Blog

Review Criteria

Before I start reviewing VPN's I want to create a comprehensive list of tests, features and other criteria. Future changes to the list are unavoidable but I would like to avoid having to update past reviews too many times as we go along.

Your input is highly appreciated. Please leave a comment with the criteria that are important to you. Discussions on which criteria weigh heavier than others are also welcome.

I'll update this document as your comments come in. Consider it a living document.

Apps

Does it have it's own apps? or rely on 3rd-party apps? Which platforms does its own app run on?

Android
iOS / iPadOS
Linux
macOS
Windows

Protocol Support

Which VPN protocols are supported?

Wireguard
OpenVPN
IKEv2
SSTP
IPSec
L2TP/IPSec
PPTP
SmartDNS
SSH tunnel
ICMP tunnel
DNS tunnel
others?

Features

Netflix/Hulu/Disney/etc. unblocking
Bittorrent support
Multi-device support (how many?)
Server count
Server country count

Logging

What do they log?

No logs whatsoever
Error / minimal logging (for troubleshooting)
Usage logging (for bandwidth accounting, billing, etc.)
Traffic logging (DNS, HTTP requests, etc.)

Privacy

Beyond limited/no logging, what is done to safeguard your privacy?

DNS leak protection
Anonymous payments
Multi-hop support
3rd-party trackers on website
Customer information shared with affiliates

Security

Are supported protocols set to use modern ciphers/certificates/keys where possible?
Kill-switch
Website SSL rating and owner
API SSL rating and owner
PGP key available

Safety

Are there additional measures for people in dangerious locations? Measures to reduce attacks or attention to the VPN and its users?

Obfuscation (how? for which protocols?)
Port 25 blocking
Torrent blocking

Technical capabilities

IPv6 support

Ownership

How trustworthy is this company?

Who are the owners? Are they easy to find?
WHOIS transparency? or hidden records?
Where are they incorporated? (I often see this listed as "jurisdiction", but I don't think it's that simple. Authorities can go after owners, infrastructure, other assets, regardless of where a company is incorporated.)

Pricing

Monthly pricing
Annual pricing
Free trial
Discounts

Support

Response time
Friendliness
Usefulness of response

Community

Sponsors privacy related projects

Policies

Refund policy
Abuse policy

Welcome to VPN.tv

Welcome to VPN.tv!

Operating global VPN's since 1997 I figured it was time I put my experience to good use. Stay tuned as I expand this website and tell you more about VPN's - and myself.