BEST VPNS TESTED
NORDVPN www.nordvpn.com
Despite its Scandanaviansounding name, NORDVPN is based in Panama. This adds an extra layer of protection for the privacy conscious as Panama doesn’t have laws regarding data-retention, meaning NORDVPN isn’t required to store any usage logs.
NORDVPN promises not to log your personal information or activity when you use it. In 2018, it backed this pledge by arranging an independent audit of its privacy policy by business consultancy Pricewaterhousecoopers (PWC).
With more than 5,000 servers in 58 countries, you shouldn’t have a problem unblocking content from geographically restricted websites (the more servers a VPN has, the harder it is for websites and online services to recognise them as being associated with a VPN).
It also provides a regularly updated support page for BBC iplayer at www. snipca.com/33898. If you can’t connect to iplayer while abroad, this page will explain what VPN settings you need to change to regain access. Its large number of servers also means speeds are fast - we consistently achieved around 100Mbps in our tests, even when connected to servers based outside the UK.
If you’re serious about your privacy online, you’ll appreciate Nordvpn’s ‘Double VPN’ feature (see screenshot above right), which increases your anonymity by routing your traffic through two VPN servers. Be aware this also reduces your connection speed so you probably won’t want to use it all the time.
With support for up to six devices, you should be able to install NORDVPN on all your PCS, phones and tablets. Other features include a kill switch that cuts your internet connection if the VPN is disconnected and servers dedicated for downloading files using Bittorrent.
Expressvpn www.expressvpn.com
Coming a close second, Expressvpn combines a powerful service with easy-to-use software. Unblocking geo-restricted websites and services isn’t a problem thanks to over 3,000 servers in 94 countries. This number of servers also means speeds are fast – as with NORDVPN, we regularly achieved 100Mbps in our tests.
If you have no interest in unblocking websites not available in the UK and simply want a VPN to protect your privacy, use Expressvpn’s Smart Location tool, which scans nearby servers and connects you to the fastest one (see screenshot below). We also like the built-in tools that let you test whether your VPN is working properly. And, like NORDVPN, Expressvpn has had its privacy policy audited by PWC.
Expressvpn works on up to five devices simultaneously, which should be enough for most people. The only downside is that it’s relatively pricey, with an annual subscription that’s over £10 more than the next most expensive (see table on page 57).
Cyberghost www.cyberghost.com
Cyberghost will appeal to those who like to unblock content as well as protect their privacy, because it identifies servers that are specifically suitable for use with services such as iplayer, Netflix and more. It also includes options to block adverts and ad tracking - useful if you don’t already have a browser doing the same job.
Cyberghost is more generous than the others with its 45-day money-back guarantee, though bear in mind if you sign up to the Monthly package this is reduced to 15 days. There’s a free one-day trial that doesn’t require any payment details, but it’s a cut-down version that places you in a queue before your connection starts.
The privacy policy is well written and confirms Cyberghost won’t log your activity. However, unlike NORDVPN and Expressvpn, Cyberghost hasn’t had its privacy policy audited by a third party. It’s also one of the more expensive VPNS when paying on a monthly basis, but it offers a significant discount if you’re willing to pay for a year upfront.
Also try…
Surfshark www.surfshark.com
Launching in 2018, Surfshark is a relative newcomer to the VPN market. Unlike most, it doesn’t put a limit on the number of devices you can install it on.
There are some drawbacks. It has a relatively small number of servers (just over 1,000). Although speeds were good when we tested it, this could change if more people sign up and Surfshark doesn’t increase its server count in line with demand. In our tests, speeds varied. Some servers managed around 100Mbps, but others dropped to as little as 26Mbps. We’d also like to see speed indicators on available servers within Surfshark (as with most other VPNS) - at present you
have to connect to one to find out how fast it is.
Curiously, it’s more expensive to sign up for one year (£57) than it is for two years (£38). Suffice to say, there’s no point opting for the former. While there’s room for improvement, Surfshark is definitely one to watch.
Windscribe www.windscribe.com
Windscribe’s free service is one you can trust. It won’t bombard you with ads or curb your speeds, and its privacy policy confirms it only stores minimal logs. Best of all, you don’t even need to provide an email address - just create a username and password, and you’re good to go. Bear in mind, however, that you only get 2GB data allowance each month, which makes it suitable for occasional use only.
However, you can upgrade this to 10GB if you’re willing to provide an email address when signing up. Although fast, the free service won’t unblock sites such as iplayer and Netflix - these servers (marked with a star - see screenshot above right) are restricted to paying Windscribe Pro users.
Tunnelbear www.tunnelbear.com
We like Tunnelbear’s plainEnglish privacy policy, which clearly explains that it doesn’t store any data relating to your internet activity while using the VPN. You only get 500MB per month as standard, but by tweeting about the company you can add 1GB to this.
Thanks to its simple design and lack of jargon, Tunnelbear is easy to use – simply select your desired VPN location on the map then click the On/off switch. That said, it only has a relatively small number of servers and won’t unblock the usual Tv-streaming sites.
Like Windscribe, Tunnelbear uses its free service as a springboard for its paid-for service, which provides unlimited data (among other benefits) and is cheaper than most rivals. However, if you’re thinking of upgrading we’d recommend spending just a few pounds more and going for a better performing VPN, such as NORDVPN or Expressvpn.