Disconnect Premium Review: AES-256 Encryption, Apple-only Apps, No Kill Switch
Disconnect Premium is a VPN service that combines encrypted tunneling with tracker- and malvertising-blocking, delivered primarily through native macOS and iOS apps and browser extensions. It uses AES-256 encryption with OpenVPN by default and IKEv2/IPSec on iOS, and focuses on a simple user experience rather than broad cross-platform coverage.
The service is mainly suited for Apple users seeking straightforward privacy tools and generally reliable download speeds on many servers. Feature availability and unblocking success can vary by region, server selection, and device, and some privacy protections (such as a kill switch and independent audits) are not documented by the provider.
At a Glance
Disconnect Premium focuses on simplified VPN protection and ad/tracker blocking for macOS and iOS devices while emphasizing ease of use and privacy-oriented features. The provider states it does not log usage data but operates from the United States and may disclose information in response to legal requests.
| Logging | No logging of usage claimed; may retain connection/payment details and complies with legal requests |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | United States (San Francisco) |
| Audits | Not specified |
| Protocols | OpenVPN (default); IKEv2/IPSec on iOS |
| Encryption | AES-256 encryption; perfect forward secrecy with 2048-bit Diffie-Hellman key exchange |
| Kill switch | No (not available) |
| Leak protection | DNS leak detected in tests; leak-protection features not specified |
| Server network | 180+ servers in 80 countries |
| Connections | 3 simultaneous connections |
| Refund policy | 30-day money-back guarantee |
Our Ratings
Ratings for Disconnect Premium are derived from a structured review methodology that assesses publicly available privacy disclosures, documented technical features, and overall usability across supported platforms.
The category ratings are presented in the table below. An extended review of each category is provided later in the post.
Security & Privacy
Disconnect Premium combines a VPN with tracker- and malvertising-blocking features and presents a privacy-focused product for macOS and iOS. According to the provider, the service does not log usage data.
The stated logging policy is limited in scope: the provider states it does not collect usage logs but may retain connection or payment details and may comply with legal requests. The company is based in the United States (San Francisco), which places it under US jurisdiction and subject to legal processes.
Independent third-party verification is not documented by the provider; the browser extension source code is available on GitHub and desktop/mobile code is reported to be forthcoming, but formal audit reports are not specified. No independent audit report is stated by the provider.
| Logging policy | No usage logging is claimed; payment and connection details may be retained and the provider may comply with legal requests |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | United States (San Francisco) |
| Independent audits | Not specified |
| Protocols and encryption | OpenVPN by default; IKEv2/IPSec on iOS; AES-256 with perfect forward secrecy using 2048-bit Diffie-Hellman |
| Kill switch | Not available |
| Leak protection (DNS/IP/WebRTC) | DNS leak detected in tests; leak-protection features not specified |
💡 Security tip
Use the VPN together with device-level protections and preferred secure payment methods; monitor for DNS leaks and avoid P2P/torrenting where leak protection and a kill switch are absent.
Transparency & Ownership
Disconnect Premium is headquartered in San Francisco, United States.
Ownership/parent company – Not available. Public audits or reports – Not available. Past controversies or trust issues: the Android app was removed from the Google Play Store for a policy violation; the company is a certified B Corporation. Open-source app status: the browser extension source code is available on GitHub and desktop/mobile source code is reported to be forthcoming.
| Jurisdiction | United States (San Francisco) |
|---|---|
| Parent company / ownership | Not available |
| Public audits or reports | Not available |
| Open-source apps | Browser extension source code available on GitHub; desktop and mobile source code stated to be forthcoming |
| Notable disclosures or limitations | May comply with legal requests; does not disclose server-count details; VPN service limited to macOS and iOS; payment via PayPal/Stripe/Apple (no cryptocurrency options documented) |
Server Network & Infrastructure
Disconnect Premium reports a network of 180+ servers across 80 countries. The provider does not publish per-country server counts.
Virtual versus physical server locations are not specified. No documentation is provided for RAM-only servers, private DNS, or dedicated/static IP offerings; support communications referenced users in China but obfuscation status is not clearly specified.
- Number of servers: 180+ servers
- Countries/regions covered: 80 countries
- Virtual locations: Not specified
- RAM-only servers: Not specified
- Dedicated/static IP availability: Not specified
- Notable server specializations: Not specified
Speed & Performance
VPN speed depends on factors such as distance to the server, server load, and the protocol in use.
| Nearby servers | While reviewing, we found Singapore retained almost the full download capacity — speeds dropped to ~120 Mbps (approximately negligible reduction on Singapore servers); Frankfurt retained about 86% — speeds dropped to ~103 Mbps (approximately 14% reduction on Frankfurt servers). |
|---|---|
| Distant servers | During our testing, New York retained about 80% — speeds dropped to ~96 Mbps (approximately 20% reduction on New York servers); San Francisco retained only 38% — speeds dropped to ~46 Mbps (approximately 62% reduction on San Francisco servers). |
| Connection stability | Our testing revealed generally stable connections on most servers with minimal interruptions; most servers retained around 80% of download speed, though a few locations showed notable degradation. |
| Gaming and latency | During our testing, gaming was feasible on nearby servers due to minimal download reduction, but latency increased substantially on distant servers (ping rose by nearly 50× in some tests). Summary: download reductions ranged from negligible (nearby) to ~62% (San Francisco), with most servers showing roughly a 14–20% reduction. |
During testing, gaming performance was assessed in generic terms for online multiplayer and fast-paced competitive games. Suitable for gaming on nearby servers, but high latency on distant servers can limit play for latency-sensitive multiplayer. Use nearby servers and a fast, low-latency connection for the best experience.
Streaming & Unblocking
Disconnect Premium can access some streaming libraries but is not positioned as a general unblocking solution for major platforms. During testing, it successfully reached Netflix libraries but failed with several other services.
Supported Streaming Services
❗ Regional variations
During testing, Netflix libraries were accessible in multiple regions; the provider failed to access Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and Disney+. Crunchyroll was also reported to work in tests. Unblocking success depends on region, server, and device; results may vary.
Torrenting & P2P Use
Disconnect Premium does not support P2P/torrenting. Available documentation and testing indicate no P2P options are provided, which increases exposure risk for file-sharing activities.
Port forwarding and proxy/tunneling options are not specified in public materials. The service lacks a kill switch, so P2P connections would not be protected against connection drops or IP leaks.
| P2P Support | Not supported |
|---|---|
| Port forwarding | Not specified |
| SOCKS5/Proxy support | Not specified |
| Kill Switch | Not available; does not protect P2P connections |
Apps & Compatibility
Disconnect Premium provides native apps for macOS and iOS and offers browser extensions for major browsers. The provider does not offer Windows, Linux, or Android VPN apps, and router or smart TV support is not specified.
Customer Support
The provider offers support via email and maintains an FAQ page; live chat and community forums are not offered.
Documentation states email support is available 8 AM to 8 PM PDT on weekdays. Users report delayed email responses in some instances and the provider uses automated out-of-office replies for queries received outside stated hours.
- Live chat availability: No
- Email/ticket support: Email support (8 AM–8 PM PDT weekdays)
- Knowledge base/guides: FAQ page available
- Other: Automated out-of-office replies; no community forum
- Languages: Not specified
Pricing & Plans
Disconnect Premium combines VPN access with tracker- and malvertising-blocking features and is offered only for macOS and iOS. According to provider support, the service has users in China and the company indicates this implies obfuscated servers, but obfuscation efficacy is not documented.
Plans include a macOS yearly plan at $2.99/month (billed yearly), a macOS monthly plan at $11.99/month, and an iOS monthly plan at $9.99/month. The cheapest plan is $2.99/month (macOS yearly); no free plan or trial is documented, and a 30-day money-back guarantee is stated.
❗ Pricing considerations
Pricing and promotions may vary over time. This website is updated regularly, but accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Users should verify current plans directly on the provider’s website before purchasing.
|
Premium (macOS) Yearly
|
Premium (macOS) Monthly
|
Premium (iOS) Monthly
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Price |
$2.99/month (billed yearly)
|
$11.99/month
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$9.99/month
|
| Details | Annual macOS subscription includes VPN and tracker/malvertising blocking, supports up to 3 devices and a 30-day money-back guarantee. | Monthly macOS subscription with native app, tracker blocking, and support for three simultaneous connections. | iOS monthly subscription providing VPN and ad/tracker blocking via the App Store with a 30-day refund policy. |
| Get started | Get started | Get started |
Final Verdict
Disconnect Premium is positioned for macOS and iOS users who prefer a simple, privacy-focused app with built-in tracker and malvertising blocking. It offers native macOS and iOS apps, browser extensions, and generally solid download speeds on many servers. The service includes access to some streaming libraries and a 30-day money-back guarantee. The interface and setup are straightforward for users who value simplicity over advanced configuration.
Users who need broad platform coverage, advanced privacy assurances, or P2P/torrenting support should consider alternatives. The service is limited to Apple platforms, lacks a kill switch, does not support torrenting, and independent audits are not documented. The company is based in the United States and payment options are limited to PayPal, Stripe, or Apple—factors that may influence privacy-conscious users. Those requiring dedicated IPs, router support, or documented third-party verification may find the feature set insufficient.
FAQ about Disconnect Premium
Is Disconnect Premium safe and private for everyday browsing?
Disconnect Premium uses AES-256 encryption with perfect forward secrecy and includes a malvertising blocker, which supports privacy during browsing. The provider is headquartered in the United States and may disclose data in response to legal requests. A DNS leak was detected in testing, indicating potential exposure without additional protections.
Does Disconnect Premium log user activity or connection details?
The provider states it does not log usage data but may retain connection and payment details and comply with legal requests. The macOS App Store page also indicates no data collection for the app. The privacy policy states data may be shared in response to legal orders.
Can Disconnect Premium unblock Amazon Prime Video in all regions?
Disconnect Premium failed to access Amazon Prime Video in testing and the provider does not market the VPN for streaming. Netflix and Crunchyroll were confirmed to work in some tests, but several major services were inaccessible. Access therefore varies by service and server location.
Does Disconnect Premium work in China according to support?
Support stated that Disconnect Premium has users in China and the provider indicated it can work there. The documentation does not clearly specify obfuscated server details or how connections bypass the Great Firewall. Effectiveness in China is therefore based on provider statements rather than independent verification.
Will Disconnect Premium noticeably slow my internet speeds?
During testing, many servers retained around 80% of download speed while nearby Singapore and Frankfurt servers showed minimal reduction. Some servers, notably San Francisco, showed much larger drops (around 62% reduction in one test). Results depend on server choice and distance.
Can Disconnect Premium be used for torrenting safely?
Disconnect Premium does not support P2P/torrenting according to documentation and testing notes. The service lacks a kill switch and SOCKS5/proxy options are not specified, which increases exposure risk during file-sharing. Torrenting is therefore not recommended with this service.
What platforms support Disconnect Premium VPN apps and extensions?
Disconnect Premium offers native VPN apps for macOS and iOS and browser extensions for major browsers. Windows, Linux, and Android VPN apps are not provided; an Android app was previously removed from the Play Store. Router, smart TV, and other platform support are not specified.
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