Zenmate vpn experience so far

VPN
1

sorry about the wall, TL;DR at bottom. I installed the software after talking to support (very quick to reply, even on a weekend) as there was some security warnings about the publisher. Everything seems fine. Speeds are frankly amazing, the windows app tells you whats available (US server, down:61mb, up:5.29mb) and i assume your actual isp connection restricts the rest. As my speedtest results are on par with my non VPN results, down: 30mb, up: 2mb. UK servers actually give me closer to 40mb down, not sure how. I suppose the most important thing people want to know is “does Netflix work” well the answer to that is , no. It spots my VPN and wont allow me to watch anything even when set to my actual location (UK). Ipleak, lists 3 american IP’s but also lists 4 uk dns adresses. I’m assuming there is a leak there, reconnecting the windows app ads 7 US dns addresses but also the same 4 previously mentioned.

TL;DR
Netflix- yes
Speeds-very good (UK user-US connection, 30mb)
Security-AES256 although AES128 is preferred (apparently faster)
Servers-their own
countries-19 with 20 options to choose from, 2 being US based
Simultaneous devices-i currently have 3 connected, no problems so far
Privacy- zero logs kept, some made at initial connection to server. Stated in their FAQ.

Edit; You’ll never break me, copper…

2

zenmate works with US netflix, you just have to connect/disconnect to get the right IP address. I can guarantee you that it works because I checked myself. Oh, and clear cookies/cache or even use a different browser. Netflix always uses old info stored in your browser to detect your true location.

3

If you could run before and after speed tests, that would be helpful for readers here.

Correction on their logs - they don’t state in their manifesto that they don’t keep logs. They DO say that they don’t store (log) your IP address or “personal data”

However, in their Privacy Policy they say:

In order to prevent attacks against ZenMate your IP address will be saved temporarily on the server without being stored permanently or used for any other purposes.

But they don’t specify how long they really are being stored. Slightly contradictory in my opinion.

Also, in Section 7 of their

Transfer of Data

We shall not transfer any personal data which we collected and stored based on your consent or on a statutory permission to a third party. In accordance with the law, however, we are obligated to provide information on inventory data (Bestandsdaten) as defined in section 14 TMG in some cases. This also applies to data on usage (Nutzungsdaten) as well as invoicing data (Abrechnungsdaten) as defined in section 15 TMG respectively.

Since IP addresses are stored (even temporarily), I can only assume this is part of what they disclose they may have to provide to authorities.

Also, if your account’s data is limited:

If your account’s data volume is limited we will measure the data you transfer and receive. However, we will not collect or store the content of the data. We will only record the mere volume of the data.

Just want to point out that this service does not have a “zero logs” policy.

Also, if you can find any of the information you list in your review on their site, and it conflicts with my sheet (sidebar), I will be happy to update what I have listed there!

4

I hope this is suitable.

5

Yep, you’re quite right. I was using the Android app to test so as not to get it wrong. Although the app still fails to load the actual video, giving some network error. USA West actually works on my laptop chrome browser. The speed test result isn’t great but it’s easy to switch it when needed. Thanks for the update. I’ll maybe try reinstalling the app just to test that too.

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Did you want screenshots of the speedtest or full before and after readings for every server (text only). As the numbers posted were before and after of the vpn servers i’ve used and my non vpn connection.

4. Recording and Revocation of the consent
We do not store information regarding the location you selected for the encryption of your IP address when you >chose the server location for the use of ZenMate, because data minimization is the intent and purpose of >ZenMate. Therefore, your IP address is processed only temporarily and only for transmission to the Targeted >Website without being stored permanently in the logfiles of the server selected by you.

Our promise to you
ZenMate is not storing your IP address or personal data

ZenMate is not tracking who you are or what you do online
ZenMate is not selling data to third parties
ZenMate cannot give away your personal data to authorities or third parties as it is not stored in the first place
ZenMate is proudly based in Berlin and operates under strict German data protection laws.

I am new to this but as a newbie i would assume “not tracking who you are or what you do online” would imply zero logs. Obviously your knowledge on the matter is greater than mine.

I am only talking about the premium unlimited accounts, i didn’t look too much at the free terms.

I added the TL;DR with your chart in mind to be honest. I’ll see what else i can find.

edit; i see you answered the temporary logs issue, i missed it in the first read of your post. I can only assume that, what someone has done cannot be discovered but with temporary logs made, if they were to get an order to track you in actual time, this is possible. Maybe? i’m very new to this.

7

Yeah, just use a different browser on your PC. I have the same issues loading Netflix when I use my regular browser (sometimes even clearing cookies doesn’t work, weird right!)

When I connect from EU to US servers, my speed generally goes down by about 20% and ping is at about 100ms (my normal ping is 3-10), but it’s a good result considering how far the server is. When I connect to the server a few thousand miles away (like another EU country), I barely see the difference in speed, even ping stays at about >30ms.

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I don’t doubt that this is the case, but in my experience, unless a company specifically tells you what they do NOT log, there’s a chance they log it. I have a whole field on my sheet about “Contradictory logging policies” - ie companies that say zero logs, but really log things.

Examples of privacy policies where all log types are accounted for one way or the other:

AzireVPN

IVPN

SecureVPN.to

Trust.Zone

VyprVPN

WifiMask

Screenshots tends to have more credibility than text only, but it’s really up to you. Just letting you know what people will tend to put more stock in.

9

Just to clarify, chrome is my usual browser. I literally changed from having no vpn loaded watching UK Netflix, to turning on zenmate choosing USA West and reloading the page. Instant American Netflix and loaded the walking dead.

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I added an edit. It’s such a complicated subject, i feel i’m barely scratching the surface. Thanks for not being aggressive with your knowledge and being very, very patient.

IVPN was one i was looking at, due to your list. I’ll use my free trial with zenmate and see how it goes.

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Thats fine, i’ll see what i can do. I may have to do it tomorrow as i have to go to work soon. I’ll do the US and UK ones now, as i feel these will be the popular ones and try to add the rest tomorrow.

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No worries, I’ve been through this journey myself and I know how confusing and aggravating it can be!