Le VPN Review
While Le VPN is good, there are quite a few services that are widely considered as the best overall.
Le VPN is an internationally marketed VPN service which places a heavy focus on France. Based in Hong Kong, this particular VPN allows you to benefit from a combined VPN and Smart DNS service regardless of the price plan you opt for.
In our full review, you’ll discover everything you need to know about this service, including how it ranks in terms of speed, security, support, and more.
So, without any further ado, here’s everything you need to know.
Security and privacy
Le VPN is a hybrid between a VPN and a Smart DNS (Domain Name System) service. This is great because both features are available no matter which subscription you decide to opt for. You can either use them in combination or separately.
In terms of security, Le VPN offers a relatively basic set of features:
- Military-grade AES-256-CBC and HMAC SHA256 encryption
- OpenVPN, L2TP/IPSec, IKEv2, and PPTP protocols
- HybridVPN protocol for enhanced geo-unblocking
Be aware that IPv6 leaks on Windows and Mac OS means that you’ll need to be cautious to prevent your data being leaked even when connected to a Le VPN server.
Does Le VPN log your data?
Even though it claims it doesn’t keep any logs, you’ll find that it actually keeps connection timestamps next to IP addresses, which may be of some concern to those who worry about their online privacy.
With that being said, Le VPN is based in Hong Kong, which has no requirements when it comes to data retention laws.
Speed and performance
With an average speed drop of 70% across the servers, speeds offered by the Le VPN servers are average for the price you pay. Of course, there is always going to be some slowdown when using a VPN. But, the results will vary depending on the speed of your internet connection as well as your choice of server.
Judging by the average speed of the servers, you should be able to get away with 4K streaming on Le VPN. But, it certainly wouldn’t be surprising to see buffering occur. With that being said, you will probably be fine streaming YouTube and Netflix shows.
Server coverage
With Le VPN, there are servers based in 120 countries around the world, equating to a total of 800 servers. While smaller than the top players in the industry, this is a rather substantial offering when compared to most VPNs that don’t make our Top 10.
Ease of use and multi-platform support
This particular VPN supports all four major platforms:
- Windows
- macOS
- iOS
- Android
Each application couldn’t be easier to use, which means that even those with limited technical knowledge will soon get to grips with it.
However, manual installation is required for routers and devices which are running the Linux operating system. This will probably be somewhat difficult for most people to do. But, if you’re technically-minded, you will probably be fine getting things up and running. Either way, you can always contact support if you have any issues.
Unblocking Netflix and other streaming platforms
Many people now use a VPN in order to get around geo-restriction policies which streaming services put in place. However, as we touched upon earlier in our Le VPN review, this particular service struggles to access services such as Netflix. It’s possible to bypass restrictions on other services such as BBC iPlayer and ITV Hub. But, just bear in mind that certain websites will know that you are using a VPN, such as ABC in the US for example.
P2P and torrenting
The number of people getting into trouble for downloading or streaming copyrighted material is constantly on the rise. For that reason, you will need to take the necessary precautions which will allow you to avoid a run-in with the authorities.
Thankfully, each server provided by Le VPN allows torrenting.
So, you can rest assured that your personal information will be kept well away from any prying eyes and that your internet activity cannot be linked to you. This is all made possible by the solid encryption and security protocols which are utilised by Le VPN.
Online censorship in China and elsewhere
As Le VPN is based in a territory in which there are no data retention requirements, you can rest assured that you’ll be able to access websites and services such as Facebook and YouTube, both of which are blocked within China.
Via the official Le VPN website, you’ll find that there is a dedicated page which looks in-depth at just how strict China’s stance on internet censorship is. It specifically mentions that their service is blocked in the country – just like many other websites of VPN providers. Therefore, you will need to subscribe to and download the service prior to entering the country.
Customer support
With a modern and easy to navigate website, you’ll find that getting the support you need is plain and simple with Le VPN. Options on offer include:
- Knowledge base
- Extensive FAQ section
- Support ticket system
- Live chat support
Live chat service is available, which is always great to see as this is a quick and easy method of getting the answers you need. However, just bear in mind that the availability of the live chat service was inconsistent in our experience. Therefore, you might just have to consult other support methods.
With that in mind, you’ll find that the official website provides a useful resource which comes in the form of an in-depth knowledge base. This provides answers to various different topics, provides set up guides, FAQs, and a search field so that you can check if your issue is one that has been experienced already by other users. Alternatively, you can raise a support ticket via the website.
Pricing
Earlier in our Le VPN review, we mentioned that there are multiple price plans available if you are looking to invest in this particular service:
- 1-month plan for $9.95/month
- 6-month plan for $44.99 ($7.50/month)
- 1-year plan for $59.40 ($4.95/month)
A 7-day money-back guarantee provides peace of mind, as this means that if the service doesn’t quite suit your particular requirements, you can simply obtain a refund via the support service which is available 24-7. Le VPN also accepts a wide variety of payment methods, too. So, you’re not short of options when it comes to paying for your subscription. You can choose to pay via a credit card, PayPal, Bitcoin, and various other payment methods.
With each price plan, you get 5 simultaneous connections – allowing you to protect multiple devices at any one time. This is great news for those who would like to protect each device in their household, or perhaps a small office.
Bottom line
Well, that concludes our complete Le VPN review! There are many things to like about this particular service. It provides access to a large number of servers, has a multilingual site and app, not to mention the fact that a Smart DNS service is included with all price plans.
However, the high cost of Le VPN means that you can get far better value for money elsewhere, with services such as NordVPN providing access to a greater number of servers, is clear on its no-logging policy, and ensures superior speeds for an affordable monthly cost.
Pros
- Above-average number of servers
- HybridVPN protocol
- Torrenting allowed
Cons
- Average speeds
- Not great for Netflix
- Some logging