VPN Recommendations and Discussion

[Dannie Boy]

Two comments regarding VPN’s - first is that I’m still very satisfied with the Nord system - no major issues at all and speed wise it seems to be much better that I was experiencing with Express, although that also coincides with a new internet connection so could be a bit of both? Interestingly I’ve just received an invitation from Express to renew with them at a 35% discount, but that still makes them double the cost of Nord!!

[Big Boy]

I'm still watching with interest, and will most certainly swap at renewal time.

Incidentally, I haven't had a single issue since Express sorted themselves out when we were discussing before, but I don't see any point in paying double for the same level of service,

[Dannie Boy]

Most of the “independent” reviews on VPN service providers, tend to have Express or Nord as best, so there probably isn’t much between either, other than cost!!

[GroveHillWanderer]

Is anybody else having problems with NordVPN recently? I'm finding it no longer works with BBC iPlayer or ITVX on my Amazon Firestick 4K - although Channel 4, My5 and UKTV play still work. BBC iPlayer doesn't work on my Android TV OS devices either (can't use ITVX on those).

It's also still OK on my Android tablet and on my Windows PC.

Also, is anyone using SurfShark and if so, how is it going? For me, it was still working when I let the subscription lapse because I'd already subscribed to NordVPN and at that time, Nord was still OK.

Now that NordVPN has become "iffy" for me, I'm thinking of switching back to SurfShark but I'd be interested to hear if anyone has any recent experience with it.

[Dannie Boy]

I’m using Nord via a laptop connected to my TV and normally I use Firefox. Most of the time it’s faultless although occasionally (like last night) I had to change between London and Manchester to get it working. I’m 20 odd minutes into watching Silent Witness on iPlayer and so far it’s been fine


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[derek60]

iPlayer working fine on my Firestick, with NordVPN

apart from occasional pauses, i don't know if this is our internet or VPN

Is anybody else having problems with NordVPN recently? I'm finding it no longer works with BBC iPlayer or ITVX on my Amazon Firestick 4K - although Channel 4, My5 and UKTV play still work. BBC iPlayer doesn't work on my Android TV OS devices either (can't use ITVX on those).

It's also still OK on my Android tablet and on my Windows PC.

Also, is anyone using SurfShark and if so, how is it going? For me, it was still working when I let the subscription lapse because I'd already subscribed to NordVPN and at that time, Nord was still OK.

Now that NordVPN has become "iffy" for me, I'm thinking of switching back to SurfShark but I'd be interested to hear if anyone has any recent experience with it.

[Big Boy]

After several months of faultless working, Express VPN started playing up again last night. Trying to access iPlayer. Is anybody else experiencing the same please?

Dannie Boy, I'm particularly interested in how you are being affected, if at all.

[404cameljockey]

I've used WiTopia's PersonalVPN since 2007. They are not the cheapest (not a Cheap Charlie although I'm poor 555) but their instant online service support is superb, and I've never been let down (they couldn't crack NZTV but promised to keep trying!). They issue a custom VPN server address for iPlayer and ITVX as their main UK servers don't work. Very simple to set up in 20 seconds or so, just talk to their online chat.

[404cameljockey]

After several months of faultless working, Express VPN started playing up again last night. Trying to access iPlayer. Is anybody else experiencing the same please?

Dannie Boy, I'm particularly interested in how you are being affected, if at all.

BBC may have extended their range of blocked IP addresses. They monitor the VPN companies.

[Dannie Boy]

After several months of faultless working, Express VPN started playing up again last night. Trying to access iPlayer. Is anybody else experiencing the same please?

Dannie Boy, I'm particularly interested in how you are being affected, if at all.

I didn’t use it last night but by and large Nord works seamlessly


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[PeteC]

Those who may be cancelling Express, make sure you go in and turn off "Automatic Renew". I turned it off 2 months ago and received "sorry to see you go...", and yesterday found out they didn't turn it off and it was set to auto renew again in July. I once again turned it off and deleted my credit card info.

[Big Boy]

17th July is when I need to activate Nord. I see there are 3 packages, and I'm thinking Basic is good for my needs. What are the benefits in going to Plus or Complete? I see even Complete comes in at just over half the price of Express VPN. I certainly can't see much benefit in Complete.

The page is also talking about a Saily eSIM data gift - what is that all about please? I already have unlimited high speed internet on my phone in Thailand, and I don't intend more than maybe 5 days outside of Thailand anytime soon, so I'm guessing it would be a pretty useless gift to me.

[buksida]

Need to see the packages to explain what the differences are. Also interested as I'll be switching when my Express runs out in August.

An eSIM is a type of SIM card that is embedded directly into a device, only top-end phones have them.

More on those here: viewtopic.php?t=41475

[Big Boy]

LOL - that most definitely excludes my phone then. I'll take the eSIM and donate it to a worthy traveller with a top end phone

[Dannie Boy]

I think I took just the basic package which at the time cost £77.42 incl VAT for 2 years cover on up to 6 devices - looks like about the same price still for up to 10 devices


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