Zoog Review – Is It Safe in 2024

At https://freevpnmentor.com, you will uncover for yourself key facts about VPN providers who offer free services. Our experienced team is focused on revealing strengths and weaknesses, obfuscated queries, and technical characteristics of one or another VPN provider.

Almost every company presents prominent information on their websites, especially on the main pages. You can get fabulous emotions reading the promotional and so-promising materials, but consider that they contain very strong marketing grounds.

As practice has shown, the actual situation often differs and can bring some disappointment to your anticipations. And from another side, in case you are ready to figure out details on your own, it may appear to be a confusing task, especially diving into the technical settlement of the VPN software.

Our job lies in providing consumers with clear and logically composed information in order for you to gain valuable insights about your request in 10 minutes. We hope our exploration will help you form the right vision for that or another VPN service.  

Pros

• Strong Privacy Policy
• Modern Protocols
• Work in countries with high censorship
• Fast response from the live support
• The NL server is fast on Google Chrome

Cons

• US server is very slow on the Windows’s App
• UK server is slow on the Windows’s App
• US server is very slow on the Android’s App
• NL server is very slow on the Android’s App
• US server is very slow on the iOS’s App
• 10 GB bandwidth limit
• Three available locations
• Browsers extension does not have flexible security settings

Zoog VPN Features

Based on the information on the official website, this VPN software provider with a Greek basement pretends to be a strong competitor among other providers.

We noticed that they promise to adhere to a strict no-log policy, use cutting-edge, upscale protocols, and have a wide server network.

They have developed VPNs for various platforms:

• VPN for Windows PC
• VPN for MAC
• VPN for iOS
• Android VPN APK
• VPN for Android TV
• VPN for Routers
• VPN for Linux
• VPN Extension Chrome.

We will conduct investigations on the most popular items in this stack. The website says that they have embedded technologies helping to provide services in regions with high restrictions.

And now we are going to test the software in order to see what features are really integrated into the free plan and which of them are only a benefit of the paid plan.

Privacy and Logging

The ability to get strong privacy on the web is one of the VPN’s most important functions. There is no universal set of rules for maintaining privacy for all providers. Indeed, the peculiarities are very distinctive: some VPNs may collect a full pack of all possible personal sensitive data, while others adhere to a stringent no-log approach.

We have discovered the current provider’s privacy policy page and will show you the basic positions. After this section is finished, you will definitely be aware of what you may expect.

The first point from the screen shot is about Zoog’s coordination according to the principles of GDPR Article 5. We will not retell it here; we just want to highlight that Article 5 does not forbid personal data collection.

Six other points also describe states related to individual data collection. Allegedly, all information points to the fact that the provider gathers users data; however, it’s too early to draw conclusions because we did not see what exact data is stored.

And now we see the first mention of what information is being collected. They keep the user’s email, generally for communicative purposes. Notwithstanding, you have the option to use a single-time email for account registration, keeping your real data uncovered. 

Users’ email is definitely a kind of personal data, although it is such an asset that we are used to sharing very often, getting subscriptions from various services, creating accounts, and receiving news according to our interests. So, we usually are not meticulous to the point of sole email collection, but let’s see what we will face more of in this privacy policy.

Any anxious information we have not met yet. Except for the email address, Zoog does not store anything. After disclosing this information, we can complete the privacy block, but there is more information in the document, and we are going to discuss all the entries.

The text from the screenshot above confirms more precisely that no sensitive data is collected and the consumer’s web activity is not under monitoring. Also, they collect statistics on the total volume of traffic that has been sent through their servers.

If a user decided to purchase a subscription, the payment processor would get his email. We have already expressed our attitude according to the sole email collection, so we will not focus more attention on this point.

Except for the privacy policy page, Zoog has a dedicated ‘No-logs’ page. Having explored it, we want to share it as well.

The main message of this paragraph is that the current provider does not incur impact from outer forces, especially from the mentioned alliances. They are focused on gathering intelligence information for national security purposes. 

The activity of these organizations means gathering a lot of sensitive personal data. Considering that Zoog is not a participant in any alliance, they have no commitments related to the users data storage.

We’ve already discussed the absence of users’ data or activity records, but this is a compelling example, and we decided to share it with you.

All important ins and outs were disclosed, and we are switching to the next section.

Speed Tests – How Fast is Zoog VPN

VPN software always influences the internet service provider’s speed to a lesser or greater extent. Basically, the speed deterioration depends on various factors, and the downgrade up to 20% is considered normal. But it is a very common estimation because if your genuine internet velocity is low, in that case, 20% is a value.

Also, speed can vary for the download and upload indexes. Download speed means that you are achieving content from the web; upload speed means that you are pushing content to the web.

Different regions of the VPN’s server location also have an influence on the speed. Usually, the further the server’s hardware is from you, the worse the speed rates.

But not only these points affect the speed: internal programming architecture, hardware, encryption used, protocol used, etc.

We are not going to continue a narration about the possible technical appliances immanent to the VPN; we will demonstrate clear and illustrative examples of what you can expect from the current provider.

Speed tests are divided into three blocks:

• desktop speed test;
• Browser’s extension speed test;
• Mobile speed test;

Having been doing the exploration, we were using a sole internet provider and speed tester. We check the indices utilizing two locations: one is the US geo and another is a randomly selected country from the European region. Whereas the number of locations is very limited for the free version, we used only those that were accessible.

PC Test

Herein, we took two popular desktop operating systems for measuring speed: Windows and macOS. Actually, Zoog is also compatible with Linux, but it is supposed to be a platform for more technically experienced users. So we left those two, which have wide popularity among common consumers. We are starting with Windows.

Windows

The vertical image shows the results of the ISP. The indexes are:

• download speed is 87.27 mbps;
• upload speed is 81.19 mbps;
• ping time is 2 ms.

The top-right image shows the performance of the US server. The indexes are:

• download speed is 52.78 mbps;
• upload speed is 9.59 mbps;
• ping time is 245 ms.

The download speed is about 40% below the ISP speed, and the upload speed is nearly 88% lower. Ping time has increased from 2 ms to 245 ms.

The bottom-right image shows the performance of the UK server. The indexes are:

• download speed is 52.59 mbps;
• upload speed is 56.74 mbps;
• ping time is 43 ms.

The download speed has been cut by nearly 40%, the upload speed has decreased by 30%, and the ping time has leaped from 2 ms to 43 ms.

Both locations have shown heavy losses for the download and upload indexes. Especially the US server incurred serious problems with the upload indicator, and the ping response time heightened too much for providing smooth live-time events like online meetings, gaming, and video calls.

The UK geo performed better than its predecessor; however, the objective results are inefficient. The difference between upload and download indexes’ downgrade is nearly 10%, and the ping time is in the range of affordable values.

MacOS

The vertical image shows the results of the ISP. The indexes are:

• download speed is 86.5 mbps;
• upload speed is 54.9 mbps;
• ping time is 4 ms.

The top-right image shows the performance of the US server. The indexes are:

• download speed is 68.2 mbps;
• upload speed is 74.7 mbps;
• ping time is 126 ms.

The download speed is about 11% below the ISP speed, and the upload speed grew nearly 36%. Ping time increased from 4 ms to 126 ms.

The bottom-right image shows the performance of the UK server. The indexes are:

• download speed is 39.7 mbps;
• upload speed is 79.4 mbps;
• ping time is 45 ms.

The download speed fell by nearly 54%, the upload speed got better by approximately 45%, and the ping time rose from 3 ms to 45 ms.

At this time, the US server performed well, with a negligible loss in the download speed and a considerable improvement in the upload speed. The ping time response a little overflowed the admirable rate; hence, it can cause inconvenience on real-time occasions.

The UK location is very bad at download speed, but the upload performance got better almost twice. The ping time response is satisfying.

Browser’s Extension Test

Zoog VPN has an extension merely for the Google Chrome browser so far.

Zoog VPN has an extension merely for the Google Chrome browser so far.

The top image shows the results of the ISP. The indexes are:

• download speed is 84.74 mbps;
• upload speed is 75.26 mbps;
• ping time is 5 ms.

The central image shows the performance of the US server. The indexes are:

• download speed is 56.34 mbps;
• upload speed is 65.98 mbps;
• ping time is 132 ms.

The download speed fell 34% below the ISP speed, and the upload speed is nearly 12% below. Ping time has increased from 5 ms to 132 ms.

The bottom image shows the performance of the Dutch server. The indexes are:

• download speed is 74.36 mbps;
• upload speed is 54.71 mbps;
• ping time is 42 ms.

The download speed loss is 12%, and the upload speed is 17% lower. The ping time has increased from 5 ms to 42 ms.

In a percentage ratio, the download speed degradation is not critical, but in case of low ISP network speed, you may become nervous. The ping time will cause negligible lags during the live-time event.

The NL server has decent performance; all the indexes are within bounds of acceptable numbers.

Mobile Test

Zoog VPN has distributions that are concordant with two major mobile platforms, Android and iOS. The first on the go is Android.

Android

The first image shows the results of the ISP. The indexes are:

• download speed is 87.5 mbps;
• upload speed is 88.7 mbps;
• ping time is 5 ms.

The central image shows the performance of the US server. The indexes are:

• download speed is 11.4 mbps;
• upload speed is 65.3 mbps;
• ping time is 130 ms.

The download speed fell 87% below the ISP speed, and the upload speed is nearly 26% below. Ping time has increased from 5 ms to 130 ms.

The right image shows the performance of the Dutch server. The indexes are:

• download speed is 38 mbps;
• upload speed is 69.4 mbps;
• ping time is 35 ms.

The download speed loss is 57%, and the upload speed fell by 22%. The ping time has increased from 5 ms to 35 ms.

The American’s server result is not about convenience and efficiency. Notwithstanding that the upload speed fell not very much, we use preferably the internet to consume data rather than send it. Also, the ping time crossed the red line of affordable value for live-time events.

The NL location is better than the US, but the download speed index’s deterioration is extensive and will cause an unsatisfying experience.

IOS

The vertical image illustrates the results of the ISP. The indexes are:

• download speed is 43 mbps;
• upload speed is 39.6 mbps;
• ping time is 3 ms.

The top-right image shows the performance of the US server. The indexes are:

• download speed is 18.2 mbps;
• upload speed is 27.4 mbps;
• ping time is 193 ms.

The download speed fell 58% below the ISP speed, and the upload speed is nearly 30% lower. Ping time has increased from 3 ms to 193 ms.

The bottom-right image shows the performance of the UK server. The indexes are:

• download speed is 31.9 mbps;
• upload speed is 43.8 mbps;
• ping time is 125 ms.

The download speed loss is 26%, and the upload speed got 6% of augment. The ping time has increased from 3 ms to 125 ms.

The American server does not inspire confidence with its losses for all the indices, while the UK location may provide a fast connection, but it is not suitable for live-time cases because of the high ping time.

About Safety – How Secure is Zoog VPN?

The official website contains ample information about Zoog’s security component. We are going to familiarize at first with it and will check further what do possess a free plan for every platform. 

We will describe each point to provide you with more clarity about this stuff.

Bank-Grade Encryption sounds so tremendous, and interestingly, what is lying under it? In short, the talk is about AES256-bit encryption technology that utilizes a complex algorithm and, at the same time, is easy to use. This modern tool is considered to be too strong to crack it with existing computing methods. The quantity of possible key combinations is so enormous that it would take hundreds of human’s life to crack it.

The free plan proposes AES128-bit encryption, which is a reliable encryption type nowadays as well, but it yields an AES256-bit type from a security perspective because it has a smaller number of key combinations. However, it is still considered strong protection and, by the way, more speedy.

Advanced Leak Protection means here DNS leak protection and IP leak protection. When you visit any website, two things happen: your ISP can see the domains you have entered, and the website visited by your source can expose your IP.

Zoog utilizes their own DNS servers instead of the ISP’s servers. This step makes it impossible for anybody to see users’ internet activity. As well, the provider furnishes you with an anonymous IP address with the purpose of concealing the real one.

VPN Protocols define the rules and guidelines for how data is encrypted, transferred, and authenticated between a VPN client and a VPN server. Different VPN protocols offer distinctive security levels, speed, and compatibility. Protocols are the pivotal component of the VPN’s functionality, and we will talk a little later about them.

Kill Switch feature stops the outgoing data from getting directly to the ISP if the encrypted network fails for any reason. This measure helps prevent sensitive consumer’s information from being disclosed.

Zoog Shadowing is designed for countries with heavy censorship. This feature obfuscates the encrypted traffic as usual HTTPS data transmission so that firewalls can not detect markers intrinsic to virtual private networks.

VPN protocols are a separate topic for discussion. They determine rules and guidelines for how data is encrypted, transferred, and authenticated between a VPN client and a VPN server. Protocols play a paramount role in the functionality and security of VPNs.

Basically, all the protocols mentioned in the screenshot are modern, widely used, and have specific peculiarities. We will give a few words to describe each one.

IKEv2 protocol involves strong encryption methods compatible with mobile devices, performs network address translation (NAT), and supports different authentication approaches. Its versatile reconnection values efficiently work in changing networks or connection disruptions.

OpenVPN is an open-source protocol with flexible configurations widely used for establishing encrypted tunnels between devices. OpenVPN is compatible with distinctive encryption algorithms, including AES. High adaptability enables it to be applicable for various operating systems and to action over UDP or TCP protocols.

L2TP/IPsec creates VPNs over any type of network and possesses flexible and secure characteristics. However,this protocol is complex, and it is not compatible with all firewall configurations.

PPTP is a simple, outdated protocol with high compatibility and good performance for low-latency applications. Nonetheless, it is less suitable for high-security environments because of its limited security features and vulnerabilities.

WireGuard protocol ensures efficient performance and slight overhead costs. It encompasses modern and the strongest cryptographic algorithms and protocols. It provides a stable connection while switching between networks, such as WiFi and cellular networks, for example.

The following sections will tell us more about the particular features of each operating system.

Desktop Apps

In this section, we are going to be talking about desktop general traits and distinctions between them.

The main screen contains three basic interactive elements:

• Turn on/off button;
• Hamburger menu icon in the left top corner;
• Location field right away under the menu icon.

As well, there is a timer on the display and a field, immanent for the free plan, with available traffic.

Still, the main screen contains the same three basic interactive elements. The only thing that the turn on/off button embodied by the shield icon in the center may seem like is a design part rather than a clickable element.

On the left is a Window’s settings display; on the right is macOS, respectively. Windows’s application has a wider selection of protocols than iOS. It is not seen here obviously, but we will list all the items.

In addition to the protocols that are built into macOS, Windows has a Zoog TLS protocol and a Shadow one.

Shadow protocol is a kind of obfuscating protocol designed to hide VPN traffic from the government and other prying eyes. This feature is especially required in countries with strict boundaries towards free internet utilization.

Mobile Apps

On the left image, you can see how the Android’s app looks; the iOS’s app is on the right. The main distinction between the designs is that the menu bar on the iPhone or iPad is placed in the footer of the display, while on the Android devices it is under the hamburger menu icon located in the left upper corner.

Also, the free version includes a progress bar with available traffic balance, and iOS displays it on the top as you see in the screenshot, while Android’s app hides it under the menu icon.

Either program contains on its main display a turn on/off button and a location field.

Applications, as well, have distinctions in protocol sets:

• IOS 

• WireGuard – for paid plan
• IKEv2 – for free
• OpenVPN (UDP) –  for free
• OpenVPN (TCP) –  for free
• Shadow – for paid plan
• Android
  • WireGuard – for paid plan
  • Shadow – for free
  • OpenVPN (UDP) – for free
  • OpenVPN (TCP) – for free

We have seen all the basic points around the mobile apps, and we can move on to the next block.

Browser Extensions

Extension has on its main display three interactive elements and a progress bar with available free traffic. These three elements are the on/off button, the hamburger menu icon, and the location field.

Under the menu icon you will not find technical adjustments as we have seen on other apps. A sole option called “Exclude websites” is available here, where you can right down the urls that should not be passed through the encrypted network.

Performance

The efficiency of Zoog’s VPN software depends on the operating system; the results are very distinctive.

The Windows operating system’s application performed weakly for both locations and speed indices. The upload rate of the US server showed an awful speed at all—only 12% of capacity left from the initial ISP speed. The European region performed better and can be acceptable if the ISP speed is high.

In contrast to Microsoft’s representative, macOS’s application demonstrated good results on either location, and it is curious that the American server was really well done. Besides that, the download speed downgrade is minor, but the upload speed was improved tangibly. The ping time slightly exceeds the acceptable value and may cause some inconvenience for live-time events.

The Google Chrome’s extension performed an average result in the download speed index for the US server; however, the upload speed is very satisfying. The response of the ping time is slightly higher than the value of 100 ms; it is not a critical overdue, but it already may create some lags on real-time events.

The Dutch server came with good results, all metrics are in frames for providing comfortable service.

Android device incurs a robust impact on the connection speed while the VPN is turned  on the US server. All the indexes are beyond the technically available values, so we can not recommend them for utilization.
 

The Dutch server coped better with the American server, yet still all the indicators crossed the limits.

IOS’s application demonstrated a significant deterioration for the US server, while the European location presented just a bit higher indexes than it is wanted for the download speed. The upload speed was even improved, and the ping time is suitable for convenient usage.

The provider gives you 10 GB of free traffic for an account. If you use several devices on one account, this volume will be divided among them. 

Work in Highly Restricted Countries

We have discovered some information about this query on their website.

Except for this mention, we did not find any more definite information if it is available as a default option or maybe just for paid plans.

Pay attention to the icon on the right, near the green checkbox.

Obfuscated servers are labeled with a special mask icon to let you know that it is exactly that server when you need to hide your VPN network. Also, Windows and Android’s app provide a Shadow protocol for free that has been designed for this purpose too.

Server’s locations

On the website, there is an illustration where you can count 45 countries, but it is the whole quantity of their servers that are available just for paid plans. The free version contains three locations: the Netherlands, the US, and France. No matter what exact distribution you use, these locations are united for all the programs.

What Bonuses Does the Paid Version Offer, and How Much Does It Cost?

On the free plan description, there is a notice of five VPN locations, and this is not real information; just three locations are available for each app. Another mismatch they wrote that only one device can work for free. We checked two simultaneously connected devices and did not face problems.

Paid plans open all the protocols, provide 256-bit encryption instead of 128-bit, give access to the streaming servers, and for torrent sharing. As well, you will obtain the full scope of locations they have. In addition, the ability to use multiple devices will also be available, but we do not know for sure what that means because of the case above with the free plan.

If you are ready to pay $47.76 for the 2-year plan, then it will cost just $1.99 per month. A one-year plan with a sum of $35.99 will be divided into $2.99 monthly. And finally, the half-year plan requires the whole amount of $23.99, which means $3.99 per month.

About Support

Within some distributions, there is a support field under the settings tab that will redirect you to their website’s help center. Users may find there categories with topics devoted to common and often-asked questions. 

Also, they provide an email of the live support, and of course we checked it.

We got an answer in a matter of 7 minutes. If they always respond at such a time, it is a real benefit for consumers to solve questions quickly.

Zoog VPN Review: Final verdict

The current provider has strong features as well as drawbacks. The privacy policy is strong; it adheres to genuine user demands, and only the data they collect is a user’s email.

Connection speed results vary depending on the corresponding operating system. We noticed that applications for Apple’s devices are set up better. If you are on Windows or Android, then do not expect an efficient connection speed.

The security core is well-built and provides good opportunities for the unpaid plan. Merely, Chrome’s extension does not provide any flexible adjustments except for the “Exclude websites” feature.

The 10 GB constraint is not critical, and you can utilize it during the month at a modest pace; however, it is not enough for consistent usage. A true advantage is a lightning response from the live support; sometimes it is needed so much.

Depending on your demands, current free software may satisfy them occasionally. Imagine precisely what you really want and if Zoog can give it.