Symlex is a pretty basic VPN service that caters to users who have minimal needs. It has military-grade encryption and it supports various protocols, including OpenVPN. While it might be a decent option for users with modest requirements, like streaming US Netflix content, it did not leave much of an impression on me, except its dart cheap.
The VPN supports P2P file sharing and torrenting on select servers, and it has a relatively small server pool. However, since the company is registered in Bangladesh and South Africa, you don’t have to worry about the prying eyes of the American, Canadian, English, or Australian authorities. If you are looking for a no-frills VPN service, read on as I have extensively reviewed the low-cost VPN here below.
Pros & cons
Features at a glance
The VPN service, which comes from Dhaka, Bangladesh based Kolpolok Limited, is a security-focused one. It supports various security protocols, and has got DNS leak protection for safeguarding user security against possible DNS attacks. The best part, as I feel it, is that the VPN uses military-grade encryption, which makes sure that the user data remains secure even on public networks.
Another great feature I found in the low-cost VPN is the in-built ad-blocker, which even some of the pricier and more popular VPNs like VyprVPN do not have. You don’t have to install any third-party app to block irritating ads, the pop-ups and redirects we all have come across at least once in our life.
Also, just in case you are concerned about authorities keeping an eye on your internet activities, the VPN is based out of the anglosphere intelligence alliance which comprises of countries with deep surveillance mechanism and stringent laws, namely Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Features table
Location | Dhaka, Bangladesh |
No-log policy | |
Hiding IP | |
Kill-switch | |
Max connections | 5 |
Total servers | 180 |
Server locations | 95 |
Compatible devices | Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS |
TOR support | |
Torrenting | |
Netflix | |
Does it work in China? | |
Servers’ speed (overall) | Fast |
Usability | Easy to use |
Customer support | Live chat 24/7, email support and setup tutorial available |
Website | https://symlexvpn.com/ |
Does it score well on social media and forums?
Symlex has gathered a lot of positive feedback across online forums and social media platforms. I found on X (formerly Twitter.com) that users from UAE and Pakistan have lauded it for its ability to bypass geo-restrictions and opening up internet access for them. Many users also praised it for its ease of use and steady performance. As I continued exploring their comments and impressions, I found that most users from these regions find it a reliable choice for general browsing and streaming.
However, some users on Reddit are skeptical about its origins as well. The company is based in Bangladesh, a country which has undergone political turmoil and civil unrest in recent years, and that led many users to question its privacy practices. Also, the VPN lacks advanced features and functionalities such as port forwarding, which disappointed many advanced users, as I found it on Reddit.
To put it in a nutshell, while users from certain regions find it useful for its effectiveness in unblocking geo-restricted content in the respective areas, there is an air of skepticism which you cannot just brush aside. I found that it’s especially popular among enthusiast-level users, but is not a preferred option among more advanced users.
Is it a user-favorite on review sites?
Users on social media sites share a wide range of content, including opinions about software services, in a casual tone. In contrast, specific user review sites are where you can find well-structured feedback from users who know a thing or two about VPNs. Hence, I turned to TrustPilot, which is one of the largest platforms for independent user reviews and opinions.
I eventually discovered that the general sentiment about Symlex on TrustPilot is a positive one. Many users appreciate it for its strong and stable network. A good number of them also praised the customer support team of Symlex for quick responses, ability to resolve issues and to answer specific product-related queries. This positive sentiment about its customer support resonated across multiple customer reviews.
Features comparison table with competitors
Feature | Symlex VPN | NordVPN | IPVanish VPN | SurfShark VPN |
No-log policy | (independently audited) | (independently audited) | (independently audited) | |
Kill-switch | (system-wide) | (hard and soft options) | ||
Number of devices supported with 1 license | 5 | 6-10 devices | unlimited | unlimited |
Server locations (number of countries) | 95 | 60 | 75 | 100 |
Number of servers | 180 | 6000 | 2200 | 3200 |
Torrents support | (selected servers) | (all servers) | ||
Netflix support | (mainly US) | |||
Encryption type | AES-256-bit | AES-256-bit | AES-256-bit | AES-256-bit |
Customer support | Live Chat, Email, WhatsApp | 24/7 Live Chat | 24/7 Live Chat | 24/7 Live Chat |
Trial version | ||||
Split tunneling | (advanced options) | |||
Multi-hop | (Double VPN) |
Should You Use Symlex VPN?
Symlex VPN, in my opinion, is one of the most cost-effective services at this moment. It has all the essential features you would usually find in high-end VPN software products, including a kill switch, 256-bit encryption, Netflix and Torrent support. Since it’s based in Dhaka, Bangladesh, where the data retention laws are not strict, I think it’s a great option for privacy-concerned users.
The VPN also has split tunneling and multi-hop, but you can only use it on 5 devices simultaneously. While it’s not ideal for business uses, and it doesn’t have a wide server network like NordVPN, IPVanish or SurfShark, I strongly recommend it to basic users looking for a decent VPN for streaming and browsing.