You may have heard about Browsec and may be wondering if it is a reliable solution. Well, in this review, we’ll take a closer look at Browsec to find out what it offers and if it deserves to be considered as an addition to your security and privacy tools. Let’s start by saying that Browsec is a proxy add-on/extension for browsers. It is designed to allow you to access content that is subject to geographical restrictions. Millions of users rely on Browsec and there is even a dedicated VPN app for Android and iOS. Although the popularity of Browsec continues growing, many people worry about its safety. We’ll explore Browsec in more detail in this review.
Plans
Browsec uses a freemium pricing models, meaning that it is possible to use the extension or VPN app for free, although the functionality is limited in that case. In order to get access to more and better features, you will need to upgrade to a premium subscription. There are two options available if you opt for a paid Browsec solution. If you choose the monthly plan, you pay $4.99 USD and if you pay in advance for one year, the monthly cost is reduced to $3.33 because you pay $39.99 in total. The pricing is competitive and makes Browsec an affordable solution that will appeal to many users.
The free plan only supports basic functionality and features. The bandwidth cap of 1mbps imposed, means that the free solution may only be suitable for browsing. You may experience slow speeds and lagging, as well as interruptions and inconsistent performance at the same time. In addition, it is only possible to connect to four servers, although the network offers more than thirty. In spite of the limitations, the free plan can be a practical solution for many users and if you only want to add some level of flexibility for your browsing so that you can unblock websites that are not available in your location, it will work well.
The Premium plan offers better reliability and it allows you to browse faster and without disruptions. There is no bandwidth cap so you can browse and enjoy download speeds without limits. You also get dedicated traffic lanes, which offer great acceleration when you are browsing the internet. Premium users can also connect to all the servers that Browsec offers, which offers more chances to unblock geo-restricted websites in a variety of countries. Users can also enjoy a service that is more consistent and that works better overall. Signing up for Browsec is easy and all that is needed is that you click on the relevant option, which is located on the top right corner of the page. The website directs you to the page where you can enter your email address and password. After that is done, you just need to click on the Sign Up tab and you will receive a confirmation email.
Once you complete the signup process, you will get access to the account dashboard that is available on the website. Just click on the “My Account” tab to see the information of your plan, including the expiration date and the amount paid. The payment methods accepted include card (MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover) and PayPal, but unfortunately there is no mention of Bitcoin as an option. This would be the preferred way to pay for many people due to the anonymity that it offers. The good news is that apart from offering a free plan, Browsec offers a money-back guarantee for premium customers. It is possible to request a refund within 7 days of purchasing a plan and all you need to do is to send an email to the support team.
Privacy and Security
The browser extension allows users to establish a connection via PPTP and the iOS and Android apps support IPSec and L2TP. It is disappointing to see that OpenVPN is not supported, since this is the protocol that is considered as the safest and most relaible choice. While Browsec claims to offer complete anonymity when you are browsing and it states that it can protect your traffic everywhere, the reality is that since it is a browser add-on, the user identity can be traced to the real IP address. In order to avoid blocks, you need to block WebRTC and Flash Player before using Browsec. It should also be noted that there is not a lot of information about the company and the website doesn’t provide many details about the service.
The provider is based in Russia, where strict anti-terrorism laws are in lace, requiring ISPs and other companies to trace online activities. That being said, Browsec states that there are no logs kept of connection/session data, which may include details like bandwidth usage and page requested. Still, you may be asked for your email address when you sign up and information like payment details is associated to your account. One thing to keep in mind is that as a browser add-on, there is not guarantee that your activity can’t be traced back to you. However, the site says that it won’t disclose your personal data, unless a legal request from law enforcement is received.
Servers
There are 30 servers available and they are set to offer great speeds and high security. As previously mentioned, the free plan only offers access to 4 servers located in Singapore, Netherlands, United States and United Kingdom. The bandwidth speeds are limited to 1mbps, but there are no limits in terms of data. The variety of locations may not be as wide as what you get with the premium service, but it is enough to offer good options for users of this plan. If you don’t want to spend money and only want basic functionality, this plan would be enough.
Premium users get access to all the servers available and the locations covered include Ireland, Finland, Spain, Sweden, United States, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, France, Italy, Norway, Turkey, Ukraine, Russia, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania, Canada, South Africa, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia and Japan. Premium users are not subject to bandwidth caps so they can enjoy unlimited download/browsing speeds. The speeds tests shows that while Browsec slows down the connection slightly, this is not unusual with services of its kind. Some servers provide better speeds than others, but in general, this will depend on how close you are to them.
Support
Unfortunately, there is no live chat available and the FAQ section is very limited. You won’t find detailed setup guides or contact details to reach out to the support team. Instead, there is only a web-form that you can use to submit your questions. The response time varies, but usually it would take a few hours.
Compatibility
The service works in multiple devices and platforms. The browser extension can be used with Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox or Opera Browser. There are also dedicated mobile apps for Android and iOS. However, there is no dedicated VPN software for Mac, Windows, Linux or other platforms. The Google Chrome extension is very popular and it offers a user-friendly interface. It is easy to install and it offers good performance that will allow you to unblock geo-restricted content. The extension for Firefox also works well and it can also be installed without hassle. Opera users have also rated the extension highly thanks to its ease of use and practical functionality.
The iOS app comes with a great looking interface and design. It also has a convenient and good looking interface and design. You just need to select a server and move the bar to the on position to start a secure connection. The traffic is directed through IPSec protocol. The Android app is also user-friendly and it provides smooth performance. Overall, using Browsec is very simple and you will be able to connect to a secure location without having to sign up. The extension can be installed without hassle and you can establish a connection within seconds. A temporary account is created for everyone who connects. It is possible to attach an email to the account or to buy a premium subscription to get access to all the server locations.
Conclusion
Browsec is an affordable and simple security solution that allows internet users to enjoy online freedom and add a layer of security for their data. The service is easy to use and the premium plan offers reasonable prices. However, it doesn’t offer the strongest level of security and the logging policies are not straightforward. If you only want to bypass geographical restrictions when you are browsing the internet, Browsec would be a good choice, but if you want complete protection for your traffic, as well as strong privacy, you may need to consider a different option.