StrongVPN Review (2024)

StrongVPN remains a niche player in the VPN market, which may be advantageous for evading detection by major streaming platforms like Netflix. The service boasts servers in 47 cities across 26 countries, supports multiple protocols including OpenVPN, maintains a zero-logs policy, offers cross-platform compatibility, and allows up to five simultaneous connections. However, despite its impressive features, the user experience leaves much to be desired. Here’s a detailed review:

Features

Founded in 2005 and based in the US, StrongVPN is particularly favored by expatriates in China but generally maintains a low profile elsewhere.

The service provides native applications for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. However, the setup process is laborious and requires considerable patience, involving multiple interactions with live support and a trial-and-error approach. The user experience is hindered by an exceptionally convoluted customer dashboard and setup process, indicating a need for a user experience overhaul.

Upon logging into the customer dashboard, I discovered that OpenVPN was unavailable, as indicated by a notification stating, “you have no OpenVPN accounts.” This issue was confirmed by the desktop app, which did not allow me to select the OpenVPN protocol.

Fortunately, live chat support was readily available. Dzmitry provided detailed instructions on how to access OpenVPN, involving a series of steps including changing the server location manually, selecting OpenVPN from the protocol dropdown, and connecting to the server. Despite these instructions, the process failed multiple times before Dzmitry suggested remote assistance via TeamViewer. I eventually discovered a “Switch Server” button on the dashboard, which allowed me to select a server supporting OpenVPN, resolving the issue.

After overcoming this hurdle, I was able to use the OpenVPN protocol and configure the app’s settings to my preference. While the support was satisfactory, the overall experience was marred by a significant inconvenience.

I also inquired about the availability of OVPN files for the OpenVPN open-source program. It turns out that these files are only accessible after switching from a default PPTP server to an OpenVPN server, which requires a manual configuration for each server. Additionally, switching servers invalidates previous configuration files, necessitating a new configuration file for each server switch.

The dashboard also presented a confusing array of login credentials for OpenVPN, adding to the complexity. Despite asking Dzmitry for clarification, the response was dismissive of the need for the OpenVPN GUI, suggesting that the native StrongVPN client should suffice.

Many VPN users prefer the open-source OpenVPN for its transparency and community oversight, as opposed to proprietary software which may include undisclosed tracking features. Thus, the inconvenience imposed by StrongVPN’s setup undermines the advantage of using OpenVPN.

Pricing

StrongVPN does not offer a short-term free or paid trial, requiring users to commit to a $10.99 monthly plan to evaluate the service. An annual subscription is available at $43.99 ($3.66 per month). Payment options include PayPal, Bitcoin, credit card, and AliPay. A seven-day money-back guarantee is provided for new subscribers.

Following my payment, I received a welcome email containing my login and password in plain text, which is an unusual practice for a privacy-focused service.

Performance

In speed tests, StrongVPN performed adequately but the lengthy and frustrating setup process somewhat overshadowed the results.

Here are the speed metrics from Ookla’s tests before connecting to the VPN:

• US Server (OpenVPN): [Speed Test Results]

• UK Server: [Speed Test Results]

Security tests indicated that while StrongVPN effectively prevented DNS and IPv6 leaks, there was a WebRTC leak.

StrongVPN was successful in bypassing Netflix’s VPN restrictions and also allowed access to BBC iPlayer without issues.

In summary, while StrongVPN offers a range of features and performs well in terms of speed and security, the cumbersome setup process and user interface challenges significantly detract from its overall appeal.

Privacy and Security

I have concerns regarding the privacy and security features of Strong VPN. The primary issue lies in its complex setup process, which involves numerous steps and is not user-friendly, particularly for novices or average users. The initial configuration defaults to PPTP, transmits login credentials in plain text, and presents challenges with the OpenVPN app, raising several red flags.

Despite offering good speeds and robust encryption, these advantages do not compensate for the significant concerns noted above. The Terms of Service (ToS) and Privacy Policy are extensive but lack clarity on critical aspects. Although the provider prominently advertises a “no logs” policy, the legal documents do not provide sufficient details regarding the treatment of connection logs, including their retention period and whether packet inspection is performed.

Additionally, the provider collects personal information such as name, billing address, and email, which is more extensive than what many privacy-focused services require. The website also tracks IP addresses, page views, and uses various tracking technologies, including cookies, clear GIFs, web beacons, and Google Analytics. The data submitted is subject to US data retention laws, which may limit its suitability for torrenting activities.