Extreme VPN

ExtremeVPN Pros and Cons

Pros

• Robust privacy and security features.
• Decent-sized server network spread globally.
• Blazing fast speed on all servers, regardless of the distance.
• Unblocks all popular streaming services, including Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu, etc.
• Affordable subscription plans with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Cons

• Lacks some advanced features like dedicated IP or double VPN.

ExtremeVPN Overview

If you don’t have enough time to review the entire review, here is a quick overview.

• Server Network: Over 6,500 servers in 78 countries and 88 locations.
• Connection Speed: Fast and consistent, even on distant servers.
• Security: AES 256-bit encryption, no-logs policy, zero leaks.
• Streaming: Unblocks Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and more.
• Customer Support: 24/7 live chat and comprehensive FAQ.
• Pricing: Competitive plans with a 7-day free trial and 30-day guarantee.

ExtremeVPN Key Features

Feature	Details
Number of servers	6500+
Privacy policy	Strict no-logs
Simultaneous devices	10
Streaming	Netflix, Hulu, Max, Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, etc.
Support torrenting	Yes
Encryption	AES 256-bit encryption
Money-back guarantee	30 days
Support	24/7 live chat, setup guides, email, tickets
Jurisdiction	British Virgin Islands
Supported payment methods	Credit/Debit card, PayPal, Crypto
Price	$3.29

Server Network – How Extensive is ExtremeVPN’s Server Network?

An extensive server network is beneficial in many ways. First, it lets you easily find a server closer to your location to get better speed. Also, the traffic load is evenly distributed across multiple servers, minimizing overload cases that can slow down performance.

ExtremeVPN has one of the most extensive server networks in the industry, with over 6,500 servers in 78 countries across America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania. This makes it ideal for bypassing geo-restrictions when traveling.

Fortunately, ExtremeVPN doesn’t rely on third-party servers. Instead, it owns all its servers, removing the risks of intermediaries who could potentially collect your data.

While most ExtremeVPN servers are physical, some are virtual, assigning IP addresses reflecting a different country from the server’s location. This is ideal for VPN-unfriendly countries, as VPN services can provide IP addresses without setting up physical servers.

Virtual servers help to enhance overall server distribution. Unfortunately, they can significantly reduce connection speed, especially if the virtual location is far from the physical server.

Nonetheless, ExtremeVPN has made it easy to access all the server locations on the application, allowing you to mark some as your favorites. It also has a quick connection feature that connects you to the ideal server based on location.

All the servers are optimized for streaming, enabling you to unblock all popular streaming services, like Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Max, BBC iPlayer, etc. It also has torrenting-optimized servers (labeled as P2P in mobile apps), facilitating faster and safer torrenting.

ExtremeVPN uses shared IP addresses, which are safer because it’s impossible to trace a connection back to one user. Moreover, customer support assured us that it will soon introduce dedicated IP addresses.

Overall, ExtremeVPN’s server network is decent, with impressive unblocking capabilities and support for P2P traffic. However, introducing a dedicated IP feature could give it a strong competitive advantage in the market.

Speed Test – How Fast is ExtremeVPN?

Usually, even the best VPN will slow down your speed because of the encryption and rerouting processes involved. However, with ExtremeVPN, the speed drop is barely noticeable, even on long distances.

It has a big quick-connect button on the dashboard that connects you to the fastest nearby server. Alternatively, you can click on ‘Locations’ on the left panel to open the server list.

We were impressed by ExtremeVPN’s connection speeds when testing it in different locations worldwide. However, you might get different results depending on your internet speed, location, operating system, etc.

First, we established a base connection speed by testing our speed without a VPN:

• Download Speed: 167 Mbps
• Upload Speed: 193 Mbps
• Ping: 11 ms

Then, we connected to our local server using different tunneling protocols. Here are the results:

Protocol	Download Speed	Upload Speed
WireGuard	154.21 Mbps	198.75 Mbps
OpenVPN TCP	126.43 Mbps	141.11 Mbps
OpenVPN UDP	139.51 Mbps	178.26 Mbps
IKEv2	119.28 Mbps	113.05 Mbps

Unlike some rivals, ExtremeVPN doesn’t have a load balance feature that displays the server’s performance. That’s why you might get inconsistent speeds if you connect to an overcrowded server.

For instance, we experienced a 46% speed decrease on our local server in London, but only a 12% decrease on a New York server 5,580 kilometers away.

Overall, the server performance is outstanding, even on long-distance servers. The speed drops didn’t affect our online activities during testing — we could stream videos, download torrents, and play MMORPG games without issues.

Streaming – Does ExtremeVPN Unblock Popular Streaming Platforms?

Despite lacking streaming-optimized servers, ExtremeVPN has powerful unblocking capability. We tested it on various streaming services and didn’t experience any issues.

Unblocks Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Prime Video, and Max

We started with Netflix, and ExtremeVPN could unblock Netflix libraries in many locations, including the US, Japan, Germany, and Australia. The load time was fast, and the overall streaming quality was top-notch.

Next, we tried Disney+, known to have tough VPN blocks that many services fail to bypass. However, ExtremeVPN quickly unblocked the streaming platform, and we could stream high-quality content.

We also tried to unblock premium streaming services that are only available in the US, such as Peacock TV, Paramount+, and Starz. ExtremeVPN unblocked all of them seamlessly.

BBC iPlayer was easy to unblock with our local server in London, enabling us to access its extensive collection of free videos and live channels.

Here are some of the popular streaming platforms that ExtremeVPN unblocks:

Netflix	Peacock TV	Starz	YouTube	ESPN+
Disney+	Paramount+	BBC iPlayer	Voot	CBS
Discovery Go	Xumo	ITV Player	Sling TV	Sky Go
Tubi TV	Pluto TV	SonyLIV	Hotstar	Funimation
Fubo TV	Vudu	Joyn	SBS on Demand

Blocked by DAZN

Unfortunately, we couldn’t unblock DAZN during our tests. This isn’t a surprise, as the popular sports streaming site is known to have tough geo-blocks that most premium VPNs cannot bypass.

Nonetheless, we can ascertain that ExtremeVPN is a reliable streaming VPN with impressive unblocking capabilities on almost all servers. However, like its competitors, the service can improve by supporting streaming-optimized servers.

Torrenting – Does ExtremeVPN Support P2P Sharing?

ExtremeVPN offers torrenting-dedicated servers, which provide additional security and faster upload and download speeds. These servers are marked with a P2P icon and comprise almost half of all server locations.

Torrenting Attribute	Result
Dedicated P2P servers	Yes
Average download bitrate	9.2 MiB/s
Kill switch	Yes
Logging policy	Strict no logs
Encryption	AES 256-bit encryption

During our testing, ExtremeVPN provided an average torrenting speed of 9.2 MiB/s, which is impressive, as other premium services like ExpressVPN record around 9.8 MiB/s. Remember that these numbers can vary depending on factors like your internet speed and the torrent files being shared.

The VPN employs strong security measures to protect users during torrenting. For example, the kill switch ensures your device is disconnected from the internet if the VPN connection drops, preventing your real IP address from being exposed.

Additionally, ExtremeVPN uses AES 256-bit encryption, a military-grade algorithm, to secure your activity. The provider also enforces a strict no-logs policy, ensuring your sensitive data is never stored.

Overall, ExtremeVPN is a great choice for torrenting, offering strong performance and security features to enhance your experience.

Security – Is ExtremeVPN Secure?

ExtremeVPN is one of the most secure VPN services in the industry, with the ability to protect users from various online threats. Below are its core security features.

Encryption

Encryption is critical for protecting internet traffic. ExtremeVPN uses AES 256-bit encryption, a military-grade algorithm that is virtually unbreakable—even with the most advanced computing technologies.

This encryption safeguards your data from your internet service provider (ISP), government surveillance, marketers, and potential hackers.

Kill Switch

ExtremeVPN includes an always-on automatic kill switch. If the VPN connection drops unexpectedly, the kill switch disconnects your internet to prevent unprotected data exposure.

Protocols

ExtremeVPN supports multiple secure VPN tunneling protocols, allowing users to switch based on preference and need:

• OpenVPN TCP/UDP: Open-source protocol known for its security and flexibility. TCP is more secure, while UDP is faster.
• WireGuard: A modern, lightweight protocol that delivers improved speed and efficiency.
• IKEv2: Known for stability and consistent speed, especially on mobile networks.
• L2TP/IPSec: Combines Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol with IPSec for better encryption.
• SSTP: Developed by Microsoft, ideal for Windows users with HTTPS-based encryption.

By default, ExtremeVPN uses automatic protocol selection but allows users to manually choose their preferred protocol in the settings.

Split Tunneling

Split tunneling enables you to direct selected app traffic through the VPN while allowing others to use the regular internet. This is useful for apps that may not work with VPN connections, like banking services.

The feature is available on Android and Windows apps and can be enabled via advanced settings (requires OpenVPN protocol).

IP, DNS, and WebRTC Leak Protection

ExtremeVPN effectively guards against various data leaks that could compromise user privacy:

• IP Leaks: Ensures your IP address remains hidden from third parties.
• DNS Leaks: Keeps DNS requests within the encrypted tunnel, preventing ISP monitoring.
• WebRTC Leaks: Prevents accidental IP exposure during browser-based communication like video calls.

Privacy – Is ExtremeVPN Private?

ExtremeVPN is a highly private VPN. Here are some of the privacy aspects we checked during our testing.

Logging Policy

ExtremeVPN has a strict no-logs policy and doesn’t collect any identifiable information, including DNS requests, browsing activity, session timestamps or IP addresses.

However, it logs some data for diagnostic purposes, like connection length and bandwidth used. Also, it collects your name, email address and payment details when creating an account.

As you can see, ExtremeVPN is transparent on the data it collects and how the provider uses it.

Jurisdiction

ExtremeVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands, a region known for its strong privacy laws and independence from international surveillance alliances like the 5/9/14 Eyes. This location enhances user privacy and legal protection against data sharing requests.

Compatibility – Is ExtremeVPN Compatible with Multiple Devices?

ExtremeVPN offers applications for Android, Windows, iOS, and macOS. These are the most widespread platforms worldwide, so the coverage is impressive. Additionally, the applications have similar features and support all tunneling protocols.

All the applications are easy to configure, and you’ll typically need less than 5 minutes to sign up and get started. Moreover, they have a visually appealing and sleek interface that is easy to navigate.

ExtremeVPN’s official website has resourceful guides to help you if you get stuck signing up or using the applications. It also has a 24/7 live chat, allowing you to contact customer support if you have any questions about the apps.

The VPN supports up to 10 simultaneous devices in one account. However, some of its rivals, like Surfshark, offer unlimited simultaneous connections.

While ExtremeVPN has remarkable compatibility, it should add native applications for Linux, streaming, and gaming devices, like its top competitors.

Windows

The Windows app is the most comprehensive version and is always prioritized for the latest updates. It is user-friendly, and here, you’ll get all ExtremeVPN features.

The dashboard has a prominent quick-connect button that you can miss. When you click on it, the VPN will connect you to the ideal server, usually the closest to your location, for better speed.

You can access the rest of the servers under ‘Locations’ on the left pane. Here, you can manually connect to any server you want. However, remember that some locations, such as the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia, have multiple server locations. To access them, click on the greater-than sign (>) after the favorite sign (?).

The Windows interface also has a search bar to filter the servers by name. The ‘Preferences’ section allows you to customize your protocol and split tunneling settings. The Windows version supports all tunneling protocols, including OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard.

macOS

This is one of the most basic ExtremeVPN versions as it lacks many features found on the Windows version. However, it’s lightweight and easy to use.

The visibly missing features include the VPN on Demand/Always, reconnect/connect options, and split tunneling feature. However, it compensates for this with an auto-connect on-launch feature that improves the user experience.

Mobile Devices – Android and iOS

The Android and iOS ExtremeVPN applications are lightweight and have a stunning user interface. However, they lack some features that their desktop counterparts offer.

Nonetheless, they both have an automatic protocol selection that chooses the most ideal protocol for your connection. They also allow you to choose the tunneling protocols manually.

Both applications are also equipped with a split tunneling feature, which allows you to customize traffic routes. However, the iOS application lacks a kill switch.

Gaming – Is ExtremeVPN Good for Gaming?

ExtremeVPN is a great gaming VPN, offering fast speed and maximum protection. We tested it on a nearby server with World of Warcraft, an immersive massively multiplayer online role-playing game. It only took a few seconds for the game to start and our ping was consistently below 30ms.

However, it struggled a bit with a distant server. This is a natural occurrence even with other premium VPNs because the ping increases the further the server is from your location. High pig rates (lag) can severely affect your online gaming experience.

Does ExtremeVPN Work in China?

ExtremeVPN is one of the few VPNs that works in China by evading the Great Firewall. What’s more, the VPN’s obfuscation feature makes your VPN traffic appear like normal HTTPS traffic, making it difficult to know you’re using a VPN.

However, it is recommended that you install ExtremeVPN before traveling to China to avoid any potential restrictions that might prevent you from using the VPN.

Customer Support

Even the best VPN service can encounter problems or malfunction, so you need dependable customer support. ExtremeVPN offers 24/7 user-friendly live chat with human support representatives to assist you with any problem you might have.

The support representatives are prompt, helpful, and knowledgeable. You’ll get your first response in under 5 seconds, like we did during our test.

Alternatively, you can use the ticket section, where you describe your complaint and wait for support’s response. Moreover, the VPN has an extensive FAQ page that covers commonly faced issues, and you might not even need to contact the support.

Pricing – Is ExtremeVPN Affordable?

While ExtremeVPN offers outstanding features (as you can see above), it is one of the most affordable VPN services.

Pricing Tiers

• 1 month: $10.59
• 6 months: $5.15/month (billed $30.90 upfront)
• 12 months: $3.29/month (billed $39.48 upfront)

The provider supports credit/debit card and PayPal payment methods, which are easy and convenient. In addition, the VPN provider has recently launched a crypto payment method. So if you are more concerned about your privacy, use this anonymous VPN payment method.

Fortunately, all the plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to test the service risk-free. It is one of the few VPNs that offer a 7-day free trial. However, it’s only available on the Android and iOS versions.

Support told us that the provider will soon introduce the cryptocurrency payment method, which would be a great improvement for privacy. However, you can create PayPal with a non-identifying email address.