FinchVPN offers some of the lowest-priced short-term VPN subscription options I’ve ever seen. In addition to low-priced one-week and one-month options, the provider also offers a limited free VPN option.
FinchVPN is headquartered in Malaysia, which is not a 5 eyes, 9 eyes, or 14 eyes alliance country.
In this review, I’ll offer up the results of my testing with FinchVPN, reveal how well it performs, how it protects your online activities, and how well it accesses geo-blocked streaming content, like Netflix and BBC iPlayer. I’ll also take a look at the provider’s app offerings and global server network.
Finally, I’ll deliver my final verdict, tell you whether or not you should give the service a try, and also provide a look at how well FinchVPN compares with other VPNs, including my #1 pick, NordVPN.
Is FinchVPN Right for You?
FinchVPN offers low-priced yet seemingly reliable protection for your online travels. Sadly, the provider’s native app support is quite limited, and newbie VPN users should definitely stay away from this provider.
The provider’s severely limited global server network offers slow connection speeds and limited access to geo-blocked streaming services.
This provider is a decent option for experienced VPN and computer users who don’t mind doing some of the heavy lifting when it comes to setup.
FinchVPN doesn’t offer any type of money-back guarantee, but it does offer a free level of service, along with a one-dollar seven-day subscription option.
That said, there are better VPN options available, including my #1 pick, NordVPN.
NordVPN offers a no-risk 30-day money-back guarantee, speedy connections, reliable online security, excellent privacy service, and much more.
My Verdict
FinchVPN, while providing workman-like online security and privacy, falls short in a number of categories, including app support, global server coverage, and connection speed.
While the provider might be attractive to those looking for cheap VPN protection, they’ll soon find that you get what you pay for, and will be looking for another budget-priced VPN, like Surfshark.
Those looking for a VPN provider that delivers all-around top-notch VPN protection that offers fast, well-protected connections, support for their favorite desktop & mobile devices, and excellent customer support are advised to consider other providers, like my #1 VPN, NordVPN.
| OVERALL RANK: | 3/5 |
| Speed: | 3/5 |
| Tested Speed: | 54.35 Mbps average download speed (independently tested) |
| Streaming Support: | HD |
| Streaming Score: | 2.5/5 |
| Unblocks Netflix?: | Yes |
| U.S. Streaming Services Supported: | Netflix |
| U.K. Streaming Services Supported: | Netflix |
| Security Score: | 3.5/5 |
| Privacy Rating: | 4/5 |
| Supports Torrenting: | Yes |
| Value for the Money: | 3/5 |
| Money-Back Guarantee: | No refunds. Does offer a free level of service. |
| Website: | FinchVPN.com |
Pros:
- Good online security and privacy
- Accesses Netflix
- Low price on all subscriptions
Cons:
- Global server coverage needs expansion
- Slow connection speeds
- Only offers native app support for Windows and Android
Features
FinchVPN offers low-priced short-term subscription plans (including a seven-day $1 option), as well as one-month, three-month, six-month, and 12-month plans. The provider offers three levels of service, including a limited free level.
While the provider is compatible with multiple device platforms, it only offers native app support for Android, Windows 8, and Windows 10. That means iOS, macOS, and Linux users will need to manually set up their FinchVPN protection in Tunnelblick or an OpenVPN app.
Browser extensions are not available, but the service can be manually set up to work with Tomato or DD-WRT routers.
FinchVPN only allows a severely limiting one connection at a time to its servers.
The provider offers the ability to use the PPTP and OpenVPN protocols.
The provider’s global server network, at the time of this article, is a horribly disappointing 20+ server locations in 10+ countries.
While P2P is allowed, the provider says only its Netherlands server is P2P-optimized.
Customer support consists of remote support (for Pro and Premier subscribers), live chat (although it apparently isn’t available 24/7, as it was never available when I visited the website), email support, a support ticket system, discussion groups, an FAQ page, and a Facebook page. As of this writing, I had sent a support inquiry via email three days ago and I haven’t heard back.
Streaming
Using a VPN to gain access to geo-blocked streaming content around the globe is arguably one of the most popular uses for the technology.
It’s true that in the early days of streaming and VPN usage, nearly any VPN could provide reliable access to most streaming services around the globe.
Unfortunately, it didn’t take long for Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and most other streaming services to begin blocking devices with VPN-provided IP addresses from accessing their content libraries.
Once this began happening, many VPN providers simply gave up on providing access to geo-blocked streaming services.
Luckily, some quality providers – such as NordVPN, Surfshark, ExpressVPN, and others – are still willing to engage in this game of virtual cat and mouse, quickly restoring access to streamers by creating fresh IP addresses when old addresses are blocked.
As for FinchVPN’s access to geo-blocked streaming content, it’s a bit hit and miss. The provider offered excellent access to Netflix in the regions I tested (the U.S., the U.K., and Luxembourg). However, attempts to access Amazon Prime Video in the same countries, along with Hulu in the U.S. and BBC iPlayer in the U.K., came up empty.
Keep in mind that the provider only has servers stationed in a little over 10 countries. (Why else would I have tested Luxembourg?) This means your global access to any streaming service’s content will be harshly limited.
Security and Online Privacy
FinchVPN offers the following connection protocols for customers to use: PPTP and OpenVPN. (Yep, that’s it.)
Since the provider only offers native app support for the Windows and Android platforms, it doesn’t offer much in the way of “extras.” Instead, its apps merely offer well-protected connections.
The provider’s Windows app offers no settings to toggle kill switch protection on or off, no additional ad and tracker blocking, or any similar options. Meanwhile, the Android app offers the ability to bypass Deep Packet Inspection, such as overly restrictive countries used to restrict some internet traffic.
FinchVPN is headquartered in Malaysia, which is not a 5 eyes, 9 eyes, or 14 eyes alliance country. (Members of these alliances are bound by law to share users’ private information if authorities demand it.)
The provider’s online privacy page states that it does not store any web traffic data, including websites visited, files downloaded, or similar data.
It does, however, record the time, date, and location you made your VPN connection and the amount of bandwidth you used during the connection. The information is “routinely purged” from all of the provider’s servers “without any exception.”
Over 80 international payment methods are available, including a Bitcoin payment option to keep your payment information private.
Connection Speeds
FinchVPN’s internet connection speeds are some of the slowest I’ve seen during my VPN testing. That said, when it accesses a streaming service, FinchVPN’s connections provide enough performance for HD streaming and should hold up reasonably well for most online activities.
During the download speed testing period for this provider, my ISP-provided connection speeds measured in at an average of 489.03 Mbps. Yet, when connected to FinchVPN’s servers, my speeds plunged to 54.35 Mbps. Upload speeds fared even worse.
While Netflix streams started quickly and played smoothly at HD quality, Netflix was the only streaming service tested that worked with the service.
Ping times also suffered when connected to this provider’s servers, and I would suggest gamers look elsewhere for their global gaming fix.
The combination of slower connection speeds and an extremely limited global server network means movie fans would do much better if they looked at another VPN provider for their needs.
The provider does not inflict data limit caps or bandwidth throttling on its “Premiere” users but does impose data caps on its “Pro” and “Free” members. You can read more about the plan tiers below.
Cost
FinchVPN offers three levels of service, including a free one.
The free level offers limited, data-capped usage, a limited selection of servers (yes, even more limited than mentioned above), no port forwarding, no remote support, and only email and live support chat.
The “Pro” level, which is under 20 bucks for a year, is limited to 25GB-per-month data usage, offers no port forwarding or remote support, and offers access to email, support tickets, and live chat support.
The “Premiere” level of service will run you nearly double the Pro option and has no data caps, offers port forwarding, includes remote support, as well as email, support ticket, and live chat support.
While these prices may be tempting, they really aren’t a bargain due to the provider’s limited app support, tiny server network, slow connection speeds, and limited streaming support.
FinchVPN doesn’t offer a money-back guarantee but does offer a one-day free trial for Android users.
VPN Alternatives
NordVPN
While FinchVPN is a bargain-basement provider pricing-wise, it is also a basement dweller when it comes to most of its features. I can’t in good conscience recommend the provider to any user. Luckily, there are other options available.
If your budget necessitates the use of a low-price provider, I suggest you investigate the services that Surfshark offers. The provider offers excellent VPN protection and enhancement at a better-than-reasonable price.
If you’re the best all-around VPN service, I strongly suggest you take a close look at the top-notch services that NordVPN offers. I have put this service provider through extensive rounds of tests and it has proven to offer optimum VPN protection and enhancement.
The provider’s asking price isn’t that much higher than that of FinchVPN’s, and its all-around level of service is also much higher, offering an excellent return on investment.
NordVPN’s global server network offers nearly 5,600 servers stationed in 60+ countries, meaning it covers most of the globe. That extensive server network helps ensure that you will have access to most any geo-blocked content, no matter where it originates from.
That extensive network of servers provides reliable, speedy connections (some of the fastest I’ve ever seen). NordVPN connection speeds can easily handle HD and 4K streaming, fast-moving online gaming, and the sharing of large files. My most recent round of download speed tests showed NordVPN provided an average download speed of 196.4 Mbps.
Those fast connection times are also well protected from prying eyes thanks to the provider’s use of government-grade encryption, a kill switch, DNS leak protection, and other protections, like its CyberSec protection that blocks malware-infected websites, botnets, and ads. Double VPN protection routes your connection through two VPN servers for added anonymity. The provider also offers malware protection, as well as tracker and ad blocking.
A strict no-server-logs policy and a Bitcoin payment option protect your privacy. Plus, NordVPN’s owned-and-operated servers keep outside contractors away from your data. The provider runs all of its servers solely from volatile RAM. Since no data is ever saved to a physical hard drive or SSD, all data is completely wiped when a server is shut down, rebooted, or unplugged.
Most of your favorite connected devices will benefit from NordVPN’s fast, well-protected connections thanks to native app support for most popular devices. Apps are available for Windows, macOS (with native M1 and M2 Mac support), iOS, Android, Amazon Fire, Linux, and Android TV platforms.
Browser extensions are also available for Chrome, Edge, and Firefox browsers. In addition, the provider is compatible with numerous router makes and models.
For more information about NordVPN, read my review.
Surfshark
Surfshark is my top pick for VPN users on a tight budget. The provider offers reliable, top-notch VPN protection for a low price.
The provider delivered average download speeds of 188.8 Mbps in my most recent download speed tests. Unlike some budget-priced VPNs, Surfshark never ruins the online fun by imposing daily or monthly data caps or throttling your connection.
Surfshark protects its users’ connections by using banking-grade encryption, a kill switch, and DNS/IP leak prevention. The provider offers a choice among the WireGuard, IKEv2/IPSec, and OpenVPN connection protocols.
Surfshark saves no user logs on its VPN servers, meaning there are no records of your online travels to be had. Your payment privacy is also protected, thanks to Surfshark’s accepting cryptocurrency in return for its comprehensive services.
Surfshark recently joined other major VPN providers in running its servers 100% from volatile RAM, writing no data of any kind to a physical hard drive or SSD. All data is completely wiped from the provider’s servers whenever they are rebooted, shut down, or unplugged from the surge protector.
Surfshark offers native apps for Android, Android TV, Linux, Windows, macOS (boasting native Apple Silicon support), iOS, and Amazon Fire TV devices. Chrome, Edge, and Firefox browser extensions are available to protect your in-browser activities. The VPN is also compatible with several router makes and models.
This provider offers bargain basement pricing on its one or two-year subscription options.
FinchVPN FAQs
Is FinchVPN Easy to Install?
If you’re an Android, Windows 8, or Windows 10 user, it’s easy to install FinchVPN. This is because those are the only platforms that FinchVPN offers native app support for. If you’re an iOS, Linux, or macOS user, you’ll need to manually set up all of your VPN protection using the Tunnelblick or OpenVPN apps.
Is One Day Enough to See if FinchVPN Is Right For Me?
One day is not long enough to decide on whether a VPN is right for you. You’ll always think of a new use for a VPN after one day has passed. FinchVPN does offer a cheap seven-day subscription, which should give you enough time to decide whether the VPN provider is right for you.
Can I Stream Netflix With FinchVPN in 4K or HDR?
Netflix requires a download speed of 25 megabits or higher to provide a 4K HDR stream. My testing determined the provider’s connection speeds would be fast enough for 4K HDR streams. However, successful 4K streaming would depend on your usual ISP-provided download speeds and which VPN server you connect to, as well as other determining factors.
