Wachee VPN claims to be “a VPN to watch more on Netflix”. It promises to unblock any Netflix library — as well as Hulu and BBC iPlayer — all for a relatively low cost.
So, I took it for a test to see how well it performs. I tested its unblocking performance, speeds, and looked closely at its security and privacy features.
Essentially, Wachee is a Chrome browser extension designed to help you bypass streaming sites. It doesn’t route any other traffic through its tunnel and offers none of the other features you usually get with true VPN services. However, it does its job of unblocking Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer.
It’s not yet ready to compete with the best VPNs, but it’s on the right track.
Short on Time? Here Are My Key Findings
- Basic unblocking capabilities. Wachee VPN unblocked Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Hulu, thus fulfilling its promise.
- Fast speeds. I had no problems streaming in HD, but performing a speed test was impossible.
- Small server network. Wachee only has 170 servers in 10 countries, but it’s enough to access multiple Netflix libraries — at least in theory.
- Almost no protection. Wachee is a browser extension that only routes streaming traffic, so you’re not protected against internet threats.
- Torrenting not supported. The VPN only encrypts a part of your browser traffic, so it’s not suitable for P2P transfers.
- Unlimited simultaneous connections. You can connect as many devices as you need, but only with a premium plan.
- Poor compatibility. Wachee is only compatible with Chrome-based browsers, iOS, and Android devices.
- Quick setup. You only need to download the browser extension or Android app and you’re ready to watch.
- Free plan available. Wachee offers a free plan, but it’s quite limited.
- 10-day money-back guarantee. You can try the premium version free with its money-back guarantee.
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Streaming — Unblocks Hulu and BBC iPlayer, but Not Netflix
During my tests, Wachee VPN unblocked exactly what it promised — Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer. Plus, the speeds were quite fast, so I didn’t have problems watching in HD.
Unblocks: Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer
The only platforms Wachee unblocks are Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer.
I didn’t like the fact that the Netflix/Hulu and BBC iPlayer extensions are separate — you have to download, pay for, and log into each one separately. Other VPNs let you easily switch servers and access different streaming sites for no extra cost, so I found Wachee particularly frustrating to use.
I could bypass Hulu’s geoblocks with Wachee VPN
BBC iPlayer worked as well, but only in Incognito mode. The extension launches a prompt when you access it from your normal browser, telling you that it won’t work otherwise.
Wachee VPN unblocked BBC iPlayer, but only in Incognito mode
Blocked by: Disney+, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, ESPN/ESPN+
Wachee didn’t unblock any other platforms such as Disney+, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, ESPN/ESPN+, Peacock TV, YouTube, ITV Hub. The website states pretty clearly that Wachee’s main goal is to unblock Netflix US, so I wasn’t disappointed with the results.
I can’t recommend Wachee VPN for streaming purposes — while it unblocked Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer, the fact that you need 2 different apps and subscriptions is quite frustrating.
You’re better off with a tried and tested VPN that’s sure to unblock most streaming services for a much smaller price.
Speeds — Good for Streaming Without Buffering
Wachee VPN allowed me to stream in HD, but there was no way of knowing how it really performed. The VPN only routes traffic from streaming sites, so I couldn’t use it to access the speed test tool.
Since it’s a dedicated streaming Chrome extension, the VPN doesn’t affect your whole connection. Your other online activity will remain as fast as your internet connection allows.
Server Network — Small But Efficient
Wachee has 170 servers in 10 countries. Server locations include Europe — the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Spain, the US, and Canada. While this does not seem like a large server network, the VPN states that it only targets streaming-specific locations.
During my tests, I noticed that you can’t pick a specific server though, only a country. Then, the VPN automatically connects you to the best available server in that country. I found this pretty frustrating as I wasn’t able to easily switch between servers when I found ones that weren’t working.
More importantly, in the free version of the app, you have access only to the US servers and are limited to only 1 hour of streaming per day. With a premium account, you have access to all 10 different locations.
Privacy and Security — Encrypts Only Your Netflix Traffic
Wachee is safe to use but not in the traditional VPN sense. On its website, Wachee states that it only routes Netflix and Hulu traffic. However, after checking its permissions, I discovered that it can access a few other websites, including PayPal. As long as the connection is encrypted, this shouldn’t be a problem — Wachee shouldn’t be able to read any information on that page.
You’ll have to give Wachee access to a handful of websites
All the streaming site traffic that’s routed through the service is encrypted using the latest SSL technology. That ensures Wachee can’t access any of your sensitive data directly, like your logins and passwords.
When it comes to privacy, the VPN also states that it collects only the personal data required at sign up including your name, email address, and payment information. It doesn’t keep a record of other data such as your location or browsing history. In that respect, Wachee is safe to use.
What it doesn’t do, is encrypt your entire connection like a normal VPN. There are no additional security features like a kill switch, choice of security protocols, or malware and ad-blockers. Wachee claims to block WebRTC protocols to prevent leaks but, since it only activates on streaming sites, I couldn’t perform any IP or DNS leak testing.
While using the VPN, keep in mind that it affects only your Netflix and Hulu streaming activity. All your other online activities such as browsing or torrenting remain exposed.
Torrenting — Not Supported
Wachee does not support torrenting. It is a streaming-specific browser extension, and it does not tunnel any other traffic.
If you are looking for a safe way for P2P file sharing, you can check out these VPNs that are ideal for torrenting.
Does Wachee VPN Work in China? — Not Recommended
Wachee VPN doesn’t seem to work in China, and even if it did, you’d only be able to access BBC iPlayer and Hulu.
This is a browser proxy that lacks encryption or security measures, which likely means it would be obstructed by the Great Firewall. I’ve reached out to the support team about this issue, but I’m yet to receive a response.
If you’re looking for a VPN you can use in China, I suggest getting one of these services.
Simultaneous Device Connections — Unlimited
Wachee allows unlimited device connections — but only on its premium plan.
It comes in 2 versions, free and premium. With the free plan, you can use it only on 1 device. But with premium, you can have unlimited devices connected simultaneously using 1 account. This means you can switch between your Windows, iOS, and Android devices, and use Wachee on all of them without ever having to log out. I tested it on 6 devices and the streaming quality wasn’t affected in any way.
Device Compatibility
Wachee is available as a Chrome extension, and has native Android and iOS apps. It’s also compatible with Microsoft Edge since it’s a chromium-based browser that uses the same tech Chrome is built on.
At the moment, there are no native apps for Windows, macOS, or Linux. You also can’t use Wachee with any other browsers.
Final Verdict
Wachee is a Netflix VPN that does its job of unblocking Netflix. It was able to unblock Hulu as promised but let me down on almost every other streaming site.
Beyond that, the VPN doesn’t have much else to offer. it’s not the best choice if you’re looking for internet protection as it’s a proxy, so it doesn’t encrypt your connection. It doesn’t even tunnel any other websites besides streaming services so you can’t unblock other geo-restricted content. The lack of customer support was the last straw for me.
If your only focus is watching Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer then this VPN provides everything you need for a small price. However, there are other VPNs that do so much more for a very similar cost. I can’t see any reason to choose Wachee instead.
FAQs
Is Wachee VPN safe?
Yes, Wachee is safe to use in some ways. It doesn’t log or disclose info about any of your other online activities.
But it doesn’t protect your online presence in the sense of a traditional VPN. It only activates for streaming sites. During all your other online activities, your real location is visible.
Can Wachee VPN unblock Netflix?
Yes, Wachee can unblock Netflix. It can also unblock Hulu and BBC iPlayer but doesn’t work with any other services.
Will Wachee VPN slow my speeds down?
Yes, but only your streaming speed. Wachee will slightly slow down your streaming speeds, but nothing drastic.
None of your other online activities will be affected so you can enjoy the full speed of your internet connection.