NymVPN expands alpha testing

It has been a busy month since beginning the alpha testing phase of NymVPN, and the Nym team is working in lock-step to prepare for what’s to come this summer. Your experience and feedback will help us the most in delivering an optimized and unmatched privacy tool for the world, so don’t miss the chance to test out the app!

Since 2 May, a select pool of users from the Nym core community and waitlist have been actively testing NymVPN to identify bugs and improve performance. Nym wants to make sure that when the app lands in your trusted hands, it will be able to do what you need it to do: not simply provide unparalleled privacy, but fast and seamlessly.

Below are the recent advancements and what you can expect in the coming months.

NymVPN Alpha goals

An alpha test is a troubleshooting period for developers. But more importantly, it’s a stage in which users can play an essential role in improving the product. But before we get to testing the app with larger groups of users, we’re still fine tuning it and the mixnet that powers it.

Nym’s current priorities with NymVPN Alpha are:

• To stabilize the app’s core functionalities
• To stabilize and scale the network in both 2-hop and 5-hop modes
• To optimize the speed of the 2-hop mode through WireGuard integration

What happened in the last 4 weeks?

Testing

Since the launch last month, the Alpha app has been tested by all members of the Nym core team, long-term members of the Nym community, and a small batch of users from the waitlist. Hundreds of invitations have already gone out to waitlisted members

Following this preliminary testing by the Nym core community, users from the waitlist will be invited in batches in the coming month. The strategy is to ensure that important bugs are addressed in a manageable and progressive fashion before many new users are introduced into the testing pool.

Apps

We are finalizing a new app architecture on Linux and macOS, which will simplify installs and not require admin rights at every app launch. The team is also closely discussing the design of the app so its advanced and novel privacy features are clear and accessible for all users.

An important redesign to the credential system will allow validated testers to continue using the app for a longer period of time without needing to seek a new credential. Keep in mind that NymVPN Alpha testing is free for approved users, but that the beta version will require a paid subscription to continue using the app.

Network

The Nym team has been working tirelessly to complete the integration of WireGuard for the 2-hop dVPN mode. Wireguard is the fastest encrypted communication protocol for VPNs, which Nym expects will radically change the performance of NymVPN.

The Nym team is closely monitoring and helping node operators who run the network to improve the quality of service, positively impacting the perceived performance and UX.

Website

The new Help Center was made live in early May, and there is a continuous rollout of new articles to help users with the NymVPN app. Be sure to check in and contribute questions there as you begin testing! Nym is also building a checkout flow in preparation for the public beta launch.

What’s next?

There’s a lot in the works for NymVPN, and a lot of important feedback is expected from testers as we get a chance to troubleshoot the app with all of you this summer. Here are the big developments to look for:

Your NymVPN alpha invitation

Most importantly, keep an eye out for your NymVPN Alpha credentials by email to try out the app! But be patient, invitation rollouts will happen in phases to give Nym time to process the feedback and to improve the app gradually for testers. The next batch of invitations will be sent as of June 10. If you haven’t yet signed up for the waitlist, you can still do so to have a chance to test it!

WireGuard dVPN mode

The highest priority for the Nym dev team is finalizing WireGuard integration for the 2-hop dVPN mode. WireGuard has been a gamechanger for VPN encrypted routing, offering the fastest VPN routing through a highly concise code-base that doesn’t compromise on top-of-the-line encryption protocols. Nym is on track to having WireGuard up and running by the end of June. With WireGuard on NymVPN, users can have serious decentralized privacy protections without having to worry about common latency issues with other dVPNs.

Localization

The Android app will soon be piloted in French, Spanish, and Portuguese! Stay tuned for more localization features for users all over the world.

In the meantime

Check in on the NymTech blog for important updates to the network community running the Nym network, including a series of important changes to the governance and rewards system.