VyprDNS Reviews

In most cases, a smart DNS network is easy to connect to. For VyprDNS, there are two ways to achieve this and thus, a more free internet for yourself. First, if you are using the VPN service in unison with the smart DNS, you have possibly the simplest way of turning the latter on. If there is a VyprVPN client software or application available for your machine, there should be a designated button that enables smart DNS for you. That’s it, and then you are off, enjoying yourself as you do on the internet. You can also set smart DNS up manually, if there is no software for your particular device. This involves changing the DNS address of your internet connection – you do not have to dabble around with your hardware at all. Like most companies that offer smart DNS, the GoldenFrog deals with IPv4 addresses only as of today. This extends to the DNS product as well, meaning that if you have an IPv6 connection, make sure to downgrade it first to IPv4 in order for VyprDNS to work. We sincerely hope that v6 addresses will be introduced too in the near future – it is a safer and more efficient type of connection.

This is probably the strongest side of VyprDNS, but not because of the DNS side of service. Since the product is a free addition to the VPN (it is not even listed on the pricing page), you automatically unblock the entire web content of the given country you connect to. Moreover, with the Pro and Premium packages, you can have two and three devices connected to your account at the same time, granting you an even greater degree of accessibility. If there is one reason to invest in the VPN only to use VyprDNS, it is this: you do not just unblock specific websites, you get access to everything instantly.

The network of VyprDNS is entirely similar to that of VyprVPN’s. This means that you can connect to up to 40 different countries and 700+ VPN servers. In the case of DNS, selection is much thinner. There are two main addresses that you can change to. This is a bit slim; other companies offer DNS connections from country to country, for example. Most standalone DNS companies have less locations available than VyprDNS, so in this regard, they are great indeed. For speed tests, we tried out both DNS addresses. The most important thing to declare is that the VyprDNS does not use throttling or slow down your connection in any way, and that our internet speeds were indeed more or less preserved.

By now it should be fairly obvious that GoldenFrog is rather invested in its own VPN service. So much so that VyprDNS is a mere towel boy, occasionally getting soaked by the staff’s hard VPN work. It is worth mentioning that VyprVPN is among the best VPN providers today. Device support is great for this type of service, and though prices are a bit higher than average, you are entitled for an NAT firewall free of charge, if you opt Pro or Premium packages. This very rare addition in itself makes VyprVPN one of the safest services available today.

There are separate privacy policies affecting VyprDNS and VyprVPN. In the case of the former, the official website states that literally no activity is logged. This is a bit suspicious, but since the DNS side of service is in a secondary position, it does bear some logic. However, if you use the service in conjunction with VyprVPN, the rules of VPN apply to smart DNS.

Safety is not the strong side of VyprDNS when used alone, at least in comparison to VPN. You essentially connect to a DNS proxy server, which means no encryption, but all of your internet connection’s speed is preserved. However, if you use both VPN and DNS at the same time, you will have a safer experience online, but you will also suffer a bit from slower connections, as encrypted traffic is slower than regular traffic.

Device support with VyprDNS is consequently the same as that of VyprVPN’s availabilities. Unfortunately, this excludes a number of devices that are otherwise available with smart DNS-only companies. Nevertheless, the selection is still acceptable. Operating systems include Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10. You can also use VyprDNS on Mac OS X 10.5+ and Ubuntu Linux, along with Chromebook. iOS 6+ mobile devices are also good to go for iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad. All Android devices are similarly available for work with VyprDNS. Routers and other machines compatible include DD-WRT, OPENWRT, Tomato, Boxee Box, QNAP NAS, Synology Nas, OpenElec, Android TV and Apple TV. Considering that VyprDNS is mostly going to be used together with its VPN counterpart, this is a good list. However, if we view it from the standpoint of other smart DNS-only companies, selection is a bit over average only.

The above information means that the DNS part of VyprDNS is completely free. However, as previously discussed, you cannot just visit the site and use DNS addresses – you need to be a VPN customer in order to use VyprDNS. Therefore, we are now going to inform you on the prices of the VPN, as it is the only obstacle in your way to VyprDNS, which is essentially an addition to the VPN. It is worth noting though that you can also sign up for a completely free version of the VPN – and thus, the DNS as well. Keep in mind that this plan has a 500 MB limitation on it for VPN data traffic. The VyprDNS FAQ states that it “does not log any information”, meaning that if you manually change you DNS address (and not with the help of the VPN client of apps of the company), you have a free smart DNS at your hands.

For VPN, the prices are a bit odd. There is only a monthly and an annual subscription plan. The first plan – VPN Premier – has 3 simultaneous connections and comes with the NAT Firewall. One month costs $19.99, which is twice the average price (though you do get outstanding VPN in return). However, the annual duration weighs half as much, at $10/mo. The second package – VPN Pro – has 2 devices to be used at once, and the built-in firewall, too. When billed monthly, it costs $14.99, but annually, it fares at $8.33 per month. Lastly, the VPN Basic pack is not the best. It only has unsafe PPTP connections, and not NAT firewall. It costs $9.99 monthly, and $6.67 per month when paid annually.

Payment options are sparse – MasterCard, Visa, PayPal and Discover are the only ones supported.

There are three main ways to contact VyprVPN/DNS. First, you have the live chat option for immediate information. We suggest you talk to the staff on the chat if you seek general info. For more delicate problems, try filling in the contact form of the company on the support page. Other than this, you can similarly write an e-mail from outside the official website. We must also note that GoldenFrog‘s website can also be helpful in problematic matters. Both GoldenFrog and VyprVPN have social media presence, too. Both of them can be found on Facebook, Twitter and Google+, while the former is also up on Linkedln. We must also compliment the extensive FAQ section on the official VyprVPN website, which also is very useful in providing general information and setup guides.

All in all, VyprDNS is a contradictory product. Its biggest disadvantage is that it is not a standalone service; you can only acquire it if you also signed up for the VPN service of the company (though as you have read, there is a free way of getting smart DNS access anyway). On the flipside, it is great that you can connect to more countries than in most standalone DNS services. VPN synergy is fantastic and fluid, but for us, it still hurts that VyprDNS is but a squire, who carries the sword of its VPN counterpart.