BolehVPN Review: Our Honest Opinion

I’ve been reviewing VPN services for years, testing everything from the biggest names to the lesser-known gems in the industry. Today, I want to share my experience with BolehVPN, a provider that often flies under the radar but promises solid privacy and security. 

This review offers my honest take on BolehVPN’s strengths and weaknesses, from VPN protocols and server speeds to user experience and streaming performance. By the end, you’ll know if it’s the right choice or if there’s a better option for your needs.

Who is BolehVPN?

Established in 2007, this Malaysian-based VPN provider has carved a niche in Southeast Asia and beyond. Operating under the jurisdiction of Seychelles, BolehVPN offers a blend of robust security features and user-centric policies.

Reuben Yap founded BolehVPN as a local initiative to counteract internet censorship and throttling by ISPs. Over the years, it has become a reputable VPN provider known for its transparency and dedication to internet freedom.

Table of Contents

1. Quick Summary: Is BolehVPN a Good Choice?
2. Understanding BolehVPN: Key Features
3. Pricing and Value for Money
4. Evaluating BolehVPN Customer Support
5. Best BolehVPN Alternatives
6. Final Thoughts

1. Quick Summary: Is BolehVPN a Good Choice?

If you’re pressed for time and want the essential insights, here’s a quick breakdown of my experience with BolehVPN. I’ve graded each category based on a five-point scale to highlight where BolehVPN excels and where it can be improved.

BolehVPN does a solid job regarding privacy and security, which is crucial if your top priority is anonymity. Its user interface is straightforward, making it beginner-friendly and hassle-free. However, it may be problematic for torrenting, streaming, or gamers.

I recommend BolehVPN primarily for users who prioritize privacy and can tolerate occasional speed compromises.

Positive Highlights:

• Solid encryption protocols and a trustworthy no-logs policy.
• Straightforward and intuitive app design.
• Support quality is adequate.

2. Understanding BolehVPN: Key Features

I aim to give you a clear picture of what it feels like to use BolehVPN daily. I’ve tested each aspect thoroughly and will share my thoughts on how it performed for my needs. 

a. Privacy and Security

When choosing a VPN, my top priority is always security and privacy. BolehVPN impressed me with its robust AES-256 encryption, strong OpenVPN protocol support, and strict no-logs policy, ensuring your online activity stays confidential.

Additionally, BolehVPN utilizes Perfect Forward Secrecy (PFS), which enhances security by generating unique session keys for each connection. This means that even if one session key were compromised, it wouldn’t affect the security of past or future sessions.

BolehVPN asserts a no-logs policy, indicating it doesn’t monitor or store your online activities. However, its privacy policy allows for temporary logging under specific circumstances, such as when investigating suspicious behavior.

b. Server Network and Locations

I wish BolehVPN offered more in this area. With VPN servers in just over a dozen countries, including popular locations like the US, Canada, and Germany, your options are limited compared to larger providers. Additionally, it fields a mere 65 servers in total.

In my experience, speeds were decent, though noticeably inconsistent depending on my chosen server. If global coverage or consistently high speeds are essential to you, you might find BolehVPN’s server network frustratingly restrictive.

c. User Interface and Experience

While it offers a range of customizable settings that tech-savvy users might appreciate, the BolehVPN app’s overall design feels outdated. It may present a steeper learning curve for those accustomed to more streamlined VPN interfaces.​

Upon launching the app, you’re greeted with a dashboard that displays various connection details and account information. However, abundant text and buttons can make the interface cluttered and potentially overwhelming.

While comprehensive, the settings themselves lack clear explanations, which might necessitate additional research or consultation with external guides to fully understand and utilize them effectively.

d. Streaming and Torrenting Capabilities

Streaming performance is mixed. During my tests, BolehVPN sometimes managed to unblock platforms like Netflix and BBC iPlayer, but at other times, streaming was either unreliable or blocked completely. 

Torrenting, on the other hand, worked smoothly, with secure peer-to-peer connections and solid speeds. If torrenting anonymously is your main requirement, BolehVPN won’t disappoint. But for consistent streaming, you might want to look at alternative providers.

3. Pricing and Value for Money

When choosing a VPN, I always consider whether the price aligns with what I’m getting. BolehVPN offers several subscription plans. However, its pricing is slightly odd compared to most international service providers.

BolehVPN currently offers the following options:

• 7-day subscription: ~$3.70
• 1-month subscription: ~$9.99
• 6-month subscription: ~$7.50/month
• 1-year subscription: ~$6.66/month

Typically, VPN service providers’ pricing drops as your subscription length increases. This tactic is fair for getting users into longer commitments. However, BolehVPN’s pricing is lower than average for short-term subscriptions while offering less of a bargain for longer terms.

For example, a monthly term subscription costs around $9.99, whereas big names like Surfshark and NordVPN go for $15.45/mo and $12.99/mo, respectively.

However, BolehVPN charges $6.66/mo for the most extended subscription term, significantly higher than Surfshark and NordVPN. Those VPNs offer much better value, with two-year plans costing $1.99/mo and $3.09/mo, respectively.

4. Evaluating BolehVPN Customer Support

My customer support experience with BolehVPN was mixed. They offer two main support channels: a ticketing system and a community forum. Unfortunately, unlike some competitors, there isn’t a live chat option.

During my tests, responses to my support tickets typically came within 12 to 24 hours, which isn’t terrible but also isn’t ideal when you’re stuck mid-task or need quick troubleshooting. On the plus side, the answers I received were clear, detailed, and helpful.

Their knowledge base and forum are decent resources, but they are somewhat outdated and less comprehensive than what you might find at NordVPN or ExpressVPN. If you’re a self-starter who doesn’t mind digging around for solutions, you’ll manage fine. 

5. Best BolehVPN Alternatives

If you’re finding BolehVPN doesn’t quite match your expectations, I’ve tested and recommend these three VPN alternatives many times over the past years: 

a. NordVPN – Best for Robust Security and Fast Speeds

NordVPN has long been my go-to VPN, primarily because it perfectly balances high-level security with consistently fast speeds. It offers over 7,000 servers across nearly 60 countries, significantly surpassing BolehVPN’s limited coverage. 

In my experience, NordVPN reliably unblocks major streaming services, including Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video. I also appreciate its excellent customer support, including a responsive, knowledgeable live chat service. (Read my full NordVPN Review)

Why choose NordVPN?

• Extensive global server network.
• Excellent speeds and reliable streaming.
• Strong, trustworthy no-logs policy.
• Third-party security and privacy audited.

b. Surfshark – Best for Budget-Conscious Users

Surfshark stands out with affordable pricing without compromising on quality. One feature I love is its support for unlimited simultaneous connections—perfect if you want to secure multiple devices at once or share a subscription with family members.

While slightly smaller than NordVPN’s network, Surfshark still provides access to over 3,200 servers in 100 countries. My streaming tests with Surfshark were reliable, offering smooth access to Netflix, Disney+, and other major services. (Read my full Surfshark Review)

Why choose Surfshark?

• Affordable pricing and exceptional value.
• Unlimited simultaneous device connections.
• Good streaming reliability and solid speeds.

c. ExpressVPN – Most Reliable Sevice Quality

ExpressVPN is the premium choice, offering the most reliable performance, excellent speeds, and seamless streaming capabilities. In my tests, it effortlessly handled HD and even 4K streaming, unblocking nearly every streaming service I’ve tried.

ExpressVPN’s server network includes over 3,000 servers in 94 countries, ensuring excellent global coverage. The intuitive, polished apps and outstanding 24/7 live chat support enhance the premium experience. (Read my full ExpressVPN Review)

Why choose ExpressVPN?

• Premium streaming performance and speeds.
• Extensive global server coverage.
• Exceptional, responsive customer support.
• Consistent experience across its entire server network.

6. Final Thoughts

After thoroughly evaluating BolehVPN, weighing both my positive experiences and frustrations, here’s my honest takeaway:

BolehVPN excels in privacy and security. If you, like me, value anonymity above all else, you’ll find BolehVPN quite reliable. Another strength is its simple, user-friendly interface, which makes it an excellent choice.

However, I encountered limitations that might be dealbreakers for some. The smaller server network can lead to inconsistent speeds, and its performance for streaming services was hit-or-miss during my tests. 

The biggest drawback, though, is its higher pricing on extended subscription lengths, which makes many competitors a much better value-for-money deal.