Astrill VPN Review: Works in China, Slow Speeds, No Refunds
Astrill VPN is a commercial VPN service that emphasizes obfuscation protocols and desktop-focused clients designed to maintain access in restrictive networks. It offers multiple protocol options and privacy-oriented features intended to limit long-term activity logging.
The service is mainly suited to users who need reliable connectivity from within high-censorship countries, particularly China, and who prioritize obfuscation features. Exact performance, streaming success, and app feature parity can vary by region, server, protocol, and device depending on the provider’s current implementation.
At a Glance
Astrill VPN is positioned as a specialized option for users who need a VPN that reliably works in China, but it carries trade-offs including high pricing, a relatively small server network, and mixed app quality. Best suited for China-specific use cases; less compelling for general-purpose needs due to speed, app, and pricing drawbacks.
| Logging | No — claims a no-logs policy; tracks session times, connected VPN IP, app version; anonymized connection metadata retained for up to 20 sessions |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | Liechtenstein |
| Audits | No independent audit |
| Protocols | WireGuard; OpenVPN; Stealth; Open-Web |
| Encryption | AES-256; ChaCha20 (used by WireGuard) |
| Kill switch | Yes; mobile apps lack a kill switch |
| Leak protection | No IP or WebRTC leaks detected in tests, but some leak-testing sites block Astrill and occasional connection-state issues were reported |
| Server network | 300+ servers in 58 countries |
| Connections | 5 |
| Refund policy | No money-back guarantee (0 days) |
Our Ratings
Ratings for Astrill VPN are derived from a structured review methodology that evaluates publicly available privacy disclosures, documented technical features, and overall usability across supported platforms.
The category ratings are presented in the table below. Scores reflect assessed performance in each area, and an extended review for each category appears later in this post.
Security & Privacy
Astrill states a privacy-friendly approach, emphasizing a no-logs policy while retaining minimal connection metadata necessary for operation. According to the provider, it does not keep long-term personally identifiable activity logs but records session times, the VPN IP address used, and app version information.
Jurisdiction is Liechtenstein, which is outside the 5/9/14-Eyes alliances and may offer some legal privacy advantages. The service has not undergone an independent third-party audit, which limits external verification of its claims.
Technical protections include multiple protocols and standard encryption, and a desktop kill switch; however, mobile apps lack a kill switch and some leak-test sites blocked Astrill during testing, complicating independent leak verification. Encryption options include AES-256 and ChaCha20 (for WireGuard), and supported protocols include WireGuard, OpenVPN, Stealth, and Open-Web.
| Logging policy | States a no-logs policy; records session times, connected VPN IP, app version, and anonymized connection metadata retained for up to 20 sessions |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | Liechtenstein |
| Independent audits | No independent audit reported |
| Protocols and encryption | Supports WireGuard, OpenVPN, Stealth, Open-Web; encryption includes AES-256 and ChaCha20 for WireGuard |
| Kill switch | Yes on desktop; mobile apps do not include a kill switch |
| Leak protection | No IP or WebRTC leaks detected in tested cases, but some leak-testing sites blocked Astrill and occasional connection-state issues were observed |
💡 Security tip
Enable the desktop kill switch and prefer full-device protocols (OpenVPN or WireGuard) when protecting sensitive traffic; verify connection state before transmitting confidential data.
Transparency & Ownership
Astrill VPN states that it is based in Liechtenstein and is owned by Veloxee Corp. Public documentation indicates the provider has not undergone an independent third-party audit.
Available disclosures note limited data retention of anonymized connection metadata for up to 20 sessions and reported issues during some leak-testing (sites blocking Astrill connections and occasional connection-state inconsistencies). No open-source status for the apps is documented in the source material.
| Jurisdiction | Liechtenstein |
|---|---|
| Parent company / ownership | Veloxee Corp. |
| Public audits or reports | No independent audit reported |
| Open-source apps | Not available |
| Notable disclosures or limitations | Retains anonymized connection metadata for up to 20 sessions; some leak-testing sites reportedly block Astrill connections and occasional connection-state issues were observed |
Server Network & Infrastructure
Astrill operates a relatively small network of around 300 servers across 58 countries, with presence in Asia, Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Oceania.
The provider rents all of its servers and states it has no virtual locations. Dedicated IPs are available for an additional fee, and a VIP multi-hop option is offered; VIP/multi-hop configurations have been reported to cause significant slowdowns.
- Number of servers: 300+ servers
- Countries/regions covered: 58 countries
- Virtual locations: No virtual locations
- RAM-only servers: Not specified
- Dedicated/static IP availability: Available (paid monthly per location)
- Notable server specializations: China-supercharged servers; VIP multi-hop/fast servers
Speed & Performance
VPN speed depends on factors such as distance, server load, and protocol.
| Nearby servers | During our testing, speeds fell by about 46% on nearby servers compared with baseline, showing substantial slowdown even at short distances. |
|---|---|
| Distant servers | While reviewing, distant servers showed roughly a 50% reduction in throughput, making long-distance connections notably slower. |
| Connection stability | During our testing, connection-state inconsistencies were observed (the app sometimes reported “ON” while leak tests suggested it was not, and disconnections occasionally got stuck), which can affect stability. |
| Gaming and latency | Our testing revealed repeated crashes with a PC gaming client when the VPN was active and ping rates that never dropped below roughly 200ms; overall, speeds fell ~46% on nearby and ~50% on distant servers. |
During our testing with demanding multiplayer PC games, the VPN caused the desktop gaming client to crash repeatedly and produced sustained high latency around 200ms or more. Mobile and console gaming suitability was not explicitly tested.
Not suitable for competitive or fast-paced multiplayer PC gaming due to high latency and stability problems.
Streaming & Unblocking
Astrill VPN can access many major streaming platforms, but success often requires trying multiple servers, protocols, or browsers; results vary by library and region.
Supported Streaming Services
❗ Regional variations
Unblocking success depends on region, server, and device; results may vary. Astrill streamed US Netflix in testing and Prime Video UK worked, but Prime Video US, Romanian, and French libraries were not accessible in testing. Some platforms required switching servers, protocols, or browsers to get working streams.
Torrenting & P2P Use
Astrill permits P2P activity only on some servers rather than across its entire network; torrenting speeds were reported as slow in tests and port forwarding is available and can improve transfer rates. While the provider offers split-tunneling-style app and site filters and router support with port forwarding, specific proxy services (e.g., SOCKS5) are not documented in the source material.
The desktop kill switch operated during testing and can help prevent IP leaks if a VPN disconnects, but mobile apps lack a kill switch which reduces protection on those platforms.
| P2P Support | Limited |
|---|---|
| Port forwarding | Available (limited servers/paid) |
| SOCKS5/Proxy support | Not specified |
| Kill Switch | Yes, prevents IP leak if connection drops; mobile apps lack kill switch |
App Compatibility
Astrill provides native clients for desktop and mobile platforms and supports installation on certain routers. Router support and the ability to sideload the Android app onto Fire TV Stick are documented; however, there are no browser extensions and smart TV app availability is not specified.
Customer Support
The provider offers 24/7 live chat and email support, and documentation includes a short FAQ and links to a Wiki. According to documentation, the website also provides video tutorials.
Documentation does not specify email response times or the languages supported by support channels. Live chat is stated as available 24/7, while other response details are not provided in the source material.
- Live chat availability: 24/7 live chat
- Email/ticket support: Email support available; response times not specified
- Knowledge base/guides: Short FAQ and Wiki page
- Other: Video tutorials
- Languages: Not specified
Pricing & Plans
Astrill’s pricing is tied to features such as obfuscation protocols aimed at use in restrictive regions, optional VIP server options, and 24/7 live chat support.
Cheapest plan: 2 Years Plan — $12.50/month. Other documented options include a 1 Year Plan at $15.00/month and a 1 Month Plan at $30.00/month. No free trial or free plan is available, and the money-back guarantee is 0 days (no refund policy).
❗ Pricing considerations
Pricing and promotions may vary over time. This website is updated regularly, but accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Users should verify current plans directly on the provider’s website before purchasing.
|
2 Years Plan
|
1 Year Plan
|
1 Month Plan
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Price |
$12.50/month
|
$15.00/month
|
$30.00/month
|
| Details | Long-term two-year subscription offering full feature access including obfuscation protocols and 24/7 live chat; reduces monthly cost compared with shorter plans. | One-year subscription with full feature set, obfuscation support, and priority access to customer support; balances commitment and cost for regular users. | Month-to-month access to all protocols and desktop apps with no long-term commitment; suitable for short-term or trial usage without refunds. |
| Get started | Get started | Get started |
Final Verdict
Astrill targets users needing connections in restrictive regions, offering obfuscation protocols and China-focused servers to bypass local censorship. Astrill is one of the most reliable options documented for use in China. It also provides 24/7 live chat and privacy-oriented policies that may suit users prioritizing access from within that country.
Users outside China or those prioritizing fast speeds, extensive server networks, and fully featured mobile apps should consider alternatives. Astrill’s limitations include significant speed reductions on secure protocols, a relatively small server network, and inconsistent app feature parity across platforms. The service’s higher pricing and lack of a money-back guarantee further limit flexibility for general-purpose use. Gamers and heavy torrent users may be particularly affected by latency and slow transfer rates.
Astrill may be appropriate primarily for users whose main requirement is reliable connectivity in China; others may prefer a provider that balances speed, network size, and price.
FAQ about Astrill VPN
Does Astrill VPN reliably work in China for bypassing censorship?
Testing and user reports indicate Astrill VPN works in China when using the Stealth protocol. Documentation and tests note it is widely used for that purpose. Connection may require specific protocols and server selections to succeed.
Will Astrill VPN significantly slow my internet speeds for streaming?
During testing, speeds dropped about 46% on nearby servers and roughly 50% on distant servers using full-device encrypted protocols. Documentation notes Open‑Web can offer faster browser-only throughput but does not protect the whole device. Streaming was possible but often required switching servers, protocols, or browsers.
Does Astrill VPN keep logs of user activity and connections?
Documentation states Astrill follows a no-logs policy and does not retain long-term personally identifiable activity logs. It records session times, the connected VPN IP, app version, device type, country, and data transferred, with anonymized metadata retained for up to 20 sessions. No independent third-party audit is documented to verify these claims.
Can Astrill VPN unblock major streaming platforms such as Netflix?
Tests confirmed Astrill can access several platforms, including US Netflix, though success often required testing multiple servers and protocols. Some libraries (for example Prime Video US, Romanian, and French) were not accessible in documented testing. Unblocking success varies by region, server, and device.
Is there a money-back guarantee with Astrill VPN purchases or refunds?
Documentation indicates there is no money-back guarantee; the refund period is listed as 0 days. No free trial or free plan is documented. Payment options are listed on the provider site but do not include trial guarantees.
Does Astrill VPN support P2P and torrenting on all servers?
Astrill permits P2P only on some servers rather than across the entire network. Port forwarding is available and can improve transfer rates but may be limited to specific servers or paid options. Tests reported slow torrenting speeds on allowed servers.
How good is Astrill VPN for gaming and low-latency play?
Testing reported the VPN caused a desktop gaming client to crash and produced ping rates around 200ms or higher in tests. These factors led to poor performance and instability for fast-paced multiplayer gaming. Mobile and console gaming suitability was not explicitly tested.
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