CactusVPN Review
CactusVPN is a small Moldovan provider whose bundled Smart DNS is the real attraction: unblock streaming at full speed on devices that cannot run a VPN app.
Review last updated 2026-08-20 · How we rate providers
Scorecard
Pros
- Bundles a Smart DNS service that unblocks streaming without the VPN overhead
- Wide protocol support including SoftEther and SSTP
- Small, responsive company with personal support
- Moldovan jurisdiction outside the Eyes alliances
Cons
- Tiny network of roughly 35 servers in 22 countries
- No audit, no obfuscation, no multi-hop
- Speeds suffer on distant connections
- Free trial is only 24 hours
Privacy, jurisdiction & audits
Who the company answers to legally, what it keeps, and whether anyone independent has checked.
| Legal jurisdiction | Moldova outside 5/9/14 Eyes |
|---|---|
| Logging policy | No-logs claimed, no public audit |
| Independent audits | None published |
| RAM-only servers | - |
| Warrant canary | - |
| Anonymous payment | Crypto accepted |
CactusVPN plans & pricing
Advertised rates as of August 20, 2026. VPN promo rates normally require the prepaid term shown and renew at the higher rate; proxy pricing falls with volume. Confirm on CactusVPN's own site before buying.
| Plan | Price | Devices | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| MonthlyConsumer VPN | $6.99/momonthly | 6 | |
| AnnualConsumer VPN | $3.50/mo12 mo prepay | 6 | |
| 2-year planConsumer VPN | $2.70/mo24 mo prepay | 6 |
Features
Our CactusVPN review
CactusVPN's useful trick is the Smart DNS service bundled with every plan. Smart DNS reroutes only the parts of a connection that determine your apparent region, leaving the rest of your traffic untouched, so streaming plays at full speed and works on smart TVs and consoles that will never run a VPN client.
The VPN side is modest. Around 35 servers in 22 countries is very small, and while WireGuard keeps nearby connections fast, distant ones suffer. Protocol support is unusually broad for a provider this size, including SoftEther and SSTP.
This is a small company and it feels like one in a good way: support replies are personal and technically competent. It is also a small company in the ways that matter less well, with no audit, no warrant canary and limited engineering resources.
Streaming is the strong suit, with Netflix, BBC iPlayer and Hulu working through the Smart DNS or dedicated servers. Torrenting is allowed on P2P-specific servers.
Worth considering if you want streaming unblocking on TV hardware alongside a basic VPN. Not the right pick if broad server coverage or verified privacy is your goal.
Notable facts
- Smart DNS is included with every VPN plan
- Supports SoftEther and SSTP as well as WireGuard
- Based in Moldova, outside the Eyes alliances
At a glance
| Founded | 2011 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Chisinau, Moldova |
| Service types | Consumer VPN |
| Servers | 35 |
| Country coverage | 22 |
| Protocols | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, SoftEther, SSTP |
| Apps | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Fire TV, Router |
| Streaming unblocked | Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu |
| Starting price | $2.70/mo |
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days |
| Free trial | 1 days |
| Free tier | No |
| Support | chat, email |
Frequently asked questions
What is Smart DNS?
A service that changes only the DNS lookups that reveal your region, so streaming platforms show a different catalog without encrypting or slowing the rest of your traffic. It offers no privacy protection, only geo-shifting.
Is CactusVPN's network big enough?
It is one of the smallest in this directory at around 35 servers. If you need coverage in specific far-off countries, look elsewhere.
Does CactusVPN allow torrenting?
Yes, on designated P2P servers rather than the whole network.
Bottom line
CactusVPN is a small Moldovan provider whose bundled Smart DNS is the real attraction: unblock streaming at full speed on devices that cannot run a VPN app.
Check current CactusVPN pricing →
