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AceVPN Review in Full – Is this VPN Worth Considering in 2024?

In this review, I take a closer look at AceVPN to determine if the provider lives up to its claims. I’ll take a look at its connection speeds, how well it protects its users’ connections, and whether or not beginners will be comfortable using the VPN.

At a Glance

AceVPN is a United States-based Virtual Private Network provider, launched in 2009. The provider claims to offer “super secure connections, super private and super anonymous” online activity, providing the “best value for money.”

(Spoiler alert: If you’ve never used a VPN in the past, AceVPN is not the provider to select for your first VPN experience. Select another provider, like NordVPN or Surfshark.)

I’ll also take a look at how well the service provides access to geo-blocked streaming video services, like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu.

Is AceVPN Right for You?…

AceVPN offers good online protection while providing merely average connection speeds. The provider also poses some concerns when it comes to privacy and the security of the Windows app.

Beginners or users looking for easy-to-setup-and-use VPN protection are strongly advised to look elsewhere. This provider requires manual setup on every platform it supports. However, if you’re looking for a Smart DNS service to access streaming media services, AceVPN might be for you.

If you’d rather opt for a more reliable, more established VPN provider, you should take a closer look at NordVPN. NordVPN offers faster connection speeds, a larger global server network, and supports more devices than AceVPN. This offers users better bang for the buck.

Plus, you have 30 days to give NordVPN a no-risk trial, compared to AceVPN’s limited seven-day period.

My Verdict

AceVPN is a fair-to-middling VPN service provider that, while providing good protection for their users, makes them jump through a few hoops to get there. The provider offers good access to streaming services, both through its VPN and Smart DNS offerings.

This is not a VPN for beginners. If you have no experience at all with using a VPN, look elsewhere – like NordVPN or Surfshark – for comprehensive VPN protection that is easy to use.

OVERALL RANK: 3.5/5
Speed: 3/5
Tested Speed: 62.9 Mbps average download speed (independently tested)
Streaming Support: HD & 4K
Streaming Score: 4.5/5
Unblocks Netflix?: Yes – for many countries
U.S. Streaming Services Supported: Netflix, HBO, Disney+, many more
U.K. Streaming Services Supported: Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Sky Go, others
Security Score: 4/5
Privacy Rating: 4/5
Supports Torrenting: Yes, but only if you spring for the “Ultimate” level of service and only on P2P-designated servers
Value for the Money: 3.5/5
Money-Back Guarantee: 7 days
Website: www.acevpn.com

Pros:

  • Connections can handle 4K and HD video streams
  • Accesses Netflix and many other streaming services
  • Industry-standard security and privacy

Cons:

  • No native app support, manual setup process only
  • Priced more expensively than many better VPNs
  • Windows version stores login information in a simple text file
  • Need to pay extra to access the entire server network

Features

AceVPN offers protection for most popular connected devices. However, there is a catch, which newbie VPN users should beware of, and which makes nearly any other well-known provider (such as NordVPN) a better option for them.

All devices require manual setup, without the benefit of native app support. Whether it’s Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, or Linux, they all need a third-party app and manual setup. Browser extensions are not available on any platform.

The provider does offer compatibility with quite a few router platforms, including Asus routers running Asuswrt or Merlin, routers that support OpenVPN, DD-WRT routers, and VPNWare Vyatta routers.

AceVPN doesn’t offer many of the bells and whistles its competitors do, so don’t expect things like ad and tracker blocking, malware and phishing protection, or obfuscation features. Plus, depending on the open-source VPN client you’re using, you might not have the benefit of a kill switch or DNS leak prevention.

It does offer OpenVPN, IPSEC IKEv2, L2TP, PPTP, and Stealth VPN.

The provider’s global server network is made up of an unspecified number of servers in 25+ countries in North and South America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. However, the provider’s entire server network is only available to “Ultimate” subscribers. Users who opt for the lower “Premium” tier of service have access to servers in only 20+ countries.

While AceVPN supports peer-to-peer file sharing, all such activity is limited to the higher-priced Ultimate VPN account, and then only on designated P2P servers. A special P2P config file must be installed, and torrents are blocked on all other servers.

This is simply unacceptable. Charging an extra fee for allowing P2P activity is a relic of days gone by, and has no place in today’s VPN industry (in my humble opinion).

Sadly, while the provider allows you to install the service on an unlimited number of supported devices, only one connection is allowed at a time. That means if you need protection for multiple devices that will be connecting simultaneously, you’ll want to look elsewhere for your VPN protection.

This is another “feature” that there is no excuse for in today’s VPN industry. I strongly advise that users never settle for one connection at a time. There are plenty of VPN providers that allow multiple simultaneous connections on a single set of login credentials, and some even offer an unlimited number of simultaneous connections.

In addition to its VPN offering, AceVPN also offers a “free” Smart DNS service to allow devices like game consoles, streaming devices, and smart TVs to access restricted content without the benefit of VPN protection. The service worked well and provided access to Netflix and other streaming services during testing.

When I say “free” above, that means it comes as part of the VPN subscription package. A standalone offering is not available, “free” or otherwise.

The provider’s connection speeds are less than impressive – more about that later.

The provider does not offer 24/7 support and lacks live chat. It does include a support “contact us” form, a user forum, a searchable support library, and an FAQ section.

Streaming

Accessing geo-blocked content, like streaming services, is arguably one of the most popular reasons for using a VPN. In the early days of the VPN and streaming industries, nearly any VPN could gain access to blocked streaming content. Those days are long gone.

Netflix, Amazon Prime, and most of the other streaming services have become hip to the trick of faking your geographical location by using a VPN, and have begun blocking VPN access to their content libraries.

While many VPN providers have given up on even claiming access to Netflix and other services, there are still a hearty few, like NordVPN and Surfshark, that continue to fight the good fight and provide reliable streaming service access. Let’s see if AceVPN is willing to expend the time and money to offer access.

AceVPN claims to offer access to 115+ streaming services. While I certainly couldn’t test each of those streaming services one by one, I did test a few of the more popular services.

AceVPN provides above-average access to Netflix. I tested streams in the U.S., U.K., France, and Germany. I was able to stream successfully in all cases when connected to AceVPN server locations in those countries.

However, I came up empty when attempting to view Amazon Prime content in any of those countries, although the service did allow me to stream any movie I had purchased online. Hulu, which is U.S.-only, also spurned my overtures to be allowed access while connected to AceVPN U.S. servers.

When AceVPN was successful in providing streaming access, it provided a smooth streaming experience, with little buffering or pixelization.

Security and Privacy

While AceVPN does a yeoman’s job of protecting your internet connection, don’t expect anything more than the basics.

The provider uses government-level strong encryption to protect its clients’ online activities from prying eyes. It uses the OpenVPN, IPSEC IKEv2, L2TP, PPTP, and Stealth VPN protocols.

AceVPN’s Stealth VPN feature is designed to avoid Deep Packet Inspection, which is used by Internet Service Providers in some restrictive regions to detect VPN usage. Stealth VPN disguises your VPN connection, making it appear to be normal browser traffic. This allows you to avoid DPI-type virtual roadblocks.

As for privacy, the provider’s FAQ page states that “We do not log period. No meta-data logging, no traffic logging, no bandwidth internet usage tracking.” This indicates that the provider does not keep traffic logs or connection logs.

Unfortunately, Bitcoin or any other truly private form of subscription payment is not accepted, as the provider accepts only PayPal and mailed-in checks as payment. It also asks for an alarming amount of personal information (address, phone number, etc.) when you sign up.

One other issue with the provider’s security that I discovered is, at least on a Windows installation, your VPN login and password are stored in a plaintext file, easily readable by anyone with access to the computer. While this is not the same as your account login and password, it is still a rather disturbing discovery.

Connection Speed

I wasn’t impressed by the provider’s connection speeds.

On my gigabit fiber internet connection, my test computers were averaging around 400 Mbps downstream. During speed testing with AceVPN enabled, I averaged only just under 63 Mbps. That’s quite a drop in internet speed.

However, it should be noted that those speeds are still up to handling HD and 4K streaming videos, online games, file sharing, and most any other online activity. This all depends on your usual internet connection speeds of course, so if you already have slow ISP-provided download speeds, adjust your expectations accordingly.

There are no data caps or bandwidth limitations to worry about when using this VPN service.

Cost

AceVPN claims to offer “the lowest price and best value for the money.” I simply can’t agree, especially when it’s priced more expensively than many other VPNs.

The “Premium VPN” tier offers servers with local IP addresses in 20+ locations, unlimited bandwidth, “free” Smart DNS for HD streaming, no logs, and a seven-day money-back guarantee.

The “Ultimate VPN” tier is priced at over double the Premium tier and offers all of the same features as Premium, but expands the available server countries to 25+ on a gigabit network, adds the ability to engage in P2P file sharing, and offers free remote installation if needed.

There are plenty of comparably-priced providers that offer much more in the way of features, app support, security and privacy, and customer support. There are also many lower-priced options that offer just as many, if not more, features than AceVPN.

I also found it odd that the only two payment options that AceVPN offers were PayPal and mailing in a check. Neither of these forms of payment is exactly secure or anonymous. While the provider’s FAQ section mentions Bitcoin and credit cards as options, neither was available on the payment page.

I’m always leery of a VPN provider that doesn’t offer Bitcoin payment options. But, if you’re not that much of a stickler on payment options, this might be okay with you. It’s totally your call.

Alternatives

While AceVPN provides decent VPN protection, there are several much better alternatives to AceVPN.

NordVPN

My top VPN provider for almost any online purpose is NordVPN. The provider is available at a reasonable price and the level of service it provides makes it an excellent value.

NordVPN’s global server network is much larger than AceVPN’s network, and it compares well with the networks of most of its other competitors.

With nearly 6,000+ servers stationed in 60+ countries around the world, NordVPN covers a good part of the globe. That kind of coverage means you’ll have plenty of entertainment options, due to the provider’s excellent access to geo-controlled content.

The provider offers comprehensive native app support for a wide range of popular mobile devices and desktop platforms, browser extensions, and support for several router makes and models. The provider allows its customers to simultaneously connect up to six devices to its server network.

NordVPN provides fast, well-protected connections that are protected with military-grade data encryption, kill switch and IP/DNS leak protection, and other protective measures. The provider also provides malware protection as well as ad and tracker blocking.

The provider does a top-notch job of protecting its users’ privacy, saving no logs on its servers to ensure there are no records of your online activities, while accepting Bitcoin to keep your payment details private. Plus, the provider’s owned-and-operated server network keeps third-party contractors away from your personal info.

NordVPN servers are all run 100% from volatile RAM, with no data ever being written to a physical hard drive or SSD, ensuring that all data on any NordVPN server is completely wiped whenever the server is rebooted or shut down.

For more information about NordVPN, read my review.

Surfshark

Surfshark is my top pick for VPN users on a budget. The provider offers comprehensive VPN protection for a low price.

The VPN provides fast download speeds, easily handling even the most demanding online activities. Surfshark never inflicts daily or monthly data caps on its customers’ VPN usage and never throttles their connections.

The Surfshark global server network is made up of 3,200 servers spread among 100+ countries around the globe. This ensures that users have reliable access to geo-fenced content in most areas of the globe.

Surfshark protects all of its users’ connections by using banking-grade encryption, a kill switch, and DNS/IP leak protection. An assortment of connection protocols are available, including WireGuard, IKEv2/IPSec, and OpenVPN.

All Surfshark servers are run 100% user logs-free, meaning there are absolutely no records of your online travels. Your payment privacy is protected, thanks to the provider’s cryptocurrency subscription payment option.

The provider runs all of its servers 100% from volatile RAM, so there is no data of any kind being written to a mechanical hard drive or an SSD. This ensures that all data is completely wiped from Surfshark’s servers when they are shut down, rebooted, or even unplugged from the wall.

Surfshark’s native app support includes options for Android, Android TV, Linux, Windows, macOS (with native Apple Silicon support), iOS, iPadOS, and Amazon Fire TV device platforms. Chrome, Edge, and Firefox browser extensions are also available, as is compatibility with several router makes and models.

This provider offers a bargain rate for its 12-month and two-year subscription options.

AceVPN FAQs

Does AceVPN Bypass Deep Packet Inspection?

AceVPN offers a StealthVPN option that is designed to bypass Deep Packet Inspection, such as that used by ISPs in China, Egypt, and other overly restrictive countries. Stealth VPN does this by making your VPN traffic appear to be normal browser traffic.

At the time of this article, Stealth VPN is available only for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Can I Set Up AceVPN on Kodi?

While AceVPN doesn’t offer a Kodi VPN plug-in, you can use the provider to protect and enhance your Kodi-related activities. Simply launch the AceVPN app, connect to the server of your choice, and then fire up Kodi. This will provide access to geo-blocked content while preventing any third parties from monitoring your online activities.

Does AceVPN Have a Free Trial Option?

AceVPN does not have a free trial option. However, it does offer a seven-day money-back guarantee. While that money-back period is much shorter than the usual 30-day money-back guarantee period most VPN providers offer, it should still provide sufficient time for you to decide whether or not AceVPN is the right VPN for your needs.

Roundup - best VPNs for speed

Position Our Score Verdict
1.
4.5/5
Verdict: Our top rated VPN
Get NordVPN »
2.
4.5/5
Verdict: Best budget option
Get Surfshark »
3.
4.0/5
Verdict: Great privacy options
Get ExpressVPN »
4.
4.0/5
Verdict: Highly versatile
Get CyberGhost »
5.
3.0/5
Verdict: Up to 10 devices
Get PrivateVPN »

PRIVACY ALERT: Websites you visit can see these details about you:

The following information is available to any site you visit:

Your IP Address:

Your Location:

Your Internet Provider:

This information can be used to target ads and monitor your internet usage.

By using a VPN you can hide these details and protect your privacy.

I recommend NordVPN - the top provider in my testing. It offers outstanding privacy features and there is currently a discounted rate available through this link.

Visit NordVPN

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