X-VPN review: Cheap VPN with great streaming – but slower speeds
Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros Free plan Growing collection of server locations Great for geo-unblocking Cons Significant speed drop Five device limit is lower than rivals Our Verdict X-VPN has improved significantly and is now a solid option, especially if you want a free VPN or a low-cost service that can reliably unblock streaming platforms and social media. Its proprietary Everest protocol works well for bypassing geo-restrictions, and the service offers a transparent no-logs policy backed by an external audit. However, performance can lag behind top rivals, with noticeable speed drops during long-distance connections, so it’s best suited to casual browsing and streaming rather than speed-sensitive tasks. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Price When Reviewed$2.99 a month for 24 months/$69.99 for two year plan Best Prices Today: X-VPN Retailer Price X-VPN $2.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket X-VPN’s biggest strengths: Reliable geo-unblocking, generous free plan, and low-cost premium tier, making it an accessible VPN for users who mainly want to stream content or browse more privately without paying top-tier prices X-VPN’s biggest drawback: Its biggest drawback is a significant speed drop compared with leading VPNs, with testing showing download speeds falling by around 60% on long-distance connections. Free plan: Yes Price: $2.99/month (2-year plan) Devices: 5 Protocols: Everest, WireGuard, OpenVPN Server locations: 10,000 servers Money-back guarantee: 30 days Logging policy: No-logs (audited) I’ve spent an long time poring over Mac VPN details to help pick the best of the best, and in that time, X-VPN popped up on the periphery with many concerns over how the service handled privacy. While I can’t speak for earlier versions of X-VPN, reviewing it in 2026 makes it clear it’s a solid product that has outgrown those concerns for the most part. The Singapore-based VPN does a great job of getting around geoblocks, while also offering a series of safeguards to keep your Mac (and other devices) safe and protect your identity. There’s a free plan, which is always welcome, but it’s naturally limited to a small subset of server locations, while there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee for its competitively-priced premium option, too. If you are happy to upgrade, it’s a pretty transparent service in terms of security, too, with a no-logs policy backed up by an external audit. Privacy aside, its Everest protocol is a great unblocker for just about any service. It’s not open source (such is the nature of proprietary protocols), but it does a great job at making social media and video content available just about anywhere. For more options see our round up of the Best VPN for Mac and Best VPN for iPad & iPhone. Features & Apps: How easy is X-VPN to use and what features does it include The best VPN services meet you where you need them, and X-VPN does a great job of doing that. It has options for macOS, iOS (and iPadOS), Android, Windows, and game consoles. X-VPN also abides by the long-tested VPN app philosophy of having a big ol’ button to press when you’re ready to connect, something that offers an enjoyable simplicity. I’m also pleased to see, despite the low price, that there are some more powerful features included in the paid tier. There’s a password manager, leak tests for DNS and IPv6, and an IP address checker, as well as the option to route your traffic through two VPN servers to further obfuscate traffic.  A kill switch comes as standard for dropping connections if the VPN connection drops out, while Split Tunnelling is available for routing some traffic via a VPN. Foundry It’s a shame there’s a five-device limit, however. While we’re not expecting Surfshark-esque unlimited devices, it’s lower than more well-known rivals like ExpressVPN, which starts at 10. While we’re nitpicking, there are some grammatical errors on the X-VPN site that don’t inspire confidence. It’s a small thing, but in such a competitive field and when choosing who to entrust with your digital privacy, phrases like “All human deserves a free internet” might make you think twice about subscribing. Performance: How fast is X-VPN in real-world use? Foundry One of X-VPN’s biggest selling points is its proprietary Everest protocol, which claims to be a great way to get around geoblocks to access content from elsewhere in the world. In our testing, we found that pretty accurate: I was able to switch between Netflix libraries and storefronts with ease, although the 10,000 server locations aren’t as spread out as some of its rivals. For example, UK servers are based in London and Manchester, whereas other rivals offer more than just a few major cities. I do appreciate that there are servers for specific needs; however, like streaming-specific options or ones earmarked for torrent downloads. Sadly, the fly in the ointment here is speed. X-VPN offers a ‘smart routing AI’ for finding the ‘fastest server’, but that isn’t always the case. In fact, connecting from the U.K. to the U.S. knocked off around 60% of our download speeds in testing, which is a higher drop than we’re used to.  A representative from X-VPN told us the company has formed an optimization task force and is rolling out additional 10Gbps servers. That should bear fruit around July 2026, but for now, it’s a steep speed drop despite the positives of getting around geoblocks. A note on Everest: The protocol here isn’t open-source, which is something of a double-edged sword. On the one hand, users can’t examine the code of Everest, potentially working on improvements, but on the other, it can’t be easily cracked by bad actors, either.  If it were to be opened up to the world, it would likely lose some potency as streaming services and web providers work to restrict its capabilities, but for now, it does a great job of getting around content blocks. Thankfully, OpenVPN and WireGuard are supported as alternatives should you run into any compatibility issues. Foundry Privacy & Security: Is X-VPN safe and private to use? AES-256 encryption is provided as standard, while all servers are RAM-only so data is instantly removed. That’s something of a bold step for more traditional users, however, who will no doubt feel secure just knowing the company runs a no-logs policy that’s backed up by external auditors. Better yet, you don’t even need to log in with the free plan to get the benefit of the VPN. That means you can use it without even giving away your email address. X-VPN’s Transparency Report showed the service saw over 239,000 DMCA requests, and 65 law enforcement enquiries, with none of them being responded to with identifiable user data. There’s a Dark Web Monitor built in, too, which looks for instances of your data appearing on the Dark Web so you can stay vigilant. Dark Web Monitoring,Foundry Pricing and plans: Is X-VPN good value for money? While X-VPN is naturally a better service when you’re paying for it (as is the case for just about anything in life, VPN or otherwise), it’s nice that its free plan exists. It offers a way to test the waters without needing to even give away your email (spoof or otherwise). That means you’re getting access to a VPN without giving any information away. When it does come time to pay, $69.99 covers you for two years (that’s $2.99 per month), and you can pay with Bitcoin for added anonymity. It’s refreshing to see an affordable VPN with so many features, too, as covered earlier. Many of those are often tied to higher tiers with other services. Should you use X-VPN? Device limits and breadth of server locations aside, X-VPN is a much better service than you may have been led to believe in recent years. Its Everest protocol is great for just about any unblocking, and the low price (and free plan) make it easy to recommend for new VPN users, as long as you’re ok with some degree of speed drop.

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Apple is the TCS London Marathon Official Performance Technology Product Partner
Apple has partnered with the world's biggest marathon as part of a push to encourage ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary goals.Image credit: TCS London MarathonOn April 26, athletes from all over the world will gather to participate in the 2026 TCS London Marathon. This year, Apple has been honored as the Official Performance Technology Partner."The London Marathon is one of the world's greatest sporting events and a powerful celebration of the global running community," Jay Blahnik, Apple's vice president of Fitness Technologies, said in the announcement. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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9to5Mac Daily: March 16, 2026 – AirPods Max 2 are here
Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from 9to5Mac. 9to5Mac Daily is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players. Sponsored by Backblaze: Backup you can rely on. Save 20% with code 9to5daily. more…

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AirPods Max 2 vs AirPods Max: Premium personal audio compared
After years of rumors, Apple finally introduced new AirPods Max. Here's what's changed in the 2026 model compared to the first released six years ago.AirPods Max and AirPods Max 2In Apple's AirPods range, the earbud-based versions have received the most updates. There have been multiple generations of AirPods and AirPods Pro released over the years, with each bringing in new features to the lines.By contrast, Apple has largely steered clear of the AirPods Max. The premium over-ear headphones have received only one minor update since the 2020 introduction, with a September 2024 refresh switching out the Lightning connector for USB-C and doing little else. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Get lifetime AI investing advice for 85% off
Build an optimized portfolio, track performance and fine-tune your investments with a lifetime subscription to this AI investing app. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Deals: AirPods Pro 3, 1TB M5 MacBook Pro, MacBook Air $300 off, Titanium Apple Watch $300 off, more
Today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break is headlined by AirPods Pro 3 back down at $210 (within $10 of holiday price) just after the reveal of the all-new AirPods Max 2. We also have Apple’s M5-powered 24GB MacBook Pro with 1TB storage at $200 off launch price as well as this 24GB M4 MacBook Air at $300 off joined by Apple Pencil Pro from $65, Apple Watch Ultra 2 clearance pricing at $300 off, Titanium Apple Watch Series 10 Cell models at $300 off, and much more below. more…

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Apple Maps EV Routing adds battery preconditioning for Ford Mustang Mach-E
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F1: The Movie wins Apple its first Academy Award in three years
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Liquid Glass is divisive now, but Apple knows where it's going
Six months after public release, Liquid Glass remains as controversial as ever. Apple may be considering some mitigations in iOS 27 and so forth, but this is the future — especially if we get touchscreen Macs.Maybe Liquid Glass is controversial on Macs and iPhones, but you'd still buy one of these Apple Park models if you could — image credit: AppleIt's not at all true that everyone hates Apple's Liquid Glass redesign. What is true is that right now, it's in flux and being changed.There was never any question that it would stay. It was always going to evolve, just as Apple's iOS 7 so famously and controversially did over many years. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Today in Apple history: iPad gets an eye-dazzling Retina display
On March 16, 2012, Apple introduced the third-generation iPad. The short-lived iPad 3 became the first tablet to come with a Retina display. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Apple acquires MotionVFX, maker of popular Final Cut Pro plugins and more
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Apple’s feature film ‘F1’ scores Best Sound at the 98th Annual Academy Awards
Sunday night, at the 98th Annual Academy Awards, Apple’s history-making film “F1” won Best Sound from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Apple partnering with London Marathon: ‘Apple’s technologies support runners at every level’
Apple has been announced as an official partner of this year’s TCS London Marathon ahead of race day next month. Running and Apple already have a strong association after a decade of developing the Apple Watch to be the best run tracking smartwatch on the market. more…

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F1: The Movie takes home Apple TV’s only Oscar
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AirPods Max 2 vs AirPods Max: Here’s everything new
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Big changes are coming to iOS 27, but Liquid Glass is here to stay
Macworld Last year’s 26-branded operating system updates, including macOS 26, watchOS 26, and visionOS 26 as well as the iPhone’s iOS 26, were dominated by a single but very broad design change. A new look called Liquid Glass was brought in across all of Apple’s devices, introducing glass-like transparency effects and animations. This wasn’t universally popular, but according to a new report, Apple has no plans to get rid of Liquid Glass any time soon. In the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman argues firstly that Liquid Glass was never as unpopular as some media outlets claimed. “The idea that iOS 26 and Liquid Glass represent a crisis for Apple–or some unforgivable offense against good design that customers around the world despise–is greatly overblown,” he writes. “The vast majority of users appear happy with the update, and adoption has steadily climbed.” He goes on to claim that, contrary to one narrative, Liquid Glass was not the pet project of a few individuals who have since left the company. The design language had full buy-in from the executive team, he says, while several employees who now have more prominent roles in the design team were driving forces behind its long-term development. A sudden change of direction is unlikely. However, in a post on X, Gurman does concede that Apple is still looking at ways to give users more control over just how glassy Liquid Glass looks. Apple introduced a setting in iOS 26.2 letting users choose between “Clear” and “Tinted,” but Gurman reports it is still trying to give users granular control over the look of the interface: “Apple had been working on a systemwide Liquid Glass slider for iOS 26 to adjust the level of the glass effect. It couldn’t be pulled off for engineering reasons. Apple is trying again now for iOS 27. TBD if it lands.” But it’s clear that the opening keynote presentation at WWDC 26 won’t feature a loud mea culpa and the announcement of a new design language. (Indeed, we’ve suspected as much for some time.) But that doesn’t mean it’ll be uneventful. And Gurman believes that one major change is on the way to iOS 27 this year. In preparation for the launch of its first ever foldable in the fall, Gurman believes that Apple is preparing iOS to accommodate the larger display and multiple screen sizes of the iPhone Fold. When the device is folded up, it will behave more like the iPhones we are used to; when unfolded, somewhat like an iPad. It will support split-screen apps, for example, but not the iPad’s full multitasking capabilities. Offering a superior experience for watching video and playing games than any other iPhone, Gurman feels the iPhone Fold has the potential to be a game-changer. “The foldable iPhone promises to be one of Apple’s most exciting products in years,” he writes. iOS 27 will be announced and demonstrated at WWDC 26 in June, before rolling out to beta testers across multiple versions. The final public version of iOS 27.0 will become available in September. For all the latest news and rumors, bookmark our regularly updated iOS 27 superguide.

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AirPods Max 2 pack AI-powered listening and stronger noise cancellation
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Apple’s ongoing Siri and AI struggles ripple into hardware launch delays
LLM Siri is Apple's major, next-generation overhaul of Siri that shifts the assistant to a foundation built on large language models (LLMs)… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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