NordVPN vs StrongVPN 2024

James Everard

Senior Writer

NordVPN is the poster child of the VPN world, with its advertisements appearing globally on big and small screens alike. Meanwhile, StrongVPN has been flexing its muscles in the background, quietly building a following based on its reliability and simplicity. So, the biggest question I faced was whether these VPNs could live up to their lofty reputations.

We compared every aspect of these VPNs. We looked at speed, security, reliability, and user experience — using cold, hard data where possible and our expertise when applicable. On top of gathering as much data as we could, we used each one in a variety of real-world scenarios, assessing their reliability for streaming, torrenting, and gaming.

We found that NordVPN is still the big fish in the VPN pond. It has a far larger server network and a more feature-rich app. Plus, it outpaced StrongVPN in our speed tests. That said, StrongVPN wasn’t terrible by any stretch. If you want a simple, reliable VPN without the fuss, the latter may be your preferred option.

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Streaming — Both Are Really Reliable for Streaming

These VPNs are excellent for streaming, and both of them worked with all the platforms we tested them with. They even worked with notoriously tricky services like Hulu and Max, as well as UK platforms such as BBC iPlayer, ITVX, and Channel 4. Neither VPN has specialty streaming servers, but that can be an advantage since you don’t have to swap servers between platforms.

When testing StrongVPN on Max, content loaded almost immediately and streamed in HD with zero buffering. Similarly, NordVPN worked with Netflix without hesitation, as if we weren’t using a VPN at all. No matter which VPN you use, you’ll be able to watch a huge variety of TV and movies in lag-free HD from anywhere.

NordVPN also worked with regional platforms like RTL+ (Germany) and RTE (Ireland)

Both services offer a smart DNS feature, so you can stream your favorite content on devices that don't support native VPN apps, like game consoles and older smart TVs. However, be aware that smart DNS doesn’t encrypt your data, so it isn’t as secure as a VPN connection.

StrongVPN worked first time with all the platforms we tested

Winner - draw

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Both these services are excellent for streaming. They can stream uninterrupted content in Ultra HD quality from a wide range of popular platforms, and each one let us access these services on the first try.

Server Network — NordVPN's Server Network Is Far Larger

NordVPN offers a large network with 6,800 servers in 113 countries. That includes locations in South America and Africa, which other services sometimes overlook.

By contrast, StrongVPN has a more modest selection of 950 servers in 30 countries. True, it includes all the major European countries, but there’s only one location each for Germany, The Netherlands, Spain, and Japan, and none for India, Iceland, or New Zealand.

Meanwhile, NordVPN has specialty servers for Double VPN connections (double encryption), P2P, and Onion Over VPN (for accessing the dark web securely on regular browsers), none of which StrongVPN can match.

Winner

This one isn’t even close. NordVPN has a wider number and variety of servers in far more locations.

Speed — NordVPN Outpaces the Competition

We put both VPNs through a rigorous set of speed tests to determine the fastest. Our speed tester is based in the US and has an average base speed of 250 Mbps. We used the fastest protocol for each service, which was NordLynx for NordVPN and IPSec for StrongVPN.

This was a little surprising since StrongVPN also has WireGuard, the industry-standard protocol for speed — yet it gave us curiously slow speeds in our tests. This was unfortunate since IPSec is a dated protocol and less secure than WireGuard.

NordVPN also had a fast ping rate

Both VPNs gave healthy download speeds, but NordVPN pulled ahead when comparing upload speeds. This metric is essential for gaming, VoIP calls, and uploading video to socials, for example. In fact, NordVPN was 83% faster on US servers and 76% faster on UK ones when it came to upload speeds.

StrongVPN's ping was significantly worse, though

Here are some of the data points we recorded when comparing these services:

Winner

NordVPN wins with faster overall speeds and a safer protocol. NordLynx improves on WireGuard, while StrongVPN uses the standard version of this protocol (which, strangely, we had speed issues with).

Gaming — NordVPN’s Low Latency Levels Up

Latency, or ping, is essential to measure for gaming since it indicates the responsiveness of your commands to the on-screen action. Under 100 ms is considered ideal for responsive gameplay. We tested each VPN with a starting ping of around 3 ms.

StrongVPN was too slow for fluent gameplay on all but the nearest servers. Even then, its ping was over 3 times slower than NordVPN. Meanwhile, NordVPN achieved a healthy 41 ms from mid-distance servers in the US.

NordVPN's stable speeds are also great for downloading games on Steam

Winner

NordVPN’s considerably faster ping makes for more responsive gameplay on nearby and faraway servers.

Torrenting — NordVPN Offers Far More

NordVPN already had the edge with a host of P2P-optimized servers and its speedy NordLynx protocol. Plus, its Threat Protection stops dangerous ads and malware should you click any unsafe links on file-sharing sites.

However, NordVPN also offers SOCKS5 proxies as an alternative to the VPN. It’s not as safe as a VPN since it doesn’t encrypt your data, but as such, it offers faster downloads. You can easily configure its proxy to most P2P download clients in under a minute.

StrongVPN supports P2P on all its servers, but it lacks malware and ad blocking and doesn’t offer SOCKS5 proxies.

Winner

NordVPN offers faster and safer downloads and a SOCKS5 option available as a speedy alternative.

Security — NordVPN Has More Advanced Features

NordVPN fixes a vulnerability with WireGuard using Double NAT technology. This ensures your real IP is never stored when you connect. Also, all its servers are RAM-only, meaning they wipe all user data on reboot.

However, StrongVPN has an advantage with 2048-bit encryption, which is stronger than NordVPN's standard 256-bit. That said, NordVPN has taken strides to future-proof itself against quantum computer attacks. This is currently only available on the Linux app but will soon be rolled out across all OSs.

NordVPN blocked a highly impressive 96% of ads and annoyances in my tests

But what’s most impressive is NordVPN’s Threat Protection ad and tracker blocker. It’s far more customizable than any equivalent VPN-based feature I’ve used, and StrongVPN offers no such equivalent. It uses DNS filtering to prevent you from accidentally loading in any advertising, tracking, or otherwise malicious domains. Its premium version, Threat Protection Pro, also scans your device for and removes malware.

StrongVPN only blocked 10% of ads and annoyances in my tests

Winner

NordVPN has its proprietary NordLynx protocol and RAM-only servers to keep you secure. Furthermore, it has Double VPN servers and a Threat Protection DNS filtering feature that protects you from ads, trackers, and malicious domains.

Privacy — NordVPN Fully Protects Your Data

NordVPN’s logging policy has been audited multiple times, providing strong evidence of its no-logs claim. StrongVPN also claims a no-logs policy, but without third-party verification, I find it harder to trust.

NordVPN also frequently audits its apps, practices, and infrastructure through reputable third-party firms. StrongVPN lacks these public audits.

Regarding jurisdiction, NordVPN operates from Panama, a privacy-friendly country outside major surveillance alliances. In contrast, StrongVPN is based in the US, where data retention laws and Five Eyes surveillance may jeopardize user privacy.

Meanwhile, NordVPN offers crypto payments for extra privacy, whereas StrongVPN accepts credit cards and PayPal only.

Winner

NordVPN has verified no-logs policies, regular audits, and operates from a privacy-friendly jurisdiction. StrongVPN simply doesn't offer the same level of privacy-focused transparency.

Works in China — StrongVPN Is More Reliable

NordVPN makes no guarantees that it will work consistently in China. Its website recommends using the NordLynx protocol but acknowledges that uptime may be intermittent in the country.

Meanwhile, StrongVPN features an Optimize the VPN for China option on its Preferences panel, as well as a Scramble obfuscation feature for the OpenVPN protocol. It also recommends the IKEv2 protocol for use in China, so you have options in case one protocol doesn’t work.

Winner

StrongVPN has optimized its app for use in China and provides tips for attaining connectivity in the country on its website. NordVPN does not guarantee that its app will work in China.

Installation & Ease of Use — StrongVPN Is More Beginner-Friendly

Both VPNs are remarkably easy to install on any device. The apps are available for direct download on their respective websites and can be installed in under 2 minutes. Both cover all the popular mobile and desktop operating systems, and they both allow for manual installation on routers.

StrongVPN's Preferences panel is simple and straightforward

Once installed, you may prefer StrongVPN if you’re new to VPNs. It has 2 simple buttons and a basic list of preferences, and the app is clean and simple. However, techies may prefer NordVPN since it undoubtedly has more features to play with. For example, Meshnet lets you set up a secure and remote network with other devices, which is great for securely sharing files and playing with friends.

NordVPN's features all have simple annotations

Winner

Some users may prefer NordVPN’s more advanced settings, but if you want a beginner-friendly app, then StrongVPN is the one to go for.

Reliability & Support — NordVPN’s Human Agents Triumph

StrongVPN features one of the more accurate and responsive chatbot services I’ve used. It answered some pretty technical questions quickly and succinctly. However, for more in-depth questions, I much prefer speaking to real agents.

NordVPN also uses a chatbot, but you can override it by typing “Speak to a real agent.” I was usually connected in under a minute. NordVPN’s human agents are knowledgeable, friendly, and available 24/7.

Winner

There’s no substitute for the human touch, so NordVPN wins with its 24/7 live chat. Meanwhile, both services have good, extensive knowledge bases on their respective websites.

Pricing

	NordVPN	StrongVPN
Starting Price	$2.99/month	$3.97/month
Price (On Renewal)	$139.08 per year (subject to change)	$89.99 per year (subject to change)
Money-Back Guarantee (Days)	30 days	30 days
Number of Devices per License	10	12
Router Setup (for Unlimited Devices)	Extensive router compatibility	Extensive router compatibility

NordVPN offers 1-month, 12-month, and 24-month subscriptions, and the longer-term plans frequently offer 3 months extra for free. StrongVPN only offers 1-month and 12-month plans, which leaves you with fewer options. NordVPN also offers tiered pricing with extras, including Threat Protection Pro (which upgrades the existing Threat Protection feature), cloud storage, and a password manager, among others.

NordVPN’s 24-month contract with 3 months extra is by far the best value. Overall, both services are in a similar price range to competitors such as Surfshark and CyberGhost.

It’s also worth noting that both VPNs hike their prices considerably on auto-renewal. However, neither service’s terms of use currently prevent you from canceling and resubscribing at the introductory rate, but this is subject to change. Both services are long-established, so they are highly unlikely to go anywhere if you want to commit long-term.

Winner

NordVPN has more attractive pricing options with a greater range of plans and a more affordable long-term deal. Overall, you’ll get more for your money with NordVPN.

Our Methodology for Testing NordVPN vs StrongVPN

We spare none of the detail when comparing VPNs. We look at speed, security, and overall reliability. We also undertake extensive real-world testing for use cases such as streaming, gaming, and torrenting. Finally, we put that all into context by analyzing the service’s pricing policies.

For further details, visit our testing methodology page. Here, you’ll find a detailed breakdown of our testing criteria. Feel free to use it as the basis for your own testing.

NordVPN vs StrongVPN — Reddit Opinions

Both services have fans on Reddit based on their reliability. NordVPN especially gets praise for its speeds and streaming capabilities. Since they’re both such long-established services, it’s no surprise that dependability is also often mentioned.

NordVPN is generally preferred as the faster option of the services