VPNs are incredible tools to help you protect your personal information and stay safe from hackers and government snoopers alike. But choosing a VPN doesn’t always come easy! Finding the best VPN service may be challenging, especially if you are new to this. With over 300 providers now on the market, it isn’t easy to know which service to choose.
So we’ve put together a list of quick and simple steps that will help you choose the VPN that’s best for you.
How to Choose a VPN – 13 Things to Look For in a Provider
The best VPN providers offer an ample selection of plans at a reasonable price point. However, other essential elements that you should look out for include:
1-Supported Protocols and Encryption Standards
The most common VPN protocols are PPTP, L2TP/IPSec, SSTP, and OpenVPN. The latter offers the best security among all of them since it’s open-source and has no significant vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit.
While the use of 256-bit encryption is preferable, 128-bit is also acceptable. Ensure that the VPN provider you select supports the encryption standard you want.
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2-Cross-Platform Compatibility
Most operating systems have VPNs available for them, but not all of them work with every device. For example, an Apple TV needs OpenVPN Connect to stream content through a VPN service.
Similarly, you may want to use your laptop with any Wi-Fi connection without completely sacrificing security. The best way is to invest in a VPN that offers Support for multiple platforms and provides at least one native app for your device(s).
3-Server Locations
Even if you’re looking for complete online anonymity, it can be helpful to connect to servers in different geographic locations. If nothing else, it increases your chances of unblocking geo-restricted websites by clicking to servers in other regions where said website isn’t blocked.
A good VPN service will offer servers in dozens of countries, making it easy to spoof your location. However, the more server locations a VPN service has, the better it can be.
4-Connection Speed
No one wants to use a slow and clunky VPN service that lags every time you try to do something meaningful. Connection speeds are critical when streaming or downloading large files.
Generally, the faster the connection speed, the better it is for us to save our time. However, some VPNs are much quicker than others. If you’re looking for a speedy VPN service, make sure to check out the reviews before buying.
5-Data Caps
Though data caps may not be a deal-breaker for everyone, they could be for power users. Internet service providers (ISPs) often impose data caps to discourage users from streaming and downloading content indiscriminately, but such restrictions can also limit your online activities.
Getting around those data-usage restrictions isn’t easy, but it’s doable to connect to servers hosted in locations that don’t restrict traffic. That said, most VPN services offer unlimited bandwidth and no data caps – so choose wisely!
6-No Logging Policy:
There are several reasons why you should opt for a VPN service that doesn’t log any traffic or metadata. If the provider stores logs, they could be compelled to hand them over to authorities upon request – which is something none of us wants! Even more, a VPN service that logs user data can (and will) sell that information to the highest bidder.
Logless VPNs are great for privacy and security, as they make it difficult (if not impossible) for anyone to track your online activities. Make sure to always check the provider’s logging policy before signing up.
7-Customer Support
VPNs can be a bit complicated to set up and use, so it’s always helpful to have access to customer support in case something goes wrong. Good customer support can also help you with troubleshooting, setting up devices, and answering any other questions you might have about your VPN service.
Generally, customer support is available 24/ via email, live chat, and phone. If you’re making a (substantial) investment in a VPN service, it’s worth paying for reliable customer support to help you with any issues that might arise.
8-P2P File-Sharing Support
The availability of P2P file sharing dramatically depends on the server location and can be restricted by local laws and regulations. For example, torrenting is not allowed in Germany and the Netherlands. Since every VPN provider has different policies regarding file sharing and refunds, look closely at each one before signing up!
9-Payment Methods
The way you pay for your VPN service is also an important consideration. If you want to safely use a public Wi-Fi connection while traveling, you must protect your web traffic with a VPN. However, the type of payment method you choose could be a security concern!
Credit cards, debit cards, PayPal, Bitcoin, and cash via mail are popular payment methods. If you’re not comfortable with any of these options, look for a VPN that allows alternative payment methods.
10-Money-back Guarantee
Like many other services, VPNs can be purchased using a money-back guarantee. The length of the said guarantee varies significantly from one provider to another. It can range from a few hours to several days, weeks, or months!
If you’re not satisfied with your VPN service for whatever reason, look for a provider that offers an extended money-back guarantee. Also, remember that some providers may only offer refunds on the first few days of service – so check the refund policy before signing up!
Conclusion:
A good VPN service is an essential tool for protecting your online privacy and security. Make sure to consider the factors listed above when choosing a VPN service, as they will help you find the best provider for your needs.
