Though not quite up with the market leaders, this GooseVPN review looked at a relatively new Dutch service provider that impressed in a few areas.
Although it still lacks in some areas and doesn’t have the most extensive network. Here we’ll get down to the nitty-gritty and see if it’s any good for Australia.
30-day money back guarantee
Pros
Cons
The service doesn’t come with many features built-in, which are available as standard in alternatives.
However, for the cost of $0.83 per month, you can include Anti-virus Anti-phishing, Anti-malware, and extra firewall protection.
The firm appears to have concentrated on speeds and unblocking geo-restricted content with a limited feature set that includes no split-tunnelling either.
With US Netflix being accessed, it was shocking to find they couldn’t unblock Netflix in the UK. This isn’t to say it occurs for every user and is worth checking to make sure.
Torrenting is also well supported on their dedicated P2P servers, placed in countries that aren’t inside any 5-eyes jurisdiction.
GooseVPN Pricing
Goose VPN has 1 package with varying sign-up options. One difference they do offer against many rivals is the chance to sign up for a restricted package.
This limits users to 50GB per month, albeit for a lower rate. You can see how it compares below:
| 1 Month | $2.99 | Billed Monthly with 50GB Cap |
| 1 Month | $12.99 | Billed Monthly with Unlimited Cap |
| Yearly | $4.99 | Billed as $59.98 Annually |
All of the Goose packages are free to try for 30-days, and there is the chance to test the system before you pay.
You need to enter payment details at this point, so if you are not happy with their product, you need to cancel before your trial VPN 30-days is over.
Payments options aren’t the largest, and they accept PayPal, iDeal, Mint (prepaid card for annual subscriptions only), and major credit cards.
At present, there is no GooseVPN discount code, but if the service is for you, then a 30-day free and a 12-month sign up can be as good as any discount.
Key Features
Servers
Goose doesn’t have the most significant server network and has placements in over 30 countries, but this number increases. A lot of this is because Goose is quite new, so their network size can only improve.
Their servers are split into P2P servers, which are placed around Europe, Streaming servers strategically placed for geo-unblocking and the remaining ones with diverse locations.
Protocol Support
OpenVPN, IKEv2, PPTP, and L2TP/IPSec protocols are on offer, but it depends on the OS you’re using. The defaults are L2TP and IKEv2, which are standard, and OpenVPN might be an option if you use Windows 10 upward.
DNS Service
GooseVPN doesn’t offer a DNS service.
Platforms Supported
Windows, Mac OS, iOS, Android, and various routers. For a new VPN, the breadth of device support is honourable for Goose and is more than some long-running providers.
With manual set-up, you can configure the client to run on Linux, Synology, Chrome OS, and Raspberry Pi3.
The Android and iOS apps are similar to the Windows client in looks and operation.
Device Support
Unlike most other VPN services, Goose allows unlimited connections on your devices. This was double-checked with the support staff, who confirmed this was correct. However, there is a ban on account sharing, so asking the neighbour to pay half won’t work.
Privacy and Security
The biggest concern was the differing security protocols being used depending on the device and OS being used.
But, during testing, there were no DNS leaks. Much of this lock-down is thanks to them using RSA-2048, and although not as strong as others who use RSA-4098 bit keys, it is more than enough to keep you secure.
As for logging, the company claims they have a zero-logging policy, as per the VPN definition. And while it doesn’t log your IP address when you connect, they do register your IP address when you sign up as a one-time thing.
Bandwidth is also recorded during sessions, so it is possible they can trace back to you. Still, as the company is based in Holland, they protect privacy but are under pressure to do something about piracy.
Ease of Use
Sign-Up
This is straightforward and comparable with some market leaders. In 3 simple steps:
- Pick the package
- Create an account & checkout
- Download Client and install
Setup and User Interface
After installation, you are taken to the main login interface. Log in, and then you’ll be presented with a large Off Switch.
When you click on it, you are then taken to an optimal server. This is enough in most privacy cases, but if you are looking at US Netflix or torrenting, you need to switch the router to one of the dedicated ones.
This is quickly done from the server drop-down menu. At the same time, you might change the protocol to OpenVPN if it isn’t enabled.
Advanced Features
30-day money-back guarantee
As standard, there are not many advanced features. The ones which are available come with a small monthly charge, as mentioned. You can auto-connect, disable the smart server list, and enable the kill switch in the client. It would be good if this were enabled by default.
One feature they do have is, they can be integrated into Kodi. This, though, might not be of much use if you are looking to protect the entire device connection rather than one app.
Browser Extensions
Goose at present only offers a browser extension for Google Chrome. This is almost identical to the Windows client in looks and operation and their other mobile apps.
Performance and Servers
Speed Test
It was a surprise that Goose’s speeds ran at around 50 to 75% of unprotected speeds with a small network. This could be one of the firm’s most significant selling points. However, the ping wasn’t the quickest, so for online gamers, it might not be an ideal scenario. (Read Watch EPL In Australia)
Customer Service
Customer service is excellent, and this is a change in an industry that is well known for not fully supporting its customers. Goose has 24/7 365 support which is responded to within 3-hours regardless of the question.
They responded via the live chat in seconds; however, technical ability is limited.
Is this the VPN service for you?
They compared too many other VPN’s on the market. Goose does offer a viable alternative to many who are placed inside the top 10. In some ways, you can see they have mirrored the best VPN for Australia. Express VPN, but for full features they lack, and with a price which isn’t marginally different.
At present, with the feature set and network size they have, with the Netflix unblocker, they are worth checking out for the first month.
If you are a light streaming user and can cope with the limited data package, you can still download movie torrents on the odd occasion and not reach your limit.
For a family, though, it would take the full package to benefit, but then you are hit by what they don’t offer. A good option, and better than many, although you might find the service lacking for heavy use.
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