If you feel like there are far too many VPNs available in the market right now and it is extremely difficult to figure out the right one for you, fear not since we are here to help.
There might be a lot of VPN providers, but the good news is that almost all of them are priced fairly close to one another. This means that the only metric that you will be considering, for the most part, is the quality of the service that is offered.
There are certain things that you need to be aware of when you select a VPN provider, and we will take you through all of them. We will also recommend a great VPN for all-purpose users who do not want to go through the painstaking process of comparing different VPNs and selecting one of them.
In this guide, we will help you in understanding about VPN in detail and things you need to keep in mind when choosing a suitable VPN for your device.
However, before I move on to dissect this topic, it is essential to introduce VPN first.
What is a VPN, and why do people use it?
VPN, which stands for the virtual private network is a private platform that keeps the identity of the user hidden and adds more to the privacy of public/private networks. For example, if you’re working in Chicago, you can change your location to Bristol via VPN. In the same way, people can use this technology to share files over the internet with maximum security. Furthermore, VPN also allows users to prevent other people from seeing the data they are transferring from one place to the other. This way, data security is enhanced, and people can easily maintain the secrecy of their data while using a public Wi-Fi network.
VPN is an ideal platform for people who want to change their location to avoid any problems with the governmental authorities. For instance, in countries where Netflix is banned, people have to use a VPN to unlock it.
The truth be told, there are a lot of people who live in countries where censorship and strict monitoring are both major issues for locals. Therefore, the best way to continue with any browsing is to change your IP address and location. However, that’s not all! It is equally important to hide sensitive browsing from the ISP provider. If your ISP continues to hound you, it is important to use a VPN to get rid of the problem.
Put, VPN is useful when you want to hide your traffic from the local network. VPN uses incredible tricks to hide your identity over the web.
Things to keep in mind when choosing a VPN
When you’re out in the market and looking for a suitable VPN, there are a lot of things you need to be mindful of. No one can deny, VPN has multiple benefits beginning from security down to encryption of a computer network. If you are confused about choosing a VPN, it is better to weigh its pros and cons. Following is a list of pros and cons of VPN you need to consider before deciding to buy it:
Pros of using VPN
1. Access Blocked Content from Anywhere
Whether you’re at a business meeting or traveling to a different country and want to access content from your home country, it is common to get a lot of bizarre messages. In this regard, VPN can be your new best friend. Secondly, if you’re in a strong censorship country, a VPN can help you in accessing anything you want.
2. VPN Can Save Money
Once you incorporate a VPN in your electronic device, you will realise that there are many other perks of this platform. Many e-commerce websites display different rates for different countries. For instance, if you’re buying a product from Sweden, it might have different rates for Indian and Chinese audiences. Depending on the rate, you can change the IP address of your server to a country where the product is being sold for a cheaper rate.
3. VPN Keeps You Safe
In today’s time, one of the biggest mistakes people make is they send sensitive and personal information throughout the web without even giving it a second thought. Let us give you a quick check; whether you’re logging into your bank account online or making a payment via credit card, you will never want anyone to keep an eye on you. However, a VPN slows you to encrypt your data wherever you’re browsing from.
4.VPNs are Affordable
You only have to pay a few bucks every month to unblock any website you want. This way, your connection will remain anonymous and discreet. Not to forget, other kinds of security plans are expensive and difficult to understand. Not only is VPN simple to navigate but it offers perks that are worth any amount you pay. There is no hardware to install, and you can start browsing whatever content you want within minutes.
5. No Time Limitation
Unlike other options where you will be allowed to browse blocked content for some time, VPN allows you to consume massive content without any time frame. This means you can stream HD videos anytime without worrying about being tracked by anyone. However, you must keep in mind that VPN slows down the internet connection, so there are few hours of the day when you will have the highest speed of your internet connection.
Cons of Using VPN
1. VPN can Slow Down Connection Speed
A VPN does help you in maintaining the secrecy online, but that comes with a price to pay. VPN can slow down your internet connection, which means you might not be able to send a single email for a long time. Therefore it is important to be thoughtful when choosing a VPN provider.
2. VPN Can Suddenly Drop
This is another major drawback of a VPN. Though a lot of people don’t witness a drop in the internet connection usually but after installing a VPN, you will very likely experience sudden drops in the internet connection. Secondly, the speed of your internet connection will also slow down.
3. The market is Flooded with Anti-VPN Software
Don’t forget, there is many anti-VPN software’s in the market that can easily unveil your identity online. So if you wake up one morning being unable to browse whatever you want, this means that your VPN software has been blocked.
4. Configuration Can be Difficult
If your VPN isn’t configured properly, you could experience DNS and IP leaks. This means your data will become vulnerable to online threats and hackers. If you feel overwhelmed after reading about VPN features, there is no need to have any fear. Always consult a professional if you don’t know much about VPN. Most people get their devices hacked when they run into trouble after not being able to understand the dynamics of the VPN.
5. VPN is Illegal in many Countries
Not to forget, VPN is illegal in many countries of the world. This means, if you get caught by the governmental authorities, you could be fined and jailed for a long time. Especially in countries like China and Russia, you will have to use a state-approved VPN. Many countries want to have a staunch control over the content its citizens are consuming online.
6. Free VPN is Worse Than Anything
Don’t swoon over a VPN connection if it is free. One thing which most VPN providers won't tell you is that not all of them have access to unblocking all kinds of websites. So if you register for a subscription that is free for most time of the year, you might have to go through a lot of trouble in browsing content online in terms of its inaccessibility and speed.
So finally that you have gone through the pros and cons of VPN, it is up to you to buy this software.
Following is a list of things you need to keep in mind when choosing a VPN:
1. Figure Out What You Need a VPN For
When you enter an Apple store, you surely don’t buy whatever you see in the first instance. The same is the case with a VPN when you are looking for it online. The first thing you need to do is to identify your use. If you want a VPN for the entire household, you might have to purchase a router-based VPN. If it is not available, you can also buy one that allows multiple connections at one time. Don’t forget, VPN slows down the speed of the internet connection. Therefore you must choose one that offers high speed.
Especially if you want to stream HD videos, buying a high-speed VP becomes imperative. Meanwhile, people who are frequent travelers need a very strong VPN for maximum security when using public Wi-Fi Networks. Once you have a perspective on what you want, you will be able to save more time in choosing a suitable VPN.
2. Check which Devices are Compatible
Although most VPNs support mainstream platforms like Mac, IOS, Linux, and Windows, some VPNs don’t support all platforms. For instance, if you have a Windows Computer and an Apple Phone, you will have to ensure that both have a VPN. Secondly, it is important to check how many devices the VPN connects. If you want to buy a VPN for a single device, you won't have to worry.
However, if you want multiple connections, you must check if the VPN provider offers this feature. Most VPNs allow users to connect up to three devices at one time. Not to forget, a VPN that offers connections more than three will cost you more as compared to a conventional VPN.
3. Make sure Your Important Locations are Covered
The number of locations and servers is a very important deciding factor for a VPN. For example, if you live in a less populated country or plan to travel there, you must make sure that the other country has VPN servers over there. If you are going to China, you must go the extra mile to make sure you have a strong VPN connection. China is known for having limited internet service and VPN that can easily curtail censorship.
So if you’re planning to work there for a long time, you must have an effective VPN provider. Every country has a different take on internet security and protection of data. Therefore it is important to be prepared.
4. Look for a VPN with Reliable Customer Service
Most people often forget that most VPNs offer 24/7 customer service. It is important to keep in mind, VPNs change all the time, therefore it is essential to contact someone who can help with regards to everything. A wise suggestion is to take is to switch to a VPN provider who offers 24/7 customer support. Furthermore, it is also essential to register for a VPN that offers contact through email.
In case of an emergency, you will easily have someone to guide you through a complex problem. Especially when you’re traveling to another country, it is imperative to have a reliable VPN provider that supports you all the time.
5. Always Consider VPNs Qualities
Every company has different priorities when it comes to selling VPN to customers. Some prioritise speed whereas some believe that encryption is the most important thing. The only thing you need to do is make sure that your priorities are in alignment with theirs. For example, if you want to watch a film that is geographically blocked, a VPN that has quite a good reputation will be the need of the hour. Many VPNs often fail to unblock sites that have a strong firewall, which is why it is important to be mindful enough when making decisions.
6. Find a VPN with User-friendly Interface
The user-interface on a lot of VPNs can be very complex that is why it is important to choose one that is user-friendly. Secondly, if you’re not tech-savvy and don’t want to waste time in troubling yourself, the best idea is to buy a VPN connection that has simple features. You will be surprised to know, many VPNs offer a virtual setup, and this means you won't have to invest yourself in understanding the archaic procedure of the VPN.
7. Decide what Payment Plan You Prefer
Payment is always important to consider whenever you’re buying something. Every VPN has a different price depending on the features and subscription length. The mode of payment is also important. Modern VPN providers provide payment via bitcoin that keeps your identity anonymous such as Bitcoin. Other VPNs allow payment via Gift Cards, which doesn't require one to give out personal information. If you find it difficult to pay the yearly subscription at a time, check if a VPN company offers payment via installment. This way, you will easily be able to browse whatever content you want without having to worry about paying a hefty price.
8. Money-Back Guarantee is Must
It is essential to have a money-back guarantee to make sure that you don’t get stuck with a product that is not reliable. People who sign up for long term VPN subscriptions often get in trouble when they realise it is not the VPN they wanted. So look for a VPN that promises money-back guarantee. This way, you won't be obligated to stay in contact with an unsuitable VPN for a long time. Don’t be fooled by believing that every VPN offers the same service.
9. No-logs policy
Most VPNs claim to have them, and most of them are wrong to one extent or the other. The only way to make sure if a VPN has a no-logs policy is to read user reviews on online forums and go through their ‘Privacy Policy’. Just remember that even the best VPNs log some of your aggregate data anonymously to help provide a better experience for their users. For example, the right VPN provider may record the amount of data you transferred, but it will never log what the data was.
10. Server Locations
Remember that the closer the VPN server is to your location, the better your chances of having good speeds and more stability. Do remember that your connection speed will also depend on the speed of the servers that your VPN provider has, and VPNs are almost always slower than your actual connection. However, a good VPN will be able to attain almost as much speed as your connection does when not protected.
11.DNS and IP Leaks
This is where the vast majority of the lesser VPNs fail. DNS and IP Leaks are one of the hardest things to protect against, and they could be responsible for your identity being completely bare for all to see. The best way to make sure that your potential VPN does not have any leaks is to read a couple of reviews. The VPN review websites perform many different tests to make sure that there are no leaks when transmitting data to and from the web.
12.Encryption
It is vital to have AES-256 encryption on your VPN. AES-256 is almost impossible to crack due to there being more possible combinations than there are stars in the entire universe. For this reason, it is used by the military as well as banks when transferring secure files and documents. The good news is that almost all modern VPNs have the AES-256 encryption on them, and unless you try and save a few dollars by opting for an unknown and extremely low-quality VPN, you should not worry about your data being unsecured.
We recommend NordVPN
If you want a TLDR of everything that you are about to read, then we recommend that you go ahead and purchase NordVPN. NordVPN is one of the industry leaders and has by far the best security available anywhere. Not only can you enjoy all of the features that are found in other leading VPNs, but you also get extra security through features such as Double-VPN.
On top of this, Nord also satisfied every single thing on our checklist for selecting a VPN such as the ability to stream Netflix in HD quality as well as having a bulletproof no logs policy.
If you are still unsure and want to know more about Nord, then you can take a look at this NordVPN review to find out everything about the product and decide for yourself if it is for you.
If you don’t want to buy NordVPN, there are many other options online. However, it is important to select one that contours within your needs.
VPN Provider Checklist
As the internet has become more advanced, so have the methods of intercepting online data and spying on people. Spying can be performed by anyone, and governments have been trying for a long time to gain access to the population’s private lives through legislation such as the Snooper’s Charter in the UK.
Thankfully, security measures have evolved with them, and VPNs are one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to deal with any privacy problem that you may have. This is why you need to be careful enough when registering for a yearlong VPN subscription.
Conclusion
If you do not have any time to research deeper into the vast market of the VPNs, then go for a market-leader such as NordVPN. These VPNs are a few dollars more expensive than the others, but you can save a massive amount of money if you subscribe for multiple months at the same time or grab NordVPN deals online.
NordVPN also offers you a 30-day money-back guarantee through which you can test the product and make sure it fits all your needs before you decide to subscribe for the long-term. However, you must read customer reviews before making a purchase online. In today’s time, there are many companies in the market and online stores, which offer fake services in the pursuit of taking your money and running away. Lastly! Wallet woes are why it is important to consider your budget before purchasing a suitable VPN online.
Selecting a suitable VPN provider can be a very daunting task, especially when you don’t have hands-on experience of doing it before.
