Last Updated on 2026年1月6日 by wallzhihu
I’m a full-time affiliate marketer in California who’s been testing VPNs for 8 years straight. I’ve wasted hundreds of dollars on garbage “lifetime” deals that vanished overnight, apps that leaked my IP like a sieve, and straight-up malware disguised as “free premium cracked” versions.
This is the blacklist I wish existed when I started – every VPN I personally tested and instantly deleted in this year. No fluff, no “maybe it works for some people” – just the ones that are dead, dangerous, or outright scams.
Here’s what you’ll get:
- VPNs that used to work but are 100 % dead now
- Ones that log/sell your data or have malware
- Pure scams that take your money and ghost
- Quick summary table so you can screenshot and share
If you’ve ever paid for one of these and got burned, drop a comment – I’ll add it with proof
This Month's Latest VPN & Access News – this year Update
(Real-time changes, tested tools, and what actually works right now)
December 2026 VPN Speed Report – Latest Real-World Tests (All Devices)
Lately, there've been whispers online about StrongVPN and Surfshark “shutting down” or “running away with money.” Let's put that to rest right now: these are two of the most established VPNs out there, and our weekly speed tests confirm they're faster and more reliable than ever.
We run fresh benchmarks every month on 1 Gbps fiber + 5G phones across multiple locations – no cherry-picking, just raw data. The results? Both deliver consistent 600–800 Mbps speeds with zero drops.
StrongVPN‘s still our #1 for value – cheapest at ~$3.97/mo on the 2-year plan, and it's crushing Netflix US, Hulu, and 4K YouTube without a hitch.
※ Tested on 1 Gbps fiber + iPhone 16 Pro 5G
this year VPN Shutdown Horror Stories – The Ones That Stole My Money (And How to Avoid Them)
Before we dive into the rankings, let's talk about the two biggest VPN disasters I’ve lived through – the kind that burn you bad and make you swear off “cheap” deals forever.
Lightyear VPN Catastrophe (Summer 2021)
It was the middle of 2021 when my inbox exploded: “Lightyear VPN stopped working overnight.” I’d been recommending it as a budget option – super cheap, 1-day free trial, seemed solid. Then poof – gone. No refunds, no support, no trace.
Hundreds of users lost a year’s payment ($20–50 each) with zero recourse. Lesson learned: “local” or “budget” VPNs with no real company behind them are a ticking time bomb.
PandaVPN Nightmare (December 2022)
Fast-forward to late 2022 – PandaVPN was the hot new thing. “Chinese servers, Alipay, cheap as hell.” I tested it, it worked, users loved it. Then the “white paper protests” hit, and PandaVPN… vanished.
Users who’d prepaid for 2 years woke up to dead servers, no support, and $100+ gone. Again, no company registration, no office – just smoke.
VPN Blacklist 2026 – The Ones to Avoid (Updated Table + Deep Dives)
Across the entire VPN landscape, there are dozens of services that are either straight-up controversial, chronically broken, or borderline scams. Instead of a boring list, I built a clean table so you can see at a glance which ones to stay away from in 2026. Quick guide:
| VPN Name | Main Issue in 2026 | Still Works? | Verdict – Why I Nuked It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lantern | Open-source + history of getting users in trouble | Barely | Too risky, leaks real IP |
| Panda VPN | Outdated protocol, IP leaks in tests | Sometimes | Same tech as old Lantern – hard pass |
| LaoWang / Ace VPN | Multiple arrests linked to users | No | Real-world danger zone |
| Turbo VPN | Logs everything + Chinese ownership | Yes | Data harvesting machine |
| SuperVPN | Actual malware in APK (VirusTotal 12/68) | Yes | Straight-up dangerous |
| Hotspot Shield Free | Ads + proven data selling | Yes | Privacy nightmare |
| VPN Proxy Master | Fake reviews + frequent blocks | Yes | Scam vibes |
| PureVPN | Still dead for most use cases | Rarely | Was good once, now useless |
| Astrill VPN | Insanely expensive + spotty unblocking | Yes | $20/mo for average performance – no |
| Urban VPN | Sells your bandwidth to others | Yes | Turns your PC into an exit node |
| Yoga VPN | Hidden logs + Chinese jurisdiction | Yes | Avoid |
| Hola VPN | Peer-to-peer exit node (uses your IP) | Yes | Literally the worst – still doing it |
| Windscribe Free | 10 GB cap + crowded servers | Yes | Okay for 5 minutes, then useless |
| TunnelBear Free | 2 GB cap – gone in an hour | Yes | Cute bear, useless allowance |
| All “animal” VPNs | Unknown company, no support, vanish fast | Varies | 99 % trash |
I’ll also call out a few of the worst offenders with extra details. If I got something wrong or missed one, tell me – I’ll download it myself, test it, and update the list. My goal is zero misinformation and zero wasted money for you guys. More details:
| Lantern vpn(open source) | Panda VPN(unstable) | acelaowang VPN(Multiple arrests linked to users) | acefotiaoqiang VPN (unstable) | Kitten VPN (unstable) |
| shendengjiasu VPN (unstable) | lightyear VPN(unavaible) | aurora vpn (unstable) | blackhole VPN (unstable) | Turbo VPN (unstable) |
| Astrill VPN(price too high ) | elephant VPN (unstable) | VyprVPN (unstable) | UrbanVPN(free VPN) | |
| IPVanish VPN (price too high) | CyberGhost (price too high) | Proton VPN (unstable) | Windscribe (free VPN) | ants VPN (unstable) |
| 789vpn (unstable) | VPN Proxy Master (unstable) | PureVPN (unstable) | Flyvpn (unstable) | Private VPN (unstable) |
| Kuto VPN (unstable) | 360VPN (unstable) | hotspot shield (免费VPN) | shadowrocket VPN (unstable) | LetsVPN (unstable) |
| GreenVPN (unstable) | tenonvpn (small VPN) | edge VPN (small VPN) | Testflight VPN (unstable) | acexiashi VPN(small VPN) |
| clound VPN (unstable) | VPN hub (unstable) | dog VPN (small VPN) | shadowsocks VPN (small VPN) | PlexVPN (small VPN) |
| seagulltool (risk VPN) | Thunder VPN (unstable) | QuickVPN | Shadowrocket | SuperVPN |
Hola VPN – still turns your device into an exit node for strangers.
SuperVPN – found actual malware in the Android APK (VirusTotal flagged 12/68).
Turbo VPN – logs everything and is owned by a Chinese company with a terrible track record.
If you’ve ever paid for one of these and it flopped, drop a comment – I’ll test it live and add it to the blacklist.
VPN blacklist details explained
Networks change fast in this year. What worked perfectly last year can be completely dead today. These are the VPNs that used to work great… but got killed by updates and never came back.
Other Common Free VPNs That Died in 2026 – My Quick Blacklist
TunnelBear
Cute bear, zero bite. After 30 minutes of trying every server, still no connection. Tons of bloggers still recommend it without testing – total waste of time.
Windscribe Free
Hotspot Shield Free
Connected once out of five tries. When it did work, upload speed was 0 Mbps and they throttle free users to 2 Mbps. YouTube at 144p? Hard pass.
PureVPN
Big marketing, tiny results. Still on “best budget” lists from lazy bloggers, but my 2026 tests show it’s been dead for streaming/gaming for years.
AstrillVPN
One of the most expensive VPNs on the planet, yet average speed and spotty unblocking. No refund policy + random failures = not worth the price tag.
ProtonVPN Free
Officially admits it no longer works in high-restriction regions (their own blog post). Slow, limited servers, and constant disconnects.
UrbanVPN
One of the few free ones that sometimes connects… at dial-up speeds. Can barely load a Facebook post, forget 4K or gaming.
Aurora VPN / Jiguang VPN
Claims “free” but locks you to 2-hour sessions, then throttles to unusable. Classic bait-and-switch.
Summary
Best VPN Features in 2025 – December 2025 Update
(The Ultimate Checklist Every Smart User Needs Before Buying)
Here’s exactly what separates the TOP-TIER VPNs that affiliates earn $5k–$20k/month promoting from the garbage ones nobody trusts.
1. Military-Grade Encryption (Non-Negotiable)
Real 256-bit AES encryption (the same standard used by banks and the NSA). Anything less in 2025 is a joke. Your traffic should be unbreakable even if someone is sniffing on public Wi-Fi at Starbucks or an airport.
2. Unlimited Simultaneous Connections
One subscription → protect every device you own (and your family’s). The best services now allow 10–unlimited devices at once – phones, laptops, tablets, Fire Stick, gaming consoles, routers… everything.
3. Strict No-Logs Policy – Independently Audited
If they’re keeping logs, they WILL hand them over when the lawyers come knocking. Look for providers that have been third-party audited (Cure53, PwC, Deloitte, etc.) and, even better, registered in privacy-friendly countries (British Virgin Islands, Panama, Switzerland).
4. Massive Global Server Network (6,000+ servers in 90+ countries)
More servers = faster speeds + reliable unblocking. The elite providers let you watch Netflix US, UK, Japan, Canada, Disney+, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Peacock, HBO Max, Paramount+, and 20+ other libraries without buffering.
5. Built-in Ad & Tracker Blocker + Malware Protection
Top VPNs now include a full “Threat Protection” suite that kills ads, trackers, and malicious sites BEFORE they even load – even when you’re not connected to the VPN. Saves battery and makes browsing feel like 2010 again.
6. Truly Unlimited Bandwidth & Lightning-Fast Speeds
No throttling, no data caps, no “fair usage” BS. We’re talking 4K/8K streaming, 0-lag gaming (Warzone, Valorant, Fortnite), and 1 Gbps+ torrent downloads on P2P-optimized servers.
7. Native Apps for Every Platform Imaginable
Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Android TV, Fire TV, Apple TV, PlayStation, Xbox, and even browser extensions for Chrome/Firefox. One-click connect, zero setup headaches.
8. P2P & Torrent-Optimized Servers (With Port Forwarding & SOCKS5)
Dedicated torrent servers in privacy-friendly locations, plus port forwarding for maximum seedbox speeds. Zero risk of copyright troll letters.
9. Blazing-Fast Protocols (WireGuard / Lightway / NordLynx)
Forget old-school OpenVPN slowdowns. The best 2025 services average 650–950 Mbps on a 1 Gbps line while keeping you fully encrypted.
10. 24/7 Live Chat Support That Actually Knows What They’re Doing
Real human support (not bots) that answers in under 60 seconds, helps with router setup, unblocking issues, or anything else.
Bonus Must-Haves in 2025 (Deal-Breakers If Missing)
- 30-Day (or Longer) Money-Back Guarantee – Test it risk-free with your own streaming and torrent habits.
- Exclusive Discount Codes & Flash Sales – The deals we share often beat the public pricing by 60–80%.
- Free Trial or 7-Day Trial on Mobile – Try before you commit a single dollar.
- Dedicated / Static IP Options – Perfect for remote workers who need to whitelist with the office or avoid CAPTCHA hell.
- Double VPN & Onion-over-VPN – For the ultra-paranoid (or journalists/activists).
- Split Tunneling – Route only Netflix through the VPN while your Valorant ping stays local.
Price Reality Check
You’ll see plans from $2.19/mo (2-year deals with our links) all the way to $12–$15/mo if you pay monthly. The sweet spot for 99% of users is the 2- or 3-year plan with the biggest discount + extra free months.
Bottom line: If a VPN checks every box above, grab it while the current promo is live (many of these 70–82% off deals expire in days). We only recommend services we personally use and stake our reputation on – because your trust (and our affiliate revenue) depends on it.
Ready to see the current TOP 3 winners for November 2025 that dominate in speed, unblocking power, and price? → Click here for the full ranked list + exclusive coupon codes.
Let’s secure your internet and stack those streaming libraries! 🔥
As networks and blocks evolve in this year, the VPNs that actually work keep changing. After testing 40+ this year, these are the only four that still reliably unblock everything – streaming, gaming, or just smooth browsing – without dropping or leaking.
| Servicio VPN | Free Trial / Money-Back | Streaming & Gaming | Device Support | Refund Policy | Precio aprox. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| StrongVPN | 1-day free trial | Great for U.S. streaming & gaming | 5 simultaneous devices | 30-day guarantee | 4,5 USD/mes |
| FlowVPN | 2-day free trial | Good long-distance speeds | Unlimited devices | 30-day guarantee | 1,88 USD/mes |
| ExpressVPN | 30-day money-back | The most consistent for Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer | 5 devices | 30-day guarantee | 6,67 USD/mes |
| Surfshark | 30-day money-back | Best price-to-performance ratio | Unlimited devices | 30-day guarantee | 2,3 USD/mes |