Don's Home Technology Networks Virtual Private Networks (VPN)

Reviews:
PC Magazine
Cnet
cybernews

Most frequent top ratings:
Nord      $2.99/mo
Surfshark $2.22/mo
Proton    $4.99/mo
Express   $6.67/mo

Location: Choosing a provider with many locations as well as apps for every platform is a good start, but all that really matters at the end of the day is if it covers the locations and platforms you'll actually be using.

Features: If streaming movies or TV is a top priority for you, look for a VPN which unblocks your favorite services like Netflix or iPlayer. Torrent users will obviously want P2P support on as many servers as possible, in addition to an effective kill switch to keep their identity secret, and an audited no-log policy to make sure all of your online activities stay private.

Connections: Many VPNs also limit you to connecting a specific number of devices at the same time. If you have multiple mobile devices, laptops, smart TVs or other hardware to protect, you will absolutely want to go for a provider that supports more simultaneous connections Ð or maybe has no limits at all.

Support: One of the best ways to spot a good (or bad) VPN is to check its support site. Look for lots of detailed and well-written content that you feel would help you in whatever tricky situations you may find yourself in. Live chat support is welcome, too, though not essential. Email support can be surprisingly speedy, with some providers responding in minutes.

Price: And of course, there's cost to consider, too, though we'd suggest concentrating on functionality, first. If price is your only concern, take a look at our list of the best cheap VPNs!

In short, look for a VPN with everything you want to actually do. That doesn't have to be expensive Ð there are some great value deals on this list Ð and you can always use price later to prune your shortlist down to a final choice.

Table at Surfshark