StrongVPN is one of the oldest VPN brands around, operating since 1995, but age alone does not make a VPN worth your money. This StrongVPN review digs into the 2026 service: what you get for the price, how the network and speeds hold up, and most importantly whether it is a sensible choice for Australians.
- 950+ servers across 30+ countries and 59 cities
- 12 simultaneous connections on one account
- StrongDNS unblocking tool and 3 GB of global eSIM data included
- Annual plan: US$3.97/month (US$47.69 billed for the first year)
- WireGuard, OpenVPN, IPSec and IKEv2 support, with a 30-day money-back guarantee
30-day money-back guarantee
StrongVPN at a glance
StrongVPN is owned by the same Ziff Davis family as IPVanish, and it has quietly served more than 100,000 users for three decades. It is not the flashiest service on the market, but it bundles a genuine set of extras: a Smart DNS (StrongDNS) tool, a free 3 GB eSIM data allowance, and support for up to 12 devices at once, which is more than most rivals allow.
Our full breakdown is below. If you are short on time: the annual plan is cheap, the connection limit is generous, and StrongDNS works well for unblocking. The downsides are a smaller server network than the market leaders and a US base, which matters for the most privacy-focused buyers.
Pros
Cons
Pricing
StrongVPN keeps things simple with two plans, and the gap between them is huge. Prices below are in US dollars and were checked on 17 October 2026 against strongvpn.com.
| Plan | Price | Billing | Guarantee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly | US$11.99/month | Billed monthly, cancel anytime | 30 days |
| Annual | US$3.97/month | US$47.69 billed once for the first year | 30 days |
Both plans include the full feature set: 12 simultaneous connections, StrongDNS, the 3 GB eSIM allowance, and all protocols. There is no free tier, but every plan carries a 30-day money-back guarantee (the old 7-day refund policy is long gone), so you can test it risk-free.
Key Features
Server Network
StrongVPN operates 950+ servers in more than 30 countries and 59 cities. That is a healthy network for a budget service, but it is far smaller than NordVPN’s 7,600+ servers across 118 countries or Surfshark’s 4,500+ servers in 100 countries. StrongVPN has a presence in Sydney for Australian users, though the local footprint is modest compared with the leaders.
Protocols
Modern WireGuard is supported alongside OpenVPN, IPSec and IKEv2, and the current apps default to WireGuard for the best balance of speed and battery life. Older guides that describe PPTP as the default are out of date; PPTP is gone from current StrongVPN apps.
StrongDNS
Every plan includes StrongDNS, a Smart DNS proxy that can unblock streaming libraries on devices where VPN apps are hard to install, such as smart TVs and games consoles. It is one of the service’s genuine selling points and works independently of the VPN traffic encryption.
Platforms and Devices
Native apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android and Amazon Fire TV, with manual setup guides for Linux and routers. One account covers up to 12 devices at the same time, which is generous: ExpressVPN allows 14, NordVPN allows 10, and Surfshark is unlimited.
eSIM Data
Newer StrongVPN plans bundle 3 GB of free global eSIM data, handy when you travel and want a fallback connection without buying a local SIM. It is a small perk, but one most VPN providers do not offer at all.
Privacy and Security
StrongVPN publishes a zero-logging policy and encrypts traffic with modern protocols. The service is based in the United States, a Five Eyes country, which is worth knowing for privacy-conscious users.
One honesty point: unlike NordVPN (six consecutive independent audits, most recently by Deloitte) or Surfshark, StrongVPN does not promote third-party no-logs audits, so the logless claims rest on its own policy rather than external verification.
Performance and Speed
Recent independent testing by Top10VPN (June 2026) recorded fast, reliable download speeds and stable connections over the test period, a marked improvement on the poor speeds found in older Australian tests of the service. P2P traffic is permitted on all servers.
The practical caveat for Australian users is the server footprint: with far fewer local and nearby servers than NordVPN or Surfshark, latency-sensitive activities such as gaming or 4K streaming can be better served by a provider with more regional capacity.
Customer Support
Support is available 24/7 via live chat and email, and response times are generally better than industry average. The support site also hosts thorough setup guides for apps, routers and Smart DNS.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does StrongVPN cost?
The monthly plan is US$11.99/month. The annual plan is US$3.97/month, billed as US$47.69 for the first year. Both include the full feature set and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Is StrongVPN safe and legitimate?
StrongVPN is a legitimate service operating since 1995 under the Ziff Davis family. It uses modern encryption, supports WireGuard and publishes a zero-logging policy, though it does not promote independent no-logs audits the way NordVPN and Surfshark do.
How many devices can I connect?
Up to 12 devices can connect at the same time on one StrongVPN account, across Windows, macOS, iOS, Android and Fire TV apps, plus manual setups for Linux and routers.
What is StrongDNS?
StrongDNS is a Smart DNS service included with every StrongVPN plan. It unblocks geo-restricted streaming content on devices that do not support VPN apps, such as smart TVs and games consoles.
Is StrongVPN the right VPN for you?
StrongVPN is a decent value pick if the annual plan, 12 connections and the bundled StrongDNS matter to you, and recent speeds are genuinely improved. For most Australians, though, the bigger networks, stronger privacy credentials and better local server coverage of NordVPN or Surfshark make them the safer recommendation.
Our verdict: a solid budget option, not a first or second choice for most users. If you want the best all-round service for Australia, see our best VPN roundup, or read the NordVPN review for the service we recommend first.
30-day money-back guarantee
Related Reviews
IPVanish Review (same Ziff Davis family) | Private Internet Access VPN Review | NordVPN Review | Surfshark Review | Best VPN in Australia
