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Encrypt.me Review (No Longer Operational)
Our experts have reviewed 53 VPN providers, which were put through extensive rounds of testing. To learn more about that process, here’s how we review VPNs, where we explain our criteria and our policy of being fully transparent.
You’ve probably heard a lot about the numerous dangers that Wi-Fi connections bring. Public and open Wi-Fi networks come with significant vulnerabilities that allow third parties to steal your data and infect your device with malware. However, you’re not without a solution. A reliable VPN can protect your device and safeguard your private data. Still, not every VPN will do this job in a proper way, so you need to be careful about which one you pick. With this said, we’ll be talking about a VPN service called Encrypt.me. It’s been around for a while now and comes with a long history of protecting both trusted and untrusted Web connections.
Before we dive deep into our Encrypt.me review, we’ll first introduce you to this VPN service. For this purpose, we’ve prepared a series of helpful tables, with the first one showing you the basic yet crucial information about Encrypt.me.
We know that many of you need a VPN to unblock the US version of Netflix. Don’t worry, we’ve tested Encrypt.me and its media streaming capabilities, so here are the results.
And lastly, we’d like to show you the pros and cons of using Encrypt.Me. In case you don’t have the time to read this entire review, we’re sure you’ll find the following information to be helpful.
Finally, we’re ready to dive deep into our review of Encrypt.me. So, make sure to stick with us until the end of this article, and you’ll learn everything you there's to know about this VPN.
Encrypt.me – TechNadu’s Hands-On Review
Wondering how we review VPN services? Well, we have a uniform structure for our every VPN review, where we put the tool we’re testing through a serious of rigorous tests. Make sure to click on the provided link in this paragraph to learn more.
Background, Jurisdiction & Reputation
Encrypt.me comes with a very complicated history, and it’s based in the USA – one of the least favorable countries for VPN-related businesses. Our Score: 3/10.
Trust us, it’s important to know where your chosen VPN comes from. Different countries have different laws regarding data logging, and you’ll want a VPN with a favorable background.
Jurisdiction & Applicable Laws
Encrypt.me was created by a company called StackPath. In case you’re not a software developer, you probably didn’t hear about this company before. However, it’s one of the big players of today’s IT industry. Upon checking additional information about this VPN, we stumbled upon a highly complex network of companies. So, here’s what you need to know.
StackPath has been widening its portfolio of brands and services during the last couple of years and acquired a company called Highwinds Network Group – the owner of IPVanish. In the meantime, StackPath formed a new company called NetProtect, which owned several VPN brands. And then, NetProtect was acquired by J2 Global – the company that’s now the owner of Encrypt.me and IPVanish. However, let’s also not forget that StrongVPN is yet another brand acquired by J2 Global – based in Los Angeles, California. What this means is that Encrypt.me is now a brand owned by J2 Global.
It’s safe to say that Encrypt.me doesn’t leave a positive first impression. And let’s not forget that the USA is a member of the 5-Eyes Alliance, a network of countries that freely collect and share all kinds of intelligence information.
Previous Data Leaks
We’re happy to report that Encrypt.me comes free of any data leaks. In other words, there are no reports of this VPN leaking private data or being compromised by any third parties. Considering that it’s been available for close to a decade now, this is still a good sign that Encrypt.me might be a trustworthy VPN. However, make sure to read the rest of this article before you make up your mind.
Supported Platforms & Devices
Encrypt.me is available on the most popular desktop and mobile platforms. However, there’s a number of devices that are left out, including routers. Our Score: 6/10.
You’ll want a VPN that’s present on various devices, so you can easily install its native applications. Let’s see what kind of compatibility does Encrypt.me bring.
We can see that Encrypt.me supports the most popular desktop and mobile platforms. However, we can also see that many devices and platforms are missing including Linux, Android TV, and routers. Perhaps the biggest downside is that you can’t install Encrypt.me on a router, which would allow you to protect your entire household at once.
Still, it’s good to know that you can use Encrypt.me on as many devices as you want – as there’s no limit to how many simultaneous connections you can have. The only requirement this VPN has is to keep one account per person.
Installation & Initial Configuration
Installing Encrypt.me is easy – download the app, install it, and then log-in. Even complete beginners shouldn’t have a hard time getting started with this VPN. Our Score: 10/10.
Before you start using this VPN, you first need to sign-up for Encrypt.me – which is done on its official website. Then, proceed to log-in to your account on the website, and you’ll access your account dashboard. This is from where you can download apps offered by Encrypt.me.
In general, the process of installing Encrypt.me takes no more than a few minutes. On Windows and macOS, you install this VPN like you would install any other application. And when it comes to iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire OS – download the app from its respective app store, log-in, and that’s about it. This entire process is quite streamlined and user-friendly.
Prominent Features
If you need a basic VPN, Encrypt.me will meet your needs. However, you can find much more capable alternatives out there, without having to spend more. Our Score: 6/10.
We’ll use this segment to find out whether Encrypt.me is made for average home users, or maybe it comes with high-end features designed for advanced users. Let’s find out.
We can see that Encrypt.me covers the basics in a nice way. It comes with several different methods of preventing data leaks, including IPv6 leaks. It should be also said that there’s a kill-switch included, but this feature doesn’t work all the time. There’s no way to enable/disable it via the application’s settings, which means that it’s trying to assess different scenarios and react in the background on its own.
When it comes to more advanced features, you should probably check other VPNs. That’s because no advanced features are found here. There’s no split-tunneling, ad-blocking, or anti-malware. The application doesn’t offer plenty of fine-tuning either, as everything seems to be automated.
Server Count
Encrypt.me comes with one of the smallest server networks we’ve seen yet. However, it is present in 40 countries and comes with strategically placed servers. Our Score: 4/10.
While many VPNs proudly show their server network, this isn’t the case with Encrypt.me. To see how many servers this VPN offers, we had to dig to find any precise numbers.
The truth is that Encrypt.me doesn’t have a large network of servers. In fact, this is one of the smallest server networks we’ve seen yet. However, the situation isn’t quite terrible – these servers are spread around the world. After all, you need a nearby server if you want to avoid dealing with slow VPNs. Considering that this VPN is present in more than 40 countries around the world, the chances are the many of you will be covered well.
However, it should be said that there are VPNs offering thousands of servers, while still being priced affordably. For example, ExpressVPN has more than 3,000 servers while NordVPN is the champion of this field with over 5,500 servers. So, make sure to do your research.
Ease of Use
In case you’re looking for a very simple and automated VPN, you’ll like what Encrypt.me offers. However, more advanced users will need to look elsewhere. Our Score: 6/10.
Encrypt.me is built with simplicity in mind – which has its good and bad sides to it. On Windows, this is a taskbar-located application that you open by clicking on its icon. This is when the VPN’s home screen will appear, letting you know whether you’re connected to a trusted Wi-Fi network or not. You will also see whether your Web connection is encrypted, which can be enabled by clicking on the prominent ‘Encrypt Me’ button, found at the bottom of this application’s interface.
Aside from letting you encrypt your Web connection, the home screen of Encrypt.me allows you to choose a server manually. This is done in the upper-right corner of the application, under an option named ‘Change Transporter’. This is where you’ll see a list of 70+ servers and you’re free to choose any of these. Sadly, there’s no way to search for a specific server or make a list of your favorites, which is definitely a downside. Instead, you’ll have to choose a server manually.
In the top-right corner, you’ll get to open this VPN’s settings panel. It consists of four tabs, allowing you to check your account information, add trusted Wi-Fi networks, choose a server, and check for updates. As you can see, everything about this VPN is fully automated and there’s not plenty to change on your own. We believe this is what average home users will want. However, there are more advanced users out there who’d like to fine-tune their Web browsing experience. These users should check other VPNs, as it seems.
Media Streaming & Torrenting Support
Encrypt.me is focused on security – and not on media streaming and P2P traffic. It can unblock some services, but major ones aren’t supported. Our Score: 3/10.
If you like streaming media online, you need the best VPN for streaming. So, could Encrypt.me be a viable alternative to top-rated VPNs? Let’s find out.
You’ll find conflicting reports online about whether Encrypt.me works with Netflix. As per our tests, it doesn’t. We’ve tried numerous servers located in the USA, and none of those managed to trick Netflix that we’re trying to stream for inside the US. We had better luck with BBC iPlayer, as we managed to unblock this website via a server located in London.
You should know that Encrypt.me allows P2P file downloads – but only when it comes to legal torrents. Copyright infringement is against this VPN’s ‘Terms of Use’ and can lead to having your account terminated. With all of this said, we think you should check other alternatives if you want to stream media or download torrents.
Security & Privacy
Even though this VPN comes with strong VPN protocols complemented by capable encryption, the problem is that it collects plenty of personal data – and can easily identify what you do online. Our Score: 1/10.
If Encrypt.me isn’t made for media streaming and torrenting, perhaps it’s focused on security instead. So, let’s see what kind of VPN protocols and encryption it brings and whether it collects personal information about its users.
Supported Encryption Protocols
When it comes to iOS devices, Encrypt.me uses the IPsec protocol complemented by 1,536-bit minimum DH group encryption. And when it comes to macOS and Android, OpenVPN is used – alongside 2,048-bit DH group encryption. Finally, we have the Windows app (still in beta), which uses a protocol called StrongSwan, based on the IPsec protocol,
In general, both IPsec and OpenVPN are highly reliable protocols capable of protecting your identity online. In addition, you get high-end encryption that is among the most secure commercially available types of encryption.
Logging Policy
Encrypt.me collects plenty of data and this happens as soon as you visit its website. A number of trackers are used to analyze this website’s popularity and performance. When you sign-up for a trial account, the following types of information are collected: your email address, IP address, the referring affiliate, and an optional campaign banner ID. And to get a paid account, you’ll need to provide your name, billing address, and credit card information.
As soon as you start using any of this VPN’s apps, plenty of data is being uploaded in the background. This includes your real and virtual IP address, the number of bytes sent and received, the length of time connected, and the source port of the outgoing connection with start and end times. Some of this data is deleted after sixteen days. However, there are types of data that are being kept indefinitely in aggregated form.
DNS Leak Test
As the screenshot found above shows, there are no DNS leaks. This means that Encrypt.me keeps your information protected online and only shows your ‘virtual’ information instead.
Speed & Performance
As per our tests, this VPN slowed us down by 42%. This is slightly above the average result, which means you can easily find better-performing VPN services. Our Score: 6/10.
One of the cons of using VPNs is the fact that you’ll face some throttling. However, top-rated VPNs have numerous ways to mitigate that issue, so let’s see if Encrypt.me is one of those VPN services. We’ve done a series of speed tests – and here are the results.
First, we’ve tested the speed of our ‘naked’ Web connection – without having this VPN run in the background. We managed to get 67.52 Mbps for downloads and 18.74 Mbps for uploads.
Then, we wanted to connect to a nearby server. We’re located in Europe, with a number of different options in terms of the available servers. After allowing Encrypt.me to connect us to the closest one (found in Germany), we got 48.51 Mbps for downloads and 15.65 Mbps for uploads.
And finally, we also checked the speed of a remote server. For us, that would be a server located in the USA (on the East Coast). This time around, we got 29.30 Mbps for downloads and 9.29 Mbps for uploads.
On average, Encrypt.me slowed us down by 42% - which isn’t a terrible result. It’s actually a bit above the average in terms of download and upload speeds. However, there are plenty of VPNs that come with speedier performance.
Customer Support
Encrypt.me comes with a number of helpful resources. However, their customer support isn’t quite responsive and there’s no live chat available. Our Score: 5/10.
If you set out to search for answers to your questions, your first destination should be this VPN’s help section (on its website). This is where you’ll find a series of quick start guides, as well as a wide range of frequently asked questions. Even though we can see that a large portion of this content hasn’t been updated in a long time, it appears to be relevant still.
When it comes to other methods of getting support, you should try writing to this company. In general, you can expect to receive a reply within 48 hours, which means that this team isn’t the most responsive one out there. Sadly, there’s no option to chat live with this VPN’s customer support team.
Pricing
Encrypt.me isn’t the most affordable option out there and could be said that it’s overpriced. Its long-term plan also doesn’t come with significant savings. Our Score: 3/10.
Encrypt.me comes with a simple pricing scheme. You can choose from its monthly or yearly subscription, and here’s what you need to know.
We can see that Encrypt.me isn’t the most affordable VPN out there. Priced at $10 per month, we believe you’ll find plenty of more capable VPNs that don’t collect your data. Of course, if you consider subscribing to Encrypt.me, we recommend considering its annual plan, which offers some savings.
Interestingly enough, this VPN comes with a weekly pass as well – priced at $3.99. This isn’t a subscription, but a one-time purchase. And also, there’s a ‘Mini’ plan priced at $2.99 per month.
Among other important information, you can try Encrypt.me free of charge for up to 14 days. And if you decide to pay, you can do that via your credit card. Then, you have 30 days to change your mind if you want to have your money returned.
Do We Recommend Encrypt.me?
Even though this VPN comes with some interesting features, they are simply not worth the price. There are many obstacles to using this VPN service, where data logging is one of the most prominent ones. With this said, we think there are much better ways to spend your money. You can get easily find more capable all-in-one VPN services that can even help you save money in the long-term.
- PROS: Strong encryption; Capable VPN protocols; Easy installation; Unlimited simultaneous connections.
- CONS: Collects plenty of personal data; Small server network size; Half-baked customer support; Can’t unblock media streaming websites; Not recommended for torrenting.
- OUR SCORE: 4.8 out of 10!
In case you’d like to know more about Encrypt.me, the provided link will take you to its official website. And if you’d like to check more options, you should check our overview of the best VPNs today.
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| Review Summary Encrypt.me isn't a terrible VPN - it's just that it's not worth its price. You should be able to find much better deals out there, helping you save some money in the process. | 4.8 Overall Score | ||
| Background, Jurisdiction & Reputation | 3 | ||
| Supported Platforms & Devices | 6 | ||
| Installation & Initial Configuration | 10 | ||
| Prominent Features | 6 | ||
| Server Count | 4 | ||
| Ease of Use | 6 | ||
| Media Streaming & Torrenting Support | 3 | ||
| Security & Privacy | 1 | ||
| Speed & Performance | 6 | ||
| Customer Support | 5 | ||
| Pricing | 3 | ||
