This Shellfire VPN review in Germany highlights that Shellfire might seem like a decent VPN, but it has major flaws. The clunky interface, unstable connections, and average speeds are disappointing, though the free plan and VPN router are positives.
After testing and conducting several VPN reviews in Germany, I found Shellfire lacking, especially with privacy concerns due to its Germany base. It unblocks Netflix but isn’t torrent-friendly, has limited servers, and slow speeds.
I recommend ExpressVPN because it proved superior with better unblocking, security, and performance—making it my top choice over Shellfire.
Key Findings – Shellfire VPN Review in Germany
After conducting our Shellfire VPN review in Germany , here are our key findings:
- Pricing – Slightly expensive plans
- Servers – Small network of servers
- Security – Offers OpenVPN, PPTP, and may log data
- Speed – Terrible speeds
- Streaming – Unable to unblock Netflix
- Torrenting – Servers not suitable
- Compatibility – Works with most devices
- Bypass Censorship – Doesn’t possess the required set of tools
- Customer Support – Available by email only
Pros
- Uses strong encryption and safe protocols
- Has a free plan available
Cons
- Old and hard-to-use interface
- Can’t pay with debit or credit cards
- Slow and unreliable speeds
- Bad streaming quality
- Not a good privacy policy
Pricing – How Much Does Shellfire VPN Cost?
Shellfire offers three subscription options, but it’s not the cheapest choice. The free version provides lifetime access to servers in Germany and the US, but only with 128-bit AES encryption, which is less secure. The monthly, yearly, and two-year plans come with 256-bit AES encryption and access to servers in 37 countries.
Here are the prices in a quick overview:
| Deal | Price |
|---|---|
| 1 Month | US$$8.01/mo |
| 12 Months | US$4.80/mo (US$57.59/yr) |
| 24 Months | US$$3.57/mo (US$85.73/yr) |
When it comes to payment, you can use PayPal, Visa/MasterCard, Bitcoin, Ethereum, and about 50 other cryptocurrencies. Unfortunately, debit cards aren’t supported, which can be a bit of a hassle.
Shellfire also has a 14-day money-back guarantee. If you’re not happy with the service, just drop them an email within 14 days and you’re good to go—no need to explain why. But keep in mind, many of the top VPNs out there give you a 30-day money-back guarantee, which is a lot more generous and gives you more time to test things out.
Shellfire VPN – Servers and Locations
I have noted that people often judge VPN service providers on the number of servers they provide. However, only a few VPN users know that a hefty amount of servers do not represent the whole picture. The reality is far more different; it depends on how those servers are working.
I was a bit disappointed when I downloaded their VPN client and ran it on our Windows because Shellfire provides only 50+ servers in 38 countries.
Some of them are:
| United States |
| United Kingdom |
| Singapore |
| Russia |
| Australia |
| Hong Kong |
| Japan |
| Canada |
| Spain |
| Iceland |
Have a look at all the countries where Shellfire VPN offers servers:
Shellfire VPN servers cover 38 countries around the globe in Germany.
Shellfire VPN – Security
Shellfire VPN mainly uses one protocol, and the encryption depends on the server you pick. You can choose between UDP and TCP, both types of OpenVPN.
The server rating shows encryption strength: two stars use AES-128, three stars use 192-bit, and five stars use AES-256. This helps you know how secure each server is.
OpenVPN is a top choice for privacy, though WireGuard is gaining popularity. When combined with AES-256, OpenVPN provides strong security. During testing, we found no DNS or IP leaks.
However, Shellfire VPN lacks advanced options like WireGuard or a unique proprietary protocol, which limits its competitiveness.
Shellfire VPN – Privacy Policy
Shellfire VPN’s privacy policy is confusing because it’s long and uses complicated legal terms. Still, there are some obvious red flags that anyone can understand.
The privacy policy lists the types of data the VPN collects. This includes “inventory data” like names and addresses, and “usage data” like visited websites and content interests.
Logging usage data is a serious privacy issue. Section 15 of Shellfire’s privacy policy explains more:
“Access data includes the name of the accessed website, file, date and time of access, data transferred, notification of successful access, browser type and version, user’s operating system, referrer URL, IP address, and the requesting provider.”
This kind of data collection is not acceptable for a VPN, and it makes Shellfire an unreliable choice for anyone who values their online privacy.
Shellfire VPN – Speed and Performance
Shellfire’s speed varies greatly depending on the server location.
When I tested Shellfire VPN, the results were quite mixed. Speeds in the US were tolerable, but servers in the UK, Germany, and Spain struggled significantly. My connection dropped from an unprotected 28 Mbps to as low as 1.24 Mbps in the UK and just 0.65 Mbps in Spain.
Here are the results from my speed tests:
| Server | Download Speeds |
|---|---|
| US | 1.95 Mbps |
| UK | 1.24 Mbps |
| German | 1.34 Mbps |
| Spanish | 0.65 Mbps |
While some locations were manageable for basic browsing, others were simply too slow, especially for streaming or downloading large files. The inconsistency makes Shellfire VPN unreliable if you need stable, fast speeds.
If you’re looking for a better experience, I’d recommend checking out some of the faster VPN in Germany options available.
Shellfire VPN – Streaming
Shellfire VPN had mixed results for streaming. While Amazon Prime Video and Hulu blocked our connection, Netflix allowed us to stream without any issues.
I also accessed BBC iPlayer using a UK server, though there was some initial buffering. After that, the streaming was smooth.
Here you can see how I couldn’t bypass geo-restrictions on BBC iPlayer:
If you access BBC iPlayer using Shellfire VPN, you’ll receive this geo-restriction error in Germany.
Is it recommended for Torrenting?
No, Shellfire isn’t recommended for torrenting. The VPN does allow torrenting on its Canada, Finland, and Netherlands servers. However, it doesn’t have a kill switch or sufficient privacy features for torrenting to take place.
A VPN kill switch is crucial for torrenting so that if your connection is interrupted, your IP address isn’t exposed to your ISP. That’s why you’re better off with VPNs that offer top-notch security and P2P-compatible servers for smooth torrenting. Much like ExpressVPN.
Compatibility – Apps and Supported Devices
Compatibility is another area where Shellfire has outdone its competitors by some distance.
One important thing to keep in mind while purchasing a VPN service is to keep a check on its compatibility with the device and operating software. Why would you ever want to purchase a VPN service that is not supported on your device?
Shellfire is highly compatible with Windows, Android, Mac, Linux, iOS, and DD-WRT routers. As our Shellfire VPN review states, you can set it up on your PCs, laptops, IPads, tabs, smartphones, and routers.
The service has dedicated clients for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. Also, you can manually employ the VPN service on Linux and other platforms. Equipping your devices with Shellfire will ensure your devices are fully protected, and your internet traffic is fully encrypted.
Setting up Shellfire VPN on Windows Client
You can download Shellfire’s VPN client for Windows from its website for free. The software hardly takes up any space on your hard disk and is pretty easy to download and install.
Once you have downloaded it, you have to follow a few simple steps to install it on your machine. Most of it involves hitting the next button and accepting the License Agreement.
Following the installation, double-click on the icon that appears on your Desktop.
To start with, our Shellfire VPN review uncovered that the Windows Client is straightforward. Enter your username and password that has been assigned to you by Shellfire and check the options (if you want) and click on “Log in.”
Download Shellfire VPN on Windows for your laptop or PC in Germany
Click on the “Server list” and select any of the servers you wish to connect to. Shellfire VPN also tells you which server is providing the best speed and security to its users. Once you have selected the server, select the connection type (again depending on your needs) and click on “Connect.”
You will be asked to wait for a while and then be prompted with the above window. I have really enjoyed connecting Shellfire; I think it is pretty amazing and works really smoothly on Windows.
Shellfire VPN for Android
You can also equip your Android devices with Shellfire VPN. The android app is easily available on Google Play Store, and you can download it on your smartphones and tabs for free without paying anything.
All Android users who have Android 4.0 or above running on their devices can install it on their devices and secure them while surfing the internet anonymously. The Shellfire VPN android app gives you access to online streaming channels like Netflix and Vudu etc., on your smartphones and tabs and enables you to stream them for as long as you want.
Once you download and install it, tap the Shellfire VPN icon to open it. Your screen will be prompted with the welcome screen. If you already have an account, click on the second option.
Shellfire VPN worked fine on Android in Germany.
The app has an in-built option to upgrade to the paying service. If you are not interested in Shellfire for your Android, don’t worry, have a look at this detailed guide on the best VPN for Android in Germany to explore popular VPNs in this industry.
Shellfire VPN for Mac, iPhone, and iPad
The VPN client for Mac can be downloaded from the website and installed and set up within a few minutes. Shellfire claims that it is much better than their Windows client, but setting it up does not entirely different.
Similarly, you can download the iOS app from iTunes. It has a similar design and layout to other apps of the service. Likewise, it is also free and allows unlimited activity.
Does it Work on Kodi?
Certainly, it does. Once you connect Shellfire VPN on your computer or any other device, let Kodi stream Live TV content. Not only Shellfire but there are also tons of other best free VPNs for Kodi that work best with the media player.
Does Shellfire VPN Work in China?
Yes, Shellfire VPN does work in China, however, I don’t recommend it. The VPN boldly claims on its website that it can bypass any sort of restriction. To test the claim, I had one of our representatives try its Chinese servers, but he didn’t have much luck.
I also emailed Shellfire VPN customer support to inquire about its services being able to bypass censorship. I haven’t gotten a word from them yet. The VPN also lacks the obfuscation technology in Germany needed to bypass censorship so it doesn’t surprise us that it didn’t work.
Shellfire VPN Customer Support
You can email Shellfire VPN if you need any help.
The support section of Shellfire’s website contains a FAQ section. This section contains concise answers to some standard questions. Also, the website has a contact form for you to leave a query.
Shellfire claims that it gets back to your inquiries within 24 hours which does not make up because it is not virtually present when you need it the most. I would highly recommend Shellfire to work on their Customer Support services.
Comparison between ExpressVPN & Shellfire VPN
If you want to know the major attributes of both ExpressVPN and Shellfire under one place, have a look at the below-mentioned table:
| Features | ExpressVPN | Shellfire VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Price | EUR 4.26/mo (US$ 4.99/mo) - Save 61% With Exclusive 2-Year Plan + 4 Months Free | $5.84/mo |
| Servers | 3000 in 105 countries | 50+ in 38 Countries |
| Compatibility | All Devices | Windows, Android & iOS |
| Jurisdiction | The British Virgin Islands | Germany |
| Logging Policy | Zero Log | Zero Log |
| Customer Support | Live Chat & Email Support | Contact Form, Email & Social Media |
| Website | ExpressVPN | Shellfire VPN |
As you can see, ExpressVPN is clearly a better option for your VPN needs compared to Shellfire VPN.
Alternatives to Shellfire VPN
One size rarely fits when it comes to online privacy services. Hence, I understand if you desire some unique features that this VPN service does not provide. That is why I have reviewed some alternatives to Shellfire VPN.
- ExpressVPN review in Germany
- Private Internet Access review in Germany
- Psiphon review in Germany
- Norton Secure VPN in Germany
- VIP72 Review in Germany
- UltraVPN Review in Germany
FAQs – Shellfire VPN Review in Germany
Is Shellfire VPN good in Germany?
No, Shellfire is not a top choice due to privacy concerns and reliability issues, especially considering its location in Germany and its logging policy. I recommend using ExpressVPN for a more secure and reliable option.
Is Shellfire VPN really safe in Germany?
No, it lacks safety features like a kill switch and has concerning logging policies. Its Germany base also raises privacy issues. For better security, I recommend using ExpressVPN, which includes robust safety features.
Can I use Shellfire VPN for free in Germany?
Shellfire offers a limited free plan, but no free trial for the premium version. The premium plan has a 14-day money-back guarantee if you’re not satisfied.
Final Verdict
S0, this Shellfire VPN review in Germany shows that it has been around since 2002, but it hasn’t kept up with VPN technology. It has a poor privacy policy, few servers, and average speeds. The outdated interface, high cost, and slow support add to the disappointment.
Shellfire is unreliable and falls short of expectations. Many VPNs offer better value. I recommend ExpressVPN for its no-logs policy, ability to unblock popular streaming services, and fair price. Let me know if you have any questions.
