Shellfire VPN Review

Does Shellfire VPN Keep Logs?

On its homepage, Shellfire VPN claims that it doesn’t keep any connection logs. However, the provider mentions in its privacy statement that it does process some user data, including but not limited to:

• your name
• email address
• usage data (websites visited and connection times)
• device information
• your IP address

It’s quite worrying to see that Shellfire logs the above data since some of it is quite identifiable. So, what does Shellfire VPN do with this data exactly? The provider states that it logs and processes this information for security measures, market research, and to communicate with users if there are issues with the service.

Fortunately, Shellfire VPN states that it only discloses stored data with third parties or outside of the EU if legally obliged to do so. For example, if the German government requested data from the servers, Shellfire would be obligated to hand it over.

Some users may feel uncomfortable with this since Shellfire does log identifiable information; however, since no browsing data is logged, it would be difficult to link subscribers to activity on the network.

Where is Shellfire VPN Based?

Shellfire VPN is based in Germany and has to follow this country’s laws relating to data retention and data privacy. Fortunately, Germany, like many other European countries, employs GDPR, laws which protect individuals’ privacy online.

However, it is important to note that Germany is a member of the 5/9/14 Eyes and will share data internationally with other alliance members. Many people are totally against the 5/9/14 Eyes because it infringes on personal privacy and enables countries to learn a lot about citizens living all around the world.

How Much is Shellfire VPN?

Shellfire VPN has various subscription plans on offer depending on the length of time you require the VPN.

• The monthly plan costs $11.95, which is rather expensive and costs the same as many reputable VPNs like NordVPN and Surfshark.
• The annual plan is $90.95, which works out to $7.58 per month.
• If you want the VPN for 2 years, then you’ll have to part with $135.95. This equals $5.66 per month, which is quite expensive when you realize that some providers offer lengthy VPN plans for less than $3 each month.

Overall, Shellfire is quite expensive, and its pricing plans cost the same as popular VPNs like ExpressVPN. However, those VPNs charge more due to the advanced features they offer, and it is hard to understand why Shellfire is charging similar prices.

What Payment Methods Does Shellfire VPN Accept?

Shellfire is great in the sense that it offers many payment options. You can pay using debit or credit cards, via PayPal, or using cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. Paying with Bitcoin is a great option if you want to remain anonymous online since it is harder to trace a purchase made with Bitcoin to an individual.

Does ShellfireVPN Have a Money-Back Guarantee?

Shellfire VPN operates what it calls a cancellation period. This money-back guarantee states that you have the right to withdraw from the subscription 14 days from the start of your contract. If you cancel your subscription before the end of the 14 days, then you’ll get a full refund from Shellfire.

Does Shellfire VPN Have a Free Version?

Yes, Shellfire VPN does provide a free VPN, but it is slightly limited. Firstly there is only access to servers in Germany and the US, and speeds are not unlimited. Moreover, free plans don’t come with AES-256 bit encryption but bank-grade AES-128 encryption instead.

Fortunately, there is unlimited bandwidth on the free plan, meaning you can use the VPN as much as you’d like – albeit with slightly slower speeds. We recommend downloading the free VPN and trying Shellfire out for free before purchasing a paid plan.

How Many Servers Does Shellfire VPN Have?

Shellfire VPN doesn’t actually disclose the number of servers in its network. However, the provider operates in 37 countries across 6 continents which is quite good server coverage.

Unlike many VPN service providers, Shellfire offers servers in countries such as South Africa and India. It also operates in restricted countries like Russia, Turkey, and Chile, allowing residents in these countries to bypass surveillance and censorship.

The only issue with Shellfire VPN not revealing the exact number of servers it operates on its website is that we’re inclined to believe it is rather small. This isn’t great news, especially when customers can look elsewhere and find providers like CyberGhost and Private Internet Access that offer extremely large server networks along with good features.

Does Shellfire VPN Work with Netflix?

An indication of a good VPN service provider is whether or not it can bypass the VPN firewall on US Netflix. Unfortunately, when we tried to access Netflix with Shellfire, we got the dreaded error page. We were also unable to unblock BBC iPlayer when connected to a UK server.

While Shellfire’s performance on popular streaming sites is disappointing, it’s quite understandable. Like BBC iPlayer and Netflix, streaming services employ advanced technology to detect and block VPN software and IP addresses associated with VPN providers. Since Shellfire has a small server network, it may be harder for the VPN service to bypass restrictions as fewer IP addresses are available.

What Devices Does Shellfire VPN Support?

Shellfire VPN offers support for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. There are dedicated apps for these operating systems, which you can download from the provider’s website. Otherwise, you can manually configure the VPN to your device using either OpenVPN, PPTP, or IPsec. We recommend using the apps if you’re a VPN novice since manually setting up a VPN can be tricky work.

Shellfire also offers a router box that can protect all devices on your home internet network.

What is Shellfire Box VPN?

The Shellfire Box is a small device that you can attach to your router. Unlike other VPN routers, the Shellfire VPN Box is extremely easy to set up and use. All you need to do is attach the Shellfire Box to your router and connect your devices to it via your wifi connection.

With the Shellfire Box, you can support devices that Shellfire doesn’t provide an app for, namely many that are connected to your router. You can use the VPN router box on your Amazon Firestick TV, Apple TV, or other IoT (Internet of Things) devices.

You’ll enjoy fast speeds with the Shellfire Box since it employs the ultra-fast WireGuard protocol, meaning users can have a download speed of up to 50Mbps.

With the Shellfire Box, users get access to servers in all 37 countries and can enjoy unlimited data and AES-256 bit encryption. There are two plans: the 1-year plan, which costs $133.95, or the 2-year plan, which is $187.95. Considering that you can provide VPN protection to all your operating systems, this is pretty good value for money.

Does Shellfire VPN Offer Customer Support?

If you run into any issues, then you can access the help section on the Shellfire website. However, there is a limited number of questions, only 9, and most focus on payment methods, subscription issues, and servers. There is no information on how to use the VPN or manually set up a VPN connection.

If you have a more specific problem, then you can submit a ticket request and receive a response via email. There is no live chat where users can directly speak to a customer support representative. Bigger VPN service providers like Surfshark and NordVPN offer 24.7 live chat support on their sites, so we’d like to see this added to Shellfire’s website in the future.

Author Madeleine Hodson

I’m Madeleine, and I'm a writer that specializes in cybersecurity, tech products, and all things related to the internet. I have a keen interest in VPNs and believe that everyone deserves internet freedom and security. I wr...
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