With so many confusing choices online, it can be quite difficult to choose a VPN service that’s right for you. Some VPNs are cheap, some offer fast speeds and some have spotless Trustpilot rating. However, picking just one out of hundreds is not an easy job.
Now you must be wondering, how to choose a VPN service in 2023. Well, keeping this in mind, I have done all the leg work for you. To help you independently choose the right VPN for your need, I’ve compiled a list of six (6) important factors in this guide.
1. Factor to Choose a VPN Service: Servers Locations
For me, a number of server locations are very important because if I am not able to connect to a region of my choice, then what good is that VPN? Most VPNs today cover all major regions such as the US, UK, Australia, and various countries from Europe and Asia.
However, if you are traveling to China, then do thorough research. China is known for its ruthless internet censorship and blocking of several VPN services.
If you weren’t sure how to choose a VPN service that offers the location you are looking for, then I would recommend consulting their customer support. It never hurts to ask!
2. Factor to Choose a VPN Service: Trustpilot Reviews
Trustpilot is a Danish website that offers user reviews for various online businesses. Why should you go through Trustpilot reviews before selecting a VPN?
This is because the website offers real-life experiences of users who have actually used or tested the service. I personally recommend the website to most of my family members and friends who want to know about a service before using it.
Hence, Trustpilot is a great place to shortlist the factor on how to choose a VPN service.
ExpressVPN Tops the VPN Category on Trustpilot
If you look at some of the reviews on the website for different VPN services, ExpressVPN is highly recommended. It has a TrustScore of 4.7/5, with total reviews of 6749+.
Many users commend its incredible performance and praise how it works well in regions like China. Likewise, some users mention its fast speeds and impeccable connectivity with different servers.
There are not many negative reviews about the provider, but one user found its Android application problematic. That said, ExpressVPN is one of the leading providers and its reviews on Trustpilot show its popularity.
PureVPN makes it to the Second Spot
Followed by ExpressVPN is PureVPN with decent reviews on Trustpilot.
Many users praise PureVPN for being affordable and providing quick customer support. They found the user interface interactive and the apps to work smoothly on different operating systems.
On a side note, some users face difficulty with connections, as one user pointed out an SSL error. Other reviewers experienced a reduction in speeds. Overall, the VPN has the most positive reviews than any other VPN on Trustpilot (4.7/5 TrustScore).
CyberGhost VPN Comes in Third Place
The next VPN to follow PureVPN on Trustpilot is CyberGhost VPN. It has 9743 reviews and a TrustScore of 4.8/5. Users are really happy with their software, overall performance, and ease of use. Although the service amassed a huge fan following through its free service, it’s great to see positive reviews of the premium version as well.
3. Factor to Choose a VPN Service: Protocols & Encryption
One of the many qualities of a VPN is to safeguard your personal data from anonymous hackers and other malicious goons present on the internet.
It achieves this level of security through secure protocols and encryption of data. When it comes to choosing a VPN, look for the type of protocols offered by the VPN along with encryption levels.
After testing over 100 VPNs and considering the factors on how to choose a VPN service, I would suggest selecting a VPN that offers OpenVPN protocol and AES 256-bit encryption level.
For anyone who values the security of their data, the OpenVPN protocol is the strong protocol out there and since it is open-source, it negates any chances of governmental agencies creating a backdoor.
Likewise, AES 256-bit encryption is deployed by the military to secure their communications; therefore, it is the highest level of encryption available to date.
Renowned VPN services like ExpressVPN, PureVPN, and NordVPN offer OpenVPN protocol in all their apps and software and give you the option to enable AES 256 bit encryption.
4. Factor to Choose a VPN Service: Compatibility and Ease-of-use
When it comes to selecting the right VPN, the availability of apps and software plays an important role. Almost every VPN now offers dedicated apps for different operating systems, be it Windows, Mac, Android, or iOS.
However, offering apps and having high compatibility is only one side of the coin. How easy these apps and software are to use is another.
Whenever I review any VPN, their user interface and ease-of-use is a critical factors in their overall rating. If the apps are designed poorly and use a lot of resources, then it will hinder your experience while making your device sluggish.
Therefore, VPN apps need to be clean and have all the options visibly present. It should also be lightweight and easy to use.
5. Factor to Choose a VPN Service: Performance
The performance of a VPN encompasses its overall speed, customer support, and functionality of its features. When you are choosing a VPN, do go through different performance benchmarks set by websites for the VPN provider.
For instance, if you are looking for a VPN for streaming, then choose a VPN that does not slow down your network speeds. NordVPN is one of the fastest VPNs I have tested and one that is excellent for unblocking and streaming. Similarly, if you are looking for a VPN for torrenting, make sure the VPN doesn’t leak your IP address.
6. Factor to Choose a VPN Service: Price
In the VPN industry, you will find many VPN services within the $3.00 to $5.00 per month price range for a yearly package plan. However, there are some on the far end of the spectrum, which charge more than $8.00 per month, like ExpressVPN.
The final choice depends on you, as to how much are you willing to spend on the features offered. For me, a VPN should not be too heavy on the wallet and provide sufficient benefits to make its high price worthwhile.
Likewise, look for trial versions and a money-back period to test the factors on how you decide to choose a VPN service. This will allow you to check if the VPN is right for you.
Final Verdict: Factors to Choose a VPN Service
There are various other factors that you can consider while choosing a VPN. For me, the above six pointers are enough to judge if the VPN is right for you.
Trustpilot is a great place to start your research. User reviews on the website provide real-time feedback with great insights. Similarly, making use of the money-back period and the trial period is another way of evaluating a VPN and testing its features.
Do you think the above list was helpful? Do you use other parameters to choose a VPN Service? Let us know in the comments below.
