StrongVPN, which launched its VPN service in 2005, is a well-established Virtual Private Network (VPN) provider with multiple locations around the globe.
StrongVPN is a reliable and versatile VPN provider that offers comprehensive online security and privacy, while providing access to multiple streaming services, as well as other geo-controlled content.
The provider’s well-protected connections, while certainly not the fastest around, are still fast enough for most of your favorite online activities.
In this review, I tell you about how well StrongVPN protects your online activities, protects your privacy and provides access to geo-controlled content.
We’ll take a look at the following points, as well as other points of interest.
- Does StrongVPN offer access to Netflix, BBC iPlayer and other streaming services around the globe?
- Are StrongVPN’s connections fast enough for your favorite online activities?
- What type of online security and privacy protections does StrongVPN provide?
- How well does StrongVPN protect your online security and privacy?
In addition, I also provide a rundown of the VPN service’s offerings and overall performance.
Is StrongVPN for You?
StrongVPN offers comprehensive online security and privacy for most popular device platforms, while providing reliable access to geo-controlled content from around the globe.
While StrongVPN’s 1-month subscription cost is priced a bit high, its 1-year subscription option is quite a deal. But, the price rises quite a bit when you renew for a second year.
A risk-free, 30-day money-back guarantee is available for all subscription plans.
My Verdict
StrongVPN is a reliable way to keep your online activities incognito.The provider offers top-notch security and privacy, while offering reliable access to geo-controlled online content.
| OVERALL RANK: | 4.5/5 |
| Speed: | 4/5 |
| Tested Speed: | 71.0 Mbps average download speed (independently tested) |
| Streaming Support: | HD & 4K HDR |
| Streaming Score: | 4.5/5 |
| Unblocks Netflix?: | Yes – reliably for numerous countries |
| U.S. Streaming Services Supported: | Netflix, Hulu, more |
| U.K. Streaming Services Supported: | Netflix U.K., BBC iPlayer, others |
| Security Score: | 5/5 |
| Privacy Rating: | 5/5 |
| Supports Torrenting: | Yes, but warns you about sharing copyrighted materials |
| Value for the Money: | 4/5 |
| Money-Back Guarantee: | 30 days |
| Website: | www.strongvpn.com |
Pros:
- Unblocks Netflix in U.S.
- Excellent online security and privacy protections
- Simple app interface
- Works from inside of China
- Includes backup functionality
Cons:
- Not much support for manual configuration
- Small global server network
- Connection speeds are a bit slow
Features
StrongVPN offers app support for the most popular device platforms, while also providing support for various router makes and models.
The provider offers native app support for the macOS, Windows, Android, iOS, ChromeOS and Amazon Fire device platforms. You can set up the provider manually on Linux and other operating systems.
Router support is available for ASUS, Sabai, Tomato, DD-WRT and Mikrotik routers.
StrongVPN’s apps protect your online travels with military-grade 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and DNS leak and IP leak protection. For more information, check out my VPN Security Features article.
When you connect to the StrongVPN server network, you’ll have the option to connect to servers located in 42 countries.
The provider’s apps provide easy-to-use, one-click access to online protection and enhancement, and they don’t grab too many of your device’s precious processor cycles.
Users can concurrently connect up to 12 devices to the StrongVPN network on one set of user credentials.
At the time of this article, StrongVPN has a global server network made up of 950+ servers located in more than 40 countries around the world.
24/7 live chat support, email support, and manual setup guides, troubleshooting tips, and an FAQ section are available from the provider’s customer support area.
Streaming
One of the most popular online activities during these days of COVID-19 is streaming TV shows and movies. This has led many video streaming fans to use a VPN to expand their access to online content.
A VPN assigns a fresh IP address to your connected device. If the IP address is one that is designated for use in another country, that gives you access to online content that is usually only available from that country.
This can include streaming content from various services, including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Pandora, ESPN and numerous other streamers.
At the dawn of the streaming industry, it was easy-peasy to use a VPN to unblock a geo-controlled streaming service. It seemed that nearly any VPN could unblock Netflix, Hulu and other streaming services.
However, as streaming services got hip to the VPN trick, the contracts they signed with TV and movie producers required them to block access to their content from outside of the designated areas.
StrongVPN offers reliable unblocking of many geo-controlled streaming services, including Netflix, YouTube, Hulu and Disney+ in the United States. Servers in the United Kingdom are able to unblock BBC iPlayer, Netflix and more.
There were times when I had to try more than one server in both countries before I had success in unblocking each streaming service. You can also contact StrongVPN customer support to find out which server will offer success.
During my streaming testing, StrongVPN delivered an enjoyable streaming experience, with little to no buffering time.
Torrenting
When it comes to sharing files via P2P torrenting, StrongVPN doesn’t specifically note whether or not the activity is allowed while connected to its servers.
However, the U.S.-based VPN provider’s terms of service do state that the provider can terminate your account if you use the service to infringe upon the copyrights of others.
This means that if the service finds that you are sharing copyrighted materials while connected to the provider’s servers, it will shut down your account.
That said, it is legal to share non-copyrighted materials, so torrenting is allowed. I had no issues sharing and downloading files via torrenting while connected to StrongVPN.
Read my article about the best VPNs for torrenting.
Security and Privacy
StrongVPN has its customers well-protected in the privacy and security departments. The provider not only provides comprehensive online protection for your online antics, it also keeps your privacy well covered.
The provider protects your internet connection with various protocols, including WireGuard, IKEv2, OpenVPN, L2TP/IPSec and SSTP.
The provider’s desktop apps offer kill switch protection. However, the mobile apps lack this feature. DNS/IP leak protection is also present and accounted for. For more information, check out my VPN Security Features article.
The provider keeps no server logs of any kind, so there are no records available to expose your activity. No cryptocurrency payment options are available.
Connection Speed
Before we take a look at StrongVPN’s connection speeds, allow me to explain the connection speed testing method we here at Pixel Privacy use.
We perform all VPN connection speed tests on a test machine with a gigabit Ethernet connection located in the United States. We perform all of these tests using the provider’s Windows app, connecting via OpenVPN over UDP (when available).
We connect to 3 different VPN server locations (in the United Kingdom, the United States and Hong Kong). We perform tests over 3 days, 3 times per day, with at least 4 hours in between each round of testing.
StrongVPN provides plenty of connection speed, averaging in at 71.0 Mbps. That means the provider’s download speeds can easily handle online gaming, file sharing, streaming HD and 4K video, and more (depending upon your usual, ISP-provided connection speeds).
Cost
Some might consider StrongVPN’s 1-month subscription option to be expensive, but the price drops like a rock if you’re willing to commit to a year-long subscription.
The provider’s monthly payment option will cost you about the same as a large combo at your favorite fast food restaurant. However, StrongVPN’s 1-year subscription option brings the monthly price down to the price of a child’s Happy Meal.
A 30-day money-back guarantee is available for all subscription plans.
Both the monthly and annual subscription options include 250 GB SugarSync® Cloud Storage and the StrongDNS service.
StrongDNS is a DNS proxy service that allows users to use StrongVPN’s DNS servers to unblock geo-blocked content, just like a VPN. However, The StrongDNS offering does not offer the same online security and privacy that a VPN does.
Alternatives
StrongVPN is an excellent VPN option. However, some users may not find the provider as a good fit for their needs.
If that’s your situation, I advise you to investigate one of the following VPN providers.
NordVPN
NordVPN is a well-established and well-respected VPN provider. The firm is known as one of the most reliable providers in the VPN industry. NordVPN is my top choice for VPN protection.
The provider offers top-notch VPN services at a reasonable price. This makes it an attractive option for users looking for premium service at a budget-friendly price.
NordVPN’s connection speeds (369.3 Mbps) were the 3rd-fastest in my most recent connection speed tests, which means the service can easily handle whatever you throw at it.
NordVPN’s native app support has most popular device platforms covered, and an above-average global server network provides reliable access to geo-blocked content around the globe.
Read my full review of NordVPN.
Surfshark
Surfshark is the best option for users on a tight budget. The provider’s champagne VPN services are available at a beer-bottle price.
The provider delivers fast, well-protected connections. (It boasts an average download speed of 323.6 Mbps.) Surfshark speeds can easily handle streaming video, gaming and sharing large files.
All Surfshark connections are protected with banking-grade 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, an option to disguise your VPN traffic as normal browser activity, and much more.
Easy-to-use apps are available for most popular device platforms, while Chrome and Firefox browser extensions along with extensive router compatibility are also available.
The provider offers reliable access to numerous video streaming services.
Read my full review of Surfshark.
StrongVPN VPN FAQ
Does StrongVPN Work in China?
StrongVPN does currently work from inside of China. However, certain VPN servers will work better than others from inside of China.
Also, be sure to subscribe to, install and test your VPN of choice before entering Chinese airspace, as the country blocks a large number of VPN websites.
Where Can I Find the StrongVPN Server List?
The StrongVPN website offers a list of its servers based around the globe. The page is updated on a regular basis, and lists the countries where StrongVPN servers are available.
