ZenMate VPN Review 2024: See You on the CyberGhost Side (2024)

ZenMate was a simple and affordable VPN (virtual private network) founded in 2013. Its apps mirrored CyberGhost's, albeit with fewer advanced features. Despite its initial popularity, ZenMate couldn't keep up with the bigger VPN providers. This inevitably led to security problems and its merger with CyberGhost in 2023.

Find out more in our full ZenMate VPN review below.

ZenMate VPN review at a glance

Who was ZenMate VPN best for?

• Recommended for cost-conscious users

ZenMate VPN was a mixed bag. It was cheap but had privacy and security issues. It was located in Germany but maintained a full no-logs policy. It also failed our DNS leak test. It supported unlimited simultaneous connections but couldn't reliably unblock Netflix U.S.

On paper, it was a decent option for people looking to save money on a VPN. However, it had too many issues to provide good value for the price (low as it may be). ZenMate users were transitioned to CyberGhost VPN, which is a far superior service.

ZenMate VPN pros and cons

ZenMate VPN prices and subscriptions

ZenMate VPN had three subscription plans, with the 3-year option starting at $1.51/mo. NordVPN and Surfshark start at $3.99/mo and $2.29/mo, respectively, but they offer a lot more for the price. So, ZenMate was a good option if you were looking for a simple VPN on a budget. Its 7-day free trial further added to its affordability.

ZenMate VPN cost

ZenMate VPN features

ZenMate had good speeds, a decent VPN server network, a no-logs policy, and unlimited simultaneous connections. That said, it lacked features like split tunneling and was headquartered in an Eyes Alliance country. Most importantly, it leaked DNS requests, which defeats the purpose of using a VPN.

Server count and countries

• 4,800+ servers in 80+ countries

ZenMate VPN servers had a decent coverage of 80+ countries. This combination of physical and virtual servers ensured good speeds and stability. ZenMate VPN apps had real-time info about server load and your distance from them. This allowed you to pick the fastest option for your location and avoid server crowding.

If you had trouble finding the best ZenMate VPN servers, it could pick the best options automatically. Furthermore, you could create a list of favorites for quicker access.

ZenMate had optimized streaming servers, which unlocked many popular platforms. Oddly enough, this list didn't show the distance and server load info. It also offered servers optimized for secure torrenting.

Keeping up a good server network and battling VPN filters on streaming platforms is likely one of the reasons ZenMate had to merge with CyberGhost.

No-logs policy and headquarters

• ZenMate VPN logs policy: No logs
• ZenMate VPN headquarters: Germany

Germany, ZenMate’s home base, is a member of the Eyes alliance. However, the company maintained a firm no-logs policy throughout its existence. It only logged your email and payment info and used some harmless cookies and analytics tools. In other words, they didn't record your IP address, browsing activity, VPN connection timestamps, etc. As such, it didn't have any dangerous info to hand over, even if the German government asked for it.

During installation, you could share some anonymous data with ZenMate. Fortunately, you also had the option to refuse.

If you’re looking for VPNs with a similar privacy-first approach, check out our list of the best no-logs VPNs.

Security features

Apart from P2P and streaming servers, ZenMate was a bare-bones VPN. It had no advanced features like split tunneling, a dedicated IP, or malware protection. Here are some of its prominent security features:

• Kill switch: An automatic kill switch prevents data leaks by blocking your internet connection when you lose your VPN connection.
• VPN protocols: ZenMate supported OpenVPN and IKEv2 tunnels. OpenVPN is a great all-round choice for general users; it provides the best balance of speed, security, and stability. IKEv2 is ideal for mobile users, thanks to its unique reconnection capabilities. ZenMate never incorporated WireGuard.
• DNS leak protection: This feature was supposed to prevent DNS leaks. It didn’t work during our testing.

Our experience with ZenMate VPN

ZenMate VPN was easy to download, install, and launch. Activating the free trial was a one-click process. Both desktop and mobile apps were simple with a beginner-friendly interface.

Connecting to a server took only a few seconds, depending on the location. We liked how ZenMate’s client had all the basic options on the home screen. You didn’t need to delve into any submenus or hidden tabs.

ZenMate VPN test results

During our hands-on testing for this ZenMate review, we checked its speed, geo-unblocking capabilities, and security setup. It passed our performance tests but failed to keep our DNS requests private.

Speed tests

• ZenMate VPN speed test results: ZenMate VPN passed our speed tests.

We tested ZenMate VPN’s speed on a MacBook Pro against a benchmark of 106.60 Mbps download, 66.91 Mbps upload, and an 8 ms ping. Upon activating ZenMate VPN, we experienced a slight decrease in download speeds, but Netflix streaming remained smooth.

However, we did experience some lag using Zoom and noted an increase in latency to 117 ms. These dips are typical when using VPNs, and ZenMate’s were marginal enough to pass the test.

ZenMate VPN speed test results

ZenMate VPN Netflix tests

• ZenMate VPN Netflix test results: ZenMate VPN successfully unblocked Netflix in the U.S., EU, Canada, and Australia.

You can watch Netflix with ZenMate VPN in multiple regions without lag or buffering. During our tests, it successfully unblocked content on Netflix in the U.S., EU, Canada, and Australia. However, it couldn’t unblock Netflix U.S. from Europe for us.

ZenMate VPN Netflix test results

DNS and WebRTC leak tests

• ZenMate VPN DNS leak test results: ZenMate VPN failed our DNS leak tests
• ZenMate VPN WebRTC leak test results: ZenMate VPN passed our WebRTC leak test.

DNS (Domain Name System) translates plain-language website names into IP addresses. A DNS leak test checks if the VPN is routing your internet traffic through your chosen DNS. ZenMate VPN failed this test, potentially revealing our activity and compromising our privacy.

WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communication) optimizes communication between browsers, reducing video, audio, and streaming latency. A WebRTC leak will make your real IP visible, which is a significant security risk. Fortunately, that didn’t happen during our ZenMate testing.

ZenMate VPN compatibility

ZenMate had native apps for the following platforms and systems:

• Windows
• MacOS
• Linux
• Android
• iOS

It also had Chrome, Firefox, Opera, and Edge browser extensions. Users with some technical knowledge were able to set it up via OpenVPN on DD-WRT-compatible routers.

ZenMate VPN customer support

ZenMate had decent customer service with on-site FAQs, setup guides, and live chat and email support. You were able to submit a ticket through the VPN client or your private dashboard on the site. The response times ranged from 24 hours to a couple of days.

If you’re a ZenMate user with time left on your subscription, note that CyberGhost can’t handle your requests. You’ll still have to contact ZenMate’s customer support team to solve your problems.

ZenMate VPN alternatives

When choosing a VPN, it’s wise to examine a few options to select the product that offers the right features, security, and pricing for you. We recommend the following services:

• NordVPN has passed all our tests with flying colors. It uses the best protocols, doesn’t leak your private data, and has a strict no-logs policy. It operates 6,300+ servers in 111 countries, unblocks Netflix, and has P2P-optimized servers. It can also block malware, ads, and trackers.

  Get NordVPN | Read NordVPN Review

• Surfshark is a lightning-fast VPN service that supports unlimited simultaneous connections. It supports WireGuard, doesn’t keep logs, and prevents data leaks. Like NordVPN, it can block malicious sites, trackers, and ads. Surfshark offers the best value for money in the VPN market.

  Get Surfshark | Read Surfshark Review

• ExpressVPN: ExpressVPN is the most expensive alternative to ZenMate but also the best option for VPN beginners. Like ZenMate, it offers excellent speeds and a strict no-logs policy. Unlike ZenMate, however, it delivers uncompromising security and privacy, a base in a VPN-friendly country, and loads of extra features.

  Get ExpressVPN | Read ExpressVPN Review

ZenMate VPN FAQs

Bottom line: Was ZenMate VPN good?

ZenMate VPN was a beginner-friendly service with a lot of potential and some glaring flaws. It was a bare-bones VPN with a good selection of servers optimized for streaming and torrenting. It was stable, dished out good speeds, supported solid protocols, and maintained a firm no-logs policy. On the other hand, it didn’t have any advanced features, and it leaked DNS requests during our testing. It was also headquartered in Germany, which is not a VPN-friendly place.

All in all, we were sorry to see ZenMate go, with all its unrealized potential. However, even if it were still active, we’d recommend using one of these best VPN services instead.