Webroot Secure VPN Reviews

Using Webroot WiFi Security is quite easy. Even getting up and running is simple, though you will need an account to access the service whether you choose to subscribe or make use of the free trial. Outside of that, the VPN service can be navigated with ease, with all the crucial VPN features readily accessible. The fact that users can switch protocols based on preferences for speed or for security will be a bonus that those with greater knowledge of such tools will appreciate. Even these advanced changes are easy to find, so it doesn’t matter how involved you want to be with the software, it’ll be a breeze to use.

Simple interface

While it is oriented towards advanced users, Webroot WiFi Security has such a simplistic interface design that those who are entering the VPN world for the first time will easily understand how to use it. The dashboard has a fresh and clean style and despite looking more like a mobile app than a desktop program, its menus and options are carefully organized so that customers can get accustomed to the program quicker.

Intuitive application

VPN network

A user-friendly interface and numerous protocols may help a VPN company establish itself within a niche market, but this won’t matter if the service has few locations and bad connection speeds. Webroot WiFi Security has 35 locations for users to connect to. While the most common locations are available – such as the U.S., the UK, Canada, Australia, or Germany – it has also rare locations such as Singapore, Thailand, Romania, and Brazil. When it comes to streaming, the UK also has a VPN server dedicated to this. While this number of locations is neither good nor bad, the service compensates the lack of options with less common countries.

What’s more important is the connection speed, however. We ran some tests in order to analyze the connections, with our tests taking place within our European location. When we connected to Belgium, the download speed of the connection indicated a 32% drop – which isn’t too significant. However, the upload speed experienced was more dramatically affected, with a roughly 70% decrease. Distant locations like Thailand and the U.S. resulted in slower connections, naturally, but on the whole the connection speeds provided by Webroot are pretty much average and don’t help the software stand out from its competitors.

Privacy protection

Webroot WiFi Security takes a serious approach when it comes to privacy. The software uses a diverse range of encryption protocols covering IKEv2, OpenVPN, PPTP, L2TP, and IPsec to protect its users’ privacy. Additionally, a kill switch feature is available so that if the Wi-Fi security drops, then all internet connections will be stopped to ensure browsing remains anonymous. A web filtering tool, termed Bright Cloud, is also available, which will warn the user should they enter a malicious or risky website.

The company’s privacy policy is also pretty clear on the data that is collected and processed. According to Webroot’s website, the company does not collect or log any browsing activity, IP addresses, downloaded data, or DNS queries. However, if the program crashes, some of that information can be stored –anonymously – for troubleshooting purposes only. The only data that is required is directly linked to purchases that customers make, such as buying licenses, renewing subscriptions, upgrading, and more. With such a robust set of encryption tools available and a very transparent policy towards ensuring user data remains private, users shouldn’t need to worry about their safety while using the software.

Like most VPN services, Webroot WiFi Security is available for several operating systems; it can be used on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. For Windows operating systems, users will need to have Windows 7 or later installed, while macOS users will need at least Mac OS X. The mobile application can be used on either Android v6 and iOS 10 or newer. Since the software can be used on multiple devices, Webroot smartly allows for up to five devices to be protected simultaneously, though this depends on the purchased license.

As is the case with many other VPN services, Webroot keeps the interface as unchanged as possible across the different platforms; the design and overall organization looks the same whether on desktop, smartphone, or tablet. This way, users can more easily navigate through the range of tools without any kind of trouble. Likewise, installing and setting it up is simple on all platforms.

However, some functions are not available on smartphone or tablet. For example, the protocol section was removed from the settings. For users who want to change their options while using a mobile, this will be something of a letdown. Nor is the advanced web-filtering tool, Bright Cloud, available in the iOS edition. However, as most antiviruses already include similar tools, this missing component is not so significant. On a more positive note, favorited locations are linked to the account itself and not the device they were marked on, which means that whenever browsing on a different device, previously selected favorites are immediately available.

Pricing

When it comes to prices, Webroot WiFi Security manages please and disappoint all at once. While its prices are affordable, the plans available are lackluster. There are only two subscription plans available, both of which are annual plans and provide customers with the same features regardless of choice. The only difference is between the number of devices that can be connected simultaneously, with the cheapest plan costing $3.33 per month and allowing for three devices to be connected at the same time.

The higher-priced plan is available for $4.99 per month, and allows for more simultaneous connections at five devices. Having only two plans with similar conditions and features wouldn’t be such a criticism if it wasn’t for the fact that using the service on just two more devices costs an extra 20 dollars.

The final nail in the coffin comes when Webroot’s website explains that although users can cancel their subscription at any time, no refunds are given by the company. Despite this, customers can make their purchases using various payment methods such as Visa, PayPal, Master Card, American Express, Discover, and JCB card.

Customer service

How a company deals with its customers can be either the death or salvation of a company. If good customer service can help elevate an average product to high standards, bad customer service can cause damage beyond repair.

Webroot’s customer support manages to have quality by going the traditional route. An FAQ is available on the website, along with downloadable user guides and an interactive search tool. If the question is related to your account, the customer support team can be contacted 24/7 through email, via a ticket-based system, on the community forums, telephone, or social media.

While the support available on Webroot’s website is more product related, the company uses social media to educate its users on internet security.

Bottom line

Webroot has been on the market for a long time and as such has great experience understanding its customers’ needs. While its interface is very user friendly and straight to the point, advanced users will also be delighted with the amount of options they have available when it comes to encryption protocols. While its connection speeds and overall network isn’t superb, the program does its job and adds interesting features to boot, such as a kill switch option and a web filtering tool.

However, the company’s price policy is quite disappointing as clients are charged $20 more for only wanting to cover two more devices. It’s also a frustration that there is no monthly plan available. The company does reference them on the FAQ section of its website, but they’re nowhere to be found when making a purchase. Despite that, Webroot WiFi Security is a good service and is perfectly capable of providing anonymous online browsing and internet safety.