Factors To Consider When Choosing A VPN
VPNs aren't built the same. Some VPNs come with more features than others, while others shine in other areas as well. Whether shopping for a VPN for personal or commercial use, it is advisable to consider all the available options and pick one that best suits your needs. Some of the critical factors to consider when shopping for a VPN are outlined below.
1. Security
VPNs work by encrypting your connection and data thus making it safe and secure.
The VPN service makes it harder for malicious persons, ISPS, and even the government to track your activity online, hence giving you the freedom to do whatever you want to do safely online. The service works by first receiving any request you make online, encrypting it through its servers, then making the request on your behalf. The data transmitted to and from your end is secure and harder to trace.
Most VPNs use 256-bit level of encryption with some giving even better encodings. An excellent example of service providers that provide stronger encryption technologies is NordVPN. The service provider strives to provide the tightest data security possible through 2048-bit encryption.
Log policy is a factor you ought to consider carefully when choosing a VPN service. Some VPN service providers offer no logging policy, meaning they do not collect or store your browsing data. This means neither your ISP nor the Government can monitor your activity online. If concerned about your browsing safety in the US, you should then invest in an ISP offering no-log policy. NordVPN and ExpressVPN are good examples of VPNs with this feature. You can get a 75% discount for these during the Cyber Month Special.
2. VPN Speed
It is advisable to choose a VPN service capable of maintaining the fastest speeds possible on its service. Connection speeds through a VPN will be slightly slower than the actual direct speeds. This is due to the extra server created for additional security. You might however want to check to ensure the service provider doesn’t outsource servers but instead maintains its servers.
If looking for better speeds through a VPN, you might then want to try ExpressVPN. It is one of the best-rated VPNs when it comes to speeds and security. NordVPN is another viable option you can invest in.
3. Server Locations
Where the remote servers are located is another factor you ought to consider when choosing a VPN service. That said, check the list of available servers and the countries supported when shopping for one. Look for a service provider with servers covering most parts of the world. Some of the best service providers have more than 1000 server locations across the globe. As you might have guessed, ExpressVPN has more server locations than any other provider. VyprVPN has 700 server locations while NordVPN has just over 600 server locations.
4. Price and Discounts
The best VPN service providers charge a fortune for the service. Don't be surprised to pay $20 per month for such a service. Going for annual plans instead should however help you save much more with the discounts offered. ExpressVPN charges around 8.32 per month for the yearly plan while NordVPN costs $2.99 for the service. You can also take advantage of discounted links to save even more. Other service providers such as Private Internet Access charges $3.33 per month for the annual plan.
Almost every VPN offers a discount for the annual plans while some will run promotions from time to time. Be sure to evaluate the available options, quality of service, and discounts offered before sticking to one VPN service. If you don’t wish to pay and wish to trial a service first or just go free, here is a list of the best free VPNs
5. Software ClientsAlmost every VPN supports the major platforms including Android, Mac, Windows, iOS, and Windows Phone. Although most of these are very easy to use, some VPN clients are complicated hence tough to use. Some of these clients work best as desktop clients, while others offer several connection options to choose from. Operating some of these clients only require you to open and select the preferred country. VyprVPN, ExpressVPN, and NordVPN are examples of VPNs with simple and easy to use clients. They have a relatively easy to use user interface.
Conclusion
Choosing the best VPN for your needs is relatively easy. As long as you know what you need, you can then select a VPN based on that. This can be either improved speeds, better security, or extra features at a lower price. Be sure to look into various offers and discounts before subscribing to these services. Read reviews and testimonials, and even consider trying the service first before subscribing to the same.
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