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Astrill WireGuard support sits alongside its own OpenWeb and StealthVPN protocols and OpenVPN. Cloudwards notes WireGuard uses ChaCha20 while the others use AES-256. Reviewers split on speed: HighTechSociety found it the fastest and most consistent on nearby servers, vpnrating measured about 35% loss on distant servers against 70% for StealthVPN, and VPN.com recorded around 30% download loss. In China, StealthVPN remains the protocol to use.
This guide covers the speed findings, the setup and when to choose another protocol.
Speed Findings
HighTechSociety recommends WireGuard as the everyday choice, finding it fastest on nearby servers. vpnrating found WireGuard lost about 35% of speed on distant servers, half of StealthVPN’s 70%. VPN.com measured about 30% download loss and 71% upload loss on WireGuard, a weaker result. Expect results to vary by route and time.
Astrill WireGuard Setup
Open Astrill’s settings, choose WireGuard as the protocol, pick the nearest server and connect. Turn on the kill switch on desktop. Run a speed test with and without the VPN to see the real cost on your line. Our AES-256 vs ChaCha20 guide explains the cipher.
WireGuard or StealthVPN?
WireGuard has a recognisable traffic pattern, vpnrating notes, which deep packet inspection can flag quickly. That is why Astrill relies on StealthVPN in China. Outside restrictive networks, WireGuard gives better speed. Our China VPN guide covers that case.
Astrill WireGuard for Streaming
For US Netflix, Top10VPN found Astrill’s US servers worked, and other regions redirect to the US. WireGuard keeps overhead low for HD and 4K streams on nearby servers. Our Astrill Netflix guide covers which libraries work.
Torrenting
VPNOverview found OpenVPN works with P2P on Astrill; reviewers say less about WireGuard for torrents. If you torrent, test WireGuard first, and switch to OpenVPN if a client struggles. Keep the kill switch on either way. Our Astrill OpenVPN guide covers that protocol.
Testing Speed Properly
Run three tests on each protocol at the same time of day on the same server, and note the median. Compare against the same test without the VPN. That shows whether the speed matches the better reviews on your line.
A Quick Rule
Outside China, nearby server? Astrill WireGuard. Inside China? StealthVPN. Need Smart Mode? OpenWeb. Torrenting? Start with OpenVPN.
Desktop Settings
On Windows, App Guard blocks chosen apps when the VPN is off; TechRadar notes it does not work with OpenWeb, so WireGuard keeps it available. Our Astrill Windows guide covers the setting. On Mac, the App Store version needs macOS 11 and Apple M1 or later.
When Speed Disappoints
If the tunnel is slow, try a closer server first, then compare against OpenWeb, which VPN.com found fastest overall. Distance to the server matters more than the protocol on long routes. Our Astrill server list guide covers coverage by region.
Is WireGuard the Right Default?
For most users outside China, yes: it is open source, fast on nearby routes and simple. For China, StealthVPN; for Smart Mode, OpenWeb; for torrent clients that struggle, OpenVPN. Switching takes one menu change.
Checking After Updates
App updates can reset protocol choices. After updating Astrill, confirm the protocol is still the one you picked, then run a quick speed test.
Testing Before You Pay
Astrill’s refunds are disputed between reviewers, so ask for its trial and run your speed tests during it. Our Astrill free guide explains how the trial works and what to check.
Router Use
Check whether Astrill’s router applet on your firmware offers WireGuard before relying on it at home.
Quick Check
After switching to WireGuard, open our test page, then run a speed test. Compare it with the same test on StealthVPN to see the gap on your own connection, and keep the result for later.
Several Devices
Desktops and phones can each use the protocol that suits them; WireGuard on a laptop at home, StealthVPN on a phone that travels to China. Check the device terms in your plan before adding many.
WireGuard on Phones
TheBestVPN tested WireGuard on Astrill’s Android app. HighTechSociety found the Android app lacked a kill switch and leaked DNS in its test, so prefer desktop apps for sensitive use or test the phone yourself. Our Astrill iPhone guide covers the iOS app.
WireGuard, OpenWeb and Smart Mode
Smart Mode, which sends local sites outside the VPN, works only with OpenWeb, VPNOverview notes. If you rely on Smart Mode in China, WireGuard is not an option for that use.
Checking for Leaks
After connecting, confirm the address with our VPN test page and run our DNS leak guide.
Astrill’s Record
No source we read found an independent audit of Astrill, and vpnrating notes its own OpenWeb and StealthVPN protocols are closed-source. Tom’s Guide reports Astrill keeps active-session data and records of its last twenty connections. Its pricing page lists $30 a month or $180 a year, as our Astrill price guide explains.
How We Research
This page draws on Cloudwards’, VPN.com’s, vpnrating’s, HighTechSociety’s, TheBestVPN’s and VPNOverview’s Astrill coverage and our Astrill tables. We cross-checked these sources against each other, and where they conflict or something can’t be verified, we say so in the text rather than guessing. We checked time-sensitive figures, including prices in US dollars, on 7 October 2026. The main source we relied on is Cloudwards’ Astrill review. Our full approach lives on the About Us page.
Astrill WireGuard FAQ
It does, alongside OpenWeb, StealthVPN and OpenVPN.
Reviewers differ; HighTechSociety found it fastest nearby, VPN.com measured larger losses.
StealthVPN is the protocol to use there.
ChaCha20, per Cloudwards.
No; VPNOverview says it works only with OpenWeb.
The Verdict
Astrill WireGuard is the everyday speed choice outside China. Use StealthVPN where networks inspect traffic, and test speeds on your own line.