How to Choose the Best VPN in 2021 | 13 Things to Look for in a VPN

Almost all VPNs are paid, so you don’t get that much time to test and choose the ideal tool. VPN has many usages, including changing your location, unblocking restricted content, hiding you from your ISP etc., but some VPNs don’t really focus on all the features. They focus on the main ones. That is why the article covers the 13 things to look before buying a VPN.

13 things to look before buying a VPN

Countries

In which countries the VPN offers servers? I remember calling a VPN company to refund me because they did not have servers in my home country. Most VPNs have a server list, so it’s good to check for the essential regions that you will require while using the VPN.

Speed

Speed is one of the first things to look for. Of course, the server location affects the VPN speed, but a good VPN company must have enough servers to serve all their users. Overloaded servers mean slow speed, and no one likes to wait for a web page to load or video to stream.

Protocols

Protocols are responsible for the speed and security of the VPN connection. Depending on the nature of usage, different protocols are used, so it’s good to have options. According to the NordVPN website, OpenVPN is the most popular protocol followed by IKEv2. So, it is essential to have at least one of those. Bonus if the tool offers both.

Security

Today, most premium VPN clients offer 256-bit encryption, which is military-grade and considered to be unbreakable even by supercomputers. Even though 256-bit encryption is common, it’s suitable to check the VPN’s website to be sure.

Streaming services

P2P functionality

Peer-to-peer, also called P2P, is a network optimised for torrenting. If you want to download videos online over the P2P network, it’s suitable to check whether the tool supports the network and how many P2P optimised servers it offers.

Static IP

Static Ip is when you get the same IP every time you connect to the server. Static IP may not be as important as some of the features mentioned above, but if you want to change your IP and get a static VPN IP, having a VPN with this option will be ideal.

Price

Some VPNs are cost-effective, while some are expensive. Considering your budget before investing in a VPN is a good idea. Also, many VPNs have the pricing model of giving over 50% off on the first purchase, but they charge the full amount on renewing. So, watch out for the future cost.

Company Profile

Although a company profile does not matter that much as long as they have a strong privacy policy and you are getting good features, sometimes, it is essential to have an idea of what you are dealing with.

For example, some VPNs do not offer a free trial; instead, they offer a money-back guarantee. The money-back-guarantee sounds nice, but when you ask for a refund, they start finding excuses.

IP Check

Most VPNs show your new public IP Address after connecting, but the actual IP is different from what is listed. Although checking the real IP is possible when the VPN is connected, it’s the right choice to check for the IP in an online tool and compare it with the VPN’s IP Address.

DNS Leak Check

Domain Name System, also called DNS, can leak. Your ISP can see what’s happening if there is a leak in the connection. Although the proper test can be done once the VPN is connected, many VPNs display this on the VPN features section.

Kill switch

Kill switch is a way of dropping the internet if anything happens to the VPN connection. For example, if you are browsing a restricted site, the VPN tool stops the internet if your VPN connection drops. This helps you always stay out of the ISP’s visions. Having the kill switch option in a VPN is a good idea.

Refund policy

The last thing to check before buying a VPN is checking their refund policy. As I mentioned, some VPNs offer free trials, while some offer a guarantee. In the latter situation, it’s best to have a guaranteed refund policy. If there is no good refund policy, you should not invest in that tool at all.

Our VPN recommendations

NordvPN

NordVPN is one of the popular VPNs out there. Its nature of being trustworthy, fast, and cost-effective makes it a favourite tool to choose. It also offers P2P functionality, kill switch, multiple protocols, and many streaming servers.

NordVPN

ProtonVPN

Our second recommendation is ProtonVPN. From the company ProtonMail, ProtonVPN has been known for its security and transparency. The tool is swiss-based, open-source, and fully audited. Also, it offers over:

1. Over 1200 servers
2. DNS leak-free tool
3. Free trial
4. Kill switch
5. Streaming servers

ProtonVPN comes in the expensive VPN category, but that’s because of its security features.

ProtonVPN

Surfshark

Although I had some issues while playing a video on Netflix, Surfshark is a great cost-effective tool in 2021. Its features like unlimited devices, kill switch, public wi-fi safety, and over 3200 servers make it an ideal place for a decent VPN. The tool costs as little as $2.5 on the two-year plan.

ExpressVPN

I feel like ExpressVPN is losing its touch, but still, it is considered to be one of the top brands in the industry. The tool comes with

1. TrustedServer technology in which your whole system runs on RAM. RAM wipes out all the data when the system is turned off, making the system more secure.
2. Kill switch.
3. Split tunneling in which users can decide which apps to use the VPN and which don’t.
4. Ability to unblock streaming services.

ExpressVPN is one of the most expensive VPNs out there, so I will recommend going with a different one if budget is your concern.

ExpressVPN

CyberGhost

Last but not least, we have CyberGhost. What makes CyberGhost best is the total number of servers. You get over 6900 servers across 90 countries. Also, the tool comes with a separate section of streaming optimised servers for your special apps, such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

Furthermore, with its 256-bit encryption, you are never risking your data. The program also comes with public wi-fi protection like Surfshark.

CyberGhost

Wrap up

A VPN protects you from many things, but having the ideal app is very important. Anyway, the article ends here. I hope those 13 tips helped you on deciding the right VPN for you. Would you like to add something to the article? Please share with us your notes and suggestions in the comments.

Author bio

Madhsudhan is a software engineer, YouTuber, and blogger. He has a vast knowledge of VPNs, video editors, and productivity tools. Check out his work on his website.