-
VPN Shield
- Our Score 4.5
- User Rating
VPN Shield Review
VPN Shield is a lesser-known name in the crowded VPN market, but does it offer enough to stand out? In this review, we dive into its features, performance, privacy practices, and pricing to help you decide if it’s the right VPN for you.
VPN Shield Figures
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Offer cheap 7-day price plan
- Up to 5 devices
- 1-day free trial
- 24/7 Support
VPN Shield Plans
-
Introducing VPN Shield
VPN Shield is a cross-platform virtual private network service developed by Defendemus LLC, a company based in Poland. While it doesn’t enjoy the name recognition of major industry players, VPN Shield has quietly built a small but loyal user base thanks to its no-frills approach to online security. It’s designed to offer a simple and straightforward way for users to encrypt their internet traffic and shield their data from potential threats, whether they’re on public Wi-Fi or browsing from home.
At first glance, it looks a bit old-school (meaning outdated) – both their website and the app interface. The service is available on a standard range of platforms, including Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. VPN Shield targets users who prioritize convenience and basic protection rather than those seeking advanced features or high-performance streaming.
Its server network is small, speeds are decent, and there’s a noticeable absence of more sophisticated privacy tools. Still, for users seeking a no-nonsense solution for basic browsing protection, VPN Shield can serve as a lightweight alternative.
How Easy Is It to Use?
VPN Shield puts simplicity at the core of its user experience. From installation to everyday use, the service is designed to be as accessible as possible – even for users who are new to VPNs. The setup process is quick and straightforward: you download the app, sign in (or start a free trial), and connect with a single tap or click. There’s no confusing jargon or technical configuration required.
The user interface is minimalistic, clean, and consistent across platforms – but as we mentioned outdated. Whether you’re on Windows, macOS, iOS, or Android, the layout remains intuitive. The home screen focuses on the essentials: a large connect button, server location list, and connection status. Advanced settings are tucked away, which keeps the interface uncluttered but may leave power users wishing for more control. Don’t expect much of the advanced option, however.
One of VPN Shield’s standout features is its seamless integration with Apple’s ecosystem. iOS and macOS users can manage subscriptions directly via the App Store, making payment and cancellation more transparent. Mobile users will also appreciate the compact design of the app, which performs well even on older devices.
However, the simplicity comes at a cost. There’s no kill switch, no split tunneling, and no customization of protocols. Users who want more granular control over their VPN settings or need specialized features will find VPN Shield limiting.
Overall, VPN Shield excels in usability, making it a solid option for casual users and beginners. But those seeking deeper configuration options or extra tools may need to look elsewhere.
- Apps: Windows, MacOS, Android, IOS
- Browser Extensions: none
- Streaming Devices and Gaming Consoles: Amazon Kindle (although not technically a streaming device)
-
Does VPN Shield Offer Good Speed?
Speed is a critical factor when choosing a VPN, and unfortunately, VPN Shield doesn’t quite keep pace with the industry’s frontrunners. While it’s sufficient for basic tasks like browsing, emailing, or accessing social media, performance takes a noticeable hit when doing anything more bandwidth-intensive. Even though they promise Unlimited bandwidth.
In our tests, local connections (within the same country or region) delivered acceptable speeds, though even these showed some degree of lag compared to a direct, unprotected connection. International servers, on the other hand, were significantly slower, often resulting in high latency and longer load times for websites and streaming platforms.
Streaming in HD, video conferencing, and large file downloads are possible, but not without occasional buffering or slowdowns – especially during peak hours. VPN Shield doesn’t offer server load indicators or speed optimization tools, which makes it harder for users to find the fastest server manually.
One key factor behind the performance issues appears to be VPN Shield’s relatively small server network. With fewer servers to distribute traffic and optimize routing, congestion can become an issue, particularly when connecting to high-demand regions.
Is It Trustworthy?
When it comes to trust, VPN Shield presents a mixed bag. On the surface, it offers some reassuring features: a no-logs policy, standard encryption protocols, and a long-standing presence in the VPN market. The service is operated by Defendemus LLC, a Poland-based company, which adds transparency in terms of corporate identity – something many smaller VPNs lack.
VPN Shield claims that it does not collect logs related to users’ online activity, such as visited websites or connection timestamps. While this is encouraging, the company has not undergone an independent audit to verify these claims—something many top-tier VPNs now offer to boost credibility. The lack of third-party verification leaves users with only the provider’s word, which may not be enough for those who require strong privacy assurances.
In terms of transparency, VPN Shield doesn’t publish regular transparency reports, and its privacy policy, while straightforward, is quite brief and lacks detailed technical explanations of how user data is handled. Additionally, it doesn’t offer advanced privacy features like RAM-only servers, anonymous sign-up options, or cryptocurrency payments.
That said, VPN Shield has been available for over a decade and has not been involved in any known data breaches or scandals. Its longevity in the market without major incidents suggests a reasonable baseline of reliability, particularly for users who aren’t engaging in high-risk online activity.
Now, what we find extremely lackluster is the features they offer.
- 1. Encryption: not disclosed – a big minus
- 2. Protocols: OpenVPN, IKEv2, L2TP, PPTP
- 3.Traffic Compression : minimizes traffic usage to ensure unlimited bandwidth
- 4. Automatic protection: connects automatically if it detects an unsafe network
- 5. Split tunneling : none
- 6. Kill Switch : none
-
Streaming, Torrenting and Round-the-Clock Support
Is Streaming Possible?
If you’re looking for a VPN to unlock your favorite shows and movies from around the world, VPN Shield is not your best bet. During our testing, the service struggled to bypass geo-restrictions on popular streaming platforms. Major services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer all detected and blocked the VPN’s servers, preventing access to region-locked content.
VPN Shield doesn’t advertise itself as a streaming-friendly VPN, and that’s reflected in its performance. There are no dedicated streaming servers, nor any features specifically aimed at evading VPN blocks implemented by streaming services. As a result, users looking to access foreign libraries or watch content while traveling may find themselves frustrated by repeated error messages and limited server choices.
Does Torrenting Work with VPN Shield?
If torrenting is a priority, you’ll be better off with a VPN that supports it openly, includes advanced privacy protections, and offers high-speed servers tailored for file sharing. VPN Shield, while adequate for basic web privacy, simply isn’t built with torrenting in mind.
What can we say – it works, but may be hit or miss. There are not enough server locations to support high-demand torrent needs. If you happen to connect to a server that is close by, it will work well. However, keep in mind there is no kill switch – if the connection drops, you’re on your own with your real IP.
Customer Support
Support is provided by email – honestly, the bare minimum. They reply fast indeed (within 12 hours at least) but that does not support their claim of “blazing fast responses”.
What you will find, though, is a decent knowledge base with enough information to troubleshoot basic issues. The website overall is not very informative, so if you have urgent problems you better send them an email.
-
Is It Worth the Cost?
Depending on your personal needs – yes and no. Let’s review the prices first:
- 7 Days – $2.99
- 30 days – $5.99
- 90 days – $14.99
- 1 Year – $39.99
- 3 Years – $99.99
The prices are okay – not too high. However, considering the lack of some standard but important features, we don’t think it is worth it. If you’re okay with casual browsing, social media and very light streaming – then it is perfectly fine. Advanced users are bound to find a better VPN provider with extended features in the same price range. A good option is to get the free trial – it is only a day, but enough to see if it works well enough for your needs.
-
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Speed is indeed good
- Torrenting works, even if it’s not advertised
- Free trial
Cons
- Lacks important features
- Streaming is non-existent – can’t unblock major libraries
- Outdated interface
- Small server network
-
Our Verdict
VPN Shield is a basic VPN that offers ease of use and broad device compatibility, making it a decent choice for beginners or casual users. However, its limited server network, lackluster features, and lack of support for streaming make it hard to recommend for anything beyond light browsing.
While it claims a no-logs policy, the lack of independent audits and minimal customer support raise concerns for more privacy-conscious users. Overall, VPN Shield may work for simple needs, but there are better-performing VPNs available at a similar price.