Our Verdict
StrongVPN is a reliable VPN service offering fast speeds and a strict no-logs policy. It is well-suited for P2P torrenting, unblocking US Netflix, and bypassing online censorship in countries like China. The service also supports up to 12 simultaneous connections across various platforms, including iOS, Android, PC, and Mac.
VPN Rating Overview
Overall Ranking: #11 out of 62 VPNs
Category Ratings:
- Streaming: 8.8/10
- Torrenting: 8.3/10
- Privacy & Logging: 6.6/10
- Speed: 9.6/10
- Server Locations: 7.9/10
- Bypassing Censorship: 7.5/10
- Security & Features: 8.8/10
- Ease of Use: 8.4/10
- Customer Support: 8.0/10
- Price & Value: 7.5/10
StrongVPN: Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Fast and reliable connection speeds
- Compatible with Netflix and BBC iPlayer
- Supports torrenting and P2P on all servers
- No logs, with no IP, DNS, or WebRTC leaks
- Available apps for iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows
- Allows up to 12 simultaneous connections
Cons:
- Limited server network
- Based in the US, a privacy-unfriendly jurisdiction
- Subscription renews at a significantly higher price after the first year
Overview of StrongVPN
As one of the oldest VPN providers, StrongVPN has been in operation since 1995, initially offering dedicated servers before launching its VPN service in 2005. The service stands out for its robust no-logs policy and user-friendly native apps, making it an excellent option for beginners. Notably, it includes a kill switch and stealth protocol for desktop users, Android, and Amazon Fire TV. However, the lack of port forwarding and the absence of a kill switch on mobile devices are notable drawbacks.
StrongVPN delivers exceptional local and international speeds, although its server coverage outside the US, Europe, and East Asia is relatively limited compared to other leading VPN services. The fact that StrongVPN is based in the US—a member of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance—raises privacy concerns, as VPN usage logs could potentially be accessed by government agencies in the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. However, the company’s strict no-logs policy should mitigate this risk.
Key Data on StrongVPN
Data Cap | Unlimited |
---|---|
Download Speed | 95Mbps |
Logging Policy | No Logs |
Data Leaks | No |
Jurisdiction | US (Five-Eyes Member) |
Servers | 950 |
IP Addresses | 59,500 |
Countries with Servers | 42 |
US Netflix | Yes |
Torrenting | Unlimited |
Simultaneous Connections | 12 |
Works In China | Unreliable |
Support | 24/7 Live Chat |
Cheapest Price | $3.97/mo over 12 Months |
Money-Back Guarantee | 30-day Money-Back Guarantee |
Official Website | StrongVPN.com |
Privacy & Logging Policy
No-Logs Policy, But Lacks Independent Audit
Rating: 6.6/10
StrongVPN maintains a strict no-logs policy, which ensures that your browsing history and IP address remain hidden from your Internet Service Provider (ISP). However, this logging policy has not undergone independent auditing, nor has it been tested in real-world legal scenarios. Additionally, StrongVPN is headquartered in the United States, a member of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, raising potential privacy concerns. It’s also important to note that StrongVPN is owned by Ziff Davis, the parent company of IPVanish and PCMag.
Privacy & Logging Policy Ranking: #26 out of 62 VPNs
Data Type | Logged by StrongVPN |
---|---|
Account Information | Yes |
Browsing Activity | No |
Date of Last Connection | No |
Device Information | No |
DNS Queries | No |
Individual Bandwidth Usage | No |
Individual Connection Timestamps | No |
ISP | No |
Number of Simultaneous Connections | No |
Originating IP Address | No |
VPN Server IP | No |
VPN Server Location | No |
Company Background
StrongVPN was launched in 2005 by Strong Technology, LLC, and has undergone several ownership changes over the years. In 2019, it was acquired by J2 Global, an American technology company. In October 2021, J2 Global restructured, resulting in the formation of two separate entities: Consensus Cloud Solutions, Inc., and Ziff Davis. The ownership of StrongVPN, along with other VPN properties, now resides under Ziff Davis, a conglomerate with interests in digital media, affiliate marketing, and technology.
Despite these ownership changes, StrongVPN has continued to operate consistently, with no significant alterations to its services.
Jurisdiction and Privacy Concerns
StrongVPN is based in the United States, a jurisdiction known for its unfavorable stance on privacy. The U.S. is a member of the Five Eyes international intelligence-sharing alliance, which means the government can legally demand surveillance data from companies and share it with other member countries without notifying the affected individuals.
While StrongVPN has stated that it will comply with valid subpoena requests, its strict no-logs policy ensures that no user activity logs are collected. This means that even if a request were made, the company would not have any identifiable information to provide, as it does not retain data that could link web activity to an individual user.
Logging Policy
Our thorough analysis of StrongVPN’s privacy policy confirms that it is a true zero-logs service. The policy explicitly states that the company does not collect any data related to its customers’ use of the VPN service. This includes avoiding the collection of basic connection metadata such as timestamps, server selection, or bandwidth usage.
In summary, StrongVPN’s logging policy ensures that no customer activity is recorded, providing a robust level of privacy for its users.
Encryption | Available in StrongVPN |
---|---|
AES-128 | No |
AES-192 | No |
AES-256 | Yes |
Blowfish | No |
ChaCha20 | Yes |
Security | Available in StrongVPN |
---|---|
Diskless Servers | No |
DNS Leak Blocking | Yes |
First-party DNS | Yes |
IPv6 Leak Blocking | Yes |
Supports TCP Port 443 | Yes |
VPN Kill Switch | Yes |
WebRTC Leak Blocking | No |
Advanced Features | Available in StrongVPN |
---|---|
Ad Blocker | No |
Dedicated IP | No |
Double VPN | No |
SOCKS | No |
Split Tunneling | No |
Static IP | No |
Tor over VPN Server | No |
Tracker Blocker | No |
StrongVPN features a kill switch that ensures your true IP address remains concealed. It employs AES-256 encryption for robust data protection and operates its own DNS servers, ensuring that none of your web traffic is routed through third-party servers.
StrongVPN supports WireGuard across all its applications, offering an alternative to OpenVPN that is increasingly recognized for its potential speed advantages.
Contrary to the information on StrongVPN’s website suggesting that many servers are limited to insecure PPTP connections, this is not accurate. After consulting with a customer service representative, we confirmed that users can select from six different protocols on all servers, including the reliable OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols.
Additionally, our recent tests revealed no DNS or IP leaks, further affirming the service’s commitment to maintaining user privacy.