In a Nutshell
pros
- Unlimited number of devices per account
- No data logging
- No restrictions on switching between servers
cons
- Doesn’t always succeed in unblocking Netflix US
- Security protocols not strong enough for banking
- Customer service slow to respond
Ideal for
- Safeguarding your privacy
- Accessing unlimited content without any bandwidth restrictions
- Getting connected to your VPN with a single click
Privacy
Each mode runs on a different security protocol. When you select Ultra Secure, your server runs on an OpenVPN protocol and includes DNS leak protection and a kill switch, but it compromises somewhat on speed. With Balanced, it runs on L2TP. With High-speed, it runs on PPTP, a more basic security protocol that is best used in situations where you want high speeds (such as streaming or online gaming) but don’t need to protect any sensitive information.
SpyOFF is perhaps the only major VPN provider based in the tiny republic of San Marino, which, despite being surrounded on all sides by Italy, is a completely independent republic with its own laws. As a relatively small country, San Marino has fairly strong privacy laws when it comes to virtual private networks and it isn’t beholden to any of the intelligence alliances that encourage countries to conduct surveillance on their citizens. Therefore, in addition to SpyOFF’s own zero-logging policy, the fact it is based in San Marino means it’s unlikely to come under any pressure to share data about customer IPs or browsing behavior.
Features
SpyOFF offers 3 pricing models with different durations. You can choose from a 1-month package, 6-month package, or a 12-month package. With the 12-month package, you get an additional 4 months free and the subscription renews only after the first 16 months have passed. Each of the 3 packages contains a full set of SpyOFF features, including single-click connection, unlimited bandwidth, zero logging, unlimited logins, and 256-bit SSL encryption.
Pricing and Deals
*Last updated: May 2019
Customer Support
SpyOFF was created to serve the German-speaking market but also has considerable resources in English and offers customer support in English. It offers direct support during European business hours, with customers able to submit requests via email or through an online ticketing system. Unfortunately, response times are a little slower than what we would expect from a VPN provider, which is a concern if you’re a novice VPN user.
Having said that, the SpyOFF website contains useful FAQs, guides, and resources on setting up and using the client with different operating systems and devices. If you feel comfortable using a VPN and don’t foresee yourself needing too much one-on-one assistance, then the level of customer support should be less of a concern for you.
Ease of Use
If you’re familiar with VPNs, then the SpyOFF VPN client is easy enough to use. Beginners who have never used a VPN may need a few minutes to familiarize themselves with the settings. All the settings need to be configured manually, including selecting a server, but it’s fairly straightforward and SpyOFF’s website contains an FAQ page with answers to the most common questions.
To begin, download the client to your preferred device or devices. Choose from SpyOFF VPN client for Windows, Mac, iOS, or Android. Setup is fairly straightforward for each of the operating systems; just follow the instructions as they appear on your screen. The SpyOFF website also contains detailed guides on how to download its client correctly to the various operating systems and how to configure advanced settings.
Once installation and setup are complete, you’re free to connect to any of SpyOFF’s servers around the world. Simply select a server location and one of the 3 settings: ULTRA secure, with the highest security settings; High-speed, which removes some of the security settings in order to ensure the highest possible speeds on your chosen server; or Balanced, which, as the name suggests, strikes a balance between high speeds and securities. The best settings depend on whether high speed or high security is your priority. If you’re uncertain, or simply want the best of both worlds, select Balanced.
Bottom Line
SpyOFF is a new entrant to the VPN market. It offers the speed, privacy, and security credentials that can be expected of the best VPN players in the market. As a new player in the industry, it has fewer servers (395 at time of writing) than most of its competitors, although it covers most of the major countries—including more than 160 servers spread across 11 locations in the United States. One of SpyOFF’s main points of difference is that it offers unlimited devices under one account. Whereas some VPN providers only allow 1 device per account and others allow 5-6 devices, SpyOFF doesn’t impose any limits whatsoever.
About SpyOFF
SpyOFF is operated by Sareta S.r.l and based in San Marino. It was set up to serve English-speaking and German-speaking VPN users. According to SpyOFF, it chose to base itself in San Marino in order to protect itself against the types of government surveillance that have become commonplace in larger European countries.
