StrongVPN review
Our Verdict
StrongVPN is a solid VPN service with all the industry-standard features so some. While it doesn't provide the latitude of servers or offering equally many features as some of the leading brands, it offers decent performance, streaming and browsing on a big number of devices at the same time, also as mobile support.
For
- 30-twenty-four hour period coin-back guarantee
- 12 simultaneous connections
- Unblocks Netflix, Amazon Prime number, Disney+
- 250GB SugarSync storage
Against
- Beneath average WireGuard speeds
- Can't unblock BBC iPlayer
Tom's Guide Verdict
StrongVPN is a solid VPN service with all the industry-standard features and and then some. While information technology doesn't provide the breadth of servers or offer as many features as some of the leading brands, it offers decent performance, streaming and browsing on a large number of devices at the same time, likewise equally mobile support.
Pros
- +
thirty-day money-dorsum guarantee
- +
12 simultaneous connections
- +
Unblocks Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+
- +
250GB SugarSync storage
Cons
- -
Beneath average WireGuard speeds
- -
Can't unblock BBC iPlayer
StrongVPN is certainly one of the best VPN providers out there right now and that'due south thanks to a continual growth as a company since it started in 2005.
If you desire a VPN that specializes in working across a broad range of devices then this could be the choice for you lot. Not merely volition this let you run connections on 12 devices simultaneously, but it likewise has apps for a huge range of gadgets.
Some other big appeal hither is simplicity. Right from the company'southward website you'll notice how clear and straightforward everything is. That makes this a good choice for anyone new to the earth of VPNs.
The server number might not exist the highest, nor the speeds the very fastest, only with tight security and that all important Netflix unblocking, this VPN ticks a lot of the right boxes.
Read on to find out everything you demand to know in this StrongVPN review.
StrongVPN on paper
Client platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, DDWRT, macOS, GLiNet routers, Android Tv set.
Supported protocols:OpenVPN, L2TP/IPsec, SSTP and WireGuard
No. of servers: 950+
No. of countries: 35+
Country of registration:USA
Payment options: Credit cards, PayPal, Alipay
Real name necessary? No
Encryption protocol: WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2. L2TP, SSTP
Data usage:Unlimited
Bandwidth usage: Unlimited
Max. no. of simultaneously connected devices: 12
Customer support: Email, alive chat, phone
Privacy policy:No logging
How much does StrongVPN cost?
As we'd expect, StrongVPN's pricing structure is pretty downwards-to-earth. There are 2 plans to choose from – i month, and 1 year.
Go for the single-month option and you have the freedom to opt out whenever you demand simply that volition cost you with a rate of $10.99 per month.
Commit for a longer period and you stand to brand a saving equivalent to paying $3.66 per month for that first year. You pay for that up front at $43.99, then for each year after that it's $79.99.
A dainty bit of added value comes in the grade of a gratuitous 250GB plan with deject storage provider SugarSync. This is the aforementioned every bit what IPVanish used to offer, and if y'all'll utilise it, it's definitely worth considering.
There'southward no VPN costless trial, only all plans come up with a thirty-day coin-back guarantee, so yous tin can test the service thoroughly before committing – and payments can be made via major credit cards, PayPal, and Alipay.
How private and secure is StrongVPN?
StrongVPN provides good basic privacy thanks to the use of manufacture-standard 256-bit encryption. Connecting is performed through OpenVPN, IKEv2, L2TP, and SSTP protocols, likewise as the speedy WireGuard. This relatively new protocol was introduced with the goal of having different protocols' best features assembled into one.
It provides faster speeds than OpenVPN, increases operation, requires less computational resources than IPSec, is arguably more secure than other protocols, and is available on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android clients.
An additional rubber characteristic traditionally used by VPN providers is a kill switch, and StrongVPN has one also. When turned on, a impale switch will jump in whenever the VPN connection drops, effectively blocking your Internet connection and then no data is leaked.
StrongVPN calls itself a 'zero-logging VPN', which ways it volition never rail or store your data and browsing activities while connected to its service. It just collects the information necessary for account creation which it promises non to sell to tertiary parties.
Unfortunately, this is as much detail as we arrive the Privacy Policy, and at that place has been no independent audit of these no-logging claims. Since other VPN providers are starting to open up their doors to independent auditors, it would exercise well for StrongVPN to practise the same.
This would mean a lot for people concerned well-nigh the physical location of the StrongVPN headquarters – the Us, a state whose government is known for annihilation but keeping its olfactory organ out of people'due south online activities.
How fast is StrongVPN?
Connection speeds are well-nigh equally important as the privacy and security of a service, and this is where many users' minds volition exist made up. Nosotros tested StrongVPN on two 1Gbps connections – US and UK – and used a number of speed testing sites and services to judge exactly what the VPN can deliver.
Nosotros and so tested speeds with multiple services including SpeedTest'south website and command line app, SpeedOf.me and nPerf.
Using OpenVPN in the US, speeds reached 230-240Mbps. That's non upwards at that place with the very fastest, but still very usable. IKEv2 speeds jumped to 260-280Mbps in the U.s., which is rather impressive – but beaten past ExpressVPN.
If you lot want to max out your speeds, though, nosotros'd strongly suggest using the new WireGuard protocol – equally this turns StrongVPN into a fast VPN, only not the fastest. In the United states of america we got reliable speeds of around 270-300Mbps, and in the UK it hovered around the 450Mbps for but about every test.
Information technology's worth noting that in our testing earlier in the year both these speeds were topping closer to 600Mbps, and so you may find it is faster where you are. The fastest VPN providers, like NordVPN, hit over 800Mbps – not that whatever people with a 100Mbps line will be able to find that divergence.
What are StrongVPN'south apps similar?
StrongVPN supports a broad range of platforms. These include Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Fire TV, for which it has native clients. Enough of other platforms are covered with manual setup guides and include Linux, Synology NAS, Kodi, Amazon Kindle, Chrome OS, equally well equally specific router models. You can also buy a router with StrongVPN already installed.
The service can exist used on up to 12 devices simultaneously, while the router VPN support gives yous the possibility to increment this already high number to nigh unlimited. This is possible because a router counts equally just one device, regardless of how many other devices are connected to information technology.
The Windows customer offers upwards a small map which highlights your current location, and information technology displays your external IP. A single click tin get y'all connected.
You lot can too utilise a server list to choose your location, simply while it works well, there are no additional amenities such as a favorites system or ping time display.
That lack of user-friendly niceties is a running theme, too. You can't connect to a new server without manually disconnecting first, you can't double click on a server to quick connect, and the system tray icon doesn't requite you lot options to connect to any particular location. The map itself is too quite rudimentary, with no zooming or panning.
That's not all bad, though, every bit everything is very simple to use. Connection times are quick, and of course, you lot're likely to get decent speeds every bit mentioned above. You lot'll also get a useful kill switch to protect yous if your connection dies – and its performance is much better since our concluding exam.
On iOS and Android, things are much the aforementioned – with a similar interface and elementary features. Unfortunately neither have a kill switch (although you can always use Android's in-congenital kill switch), but y'all'll still get OpenVPN, IKEv2 and WireGuard support. That's better than many competitors.
Y'all'll as well exist able to use split tunneling, which is an omission we'd love to see implemented on desktop too.
Overall, StrongVPN's mobile apps are very usable, if not the most powerful on the market place.
How good is StrongVPN for streaming and torrenting?
As more and more people realise what VPNs tin offering when it comes to unblocking geo-restricted content, this is becoming an ever-more of import department.
In our Netflix testing we had no issues, with StrongVPN accessing Us Netflix from a variety of servers. It besides immune us to watch Disney+, and what's more, Amazon Prime is available also.
The simply major service tested that wasn't accessible was the UK based BBC iPlayer, which is a shame as this would otherwise be one of the best streaming VPN options.
A number of the best services practise perform slightly better (ExpressVPN, ProtonVPN and NordVPN for a start), merely overall StrongVPN is rather impressive when it comes to unblocking content.
However, we've got no complaints when it comes to torrenting, equally every one of StrongVPN's servers is fit for P2P use.
How adept is StrongVPN's customer support?
If you come across any problems when installing and using the service, you can consult the library of articles on the help site. They are divided into groups according to the area covered, including setup guides, technical back up, billing support, FAQ, and nearly section. The support site is searchable by keyword.
StrongVPN also has a web log, which is a adept read for anyone interested in both the company and the VPN industry in full general.
For all your concerns that cannot be answered by the support site, the company'due south expert customer service agents are there for you, 24/seven. You can reach them on live chat or submit a detailed request on the website and get a response via electronic mail in under an hour.
A welcome add-on to these common practices is the phone line which allows you to get in touch with them someday during the visitor's office hours – between 9 AM and 5 PM CT (UTC -6), Monday through Friday.
Final verdict
Although more than pricing options would be highly appreciated and the fact that the provider is based in the Us does enhance some concerns, StrongVPN is a more often than not well-rounded service that opens many doors for its users – streaming geographically restricted content and torrenting on many devices, all the while boasting decent speeds. The phone support provides even more than options to establish contact with the company and get speedy aid.
Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/reviews/strongvpn-excellent-performance
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