If you are new to using VPNs it can be hard to determine which VPN will best suit your needs. There seem to be so many factors to consider and keep in mind, not to mention the perception that you can only use a VPN if you are a computer genius. The truth about VPNs is that with a little research and the right provider for you, getting and using a VPN is as simple as checking your email or facebook. Three aspects you can use to determine which is the right fit for you are security, compatibility and ease of use.
How Secure Can I Really Be?
Everyone knows the adage that if you’re online you aren’t terribly secure. For the most part this statement is true. Companies and private individuals log data and keep track of your comings and goings. The great thing about VPNs is that your information becomes masked you can be tracked and logged no more. A Virtual Private Network is a process of tunneling your internet connection through a remote server that assigns you a new IP address based on where the server is physically located. At the same time your data is encrypted making it gibberish to any who might try to intercept that data. If you are worried about security you can always opt for a higher level of encryption at a higher cost from the provider.
Compatibility Is Important
It is also to decide which device(s) you plan to use this VPN on. Most VPNs are compatible with many devices but some devices use their own infrastructure that make setting up a VPN difficult and in some case impossible. This also applies to using a VPN with higher encryption as not all VPN encryption protocols are compatible with all devices. The simplest way to determine if the provider you are interested in is compatible with your device(s) is to check their website and then look up user reviews. In some cases of incompatibility the VPN provider may offer workarounds such as software or steps you as the user can take to setup a VPN manually.
Can It Really Be That Easy?
Most VPNs are fairly simple to setup and use, many providers offer software or apps that do the heavy lifting for you automatically and once set will select the best server for you to connect to. If you are trying to bypass a regional firewall that blocks access to certain websites or trying to access regionally restricted content that is only available in a particular country you may need to manually select a specific server. In addition to offering simple solutions, most providers also offer some form of 24-7 customer support to help you solve any problems or answer questions as they pop up. If customer service can’t help you, most also have public forums where users just like you can post their problems and solutions online to make your life all the more easy.
Need A Hand?
If the prospect of figuring out which VPN provider is the best for your needs seems too big a task, we can help. Our team of experts has put together an easy to follow table of the top VPN providers highlighting their pros and cons to get you started. You will want to check for user reviews of these products out as well, but many can be found on the websites for the provider themselves or on other sites.
| Rank | Provider | Starting Price | Money Back |
Visit Provider |
| 1 | ExpressVPN | $6.67 /Month | 30 Days |  |
| 2 | Hidemyass | $6.55/ Month | 30 Days | |
| 3 | iPVanish | $10.00/Month | 7 Days | |
| 4 | StrongVPN | $21/ 3 Months | 7 Days | |
| 5 | VyprVPN | $14.95/Month | 7 Days | |
