OverPlay VPN Review: Discontinued; What to Use Now

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OverPlay VPN and OverPlay SmartDNS are no longer available as standalone services. The old OverPlay website now redirects to StrongVPN, and OverPlay should not be presented as a current VPN that UK users can buy. This retained OverPlay review explains what happened, what former customers should do with old applications and manual DNS settings, how VPN and SmartDNS differed, and which supported services to consider now. Last updated: 5 October 2026
Service status: discontinued Do not buy an OverPlay licence or download an old OverPlay installer from a third-party website. The former domain redirects to StrongVPN, but no durable public company notice now documents every old account, renewal, refund or migration condition. Former customers should verify individual account questions with StrongVPN support.

OverPlay review: current status

Service detail Current position
Operating status Discontinued as a standalone VPN and SmartDNS brand
Exact final service date No durable official public notice is currently available
New subscriptions Not available
Current pricing, discount or refund policy Not applicable
Current destination of the old website StrongVPN
Old OverPlay apps Unsupported; uninstall them and remove unused VPN profiles
Old SmartDNS settings Remove obsolete manual DNS entries if they remain on a device or router
Former customer support Contact StrongVPN with the original account email and payment evidence
Historical overplay vpn image
Overplay previously combined a vpn with a separate smartdns service. This image is retained for historical identification.

What happened to OverPlay?

OverPlay was a consumer VPN and SmartDNS brand. It sold a SmartDNS-only plan and a package that combined SmartDNS with a VPN connection. The standalone OverPlay product is no longer sold, and the former OverPlay website now redirects visitors to StrongVPN. Historical customer reports and archived product listings also describe users being moved to StrongVPN. However, there is no durable public closure announcement on the current StrongVPN site that records the exact shutdown date or sets out every account-transfer condition. This page therefore does not claim that every OverPlay subscription automatically became an active StrongVPN plan, that all former purchases were honoured indefinitely or that every subscriber received the same migration terms. The confirmed editorial position is simpler: OverPlay is not a current purchase. Its old prices, server list, SmartDNS channels, application screenshots, protocols, performance and support arrangements must be treated as historical.

Did OverPlay become StrongVPN?

StrongVPN is the successor destination for the old OverPlay service, but OverPlay did not merely change its name. StrongVPN has its own applications, server network, plans, terms and account system. A legacy OverPlay username, VPN profile or SmartDNS configuration is not the same thing as a current StrongVPN installation. Former users should not expect an old OverPlay application to update itself into StrongVPN, and they should not enter OverPlay credentials into an unrelated product using a similar name. If you previously paid for OverPlay, contact StrongVPN support and provide:
  • The email address used for the OverPlay account
  • The approximate purchase or renewal date
  • The order number or payment receipt, if available
  • A copy of any transition or closure email you received
Ask support to confirm whether an account was transferred, whether any entitlement remains and whether recurring billing is active. Never send a password, full card number or unnecessary identity document.

What happened to OverPlay subscriptions?

OverPlay no longer publishes a current subscription policy for former customers. Public evidence does not support a blanket statement about every old account, including long-term purchases, refunds, renewal dates or remaining SmartDNS access. Most ordinary OverPlay subscriptions will have expired. Even so, a former customer should check bank, card or PayPal history for any recent charge and keep copies of earlier cancellation or transition messages. If you find a payment you do not recognise:
  1. Record the merchant name, amount and exact payment date.
  2. Search old OverPlay and StrongVPN emails for a matching account or transition notice.
  3. Ask StrongVPN support to identify and cancel the relevant account.
  4. Contact the payment provider if the merchant cannot resolve an unauthorised transaction.
This is general account guidance. Refund and cancellation rights depend on the original transaction, payment route and applicable terms.

Should you uninstall the old OverPlay app?

Yes. Remove any old OverPlay desktop application, mobile profile or manually configured VPN connection that is no longer in use. The UK National Cyber Security Centre recommends deleting apps that are no longer used and replacing unsupported software. Unsupported applications can retain bugs and system permissions without receiving current fixes. See the NCSC guidance on removing out-of-date applications. Former OverPlay users should:
  1. Uninstall the OverPlay application from every computer and mobile device.
  2. Delete old OverPlay VPN profiles from the device's network settings.
  3. Remove obsolete OpenVPN, PPTP or L2TP/IPsec configuration files.
  4. Check for manual OverPlay DNS addresses on the device, television, console or router.
  5. Restore automatic DNS or enter the settings supplied by the current network or chosen supported service.
  6. Restart the router and device if websites do not resolve normally after the change.
  7. Install a supported replacement only through its official site or a recognised app store.
Check routers and televisions for old SmartDNS settings OverPlay SmartDNS was often configured manually. Uninstalling a desktop app will not remove DNS addresses saved on a router, smart television, games console or streaming device. Obsolete DNS settings can cause websites and apps to stop loading even when the VPN app has gone.

What was OverPlay SmartDNS?

SmartDNS and VPN are different technologies. OverPlay sold both, which is why many former customers still search for the old product.
Historical overplay smartdns and vpn comparison
This historical image shows how overplay separated smartdns from its combined vpn package; the plans and pricing are no longer current.
A VPN creates an encrypted connection between the device and a VPN server. It changes the public IP address seen by many online services and routes compatible device traffic through the selected server. SmartDNS changes how selected domain-name requests are resolved. It can be easier to configure on some televisions and consoles, and it usually avoids the encryption overhead of a VPN. However, SmartDNS does not encrypt the connection or provide the same network-level privacy functions as a VPN. The old article suggested that SmartDNS could provide unrestricted access to Netflix, BBC services and other platforms from anywhere. That is no longer suitable. Streaming services can detect and block DNS or VPN tools, rights and availability change, and a technical service does not provide a subscription, viewing entitlement or TV licence. Any current SmartDNS choice should be checked against the provider's present documentation, supported devices, locations and platform limitations. Old OverPlay channel lists cannot establish current access.

What OverPlay offered before it closed

Historically, OverPlay offered country and server selection through desktop software, alongside manual configuration for other devices. Its advanced interface showed server locations, supported protocols and latency information. The combined package included the SmartDNS service, while the lower-priced plan provided SmartDNS without VPN encryption. The service also published setup guides for devices that could not run a native VPN application. Those details describe the former product only. The previous version of this page included expired prices, a discount claim, a live review table, old protocol advice, guaranteed streaming statements, a current-service recommendation and first-person testing that cannot be verified. It also contained unsafe torrenting language and an unrelated ExpressVPN promotional block. Those elements have been removed.

Best OverPlay alternatives for UK users

StrongVPN is the relevant successor for an old OverPlay account, but it is not automatically the best new purchase. Choose a replacement according to the devices and features you actually need.
Your priority VPN to consider Why it fits
Direct OverPlay successor StrongVPN The old OverPlay domain redirects to StrongVPN, making StrongVPN the first support route for a former account. A new purchase still has separate StrongVPN terms and features.
Premium all-round choice ExpressVPN Our current first-place overall option for UK users who value straightforward apps, broad device support and extensive travel coverage.
Feature-rich alternative NordVPN A strong option for users who want a broader feature set, ten simultaneous connections and documented SmartDNS support for compatible devices.
Many household devices Surfshark Unlimited simultaneous connections make it practical for households with many supported devices.
Advanced configuration Private Internet Access A suitable choice for users who value detailed protocol and connection controls.
A continuing free plan Proton VPN Proton VPN maintains a genuine free plan without a data allowance, although the free tier has more limited location and feature choices.
This is a needs-based transition table, not a separate sitewide ranking. The current overall TheBestVPN.uk order remains ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Surfshark, Private Internet Access and Proton VPN. Compare those providers in our best VPN UK guide.

StrongVPN: the direct OverPlay successor

StrongVPN is the correct first contact for an old OverPlay account because the former OverPlay domain sends visitors there. StrongVPN remains an active product with its own applications and subscription plans. That relationship does not establish that StrongVPN is the strongest current choice for every UK user. Check its present price, renewal terms, supported devices, server locations, SmartDNS availability and refund exclusions before buying. Read our current StrongVPN review for the service as it exists now.

ExpressVPN: the stronger all-round new purchase

For a new purchase, ExpressVPN remains our first-place all-round UK recommendation. It is better suited to readers seeking a current premium VPN with straightforward apps and wide device support rather than the closest successor to an old brand. This is an editorial assessment, not a promise of the fastest result on every connection or guaranteed access to any streaming platform. Services can block VPN traffic, and a VPN does not supply the required account, subscription or viewing entitlement.

NordVPN: a current option for SmartDNS-compatible devices

People who chose OverPlay mainly for televisions or consoles may still need a documented DNS-based setup. NordVPN publishes current SmartDNS guidance and integrates related SmartPlay functionality into its service. SmartDNS still does not encrypt traffic like a VPN, and compatibility is not guaranteed for every platform. Check the provider's current SmartDNS documentation before subscribing or changing network settings.

Was OverPlay safe?

This can only be discussed historically. OverPlay was a genuine commercial product, but its unsupported applications and old SmartDNS infrastructure cannot be assessed as a current service. The former review treated connection encryption, server choice and a claimed logs policy as proof that users were protected. That was too broad. A VPN can protect traffic between a device and the VPN server, but it cannot guarantee anonymity or remove account, cookie, browser, device and payment identifiers. SmartDNS does not provide VPN encryption at all. A current VPN decision should use the provider's present privacy policy, supported apps, update record, ownership, independent audit evidence and terms. OverPlay's historical claims and old review score cannot answer those questions today.

Final verdict

OverPlay cannot be recommended because the standalone VPN and SmartDNS services are discontinued. This URL should remain available as a factual archive and transition guide, while OverPlay is removed from active rankings, pricing tables, streaming recommendations, deals and current comparisons. StrongVPN is the appropriate successor and account-support route, but the lack of a durable public migration notice means former customers should verify individual entitlements rather than assume they remain active. New buyers should compare the current VPN market. ExpressVPN remains our first-place all-round UK option, NordVPN offers a strong feature set and current SmartDNS documentation, Surfshark suits many devices, PIA provides advanced controls and Proton VPN offers a continuing free plan.

Is OverPlay VPN still available?

No. OverPlay VPN and OverPlay SmartDNS are no longer sold as standalone services, and the old OverPlay website redirects to StrongVPN.

When did OverPlay close?

OverPlay is discontinued, but no durable official public notice currently records the exact final service date. The page should not invent a closure date that cannot be verified.

Did OverPlay become StrongVPN?

StrongVPN is the successor destination for OverPlay, but it is a separate product with its own apps, plans, network and terms. Former customers should ask StrongVPN support about an individual old account.

What happened to OverPlay subscriptions?

There is no current public policy proving that every old OverPlay subscription remains active. Former customers should contact StrongVPN with their original email and payment evidence to verify any transfer, renewal or billing question.

Should I uninstall the old OverPlay app?

Yes. Remove the unsupported app and any old VPN profile or manual configuration. Also check routers, televisions and consoles for obsolete OverPlay DNS settings.

Is SmartDNS the same as a VPN?

No. SmartDNS changes how selected domain requests are resolved but does not encrypt device traffic like a VPN connection. Neither method guarantees access to a streaming service.

What is the best OverPlay alternative?

StrongVPN is the direct successor for old account questions. For a new purchase, ExpressVPN is our premium all-round choice, NordVPN documents SmartDNS support, Surfshark suits many devices, PIA offers advanced settings and Proton VPN provides a continuing free plan.

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Stuart Kerr Spindlow is the Publisher and Lead VPN Reviewer at TheBestVPN.uk. He tests VPN apps and services for UK readers, focusing on usability, streaming, privacy features, device support and value. He maintains the site's commercial reviews, comparisons and rankings, separating first-hand observations from current product documentation and editorial judgement. View Stuart's professional background on LinkedIn.

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