What to expect from a VPN

Discover why you should use a VPN

Not all VPN services are equal – each one should be rigorously checked so that it meets your needs before you part with any money.

A VPN’s performance will depend on the protocols it uses, plus how many servers it employs worldwide (the more servers it uses, the less congested each one will be). And speaking of servers, check to see which countries it offers servers in – is your chosen one covered?

Pricing is important, of course, but not all paid-for services are equal, as you’ll see opposite. What’s the VPN’s policy on logging? Where’s the VPN company physically based (this determines which jurisdiction it’s under – and affects its data-retention policies). Which services does the VPN support? For example, are torrenting and video streaming covered? How many devices does it support, and are your Mac and phone covered? Can you use more than one device simultaneously? Does it offer an app to make connecting quick and simple, and what protocol does the app use?

If privacy is your objective, check to see how the VPN allocates IP addresses – a single, dedicated IP address is best for performance and reputation, but a shared IP address might appeal if you want more privacy, because it’s more difficult to trace activity back to a single person.

Each VPN should be rigorously checked, so that it meets your needs before you part with any money