Need a new VPN

[chang]

I just had a blow-up with ExpressVPN. Will spare you the details; suffice it to say, they committed a business atrocity and our relationship ended abruptly. I used NordVPN previously and hated it (constantly bombarded with offers and promotions).

So I am in the market for a new VPN that is not NordVPN or ExpressVPN. Any recommendations?

[archer]

I don't know much about VPNs and don't have a VPN myself, so I did a search to learn more about them. In my gleanings I came across this Wirecutter review. I have found Wirecutter to be a good source for reviews in general.

[keppelbay]

I've been looking at Mozilla's VPN. I use their Firefox browser. Mozilla seems to operate in a decent manner - no annoying promotions or offers etc. I've not tried their VPN, but was planning to this summer to see if I could access BBC iplayer and BFI from outside the UK.

... and please don't spare us the details... business atrocity ... I can't imagine what might qualify.

[Deleted]

I've been using the free version of Proton on my phone. Other than an ad to upgrade to the paid version when I first open it, it's been irritation free.

[anitya]

I use McAfee (Total Protection) antivirus on my computer and only recently started using the free VPN that comes with the antivirus when I thought I would travel. I was not using any apps on my old iPhone and recently upgraded my iPhone and may start using APPs for financial institutions. I could install on my phone McAfee and use their VPN.

@django ,

I noticed that Citibank caused a lot of login problems when I used VPN. Citi told me if I want hassle free online account access I have to ditch any VPN. Do you encounter problems accessing your financial accounts when using VPN? Why do you use VPN if you are not travelling outside the US.

[chang]

Apr 24, 2024 15:34:04 GMT keppelbay said:

... and please don't spare us the details... business atrocity ... I can't imagine what might qualify.

ExpressVPN suddenly cut off my service four days ago. I got onto the 'chat' with customer service (there is no phone number in existence: you cannot actually speak to a human being) and they advised that they have no record of my account. At their request, I sent them credit card transaction details from my last renewal in February. They still could find no record of me whatsoever: my entire existence was deleted from their systems.

This is basically unbelievable. Even if I had cancelled my subscription, they would still keep my data (for some period of time). I have no idea what happened (and neither did they) but I was royally pissed. I need the VPN to watch 'Red Dwarf' on BBC iPlayer, which is almost the only thing that will get me on the treadmill. Hence, if you follow the logic: ExpressVPN deletes my account -> I can't watch 'Red Dwarf' -> I don't exercise -> I put on weight and get clogged arteries -> I die from a heart attack -> my wife sues ExpressVPN for $millions. Not an ideal scenario for anyone.

Back to ExpressVPN's customer service. I chatted and e-mailed with them for three consecutive days and accomplished nothing. Frankly, I really hate these 'chats' -- the reps at the other end are so godawfully condescending. Obviously, they're reading this $hïτ off their computer screen, but all you get is "I'm so sorry about this..." and "I can totally understand your frustration..." and "Please rest assured I will fix this problem for you..." and "I've escalated this case to the relevant department and marked it Urgent...", and so on. Makes my blood boil. Especially as they totally failed to fix the problem.

The thing is, up until this, I really liked the product - almost no complaints (other than the usual glitches that always happen with VPNs and some web sites).

And now an update. I did what I always do in situations like this: I sent a short, polite but scathing e-mail to the CEO and every member of the leadership team of ExpressVPN and its parent company (this takes quite a bit of research to find the email addresses). My mother used to tell me, "If you want something done, ask a busy man." 12 hours later, they processed a full refund of my February renewal payment (which I demanded), and to my surprise they sent me a 1-year subscription, which I have just activated. I'm not 100% sure if this new subscription is gratis or not (they might bill me), but for the moment, I'm using the product again. Time will tell.....

[keppelbay]

Quite a tale. Good that it has worked out, so you'll be with us for a while yet!
I'll update when I've tried the Mozilla version to access the iplayer over the summer.

[chang]

keppelbay you are correct that iPlayer won't work outside the UK - you will need a VPN (easy workaround). As Dave Lister would say, "smegging hell". (No Red Dwarf fans here?)

[Deleted]

Apr 24, 2024 23:27:14 GMT anitya said:

I use McAfee (Total Protection) antivirus on my computer and only recently started using the free VPN that comes with the antivirus when I thought I would travel. I was not using any apps on my old iPhone and recently upgraded my iPhone and may start using APPs for financial institutions. I could install on my phone McAfee and use their VPN.

@django ,

I noticed that Citibank caused a lot of login problems when I used VPN. Citi told me if I want hassle free online account access I have to ditch any VPN. Do you encounter problems accessing your financial accounts when using VPN? Why do you use VPN if you are not travelling outside the US.

Actually, I starting using a VPN in order to get a financial website to work. Treasury Direct wouldn't load for me and after all the usual remedies failed to work, I posted my problem on another forum. A tech savvy person weighted in that it sounded like a IPv6 conflict with my network and I could bypass it using a VPN. That worked.
I haven't had any issues using a VPN with other financial sites. I do have a problem occasionally with Proboards.