Quick Start
This guide covers every FastestVPN feature:
- Getting Started — Create your account and connect for the first time
- How to Use Device Compatibility — Run FastestVPN on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and your router
- How to Use Smart Tunneling — Send only the apps you choose through the encrypted VPN tunnel
- How to Use Simultaneous Connections — Protect up to 10 devices at once on a single FastestVPN account
- How to Use DNS Leak Prevention — Keep DNS queries inside the tunnel so your real IP address stays hidden
- How to Use Live Chat — Reach the support team any hour of the day without waiting on email
- How to Use Internet Kill Switch — Block all internet traffic the moment your VPN connection drops
- How to Use Multiple Protocols — Switch between WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, L2TP, and PPTP in two clicks
- How to Use AES 256-Bit Encryption — Lock every packet behind the same encryption banks and armies use
- How to Use Unlimited Bandwidth — Stream and download with no data caps on any server in the network
Time needed: 5 minutes per feature
Also in this guide: Pro Tips | Common Mistakes | Troubleshooting | Pricing | Alternatives
Why Trust This Guide
I have run FastestVPN for six months across Windows, Android, and a home router.
Every step here comes from my own screen, not a press kit.
FastestVPN is a budget VPN that punches above its price.
Most users install the app, hit connect, and never touch the settings.
That leaves half the service unused.
This guide shows you how to use FastestVPN properly, feature by feature.
FastestVPN Tutorial
This How to Use FastestVPN tutorial walks through setup, then every feature in the app.
FastestVPN
Protect 10 devices with AES 256-bit encryption and a kill switch. FastestVPN offers a lifetime subscription plan for $40, backed by a 31-day money-back guarantee.
Getting Started with FastestVPN
Before any feature, finish this one-time setup.
It takes about three minutes.
Step 1: Create Your Account
Go to the FastestVPN site and pick a plan.
Enter your email and create a password.
✓ Checkpoint: Your username and password arrive by email within a minute.
Step 2: Download and Install the App
Download the installer for Windows, or get the app from Google Play or the App Store.
Here’s what this looks like:
✓ Checkpoint: The app opens on the home screen after you log in.
Step 3: Connect for the First Time
Press Smart Connect, or choose a server location from the country list.
Turn on the kill switch and DNS leak protection while you are in settings.
✅ Done: You are connected and ready for every feature below.
How to Use FastestVPN App
Device Compatibility lets you run the same account on nearly every device you own.
Here’s how to use it step by step.
Step 1: Open the Downloads Page
Log in to your account on the FastestVPN site.
Open the download page and pick your platform.
Step 2: Install the App
Run the installer on Windows or macOS.
On Android and iOS, install the app from your store instead.
Here’s what this looks like:
✓ Checkpoint: The FastestVPN home screen loads with a Smart Connect button.
Step 3: Set Up Devices Without Apps
Apple TV and consoles need manual configuration options instead.
A router install covers every device on your network at once.
✅ Result: FastestVPN now runs on all your supported devices.
💡 Pro Tip: Install FastestVPN on your router first, then count it as one connection.
How to Use FastestVPN Smart Tunneling
Smart Tunneling is split tunneling under a friendlier name.
Here’s how to use it step by step.
Step 1: Open Settings
Click the gear icon on the app home screen.
Scroll to the Smart Tunneling panel.
Step 2: Pick Your Apps
Toggle Smart Tunneling on and select which apps use the VPN.
Banking apps usually work better outside the tunnel.
Here’s what this looks like:
✓ Checkpoint: Only the apps you ticked show the VPN location.
Step 3: Reconnect and Test
Save your list, then connect to any vpn server.
Check that excluded apps still show your local IP.
✅ Result: Your traffic is split exactly the way you want it.
💡 Pro Tip: Keep your browser inside the tunnel and your printer software outside it.
How to Use FastestVPN Connectors
Simultaneous Connections lets you protect up to 10 devices on one plan.
Here’s how to use it step by step.
Step 1: Log In Everywhere
Use the same username and password on each device.
There is no extra seat to buy.
Step 2: Track Active Sessions
Open your account dashboard to see what is connected.
Ten is more than CyberGhost and most VPNs allow.
Here’s what this looks like:
✓ Checkpoint: Each device shows a connected status without kicking the others offline.
Step 3: Free Up a Slot
Disconnect an idle device if you hit the limit.
Router coverage saves slots for phones and laptops.
✅ Result: Your whole household runs on one subscription.
💡 Pro Tip: Share the plan with family, but change the password if someone leaves.
How to Use FastestVPN DNS Leak Prevention Tool
DNS Leak Prevention keeps your DNS queries inside the encrypted tunnel.
Here’s how to use it step by step.
Step 1: Turn On the Setting
Open Settings and enable DNS leak protection.
It stays on across reboots.
Step 2: Connect and Test
Connect to a server, then open the leak test page on the FastestVPN site.
Run both the DNS and WebRTC checks.
Here’s what this looks like:
✓ Checkpoint: The test page shows only FastestVPN DNS servers.
Step 3: Fix a Failed Test
Switch protocols and flush your DNS cache if a leak shows.
Retest before you trust the connection.
✅ Result: Your browsing requests never reach your internet provider.
💡 Pro Tip: Test again after any Windows update, since updates often reset network settings.
How to Use FastestVPN Live Chat
Live Chat connects you to customer support at any hour.
Here’s how to use it step by step.
Step 1: Search First
Open the knowledge base and search your device name.
FastestVPN keeps setup guides for every supported platform there.
Step 2: Start the Chat
Click the chat bubble in the corner of the site.
Give your plan type and the exact error you see.
Here’s what this looks like:
✓ Checkpoint: An agent replies inside the chat window within a few minutes.
Step 3: Escalate If Needed
Ask for a ticket when the fix needs engineering.
Email support is slower and less helpful in my testing.
✅ Result: You have a fix or a ticket number in hand.
💡 Pro Tip: Screenshot the chat log before closing it, since transcripts are not always emailed.
How to Use FastestVPN Internet Kill Switch
Internet Kill Switch cuts your internet the second the tunnel fails.
Here’s how to use it step by step.
Step 1: Enable the Switch
Open Settings and turn on Internet Kill Switch.
Leave auto-connect on so the app reconnects itself.
Step 2: Test the Drop
Connect, then pull your Wi-Fi for five seconds.
Your browser should stall instead of loading.
Here’s what this looks like:
✓ Checkpoint: Pages stop loading while the VPN reconnects.
Step 3: Set Your Exceptions
Turn it off only when a captive portal blocks the login page.
Switch it back on right after.
✅ Result: Your real IP address never shows during a dropout.
💡 Pro Tip: Pair the kill switch with auto-connect on untrusted Wi-Fi networks.
How to Use FastestVPN Multiple Protocols
Multiple Protocols lets you change your vpn protocol without reinstalling anything.
Here’s how to use it step by step.
Step 1: Open the Protocol List
Go to Settings and open the protocol menu.
The default is usually automatic.
Step 2: Pick the Right One
The WireGuard protocol gives the best connection speeds.
For example, OpenVPN TCP is slower but slips past strict firewalls.
Here’s what this looks like:
✓ Checkpoint: The status bar names the protocol you just picked.
Step 3: Try Double VPN
Double VPN (D-VPN) routes you through two encrypted servers.
Expect lower speed in exchange for extra cover.
✅ Result: Your connection matches the network you are on.
💡 Pro Tip: Keep PPTP for old routers only, since it offers almost no real security.
How to Use FastestVPN AES 256-Bit Encryption
AES 256-Bit Encryption scrambles your traffic with military-grade AES 256-bit encryption.
Here’s how to use it step by step.
Step 1: Confirm the Cipher
Open the app details panel and check the cipher line.
AES 256-bit is applied on every plan by default.
Step 2: Choose a Server Location
Pick a country close to you for the fastest handshake.
Distance costs more speed than encryption does.
Here’s what this looks like:
✓ Checkpoint: The IP shown online matches your chosen server, not your city.
Step 3: Verify You Are Covered
Load any IP checker site and confirm the new address.
Your provider now sees encrypted noise only.
✅ Result: Everything you send is unreadable in transit.
💡 Pro Tip: Encryption cannot hide a logged-in Google account, so use a private window too.
How to Use FastestVPN Unlimited Bandwidth
Unlimited Bandwidth removes data caps from every server in the network.
Here’s how to use it step by step.
Step 1: Pick a Streaming Server
Choose a country that carries the library you want.
US servers work best for Netflix catalogues.
Step 2: Start Streaming
Open the app or site and press play.
Unlimited bandwidth means no throttling mid-episode.
Here’s what this looks like:
✓ Checkpoint: Video loads at full quality without a proxy error.
Step 3: Switch If Blocked
Some streaming sites detect and block VPN ranges.
Change servers and clear cookies to bypass the check.
✅ Result: You can unblock streaming services without watching a data meter.
💡 Pro Tip: Wired connections beat Wi-Fi when you want the fastest streaming speeds.
FastestVPN Pro Tips and Shortcuts
After six months of daily use, these are the tips that stuck.
Keyboard Shortcuts
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Show or hide the app window | Click the tray or menu bar icon |
| Connect to the last used server | Right-click tray icon → Connect |
| Open Settings on Windows | Ctrl + , (from the app window) |
| Quit without disconnecting | Close to tray with the X button |
The desktop apps lean on the tray menu more than hotkeys.
Hidden Features Most People Miss
- Browser add-ons: Firefox and Chrome extensions protect one browser without routing the whole machine.
- Bundled extras: Some plans include a password manager and cloud storage at no extra cost.
- Fire TV Stick sideloading: Enable Developer Options and allow unknown sources to install the app.
- Router credentials: Log in to your router admin panel and enter the L2TP server addresses manually.
FastestVPN Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake #1: Leaving the protocol on automatic
❌ Wrong: Accepting the default and then complaining about connection speeds.
✅ Right: Set the WireGuard protocol manually, since it averages around 730 Mbps.
Mistake #2: Ignoring the kill switch
❌ Wrong: Torrenting or streaming with the switch off to avoid interruptions.
✅ Right: Leave it on so a dropped tunnel cannot expose your real IP address.
Mistake #3: Judging the service in one day
❌ Wrong: Cancelling after one slow server without testing others.
✅ Right: Use the 31-day money-back guarantee window to test several server locations.
FastestVPN Troubleshooting
Problem: Netflix shows a proxy error
Cause: Streaming services blacklist known VPN IP ranges.
Fix: Switch to another server in the same country and clear your cookies.
Problem: The app connects but sites will not load
Cause: A stale DNS cache or a stuck kill switch is blocking traffic.
Fix: Disconnect, flush your DNS, then reconnect using a different vpn protocol.
Problem: Speeds drop after connecting
Cause: You picked a distant server or a heavy protocol like OpenVPN TCP.
Fix: Move to a nearby server location and switch back to WireGuard.
📌 Note: If none of these help, contact FastestVPN support through live chat.
What is FastestVPN?
FastestVPN is a VPN service that encrypts your traffic and hides your IP address.
Think of it like a private lane on a public motorway.
Watch this quick overview:
It includes these key features:
- Device Compatibility: Apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, browsers, and routers
- Smart Tunneling: Split tunneling that routes chosen apps through the VPN tunnel
- Simultaneous Connections: Ten devices connected at the same time on one plan
- DNS Leak Prevention: DNS leak protection that keeps queries inside the tunnel
- Live Chat: 24/7 live chat backed by a searchable knowledge base
- Internet Kill Switch: A kill switch that blocks traffic if the tunnel fails
- Multiple Protocols: WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, L2TP, PPTP, and Double VPN routing
- AES 256-Bit Encryption: AES 256-bit encryption on every server and every plan
- Unlimited Bandwidth: No data caps for streaming, downloads, or torrenting
The company sits in the Cayman Islands, which has strong privacy laws and no data retention rules.
FastestVPN claims a no-logs policy, and Altius IT confirmed it through independent audits.
The network is modest: over 800 fastestvpn servers across 46 countries.
Speeds average around 730 Mbps on WireGuard, which is quick but not class-leading.
For the full breakdown, read our FastestVPN review.
FastestVPN Pricing
Here’s what FastestVPN costs in 2026:
| Plan | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Year + 1 Year Free | $0.83/mo | Most users who want two years of cover cheaply |
| 1 Month Plan | $5/mo | Short trips or a quick trial of the service |
| Exclusive Lifetime Plan | $40 | Anyone who wants to pay once and forget it |
Free trial: No free trial, but a 31-day refund window acts as one.
Money-back guarantee: Yes, 31 days on every subscription plan.
💰 Best Value: Exclusive Lifetime Plan — $40 once beats renewing any yearly plan.
FastestVPN vs Alternatives
How does FastestVPN compare with the big names?
| Tool | Best For | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| FastestVPN | Lifetime value | $0.83/mo | ⭐ 4.6 |
| NordVPN | Speed and servers | $3.39/mo | ⭐ 4.8 |
| ExpressVPN | Consistency | $6.67/mo | ⭐ 4.7 |
| SurfsharkVPN | Unlimited devices | $2.19/mo | ⭐ 4.6 |
| ProtonVPN | Privacy and free tier | $4.99/mo | ⭐ 4.6 |
| CyberGhost | Streaming servers | $2.19/mo | ⭐ 4.5 |
| PureVPN | Country coverage | $2.11/mo | ⭐ 4.3 |
| Private Internet Access | Granular control | $2.03/mo | ⭐ 4.4 |
Quick picks:
- Best overall: NordVPN — bigger server network and faster real-world speeds.
- Best budget: FastestVPN — a lifetime plan for $40 is hard to beat.
- Best for beginners: ExpressVPN — the simplest apps on every platform.
- Best for streaming: CyberGhost — servers labelled by streaming site.
🎯 FastestVPN Alternatives
Looking for FastestVPN alternatives? Here are the options worth checking:
- 🚀 NordVPN: Far bigger server network with faster speeds and better streaming reliability.
- 🌟 ExpressVPN: The premium pick for consistency, audited privacy, and painless router setup.
- 🎯 PureVPN: Similar budget positioning with a much larger country list.
- 💼 SurfsharkVPN: Unlimited devices plus a bundled antivirus and data-breach alerts.
- 🔒 ProtonVPN: Swiss privacy law, open-source apps, and a genuinely usable free tier.
- 💰 PrivadoVPN: Free plan with real streaming access and simple, tidy apps.
- ⚡ AdGuard VPN: Lightweight apps built by an ad-blocking team, great on mobile.
- 👶 Virtual Shield: Beginner-friendly setup with plain-English privacy explanations.
- 🔧 StrongVPN: Reliable manual setup on routers and older hardware.
- 🏢 AuraVPN: Bundled inside a wider identity-protection package for families.
- ⭐ CyberGhost: Purpose-built streaming servers labelled by platform.
- 🛡️ McAfee VPN: Comes free with McAfee antivirus subscriptions already in use.
- 📊 Private Internet Access: Huge US server footprint and deep, granular settings.
- 🧠 Mysterium: Decentralised peer-to-peer network with pay-as-you-go billing.
- 🎨 SafeShell VPN: Built around unblocking regional streaming catalogues.
- 🔥 Oyster VPN: Small, cheap service with a clean interface and no clutter.
For the full list, see our FastestVPN alternatives guide.
⚔️ FastestVPN Compared
Here’s how FastestVPN stacks up head to head:
- FastestVPN vs NordVPN: NordVPN wins on speed and servers; FastestVPN wins hard on price.
- FastestVPN vs ExpressVPN: ExpressVPN is smoother everywhere except the invoice, where FastestVPN crushes it.
- FastestVPN vs PureVPN: PureVPN has more locations; FastestVPN has the cheaper lifetime plan.
- FastestVPN vs SurfsharkVPN: Surfshark drops the device limit entirely, but FastestVPN costs less long term.
- FastestVPN vs ProtonVPN: ProtonVPN is stronger on transparency; FastestVPN is stronger on value.
- FastestVPN vs PrivadoVPN: Privado suits light users; FastestVPN suits households with many devices.
- FastestVPN vs AdGuard VPN: AdGuard is leaner; FastestVPN carries more protocols and stronger security features.
- FastestVPN vs Virtual Shield: Virtual Shield is simpler; FastestVPN gives you far more configuration options.
- FastestVPN vs StrongVPN: StrongVPN handles odd hardware well; FastestVPN beats it on connections and cost.
- FastestVPN vs AuraVPN: Aura sells a whole privacy suite; FastestVPN sells a focused VPN service.
- FastestVPN vs CyberGhost: CyberGhost allows fewer simultaneous connections than FastestVPN does.
- FastestVPN vs McAfee VPN: McAfee is convenient; FastestVPN offers real protocol choice and split tunneling.
- FastestVPN vs Private Internet Access: PIA gives more control; FastestVPN gives a cheaper entry point.
- FastestVPN vs Mysterium: Mysterium is experimental; FastestVPN is the safer everyday choice.
- FastestVPN vs SafeShell VPN: SafeShell targets streaming only; FastestVPN covers general privacy too.
- FastestVPN vs Oyster VPN: Oyster is barebones; FastestVPN adds a kill switch and audited no-logs claims.
Start Using FastestVPN Now
You now know how to use every major FastestVPN feature:
- ✅ Device Compatibility
- ✅ Smart Tunneling
- ✅ Simultaneous Connections
- ✅ DNS Leak Prevention
- ✅ Live Chat
- ✅ Internet Kill Switch
- ✅ Multiple Protocols
- ✅ AES 256-Bit Encryption
- ✅ Unlimited Bandwidth
Next step: pick one feature and try it today.
Most people start with Device Compatibility.
It takes less than five minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to connect fastest VPN?
Open the app, log in, and press Smart Connect. To pick a server location yourself, choose a country from the list and hit connect.
How to use VPN for beginners?
Install the app, sign in, and connect to the nearest server. Leave the kill switch on and let auto-connect handle untrusted Wi-Fi.
How to use wifi VPN?
Connect to the Wi-Fi network first, then open FastestVPN and connect. On public hotspots, log in to the portal before starting the tunnel.
How to use unlimited VPN?
FastestVPN gives unlimited bandwidth on every plan. Just connect and stream normally, since no data cap applies to any server in the network.
Is FastestVPN reliable?
The short answer is yes for streaming and daily browsing. Altius IT audited the no-logs policy, though the server network is smaller than most rivals.
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