AirVPN vs Cryptostorm (2026): which should you pick?

Pick AirVPN if

• Fits if you're on a network that blocks VPNs and need SSH, SSL or Tor tunnels
• Works for people who want an official Linux client and like adjusting OpenVPN and WireGuard settings

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you use an iPhone, as there's no iOS edition of Eddie
• Not for you if you want one big connect button, as Eddie's settings are aimed at experienced users
• Tight if you need to know the price before you look further, as we couldn't read AirVPN's plans
• Watch out: no free plan or trial is on record; the Eddie app is free, but the service behind it is paid
• Watch out: the listing has nothing on server count, device limits or ad blocking

Pick Cryptostorm if

• Fits if you want to pay with a token or in Monero and not hand over an email address
• Works for people who want OpenVPN or WireGuard configs they can read

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you want a free trial, because it dropped the old one
• Tight if you have several devices: monthly tokens allow 1 at a time, and 5 needs the two-year token
• Watch out: the weekly token is not sold through every payment method
• Watch out: the company says it has no central office and keeps its entities' locations private
• Watch out: if a data center gets a spam complaint, the FAQ says all SMTP on that server may be blocked

AirVPN

• Prices could not be confirmed: airvpn.org answered every automated reader with a JavaScript check when this was written.
• Eddie's download page lists Windows, macOS, Linux and Android; there is no iOS edition of Eddie.
• Tunneling over SSH or SSL needs the AirVPN service; other Eddie features work with any OpenVPN or WireGuard provider.
• Eddie gives advanced controls such as custom OpenVPN directives and routes, which suit experienced users more than beginners.

Cryptostorm

• The number of devices connected at once depends on the term bought: 1 on weekly and monthly tokens, up to 5 on the two-year token.
• No free trial; the FAQ says the earlier trial was discontinued.
• The company says it has no central HQ and keeps its business entities' locations private.
• When a data center complains about spam, the FAQ says all SMTP on that server may be blocked until it stops.

AirVPN

Eddie client

AirVPN's own open-source app for Windows, macOS, Linux (several distributions and Raspberry Pi) and Android, with a command-line edition.

WireGuard, Amnezia WireGuard and OpenVPN

The Android app supports all three, with 34 ready-made Amnezia WireGuard presets for networks that block VPN traffic.

Censorship workarounds

Eddie can run the tunnel over SSH or SSL and integrate with Tor, and retries with other protocols and servers when OpenVPN is blocked.

Network lock

Blocks traffic outside the tunnel to prevent leaks, with advanced settings for DNS, routing and actions triggered by events.

Per-app routing on Android

Allow and block lists decide which apps use the tunnel. The Android app also works on Android TV with a remote's D-pad.

Works with other providers

Eddie can import WireGuard or OpenVPN profiles from other VPN services, or drop AirVPN altogether.

Cryptostorm

Anonymous tokens

Access is by a token that is hashed before connecting, so a captured server cannot be used to identify clients, the site says. Monero payments need no email or JavaScript.

OpenVPN and WireGuard

Both protocols are supported, including OpenVPN ECC instances with post-quantum options, and connections can be made on any UDP or TCP port.

Multihop

Server-side multihop chains two endpoints, and the site says client-side multihop through another VPN or Tor is also possible.

Obfuscation

SSH, HTTPS and obfs4 tunneling make VPN traffic look like other traffic on restrictive networks.

DNS ad and tracker blocking

DNS-based blocking of trackers, plus DNS and WebRTC leak protection and a kill switch.

Port forwarding and BitTorrent

Port forwarding is supported and BitTorrent is allowed, with no data caps or throttling.

AirVPN

Pricing could not be confirmed. See airvpn.org.

Cryptostorm

• One week$1.86

  for 1 week, as a recurring subscription or a single order

  1 device at a time. Not sold through every payment method.

• One month$6

  per month, as a recurring subscription or a single order

  1 device at a time.

• Three months$16

  for 3 months, as a recurring subscription or a single order

  Up to 2 devices at the same time.

• Six months$28

  for 6 months, as a recurring subscription or a single order

  Up to 3 devices at the same time.

• One year$52

  per year, as a recurring subscription or a single order

  Up to 4 devices at the same time.

• Two years$94

  for 2 years, paid once, with no renewal

  Up to 5 devices at the same time. Single order only, through PayPal, Monero, NOWPayments or BitPay.