CactusVPN vs Unlocator (2026): which should you buy?
Head-to-head on the facts that decide the subscription: real prices, trial terms, which services unblock, which devices are covered - every number sourced in the linked reviews.
Short answer: Unlocator wins overall (4/10 vs 3.1/10 in our weighted scores). CactusVPN is still the better pick if you care most about support. Facts checked 2026-11-09.
 CactusVPN |  Unlocator | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score (0-10) | 3.1 | 4 |
| Type | VPN with Smart DNS | Smart DNS specialist |
| Effective monthly price | $3.96/mo | $2.88/mo |
| Pricing terms | $15/mo · $70/yr · $95/2yr | $69/2yr |
| Free trial | 3 days - no card required | 7 days - no card required |
| Claimed services | 335+ | not specified |
| Netflix | no | claimed |
| BBC iPlayer | claimed | claimed |
| ITVX | claimed | claimed |
| Hulu | claimed | claimed |
| Disney+ | claimed | claimed |
| Amazon Prime Video | claimed | claimed |
| Max (HBO) | claimed | claimed |
| Sports | partial | partial |
| Devices documented | Smart TV, Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku, consoles, routers, mobile, desktop | Smart TV, Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku, consoles, routers, mobile, desktop |
| Multiple locations | one registered IP | one registered IP |
| DoH/DoT | not documented | not documented |
| Logging | no logs | minimal logs |
| Facts checked | 2026-11-09 | 2026-11-09 |
// Score breakdown
CactusVPN leads on support (+2) · Unlocator leads on reliability (+5).
why 3.1/10?
why 4/10?
// CactusVPN at a glance
340+ listed services and a no-logs audit, but Netflix US is missing from the operator's own grid, prices doubled since 2024 and the apps are stale - test your services in the 3-day trial and prefer the 2-year tier for value.
++ What works
- Securitum-audited no-logs policy
- Price locked for life (ToS)
- Unlimited devices on the same network
- Rare DE/FR/CH/PL/CA/AU/IN coverage
-- What to watch
- No standalone Smart DNS plan
- Monthly price is high - value is in the 2-year tier
// Unlocator at a glance
Verifiable Danish operator (Unlocator ApS, CVR 44498383) with 197 listed services, a 7-day no-card trial and a 30-day money-back - the strongest documented package in this comparison, even though the DNS-only price only shows at checkout. Start the trial, test Netflix and BBC iPlayer on your own TV, then take the annual plan.
++ What works
- 7-day free trial, no credit card
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Unlimited devices for Smart DNS
- WireGuard/OpenVPN VPN bundled (5 connections)
- Trustpilot 4.7 displayed on site
-- What to watch
- DNS-only monthly price not transparent without starting checkout
- VPN side limited to 5 simultaneous connections
// FAQ
Which is cheaper, CactusVPN or Unlocator?
Unlocator is cheaper at about $2.88/mo versus $3.96/mo (best documented term each).
Which unblocks more, CactusVPN or Unlocator?
Unlocator documents more working services (7.5 of 8 versus 6.5). CactusVPN still claims 335+ channels overall - the review links the list.
Which is better for a Smart TV, CactusVPN or Unlocator?
Tie - both document 6 of the 6 tracked TV/router device classes. Setup steps per device: see the setup finder.
Which has the better trial, CactusVPN or Unlocator?
Tie - CactusVPN offers 3 days - no card required, Unlocator offers 7 days - no card required.
Which is more private, CactusVPN or Unlocator?
CactusVPN edges it on paper: logging no logs, VPN bundled for encryption. Smart DNS alone never encrypts - check each review for the details.
Scores and facts: meta-reviews with dated sources - CactusVPN · Unlocator. Method: how we verify. More: all Smart DNS providers compared.