Support and documentation

Uh oh… looks like you can’t get connected. What now?

Set up a VPN and it typically just works, without you having to do anything at all. But as usual with networks, any issues you have can be complicated, so it’s important your VPN has a support system to help out. Buffered VPN has plenty of web articles, including one on setting up the system for Linux, but it’s distinctly short on detail. If you have problems you can also contact its tech support people 24/7 via email, and live chat is available sometimes. Mullvad’s web knowledge base also has very brief articles, but it covers many more areas. Instead of a generic Linux install paragraph, for instance, you get separate details for different distros. There are guides on specialist topics, and email support is available. SlickVPN has a well-presented range of setup guides for many OSes and routers. Troubleshooting advice is basic, though, and help is only available through a general email address which will be answered within a “business day”. Perfect Privacy takes the most beginner-friendly approach, with large screenshots for every step of its installation and setup guides. The company also offers support via email, forum and even TeamViewer.

IVPN has even more information than Perfect Privacy, but it’s aimed more at experienced users, and assumes a lot of knowledge. Still, if you know what you’re doing there’s a lot to explore, and if you don’t, emails to tech support should get a reply within a day.