CactusVPN VPN Features 2026

Features that set CactusVPN apart

CactusVPN is built to be easy to use and good value — ideal for beginners, budget users and people who want foreign content without complex configuration. Its standouts are speed-preserving Smart DNS, the per-app Apps.Killer, one of the widest protocol line-ups, and unlimited simultaneous devices on a single account.

• Smart DNS unblocks 340+ streaming services without full encryption, so speed stays at full
• Apps.Killer closes only chosen apps on disconnect rather than the whole device
• Unlimited simultaneous devices per account
• One of the broadest protocol selections on the market — 7 protocols
• 24-hour free trial (no card) plus a 30-day money-back guarantee
• Company based in Moldova, outside the 14-Eyes alliance

Smart DNS: unblock streaming without losing speed

The heart of CactusVPN is Smart DNS, which works differently from a normal VPN. Instead of encrypting and routing all traffic through a tunnel (which slows things down), Smart DNS reroutes only the parts needed for geo-detection, so you can watch HD streaming with almost no speed loss.

• Unblocks 340+ services and sites worldwide
• Great for Smart TVs, game consoles and Fire TV that can't run a VPN client
• Full speed — no whole-connection encryption overhead
• Included in the plan at no extra cost

Apps.Killer: a per-app kill switch

CactusVPN has a standard kill switch that cuts the internet when the VPN drops, but its signature feature is Apps.Killer, which lets you close only specified apps on disconnect rather than the whole device. For example, set it to close only your torrent client or browser while other apps keep running, with DNS leak protection on every query.

• Apps.Killer closes only chosen apps, leaving the rest untouched
• A standard whole-device kill switch is also available
• DNS leak protection forces every query through the VPN

Easy for beginners

CactusVPN is designed to get started fast: the app has a single connect button and an easy-to-read server list, ideal for first-time VPN users. Beyond Windows, macOS, iOS and Android, there's a Fire TV app and Chrome/Firefox browser extensions that toggle on and off in one click.

Free trial & guarantee

CactusVPN offers a 24-hour free trial with no credit card required, so you can test speed and streaming unblocking from Thailand before deciding. When you subscribe, there's also a 30-day money-back guarantee — low risk for anyone still unsure.

• 24-hour free trial, no card required
• 30-day money-back guarantee
• Unlimited bandwidth on every server

Unlimited devices & platforms

One of CactusVPN's best-value points is support for unlimited simultaneous devices per account, so a family or small team can share one subscription. There are apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android and Fire TV, plus browser extensions and router configuration — and every server doubles as a free proxy at no extra cost.

• Windows / macOS / iOS / Android
• Fire TV + Chrome/Firefox extensions
• Routers and Smart DNS for devices that can't run the app
• Unlimited simultaneous devices per account

Split tunneling

CactusVPN supports split tunneling so a banking app can use your local IP while a browser streams foreign content over the VPN.

One of the widest protocol line-ups

CactusVPN supports up to 7 protocols — more than the usual WireGuard/OpenVPN pair most VPNs offer. This helps when a network blocks one protocol: you can switch to SoftEther or SSTP, which disguises itself as HTTPS traffic, to get through.

• WireGuard — fastest
• OpenVPN — balances security and compatibility
• IKEv2 — stable on mobile
• SoftEther — flexible and good at passing firewalls
• SSTP — disguises as HTTPS to pass corporate firewalls
• L2TP/IPSec
• PPTP (legacy, for older devices)

Network & jurisdiction

CactusVPN has servers in 25 countries covering popular streaming destinations across the US, Europe and Asia, with unlimited bandwidth and stable connections on every server. The company is based in Moldova, which sits outside the 5/9/14-Eyes surveillance alliances, and it follows a no-logs policy.

• Servers in 25 countries
• Jurisdiction: Moldova (outside 14-Eyes)
• No-logs policy