We review VPNs independently, but we may earn commissions if you buy a VPN via our links.
VPN Proxy Master Review
Privacy & Logging Policy
Worrying Links to China
Here’s a table showing all the information that VPN Proxy Master logs:
Data Type | Logged by VPN Proxy Master |
---|---|
Account Information | Yes |
Browsing Activity | No |
Date of Last Connection | No |
Device Information | Yes |
DNS Queries | No |
Individual Bandwidth Usage | Yes |
Individual Connection Timestamps | No |
ISP | Yes |
Number of Simultaneous Connections | No |
Originating IP Address | No |
VPN Server IP | No |
VPN Server Location | Yes |
Ever since Lemon Clove acquired VPN Proxy Master, we’ve seen some improvements to its logging policy. The VPN used to log your IP address and connection timestamps without aggregating or anonymizing the data at all.
Now, VPN Proxy Master records your VPN server location, Internet Service Provider (ISP), and individual bandwidth usage, amongst other things. It then aggregates this data in order to “maintain its service” without compromising your privacy.
Some VPNs do need to save certain data points, like your username, passwords, and payment information, to maintain their service.
However, we’ve seen many other VPNs maintain their service without requiring you to hand over so much data. We’re still uncomfortable with the fact that it logs your internet service provider and the location of the VPN server you connect to.
VPN Proxy Master doesn’t keep the worst kinds of VPN logs, such as your IP address or browsing history, but it still logs too much to be considered fully private.
Importantly, we’d like to see VPN Proxy Master conduct an independent audit of its logging policy and app security, to ensure that all data is being properly aggregated and deleted.
Free Version Allows Advertiser Tracking
In its Privacy Policy, VPN Proxy Master openly states that anyone using its free service may be subject to third-party tracking. Some of its advertising partners include: Facebook, AdMob, UnityAD, Vungle, and Smaato.
It goes on to say that these companies can “set and access their own cookies, pixel tags, and similar technologies on our services.”
It also states that VPN Proxy Master shares aggregated data points it collects with these advertising partners.
VPN Proxy Master makes its money back by selling on your data and giving advertisers permission to track you.
Who Owns VPN Proxy Master?
There is a complex corporate structure behind this VPN. It is now owned by Lemon Clove Pte. Limited, but it was previously owned by Innovative Connecting PTE. Limited. These entities are essentially the same.
The developer of VPN Proxy Master is also listed as All Connected Co., which is a subsidiary of Innovative Connecting (also based in Singapore). Our investigations found that both companies have links to mainland China.
Our VPN ownership research also revealed that the same company email address was registered for both VPN Proxy Master and other VPNs like Turbo VPN, VPN Robot, VPN Monster, and VPN Snap.
In short, the same opaque company is likely behind several low-quality free VPN services that you’ll find in app stores.
The director of Lemon Close/Innovative Connecting is Danian Chen, a Chinese national described by Fortune China as “one of the most influential young leaders in China.”
This looks very suspicious. Successful businesses in China often have to fully cooperate with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the Chinese military.
Singapore is also a member of an intelligence coalition called SIGINT Seniors Pacific, which includes the United States’ National Security Agency (NSA) and partners like India, South Korea, and Thailand.
Overall, we highly recommend choosing a different VPN service that’s headquartered in a privacy haven and doesn’t have links to China. There are plenty of better VPNs that don’t keep unnecessary logs of your personal information.
Security & Technical Features
Lacking Security Features & Malware Detected
In the table below, you can see the VPN protocols, encryption ciphers, and technical features that VPN Proxy Master offers:
Protocols | Available in VPN Proxy Master |
---|---|
IKEv2/IPSec | Yes |
L2TP/IPSec | Yes |
OpenVPN (TCP/UDP) | Yes |
WireGuard | No |
Encryption | Available in VPN Proxy Master |
---|---|
AES-128 | No |
AES-192 | No |
AES-256 | Yes |
Blowfish | No |
ChaCha20 | No |
Security | Available in VPN Proxy Master |
---|---|
Diskless Servers | No |
DNS Leak Blocking | No |
First-party DNS | No |
IPv6 Leak Blocking | No |
Supports TCP Port 443 | No |
VPN Kill Switch | Yes |
WebRTC Leak Blocking | No |
Advanced Features | Available in VPN Proxy Master |
---|---|
Ad Blocker | No |
Dedicated IP | No |
Double VPN | No |
SOCKS | No |
Split Tunneling | Yes |
Static IP | No |
Tor over VPN Server | No |
Tracker Blocker | No |
We’re disappointed to see that VPN Proxy Master’s software isn’t open-source, which means its code is not free to scrutinize. It doesn’t publish regular third-party security audits either, which could confirm the stability and security of its VPN infrastructure.
Failed Wireshark Encryption Tests on Windows
To test how well VPN Proxy Master encrypts traffic, we tested it using a packet-inspection tool called Wireshark.
We found that VPN Proxy Master failed to encrypt HTTP requests, which means information in the VPN tunnel was still legible to third-parties.
Encrypting your online traffic is a crucial feature of any effective VPN, and VPN Proxy Master fails to do it.
Malware Detected in Android App
In 2018, our investigation into free VPNs detected invasive functions and malware within VPN Proxy Master’s Android app.
It tested positive for a Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP.HighConfidence) and included three dangerous functions: getLastKnownLocation, getDeviceId, and execute system command.
These functions can be used to collect sensitive information: your country and device information. Executing a system command could be used to detect ping times, but VPN Proxy Master doesn’t clarify what it’s used for.
In 2023, VPN Proxy Master’s security has improved greatly, and it no longer includes these functions. However, a history of embedding viruses and dangerous functions into its apps should put off any security-conscious users.
Supports OpenVPN but Not WireGuard
VPN Proxy Master doesn’t disclose which tunneling protocol it uses by default. Most VPNs, like PIA and Windscribe, say which protocol you’re using on the home screen.
This wouldn’t be an issue if VPN Proxy Master only used safe protocols. Instead, it offers IPSec and L2TP protocols, which aren’t strong enough to use exclusively.
We suggest making sure you use OpenVPN if necessary, but we honestly don’t recommend using VPN Proxy Master at all.
Paywalled Kill Switch
A VPN kill switch is an absolute necessity. Without one, you risk exposing your real IP address if your VPN connection drops unexpectedly.
VPN Proxy Master paywalls its kill switch, so users of its free version are more vulnerable to data leaks. This is extremely frustrating, as the VPN is sacrificing the security and privacy of its users for profit.
Security-conscious free VPNs like Proton VPN Free and Windscribe Free allow their users to protect themselves with a kill switch because it’s the right thing to do.
Technical Features We’d Like to See
VPN Proxy Master is missing some important advanced features. Here are some technical features we’d like it to add:
- Effective AES-256 encryption.
- VPN kill switch for free users.
- WireGuard support for secure and faster connections.
- IP and DNS leak protection.
- Split tunneling on all devices.
- Open-source software to improve transparency and allow the wider community to scrutinize VPN Proxy Master’s app security.
- Ad blocker to stop adverts from appearing on web pages.
- Multi-hop server to enhance security and privacy of your VPN connection.
Streaming
Doesn’t Work with US Netflix
Here’s a list of popular streaming platforms that VPN Proxy Master Premium and Free currently unblock:
Streaming Platform | Works with VPN Proxy Master | Works with VPN Proxy Master Free |
---|---|---|
Amazon Prime Video | No | No |
BBC iPlayer | Yes | No |
Channel 4 | Yes | No |
Disney+ | No | No |
Hotstar India | No | No |
Hulu | No | No |
ITVX | Yes | No |
Max | No | No |
Netflix US | No | No |
Premium Tier Unblocks a Few UK Streaming Services
VPN Proxy Master Premium can only access a few geo-restricted streaming services. In our most recent streaming tests, it worked with All 4, BBC iPlayer, and ITVX. It didn’t work with UK Netflix, though.
The VPN has dedicated streaming servers for US Netflix, Hulu, and HBO Max, but all of them failed to actually unblock these services in our tests.
This makes it a bad VPN for streaming. Plenty of other VPNs can access these streaming platforms, as well as US Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, and more.
Free Version Doesn’t Unblock Any Streaming Services
VPN Proxy Master Free is one of the worst free VPNs for streaming that we’ve come across. You can’t choose a server — you’re automatically assigned a local server instead. This means you can’t use VPN Proxy Master Free to stream content from outside your region.
The free VPN service was also detected by every streaming service we tested. In our streaming tests, VPN Proxy Master Free didn’t unblock BBC iPlayer, ITVX, UK Netflix, or Amazon Prime Video.
If you want to unblock restricted streaming content without paying anything, we recommend PrivadoVPN Free as the best free VPN for streaming. It offers servers in 11 countries, and unblocks US Netflix, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more.
Speed
Slower on Long-Distance Connections
We tested VPN Proxy Master’s average speeds when connecting to servers on six continents. Here’s a table showing VPN Proxy Master speed test results using the paid-for application:
Our manual speed tests show that VPN Proxy Master performs well on local connections. Testing from the US, we connected to a local server on the East coast and only recorded 7% speed loss.
On long-distance international connections, our speeds dropped by much more — 16% on average. The VPN service performed the worst connecting to Brazil, dropping from 100Mbps to 45Mbps.
VPN Proxy Master Free Is Much Slower than the Paid Version
Here are the results for our speed tests with VPN Proxy Master’s Free version:
These results are extremely disappointing for a free VPN. Hotspot Shield Free and Proton VPN Free are a lot faster, more reliable, and far more secure. To put VPN Proxy Master Free’s speed test results into context, here are the speeds of the fastest free VPNs:
Torrenting
Discourages Torrenting on All Servers
Here’s a quick summary showing how VPN Proxy Master Premium and Free performed in our torrenting tests:
Torrenting Attribute | ||
---|---|---|
Average Download Bitrate | ||
No. of P2P Servers | ||
Logging Policy | ||
Kill Switch | ||
Port Forwarding |
Confusingly, VPN Proxy Master has three fast torrenting servers on Windows, but it doesn’t actually want customers to use them.
VPN Proxy Master’s stance on torrenting isn’t clear in its Terms of Service or its FAQ, so we contacted customer support via email.
In response, a customer support agent claimed the app doesn’t support P2P file sharing at all. We found this to be the case with its mobile apps, but not desktop. It seems the VPN service discourages users from torrenting on its servers.
Despite its fast download bitrate, VPN Proxy Master’s logging policy isn’t private enough to be trusted with personal data. The VPN service logs your device information, bandwidth per session, internet service provider, and more.
We suggest dropping VPN Proxy Master and opting for a trustworthy anonymous VPN for torrenting instead. Private Internet Access is the best VPN for torrenting overall, with a verified no-logs policy, affordable subscription plans, an effective kill switch, and port forwarding on all platforms.
Server Locations
What Countries Does VPN Proxy Master Have Servers In?
With VPN Proxy Master Free and Paid, you can connect to the following countries:
Continent | |||
---|---|---|---|
Europe | |||
Asia | |||
South America | |||
North America | |||
Africa | |||
Oceania |
As you can see in the table above, VPN Proxy Master has different server lists on different platforms. We found macOS has the most locations, especially concentrated in Europe.
On Android, VPN Proxy Master Free offers servers in 5 countries. On iOS, the application doesn’t let you choose a server at all. You’re randomly assigned a nearby server, which could be in your country or a neighboring country.
Confusingly, VPN Proxy Master’s website states it has servers “in over 50 countries,” but we counted just 37. This is a small server network compared to mid-tier and top-tier VPNs.
Device & OS Compatibility
Available on Popular Devices Only
Apps
VPN Proxy Master is available on:
- Windows
- Mac
- iOS
- Android
Here’s a quick summary of the differences between each VPN app:
Six Devices per Subscription on Basic Plan
VPN Proxy Master lets you install its apps on six devices at once. If you want to connect to any more you’ll be asked to log out of another device or sign up for an extremely expensive 20-device subscription plan.
Most VPNs just limit the number of simultaneous connections, but VPN Proxy Master also limits the number of devices with VPN Proxy Master installed.
Games Consoles & Streaming Devices
Using its apps, Smart DNS feature, or hotspotting from a Windows device, you can use VPN Proxy Master on the following devices:
- Apple TV
- Amazon Fire TV
- Nintendo
- PlayStation
- Smart TV
- Xbox
Unusually for a free VPN, there is a Smart DNS feature for changing your geolocation on devices that don’t support native VPN apps.
It also suggests using a Windows 10 or 11 device to hotspot your VPN connection to games consoles.
Browser Extensions
VPN Proxy Master offers one browser extension:
- Chrome
VPN Proxy Master’s Chrome browser extension isn’t safe enough for us to recommend. There are far more secure VPN extensions available.
Ease of Use
Annoying Setup & Aggressive Advertising
VPN Proxy Master’s apps have improved a lot in the past couple of years. However, there are still serious usability issues on all platforms, whether you’re paying for a subscription or using it for free.
Honestly, no amount of free data could convince us to use this awful VPN on a daily basis. There are plenty of other free VPNs, like Proton VPN Free and PrivadoVPN Free, that don’t put ads in front of you every chance they get.
VPN Proxy Master is also unnecessarily complicated to set up on Windows. You have to download additional external files, which aren’t mentioned at all on the VPN Proxy Master website.
Here’s an overview of our experience with the VPN on different devices:
Desktop & Laptop (Windows & Mac)
The VPN Proxy Master macOS app offers the best user experience, with more general and specialized servers. We didn’t have any issues installing the app, either. It’s better than the Windows alternative, but it’s still not particularly user-friendly.
The Windows setup process is the most difficult out of all the platforms. Even worse, there isn’t a free version at all on Windows to test it before purchasing a subscription.
After installing the VPN on our Windows laptop, we kept getting error messages saying the software needed additional external files to run. This is extremely unusual for a VPN, and we find it quite suspicious.
We reached out to customer service for advice, and they suggested reinstalling the app. We reinstalled the app three times and each time received the same error messages. After that, our follow-up emails were ignored for a day without a solution.
In the end, we found an external YouTube tutorial with the correct instructions. But there is no mention of this setup process on VPN Proxy Master’s website, and customer service was no help at all.
Overall, VPN Proxy Master’s installation on Windows was extremely frustrating and took a lot longer than expected. We don’t recommend using the VPN on Windows.
Once installed, the desktop apps were generally straightforward to use. There’s a simple homepage and menu button for advanced settings. Annoyingly, protocol options and advanced features vary depending on what device you’re using.
Mobile (Android & iOS)
Unlike on desktop devices, the free version of VPN Proxy Master is supported on both Android and iOS. Both free mobile apps offer unlimited data, but you have to endure annoying 30 second pop-up ads each time you connect to a server, close, or open the app.
On Android, the free version gives you access to servers in six countries. On iOS, you can’t choose a server location and are instead assigned a nearby server. Changing protocol on iOS is also frustrating. You have to go into Server Locations to change VPN protocol, which doesn’t make any sense.
When you connect to a server on Android, the location isn’t listed on the home screen. Instead, there’s a tiny flag in the top right corner, which is very easy to miss. Usually, VPNs will list your chosen server location in an eye-catching place on the screen.
The long pop-up ads make VPN Proxy Master Free difficult to use on mobile. It’s frustrating having to wait 30 seconds to close a full-screen ad, and the banner ads are equally bad.
Thankfully, the paid versions of VPN Proxy Master’s mobile apps don’t have annoying ads. However, that still doesn’t make them pleasant to use.
Customer Support
Slow & Unreliable Customer Support
You can contact VPN Proxy Master’s customer service in these ways:
Customer Support | Available in VPN Proxy Master | Available in VPN Proxy Master Free |
---|---|---|
24/7 Email Support | No | No |
24/7 Live Chat Support | No | No |
Chatbot | No | No |
Yes | Yes | |
Email Support via Online Form | Yes | Yes |
Live Chat Support | Yes | Yes |
Online Resources | Yes | Yes |
Tutorial Videos | No | No |
VPN Proxy Master has a reasonable online help center (also called its FAQ). Articles are sorted out into General Information, Billing & Account Information, and Troubleshooting.
We couldn’t find any helpful video tutorials in this help center. However, there are lots of images with step-by-step instructions to access streaming services, retrieve an invoice, unsubscribe on different platforms, and more.
What holds VPN Proxy Master back from having good customer service are its support agents and an overreliance on these tutorial resources.
We contacted VPN Proxy Master’s customer service multiple times over the course of our tests, and each time we weren’t completely satisfied with the level of support we received.
In one instance, we contacted support via email because we couldn’t open the Windows app. VPN Proxy Master’s customer support team were truly unequipped to help us. We were given general instructions that simply didn’t solve our problem.
VPN Proxy Master also offers live chat support, but we had to wait over an hour for an agent to become available. This simply isn’t good enough. It’s pathetic compared to other paid-for or even free VPNs.
Bypassing Web Censorship
Does Not Work in China
VPN Proxy Master offers V2Ray, obfuscation technology that’s designed for bypassing online firewalls. However, you can’t use the VPN in countries with online censorship — especially not China.
In our tests with a remote computer in Shanghai, we weren’t even able to connect to a server. The app launched and immediately gave a notification that it’s unable to work in China “due to policy.”
Since VPN Proxy Master has strong links to China, it’s unsurprising that the VPN doesn’t allow its users to bypass web censorship.
If you want a VPN that reliably works in China, we recommend using Astrill – although it is more expensive, it also has a 100% success rate at beating web blocks in China. As a free alternative, Windscribe Free is a great back-up option to have on your device as well.
Avoid VPN Proxy Master if you need to rely on a VPN to access blocked websites. It will not help whatsoever in these regions. Save your time and money and opt for a VPN with effective obfuscation.
Price & Value
Terrible Value for Money
Here are all of VPN Proxy Master’s pricing plans:
NOTE: These prices are for VPN Proxy Master’s six-device subscription plan. It also offers 20-device subscription plans, but they are much more expensive.
The two-year deal offers the best savings, but it’s still very expensive for what it is. There are far better and cheaper VPNs available.
For example, you can get Private Internet Access, which outperforms VPN Proxy Master in every single testing category, for just $2.03 per month.
VPN Proxy Master Free
VPN Proxy Master’s free version is one of the worst free VPNs we’ve tested. It’s unsafe, slow, and doesn’t unblock any streaming services. It’s full of long ads and even shares data with advertisers. We even noticed embarrassing typos when using the service.
The free VPN also differs greatly depending on what device you’re using it on. There’s five server locations on Android, no choice of server on iOS or macOS, and no free version at all on Windows.
To add to the confusion, the free macOS version gives you 500MB of free data per day, whereas both mobile versions offer unlimited data.
Such huge variance in a VPN service is highly unusual and speaks to the lack of thought and effort put into the product. In most cases, free VPNs will at least offer the same data allowance and server choice on all platforms.
There’s no reason to use the free version when there are other high-quality free VPNs like Proton VPN Free, Windscribe Free, and PrivadoVPN Free — all of which are secure, fast, and can unblock streaming services.
Payment & Refund Options
Here are different payment methods that VPN Proxy Master accepts:
- American Express
- Bitcoin
- Mastercard
- PayPal
- UnionPay
- Visa
You can pay for a VPN Proxy Master subscription by credit card, debit card, PayPal, or UnionPay. There’s also the option to pay with cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.