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The features that you should look for in a VPN service along with the top 5 services for 2021

Mitch Avatar By: Mitch | Last updated September 17, 2021

VPN network on laptop


Introduction

Browsing the internet without some form of protection is definitely not advised. Nowadays, there are a lot of harmful files and trackers that can compromise your security and your privacy. In fact, even your own internet service provider (ISP) may be doing this themselves. To protect yourself against this, it is advisable to use a VPN or a Virtual Private Network.

 

What are VPNs?

VPNs are servers that are spread everywhere on the internet which allow you to change the point of origin for your data transfer which can allow you to see different interactions that are geo location based . VPNs can also provide an additional layer of security for your internet browisng and actions while online, which is for good a couple of different reasons. After all, these services can help you become anonymous while online which is a much-needed luxury nowadays. There are countless trackers everywhere, especially from social media websites. With the use of a good VPN, you can hide your true IP address and your actual location. Through this, the activities that you do will not be attributed to you.

VPN usage is quite common. First, it is used by average users who simply want to keep themselves anonymous and untraceable online. Next, it is largely used to keep business transactions safe and secure from hackers. Lastly, it can be used to access additional content that is normally not allowed in your country.

Features you need in a VPN

First, the most important feature of a VPN is the anonymity it provides you. First, it hides your IP address from the websites that you go to. It will also fully encrypt the data that you upload online to ensure that it cannot be hacked. It uses top-tier encryption systems to make everything safer. The service also provides the ability to show yourself to be coming from another country of your choice. For example, someone from Canada can show themselves to be coming from Singapore.

Next, as mentioned above, it can be used to access content that is usually geo-locked for a specific country. This is especially handy if you want to access more shows on Netflix which are only available for some countries. This is also useful for those who want to access content from Mainland China that is heavily blocked by strong systems. With this tool, you are ensured of your anonymity. However, keep in mind that this will still largely depend upon the strength of your VPN. If this is a priority for you, you should read reviews and updates about the product just to be sure.

VPNs should also ensure that you have security while online. First, a kill switch tool will be very great for perfect security. This instantly shuts down your connection to the internet in case the product fails to fully work. This avoids the possibility of being vulnerable while online. This also ensures that there will be no chance for your IP address to accidentally be leaked online. Next, security can also be ensured by having an instant anti-malware or antivirus built into the service which can help guard you against malware and other dangerous files.

Torrenting is a faster way of downloading gigabytes of files. However, it may also leave you vulnerable against hackers because of the peer-to-peer method of downloading. Some VPNs can be used to torrent and some even have separate servers specifically dedicated for this for you to have the best download speeds. This ensures that you are safe and anonymous even as you download files.

Another good feature of a VPN is fast speeds. After all, using a VPN naturally decreases your original speed. This is because the service needs to encrypt your data, make it pass through the server of your choice, and then send it to the destination website. Because of this, upload and download speeds are naturally affected. This even becomes worse if you connect to a server that is further away from your original location. A good VPN service is still capable of providing good speeds for downloading, streaming, and gaming as it protects you at the same time.

Lastly, it should always be a priority to look for an affordable service that has a lot of features offered for you. We like deals that become more affordable by purchasing longer-term plans as this ensures that you will be secure for a long time.

 

Our first choice – ExpressVPN

We share the same sentiment with other websites which give high ratings for ExpressVPN. They are a service based in British Virgin Islands which make them capable of giving absolute anonymity and a good no-logging policy for its users. They are one of the fastest services in the market, consistently providing fast download and upload speeds no matter the service location. They are available for multiple devices including iOS, Windows, Linux, and even directly to your internet router. With them, users can connect up to 5 devices at once.

One of the best parts about the service is their very good customer service. They are available 24/7 and are very responsive to inquiries and requests. Their internet anonymity allows users to unblock the restrictions of famous streaming services such as Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and more. They also have one of the best interfaces, with their features laid out smartly to allow beginner users to get familiar with them easily. The only downside to the service is their higher pricing compared to other services. If you have the budget for them, they are easily the best VPN security that you can purchase.

 

Our second choice – NordVPN

NordVPN is another great option for users. They are based in Panama which also allows maximum anonymity and no-logging policy for its users. They have more than 5,000 servers which are spread out among 62 countries which provides a lot of options for users to connect to. With them, users can get access to multiple special servers that are made for torrenting and more. They have one of the best offers for pricing plans as they provide unlimited bandwidth. They also allow up to 6 devices to connect to their service which gives a lot of protection for users. If you are wondering if Nord VPN still does free trials, then don't worry as we have looked into this aspect already. We are sad to say that you can't get a free trial of NordVPN anymore, but there are ways you can try their service without any risk!

 

Our third choice – CyberGhostVPN

CyberGhost is a service based in Romania and was founded in 2011. They have more than 15 million users worldwide which shows that many trust its services. They have one of the most affordable pricing plans that are partnered with high-quality security which makes them a very solid choice. They have access to over 3,000 servers available for more than 60 countries. They offer a 30-day money back guarantee and a 7-day free trial which makes them highly recommendable.

Our fourth choice – PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN is a smaller company that provides very solid anonymity for its users. They are based in Switzerland and offer good pricing packages that give affordable security. They are known for having two modes for using the VPN that allows all types of customers to use their services comfortably which includes the Simple and Advanced Mode. They have a very good application that has a simple interface and multiple features available for users They have more than 100 servers in several countries. With a smaller number of users, the company is continuing to expand to put better features.

Our fifth choice – TorGuard

TorGuard is one of the fastest choices that still offers reliable security and anonymity for its users. They have several billing options that is affordable and flexible in terms of price and coverage. They allow up to five devices for their service. It is compatible with iOS, Android, PC, and more. They use multiple security protocols such as OpenVPN, IKEv2 and more. They offer more than 3,000 servers that can be connected to more than 50 countries. With them, you can have a dedicated IP address along with a static address.

Final thoughts on VPNs and our top choice

The best VPN service should provide a lot of features for a justified price. For this, our best choice is ExpressVPN because it has all the important features of a VPN and more, good security, and more.

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