The Wirecutter, a product review website owned by the New York Times, maintains a list of highly-rated VPNs: https://thewirecutter. com/reviews/best-vpn-service/. The Center for Democracy & Technology has a list of questions and answers from VPN providers that are meant to demonstrate their accountability and trustworthiness: https://cdt. org/insights/unedited-answers-signals-of-trustworthy-vpns/. Some VPN providers enlist independent third-party testing firms to audit their services. However, these reports can sometimes be biased. Check multiple reviews before deciding that a VPN is trustworthy based on a single audit. [4] X Research source
Don’t take promises that a VPN won’t sell your data at face value. Many scam VPNs make false claims about how they use their customers’ data. Always look for third-party verification of these claims. VPN providers that have been caught sharing customer data or violating their own privacy policies include EarthVPN, Onavo (a VPN offered by Facebook that has since been discontinued), and HideMyAss. VPNs that have proven their claims not to log customer data include ExpressVPN, PIA, and Perfect Privacy.
For example, most VPN providers keep information such as the personal data you provided when you originally signed up for the service, your true internet address or IP address (a number that helps identify your computer and your location within the network you’re using), and the timestamps for when you connect or disconnect from the VPN. Look for VPN providers that offer regular transparency reports, such as TunnelBear, IVPN, and CyberGhost. [10] X Research source
The privacy policy should be clear and easy to understand. Watch out for vague or confusing language. TunnelBear, Mullvad, and IVPN are all examples of VPN providers with fairly clear and readable privacy policies and terms of service. [12] X Research source Hotspot Shield is an example of a VPN with marketing claims that contradict the fine print in its privacy policies, an issue highlighted in a complaint brought by the Center for Democracy & Technology before the Federal Trade Commission. [13] X Research source
L2TP/IPsec is more vulnerable to security issues than OpenVPN, so it’s best to use OpenVPN if your device supports it. [16] X Research source Stay away from VPNs like VyprVPN that use PPTP, an older protocol that is no longer secure.
For example, one popular free VPN app, VPN Patron, is owned by a Hong Kong-based advertisement company that is known for monetizing its users’ data. [18] X Research source Some trustworthy VPN providers, such as TunnelBear, offer a free trial period or provide a free version of the VPN that covers only a very limited amount of data per month (e. g. , 500 MB). These can be useful for testing out the service before you commit. Some IT security experts claim that not all free VPNs are untrustworthy, but you should always proceed with caution and do extensive research before trying one. [19] X Trustworthy Source Consumer Reports Nonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testing Go to source
Russia, China, and Turkey all have a history of attempting to interfere with, seize, or exploit data from VPN providers. [21] X Research source
Most VPNs cost around $4-$6 per month. They may charge more if you pay by the month instead of signing up for a full year. Some providers allow you to sign up for a free trial or offer a free version with limited data. In some cases, you might also be able to get a refund if you aren’t satisfied with the service. Want to save a little money on your VPN subscription? Check out wikiHow’s coupon pages for services like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and CyberGhost VPN.
The disadvantage of more complicated VPNs, or those that require you to log in every time you want to use them, is that it’s easy to forget to activate them or to become frustrated and not bother. Choose a VPN that will give you security without the hassle. TunnelBear is one of the easiest VPNs to set up and use. IVPN and Mullvad are also solid, user-friendly options. [24] X Research source NordVPN also has strong ratings on ease of use, but has had some negative publicity due to a major security breach. [25] X Research source
Ideally, a VPN should have at least 1000 servers. A higher number of servers doesn’t always guarantee the highest speeds. For example, TunnelBear has 4,000 servers, but it does not perform quite as well in speed tests as Mullvad, which has only 553 servers.
Additionally, your VPN software should alert you whenever there’s a problem or interruption in your secure connection. The kill switch is a feature of most modern VPNs, including TunnelBear, Mullvad, and IVPN.
Ideally, a VPN should work on multiple operating systems (such as Android, iOS, and less common operating systems). Some VPNs, such as NordVPN and ExpressVPN, even have native apps for smart TVs!
Ideally, your VPN provider should offer support chat or a toll-free customer service phone line.
