CryptoStorm, previously known as Cryptocloud, is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada but has its origins in Iceland. The VPN service claims to be designed for the extremely cautious, and they assert that their offering goes beyond basic location obfuscation.
Their website states that they have over 60 servers in 33 different countries, as well as 674+ IP addresses. While changing your IP is important for online anonymity, it’s also important to consider the cost of the VPN service. After all, you don’t want to pay a high price for a VPN that doesn’t deliver on its promises.
CryptoStorm VPN Pricing Plans
CryptoStorm offers various payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, Stripe, and BitPay, as well as a free plan with limited bandwidth.
The VPN uses a token system, meaning that subscriptions are purchased through vendors, and customers receive a unique token via email.
The number of device connections allowed depends on the subscription plan, ranging from one device for a one-week plan to five devices for a two-year plan. Prices vary, with the one-week plan costing $1.86 per week, the one month costing $6 and the two-year plan costing $52.
CryptoStorm also provides a money-back guarantee for tokens used for 50% or less of their duration, with the exception of lifetime plans due to transaction fees. Our experience testing the money-back guarantee was positive, as we received a refund within seven days of contacting support.
Can CryptoStorm VPN Unblock Streaming Services?
CryptoStorm VPN doesn’t allow access to popular streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer. So if streaming is a priority for you, it’s better to consider other VPN options that can provide access to these services.
How Fast is CryptoStorm VPN?
Unfortunately, CryptoStorm’s connection speeds are not up to par. Despite our initial download speed being around 30 Mbps and upload speed around 10 Mbps, most servers reduced download speeds to around 5 Mbps, even when connecting to nearby servers.
Upload speeds were more inconsistent, with some servers performing better than others. For instance, the Phoenix server recorded download and upload speeds of 15 Mbps and 4 Mbps, respectively.
Is your Data Safe with CryptoStorm VPN?
Located in Iceland, CryptoStorm is known for promoting the principles of free speech, making it a secure location for any VPN provider. They do log data, but none of these logs contain information that can identify a specific customer.
The CryptoStorm token configuration is secure, as it uses a string of code for access tokens, serving as login credentials. The authenticated data associated with the user is encrypted behind these codes, which means CryptoStorm can’t access any personally identifiable information from the user registration process.
The VPN uses ChaCha20 encryption, Poly1305 authentication encryption, an RSA-2048 asymmetric key, and SHA-512 hash authentication for secure connections. It supports the OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols and provides a unique secure environment to protect users’ Wi-Fi activities from scammers and cybercriminals.
CryptoStorm offers extra configurations such as IPv6 and DNS leak prevention, STUN/WebRTC leak prevention, DNSCrypt, and an emergency stop (killswitch) that blocks internet connectivity in case of VPN disconnection.
In our testing, our real IP address was kept secure on each of the 10 servers we tested, and we found that using multi-hop configurations further increased security by simultaneously routing our internet traffic through several different locations.
Apps and Support
CryptoStorm offers reliable 24/7 customer support through various channels such as live chat, phone, Facebook, Twitter, an online form, and email. During our testing, their support team was responsive and resolved all our queries in a timely manner.
Their website also has a detailed FAQ section with instructions and helpful information. If you have technical problems, you can also contact them on GitHub for assistance.
CryptoStorm’s app is compatible with Linux, macOS, and Windows, and it performs well on mobile devices and can be configured on routers. The user interface is user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing.
What sets CryptoStorm apart from other VPNs is its compatibility with the majority of Android and iOS devices and its ability to be combined with the Tor network.
Installing the app was easy, except for some trouble with routers. Keep in mind that the number of simultaneous connections you can have depends on your subscription plan. If you need further help with setting up the VPN, you can always reach out to their customer service.
What we like
- Reliable 24/7 customer support through various channels
- Responsive and helpful support team
- Detailed FAQ section with instructions and helpful information
- Support Bitcoin payment for anonymity
What we dislike
- The number of simultaneous connections is limited by the subscription plan
- Small server network
- Can’t unblock major streaming services
What VPN can I use instead of CryptoStorm VPN?
If the drawbacks of CryptoStorm VPN are not acceptable, there are several alternatives available in the market. For instance, NordVPN is a popular VPN service provider that has been in the market for more than a decade, providing military-grade online protection and the ability to access all major streaming platforms.
Final thoughts
In conclusion, Cryptostorm VPN is a strong contender in the VPN market, offering reliable 24/7 customer support through various channels and compatibility with various operating systems, mobile devices, and routers.
However, if the drawbacks of Cryptostorm VPN are a concern for you, such as the lack of a kill switch, limited simultaneous connections, and potential logging concerns due to its lack of a clear privacy policy, there are several alternative VPN services you can consider, such as NordVPN, ExpressVPN. Ultimately, the choice of VPN service provider depends on your personal preferences and requirements.