StrongVPN Review: Quick Expert Summary
StrongVPN is secure, has fast speeds for browsing and streaming, and provides easy-to-use apps across all platforms. While this is a good start, it does lack a number of features I expect from top VPNs in 2024, so ultimately I feel that there are other options that offer a much better value — such as ExpressVPN, which is the best VPN on the market.
StrongVPN protects your data with industry-standard VPN security features like 256-bit AES encryption, a no-logs policy, and a kill switch. It also comes with extras like split-tunneling (but only on Android) and a smart DNS service called StrongDNS. In addition, it works with some top streaming sites, including Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+, but it’s not compatible with Amazon Prime or BBC iPlayer. It also supports torrenting on all of its servers, and it has an obfuscation tool called Scramble.
However, StrongVPN does have some flaws — it lacks advanced security features like RAM-only servers, WebRTC and IPv6 leak protection, and perfect forward secrecy. Its no-logs policy hasn’t been independently audited, it’s missing useful extras like an ad blocker, and it has a much smaller server network than most top competitors (950+ servers across 42 countries).
StrongVPN allows up to 12 simultaneous connections with a single account, offers monthly and yearly plans, and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee — but only on its annual plan.
StrongVPN accepts payment via credit cards, PayPal, and AliPay, but it doesn’t accept cryptocurrencies. It also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, but only on its annual plan.
Overall, StrongVPN doesn’t offer as much value as many top VPNs, but it’s still not a bad option thanks to its fast speeds and compatibility with most top streaming sites, such as Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+.
StrongVPN Features — Covers the Basics Well
StrongVPN has the following industry-standard VPN security features:
- 256-bit AES encryption. StrongVPN uses bank-grade encryption to make your internet traffic unreadable.
- Kill switch. This feature automatically shuts down your internet access if you’re disconnected from the VPN server, to protect your data from leaking onto the internet.
- No-logs policy. StrongVPN doesn’t store any logs of the websites you visit or the files you download.
StrongVPN also has DNS leak protection, but it doesn’t yet offer WebRTC or IPv6 leak protection which I was surprised by. That said, I ran multiple IPv6, DNS, and WebRTC leak tests while connected to servers in 10+ countries and didn’t find any leaks.
StrongVPN allows you to choose from a variety of protocols, including WireGuard, IKEv2, OpenVPN, and IPSec. I was able to achieve the best speeds while using WireGuard, which is one of the fastest protocols out there.
StrongVPN also includes extra features like:
- Split-tunneling (Android only). This feature allows you to exclude certain apps from your VPN connection. In my tests, StrongVPN’s split-tunneling feature worked seamlessly and was easy to use. I streamed a movie while connected to my local network, while also using Strong’s VPN connection to download a file from one of its Canadian servers. However, I’d like to see split-tunneling available on more operating systems, as is available with top competitors like Private Internet Access.
- StrongDNS. StrongVPN’s smart DNS service provides access to a smart DNS that works on devices that don’t natively support VPN apps, like certain smart TV models or gaming consoles.
StrongVPN Privacy & Security — Strict No-Logs Policy, but It’s US-Based
StrongVPN has a strict privacy policy — it doesn’t log your IP address, your bandwidth, your timestamps, or your online traffic. The only personal information that StrongVPN collects is your email address and payment information, when setting up your account.
However, I’m disappointed that StrongVPN hasn’t conducted an independent audit to confirm its no-logs policy. I’d like to see StrongVPN take this action so it’s more aligned with top VPNs like NordVPN, which has conducted multiple audits.
StrongVPN is based in the US, which is a member of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance (a group of countries that share surveillance data with each other). This means that StrongVPN is required to hand over user info if requested by the US government, which could put your privacy at risk. However, given its no-logs policy, this shouldn’t be an issue as it shouldn’t have any data to hand over.
Overall, StrongVPN is headquartered in the US, which isn’t as tight on privacy laws as many other nations, but it has a strict no-logs policy that should keep your privacy completely safe.
StrongVPN Speed & Performance — Decent Speeds, Even on Faraway Servers
I conducted speed tests on servers in all 42 countries where StrongVPN has a server to determine its average speeds. While I saw quite a drop in speeds compared to my local server, I still enjoyed decent speeds on all the servers I tested, including distant servers.
First, I ran a speed test without being connected to a VPN server to get a baseline for my internet connection speeds. Then, I used StrongVPN’s Best Available feature, which connects you to the fastest server based on your location.
StrongVPN has easy-to-use apps for iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Amazon FireTV, and Chrome, and it supports installation on routers and manual setup for Linux, Amazon Kindle, Kodi, and other platforms.
It’s very quick and easy to set up. I installed StrongVPN’s app on my Android smartphone, iPhone, Windows laptop, and MacBook Pro, and each one took just a minute or two to install.
StrongVPN’s mobile and desktop apps are all very intuitive and user-friendly. I like that SmartVPN has a “Best Available” server feature, which allows you to automatically connect to the fastest available server (usually the one closest to you) with just one click. I also like how simple StrongVPN makes it to manually connect to a server — countries are listed in alphabetical order and there’s a search bar. I was also impressed with how easily I was able to enable the kill switch and connect on launch features, along with changing protocols.
StrongVPN’s apps come with an obfuscation feature called “Scramble.” It’s available on Windows, macOS, and Android but not iOS. StrongVPN’s split-tunneling feature is only available on its Android app. StrongVPN’s iOS app also doesn’t come with OpenVPN as a protocol.
Overall, StrongVPN has easy-to-use mobile and desktop apps, but they only really come with basic VPN features. They’re intuitive, easy to set up and use, and have quick and easy connection options. However, most top competitors like Surfshark also have very intuitive apps, but they come with far more features across all platforms.
StrongVPN has excellent customer support — it offers helpful and responsive live chat and email support, along with a knowledge base that includes setup/troubleshooting guides and frequently asked questions (FAQs). StrongVPN is also one of the few VPNs to offer phone support.
StrongVPN’s live chat is excellent. I found it to be very helpful, responsive, and friendly. The live chat is initially a bot that provides links to relevant articles, but it also immediately offers an option to connect to a support rep — this service is available 24/7. During my tests, I was connected to an agent within a minute or so every time, and they were able to quickly and extensively answer all technical questions that I had about the service.
StrongVPN also offers excellent email support via an online ticketing system. Whenever I emailed StrongVPN, I received a response to my question within less than an hour (including outside of business hours), which is impressive. In comparison, other top VPNs like ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access typically take 3–5 hours to respond to email inquiries. As with the live chat, I found the email support teams to be very helpful and thorough in their replies.
StrongVPN is one of the rare VPNs to offer phone support. When I called, I found there was almost no wait time, and the rep was knowledgeable and able to answer my question immediately.
StrongVPN’s online help center is extensive, and includes many useful troubleshooting/set up guides as well as FAQs, all of which answered most of my questions.
StrongVPN’s customer support impressed me with its helpful and responsive email, live chat, and phone support. It also has an extensive help center that includes FAQs and troubleshooting guides for common problems.
Is StrongVPN a Good VPN in 2024?
StrongVPN is secure, fast, easy to use, and pretty good for streaming and web browsing. It protects users’ data with industry-standard VPN security features like 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, a strict no-logs policy, and DNS leak protection. It also comes with extra features like split-tunneling (although on Android only) and smart DNS servers.
StrongVPN works with popular streaming sites like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ (but not Amazon Prime or BBC iPlayer), it allows P2P traffic on all 950+ of its servers, and it offers obfuscation.
However, StrongVPN has some downsides that stop it from being a top VPN. For example, it lacks advanced features like RAM-only servers and perfect forward secrecy, it has a relatively small server network, its no-logs policy hasn’t been audited, and it’s missing some extras like an ad blocker and public Wi-Fi protections.
StrongVPN allows up to 12 simultaneous connections, offers monthly and yearly plans, and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee on its yearly plan.
