Kemang VPN is a relatively small VPN provider, with just 63 server locations in 31 countries. But I wanted to test whether it stands up to the claims made on its website, especially since I needed a good VPN while I travelled in Indonesia.
Unfortunately, I found the app is restrictive in my country and is only available via Android. Its website is written in Indonesian with no translation option, and so navigating and searching the troubleshooting page proved to be difficult since I don’t speak the language.
With military-grade security, unlimited bandwidth, and 10 device connections under 1 purchase, at first glance this small VPN seems like it has plenty to offer. However, there were a number of problems during my testing that made me stick with my usual VPNs of choice; for an all-around VPN with consistent connections and fast speeds, check out my top recommendations.
Short on Time? Here Are My Key Findings
- Unreliable speeds. With few servers to choose from in each location, it is unlikely that you’ll find reliably fast servers close to your location.
- Small server network. With just 63 servers in 31 countries, this is an extremely small server network, causing congestion and connection issues.
- Not available on iOS. The Android app was relatively straightforward, but when I went to test it on an iPhone, it wasn’t available in my country.
- 10 simultaneous device connections. But since it’s only available on Android at the moment, I don’t have much need for multiple connections under 1 purchase.
- Strong security features but dubious PPTP protocol in use. Military-grade encryption and a kill-switch, but obsolete tunneling in place.
- 24/7 email and WhatsApp support. Friendly support staff who also speak English, but you may not get an answer right away.
- Expensive purchase offers. Considering how limited its features are, I was surprised by how expensive Kemang’s offers are. It was also impossible to pay using a credit card in my country.
[features-overview-table]
Streaming — Netflix-Optimized Servers for the US
At first I was impressed to find that Kemang has Netflix-optimized servers. Its website recommends using its US server for Netflix, so this means that you should be able to find a good quality server to access the vast US Netflix library from anywhere.
It claims that its servers can unblock geo-restrictions from most popular streaming services. It does not specify which ones, only detailing Netflix and giving vague assurances that its servers will work. I expect a good VPN to be able to unblock my favorite streaming sites, such as Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, Disney+, and Hulu, so that I can stay up-to-date while I travel. I could find no evidence that I will be able to watch from Indonesia using this VPN.
Because this is a small VPN and its servers may be limited, if you want to use it for streaming I recommend you take a look at these VPNs instead. Each of these VPNs quickly bypass geoblocks all over the world, letting you watch your favorite shows from anywhere.
Speeds — Small Network May Cause Slowdowns
Because Kemang only has 63 servers overall it will be unlikely that you’ll always find a server with good speeds. You might struggle to find a server near to your location, which will be the best way of getting high speeds and low pings.
A VPN can slow down your connection by around 20% as it encrypts your data. This can get even worse the farther away from the server you’re located, so if you’re using a VPN for travel it’s always wise to choose one with a vast server network. There are many VPN providers with far greater server networks out there, giving you a better viewing experience.
Server Network — Limited Options to Choose From
Kemang VPN has a very small network of servers, spanning just 31 countries. Since there is only an average of 1 server per country, the servers can get overcrowded, causing congestion and slow connection speeds.
If you’re looking for a VPN to use in Africa, I would not recommend you try Kemang. It offers a solitary server in Johannesburg.
You can search for servers in the USA, South America, Europe, and Asia, but the selection options are limited. The locations it has seem impressive, covering most of the major cities in Europe and 9 locations in the US. But on further testing many of these servers just didn’t work for me.
Security — Great Encryption, but Uses PPTP Protocols
I was pleased to see that Kemang uses AES 256-bit encryption, and has a kill switch function in its apps. AES 256-bit encryption is used by the military to secure its data, and is the best available at the moment. Each encryption algorithm needs a specific key to decode it, so even if a hacker did somehow gain access to your data, they would never be able to read it.
The kill switch cuts your internet connection completely in the event it drops out even for a second. This means that if the VPN malfunctions, your personal IP address and devices remain hidden and protected.
KemangVPN uses the OpenVPN, IKEv2, L2TP/IPSec, and PPTP protocols. OpenVPN is the industry-standard, and one of the fastest and most secure options. IKEv2 offers fast connection speeds, but won’t work on all networks. The L2TP and IPSec combination is great, as the first one offers fast speeds, and the latter provides strong encryption. The only concerning protocol is PPTP, which is considered obsolete and it had some big security breaches in the past. Its traffic is easily decrypted, meaning that intelligence agencies or even hackers might easily access your data.
To keep your devices and data secure, I recommend using one of the VPNs that we have tried and tested and have proved to be the safest available.
Privacy — Vague Privacy Policy
It states on the website that it doesn’t keep any logs of your internet usage, but since it is not explicit about the amount of records it keeps from the point of purchase, it is difficult to say whether it stores personal data. There is no confirmation as to whether this information can be sold on or shared with 3rd party providers, and so I am unable to confirm whether Kemang really does keep your privacy secure.
The company is based in Indonesia, which is outside of the 5 Eyes Alliance. This means you can trust it to keep your data from third parties, even if it is a government request.
Torrenting — Allowed, but Not Recommended
In KemangVPN’s terms of service it states that torrenting is allowed, but downloading copyrighted content is strictly forbidden. There are also restrictions on the files you are allowed to torrent. If you make an attempt to download a large file, your access may be restricted to prevent IP abuse.
The team at vpnMentor doesn’t condone illegal downloads, so I recommend you check all files you select to download to make sure you don’t accidentally click on copyrighted content.
Does KemangVPN Work in China? — Yes
I contacted the customer service team, who confirmed that KemangVPN does work in China. This surprised me as VPNs with a smaller server network and less premium features usually struggle to bypass the so-called Great Wall of China geoblocks. But I will have to take the rep’s word for it.
Simultaneous Device Connections — Up to 10
You get 10 simultaneous device connections across each of its purchase offers. However, its compatibility is limited. Because it’s only available on Android in my country, I wouldn’t really have any use for other device connections, so this feature isn’t very useful.
- Netflix-optimized US server
- 63 servers in 31 countries
- Military-grade encryption and a no-logs policy
- Helpful customer support
- 10 device connections per purchase
Final Verdict
I needed a solid VPN for use while I travelled in Indonesia, but found that Kemang can’t compete with my tried-and-tested premium VPNs. Since many of these providers have high-performance servers in and around Indonesia, there was no reason for me to switch to a VPN with slower speeds, connectivity issues, and insecure protocols.
Although at first it seemed as though Kemang had a lot to offer, I just can’t recommend it over other similar-priced VPNs.
- Netflix-optimized US server
- 63 servers in 31 countries
- Military-grade encryption and a no-logs policy
- Helpful customer support
- 10 device connections per purchase
FAQs
Is KemangVPN safe?
Kemang has decent security policies, but there is a catch. It features military-grade 256-bit encryption and a kill switch to protect your data, but it also uses PPTP protocols. These are seriously outdated and not recommended due to the ease at which they can be compromised.
Can KemangVPN unblock Netflix?
It does claim to unblock Netflix using its optimized US server. This is quite a limited feature, as most VPNs at the prices charged by Kemang easily unblock most streaming services in multiple countries.
Will KemangVPN slow my speeds down?
Yes, it is likely that Kemang will slow down your speeds. VPNs with small server networks tend to be unreliable as the available servers get congested with heavy traffic. It’s also harder to find servers close to your location for the best speeds and lowest ping results. If you’re looking for a VPN with great speeds for streaming and gaming, choose one of my favorite options instead.