Astrill VPN Review 2024: Is It Worth Its Premium Price?

Navigating the world of digital privacy can be daunting, especially when it comes to selecting the right virtual private network (VPN). Astrill VPN promises exceptional security and speed with a number of great features.

But does it live up to its claims? Our Astrill VPN review will take a comprehensive look at its pricing, key features, and performance results. We aim to provide a balanced perspective, so you can decide if Astrill VPN is the right tool for fortifying your online privacy and enhancing your internet experience.

Astrill VPN overview

Who is Astrill VPN best for?

• Recommended for remote workers and small businesses looking to keep sensitive data secure and private

Astrill VPN is suitable for individuals who wish to prioritize their digital privacy without compromising speed or accessibility to internet services. This includes anyone who handles sensitive data and requires robust encryption and security features, such as tech-savvy users, privacy advocates, small businesses, and remote workers. Astrill is able to ensure user data remains private and secure with its strict no-logs policy and advanced security protocols like StealthVPN.

Astrill VPN pros and cons

Astrill VPN features

Astrill VPN offers a wide array of features to enhance your online privacy and security. For instance, Smart Mode is a great feature that allows you to use only your VPN when visiting international websites. This keeps the connection fast and secure while letting you access worldwide content without having to constantly switch your VPN protection on and off.

StealthVPN is another powerful feature that helps bypass firewalls, such as those in restrictive countries like China and the United Arab Emirates. It disguises your VPN traffic as regular HTTPS, making it difficult to detect and block.

Finally, Onion Over VPN functionality adds an extra layer of privacy to your browsing activities by routing your data through a double-layered encryption system, which ensures your anonymity.

If you want to try out Astrill VPN, it offers only a seven-day free trial. Many competitors offer at least a money-back guarantee so that you can try out the service before committing to a subscription, but Astrill doesn’t offer that.

Server count and countries

• Servers in 57 countries

Astrill VPN offers servers in 115 cities across 57 countries, providing lots of coverage across the world. Based on our research, it is not transparent about its server count. Although other VPNs offer thousands of servers, it’s still a sufficient amount to cover an array of locations.

When considering a VPN provider, the size of its server network is important. A larger number of servers typically means less load per server, which can result in faster speeds.

Having servers across multiple countries is also important, as this will determine whether the VPN can bypass online geo-restrictions. For example, Astrill VPN’s servers are in countries like the U.S., U.K., Canada, Japan, and Australia, so you can use these server locations to access their regional catalogs of content. So, although Astrill doesn’t have an industry-high server count, it offers a good balance between quality and quantity with multiple good location options.

No-logs policy and headquarters

• Astrill VPN logs policy: No logs
• Astrill VPN headquarters: Seychelles

Astrill VPN adheres to a strict no-logs policy, providing you with the assurance that your activity will not be stored. It is headquartered in Seychelles, which is a country known for being a privacy-friendly jurisdiction.

A no-logs policy is essential for VPN providers, as it promises that your internet activity will not be recorded. This can include sites you’ve visited, your downloaded and shared content, and your IP address. The best VPNs are typically sought after for their ability to provide anonymity and privacy, and a no-logs policy solidifies this.

A VPN’s headquarters is also important as some countries have very strict data retention laws, which may require your VPN to log your activity and share it when required by government agencies. Astrill is based in Seychelles, which is not part of any international surveillance like the Five Eyes alliance. Therefore, Astrill VPN is not legally obliged to keep or share your data with anyone.

Kill switch

Astrill VPN has an automatic kill switch feature, which adds an extra layer of security to a user’s online activity by maintaining privacy. A kill switch is designed to instantly disconnect your device from the internet if the VPN connection drops unexpectedly. This helps ensure your device doesn’t naturally revert back to using your regular encrypted internet connection where your data may become exposed.

Split tunneling

Astrill VPN also offers split tunneling, which provides you with better control of your internet traffic. You can choose which apps or websites go through the VPN tunnel and which don’t. This can be useful if you wish to access geo-restricted streaming services from another country while browsing the internet through your local connection.

Without being able to split your traffic, you may experience excessive data usage through the VPN server that may cause your connection to run a lot slower. With Astrill’s split tunneling feature, you can flexibly manage your online activities.

Encryption

Astrill VPN uses industry-standard AES-256 encryption. It is considered to be among the most secure encryption methods available, with government institutions and security organizations across the world using it.

AES-256 encryption offers such a high level of security that it’s almost impossible for attackers to break through. By using Astrill VPN, you can feel safe that your data and online activity are secure. If a VPN doesn’t offer AES-256 encryption, it may not be able to provide the necessary level of security, which is required to safeguard sensitive information.

VPN protocol

Astrill VPN supports four protocols: two proprietary ones in OpenWeb and StealthVPN, and the popular WireGuard and OpenVPN. Astrill designed OpenWeb for swift and secure connections when browsing online. StealthVPN was developed to bypass heavy internet restrictions and censorship, along with VPN blocking, as it is undetectable.

WireGuard is known for its modern cryptographic techniques, as it’s the newest VPN protocol. This general-purpose protocol is suitable for fast speeds and security. OpenVPN is often considered the industry standard, offering a balance between security and speed, and it is reliable for bypassing geo-restricted content. With this diverse protocol offering, Astrill VPN can cater to users with different VPN requirements.

Astrill VPN test results

We tested Astrill VPN’s performance in several key areas to assess its effectiveness.

• Speed: We measured the download and upload speeds (Mbps) on servers located in different countries worldwide.
• Netflix: We tested how well Astrill VPN could access Netflix from various locations, using both mobile devices and computers.
• DNS leaks: We also tested for IP address leaks using dedicated software to detect any potential data leakages.
• WebRTC leaks: We checked for WebRTC leaks during voice and video communication.

We test VPNs to ensure that they provide a secure connection and high standards of user privacy. Our test results offer valuable insight into how a particular VPN performs, helping potential customers make an informed decision when selecting a VPN service.

Speed tests

• Astrill VPN speed test results: Astrill VPN failed its speed tests.

We tested Astrill VPN on a MacBook Air to see how it impacted our internet connection. Without the VPN, we had 77 Mbps download speed, 19 Mbps upload speed, and a latency of 10 ms.

After connecting to several different servers across various locations using Astrill VPN, our download speed dropped significantly, and there were increases in latency. On average, our download speed decreased by 60 Mbps, from 77 Mbps to 17 Mbps, while latency increased from 10 ms to over 150 ms.

We also experienced lag and buffering while using Astrill VPN on Netflix and other video streaming applications, which could be attributed to the lower download speeds and higher latency. Our internet speed tests without the VPN suggested that we had a stable connection with adequate bandwidth available prior to testing Astrill VPN. This indicates that there are some performance issues with this particular service.

Overall, we were not particularly impressed with the speed test results as it affected both our online activities as well as our ability to stream videos seamlessly.

Astrill VPN speed test results

Astrill VPN Netflix tests

• Astrill VPN Netflix test results: Astrill VPN passed its Netflix tests.

We streamed Netflix with Astrill VPN while using server locations tested across multiple regions. Tests were run in the U.S., U.K., Australia, and Canada. We were able to successfully log on to Netflix and watch shows from all four locations. As such, we can confidently say that Astrill VPN will allow you to stream your favorite content from anywhere.

However, our connection speed was consistently slow and it didn't reach the recommended speed of 26 Mbps for HD streaming. If you require a fast connection for streaming content of the highest quality, then this VPN might not be the best choice. However, it is still a great option if you need to watch Netflix shows from multiple regions without any major issues.

Astrill VPN Netflix test results

DNS leak tests

• Astrill VPN DNS leak test results: Astrill VPN passed its DNS leak tests.

DNS stands for Domain Name System, which is responsible for converting website names into IP addresses and provides you with access to websites on the internet. In many cases, your identity could be compromised if this information is exposed.

We put Astrill VPN through a DNS leak test to ensure that it provided the leak protection it promised. It passed the test, confirming that Astrill VPN is a reliable choice if you are looking to maintain online privacy and security.

A DNS leak test is an important step in verifying the safety of any VPN service because it shows whether or not your data is exposed when connected to a server. This test also measures the speed at which the connection is established and maintained between your device and servers around the world.

WebRTC leak tests

• Astrill VPN WebRTC leak tests: Astrill VPN passed its WebRTC leak tests.

Web Real-Time Communications, known as WebRTC, is a technology that allows for voice and video communication over the internet. This means that any time you want to communicate with another person using audio or video, you can do it without having to download any extra software. To ensure that your privacy remains intact while using this powerful tool, it's important to make sure your VPN doesn't leak information via WebRTC requests. That's why we tested Astrill VPN for WebRTC leaks in locations worldwide.

Astrill VPN passed our WebRTC leak tests with flying colors. We checked multiple locations and were impressed by its performance in terms of privacy protection against WebRTC requests. Our tests revealed no leaks whatsoever, meaning that your data is safe and secure while using Astrill VPN on any of your devices. With this knowledge in hand, you can confidently use Astrill VPN for all your online activities without worrying about privacy and security risks.

Astrill VPN compatibility

VPNs should offer a wide array of compatibility options to ensure users have seamless experiences across their favorite devices and platforms. This is an important consideration when selecting a VPN.

Astrill VPN offers support for the following:

• Windows
• macOS
• Linux
• Android
• iOS
• Routers

Astrill VPN customer support

Customer support can truly make or break a user’s experience with a VPN provider, and Astrill VPN clearly prioritizes this. It offers an extensive collection of setup manuals for all its supported devices, FAQs, and video tutorials to make your VPN experience seamless. All of these resources are well-written and structured so that anyone can follow the instructions and find solutions.

If that doesn’t cut it, Astrill also offers a 24/7 live chat feature for real-time assistance, or you can send a message in a request form and receive a response within a couple of hours. The live chat support team is responsive, very knowledgeable, and capable of providing clear query solutions.

Astrill VPN prices and subscriptions

Astrill VPN offers three subscription plans: monthly, annual, and biennial. The monthly plan is $30.00/mo, which is a lot higher than industry-standard prices. For instance, ExpressVPN’s month-to-month plan is $12.95/mo and NordVPN’s is 12.99/mo. Astrill’s annual plan is $15.00/mo but is billed annually, while the two-year plan comes in at $12.50/mo but is billed every two years.

On top of this, Astrill VPN offers two add-on services: Private IP and VIP. Private IP is a dedicated IP address on selected servers that is used by you and no one else. The VIP add-on offers optimized speeds, reduced latency, and a multi-hop VPN for increased anonymity. This is suitable for gamers as well as users in Asia who want to bypass restrictive legislation like the Great Firewall. Private IP is an additional $5.00/mo, while the VIP package is $10.00/mo.

Comparing these prices with other VPN providers, Astrill VPN is one of the priciest on the market. Most VPN services offer competitive prices at far lower rates. However, Astrill VPN provides robust features and performance that may be worth the additional investment. It also has strong security protocols and the ability to seamlessly bypass any geo-restricted content.

Astrill VPN offers a lot of variety in its payment options: It accepts major credit cards, PayPal, bitcoin, and more.

Astrill VPN cost

Astrill VPN FAQs

Bottom line: Is Astrill VPN good?

Astrill VPN provides a wide range of impressive features that make it a good VPN for individuals and small businesses looking for robust security, high-end encryption, and advanced proprietary protocols that protect users’ data. It also can unblock geo-restricted content so you can access popular streaming sites from all over the world.

However, it has drawbacks. Astrill VPN’s cost is reasonably higher than other VPNs on the market, which can be a massive deterrent if you’re looking to save money on a VPN. We were also not impressed with its speed test results.

If you're considering alternatives to Astrill VPN, you may want to check out our comprehensive review of NordVPN, another top-tier VPN, known for its excellent balance of security and speed, while offering better value.

4.0

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On Astrill VPN's website

Astrill VPN

• High-speed VPN servers
• Robust encryption
• Pricier than most competitors

Author Details

Ryan L. Clancy

About the Author

Ryan Clancy is a freelance writer and blogger. With 5+ years of mechanical engineering experience, he's passionate about all things engineering and tech. He loves bringing engineering (especially mechanical) down to a level that everyone can understand.