Lantern Review 2024: Before You Buy, Is It Worth It?

Is Lantern Fast? Yes, It Offers Good Speeds On a Local Server

I encountered a significant drop from my base internet speed, but it was still fast enough to browse the internet, torrent, and watch movies. Because Lantern automatically assigned me a server, I was only able to test its speeds on the US server. As soon as I launched the Lantern app, it automatically connected to a server in New Jersey. Tests were conducted three times per day for three days, with a minimum of four hours between each testing session.

While testing the free plan, I did experience a drop in connection speed after exceeding the 500MB limit. You may also experience slower performance when rerouting around blocked IPs if you are using the free version.

Speed Test Results

As far as VPN speeds go, my experience with Lantern was about average. The biggest problem was a decrease in download speeds—by as much as 60%—while connected to the Lantern US server. In contrast, slowdown in upload speed was less severe, coming in at around 40%.

To determine the baseline speed of my test internet connection, I used the speedtest.net website. The download speed before I connected to Lantern was 84.55Mbps, and the upload speed was 13.21Mbps.

The test was run once more after configuring my Windows to send all traffic through the Lantern server. This time, my download speed was 33.57 Mbps and my upload speed was 7.89 Mbps. The average connection speed of Lantern is fast enough to handle all of your online activities. Measuring at 33.57Mbs, you’ll be able to watch both HD and 4K UHD videos, play online games, and download large files easily.

Server Network — Automatic Server and Locations

Lantern’s server selection process is restrictive as it does not allow you to select your preferred server. The company asserts that it has global servers situated across the globe, yet it does not provide a publicly accessible list of those servers. Despite lacking a significant server count, the company still struggles to establish a strong global presence due to a lack of an effective distribution network.

When using Lantern, I was automatically connected to the server that was most suitable for my geographic location and unable to select a different location. Despite trying to disconnect and reconnect multiple times, I was consistently routed to a New Jersey-based server. This is not a common feature among VPNs and is likely due to Lantern being described as a proxy rather than a VPN. Without the ability to manually choose a server, it becomes difficult to sidestep region-specific geoblocks.

Furthermore, unpaid users may experience slower connection speeds as they are only able to access overcrowded servers. In contrast, Lantern Pro subscribers have access to higher-speed servers that are not available to free users. CyberGhost offers a high number of servers and server locations, making it a good option for those looking for a VPN with a larger server capacity.

Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as CyberGhost VPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

Security — Strong Encryption but Basic Security Features

Lantern VPN offers a secure browsing experience, yet it lacks some of the advanced features found in premium VPNs.

The security features it offers include:

• Strong encryption – Lantern’s connections are established through mutual certificate validation and your online traffic is encrypted using AES-256. Additionally, Lantern includes a feature called forward secrecy, which ensures that personal information is protected while using the service.
• Ad blocker – one unique feature of Lantern is its in-built ad blocker, which protects against adware and malware attacks. However, this feature cannot be disabled and is set to be on by default.

I conducted a thorough evaluation of Lantern, a software application, to determine its effectiveness in preventing leaks of IP, DNS, and WebRTC. The test was conducted on both Windows and macOS operating systems to ensure that it would work on both platforms. The results showed that Lantern performed extremely well and did not detect any leaks.

It is important to understand that the evaluation was conducted using only a single server located in New Jersey. This is because the Lantern app automatically connects users to a server without offering any server selection options. As a result, my leak test results are not representative of the overall experience for all Lantern app users.

Privacy — Lantern Logs Loads of Your Information

Lantern VPN claims to not log any data, however, its location and data storing policies make it a questionable choice for privacy-conscious individuals. Lantern is based in Los Angeles and as a result, falls under the jurisdiction of the 5-Eyes alliance (the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand) which requires it to share user data with government agencies upon request.

Upon reviewing the company’s privacy policy, I discovered that it collects an extensive amount of information about its users, such as the pages visited, device type, IP address, and unique device ID. Additionally, it utilizes tracking technology and cookies, making it impossible to maintain anonymity while using its VPN.

ExpressVPN prioritizes security by implementing zero-logging, robust encryption, and privacy options. Unlike Lantern VPN, it only collects the minimum necessary data, which includes email address and payment information. Additionally, ExpressVPN offers the option to use cryptocurrency for payment to ensure complete anonymity.

Torrenting — Allowed but Not Recommended Due to Shady Privacy Policy

The Lantern service enables torrenting on its servers, however, the free plan has a limit of 500MB of data per month, making it challenging to download torrent files. When utilizing Lantern to torrent, you should exercise caution due to potential privacy concerns. The privacy policy of Lantern is not completely secure, and its founders are located in the United States, a country known for closely monitoring online activities.

It’s crucial to be aware that participating in illegal torrenting is unacceptable. To ensure you are complying with the laws, take the time to familiarize yourself with the regulations in your jurisdiction. This includes refraining from downloading any copyrighted material.

Does Lantern Work in China? Yes!

Despite not having the ability to verify the information personally due to my location, credible online sources indicate that Chinese users are able to utilize Lantern. I attempted to confirm this by contacting the customer support team, but I did not receive a response even after three days and multiple emails.

In China, VPN services are typically blocked by the government. Thus, finding a service that operates in the country is important for accessing blocked websites. Lantern uses a peer-to-peer tunneling network similar to the Tor network, which routes data through various nodes before reaching its final destination. With exit points located outside of China, Lantern allows users to unblock censored sites such as Netflix, Facebook, WhatsApp, HBO Max, YouTube, and Google.

It is important to note that non-government approved VPNs are illegal in China. However, there have not been any reported cases of tourists being penalized by the Chinese government for using them. Instead, the government typically fights against VPNs by blocking them technologically, rather than pursuing the individuals who use them.

Lantern provides various means of support including email, a frequently asked questions (FAQ) section, a blog, and a well-maintained knowledge base. Sadly, it does not offer a live chat option, which would allow for real-time communication with support agents.

To seek assistance, you can either send an email or visit the support page for alternative options. I have submitted multiple inquiries but have yet to receive a response, indicating that while the company strives to respond to emails promptly, there is no guaranteed turnaround time.

If you have questions, it has a comprehensive knowledge base where you may find answers. The knowledge base contains a wealth of information about their offerings and the latest updates or announcements. It is also possible to find news and other information regarding the company via Facebook, Twitter, and other social media pages.