The popularity of VPNs ebbs and flows, but they’re always a useful tool to have in your arsenal to protect from certain security and privacy issues. Whether you’re a die-hard privacy advocate or want to access some geo-restricted content, subscribing to a service like OysterVPN can give you peace of mind when browsing the internet, downloading files, and accessing personal data.
Although OysterVPN isn’t a household name like some VPN providers, it has all the features you need, including an integrated adblocker, IP leak protection, DNS leak protection, servers in multiple countries, and multiple logins across all the devices you want to protect.
What Is OysterVPN?
OysterVPNis a virtual private network provider that offers “privacy for your digital life” based out of Dublin, Ireland. It features strong privacy protections designed to help users remain anonymous online, help users access geo-restricted content, and, most importantly, boost privacy and security while browsing the web.
Furthermore, you can connect up to five devices simultaneously to OysterVPN, giving you protection across every bit of hardware you own. This VPN provides apps for Windows and macOS, Android, and iOS. While promised, at the time of review there is no Linux support, and no browser extensions, but OysterVPN can be configured on a suitable router.
Finally, data logging, tracking, and privacy are at the core of any VPN subscription. OysterVPN has a no-log policy, which means it doesn’t collect or log any more data than required to run the service.
OysterVPN Server Locations
Let’s start by looking at where OysterVPN’s servers are located. The VPN server you choose directly impacts your internet browsing experience (along with the content you’ll see on streaming services).
OysterVPN’s servers are located in:
Across those countries, OysterVPN hosts more than 150 servers, which means you should always be able to find a server where you need it, and your connection will be fast when needed. The implication is that these are physical VPN server locations, rather than virtual servers hosted in other locations.
It’s a decent spread of geographical locations. OysterVPN doesn’t have the geographic spread of the leading VPN providers like NordVPN or ExpressVPN, for example, but it’ll be enough for most users.
OysterVPN Privacy and Security Features
Privacy is key to any VPN, and OysterVPN packs some decent privacy and security features to keep you safe online.
First up, all of OysterVPN’s servers use AES-256 encryption by default. AES-256 is some of the strongest public encryption and is used to secure all manner of online services. It is extremely difficult for any attacker to break through AES-256 due to the time it would take to crack a password (we’re talking millions of years to complete a brute-force attack).
Still, you should note that the use of AES-256 doesn’t extend to older VPN protocols, like PPTP. On that, OysterVPN supports most main VPN protocols:
However, it doesn’t support Wireguard at the time of writing, the most modern VPN protocol. The other VPN protocols listed above are good, secure, and work well, but Wireguard’s combination of speed and security is a miss for OysterVPN.
Kill Switch and IP Leak and DNS Leak Protection
OysterVPN’s security features are designed to protect you should anything go wrong while using the service.
For example, OysterVPN’s built-in kill switch will stop your internet from automatically reconnecting if you get knocked offline for any reason. If you’re online and are using a VPN to hide activity from your ISP or an intrusive government or otherwise, you don’t want your activity accidentally revealed. A kill switch is a great tool in your arsenal.
Another important consideration for any VPN service is DNS and IP leak protection. When you use a VPN, you’re entrusting the VPN service with your data and internet activity. Given VPNs promote themselves as bastions of privacy and security, you’d think protecting against any data leaks would be a primary concern, but you’d be surprised.
As OysterVPN encrypts all of its connections, you’re protected from these issues.
Zero-Logging Policy
Whatever you’re using a VPN for, you should always choose one that doesn’t log or track your data. All VPN services process data such as your IP address as part of normal operation.
But a zero-log VPN (also referred to as a no-log VPN) deletes any data once you’re done and doesn’t log information relating to your searches, the websites you visit, and any other online activities.
However, despite OysterVPN’s claims to be a no-log VPN, without a third-party audit, there is no way for a user to verify these claims.
OysterVPN comes with ad and malware blocking, a handy pair of tools as you navigate the internet. I found the OysterVPN ad blocking decent, but some still slipped through the net. Regardless, removing a chunk of ads from some of the heavier pages certainly speeds up the browsing experience.
The OysterVPN malware blocking was also useful, stopping me from accessing malicious sites and protecting against potential malicious downloads. I should caveat this with the fact I didn’t throw heaps of malicious sites and potentially malicious files at OysterVPN (around ten of each), but it was largely successful.
OysterVPN Speeds
Of course, among all the privacy and security features, VPN speed is also very important. It’s all very well and good being secure, but it’s all for nothing if you’re able to’t access the sites and services you need.
I’ve been impressed with OysterVPN’s speeds during my testing. To give a good indication of overall speed, I tested using my desktop computer, my laptop with an Android 13 smartphone as a hotspot, and the Android app alone, in two different locations (UK and Switzerland).
Some of the speed results were interesting, with the mobile hotspot connection increasing drastically in speed when connected to OysterVPN.
OysterVPN Desktop Speed Tests
OysterVPN performs well on my wired desktop connection. Without a VPN connection, my FTTC connection registered 43Mbps. These speeds fell to 25Mbps when connected to the London 01 server, a significant decrease for an already relatively slow connection. However, the speed reduction wasn’t as notable when connected to the Switzerland server, falling to 34Mbps.
OysterVPN Android App Speed Tests
The OysterVPN Android app is easy to use (the iOS app is very similar, but I don’t have an Apple device). Once downloaded and logged in, select a VPN server from the dropdown menu, then press the large connection button. It’s all very intuitive.
In terms of connection speeds, your mobile VPN speeds will always be limited by your connection type and strength. To keep the speed test consistent, I stood in the same place, which should have delivered connectivity. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case, but this has nothing to do with OysterVPN, just the often terrible connectivity in my local area.
Still, switching OysterVPN had no discernable effect on my already poor connection speed. The highest speed I saw during my OysterVPN Android app testing was while connected to the London 01 server, at around 34Mbps, while I recorded 22Mbps while connected to its Switerzland-based server.
OysterVPN Mobile Hotspot Speed Tests
The OysterVPN mobile hotspot speed test was one of the most interesting results.
Using my Android smartphone as a hotspot returned a download speed of 32Mbps and an upload speed of 13Mbps. After switching OysterVPN on and connecting to its London 01 server, my download speed rocketed up to around 90Mbps/13Mbps.
It’s also worth noting that these speeds were achieved on a train moving at 125 mph.
Is OysterVPN Fast?
My experience with OysterVPN connection speed has been positive. Most modern VPNs work well to give you good internet speeds, but you typically take a little hit due to the extra hops between your computer, the VPN server, and onto the website or service.
Of course, the VPN speed also depends on the server you connect to and your internet speed to begin with. While my smartphone hotspot gained speed, that’s not a typical example. The typical rule of thumb is that the further the distance between you and the VPN server, the more of a performance hit you’ll experience.
But overall, OysterVPN’s speed is good and remains stable during usage.
How Much Does OysterVPN Cost?
You can pick up an OysterVPN one-year subscription for $4.17 monthly, billed at $49.99 every 12 months. As far as VPNs go, it’s a decent price. It’s cheaper than some of the major VPN providers, like NordVPN ($60-80 for one year) and ExpressVPN ($116 for one year), though you have to contend that those providers are more feature-rich.
Still, if you don’t want to spend a fortune and want a VPN with good security and speed, a one-year OysterVPN subscription might be what you need.
If a whole year is too much, you do have two other options:
The single-month option is handy for giving OysterVPN a try.
Issues With OysterVPN
Small quirks let OysterVPN down a little. For example, while logged into the OysterVPN Android app, it wouldn’t recognize that I have an active subscription and couldn’t properly complete the DNS leak test. The VPN was connected and active at the time, but selecting the leak test option created an authorization issue with the account.
At other times, I was prompted to update both the desktop and mobile app, only to find I was using the correct version.
Now, these are small issues and don’t affect your user experience much (though checking DNS leaks on a smartphone would be useful!), but I’d still prefer my VPN app to function properly. In addition, the DNS leak option is clearly available on the OysterVPN mobile app, but it’s nowhere to be seen on the desktop app.
As previously mentioned, I’d also like to see OysterVPN introduce support for the Wireguard protocol. It’s fast and secure and considered one of the best VPN protocols, and its inclusion would bolster OysterVPN’s security and privacy credentials.
Another consideration is OysterVPNs location. Ireland is part of the EU, and while it isn’t a member of Five-Eyes, it could be pressured to reveal data under EU data-sharing regulations. Still, if OysterVPNs claims regarding its no-log policy are true, it shouldn’t be an issue you’ll encounter. But, by extension, a third-party audit to confirm this status would significantly enhance OysterVPN’s reputation.
Should You Subscribe to OysterVPN?
OysterVPN is a decent option when it comes to cost-effective and secure VPNs. You won’t pay a fortune for an OysterVPN subscription, but you may be assured that your connection will remain fast enough to be useful for streaming, gaming, and downloading.
The OysterVPN app is easy to use and available for a wide range of devices, including smartphones, tablets, streaming devices, and more. With its support for up to five devices using the OysterVPN subscription simultaneously, you’ll get good coverage on all of your devices.
Now, there are some issues with OysterVPN, which I’ve discussed above. Some of these are negligible, but others would boost the quality of OysterVPN and make it a better overall VPN proposition, so I hope to see these changes in the future.
But yes, overall, if you don’t want a massive outlay but want to secure and protect your devices and data, OysterVPN is worth a try.
Q: Can I Access Any Geo-Restricted Content With OysterVPN?
OysterVPN only has servers in 17 countries, meaning it can only help you bypassgeo-blockingand access restricted content in 17 countries. For instance, you could access content on Netflix Japan with OysterVPN, as it has servers in Japan. But you wouldn’t be able to access content on Netflix Belgium, as OpenVPN doesn’t have servers in this country.
Q: Why Are Third-Party Audits Important?
Internal audits for VPNs can be helpful but are conducted by the VPN company itself (i.e. the VPN company is auditing itself).Third-party VPN auditsare conducted by agencies that are entirely separate from the service being assessed. This removes any possible bias that an internal audit may contain, allowing you to take note of inconsistencies or flaws within a VPN company.
