Cryptostorm VPN Review

Cryptostorm VPN is a service for individuals passionate and knowledgeable about technology. The VPN provider’s focus is on offering advanced configuration options and its apps display more information compared to other services’ equivalents. There’s also an abundance of payment plans, ranging from 1 week to a lifetime, and the VPN provider solved the user account leaks quite cleverly. It does come with some drawbacks, which can be dealbreakers for the general populace. But are they for you? Let’s press on with our Cryptostorm VPN review, and you’ll find out.

Cryptostorm VPN Features

These features of Cryptostorm VPN below are crucial to users:

Headquarters and No-Log Policy

Cryptostorm VPN has roots in Iceland and uses the .is top-level domain but prides itself on having no headquarters. It also claims to be able to switch the base of operations to various entities worldwide and avoid data retention laws. However, some inquiries mention it has a Canadian parent company, Baneki Privacy Computing Inc. Regardless of what’s true, Cryptostorm VPN offers an iron-clad zero-log policy and actively helps users avoid leaving a digital footprint.

Server network

Cryptostorm VPN only has 50 VPN servers in 28 countries in Europe, Asia, Oceania, and North America. The VPN provider claims to only lease dedicated servers from meticulously hand-picked data centers, hence the low number.

Speed

After testing our native connection (London, UK), we connected to the following VPN servers and observed these speeds:

• UK Manchester: 73% of the download speed.
• UK Coventry: 49% of the downloading speed.
• Barcelona: 55% of the download speed.
• US Dallas: 22% of the download speed.

Does Cryptostorm VPN Have Any Leaks?

We ran tests using VPN sites to test VPN and found no IPv4, IPv6, DNS, or WebRTC leaks. When we use its multi-hop feature, which routes traffic between multiple VPN servers or VPN and TOR (The Onion Browser), we got the same results.

Unblocking Streaming Services

We managed to bypass Netflix’s US and UK blocks, which have the largest libraries. Furthermore, we had mixed success with HBO Max and couldn’t unblock BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, or Disney+.

Encryption and Security Protocols

Cryptostorm VPN uses WireGuard and OpenVPN (TCP/UDP) as the primary security protocols. As for encryption, users can select between military-grade ChaCha20-Poly1305 and AES-256-GCM ciphers. The VPN provider also allows 521-bit ECC (Elliptic-curve cryptography) as an alternative.

Token-based access system

Instead of username and password or e-mail address, Cryptostorm uses a token-based system. After purchasing a subscription, you get an encrypted string of code valid for the specified time. You can then use it as the login credential and it doesn’t start “deteriorating” until the first authentication. Also, because tokens are hashed, even if servers are seized or hacked, users cannot be identified.

Additional Features of Cryptostorm VPN

In the continuation of our review of Cryptostorm VPN are features you may use occasionally:

Security-based features

These are features that can make your VPN connection more secure:

• DNScrypt v2: Encrypts traffic before you connect to Cryptostorm VPN so they don’t have records of your real IP address.
• Open Source Tripwire: Monitors all their VPN servers for any file changes, preventing backdoor leaks.
• Any port: Enter any TCP or UDP port from 1 to 29999 to connect.

Kill Switch, Ad-Block, P2P Traffic Support

Cryptostorm VPN allows torrenting all their services. Kill switch is available, both on their widget app and as part of the OpenVPN GUI for other platforms. Finally, their DNS-based ad and tracker blocker, named “TrackerSmacker”, needs to be enabled manually.

Does Cryptostorm VPN work in China?

Cryptostorm VPN works from China without any changes, but primarily in modern areas and large cities. Circumventing the Great Firewall of China from rural areas requires SSH and HTTPS tunnels, which the VPN provider provides instructions for.

Cryptostorm VPN Installation and User Interface

Cryptostorm VPN only offers a native open-source app for Windows, called “Cryptostorm Widget”. Download, install and run it before selecting the VPN server or leave it as “Global random” to let Cryptostorm choose. Enter your user access token below, and click Connect. That’s all! Multiple tabs allow tweaking details about the VPN connection – ideal for advanced users.

Compatibility for other operating systems

Using Cryptostorm VPN on macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, routers, Amazon FireStick, consoles, or Smart TVs requires OpenVPN GUI software. Then, you must install a custom patch and add VPN configuration files, all of which Cryptostorm provides. Although there are detailed instructions, the process is complicated for first-time users.

Cryptostorm VPN Pricing

Unlike the best VPN for multiple devices, there are no static numbers for simultaneous connections. Instead, the limit is based on the CryptoVPN payment plan:

• Free service – “Cryptofree” allows unlimited connections from 1 device to 1 VPN server in France at 160 Kbps.
• 1-week plan – $1.86 for 1 device (Bundles: 5 tokens – $24, 11 tokens – $48, 25 tokens – $97)
• 1-month plan- $6 for 1 device
• 3-month plan – $16 for 2 devices
• 6-month plan – $28 for 3 devices
• 1-year plan – $52 for 4 devices
• 2-year plan – $94 for 5 devices
• Lifetime plan – $500 for 6 devices

Payment options and refund

After reading our Cryptostorm VPN review, you can purchase a subscription via PayPal, credit cards, Stripe, Bitcoin, and 100+ alternate cryptocurrencies (“altcoins”). The VPN provider also has a money-back guarantee if you’ve used a token for less than 50% of its duration.

Conclusion

Wrapping up our Cryptostorm VPN review, we must praise their efforts at providing anonymity; the VPN provider does its best not to collect any personal information. However, their VPN app needs to be available outside of Windows. The VPN speeds are mediocre, but not horrendous, making them sufficient for 720p/1080p streaming. Sadly, we don’t predict you’d stream a lot knowing only Netflix UK and US catalogs are available. To improve mainstream appeal, the VPN service needs to make their website non-geek-friendly or implement 24/7 live chat. We also want to see a larger server network, more concurrent devices, and split tunneling.