Shellfire

When you’re deciding on a virtual private network, it’s easy to be swayed by big-brand names or flashy marketing. NordVPN has become almost synonymous with VPNs thanks to its sprawling network and clever extras. StrongVPN, on the other hand, often flies under the radar, yet it claims to deliver simple, solid protection without the clutter. In this comparison we’ll look beyond the hype, using real‑world tests and user experiences to see how these two services stack up.

My goal isn’t to declare a single “winner” but to show which service fits which kind of user. Maybe you need the fastest speeds for gaming and streaming; maybe you just want a straightforward way to secure your home Wi‑Fi. Whatever your priorities, this guide should help you make an informed decision.

Key Points

• NordVPN delivers a huge network (over 5,400 servers in 59 countries) with excellent speeds, advanced security features and specialty servers for torrenting, streaming and even double encryption, making it great for power users and privacy enthusiasts.
• StrongVPN keeps things simple with about 950 servers across 30 countries, unlimited bandwidth and up to 12 simultaneous connections, providing value for families or users who just want an easy‑to‑use VPN without extras.
• For those who prefer plug‑and‑play solutions, hardware‑based VPN boxes or ultra‑simple VPN routers can secure an entire household without the need for software on each device – an interesting alternative if you dislike fiddling with apps.

Quick Comparison: NordVPN vs StrongVPN

Feature	NordVPN	StrongVPN
Servers & Countries	5,400+ servers in 59 countries	~950 servers in 30+ countries
Average speed drop	6 % (downloads still ~90 % of baseline)	23–32 % drop (downloads around 43–57 Mbps on 70 Mbps connections)
Simultaneous connections	10 devices	12 devices
Price (approx.)	From USD 3.39/month (multi‑year plan)	From USD 3.97/month
Best suited for	Streaming, torrenting, gaming and privacy‑conscious users	Families needing simple protection across many devices

At a glance, NordVPN’s larger network and lower speed impact make it appealing for demanding tasks like 4K streaming, online gaming or heavy P2P traffic. StrongVPN’s main attraction is its straightforward offering, one plan, no speed throttling and generous device support. But there’s much more nuance when you dig into the details, and some readers may prefer a hardware‑based alternative like the Shellfire Box if they value simplicity above all.

Infrastructure & Global Coverage

Metric	NordVPN	StrongVPN
Server count	5,400+	~950
Countries covered	59 (heavy presence in Europe and North America; limited in Africa and South America)	~30 (coverage concentrated in North America and Europe)
Virtual servers	No virtual servers; all machines are physically located	Some virtual locations to expand coverage
Specialty servers	Double VPN, Onion over VPN, P2P and obfuscated servers	No dedicated specialty servers

NordVPN’s server fleet is vast and geographically diverse. The majority are in Europe and North America but there are still options in Latin America, Asia and a solitary location in Africa. StrongVPN’s network is smaller and less geographically balanced, which can affect latency for users outside North America or Europe. If you need consistent access to specific regions or specialty options like double‑hop connections, NordVPN is the clear choice.

To see how NordVPN stacks up against another major provider, read our NordVPN vs CyberGhost comparison.

Speed & Performance

Test	NordVPN	StrongVPN
Baseline speed (example)	30 Mbps	64–74 Mbps (Mac/Windows examples)
Nearest server download	29.5 Mbps (6 % drop)	43.8–56.9 Mbps (23–32 % drop)
Furthest server download	15–29 Mbps (minor drops on long‑distance connections)	4–27 Mbps (performance varies; bigger drops on distant servers)
Latency	36–427 ms depending on distance	58–216 ms (significant increase from baseline)

NordVPN’s proprietary NordLynx protocol delivers smooth speeds even on far‑flung servers, typically shaving only a few percent off your baseline download. StrongVPN uses WireGuard too, but our tests saw more pronounced drops, particularly on distant servers where speeds dipped below 10 Mbps. Latency rises for both providers, but NordVPN kept ping times lower, making it friendlier for online gaming and video chats.

For a deeper dive into NordVPN’s performance against another encrypted powerhouse, see our NordVPN vs ProtonVPN article.

Security & Privacy

Feature	NordVPN	StrongVPN
Encryption	AES‑256 with Perfect Forward Secrecy	AES‑256
Protocols	NordLynx (WireGuard), OpenVPN (TCP/UDP), IKEv2	WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec, L2TP
Kill switch	Yes (system‑wide and app‑level)	Yes
No‑logs policy	Audited no‑logs, based in Panama	No logs claimed but based in the US (no third‑party audit)
Notable security extras	Threat Protection malware blocker, Meshnet for device‑to‑device tunnels, Dark Web monitor	None beyond standard encryption
Past controversies	2018 data‑center misconfiguration on one Finnish server; company responded by severing ties with datacenter and auditing all servers	U.S. jurisdiction means data requests could occur

Both services employ strong encryption, but NordVPN’s audited no‑logs policy and Panama jurisdiction provide added reassurance. StrongVPN operates under U.S. jurisdiction and hasn’t undergone an independent audit, which may unsettle privacy purists. NordVPN also offers extras like Threat Protection and Meshnet, while StrongVPN focuses solely on core VPN functionality.

Streaming Performance

Platform	NordVPN	StrongVPN
Netflix	Unblocks multiple libraries smoothly	Works on several regions but less consistent
Hulu	Yes	Yes
Amazon Prime Video	Yes	Yes
Disney+	Yes	Mixed results
BBC iPlayer / UK services	Unblocks reliably	Often blocked
Streaming quality	4K with minimal buffering	HD possible; occasional buffering on distant servers

NordVPN consistently dodges VPN bans on major platforms and maintains high enough speeds for 4K streaming. StrongVPN can unblock some services but struggles with regional libraries and sometimes needs trial‑and‑error to find a working server. If streaming is your priority, NordVPN remains the safer bet.

Platform Compatibility

Device/OS	NordVPN	StrongVPN
Windows & macOS	Dedicated apps with intuitive UI	Yes
Linux	GUI and CLI clients	Yes (GUI available)
Android & iOS	Full‑featured apps with split tunneling on Android	Yes, but fewer configuration options
Smart TVs & Streaming boxes	Apps for Android TV, Fire TV; works via MediaStreamer DNS on consoles	Apps for Fire TV; manual setup for others
Browser extensions	Chrome, Firefox, Edge	None
Router support	Pre‑configured or manual; needed for whole‑home protection	Manual setup; no pre‑configured option

Both providers cover the major platforms, though NordVPN’s slick apps and optional browser extensions make it easier to protect individual browsers. StrongVPN’s apps are straightforward but lack bells and whistles; there’s no browser add‑on and router installation requires more technical effort.

Performance in Censorship‑Heavy Countries

Country	NordVPN	StrongVPN
China	Has obfuscated servers; works reliably	Limited success; no obfuscation
Russia	Double VPN helps bypass filters	May connect but inconsistent
Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia)	Obfuscated servers usually work	Mixed results
Turkey/Iran	Moderate success via stealth servers	Hit or miss

Users in restrictive regions need obfuscation to disguise VPN traffic. NordVPN offers dedicated obfuscated and double‑hop servers, making it more reliable for bypassing firewalls. StrongVPN lacks these advanced modes, so its performance in heavily censored countries can be unreliable.

User Experience & Apps

Aspect	NordVPN	StrongVPN
Interface	Modern map and list view; intuitive	Simple list of servers
Ease of use	Beginner‑friendly with one‑click connect	Very straightforward
Stability	Stable across desktop and mobile	Generally stable, occasional disconnects reported
Customisation	Split tunneling, ad‑blocker settings, protocol switch	Limited settings beyond protocol choice

NordVPN’s desktop and mobile apps look polished and offer plenty of customization without overwhelming novices. StrongVPN’s interface is sparse, which some users appreciate. However, the lack of advanced settings may frustrate power users.

Both apps are stable, though StrongVPN can occasionally drop connections under heavy load. For those who don’t want to juggle software at all, our Shellfire Box provides full‑time protection for every device without even opening an app.

Customer Support

Support Channel	NordVPN	StrongVPN
Live chat	24/7 with knowledgeable agents; quick response	Available but slower; not always 24/7
Email	Support ticket system; responses within hours	Email support; replies may take a day
Knowledge base	Extensive FAQs and tutorials	Smaller but helpful guide pages
Money‑back guarantee	30 days	30 days

Both providers offer multiple support avenues, but NordVPN’s live chat is notably more responsive. StrongVPN’s support can be hit‑or‑miss, with some users waiting hours for a reply. Both services provide a 30‑day money‑back guarantee, giving you time to test the waters.

Additional Features

Extra Tool	NordVPN	StrongVPN
Threat/malware blocker	Yes (Threat Protection)	No
Mesh network / device sharing	Yes (Meshnet)	No
Dark‑web monitor	Yes	No
Dedicated IP option	Available for extra fee	Yes, included in some plans
Obfuscation	Yes	No

NordVPN offers a suite of extras that go beyond basic VPN services. Its Threat Protection can block trackers and malware, while Meshnet lets you create secure private tunnels between devices, handy for remote LAN parties or file sharing. StrongVPN keeps it lean; outside of an optional dedicated IP, there are few bells and whistles. If you’d rather skip extras entirely, the Shellfire Box focuses on core protection and leaves the complexity behind.

VPN Use Cases: Best Options for Streaming, Gaming, Torrenting & More

Use Case	NordVPN	StrongVPN
Streaming	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐
Torrenting/P2P	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐
Gaming	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐
Remote work	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐
Budget use	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Censorship-heavy regions	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐

Best VPN for Streaming

If streaming your favourite series is the main reason you want a VPN, NordVPN takes the crown. Its combination of robust unblocking power and minimal speed loss means you can hop between Netflix libraries, catch BBC iPlayer abroad or tune into Disney+ without constant buffering. The service even handles 4K HDR streams when paired with a solid broadband connection.

StrongVPN isn’t bad for streaming, it gets you into Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime Video, but you might have to cycle through servers to find one that works. Because the network is smaller, bandwidth can become congested at peak times, and that spells trouble for binge watchers. Casual streamers who mainly watch in HD could still be happy with StrongVPN, especially if price and device limits matter more than absolute performance.

If you don’t want to fuss with server hopping at all, a Shellfire Box provides stable access for your streaming devices without any extra configuration.

Best VPN for Torrenting / P2P

NordVPN offers a long list of P2P‑optimised servers and takes privacy seriously, making it great for torrenting. The kill switch and no‑logs policy mean your identity stays hidden even if the connection drops, and the speeds are fast enough to handle large files.

StrongVPN allows torrent traffic on all servers, but there are no special optimisations. Its U.S. base and lack of third‑party audits may give cautious users pause when engaging in P2P, and slower uploads can lengthen seeding times. It’s adequate for occasional torrents but not the top choice for heavy sharers.

Best VPN for Gaming

Latency can make or break an online game. NordVPN’s widespread servers and efficient protocols kept ping times relatively low in our tests, even on distant connections. It’s perfectly playable for casual and competitive gamers alike, and features like Meshnet could even enable LAN‑style sessions across the globe.

StrongVPN’s higher latency and occasional disconnections make it less suited for gaming, especially when every millisecond counts. If you mostly play single‑player titles or slower turn‑based games and just want basic protection, it will do. But competitive gamers should look elsewhere. Alternatively, a hardware solution like the Shellfire Box can keep all your gaming consoles and PCs behind one low‑latency connection without juggling multiple VPN apps.

Best VPN for Remote Work

For working from home or on the road, NordVPN’s stable connections and low download/upload impact are key. Video calls via Zoom or Teams remain smooth, file transfers finish quickly, and the kill switch prevents data leaks on unsecured networks. Its multi‑year plans can also save money for remote workers.

StrongVPN provides a secure tunnel for basic tasks like browsing and email. However, the speed reduction can drag when you’re transferring large documents or screen‑sharing. Teams that rely on cloud collaboration tools may find NordVPN’s extra headroom worth the slight price premium.

Best VPN for Budget‑Conscious Users

If price is your primary concern, StrongVPN’s monthly rates are usually a dollar or so cheaper than NordVPN, and there are no tiers with added features to worry about. The plan includes up to 12 devices, which could be handy for families or small offices.

NordVPN’s longer‑term plans offer considerable discounts, and the occasional promotion brings the monthly cost down near StrongVPN’s level. When you consider the extra security features and speed advantages, many users feel NordVPN offers better overall value over the long run.

Best VPN for Censorship‑Heavy Countries

Users in China, Russia or the Middle East need obfuscation to make VPN traffic look like regular HTTPS traffic. NordVPN delivers this via its obfuscated and double‑hop servers, letting you slip past deep packet inspection. Its no‑logs policy also provides peace of mind in places where VPN use is scrutinised.

StrongVPN lacks obfuscation and other stealth features, so it’s less reliable for bypassing government filters. While it may connect in some restrictive regions, success is inconsistent. Those living under strict censorship should opt for a service specifically designed for that environment.

Conclusion

NordVPN and StrongVPN both do what they set out to do: protect your internet traffic. NordVPN’s large network, high speeds and advanced extras make it a powerhouse for streamers, gamers and privacy advocates. StrongVPN’s strength lies in its simplicity and generous device allowance , it’s a solid pick if you just want to secure multiple gadgets without fuss.

Choosing between them comes down to your priorities. If you value performance, security audits and a wealth of features, NordVPN justifies its slightly higher price. If you simply need a dependable VPN for everyday browsing and don’t want to wade through a lot of options, StrongVPN will suit you fine.

That said, there’s also something to be said for hardware‑based solutions. Shellfire’s VPN service and our Shellfire Box provide a plug‑and‑play alternative that covers your entire household without installing software on each device. For families or digital nomads setting up in cafés around the world, that kind of simplicity can be a game‑changer.