Collects Zero Logs

CactusVPN starts strong with a no-laughing-matter logging policy. The follow it up with a local jurisdiction outside any pesky security agreements. And they’ve doubled-down by supporting up to six protocols and working across a variety of platforms, including the Tor browser, Smart TVs, routers, and games consoles. They even sweeten the deal with a kill switch and DNS leak protection. Take a look for yourself.

• CactusVPN does not collect logs on anything. And when we say “anything,” we mean NOTHING. This is surprisingly rare in a world filled with shady VPNs. They won’t hesitate to declare “No Logging,” on their site, only to bury the grim details somewhere in a Privacy Policy or Terms of Service. 

But in this case, CactusVPN means it. They won’t track browsing history, connection logs, DNS logs, or any other traffic logs. Of course, they’ll need to keep payment records. However, if they have no connection logs to match them to, you should be golden.

Outside Any Security Agreements, Best Privacy Policy

Moldova is located outside any data-sharing intelligence agreements. Here’s the thing: VPNs can mask all types of legally-questionable behavior online. But the companies behind each can’t always protect their users when the local authorities come calling. 

• Most won’t hesitate to hand over data when pressured by governments. And if their home country is located inside one of the Eyes alliances, that data will also be turned over to most civilized countries around the world. Moldova doesn’t play that game, though. 
• Any other government request for your records is going to be politely or impolitely — rebuffed. This, on top of a legitimate ‘no logs’ policy, implies that CactusVPN has your back.

Supports Six VPN Protocols, AES-128 Encryption, and a Kill Switch

CactusVPN supports OpenVPN, L2TP/IPSec, IKEv2, SSTP, SoftEther, and PPTP. OpenVPN will generally be your go-to. But the other protocol options come in handy for specific devices (like IKEv2 on iOS), or outdated, sluggish connections. Most VPN’s we’ve reviewed offer some mix of these six. However, one slight difference from the rest is that CactusVPN has opted to only offer AES-128 encryption. 

• Technically speaking, this is less secure than the beefier AES-256 option. Their logic is that the difference is slim. And they kinda have a point, practically speaking. Most hacks won’t be through your encryption.
• They’ll try to go after simple errors or user negligence, first. If you’re on an older device, this lower encryption will also come in handy because AES-256 puts extra strain on the computer’s CPU). 

CactusVPN also adds a built-in kill switch to their VPN clients. But you’ll have to switch it on, first.It’s not enabled by default, so you’ll need to go into the app’s settings and manually switch it on to protect yourself from accidental leaks when your Internet connection drops.

Simple Setup with No Lags or Complaints

There’s not much to say about the CactusVPN client. And that’s a good thing believe it or not. No major lags, crashes, or other complaints while using it.

1. You’ll need to start at the Services page, then look for a link that says “Set up CactusVPN.” 
2. Next, you’ll be taken to a page with one-click download option for your device and operating system.
3. Download the install file and within a few seconds, the client appears:
4. Login with your customer account details and customize your server location preferences.
5. By default, they are sorted by country. But you can also sort them by speed.
6. Then choose your server and click the green “Connect” button. That’s it.

The only annoying thing about the whole process is that in order to change servers, you need to disconnect from the current one. So make sure you have that kill switch enabled, first, before disconnecting to switch around. Interestingly, they have also offered a related service called SmartDNS. Cactus provides a test so you can figure out which is the right choice for you. More on this extra feature down below.

Works on Tons of Platforms

• It’s pretty standard for most VPNs to support Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android devices. But those aren’t the only ways you connect to the Internet today. And the problem is that if your VPN provider doesn’t make a ready-made client for each unique platform, it’ll require technical expertise or lots of troubleshooting to finagle a workaround. Thankfully, CactusVPN has mercy. 
• Their service is compatible on everything from the Amazon Fire TV to Linux Ubuntu, Chromebooks, Boxee Box, routers, games consoles, and other Smart TVs by Apple or Samsung. Geez, that’s a lot! After that long list, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that CactusVPN also works with the Tor browser. You can even connect to five devices simultaneously. (Or, with the help of a router, unlimited.)

Customer Support Is Fast, Friendly, & Professional

A flawless product can be derailed by one bad customer service experience. You’re going to be left with a sour taste in your mouth if the company can’t step up to the plate and help when it matters most. That’s exactly why we test each and every VPN’s customer service quality, response time, and overall friendliness. CactusVPN also offers live chat. 

• However, I decided to try their email support: I sent an email over with a few general questions. At this point, most companies will take around a day to get back to us. The fastest times we’ve seen clock in somewhere around a few hours. 
• Incredibly, it only took CactusVPN four minutes to offer a custom reply. You know, from like an actual human being. I even tried to trick them with a few follow-up email replies. But each time, it only took a few minutes for them to answer.