A VPN (virtual private network) is an advanced solution that allows you to remain safe and protect your data when browsing the internet. You can imagine it as a tunnel for your connection to the web. No third parties can monitor your internet activities except for the VPN service itself.
A lot of providers pack their services with a variety of features, which can make it very difficult to pick between them. If you need help figuring out how to choose the right VPN for your specific situation, explore the information below.
If you tend to stream content or download a lot of files via torrents, then high speeds are a must-have inclusion. On the other hand, if you're primarily worried about how secure and private your internet browsing is, then consider choosing a VPN with a reputable zero-logs policy and military-grade encryption. For larger families, it's recommended to pick an option that allows you to connect a large number of devices simultaneously.
If your goal is to gain access to geographically locked content, you need to find a VPN that has servers in the countries that provide the required access. Lastly, if you tend to travel a lot and often use public Wi-Fi, you need to prioritize VPNs with dependable security functionality that will ensure your devices and data stay safe.
You need to pick a VPN that frequently undergoes audits by accredited auditors that will prove the provider fulfills its obligations and can guarantee your privacy and security. If a VPN claims it will protect your data, it should at least offer:
Dependable encryption. Opt for a provider that offers reliable encryption like 256-bit AES encryption, which is the accepted standard employed by banks and military organizations that value confidentiality above everything else.
Automatic kill switch. A kill switch instantly disconnects the device from the web should you lose connection to your VPN server, ensuring your data isn’t exposed at any moment.
Zero-logging policy. A zero-logs approach ensures the provider doesn’t track or store any data about your online activity and as such can’t identify you. This way, you can be certain your anonymity is preserved even from the VPN service.
Varied collection of security protocols. The chosen VPN has to employ the safest and quickest protocols available today. This means support of OpenVPN (offers the best security), WireGuard (known for its user-friendliness and fantastic performance), and IKEv2/IPSec (perfectly optimized for mobile use and great at adapting to network adjustments). Being able to choose between different protocols lets you set up the VPN connection according to your needs.
Advanced security and privacy functionality. Such functionality may include server obfuscation, which makes the fact that you’re employing a VPN undetectable, allowing you to avoid strict governmental censorship. Another feature is multi-hop, which has the traffic go through two servers to double the level of encryption and protection.
You need to pick a platform that provides high connection speeds and minimum latency. The virtual network always has an impact on your internet speed since the process of directing your traffic through its server and encrypting it requires at least a bit of time.
The only reliable method for accurately calculating the speed you can get from any of the fastest VPN providers is to employ an internet speed test solution when using a VPN (Speedtest by Ookla, Pingdom Speed Test, Sematext, etc). Examine your ping and download speed, and see how much it changed compared to the values you get when testing your regular connection.
A VPN performs its functions by passing your data through its servers. As such, the larger the number of servers a provider owns/rents, the more speed and maneuverability it can provide. A VPN for business with a huge server network is also less prone to throttle your bandwidth.
Additionally, servers located in different countries are useful for changing the virtual location of your device and hiding it from your internet service provider. It’s recommended to pick a VPN with a network of 1000 servers or more.
A high-quality VPN service has to be intuitive, offer a simple setup process, and provide straightforward tools. Find an option that offers 100% uptime or one that can be instantly turned on without requiring you to log in each time.
The downside of more complex VPNs is that they ask you to log into your account each time you want to turn them on and you can also simply forget you don’t have the VPN enabled, entering the web unprotected. Your goal is to find a provider that offers the security you require without forcing you to go through repetitive unnecessary steps.
Try to find a VPN that offers applications for all the popular device types so that you can conveniently install it on all the PCs and gadgets you're using. Otherwise, you might be forced to use separate VPNs for Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, etc. Having different providers for different devices is expensive, tedious, and inconvenient.
Being able to connect several devices to a VPN at the same time allows you to keep both your device and the smartphones/laptops/PCs of your family members protected simultaneously without having to choose who gets to enjoy its benefits.
For instance, Surfshark lets you connect as many devices as you need at any given time. Such VPN for multiple devices is particularly relevant for households with a lot of members.
Another option is to find a VPN that supports routers. If you connect it to your router, you’ll ensure everyone who uses the WiFi network does so through a VPN.
Your chosen VPN needs to provide peer-to-peer (P2P) optimized servers if you want to torrent data. This functionality is essential for ensuring you can torrent files with high speed and zero delays.
The best VPNs for torrenting also come with port forwarding. This feature boosts the download speed by bumping up the number of peers you can connect to. Additionally, some VPNs let you employ a SOCKS5 proxy server instead of a standard VPN server. The former provides the same privacy benefits but foregoes the encryption process in favor of higher speeds.
When choosing a VPN, opt for options with reliable client support. You have to be certain that all of your problems will be fixed promptly should you encounter any. Give preference to VPNs that provide email support and a response turnaround of no longer than 24 hours. A detailed FAQ or Help section is also a huge plus.
The best VPN services also provide live chat or phone call support.
The best cheap VPNs will only send you back a couple of dollars a month. For instance, Surfshark’s monthly subscription will cost you just $2.50 a month if you get the 2-year package. Meanwhile, the prices for ExpressVPN start at $6.67/mo and NordVPN’s cheapest plan costs $3.19/mo.
Additionally, most leading VPN services provide zero-risk free trials that have you paying for a subscription, but being able to request a full refund if you cancel it within the first 30-45 days.
Be sure to check if your chosen VPN supports common payment methods like credit cards and PayPal. If you’re worried about privacy, pick an option that accepts crypto payments. This way, you can purchase the service anonymously without disclosing any private payment info.
Certain VPNs are supplied with a wide range of extra features that can be rather useful. If you don’t know how to choose the right VPN between two similarly appealing options, examine their bonus features and pick the one that seems more helpful.
Threat Termination. This security feature performs in-depth scanning of all downloaded files to locate and delete threats before they can do any harm. This solution also gets rid of trackers and intrusive advertisements and prevents you from ending up on dangerous sites.
Double VPN. A cutting-edge VPN security feature, commonly referred to as a multi-hop connection, that directs the traffic through two VPN servers instead of one, providing double encryption for your information. The downside of this feature is the lower internet speed.
Meshnet. This solution provides direct peer-to-peer data sharing under an extra layer of security. This feature allows you to establish a private secure network for internal or external devices. As such, you’ll be able to conveniently get files from your office laptop while sitting at your PC at home.
The answer depends on the option you’ve picked. That said, a lot of VPNs (particularly free options) aren’t necessarily safe to rely on. They can gather and sell your data to other parties. Other providers don’t offer essential security functionality like leak protection or an automated kill switch, which plays an important role in keeping you safe.
The biggest downside is that it’s hard to determine if you can entrust your information to a VPN – there are cases of “zero-logs” providers sharing the personal data of their users with a government upon official request.
VPNs are legal in the majority of places around the world because they represent security solutions designed to protect online freedom and helping you share and receive data securely. However, you still have to abide by regular laws when employing a VPN – if something is illegal without a VPN, it’s still illegal with a virtual private network. Lastly, VPNs are highly restricted or straight-out outlawed in places like China and Iran.
No, you can still get your system infected by malware if you’re not taking care of your internet security. Certain VPN services come with malware-blocking and anti-phishing tools that provide the necessary protection against such risks, but in all other cases, it’s your responsibility to prevent malware infections.
The answer depends on the specific device and protocol. Not all protocols are compatible with smartphones, but the most widely used options like OpenVPN definitely are. While most providers support at least one mobile-friendly protocol, you should still check for smartphone compatibility when choosing a VPN since some services don’t have a mobile client at all.
It’s possible but the exact change is determined by multiple factors including the speed of your original connection and the latency of the chosen server. If you pick a server that is very far away, you can experience noticeable latency problems when transferring data.
Another factor that can lower your internet speed is encryption protocols. However, the effect they have on the network speed is diminishing as technology continues to improve.
You can never be 100% certain about your security. However, that’s not an excuse to not do everything you can to ensure your privacy online and increase your level of protection by all available means. VPNs will encrypt your data and hide your IP address, which is extremely useful, but that still doesn’t mean you can feel completely safe.
You need to properly determine your requirements, judge each VPN service based on the aforementioned factors, and pick the option that offers the optimal combination of privacy protection, speed, and functionality.
Remember to factor in the VPN’s range of supported devices and OS, pricing policy, accepted payment gateways, UI convenience, and client support quality. By picking the perfect VPN for your needs, you’ll ensure your online browsing activities are securely protected and kept private.
