CryptoStorm VPN Review

Does CryptoStorm Unblock Netflix and Other Streaming Services?

Netflix is notoriously difficult for VPNs to access. The company has invested millions of dollars over the years to block VPNs and prevent users from accessing geo-restricted content from other parts of the world. Unfortunately, this means that there are only a handful of VPNs left that work with Netflix. The good news is that CryptoStorm is one of them. Its dedication to flying under the radar means that Netflix doesn’t detect VPN usage and will grant you access to otherwise blocked content while using CryptoStorm.

CryptoStorm was quite reliable in all tests when it comes to unblocking capability. It can bypass even the toughest of blocks, thanks to its advanced privacy features. It’s also been proven to work on most major streaming platforms. You can access Hulu, access Netflix, and enjoy many other streaming services. The main issue isn’t getting access to the content but watching it. Unfortunately, CryptoStorm can be slow at times, especially when the network is busy. This can make streaming a painful process filled with buffering, lag, or error messages.

How Fast Are the CryptoStorm VPN Servers?

Unfortunately, despite scoring top marks in online safety and data protection, the results from our speed tests were disappointing. Unlike some VPNs, which can produce an astonishing network speed, CryptoStorm seems to struggle with services relying on heavy data usage.

Speed tests before and after connecting to a server showed that CryptoStorm slowed down the internet connection significantly. This shouldn’t matter for average day-to-day browsing but would cause a massive problem with streaming, gaming, or file sharing. We believe that the small server network is to blame for the disappointing speed test results. The lack of servers means that they are being shared between thousands of users at any one time.

How Much Does CryptoStorm VPN Cost?

CryptoStorm has a unique pricing structure in that you can choose your package and how many devices you wish to cover. Other VPN services tend to have a one-size-fits-all approach, and you end up paying for things you don’t need. There are weekly, monthly, and yearly options, including some that cover more simultaneous connections for multiple devices.

A weekly subscription costs $1.86 per week, and a monthly subscription is $6, both of which cover one device. If you prefer something longer-term, you can opt for a yearly plan at $52 for four supported devices. CryptoStorm VPN even has a lifetime subscription, something very rare for a VPN service. A lifetime subscription costs just $250 for six devices, and you never have to renew again.

What is particularly impressive about CryptoStorm is that it has an entirely free version. Some free VPN providers come with fundamental tools and security features, but the free CryptoStorm version is impressive. It has the same level of encryption and secure internet access, but there is a catch – you won’t have a choice of CryptoStorm servers. You can only connect to one, located in France. This is pretty useless if you want to stream and need server locations in a specific place. It is, however, an excellent way to download CryptoStorm and try it with no risk before committing to buy.

What Devices Does CryptoStorm VPN Work with?

CryptoStorm has apps for several different devices and operating systems. There is a Windows app for Windows users and a macOS app for those that prefer Mac devices. Linux is also supported, and there’s even an option to configure the VPN service to your wifi router.

With the lifetime subscription, you can protect up to six devices simultaneously; otherwise, you can tailor your package to a specific number of devices if you only need a few. Despite CryptoStorm VPN being widely compatible with several devices, its usability could be significantly improved. Each app has an old-school interface that can be intimidating, especially for a new user or somebody with fewer technical capabilities. You may need to refer to the user guides or reach or contact the service team for technical support.

Can I Download Torrents with CryptoStorm VPN?

Torrents are a significant risk to VPN providers. They can include many different online threats that can be smart enough to bypass some VPN safety features. This can ruin the reputation of a VPN service, and so most avoid them entirely. So we were surprised to find while writing this CryptoStorm review that they openly allow BitTorrent and other torrent software.

Despite operating a small server network, there are no limits on your connection speed or bandwidth usage. So you can download all of the files you wish, but CryptoStorm’s speeds might prove to be frustrating. CryptoStorm’s servers aren’t the best for downloading torrents because of disappointing average speeds and upload speeds. So torrenting is possible, but files may take longer to complete and could result in error messages.

Does CryptoStorm Work for Online Gaming?

CryptoStorm is a fantastic VPN for security and privacy, but it fell short during our speed test. For this reason, we wouldn’t recommend using CryptoStorm for games that require a fast and stable internet connection, such as MMORPG games.

That said, speeds can vary depending on many factors. This can include your internet connection, your operating system, and whether you’re connected to a nearby server. But even if everything is perfectly optimized, you may still struggle during busy periods when there are many users connected to the network.

Does CryptoStorm Support Split Tunneling?

Unfortunately, no this CryptoStorm review found that the VPN service does not support split tunneling. This is quite disappointing, as it’s a feature that’s available with many other premium VPN services. A split tunnel means that a user can select which applications use the VPN and which bypass it. This can essentially mean that you’re using an IP address in two places at the same time.

Despite there being no specific split tunneling feature, some tech-savvy users on the CryptoStorm forum have come up with a few workarounds. These are, however, extremely technical and require a high level of VPN expertise. So if you’re advanced, you can check those out. Otherwise, consider CryptoStorm to be a VPN without split tunneling enabled.

How Good is CryptoStorm’s Customer Support?

CryptoStorm’s customer support is friendly and professional, and we have no criticism when it comes to how the team handles technical queries. The main issue is getting in touch. Unfortunately, the CryptoStorm website doesn’t have a live chat function. This means that the only way to get in touch is through an email address. A response from the support address is promised within 48 hours, which can be slow if your problem is urgent.

Despite a lack of live chat, the CryptoStorm website forum is a very active community of VPN users, and technical support appears from time to time. Searching through the forum is an excellent source of information and may answer your query without contacting customer support in the first place.

It’s also worth noting that CryptoStorm VPN also has a really impressive blog section. They are very transparent about updates and changes on there and regularly share advice for users. Again, this is something we don’t see very often with other VPN providers.

Does CryptoStorm Have a Free Trial?

CryptoStorm does not have a free trial, but it has something better, a completely free service. Sure, it’s limited compared to the premium version, but it works, and it costs nothing. Therefore, we recommend that you consider this a free trial. First, try the free version and get familiar with how it all works while benefiting from the security features like leak protection and perfect forward secrecy. Then, if you’re happy with the free version, you could consider moving on to one of the recurring subscriptions.

Trying CryptoStorm is entirely risk-free. Because even if you do purchase a plan, you are also protected by a 30-day money-back guarantee. This means unlimited access to all of the features available and your money back if you’re not 100% satisfied with the product. After that, you have to contact customer support to initiate the refund process.

How Many Servers and Locations Does CryptoStorm Have?

CryptoStorm operates bare metal servers, which means that they are physical servers instead of virtual ones. This means that they tend to come with better processing powers and can handle more data than the virtual equivalent. It also reduces the need for third-party software and helps to encrypt data more securely.

At the time of writing, CryptoStorm only has 60 servers to choose from. This is a small server network, especially when compared to some of the competition. However, it is the limited network that can cause some of the speed problems that users face. Most cities only have one server, but some larger locations have some backups. For example, there are three servers in Dallas, Texas, and four in Dusseldorf, Germany. The servers are dotted across Europe and North America.

Is My Personal Information Safe with CryptoStorm?

Yes, absolutely. If private internet access that leaves no traces is what you’re looking for, then CryptoStorm is the VPN for you. The DNS leak protection means that your real IP address is never exposed, and the kill switch will keep you protected even if your VPN connection fails.

CryptoStorm has a lot of security tools in place, probably more than most other VPNs. You have nothing to worry about when it comes to your data, as they don’t take any. The access token process means you never have to provide your name or address, so anything identifiable remains anonymous. CryptoStorm keeps no log files, so there is nothing that can be leaked. This includes your browsing and search history or any content you watch on streaming sites like Netflix or BBC iPlayer.

How does CryptoStorm compare with other VPNs?

In this CryptoStorm review, we found several ways this VPN service is above and beyond the competition. This is particularly true with the levels of encryption, privacy, and security available as standard. Many of the features that CryptoStorm has either are not available with other providers or are a paid upgrade. The DNS leak prevention and temporary hashed tokens are two of the absolute highlights.

The fact that there is an entirely free version of the VPN available is also impressive. Mainly because it doesn’t come with any data or bandwidth limits, which is unheard of with free VPNs. The 30-day money-back guarantee is in line with the industry and is also a nice perk to have. The premium version of the VPN is affordable, and the payment methods are flexible. You can use standard methods like Visa and PayPal or pay anonymously using Bitcoin or Altcoin. There are many VPNs out there that advertise themselves as anonymous but don’t accept crypto payments, which is a contradiction.

We liked the CryptoStorm forum and the advice and help that are shared on the platform. The customer support probably needs some work, but the community that this VPN has built is incredibly unique. Let’s not forget about the competitive pricing and flexible simultaneous connection options so that you only pay for what you need. CryptoStorm also works with Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and Linux and is compatible with most major devices. This means that you won’t need to subscribe to multiple VPNs to protect everything. You can even install it on your router and add encryption to your entire home network.

But it’s not all perfect. Our CryptoStorm review revealed that this is undoubtedly a VPN for an advanced user and far from the most user-friendly option. The interface is old-fashioned and difficult to navigate, and you need to know what you’re doing. In addition, the highest number of simultaneous connections supported on one plan is six, which falls short of some other VPN services that allow unlimited devices.

CryptoStorm is safe, and it’s reliable. The brand is incredibly popular with those that want impenetrable protection online, and it certainly lives up to its reputation. However, if you need a VPN for streaming content, gaming, or downloading files, there are better options out there. It’s clear that CryptoStorm has invested so much time and effort into perfecting its security that the network speed and server power haven’t been a priority. There are faster VPNs out there, but very few have the same levels of encryption.

Author Cliff Durward

Hi, I'm Cliff. I'm based in Cleveland, Ohio, with my wife and two kids. I have a keen interest in cybersecurity and have been writing about it for around a decade now. Due to my background in computer science, I am familiar ...
Read more about the author