Speedify VPN is a relatively new VPN developed by Connectify. It allows customers to utilize multiple internet connections at the same time through channel-bonding technology. Making use of numerous connections enables you to browse faster with less chance of losing your connection.
Channel bonding is a popular service, so we decided to take an in-depth look at Speedify and give you a breakdown of the product. In our Speedify VPN review, we’ll cover its features, speed, packages and prices, safety, and what makes Speedify different from competitors.
And, in this Speedify review, we’ll also give you a run-down of the other services Connectify offers and some popular alternatives to Speedify. For more information about VPNs, be sure to check out our in-depth VPN101 guide.
What is Speedify?
Speedify VPN is a service that uses channel bonding technology to allow you to combine internet speeds by using multiple internet connections at the same time. While accelerating your internet speeds, Speedify also creates a safe network connection between the internet and your computer and allows access to areas of the internet that would usually be inaccessible.
So, is Speedify legit? Let’s take a more in-depth look.
From What Jurisdiction Does Speedify Operate?
Connectify, the owner of Speedify VPN, is located and operates in Philadelphia, PA, so it is within the jurisdiction of the US. The US currently has no mandatory data collection laws, so Speedify is not required to collect data and log what users do while using their service.
Speedify states that they collect the minimum data necessary to provide their service, they do not track websites or data, and they do not share personal information with third parties.
How Transparent is Speedify?
Speedify is very clear in its policies and specific about the type of information it collects and how it uses that information.
Speedify states clearly in its privacy policy that when a user communicates over the internet with Speedify, the company receives the wifi SSID, IP address, and Device ID that you’re using. It also states that they record when the connection begins, the length of the connection, and how much data you used.
This information may be concerning to some users since the entire point of using a VPN is to remain private. What’s promising, though, is that Speedify does say that it doesn’t log the websites that you visit or what sort of data you’re sending or receiving.
So far, Speedify has never been under fire for logging information it wasn’t supposed to, and its privacy policy is similar to other VPN service providers.
One thing to keep in mind is that Speedify is located in the US. While the US doesn’t currently have any mandatory data collection laws in place, companies in the US can be more likely to disclose data in certain circumstances. Speedify’s no-log claims also haven’t been proven by court documents or any external audits.
This information isn’t necessarily a reason to reject Speedify, but it is something to keep in mind when choosing any VPN provider if privacy is your primary concern.
How is Speedify Encryption Different From Other VPNs?
Speedify uses both ChaCha 256-Bit key encryption and the standard AES-256 encryption used by most other VPN service providers. ChaCha is mighty and very challenging to hack.
So, is Speedify safe?
AES is the industry standard, and it works very well, and Speedify’s unique ChaCha encryption is just as secure, maybe more so. ChaCha even works on older devices.
Supported Devices
Speedify is compatible with Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, and Linux. Speedify also works with your Fire TV stick.
With the family subscription, you can use up to five devices on the same Speedify account simultaneously.
Speedify doesn’t support gaming consoles that don’t run Android, but you can connect them with Connectify’s other service, Connectify Hotspot.
VPN for Linux
Speedify recently added Linux to its supported operating systems. There’s no free option for Speedify for Linux at the time of this writing, but it’s available to anyone with an individual, family, or team plan.
Speedify for Linux offers some additional advantages that are missing with other operating systems. It can act as a router, allowing you to share the bonded internet connection.
In addition to using Speedify on your devices that run Ubuntu and Debian, you can run it on very small devices as well, like the Raspberry Pi.
Why Does Speedify Recommend Their VPN Apps vs. VPN Browser Extensions?
Many people are attracted to the idea of a VPN browser extension for two reasons. One is that there are many free or cheap options out there for browser extensions. And two, they’re very user friendly and easy to install.
However, some users may be unaware of the downsides of choosing a free VPN browser extension over a VPN app. Browser extensions only protect your web browser traffic. This type of protection doesn’t include all the other apps you use that send and receive sensitive data.
What’s more, when searching for free plugins and apps, you can easily run into free services that actually sell your data to third parties without your consent. Malicious providers offer free services and recoup their money by selling your information.
If you really feel that you only want to protect data from your browser traffic, then a reliable VPN plugin extension like Zenmate may work for you. Just make sure you do your research. For help choosing the safest free VPN, check out our list of the seven best free VPN services.
However, most users are looking for something to protect all their sensitive data.
Alternatively, VPN apps protect all your network traffic across the board by encrypting all the internet traffic on your devices.
Speedify recommends you use their VPN apps as opposed to a VPN browser extension so you can benefit from the increased security along with the speed that Speedify’s bonded connection gives you.
Speedify Features
Speedify’s crown jewel is its channel bonding technology that allows you to use multiple internet connections simultaneously, so you never lose connection and achieve higher browser speeds.
There are three modes available with channel bonding. In the sessions settings, you can select between Streaming mode, Speed mode, or Redundant mode.
Streaming mode is the default mode, and it prioritizes your streaming traffic to provide a better streaming experience.
Speed mode distributes your web traffic between your available internet connections to maximize speed and performance.
And Redundant mode focuses on delivering the most reliable connection.
Kill Switch
Speedify offers a kill switch that can be activated or deactivated. The purpose of enabling the kill switch is to provide you with maximum security. If your VPN connection fails, the kill switch automatically disconnects you from the internet, so you aren’t unknowingly browsing while unsecured.
Speedify is BitTorrent-friendly and also provides features like Captive Portal Assistance and hassle-free streaming on your favorite service providers.
Captive Portal Assistance Feature
Captive portals are web pages that show up when users are connecting to a public wifi network. When using most VPNs, users have to initially disconnect the VPN to connect to a captive portal network. Disconnecting, even temporarily, can leave you vulnerable.
With Speedify’s Captive Portal Assist, you don’t have to disconnect your VPN when you join a public network with a captive portal. While you’re logging in, Speedify is still protecting your other online activities over your other bonded connections.
And once you connect to the public network, you can start using it, and Speedify will protect you on that connection as well.
Is Speedify Fast?
Speedify achieves higher internet speeds in two significant ways. First, it combines the bandwidth of all your internet connections, and, second, it detects lost packets and resends them.
When Speedify is working with a single connection, and there is no loss, speeds can actually drop a bit using Speedify.
However, when using multiple connections, using Speedify increases internet speeds tremendously.
Check out these tests run by the CEO, Alex Gizis, to get the details.
These Speedify download speeds make it an ideal VPN for streaming, gaming, traveling, and using weak wifi hotspots.
How Many Servers and Locations Does Speedify Offer?
Speedify currently has a server network of over 200 servers in 38 countries, and it continues to expand its network.
Having a high server count is important since speed and performance will suffer if servers get overloaded. And it’s frustrating to be forced to connect to a server that’s really far away since it’ll slow you down.
Speedify connects you to the last server you used, but it also provides the option to change servers by looking at a list of possible server options.
If you subscribe to a team account, Speedify offers an add-on where team administrators can purchase a dedicated server.
Is It Good for Unblocking Streaming Services Like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, or Hulu?
More and more VPNs are unable to unblock services like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Hulu.
Speedify is no exception. It’s transparent about this fact and states right on its website that it does not give the capability to connect to streaming services in other countries or to unblock any services to which you don’t already have access.
However, Speedify does offer a feature called Bypass. With Bypass, you no longer have to disconnect your VPN to be allowed access to streaming services. Disconnecting altogether leaves your other online activity vulnerable.
You can enable Bypass for certain trusted providers so that you allow that service to bypass your VPN when you connect. The rest of your online activity remains encrypted and secure.
Streaming Mode
Speedify includes a Streaming Mode, which is the default mode and is best for those who often do live streams or video conferences and calls.
Streaming Mode identifies video and audio streams and dynamically optimizes streaming based on how fast and reliable your internet connections are.
In Streaming Mode, Speedify prioritizes your streaming traffic over all your other types of web traffic. It monitors the amount of bandwidth required and the statistics of your internet connections. From there, it decides on the best way to send and receive traffic over your available internet connections.
Streaming mode provides failover protection and up to 95% of the combined speeds of all your internet connections.
Torrents and P2P File Sharing
Most of Speedify’s speed servers don’t allow torrenting or other P2P file sharing. However, Speedify has an option on the Speed Server Selection screen called Torrent Friendly Server that will pair you with an available torrent-friendly server.
You don’t have a choice in the server you connect to, but Speedify does provide an option for torrenting and P2P downloads.
Is Speedify Available for Free?
There is a Speedify free plan, and it gives you access to all of Speedify’s features, including the full server network. The downside is that the free plan has a limit of 2GB of data per month and is only available for a single device.
For Speedify’s free plan, you don’t need to provide an email address or any other personally identifiable information.
Purchasing a paid plan removes those data limits and allows you to use Speedify across more devices with more users.
What is the Price of Speedify?
Speedify offers ten different plans in total for individuals, families, and teams. The plans come with a 30-day risk-free money-back guarantee, and data is unlimited for all paid plans.
For individuals:
- 1-Month plan – $9.99 per month
- 1-Year plan – $5.99 per month
- 2-Year plan – $3.99 per month
- 3-Year plan – $2.99 per month
For Families:
- 1-Month plan – $14.95 per month
- 1-Year plan – $8.95 per month
- 2-Year plan – $6.00 per month
- 3-Year plan – $4.50 per month
For Teams:
- 1-Month Plan – Starts at $9.99 per month per user
- 1-Year Plan – Starts at $5.99 per month per user
Team plans have the option to include a dedicated server for $75 to $120 per month. Speedify’s prices are comparable to other VPN service providers.
For Teams
Speedify’s team plans offer all the same features as the individual and family plans, in addition to some key features targeted for companies. The team plans include a personalized analytics dashboard and a feature called RESTful API for managing your users.
As mentioned before, the team plans also give you the option to buy a dedicated server for your company. Speedify configures and maintains this server for you.
Team plans also provide a team dashboard with extra team-oriented features. On the team dashboard, you can manage billing, monitor statistics, add and remove users using CSV files or the RESTful API, and view analytics if you’re using a dedicated server.
Other Products From Speedify: Connectify Hotspot, Pingify, and EdgeWise
- Connectify
Connectify has a range of services to provide its customers with options for maximizing their internet connections. In addition to Speedify, the company also offers Connectify Hotspot, Pingify, and EdgeWise.
Connectify Hotspot is a virtual software-only router that allows you to transform your computer into a wifi hotspot. You can also share your connection with other computers or mobile devices.
- Pingify
Pingify is a free mobile network utility for diagnostics and testing the reliability of your wifi, cellular connections, and VPN connections. It shows the performance of all your connections in one place in the app. You can use Pingify to identify dead zones and areas that need repeaters or extenders.
- EdgeWise Connect
EdgeWise Connect is an iOS app that prevents loss of connection when you’re on the edge of wifi. This streamlined VPN seamlessly switches your connection between wifi and cellular to avoid interruption of connection.
Speedify Alternatives
If Speedify doesn’t seem like the VPN you’re looking for, one of these premium VPNs may fit the bill. These are our top picks for a Speedify alternative:
- NordVPN – One of the most popular VPNs, NordVPN, offers a massive network of servers and locations.
- CyberGhost – CyberGhost uses double encryption and offers multi-hop servers for extra security.
- ExpressVPN – ExpressVPN provides an extensive network with fast speeds and the ability to unblock Netflix and other streaming services.
- Windscribe – Windscribe features the popular ROBERT feature that allows you to spoof domains to your choice of IP addresses.
- Ivacy – another popular VPN.
If you’re looking for the best VPN at an affordable price, check out our list of best cheap VPNs.
Final Thoughts
Speedify has a lot of great features, and its distinctive channel bonding sets it apart from its competitors. Speedify is transparent in its policies, and the free plan gives you a chance to try all of its unique features before committing to a paid plan.
If you’re looking for a VPN that unblocks streaming services, this is where Speedify falls a little short. If unblocking Netflix is a priority to you, check out our top 5 VPNs for unblocking Netflix.