StrongVPN Review
[Presented by BestCloudBest.com]
Wondering how to browse the Internet with your privacy and security intact? You need a “Virtual Private Network” (VPN). You can choose from many VPNs, and StrongVPN is one of them.
More and more Internet users want to protect their privacy and security, therefore the VPN market is growing. Many VPN providers make impressive claims about privacy, security, speed, compatibility, unblocking geo-restricted content, bypassing Internet censorship, and allowing P2P/torrenting. We have evaluated StrongVPN against these criteria.
Does StrongVPN meet your requirements? Should you buy it? Read on, as we answer these questions in this review.
What features do you get with StrongVPN?
You will spend a considerable sum of money on a VPN subscription, therefore, you would need useful features. We now evaluate the features of StrongVPN.
Is your data safe with StrongVPN?
You prioritize privacy and that’s why you are probably looking for a VPN in the first place. Good VPNs mask your IP address and encrypt your data, moreover, they don’t keep a log of your online activities.
StrongVPN masks your IP address and offers strong encryption. It doesn’t keep any log of your activities on the Internet. The company clearly states this on its “Privacy Policy”. StrongVPN states that it’s a zero-logging VPN service and it doesn’t track your data when you use its VPN.
StrongVPN collects your email address and payment information when you buy its product and services. The company uses this information to set up a user account for you. We are happy to see that StrongVPN collects minimal personal information when you buy a subscription. This VPN categorically states that it doesn’t sell your personal information to any 3rd party.
When you visit the StrongVPN website, the company collects some aggregate information using cookies. It does it to understand how visitors use its website, and we don’t see any concerns with this.
The jurisdiction of StrongVPN is the USA. This country is part of the “14 Eyes” coalition of countries that conduct mass surveillance. The US isn’t the ideal jurisdiction for a privacy-focused VPN, however, StrongVPN doesn’t log the Internet activities of its VPN users.
To sum it up, we found that StrongVPN has implemented an effective “no logs” policy. It collects minimal personal information when you buy its subscription, and we are happy with how this VPN protects your privacy.
Data security at StrongVPN
We now evaluate the security features of StrongVPN since they carry a lot of importance. StrongVPN supports WireGuard, which is a very promising VPN protocol. It’s relatively new, however, it promises to offer great security and speed. This VPN protocol uses advanced cryptography.
StrongVPN also supports OpenVPN, and we are very happy to see that. OpenVPN is known as the most secure VPN protocol, and it doesn’t have any known vulnerability. StrongVPN also supports other secure protocols like L2TP, SSTP, IPSec, and IKEv2. We are happy to see that this VPN supports secure protocols.
StrongVPN provides AES-256, the strongest encryption that you can find in the market. Along with that, this VPN uses 2048-bit Diffie Hellman RSA keys and SHA256 authentication for its OpenVPN implementation.
For IKEv2 protocol, StrongVPN uses the following in addition to AES-256 encryption:
· 8192-bit Diffie Hellman MODP keys;
· SHA512 authentication.
We are satisfied with the encryption that StrongVPN offers.
StrongVPN guards against all IP, DNS, and WebRTC leaks. This VPN offers a “kill switch”, which blocks your Internet connection if the VPN connection terminates unexpectedly. This way, hackers can’t access your sensitive information even if the VPN connection drops suddenly.
StrongVPN offers “Perfect Forward Secrecy” (PFS), which is another key security feature. Even if a cyber-attacker gets hold of your encryption key, he/she will not be able to use it for long. PFS regularly changes the encryption key, therefore, the stolen encryption key will soon become irrelevant. This way, hackers can’t access your sensitive information for any significant period even with a stolen encryption key.
StrongVPN has an excellent set of security solutions. If you prioritize security while browsing the Internet, then StrongVPN is a great choice!
Where does StrongVPN have servers?
Most VPN users want good speed and you probably want that too. VPNs with enough servers and presence in all key geographies can offer good speed. StrongVPN has over 950 servers in 30+ countries.
Its server locations cover the following geographies and countries:
North America: USA, Canada, Mexico, and Costa Rica;
Europe: UK, Czech Republic, Cyprus, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Estonia, and Turkey;
Oceania: Australia;
Asia: Hong Kong, Taiwan, India, Japan, Israel, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and South Korea;
Latin America: Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, and Chile.
Strong has a significant number of servers in several key countries, and it has invested in high-quality infrastructure. It offers good speed. This VPN provider doesn’t have servers in Africa. Among large countries, it doesn’t have a presence in Russia. Users from these geographies could experience a bit slower speed.
What platforms are supported by StrongVPN?
You would want to buy a VPN that supports the different kinds of devices you have. StrongVPN supports all key platforms.
Among desktops, it supports Windows, Mac, and Linux. It offers custom apps for Windows and Mac, however, you need to manually configure this VPN on your Linux machine. StrongVPN offers guides for this.
Among mobile platforms, StrongVPN supports Android and iOS. It offers custom apps for both platforms. StrongVPN supports Fire TV too, and it offers a custom app for this.
StrongVPN doesn’t provide custom apps for some platforms, however, it offers helpful guides for these. You can set up a VPN connection manually on these devices by using these guides. These platforms are as follows:
· Linux,
· Synology “Network Attached Storage” (NAS),
· Kodi,
· Amazon Kindle,
· Chrome OS,
· Nokia Maemo,
· Nokia Sybian,
· HP webOS;
· Routers.
When it comes to routers, you can buy routers with a StrongVPN connection pre-configured. Alternatively, you can use the guides offered by this VPN provider and configure a VPN connection on the following routers:
· ASUS,
· Sabai,
· Tomato,
· DD-WRT,
· Mikrotik.
StrongVPN offers 12 simultaneous connections, which is more than many other VPNs.
We are very happy to see the wide range of platforms that StrongVPN supports. It offers custom apps for most of these platforms, which makes it a very user-friendly VPN. When you consider the 12 simultaneous connections, you will find that StrongVPN is an excellent choice!
Unblocking streaming services using StrongVPN
Many Internet users look for a VPN since they want to access geo-restricted streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, etc. These streaming services aggressively identify and blocks VPNs though, therefore, many VPNs can’t unblock these sites.
StrongVPN can unblock Netflix and Hulu. It can’t consistently unblock BBC iPlayer though. This VPN can unblock ABC.com and NBC.com, therefore, its overall success rate is notable.
If you want to access popular geo-restricted streaming services, then StrongVPN is a good choice. This VPN offers good speed, therefore, you will have a good streaming experience.
Does StrongVPN allow for torrenting?
Many countries don’t allow P2P/torrenting. Even if a country allows it, you need to be careful so that you don’t violate copyright laws.
P2P/torrenting activities can be very hard even if you follow all laws. Cyber-attackers monitor P2P/torrenting services and they frequently target the users of such services. Your ISP might throttle your Internet connection as soon as it detects that you are accessing a P2P/torrenting site.
Many Internet users buy a VPN subscription to access P2P/torrenting services securely. StrongVPN allows P2P/torrenting, however, the company urges its users to respect copyright laws. This VPN doesn’t impose any bandwidth restrictions on these activities, moreover, it offers good speed. StrongVPN is a good choice if you want to access P2P/torrenting services securely.
Bypassing Internet censorship with StrongVPN
A few countries like China impose Internet censorship. Many Internet users try to bypass such censorship using VPNs, and the governments of these countries know that. These governments use technologies like “Deep Packet Inspection” to identify VPN traffic and block VPNs. As a result, quite a few VPNs don’t work in China.
StrongVPN uses obfuscation technologies to hide the fact that its users are using a VPN. This VPN calls this feature “scramble”, and it can bypass the “Great Firewall” of China. If you are looking for a VPN that works in China, then StrongVPN is a robust choice.
How much does StrongVPN cost?
You probably consider the price as an important factor before buying a VPN subscription. StrongVPN has a partnership with SugarSync, a secure cloud service that offers file storage, syncing, and encrypted backup. Effectively, the StrongVPN pricing plans include SugarSync including the SugarSync mobile apps.
StrongVPN offers the following pricing plans:
· Monthly: You pay $10 per month, which includes all StrongVPN and SugarSync features.
· Yearly: You pay $69.99 once a year, which translates to $5.83 per month. This plan includes all StrongVPN and SugarSync features too.
Each of these plans includes 250 GB of free cloud storage that’s secured by SugarSync.
You can pay for a StrongVPN subscription in the following ways:
· Popular credit cards like Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover;
· PayPal;
· Alipay.
StrongVPN provides a secure payment process.
StrongVPN doesn’t offer a free trial. This VPN provider has a very helpful refund policy. StrongVPN offers a 30-days money-back guarantee if you aren’t satisfied with its products and services. You need to request a refund within 30 days of your purchase. StrongVPN won’t refund if you have participated in a free trial promotion or used a trial account before buying a subscription. The company explains its refund policy very clearly, which helps!
We find that StrongVPN is very reasonably and competitively-priced for the products and services it offers. If you want good value for your money, then StrongVPN is a good choice!
The pros and cons of StrongVPN
We now evaluate the pros and cons of StrongVPN. This VPN offers the following advantages:
· It’s a privacy-focused VPN with an effective “no logs” policy.
· StrongVPN has implemented an excellent set of security solutions. This includes secure protocols, strong encryption, prevention of IP/DNS/WebRTC leaks, “kill switch”, and PFS.
· With over 950 servers in 30+ countries, StrongVPN offers good speed.
· This VPN supports a wide range of platforms and offers custom apps for most of the key platforms.
· StrongVPN offers 12 simultaneous connections.
· You can use this VPN to bypass the “Great Firewall” of China.
· StrongVPN unblocks Netflix, Hulu, ABC.com, and NBC.com.
· You can access P2P/torrenting services securely using StrongVPN, and this VPN doesn’t impose any bandwidth restrictions.
· StrongVPN is very user-friendly, and it offers excellent guides.
· This VPN has excellent customer support capabilities including 24x7 live chat support.
· StrongVPN is very competitively priced, and its pricing plans include access to SugarSync, a secure cloud storage service.
· This VPN offers a 30-days money-back guarantee.
StrongVPN has a few disadvantages as well, and these are as follows:
· Its jurisdiction is the USA, which isn’t ideal for a privacy-focused VPN.
· StrongVPN can’t consistently unblock BBC iPlayer.
· This VPN doesn’t offer a free trial.
· StrongVPN doesn’t provide a custom app for Linux.
We find that StrongVPN offers considerable advantages and only a few disadvantages.
A few quick facts about StrongVPN
We now summarize a few quick facts about StrongVPN, which are as follows:
· StrongVPN is an American VPN, and it’s owned by Strong Technology LLC.
· This VPN is operating since 2005.
· StrongVPN has a focus on privacy, and the company has a “no logs” policy.
· This VPN offers robust security solutions including secure protocols, strong encryption, “kill switch”, etc.
· StrongVPN has 950+ servers in over 30 countries, and it offers good speed.
· You can access Netflix and Hulu using StrongVPN, however, it can’t unblock BBC iPlayer consistently.
· Strong VPN allows P2P/torrenting.
· It’s reasonably priced, moreover, its pricing plans include access to SugarSync, a secure cloud storage service.
· StrongVPN doesn’t offer a free trial, however, it offers a 30-days money-back guarantee.
· StrongVPN supports all key platforms and offers user-friendly custom apps for most of the key platforms.
· With excellent guides, a searchable knowledge base, and 24x7 live chat support, StrongVPN has excellent customer support capabilities.
Is StrongVPN easy to use?
StrongVPN values user-friendliness, and you can see that as soon as you visit its website. You can navigate its website easily, furthermore, it has an elegant design.
You can easily locate all key options like pricing, app download, and support. The website displays the “Call To Action” buttons prominently.
StrongVPN offers an easy process to buy its subscription. You choose a pricing plan, enter your email address, and pay using one of the available payment methods.
This VPN offers easy-to-use custom apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Fire TV. You can find these apps easily on its “VPN APPS” page. While it doesn’t offer a custom app for Linux, you can easily configure this VPN on your Linux device with the help of its guides.
If you want to manually configure a VPN connection on your device, then you can use its helpful guides. This VPN provider has published easy-to-use VPN configuration guides for the platforms where it doesn’t offer a custom app. You can find these guides easily on the StrongVPN support page.
StrongVPN provides excellent ease of use. If you prioritize user-friendliness, then StrongVPN is a robust choice.
About StrongVPN's customer service
You want great customer support, and StrongVPN understands this! Having said that, its custom apps are very user-friendly, therefore, you might not need much customer support. Nevertheless, StrongVPN has focused significantly on customer support.
The StrongVPN website has a very well-organized support page. You can find a searchable knowledge base on this page, and it has very useful information.
This VPN has neatly categorized its various support materials. You can easily find the setup guides and technical support information, moreover, the support page prominently displays billing support information. StrongVPN has published a detailed FAQ section on its support page and it helps!
You can email its support team if you have questions. We were particularly impressed with its live chat support. This mode of support is available 24x7, and you need to weight only a few moments. The customer support team of StrongVPN is very prompt, moreover, it’s a knowledgeable team that demonstrates professionalism.
We found that StrongVPN has excellent customer support capabilities. Its live chat support is robust, and StrongVPN is an excellent choice if you value customer support.
About the jurisdiction of StrongVPN
The jurisdiction of StrongVPN is the USA. The company states on its “Terms of Service” page that it’s subject to the laws of the state of Florida, US. Since the USA is part of the “14 Eyes” coalition of countries that conduct mass surveillance, it’s not an ideal jurisdiction for a privacy-friendly VPN. StrongVPN doesn’t log its VPN users’ activities though, which mitigates this potential disadvantage.
Does StrongVPN keep any logs?
StrongVPN states in very clear and simple terms on its “Privacy Policy” that it doesn’t keep any log of anything that its VPN users do online. The company explains its “no logs” policy in such categorical terms that we didn’t find anything to question it. StrongVPN commits to an absolute “no logs” policy, and we like that!
Technical security and encryption
StrongVPN supports WireGuard, which is a very promising VPN protocol. This protocol uses advanced cryptography, and it promises excellent security and speed. Although new, WireGuard is gaining in popularity.
This VPN provider supports OpenVPN, which is the most secure VPN protocol. The proven protocol has no known security vulnerabilities, and it’s very versatile.
StrongVPN offers AES-256 encryption. That’s military-grade encryption, therefore, your sensitive information is safe with this VPN. For its OpenVPN implementation, StrongVPN uses 2048-bit Diffie Hellman RSA keys and SHA256 authentication. This VPN uses 8192-bit Diffie Hellman MODP keys and SHA512 authentication in its IKEv2 implementation. The encryption solution of this VPN provider is robust.
StrongVPN prevents all IP, DNS, and WebRTC leaks, thanks to its powerful security solutions. This VPN offers a “kill switch”, which blocks your Internet connection if the VPN connection drops suddenly. This keeps hackers away even if the VPN connection terminates suddenly.
Even if a hacker gets hold of your encryption key, StrongVPN ensures that he/she can’t use it for long. This VPN offers “Perfect Forward Secrecy” (PFS), which is a very useful security feature. PFS changes encryption keys regularly, therefore, hackers can’t use a stolen encryption key for any significant length of time.
StrongVPN offers excellent security solutions.
Our short conclusion regarding StrongVPN
Many VPNs make impressive claims about their products and services, however, the reality can sometimes vary from the promises. StrongVPN delivers what it promises. It has a clear focus on privacy, and the company follows an effective “no logs” policy. Secure protocols, strong encryption, and other key security features help StrongVPN protect the sensitive data of its users when they browse the Internet.
With 950+ servers and 30+ countries, StrongVPN offers good speed. You can access Netflix and Hulu using this VPN, and its speed gives you a good streaming experience. StrongVPN allows P2P/torrenting, and it urges you to respect copyright laws.
You can use this VPN with a wide range of platforms, and it provides user-friendly custom apps for most of the key platforms. It doesn’t provide a custom app for Linux, however, you can easily configure a VPN connection manually using its helpful guides. StrongVPN offers excellent guides, a searchable knowledgebase, an informative FAQ section, and 24x7 live chat support. Its customer support team is very knowledgeable and professional.
For the products and services it offers, StrongVPN is very reasonably priced. Its pricing plans include access to SugarSync, a secure cloud storage service. This VPN doesn’t offer a free trial, however, it has a very reasonable 30-days money-back guarantee. We find that StrongVPN is a good buy!
