | Slow |
| Torrenting | Torrenting & P2P Allowed |
| Netflix | Unblocks Netflix |
| Jurisdiction | Inside Five Eyes |
| Servers / Countries | 48 / 26 |
| Max Connections | 2 |
| Kill Switch | Has Kill Switch |
| Anonymous Payment Methods | Not Available |
| Free Trial | Not Available |
| Refunds | 7 Days |
| Customer Support | Email, Ticket, Forums |
| Price Starting From | $3.89 |
AceVPN Pros
Netflix Test: AceVPN has something going for them, Netflix access
Okay AceVPN, here’s a mark in your favor; we’re pleased to say that AceVPN servers do work with Netflix (well, the ones that we managed to get working…).
Looking for more reliable VPNs that work with Netflix? We’ve compiled a list of the best ones right here.
Encryption and Protocols: Solid protection
AceVPN uses the top of the line AES 256-bit encryption.
In addition to this, they also have IKEv2 IPSec VPN servers with a 384-bit elliptic curve digital signature algorithm.
They support the industry’s favorite protocol: OpenVPN, which many consider to be the leading protocol today.
They also support other protocols such as L2TP, PPTP, IPSec, IKEv2, and Smart DNS.
Kill Switch: Another win for AceVPN
Yes, they offer a kill switch. Handy! Obviously the best ones like NordVPN have this feature built in from the get-go.
Torrenting Policy: Yes, but you’re paying for it
AceVPN allows users who purchase their Ultimate Plan to torrent, only with servers that are outside of the US and UK. So yes, you can torrent – just expect to have to pay for it, by purchasing the higher tier package.
If unlimited torrenting is a top priority for you, check out our list of the best VPNs for torrenting.
Device Compatibility: Nice job AceVPN, everything is supported!
If you’re a fan of gadgets and have a number of devices, you’ll have no problem connecting them with AceVPN, as they support a ton of devices.
The usual Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux. They also support Playstation, Xbox, Nintendo Wii, Windows phones, Chromecast, Roku, Asus Routers, Tomato Routers, DD-WRT Routers, Kindle Fire TV and Blu-Ray players – phew. Enough choice for you?
The only downside? You can only connect one device at a time. Not good, AceVPN, not good.
AceVPN Neutral Points
Refund policy: Basic, very basic
AceVPN offers a 7-day money-back guarantee for both their plans.
This comes with no limitations or restrictions, which is nice to see.
The only catch? There’s a one dollar fee for processing the refund.
Customer Support: Email, Forums, and Tickets
AceVPN only offers a ticket system, which at this point is unsurprising.
We emailed them to ask if they have a free trial and got a reply 5 hours later. We’ve definitely seen better (faster) systems here.
AceVPN Cons
Servers and Locations: Where are the rest?
AceVPN has been in business for more than 9 years, but their server offering stops at 48, and across 26 countries.
For a VPN that’s been around for quite some time, this server count is extremely low; considering that there are competitors who are new but offer hundreds if not thousands of servers, this is bleak – very disappointing.
One could argue that the quantity doesn’t matter – only the quality.
In AceVPN’s case, the quality is severely lacking because…
VPN Speed and Performance: Non-existent
Following a lack of server choice, comes a lack of speeds and performance. Speeds are slow, and server reliability is spotty at best, as you can see here:
It wasn’t just one server in the US, this kept happening for the UK region as well.
We ended up only being able to connect to one server, and the performance did not impress anyone:
Pricing & Plans: Far too expensive
AceVPN offers two plans; Premium and Ultimate.
Both plans offer unlimited bandwidth connection, no logging, Free Smart DNS for HD streaming, secure encryption, a seven-day money-back guarantee, and access to all the protocols.
The only difference is their Premium plan only gives you access to 20+ servers that are located in USA, UK, and France.
Their Ultimate plan meanwhile gives you access to all 48 servers in 26 countries and allows you to torrent.
For the pricing, there seems to be a discrepancy as you’ll see in their homepage that the premium plan costs $3.89 while the Ultimate plan costs $11.67.
But if you click “buy now”, the prices change to $5.95 and $15.00 per month.
Weird.
Upon registering we found that the actual prices are $5.95 and $15.00, respectively.
It’s a marketing tactic to convince users their service is cheap, and spring a heftier price on them once they’re in the process of purchasing.
But it’s not all false advertising…
As you check out, you can choose the billing cycle. $140 triennially comes out to $3.89, as advertised. Oh, and you get to use it on just 2 devices under your subscription.
In addition to their two plans, they also offer a free VPN with the features of the premium VPN, focused on providing service to journalists, bloggers, activists, and influencers.
They have a few conditions regarding its use which you’ll have to read up on your own time.
In short, to get the free VPN, you have to email them saying you want the free VPN and that your career is in line with their limitations.
Payment Methods: Some variety
AceVPN allows users to pay using PayPal, mail-in payments, or Bitcoin. Nice to see Bitcoin on the list.
It’s a little strange reading that they accept checks, but hey, when you look at the website design you feel like maybe they accept silver coins too.
Sign Up Process: We’ve seen better
Signing up for AceVPN was quick and easy, but they ask for a lot of information.
First, choose which plan you want to go with. Then pick what billing cycle you prefer.
This will then take you to review and checkout page where you need to put your email address, password, physical address, phone number, and preferred payment method. You can also enter a promotion code if you have one available.
Contrary to other VPNs that only ask for payment info and email address, this is a lot of information.
After you sign up, it’ll lead you to your client area.
The hassle comes when you try to download the software because there’s no indication where the download link actually is.
To download AceVPN on your device, you have to click on the active products and services that you’ll see in the client area.
Scroll down and you’ll find your login credentials.
Click on the VPN Servers and Configuration.
What’s displayed there is dependent on the operating system you’re using.
For further instructions, you can follow the installation guide they have on their knowledge base page.
Product Interface: Decent
Head to your taskbar located on the bottom right of your screen, and click on their icon. A list of their servers will appear and you may choose which one you want to connect to.
So, the program’s interface is fine, in contrast to their website, which is frankly, an old mess. Just finding the download button was difficult. Make it easy for customers AceVPN, please.
The layout of their whole website will definitely benefit from being rearranged to a more efficient.
Product Documentation: Outdated
Some of the tutorials offering in their knowledge base area, like the one for Windows, are accompanied by a video tutorial – pretty convenient until you notice that it is severely outdated and no longer matches the new version of their product. Disclaimed underneath the video is a note saying that they will be updating the video shortly.
If it’s outdated, why would you keep it up on your website, causing confusion for your users?
Logging Policy: Zero does not mean zero, apparently…
Like many VPNs, AceVPN also claims to have a no-logging policy.
Upon checking their privacy policy, it was no surprise when we read that they actually log some information.
AceVPN logs personal information such as name, address, telephone number, credit or debit information, e-mail address, date of birth, IP address and the last four digits of your credit card information.
We don’t know about them, but this is in our eyes, is the opposite of the definition of a “no-logging policy.”
They state, however, that they only use the information contact users regarding the service and products they offer, and that they will not sell, rent or disclose information to other EXCEPT unless stated in their privacy policy.
Forgive us if we don’t believe that.
IP and DNS Leak Test: 1 win, 1 loss
Since we were only able to connect to the French server, we only have one set of tests to show, unfortunately – but don’t worry, because it’s more than enough to cover plenty.
AceVPN isn’t the most reliable VPN – far from it, in fact. The IP test had leaks o’plenty.
Their DNS leak test was clean, though! So…yay, we guess, for that?
AceVPN as a Business
AceVPN is based in the US.
It has been popular among users in Turkey since 2013, when the government shut down access to Facebook and Twitter in retaliation for the Gezi Park protests.
Jurisdiction: Your data is not safe
AceVPN is US-based, meaning it falls under the Five, Nine, and Fourteen-Eyes Alliance. In other words, your data could be at risk if AceVPN does track your data – and as mentioned above, we’d be surprised if your data did indeed stay private.
AceVPN Conclusion: Skip!
Good God, no. Just no.
The only positive things we have to say about AceVPN is that they offer Netflix access and a kill-switch – not exactly unique in the VPN world.
Honestly, based on our experience? Look elsewhere, and stay far far far away from AceVPN.
Seriously, any one of these VPNs would get you a significantly better service.
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