VPNAK User Guide · From Signup to Advanced

VPNAK provides cross-border network acceleration. What it does breaks into two halves: one half builds an encrypted link between your device and the service you want to reach, and the other half connects that link to optimized cross-border routes. From the user's side, the result is a steadier connection when you open overseas websites, AI tools, streaming services and remote work systems — and less speed loss during peak evening hours.

The problem it solves is not whether you can get online, but whether the connection to services outside your region is stable, fast enough, and easy to switch. Public routes between a local network and an overseas destination often detour through multiple hops and fluctuate badly during congestion; an acceleration service replaces that segment with routes it controls and gives the client a single place to switch between them.

1.1 Typical use cases

• Opening international versions of websites and online services: developer docs, software update sources, academic databases, overseas stores;
• Using chat-based and generative AI tools, including signup, login and long sessions;
• Watching region-specific content on streaming platforms, including 4K playback;
• Remote work: signing in to overseas business dashboards, joining video meetings, transferring files;
• Switching networks while traveling so the services you rely on stay available.

What these cases have in common is that the target service sits outside your region. When picking a route, first be clear about the nature of the task: a quick browse or a long-lived connection; a text-based app or heavy video traffic. Different tasks suit different route types.

1.2 How the three route types differ

Routes on this site fall into three types based on their cross-border path. The difference is not whether they work, but how fixed the link is and how it detours — and each suits different tasks.

A good order is to start with the nearest region (Asian routes usually have shorter paths), then adjust by task: prefer IEPL dedicated lines for meetings and long connections, start with relay for general browsing and streaming, and try direct for latency-sensitive work. The full route list and regional groupings are on the locations page.

1.3 Coverage and devices

Coverage currently spans 110+ countries and 160+ routes, with no limit on simultaneous devices, and clients for five platforms: Windows / macOS / iOS / Android / Linux. In other words, one account can sign in on your home and work computers, phone and tablet at the same time — no per-device fee and no need to switch devices around.

Unlimited devices changes how you use the service: you can install the client everywhere and give each device its own route — the living-room TV box on a streaming-optimized route, the work laptop on a stable dedicated line, the phone on whatever is nearest to where you are.

1.4 Encryption and data handling

Traffic is encrypted to bank-grade standards; the link between client and server uses industry-standard encryption protocols, and data stays encrypted in transit. The service keeps only the minimum information needed to operate: account, subscription status, order records and support tickets. It does not log what you browse or which destinations you visit.

Signup needs only a username and password — no email address. That matters to privacy-conscious users: the signup flow never asks for contact details, so there is no such information to store.

The takeaway from this chapter: VPNAK is a cross-border network acceleration service covering 110+ countries and 160+ routes, with unlimited devices, clients for five platforms, and no email address required to sign up. Chapter 2 covers how to pick the right plan given all that.

A plan decides two things: how much data you get each month, and whether you need to renew manually when it expires. VPNAK currently offers three monthly tiers and a data pack system — start with how the three tiers differ.

2.1 The three monthly tiers compared

The tiers differ only in data allowance and price; the route pool, device count and refund promise are identical — unlimited devices and the 7-day refund apply to every tier. Upgrading does not unlock extra routes, it simply raises your monthly data allowance.

2.2 How data usage is counted

Data resets monthly on your activation date. For example, if you activate for the first time on the 12th, your next allowance resets on the 12th of the following month, not on the 1st. That keeps the cycle aligned with your own usage rhythm, so you never activate mid-month and lose the remainder at month's end.

Data counts everything transferred over the accelerated link, both upload and download. Browsing and messaging use very little; video is the main consumer — higher resolution and longer viewing burn through it faster; large downloads and system updates also push usage up noticeably.

2.3 Data packs: top up, never expire

If a month runs over your expectations, or you only occasionally need extra data, you can buy a data pack on its own. Data packs and monthly plans are two parallel sources of allowance: use them until they run out, and they never expire.

There are two ways to use data packs: as a supplement to a monthly plan, continuing on the pack once the month's allowance runs out; or as the main option for light users who skip the monthly plan and draw on a pack only when needed. The second suits people who need acceleration only a few months a year.

2.4 How to decide on a plan, step by step

1. Estimate your monthly data first. List your main uses: how much video you watch per day, whether you often download large files, whether you work remotely. Text-based use usually fits in a few tens of GB a month; if video dominates, look at 250GB or more.
2. Then check your device count. Device count does not affect price (unlimited devices), but more devices and more simultaneous sessions add up, so raise the allowance accordingly.
3. Finally, decide whether to add a data pack. If your usage swings a lot, take a monthly tier plus a data pack as a buffer; if you only need it short-term, buying a pack outright is the better deal.

If you are unsure, there is a safe starting point: pick the ¥18/month tier with 250GB, run one full cycle, then look at actual usage before deciding to upgrade or step down. Every tier supports mid-cycle upgrades, prorated by remaining days. Full plan details and payment methods are on the plans page.

2.5 Payment methods and refunds

Three payment methods are supported: Alipay, WeChat and USDT, chosen on the payment page when you order. You can request a refund within 7 days of purchase; the full process is described on the refund policy page.

One thing to note: data packs and monthly plans are treated the same for refunds — the 7-day refund applies to both. If you pick the wrong tier, just request a refund and order again; there is no need to wonder whether you can change it.

This chapter covers the full path from having no account to having an active order. It takes three steps: create an account, choose a plan and place the order, complete payment. No email address or contact details are needed at any point.

3.1 Creating an account

1. Open the signup page. Use the “Log in” link at the right end of the navigation to reach the user panel, then switch to the signup view; you can also go straight there from the main button on the home page.
2. Enter a username and password. Choose any username; for the password, use at least 12 characters mixing upper- and lowercase letters and digits. The signup form has no email or contact fields — fill in these two and submit.
3. Submit and enter the panel. After signup you are logged in automatically and land on the account overview page. The account has no plan yet, so the overview shows that there is no active subscription.

3.2 Placing an order and paying

1. Open the plans view. The plans page in the user panel lists three monthly tiers and three data packs, at the same prices as Chapter 2 here.
2. Pick a tier and submit the order. Selecting a tier creates an order showing the tier, price and data allowance. The order is now awaiting payment.
3. Choose a payment method. Pick one of Alipay, WeChat or USDT, then follow the on-screen steps to pay.
4. Wait for the order to be confirmed. Once payment is done, return to the panel and the order status changes from awaiting payment to paid. Confirmation is usually quick; if nothing changes right away, refresh the order list or check again in a moment.

After the order is confirmed, the account's subscription becomes active and the overview shows your current plan, data allowance and expiry date. That completes the buying side; next comes getting your subscription link and importing it into a client.

3.3 Three checks before ordering

• Make sure the tier's data allowance matches your monthly usage, so you do not need to upgrade right after activating;
• Make sure your payment method works: Alipay and WeChat suit common payment habits in mainland China, while USDT fits situations where those two are not convenient;
• Make a note of your activation date — data resets and renewal reminders are both calculated from it.

3.4 Common questions

What if I mistyped my username at signup?

The username identifies the account and cannot be changed by yourself after signup. If it is just a spelling you dislike but everything works, you can carry on; if you really need it changed, submit a request through the ticket feature in the panel explaining the situation.

The order did not activate right after payment

Refresh the order list first. Most of the time it is a display delay from page caching and the order is already recorded. If nothing changes after a while, submit the order number and payment time through a ticket for a manual check.

Can I buy a monthly plan and a data pack at the same time?

Yes. The two allowances exist in parallel: usage draws on the monthly plan first, then automatically falls back to the data pack once the monthly allowance is used up. They do not interfere with or overwrite each other.

A subscription link is how the routes in your account get into a client. It is essentially an address carrying a token that the client visits periodically to pull the latest route list and configuration. Once you understand what it is, you understand why it deserves the same care as your account password.

4.1 Where to get your subscription link

1. Log in to the user panel. Use the username and password from signup.
2. Open the download client view. This view provides both the client downloads and your subscription link.
3. Copy the subscription link. The page has a one-click copy button that copies the full address. This link is tied to your account — do not forward it to anyone.
4. Paste it into the client. In the client, choose “Import from subscription” and paste the link. Chapter 5 covers the steps for each platform.

4.2 Why a subscription link is as sensitive as your account

The subscription link carries a token. Anyone who gets it can import it on their own device and consume that account's data allowance without knowing the password. In other words, a leaked link is as serious as a leaked password — someone else can use your allowance, and all you see in the usage stats is an unusual jump in consumption.

4.3 What to do if the link leaks

If you suspect your subscription link has leaked: log in to the panel, open the download client view and regenerate the subscription link (the old one stops working), then delete the old subscription on every device you own and import the new link. Once regenerated, the old link cannot pull routes even if someone saved it.

It is also worth changing your account password and checking the order and usage records in the panel for unusual growth. If you find consumption that is not yours, explain the situation in a ticket.

4.4 About sample links

Every subscription link shown in the docs and articles on this site is a sample, in this format:

https://example.com/sub?token=YOUR_TOKEN

That is an obvious placeholder used only to show the format. Real links are only available after logging in to the user panel; any “VPNAK subscription address” circulating elsewhere is not official.

4.5 How subscriptions update

Clients visit the subscription address at a fixed interval to pull the latest route list. That means route changes and newly added regions need no manual work — the client syncs them on its next refresh. Most clients also have a manual “Update subscription” button you can tap right after adding a subscription or when you suspect the list is stale.

If a client cannot pull the subscription for a long time, first confirm the current network can reach the subscription address, then check whether the link has been regenerated. An expired old link makes the client keep erroring out — just copy the new link again.

The import flow is the same on all five platforms: install the client → find the subscription import entry → paste the link → pick a route → connect. What differs is where the entry sits and what it is called. Below is a walkthrough per platform; client installers are all obtained from the download client view in the user panel (login required).

5.1 Windows

1. Install the client. Download the Windows installer from the download client view in the panel and double-click it to run the setup wizard.
2. Open subscription management. Launch the client, find the “Subscriptions” or “Profiles” group in the sidebar and click to add a subscription.
3. Paste the subscription link. Paste the link you copied from the panel into the field; after saving, the client pulls the route list automatically.
4. Pick a route and connect. Choose a route from the node list and click connect; when the status area shows connected, you are done.

On Windows, enable launch at startup and keep the client in the tray so you do not have to reopen it when you switch networks. In system proxy mode, browsers and most apps route through the connection automatically; if some apps ignore the system proxy, switch the client to TUN mode.

5.2 macOS

1. Install the client. Download the macOS installer and drag it into the Applications folder.
2. Grant permission on first launch. macOS asks for network extension permission — allow it in System Settings as prompted, otherwise the client cannot take over traffic.
3. Import the subscription. Paste the link on the client's subscription page, save, and wait for the list to refresh.
4. Pick a route and connect. The menu bar icon shows the current status; click it to switch routes or disconnect quickly.

Permissions are the usual snag on macOS: if you skip the first authorization, the client looks fine but traffic does not go through the route. Go back to the network extensions section in System Settings, grant the permission, and restart the client.

5.3 iOS

1. Install the client. The iOS client comes from the App Store; the download view in the panel has a link that takes you there.
2. Import the subscription. Open the client, choose “Add” on the profiles or subscription page, and paste the subscription link.
3. Allow the configuration. iOS shows a confirmation dialog for adding a VPN configuration — choose Allow.
4. Pick a route and connect. Go back to the home screen, choose a route and turn on the connection switch; the indicator in the status bar means you are connected.

On iOS you can check data usage in System Settings, or go back to the overview page in the panel for account-level usage. The connection rebuilds automatically when you switch between Wi-Fi and cellular, so no manual reconnect is needed.

5.4 Android

1. Install the client. Get the Android package from the download view in the panel and allow the installation when prompted.
2. Import the subscription. Add a subscription on the client's subscription or profiles page, paste the link and save.
3. Pick a route and connect. Choose a route and tap connect; the first time, Android asks to create a VPN connection — confirm it.
4. Set per-app proxy as needed. Android clients usually let you choose which apps use the route; tick them per app in the settings.

Per-app proxy is genuinely useful on Android: exclude banking and local-life apps and let only the apps you need use the accelerated link — it saves data and avoids odd behavior in local services.

5.5 Linux

1. Check your desktop environment. Distributions with a graphical interface can use the client directly; for headless server environments, use the command-line core instead — see 5.6.
2. Install the client. Get the matching package format from the download view in the panel and install it the way your distribution expects.
3. Import the subscription. Paste the link on the client's subscription page, save, and wait for the list to refresh.
4. Connect and verify. Choose a route and connect, then confirm in a terminal that the exit address has changed (see Chapter 6).

On Linux, if the client needs extra privileges to take over traffic, configure that once following your distribution's conventions. The desktop client and the command-line core share the same subscription, so switching between them needs no re-import.

5.6 Command-line environments

On a server or any environment without a graphical interface, you can load the subscription with the command-line core. The typical flow is to write the subscription link into the config file, then start the core:

# Example: write the subscription link into the config (the link is a placeholder — replace it with the real one from the panel)
echo "https://example.com/sub?token=YOUR_TOKEN" > ~/.config/vpnak/subscription.txt

# Start the core and load the config
vpnak-core -c ~/.config/vpnak/config.yaml

# Check whether it is already running
ps aux | grep vpnak-core

Two things to watch in a command-line environment: set the config file permissions so only you can read it, keeping the subscription link away from other accounts on the machine; and since the core usually does not start on boot by itself, configure that once with your system service manager.

5.7 Platform quick reference

All five platforms share the same subscription, and one account has no device limit, so you can set up every device you use. Once imported, move on to Chapter 6 for a connectivity check to confirm traffic really goes through the route.

A client showing “Connected” only means the local proxy has started — it does not prove traffic actually goes through the route. This chapter gives three ways to verify, plus the common reasons a connection looks fine but is not really working.

6.1 Check the exit IP

The most direct method is to look at your current exit address. Check once before connecting and once after; if the two differ and the second one sits in the region of the route you chose, the link is working.

1. Record it before connecting. Open any IP lookup page in your browser and note the region and address it shows.
2. Connect to a route. Choose a route in the client and connect, then wait for the status to show connected.
3. Check again. Refresh the same lookup page and compare. If the region has changed, traffic is going out through the route.
4. Switch routes and check once more. Move to a route in a different region and look again; if the result follows the route, you have ruled out a stale page cache giving a false reading.

6.2 Check DNS resolution

The exit address may have changed while domain resolution still goes through local DNS. That makes some sites judge your region inconsistently: the page opens, but you get the local version. To verify, check whether resolution results come back from the route side.

In a command-line environment you can query a domain's resolution with system tools and compare before and after connecting. If the results always point to your local carrier's resolvers, DNS is not following the link — enable DNS forwarding in the client or use TUN mode.

6.3 Verify per app

In system proxy mode, not every app reads the proxy settings. Checking app by app is simple: open a service that is only available outside your region from within that app. If it loads, the app is using the route; if not, it is bypassing the proxy.

• Browsers: most read the system proxy by default, so no extra setup is usually needed;
• Command-line tools: configure proxy environment variables separately, or switch to TUN mode so traffic is captured at the system level;
• Desktop client apps: some have their own network settings and need to be pointed at the local proxy port manually;
• Mobile apps: on Android, tick them one by one with per-app proxy; on iOS, the system handles everything.

6.4 Six cases where it looks connected but is not

For more detailed troubleshooting steps and tool usage, see How to Tell If Your VPN Is Actually Working, which breaks it down along three lines: check the IP, check DNS, verify per app.

Once you are up and running, only three things need regular attention: your data allowance, your subscription expiry date, and your account credentials. This chapter covers each in turn and gives a monthly checklist you can follow.

7.1 Checking data and expiry

After logging in to the user panel, the account overview shows your current plan, data used this cycle, remaining allowance and expiry date. Data resets monthly on your activation date, so the cycle aligns with that date rather than the calendar month.

If you hold both a monthly plan and a data pack, the overview shows the two allowances separately. Usage draws on the monthly plan first, then the data pack once the monthly allowance is gone. Packs last until used up and never expire, so there is no risk of buying too early and wasting them.

7.2 Renewals and upgrades

• Renewal: just place a new order on the plans page in the user panel; the allowance keeps accumulating after expiry;
• Upgrade: moving to a higher tier mid-cycle prorates the difference by remaining days, so you are not charged a full month twice;
• Downgrade: order a lower tier once the current cycle ends; it does not affect data packs you already bought;
• Top up: when usage runs over temporarily, buy a data pack outright — more flexible than upgrading in advance.

7.3 Safekeeping your password and subscription link

Two things in the account system are sensitive: the login password and the subscription link. The password gets you into the panel; the link pulls routes into your clients. Both follow the same rule — do not share them, do not send them out, do not pass them through chat apps.

The recommended habits: keep the password in a password manager; copy the subscription link from the panel only when importing a new device and leave no local copy behind; review usage records in the panel regularly, and if you see unusual growth, regenerate the link and change the password right away.

7.4 Monthly checklist

1. Check usage once. Confirm this cycle's consumption is within expectations; if two months in a row come close to the cap, consider a higher tier or a data pack.
2. Check the expiry date. Renew a few days early so the connection does not drop on the day it expires while you are using it.
3. Update the client once. Client updates usually improve route compatibility and stability; updating periodically is enough.
4. Review your device list. Make sure every device in use is yours, and delete the subscription from any old device you no longer use.

7.5 What happens after expiry

When a monthly plan expires, the account itself is not deleted; the subscription simply becomes inactive and clients can no longer pull usable routes. Renewing restores it, and past orders and data pack balances are kept. Data packs are a separate allowance and are unaffected by monthly plan expiry.

The final chapter is for users who have the whole flow working: how to choose routes by scenario, how to make multiple devices work together, and how to diagnose problems yourself. None of it needs to be learned up front — come back when you need it.

8.1 Choosing routes by scenario

In practice, start with the nearest route and switch types if it feels unstable at peak times. Routes on this site are grouped by region for easy comparison; the full list is on the locations page.

8.2 Multiple devices working together

Because there is no device limit, you can assign routes by purpose: the work computer on a dedicated line, home entertainment devices on streaming-optimized routes, the phone on whatever is nearest to where you are. The benefit is that devices do not compete for the same route's scheduling resources.

With multiple devices, watch your data more closely: the more devices, the faster total consumption adds up. Check the total usage in the panel regularly to judge ahead of time whether you need a higher tier.

8.3 Self-check order for common problems

1. Check the client status first. Make sure it says connected, not “started but not handling traffic”.
2. Then switch routes. A region usually has several routes; switching one quickly tells you whether the problem is the route or your local setup.
3. Next, check the exit address. If it has not changed, traffic is not going through the route — go back to the three-step verification in Chapter 6.
4. Then check the subscription. Update the subscription manually in the client to confirm the list still pulls correctly.
5. Finally, check the account. Log in to the panel and confirm the subscription has not expired and the data allowance is not used up.

8.4 When to ask for human help

If the self-checks do not resolve it, or you hit any of the following, submit a ticket through the user panel: an order that stays inactive long after payment, clearly abnormal data consumption, a regenerated subscription link that still will not pull, or an account you cannot log in to. Include the symptoms, when they started, and the platform and client you are using — it speeds things up considerably.

If you just want to confirm how something works, check the FAQ categories in the Help Center, which groups common questions into four areas: account and subscription, connection and troubleshooting, speed and routes, billing and refunds.

8.5 Further reading

• Quick Start Guide: the main import path for all five platforms — start here on your first use;
• Plans and data packs: full pricing, payment methods and refund details;
• Global routes: route list grouped by region, with type descriptions;
• Hands-on articles: topics such as sharing across devices, accessing AI tools and streaming region libraries.

That is the end of the guide. The eight chapters follow the order: understand the service → choose a plan → order → get your subscription → import into a client → verify → maintain → go further. On your first run through, read it from the start; afterwards, use the chapter index at the top of the page to jump straight to the relevant section.