IP blockers - VPN services

I'm curious to hear actual user comments, particularly if anyone has tried more than one service. I've installed several Hide My Ass connections; I've changed some from Unblock US to HMA because it didn't have worldwide coverage; I've heard good things about Strong, but not experienced it.

From their website, Unblock US would now appear to support worldwide coverage. What I'd like to know is if any one service has a distinct advantage, to make better informed recommendations for my customers. I can say I've never had a complaint from any HMA user.

Which is the fastest VPN or the one that slows it down the least.

Z

Well, the reports I have are that Strong doesn't slow you down. I find this hard to believe, simply because of the type of forwarding service it is.

I use Strong and suffer negligible download degradation based on multiple Speed Test results. I'm talking < 5%.

I get up to 100% increase in upload.

So, I am pretty happy with their service.

"100% increase in upload" compared to what, may I ask?

How much do they charge?

100% increase compared to when I am not connected to Strong.
Example, I get .08 mb when not connected and .18 mb upload when connected.
Numbers may not be exact as I am not home to check, but I was very surprised and now connect whenever uploading pics to Picasa.
Like I say, download was pretty much the same.
Cost was $ 55 / yr.

juanrey wrote:100% increase compared to when I am not connected to Strong.
Example, I get .08 mb when not connected and .18 mb upload when connected.
Numbers may not be exact as I am not home to check, but I was very surprised and now connect whenever uploading pics to Picasa.
Like I say, download was pretty much the same.
Cost was $ 55 / yr.

Whoa, that's crazy. I don't see how that's possible. TicToc, any thoughts?

We used HMA for a couple of years and it was satisfactory, but often disconnected. This year, Paypal did not want to process payment to HMA so switched to Strong and we are very pleased with Strong and the disconnect problem has disappeared.

I've used unblock-us mostly so I can stream u.s. Netflix which has worked great until 2-3 weeks ago when I started losing Netflix during a movie and had trouble getting back in. Good tech support from unblock-us who found that my ip address was changing multiple times and that I should ask my isp (telmex) to give me a static ip address. Never got that far because it's now working better again. They also gave me a login page so that if Netflix "loses" me and I can log in and get back to Netflix more quickly. I suspect much of this issue was telmex speed and maybe I also need a new Infinitum router? Haven't tried the other unblock/vpn options.

Last time I checked, you had to pay business prices for TelMex to assign a static address. Almost no individual customer employs static; everyone uses dynamic, and these get reassigned regularly and in various ways.

The problem would lie in your modem or the connection, and most likely temporary. Since it's gone now, you are probably fine.

Just started using Hotspot Shield Elite this week, so I don't have much input on effectiveness. I know it allows access to Hulu Plus and Netflix, which I couldn't get to before. I chose this one because the $30 yearly price includes use on up to 5 devices, so I can load on both computers for one price. For that price you can have any combo of 5 computers (PC or Mac) and/or iPads. They say it's available for Android, but I believe at this point that's a separate download and install, and you have to pay separately. Info here: http://www.hsselite.com/

Heather

Their price is unusually low. Do you know, probably through the tool you use to select an anonymous IP address, which countries are available?

When HideMyAss started, they could only get U.S. access; since then they have added pretty much worldwide coverage.

With my install, it shows available virtual locations as US, UK and Australia. I have US selected, and when I test the IP it shows as being in San Jose, CA. Multiple online utilities show the same IP.

I have the 2 Mb Telmex package (the max they say our house can handle). I've recently completed a wipe of the system and reinstall of Win 7 from scratch on a SSD, so things are nice and clean... don't know if that has any bearing. Prior results (before Windows reinstall), no VPN, using server out of Guad (Down/Up): 0.89/0.20, 1.16/0.23, 1.77/0.30, 1.76/0.29

Results run today, after clean Windows install and while running Hotspot Shield, using a server in Los Angeles: 2.80/3.52, 3.05/3.21, 2.52/2.49

Go figure!

Heather

Okay, I installed it today for a customer... could not find any country stuff in the software, though. However, he's happy, as he's now getting Hulu, ESPN sports, that kind of thing.

Did not test his speed, but it was noticeably slower accessing web pages... so I may have to go back and do some tweaking. Thanks, Heather, this is a good addition to the list.

(Cleaning out and reinstalling Windows is always a good thing anyway...)

You're welcome for the addition. I wonder if there's something in these VPN clients that throws off stats for Speedtest. I'm not really noticing much, if any, increase in actual speed. But then, I haven't tried to upload a video yet, which will really be an indicator of usable speed.

Heather

A related question (I think!): we brought our Roku down with us and have a Netgear router that's VPN compatible. We'd like to watch U.S. Netflix but on our TV, not computers. I believe this is doable, but is there anyone locally we could hire to help us do it?

If you subscribe to one of these VPN services, no problem. You send your PC signal via the Roku wirelessly.