How to Choose the Right VPN

There are many good reasons to install a VPN (virtual private network) app on your phone or laptop: it makes it harder for anyone to track your online activity, keeps your data secure when using public Wi-Fi, and even lets you spoof your location so you can access content that’s restricted by your geolocation.

You’ll also find a wide selection of VPN services. Our own guides to the best paid and best free VPNs showcase an abundance of impressive apps, and even if you narrow your search criteria, you’ll still have plenty to choose from—check out our recommendations for the best free VPNs for Android .

So, what exactly should you look for when choosing the right VPN? Here are the features and benefits you’ll see in VPN comparisons and what they mean (once you’ve narrowed down your options, you can look at pricing and additional features).

Viewing speed

One of the downsides of using a VPN is that your web browsing speed may decrease as your data is transferred between multiple servers around the world. Ideally, you want all the protection a VPN offers without significantly reducing your download and upload speeds (regardless of how many other users are using the same VPN).

Unfortunately, this isn’t something you can accurately assess simply by looking at VPN listings and ads, as most VPN services claim maximum speed. Either read test results from publications and authors you trust (beware of sponsored content), or take advantage of as many free trials as possible and conduct your own tests.

Server locations

The VPN you choose must route your internet traffic somewhere, and the number of servers a particular VPN has around the world can significantly impact speed and availability. Of course, this will also determine where in the world you can virtually relocate to another country, should you wish.

In general, the more servers, the better, although, as with VPN speed, you may need to conduct your own tests to verify reliability and data transfer speeds. Look for servers located close to you (for speed) and outside of countries with strict censorship or surveillance (for privacy), and check any technical specifications listed for them.

Separate tunneling and emergency switches

Another important feature is split tunneling, or the ability to route only some of your internet traffic through the VPN. This means you get faster speeds (but less security and privacy) for less important data, such as reading the news or learning a language. Many top VPN services offer this feature.

Another feature worth noting is a kill switch. It sounds rather dramatic, but it simply disables your internet connection if data encryption fails for any reason—cutting you offline but preventing your connection and data from being leaked. Again, this is a fairly common feature these days, but not every VPN offers it.

No logs or zero logs

You should choose only those VPN services that have a clear no-logs policy (web browsing data is not stored permanently) or a zero-logging policy (presumably even stricter, covering a larger amount of data). However, don’t take a VPN service’s word for it: to verify these claims, look for regular audits conducted by independent security companies.

If these logs are retained, they can be sold to data brokers or requested by law enforcement—so check individual privacy policies for details on what happens when you’re connected to a VPN. Some VPN services go further when it comes to ensuring anonymity: for example, Mullvad VPN allows payment by cash by mail.

VPN protocol

A VPN protocol is the way a VPN connects to the internet. It significantly impacts speed and security, and you’ll often see it mentioned in VPN service descriptions. However, despite its importance, comparing its characteristics across different VPN services is difficult—most VPN services simply claim their chosen protocol is the best.

Once you’ve compiled a list of suitable VPN services, research the protocols they use: look for independent security and transparency assessments, technical metrics, and open-source protocols that can be analyzed. For example, OpenVPN and WireGuard are two well-established protocols .

Location and reputation

VPN service providers are required to comply with the laws and regulations of the country in which they are registered, so it’s advisable to choose those located in locations with less stringent surveillance regulations and government oversight. If necessary, check the VPN service’s policy on handling data requests from government and law enforcement agencies in your region.

It’s also worth assessing the VPN company’s reputation: how does it make money? What other services does it offer? What is its history of data leaks? This is much more important for a VPN than, say, your music streaming service, because you’re entrusting it with all your online data while connected.

Trial periods and refunds

Overall, paying for a VPN is worth it because you’re entrusting it with a significant portion of your internet access and security. Paid options almost always provide faster and more reliable performance, and if you use a VPN regularly, the monthly fee is well worth it.

However, it’s worth looking for services that offer free trials and money-back guarantees in case of dissatisfaction (usually after 30 days). This will not only reflect favorably on the VPN provider, but will also allow you to test whether the VPN suits your needs and evaluate its server speeds before committing to a paid subscription.

More…