How to Choose the Best VPN – Watch Out for These Red Flags 🚩

Aksel Hellerud

Last Updated: 30/07/25

TL;DR: What Makes a Great VPN?

✅ No-logs privacy policy
✅ Fast, stable speeds
✅ Strong encryption (AES-256)
✅ Works with streaming services
✅ Apps for all devices
✅ Bypasses geo-blocks & censorship
✅ Transparent pricing & money-back guarantee

Ready to dive deeper? Let’s get started.

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is no longer just a tool for tech-savvy users—it’s a must-have for anyone who values privacy, unrestricted internet access, or secure connections in today’s digital world.

But with hundreds of VPN providers promising everything from military-grade encryption to access to Netflix libraries around the globe, how do you actually choose the best VPN?

This guide breaks it all down. Whether you’re looking for a VPN for streaming, browsing anonymously, bypassing censorship, or securing public Wi-Fi, we’ll show you exactly what to look for—and link you to the best options for your specific needs.

Why Do You Need a VPN?

Your online privacy is a direct measure of how anonymous you are while you surf the internet. It is very important to stay private online for various reasons. These days, hackers are all over the internet looking to prey. Without a secure and private connection, it is quite inevitable that you fall victim. Internet Service Providers (ISPs) sometimes use your data to profit themselves. With a secure connection, you’ll have an online experience free of all those issues.

Understanding your primary use case is the first step. Different VPNs excel in different areas. Ask yourself:

• Do you want to stream geo-blocked content?
• Are you trying to protect your data on public Wi-Fi?
• Do you need to bypass internet censorship?
• Are you looking for free access, or are you willing to pay for better performance?

📋How to Choose the Best VPN for You

When selecting the best VPN for you, we recommend following these steps:

1. Identify your main use case
2. Compare key features
3. Select the best VPN protocol
4. Check for any red flags

Keep reading to learn more about each step ⤵️

1. Match the VPN to Your Use Case

Not all VPNs are created equal. Here’s how to match features to your goal:

2. Key VPN Features to Compare

Once you know your goal, here are the most important VPN features to evaluate:

🔐 Privacy & Security

• Encryption: Look for AES-256-bit encryption.
• Kill Switch: Prevents data leaks if your connection drops.
• No-Logs Policy: Ensure the provider doesn’t store activity data.
• Independent Audits: Adds credibility to privacy claims.

⚡ Speed & Performance

• VPNs slow down your internet slightly—but the best ones minimize this.
• Look for providers with WireGuard protocol or upgraded OpenVPN.

🌍 Server Locations

• More countries = better unblocking potential.
• Ideal for bypassing geo-restrictions or finding local pricing abroad.

🧰 Ease of Use

• Native apps for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux
• Intuitive design, one-click connect, auto-connect on unsafe Wi-Fi

🖥️ Device Compatibility & Simultaneous Connections

• Does it work on your TV, console, router, or browser?
• Some VPNs limit the number of simultaneous device connections.
  • Think about how many devices you want to use the VPN on at the same time before selecting a VPN
  • Surfshark has the best offer, including unlimited simultaneous connections

🆓 Free vs Paid VPNs

• Free VPNs: Limited data, fewer servers, ads, and potentially questionable logging practices
• Paid VPNs: Full speed, full access, privacy, and support

3. VPN Protocols: What You Need to Know

Your VPN’s protocol affects speed, security, and stability:

4. Red Flags: What to Avoid

Be cautious of VPNs that:

• Log your activity
• Use aggressive marketing tactics
• Offer “lifetime” deals with vague policies
• Lack transparency or an About page
• Don’t publish a privacy policy

5. Our Top VPN Picks (2025)

Here’s a snapshot of VPNs that consistently perform well across categories:

💡 Want more details? See our comparison: Best VPN Services of 2025

Top Privacy Features to Look Out for in a VPN

There are over hundreds of VPNs on the market now. Selecting one that stands out amongst all these can be very tasking. The list below highlights the most important features to look for in a VPN to have a private, secure, and stress-free cyber experience.

1. Encryption — More than any other thing, the kind of encryption a VPN uses determines how secure the VPN is. The best encryption to look out for is the military-grade AES-256 encryption. It is the most secure out there and a good number of these VPNs use it.
2. Logging policy — A VPN that keeps log of your data is a NO-NO. You definitely want to be using a VPN that keeps zero-logs. This way, the VPN service doesn’t have any data that can be used to identify you, so no other party can access your data.
3. Kill switch — This feature automatically cuts off your internet connection if by any means the VPN connection drops to prevent any lapse. Hence, you should not choose a VPN that doesn’t have a kill switch feature.
4. Special security feature — Some VPNs come with special features that offer an improved security and privacy status. Examples of special features a VPN could offer are the DoubleVPN and CleanWeb features. In their own ways, these features play a significant role in protecting your privacy.
5. Server speed — As much as we are looking for the best privacy VPNs, speed is also very important. Slow connections and buffering are frustrating. There’s no use having the most secure VPN when the server speed is poor. Good speed complements privacy and security features.
6. Device compatibility — Even though most VPNs support all main operating systems, there are some that support only a selected few. So if you have a Windows PC, an Android phone and a router, you want to pick a VPN that supports all 3. This ensures that you have an all-round protection on all your devices. It’s also important to get a VPN that supports multiple connections at the same time and is easy to use.
7. Guarantee policy — It’s smart to opt for VPNs with a money-back guarantee. That secures your money in case you don’t eventually fancy their service.

Are VPNs Legal?

There’s no absolute answer to that question because the answer is always relative to the country you’re in. For the most part, VPNs are legal. In certain countries like China, Russia, Iran, Iraq and UAE, the services of Virtual Private Networks have been banned. The government justifies the restriction on VPN as a measure to curb criminal and terrorist activities.

Also, in countries where VPNs are legalized, using a VPN for criminal reasons has no justification. But in these countries — US, Germany, Netherlands amongst many others, you’re allowed to use a VPN for privacy and security reasons. Just do your thing, use a good VPN to protect yourself from cyber crooks in a country where it’s allowed and you’ll have no troubles.

Final Thoughts: What VPN Is Right for You?

There’s no one-size-fits-all VPN. The best VPN depends entirely on your needs—whether it’s streaming, privacy, travel, or bypassing censorship.

This guide is your launchpad. Use it to compare features, avoid shady providers, and explore in-depth recommendations tailored to you.

FAQs: Choosing the Best VPN