Should you really go for Unlocator? After downloading and testing Unlocator, I’m going to give my unbiased option in this Unlocator VPN review.
In hurry? Here’s a 1-Minute Summary of Unlocator review
- Netflix: I unblock it easily.
- Speed: Just average or below it.
- Privacy: Based in Denmark (one of the 15-eyes), and the privacy policy state that they keep logs.
- Coverage: Only 43 server locations.
- Torrenting: With their privacy policy, torrenting is a little bit sketchy.
- Security: High-standards encryption for Windows, Android, OSx, and Amazon Fire users. But iOS users have only IKEv2 and IPSec/IKEv1 as protocols. A Kill-switch and a Shield features are available for me on Mac.
- Usability: Easy to use app interface. But I don’t like accessing it every time from a little icon o my Mac menu bar.
- Customer Support: No 24/7 customer support for software that sometimes does not work without their intervention.
- Trial: 7-days free trial that requires you to register with your email address.
- Price: With the same price, for sure you can get a better service.
- Refund: 30-days money-back guarantee. They keep a proportionate amount compared to your time of usage.
- Do I Recommend it?: Definitely, no.
What is Unlocator?
First things first, launched in the year 2013, Unlocator is a Denmark-based Smart DNS and VPN service.
- Difference between Smart DNS & VPN
They both unblock geo-blocked content, but the VPN solution can also encrypt your data to protect your online privacy.
What makes it ranks among the best in the market is that you could really use the two to simultaneously stream content in one location and VPN to another.
Unlocator and Streaming
If you are a big Netflix fan, clearly, there is no way you would go wrong with Unlocator.
In an attempt to find out this for me, I have personally put this service to a test and I would tell you, it is not going to disappoint you in any way possible. You get to enjoy one of the fastest and buffer-free streaming.
- Before using Unlocator VPN:
Being from Morocco, I can’t watch yet Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. When I try to access it from Google, all I get is a redirection to the Netflix homepage.
- After connecting to a USA server using Unlocator VPN:
With a simple click using Unlocator, I can bypass this geo-block and get back my movie.
I’ve repeated the same thing with a German server, I’ve unlocked it again successfully.
VPNs from known companies like Avast didn’t succeed to unlock Netflix during my tests.
Even if Netflix continues to fight most VPNs, Unlocator can still unlock it easily.
Unlocator Speed
Speed is one of the important things to search for in any VPN.
Because if a VPN is secure, private but not fast, you can still access Netflix but you will get a buffer while your watch your favorite show.
So, do not underestimate the speed of a VPN, especially if your connection is already slow.
Before going into the details of the speed difference after using Unlocator, I want you to know that the farther away the used server is from your geographical location, the greater the speed difference.
- Closest VPN server (Setabul, Portugal ~ 500 miles away from me):
My speed before using Unlocator was:
After using Unlocator:
As you see, there is a major decrease in download speed, from 93 Mb to 54 Mb.
This is a decrease of 41%.
- Farthest VPN server (Australia ~ 10 000 miles away from me):
My speed before using Unlocator was:
After using Unlocator:
Unexpectedly, using Unlocator over the farthest server showed less decrease (only 34%).
Compared to my latest two reviews (Avast VPN review and ExpressVPN review). With Avast VPN, the download speed stayed the same, and with ExpressVPN I only get a 16% decrease in download speed when I’m connected to an Australian server.
With my fiber-optic internet, after connecting myself to the farthest server (Australia), I get the buffering circle for only around 7 seconds before start watching content on Netflix (non-HD) or Youtube (HD).
When I’ve tried the same thing with the closest possible server, the buffering before-watch on Netflix stayed but I get the HD resolution, and I didn’t get any buffering before watching Youtube in HD.
Unlocator Privacy
- Jurisdiction:
Privacy is something elusive with this VPN.
With the main company (Linkwork ApS) being based in Denmark, which is one of the 15-eyes countries, Unlocator becomes a privacy non-friendly VPN.
- Logs:
From Unlocator’s privacy policy page, they state that they keep a log at a personally identifiable level and are automatically purged after 24 hours.
This far away from privacy with VPNs, because leaders like ExpressVPN, offer their service being based in privacy-friendly countries, they clearly state that they do not collect logs of your activity and they offer crypto-currencies as payment methods.
Server Locations
Compared to other world’s major VPN service providers, we would actually say Unlocator has very few servers.
They are just about 43 server locations spread out in 39 countries.
The server locations list both on your website account on the VPN software are listed alphabetically.
Yes, it’s easy to found what you search for, but personally, I like to see them listed per continent.
Torrenting
When I test VPNs and torrenting, there are two things I look after, speed and privacy.
- SPEED TEST:
Before connecting to Unlocator:
My torrent download speed was around 10 Mb.
After using Unlocator (Portugal server ~ 500 miles away from me):
My torrent download speed decreased to around 5.5 Mb, which is a 45% decrease.
- PRIVACY:
As we’ve seen before, Unlocator collects personal information about you, plus it’s from a country that is one of the 15-eyes alliance.
Unlocator Security
By security, I mean how safe you are using this software.
In order to say that Unlocator is totally safe, he should pass the DNS leak-test, have features like Kill-switch and a Shield, proves that he does not contain any virus, and provide better encryptions and protocols.
- ENCRYPTION: Best one
Unlocator is backed with the high-standard encryption 256-bit used by governments and banks.
- PROTOCOLS: Acceptable
The protocols used by VPNs are:
– OpenVPN UDP: Better for speed and security.
– OpenVPN TCP: Slower than UDP.
– IKEv2: Fast.
– L2TP/IPsec: Lower security.
Unlocator available protocols differ depending on platforms.
For example, iOS users right now have only the from IKEv2, IPSec/IKEv1 protocol, when Windows, OSX, Android, and Amazon Fire users have the same thing plus the OpenVPN one.
- DNS LEAK TEST: Passed
After the extended test using the DNSleaktest.com tool, my real info (Morocco) is stayed hidden.
One thing I’ve noticed using Unlocator is that during this DNS test, I was connected to a Portugal server and not one from the Netherlands.
The same thing happens to me before, I was using a server from Australia, and Google was showing me the Arabic Emirates version of Google.com
- KILL-SWITCH & SHIELD FEATURES: Available
Both of these features are available in Unlocator’s settings.
The first one, which is Kill-switch, will automatically disconnect the internet when the VPN connection is lost.
However, the kill switch feature is only available for desktops.
The second one, the Unlocator Shield, keeps the internet off unless you’re connected to VPN.
Ease of use
Unlocator is one of the simplest and easiest to use VPN software, all he has is these three screens (home, settings 1, and settings 2).
The only thing that I don’t like about how Unlocator functions are that every time I want to use it, I have to click a little icon placed at my mac menubar.
Customer Support
For Unlocator customer support, I don’t like it buy totally, but I don’t dislike it either.
What I want in any VPN or even any online software customer support is the ability to chat with it any time I want it. Because, personally, I prefer chatting over calling.
Sometimes, I don’t have the time to wait in line.
When I tried to contact Unlocator first time at approximately 10:00 (GMT), all I have available for me was the help articles, and the possibility to send them an email.
As I am trying to test their DNS service, I faced some challenges like not accessing Netflix at all.
I’ve sent them 3 messages. All that, is sent using the “NEED HELP?” button on most pages of the official website.
The next morning, I found that they replied to all my queries with a single email.
I liked the fact that they replied to me, but I didn’t like how they did it.
First thing, they replied to all my requests with one single response that didn’t help me.
Second thing, they didn’t reply to my question related to VAT.
When I’ve read these replies, I checked their website and the option of talking to a real human was available.
I see that it’s related to their working hours.
This is not going to be a problem if you have the same or nearby time zone, or you are available during their presence time.
Other than email or live chat, they have also well-documented articles that explain basic things, and how to set up their DNS for all platforms, devices, and routers.
Unlocator Cost
When we talk about Unlocator VPN, he starts to be on the pricey side.
Compared to the VPN that I recommend (ExpressVPN), for around the same yearly price, you get the best privacy available in the market plus 3 free months, and a 24/7 live chat to support you.
These prices do not include VAT.
The available payment methods are only major credit cards and Google Pay.
Unlocator Free Trial
When you are first starting out, you are given a 7-days free trial, which is no different from the paid version.
Here no payment information will be needed.
I would say this is a great thing. It gives you enough time to familiarize yourself and most importantly get comfortable with it.
In short, you will find all the time quite enough to put this service through some serious tests. What else can you possibly ask for when you are getting using a service for the very first time?
Unlocator Refund
According to their terms of use, you can ask for a refund during the first 30 days after purchase, all you have to do is to send them an email at support@unlocator.com.
Unlike most known VPNs, they keep a proportionate amount compared to your time of usage.
Do I Recommend it?
At this price and with this privacy policy, I do not recommend it.
Why?
Compared to the current competition, it is not worth the price it is asking for, because the only situation I can use it in is to unblock Netflix and encrypt my information. And this can be easily done using better VPNs or cheaper ones.
Unlocator Frequently Asked Questions