GoTrusted is a reliable, yet limited U.S.-based Virtual Private Network (VPN) provider that, while providing secure VPN protection, doesn’t go the extra step to make its service easier to use or to make it better value for the money.
In this review, I’ll tell you what you’ll need to know to make an informed VPN-buying decision. I’ll take a look at this provider’s connection protection, the speed of its connections, how well the provider covers the globe in servers, and much more.
I’ll also deliver my final verdict as to whether or not GoTrusted is a viable option for VPN protection, or if you can do better by considering other VPN service providers, such as my top-ranked provider, NordVPN.
Is GoTrusted Right for You?
GoTrusted offers basic VPN protection but comes up lacking in several categories. The provider lacks a large (or even medium-sized) global server network, their native app support is limited to three device platforms, and their speeds are less than satisfactory.
I experienced several issues with the provider during testing, not the least of which was the provider’s Mac app’s tendency to completely kill my MacBook’s network connection.
Online protection and privacy protection from the provider have the basics covered, but that’s it. GoTrusted apps do not offer the usual bells and whistles that we’ve all come to expect from modern VPN service providers.
While GoTrusted offers a true seven-day free trial, it doesn’t offer any refund after you commit to the service, so keep that in mind.
GoTrusted does offer reliable online protection, but users can do much better for the price the provider is asking. For less money, providers like NordVPN offer so much more to their users.
NordVPN offers a no-risk, 30-day money-back guarantee, fast and well-protected connections, top-notch online security and privacy, and more.
My Verdict
GoTrusted is a competent VPN provider, but my praise stops there. The provider’s support in the most important VPN service categories is severely limited, and there are several other providers that are more deserving of your business.
The provider has a small global server network, and only server regions and countries, not exact locations, can be selected on the Mac. (iOS and Windows apps do list specific cities.)
The provider’s native app support is also severely limited, offering native apps for only three device platforms (although it can be manually set up on other devices). Only one desktop and one mobile device can be simultaneously connected to the provider.
GoTrusted offers limited protection options, sticking to the basics. Their connections are much slower than my usual ISP-provided speeds. I will say the provider proved to reliably unblock some geo-blocked content, like Netflix and Amazon Prime.
This provider isn’t a horrible VPN option, but there are much better options out there. The provider’s pricing doesn’t offer a good return on investment. For less money, VPN providers like NordVPN are a better deal.
| OVERALL RANK: | 2.5/5 |
| Speed: | 2.5/5 |
| Tested Speed: | 14.73 Mbps average download speed (independently tested) |
| Streaming Support: | HD |
| Streaming Score: | 2.5/5 |
| Unblocks Netflix?: | Yes |
| U.S. Streaming Services Supported: | Netflix, Amazon |
| U.K. Streaming Services Supported: | Netflix, Amazon |
| Security Score: | 3/5 |
| Privacy Rating: | 2.5/5 |
| Supports Torrenting: | Yes |
| Value for the Money: | 2.5/5 |
| Money-Back Guarantee: | 30-day money-back guarantee |
| Website: | GoTrusted.com |
Pros:
- Accesses Netflix and Amazon Prime
- Good online security
- Real seven-day free trial
Cons:
- Global server coverage needs expansion
- Slow connection speeds
- No extra protection features
Features of GoTrusted
GoTrusted offers three subscription lengths, including one-month, six-month, and 12-month options.
Native app support from the provider is severely limited, as only macOS, Windows, and iOS apps are available. Android users can manually set up their internet devices to use the VPN service. No browser extensions are available, and no router support is mentioned on the website.
A note about the macOS app: Whenever I connected to a GoTrusted VPN server and then disconnected, I would often need to either reboot my Mac or delete and again set up my Ethernet and WiFi connections. Otherwise, I couldn’t connect to my network. Occasionally, I couldn’t connect to a GoTrusted server, and my Mac would be disconnected from the network.
GoTrusted allows you to simultaneously have both a desktop and a mobile device connected to their servers.
The provider uses military-grade encryption but doesn’t offer a kill switch feature on their apps. Ad blocking, tracker blocking, and malware blocking are all also missing in action. I found no mention of any such features on the provider’s somewhat lacking website.
The provider’s global server coverage is minimal, with servers in 70+ locations in a mere 18+ countries by my count. (The provider doesn’t offer a specific server tally.) While the provider does a good job of accessing both Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, their scant global coverage will limit any benefit you might enjoy from that unblocking power.
The provider allows P2P coverage on their server network but discourages it. GoTrusted customer support told me, “We allow BitTorrent but discourage it since the majority of the BT seeds are dangerous agents (IP owners or Federal) looking to shut down ISP/VPN services such as ours.”
GoTrusted customer support is also lacking, as it is limited to a “Contact Us” form and an FAQ section with 10 entries. I will say the customer service reps are on their toes, as an inquiry I sent via the contact form was answered in less than an hour. (This was at mid-morning my time, so your experience may vary.)
Streaming
Let’s face it: One of the most popular uses for any VPN service is to bust through geographic content blockades erected by Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and other streaming platforms.
When the streaming industry was in its infancy, using a VPN to access geo-blocked content around the globe was relatively easy.
However, Netflix and the other streamers eventually caught on to the trick and began blocking VPN-provided IP addresses from accessing their content libraries. This means that fewer and fewer VPNs are offering reliable access to geo-blocked streaming content.
GoTrusted’s access to geo-blocked content is limited to just a few streaming services, but at least it includes Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
Both providers allowed access in the U.S. and U.K. regions, but the Netflix website wouldn’t even load properly when I was connected to a server in the Asian region. Hulu and BBC iPlayer both turned me away from the door.
Unfortunately, users will not get all they could out of their streaming subscriptions thanks to GoTrusted’s limited global server coverage.
Security and Privacy
GoTrusted’s online protection is restricted to the basics. If you’re looking for “extras,” then move along, there’s nothing to see here.
While the provider protects your online activities using banking-grade encryption, that’s where it ends. I did not find an option for a kill switch or auto-reconnect feature on the macOS or Windows versions of the provider’s apps. Also missing are extra protective features, such as ad and tracker blocking, as well as malware and phishing protection.
Privacy protection is handled well. While the provider’s on-site information is limited when discussing server logs, the provider’s customer service folk told me, “We do not log your activity, apps used, websites visited, files shared, etc. Our only monitoring is for network management.”
Do keep in mind that since the provider is located in the U.S., they would be required to turn over any information that they may save if the government shows up on their doorstep, warrant in hand.
A cryptocurrency payment option is not available. Payment options are limited to credit and debit cards and PayPal.
Connection Speeds
GoTrusted VPN connection speeds are slow, slow, slow. Didn’t get that? Allow me to repeat. They are s-l-o-o-o-o-w.
During my connection speed testing of the provider, my average unprotected internet connection speeds measured at 361.5 Mbps. When connected to GoTrusted VPN servers, my download speed plunged to an average of 14.73 Mbps. Upload speeds and ping times also took a similar hit.
That said, both Netflix and Amazon Prime Video streams began streaming quickly and provided 720p quality HD streams that played smoothly with little to no buffering.
If you’re a gamer, I’d look elsewhere, as the high ping times I saw could adversely affect online gaming.
The provider does not inflict data caps or bandwidth throttling on its users.
Cost
GoTrusted offers three different subscription length options. The provider’s one-month option’s cost falls in the range of a basic Netflix subscription. If you opt for a six-month term, you can save a dollar per month, and a 12-month commitment knocks a little more than another buck from the monthly price.
The provider offers a true seven-day free trial before charging you for a subscription. While you do have to furnish your credit card or PayPal information when you subscribe, your card is only charged a penny upfront to ensure the information is correct. If you don’t cancel the subscription before the seven days are up, then the provider will charge the full tariff to your payment method.
I have to say, GoTrusted’s asking price is not a good value. There are numerous other providers that offer a better value. NordVPN comes to mind.
VPN Alternatives
Since I can’t in good conscience recommend GoTrusted for most users’ VPN needs, I feel beholden to suggest a couple of alternatives.
NordVPN
NordVPN delivers excellent VPN protection for quite a reasonable price when you opt for their extended subscription options.
NordVPN offers fast, well-protected connections that deliver reliable access to geo-blocked content for multiple device platforms.
The provider’s connection speeds can easily handle HD and 4K streaming, fast-moving online games, and file sharing via P2P. (NordVPN allows P2P file sharing on select servers.)
The provider offers some of the best, most reliable access to geo-blocked content of any VPN provider I’ve tested. NordVPN’s global server network boasts nearly 5,600 server locations stationed in 60+ countries around the globe. (The provider is currently moving its server model to a completely owned-and-operated model, which will keep third-party contractors away from customers’ personal information.)
The provider also offers comprehensive app support for numerous popular device platforms, including Windows, macOS (with native M1/M2 Mac support), iOS, Android, Amazon Fire, Linux, and Android TV devices. Chrome, Edge, and Firefox browser extensions are also available, and the service also works with numerous router makes and models.
NordVPN provides top-notch online security thanks to government-grade encryption, kill switch and DNS leak protection, and more. The provider offers the industry-standard OpenVPN connection protocol and also offers a proprietary “NordLynx,” protocol which is based on the Wireguard connection protocol, which is designed to offer enhanced security and fast connection speeds.
As for online privacy protections, the provider never saves any server logs and also accepts cryptocurrency as payment for subscriptions. The provider runs all server operations 100% from RAM, never writing any data to a physical hard drive. This ensures that all data is completely wiped from the servers when they are rebooted. Also, the provider’s owned-and-operated servers keep outside contractors away from your personal data.
For more information about NordVPN, read my review.
Surfshark
Surfshark is an excellent VPN option for users on a budget. The provider’s comprehensive VPN protection is available for a bargain-basement rate.
The VPN provides well-above-average download speeds, with connections measuring in at 188.8 Mbps in my most recent rounds of testing. Surfshark never imposes data caps on your VPN usage and never throttles your connection speeds.
Surfshark protects its users’ connection with banking-grade encryption, a kill switch, and DNS/IP leak protection. The VPN offers multiple connection protocols, including WireGuard, IKEv2/IPSec, and OpenVPN.
Surfshark never saves any user logs on its servers, meaning there are no records kept of your online travels. Your payment privacy is also protected, as Surfshark offers a cryptocurrency subscription payment option.
Surfshark recently joined multiple other VPN providers in running all of its servers 100% from RAM, with no data ever being written to a mechanical hard drive or an SSD. This means that all data is completely wiped from the servers when they are restarted, shut down, or unplugged.
The provider offers excellent native app support, offering options for Android, Android TV, Linux, Windows, macOS (with 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, making it an excellent value for budget-minded users.
GoTrusted VPN FAQs
Is GoTrusted Safe to Use?
The service uses strong encryption to protect your online security. That said, the provider’s apps lack the “extras” that many other VPNs offer, including ad and tracker blocking or phishing and malware protections.
Will GoTrusted Work on my Smart TV?
No. GoTrusted does not offer support for smart TVs. That said, you could use your Mac or Windows 10 laptop to share the VPN connection with other devices (such as a smart TV) by setting up a VPN-protected WiFi hotspot.
What Payment Methods Does GoTrusted VPN Use?
GoTrusted payment options are limited to credit and debit cards, as well as PayPal. No cryptocurrency payment options are available.
