While convenient, open Wi-Fi networks are often unsecured and can be used to siphon data from users.
Just last year, a friend of mine connected to one such hotspot and unknown to her, someone was able to get her banking password.
And by the time her bank statement came, she had already lost a sizeable amount of money.
With a VPN, you can safeguard your passwords and other sensitive information from hackers and other prying eyes.
In this VPNBaron review, I’ll take an in-depth look at the VPN and let you know if the provider is worth your time and money.
vpnAlert Rating: | 6.2 of 10 ⭐ |
Better alternative: | Click here to find out more |
Jurisdiction: | Romania |
Encryption: | AES-256-CBC, 2048 RSA |
Servers & Locations: | Servers in 12 countries |
Logging policy: | Keeps activity logs |
Live chat: | No |
P2P & Torrenting: | Allowed |
Platforms: | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS |
Overview of VPNBaron
VPNBaron is a Romanian-based VPN that promises secure and efficient service.
The provider offers servers in 21 locations spread in 12 countries across the globe. Their connections are fast and stable, making it a favorite among streaming and torrent fans.
VPNBaron uses AES-256-CBC and 2048 RSA encryption standards with OpenVPN and IKEv2 protocols.
In addition, the provider maintains a strict ‘no logging’ policy, which ensures your online activities remain private.
While it’s not the cheapest option out there, VPNBaron is reasonably priced and comes with a 7-day money-back guarantee. Payment methods include Visa, MasterCard, and PayPal.
For an extra layer of anonymity, VPNBaron also accepts several cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and DigiByte.
Pros
- Fast speeds
- Accepts cryptocurrencies
- Allows P2P and BitTorrent
Cons
- No Live Chat
- No native apps for iOS and Android
Features and Benefits of VPNBaron
Security and Privacy
VPNBaron operates out of a privacy-friendly jurisdiction and keeps none of your traffic logs, which give you even more security and privacy when online.
All traffic sent through the VPN is encrypted using AES-256-CBC cipher, which completely obscures your data.
VPNBaron is also equipped with best-in-class tunneling protocols such as OpenVPN and IKEv2 and automatically selects the best option based on maximum speed and security.
Server Coverage
This is the one area where VPNBaron lags behind their competitors.
While the likes of NordVPN and ExpressVPN provide servers in over 60 countries, VPNBaron only has servers in 12 countries – the US, UK, France, Netherlands, Australia, Germany, Denmark, Spain, Japan, Norway, Romania, and Brazil.
Although the VPN does not offer dedicated IPs, they regularly change their IP addresses to avoid IP blocks, especially by streaming services.
Speed Test
One of the things I really liked about VPNBaron is the speed of their service.
The VPN delivers ultra-fast connections allowing you to stream HD videos smoothly.
I ran a few speed tests on different servers, and as you can see below, all servers came pretty close to matching my base speed.
Location | Ping (ms) | Download (Mbps) | Upload (Mbps) |
---|---|---|---|
Paris | 56 | 53.37 | 38.12 |
Frankfurt | 46 | 55.86 | 51.54 |
Amsterdam | 33 | 50.31 | 52.59 |
Unrestricted Torrenting
VPNBaron remains one of the few VPNs in the market that fully support P2P traffic and BitTorrent.
It also provides unlimited bandwidth with zero throttling.
All these make the VPN a good option for anyone keen to avoid the copyright infringement lawsuits that are entrapping many torrent users today.
Works Reliably with Netflix
VPNBaron claims to work with Netflix, and I was able to access both US and UK Netflix.
I did, however, experience a few issues with some of the servers but given Netflix’s rampant IP blocking practices, that’s unsurprising.
Works on Multiple Devices
VPNBaron is compatible with all of Windows, OS X, Linux, Android, iOS, and routers.
However, the provider only provides native clients for Windows and Mac. As such, it’ll require some technical expertise to set up the VPN on some of the supported devices.
Depending on your subscription plan, you can connect up to 5 devices simultaneously.
Customer Support Lacks a Live Chat
While it’s standard these days for VPN providers to offer 24/7 Live Chat support, VPNBaron continues to provide email support only.
Still, responses were much quicker than I expected.
The provider also has a “Knowledge Base” section on their website where you can find tutorials and other informative content.
7-day Money-back Guarantee
VPNBaron’s 7-day money-back guarantee falls short of the 30-day market standard.
And although the provider claims to have a no-questions-asked refund policy, you can only qualify for one if you have used less than 10GB of bandwidth.
The refund also excludes all cryptocurrency payments.
What Do Customers Think About VPNBaron?
Almost all the VPNBaron user comments I’ve come across online have been quite positive.
Many users praised the VPN’s fast and stable connections as well as the VPN’s ease of use on Mac and Windows.
However, there were a few who were critical of the provider’s lack of dedicated apps for smartphones.
What Should You Consider Before Getting a Service Like VPNBaron?
Here are some of the aspects you should look at when picking a VPN service provider.
The Level of Encryption
The encryption standard used determines, to a great extent, the security of your data. If you regularly transfer sensitive data, you should opt for a provider that offers AES 256-bit encryption.
However, for faster connections, the less secure but still effective AES 128-bit is more suitable.
Jurisdiction and VPN Logging Policy
If you are a privacy-focused user, you should steer clear of VPNs located in the “Five Eyes”, “Nine Eyes”, and “Fourteen Eyes” countries.
Also, you should make sure that your provider does not log user data or any personally identifiable information.
That way, even if the authorities come knocking, there won’t be any data to confiscate.
Why You’re Using a VPN
The best VPNs provide different features and configurations to suit the different use cases. If you’re a fan of Netflix, YouTube, and Hulu, I recommend a provider that offers streaming optimized servers.
Likewise, torrent fans will need a VPN that allows P2P and BitTorrent.
Ease of Use
A good VPN should be easy to set up and use.
It should also have dedicated apps for all the major platforms used today.
Customer Support
Just like any other software, VPNs can develop problems.
It is, therefore, essential to ensure your provider offers quick, reliable customer service preferably via Live Chat.
VPNBaron Alternatives
NordVPN
NordVPN is fast and secure VPN service that is based in Panama.
The provider offers one of the largest VPN server networks today and an incredible array of security and privacy features.
Similarly to VPNBaron, Nord uses AES 256-bit cipher and OpenVPN and IKEv2 protocols to protect user data.
They also maintain a strict ‘no logging’ policy.
Connections are leak-proof and the VPN bundles an automatic kill switch and CyberSec, a feature that blocks ads and phishing domains.
NordVPN allows torrenting and does not limit bandwidth. Streaming fans will also be thrilled by Nord’s SmartPlay technology that enables users to access geo-restricted sites with a single click.
The provider offers user-friendly apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS. The VPNs remains one of the best-priced premium VPNs, and with a single license you can cover up to 6 devices simultaneously.
Similarities
- Fast speeds
- Robust AES 256 encryption
- Zero logs policy
Differences
- Native apps for iOS and Android
- Dedicated IPs
- Live chat support
ProtonVPN
ProtonVPN is another exciting VPN that offers fast connections. The provider has 436 servers spread across 33 countries in the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia Pacific, and Oceania.
The VPN comes equipped with OpenVPN and IKEv2 protocols, with the military-grade AES-256 encryption. Privacy features include Perfect Forward Secrecy, an internet kill switch, and DNS & Web-RTC leak protection.
ProtonVPN has apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and Mac.
The provider offers different subscription packages, which include a completely free plan. However, the free plan is quite limited.
To enjoy most of the VPN’s top features, you will need to upgrade to a premium package.
Similarities
- AES 256 encryption
- Zero logging policy
- P2P allowed
- Unlimited bandwidth
- No dedicated IPs
Differences
- Free subscription plan
- Native apps for iOS and Android
- Live chat support
CactusVPN
CactusVPN is a secure VPN service that allows to browse anonymously and bypass geo-blocks. The provider is based in Moldova, a non “Fourteen Eyes” country and offers a total of 25 servers in 15 countries across the world.
CactusVPN provides both AES 256 and AES 128 encryptions, and a wide range of protocols including OpenVPN, IKEv2, L2TP/IPsec, SoftEther, and PPTP.
The VPN supports SmartDNS, which allows you to stream geo-restricted content with no speed loss.
CactusVPN can cover up to 5 devices simultaneously and is compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Fire TV, and Android TV.
Similarities
- Strong encryption
- Zero logs policy
- P2P allowed
- Unlimited bandwidth
- No Live Chat
Differences
- Free trial
- Native apps for iOS and Android
Final Word
VPNBaron is a decent service provider that’s is ideal for streaming and torrenting applications.
The VPN boasts fast speeds and a 99 percent uptime guarantee.
While VPNBaron is effective, it does lack several useful features like dedicated IPs, smartphone apps, and double encryption.
It’s a decent service, however, I think NordVPN is a better choice for your money.