StrongVPN review

Our Verdict

StrongVPN is a solid VPN service with all the manufacture-standard features and and so some. While it 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 fourth dimension, too as mobile support.

For

xxx-mean solar day money-dorsum guarantee
12 simultaneous connections
Unblocks Netflix, Amazon Prime number, Disney+
250GB SugarSync storage

Against

Below boilerplate WireGuard speeds
Tin can't unblock BBC iPlayer

Tom's Guide Verdict

StrongVPN is a solid VPN service with all the industry-standard features and then some. While it doesn't provide the breadth of servers or offer as many features as some of the leading brands, it offers decent operation, streaming and browsing on a big number of devices at the same time, too equally mobile support.

Pros

+
30-solar day money-dorsum guarantee
+
12 simultaneous connections
+
Unblocks Netflix, Amazon Prime number, Disney+
+
250GB SugarSync storage

Cons

-
Below boilerplate WireGuard speeds
-
Can't unblock BBC iPlayer

StrongVPN is certainly one of the best VPN providers out there correct now and that's thanks to a continual growth equally a visitor since it started in 2005.

If y'all want a VPN that specializes in working across a broad range of devices and so this could be the selection for you lot. Not only volition this let you run connections on 12 devices simultaneously, but it besides has apps for a huge range of gadgets.

Another large entreatment here is simplicity. Correct from the company's website you lot'll notice how clear and straightforward everything is. That makes this a proficient selection for anyone new to the world of VPNs.

The server number might not be the highest, nor the speeds the very fastest, simply 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 need to know in this StrongVPN review.

Strongvpn review - devices — (Image credit: Future)

StrongVPN on newspaper

Customer platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, DDWRT, macOS, GLiNet routers, Android Television.
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
Existent name necessary? No
Encryption protocol: WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2. L2TP, SSTP
Data usage:Unlimited
Bandwidth usage: Unlimited
Max. no. of simultaneously connected devices: 12
Customer back up: Electronic mail, live chat, phone
Privacy policy:No logging

How much does StrongVPN cost?

As we'd look, StrongVPN'due south pricing structure is pretty down-to-earth. There are two plans to choose from – one month, and one twelvemonth.

Go for the single-calendar month option and you have the liberty to opt out whenever y'all need merely that will toll you with a charge per unit of $10.99 per month.

Commit for a longer period and you stand up to make a saving equivalent to paying $3.66 per calendar month for that first twelvemonth. Yous pay for that up front at $43.99, and so for each yr after that it'southward $79.99.

A nice flake of added value comes in the form of a free 250GB programme with cloud storage provider SugarSync. This is the same as what IPVanish used to offer, and if you'll use it, information technology's definitely worth considering.

There's no VPN free trial, but all plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test the service thoroughly before committing – and payments tin 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 industry-standard 256-bit encryption. Connecting is performed through OpenVPN, IKEv2, L2TP, and SSTP protocols, equally well as the speedy WireGuard. This relatively new protocol was introduced with the goal of having dissimilar 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 feature traditionally used by VPN providers is a impale switch, and StrongVPN has i as well. When turned on, a kill switch will jump in whenever the VPN connection drops, effectively blocking your Cyberspace connexion so no data is leaked.

StrongVPN calls itself a 'zero-logging VPN', which means it will never track or shop your information and browsing activities while connected to its service. Information technology only collects the data necessary for business relationship creation which it promises not to sell to third parties.

Unfortunately, this is as much detail equally we get in the Privacy Policy, and there has been no independent audit of these no-logging claims. Since other VPN providers are starting to open their doors to contained auditors, it would practise well for StrongVPN to practise the same.

This would hateful a lot for people concerned about the physical location of the StrongVPN headquarters – the United States, a country whose government is known for anything merely keeping its olfactory organ out of people's online activities.

How fast is StrongVPN?

Connection speeds are virtually every bit important as the privacy and security of a service, and this is where many users' minds will exist made upwardly. Nosotros tested StrongVPN on two 1Gbps connections – US and U.k. – and used a number of speed testing sites and services to approximate exactly what the VPN tin can deliver.

We so tested speeds with multiple services including SpeedTest'south website and control line app, SpeedOf.me and nPerf.

Using OpenVPN in the Us, speeds reached 230-240Mbps. That'due south not up there with the very fastest, but still very usable. IKEv2 speeds jumped to 260-280Mbps in the The states, which is rather impressive – only beaten past ExpressVPN.

If y'all want to max out your speeds, though, we'd strongly suggest using the new WireGuard protocol – every bit this turns StrongVPN into a fast VPN, merely not the fastest. In the United states we got reliable speeds of around 270-300Mbps, and in the Uk it hovered around the 450Mbps for only about every examination.

It's worth noting that in our testing earlier in the twelvemonth both these speeds were topping closer to 600Mbps, and then yous may notice it is faster where you are. The fastest VPN providers, like NordVPN, hit over 800Mbps – not that any people with a 100Mbps line will exist able to notice that difference.

What are StrongVPN's apps like?

StrongVPN supports a wide range of platforms. These include Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Fire Television set, for which information technology has native clients. Plenty of other platforms are covered with transmission setup guides and include Linux, Synology NAS, Kodi, Amazon Kindle, Chrome Bone, too as specific router models. Y'all can also purchase a router with StrongVPN already installed.

The service tin can exist used on up to 12 devices simultaneously, while the router VPN back up gives y'all the possibility to increase this already high number to about unlimited. This is possible considering a router counts as only i device, regardless of how many other devices are connected to it.

The Windows client offers up a minor map which highlights your current location, and it displays your external IP. A unmarried click can get you continued.

You can also use a server list to cull your location, but while it works well, there are no additional amenities such as a favorites system or ping time brandish.

That lack of user-friendly niceties is a running theme, too. You tin can't connect to a new server without manually disconnecting kickoff, y'all tin can't double click on a server to quick connect, and the system tray icon doesn't give you options to connect to whatsoever particular location. The map itself is also quite rudimentary, with no zooming or panning.

That's non all bad, though, as everything is very simple to employ. Connectedness times are quick, and of course, yous're likely to get decent speeds as mentioned above. You'll also get a useful kill switch to protect you if your connection dies – and its performance is much improve since our last test.

On iOS and Android, things are much the aforementioned – with a like interface and simple features. Unfortunately neither have a impale switch (although you can always employ Android'southward in-built kill switch), only you lot'll still get OpenVPN, IKEv2 and WireGuard back up. That's ameliorate than many competitors.

You'll likewise be able to use divide tunneling, which is an omission we'd love to encounter implemented on desktop likewise.

Overall, StrongVPN'south mobile apps are very usable, if not the nearly powerful on the market.

How good is StrongVPN for streaming and torrenting?

Every bit more and more people realise what VPNs tin can offer when information technology comes to unblocking geo-restricted content, this is becoming an ever-more than important section.

In our Netflix testing we had no problems, with StrongVPN accessing US Netflix from a variety of servers. Information technology also immune us to spotter Disney+, and what'southward more than, Amazon Prime number is bachelor as well.

The merely major service tested that wasn't accessible was the Britain based BBC iPlayer, which is a shame as this would otherwise be one of the best streaming VPN options.

A number of the all-time services practice perform slightly better (ExpressVPN, ProtonVPN and NordVPN for a start), but overall StrongVPN is rather impressive when it comes to unblocking content.

However, we've got no complaints when information technology comes to torrenting, as every one of StrongVPN's servers is fit for P2P use.

How good is StrongVPN'south customer support?

If you meet any problems when installing and using the service, you tin can consult the library of articles on the aid site. They are divided into groups according to the area covered, including setup guides, technical support, billing back up, FAQ, and about section. The back up site is searchable past keyword.

StrongVPN also has a blog, which is a skilful read for anyone interested in both the visitor and the VPN manufacture in general.

For all your concerns that cannot be answered by the back up site, the company'southward expert customer service agents are there for you lot, 24/7. You tin accomplish them on live chat or submit a detailed request on the website and go a response via email in nether an hour.

A welcome add-on to these mutual practices is the phone line which allows you lot to get in touch with them anytime during the company's function hours – between nine AM and five PM CT (UTC -half-dozen), Mon through Friday.

Terminal verdict

Although more pricing options would be highly appreciated and the fact that the provider is based in the U.s. does enhance some concerns, StrongVPN is a generally 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 options to establish contact with the company and become speedy assistance.

Luke is a freelance writer and editor with over two decades of feel roofing tech, science and health. Among many others he writes across Future titles covering health tech, software and apps, VPNs, Boob tube, sound, smart dwelling, antivirus, broadband, smartphones, cars and plenty more. He as well likes to climb mountains, swim exterior and contort his body into silly positions while breathing as calmly as possible.