ZorroVPN is an advanced VPN service that promises top of the range security and privacy features.
Their slogan – anonymity on the internet – already had me intrigued, but I was wondering…
Is the VPN service as safe and secure as advertised?
Well, I conducted an extensive ZorroVPN review to find out!
| vpnAlert Rating: | 6.1 of 10 ⭐ |
| Better alternative: | Click here to find out more |
| Jurisdiction: | Belize |
| Encryption: | AES-256 |
| Servers & Locations: | 49+ countries |
| Logging policy: | No logs |
| Live chat: | No |
| P2P & Torrenting: | Allowed |
| Platforms: | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Payment methods: | PayPal, Visa, MasterCard, WebMoney, Perfect Money, QIWI, Yandex, Bitcoin |
Overview of ZorroVPN
ZorroVPN was founded in 2012 by Network Octet Ltd, a Belize-based company.
The service provides netizens with access to over 40 countries across the world.
It’s clear that ZorroVPN takes online privacy very seriously.
They implement military-grade AES-256 bit encryption on all server connections as well as Tor over VPN, which adds an extra layer of protection.
To protect users even further, the company recently moved operations from Seychelles to Belize, a more privacy-friendly jurisdiction.
Compatibility wise, they support all of Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, and routers.
Their pricing is, however, not so appealing.
At $15 per month, the monthly subscription makes ExpressVPN look like an affordable alternative.
On a good side, they allow as many as 5 simultaneous connections per user account.
The service provider accepts a wide range of payment methods, including PayPal, Visa, MasterCard, WebMoney, Perfect Money, QIWI, and Bitcoin.
Pros
- Robust security and privacy features
- Keeps zero activity logs
- Supports port forwarding
- Compatible with Tor (The Onion Router)
- Fast and reliable customer service
- 5 simultaneous connections
- Allows P2P/Torrent traffic
Cons
- Slow connection speeds
- Costly for monthly users
- Short money-back guarantee
Features and Benefits
Is ZorroVPN Secure?
ZorroVPN uses the AES 256-bit cipher ensuring the encryption is as strong as possible. As for tunneling protocols, the service supports OpenVPN, which provides a great balance between security and speed.
While OpenVPN is highly secure and the top-recommended protocol, it would be great to see the provider add support for the slightly faster IKEV2 protocol as well.
Overall, the security is as good as it gets.
They support multi-hop VPN (VPN chains) which allows for double, triple and even quadruple VPN encryption.
They Do Not Keep Logs
ZorroVPN privacy policy is short and to the point.
They categorically state that they do not keep logs of IP address, bandwidth, timestamps, and DNS requests.
Leaks – IP, DNS, & WebRTC Tests
ZorroVPN provides leak-free connections meaning it won’t expose your actual information online.
I conducted tests for IP, DNS, and WebRTC leaks, and I was really pleased with the results.
Here are the snapshots.
IpLeak. Org – IP Leak Test
IpLeak.Org – DNS Leak Test
WebRTC Leak Test
IpLeak.Net –IP,DNS, & WebRTC
Does ZorroVPN Have a Kill Switch?
ZorroVPN comes with an automatic kill switch which acts as a fail-safe in the event of a dropped connection.
This stops your internet traffic from accessing the web directly and exposing your real IP to prying eyes.
Servers and Locations
ZorroVPN does not state the exact number of servers they offer.
However, I do not expect that number to be much different from their previously confirmed 82 servers.
Despite having a relatively small number of servers, the coverage is commendable. With the VPN, you can access up to 46 different countries across the world.
This includes locations in the Americas, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Oceania, and the Asia Pacific.
Does ZorroVPN Work in China?
China is known for its heavy censorship and limited access to western media.
Sites like Google, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and even YouTube all blocked.
Frustrating right?
Well, not if you are using a VPN.
But then again, not all VPNs work in China. The government has imposed a VPN block targeting the OpenVPN protocol.
Luckily, there are several providers like NordVPN that provide obfuscated servers (stealth protocol) allowing you to bypass the Great Firewall.
Unfortunately, ZorroVPN isn’t one of them.
Speed and Performance
Speed is second only to privacy and security, and in this regard, ZorroVPN fails to impress.
To get a clear picture of how the service performs, I connected to first, a server near me and then to UK and US servers.
For reference, my baseline speed was 75 Mbps.
| Location | Ping (ms) | Download (Mbps) | Upload (Mbps) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nearest Server | 45 | 28.75 | 9.87 |
| US (New York) | 145 | 7.62 | 3.22 |
As you can see, ZorroVPN speeds were generally slow.
However, the nearest servers performed much better, and I was able to stream HD videos seamlessly.
But you can say that was in part thanks to the 75 Mbps baseline speed.
How Well ZorroVPN Performs in Streaming?
ZorroVPN Does Not Work with Netflix
By now, you probably know Netflix actively blocks VPN IPs.
As such not many VPNs, ZorroVPN included can unlock the streaming service.
I tried several locations, most notably the US, UK, Australia, and Japan, and all returned the following ‘streaming error’ message.
Netflix compatibility aside, the VPN’s slow speeds still make it an unattractive option for streaming.
For an enjoyable streaming experience, I suggest choosing one of our best VPNs for Netflix.
Smart TVs and other Streaming Devices
Devices like Amazon Fire Stick, Chromecast, Smart TVs, and even gaming consoles like Xbox One and PS4 have changed the way we stream movies and TV shows.
However, most of these devices do not offer native support for VPNs.
To bypass geo-restriction, you will either need to install the VPN directly to your router or input a Smart DNS proxy.
While ZorroVPN works perfectly with routers, they do not offer Smart DNS.
SmartDNS remains the best option for users who want to access restricted media but do not care about encryption.
Due to its lack of encryption, it allows you to retain as much as 99% of your baseline internet speed.
Is ZorroVPN Good for Torrenting?
Zorro allows P2P traffic on most of their servers. Their connections are highly encrypted and leak-free which should again impress many torrent users.
That said, their connections speeds remain a significant drawback.
Compatibility & Ease of Use
- Windows
- Mac
- Linux
- Android
- iOS
- Routers
While this is on par with what you get with most providers, the VPN’s ease of use lags far behind.
They do not offer any native apps but instead rely on third-party apps like OpenVPN and Viscosity.
That said, the provider does a good job of making all installation guides and configuration files readily available.
For novices, ZorroVPN offers a pre-configured OpenVPN client (Windows and Linux only) that lets you easily connect to any server and check your public IP address.
Customer Support – No Live Chat
ZorroVPN offers excellent customer service with fast and useful responses.
Support options available are email and Twitter. They also provide a helpful FAQ section where you can find answers to common questions.
However, their lack of live chat support denies them a much deserved 5-star rating in this category.
Pricing and Payment Methods
Pricing Plans
ZorroVPN offers only one payment plan which you can subscribe to at intervals of 1 month, 2 months, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months.
Their monthly plan is available at a steep $15, but you can lower that to $10 per month with the yearly plan. Even so, the price remains expensive, even for a premium service.
Refund Policy
The provider offers a 7-day money-back guarantee allowing you to test the service free of charge.
Refund requests are only applicable to first-time purchases and can be declined if you break the service’s terms of use.
Social Proof - What are Other Users Are Saying?
After testing the VPN service, I scoured the internet for other user comments.
Some were positive, especially where it concerned security and privacy, but most users kept pointing dismissively to its slow speeds, high price tag, and poor Netflix compatibility.
What Should You Consider Before Getting a Service Like ZorroVPN?
For this review, I developed a rating criteria that factored the following key aspects.
Security and Privacy
What protocol and encryption standards does the service use?
Are the connections leak-free?
If a VPN cannot guarantee your safety when online, ditch it!
There are several other tools that you can use to bypass internet restrictions.
The top VPNs support bank-level AES-256 encryption with OpenVPN protocol.
Jurisdiction + Logging Policy
Where is the VPN located?
Different countries have different data retention laws.
If you value your privacy, I recommend you stay away from services that are based within a 14-Eyes jurisdiction.
Again, you should also pay attention to the type of information the provider collects.
Speed – Is It on the Higher Side?
While VPNs provide online privacy and security, they do so at the expense of speed.
Due to the data encryption and routing processes, most VPNs are notoriously slow and as such, frustrating to use.
Luckily, there are still several providers that offer fast and reliable connections allowing you to play high-graphic games and stream high definition videos without lags or buffering.
Servers & Server Locations
To access a site available in China only, you will need a VPN that has a server in China.
Same goes for all other geo-restricted services including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, HBO, and Hulu.
So, before I settle on a VPN, I always make sure it has servers in all my preferred locations.
VPN Restrictions – Traffic & Bandwidth
Does it support streaming or torrenting?
Do they impose bandwidth restrictions?
These are drawbacks I’ve come to expect with free VPNs.
However, there is an increasing number of paid VPN services that don’t support Netflix or P2P traffic.
Apps & Supported Devices
For you to use any particular VPN, it must be compatible with your device!
Many VPNs are compatible with all the primary platforms – Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android – but not all offer ready-to-use apps.
The picture becomes even grimmer when you factor in streaming devices such as Android TV, Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, and Kodi.
Customer Support
Whether you have a connection or subscription issue, a fast and reliable customer support team can help you get things back up and running.
I’m all in for providers that have a 24/7 Live Chat, but if managed well, email ticketing can be just as effective.
Alternatives to ZorroVPN
While it is, without a doubt a highly secure service, ZorroVPN does miss the mark when it comes to speed.
This alone makes the VPN less than ideal for streaming, torrenting, and other bandwidth-intensive applications.
There are several more affordable alternatives like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark, and Cyberghost that deliver fast speeds while also maintaining the same level of security that ZorroVPN offers.
NordVPN – Premium Security
NordVPN comes with everything you’d expect from a top-quality VPN.
The service is fast and provides robust security and privacy without the fuss.
Their global server coverage comprises of over 5,500 servers in 60 countries including China, where ZorroVPN and many other providers do not operate.
NordVPN works perfectly with Netflix as well as other primary streaming services like iPlayer, and Hulu.
Their global server coverage comprises of over 5,500 servers in 60 countries including China, where ZorroVPN and many other providers do not operate.
NordVPN works perfectly with Netflix as well as other primary streaming services like iPlayer, and Hulu.
ExpressVPN - Super Fast
ExpressVPN is ultra-fast and boasts over 3000 servers spread across an unbeatable 160 locations in 94 countries.
You won’t ever worry about bypassing censorship and or accessing geo-blocked sites and services.
Their Mediastreamer DNS allows you to optimize your streaming experience and works with all streaming devices including Amazon Fire TV, Samsung TVs, and gaming consoles like Xbox One and PS4.
Surfshark - Affordable & Reliable
Surfshark offers a mix of fast speeds and rock-solid military-grade encryption at a price to beat: $1.99 per month on a 2-year subscription. And that’s not all. The service supports an unlimited number of devices, meaning you only need to make a single purchase.
With over 1000 servers in over 60+ countries, the service provides seamless access to geo-blocked content.
All their servers not only come with a private DNS but also are P2P friendly.
CyberGhost - User-Friendly
CyberGhost: If your main issue with ZorroVPN is ease of use, then CyberGhost might be the best alternative for you.
The service ticks all the right boxes, but it is its user friendliness that sets it apart. CyberGhost VPN apps are simple and intuitive and you can establish a connection with a single click.
With 5900+ servers in 90 countries, the provider’s global server network is massive.
Only ExpressVPN has more locations, but CyberGhost is miles ahead when it comes to the total number of servers.
Final Word
ZorroVPN takes privacy seriously.
Their security and privacy features are top-notch and I was impressed by the advanced customizability they provide.
But do I recommend the VPN?
The simple answer is NO.
While online anonymity is vital, VPNs are about much more.
ZorroVPN performed poorly in regards to speed, and its limited number of servers didn’t help either.
It’s definitely not worth your money and hassle.
If you are looking for a fast, secure VPN that is ideal for both streaming and torrenting, then I recommend NordVPN or any of the above alternatives!
