A Guide To Help You Find And Choose The Best VPN Provider
Are you looking for a secure way to use the Internet? If you’re someone who wants to download torrent files, avoid censorship, maintain privacy, or simply access all websites, irrespective of your location, VPN is the answer. Short for Virtual Private Network, VPN can be used by installing software on your computer or smartphone to create a virtual network between your network and the target networks. This allows you to channel your traffic or request through the VPN, which makes the VPN server’s location seem like yours. So, when using a VPN, you are no longer restricted by your geographical location.
However, choosing the right service provider can be challenging. There are several names in the business, and choosing a suitable VPN service provider requires you to ask yourself certain questions.
What is their VPN protocol?
The VPN protocol is a set of encryption standards and transmission procedures that a provider uses to ensure that you can use the Internet securely with maximum stability. There are many VPN protocols, including PPTP, L2TP/IPSec, IKEv2/IPSec, IPSec, SSTP, OpenVPN, SoftEther, and Wireguard. However, they are not the same, and you must choose one based on your needs. You might want to avoid PPTP, as its encryption is weak, and while L2TP/IPsec is significantly better, it lacks speed. You should look for a provider using the OpenVPN protocol, as it is the most secure and stable VPN protocol you can get.
Where is their server located?
VPN uses have increased manifold over the last few years, which has made it necessary for a good VPN service provider to have servers in multiple countries. You cannot work with a server located in Asia or Africa if you’re traveling and want access to USA-based servers, as you will be geo-blocked. So, checking how many servers a provider is offering and where they are located is extremely important before making a decision. A good VPN service provider must have servers in hundreds of locations to ensure that you have secure access to any content you need, irrespective of which country they are from.
How many connections do they allow?
If the VPN service is also going to be used by your flatmates or family members, you cannot work with a service that provides only one connection. You may even want to use the VPN server for different devices, which will require multiple simultaneous connections. So, when looking for a VPN provider, ensure that you choose one that allows at least two, preferably more, connections.
Are there any restrictions?
Most people require a VPN to overcome the multiple disadvantages of internet services, which may intentionally slow down the internet speed, provide limited bandwidth, or restrict certain actions. When opting for a VPN service, you should ensure that it does not have similar disadvantages, especially file-sharing restrictions. You can read user reviews online to get a better idea about these features.
Do they keep logs?
If your VPN service provider keeps logs of your activities, it fails the entire purpose of providing you with security. Some VPN providers keep the logs for a small period to help them with maintenance, but you should only be considering providers who do not keep logs. The good news is that most VPN services opt out of it anyway, as keeping logs takes up a lot of disk space. You have to ensure that you choose one of these service providers instead of providers who keep a record of your online activities.
How are they priced?
Once you have a list of the VPN services that meet your requirements, you can make a choice based on their prices. Find the one that sticks to your budget to ensure that you do not pay more than you have to. You should also pay attention to the payment method. If you want to avoid providing them with your credit card details, you can find a VPN service that allows anonymous payment methods like gift cards or cryptocurrency.
Do they come with a kill switch?
You must find a VPN service that has the kill switch system, a technology that allows the VPN provider to lock down your connection immediately if the VPN fails for some reason. Otherwise, a failed VPN connection will result in your computer or phone automatically shifting to the unsecured and open internet connection, compromising your online security.
The best VPN service providers
If you’re looking for VPN services, consider these top service providers in the market:
- ExpressVPN: They offer the most secure way to connect to the Internet and get access to content from all over the world. They have servers in 94 countries that you can use on any of your devices, like Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, routers, and more, with a single subscription. They also use encryption to prevent data from being read during transit.
- CyberGhost VPN: With CyberGhost VPN, you can access blocked websites, stream sports events without restrictions, use torrent, unblock streaming services, get better online deals, and do much more. They ensure that you’re safe on public Wi-Fi connections and your identity is safely hidden from the world. The best part? You can get all this for just $2.75 per month.
- NordVPN: Whether you are using your home internet or a public Wi-Fi, NordVPN ensures that your data and identity remain hidden from the cyber world. You can use the connection on up to 6 devices simultaneously and enjoy a stable and fast connection. With servers in 59 countries, they offer monthly, yearly, 2-year, and 3-year plans to choose from.
- Surfshark: This VPN service provider ensures that you get a secure internet connection with world-class encryption, no-logs, kill switch, whitelisting, and much more. The $1.99 monthly fee is one of the lowest in the market, and you can connect unlimited devices simultaneously. They also offer a 30-day money-back guarantee across all plans.
- ZenMate: ZenMate has VPN servers located in over 73 countries for secure and fast internet connection. The services can be used on any number of devices simultaneously, and you can also try their free Chrome extension to browse the Internet securely. Plus, all their paid plans come with a 30-days money-back assurance.
