VPN reviewblog

CactusVPN Review

5 April 2023

No. 07 on our shortlist

CactusVPN at a glance

Best for Straightforward renewal pricing and Smart DNS

95/100

CactusVPN combines a VPN and Smart DNS with unlimited device support. Its published pricing includes a renewal-rate commitment for subscriptions kept active and in good standing.

Plan: $3.96/mo · 24-month plan
Billed upfront: $95.00
Renewal: $95 every two years while the subscription remains eligible for its rate guarantee
Devices: Unlimited devices
Refund: 30 days, subject to the refund-policy conditions
Privacy: CactusVPN states that it does not keep activity logs. Smart DNS is a separate feature and does not encrypt traffic like a VPN.
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux
Protocols: OpenVPN

Worth knowing

Smart DNS included
Unlimited devices
Published renewal-rate guarantee

Keep in mind

Smart DNS is not an encrypted VPN tunnel.
Read the refund conditions and the rate-guarantee eligibility rules.

Details checked 1 November 2026. Sources: Provider plans and features, Features

Visit CactusVPN

CactusVPN combines VPN apps with Smart DNS and household-wide device coverage. Protocol-specific connection limits and conditional refunds matter more than the headline guarantee.

Supported apps

CactusVPN lists apps for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Android TV and Fire TV. Smart DNS is a separate feature: changing DNS does not provide the encryption of a VPN tunnel.

Protocols and connection options

The feature list includes WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, SSTP, SoftEther, L2TP/IPsec and PPTP. Availability depends on the platform. Prefer a modern protocol such as WireGuard or OpenVPN rather than choosing the obsolete PPTP protocol simply because it appears in a compatibility list.

Company and jurisdiction

CactusVPN’s own company history says the business started in Moldova. That statement is not proof of its current contracting jurisdiction. If jurisdiction determines your choice, ask for the current legal entity and governing law before paying rather than treating a server location as the company’s legal home.

Logging and personal data

The terms say VPN activity, IP addresses, session times, bandwidth and DNS queries are not logged. They separately describe account and billing information, website analytics and fraud-prevention information, potentially including a last-login IP. Those are not the same as VPN traffic logs.

Independent audit evidence

Securitum’s public report, dated May 8, 2026, describes a white-box review of production infrastructure and no-logs controls. Its conclusion applies to the service as configured during that assessment; it is not a promise that every future version or device is free of vulnerabilities.

Devices, refunds and renewals

Personal subscriptions permit unlimited simultaneous devices within one household, not account sharing outside it. The terms limit WireGuard, IKEv2, L2TP and PPTP to one connection per server per subscription; OpenVPN, SSTP or SoftEther can be used for multiple connections. The 30-day refund applies if services do not function as advertised, with exclusions including cryptocurrency payments and unsupported sites or devices. The FAQ also excludes VPN speed complaints. The renewal-rate guarantee applies while the current subscription remains active and in good standing; customer-initiated plan changes can change the price. Confirm the billing interval and cancellation process at checkout.

Who should consider it?

Consider CactusVPN if you need both VPN and Smart DNS, but check that your exact device and intended service are supported. The written refund conditions are narrower than a general no-questions-asked guarantee.

A VPN protects traffic routed through its tunnel; it does not guarantee anonymity or replace HTTPS, secure devices and account protection.

View the provider’s offer. VPNHive may earn a commission if you purchase through this link. Check the final price and terms before paying.

Sources

CactusVPN combines a VPN and Smart DNS with unlimited device support. Its published pricing includes a renewal-rate commitment for subscriptions kept active and in good standing.

Who this VPN suits

Straightforward renewal pricing and Smart DNS. Consider the devices you use, the features you need and the length of subscription you are comfortable paying for.

Plans, pricing and renewal

$3.96 per month equivalent — 24-month plan. The quoted upfront charge is $95.00 USD. $95 every two years while the subscription remains eligible for its rate guarantee.

A monthly equivalent is the subscription charge spread across the advertised term, not a promise of monthly billing. Promotions, taxes and regional prices can change; check the complete charge and renewal terms on the provider's checkout before paying.

Devices, platforms and protocols

Unlimited devices. Platform coverage: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux. Protocol options include OpenVPN; availability can differ between apps.

Features to consider

Smart DNS included
Unlimited devices
Published renewal-rate guarantee

Privacy and practical limits

CactusVPN states that it does not keep activity logs. Smart DNS is a separate feature and does not encrypt traffic like a VPN.

A VPN protects traffic within its tunnel. It does not replace operating-system updates, strong account security or a realistic assessment of who can access your device. Router configurations and browser-only extensions can protect different traffic from a full-device VPN app.

Refund terms

30 days, subject to the refund-policy conditions. Read the provider's full policy, especially if purchasing through a third-party app store.

Before you choose

Smart DNS is not an encrypted VPN tunnel.
Read the refund conditions and the rate-guarantee eligibility rules.

Use our side-by-side VPN comparison to compare these details against your alternatives. Our VPN buying guide explains how to match a service to your needs.