-Sub-Headline-
Need the right VPN for you? Choose the best VPN that suits your needs!
-Intro-
VPN or Virtual Private Network improves online privacy
Prevents ISP from keeping a record of your activities and seeing them to third party companies
Provides extra layer of privacy when transferring sensitive information and accessing foreign websites
Go beyond speed when choosing a VPN, look for extra features; you may not need them all at once but come in handy when you do
Best VPN is transparent when it comes to its strengths and most importantly, its weaknesses
Best VPN has readable policies and releases third party audits and transparency reports
Take advantage of free trials, or opt for short-term subscriptions to try them out first
In sit amet felis malesuada, feugiat purus eget, varius mi. Mauris egestas at nibh nec finibus. Quisque congue porttitor ullamcorper.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Donec ac fringilla turpis. Donec eu est non lacus lacinia semper.
Vivamus sit amet semper lacus, in mollis libero. Phasellus sodales massa malesuada tellus fringilla, nec bibendum tellus blandit. Suspendisse nec congue purus.
Number of servers: 5,500+ | Server locations: 59 countries | Maximum devices supported: 6 | 24/7 live chat: Yes | 30-day money back guarantee: Yes
Pros
Easy to understand tools and user interface for beginners
Blocks ads, unsafe connections, and malicious sites without additional costs
Several server locations
Great for user privacy as it does not retain activity logs
Use in up to 6 devices simultaneously; average VPN is limited to 5
One of the few that offers extra privacy perks like Double VPN encryption that routes your traffic through two servers instead of one like most providers
Access to a variety of additional tools and advanced features such as Meshnet
Uses WireGuard VPN technology, which is more simple to use and faster
Extra features like multi-hop, split tunnelling, and Tor connections
Supports Linux operating system
Uses difficult-to-crack encryption
Fast and stable speeds all around
Cons
Relatively expensive
One of its servers was breached in 2019
Beta features like Threat Protection reportedly fail to filter all malware
Downloading and uploading through BitTorrent network is only available on some servers, but it supports torrenting, unlike other VPNs
Configuring advanced features like OpenVPN isn’t newbie-friendly
Map-based interface is a bit awkward and cluttered on mobile
Price increases on renewal for the yearly and 2-year plans
Prices (per month, per year)
Monthly Plan
Complete - 14.19 USD/month
Plus - 12.89 USD/month
Standard - 11.99 USD/month
1-Year Plan
Complete - 7.19 USD/month
Plus - 5.89 USD/month
Standard - 4.99 USD/month
2-year Plan
Complete - 5.89 USD/month
Plus - 4.59 USD/month
Standard - 3.69 USD/month
Payment options: Amazon Pay, Credit cards, cryptocurrency, Google Play, PayPal, Sofort, prepaid card
Dedicated IP Address
Offers static IP addresses for an additional 5.83 USD/month or 70 USD/year
Static IP address locations are the United States, the UK, Netherlands, France, and Germany
No. of Devices
Connect up to six devices simultaneously
Encryption
NordLynx (by WireGuard) by default for Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows apps
OpenVPN is also available, but only as backup
IKEv2 is available for iOS and macOS apps only
Uses complex 256-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), one of the most difficult to crack
The paragraph needs to cover each of the below:
Servers, connections and apps
Boasts servers in 59 countries with good geographic diversity
Most servers are in the US and the UK but has a sizable mix of servers scattered worldwide
Only one server is located in Africa (South Africa)
Has servers in locations with internet restrictive laws such as Hong Kong, Turkey, and Vietnam
Security and privacy
Passed audit by international firm PriceWaterhouseCooper headquartered in the UK
Being based in Panama with no data retention laws, it does not keep logs of users’ activities
Attacker remotely accessed one of NordVPN’s servers in 2019
Launched bug-bounty program with cash rewards to researchers who find security flaws in their system
Performance
Smooth set up
Securely login through the company’s web portal
Likewise, advanced additional features like Meshnet have a friendly user interface
Options to connect to fastest server, fastest server in a particular country, or a specific location server
Successfully hides ISP information
Threat Protection, a beta feature, needs improvement as some malware slip past its screening
Overall has excellent web browsing speed
Streaming
Fast streaming speed
Unblock Netflix, iPlayer, Disney+, Amazon Prime and more
No trouble loading videos while using the VPN
Features
Free 1TB encrypted cloud storage
Password manager
Access hidden websites via Tor anonymization network access
Split tunnelling to designate which apps or device route their traffic through the VPN connection
Threat Protection for blocking malicious sites, trackers, and ads as well as detecting malware
Meshnet that routes your traffic to another machine, letting you use that other machine’s IP address
Data breach scanner to check if your passwords, email addresses, or credit card details appeared in a leak
Kill Switch to prompt system-wide network lock in case VPN connection drops
Dark Web Monitor to avoid account information leaks to the dangerous dark web
Customer support
Offers responsive 24/7 live support on the site
Non-English customer support available for German and French
Customer support using other languages other than English, German, and French is not as accurate as it uses a generic translator
Uses practically unbreakable Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) encryption in the exchange of emails with customers to protect account details
Price
Security packages come in three main variations: Complete, Plus, and Standard
Subscriptions are available in monthly, yearly, and 2-year plans
A bit more expensive than other providers due to its additional, advanced features
Anything else?
Company merged with Surfshark VPN on February 2022
One of its servers was breached in October 2019 but has since invested time and capital into enhancing systems and practices
Offers NordLayer VPN for businesses
Should you get it?
Offers all the best features of its competition in a flexible package
Advanced features come in handy
Web browsing feature Threat Protection can use improvement but is functional
Overall, NordVPN remains a competitive choice among the ones available in the market
Number of servers: 3,200+ | Server locations: 95 countries | Maximum devices supported: unlimited | 24/7 live chat: Yes | 30-day money back guarantee: Yes
Pros
Large collection of own-brand privacy tools like Surfshark Nexus, Surfshark Alert, and Surfshark Search
It has an excellent, well-designed app for a better mobile experience
Unlimited number of devices can connect simultaneously, while the average VPN caps at 5 devices
Shared static Servers are accessible without additional costs
Passed third-party security and performance audits
Has split-tunnelling tools like Bypasser that allows the routing of app or device traffic through an encrypted VPN
Has own data breach prevention and email security feature
Stylish app that’s easy to use
Compatible with Linux
Cons
Pricey monthly plan, and is also one of the most expensive
Long-term subscription pricing, and the other packages in general, are a bit confusing because information about them are contained on different pages on the site
Speed test results are average compared to competitors
Ambiguous provisions in the terms and conditions and privacy policy about logging connection timestamps
Prices (per month, per year)
1 month 14.44 USD/month
1 year 5.48 USD/month or 65.76 USD/year. The price increases to 77.64 USD/year after the first year
24-month 3.98 USD/month or 95.52 USD for the first 24 months, which reprices to 77.64 USD/year
Payment options: Credit cards, Amazon Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, and a variety of cryptocurrencies using either CoinGate or CoinPayments
Dedicated IP Address
Currently doesn’t offer dedicated IPs at the moment but says the feature is already part of their roadmap
Alternately, they offer static servers available to Android, Windows, iOS and macOS
The only catch with SurfShark’s static IPs is, you share them with everyone else who is using the same server
No. of Devices
Unlimited number of devices can connect simultaneously
Encryption
Uses OpenVPN encryption protocol as well as WireGuard in Android, iOS, macOS, Linux, and Windows apps
IKEv2 protocol is also available on Android, iOS and macOS
The paragraph needs to cover each of the below:
Servers, connections and apps
Wide coverage of servers in 95 countries which is above average
Has servers in South America and Africa; regions that other providers mostly ignore
It also has servers in countries with repressive internet laws such as China, Russia, Turkey, and Vietnam
Claims that all its servers are physical machines located in Colombia, Hong Kong, and the Netherlands
Comes in a stylish app with shades of blue and a smart design that expands and contracts to show more or less information
The Android app looks exactly like the iOS version
Security and privacy
Relies on ‘trusted third-party data centers’ that provide physical server infrastructure for them that wipes out if someone removes them
Has clear Privacy and Terms of Service
Does not log IP addresses, browsing history, amount of bandwidth used, and network traffic
It says in its Privacy Policy that it does not log connection timestamp. Still, its terms of services state that they keep and delete them 15 minutes after the connection is terminated to prevent the abuse of the unlimited simultaneous connection feature. These ambiguous provisions are yet to be clarified by Surfshark
Does not disclose user information even with national security letters, gag orders, and other government organization warrants
Passed audit by German cybersecurity firm Cure53
Allows blocking of local network traffic, which is handy for streaming to other devices or accessing through printers
Performance
Clean interface that be resized like a responsive website
Smaller version of the app can be opened on the tray
Select a server at the country or city level
Add a location as “favorite” for future use
Streaming
Fast streaming results
Even with IP rotator, a feature to constantly change the network’s IP address, videos loaded do not stutter
Features
Bypasser, a handy tool to customize which apps and devices use the VPN connection
Multi-hop connections to create VPN connection to a server and bounce your traffic to a second server
Custom DNS service called Smart DNS that reroutes your DNS requests through a proxy server so you can bypass geographical restrictions
CleanWeb adblocker
Surfshark Alert that warns your account if they have been compromised or an additional cost of 0.99 USD/month. This works very much like HaveIBeenPwned
Privacy-respecting search tool called Surfshark Search for an additional cost of 0.99 USD/month
SurfShark Nexus is an exclusive innovation that connects to the nearest entry point and provides an IP address of the desired location to exit that ensures the fastest VPN speed
Has a Kill Switch feature that prevents your computer from compromising user details should the VPN become disconnected
NoBorders Mode to disguise your traffic as normal HTTPS web traffic
IP rotator that changes IP address every 10 minutes although there’s no function to change the interval
Customer support
Send a quick question via the site’s live chat feature
Also has a responsive customer service email address
Replies to queries posted on their Twitter account
Price
Depending on where you buy your subscription, the packages offered by the site tend to change. The differences vary by a few dollars. One tip is to check for coupon codes as they usually offer some for first-time customers
Buy add-on features on top of your subscription individually or through a bundle package called SurfShark One. This includes extra features such as Alert, Antivirus, and Search for an additional 1.49 USD/month or 17.88 USD/year, depending on the duration of the subscription purchased
Anything else?
Merged with NordVPN on February 2022 but operates as separate entities with its business plans and infrastructure
Should you get it?
Its generous unlimited simultaneous device connections are a plus
Transparent audits are also an indication of a great VPN
Its several features are at par with the competition
Overall, Surfshark remains to be one of the VPNs to beat
Number of servers: 3,000+ | Server locations: 94 countries | Maximum devices supported: 5 | 24/7 live chat: Yes | 30 day money back guarantee: Yes
Pros
Diversely-distributed servers worldwide
Strong practices to maintain privacy and security
Has impressive split tunnelling features
Stylish interface with easy-to-use functions
Cheaper than most VPNs
Straightforward functions in a simple cost package
Passed third-party audits
User-friendly with pleasing visuals in contrast to the so-called hacker aesthetic found in most VPNs
Includes Speed Test tool to gauge connection
Successfully hides IP address and obscure ISP
Has Fire TV
Cons
No multi-hop connection features to route traffic through two VPN servers
Not as packed with features as its competitors
No special add-on features such as dedicated IP addresses or malware and ad blockers
No push-button access to Tor anonymization network
iOS is missing a lot of features found on the Windows version of the app
Prices (per month, per year)
12.95 USD/month
9.99 USD/ month for 6 months
8.32 USD/month for 12 months
Payment options: Credit cards, PayPal, Bitcoin, and other services such as WebMoney
Dedicated IP Address
Does not provide dedicated or static IPs as it claims to regularly rotate their IP addresses
No. of Devices
Connect up to 5 devices simultaneously
Encryption
Uses OpenVPN and its brand of protocol called Lightway
It’s own brand of protocol, but Lightway uses an open-source wolfSSL cryptography library, which is smart as trying to build a new system requires time to polish
Lightway and OpenVPN are supported on Android, Linux, Mac, and Windows apps
iOS, however, only supports OpenVPN as well as IKEv1/2
Windows app supports IKEv2
The paragraph needs to cover each of the below:
Servers, connections and apps
Servers are found across 160 cities in 94 countries
Great balance between hardware and virtual servers
Several servers in Africa and excellent coverage across South America, which are both underserved and almost completely ignored by most providers
Has servers in countries with repressive internet laws such as Turkey and Vietnam
App changes color depending on the activation status
Apps are identical on iOS and Android
iOS, however, lacks Kill Switch nor split tunnelling
Security and privacy
Uses RAM-only servers which do not write information to disk
Uses a cryptographic key scheme that assigns unique keys for each server making it harder to impersonate
Thorough Privacy Policy
Does not sell user data
Does not store logs of user activity and originating IP address
Collects information like aggregate of data transferred by the user
Keeps a log of the most recent date of successful connection
Takes note of which VPN location you connect with sans a specific public-facing IP address
Information it collects, however, is not enough to identify an individual since these will be identical to other users
Main headquarters are in the British Virgin Islands, which has no data retention laws
Passed audit from British third-party firm PriceWaterhouseCoopers
Performance
Fast and easy downloads
No username and password login is required; it uses an activation code found on the customer portal. This can be quite confusing for those who are used to traditional means of logging in, but it’s certainly faster and easier
Built around a large on/off button, which makes it easy to activate and tell whether the app is connected to the network or not
Choose from a list of countries and cities
Streaming
Fast streaming speed without lags
Available for Fire TV and Kindle Fire
Instructions for using on Apple TV, PlayStation, and Xbox devices are also available
Play videos without interruptions or buffering
More ads when playing video, but the speed is unaffected
Features
Handy Speed Test tool to check the performance of each connection
Kill Switch function to prevent your details from leaking should the VPN gets disconnected
Flexible Split-Tunneling tool with three options: require all apps to use VPN; segregate specific apps from VPN; or require selected apps to use the VPN
Has an auto-connect settings
Customer support
Quickly get in touch via the 24/7 live chat support
Provides an extensive troubleshooting database
Gives tutorials and instructions on how to set up the app properly
Price
More affordable than most but lacks rare features
Does not offer an add-on; the pricing package includes all its available features
Anything else?
Turkish government seized some of its servers during an investigation of Russian Ambassador Andrey Karlov’s assassination in 2017
Should you get it?
It doesn’t have the same number of features as the others, but its simple pricing plans already include all that it can offer. This is enough to make up for that if you are after the basic privacy and security features that a VPN can offer
Number of servers: 750+ | Server locations: 36 countries | Maximum devices supported: Unlimited | 24/7 live chat: Yes for premium members only | 30 day money back guarantee: Yes
Pros
The only VPN that offers a feature that rotates IP addresses without having to switch between servers
Can block ads and unwanted trackers
Relatively new in the market but has remarkable speeds
Trimmed-down protocol list that only keeps best, functional ones
One of the most affordable VPNs out there
Solid privacy and security features
Monitors whether your details have been leaked online
No-logs service that does not collect data about its users
Email support gives fast responses
One of the few that offers a limited, free subscription
Perks are available for customers on a free plan
Several built-in blockers for ads, trackers, and malware
Generous data caps for free subscribers
User-friendly interface
Cons
Live chat is only available for members who have a premium plan
No full third-party audits have been done yet, being a relatively new VPN
Pushy, aggressive subscription emails
Split-tunneling is only available for Android apps
No push-button access to the Tor anonymization network
Rents, and does not own its servers, although it claims they fully manage them
Switching between servers reportedly lags
Limited payment options
Prices (per month, per year)
1 month 10.99 USD/month for 1 month
9.89 USD/month for 1 year billed as 118.69 USD, which reprices to 131.88 USD/year upon renewal
7.69 USD/month for 3 years billed as 276.95 USD, which reprices to 395 USD upon renewal
Payment options: Google Pay or PayPal
Dedicated IP Address
Does not offer dedicated IP addresses at the moment
Alternatively offers Static IP addresses
No. of Devices
Unlimited number of devices can connect simultaneously
Free subscribers can also connect an unlimited number of devices simultaneously
Encryption
Uses IKEv2 and WireGuard, which are supported on all apps
Offers military-grade, top-of-the-line encryption
WireGuard connections get 256-bit encryption
Additionally, IKEv2 get the bonus of SHA-384 and PFS or near-unbreakable data packets
Does not support OpenVPN protocol
The paragraph needs to cover each of the below:
Servers, connections and apps
All servers are dedicated hardware servers; does not have virtual servers
Awkward interface with smaller text
Offers three free server locations to non-paying subscribers
Performance is significantly better in US-based servers
Some servers outside the US reportedly experience poor connections
Switching between servers is slow
Quitting the VPN while switching servers will make the app hang
Security and privacy
Does not own its servers, but rather rents them from a third party although they fully manage them
Relies on full-encrypted disks to protect its servers
Does not log user activity or other data
Data is wiped after the VPN disconnects
Does not collect IP addresses
Does not sell user data as its only source of revenue is customer subscriptions
However, it gathers information on app usage and customer devices, such as device model and OS version
Uses Ad identifiers which are IDs assigned by app stores to mobile devices
Has a warrant canary for showing the number of national security letters, gag orders, and other government warrants it received
Complies with legal requests for information but does not store data to share with law enforcement and other government agencies
Operates under the legal jurisdiction of the United States, which does not have data retention laws
Passed third-party audit from VerSprite but only for iOS app
Performance
Installation is smooth but logging in is a bit confusing
No prompt to enter or create a password but it uses the email address used to purchase the service before it sends a redirecting link that logs you in automatically
Frequently sends marketing emails, so customers need to uncheck a pre-checked box to avoid signing up for its ‘exclusive offers’ every time they log in
Easy to use and understand even for beginners built around a list of available servers
If Kill Switch is activated, a warning message pops up whenever the VPN is manually disconnected saying the Kill Switch will also be deactivated
Hides IP address and does not leak DNS information
Kill Switch feature works but with quirks; while it is initially functional, a known issue disconnects your device altogether from the internet once the VPN is exited
Streaming
Fast video loading without lags
US servers perform better than others like Ireland
Features
SafeSwap Servers for rotating IP addresses without having to switch between servers
Split tunnelling to choose which devices or apps will use the VPN connection is only available for Android
Shows a running tally of ads and trackers it blocked
Data Breach Monitor to check if your account details have been compromised, like HaveIBeenPwned
Free users can track a single email address using the Data Breach Monitor feature, while paying customers can track as many addresses as they want
Kill Switch to prevent data leaks when VPN unexpectedly disconnects
Customer support
Responsive to customer emails
24/7 live chat is only available for members with an active subscription plan
Email support is available for everyone
Price
Free subscription is available that is limited to 3 locations but without speed limits and open to use in an unlimited number of devices
Free server locations include Los Angeles and New York
Free 10GB per month on Windows
Android, iOS, and macOS get 2GB per day
Payment options do not support cash or cryptocurrency
Anything else?
A trademark of Peakstar Technologies Inc, which is now owned by Nord Security Group of the well-known NordVPN
Should you get it?
It’s a relatively new player but managed to take its spotlight in the game
Execution needs more work but what it can offer outweighs what it may lack
Basic yet functional, not to mention generous, AtlasVPN deserves a yes
Number of servers: 8,900+ | Server locations: 91 countries | Maximum devices supported: 7 | 24/7 live chat: Yes | 30 day money back guarantee: Yes
Pros
Has one of the largest server networks among competitor VPNs
Several add-ons available, including an antivirus
Speed test results are impressive
Offers free ID Guard Monitoring
Provides malware and ad blocking
Has Split Tunneling feature to exempt specific URLs from traveling through the VPN connection
Offers dedicated IP address
Get free email monitoring service to alert if an email address shows up in a data breach
Has an impressive list of supported apps
Cons
Expensive compared to other VPNs
No third-party audit has undergone yet
Ambiguous privacy policies
No push-button to route to the Tor anonymization network
Most features in the Windows version are not in the iOS version
Prices (per month, per year)
1 month 12.99 USD/month
1 year 4.29 USD/month or 51.48 USD/year
2 years 3.25 USD/month or 78 USD/2 years
3 years 2.29 USD/month or 89.31/3 years
Dedicated IP Address
Offers Dedicated IP addresses in several locations, including Canada, France, Germany, the UK, and the US, for an additional fee of 5 USD/month on top of the subscription fee
No. of Devices
Generous with 7 simultaneous connections allowed as the average VPN offers 5 while there are a few that does not put a limit
Encryption
Supports WireGuard across all its platforms
OpenVPN is supported in all its platforms except macOS
IKEv2 is available on Amazon Fire TV Stick, Android, Android TV, iOS, macOS, and Windows
The paragraph needs to cover each of the below:
Servers, connections and apps
VPN with one of the most-varied server locations
Bulk of its servers are in the UK and the US but offers a great global mix
Offers better than average connection for servers in Africa and South America which VPN companies often ignore
Has servers in regions with repressive internet laws such as China, Hong Kong, Russia, Turkey, and Vietnam
Security and privacy
Uses antivirus provider Intego, a leading Mac security software but has been underperforming when it comes to detecting Windows malware
Impressive list of supported apps include Fire Stick TV, Android, Android TV, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows, and various routers
Some of its server infrastructures is rented, but the others, such as NoSpy servers, are directly owned
Servers are encrypted and run in RAM only without saving data on a hard drive. Even if an attacker steals the physical structures, there would be no data to retrieve
Privacy policy is easily understandable
Does not store user IP addresses, DNS queries, browsing history, connection/disconnection timestamps, session duration, bandwidth, or the VPN server
However, it collects information on connection attempts
No logs of user activity
Only generates revenue from customer subscriptions
The company has no personal user data so it has no way to comply with legal requests from government entities
Records operating system and device model
Performance
Installs smoothly
Customers can only log in to up to 7 maximum devices simultaneously. Log out or delete the app if a new device must be added
Provides information on a load of specific servers
Servers are listed categorically based on location or purpose, such as gaming, torrenting, and streaming
Customers can add a specific server to their favorites list for easy access later
Streaming
Fast loading of videos while the VPN is turned on
No trouble streaming videos nor buffering observed
Features
NoSpy servers are impenetrable as they are self-owned, self-operated, and built inside the company’s high-security facility in its Romanian headquarters. The feature costs an additional 59.98 USD/year for a monthly subscription. Longer subscriptions get it for free
Split Tunneling for choosing which URLs can use the VPN connection
Dedicated IP addresses for an additional fee of 5USD/month on top of the subscription
ID Guard to keep track of an account or email address that has been compromised on the internet
Boxcryptor, which is a cloud storage file encryption service, free for customers who have a one-year subscription or longer
Security Suite for Windows for an additional 5.99 USD per month. This includes antivirus protection provided by Intego, a Privacy Guard tool to protect user information from Microsoft and Security Updater, which keeps an eye on the apps that need updating. Take note that it is only compatible with Windows 7 or higher
No full third-party audits so far except for an evaluation by AV-Test, a German independent organization that rates antivirus and security suites
Kill Switch that prevents the leaking of information should the VPN connection unexpected stops
Customer support
24/7 live chat is available
Technical customer support can be contacted through email
Price
More expensive than the average VPN but is easily justified by its number of advanced features
Pricing table is quite straight to the point
However, several cool features are only available for an additional cost
Anything else?
Its parent company Kape Technologies PLC, also owns ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access VPN
Should you get it?
While it sits on the list of one of the most expensive, CyberGhost VPN stays to be a solid choice for customers who require a VON for specific needs
It also has excellent speed test results
It expands a set of security tools to boost value for its high price
Number of servers: 2,000+ | Server locations: 75+ countries | Maximum devices supported: Unlimited | 24/7 live chat: Yes | 30 day money back guarantee: Yes on yearly or 2-year plan customers only
Pros
Customers can connect an unlimited number of devices simultaneously, while the average VPN is limited to 5
Great geographic diversity of servers
Connection settings are advanced and highly customizable to suit every need
No restrictions on BitTorrent
Offers backup cloud space through SugarSync and LiveDrive for free
Has anti-virus protection and anti-tracking tools
Cons
Interface is not as modern in terms of appearance
Additional privacy features are not as varied as top competitors
No publicly released third-party audits so far
No ad blocker feature
Limited payment options to credit cards and PayPal
No multi-hop feature that bounces connections through a second server to make it harder to track and intercept
No push-button access to Tor anonymization network
Offers Split-tunneling feature but only for Android devices
User interface can be intimidating for newbies
Prices (per month, per year)
Monthly 10.99 USD/month
Quarterly 5.32/month billed as 15.96 USD and reprices to 29.99 USD upon renewal
Yearly 3.99USD/month billed as 47.89 USD and reprices to 89.99 USD upon renewal
Payment options: Credit card, PayPal
Dedicated IP Address
No Dedicated IP feature as it does not want to “risk having web traffic associated with a single user”
No. of Devices
Unlimited number of devices can connect simultaneously
Encryption
Uses OpenVPN, IKEv2, IPSec and WireGuard protocols
Supports WireGuard and IKEv2 on all platforms
OpenVPN is supported on all platforms except iOS
IPSec protocol is only supported on iOS and macOS
The paragraph needs to cover each of the below:
Servers, connections and apps
Offers servers in Africa and South America continents which VPN providers often ignore
Servers are available in regions with oppressive internet laws, such as China, Turkey, and Russia
None of its servers is in virtual locations
Uses virtual servers but claims to control its underlying hardware
Servers are fully encrypted
Security and privacy
Clear privacy policy with strongly detailed key assurances
Does not monitor or log user activity
User information is not sold or rented
Collects aggregated anonymous data like VPN connection duration
Apps create local logs, but company claims to have no access to this information
Deploys two-factor authentication internally and approval requirement from multiple individuals for code changes to prevent unauthorized access
No third-party audit yet
Does not issue transparency reports like warrant canary to details interactions with legal and government entities
Does not leak DNS information
Performance
No browser plugins, unlike many competitors
Supports app for Amazon Fire TV
Pull-down menus let customers select the country, city, or specific server to use
Servers are sorted by the “Best Available” option available
Streaming
No trouble loading videos
No significant buffering on streaming videos
Features
Vipre anti-virus protection and anti-tracking tools add-ons
Free backup and sync cloud storage through SugarSync and LiveDrive
Kill Switch to avoid blocking access to the web unless the VPN is connected
Customer support
24/7 live chat is available
Phone support is available
Customers can also reach out through email
Price
Costs slightly above average
Base prices are changed upon renewal for yearly and 2-year subscription plans
Anything else?
Customer email support is not very responsive despite having a dedicated team responding to queries
Should you get it?
Its arsenal of extra features is not as wide as its competitors, but IPVanish still provides value for money with its robust network of servers, speed, and unlimited simultaneous connections, perfect for device-heavy households who are after privacy
Number of servers: 1,746+ | Server locations: 64 countries | Maximum devices supported: 10 | 24/7 live chat: No, chat support is only available on office hours CEST | 30 day money back guarantee: Yes
Pros
Generous features for free subscribers
Paid subscription is a bang for the buck with numerous privacy tools
Customer support is access
Speed test results are impressive
Free server locations for non-paying subscribers
Only account creation is needed to access free VPN, which includes the rest of the Proton product line (Drive, Calendar, Mail)
No data limitations for free subscribers
No 24/7 live chat support which is only available from Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm
Cons
Awkward layout on Chrome
Pricing structure is a bit complicated, attributed to its large add-on offerings. Customers are advised to smartly plan which subscriptions and add-ons to include
Prices (per month, per year)
1 month 9.99 USD/month
1 year 5.99 USD/month or 71.88 USD for the first year, which reprices to 119.88 USD upon renewal
2 years 4.99 USD/month or 119.76 for the first 2 years, which reprices to 239.76 USD upon renewal
Dedicated IP Address
Does not offer a dedicated IP address at the moment
No. of Devices
Paying subscribers can connect up to 10 devices simultaneously, which is generous considering that the average VPN limits up to 5
Encryption
Uses OpenVPN and IKEv2 in all its Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows apps
WireGuard is supported across platforms
The paragraph needs to cover each of the below:
Servers, connections and apps
Free subscribers can use up to 3 server locations in Japan, the Netherlands, and the US
Has servers in South America and Africa which are continents often ignored by VPN companies, as well as India and Ukraine
Actively seeks feedback from customers on which server locations to add
Several servers are available in countries with repressive internet laws, such as China, Hong Kong, Russia, Turkey, and Vietnam
Security and privacy
Servers are kept in physically-secured facilities such as an old military base
Uses full-disk encryption, so any seized server would be inaccessible
Does not log user activity or IP addresses
Operates in Geneva, Switzerland and responds to requests for information from an approved Swiss court order. However, the company claims they will have little to no information to provide as they do not keep significant records of their users
Its apps are open-sourced, so any researcher can have access to verify any potential vulnerabilities
It manages a bug bounty program and pays researchers for information
Passed a security policy audit from third-party Securities
Performance
Installation is smooth and easy
Works on Linux
Interface design has a good balance between style and ease of use
Some free users experienced differences in speed, which is mainly attributed to free servers being crowded. This, in turn, correlates to faster premium servers, although the company does not limit speed regardless of the subscription plan
Streaming
Easily load a video even when the VPN is turned on
Features
Proton Mail for encrypting emails and files for keeping conversations private
Proton Drive cloud-based storage
Proton Calendar scheduling tool
Free subscribers can connect one device at a time
Multi-hop “Secure Core” servers that defend against privacy threats by passing connections through multiple servers
Push-button connection to Tor anonymization network
Netshield ad and malware blocker
Kill Switch to prevent the leaking of data should the VPN unexpectedly disconnects
Split tunneling to designate which apps or devices route their traffic through the VPN connection
Customer support
No 24/7 live chat support as it is only accessible during office hours in the CEST
Email is available all the time but the reply window varies on the query
Customers may also send a support form available on the website
Price
Pricing packages and their add-ons can be overwhelming and confusing due to their many offerings
It has many advanced features
Anything else?
Legacy subscribers, or those who are already paying customers before the price plan reprices upon renewal, may keep their original base plan cost
Should you get it?
It has strong privacy policies and a wide collection of features. Its free offerings are also generous. A recent change in its pricing plans made subscription a bit complicated but understandable with the variety of add-ons it offers. With these, Proton VPN is a smart and flexible choice
cc
cc
cc
cc
ddd
ddd
ddd
ddd
here we will need a table like here (will do at the end): https://a.cl.ly/NQujOjQK
ddd
ddd
dd
dd
cc
cc
cc
cc
dd
dd
dd
dd
dd
dd
dd
dd
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
-Closing-
-Author Presentation-
-Add Comment section-