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Popular VPN that works with the Chrome browser and is easy to use

Popular VPN that works with the Chrome browser and is easy to use

Vote: (820 votes)

Program license: Trial version

Developer: ZenMate

Version: 7.1.1.0

Works under: Windows

Also available for Mac

Vote:

Program license

(820 votes)

Trial version

Developer

Version

ZenMate

7.1.1.0

Works under:

Also available for

Windows

Mac

Pros

  • Very easy to install and set up
  • Lots of options made easy for novice users to understand
  • Browser extensions and user software available as separate packages

Cons

  • Requires payment for faster access
  • Free users' country selection is significantly restricted

Zenmate is a VPN service and software to support users of the service. The company provides both browser extensions and user software for easy access to the VPN service. The service offers "free" and "paid" tiers.

In general, Zenmate is a steadfast VPN service. With better load times than average and a decent collection of locations around the world, it's a good choice. It has also simplified VPN setup, making it easy for novice users to have privacy around the world. Its business model is a bit different than most VPN providers. Zenmate does provide a free service, but the location selection is severely limited. Free users can only select a few countries. Additionally, the speed of the free service is highly reduced. It can still be used for things like checking email at unsecured WiFi hotspots, but not for watching Netflix abroad.

The software itself is extremely easy to set up. Whether or not users have a paid subscription, they can install and run it with ease. It comes with a variety of options and allows users to store their favorite server information for easy and fast connections. Zenmate's app is also regularly updated to fix security flaws. For example, there is a WebRTC exploit that allowed unscrupulous website operators to gain access to any VPN user's true IP address. Zenmate patched this within their VPN client much sooner than most providers did.

Pricewise, Zenmate is about in the middle for paid users. There are some cheaper services, but it's hard to beat the convenience and ease of use of Zenmate's client. Of course, users can still use more generic alternatives like OpenVPN to connect. However, Zenmate's target audience is not the networking and privacy enthusiast community. Its no-logging VPN is geared towards users who either don't know how to securely set up VPN connections or do not wish to spend the time to do so. Either way, the company's rigorous testing and user experience surveying of their VPN client shines.

Pros

  • Very easy to install and set up
  • Lots of options made easy for novice users to understand
  • Browser extensions and user software available as separate packages

Cons

  • Requires payment for faster access
  • Free users' country selection is significantly restricted