YandexVPN is a free-to-use utility from the Yandex team. This convenient and easy-to-set-up virtual private network (VPN) is designed to let you enjoy safe and anonymous browsing across your devices. Aside from the standard proxy server capabilities, this app lets you play and stream without restriction.

Since it offers its service for free, expect something in return from YandexVPN. In this case, it comes in the form of frequent ads. Also, while it commits to data safety by not collecting user information, third-party reports say otherwise, prompting additional care from the users. It works like Star VPN or VPN Master.

From a long-running service provider

YandexVPN is a modern tool from the Russian search engine Yandex. It has been the longstanding alternative to Google in that part of the world. As for its VPN, it delivers standard services such as unblocking geo-restricted websites or masking your real IP address. It’s perfect for accessing websites that are not globally accessible, such as content from Netflix or Disney+ streaming services.

Also, it’s a lot easier to use compared to other free VPN tools. For those who aren’t too particular with what server they join, it has a large ON/ OFF switch right at the home screen. This lets you join the app’s recommended server. Otherwise, you can choose from over a hundred servers from the All Locations tab. It’s even easy to install and capable of supporting most operating systems.

As mentioned before, there are contestable aspects of the app. One is that it features a lot of ads, often at the start and end of a session. Although it does not appear consistently, ads still appear a lot. Also, while it claims to protect user data, there have been previous reports of data harvesting both from the search engine and this VPN tool as well.

Use with extra care

In terms of performance, YandexVPN easily ranks among the best. It is reliable for different applications, whether it’s for unblocking websites or switching to other game servers. Additionally, it’s easy to install and set up for a range of users. However, it might require additional diligence because of the platform’s reputation for data harvesting even without the proper disclosure for its users. Use with caution.