NordVPN
Best for fast connections and a wide choice of server locations
- Up to 10 devices at once
- Servers in more than 100 countries
- Double VPN and Onion Over VPN servers
- Threat Protection blocks ads, trackers and harmful sites
Affiliate link.
VPN PRIVACY GUIDE
How to Choose a VPN
What to look for in a VPN, and two we have used ourselves. This page contains affiliate links, and we may earn a commission from a qualifying purchase.
VPN OPTIONS
Two VPNs we have used
We have used both NordVPN and Surfshark ourselves, and we only recommend products we have used. Both are solid choices; the better one for you mostly depends on how many devices you want to cover. They are listed alphabetically. This is a personal recommendation, not a ranked comparison of every provider.
Surfshark
Best for covering every device in the house on one subscription
- Unlimited devices at once
- Servers in around 100 countries
- MultiHop lets you chain any two servers
- CleanWeb blocks ads, trackers and malware
Affiliate link.
Whichever you choose, run the free privacy scan again after connecting to confirm your IP address, DNS and WebRTC results changed the way you expect. No VPN makes you anonymous or guarantees protection from every leak.
INDEPENDENCE RULE
Our measurements are independent of commissions.
The scanner calculates results from technical signals it observes. Affiliate status, commissions and advertising relationships are not inputs to the score.
A practical VPN buying checklist
1. Define what you need it to cover
List your devices and the applications you want routed through the VPN. Check the provider’s current platform support and simultaneous-device limits. A browser extension may cover only that browser; a device application can also have exclusions. Confirm that the specific features you need are available on your operating system.
2. Check routing and connection behavior
Look for clear documentation of DNS handling, IPv6 support, split tunnelling and the kill switch. Some providers tunnel IPv6, while others block it. Neither approach should be assumed from a marketing slogan. If you need a printer or other local device, check how the VPN handles local-network access.
3. Evaluate privacy claims separately from a scan
Read the logging policy, who operates the service, and the date and scope of any independent audit. An audit of one component is not a guarantee of the entire service. Our connection scanner cannot inspect provider logs or verify a no-logs promise. Its narrower role is showing the address and network signals visible during a request.
4. Compare ongoing cost and cancellation terms
Check the initial subscription period, renewal amount, refund conditions and cancellation process before paying. Introductory pricing can differ substantially from renewal pricing. We link to the provider for current terms rather than publishing a price that may go out of date.
5. Test the setup on your own connection
Use the same device and browser for disconnected and connected checks. Compare the public IP and expected exit region, then review DNS separately. Run your normal tasks too: calls, streaming, games and local devices can reveal usability issues a scan does not measure. Repeat after sleep or a network change.
When a VPN will not solve the problem
A VPN does not remove identifying details from a photo, prevent you from giving information to a scammer, or make an account login anonymous to the website. HTTPS remains important. A VPN detection badge is not proof of overall security, and a “not detected” result can reflect an incomplete database rather than a failed tunnel.
Why our recommendation is limited to our own experience
We recommend products we have used, but we do not claim either one is the best choice for everyone or publish rankings of providers we have not assessed. Check the current features against your needs. Our affiliate relationships can earn us a commission; it cannot buy a different technical result or checklist score.
Next steps: verify your VPN connection, review DNS routing, and understand our test limits.