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vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.
Advertising Disclosure

vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

Buffered VPN vs Astrill VPN 2024

Table of Contents
    Our Score: 8.1/10
    %s User Reviews
    More Info
    Our Score: 5.3/10
    %s User Reviews
    More Info
    Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, Cyberghost and Expressvpn are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company.

    Which VPN is better?

    Author Image Kristina Perunicic
    Kristina Perunicic

    Managing Editor

    Astrill and Buffered are two well-known VPN providers respected for their security and ability to bypass geoblocks. Both services are effective for unblocking US Netflix and similar websites and place no restrictions on P2P traffic. A 24/7 live chat support option and dedicated apps for Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android are also available with either provider’s service. In addition, both Astrill and Buffered allow up to five simultaneous connections per user. If you change your mind after subscribing to either of these two VPNs, Astrill offers a 7-day refund policy, whereas Buffered has a 30-day money-back guarantee for all new subscriptions. However, Astrill’s server network spans more countries – over 60, compared to 37 for Buffered. Features like split tunneling, Onion over VPN, and Stealth VPN are also only available with Astrill VPN. Before you decide which VPN is better for you, read on for a more detailed, categorical comparison.

    Our Score

    Features 8.1/10
    Pricing 6.3/10
    Ease of Use 8.8/10
    Reliability & Support 8.6/10
    Features 5.3/10
    Pricing 3.6/10
    Ease of Use 5.0/10
    Reliability & Support 7.4/10

    Reviews

    Review by our expert
    Author Image Doris Muthuri
    Doris Muthuri

    Senior Writer

    Our Score: 8.1/10

    Update: Buffered VPN merged with Encrypt.me. We have thoroughly tested Encrypt.me, and you can find everything you need to know in our review. Buffered VPN has a lot to offer due to its user-friendly interface, fast connection speeds, and reliable security. One thing it can't do is unblock Netflix, you'll need a premium vendor like ExpressVPN for that. In addition to dedicated apps available for ...

    Read all
    Latest positive user review
    D
    Don Bartlem
    10.0/10
    I considered a number of VPN's before going with Buffered which I find excellent.

    No issues in any aspect, On the rare occasions that I required assistance (in the initial set up stage... ), the Help Desk was outstanding. Would highly recommend Buffered to anyone considering using a VPNMore

    Latest negative user review
    T
    Trev
    2.0/10
    They are no more

    After being a customer for more than 2 years and paying a premium price for a good service. THEY DON'T...  EXIST ANYMORE.. No warning, just logged in one day and my app doesn't work and they have changed their website name. STAY AWAY, sounds dodgy.More

    Read the full review
    Review by our expert
    Author Image Matthew Amos
    Matthew Amos

    Senior Editor

    Our Score: 5.3/10

    Astrill VPN is one of the most popular VPNs to use in China. But it's also one of the most expensive VPNs available and doesn't have a money-back guarantee. With such a big investment, is it still the best VPN for China, and should you try it if you're located elsewhere? After my tests, I can confirm it's an excellent VPN for China but falls short in other areas. It offers slow speeds and clunky a...

    Read all
    Latest positive user review
    N
    Nestor
    10.0/10
    Been using it for a long time.. but have to go

    I have been using Astrill for more than 10 years. Never had a problem. A couple of times I used the ch... at for support and it was excellent. However this is probably going to be my last year. Reason .... price. With the virus crisis I am unemployed and can not afford it. They do not give any kind of discount and keep raising the price year after year. I am not in China so I suspend it, I do not need all those features.More

    Latest negative user review
    J
    Jim
    2.0/10
    Don’t even think of it if you own Apple products

    Worst VPN ever. Unreliable, unstable. It’s utterly expensive. Forget about streaming. Apple products a... re almost useless with it. Technical support team answers are pretty much like “Why don’t you turn it off and on?”. Please don’t waste your money as I did. They don’t even have a refund policy!More

    Read the full review

    Pricing

    Starting price $8.33/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 30 Days
    Number of devices per license 5 devices
    Starting price $12.5/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 0 Days
    Number of devices per license 5 devices

    Best VPN by Category

    Best VPN Overall

    Buffered’s small network does not affect its overall performance, as it still offers strong encryption, advanced security features, and effective bypassing of tough geo-restrictions. Meanwhile, Astrill offers an attractive VPN service with a variety of security features and dedicated apps for all major platforms.

    Best VPN for Torrents

    Buffered is great for downloading torrents anonymously, as it offers several dedicated P2P servers that provide very fast connections for downloading. Astrill also allows torrenting on its network and provides dedicated P2P servers for the purpose.

    Best VPN for Windows

    By offering a user-friendly app with a firewall-based kill switch that keeps your online activity protected at all times, Buffered provides a very reliable Windows service for PC users. Meanwhile, Astrill also has a Windows app that features split tunneling and IPv6 leak protection.

    Best VPN for Android

    Buffered’s Android app is very easy to install and set up and includes “always on” functionality that keeps your VPN connection active even when the app is in the background. The standout feature of Astrill’s Android app is a Smart Mode that allows you to decide which apps or traffic types should connect through the VPN.

    Best VPN for Mac

    If you appreciate a dedicated app with easy access to 24/7 live chat support, 256-bit encryption, and a diagnostics tool, you’ll enjoy using Buffered VPN for your Mac. Meanwhile, Astrill’s app for MacOS includes access to dedicated IP addresses and split tunneling.

    Best VPN for iOS

    The standout features of Buffered’s iOS app are its firewall-based kill switch and highly intuitive user interface. With Astrill VPN, you can expect an iOS app that’s packed with advanced features like Onion over VPN, split tunneling, and DNS leak protection.

    Best VPN for USA

    Buffered provides a high-speed US server that’s reliable for unblocking US Netflix and similar American websites and apps. Astrill also provides US servers, along with a dedicated streaming feature that reliably unblocks Netflix and Hulu.

    The Bottom Line

    See Plans & Pricing

    In spite of having a small server network, Buffered wins this contest by providing a high-quality VPN service without restrictions on your use. As a new VPN provider, Buffered reliably gets past geo-restrictions that are usually tough to crack, like the geoblocks on US Netflix. Buffered also has the kind of modern security setup you would expect to find in a top VPN service.

    Time to decide which one is best for you

    Go with Buffered VPN
    Go with Astrill VPN
    Or click here to check best VPNs, rated by {{review_count}} users

    FAQ

    Is Buffered VPN better than Astrill VPN?

    Yes, Buffered VPN is better overall than Astrill VPN. It has 30 servers in 37 countries, fast speeds, and impressive security features.

    Best of all, you can take advantage of its latest discount and get it for only $8.33 a month.

    What should I keep in mind when choosing between Buffered VPN and Astrill VPN?

    When choosing a VPN, you want to pay close attention to its number of servers, overall speed score, pricing, and the number of simultaneous device connections it offers. While some VPNs provide a flawless online experience, others will really slow you down.

    If you’re ready to commit, then Buffered VPN may be perfect for you due to its performance during the tests .

    Is Buffered VPN faster than Astrill VPN?

    Yes, Buffered VPN is faster than Astrill VPN. Since your VPN is your computer’s main connection to the internet, you need to use a service that won’t slow you down by more than 20%.

    If speeds are important to you, then I recommend you take a look at ExpressVPN. It’s the fastest service out there, provides unlimited bandwidth, and you won’t experience any slowdowns even when you connect to the other side of the planet. You can try it out risk-free. It’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can get a full refund if you don’t like it.

    Do Buffered VPN or Astrill VPN offer any deals?

    Both Buffered VPN and Astrill VPN offer deals on occasion. You can check out the current coupons and discounts here. However, ExpressVPN has the best deals. Right now, you can get a 49% discount and up to 3 months for free with a new subscription.

    We review vendors based on rigorous testing and research but also take into account your feedback and our affiliate commission with providers. Some providers are owned by our parent company.
    Learn more
    vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

    About the Author

    Kristina Perunicic is a former editor for vpnMentor. She’s a cybersecurity expert with an interest in VPNs and their importance in the digital privacy landscape.