⚡ Quick Verdict:
- Pricing: StrongVPN’s Annual Plan is $3.97/month. SafeShell VPN’s shortest plan is 1 Week at $5.99.
- Best for: StrongVPN for big households and torrenting. SafeShell VPN for multi-region streaming and gaming.
- Key difference: SafeShell’s App Mode sends different apps through different countries at once. StrongVPN bundles 250GB of cloud storage.
- Our pick: SafeShell VPN for most users. App Mode, Game Mode, and 70+ regions cover more daily needs.
The older VPN isn’t automatically the better pick.
StrongVPN has been in the VPN industry since 2005.
SafeShell VPN launched in 2023 from a gaming tech company.
One brings a long track record and free cloud storage.
The other brings App Mode, which runs different apps through different countries.
Here’s how they compare on streaming, privacy, speed, and price.
Overview
This StrongVPN vs SafeShell VPN comparison covers price, features, privacy, and speed.
We reviewed documentation, pricing pages, and user reviews for both VPN services.
Our writers also spent hands-on time with each one.
Those notes appear in the “What Our Team Noticed” sections below.
By the end, you’ll know which VPN fits your devices and habits.
What is StrongVPN?
StrongVPN is a VPN service from a US-based VPN company.
It has been running since 2005, long before most rivals.
It hides your IP addresses and encrypts your web traffic.
The network has over 950 physical servers in 30 countries.
StrongVPN doesn’t use virtual server locations at all.
One StrongVPN subscription covers up to 12 devices at the same time.
This short video gives a quick tour of the app.
StrongVPN
A simple VPN that covers 12 devices on one plan. Every plan adds 250GB of SugarSync storage. The annual plan comes with a 30-day refund window.
StrongVPN Pricing
StrongVPN keeps pricing simple with two plans.
| Plan | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Plan | $3.97/month | Long-term users who want the lowest rate |
| Monthly Plan | $11.99/month | Short trips or a quick test |
Pricing verified October 2026.
Free trial: No. StrongVPN has no free trial or free version.
Money-back guarantee: 30 days on subscriptions, so you can test it with low risk.
📌 Note: Both plans include 250GB of SugarSync cloud storage. Payment options include credit cards, PayPal, and Alipay.
⚠️ Price check: Some review sites list the monthly plan at $10.99. They show the annual plan at $69.99 per year. The annual price reportedly rises to $89.99 after year one. Confirm the final price at checkout.
Key Benefits of StrongVPN
Here’s what makes StrongVPN worth a look:
- 12 Simultaneous Connections: Cover mobile devices, a Windows laptop, and a TV on one plan. Most homes won’t hit the cap.
- Free Cloud Storage: Every StrongVPN subscription includes 250GB of SugarSync storage. SafeShell has nothing like it.
- P2P on Every Server: Torrenting is allowed on all StrongVPN’s servers. You don’t need to hunt for special nodes.
- Five VPN Protocols: Pick WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, SSTP, or L2TP. You can switch any time.
- StrongDNS Included: This SmartDNS service gets past geo-blocks without slowing you down. It helps on devices that can’t run a VPN app.
- Three Support Channels: Get help by live chat, phone, or email. Phone support is rare among VPNs.
What Our Team Noticed
Our writer signed up for StrongVPN and recorded the setup and daily use. Our full StrongVPN review has more detail. Here’s what stood out from that hands-on time:
StrongVPN Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- 12 simultaneous connections on every plan
- 250GB of SugarSync cloud storage included
- P2P allowed on all servers
- Live chat, phone, and email support
❌ Cons
- US-based, inside the Five Eyes alliance
- No independent audit of its no-logs claims
- Small server network across 30 countries
What is SafeShell VPN?
SafeShell VPN is a newer VPN built for streaming and gaming.
GearUp Portal Pte Ltd, a Singapore company, created it in 2023.
Its standout tool is App Mode.
App Mode lets different apps use different VPN locations at once.
Global Mode sends all your traffic through one location instead.
The company says SafeShell revolutionizes VPN use with this split approach.
It’s compatible with iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Apple TV, and Android TV.
Want to experience SafeShell before paying? This video walks through it.
🏆 Winner: SafeShell VPN
Run Netflix through one country and your bank app through another. Game Mode picks faster routes to game servers. New users get a 3-day free trial.
SafeShell VPN Pricing
SafeShell VPN offers three plan lengths, from one week to one year.
| Plan | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Months | $24.99/month | Testing it over one season |
| 1 Year | $59.99/month | Regular streamers ready to commit |
| 1 Week | $5.99/month | Travelers who need short access |
Pricing verified October 2026.
Free trial: Yes. New users who haven’t subscribed before get a 3-day free trial.
Money-back guarantee: A 7-day money back guarantee applies to your first subscription purchase.
📌 Note: Payment options: credit card, PayPal, Google Play, Apple Pay, WeChat Pay, and Alipay. That’s twice as many choices as StrongVPN.
⚠️ Price check: SafeShell has also listed USD 49.99 per year and 9.99 per month. A one-week plan has appeared at 3.99. Plans auto-renew unless you cancel at least 24 hours before the billing date. Confirm the final price at checkout.
Key Benefits of SafeShell VPN
Here’s what makes SafeShell VPN worth considering:
- App Mode: Connect different apps to multiple regions simultaneously. Stream US Netflix while your bank app stays local.
- Wide Reach: SafeShell lists 70+ regional server locations. The company says you can reach 100+ locations worldwide.
- Game Mode: It routes traffic toward game servers for lower latency. That helps when every millisecond counts.
- Subtitle Translation: Translate subtitles in over 30 languages. Foreign shows become a comfortable viewing experience.
- SafeNet AdBlock: It blocks ads and trackers on websites. Pages load with less clutter.
- No Speed Limits: SafeShell promises unlimited, high speed access on its global network. There are no data caps to watch.
What Our Team Noticed
Our writer set up SafeShell VPN on phones, a Mac, and an Apple TV. Here’s what stood out from that hands-on time:
SafeShell VPN Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- App Mode runs apps through different regions at once
- 3-day free trial for new users
- Game Mode built for lower latency
- Subtitle translation in over 30 languages
❌ Cons
- Only a 7-day refund window
- No independent security audit yet
- Some customers report refund and support delays
Feature Comparison
Here’s how the two VPN services compare on nine features, plus pricing.
Each section shows how StrongVPN and SafeShell VPN handle the same job.
| Feature | StrongVPN | SafeShell VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $3.97/month (Annual Plan) | $5.99 (1 Week) |
| Free Trial | ❌ | ✅ 3 days |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30 days | 7 days |
| Server Network | 950+ servers, 30 countries | 70+ regions |
| Simultaneous Connections | 12 | Not published |
| Per-App Routing | Split tunneling (Android) | ✅ App Mode |
| Kill Switch | ✅ | Not listed |
| DNS Leak Protection | ✅ | ✅ |
| Free Cloud Storage | ✅ 250GB | ❌ |
| Gaming Mode | ❌ | ✅ Game Mode |
| Best For | Many devices, torrenting | Multi-region streaming, gaming |
1. Streaming Access
StrongVPN: StrongVPN can reach major streaming platforms from anywhere, including Netflix and BBC iPlayer. Published tests show minimal buffering, though results vary by server. It’s a good VPN for watching one region at a time.
SafeShell VPN: Professional Streaming servers are tuned for Netflix, Prime Video, and YouTube. App Mode lets you watch shows from two countries without switching. SafeShell markets this as online freedom. Customer reviews often cite smooth, high-speed streaming.
2. Server Network
StrongVPN: StrongVPN runs 950+ physical servers in 30 countries. That’s a small server network next to big rivals, but every location is real. Pick the server closest to you for the best speeds.
SafeShell VPN: SafeShell lists 70+ regional server locations. It says you can reach 100+ locations worldwide. Its Super Servers aim for the fastest download speed on each route. You can also connect from multiple locations without changing apps.
3. Split Tunneling vs App Mode
StrongVPN: StrongVPN does offer split tunneling, but only in its Android apps. The Windows app can’t choose which apps skip the VPN tunnel. That’s a gap if you bank on a Windows laptop.
SafeShell VPN: App Mode takes split tunneling to a new level. Each app can connect to a different country at the same time. For example, US Netflix can run while your bank app stays local. It creates a personalized connection experience you can customize, handy for watching with friends abroad.
⚠️ Warning: App Mode and Global Mode work differently. Check which mode is on before you blame a server for a blocked app.
4. Protocols & Censorship Bypass
StrongVPN: StrongVPN supports WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, SSTP, and L2TP. WireGuard is the fastest VPN protocol for most devices. You can switch protocols in the settings menu.
StrongVPN also includes tools to get around censorship blocks on restricted networks.
SafeShell VPN: SafeShell uses its own ShellGuard protocol for encryption. It also uses QUIC technology to disguise VPN traffic, which helps get past strict censorship. IPv6 support keeps your IPs hidden on newer networks too.
5. Kill Switch & Leak Protection
StrongVPN: StrongVPN uses AES-256 strong encryption on every device. Its kill switch cuts your internet connection if the VPN connection drops. We strongly advise leaving it on, along with DNS leak protection.
SafeShell VPN: SafeShell includes built-in DNS leak protection to guard your online privacy. It keeps your IP secure from hackers and surveillance. A kill switch isn’t listed among its published security features.
💡 Pro Tip: Run free leak tests right after setup on any VPN. It takes two minutes and confirms you’re safe online.
6. No-Logs Policy & Privacy
StrongVPN: StrongVPN claims a strict no logging policy. It says it doesn’t log browsing history, timestamps, IP addresses, or any online activity. StrongVPN claims it doesn’t sell personal data to third parties either.
The only personal information StrongVPN collects is your email and payment information.
SafeShell VPN: SafeShell also follows a zero-logs policy, so your browsing activity isn’t stored. It’s based in Singapore, outside the Five Eyes alliance. Like StrongVPN, it hasn’t published an independent audit.
⚠️ Warning: StrongVPN is based in the US, a Five Eyes country. Its privacy policy has not been audited. Many of the best VPNs now publish audits. Here, both strict no logging policies rely on trust.
7. Device Support
StrongVPN: StrongVPN has native apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire TV. Routers work too, with manual setup guides for each. Android devices get the app from the Google Play Store. All the devices StrongVPN supports share one 12-slot account.
SafeShell VPN: SafeShell’s multi device support covers iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS. It also runs on Apple TV, Android TV, Apple Vision Pro, and iPad. Create one account and sign in on each device.
8. Speed & Gaming
StrongVPN: Published speed results vary a lot. Some show only a 5-7% loss on nearby servers. Others show about a 20% drop. One test logged average downloads at 31% and upload speeds at 13% versus base speed. Speeds are adequate for most online activities, and ping suits casual games. But latency runs higher than top rivals, so competitive gamers may notice.
SafeShell VPN: Game Mode routes traffic toward game servers for low latency and faster responses. It comes from the team behind GearUp’s gaming tools. Gamers far from game servers may discover ping improvements, though results depend on your route. There are no speed limits or bandwidth caps on any plan.
9. Extra Features
StrongVPN: StrongDNS is a SmartDNS service included at no extra cost. It changes your virtual location for streaming without the speed hit of encryption. Pair it with free cloud storage, and the StrongVPN features feel practical.
SafeShell VPN: SafeShell’s subtitle translation covers over 30 languages for foreign shows. It works with streaming videos from any channel.
SafeShell also bundles SafeNet AdBlock. It strips ads and trackers from websites and pages like Facebook.
10. Pricing & Cost
Let’s compare the pricing plans side by side.
| Plan | StrongVPN | SafeShell VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Shortest Plan | Monthly Plan: $11.99/month | 1 Week: $5.99/month |
| Mid-Length Plan | ❌ | 3 Months: $24.99/month |
| Longest Plan | Annual Plan: $3.97/month | 1 Year: $59.99/month |
| Free Trial | ❌ | ✅ 3 days |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30 days | 7 days |
| Payment Options | Card, PayPal, Alipay | Card, PayPal, Google Play, Apple Pay, WeChat Pay, Alipay |
StrongVPN: The Annual Plan has the lowest listed monthly rate in this comparison. You also get 250GB of cloud storage and a 30-day refund window. Watch the renewal price after year one.
SafeShell VPN: SafeShell gives you the most flexible terms, including a weekly plan. The free trial period lets you test App Mode before you pay. The 7-day refund window is short, so cancel early if it’s not a fit.
Different Scenarios
| If You Need… | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest long-term price | StrongVPN | $3.97/month Annual Plan |
| A free trial first | SafeShell VPN | 3-day trial for new users |
| Streaming from two countries | SafeShell VPN | App Mode routes apps separately |
| Torrenting | StrongVPN | P2P on every server |
| Many devices at home | StrongVPN | 12 connections plus router guides |
| Online gaming | SafeShell VPN | Game Mode routing |
| Phone support | StrongVPN | Live chat, phone, and email |
💰 Your Budget
StrongVPN’s Annual Plan is the cheaper long-term pick, and it adds free cloud storage. SafeShell’s weekly plan suits short trips where a full year makes no sense.
🔌 Your Tech Stack
StrongVPN covers routers, Amazon Fire TV, and 12 devices at once. SafeShell fits Apple homes best, with apps for Apple TV and Apple Vision.
🎬 Your Streaming Habits
If you watch streaming services from two countries at once, App Mode is the clear fit. If you stream one region at a time, StrongVPN and StrongDNS handle it fine.
🎓 Your Experience Level
Both apps are user friendly for beginners. StrongVPN’s app is easy to navigate. SafeShell’s App Mode takes a few minutes to learn.
🆓 Free Trials and Demos
SafeShell gives new users a 3-day free trial with no payment risk. StrongVPN has no trial, but its 30-day refund window works as a safety net.
🛟 Support Options
StrongVPN offers live chat, phone, and email support. Some customers praise SafeShell, while other users on review sites mention slow refunds. Contact support early if needed.
Switching Guide
Already paying for one of these? Here’s what changes if you switch.
🔄 Switching from StrongVPN to SafeShell VPN?
✅ What you’ll gain:
- App Mode for multi-region streaming
- Game Mode for lower latency
- Subtitle translation and SafeNet AdBlock
❌ What you’ll lose:
- 250GB of SugarSync cloud storage
- P2P on every server
- The 30-day refund window
📋 How to switch:
- Download any files you keep in SugarSync before your plan ends.
- Start SafeShell’s 3-day free trial on your main device.
- Cancel StrongVPN and set App Mode for each app.
🔄 Switching from SafeShell VPN to StrongVPN?
✅ What you’ll gain:
- 12 simultaneous connections
- Phone and live chat support
- StrongDNS for devices without VPN apps
❌ What you’ll lose:
- Per-app routing with App Mode
- Game Mode
- The 3-day free trial
📋 How to switch:
- Cancel SafeShell at least 24 hours before renewal.
- Buy StrongVPN’s Annual Plan to get the 30-day refund window.
- Install the native apps and turn on the kill switch.
What Our Review Didn’t Cover
This comparison focused on streaming, privacy, and everyday browsing for individual users. We didn’t test Chrome OS, Linux, or router setups for either VPN. Long-term bandwidth usage and business or team plans were outside our scope. Prices and features reflect October 2026 and may change.
Final Verdict
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| 💰 Pricing & Refunds | StrongVPN |
| 🎬 Streaming | SafeShell VPN |
| 🌍 Server Coverage | SafeShell VPN |
| 🔀 Per-App Control | SafeShell VPN |
| 🎮 Gaming | SafeShell VPN |
| 🔒 Privacy Jurisdiction | SafeShell VPN |
| 📱 Device Connections | StrongVPN |
| 🛟 Support & Track Record | StrongVPN |
| 🏆 Overall Winner | SafeShell VPN |
🏆 WINNER: SAFESHELL VPN
SafeShell VPN wins 5 out of 8 categories.
Best for: Multi-region streaming, online gaming, Apple TV and Vision Pro owners
StrongVPN and SafeShell VPN solve different problems. StrongVPN is a reliable but basic VPN with a long track record. Reviewers often place it behind NordVPN and ExpressVPN on features.
SafeShell VPN is newer and built around App Mode. It holds a 4.6/5 rating on Trustpilot and 3.9/5 on the App Store. Its short refund window is the main catch.
StrongVPN is still a strong VPN pick for big households and torrent fans. It also suits anyone who wants free storage. For most other people, SafeShell VPN is the better choice. Start with its free trial and see if App Mode fits how you browse.
More of StrongVPN Compared
Here’s how StrongVPN stacks up against other VPNs. This short video covers its main rivals.
StrongVPN wins on: bundled 250GB storage, 12 device slots versus NordVPN’s 10, P2P on every server
NordVPN wins on: audited no-logs claims, far more servers in more countries, a Panama base outside Five Eyes
StrongVPN wins on: a lower first-year price, free StrongDNS, a SugarSync storage bundle
ExpressVPN wins on: independent audits, wider country coverage, browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox
StrongVPN vs Surfshark
StrongVPN wins on: physical-only server locations, phone support, free storage on every plan
Surfshark wins on: unlimited devices, multi-year discounts, coverage in many more countries
StrongVPN wins on: 12 connections versus Proton’s 10, P2P on all servers, a simpler app layout
Proton VPN wins on: a permanent free plan, Swiss jurisdiction, open-source and audited apps
Unlike many other VPNs, StrongVPN has no browser extension. You’ll rely on its mobile apps and desktop clients.
More of SafeShell VPN Compared
Here’s how SafeShell VPN stacks up against other competitors:
SafeShell VPN wins on: per-app region routing, built-in subtitle translation, a 3-day free trial
NordVPN wins on: audited privacy claims, a 30-day refund window, a much larger server fleet
SafeShell VPN wins on: separate regions for separate apps, GearUp-built Game Mode, a weekly billing option
CyberGhost wins on: streaming servers labeled by service, a 45-day refund on long plans, a longer track record
SafeShell VPN vs PureVPN
SafeShell VPN wins on: App Mode, gaming-focused routing, subtitle translation
PureVPN wins on: a bigger server network, a 31-day refund window, years more history
SafeShell VPN wins on: multi-region App Mode, Game Mode, translated subtitles
Surfshark wins on: unlimited devices, audited no-logs claims, a 30-day refund window
Frequently Asked Questions
Is StrongVPN free?
No. There’s no free version or free trial. You get a 30-day money back guarantee instead. You can request a refund if it isn’t right for you.
How many devices can you have on StrongVPN?
You can connect up to 12 devices at once on one plan. That covers phones, computers, tablets, and streaming sticks like Amazon Fire TV.
Who owns StrongVPN?
Ziff Davis owns StrongVPN today. It also owns IPVanish and SugarSync. That explains the bundled 250GB of cloud storage.
Is NordVPN better than StrongVPN?
For most people, yes. NordVPN has far more servers and audited no-logs claims. StrongVPN still wins on bundled cloud storage and 12 device slots.
Is there a VPN I can try for free?
Yes. SafeShell VPN gives new users a 3-day free trial. Proton VPN also offers a permanent free plan with fewer server choices.
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