SmartyDNS Review

Offering a range of powerful clients, encryption, and protocols that compare with elite VPNs, fast speeds, and reliable unblocking, SmartyDNS makes a very good first impression. And there’s no doubt some people will find that this relatively small VPN is exactly what they need. So let’s learn more about whether this VPN is one of the reasonable options for you, or a provider to discard.

Security and privacy

As security is the number one concern for any VPN user, it makes sense to start our SmartyDNS review here. To kick things off, here’s a brief summary of the security and privacy features this provider has to offer:

• Protocols include L2TP/IPSec, SSTP, OpenVPN, IKEv2, and SoftEther. All use 256-bit AES encryption.
• PPTP is also available, with 128-bit MPPE
• Kill switch included
• DNS leak protection and Smart DNS
• Strict no-logging policy

This suite of security features is pretty comprehensive. It’s good to see OpenVPN and 256-bit AES encryption, which is the gold standard for mass-market VPNs. SmartyDNS has a kill switch as well, which is handy for torrenting and streaming. At the same time, SmartyDNS offers users a good level of flexibility within the client, allowing them to choose their protocol and other settings. The addition of PPTP isn’t a problem, either. As long as users understand its security limitations, it’s a good option for using temporarily when faster download speeds are required.

What’s missing? Well, there’s no Double VPN feature, which would allow users to conceal the fact they are using a VPN. And there’s no in-client ad-blocking or malware interception, so users may be exposed to malicious attacks. But those are relatively minor issues. Overall, this is a solid offering and a good start.

Get the best VPN

NordVPN is our top-rated VPN provider, known for unparalleled protection, the fastest speeds, and global coverage.

9.6 /10

Excellent for streaming

Inexpensive

24/7 live chat

Visit NordVPN

Does SmartyDNS VPN log your data?

SmartyDNS has a strict no-logs policy.

SmartyDNS clearly states that it has a zero-logging policy, which is very welcome. But as we all know, many VPNs make big promises about data collection, while actually offering plenty of loopholes to gather customer data. Is this the case here?

The answer is, essentially, “no.” According to the Terms of Service on the website:

SmartyDNS keeps no connection logs and no activity logs. We don’t record, log or store any data relating to your activities while using our VPN, ensuring no user can be matched to specific network activity or behavior.

While users may give certain personally identifiable information to SmartyDNS of their own accord during the sign-up process, this is not necessary. Users will absolutely have to enter an email address, which can be a throwaway.

SmartyDNS is based in Romania, which is a privacy-friendly jurisdiction with no data retention laws to speak of. This is good news for anyone worried about jeopardizing their anonymity.

Speed and performance

Speed matters when it comes to VPNs, and SmartyDNS makes the right noises in this area. It advertises fast 1 Gbps servers and unlimited bandwidth, as well as “unlimited speeds” (so no throttling).

When we carried out a speed test for the PC version, those claims almost stood up. With OpenVPN and 256-bit AES, our download speeds took a 30% hit, and our upload speed was similar. If we tried a more distant server, the drop wasn’t massive, and that’s good to see. However, we noted a couple of connection drops while the VPN was engaged, which isn’t so positive. When we switched to PPTP, speeds naturally picked up, and it was reassuring to see the difference. That’s solid evidence that encryption is being applied.

Server coverage

SmartyDNS has a good selection of server locations to choose from. The company offers servers in the following locations: the Netherlands, Germany, the USA, France, Italy, Canada, Australia, Poland, UK, Russia, Spain, Romania, Switzerland, Singapore, India. While it’s not huge, there are at least some options in practically every continent.

Ease of use and multiplatform support

SmartyDNS users can download the VPN on the following platforms:

• Windows
• Mac
• Linux (Ubuntu)
• Android
• iOS
• FireTV
• Chromebook

That’s not a bad spread for a relatively small VPN. There’s also an option to configure your router with this VPN. Supported firmware includes DD-WRT, Asus, and Mikrotik. Furthermore, browser extensions are available for Chrome and Firefox.

Plus, the inclusion of FireTV is interesting. When you download the client, few problems should arise. This can be done via the VPN’s website or app libraries like iTunes or Google Play.

The PC app downloaded without a hitch and proved very easy to configure. Free users just need to supply an email address to start the 3-day trial, which we did. When the client booted up, everything seemed to be accessible and surprisingly powerful. Users can sort the fastest servers, easily see which servers are torrent-friendly, switch between protocols, customize the Smart DNS to access blocked websites, and toggle how often they are assigned a new IP address. And, under all of that, the kill switch provides peace of mind should the VPN connection fail.

Overall, we were impressed by how easy to use the app was, and how many features it included. So that’s another positive feature of the SmartyDNS package.

Unblocking Netflix and other streaming platforms

SmartyDNS explicitly promises to “unblock geo-restricted websites” – you can find a list on their site. This includes Netflix US, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, HBO, and more.

We couldn’t test all of them, but there were no issues with Netflix access or BBC iPlayer. It’s also good to see a VPN with a FireTV client. This should allow Firestick users to load SmartyDNS onto their streaming devices, and a Roku installation should be possible as well. We didn’t get that far, but it’s cool that an affordable VPN has made space for smart streaming accessories.

P2P and torrenting

Not many VPNs offer secure torrenting at viable speeds, but SmartyDNS is one of them. The company has allocated two servers in the Netherlands and Germany where users can establish an encrypted P2P connection.

The only thing that’s really lacking in the app is port forwarding support. This would allow torrenting fans to customize their experience even further.

Online censorship in China and elsewhere

Beating censorship is a core feature of good VPNs, especially for users in China, where the Great Firewall dramatically limits the availability of content from outside the country. There’s good and bad news here for users in repressive countries.

On one hand, Smarty’s solid encryption insulates it from all but the most intrusive online surveillance. On the other, the terms and conditions include an amazing clause that prohibits “Any Other Illegal Activities” – which could include accessing censored websites. That’s not a comforting statement for those in Saudi Arabia or China. Of course, there’s no need to worry too much as such statements are standard practice. Besides, there’s no way for SmartyDNS to enforce this as it does not keep any logs.

Customer support

Strong customer support is essential for any reputable VPN, and SmartyDNS does fairly well on this front. Here are the main ways that customers can contact service staff to handle troubleshooting inquiries:

• Live chat (during office hours)
• A well-compiled knowledge base with FAQs on numerous subjects
• In-person support via the VPN’s Client Area, where users can raise concerns via individual tickets
• Social media contact via Twitter and Facebook

The email ticketing system is usually fairly prompt (although there are reports online of delays over 24 hours). So, if you run into problems, help should be at hand.

Pricing

SmartyDNS operates the following pricing system:

• A 3 day free trial with all premium features
• 1 month for $5.56/month
• 3 months for $4.42/month
• 1 year for $2.91/month
• 2 years for $2.33/month

The 3-day free trial is good to see, particularly as it includes all of the VPN’s functions. However, it’s not really long enough to get a feel for download speeds or uptime. We would be happier with a 14-day trial or longer. That said, the prices for the Premium VPN aren’t too bad. They compare with other popular paid VPNs like CyberGhost or PIA.

Payment options include the usual (VISA, MasterCard, and American Express), as well as PayPal, AliPay, Bitcoin, Altcoins, Discover, Webmoney, Yandex, Boleto Bancario, and Qiwi. Thus, major cryptocurrency and e-wallet holders are catered for.

The company also operates a pretty clear refund policy. Customers can claim a money-back guarantee up to 30 days after purchase. There are some quite extensive exclusions, though. For instance, SmartyDNS won’t pay out if users cannot access a site that isn’t featured in its “list of unblocked websites.” And anyone accused of breaching the T&Cs can be excluded from a refund, too. Still, there’s a very good chance that users can retrieve their money should the VPN fail to measure up.

Bottom line

Sometimes, VPNs fall somewhere in the middle, and this is one of those occasions. If you’re looking for a streaming aid and geo-unblocker, however, then SmartyDNS is a good call. Its encryption and choice of protocols is great, speeds measure up, and the Netflix unblocking is excellent.