12VPN is a Hong Kong-based VPN service that promises an easy-to-use interface, great support and servers all over the world.
They do not log user activity and offer a 14-day money-back guarantee. The service does not allow peer-to-peer downloads (i.e. torrents) and only allows two simultaneous connections, although with a VPN router you only need one connection.
Overview of 12VPN
If you’re in a hurry, here’s the deal – you get more servers, better VPN features and 24/7 customer support worldwide for the same or lower price of Surfshark. So why read any further?
Hong Kong-based 12VPN has earned a reputation for offering reliable VPNs for Chinese users. But this VPN’s capabilities aren’t limited to one country – the world is your oyster.
With 12VPN, you can expect a global network of servers and reasonably fast speeds. Although there are no notable advanced features, this VPN supports a variety of protocols, including OpenVPN, SSTP, IKEv2, Shadowsocks and others.
12VPN impresses with simplicity, with elegant apps for Windows and Mac operating systems. Other handy extras include custom DNS servers and a free Viscosity licence for manual setup, which can save you a lot of money. If you are only interested in getting a US IP address, you can also opt for a US-only package.
The only real drawback to 12VPN is the 128-bit encryption unless you use OpenVPN, which offers optional 256-bit protection.
There’s another limitation if you’re into torrenting – P2P is strictly forbidden on all 12VPN servers. The good news is that you have two weeks before the refund window closes. So you still have plenty of time to try out this VPN and see if it works for you.
Unique Features
- Free server switching
- Free VPN software/apps
- Multiple connections on one account
- Mobile only plan
- Very affordable
Speed Test
The speed test is one of the most important and popular factors when comparing VPNs. However, it is important to note that speed test results depend on network conditions at the time of the test, which fluctuate constantly. It therefore goes without saying that speed test results should only be used as a guide and are not set in stone.
Ping times are much longer, but download speeds are almost identical to non-US servers. Overall, we found the connection to be quite stable when using 12VPN in our tests. As mentioned earlier, it performed moderately well in the speed tests.
Let’s summarize the Speed test results:
| Server | Ping | Upload Speed | Download Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Without VPN |
89ms |
1.88 Mbps |
3.67 Mbps |
|
US Server |
323ms |
0.5 Mbps |
2.10 Mbps |
|
Hong Kong Server |
173ms |
0.4 Mbps |
2.50 Mbps |
Pricing Plans
With 12VPN, you can choose between a one-month, six-month or one-year package. As with most providers, the longer you sign up, the cheaper price is $5.99/Month
Considering the lack of features, I found 12VPN’s prices quite high. Apart from the basics, you don’t get much for your money. However, you do get a 14-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it out first to see if you agree. However, no free plan is offered.
Another thing you should know: the 14-day money-back guarantee only applies if you use less than 5GB of bandwidth. 12VPN cleverly hides this deep in the contract terms, so be careful.
Security and Privacy
12VPN supports a wide range of VPN protocols, including OpenWeb, SSTP, OpenVPN, OpenConnect, Shadowsocks and more.
Customer Support
For customer support, you can use the following options.
- Contact
- Phone Call
- Frequently Asked Questions
Use the contact form to get in touch with us.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Good connection and fast speed.
- There is no limit to the number of simultaneous connections (as long as you don’t connect to the same server).
- You can apply filters so Chinese websites don’t have to go through a VPN.
Cons
- Bit torrent is not enabled.
- No live support. Only email support is available.
Bottom Line
12VPN is primarily aimed at those new to the VPN market or those living in China. We wouldn’t call 12VPN an excellent VPN, but it’s certainly not a bad one.
The good thing is that 12VPN has a specific purpose and serves it very well. It doesn’t offer much, but all the basics, including Netflix and torrent viewing.
The lack of live chat and poor server location mean that this VPN isn’t for everyone who is serious about security, but the good news is that 12VPN has a secure base on which to build its service. Maybe one day the vpn challenge the market leader.
