At a Glance
Founded over a decade ago, BolehVPN is headquartered in Malaysia but operates under Seychelles jurisdiction, which is not part of any “eyes” agreements. The VPN provider says it allows users to “reclaim your online security, privacy, and anonymity.”
In this article, I’ll be testing this service provider to determine how well it protects your online activities, how much it slows down your connection speeds, and what kind of access it provides to content around the globe via its server network.
I’ll also take a look at what kind of access the provider offers to geo-blocked content from streaming providers, such as Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and others. As we go along, I’ll tell you how well the provider stacks up against other VPNs, such as NordVPN.
Is BolehVPN Right for You?
BolehVPN offers good protection for your online activities, although its connection speeds are lacking, as is its device support and global server network.
The provider offers good access to Netflix and other streaming services, although it is severely limited by its global server availability.
The provider’s app support is limited to the top five major platforms, and iOS users will be required to do a bit of manual labor setting up the provider on their device. More about that later.
While BolehVPN provides adequate online protection for what it charges, there are better offerings from other providers, such as my top pick, NordVPN.
NordVPN offers a no-risk, 30-day money-back guarantee, which is definitely more flexible than BolehVPN’s one-day free trial that is limited to the use of just a few servers.
My Verdict
BolehVPN provides above-average online security, while also doing a good job of protecting your personal privacy. However, the provider’s slow internet connection speeds, heavily limited app support, and small global server network add up to a less-than-optimal Virtual Private Network offering for gamers and streamers.
If you’re looking for access to geo-blocked quality content around the globe, or you’re a streaming or gaming fan, you’ll want to consider another provider, like NordVPN.
| OVERALL RANK: | 3.5/5 |
| Speed: | 3.5/5 |
| Tested Speed: | 71.8 Mbps average download speed (independently tested) |
| Streaming Support: | HD |
| Streaming Score: | 2.5/5 |
| Unblocks Netflix?: | Yes – in the limited number of countries where BolehVPN has servers |
| U.S. Streaming Services Supported: | Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime |
| U.K. Streaming Services Supported: | Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime |
| Security Score: | 4/5 |
| Privacy Rating: | 4/5 |
| Supports Torrenting: | Yes, on all servers |
| Value for the Money: | 3/5 |
| Money-Back Guarantee: | 1-day free trial with access to a limited number of servers |
| Website: | BolehVPN.net |
Pros:
- Excellent online security
- Accesses Netflix and other streaming services
- Reasonable subscription pricing
Cons:
- Global server coverage is a bit thin
- Connection times slower than many other VPNs
- App screen more complicated than it needs to be
Features
BolehVPN offers adequate online protection for a low price but stumbles when it comes to global server coverage, internet connection speeds, and app support.
The provider’s device support is limited to the Windows, macOS, Android, and Linux platforms. While you can use the service on an iOS device, it requires manual setup, as there is no native app available.
A native app is available for Android, but you’re required to either sideload the BolehVPN app or install another app from the Google Play Store that doesn’t offer all of the sideloaded app’s features.
I found both the Windows and macOS apps to be quite “busy” in their design, with way too many options and buttons on the main screen. This could possibly boggle the mind of new VPN users, so I strongly suggest new users look into an easy-to-use VPN provider, such as NordVPN or Surfshark.
No browser extensions are available. You can take advantage of the service’s compatibility with Sabai, Asus-WRT Merlin, and DD-WRT routers to protect any connected devices that are not directly compatible with the BolehVPN service.
Up to three simultaneous device connections are allowed using a single set of login credentials. All three devices must be connected to different servers.
I tested the macOS and Windows apps. Both apps offer OpenVPN and L2TP protocols.
The provider’s “global” server network is severely lacking, as by my count it offers just 35 servers in 12+ countries.
P2P is allowed on all servers. (The provider says they don’t care what you use the service for, as long as it’s not DDoS attacks or similar activities.)
Support includes a searchable knowledge base, a user forum, a support ticket system, and “bot” support chat, which does its best to offer canned replies. If it can’t provide an answer, you can send an email to support. (It’s been two days and I’m still waiting for a reply to my support inquiry.)
Streaming
I’d venture to say that one of the most popular uses for VPNs among average users is to gain access to geo-blocked streaming services, like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and others.
In the early days of both the streaming industry and VPN industry, it was easy-peasy to gain access to a streaming service’s geo-blocked content by using a VPN.
However, streaming platforms soon got hip to this trick and began blocking VPN-provided IP addresses from accessing their content libraries.
This caused many VPN providers to give up on providing reliable access to Netflix, Hulu, and other streaming providers. However, there were still a few hardy VPN providers, such as NordVPN and Surfshark, that keep hanging in there, fighting the good fight, trying to stay one step ahead of the streaming service’s virtual blockades.
While BolehVPN has an admittedly limited server network, I will admit that the provider does an admirable job of accessing streaming services in the few countries where it has servers stationed.
The provider was able to access Netflix in the countries where I tested (the U.S., U.K., France, and other countries). It also did an admirable job of accessing BBC iPlayer in the U.K., Hulu in the States, and Amazon Prime in most countries.
However, the provider’s slow connection internet speeds made it a less-than-satisfactory experience in some countries – I’ll tell you more about that in the Connection Speed section below.
Security and Privacy
BolehVPN offers two industry-standard protocols as its protection options: OpenVPN and L2TP. (OpenVPN is the default.)
Despite the Windows and macOS apps’ mind-boggling number of tabs and buttons, I failed to find “extra” online protections, such as a kill switch, ad or tracker blocking, or malware and phishing protection. (The Windows app did offer “auto-reconnect” and DNS leak protection options. The macOS version lacked even these options.)
The provider runs its service from dedicated servers. BolehVPN says it “does not maintain any logs beyond the usual system logs required to run our servers. We do not monitor any traffic of our customers nor will we willingly share customer details.”
However, they also say, “We may from time to time turn on the logs temporarily if we are attempting to troubleshoot a performance issue or locate a user abusing our service.”
The provider is headquartered in Malaysia but says it is under Seychelles jurisdiction, which is not part of any “eyes” agreements.
The provider accepts bank transfers, PayPal, credit cards, and numerous types of cryptocurrencies. It doesn’t require anything more than an email address to sign up. (Although the credit card processor will require your address info so it can verify the billing address.)
Connection Speeds
BolehVPN connection speeds, while admittedly being able to handle most online activities, are far from being the best around.
On an Ethernet connection averaging in at 375.5 Mbps down, I averaged only 71.8 Mbps download speed when connected to the VPN provider’s network. These average internet speeds are much slower than those I’ve seen with other providers, including NordVPN and Surfshark, to name a few.
While 71.8 Mbps doesn’t sound slow, in practice, the provider struggled with streaming services. I saw long buffering times on the U.S. and France Netflix test runs, taking as much as 30 seconds to start streaming a video. When it did start streaming, often the stream was a 480P resolution at best, with noticeable pixelization.
The provider’s protected connections also seriously increased ping readings. I strongly suggest that streaming fans and gamers opt for the seven-day subscription option before committing to a long-term relationship with this provider.
On the bright side, the provider never inflicts user data caps or bandwidth throttling on its users.
Cost
BolehVPN offers a single level of service for various lengths of time. Subscriptions are available in seven-day, 30-day, 60-day, 180-day, and 365-day periods.
I’d say the provider’s pricing is reasonable (a seven-day subscription will cost about the same as a large hot coffee at your favorite joint, while a 365-day subscription will cost about the price of a year’s membership to Disney+.)
While the price is reasonable, it doesn’t offer good value, all things considered. There are plenty of VPN providers that offer more bang for the buck, even if they’re more expensive.
The provider doesn’t appear to offer a money-back guarantee. (I couldn’t find mention on the provider’s site of a guarantee, and I haven’t as yet heard back from a support inquiry I sent two days ago.) However, they do offer a one-day trial run that provides access to only a few servers.
Alternative VPNs
NordVPN
While BolehVPN’s services provide adequate VPN protection, there are better options out there. I strongly suggest that users look for a provider with better global server coverage, faster connection speeds, and better multi-platform support.
My #1 top choice for VPN protection is NordVPN. While the provider is a bit more expensive than many other VPNs, the level of service it delivers makes it an excellent value.
NordVPN’s global server network easily outpaces BolehVPN’s network, as well as most of its other competitors.
With nearly 5,600+ servers stationed in 60+ countries around the world, there are few regions of the globe that NordVPN can’t reach. That kind of coverage means your entertainment options are nearly limitless, thanks to its excellent ability to access geo-controlled content.
The provider also offers app support for a wide range of devices, including most popular mobile devices and desktop platforms, as well as many brands of routers. You can connect up to six devices to the service at once on a single account.
Those apps offer fast, well-protected connections. NordVPN’s apps protect your devices using military-grade data encryption, kill switch and DNS leak protection, and more. The provider also offers malware protection as well as ad and tracker blocking.
The provider keeps no logs on its servers and accepts Bitcoin to keep your payment details private. Its owned-and-operated server network keeps third-party contractors away from your personal info. All NordVPN servers are run exclusively from volatile RAM, meaning no data is ever written to a physical hard drive or SSD. This ensures that all data on a NordVPN server is completely wiped whenever it is rebooted or shut down.
For more information about NordVPN, read my review.
Surfshark
Surfshark is my #1 pick for VPN users on a budget. The provider offers comprehensive VPN protection for a bargain rate.
The VPN provides fast average download speeds, measuring in at 188.8 Mbps in my most recent testing. Unlike some low-priced VPNs, Surfshark never imposes daily or monthly data caps on your VPN usage and never throttles your connection.
Surfshark uses banking-grade encryption, a kill switch, and DNS/IP leak prevention to keep your internet connection undercover. Multiple connection protocols are available, including WireGuard, IKEv2/IPSec, and OpenVPN.
Surfshark saves no user logs on its servers, keeping absolutely no records of your online travels. Your payment privacy is also well-protected, thanks to Surfshark’s cryptocurrency subscription payment option.
The provider recently began running all of its servers 100% from RAM, writing no type of data to a mechanical hard drive or an SSD. This ensures that all data is securely and completely wiped from the provider’s servers when they are shut down, rebooted, or unplugged from power.
Surfshark’s native app support includes options for Android, Android TV, Linux, Windows, macOS (boasting native Apple Silicon support), iOS, 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 bargain budget pricing on its 12-month and two-year subscription options.
BolehVPN FAQs
Does BolehVPN Have Traffic Obfuscation Technology?
BolehVPN does offer traffic obfuscation technology. The feature hides your VPN usage by making it appear as normal browser traffic. This prevents your Internet Service Provider and government observers from detecting your VPN usage.
Does BolehVPN Work in China?
The most recent mention of the provider working from inside of China is in an October 2017 post on the BolehVPN blog, in which the author mentions success in using the provider from inside of China.
I asked customer support about support from inside of China and three days after my request, I hadn't heard back from them. My advice is to use a VPN provider with proven ability to connect from inside China, like NordVPN.
What Payment Methods Does BolehVPN Accept?
The provider accepts bank transfers, PayPal, credit cards, and numerous types of cryptocurrencies. BolehVPN offers a 10% discount if you pay via Paymentwall.
