BTGuard Review

UPDATED Mar. 2024
This website features affiliate links. For purchases made via these links, we earn commissions that allow us to keep producing helpful content. To find out more click here. Close

BTGuard is a small VPN provider based in Canada, with servers in 3 countries worldwide. Its tagline “Anonymous BitTorrent services” speaks of the main reason for its creation – allowing you to use torrents care-free. However, it is not its only purpose, as it encrypts all of your traffic, unlocks sites not available in your country, and offers you a high level of anonymity. If you are interested in its offer, discover all the details in this comprehensive BTGuard review.

BTGuard Homepage

Interface

Setting up the BTGuard VPN connection is a piece of cake. All you have to do is follow the simple instructions for the device or devices of your choice, which you can find in the Support section of BTGuard’s website. The instructions include screenshots, which are extremely helpful, especially for first-time users.

As for the client, the company does not offer its own client. Instead, it opted for the open source kind, without all the features more advanced users would appreciate. If you want to choose the server location yourself, you can do it during setup, by entering the host name for the country of your choice, specified in the setup instructions. Other than that, you can only make or break the VPN connection.

Performance And Reliability

BTGuard does not boast a large number of server locations. The company operates servers in 3 strategically chosen world countries. It offers multiple servers in Canada, the Netherlands, and Singapore.

While it does not offer as many servers as some other VPN services, BTGuard fared quite well on our speed tests, with average to above average speeds for all three server locations. With no traffic or speed limits, BTGuard provides its users with a thoroughly satisfying experience.

When it comes to reliability, some users did report issues and complained about their connection breaking. We encountered no such issues during our tests, but we do take user reports very seriously, which is why we need to give you a fair warning regarding such a possibility.

Multi-Platform

BTGuard Multi PlatformBTGuard is compatible with all major platforms and operating systems. It supports Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10, MacOS, Linux, and Ubuntu. It is compatible with both Android and iOS, as well as Tomato and DD-WRT routers. It also offers an extension for Google Chrome. You can configure it on as many devices and in as many different locations as you wish. However, you can only use it on one device at a time. In case BTGuard detects multiple connections from different locations, it reserves the right to terminate your use of its services.

Features

BTGuard boasts great compatibility, as suggested in the previous section of this BTGuard review. It also offers strong encryption and good speed. Unfortunately, it does not offer you the possibility to use the software on more devices at once, which is a bit disappointing.

The lack of a client of its own can also be seen as a major downside – unless you do not care about accessing any additional features. It is certainly easy to use, which is good news for all first-time users and beginners.

If you opt for the PPTP protocol, you can save yourself the hassle in case your connection breaks with VPN Lifeguard. You can download it straight from the BTGuard website and configure it in a couple of simple steps by following the setup instructions. VPN Lifeguard automatically tries to reconnect in case your connection breaks.

It goes without saying that BTGuard supports P2P, as it was created in order to allow you to use torrents anonymously. With unlimited speed and no traffic throttling, you can download as much as you wish, with no limits whatsoever.

With BTGuard, there are no worries when it comes to anonymity. You are protected with strong encryption, no logs policy, and the possibility to make payments using BitCoin.

Security And Privacy

BTGuard offers two different protocols, PPTP and OpenVPN with 256-bit encryption, with OpenVPN being the preferred protocol. However, the company suggests that you try them both out and see which one works better on your network. Two protocols are not many, but they do satisfy the needs of most users.

The company claims that they do not keep any logs whatsoever. Although there were some suspicions in the past regarding whether this claim was true, further inquiries have shown that there is nothing to worry about. They are truly transparent when it comes to their privacy practices and deliver on their promise when it comes to keeping no logs of your activity.

Apart from strong encryption and no logs, BTGuard also protects your privacy while purchasing its services. You can pay using BitCoin and share no personal data during payment.

Support

What we did not like about BTGuard was how they have handled the matter of customer support. The only way to get in touch with them is through a ticket system, via email. You can contact their sales department or their support department, depending on what kind of help you need. It often takes them quite a while to respond and the answers they provide may not always be helpful. Like many other VPN services currently available, BTGuard suffers from a lack of knowledgeable, friendly, and quick-to-respond staff.

You can also search for answers in the Support section of their website. There you can find setup instructions for different platforms and operating systems and browse their FAQ section, which can help you solve most of the basic issues.

Pricing Options

1 Month
3 Months
6 Months
1 Year
2 Years

1 Month
$9.95
3 Months
$9.32
6 Months
$8.32
1 Year
$7.49
2 Years
/

When it comes to purchasing their VPN services, BTGuard offers you two options. You can opt for a subscription or a single payment. If you choose to subscribe, you are billed $9.95 every month until you decide to cancel. You can cancel at any time. The single payment options include 1-month, 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month VPN protection. One month costs the same as with the subscription, $9.95, 3 months come with a 5% discount, amounting to $27.95, 6 months come with a 15% discount and cost $49.95 while an entire year of their services comes with a 25% discount and costs $89.95. Payment options include credit and debit cards, PayPal, and BitCoin.

Unfortunately, BTGuard does not offer a free trial. It does not offer a money back guarantee either, so the best choice is to go with a one-month purchase and see if it works for you.

BTGuard Pricing

BTGuard Pros & Cons

As we wrap up this BTGuard review, here’s a quick overview of the features that wowed us and the aspects of the service that could use some improvement.

Pros
  • Strong encryption
  • Unlimited speed
  • Unlimited bandwidth
  • Simple to use
  • Great security
  • Allows P2P sharing
  • No logs kept
  • Pay using BitCoin
Cons
  • Servers in only 3 countries
  • Not very good customer support
  • No money back guarantee
  • No free trial

User Reviews (3)

BTGuard customer rating based on 3 user reviews.

The BTGuard reviews listed below reflect the opinions and experiences of real users and are in no way influenced by the VPN provider reviewed here. Before publishing each review, our team checks whether it was submitted by an actual user in an effort to prevent false or spammy reviews.

  1. Bart Richards | November 28, 2016

    Easy to use, but not that reliable. Should be much cheaper.

  2. Julie Lonsdale | August 20, 2016

    Not bad but expected better speed. They should really offer a trial.

  3. Marie Riggs | August 3, 2016

    Good VPN, really simple, but the support is just plain awful.

Leave a review

Your email address will not be published.

* All the prices on this website are subject to change without notice. While we put a great deal of effort into making sure that all the prices are accurate, one or more products may have outdated prices. Please visit the specific product’s official website for exact prices.