Reviews

Astrill VPN Review 2024

By TechNadu Staff / January 20, 2024

Astrill VPN is an excellent VPN service renowned for its ability to bypass the Great Firewall of China. It offers speedy and secure connections and is compatible with US Netflix. Headquartered in Liechtenstein, Astrill VPN isn’t a member of the Eyes Alliances, so it’s not required to share any user information with the government.

Astrill has a strict no-logging policy but also tracks sensitive information, such as IP address and device type, during active sessions. However, this information is permanently deleted once you disconnect from the VPN's server. 

Regarding security, Astrill is a secure option for online browsing, using an AES-256 encryption cipher and four tunneling protocols. Its impressive security package includes a kill switch, port forwarding, and leak protection. Also, there has been no history of data leaks on Astrill VPN.

Astrill also boasts an extensive, all-physical server network that spans various locations. With VPN servers strategically located in 120 cities across 58 countries, users enjoy lightning-fast service no matter where they are. 

Check the table below for a quick summary of what you need to know about Astrill VPN.

Jurisdiction Liechtenstein.
Logs No logs.
Servers 300+ in 58 countries.
Simultaneous Connections 5.
Supported Devices Linux, macOS, Windows, Android, iOS, and routers.
Features Kill switch, port forwarding, leak protection, dedicated IPs, VPN sharing, Multi-hop, and DNS leak protection.
Protocols OpenVPN, Stealth VPN, OpenWeb, and WireGuard.
Supports Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Max, BBC iPlayer, torrenting, gaming, and more.
Customer Support Contact form, 24/7 live chat, Astrill Wiki, video tutorials, and FAQs.
Price From $12.50/month.
Live Deal 58% OFF (2-year plan)
Our Score 7 out of 10.

This comprehensive Astrill VPN review will cover important information, such as the VPN's jurisdiction, prominent features, security measures, ease of use, and everything else you need to know about the service. 

If you're curious about our hands-on approach to testing VPN providers, you can check out our guide on how we review VPN services.

Background, Jurisdiction & Reputation

Astrill VPN is from Liechtenstein, outside the 14 Eyes data-sharing alliance group. It’s also free of any past accusations regarding data logging or leaking personal information. Our Score: 9/10

When choosing a VPN, consider its origin and jurisdiction - these factors reveal the privacy regulations it follows. This insight is crucial in assessing the VPN's overall trustworthiness and dedication to safeguarding privacy.

Where Is Astrill VPN Based?

Astrill VPN is based in Vaduz, Liechtenstein. It's owned by Veloxee Corp., a privately owned security solutions company. Besides Astrill, Veloxee also offers an antivirus system.

The strategic location in Liechtenstein comes with a perk – it's not part of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance, giving the company the edge of not being obliged to share intel with the government. It's definitely a noteworthy consideration if you're keen on online privacy.

While Astrill's Terms of Service stated that the company is based in Seychelles, recent confirmation from customer support clarifies that the VPN is currently headquartered in Liechtenstein.

Moreover, Liechtenstein is self-governing, and its strong data protection laws and ordinances align with the GDPR standards of the European Union, offering you an additional layer of privacy assurance.

Did Astrill VPN Leak Personal Data in the Past?

No, Astrill VPN has no record of past data leaks or any other controversial or problematic accusations. Astrill, being privately owned and located in Liechtenstein, focuses on keeping your information private. By running its VPN server network offshore, the company doesn't store data or maintain logs because there's no legal obligation.

Plus, there are no credible reports of the VPN leaking, collecting, sharing, or selling data with third parties. Astrill focuses on collecting only necessary data for technical needs. During your session, it records essential details like IP address, connection time, device type, and app version, which are all deleted after you disconnect.

Astrill also keeps an eye on traffic for network planning without involving personal information. Additionally, it holds the last 20 connection records for customer support, free of personal details, and automatically clears them after 30 days of inactivity.

There's a catch, though. While Astrill follows a strict no-logs policy, it hasn't undergone a third-party audit to verify its claims.

Supported Platforms & Devices

Astrill VPN supports the most popular platforms, leaving users to rely on manual configuration for 'additional' devices. Our Score: 6/10

In the following table, you'll find which platforms Astrill VPN supports. Please note that we'll only list native applications offered by this VPN, which usually provide the easiest way to secure your Web connection.

Desktop Platforms macOS, Windows, Linux.
Mobile Platforms iOS and Android.
Web Browsers N/A.
Routers DD-WRT, Tomato, and ASUS Merlin.
Other Devices N/A.

You can use Astrill VPN on as many devices as you'd like within your household. However, there are a couple of conditions to be aware of. First, you can only connect up to 5 devices simultaneously. Second, note that only one router can be connected at the same time.

That said, it provides applications for major platforms and devices, such as Windows PC, Mac, and the less popular Linux operating system (be it Linux Mint, Ubuntu, Debian, and more). For mobile devices, it provides native apps for both Android and iOS (iPhone, iPad).

While no browser extensions (like a "Chrome extension") are available, you can install Astrill on select routers to provide network-wide protection. Additionally, Astrill VPN offers installation instructions for all supported devices and platforms, making it more user-friendly.

Astrill also offers VPN routers that come pre-installed with Astrill VPN and are ready to use immediately. Please note that only certain DD-WRT, Tomato, and ASUS Merlin routers can become Astrill VPN routers. The DD-WRT router must also have a minimum of 8MB flash memory. We also have to mention that setting up Astrill on your router enables VPN usage for Apple TV.

Finally, while Astrill VPN functions similarly across each platform it supports, not all features are available on every app. We recommend checking out this review's "Prominent Features" section to discover which features are available on the most common devices.

Installation & Initial Configuration

The installation process is simple and quick. With a focus on simplicity and efficiency, Astrill VPN streamlines the installation process, allowing you to set up and start using the VPN within minutes. Our Score: 7/10

In this part of our Astrill review, we'll give you a quick overview of how the VPN service works and guide you on getting started with it.

How to Download and Use Astrill VPN?

How to download Astrill VPN on Windows

To start using this VPN, begin by subscribing, downloading its installation file, and installing the file on your device. It's actually a simple and quick process. We've laid out a step-by-step guide to help you through it.

  1. Subscribe to Astrill VPN on its official website.
  2. Go back to Astrill's website and log in using your account details.
  3. Select the "Download" tab.
  4. Download the installation file and proceed to install the app.
  5. Restart your device to complete the installation process.
  6. Launch Astrill VPN and log in using your credentials.
  7. Choose a server location from the dropdown menu and connect. That's it!

Astrill is a lightweight application, so you'll manage to download the installation file almost instantly. We've tried this software on Windows, and we were prompted to restart our PC before launching the application.

Prominent Features

Astrill VPN is one of the most feature-rich VPNs. It has many high-end features, making even the most demanding users happy. Our Score: 9/10

Surpassing our expectations, Astrill VPN goes the extra mile in securing your data. They've got a mix of privacy and security features, covering the basics to the most advanced, all working together to safeguard your data. Here’s what you need to know.

How to enable the kill switch feature on Astrill VPN
Astrill VPN Application Filter on Windows

To add, Astrill VPN utilizes a technique where traffic is forwarded to a VPN's IP and then directed back to your device, maintaining the barrier between your device and the server.

Dedicated IP addresses are best for forwarding all ports, while only a single pre-selected port can be forwarded on standard servers. If the risks of port forwarding outweigh the benefits for you, the feature can be disabled altogether.

Server Count & Infrastructure

Even though it doesn't bring an extremely high number of servers, Astrill's 300+ servers are present in 58 countries and 120 locations. Our Score: 4.5/10

Astrill VPN features a diverse server network, with a number of servers in Asia. Here's what you need to know about its expansive network:

Number of Servers 300+
Number of Locations 120
Number of Countries 58
Specific Cities Selection YES
Unlimited Switching YES

As noted earlier, Astrill VPN has been on the market for over a decade. It means it has had plenty of time to develop its server list.

As we mentioned earlier, it has 300+ servers across 58 different countries. But we have to say that VPNs with the most servers, like NordVPN (around 6,000 servers in 61 countries), offer significantly larger coverage, with the fastest server on offer.

Astrill offers more than just Private IPs - it also ensures all its server locations are physical, not virtual. In other words, Astrill comes with rich coverage by bringing servers across numerous countries, although we would've liked to see its server count go a bit higher.

UI/UX Design & Ease of Use

Astrill VPN home screen on Windows

Even though Astrill doesn't have the most polished UI, it has plenty of interesting options, tooltips, and other ways to get informed about its features. Our Score: 5/10

As soon as you open Astrill VPN, you'll see its somewhat outdated UI. Many of today's hugely popular VPNs bring highly polished interfaces that are perfectly suitable for beginners. Astrill VPN doesn't leave a positive first impression, but that doesn't mean it's hard to use. 

Setting up Astrill VPN during our test was simple, and the user interface was intuitive and easy to navigate. The primary interface consists of a huge on/off toggle for connecting and disconnecting from the VPN. Choosing a server from a drop-down menu only takes a few clicks. 

Connecting to Astrill VPN on Windows

However, in reality, the app's window is very small, showing only a few server options at a time. There are a couple of window size-related constraints, but navigating the server dropdown menu is one of the most obvious ones. The small window works fine for most other settings, such as user interface options and protocol selection. A larger window for in-app speed tests pops up to show you more details. 

Overall, navigating the Settings menu was relatively easy, and tooltips appear when hovering over specific options to describe their function.

Then, you'll see a dropdown menu that lets you pick a server. Here, you can choose from 'Recommended,' 'Favorite,' and 'All' – pretty self-explanatory. In addition, there's a search field, so you can start typing the name of the server, its city, or country of origin. Once you find a server and connect to it, Astrill VPN will show you real-time stats and a small graph.

Selecting Astrill VPN protocols and servers

To get 'behind the scenes' and explore additional options, click the 'hamburger' button in the top-left corner. However, this menu changes depending on which VPN protocol you select – which can be done in the top-right corner.

Astrill VPN Windows app settings

We've chosen OpenVPN, and here are the options you can find in this protocol:

Astrill OpenVPN options on Windows
Astrill VPN Sharing feature on Windows
Astrill VPN privacy settings
Astrill VPN speed test feature

Media Streaming, Torrenting, and Gaming Support 

Interestingly, Astrill VPN performs well in streaming, but it doesn't quite unblock Prime Video. Nonetheless, it shines in supporting P2P traffic and gaming through its specialized servers. Our Score: 8/10

So, can Astrill VPN unblock Netflix? Can it be used to unblock other popular media streaming services? Well, we’ve done a round of streaming tests, and here are the results.

Is Astrill VPN Good for Streaming?

Yes, Astrill VPN is surprisingly good for streaming. Our tests using the WireGuard protocol easily unblocked US Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Max, and even BBC iPlayer. However, we faced some challenges with Amazon Prime Video despite trying various US-based servers and VPN protocols.

Astrill VPN may not be the best VPN service for streaming, but if you're an avid streamer seeking access to most major platforms, this VPN is worth exploring. Here are some US streaming services you can confidently unblock with Astrill VPN.

Netflix Disney+ Max
Hulu Discovery+ Paramount+
ESPN+ Peacock Sling TV

Astrill also expands your streaming options globally, not restricting you to the US. Here's a glimpse of what you can unblock with the service.

BBC iPlayer (UK) ITVX (UK) Channel 4 (UK)
StackTV (Canada) Crave (Canada) Foxtel (Australia)
RaiPlay (Italy) Zattoo (Germany) DSTV (S. Africa)

We reached out to Astrill's customer support, and they informed us that all their servers fully support streaming. They provided a solid guarantee that streaming sites are accessible on any server, with a particular focus on the UK or US. True to their word, Astrill successfully unblocked most streaming platforms in our tests and operated seamlessly without any noticeable lag.

Is Astrill VPN Good for Torrenting?

Yes, Astrill VPN is good for torrenting. It not only works well, but the download speeds are impressive, too. This VPN provider has a sizable list of servers optimized for P2P activities, marked with a little gold star icon for easy spotting.

Astrill also boosts speeds with port forwarding. Just enable it on selected servers marked with a star in the app. You can set up P2P clients like uTorrent and BitTorrent to use the same port as Astrill VPN.

Even though it doesn't have SOCKS5 for an extra speed kick, if your connection suddenly drops while torrenting, Astrill's got your back with a kill switch. This keeps your stuff private and secure, making sure nothing gets out by accident. It might not be the best torrent VPN, but it reliably gets the job done.

Is Astrill VPN Good for Gaming?

Yes, Astrill is a good VPN for online gaming. As mentioned earlier, Astrill's customer support emphasized that beyond catering to streaming needs, the VPN also has servers optimized for gaming.

Our hands-on testing with popular online games like League of Legends, Apex Legends, and Dota 2 affirmed this, delivering uninterrupted connectivity without a hint of lag. Moreover, it effortlessly navigated around geo-blocks, adding to its gaming prowess.

AstrillVPN stands out by using smart routing technology. Instead of connecting you to the nearest server, it monitors the network in real-time. Then, it smoothly connects you to the fastest server available. This routing system cuts down on ping times and minimizes lag during gaming.

If you're into online gaming, Astrill's VIP add-on is a game-changer. It opens the door to more servers with way less delay. These VIP servers are directly connected to high-end networks with speedy routes to Asia. The ping on these servers is also fine-tuned for maximum performance, making them a must-try for serious gamers.

Security & Privacy

When it comes to the available VPN protocols, Astrill VPN stands out as one of the most robust options on the market. It also utilizes high-end encryption and keeps no PII data. Our Score: 8/10

Now, let's check how trustworthy Astrill VPN is by looking at three important things: how it sets up secure connections (VPN protocols), what it keeps track of (logging policy), and if there are any potential leaks of your info (IP/DNS leaks). This quick look helps us understand how Astrill takes care of your data in the world of online privacy and security.

Astrill VPN Protocols

Astrill VPN gives you different VPN protocols, but the ones you get depend on your device. First off, let's check out the protocols you can expect:

OpenWeb Stealth VPN WireGuard OpenVPN
Windows YES YES YES YES
macOS YES YES YES YES
Linux YES YES YES YES
iOS YES (TCP) NO YES (UDP) NO
Android  YES YES YES NO
Router NO NO NO YES

Astrill VPN offers four different VPN protocols:

Does Astrill VPN Keep Logs?

No, Astrill VPN doesn't collect any user logs. Astrill says it brings a no-logs policy, meaning it collects no personally identifiable information. In practice, this means that some data is being collected after all. However, there hasn’t been an independent audit of this provider. We’ve looked closely at its privacy policy, and here’s what we’ve discovered.

Astrill collects plenty of data about your currently active session, including your IP address, connection timestamp, device type, and more. However, this information is deleted when you disconnect from the VPN. Also, this VPN keeps the information related to your previous 20 sessions, including timestamps, country of origin, device type, connection time, and the Astrill client version. Again, no PII data is ever collected – and your IP address is away from this VPN’s servers.

Nevertheless, Astrill is still a trustworthy option. In case you didn’t know, every VPN needs to collect some types of information to provide its services, like your username, password, payment method, and other similar details.

Does Astrill VPN Leak/Expose Your Private Data? 

No, Astrill VPN doesn't leak private data. As you can see from the image below, no DNS leaks were detected.

Astrill DNS leak test result Jan 2024

Astrill VPN did an excellent job of hiding our identity – it only showed our virtual information, including our IP address, hostname, country of origin, and other similar info.

Speed & Performance

Astrill VPN showing baseline speed and server performance in the US, UK, Canada, India, Australia, and Italy

We found Astrill VPN's speed great for all sorts of Internet activity, from browsing to streaming and torrenting on nearby and faraway servers. Our Score: 9/10

We conducted a performance and speed assessment of Astrill VPN by measuring the speed of its servers across different locations, both near and far. To have a reference point for comparison, we first measured our Internet connection speed without using the VPN.

Our baseline speed test results showed a download speed of 41.77 Mbps and an upload speed of 41.41 Mbps. We anticipated a decrease in speed due to VPNs' encryption and security protocols. Additionally, the speed generally decreases as the distance between the server and the user increases. Therefore, selecting servers located nearby is recommended to improve performance.

Download Speed Upload Speed Speed Reduction
Baseline Data 41.77 Mbps 41.41 Mbps 0%
USA (New York) 30.53 Mbps 30.77 Mbps 26.9%
UK (London) 36.62 Mbps 38.81 Mbps 12.3%
Canada (Montreal) 30.80 Mbps 35.36 Mbps 26.3%
India (Chennai) 26.50 Mbps 24.35 Mbps 36.6%
Australia (Sydney) 31.96 Mbps 36.70 Mbps 23.5%
Italy (Palermo) 31.86 Mbps 38.19 Mbps 23.7%

Overall, Astrill VPN performed similarly to high-end VPNs, with an average speed reduction of 24.9% across the servers we tested. Nearby servers performed excellently, and faraway server speeds were good enough for most online activities. Combined with its solid leak test and unblocking results, we can trust Astrill VPN to access, stream, and download content globally. 

Customer Support

Astrill VPN offers numerous communication channels, including live chat. You’ll also find FAQs, video tutorials, setup manuals, and more. Our Score: 9/10

Astrill has a nicely designed website with a dedicated section containing help-related resources. You’ll find setup manuals, frequently asked questions, and video tutorials here. Of course, there are other ways to get help – especially if you want to resolve your issue promptly.

Overall, this provider's customer support is great. The customer service representative we connected with answered all our questions. If you get stuck using the service or have a problem, you can depend on them. 

Pricing

Undoubtedly, Astrill VPN is one of the least affordable VPNs out there. It does bring plenty of high-end features, but this still doesn’t justify its high price. Our Score: 3/10

Although Astrill is a decent VPN service, it’s expensive. Even top VPN services like ExpressVPN aren’t as expensive as Astrill VPN. Aside from its subscription fee, you still have to pay extra for a “VIP Add-on” to access premium services like Multi-hop.

How Much Does Astrill Cost?

Astrill starts at $12.50 per month when you subscribe to its 2-year plan. All Astrill VPN subscription plans offer the same benefits, including 24/7 customer support and ultra-fast VPN servers in 58 countries.

You can connect across 5 devices at once and enjoy unlimited bandwidth & server switches. You also get OpenVPN, Stealth VPN, OpenWeb, and WireGuard encryption protocols. The only difference among the subscription plans is the pricing and savings you get for longer plans.

Here's how much you'll need to pay on Astrill VPN:

Per Month  Total Price Savings
1 Month $30.00 $30.00 0%
1 Year $15.00 $180.00 50%
2 Years $12.50 $300.00 58%

Notably, Astrill VPN offers additional features at a premium price, offering "Multi-hop" and a generous 100 GB VIP traffic on all servers. If you need more, additional traffic is also available for purchase. This Astrill VIP add-on comes at a cost of $10.00 per month and is tailored for clients in Asia and gamers seeking lower latency. You can also get a private IP address for $5.00 per month.

Another offering from Astril is the Business VPN, which costs $7.92/month (per account) when paid annually. This comprehensive plan features 24/7 business support, complimentary 100 GB data on VIP servers, high-speed servers in over 50 countries, and more.

Sadly, Astrill doesn't provide a free plan or offer a free trial. There's also no money-back guarantee available. Once a purchase is made on their website, all sales are considered final, and refunds aren’t possible. Regarding payments, Astrill supports various payment methods such as credit cards, PayPal, UnionPay, AliPay, and more. Bitcoin is also accepted as a payment method.

Final Thoughts

Astrill VPN offers a good VPN service with support for certain streaming platforms. It allows torrenting, operates from a privacy-friendly location, and provides decent customer support. It’s also great for hiding torrenting activity from your ISP while offering P2P-optimized servers and a fast download bitrate

The primary advantage of Astrill VPN is its ability to bypass strict censorship and website blocks effectively. However, we believe it may not be worth the price for users who don't require regular access to censored content.

Although Astrill VPN has some fantastic features, it's quite expensive, and other functions are only accessible to VIP users at an additional cost. Considering so many excellent VPNs are available on the market today, the highest-priced option may not always be the best choice. However, you can subscribe to Astrill VPN if you want to try it out yourself.

PROS

  • Unblocks most streaming platforms.
  • Bypasses China’s Great Firewall.
  • No DNS leaks.
  • Supports torrenting.
  • Good for gaming.
  • 5 simultaneous connections.
  • Multiple customer support options.
  • Excellent VPN speeds.
  • Active kill switch.
  • Smart routing technology.

CONS

  • No money-back guarantee.
  • No free trial.
  • Quite expensive.
  • Outdated user interface.
  • Limited number of servers.

FAQ

Who Owns Astrill VPN?

Veloxee Corp., a privately-owned security solutions company, owns Astrill VPN. The company is headquartered in Vaduz, Liechtenstein.

Is Astrill VPN Safe?

Yes, Astrill is a safe and trustworthy VPN. It uses high-end encryption, has multiple VPN protocols, and follows a strict no-logs policy for personally identifiable information (PII), ensuring your online privacy and security.

Does Astrill Still Work in China?

Yes, Astrill VPN still works in China. It’s one of the few VPN services that still effectively bypass the Great Firewall of China, granting users in the country access to geo-restricted content and websites. 

Does Astrill VPN Have a Free Trial?

No, Astrill VPN doesn't offer a free trial. It previously offered a 7-day free trial for Android devices, but it has been discontinued. 

How to Download Astrill in China?

You can download Astrill VPN's .apk file in China by visiting the Download section on their website, choosing Operating System, and clicking the Download Astrill VPN button.

Does Astrill Work with Netflix?

Yes, Astrill VPN works perfectly with Netflix. 

Astrill OpenWeb vs. StealthVPN Protocol: What’s the Difference?

Astrill's OpenWeb, a fast and lightweight TCP protocol, excels in censorship-heavy countries. In contrast, StealthVPN, inspired by OpenVPN, operates in both UDP and TCP modes. It adds traffic obfuscation for seamless evasion of automated firewalls.

Review Summary

Although Astrill VPN is expensive and has some drawbacks, it remains a compelling choice. We recommend it to avid streamers seeking full control over their online data.

7
Overall Score
Background, Jurisdiction & Reputation
9
Supported Platforms & Devices
6
Installation & Initial Configuration
7
Prominent Features
9
Server Count & Infrastructure
4.5
UI/UX Design & Ease of Use
5
Media Streaming & Torrenting Support
8
Security & Privacy
8
Speed & Performance
9
Customer Support
9
Pricing
3


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