A free VPN protects your devices, especially if you can’t afford a premium service. However, not all free VPNs are created equal. Many free VPN apps offer subpar protection and may sell your data to marketing agencies. Here, choosing a trustworthy service is of utmost importance.
iTop VPN is a popular free VPN for Windows, hailing from Hong Kong. With over 20 million users, iTop VPN claims to offer a high-quality service.
Let’s see how iTop VPN stack up against other free VPNs.
This review will thoroughly examine iTop VPN’s features and performance. We’ll conclude if it’s one of the best free VPNs for Windows or not.
Why Free VPNs Have Limitations
Free VPN services often come with restrictions. Free VPNs are specifically designed to give users a taste of the full service in order to motivate them to buy the paid versions. Features are frequently locked behind paywalls, and the number of accessible locations is usually limited. Additionally, free servers often have congested IP addresses, making them less effective for unblocking content.
iTop VPN can be the best free VPN for Windows. However, like all free services, it has some limitations.
iTop VPN Features
Security and Privacy
iTop VPN offers industry-standard AES-256 encryption and this encryption protects your data from most third parties, including ISPs and hackers. A kill switch is available in all iTop VPN apps, cutting off internet access if the VPN connection drops and preventing your real IP address from being exposed. However, we noticed local DNS addresses leaked when switching between VPN servers which indicates that iTop VPN’s DNS leak protection isn’t entirely reliable.
Servers & Performance
The servers are categorized for specific uses, such as downloading, streaming, and gaming. iTop VPN has over 1,800 servers across 41 countries. This extensive network is impressive for a free VPN service.
In terms of speed tests, iTop VPN retained around 55% of download speeds on average, which is decent for a free VPN. However, upload speeds were significantly lower, retaining only about 27% on average. This performance is adequate for browsing and streaming but falls short of the speeds offered by premium VPNs.
Compatibility and Ease of Use
iTop VPN is compatible with Windows, Mac, and iOS. The Windows and Mac apps are user-friendly with amazingly easy navigation and a big connection button. The iOS app has a slightly different interface but is still intuitive.
One major drawback is that iTop VPN only supports five simultaneous connections, which may not be enough for users with multiple devices.
Streaming and Torrenting
iTop VPN has mixed results when it comes to streaming. It successfully unblocks Netflix UK, BBC iPlayer, YouTube TV, and Max. iTop VPN doesn’t support router configuration. So, you cannot use its ability to unblock content on smart TVs and other devices.
For torrenting, iTop VPN performs well with its dedicated downloading servers. It achieved an impressive 75% download speed retention in our tests. Additionally, the app warns users if it detects P2P traffic on non-speciality servers.
Pros and Cons of iTop VPN
Pros
- Free Plan: iTop VPN offers a free plan with reasonable features.
- AES-256 Encryption: Provides strong security for most users.
- Affordable Prices: Paid plans are budget-friendly.
- Good Torrenting Performance: Dedicated servers for downloading.
- Built-in Ad Blocker: Helps block unwanted ads.
Cons
- Limited Device Compatibility: No support for Android or Linux.
- Only 5 Simultaneous Connections: May not be sufficient for multiple devices.
- Subpar Streaming Performance: Limited ability to unblock popular streaming services.
- DNS Leaks: DNS leak protection needs improvement.
Is iTop VPN Safe?
iTop VPN is generally considered safe for average users. It includes necessary security features like strong encryption, a kill switch, and ad-blocking tools.
The no-logs policy is solid but somehow lacks independent audits. This means there is no external verification of iTop VPN’s privacy claims, which could be a concern for privacy-focused users.
iTop VPN Pricing and Plans
iTop VPN offers both free and paid plans. The free version has a daily data cap of 700 MB, which is suitable for basic browsing but not for heavy use. The paid plans offer greater benefits and discounts for longer subscriptions. Here’s a breakdown of the pricing:
- 1-month plan: $11.99/month
- 1-year plan: $3.99/month
- 2-year plan: $2.50/month
- 3-year plan: $1.66/month
All paid plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to try the service risk-free.
How to Download and Use iTop VPN
1. Visit the iTop VPN Website: Go to the official website.
2. Download the App: Choose the app for your operating system (Windows, Mac, or iOS).
3. Install the Software: Follow the installation instructions.
4. Log In: Create a new account or log in if you already have one.
5. Pick a Server: Select a server from the list and connect.
Customer Support
iTop VPN’s customer support is basic. Users can submit a support ticket via email or use the feedback tab in the app. The website also offers a FAQ section and user manual for troubleshooting.
However, iTop VPN lacks 24/7 live chat support, which is a significant downside compared to other VPN providers.
Conclusion: Is iTop VPN Worth It?
iTop VPN offers a decent free VPN service with some attractive features. Its solid encryption, ad blocker, and torrenting performance make it a viable option for basic use. For users looking for a free VPN with reasonable performance, iTop VPN is worth considering.
Try iTop VPN: the best free VPN for Windows, and experience its features firsthand. For more details and to download, visit the iTop VPN.