RapidVPN Full Review: All-in-One VPN

Despite its modest number of servers, RapidVPN has good servers distribution in the US, UK, Sweden, Canada, Netherlands, Switzerland, and Germany. What about its services and plans? Let's keep reading to learn more about it.

RapidVPN Speed

It would be totally pointless if a VPN unblocked online content but couldn't deliver decent internet connection speed. That's why before making up your mind on a VPN service, you need to question many of its aspects, like speed, security, price, and so on. This section discusses RapidVPN's speed, the fastest protocol, and geographical distribution.

1. Speed tests

We don't put RapidVPN with VPN providers who score high internet connection speed. However, it offers enough speed to use the internet, download, and stream with almost no lags. In many locations, RapidVPN didn't show the highest speed you could wish for. Still, it is not that bad and can offer enough speed to enjoy an uninterrupted online experience.

2. Number of servers and geographic distribution

Short explanation: RapidVPN has 21 servers in 7 countries.

Long explanation: RapidVPN's servers are located in North America and Europe. Locations include the US, UK, Sweden, Canada, Netherlands, Switzerland, and Germany. Compared to the top VPN providers, RapidVPN doesn't provide the best servers distribution.

3. Fastest available protocol

Short explanation: PPTP is the fastest available protocol by RapidVPN. (Considering that it's the least secure, we don't really recommend it)

Long explanation: In the VPN world, many protocols exist, with differences between protocols making the difference in how secure a VPN is, how fast, and whether it can bypass geo-censorship. Typically, the trade-off is between speed and security, with the PPTP protocol typically being the fastest but the least secure.

On top of the reasons, people choose to have a VPN to get anonymous and private internet access. Unfortunately, not all VPN services can maintain a private and secure connection to the internet. Read this section to find out if RapidVPN can keep your information and online existence secure while you're using the internet.

1. Encryption and protocols

RapidVPN uses 128-bit encryption, which is less secure than 256-bit encryption that top VPN providers use, besides militaries, governments, and organizations. In terms of protocols, RapidVPN uses PPTP, L2TP, SSTP, OpenVPN, and SoftEther. If you want to bypass geo-restricted content, we recommend using SSTP or SoftEther.

The SSL VPN offered by RapidVPN works with OpenVPN, SoftEther, and SSTP, which work in China, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.

The protocols available for RapidVPN include:

2. Logs policy

Short explanation: RapidVPN has a true no-log policy.

Long explanation: RapidVPN has a true no-log policy (i.e., they don't gather any form of information on users).

3. Kill switch

Short explanation: RapidVPN has a fully functioning automatic kill switch feature.

Long explanation: RapidVPN has a kill switch application, which means that you need to select which of your activities must be stopped if a VPN connection drops. Other top VPN services provide an automatic kill switch that kills the internet connection entirely to avoid any data leak or threats.

A kill switch acts to disconnect your internet if your VPN connection fails, therefore protecting your information. Kill switch protection is further divided into IP leak protection and DNS leak protection. RapidVPN does an outstanding job with both.

4. RAM-based servers

Short explanation: RapidVPN doesn’t have RAM-based servers.

Long explanation: A RAM-based server means that the data, instead of being saved to SSD drives, is saved on RAMs. This is advantageous to security because RAM is wiped clean every time the servers reboot. Unfortunately, RapidVPN still uses SSD drives.

5. Based country

Short explanation: RapidVPN is based in the United Kingdom.

Long explanation: RapidVPN is in the United Kingdom. Unfortunately, many of the top VPN providers in the market are situated in the 5/9/14-Eyes Alliance, a significant setback for privacy and security.

Companies located outside these alliance jurisdictions are not legally obligated to follow their laws and regulations.

6. Warrant canary

Short explanation: RapidVPN doesn’t have a warrant canary system.

Long explanation: A warrant canary is an indirect method to warn customers of governmental attempts to subpoena where the presence of the warrant on the company’s official website means the local government hasn’t tried anything yet.

In terms of VPN applications in the real world, RapidVPN claims to unblock the majority of streaming services, allows torrenting, and maintains privacy. Let's see what it can offer in the following categories.

1. Streaming

RapidVPN offers multiple services regarding VPN, including Dedicated IP VPN, Dynamic IP VPN, Torrent VPN, SSL VPN, Residential VPN, and Life Time VPN.

The Residential VPN allows streaming Netflix, Hulu, HBO Go, and BBC iPlayer. Other plans can unblock streaming services, but users could face difficulties connecting to the popular streaming services. Its sufficiency also varies in different locations. Both Residential and dedicated IP plans guarantee full and lag-free access, though.

2. Torrent

Short explanation: RapidVPN allows torrenting.

Long explanation: RapidVPN's no-log policy makes it a torrent-friendly VPN. It also has 3 servers located in Europe that allow torrenting (Netherlands, Sweden, and Switzerland). However, it is not your best option in this regard. ExpressVPN and NordVPN are much better choices if torrenting is what you're looking for.

3. Gaming

Short explanation: RapidVPN doesn't have specialized gaming servers.

Long explanation: The use of a VPN in gaming is controversial. Some VPN companies proclaim that ISP's tend to throttle connections, and competitive gamers tend to use DDoS attacks all the time.

4. Dedicated IP servers

Short explanation: RapidVPN has dedicated IP servers as a separate plan to maintain better privacy and security.

 A dedicated server is recommended in the following situations:

• Business security 

This comes to play when one needs to secure their business server access for security. Typically in a business service setting, you want encryption of data and a select group of people to log in to your system. This is done by allowing particular IP addresses to log in. If your IP is shared and is not static, then this won't be possible. On the other hand, a dedicated IP means it's static and can be set as a log-in condition.

• Secure online payment

You might be wondering why shouldn't I pay with the standard shared IP VPN service? Now I want you to imagine this picture from the bank's viewpoint; someone with the card number xxx has processed payments from 10 different countries worldwide in the past week. For banks, that sounds like a sane reason to block the card marking it as suspicious activity. However, this issue is avoided when you pay from the same IP/location whenever having a static IP.

• Avoid getting blacklisted

The blacklist effect, also known as the bad neighbor effect, revolves around how other people with the same IP address could do things that might end up banning the owner of that specific IP address. While you might have done nothing wrong, however, since you share the same IP as the person who got blacklisted, you get banned/ blacklisted as well. Since a dedicated IP means it's yours and yours only, this wouldn't happen.

• Avoid CAPTCHAs

Do you know these pesky bots with the audacity to question whether you're a bot or not? This CAPTCHA (Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart) system is a security measure to protect you from getting your password hacked, protect you from spam, and many other uses. With a dedicated IP, you are less likely to encounter a CAPTCHA.

5. Geo-censorship bypass (obfuscation)

RapidVPN provides special protocols to bypass geo-restrictions, even in countries with high censorship, including China, United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. If you wish to bypass geo-restrictions professionally without taking the risk of getting blocked, use one of these recommended protocols (OpenVPN, SoftEther, or SSTP). They guarantee both fast and secure internet connection. 

6. Split tunneling

Short explanation: RapidVPN doesn't have the split tunneling feature.

Long explanation: The split tunneling feature means you can selectively use your VPN on a certain type/source of data outgoing from your device.

7. Tor over VPN

Short explanation: RapidVPN doesn't have Tor over VPN support.

Long explanation: Torrent onion router (Tor) is a P2P program used to enter the dark web. Using a VPN adds an extra layer of anonymity, especially at the entry node, with the addition of data encryption. (Check our Top 10 Website to Visit in the Dark Web).

RapidVPN plans cover up to 4 simultaneous connections. You can add more connections up to 99, but it costs 40% of the subscription cost.

RapidVPN has applications for:

• Windows
• Android

You can download RapidVPN manually on the following:

• macOS
• iOS
• Linux
• Routers

RapidVPN is available as an extension on:

• Google Chrome

In terms of user experience, RapidVPN could not be the best, but it offers some helpful ways to support its customers.

1. Languages supported

RapidVPN supports the English language only.

2. Customer support

Compared to the top VPN services, RapidVPN lacks some of the essential support options, including live chat and knowledge base. If you face any technical, billing, or other issues, you can contact a customer support agent via email and wait to get a response within few hours ahead.

Pricing and Payments

RapidVPN offers multiple options that vary in cost and features. Unlike other VPN services, it dedicates special plans for different purposes, and it takes into account to offer solutions for both individuals and corporations.

Let's see what it offers with each plan:

1. Static IP VPN

RapidVPN has three Static IP plans categorized upon regions. The prices are affordable and suit almost all users.

American Static IP plan

This plan allows connecting to 15 locations (Philadelphia, PA, Boston MA, Ashburn VA, Ashburn VA (Residential), Atlanta GA, Bend OR, Buffalo NY. Chicago IL, Dallas TX, Las Vegas NV, Los Angeles CA, Miami FL, New York NY (Residential), Phoenix AZ, Reston VA (Residential)).

This plan supports multiple protocols, like L2TP, SSTP, PPTP, OpenVPN, and SoftEther.Prices start at $7.9 per month and go up to $23. Each server starts at a different price, with multiple options for payment (1-month, 2-month, 3-month, 6-month, and one-year subscriptions).

European Static IP plan

Subscribing to this plan will allow you to connect to a server in any of the following locations: Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, and the UK). Prices start at $5.9 per month and go up to $8.9 per month. Available protocols include L2TP, SSTP, PPTP, OpenVPN, and SoftEther.

Canada Static IP plan

If you're looking for a VPN connecting to a server located in Canada, this plan is the suitable one for you. It is available for $13.9 per month and allows connecting to the internet using L2TP, SSTP, PPTP, OpenVPN, and SoftEther.

2. Torrent VPN

This plan targets people looking for a VPN that can also be used for torrenting and can manage an internet connection that is secure and anonymous. Users can connect to the following servers: Switzerland and Netherlands. Both locations are available for $6.9 per month and allow using L2TP, SSTP, PPTP, OpenVPN, and SoftEther.

3. Dynamic VPN

A dynamic VPN builds a VPN network using a routing technique that makes hubs between multiple sites, showing different IP addresses each time you connect to a VPN. This is a great solution for users who visit torrenting websites very often or want to guarantee the best privacy when connecting to a VPN in general. Dynamic VPN is also highly effective when connecting to a VPN from countries with high censorship, making it harder to get blocked.

You'll get unlimited bandwidth and server switching, it also provides Over 8000 IPs that are upgradable for more, but this option is available for companies only. It supports 4 simultaneous connections, and torrent download is available in Switzerland and Netherlands servers. It allows connecting to 17 different locations for a price that starts at $7.2 per month.

4. Lifetime VPN

For users who are looking for a lifetime VPN, RapidVPN offers a plan for this purpose that requires one payment only. It comes with a unique and unused dedicated (static IP address), 5 multi connections, the ability to choose from L2TP, SSTP, PPTP, OpenVPN, and SoftEther, and an account that never expires.

Price starts at $750, billed once.

All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee to judge and test RapidVPN's services before taking the last decision.

RapidVPN accepts several payment methods such as:

• PayPal
• Visa
• Mastercard
• American Express
• Discover
• Bitcoin

Conclusion

For both individuals and organizations, RapidVPN is a good choice offering multiple plans that are suitable for almost all purposes, including Static IP VPN, Dynamic VPN, Torrent VPN, and Lifetime VPN.

In terms of security, RapidVPN offers many secure protocols, like OpenVPN, SSTP, and SoftEther. It also has a kill-switch and dedicated IP address to maintain high privacy.

There's a 30-day money-back guarantee to try it yourself. Try its services and make the right decision.