Proxy.sh Reviews

Proxy.sh has great client support. Next to Windows, you can also enjoy the software for Mac OS X, Linux, iOS and Android. However, there are some non-client tools as well for you to make good use of. For example, there is a separate speed test site that Proxy.sh runs. Next to that, there are other types of test sites too that help you in identifying data leaks. Today, you can test your regular or VPN connection for IPv6, GPS, WebRTC, Torrent, DNS and security leaks. IPv6 leak and DNS leak protection are also available in-client, but that latter only on Proxy.sh’s servers.

We must also note that next to any company software, Proxy.sh can also runs things on the open-source OpenVPN client program. For this purpose, you are supplied with a config generator at the bottom of the main page. To provide some additional information about this, we must inform you that if you thought the Proxy.sh software was a bit stripped down, you have not seen a naked VPN client before. The OpenVPN program is devoid of any advanced feature, but this is understandable. We are writing about a completely general purpose, open-source (that is everybody, is free to tamper with it) software, so it is fitting that you are provided with a “template” VPN client to work with. Still, it is already usable on Proxy.sh’s networks. Some slight discomfort might come from specific traits, like you must always login again if you want to change servers, and the changing itself must be managed from your taskbar. Otherwise, there is not much else that is different.

The Windows client is neat and great, the only problem we encountered was a small inconsistency with connecting to servers. Sometimes, it is like as if it gives out on itself, taking longer periods to connect or disconnect, or displaying error messages when things are in order. Remember that once you make a purchase, you receive a unique username and password to connect that is different from the user information you registered to the Proxy.sh website with. You should be informed of it via e-mail, which you can view either in the official site’s client area, or via the e-mail address you supplied.

Free non-client extras

There are other, quite various types of services available with Proxy.sh, for free. These are the aforementioned check sites and the speed test opportunity. Before anything though, we must note that these are only available if you are registered to the Proxy.sh website, which is of course free. We are going to introduce these features one by one.

Security check

The Security Check is perhaps the simplest tool of them all. Once clicked on, you are taken to a page that displays the current properties of your internet connection and whether or not you are protected by a VPN network. We always recommend using this feature, as next to finding out more about your regular internet connection, you can also double check if you are properly connected to a VPN. The IP address and the world map attached are great indicators of this.

Speed test

The speed test option is restricted to Proxy.sh’s connections only. You can test every server node of the company and judge their performances for yourself. There is a catch to it, though; you can select multiple locations at once, but overall, you can only get to test ten locations daily.

Torrent leak

The Torrent Leak tool obviously comes in handy when you conduct file sharing activities (which Proxy.sh fully supports on all servers). Yet another safety feature, it is nice to be able to double-check the type of proxy you use. Proxy.sh itself supports SOCKS in two ways: you can establish such a connection within and outside their VPN network, too.

WebRTC leak check

To quote privacytools.io, “WebRTC is a communication protocol that relies on JavaScript that can leak your actual IP address from behind your VPN.” Proxy.sh’s WebRTC Leak Check tool is designed for this very purpose, to see if this side of your internet connection is vulnerable or not.

GPS leak

The company’s GPS Leak Check feature is also a useful tool for smart phone and other GPS device users. When your GPS is enabled, third parties can identify your location as well – this sort of tracking is also illustrated in crime-related television shows. Proxy.sh’s GPS leak tool helps you in finding out the current state of your online visibility, in a geological sense (that is, where are you using internet from).

IPv6 leak check

The IPv6 Leak Check is also a straightforward addition. Despite the fact that IPv4 addresses are the most widespread type of Identification Protocols on the internet, there is a need for additional ones with better utility and security. IPv6 was introduced for this reason, but nothing is “bulletproof” online. Proxy.sh provides some assistance to better know the details and state of your IPv6 connection.

You can connect to up to 51 countries with Proxy.sh. This is a decent number, especially when you can find countries like Moldova or Portugal, which are rarely listed as availabilities. Proxy.sh has a super fast list of servers that are dubbed “boost network” together. According to the FAQ:

We ourselves noticed little improvement in these cases, though we conducted all of our speed tests on 4096 bit encryptions, to illustrate how Proxy.sh behaves in a high protection environment. Results were good for such a strong encryption, though we would rule them as average.

Proxy.sh supports – unsurprisingly – proxies. While they might have been an extensive company in this area of service (the name is very telling, after all), today you can only rely on SOCKS proxy. The company has its own related servers for this in North America and Europe. There are two ways to set things up for SOCKS: with, or without a VPN. We must point out that in the former case, you can only utilize the North American proxy server. Additionally, it is a bit worrisome that the type of SOCKS proxy is not specified in the otherwise well crafted setup guides. Unless, it is a simple SOCKS and not SOCKS 4 or 5, for example.

We must also highlight the Seychelles as the location of the company’s headoffice. Even though it is a part of the Commonwealth, there are no laws affecting VPN companies. Therefore, Proxy.sh has few responsibilities towards the state, meaning that your stored personal information (which is not that much anyway) is in a lot safer hands.

Because you can establish a VPN connection via TCP and UDP too, you already have some variety to work with. However, your safety options are even more diverse with Proxy.sh, as you can select individual ports as well to make the connection with. Your encryption protocol is OpenVPN (RSA 4096 bit, quite impressive) by default, but you can also do L2TP and PPTP.

You can also choose SoftEther, which is an alternative to OpenVPN. The main advantage of this type of protection is that you also have SSL support, meaning that browsing for example is a much safer process. For similar purposes, Proxy.sh also has a CGI proxy to use. With it, you can connect to websites anonymously. If you are into FTP-based networking, Proxy.sh can also help you out with this type of proxy.

Proxy.sh has a great privacy policy. The only two types of information the company collects if you subscribe to them is your e-mail address and your payment type. For VPN, you are faced with the standard types of logs: Proxy.sh needs the info of when you connected and disconnected and the amount of bandwidth used, for example. They are not interested in the websites you visit.

Proxy.sh has splendid device support. Your usable operating systems include Windows XP, Vista, RT, 7, 8 and 10. You can also get Linux Ubuntu and Debian to work, along with Google Chrome OS, and Mac OS X. Mobile and other devices include Android, iOS, and Windows Phone (6 and 7 only). Proxy.sh is also on friendly terms with Boxee Box, Linksys routers, D-Link routers, DD-WRT, TP-Link, ZyXEL routers, Tomato, PfSense and apparently any other Linux platform (fedora, mint, etc). Gaming consoles are also supported, next to Raspberry Pi. Overall, the selection – thus your possibilities – are far and wide.

There are four different plans on sale of Proxy.sh. First, there is the Quick package that lets you connect to two countries and has a $2 price tag for three days of VPN action on it. This is best used as a tryout in our opinion. The Basic option has five countries and costs $5 per month and $3.33 per month annually. The Solid package comes with 50+ countries, but still lacks the most advanced features. Its price is $10 monthly and $7.50 per month annually. The Pro plan also offers the full server list, but you can have an additional 250 GB/mo boost network to utilize, along with the multi-hop feature. It is on sale for a monthly $20 and an annual $16.66 per month. In our opinion, the last plan is not worth it that much; it does not offer as much as the top VPN providers but is on sale at double the price. The others are worth considering.

The company is not keen on refunds. In any default case, you are not granted opportunities to get your money back if you decide otherwise. There are some exceptions to their policy, though. To quote the official website:

“PayPal allows effortless refunds with no charges incurred for any of the parties involved in the transaction. Hence, we are able to provide you a refund on PayPal if you request it within 7 (seven) days after the date of your purchase. Unfortunately, our generosity stops here(…)”

Basically, this means that you have a 7-day refund only if you pay via PayPal. The situation is the same with free trials, too. There is literally no way you can try out Proxy.sh without throwing some money at it.

For payments, Proxy.sh accepts 85 different methods.

Proxy.sh points beyond a traditional VPN service. The vast range of extra (and free) services transcends the company into a full-scale online protection outlet that should not be strictly used for connecting to other countries to view cat pictures, in our opinion. That being said the extremely high encryption takes its toll on speeds, even though Proxy.sh’s servers put up a good effort. And this is fine, our problem is that there is no free trial to properly test things out with, and that refunds are only possible via PayPal (or rather if your transaction can be traced back, though there might be other factors involved).