(BulletVPN)
Be careful around lifetime VPN subscription offers. Case in point: A smaller provider called BulletVPN has abruptly shut down, canceling the lifetime subscriptions it had once sold to customers.
The Estonia-based BulletVPN was founded back in 2015, and had been offering the lifetime subscriptions as recently as last month for $39. But last week, the VPN service updated its website to announce its “end of life,” including the shutdown of all services.
“This decision was made after careful consideration of various factors, including shifts in market demand, evolving technology requirements, and sustainability of operations,” the VPN service said without elaborating.
BulletVPN, which was owned by Nixworks OU, didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. But the decision occurs following some consolidation in the VPN industry, where competition among providers has been fierce.
To stand out, some smaller VPN providers, including BulletVPN, have offered lifetime subscriptions with appealing prices to pull in new customers. But such deals are arguably misleading since the VPN industry is so dynamic and unpredictable as the shut down of BulletVPN shows.
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Naturally, affected users aren’t happy. “Get ready to get sued BulletVPN scammers ... i just bought your ‘lifetime’ package and now you closed the service without EVEN A NOTICE to your customers,” wrote one user on Facebook. “Such a disgrace as a company.”
The good news is that rival VPN WindScribe has stepped up to fill the void for customers who were still subscribing to BulletVPN. However, eligible users will only be receiving a complementary “6-month subscription" along with discounted offers for longer-term plans.
“This ex gratia offer is extended independently by Windscribe. There has been no monetary exchange between BulletVPN and Windscribe,” BulletVPN explained. “Windscribe has not acquired BulletVPN or assumed control of any part of its operations.”
Meanwhile, some users who bought a BulletVPN lifetime subscription through deal provider StackSocial have said it's worth trying to request a refund.