Privacy
VPN Proxy Master is owned by a company with ties to the ruling Chinese Communist Party. It has recently improved its logging policy, but still logs too much unnecessary data. This VPN will also sell your data to advertising partners. The VPN service isn't trustworthy or private enough for us to recommend.
| Originating IP Address | No |
|---|---|
| Browsing Activity | No |
| Individual Connection Timestamps | No |
| Date of Last Connection | No |
| VPN Server IP | No |
| Device Information | Yes |
| Individual Bandwidth Usage | Yes |
| Account Information | Yes |
You can read VPN Proxy Master's full privacy policy on its website.
Ever since Lemon Clove acquired VPN Proxy Master, we’ve seen some improvements to its logging policy. The VPN used to log your IP address and connection timestamps without aggregating or anonymizing the data at all.
Now, VPN Proxy Master records your VPN server location, Internet Service Provider (ISP), and individual bandwidth usage, amongst other things. It then aggregates this data in order to “maintain its service” without compromising your privacy.
Some VPNs do need to save certain data points, like your username, passwords, and payment information, to maintain their service.
However, we’ve seen many other VPNs maintain their service without requiring you to hand over so much data. We’re still uncomfortable with the fact that it logs your internet service provider and the location of the VPN server you connect to.
VPN Proxy Master logs your country, VPN server location, and whether you connected successfully, amongst other data points.
VPN Proxy Master doesn’t keep the worst kinds of VPN logs, such as your IP address or browsing history, but it still logs too much to be considered fully private.
Importantly, we’d like to see VPN Proxy Master conduct an independent audit of its logging policy and app security, to ensure that all data is being properly aggregated and deleted.
Free Version Allows Advertiser Tracking
In its Privacy Policy, VPN Proxy Master openly states that anyone using its free service may be subject to third-party tracking. Some of its advertising partners include: Facebook, AdMob, UnityAD, Vungle, and Smaato.
It goes on to say that these companies can “set and access their own cookies, pixel tags, and similar technologies on our services.”
It also states that VPN Proxy Master shares aggregated data points it collects with these advertising partners.
VPN Proxy Master makes its money back by selling on your data and giving advertisers permission to track you.
Who Owns VPN Proxy Master?
There is a complex corporate structure behind this VPN. It is now owned by Lemon Clove Pte. Limited, but it was previously owned by Innovative Connecting PTE. Limited. These entities are essentially the same.
The developer of VPN Proxy Master is also listed as All Connected Co., which is a subsidiary of Innovative Connecting (also based in Singapore). Our investigations found that both companies have links to mainland China.
Our VPN ownership research also revealed that the same company email address was registered for both VPN Proxy Master and other VPNs like Turbo VPN, VPN Robot, VPN Monster, and VPN Snap.
In short, the same opaque company is likely behind several low-quality free VPN services that you’ll find in app stores.
The director of Lemon Close/Innovative Connecting is Danian Chen, a Chinese national described by Fortune China as “one of the most influential young leaders in China.”
This looks very suspicious. Successful businesses in China often have to fully cooperate with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the Chinese military.
Singapore is also a member of an intelligence coalition called SIGINT Seniors Pacific, which includes the United States’ National Security Agency (NSA) and partners like India, South Korea, and Thailand.
Overall, we highly recommend choosing a different VPN service that’s headquartered in a privacy haven and doesn’t have links to China. There are plenty of better VPNs that don’t keep unnecessary logs of your personal information.
Streaming
VPN Proxy Master’s premium version is a poor choice for bypassing geo-blocks on streaming content. It only works with a few UK streaming services, and it fails to unblock any US streaming platforms, like US Netflix, HBO Max, or Hulu. The free version of VPN Proxy Master is even worse for streaming international content. The only streaming service it can access is YouTube.
| Streaming Service | Works with VPN Proxy Master Free | Works with VPN Proxy Master |
|---|---|---|
| BBC iPlayer (UK) | No | Yes |
| DAZN (Canada) | No | No |
| Disney+ (UK) | No | No |
| Hulu (US) | No | No |
| ITVX (UK) | No | Yes |
| Max (US) | No | No |
| Netflix (US) | No | No |
| Netflix (UK) | No | No |
| Prime Video (US) | No | No |
| Sky Go (UK) | No | No |
Premium Tier Unblocks a Few UK Streaming Services
VPN Proxy Master Premium can only access a few geo-restricted streaming services. In our most recent streaming tests, it worked with All 4, BBC iPlayer, and ITVX. It didn’t work with UK Netflix, though.
The VPN has dedicated streaming servers for US Netflix, Hulu, and HBO Max, but all of them failed to actually unblock these services in our tests.
VPN Proxy Master’s premium US Netflix server failed to unblock US Netflix content.
This makes it a bad VPN for streaming. Plenty of other VPNs can access these streaming platforms, as well as US Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, and more.
Free Version Doesn’t Unblock Any Streaming Services
VPN Proxy Master Free is one of the worst free VPNs for streaming that we’ve come across. You can’t choose a server — you’re automatically assigned a local server instead. This means you can’t use VPN Proxy Master Free to stream content from outside your region.
BBC iPlayer detected VPN Proxy Master Free on macOS and blocked us from watching.
The free VPN service was also detected by every streaming service we tested. In our streaming tests, VPN Proxy Master Free didn’t unblock BBC iPlayer, ITVX, UK Netflix, or Amazon Prime Video.
If you want to unblock restricted streaming content without paying anything, we recommend PrivadoVPN Free as the best free VPN for streaming. It offers servers in 11 countries, and unblocks US Netflix, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more.
Speed
VPN Proxy Master’s paid version has fast download speeds on nearby connections, but it’s slow when connecting to servers far away. The free version of the app has much slower speeds, with a 50% drop to 50Mbps. Overall, there are much faster VPNs available — both free and paid.
We tested VPN Proxy Master’s average speeds when connecting to servers on six continents. Here’s a table showing VPN Proxy Master speed test results using the paid-for application:
Our manual speed tests show that VPN Proxy Master performs well on local connections. Testing from the US, we connected to a local server on the East coast and only recorded 7% speed loss.
VPN Proxy Master Premium is a lot faster than the free version.
On long-distance international connections, our speeds dropped by much more — 16% on average. The VPN service performed the worst connecting to Brazil, dropping from 100Mbps to 45Mbps.
VPN Proxy Master Free Is Much Slower than the Paid Version
Here are the results for our speed tests with VPN Proxy Master’s Free version:
These results are extremely disappointing for a free VPN. Hotspot Shield Free and Proton VPN Free are a lot faster, more reliable, and far more secure. To put VPN Proxy Master Free’s speed test results into context, here are the speeds of the fastest free VPNs:
Security
VPN Proxy Master is not a safe VPN. It claims to use AES-256 encryption, but in our packet-inspection tests, we found it failed to encrypt our internet traffic properly. We also detected malware when investigating the Android app. It has some basic security essentials, like OpenVPN and a paywalled kill switch, but its flaws make it unusable from a safety perspective.
| Independent Audit | No |
|---|---|
| VPN Kill Switch | Yes |
| Leak Protection | No |
We’re disappointed to see that VPN Proxy Master’s software isn’t open-source, which means its code is not free to scrutinize. It doesn’t publish regular third-party security audits either, which could confirm the stability and security of its VPN infrastructure.
Failed Wireshark Encryption Tests on Windows
To test how well VPN Proxy Master encrypts traffic, we tested it using a packet-inspection tool called Wireshark.
We found that VPN Proxy Master failed to encrypt HTTP requests, which means information in the VPN tunnel was still legible to third-parties.
VPN Proxy Master failed to encrypt our internet traffic while connected to a server in Brazil.
Encrypting your online traffic is a crucial feature of any effective VPN, and VPN Proxy Master fails to do it.
Malware Detected in Android App
In 2018, our investigation into free VPNs detected invasive functions and malware within VPN Proxy Master’s Android app.
It tested positive for a Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP.HighConfidence) and included three dangerous functions: getLastKnownLocation, getDeviceId, and execute system command.
These functions can be used to collect sensitive information: your country and device information. Executing a system command could be used to detect ping times, but VPN Proxy Master doesn’t clarify what it’s used for.
Since 2023, VPN Proxy Master’s security has improved greatly, and it no longer includes these functions. However, a history of embedding viruses and dangerous functions into its apps should put off any security-conscious users.
Supports OpenVPN but Not WireGuard
VPN Proxy Master doesn’t disclose which tunneling protocol it uses by default. Most VPNs, like PIA and Windscribe, say which protocol you’re using on the home screen.
VPN Proxy Master’s protocol selection is wildly different on desktop and mobile.
This wouldn’t be an issue if VPN Proxy Master only used safe protocols. Instead, it offers IPSec and L2TP protocols, which aren’t strong enough to use exclusively.
We suggest making sure you use OpenVPN if necessary, but we honestly don’t recommend using VPN Proxy Master at all.
Paywalled Kill Switch
A VPN kill switch is an absolute necessity. Without one, you risk exposing your real IP address if your VPN connection drops unexpectedly.
VPN Proxy Master paywalls its kill switch, so users of its free version are more vulnerable to data leaks. This is extremely frustrating, as the VPN is sacrificing the security and privacy of its users for profit.
VPN Proxy Master paywalls its kill switch on all devices, including Android and iOS.
Security-conscious free VPNs like Proton VPN Free and Windscribe Free allow their users to protect themselves with a kill switch because it’s the right thing to do.
Server Locations
VPN Proxy Master claims to have “6,000 secure servers in over 50 countries.” However, we counted servers in just 37 countries. The VPN service varies in the number of countries it covers on Windows and macOS, which is highly unusual for a VPN. We suggest waiting for the VPN to consolidate the number of countries it covers before subscribing to it.
| Continent | VPN Proxy Master Free Countries with Servers | VPN Proxy Master Countries with Servers |
|---|---|---|
| Europe | 3 | 16 |
| North America | 2 | 3 |
| Asia | 0 | 12 |
| South America | 0 | 3 |
| Africa | 0 | 1 |
| Oceania | 0 | 2 |
As you can see in the table above, VPN Proxy Master has different server lists on different platforms. We found macOS has the most locations, especially concentrated in Europe.
VPN Proxy Master Free (left) has fewer server options than the paid version (right).
On Android, VPN Proxy Master Free offers servers in 5 countries. On iOS, the application doesn’t let you choose a server at all. You’re randomly assigned a nearby server, which could be in your country or a neighboring country.
Confusingly, VPN Proxy Master’s website states it has servers “in over 50 countries,” but we counted just 37. This is a small server network compared to mid-tier and top-tier VPNs.
User Experience
VPN Proxy Master’s apps are unpleasant to use, to say the least. Its free mobile apps are full of long pop-up ads. On Windows, the application comes with confusing error notifications. Certain settings aren’t where you’d expect them to be, and features aren’t intuitively named. Overall, we had a frustrating and negative experience using VPN Proxy Master on every device we tested it with.
VPN Proxy Master’s apps have improved a lot in the past couple of years. However, there are still serious usability issues on all platforms, whether you’re paying for a subscription or using it for free.
Honestly, no amount of free data could convince us to use this awful VPN on a daily basis. There are plenty of other free VPNs, like Proton VPN Free and PrivadoVPN Free, that don’t put ads in front of you every chance they get.
VPN Proxy Master is also unnecessarily complicated to set up on Windows. You have to download additional external files, which aren’t mentioned at all on the VPN Proxy Master website.
Here’s an overview of our experience with the VPN on different devices:
Desktop & Laptop (Windows & Mac)
The VPN Proxy Master macOS app offers the best user experience, with more general and specialized servers. We didn’t have any issues installing the app, either. It’s better than the Windows alternative, but it’s still not particularly user-friendly.
VPN Proxy Master on Windows (left) and macOS (right) have the same color scheme, but show different connection details.
The Windows setup process is the most difficult out of all the platforms. Even worse, there isn’t a free version at all on Windows to test it before purchasing a subscription.
After installing the VPN on our Windows laptop, we kept getting error messages saying the software needed additional external files to run. This is extremely unusual for a VPN, and we find it quite suspicious.
VPN Proxy Master on Windows requires VCRUNTIME140.dll and MSVCP10.dll.
We reached out to customer service for advice, and they suggested reinstalling the app. We reinstalled the app three times and each time received the same error messages. After that, our follow-up emails were ignored for a day without a solution.
In the end, we found an external YouTube tutorial with the correct instructions. But there is no mention of this setup process on VPN Proxy Master’s website, and customer service was no help at all.
Overall, VPN Proxy Master’s installation on Windows was extremely frustrating and took a lot longer than expected. We don’t recommend using the VPN on Windows.
Once installed, the desktop apps were generally straightforward to use. There’s a simple homepage and menu button for advanced settings. Annoyingly, protocol options and advanced features vary depending on what device you’re using.
Mobile (Android & iOS)
Unlike on desktop devices, the free version of VPN Proxy Master is supported on both Android and iOS. Both free mobile apps offer unlimited data, but you have to endure annoying 30 second pop-up ads each time you connect to a server, close, or open the app.
On Android, the free version gives you access to servers in six countries. On iOS, you can’t choose a server location and are instead assigned a nearby server. Changing protocol on iOS is also frustrating. You have to go into Server Locations to change VPN protocol, which doesn’t make any sense.
VPN Proxy Master on Android (left) and iOS (right) look very similar.
When you connect to a server on Android, the location isn’t listed on the home screen. Instead, there’s a tiny flag in the top right corner, which is very easy to miss. Usually, VPNs will list your chosen server location in an eye-catching place on the screen.
VPN Proxy Master Free on Android (left) and iOS (right) have a ton of ads.
The long pop-up ads make VPN Proxy Master Free difficult to use on mobile. It’s frustrating having to wait 30 seconds to close a full-screen ad, and the banner ads are equally bad.
Thankfully, the paid versions of VPN Proxy Master’s mobile apps don’t have annoying ads. However, that still doesn’t make them pleasant to use.
Torrenting
VPN Proxy Master doesn’t permit torrenting on its servers. Even if it did, the VPN is far too unsafe. Its kill switch is paywalled on desktop and logs too much user data, like your VPN server location, ISP, and individual bandwidth. We strongly suggest avoiding VPN Proxy Master if you’re looking to torrent with a VPN.
| Torrenting Attribute | VPN Proxy Master Free | VPN Proxy Master |
|---|---|---|
| Permits P2P Traffic | No | No |
| Average Download Bitrate | 0 | 9.5MiB/s (5% loss) |
| Countries with P2P Servers | 0 | 3 |
| Port Forwarding | No | No |
| Kill Switch | Yes | Yes |
| Logging Policy | Identifiable Data | Identifiable Data |
Confusingly, VPN Proxy Master has three fast torrenting servers on Windows, but it doesn’t actually want customers to use them.
VPN Proxy Master’s stance on torrenting isn’t clear in its Terms of Service or its FAQ, so we contacted customer support via email.
In response, a customer support agent claimed the app doesn’t support P2P file sharing at all. We found this to be the case with its mobile apps, but not desktop. It seems the VPN service discourages users from torrenting on its servers.
VPN Proxy Master’s customer support agent strongly discouraged torrenting with the VPN service.
Despite its fast download bitrate, VPN Proxy Master’s logging policy isn’t private enough to be trusted with personal data. The VPN service logs your device information, bandwidth per session, internet service provider, and more.
We suggest dropping VPN Proxy Master and opting for a trustworthy anonymous VPN for torrenting instead. Private Internet Access is the best VPN for torrenting overall, with a verified no-logs policy, affordable subscription plans, an effective kill switch, and port forwarding on all platforms.
Device Compatibility
VPN Proxy Master has apps for most devices, including Android, iPhone, Windows, and macOS. It allows up to six simultaneous connections, which is decent, though lower than some other top-rated VPNs. It also offers Smart DNS, which is rare among low-tier VPNs, and a Google Chrome extension. However, there’s no dedicated router app or Linux compatibility.
| Windows | Yes |
|---|---|
| Mac | Yes |
| iOS | Yes |
| Android | Yes |
| Linux | No |
| Amazon Fire TV | No |
| Android TV | No |
| Apple TV | No |
| Router | Manual Setup Only |
| Chrome | Yes |
Simultaneous Connections: 6
Here’s a quick summary of the differences between each VPN app:
Six Devices per Subscription on Basic Plan
VPN Proxy Master lets you install its apps on six devices at once. If you want to connect to any more you’ll be asked to log out of another device or sign up for an extremely expensive 20-device subscription plan.
Most VPNs just limit the number of simultaneous connections, but VPN Proxy Master also limits the number of devices with VPN Proxy Master installed.
It also suggests using a Windows 10 or 11 device to hotspot your VPN connection to games consoles.
However, VPN Proxy Master’s Chrome browser extension isn’t safe enough for us to recommend. There are far more secure VPN extensions available.
Additional Features
Both the free and paid version of VPN Proxy Master are poor choices if you want a range of useful features. It only has split tunneling and disappointingly slow email support. It is missing a whole host of features like double VPN, VPN obfuscation, multi-hop servers, ad and tracker blockers, and more.
| Additional Feature | VPN Proxy Master Free | VPN Proxy Master |
|---|---|---|
| Split Tunneling | No | Yes |
| VPN Obfuscation | No | No |
| Multi-Hop Servers | No | No |
| Dedicated IP | No | No |
| Ad Blocker | No | No |
Does Not Work in China
VPN Proxy Master offers V2Ray, obfuscation technology that’s designed for bypassing online firewalls. However, you can’t use the VPN in countries with online censorship — especially not China.
In our tests with a remote computer in Shanghai, we weren’t even able to connect to a server. The app launched and immediately gave a notification that it’s unable to work in China “due to policy.”
Since VPN Proxy Master has strong links to China, it’s unsurprising that the VPN doesn’t allow its users to bypass web censorship.
VPN Proxy Master is not available in countries with online censorship.
If you want a VPN that reliably works in China, we recommend using Astrill – although it is more expensive, it also has a 100% success rate at beating web blocks in China. As a free alternative, Windscribe Free is a great back-up option to have on your device as well.
Avoid VPN Proxy Master if you need to rely on a VPN to access blocked websites. It will not help whatsoever in these regions. Save your time and money and opt for a VPN with effective obfuscation.
Technical Features We’d Like to See
VPN Proxy Master is missing some important advanced features. Here are some technical features we’d like it to add:
- Split tunneling on all devices.
- Ad blocker to stop adverts from appearing on web pages.
- Multi-hop server to enhance security and privacy of your VPN connection.
Slow & Unreliable Customer Support
VPN Proxy Master has a reasonable online help center (also called its FAQ). Articles are sorted out into General Information, Billing & Account Information, and Troubleshooting.
We couldn’t find any helpful video tutorials in this help center. However, there are lots of images with step-by-step instructions to access streaming services, retrieve an invoice, unsubscribe on different platforms, and more.
These instructions are clearly laid out and easy to follow.
What holds VPN Proxy Master back from having good customer service are its support agents and an overreliance on these tutorial resources.
We contacted VPN Proxy Master’s customer service multiple times over the course of our tests, and each time we weren’t completely satisfied with the level of support we received.
In one instance, we contacted support via email because we couldn’t open the Windows app. VPN Proxy Master’s customer support team were truly unequipped to help us. We were given general instructions that simply didn’t solve our problem.
We contacted VPN Proxy Master via email to ask a question.
VPN Proxy Master also offers live chat support, but we had to wait over an hour for an agent to become available. This simply isn’t good enough. It’s pathetic compared to other paid-for or even free VPNs.