A virtual private network is a great tool for enhancing your privacy and security while browsing the internet. But how do you know which VPN service to choose? What features should you look for when making this decision?
There are a lot of options and price points to consider, but there are also some must-have features that should play a role in your final decision. Here are the most important VPN features to consider when making your choice.
What is a VPN?
In the simplest terms, a VPN is a secure, encrypted connection that allows you to access the internet safely, privately, and with freedom. VPNs are used to keep your web activity safe from prying eyes, whether they be hackers, governments, or even your own internet service provider. And VPNs are also used to access websites that are blocked by a firewall or geo-restricted, like Netflix and Hulu.
The VPN service creates a secure “tunnel” between your device and whatever website or app you are accessing. This is what keeps your web activity secure and private.
1. Security and privacy features
The most important thing to consider when choosing a VPN is how secure and private it is. After all, that’s the whole point of using one.
The best VPN services use military-grade encryption to make sure your data is unreadable to hackers and government snoops. They also offer a range of other security features, including a kill switch, which will cut off your internet connection if the VPN goes down, and a no-logs policy, which means the VPN won’t keep any records of your online activity.
You should also look out for VPNs that offer extra privacy features, such as multi-hop, which routes your connection through two or more VPN servers, and split tunneling, which allows you to choose which apps on your device use the VPN.
2. Speed and performance
If you’re going to use a VPN, you want to make sure it’s not going to slow down your internet connection. Some VPNs can reduce your internet speed by as much as 50%, so it’s important to check the VPN’s speed before you commit.
The best way to do this is to take advantage of a VPN’s free trial and test it for yourself. You should also look for a VPN that has a large server network, as this can improve speeds.
If you’re planning on using your VPN for streaming or gaming, you’ll want to pay extra attention to the speed and performance of the VPN you choose.
3. Number of server locations
The number of servers VPNs operate is important, but for the most part, that number is large enough that you are very unlikely to max it out. Instead, the number of server locations is a better metric to look at.
The more server locations a VPN has, the more options you have for spoofing your location. This is important for a variety of reasons. For example, if you are trying to access content that is geo-locked to a specific country, you’ll want a server in that country. Or, if you are traveling and want to make it appear as though you are still in your home country, you’ll want a server in your home country.
4. Number of simultaneous connections
Most VPNs allow you to connect more than one device to the network at the same time. This is useful for families or for people with a lot of devices, such as a phone, tablet, computer, and smart TV.
The number of devices that can be connected to a VPN at the same time varies from one to an unlimited number, depending on the VPN. Some VPNs offer more simultaneous connections than others, so it’s a good idea to check how many are available and make sure it’s enough for your needs.
If you have a lot of devices you want to connect to the VPN, you can also install the VPN on your router, which will allow you to connect as many devices as you want to the network.
5. Customer support
Customer support is another feature that can make or break a VPN, especially if you’re new to the world of VPNs. Look for a provider with 24/7 customer support, whether that’s live chat, phone support, or both.
The best VPNs will also have extensive online resources, such as FAQs, troubleshooting guides, and video tutorials. Some even have customer support agents that can remotely access your device and fix any issues for you.
6. Device compatibility
Most of us have a number of devices we use to access the internet. When choosing a VPN, it’s important to think about what you want to protect and ensure that the VPN you choose is compatible with your devices.
The majority of VPNs support Windows and MacOS. However, if you want to connect your VPN to a less common operating system, like Linux, or to a smart TV or games console, you’ll need to check that your provider offers this.
Also, if you want to connect more than one device at a time – or even a whole household – then you’ll need a VPN that allows multiple connections, similar to how someone searching for ‘tiny house for sale Vancouver‘ would need to ensure it has enough connectivity options for all household members.
7. Number of devices
Most VPNs allow you to use the service on multiple devices, but there’s often a limit. If you’re just using the VPN on your phone, this won’t be an issue. But if you want to use it on your laptop, tablet, phone, and more, you’ll need to choose a VPN that allows for multiple connections.
Some VPNs also offer a router app, which allows you to protect all the devices on your home network. This is a great option if you have a lot of devices to protect, or if you want to use a VPN with devices that don’t support VPN apps, like smart TVs and gaming consoles.
8. User interface and ease of use
Last but not least, take a look at the VPN’s user interface and make sure it’s easy to use. You don’t want to have to spend time figuring out how to use your VPN, and you definitely don’t want to make any mistakes. Look for a VPN with an intuitive user interface that makes it easy to connect to the server of your choice.
You may also want to consider whether the VPN offers a browser extension. Browser extensions make it easy to use your VPN, and they’re perfect for people who want to protect their browsing sessions without encrypting all of their internet traffic.
9. Price
Price is the last thing to consider in a VPN, but that doesn’t mean it’s not important. It’s a good idea to compare prices after you’ve narrowed down your list of potential VPNs to make sure you’re getting the best deal.
Most VPNs charge a monthly or yearly subscription fee. The longer the subscription, the lower the monthly cost. For example, a VPN may charge $10 a month for a monthly subscription, $8 a month for a six-month subscription, and $5 a month for a 12-month subscription.
You can also find VPNs that offer free versions of their service. These free versions are usually limited in some way, such as how much data you can use or how many devices you can connect at once. But they can be a good way to try out a VPN before you commit to a paid subscription.
Conclusion
I hope this article has helped you understand a little more about what you should be looking for when you are choosing a VPN. There are a lot of options out there, and some of them are very good.
As a business owner, you should definitely be using a VPN, and it’s a good idea to have your employees use one as well. This is especially true for protecting your online assets – from customer or employee data in a leave tracker, through cold email software credentials, to the backend of your AI landing page generator or website.
What VPN do you use? What do you like about it? What don’t you like about it? We’d love to hear from you in the comments section below.
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