ClearVPN review: is it any good?

ClearVPN is a small VPN service owned by the Ukrainian software development company MacPaw. Focused on accessibility and ease of use, its app design is unlike that of most VPN service providers. With it, you can get more streaming options, block ads, and change IP addresses with just one click.

However, ClearVPN lacks some essential VPN features, like the WireGuard protocol or split-tunneling. Also, the available kill switch did not prevent IP leaks when changing servers.

Although ClearVPN is not as secure as industry-leading VPN like NordVPN, it offers unique design solutions we're going to talk about in this review. Furthermore, the unlimited premium version is available for free for all Ukrainians with a valid Diia.Signature (government-run digital signature app). There's also a universal free version that allows connecting to Ukrainian servers with unlimited bandwidth.

Let's see all that ClearVPN offers and whether it's worth buying it.

	NordVPN	ClearVPN
⭐ Rating:	4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★	3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
🥇 Overall rank:	#1 out of #41	#24 out of #41
🖥️ Servers:	6,900 + servers in 111 countries	70 + servers in 40 countries
📖 No logs policy:	No logs	No logs
💵 Price:	From $2.99/month	From $3.50/month
🔥 Coupons:	NordVPN coupon 74% OFF	Cybernews VPN Coupons
🔒 VPN protocols:	OpenVPN, WireGuard (NordLynx), IKEv2/IPsec	OpenVPN, IKEv2
🍿 Streaming services:	Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more	Netflix, Max, BBC iPlayer, YouTube TV
🖥️ Platforms:	Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS	Windows, Mac, Android, iOS
📥 Simultaneous connections:	10	6
💁🏻 Support:	Knowledge base, FAQs, email, 24/7 live chat	Knowledge base, FAQs, email, 24/7 live chat

ClearVPN pros & cons

Is ClearVPN safe?

No, ClearVPN is not safe for online activities that require strengthened privacy. Its kill switch does not prevent IP leaks when switching servers. We also noticed ClearVPN occasionally leaking its own DNS address, which means they are hiding browsing activities from ISPs but exposing that the user is connected to a VPN.

Encryption	AES-256
Tunneling protocols	OpenVPN and IKEv2
Kill switch	✅ (does not prevent IP leaks)
Two-factor authentication	✅
RAM servers	❌
Privacy policy	No logs, not audited

Encryption

ClearVPN uses industry-standard AES-256-bit encryption, although it does not specify the exact block cipher. Most secure VPNs use AES-256 to encrypt users' traffic and make it undecipherable to cybercriminals and data mining agencies. Unsurprisingly, ClearVPN also chose this method to protect its users, which is sufficient for private browsing.

Tunneling protocols

This VPN offers only two tunneling protocols: OpenVPN and IKEv2. Furthermore, it does not allow choosing between TCP or UDP network protocols for OpenVPN, which significantly differ in session security, speed, and stability.

• IKEv2/IPSec – this is a secure mix of the older IPSec protocol suite with the newer IKEv2 VPN protocol that's optimized for faster and more stable connection. Lower device resource consumption makes IKEv2/IPSec a preferable choice for ClearVPN mobile apps.
• OpenVPN – a widely used VPN protocol that's open-source and utilizes Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption to safeguard user online privacy. Sadly, ClearVPN doesn't allow choosing between TCP (more secure) or UDP (faster) OpenVPN protocol types.

Logging

On its website and privacy policy, ClearVPN states that it is a genuine no-logs VPN service. However, you have to trust their word for it, as there are no independent audits to verify the claim. It's worth mentioning that MacPaw is a reputable software developer of Clean My Mac, Gemini 2, Setapp, and other products.

Nevertheless, ClearVPN's Privacy Policy raises some eyebrows. Like most VPNs, it discloses it collects diagnostic information, like server crash or speed drop circumstances. It also collects and stores account-related information, like an email address, to provide subscription services.

But it also utilizes the user's real IP address to provide a personalized app experience, increasing user comfort at the expense of privacy. For this, ClearVPN inspects some device-specific information, like operating system version, device model, and language settings.

It's stated that the user's online activities are not logged, stored, or passed to any third parties. Simultaneously, the aforementioned data that they collect is processed in Ukraine and the USA, which is part of The Five Eyes alliance. ClearVPN states they reserve the rights to transfer user data between the two countries but cannot issue guarantees about its safety, leaving a lot of room for Privacy Policy improvements.

ClearVPN pricing

ClearVPN has a straightforward pricing model common in the VPN market: the lengthier the subscription, the lower the price. It also offers a free version with unlimited data – a very welcome and infrequent feature.

Regarding paid plans, here are the options:

Version	Price per month
1 Month	$5.00
3 Months	$5.00
6 Months	$3.50

Visit ClearVPN

ClearVPN is rather expensive, considering its limited features. For example, the Standard NordVPN subscription costs less but offers more servers and even includes real-time malware protection.

Whichever ClearVPN plan you choose, you'll have to pay the entire sum upfront. There's only the credit card payment option on their website, and you can also get this VPN on Google Play or Apple's App Store. ClearVPN has a 30-day money-back guarantee in case you run into some issues.

Is there a ClearVPN free trial?

Yes, ClearVPN offers a 3-day free trial to test its paid version. The premium version unlocks the full list of specialty streaming servers, all worldwide server locations, and AdBlock.

In comparison, the universal free version only allows connecting to Ukrainian servers with access to regional over-the-top streaming service MegaGoGo. Remember that Ukrainians can use the premium version for free with Diia.Signature.

Although the free trial VPN is great, it has some strings attached. ClearVPN asks for credit card details before activating it to prevent free trial abuse. There are no instructions on how to activate it and customer support advised me to proceed with choosing a subscription plan, but it will not be charged until three days later. They also promise to inform the user about the upcoming payment, which sounds like an unnecessarily complicated way to test the service out.

Streaming: Does ClearVPN work with Netflix?

ClearVPN has an amazing way of handling VPN streaming capabilities. Once you launch the app, you can select the Streaming option. It will open the full list of servers optimized for different streaming services, like Netflix, Disney+, ESPN, Max, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and more. Let's see how they perform.

Platform	Does it work?
Netflix	✅ Yes
Amazon Prime Video	✅ Yes
Hulu	✅ Yes
Max	✅ Yes
Disney+	✅ Yes
BBC iPlayer	❌No
YouTube TV	✅ Yes

We got excellent results accessing US and UK Netflix libraries. We didn't notice any noticeable slowdowns, video quality issues, or buffering screens. Hulu servers worked almost just as well, sometimes reducing video quality for a short time to avoid lagging. ClearVPN also unblocked various sports streaming services from the US.

On the other hand, we couldn't access BBC iPlayer connected to BBC-optimized servers. Sometimes, the website didn't load at all. Other times, it showed that the service is unavailable outside of the UK, hinting at a possible IP or DNS leak.

Overall, ClearVPN does work well with Netflix, and we admire the unique approach towards streaming server layout. However, there's still room for improvement, like the BBC iPlayer support and SmartDNS feature.

Is ClearVPN good for torrenting?

No, ClearVPN isn’t a good VPN for torrenting for a few notable reasons. Firstly, it lacks an independent no-logs audit to verify it genuinely does not monitor and collect user online activities. This lack is amplified by dubious statements in the Privacy Policy, such as data transfers to the United States.

Simultaneously, ClearVPN's kill switch does not prevent IP leaks when switching servers. In case you change servers or your connection drops during a P2P session, your real IP might be exposed, resulting in potential legal troubles where torrenting is not allowed.

ClearVPN also allows peer-to-peer traffic only in countries that do not restrict torrenting, which is but a few. Overall, the service should not be used for private file-sharing.

Speed performance: Is ClearVPN fast?

To analyze ClearVPN’s speed, we compared our baseline upload and download speeds with the results connected to ClearVPN's servers. We tested both protocols with nearby and faraway servers and got mixed results. The OpenVPN protocol struggled to maintain decent results the farther we connected. On the other hand, IKEv2 maintained excellent download speeds throughout.

Below are more test results.

• Baseline speed: 1ms/488 Mbps download/489 Mbps upload

Location	OpenVPN Download Speed (Mbps)	OpenVPN Upload Speed (Mbps)	IKEv2 Download Speed (Mbps)	IKEv2 Upload Speed (Mbps)
Lithuania	264	245	393	201
Germany	152	128	449	80
UK	92	91	254	73
US	38	31	387	37
Japan	13	13	404	17

Overall, only the IKEv2 protocol maintained excellent download results, with OpenVPN dropping significantly on faraway servers. Here are the average download/upload results:

• OpenVPN: 118/101 MbpsIKEv2: 377/81 Mbps
• IKEv2: 377/81 Mbps

On average, the IKEv2 download speed dropped only 23% and maintained excellent results on all servers, except the UK, which dropped nearly in half. The upload speed was more impacted, maintaining just 16% of the original and going down significantly the further we connected.

OpenVPN failed to produce satisfactory results, on average dropping to 24% of the original speed, with servers in Japan operating on barely 3%. The upload speed was slightly better, maintaining 20% original speed. Because ClearVPN does not allow choosing between TCP and UDP OpenVPN protocols, it's difficult to tell the exact reason for the slow performance.

Overall, only IKEv2 download speeds were satisfactory and worthy of competing with the fastest VPNs in the market. Furthermore, we experienced technical problems speed testing the IKEv2 protocol that a more stable OpenVPN TCP protocol could solve.

Provider	Average speed retention rate
ClearVPN	70%
NordVPN	90%
Surfshark VPN	86%

ClearVPN features

It doesn't take long to notice that ClearVPN is an emerging VPN service still in development. Although it's not as feature-rich as VPN old timers, it offers innovative solutions that might set it apart. Here are some of them.

Shortcuts

ClearVPN aims to provide a VPN service that is fast and easy to use. A simplistic and intuitive app design is their trademark, resulting in a unique product.

Instead of bombarding the user with lots of technical options, ClearVPN provides shortcuts to the most essential features. On its home screen, you can choose a location changer to connect to a different country, select the streaming option for more online content, or use smart connect to get the best speeds or protection. Many VPN apps require manually choosing the correct server in the necessary country, but ClearVPN does it all for you.

Dynamic Flow Technology

This is what ClearVPN calls its personalized server selection. It will “take a look” at (without storing and collecting) the user's IP address to determine the best VPN servers for their needs. For safe browsing, it will connect to a country with a speedy connection and the best online privacy laws. To Access ESPN or Fox Sports streams, it will automatically connect to the country where they're available. Although inspecting the real user IP doesn't sound appealing, a personalized app might be a step forward if it maintains genuine no-logs policies.

AdBlock

To enable AdBlock, you must choose the Smart connection settings and activate Top protection at the bottom if you've subscribed to the ClearVPN premium plan.

We tested the AdBlock on Can You Block it, where it blocked all ads and popups except the push notification requests. On AdBlock Tester, it scored 49/100 and failed the Google Analytics, Yandex Direct, Flash banners, and a few other tests.

Lastly, the Electronic Frontier Foundation's Cover Your Tracks test showed that ClearVPN neutralizes tracking ads and invisible trackers but does not prevent fingerprinting, which is common even among the most secure VPNs.

Multiple device support

Whether you're using a free or paid ClearVPN app, it allows securing up to 6 devices simultaneously. Currently, the app is available on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. You can easily connect new devices once you log in to your account on their website. All connected devices will be listed in the ClearVPN app system settings.

Kill switch

Although the ClearVPN app has a kill switch option in the app system settings, it does not prevent an IP leak during a server switch or disconnect. Even with the kill switch on, my device immediately rolled back to its original IP address, compromising my online privacy.

Server locations

ClearVPN does not disclose the exact number of owned servers, but various online publications estimate it to be around 70+. It might seem insufficient compared to CyberGhost's colossal 9000+ server network, but ClearVPN claims quality over quantity, focusing on speed instead of number.

Here are ClearVPN’s worldwide server spread statistics:

Regions	Number of countries
Americas	5
Europe	26
Asia Pacific	6
Middle East and Africa	3

ClearVPN servers are located in 40 countries. Although only five countries are listed under Americas, all US states are listed as one, and we didn't encounter a server shortage connecting there. The selection in South America is somewhat thin, but ClearVPN covers all major European regions.

Interface and ease of use

Platform	Experience
Windows	Simplistic, easy to navigate
macOS	Similar to the Windows app
iOS	Feels unfinished, free via the Setapp app
Android	Slightly confusing, feels unfinished

PC

ClearVPN's macOS and Windows apps are quite similar, simplistic, nice-looking, and easy to navigate. Because ClearVPN emphasizes user experience, the Windows and macOS apps live up to the promise.

After downloading and installing it, you will be greeted by a quick introduction.

You'll land on the main screen that displays your current IP address, three VPN server selection options, and a verification of whether you're connected to one of them.

The Location changer allows you to select the country you want to connect to. The Smart connection leads to three additional options:

• The No restrictions option is optimized to bypass geo-blocks
• The Fastest server is self-explanatory
• Top protection enables AdBlock and connects to a country with the strongest privacy laws

Lastly, the Streaming option, which we particularly liked, displays all supported streaming services.

ClearVPN has a native app for macOS Big Sur and later versions, so it doesn't work on older Macs. Overall, both PC and macOS apps offer the same features with three main VPN server selections.

Smartphone

two server options: Location changer and Streaming. However, the third Smart connection option is hidden within the Location changer, and I had to search for the faster server option.

Although ClearVPN Android and iOS apps are quite similar with the same features, iOS users have one distinct perk. If you're using MacPaw's Setapp software to manage iOS and macOS applications, you can use ClearVPN for free. You can also log in to the VPN via a Setapp account to avoid creating a second one.

Unfortunately, the mobile app does not allow changing VPN protocols. There's a kill switch option that redirects to the smartphone's VPN settings, but the instructions on activating it are not clear.

Lastly, I noticed the Active enhancers option under the green light that shows the VPN is on. It listed ClearShield as an enhancement to protect from malware, phishing, and crypto-jacking. However, I couldn't find any information about this feature within the app or online, so it could be something that was in development but did not make it.

The ClearVPN mobile app feels rushed, and even though the design is smooth and you can get used to the slightly confusing navigation, the lack of features cannot be overlooked.

Customer support

	ClearVPN
24/7 live chat	✅
Ticket system/email	✅
Phone line	❌
Knowledge base	✅

There are several ways of contacting ClearVPN’s customer support.

Firstly, there's the 24/7 live chat support option that I contacted twice. The first time I asked about free trial activation. Although the agent advised on the procedures, the response time was more than thirty minutes. The second time, I asked a different agent about the mysterious ClearShield notification in the mobile app and was asked to email the tech team via email.

Because the live chat experience was south of average, you might have a better chance of submitting a request via email.

Lastly, there's a blog divided by topics like Cyber Threats, Privacy, News, and alike. It contains general yet valuable knowledge about online safety, privacy, and VPN guides. The blog has been actively running for just over a year, and we hope it builds on a good start!

ClearVPN compared to other VPNs

You'll find numerous high-quality VPN services in the market. But how does ClearVPN compare to the industry leaders? Let's have a look:

	ClearVPN	NordVPN	Surfshark	Atlas VPN	ExpressVPN
Brand
Rating	3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆	4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★	4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★	☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆	4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Price (lowest price per month)	$3.50/month	2.99/month	1.99/month	$1.64/month	$4.99/month
Free version	Yes	Yes, 7-day	Yes, 7-day	Yes	Yes, 7-day for mobile devices
Servers	70 servers+ servers in 40 countries	6900+ servers in 111 countries	3200+ servers in 100 countries	1000+ servers in 42 countries	3000+ servers in 105 countries
WireGuard tunneling protocol	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Streaming	Netflix, Max, BBC iPlayer, YouTube TV	Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more	Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and more	Netflix, BBC iPlayer, YouTube	Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more
AES-256 encryption	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Logging	No logs, not audited	No logs, independently audited twice by PwC	No logs, independently audited by Cure 53	No logs	No logs, independently audited by Cure53
Simultaneous connections	6	10	Unlimited	Unlimited	8

Is ClearVPN worth getting?

Like many emerging VPNs, ClearVPN has its ups and downs. Its focus on simplicity and unique app design will be attractive to some. Furthermore, ClearVPN is dedicated to providing a personalized service, which is rarely met in the VPN market.

However, this VPN still requires a lot of development. The kill switch should be fixed promptly, and additional features like WireGuard support, Smart DNS, and split-tunneling are a must to compete with the best VPNs, such as NordVPN.

Overall, this is a decent choice for a streaming VPN and can be a primary choice for Ukrainians living abroad because of a dedicated free premium version.

FAQs