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Astrill VPN for Students - Review & Analytics
Team VPN AnalystAstrill VPN has been providing services since 2009 and currently has a network of over 300+ servers in 56 countries (142 locations) servers. Their cheapest plan starts at $12.50/mo. Based on longterm testing, our rating for Astrill VPN is 9.5.
Pros and Cons
What statistics we measured with Astrill VPN and why?
Choosing a VPN for students is never easy, especially when you are a beginner who is about to purchase their very first plan. There are so many providers to choose from!
Based on longterm testing, average download speed when using Astrill VPN is 275+ Mbit/s. Currently, the size of their network is around 300+ servers in 56 countries (142 locations) servers.
The size of the server network is an important factor as it determines a global availability of the VPN. The bigger the network is, the more reliable the service can be.
The download speed is very important too, especially in today's fast-paced world. If your VPN speed is too slow, many websites or streaming services may not work or the experience will definitely be less comfortable.
- Astrill VPN is built for tough networks. Its StealthVPN and OpenWeb protocols are made to keep working where normal VPN traffic gets blocked.
- In our tests it averaged 275+ Mbit/s across 300+ servers in 56 countries (142 locations).
- It is expensive: about $12.50/mo on the 2-year plan and about $30 for a single month at time of writing (Oct 2026).
- There is no student discount, no free trial and no refunds. All sales are final.
- Run by Veloxee Corp. in Liechtenstein. No independent no-logs audit has been published.
Verdict: Astrill is a strong pick for students heading to countries with heavy internet restrictions, but most students on a budget will get better value elsewhere.
Astrill VPN Pros and Cons
Astrill VPN Pros
- StealthVPN and OpenWeb protocols designed for restrictive networks
- Fast: 275+ Mbit/s average in our tests
- Smart Mode sends only international sites through the VPN
- Kill switch plus App Guard on desktop
- WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 and more protocol choices
- P2P servers and port forwarding with a Private IP
- Apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux and routers
- Running since 2009
Astrill VPN Cons
- Much pricier than most VPNs
- No student discount, no free trial
- No refunds once you buy
- No independent no-logs audit
- Keeps your last 20 connection records
- Mobile apps lack a kill switch
Is Astrill VPN Good for Students?
Yes, but mainly for one type of student: someone studying in a country where the internet is heavily filtered. That is where Astrill stands out.
Its stealth protocols help your connection look less like VPN traffic, so it is more likely to keep working on strict networks. It also keeps speeds high, which matters for lectures, video calls and uploads.
If you just want safe campus Wi-Fi and streaming, Astrill is overkill. Cheaper VPNs with refunds and student deals will do the job for much less money.
Astrill VPN Student Discount and Pricing
Astrill does not offer an official student discount. We found no Student Beans, UNiDAYS or GitHub Student Pack deal. The cheapest way in is the 2-year plan.
Prices below are from Astrill’s pricing page at time of writing (Oct 2026). Treat them as approximate.
| Plan | Price per month | Billed |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Month | about $30.00 | about $30 every month |
| 1 Year | about $15.00 | about $180 every year |
| 2 Years | about $12.50 | about $300 every 2 years |
Optional add-ons cost extra. VIP servers start from about $10/mo, and a dedicated Private IP is billed separately.
Refund and free trial: Astrill has no free trial and no money-back guarantee. Its refund policy says all sales are final, and it suggests buying the shortest plan first to test it. It also does not refund if your network blocks the VPN.
Key Features for Students
Stealth Protocols for Restrictive Networks
StealthVPN and OpenWeb are Astrill’s own protocols. They are built to keep working on networks that block or slow down standard VPN traffic.
This is why Astrill is popular with students studying abroad. Please check local laws first, since VPN rules differ by country, and follow your school’s and host country’s rules.
Safe Campus and Public Wi-Fi
Dorm, library and cafe Wi-Fi is often open or shared. Astrill encrypts your traffic so other people on the network cannot easily snoop on logins or messages.
Smart Mode (Split Tunneling)
Smart Mode sends international websites through the VPN and lets local sites connect directly. Local banking, delivery and campus apps stay fast while overseas services go through the tunnel.
Kill Switch and App Guard
On desktop, the kill switch and App Guard block chosen apps if the VPN drops. That stops your real IP from leaking by accident. Mobile apps do not have this feature.
Devices and Routers
Astrill has apps for Windows, macOS, iPhone, iPad, Android and Linux. Recent reviews report a limit of 5 simultaneous connections. You can also install it on a router to cover more devices at home.
Ad Blocker
The desktop apps include an ad and tracker blocker. Reviewers note it works with the OpenWeb protocol only.
Speed, Streaming and Torrenting
In our tests Astrill averaged 275+ Mbit/s, which is plenty for 4K streaming, big downloads and video calls. The optional VIP add-on offers extra low-latency servers in Asia and the US.
| Use | Works? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Netflix / other streaming | Partly | US Netflix, Hulu, Max and Disney+ worked in recent reviews. BBC iPlayer and Prime Video did not. You may need to try several servers. |
| Torrenting (P2P) | Yes | 200+ servers allow P2P and are marked in the app. Port forwarding needs a Private IP. |
| Gaming | Yes | Good speeds. The paid VIP add-on targets lower ping. |
| Video calls (Zoom/Teams) | Yes | Speeds are high enough. Pick a nearby server for the lowest lag. |
| Restrictive networks | Yes | StealthVPN and OpenWeb are built for this. Follow local laws and your school’s rules. |
Privacy and Security
Astrill is run by Veloxee Corp., registered in Vaduz, Liechtenstein. That is outside the Five Eyes alliance.
Astrill says its server software cannot see which websites users visit. However, its privacy notice says it keeps the last 20 connection records per account (time, duration, country, device type and app version), plus total data used. Session data like your IP is deleted when you disconnect. No independent audit has been published to confirm these claims.
- Protocols: StealthVPN, OpenWeb, WireGuard (modified), OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, Cisco IPsec, L2TP/IPsec, SSTP and OpenConnect
- Kill switch: Yes on desktop, with App Guard
- Private IP: Optional dedicated IP not shared with other users
Astrill VPN Video Review
Video: “Does Astrill VPN Work in China? | The Truth About Astrill’s Obfuscated Servers” by vpnMentor on YouTube.
Astrill VPN vs ProtonVPN
| Feature | Astrill VPN | ProtonVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $12.50/mo | $2.99/mo |
| Servers | 300+ in 56 countries | 20,677 in 148 countries |
| Our avg speed | 275+ Mbit/s | 1,475 Mbit/s |
| Free plan | No | Yes (unlimited data) |
| Student discount | No | 70% off Plus via Student Beans (US/UK/FR/DE) |
| Our score | 9.5/10 | 9.9/10 |
Pick Astrill if staying connected on a heavily restricted network is your top need and price is not a worry. Pick ProtonVPN for nearly everything else, since it is cheaper, faster in our tests and has a free plan. You can also compare ExpressVPN or NordVPN, which both offer obfuscated servers and a refund window.
Verdict: Astrill VPN for Students
Astrill VPN is a specialist tool. Its stealth protocols, fast speeds and Smart Mode make it a solid choice for students studying in places with strict internet controls.
The trade-offs are real: a high price, no student deal, no refunds and no audit. Start with the 1-month plan to test it on your network before you commit to a longer plan.
Astrill VPN for Students: FAQ
Does Astrill VPN have a student discount?
No. Astrill has no official student discount at time of writing (Oct 2026). The 2-year plan at about $12.50/mo is the cheapest option.
Does Astrill VPN have a free trial or refund?
No. Astrill offers no free trial and its refund policy says all sales are final. It suggests buying the 1-month plan to test it first.
Is Astrill VPN safe?
It uses strong encryption, a desktop kill switch and is based in Liechtenstein. It keeps your last 20 connection records and has no independent no-logs audit, so privacy-focused users may prefer an audited VPN.
Why do students abroad use Astrill VPN?
Its StealthVPN and OpenWeb protocols are built to keep working on networks that block normal VPN traffic. Always check local laws and follow your school’s rules.
Does Astrill VPN work with Netflix?
Partly. US Netflix, Hulu, Max and Disney+ worked in recent reviews, but BBC iPlayer and Prime Video did not. You may need to try a few servers.
How many devices can I use with Astrill VPN?
Recent reviews report up to 5 simultaneous connections. A router setup can cover more devices at home.
9.5