iNinja VPN is a fresh, free VPN extension for Chrome that has some decent features like leak protection and decent speeds.
However, I don’t recommend it for a number of reasons, one of them is its inability to unblock Netflix and a lack of solid encryption.
In this iNinja VPN review, I’ll take an in-depth look at the VPN and let you why using this service is like giving the devil your soul for a bit of privacy now.
vpnAlert Rating: | 6.1 of 10 ⭐ |
Better alternative: | Click here to find out more |
Jurisdiction: | UK |
Encryption: | 128-bit SSL |
Servers & Locations: | 9 servers, 5 countries |
Logging policy: | Keeps activity logs |
Live chat: | No |
P2P & Torrenting: | Allowed |
Platforms: | Chrome Browser |
Payment options : | Paypal, Perfectmoney, Skrill, Bitcoin, Webmoney, Paysafecard, Amazon Giftcard, Paymentwall, Qiwi, Yandex, LTC, ETH |
Overview of iNinja VPN
iNinja is a proxy VPN based in the United Kingdom.
INinja VPN was launched in 2017 and is a good option for those who use the Chrome browser. They provide servers in five countries –the US, UK, Netherlands, Austria, and Russia.
In regards to security, the VPN uses 128-bit SSL which offers some protection but pales against the 256-bit AES and Double Encryption combo used by NordVPN and ExpressVPN.
On the bright side, iNinja VPN is entirely free.
However, in return for free usage, you become a peer on their network. Nothing is ever entirely free, after all.
The VPN works well with geo-restricted sites, but if you are a privacy-minded user, this might not be the best option for you, as the service does log your activity.
Pros
- Free VPN extension for Chrome
- Excellent connections
- Allows P2P
- Unlimited server switching
- Easy to use
Cons
- Few servers
- Limited device compatibility
- Limited device compatibility
Features and Benefits
Security and Privacy
iNinja’s website is well designed and is secured by an SSL certificate, ensuring your information remains private.
Weak Encryption + DNS Leaks Detected
The provider uses AES 128-bit encryption, which is a level below the industry standard. Many of the top VPNs offer 256-bit encryption, Double VPN, DNS leak protection, and an automatic internet kill switch.
The fact that iNinja is lacking this puts them a peg below the competition.
Keeps Activity Logs
Looking at the VPN’s privacy policy, I was shocked at the sheer volume of data they gather and store.
The provider keeps both connection and activity logs, and they are open to sharing this information with the authorities and other third parties.
Even more disturbing is the fact that the VPN converts users into peers on their network. This means your device may be potentially acting as a node, with other users’ traffic going through it.
When connected to iNinja VPN, other users may also use your IP address and bandwidth, further compromising your privacy.
This is a huge liability concern and serves as a huge red flag in my eyes.
Server Network: 9 Locations in 5 countries
iNinja has a significantly small number of servers located in 5 countries, including the US, UK, Netherlands, and Austria.
The provider offers shared IP addresses and allows unlimited server switching.
VPN Speed and Performance
iNinja’s performance is fairly good. In testing out different servers, I found their connections to be stable, but speed leaves something to be desired.
The provider does not limit bandwidth allowing you to stream videos interruption-free.
Location | Ping (ms) | Download (Mbps) | Upload (Mbps) |
---|---|---|---|
US (New York) | 44 | 39.60 | 15.40 |
UK (London) | 113 | 22.40 | 16.20 |
AT (Vienna) | 88 | 48.20 | 14.63 |
Torrents/P2P: Yes, But There Are Better Options
Although iNinja doesn’t mention anything about torrents, they do allow torrenting on all their servers.
However, given their jurisdiction and poor privacy policy, I wouldn’t recommend using the VPN to download torrents.
Does iNinja VPN Work with Netflix?
Yes. The VPN works perfectly with Netflix, and I was able to access the streaming site on all the 5 US server locations.
iNinja also reliably unblocks Hulu, HBO, and Amazon Prime Video.
Ease of Use and Platform Support
iNinja has a nice Chrome extension which is quite easy to set up and use.
The provider also has native apps for Android and iOS, but none were functional at the time of testing.
Customer Support via Email
Unfortunately, iNinja doesn’t have a Live Chat. Customer service is available via Email, and although they claim to offer 24/7 support, it can take hours before you get a response.
That said, they do have a helpful Knowledgebase section on their website where you can find useful ‘how-to’ articles and other solutions.
What Do Customers Think About iNinja VPN?
When looking on the internet for user reviews on the iNinja VPN, I found most were positive. Many users were pleased by the VPN’s affordability, speeds, and as the ease of use.
However, there were some who, like me, weren’t impressed by the privacy features and policy.
I reckon that many who have positive things to say may be light users who don’t have much insight into the importance of things like no logging and 256-bit AES encryption.
Power users don’t seem to care for the lack of privacy, slower speeds, and “meh” customer service.
What Should You Consider Before Getting a Service Like iNinja VPN?
Not all VPNs are created equal.
Before picking a VPN, you need to make sure the provider can meet your needs, be it online privacy or bypassing geo-restrictions.
Here are a few things that I’d consider before investing in a particular VPN service.
The Security Encryptions Used
256-bit AES cipher is the best VPN encryption available and the current industry standard.
However, this doesn’t mean you should disregard the other security standards.
AES 128-bit is pretty good too and delivers faster speeds than 256-bit AES.
Does the VPN Keep Logs?
Yes, a VPN can be secure, but if they log or even worse, share your data, then it isn’t worth your while.
A good VPN should have a strict ‘zero logging’ policy.
Does the VPN Restrict Bandwidth?
If you use VPNs regularly, then you need a provider that offers unlimited bandwidth and doesn’t throttle speeds.
The VPN also should not discriminate against such traffic as P2P and BitTorrent.
Customer Support
Even the best VPNs can develop issues, and they seem to pop up at the worst times. When that happens, you will want to have a provider that offers fast and reliable technical support.
Interestingly, even some great VPNs don’t have live chat and instead rely on a ticketing system, which, frankly, kinda sucks.
iNinja VPN Alternatives
Not impressed by iNinja VPN?
Well, there a few great alternatives available.
While the options below aren’t free, they do blow iNinja VPN out of the water when it comes to features and protecting your personal data.
NordVPN – Premium Security
NordVPN is a powerful VPN that offers robust security and privacy.
The company is based in Panama, a privacy-friendly jurisdiction and does not keep any logs.
Few VPNs can match NordVPN’s server count –5,657 servers in 60 countries across the world. Since NordVPN has vast server network, bypassing geo-restrictions is a breeze.
Also, the VPN features a proprietary SmartPlay technology that allows you to access streaming services like Netflix and Hulu with a single click.
NordVPN supports all the major protocols with military-grade AES-256-bit encryption, DNS leak protection, and perfect forward secrecy.
The VPN also features a kill switch which terminates access to the internet in the event your VPN connection drops.
The VPN boasts sleek, intuitive apps and is compatible with a wide range of devices including Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and even routers.
NordVPN is one of the most affordable premium VPNs, especially when you buy annually. A 30-day money-back guarantee covers all subscriptions, and with a single account, you can connect up to 6 devices simultaneously.
Similarities
- Chrome extension
- Excellent connections
- Unlimited server switching
- Allows P2P
Differences
- Native apps
- Dedicated IPs
- 256-bit encryption
- DNS leak protection
- Zero logging policy
- Live chat support
VeePN
VeePN is a great iNinja alternative.
The Panama-based VPN has over 2500 servers in 50 different locations across 42 countries. The service works perfectly with Netflix and delivers fast speeds, something which should delight streaming fans.
Connections are leak-free and secured with bank-level AES-256 encryption and an internet kill switch. VeePN allows P2P and BitTorrent and does not restrict bandwidth.
The service is available in nearly all the major platforms used today.
There are native apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android as well as browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Opera.
While VeePN’s $10.99 monthly is a bit costly, with the 5-year subscription, you can bring the cost down by a whopping 85%.
A single license covers up to 10 devices simultaneously.
Read more in-depth VeePN review.
Similarities
- Chrome extension
- Fast connections
- Allows P2P
Differences
- Native apps
- Zero logging policy
- Automatic kill switch
EarthVPN
EarthVPN is a Northern Cyprus based VPN that offers robust security and privacy. The VPN delivers fast speeds and has servers in 190 physical locations across 54 countries.
In regards to security, the provider uses 128-bit AES, and RSA 2048-bit encryption and protocols available include PPTP, L2TP, SSTP, OpenVPN, and SSH/Socks Proxy.
They also maintain a strict privacy policy and do not keep any logs.
EarthVPN supports multiple operating systems, including Windows, Mac OS, Linux, and Android.
However, the VPN lacks dedicated apps and has to be configured manually, which makes it less user-friendly.
You can read the full EarthVPN review here.
Final Word
Despite having fast, reliable connections and an easy to use Chrome extension, iNinja doesn’t offer much in the way of privacy. The VPN is riddled with security loopholes, and its data policy leaves a lot to be desired.
I simply cannot recommend iNinja VPN.
The breaches in trust for security and data privacy are hurdles that just cannot be cleared.
If you are looking for a secure all-around VPN, then I recommend checking out NordVPN.
Read Also: Best VPN Browser Extensions