# CactusVPN - VPN & Smart DNS — user reviews > 26 indexed App Store user reviews of CactusVPN by CactusVPN Inc., rated 4.04/5 from 46 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cactusvpn-vpn-and-smart-dns/id908692421/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cactusvpn-vpn-and-smart-dns/id908692421.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 26 · 4★ 9 · 3★ 3 · 2★ 3 · 1★ 5 ## Newest reviews (6 of 26) ### 4/5 — Awesome *2017-10-10* آقا دمت گرم خیلی توپه اپ ما ### 5/5 — Basic *2016-10-08* Just installs the configuration files, waiting for implementation of connect on demand. **Developer response:** Dear Beezer Octane, the connect on demand was implemented. Just use the latest version. ### 5/5 — Simply works. iPhone 6s user *2015-10-17* My iPhone 6s is running iOS 9.0.2. The app remembers my password (check the box “remember my password”!!!). Let me explain what this app does. It populates the VPN fields of iOS. You can manually enter the same information by going to Settings/VPN. The data is on their website and blog. This app makes using it 'VPN for dummies'. Remember, it is the phone OS and WIFI that make the connection to the cactus servers. If you can’t access wifi, or have poor quality service *WITHOUT* the app is not going to change that. You don’t need the app once VPN protocols are set up. Simply go to Settings/VPN select the access point and slide the button so it is green. Using the app to connect gives you an App icon and an attractive interface to select your VPN access point. I recommend you check out CactusVPN before doing the in App purchase. They offer a free trial. Visit their website. Yes, I am a Cactus customer for 3+ years. My communications (about billing hint: they use european date format DD-MM-YYYY. I embarrassed myself confusing my expiration. April 7 is 7-4 and July 4 is 4-7. Got it?) I switched to an annual payment cycle to keep it simple and save money. Communications can be marked urgent. My billing questions, not urgent. was answered in a day. I was 9 time zones away. An account with Cactus is for all internet connected devices. My husband also uses Cactus. You can have several simultaneous connections as long as you are not using the same server. I also use the OS X App on my macbook. It is similar to the iOS app, populating the VPN field and providing a nice interface. It has an added function that stops a program from running (uTorrent in my case) if the VPN connection drops. This is helpful for those marathon downloads where I am away from the computer. Why is the VPN dropping? It could be my wonky ATT uverse service that disrupts the process. I have known issues there. Speedtest results with and without the VPN show little difference. I recently upgraded my package to include US VPN’s. Cactus has 3 US locations Virginia, Kansas and Southern California. Some US-centric providers offer more access points but for my specific needs, the Amsterdam and Budapest servers are what I am looking for. My occasional use airports seemed ok speed-wise, logging into a Euro server. I was recently stuck at an airport and wanted to access something and it was geo-blocked. My choice was to disconnect form the VPN and be on open wifi or get a US access point. I spent the few dollars more to upgrade my package adding US access and then I put it on my phone, where I never used a VPN before. Know what your specific needs are then select a VPN to meet those needs. Finally do a trial with the company. ### 4/5 — Awesome VPN *2015-04-02* I love this VPN company! 100stars for them!! But the app could use some work. Support apples new iphone 6, and auto connect feature. Beside that love it love it love it! Thank you guys **Developer response:** Hi Ceaddl, you might want to try the latest version of our iOS app. We've made a lot of improvements. ### 5/5 — Amazing VPN, Great services *2015-01-15* Honestly this VPN Has amazing service and also protects me from everything around me, I give a complete 5 stars for this VPN, Worth the price ### 5/5 — Using CactusVPN for a long time *2015-01-01* Great app, easy to use! ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Absolutely HORRIBLE *2025-05-17* Support is via email. Useless when there is a problem. Worse, after installing on a mac it crashed and BLOCKED ALL INTERNET TRAFFIC. And with no support, I am locked out of working. STEER CLEAR. ### 1/5 — Service appears to have been abandoned! *2024-10-10* Nothing works! I tried a 3-day trial with their Smart DNS feature on multiple devices, using both the app's built-in method and manual configuration. However, the DNS test consistently returns several DNS servers instead of just one, and I'm unable to access any of the listed streaming services. The last app update was in March 2021, nearly three years ago. Unfortunately, my email support query went unanswered. Based on this experience, it seems that Cactus VPN is no longer supported - save yourself time by avoiding a trial. ### 1/5 — No OpenVPN Support on iOS *2021-07-04* Well, I was disappointed to find out that there is no OpenVPN support on iOS. Also, there is no obfuscation mode, so most people, including myself, are out of luck. Even on Android, no option enables obfuscation mode as it does on the PC APP. Therefore, I will be writing this company off. Look elsewhere as many, many other VPN providers offer OpenVPN support with obfuscation mode or a particular protocol that does geo-bypassing. ### 1/5 — App Shuts Down On My Phone *2020-12-16* I can’t see my letters when typing on the app to log in but I use the saved password from safari to log and when it loads up shuts down everytime ### 1/5 — Doesn't work! *2017-06-11* Great idea but useless as can't login! ### 1/5 — Don't buy *2016-07-15, version 1.0.3* Vendor didn't provide service/username/etc ### 1/5 — Support is bad. *2016-04-12* Stay away there are so many other better VPN providers out there. **Developer response:** Hi, you might want to try the latest version of our iOS app. We've made a lot of improvements. ### 1/5 — Poor product *2015-05-04* This product constantly failed to launch would not recognize passwords even after contacting customer support product still failed to launch. To further compounded by unhappiness with this company I make contact for a refund and was referred to iTunes apparently this company does not issue refunds but they will gladly take your money. You can bet they will get not another cent from me ### 4/5 — Solid Service *2020-02-19* It doesn’t have many servers, like some services; however, it works well and is reliable. Bandwidth is decent on all servers, most of the time. Smart DNS works great. ### 4/5 — Amazing But... *2019-12-18* You’re amazing but I wish your free trial was a bit longer. At least 72 hours. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — The Best *2021-03-30* The best VPN Server Ever ❤️👌 ### 5/5 — Recommended *2020-04-25* Service works great and they are very quick to respond any time I’ve had any problems. ### 5/5 — Simplicity at its best! cactusVPNrokz *2019-09-20* The title says it all! This program is so simple and easy to use! The safety of a VPN at a super cheap rate! ### 5/5 — Cactus *2019-06-21, version 2.5* Works great ### 5/5 — 😊😊🤗Highly Recommended *2019-03-24, version 2.4* Highly recommended Low Ping No DNS leaks Good speeds- 140mbps plus Works extremely well I’d recommend this app and the VPN itself above many more expensive names out there including Nord, ExpressVPN and many more. Competitively priced and works well, support is efficient and quick😊😊😊 ### 5/5 — Great easy to use and reliable. *2019-03-15, version 2.4* The VPN works very well and this little app makes things a piece of cake. Used cactus for years always been reliable and hassle free. ### 5/5 — Works well and simple to use *2019-01-12, version 2.4* As per title really, I wanted a vpn for when I am out and about plus at work so I could stream YouTube etc. ### 5/5 — CactusVPN *2018-07-31, version 2.4* Good app plenty of servers to choose from ### 5/5 — Been with CactusVPN for 3 years now *2018-04-09, version 2.4* Awesome service. Just gets better and better. ### 5/5 — Excellent *2017-11-19, version 2.3* To quote a famous UK company - " It does exactly what is says on the tin..... " In my travels around Europe, CactusVPN has allowed me to keep up with UK broadcasts (kept me sane at times !!!!! ) Great product, great service and support and at a reasonable subscription cost. Fantastic!!! --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*