★★★★☆ 4.0/5.0

       

Astrill VPN is a premium, highly specialized VPN designed for users who need consistent and reliable access in highly restrictive internet environments, most notably for bypassing the Great Firewall of China.

       

Pros & Cons

   

Pros

   

     
• Exceptional for bypassing the Great Firewall of China and other strict internet censorship systems.
     
• Proprietary stealth protocols (OpenWeb, StealthVPN) are highly effective against deep packet inspection and VPN detection.
     
• Robust security features with strong AES-256 encryption across multiple protocols.
     
• Good and consistent speeds for general use, streaming, and large downloads, especially considering the stealth mechanisms.
     
• VPN Sharing feature allows connection sharing to devices that don't natively support VPNs.
     
• Offers Port Forwarding, beneficial for torrenting and gaming.
   

   

Cons

   

     
• Very expensive compared to virtually all other premium VPN services on the market.
     
• No public, independent audit of its no-logs policy, requiring users to rely solely on their claims.
     
• Smaller server network (300+ servers) than many industry leaders, though strategically placed.
     
• No money-back guarantee as a standard offering; a 7-day free trial is only available upon direct request.
   

       

Security & Privacy

   

Astrill VPN uses AES-256 encryption and supports protocols such as OpenWeb, StealthVPN, OpenVPN (UDP/TCP), WireGuard, IKEv2/IPSec, and L2TP/IPSec. It claims a no-logs policy, but this has not been independently audited. It includes features like Application Filter (advanced kill switch/split tunneling), DNS & IPv6 leak protection, and Smart Mode.

   

     
• Encryption: AES-256
     
• Protocols: OpenWeb, StealthVPN, OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2/IPSec, L2TP/IPSec
     
• No-Logs Policy: Claims No-Logs – No Public Audit
     
• Kill Switch: Yes (Application Filter)
     
• Additional: Split tunneling (Smart Mode), DNS/IPv6 Leak Protection, Port Forwarding, VPN Sharing.
   

       

Speed & Streaming Performance

   

In our speed tests, Astrill VPN delivered generally good speeds, especially when leveraging its proprietary protocols (OpenWeb and StealthVPN), which are optimized for maintaining performance under challenging network conditions. It's suitable for streaming major platforms and excellent for torrenting.

   

     
• Speed: ~15-35% speed loss (Good, remarkably stable and effective even in challenging networks). US Server: ~15% drop, UK Server: ~20% drop, Australia Server: ~35% drop.
     
• Streaming: Good for Netflix (US, UK), Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+. Mixed results for BBC iPlayer and inconsistent for YouTube geo-restricted videos.
     
• Torrenting: Excellent (Supported on most servers, with Port Forwarding available).
   

       

Ease of Use & Compatibility

   

The Astrill VPN apps offer a wide array of features and extensive customization options, which means the interface might be less intuitive for absolute beginners. However, for experienced users who value granular control, the apps are highly functional. It works on major platforms including:

   

     
• Desktop: Windows, macOS, Linux
     
• Mobile: iOS, Android
     
• Other: Routers (DD-WRT, Tomato, custom firmware), Gaming Consoles (via router), Smart TVs (via router), Network Attached Storage (NAS)
   

       

Pricing & Value

   

Astrill VPN is positioned as a premium-priced service, reflecting its advanced features and specialized performance. It does not offer a standard money-back guarantee, but a 7-day free trial may be available upon specific request. Here's how it compares:

   

     
• Monthly Plan: $30.00/month
     
• 6-Month Plan: $20.00/month ($120.00 total)
     
• 1-Year Plan: $15.00/month ($180.00 total)
     
• 2-Year Plan: $12.50/month ($300.00 total)
     
• Money-Back Guarantee: No (7-day free trial by request)
   

       

Customer Support

   

Astrill VPN provides comprehensive customer support through various channels, focusing on effectively addressing user inquiries, particularly given the advanced nature of its features and its user base often dealing with complex censorship issues. Support response times are generally fast and the team is knowledgeable.

   

     
• 24/7 Live Chat: Yes
     
• Email/Ticket Support: Yes
     
• FAQ Guides/Knowledge Base: Yes
   

       

Final Verdict: Is Astrill VPN Worth It in 2025?

   

Astrill VPN is a highly specialized service that excels in its core mission: overcoming severe internet censorship and providing reliable access in highly restrictive countries. While its pricing is significantly higher and it notably lacks a public independent audit of its no-logs policy, its unparalleled ability to bypass blocks using advanced proprietary protocols and its robust, customizable feature set genuinely justify the cost for its specific target audience. If you frequently travel to or reside in countries with heavy internet restrictions (like China) and absolutely require a consistently reliable, high-performance connection to the open internet, Astrill VPN is arguably one of the most effective and reliable options available. Try it with the 7-day free trial (by request) to see if it's the right fit.