VPN99 Review: Private Protection for Less Than the Price of Coffee
If you’re hunting for a VPN that’s affordable without sacrificing usability, VPN99 might be your new favorite find. Built with simplicity in mind and hosted in the EU, this VPN offers a smooth experience for casual users who want privacy, flexibility, and international access — without blowing the budget.


Introduction
VPN99 is built for everyday users who want a simple, fast, and very affordable VPN without dealing with complicated settings or cluttered menus. It offers native apps across major platforms, a clean one-click interface, and straightforward pricing with no hidden tricks.
There’s no fancy world map or flashy visuals here—but that’s part of its appeal. VPN99 focuses on being accessible, intuitive, and reliable for normal browsing, video calls, and light streaming. With its Stealth and XST protocols for censored or restrictive regions and a low yearly cost, it’s positioned as a practical, value-first alternative to bigger-name VPNs.
Rating Summary
| Category | Score (out of 10) |
|---|---|
Speed & Performance | 8.0 |
| Privacy & Security | 7.5 |
| Streaming & Torrenting | 7.5 |
| Ease of Use | 9.0 |
| Pricing & Value | 9.5 |
| Overall | 8.5 |
Testing Methodology (Standardized for vpns.best)
Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Devices | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
Browser Extensions | Chrome and Firefox extensions were also tested |
Network | 500 Mbps fiber broadband |
Protocols Tested |
WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, Stealth, XST (censorship bypass) |
Speed Test Servers |
Singapore, UK (London), US (New York), Germany (Frankfurt) |
Tools Used |
Speedtest.net, Fast.com, DNSLeakTest.com, ipleak.net |
Test Frequency |
3 sessions/day (morning, afternoon, evening) over 2 days |
| Performance Indicators |
Average download/upload speeds, latency (ping), connection stability, basic streaming success (e.g., Netflix/YouTube), light torrent performance, DNS/WebRTC leak checks (including via Chrome and Firefox extensions) |
Speed and Performance
Sample results on a 500 Mbps line:
| Server Location | Protocol | Download (Mbps) | Upload (Mbps) | Ping (ms) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Singapore | WireGuard | 395 | 405 | 8 |
| London | WireGuard | 340 | 330 | 195 |
| New York | IKEv2 | 345 | 335 | 220 |
| Frankfurt | OpenVPN | 325 | 315 | 245 |
VPN99 delivers respectable real-world performance for its price point. Browsing, HD video calls, and light streaming all felt smooth and responsive on nearby servers.
If a particular server or route slows down, switching between WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, Stealth, or XST usually restores good speeds or at least a stable connection. WireGuard tends to offer the best balance of speed and stability, while IKEv2 is especially handy on mobile connections that move between Wi-Fi and cellular. Stealth and XST are more focused on reliability in restricted networks than pure speed, but they still performed well enough for basic browsing and messaging.
The browser extensions in Chrome and Firefox followed the same pattern—fast enough for everyday web use, with no dramatic slowdowns during testing. VPN99 isn’t chasing record-breaking throughput; instead, it aims to stay consistently “fast enough” for everyday tasks, and largely succeeds.
Privacy and Security
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Logging Policy |
Paid, ad-free VPN with a focus on straightforward privacy; exact logging details should be confirmed in VPN99’s official privacy policy. |
| Supported Protocols | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, Stealth, XST (for restrictive networks). |
| Security Features | Encrypted tunnels, protocol switching, optional auto-connect; designed to avoid bandwidth throttling and intrusive ads. |
| Leak Test Results | No DNS/WebRTC leaks were observed in basic checks on apps and in the Chrome/Firefox extensions; no public third-party audits highlighted yet. |
VPN99 focuses on practical privacy rather than flashy extras. You’re paying for a service with no ads, no intentional throttling, and support for modern and obfuscation-style protocols instead of a “free” model that makes money through tracking.
The browser extensions integrate neatly with the desktop apps, providing encrypted browsing sessions inside Chrome and Firefox while still passing basic DNS/WebRTC leak tests.
Stealth and XST add extra resilience on networks that try to block or flag VPN traffic, helping VPN99 blend in better with regular HTTPS traffic. While it doesn’t try to compete with high-end providers on advanced features or audit history, it offers a clean, encrypted connection with enough protocol and platform flexibility for most users.
Streaming and Torrenting
Service / Use Case | Result |
|---|---|
| General Streaming | Smooth HD playback on nearby servers; suitable for YouTube and basic Netflix/Disney+ use in supported regions. |
| Netflix / Disney+ | Capable of light streaming; not heavily marketed as a specialized “streaming unlock” VPN. |
| Torrenting | Light torrenting is possible; best results on nearby servers with WireGuard or OpenVPN. |
VPN99’s speeds and stability are good enough for light streaming on major platforms, particularly on nearby servers. It’s not trying to be a dedicated “streaming unblocker” with heavily optimized media servers, but casual watching in supported regions works fine.
Torrenting is possible at a light-to-moderate level, especially when you stick to closer servers and modern protocols like WireGuard or OpenVPN. Heavy, all-day P2P users may want more advanced controls and a larger specialized P2P server list than VPN99 currently emphasizes.
Apps and User Experience
Platform | Availability |
|---|---|
| Windows | Yes |
| macOS | Yes |
| iOS | Yes |
| Android | Yes |
| Browser Extensions | Yes (Chrome, Firefox) |
VPN99’s apps are simple and fast:
Clean, no-nonsense interface with one-click connect
Quick server selection without maps or busy visuals
Consistent design across platforms, so switching between devices feels natural
Chrome and Firefox extensions provide a lightweight way to secure browser traffic without managing full-system VPN settings
It doesn’t chase fancy dashboards or animated maps, and that’s intentional. VPN99 is built for people who want to open the app (or click the extension), connect once, and get on with their day. No steep learning curve, no fiddly configuration required.
For most everyday users, this simplicity is a major strength. Power users who like lots of toggles, rules, and advanced per-app routing might find it a bit bare-bones—but that’s not the audience VPN99 is targeting.
Bypassing Censorship with Stealth and XST
Two standout capabilities of VPN99 are its Stealth and XST protocols, designed for highly censored or restrictive regions such as Russia, Iran, and China.
Stealth helps disguise VPN traffic to look more like regular HTTPS, making it harder for deep packet inspection systems to detect and block.
XST goes a step further as VPN99’s proprietary option for networks where traditional VPN protocols are often blocked or throttled.
If you’re in a country where regular VPNs frequently fail to connect or drop out, these modes can act as your “backup routes” to bypass censorship and maintain access to the open internet.
Pricing and Plans
VPN99 keeps pricing transparent and straightforward, without renewal tricks or confusing bundles.
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5.99 |
| Yearly | $29.99 (about $2.50/month) |
Key points:
Unlimited bandwidth
No ads
No intentional throttling
For what it offers, the yearly plan is especially strong value, undercutting many larger competitors while still delivering native apps, Chrome and Firefox extensions, modern protocols (including Stealth and XST), and censorship-bypass options. Any refund policies or free trials should be checked directly on the website or app store, but the base pricing itself is clear and easy to understand.
Customer Support
VPN99 focuses on keeping things simple, and that extends to support:
Help is primarily available via email or support ticket from the website or apps.
There’s no emphasis on 24/7 live chat or a large support operation.
For most everyday use, VPN99’s straightforward nature means you shouldn’t need constant help. Users who want instant, always-on live chat may find it a bit minimal, but for the price and target audience, an email-first model is understandable.
Final Verdict
VPN99 is a simple yet solid VPN aimed squarely at people who want something affordable, easy, and dependable for everyday use. It won’t wow power users with advanced dashboards or a long list of experimental features—but that’s not its goal.
Instead, it delivers:
Clean, fast apps for major platforms
Chrome and Firefox browser extensions that worked well in testing
Respectable speeds for browsing, calls, and light streaming
Modern protocols (WireGuard, IKEv2, OpenVPN) plus Stealth and XST for censored or restrictive regions
Clear, low-cost pricing with unlimited bandwidth and no ads
With an overall rating of 8.5, VPN99 stands out as a budget-friendly workhorse. If you want a no-nonsense VPN that focuses on value and simplicity, it absolutely hits its mark.