Quick Start
This guide covers every Namecheap VPN feature:
- Getting Started — Create account and install FastVPN
- How to Use Server Connection — Connect to 2,700+ servers in 100+ locations
- How to Use Kill Switch — Prevent IP leaks if VPN drops
- How to Use Split Tunneling — Choose which apps use VPN
- How to Use Protocol Switching — Switch between WireGuard and OpenVPN
- How to Use Streaming Servers — Access Netflix, Disney+, and more
- How to Use Ad Blocker — Block ads and trackers while browsing
- How to Use Auto-Connect — Launch VPN on startup automatically
Time needed: 5 minutes per feature
Also in this guide: Pro Tips | Common Mistakes | Troubleshooting | Pricing | Alternatives
Why Trust This Guide
I’ve used Namecheap VPN for over 6 months and tested every feature covered here. This tutorial comes from real hands-on experience — not marketing fluff or vendor screenshots.
Namecheap VPN (FastVPN) is one of the most affordable VPN tools available today.
But most users only scratch the surface of what it can do.
This guide shows you how to use every major feature.
Step by step, with screenshots and pro tips.
Namecheap VPN Tutorial
This complete Namecheap VPN tutorial walks you through every feature step by step, from initial setup to advanced tips that will make you a power user.
Namecheap VPN
Protect your privacy for less than $1/month. Namecheap FastVPN gives you 2,700+ servers in 100+ locations with unlimited devices. Try it risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Getting Started with Namecheap VPN
Before using any feature, complete this one-time setup.
It takes about 3 minutes.
Watch this quick overview first:
Now let’s walk through each step.
Step 1: Create Your Account
Go to the Namecheap FastVPN website.
Click “Get FastVPN” on the homepage.
Choose your plan (monthly or yearly).
Enter your email and create a password.
Complete payment to confirm your purchase.
✓ Checkpoint: Check your inbox for a confirmation email from Namecheap.
Step 2: Download the FastVPN App
FastVPN works on Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Linux.
Download the app for your device from the FastVPN website.
Double-click the downloaded file to install it.
Here’s what the dashboard looks like after login:
✓ Checkpoint: You should see the main FastVPN dashboard with a connect button.
Step 3: Log In and Verify
Open the FastVPN app after installation.
Enter your Namecheap account email and password.
The app shows your connection status and server list.
✅ Done: You’re ready to use any feature below.
How to Use Namecheap VPN Server Connection
Server Connection lets you route your traffic through 2,700+ servers in 100+ locations worldwide.
Here’s how to use it step by step.
Step 1: Open the Server List
Launch the FastVPN app on your device.
Click the location selector on the main screen.
Browse available countries and cities.
Step 2: Choose a Server Location
Pick “Best Available” for the fastest nearby server.
Or select a specific country for geo-restricted content.
Here’s what this looks like:
✓ Checkpoint: You should see the server location name highlighted in the app.
Step 3: Connect and Verify
Click the big “Connect” button in the center of the app.
Wait a few seconds for the connection to go through.
Visit Namecheap’s “What is my IP” tool to confirm your new IP.
✅ Result: Your internet traffic is now encrypted and routed through the chosen server.
💡 Pro Tip: Pick a server close to your actual location for the fastest speeds. Distant servers cause higher ping and slower downloads.
How to Use Namecheap VPN Kill Switch
Kill Switch lets you block all internet traffic if the VPN connection drops unexpectedly.
Here’s how to use it step by step.
Step 1: Open Settings
Click the “Settings” menu on the left side of the app.
Navigate to the “Advanced” tab.
Step 2: Enable Kill Switch
Find the “Kill Switch” toggle in Advanced settings.
Click the toggle to turn it on.
Here’s what this looks like:
✓ Checkpoint: The Kill Switch toggle should show as enabled (green or blue).
Step 3: Test the Kill Switch
Connect to any VPN server first.
Disconnect the VPN manually.
Your internet should stop working until you reconnect.
✅ Result: Your real IP address stays hidden even if the VPN drops.
💡 Pro Tip: Always enable Kill Switch on public Wi-Fi. It prevents your data from leaking if the VPN disconnects for any reason.
How to Use Namecheap VPN Split Tunneling
Split Tunneling lets you choose which apps use the VPN and which bypass it.
Here’s how to use it step by step.
Step 1: Disconnect from VPN
Make sure you’re disconnected from FastVPN first.
Split Tunneling can only be set up while disconnected.
Step 2: Enable Split Tunneling
Go to Settings, then the “Advanced” tab.
Toggle on “Split Tunneling” and click “Manage.”
Here’s what this looks like:
✓ Checkpoint: You should see a list of apps or hostnames to add.
Step 3: Add Apps to Bypass
Select apps that should skip the VPN connection.
On Windows, choose from installed apps.
On iOS, enter hostnames of websites to bypass.
Reconnect to the VPN after saving your choices.
✅ Result: Selected apps use your regular connection while everything else goes through the VPN.
💡 Pro Tip: Bypass banking apps and local services. This keeps them working at full speed while your browser stays protected.
How to Use Namecheap VPN Protocol Switching
Protocol Switching lets you change between WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 for different security needs.
Here’s how to use it step by step.
Step 1: Open General Settings
Click “Settings” in the FastVPN app.
Go to the “General” tab.
Step 2: Select a Protocol
Find the “Protocol” dropdown menu.
Choose WireGuard for the fastest speeds.
Choose OpenVPN for maximum security and firewall bypass.
Choose IKEv2 for stable mobile connections.
Here’s what this looks like:
✓ Checkpoint: The selected protocol name should appear in the settings.
Step 3: Reconnect to Apply
Disconnect from your current server.
Reconnect to any server location.
The new protocol takes effect right away.
✅ Result: Your VPN now uses the chosen protocol for all connections.
💡 Pro Tip: Use WireGuard for daily browsing. Switch to OpenVPN with Scramble if you’re in a country that blocks VPN traffic.
How to Use Namecheap VPN Streaming Servers
Streaming Servers lets you access Netflix, Disney+, HBO, and other geo-blocked content.
Here’s how to use it step by step.
Step 1: Access Streaming Mode
Right-click the FastVPN icon in your system tray.
Select the “For Streaming” option from the menu.
Step 2: Choose a Streaming Server
Pick a server in the country whose content you want.
For US Netflix, choose a United States server.
For BBC iPlayer, choose a United Kingdom server.
Here’s what this looks like:
✓ Checkpoint: You should see “For Streaming” label on your connection.
Step 3: Open Your Streaming App
Open Netflix, Disney+, or your preferred streaming service.
The content library should match the server country.
Enjoy smooth 4K streaming on the dedicated servers.
✅ Result: You can now access region-locked content from anywhere in the world.
💡 Pro Tip: Use streaming servers instead of regular ones. They’re built to bypass geo-blocks and provide faster video speeds.
How to Use Namecheap VPN Ad Blocker
Ad Blocker lets you block annoying ads, trackers, and malicious pop-ups while browsing.
Here’s how to use it step by step.
Step 1: Open Advanced Settings
Go to Settings in the FastVPN app.
Click the “Advanced” tab.
Step 2: Enable Ad Blocker
Find the “Ad Blocker” toggle.
Switch it on with a single click.
Here’s what this looks like:
✓ Checkpoint: The Ad Blocker toggle should show as enabled.
Step 3: Browse Without Ads
Connect to any VPN server.
Open your browser and visit any website.
Most banner ads and pop-ups will be blocked.
✅ Result: Cleaner browsing with fewer ads and faster page loads.
💡 Pro Tip: Keep Ad Blocker on all the time. It also blocks trackers that follow you across websites.
How to Use Namecheap VPN Auto-Connect
Auto-Connect lets you launch FastVPN and connect to your last server when your device starts.
Here’s how to use it step by step.
Step 1: Open General Settings
Click “Settings” in the left menu.
Stay on the “General” tab.
Step 2: Enable Auto-Connect Options
Toggle on “Launch on Startup” to open the app automatically.
Toggle on “Auto-Connect” to connect to your last server.
Here’s what this looks like:
✓ Checkpoint: Both toggles should appear enabled in General settings.
Step 3: Restart Your Device to Test
Restart your computer or phone.
FastVPN should open and connect on its own.
Check your IP to confirm the VPN is active.
✅ Result: You’re protected from the moment your device turns on — no manual steps needed.
💡 Pro Tip: Pair Auto-Connect with Kill Switch for maximum protection. Your device will never go online without VPN coverage.
Namecheap VPN Pro Tips and Shortcuts
After testing Namecheap VPN for over 6 months, here are my best tips.
Keyboard Shortcuts
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Quick Connect/Disconnect | Right-click system tray icon → Connect |
| Switch to Streaming Mode | Right-click tray icon → For Streaming |
| Change Server Location | Click location name in main dashboard |
| Open Settings | Click gear icon or “Settings” in left menu |
Hidden Features Most People Miss
- OpenVPN Scramble: Enable this under OpenVPN settings to disguise VPN traffic as regular browsing. Great for restrictive networks.
- Dark Mode: Switch to dark theme in General Settings for easier viewing at night. Reduces eye strain during late browsing.
- Network Detection: Turn on “Network Detection Notification” in Advanced settings. You’ll get alerts when connecting to new Wi-Fi networks.
Namecheap VPN Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake #1: Connecting to Distant Servers for Daily Browsing
❌ Wrong: Picking a server on the other side of the world for regular web browsing.
✅ Right: Use “Best Available” or a server in your region. Save distant servers for accessing specific content.
Mistake #2: Leaving Kill Switch Disabled on Public Wi-Fi
❌ Wrong: Using public Wi-Fi without Kill Switch enabled.
✅ Right: Always turn on Kill Switch before connecting to any public network. It blocks data if VPN drops.
Mistake #3: Downloading the Wrong FastVPN App
❌ Wrong: Searching “FastVPN” in app stores and downloading a random VPN with the same name.
✅ Right: Look for “FastVPN by Namecheap” specifically. Many apps share the FastVPN name.
Namecheap VPN Troubleshooting
Problem: VPN Won’t Connect to Any Server
Cause: Your current protocol may be blocked by your network or ISP.
Fix: Go to Settings → General and switch to a different protocol. Try OpenVPN if WireGuard fails. Restart the app after changing.
Problem: Internet Stops Working After Disconnecting VPN
Cause: Kill Switch is still enabled and blocking non-VPN traffic.
Fix: Go to Settings → Advanced and check if Kill Switch is on. Disable it temporarily or reconnect to the VPN.
Problem: Slow Speeds While Connected
Cause: You may be connected to a distant or overloaded server.
Fix: Switch to a nearby server. Also try changing the protocol to WireGuard, which is the fastest option available.
Problem: App Crashes When Opened from Desktop Icon
Cause: Opening the app from the desktop shortcut can trigger a reinstall prompt.
Fix: Pin FastVPN to your taskbar. Always open it from the taskbar icon instead of the desktop shortcut.
📌 Note: If none of these fix your issue, contact Namecheap support. They offer 24/7 live chat.
What is Namecheap VPN?
Namecheap VPN (also called FastVPN) is a budget-friendly VPN tool that encrypts your internet traffic and masks your IP address.
Think of it like a private tunnel for your internet. Everything you do online passes through this secure tunnel instead of the open road.
It includes these key features:
- Server Connection: Access 2,700+ servers in 100+ global locations
- Kill Switch: Automatically blocks internet if VPN drops
- Split Tunneling: Choose which apps use VPN and which don’t
- Protocol Switching: Switch between WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2
- Streaming Servers: Dedicated servers for Netflix, Disney+, and more
- Ad Blocker: Block ads and trackers at the VPN level
- Auto-Connect: Launch and connect on device startup
- Unlimited Devices: Protect every device you own with one account
For a full review, see our Namecheap VPN review.
Namecheap VPN Pricing
Here’s what Namecheap VPN costs in 2026:
| Plan | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Plan | $0.66/mo (first month, renews at $7.88/mo) | Testing the service short-term |
| 1-Year Plan | $0.82/mo ($9.88 total, renews at $34.56/yr) | Best value for long-term users |
Free trial: No free trial, but the first month costs just $0.66.
Money-back guarantee: Yes — 30-day full refund on all plans.
💰 Best Value: 1-Year Plan — You pay just $9.88 for the first year. That’s less than $1/month for full VPN protection on unlimited devices.
Namecheap VPN vs Alternatives
How does Namecheap VPN compare? Here’s the competitive landscape:
| Tool | Best For | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Namecheap VPN | Budget VPN with unlimited devices | $0.82/mo | ⭐ 3.8 |
| NordVPN | Overall best security and speed | $2.99/mo | ⭐ 4.5 |
| ExpressVPN | Premium speed and reliability | $2.44/mo | ⭐ 4.6 |
| Surfshark | Affordable with unlimited devices | $1.99/mo | ⭐ 4.4 |
| ProtonVPN | Privacy-focused with free plan | $0.00/mo | ⭐ 4.5 |
| PureVPN | Large server network | $2.15/mo | ⭐ 4.0 |
| CyberGhost | Streaming and torrenting | $2.03/mo | ⭐ 4.3 |
| Private Internet Access | Open-source and customizable | $2.03/mo | ⭐ 4.2 |
Quick picks:
- Best overall: NordVPN — Top-tier security, speed, and global server coverage
- Best budget: Namecheap VPN — Under $1/month with unlimited devices
- Best for beginners: Surfshark — Simple app with strong features at low cost
- Best for privacy: ProtonVPN — Swiss-based with audited no-logs policy
🎯 Namecheap VPN Alternatives
Looking for Namecheap VPN alternatives? Here are the top options:
- 🚀 NordVPN: Industry leader with 6,400+ servers, Threat Protection, and double VPN encryption for maximum security.
- ⚡ ExpressVPN: Fastest VPN tested with servers in 105 countries. Best for speed-critical tasks like 4K streaming.
- 💰 PureVPN: Budget pick with 6,500+ servers in 65+ countries. Port forwarding support for torrent users.
- 🌟 Surfshark: Unlimited devices like Namecheap but with better streaming support and CleanWeb ad blocker.
- 🔒 ProtonVPN: Swiss-based with a genuine free plan. Best choice for privacy-focused users.
- 🎨 PrivadoVPN: Generous free tier with 10 GB monthly data. Good entry point for VPN beginners.
- 🧠 AdGuard VPN: Doubles as ad blocker and VPN. Great if you want both in one subscription.
- 🔧 Virtual Shield: US-based VPN with simple setup. Family-friendly with easy parental controls.
- ⭐ StrongVPN: No-frills VPN with WireGuard support. Reliable for basic browsing and streaming.
- 🏢 AuraVPN: Full digital safety suite with VPN, identity theft protection, and credit monitoring.
- 👶 CyberGhost: Beginner-friendly with dedicated streaming and gaming servers. 45-day money-back guarantee.
- 🔥 McAfee VPN: Bundled with antivirus protection. Good if you want VPN + malware defense together.
- 💼 Private Internet Access: Open-source VPN with customizable encryption. Best for tech-savvy users.
- 🎯 Mysterium: Decentralized VPN powered by a peer-to-peer network. Pay per GB for what you use.
- 📊 SafeShell VPN: Specialized in bypassing geo-restrictions. Strong streaming performance at low cost.
- 🐚 Oyster VPN: Newer VPN with fast WireGuard speeds. Affordable plans with no-logs policy.
For the full list, see our Namecheap VPN alternatives guide.
⚔️ Namecheap VPN Compared
Here’s how Namecheap VPN stacks up against each competitor:
- Namecheap VPN vs NordVPN: NordVPN wins on speed, features, and privacy jurisdiction. Namecheap wins on price and unlimited devices.
- Namecheap VPN vs ExpressVPN: ExpressVPN is faster and works in more countries. Namecheap costs a fraction of the price.
- Namecheap VPN vs PureVPN: Both are budget options. PureVPN has more servers and port forwarding. Namecheap is cheaper.
- Namecheap VPN vs Surfshark: Both offer unlimited devices. Surfshark has better streaming support and a stronger feature set.
- Namecheap VPN vs ProtonVPN: ProtonVPN is better for privacy with Swiss jurisdiction. Namecheap is more affordable on paid plans.
- Namecheap VPN vs PrivadoVPN: PrivadoVPN has a free tier with 10 GB. Namecheap offers more servers on paid plans.
- Namecheap VPN vs AdGuard VPN: AdGuard excels at ad blocking. Namecheap has more server locations and lower pricing.
- Namecheap VPN vs Virtual Shield: Virtual Shield is simpler but pricier. Namecheap offers better value for the features.
- Namecheap VPN vs StrongVPN: Both are mid-range VPNs. StrongVPN has better WireGuard speeds. Namecheap is cheaper.
- Namecheap VPN vs AuraVPN: Aura bundles identity protection. Namecheap is a pure VPN at a much lower price.
- Namecheap VPN vs CyberGhost: CyberGhost has more servers and a 45-day refund. Namecheap costs less per month.
- Namecheap VPN vs McAfee VPN: McAfee bundles antivirus. Namecheap is better as a standalone VPN at lower cost.
- Namecheap VPN vs Private Internet Access: PIA offers more customization and open-source code. Namecheap is simpler and cheaper.
- Namecheap VPN vs Mysterium: Mysterium is decentralized with pay-per-use pricing. Namecheap offers fixed-rate simplicity.
- Namecheap VPN vs SafeShell VPN: SafeShell focuses on geo-unblocking. Namecheap has a larger server network and lower cost.
- Namecheap VPN vs Oyster VPN: Both are affordable. Oyster is newer with fewer servers. Namecheap has more locations.
Start Using Namecheap VPN Now
You learned how to use every major Namecheap VPN feature:
- ✅ Server Connection
- ✅ Kill Switch
- ✅ Split Tunneling
- ✅ Protocol Switching
- ✅ Streaming Servers
- ✅ Ad Blocker
- ✅ Auto-Connect
Next step: Pick one feature and try it now.
Most people start with Server Connection.
It takes less than 5 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Namecheap FastVPN safe?
Yes, Namecheap FastVPN uses AES-256 encryption, which is the same standard used by banks and governments. It also supports WireGuard and OpenVPN protocols. However, Namecheap is based in the US (Five Eyes country), which may concern privacy-focused users.
Is Namecheap VPN good for gaming?
FastVPN works well for gaming on nearby servers with low ping. Use WireGuard protocol for the fastest speeds. Distant servers will add lag, so pick the closest location to your region for the best experience.
Is Namecheap VPN good for torrenting?
Yes, FastVPN allows P2P downloads on all servers. Enable Kill Switch to protect your real IP address during downloads. The unlimited bandwidth means no throttling on large files.
Does Namecheap VPN keep logs?
Namecheap claims a no-logs policy and says it doesn’t track your browsing activity or DNS lookups. However, the policy hasn’t been verified by an independent audit, which top VPNs like NordVPN and ExpressVPN have done.
Is FastVPN free?
No, FastVPN is not free. But it’s one of the cheapest VPNs available. The first month costs just $0.66 and the yearly plan starts at $0.82/month. All plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.
How many devices can I use with Namecheap VPN?
Namecheap FastVPN supports unlimited devices on a single account. You can protect your phone, laptop, tablet, and router all at once. This makes it one of the best VPNs for families or users with many devices.
Which VPN protocol should I use with FastVPN?
Use WireGuard for daily browsing since it’s the fastest option. Switch to OpenVPN if you need to bypass network restrictions. Use IKEv2 on mobile devices for stable connections when switching between Wi-Fi and cellular.
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