Service status: discontinued
SaferVPN is not accepting subscriptions and should not be treated as a current VPN. Do not buy an old activation code or download a SaferVPN installer, APK or browser extension from a third-party site. StrongVPN is the direct successor, but that does not mean every old SaferVPN account or entitlement remains active.
SaferVPN review: current status
| Service detail | Current position |
|---|---|
| Operating status | Discontinued as a standalone VPN |
| Reported final service date | 15 December 2023 |
| New subscriptions | Not available |
| Current pricing or free trial | Not applicable |
| Successor service | StrongVPN |
| Old SaferVPN apps | Unsupported; remove them and any remaining VPN profiles |
| Former customer support | Contact StrongVPN with the original SaferVPN account email and proof of payment |
What happened to SaferVPN?
SaferVPN launched in 2013 as an Israeli VPN service. In October 2019, J2 Global announced that it had acquired certain SaferVPN assets for its cloud-services VPN business. J2 Global later became Ziff Davis. You can verify the acquisition in the company's official 2019 acquisition announcement. SaferVPN subsequently stopped taking new customers and was merged into StrongVPN rather than continuing as an independently sold product. Reported customer notices stated that the remaining SaferVPN service would end on 15 December 2023. The shutdown was not a temporary outage or a simple change of name. SaferVPN's old pricing, trial, servers, apps and support arrangements should no longer be presented as current. StrongVPN is an active, separate product with its own apps, network, plans, terms and account system. Unlike the Atlas VPN closure, there is no durable public company announcement that sets out every SaferVPN migration condition. The acquisition is confirmed by the official corporate record, but historical account transfers, refunds and remaining subscription rights must be checked individually. This page therefore does not assume that an old SaferVPN purchase still provides StrongVPN access.Did SaferVPN become StrongVPN?
StrongVPN is the direct successor, but SaferVPN did not simply change its name. The SaferVPN product was discontinued and its public sales path was replaced by StrongVPN. That distinction matters. A SaferVPN licence key, application or saved VPN profile is not the current StrongVPN app. Former users should not expect an old SaferVPN installation to update itself into StrongVPN, and they should not enter SaferVPN credentials into unrelated apps with similar names. If you previously paid for SaferVPN, contact StrongVPN support and provide:- The email address used for the SaferVPN account
- The approximate purchase or renewal date
- The order number or payment receipt, if available
- A copy of any migration or closure email you received
What happened to SaferVPN subscriptions?
SaferVPN no longer publishes an accessible subscription policy for former customers. Public evidence does not support a blanket claim that every old subscription became a continuing StrongVPN plan, that all lifetime purchases were honoured indefinitely or that every account received a refund. Most ordinary subscriptions bought before the 2023 shutdown will have expired by now. However, former customers should still check their bank, card or PayPal history for unexpected recurring charges and retain any cancellation evidence. If you find a recent payment that you do not recognise:- Identify the merchant name and exact payment date.
- Check old SaferVPN and StrongVPN emails for a matching renewal or migration notice.
- Ask StrongVPN support to identify and cancel the relevant account.
- Contact the payment provider if the merchant cannot resolve an unauthorised charge.
Should you uninstall the old SaferVPN app?
Yes. There is no useful reason to keep an unsupported SaferVPN desktop app, mobile app or browser extension installed. The UK National Cyber Security Centre advises deleting apps that are no longer used and replacing unsupported software. Unsupported applications can retain bugs that no longer receive fixes. See the NCSC guidance on deleting out-of-date apps. Former SaferVPN users should:- Uninstall the SaferVPN app from each desktop, phone and tablet.
- Remove the SaferVPN extension from Chrome or any other browser.
- Delete saved SaferVPN profiles from the device's VPN or network settings.
- Remove any old manual OpenVPN configuration files that are no longer needed.
- Restart the device if its connection or DNS settings do not return to normal.
- Install a supported replacement only from its official site or the device's built-in app store.
Do not confuse SaferVPN with similarly named apps
Current app stores and download sites contain products using names such as “Safe VPN”, “Safer Internet” and similar variations. These are not proof that the original SaferVPN service has returned. Verify the developer and official website before installing any VPN.
What SaferVPN offered before it closed
Historically, SaferVPN focused on simple apps for less technical users. Earlier versions offered country-level server selection, automatic location choice, favourite locations, a kill switch on supported platforms and automatic protection when connecting to selected Wi-Fi networks. The old service also supported several protocols, including OpenVPN and IKEv2, alongside legacy options such as PPTP and L2TP/IPsec. It sold desktop and mobile applications, browser extensions and router setup options.
Best SaferVPN alternatives for UK users
StrongVPN is the direct product successor, but it is not automatically the best new purchase. The right replacement depends on why you previously chose SaferVPN.| Your priority | VPN to consider | Why it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Direct SaferVPN successor | StrongVPN | The SaferVPN sales path was folded into StrongVPN. It is the first place for former customers to check an old account, but it should still be assessed on its current features and terms. |
| Premium all-round choice | ExpressVPN | Our current first-place overall option for UK users who prioritise straightforward apps, broad device support and a wide server-country choice. |
| Feature-rich alternative | NordVPN | A strong fit for users who want a larger feature set, ten simultaneous connections and extensive UK and international coverage. |
| Many household devices | Surfshark | Its unlimited simultaneous connections make it practical for a household with many supported devices. |
| Advanced configuration | Private Internet Access | A suitable choice for users who value detailed settings and control over protocols and connection behaviour. |
| A continuing free plan | Proton VPN | Proton VPN maintains a genuine free plan without a data allowance, although it provides fewer location and feature choices than the paid service. |
StrongVPN: the direct SaferVPN successor
StrongVPN is the most relevant option for resolving an old SaferVPN account because the discontinued service was folded into it. StrongVPN remains active and has its own apps and subscription plans. However, corporate succession is not proof that StrongVPN is the strongest current VPN for every UK reader. Check its current price, later renewal terms, supported devices, server locations and refund exclusions before making a new purchase. Read our current StrongVPN review for the service as it exists now.ExpressVPN: the stronger all-round new purchase
For someone choosing from scratch, ExpressVPN remains our first-place overall UK recommendation. It is better suited to readers who want simple apps, broad travel coverage and a more complete premium proposition rather than the closest corporate successor. That is an editorial assessment, not a claim that ExpressVPN will be fastest on every connection or work with every streaming service. Performance and platform access can change, and a VPN does not provide a subscription or viewing entitlement.Proton VPN: the free-plan option
SaferVPN historically advertised short free trials rather than a permanent full free service. UK users who now need a continuing free option should consider Proton VPN instead of searching for an old SaferVPN download. Proton VPN states that its free plan has no data limit. Free accounts still have fewer server-selection and feature options than paid plans, so check the official Proton VPN Free page for the current restrictions.Was SaferVPN safe?
This can only be discussed historically. SaferVPN was a genuine commercial service, but its old applications and browser extensions are no longer suitable for a current recommendation because the standalone service has ended. The former article made broad claims about a strict no-logs policy and suggested that the provider would have nothing to disclose to authorities. Those conclusions were too absolute and should not be retained. A VPN can encrypt traffic between a device and its VPN server and replace the public IP address seen by many websites, but it does not guarantee anonymity or remove account, cookie, browser, payment and device-level identifiers. A current VPN decision should be based on the provider's present privacy policy, supported apps, security-update record, ownership, published audits and current terms. SaferVPN's old score and historical claims cannot answer those questions now.Final verdict
SaferVPN cannot be recommended because it is discontinued. This review URL should remain available as a factual archive and transition guide, but SaferVPN must be removed from active rankings, pricing tables, deals, streaming recommendations and current VPN comparisons. StrongVPN is the direct successor and the correct support route for former customers. For a new purchase, compare the current market rather than choosing StrongVPN only because of that relationship. ExpressVPN remains our first-place all-round UK option, NordVPN offers a strong feature set, Surfshark suits many devices, PIA provides advanced control and Proton VPN is the clearest current free-plan alternative.Is SaferVPN still available?
No. SaferVPN is discontinued as a standalone service and no longer accepts new subscriptions.
When did SaferVPN close?
Reported customer closure notices placed the end of the remaining SaferVPN service on 15 December 2023. The service had already stopped accepting new customers after being folded into StrongVPN.
Did SaferVPN become StrongVPN?
StrongVPN is the direct successor, but SaferVPN did not simply change its name. The SaferVPN product and apps were discontinued; StrongVPN has its own apps, plans, terms and account system.
What happened to SaferVPN subscriptions?
There is no current public policy showing that every old SaferVPN subscription remains active. Former customers should contact StrongVPN with their original account email and proof of payment to check any historical transfer or billing issue.
Can I still download SaferVPN?
You should not download SaferVPN. The standalone service is discontinued, and an unofficial installer, APK or browser extension cannot restore it. Choose a supported VPN from its official site or an official app store.
Should I uninstall the old SaferVPN app?
Yes. Remove the unsupported app, browser extension and any saved SaferVPN profile or manual configuration that you no longer use.
What is the best SaferVPN alternative?
StrongVPN is the direct successor for former account queries. For a new purchase, ExpressVPN is our premium all-round choice, NordVPN provides a strong feature set, Surfshark suits many devices, PIA offers advanced settings and Proton VPN provides a continuing free plan.
