Astrill vs PrivateVPN (2026): China Specialist or Budget Streamer?
Astrill targets the Great Firewall and charges like it. PrivateVPN streams well and costs around $2 a month. Neither has an audit.
Head-to-head VPN comparisons that go beyond spec sheets. We line up audit records, independent speed results, features, and pricing side by side — and name a winner for your specific needs.
Astrill targets the Great Firewall and charges like it. PrivateVPN streams well and costs around $2 a month. Neither has an audit.
Astrill charges $300 every two years and earns it in China. FastestVPN sells a lifetime plan, has an audit, and suits nearly everyone else.
Both forward ports and neither is audited. PrivateVPN streams well and costs less; TorGuard handles restrictive networks and has a record under legal pressure.
Both include port forwarding. FastestVPN adds an audit, a Cayman base and a lifetime plan; TorGuard adds stealth servers and dedicated IPs.
One China guide scored TorGuard at 78% and Astrill at 98%. Neither is audited; TorGuard costs far less and has a record under legal pressure.
Both let Cure53 examine them and publish the results. Mullvad adds anonymity and independence; TunnelBear adds the simplest app, a free tier and unlimited devices.
Both target beginners with free tiers. TunnelBear publishes an audit every year and costs less over time; Hotspot Shield is faster and refunds for 45 days.
Hotspot Shield is fast, has a free tier and has never had its no-logs policy audited. Mullvad is paid-only, anonymous and proven by audits and a raid.
Both allow unlimited devices and both prove their privacy, PIA in court and TunnelBear through annual audits. PIA adds port forwarding; TunnelBear, simplicity.