UnoTelly VPN Review: A Weak VPN Tied to a Decent DNS Service

UnoTelly, a Canadian-based company, offers both SmartDNS and VPN services through its Gold Plan. While the DNS component—UnoDNS—works effectively for unblocking geo-restricted content, UnoTelly’s VPN feature leaves much to be desired. In this review, we’ll break down the pros and cons, performance, privacy issues, and overall value of UnoTelly’s VPN service.

Why Consider UnoTelly VPN?

UnoTelly positions itself as a service for users who want to unblock streaming content like Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer. However, it struggles to deliver reliable VPN performance. While the DNS service works well for accessing content, the VPN falls short in several key areas, including privacy, encryption, and speed.

Pros of UnoTelly VPN

• Unlimited Simultaneous Connections: UnoTelly allows an unlimited number of devices to connect via VPN, as long as they are on the same network.
• 14-Day Money-Back Guarantee: Users have a two-week window to get a refund if they are unsatisfied.
• Bitcoin Payment Option: UnoTelly accepts Bitcoin, which is a plus for privacy-conscious users.

Cons of UnoTelly VPN

• Limited VPN Server Locations: UnoTelly’s VPN service only offers 5 server locations—US, UK, Canada, Germany, and the Netherlands—severely limiting your options.
• Slow VPN Speeds: Connecting to UnoTelly’s VPN significantly reduces internet speed, especially for long-distance servers.
• Weak Security Features: The VPN uses outdated encryption protocols like 128-bit Blowfish for OpenVPN, which is not up to current industry standards.
• Logging and Privacy Issues: UnoTelly’s ambiguous privacy policy raises concerns about data retention and potential sharing of user information with government authorities.
• No Native VPN Software: Users have to manually configure OpenVPN, making setup complicated, especially for beginners.
• No Torrenting (P2P): UnoTelly explicitly bans P2P file sharing, making it a poor choice for those looking to torrent.
• No PayPal Support: PayPal has banned UnoTelly due to its policy on circumventing geo-restrictions, so the service only accepts Bitcoin and PaymentWall for credit card payments.

Pricing and Plans

UnoTelly offers several plans, with the VPN feature only available through its Gold Plan.

• UnoDNS (Premium Plan): Starts at $4.95 per month, focuses on unblocking geo-restricted content in over 30 countries.
• UnoDNS + UnoVPN (Gold Plan): Priced at $7.95 per month, includes both DNS and VPN services. However, given the VPN’s performance and security issues, it’s questionable whether the additional cost is worth it.

Setup Process: Complicated for Newcomers

UnoTelly’s VPN does not come with native software. Instead, users need to manually install OpenVPN, set up TAP drivers, and configure VPN files. This can be a daunting process for newcomers to VPN technology. Even worse, some users have reported glitches in their accounts where VPN login credentials didn’t appear for days after signing up.

While UnoTelly provides FAQ articles to help guide users, the VPN knowledge base is sparse and difficult to navigate. Support tickets do get answered promptly, but the user experience is clunky and unintuitive.

VPN Performance Tests

UnoTelly VPN’s performance is mediocre at best. In our tests, the VPN halved internet speeds when connected to nearby servers (US), and slowed speeds even further when connecting to more distant servers like the UK, Canada, and the Netherlands.

Despite its slow speeds, UnoTelly VPN did not leak any DNS, WebRTC, or IPv6 data in our tests, which is a small plus for privacy. However, it failed to unblock popular streaming platforms like Netflix US and BBC iPlayer, making it unsuitable for those looking to bypass geo-blocks for streaming.

Privacy and Security Concerns

UnoTelly claims that its VPN is built for privacy and security, but it falls short on both fronts. Based in Canada, a member of the Five Eyes surveillance alliance, UnoTelly is under jurisdiction to share data with government agencies in multiple countries, including the US and UK. This raises significant privacy concerns for users looking to remain anonymous.

The VPN uses 128-bit Blowfish encryption for OpenVPN and TLS 1024-bit for authentication, which are weaker than the industry-standard AES-256 and 2048-bit key authentication. For users focused on privacy and security, UnoTelly’s VPN fails to meet the most basic standards.

Final Thoughts: Is UnoTelly VPN Worth It?

While UnoTelly offers a decent SmartDNS service for unblocking geo-restricted content, its VPN feature is severely lacking. The combination of weak encryption, limited server locations, slow speeds, and privacy concerns make UnoTelly’s VPN a poor choice for anyone looking for a secure and reliable VPN.

For users who only need to unblock content without concerns for privacy or security, UnoDNS may be worth considering. However, if you’re looking for a VPN that provides strong encryption, fast speeds, and robust privacy features, there are far better alternatives available at similar or lower prices.

Alternatives to Consider:

• ExpressVPN: Offers fast speeds, strong encryption, and a no-logs policy with 90+ server locations.
• NordVPN: Known for its strong security features, including double encryption and a large server network.
• Surfshark: A budget-friendly VPN that offers unlimited simultaneous connections and high security standards.