How to decide which VPN to use

You’re not alone if you’re struggling to decide which VPN to use. There’s not enough time in the day to test out the dozens of options available on the market. No worries, though—we’ll offer helpful advice on picking the best VPN for your needs.

We’ll start with a simple question: what do you need a VPN for? Knowing the purpose behind your purchase will make the decision much more straightforward. Afterward, we’ll walk you through seven key factors you should focus on while shopping for a VPN.

Finally, we’ll touch briefly on the downsides of free VPNs, suggest some providers worth your time, and answer a few FAQs about VPN usage.

How to pick a VPN: Identifying your needs

The easiest way to decide which VPN to use is to consider why you need one. A Forbes study shows that nearly 40% of VPN users want to improve their privacy and security, and 24% use them to bypass geo-blocks on Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and other streaming platforms. Meanwhile, another 20% use VPNs to get around internet censorship.

Online security is crucial whether you’re working from home or studying at the local coffee shop, and the best VPNs nowadays have all the tools you need to protect your data. However, depending on your security needs, you may or may not need all the extras (e.g., double VPN).

Otherwise, not all VPNs are equipped to evade geo-restrictions or avoid censorship. Some might not work on your streaming platform of choice, disallow torrenting, or may be blocked in countries like China, Russia, the UAE, and other restrictive regions.

What to consider when deciding which VPN to use

Whatever your needs, here are some essential elements to consider when choosing a VPN.

1. Security: Encryption and protocols

For the most part, providers use top-grade AES 256-bit encryption (or equivalent) to secure your online activity against hackers. Some providers, like Private Internet Access, let you customize your encryption levels (e.g., using AES-128).

Choosing AES-128 over AES-256 can offer performance benefits like faster speeds, lower resource usage, and better battery life on devices with limited power. Weaker encryption may be a suitable option for some tasks while still providing adequate protection. After all, you don’t need bank-grade security while scrolling through Instagram memes.

As for protocols, most trusted providers nowadays stick to two or three main ones: OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2/IPSec. Alternatively, they’ll have in-house protocols like NordVPN’s NordLynx (also based on WireGuard) or ExpressVPN’s Lightway—both amazing options.

Related: NordLynx vs Lightway: Which protocol is best?

OpenVPN is a longstanding protocol that offers excellent security, while WireGuard is a newer, more efficient option with equivalent levels of security. IKEv2 is also a decent option and is more suited to mobile users that switch networks often (e.g., wi-fi to mobile data).

2. Privacy: Leak protection and no-logs policy

Ensuring your VPN has adequate leak protection will keep your IP address hidden, reducing the risks involved in somebody having your IP. Besides the obvious privacy benefit, a leak-proof VPN won’t expose your true location to the myriad of streaming services, allowing you to explore their international libraries stress-free.

On another note, using a VPN with a proven no-logs policy is just as crucial. Take a look at the provider’s privacy policy and look for any mentions of activity logs or data sharing. That way, you can rule out whether they sell your data to advertisers and other shady third parties.

Of course, we specified “proven” for a reason, as there have been cases of so-called zero logs VPNs leaking the data of millions of users online. Trust, but verify. Look for providers that have undergone independent audits of their infrastructure, logging policies, and other practices.

3. Performance and simultaneous connections

VPNs slow your connection, as your data needs to travel more to reach its destination, and encryption uses some processing power. If you have a slower connection, it’s worth looking into the fastest VPNs that won’t have a noticeable impact on your speeds.

Then again, VPNs can prevent bandwidth throttling from your ISP. By routing your data through a different network path, VPNs may even improve the quality of your connection in some cases, such as lowering your ping while gaming online.

You’ll also want a VPN with plenty of simultaneous connections to cover all your household devices. The last thing you need is to run into the pesky device limit notification when you want to unwind after a long day.

4. User-friendliness and multilingual support

Speaking of reaching the connection limit, let’s say you live in a larger household, and not everyone is as tech-savvy. Or maybe you want to gift a VPN subscription to parents who might not be familiar with using this service or primarily speak a different language.

In that case, you’ll have to avoid VPNs with complicated setups or clunky interfaces with too many advanced features front and center – perhaps choosing one from our list of the best VPNs for beginners. Preferably, the app supports multiple languages for even easier access.

5. Extensive server network with good location variety

Having servers close to your location minimizes how much your data needs to travel, ensuring the best possible speeds. Plus, having thousands of servers worldwide reduces the risk of overcrowding and slow connections.

As for location variety, you can explore a wide range of content worldwide. In the mood to watch Peaky Blinders? Connect to a server in the UK and follow Tommy and the gang’s gritty escapades on BBC iPlayer. Or maybe you’re craving Bollywood blockbusters and Indian dramas—connect to a server in India and dive into Hotstar’s extensive library.

6. Customer support and extra features

Setting up a VPN or fixing technical issues can be tricky, especially for newcomers. Opt for a provider with responsive support via live chat, email, or phone and an in-depth FAQ section to ensure a smooth experience.

Here are a few extra features to consider when you decide which VPN to use:

• Kill switch: Instantly cuts off internet traffic if the VPN connection drops, preventing your data from being exposed to your ISP or unsecured networks (like hotel wi-fi).
• Split tunneling: This allows you to route some traffic through the VPN while letting other apps or websites use your ISP’s network directly for a slight speed boost.
• Multi-hop VPN: Routes your traffic through multiple VPN servers, adding an extra layer of encryption and masking your IP address twice, thus boosting privacy and security.
• Obfuscation: Masks your VPN traffic to make it look like regular internet activity, helping you bypass restrictions or detection in countries with strict internet controls.
• Threat blocking: Filters out harmful websites, trackers, and ads, protecting your device from malicious content before it can cause any harm (see NordVPN Threat Protection).

7. Payment options and refund policy

Options are always nice, especially if you’re a privacy-conscious user and want to limit which services have your payment data or live in a restrictive region that blocks access to unauthorized VPN websites.

Fortunately, several VPNs accept payment by gift card or cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, offering a plus to privacy and accessibility. Of course, you might not be able to get a refund using those methods. Regardless, the VPN should have a no-fuss money-back guarantee for your peace of mind.

Should I use a free VPN?

You can use a free VPN, but we don’t recommend it. We go into greater detail in our free VPN vs paid VPN comparison, but here are the main takeaways:

• Free VPNs slow down your connection and may impose data caps.
• They also have a limited number of servers, which can also lead to overcrowding.
• Most (if not all) lack support for streaming and/or torrenting.
• Worse yet, free VPNs sell your data for a profit, leak your data online, or may come with malware or inject ads into your browser.

If you need a VPN temporarily (e.g., while traveling) and are put off by the upfront cost, you can always use a free trial VPN. You get all the same benefits as a premium VPN with zero risks.

Now that you know what to look for, here are our top VPN picks

Short on time? We’ve curated a list of the best VPNs on the market. Use your newfound knowledge to see which works best for you:

1. NordVPN: Best all-round VPN. Supercharged speeds, 6,800+ servers in 113+ countries, amazing streaming access, and useful features like Threat Protection for a complete security package.
2. Surfshark: Excellent budget VPN. Consistently fast, 3,200+ servers in 100+ countries, and can unblock a wide variety of services. Very affordable plans and comes with unlimited simultaneous connections.
3. IPVanish: Super fast VPN for P2P file-sharing. True no-logs VPN, with a great degree of privacy, nice location variety, and port customization through OpenVPN.
4. ExpressVPN: Easy-to-use and highly secure. TrustedServer architecture for maximum privacy, excellent streaming support, and fully obfuscated network in 105+ countries.
5. CyberGhost VPN: Flexible VPN with servers optimized for any occasion. Gaming, streaming, torrenting, you name it. Longer plans have a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full VPN testing methodology for an overview of how we shortlisted these brands (and more insight into what you should be looking for when choosing.)

Deciding which VPNs to use FAQs