What is a VPN?
A virtual private network (VPN) is software that encrypts your internet traffic, protecting your online activity. It allows you to connect to servers all over the world, tricking websites into thinking you’re located somewhere else.
The best way to visualize how a VPN works is to imagine that you’re entering a tunnel by yourself. This tunnel is made of strong materials, protecting you from people outside looking at you. This way, you can browse online with complete privacy, regardless of whether you’re using your home network or public Wi-Fi.
Why do you need a VPN?
There are plenty of reasons why you need to use a VPN service:
- Unrestricted access to the internet: A VPN allows you to reach websites blocked by the network’s admins. This way, VPN services are often used to bypass restrictions implemented by the government, schools, companies, or even ISPs.
- Bypassing geo-blocking: Some VPN services are able to bypass geo-blocks created by websites. With a VPN, you’re able to unblock content that’s not available to you due to your location, such as streaming services, online games, or apps.
- Securing your connection: By encrypting internet traffic, VPNs make browsing the web more secure. In addition to ensuring that hackers can’t access your information while in transit, they also shield your devices from being hacked when using public Wi-Fi.
- Stops ISP throttling: ISPs might throttle your connection due to a variety of reasons. They do this by limiting the internet speed of your IP. Since VPN services change your IP, they’re able to fix this issue and improve your connection speed.
- Prevent tracking: Nowadays, most websites track your movements online in order to target ads specifically to you. By providing anonymity, these companies won’t be able to track you.
- Cheaper flights: Some websites, such as plane ticket sellers, will increase prices when they’re visited by the same IP several times. With a VPN service, the website isn’t able to understand that you’re the one visiting the website and, therefore, you will be able to pay lower rates for your flight.
How to choose the best VPN for you
The VPN industry is an oversaturated market. There are hundreds of providers out there, making it difficult to pinpoint which one to choose – especially when they all seem very similar. When searching, keep in mind the following:
Standard features ?️
Regardless of the reason you’re getting a VPN service, there are a few standard boxes that need to be ticked. The first is that the network needs to be reliable and comprehensive. A VPN network with a low number of servers may frequently get too crowded, disturbing your browser experience due to low speeds and stability. Plus, it’s essential that the provider operates their own network of servers instead of borrowing from another service.
When it comes to the app itself, features you shouldn’t pass on include:
- End-to-end encryption: The most basic feature a VPN service has to offer.
- Kill switch: Stops the internet connection when the VPN service malfunctions to ensure privacy at all times.
- No DNS leaks: If a VPN service has DNS leaks, then websites will be able to route back to your IP. So, always test the provider for DNS leaks on a neutral website like https://www.dnsleaktest.com/.
- Multiplatform: One subscription should be enough to protect all your devices, including your computer, phone, and smart TV.
- Protocols: Although beginners will usually prefer the plug-and-play aspect of VPN services, it’s always better to have a few options when it comes to encryption protocols (OpenVPN, IPSec, Wireguard, L2TP, etc.).
No-logs policy 🚫
The main objective of using a VPN service is to have a private connection. So, what would be the point of subscribing to a service that may keep logs of your data? As a rule of thumb, you should always go with a provider that has a no-logs policy. Better yet, choose a VPN service that has zero-knowledge architecture, meaning that they don’t have any access to your information and, therefore, can’t pass it on to anyone else (government, advertisement companies, etc.).
Speeds ⚡
Since VPN services reroute your connection to their servers (some of them located extremely far away), internet speeds usually go down and pings go up. For a smooth user experience, it’s essential that the VPN provider is able to provide fast and stable connections.
Streaming ▶️
Streaming content that isn’t available in the user’s location has become one of the main reasons why people use a VPN service. As a result, streaming providers have caught up and have come up with countermeasures. So, if your main objective is to unlock geo-blocked content, make sure to choose a provider that can unblock the websites you want to use. Be very careful with the marketing these companies sometimes have, as several VPN providers claim they’re able to unblock certain streaming services when they can’t.
On the bright side, some VPNs come with dedicated servers for streaming, which provide faster and more stable connections to allow users to watch their favorite TV shows without constant buffering.
Headquarters location 🏢
VPN services need to follow the laws where their headquarters are located. So, it’s preferable to opt for a VPN provider that is located in privacy paradises, where there are strict laws protecting citizens’ privacy, such as Switzerland or Malta.
Optional features for specific situations
Specific situations require specific needs. For example, if you want to bypass government censorship in the country where you live, it’s essential that you go with a VPN service that provides top-notch privacy and security.
Remember that some countries with strong internet censorship forbid the use of VPN services. So, if you’re located in one of these areas and need to use a VPN, make sure you choose a highly secure solution that provides advanced features like a double VPN and multi-hop, just to name a few.
Meanwhile, people who are into P2P should consider a VPN service that provides P2P-dedicated servers to ensure smooth torrenting and seeding.
Paid vs free VPN services
There are many free VPN services out there – especially for mobile devices. However, you need to be very careful with these free options. As the saying goes, ‘if something is free, you’re the product’. This statement is especially true for the VPN industry, where many free providers keep logs of your online activities and sell them to third-party ad agencies.
Moreover, free VPN service connections are not the most reliable. They usually have smaller, overloaded server networks, so connections are usually slow and unstable. Of course, advanced features and customization are off the table. Even so, there are some free options that can surprise you – you just need to research the product thoroughly to ensure you’re not using an insecure app.
Some VPN services offer limited free versions that are as secure as the paid ones. Plus, there are a couple of companies that are extremely transparent on how they make money with their free VPN service. While not perfect, you can at least see if it’s information you’re willing to share in exchange for your free ride. Still, it’s important to mention that paid VPNs are usually affordable.
Free VPN services 🆓
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Paid VPN services 💸
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| May keep logs |
No-logs policy |
| Low speeds |
High speeds |
| May contain ads |
No ads |
| Small VPN network |
Medium or large VPN network |
| Basic security features |
Advanced security features |
Best VPN services for different devices
Daniel C.
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