We do not recommend this VPN provider!
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English e-mail support
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No chat support
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No phone support
ClearVPN is an impressive VPN solution from the minds at MacPaw. Despite being a relatively new product, the VPN has already garnered many fans due to the level of personalization it provides.
While MacPaw is known for creating products for macOS users, CleanVPN has dedicated apps for several platforms, including Windows and Android. The VPN effectively masks your real IP address, giving you more anonymity online, and helps users bypass geo-restrictions on the web.
The number of servers in ClearVPN's network is undisclosed, but the provider operates across 20+ countries, including the USA, the UK, Australia, and Canada, enabling you to access restricted content online. The provider uses shortcuts to connect people to the best servers, an approach that may seem foreign to some VPN users, but that actually makes your VPN experience more personalized.
There is a free version of the VPN available, and users can upgrade to one of the paid plans to enjoy more features. Subscription plans start from $4.58 per month, which is great value for money considering the level of VPN excellence you receive in return.
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Free version
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Personalized VPN experience
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Great for streaming
Pros
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No kill switch
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No split tunneling
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Smaller server network
Cons
| Max Speed: | Unlimited |
|---|---|
| Type of IP offered: | Shared |
| Simultaneous connections / Users: | 6 |
| Number of Netflix Libraries: | 6 |
| Information sharing: | 14 Eyes Member |
| OS support: | Android, iOS, macOS, Windows |
| Router support: | |
| VPN Promotion: | Get VPN from ClearVPN for 4.58$ per month |
Kill Switch
Split TunnelingZero Data LoggingFree Version / TrialMobile AppBrowser ExtentionNetflix ApprovedFirestick Compatible - American Express
- Mastercard
- Mastercard Debit
- Paypal
- UnionPay
- Visa
- Visa Debit
- Visa Electron
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Brazil
- Canada
- Denmark
- France
- Germany
- Hong Kong
- India
- Ireland
- Japan
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Russia
- Singapore
- Sweden
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- United States
ClearVPN Security
Regarding security, ClearVPN offers users a lot of advanced features so that they stay protected online. Firstly the provider employs military-grade AES-256 bit encryption with SHA-256 authentication and uses a 2048-bit key for handshake methods. AES-256 bit encryption is considered pretty much impenetrable, so it is no surprise that technology company McPaw uses this for its first VPN offering.
As well as the above, ClearVPN uses secure protocols to ensure users have the best possible data encryption level. The protocol options include IPSec, IKEv2, OpenVPN, and ClearVPN's very own custom protocol. The custom protocol provides extra security and encryption to users when they connect to ClearVPN's servers. However, it is worth noting that users can't choose which protocols their connection runs over in the settings, and this is automatically assigned depending on the shortcut you choose.
ClearVPN claims to have a strict no-logs policy, which it outlines on its privacy policy. The provider states, "We do not store connection timestamps, session information, used bandwidth, traffic logs, IP addresses, or other data."
However, that isn't to say that the provider doesn't log anything. On the privacy policy, ClearVPN states that it collects (with its users' permission) information, including device IDs, diagnostic information about successful and unsuccessful connection attempts, connection type, network information, and the country you're connecting from by using your IP address. It's worth keeping this in mind when you sign up for the service.
So, what else does ClearVPN offer in terms of security? Firstly, the VPN is DNS leakproof. We ran a DNS leak test and were pleased to note that the VPN did not leak our real IP address. There are also specific shortcuts in the app that are designed to protect your security. One is the No Malware shortcut, which blocks malware sites.
The Anti-Snooping shortcut blocks trackers and snoopers that may be following your activity online and a Safe Banking shortcut has a man-in-the-middle block. We're really impressed with the range of security and privacy features on offer and the ease with which subscribers can employ them.
However, despite the amount of personalization that ClearVPN offers, we noticed a lack of customization in the settings. Users cannot turn on IPv6 or DNS leak protection, as they can in some other apps. Furthermore, there is no kill switch feature to enable. A kill switch is a useful privacy and security feature since it automatically cuts out your internet access should your connection to the VPN server go down. It would be great to see ClearVPN develop an internet kill switch.
Overall, we are impressed with the level of security that ClearVPN provides. From a strict no-logs policy to advanced encryption, this provider is a great choice for any customers looking for a more secure internet experience. Since it is a MacPaw product, we also trust the quality of the technology.
ClearVPN Features
ClearVPN is unique in the sense that it creates a more personalized VPN experience through its shortcuts. The app uses advanced technology to learn user habits and adjust the shortcuts to best suit each user's needs.
There is a range of shortcuts for different internet activities: streaming, banking, accessing social media sites, watching live sports, accessing streaming sites, and safe torrenting. Or you can choose a shortcut to surf the web safely and securely. The shortcuts work by each user selecting one on the app and letting ClearVPN do the rest of the work by connecting them to the best server in an optimized location.
The shortcuts are dynamic and frequently change to suit individual user needs and suit your location. For example, there is a Valentine's Day shortcut in February and a New Year's shortcut at the start of the year.
The innovative DynamicFlow technology connects users to the best possible server to minimize speed loss and decides the best protocol for a fast connection. However, if you want to change the region you're in, there is the option to select a country. ClearVPN connects you to a server in your country of choice.
ClearVPN has servers in around 20 countries and doesn't disclose the number of servers in its network. However, it has good location choices, which enable you to access a lot of restricted content around the world.
The server locations are especially great for streaming fans. The provider claims to access Netflix libraries in 6 countries and has specialized shortcut options to unblock specific Netflix catalogs. The provider also states it can unblock Hulu, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer.
Torrenting is permitted on the VPN, which is good to know, and Clear gives subscribers secure access to torrent platforms like BitTorrent. This is excellent since many VPNs don't support P2P networking.
Each subscription plan comes with 6 simultaneous connections, which is decent. There are dedicated apps for macOS, iOS, Android, and Windows, meaning that a friend or family member can use the 2 extra connections on their devices.
There is a free version of the VPN, which is not heavily advertised on the VPN's website. The free version is limited, but you can get a good sense of what services ClearVPN offers, and it is a great way to test out the VPN before upgrading to the Premium subscription.
On the app itself, there are some great features to improve your VPN experience. Firstly, recent shortcuts you have used appear on the Dashboard so that you can activate them again quickly. When you activate a shortcut, a timer appears, which shows you the length of time your VPN connection has been active.
There is also a feature that enables you to launch ClearVPN upon system startup, and which you can activate in the app settings. This is a great tool for people who may commonly forget to activate their VPN. It also ensures that you never surf the web or access your apps without VPN protection unless you choose to switch it off.
We also like the Quick Action tabs that are featured with every shortcut. These enable you to jump to another app on your device or carry out a specific action once you've activated a shortcut. This is a nice feature since it allows users to move between apps without too much effort.
We like the VPN's limited yet useful features. If you need a VPN for unblocking content online and want to use a service that is user-friendly and provides seamless ease of use, then ClearVPN is a great choice.
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