Buy a VPN? Here are 7 things to look for

Buy a VPN? Here are 7 things to look for
Choosing a VPN is like shopping for any other service: you have to weigh the features offered, and the ones you're likely to use, against the subscription price. While this is no different than the pricing and selection of any other subscription product, what makes things more difficult in terms of VPNs is the number of differentiating features, and the fact that newbies don't even know what to do. look for. in terms of functionality. Also, it doesn't help that many VPN websites run very flashy designs, but often lack details about the specs and service. Explaining everything in simple terms, this article will guide you in the right direction to get the best VPN for your needs at an affordable price.

1. Number of servers

Remember that a VPN works by creating an encrypted data tunnel between the user and the provider's server. Although we think of a VPN as having "one server", the reality is that any VPN will have to have many servers to handle all this traffic and allow many users to connect. The best VPN services will list the number of servers they have. For example, NordVPN says it has just over 5.500 servers. More servers mean that the user should get more bandwidth and therefore faster speeds when connecting to the VPN.

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2. Location of the servers.

You've most likely heard the phrase "location, location, location" when it comes to real estate, which highlights the importance of the area in which you buy a home. Well, the location of your VPN server is just as important when it comes to your internet connection. On the one hand, having a VPN server located nearby can be advantageous for a reactive connection without lag, which is very useful when engaging in activities like online gaming. Alternatively, a VPN server in another country can be an asset in overcoming geo-blocking restrictions, as the user appears to be in the same country as the server and can therefore access blocked content. This is how some users access the US version of Netflix from the UK, for example.

3. Data limits

The use of the Internet is based on the transmission and reception of data. While many ISPs still have unlimited data plans, it's not that simple when looking at a VPN service. Some VPN plans offer a free tier and a paid tier. Among those that offer a free plan, the main restriction is that it offers a limited amount of data for the month, in the hope that the user will try the service, use the data in less than # 39; a month and therefore decide to take the plunge to become a paid subscriber. One VPN, Windscribe, takes this approach with its free tier, but offers a generous 10GB of data per month, far more than some competitors who might only give you 1GB (or even less).

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4. Number of connected devices

Once users understand the benefits of a VPN, they usually want to connect multiple devices to it simultaneously. But almost all VPN services have a limit on the number of devices (PCs, phones, or tablets) you can connect, which in some cases depends on the exact plan (tier) you're subscribed to. For example, Trust.Zone offers a lower tier that contains unlimited data, but limits the user to three simultaneously connected devices. Most VPNs allow up to five connections, but some, for example Windscribe's paid plan, have no set limits.

5. Support for additional devices

Almost all VPNs will support a Windows PC with native software, and most major providers also have native clients for Mac, iOS, and Android devices. Today, however, we're using more devices than ever before, and some VPNs make it easy to set up on one router to get service across your entire home network (and all the hardware connected to it). In addition to routers, some providers support Linux and actually offer browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. VyprVPN has a particularly extensive list of supported devices, including less popular devices like the Blackphone, QNAP NAS (network storage), Anonabox, and Boxee box. So when choosing a VPN, be sure to check out the list of devices it supports and make sure your requirements are met in that department.

6. Privacy and Journal Considerations

Despite the allure and promise of complete anonymity online, the fact remains that all VPN services record and store certain user data for a certain period of time. They will also transmit this data following lawful requests from government authorities, as they do not wish to become a "partner in crime" with someone who breaks the law. Different VPNs have different policies on the data they keep. Since the user has an account with him, the VPN service has at a minimum connection information and an email address. Some VPN services will keep a log of user activities for a set period of time, while other services like ExpressVPN claim to keep no logs at all. It is worth checking the provider's privacy policy to find out exactly what kind of records are kept.

7 Price

Pricing is one of the biggest differences between VPN services, with some providers offering free plans and others being relatively expensive. One point to keep in mind is that if you try a service on a monthly plan and find you like it, consider a longer-term subscription that will likely drop considerably. Some VPNs even offer lifetime subscriptions, like KeepSolid VPN Unlimited, which will give you access for the rest of your life for the price of €150 ($110), assuming the business doesn't go out of business. about. However, with a longer-term commitment, it is certainly possible to make big savings.