Technology buying guide
How to choose a VPN
A VPN encrypts traffic between your device and the VPN server and hides your IP from the sites you visit. It does not make you anonymous, and it moves trust from your internet provider to the VPN company, so the company's track record matters most.
Weighted criteria
What matters when choosing vpn
Weights add up to 100 and reflect how much each factor usually decides satisfaction. Change them to fit you in the scorecard.
No-logs policy & independent audit
30%Whether the provider keeps connection or activity logs, and whether an independent firm has audited that claim.
How to check: Look for a published audit report (not just a badge) dated in the last two years and read what it actually covered.
Security & protocols
20%Modern protocols (WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2), a kill switch and DNS leak protection.
How to check: Turn the VPN on and run a DNS/IP leak test; check the app settings for a kill switch that is on by default.
Speed & reliability
20%How much your connection slows down on nearby and distant servers.
How to check: Run the same speed test with the VPN off, on a nearby server and on a far server during the trial.
Apps & ease of use
10%Apps for every device you own and settings you can understand.
How to check: Install on your phone and laptop during the refund window; check simultaneous connection limits.
Ownership & transparency
10%Who owns the company, where it is based, and whether it publishes transparency reports.
How to check: Find the legal company name in the terms of service and search it.
Price & refund terms
10%Real renewal price, not just the first-term discount, and a clear refund window.
How to check: Read the renewal price at checkout and the refund conditions before paying.
Avoid
Red flags
- "Lifetime" plans from unknown companies — the business model rarely survives.
- Free VPNs that are funded by ads or data sharing.
- A no-logs claim with no independent audit or court record behind it.
- No legal company name or address anywhere on the site.
Before you pay
Checklist
- Decide what you need it for (public Wi-Fi, streaming, privacy, work).
- Shortlist providers with a recent independent no-logs audit.
- Test speed and leaks inside the refund window.
- Check the renewal price, not only the intro price.
- Make sure the kill switch is on.
Ask the seller
Questions to ask
- Who audited the no-logs policy, and when?
- What happens to my data if the company is sold?
- What is the price after the first term?
After you buy
Warranty & returns
Paid VPNs usually offer a 7 to 30 day refund window on the first purchase.
- Read refund exclusions (app-store purchases often follow store rules).
- Cancel auto-renew right after buying if you are only testing.
Common mistakes
Myths vs facts
Myth A VPN makes me anonymous online.
Fact Sites can still identify you through logins, cookies and browser fingerprinting.
Myth Paid VPNs never log anything.
Fact Only an audit or a court record shows what a provider actually keeps.
Where this comes from
Official sources
Criteria and weights are AltFTool's editorial judgement, not a statement by these bodies. This guide is general consumer information, not professional advice.
FAQ
VPN: common questions
Do I need a VPN at home?
Not usually for security, since most sites already use HTTPS. People use one at home mainly for privacy from their internet provider or for location-dependent content.
Are free VPNs safe?
Some reputable providers offer limited free tiers, but many free VPNs are funded by ads or data collection. Check who runs it and how it makes money.
Is using a VPN legal?
In most countries yes, but some restrict or regulate them, and using one does not make an illegal activity legal. Check the rules where you live.
Free tools
Use these with this guide
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