Hi all,
Looking for any recommendations for a cheaper/free alternative to unblock-us.
I don't mind whether it's a client or web based VPN - primary criteria would be as cheap as possible, easy to use and no limitations on bandwidth etc.
Cheers,
Chthonic
Are you using it just to get around region blocks or are you wanting to mask your IP address?
If it's the former, I use Adfreetime, US$2/month and lets you access US catalogue for netflix, hulu etc.
If it's the latter, I haven't heard of any other services cheaper than unblock-us besides for the free ones which, as scotty mentioned, I would stay away from.
What country do you want to be in?
Not Greece… lol
Thanks for the replies.
I am wanting to access Hulu and Netflix USA.
Just use Getflix - it just works, with no speed issues that some of the others have - offers both smart DNS (which you should use for just region unblocking of videos) and VPN for other things.
I use Tunnel bear. It costs a bit more than some others but it is convenient for me because I have a chromebook and it works as an extension in chrome without needing to install anything. There are also lots of bear puns on their website so it is fun. They don't store your details either.
To access hulu/netflix USA, all you need is a dynamic DNS. I suggest setting it up in your router so all of your devices are set up at once, it's a lot easier than going into settings on each device.
http://www.getflix.com.au/ - $33.18/year (2 week free trial)
https://www.smartdnsproxy.com/ - $19.90/year (or $34.90/24 months) after promo discount (they send one during the trial usually) (2 week free trial)
https://adfreetime.com/ - $1.99/month ($24/year)
I currently use smartdnsproxy on the 2 week trial, and it's working rather well. Adfreetime seems to give you the option to switch country as you wish, as there is content on various different netflix regions (use this to find all titles by region). So I'm considering signing up to that, as it also is monthly payments and not a whole year, so if it sucks, or something happens to it (cough, Hola, cough), I'll just axe it and go back to something else. The extra $4/month over smartdns' discounted price seems worth it to be able to change regions at will.
I'm using Uflix which was a $15 for a year(normally $20). I'd rate it as reasonable but not great. it allows access to Netflix in Canada, USA, UK, Germany, Mexico and Australia(if out of Aust) and also Hulu and bbc iplayer.
Recently the sydney server has been going up and down so I've changed to the Melbourne one which seems to have got me out of trouble. The WAF was down while I couldn't get any sites to work due to the sydney DNS server being down. BTW WAF = "Wife Acceptance Factor" my HTTPC has had a few weeks of severely low WAF when I was using Mythtv back before streaming was the norm.
In regards to security check this out.
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=2411455
I was using Unblock-US and wanted a cheaper option as well. Getflix were offering yearly subscription at 40% off worked at at A$28.44 much better than the CAD$5/month for Unblock-US. I was a bit hesitant using the service as have tried a couple different options and have had issues with buffering but works well and able to switch Netflix regions very easily.
I had the same problem looking around for something that could get my mother access to US netflix once hola was compromised. I found a solution by using ProxMate, which works like a charm and is free and easy to use.
It's not a VPN, but it does what I needed it to and my mother's happy with access to the US stuff. I think there's a script for Hulu as well.
Ahh its not free :(
I use Hola Unblocker for my web browser, it does the job and is very easy to use.
Do you need it on other devices? If so there are free DNS services such as https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/200724 though they don't offer the same amount of privacy and protection that other services do they still let you use otherwise blocked websites.