VPN

logo Hotspot Shield Hotspot Shield
logo Windscribe Windscribe
logo ProtonVPN ProtonVPN
logo Betternet Betternet
logo VPNBook VPNBook
logo TunnelBear TunnelBear
logo Hide.me Hide.me
logo CyberGhost CyberGhost
logo Zenmate Zenmate
logo Speedify Speedify

VPN is an acronym for Virtual Private Network, which literally means "virtual private network". It is a program that provides an encrypted connection between the user and the network. The main function of VPN is to provide complete privacy while using the Internet. The program is needed for such purposes:

  1. Blocking Internet resources. Many users are faced with the fact that providers for various reasons block access to some web resources. Many of them do not pose any threat. VPN helps to bypass this method of protection - the user gets a new IP-address, freely goes to the desired site.
  2. Anonymity. Necessary when connecting to the public Internet - cafes, airports, stores. Program encrypts connection and access to personal data, which can be easily obtained by intruders.
  3. Hiding geolocation. VPN makes it possible to hide your location. This is especially relevant for those who spend a lot of time traveling, traveling.
  4. Increasing the speed of the Internet. Often providers put restrictions on popular resources such as VK, YouTube. Data transmission slows down significantly. If a similar problem occurs, it is worth to use a VPN.
  5. Price discrimination. This applies to those who often order goods online. The price difference may depend on the location, the frequency of purchases. For example, Muscovites may pay much more for products than residents of the provinces. By enabling VPN, you can objectively compare prices.

Virtual Private Network is a useful tool that provides access to closed web pages and privacy. The program also helps to hide your real IP address, geolocation.

All VPN in rating

Using a VPN will slow down your browsing because your signal goes through another server. This means that the signal has a longer path. Hotspot Shield uses a unique protocol that ensures your connection stays fast, whether you're using the free or premium version. This protocol, known as the Catapult Hydra protocol, keeps your connection fast even if you switch between different servers. In fact, it only takes a few seconds to connect to a new server.

Pros

    • Hotspot Shield VPN guarantees complete security, privacy and anonymity
    • Gives a virtual IP address upon connection, thus protecting the real one
    • Automatically activates VPN access when connected to public Wi-Fi
    • Hotspot Shield provides free access via VPN server in the U.S., other countries only with a subscription
    • High speed internet connection
    • Incoming and outgoing traffic is encrypted
    • Friendly interface, no specific setup required
    • More than 2,500 ultra-fast VPN servers around the world
    • Ad blocking even in free version

Cons

    • The free version has a limited connection speed

The history of pages visited, search engine query history, and other information goes into the hands of advertisers every day. It's worth guessing how much information unknown marketers know about every user of popular search engines, browsers, and sites. All information is collected by IP address. The Windscribe service masks it so that the service providers will not be able to track the user's traffic and the user will appear as if he is in a different country. This greatly increases privacy, minimizes the risk of being tracked, and removes geographical restrictions.

Pros

    • 10 GB of traffic per month in the free version
    • High-speed internet connection
    • OpenVPN, iKEv2, SOCKS5 support
    • Does not save data about the connection, visited websites and IP-addresses
    • Built-in ad blocker and firewall
    • Large number of VPN servers
    • 256-bit AES encryption for traffic
    • Netflix access
    • Supports proxy connection through any 2 servers in the Winscribe network

Cons

    • The free version does not have access to all servers

VPN services are becoming increasingly popular. It is with their help users can preserve privacy on the Internet and bypass bans, gaining access to protected sites. The number of such applications is steadily growing, but among them there are undeniable leaders, one of which is the Swiss service ProtonVPN.

Pros

    • Free of charge
    • Support for modern versions of Windows operating systems
    • Branded technologies and features
    • Support for AES-256 encryption
    • OpenVPN technology support
    • Kill-Switch option
    • No logging
    • Onion routing technologies support

Cons

    • Modest selection of servers available in the free version of the client
    • Availability of connection speed limits in the free version of the program

The main advantages are definitely strong encryption, the product is free and there are no logs at all, and it is easy to use. However, in some cases, security can be questioned, because somehow it does not say where 256-bit encryption is used and where 128-bit encryption is used.

Pros

    • Free of charge
    • Support for modern Windows operating systems
    • No need to register a user account
    • Strong encryption
    • No logging
    • User friendly and simple interface
    • Quick and easy installation

Cons

    • Modest selection of available VPN servers

Stable Internet connection, high level of anonymity of personal data, which avoids leaks of user information, are the strongest points of this program. Up to 11 different servers in 6 countries are available for connection.

Pros

    • Free PPTP and OpenVPN services
    • Unblock sites with anonymity
    • 100% free
    • No restrictions
    • Good performance
    • No bandwidth limitation
    • Great Encryption
    • Smart CDN Fallback

Cons

    • Login credentials usually change

The program provides a free version with limited traffic. The most frequent reasons for using VPN-services are watching streaming services, using torrent trackers, as well as overcoming geographical restrictions for visiting certain sites and opening foreign sources to search for information. If with the last function this program copes perfectly well and can provide safe travel of the user on the network, as well as allow you to remove the Internet speed limits, which providers themselves exhibit users.

Pros

    • Simple and fun interface
    • Supports OpenVPN and IPSec protocols
    • Possibility to change IP to virtual IP for more privacy
    • Incoming and outgoing traffic is encrypted with AES 256
    • TunnelBear blocks all Internet traffic instantly if your VPN connection terminates - Killswitch
    • Doesn't store internet activity logs and doesn't keep them at all
    • Supports all major operating systems - Windows, iOS, Android, macOS
    • Paid version can be used on up to 5 devices in one account

Cons

    • The volume of free traffic per month - 500 MB

If you think that your identity cannot be compromised on the Internet, you're wrong. Every time you connect your computer to the Internet, your device is assigned a unique IP address from which you can learn a lot.

This IP address allows you to be identified, and can reveal your location, the ISP you use, and your personal identity, and can even leak information related to all the programs you use, and more.

These are just a few of the ways your online privacy can be compromised. In addition, you can also be monitored by government surveillance agencies, block access to certain websites, and your data can also be stolen by hackers.

Therefore, it is imperative that users start using a VPN service that masks their identity, prevents their data from leaking online, hides their IP addresses, and allows them to access geo-blocked content.

Pros

    • There is a completely free version
    • Support for PPTP, L2TP, SSTP, OpenVPN, SoftEther, IPsec (IKEv1 and IKEv2)
    • Automatic selection of the server with unlimited speed
    • Encryption of traffic using AES-256
    • Ability to hide or change the IP-address
    • No ads
    • Blocks all Internet traffic if your VPN connection is terminated - Killswitch feature
    • Port forwarding and DNS leak prevention

Cons

    • Limitations of the free version

CyberGhost is a unique product that provides the most functionally free version of the program with all the necessary features of any other VPN program. The purchase of the paid version opens up only additional traffic and more servers to visit, as well as additional ad blocking features, suspicious sites, online tracking, as well as accelerated mode some other features.

Pros

    • Supports OpenVPN, L2TP, IPsec, SSTP and PPTP protocols
    • Ability to mask the IP-address
    • Traffic encryption using AES 256-bit algorithm
    • Capability of CyberGhost adware blocker checks the URL of the requested site
    • Capable of securing electronic payments
    • Optimized for Windows 10
    • Access to over 1250 servers worldwide
    • Defends against DNS and IP leaks

Cons

    • The free version has advertising content
    • The free version has limited features

At the moment the service contains all the necessary settings, has 256-bit encryption for mobile devices and 128-bit encryption for desktop devices. The program does not save any information about the user and provides a comfortable surfing experience.

Pros

    • Servers in over 35 countries
    • Supports protocols - OpenVPN, IPSec, PPTP, L2TP, SSTP
    • Virtual IP-address is given at connection
    • Visible to blocked sites even in free version
    • High speed internet connection
    • Automatically activates VPN-connection when your browser or operating system starts up (can be set up)
    • You can use one subscription on up to 5 devices (computer, smartphone, etc.)
    • Ability to configure each site to connect through a specific country (Smart Locations feature)
    • Does not store or collect user data

Cons

    • Short and paid trial period - 14 days, but with a money-back guarantee

With speedify, you can protect any type of network that loses in security and greatly increase the privacy of your data. Due to the updated way of cryptography this VPN does not decrease the speed of the Internet, but on the contrary increases and presents double performance, which means it differs this program from others. Stable speed is ensured both in P2P-torrenting and while watching streaming services. Let the number of streaming services is very limited, but the most popular and most demanded ones are available here.

Pros

    • P2P protocol support
    • Simultaneous use of up to 5 devices
    • Around 200 servers in 50 countries
    • Up to 5GB free monthly (no registration)
    • Statistics on connections, speed and traffic, emergency shutdown, failure protection
    • Precise privacy policy (no logging).
    • Russian language available
    • 30-day money-back guarantee
    • Works with streaming videos (Netflix, Hulu, BBC) and torrent-files

Cons

    • Speed jumps, unstable connection
    • Metadata about connection time, amount of transferred data and session duration is saved