Explore

VPN Features Knowledge Base

Server networks:

Surfshark: 100+ countries, with over 3,000 servers.

ExpressVPN: 90+ countries, with over 3,000 servers.

Private Internet Access: 80+ countries, with over 20,000 servers

NordVPN: 60+ countries, with over 5,000 servers

PrivateVPN: 60+ countries, with over 200 servers.

CyberGhost: 90+ countries, 9,400+ servers

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Paid VPNs

NordVPN

Based: Panama

Devices: 6

1-sentence synopsis:

Paid Pros

Zero logs policy

Strong security protocols (NordLynx, IKEv2/IPSec, OpenVPN)

Fastest VPN we have tested

Works with Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, Disney+, HBO

Six simultaneous connections allowed

5,000+ servers in 60+ countries

Solid, independently audited security features

24/7 live chat, email, and support center.

Affordable price

Paid Cons

A few unreliable servers

Switching between servers can be slow

You can only pick servers based on location, not a specific need (i.e., streaming or P2P)

Suffered a data breach in late 2019

Doesn’t work well for torrenting

No router app

Standout Features:

NordLynx Protocol (WireGuard)- NordLynx is a new-generation VPN protocol that offers improved connection, faster speeds, and better security measures than other VPN protocols, including WireGuard. A VPN protocol is a tunnel that lets users' data travel encrypted and unattainable to third parties. NordLynx is built around a protocol called WireGuard®, and it has two really great properties. It provides lightning-fast internet connection speeds without compromising encryption security.

CyberSec Feature - CyberSec uses popular lists of blocked websites to identify potential malware threats during your browsing sessions. It scans web addresses you enter against these lists – if there’s a match, access to the website is blocked before you connect to it. It also protects you from malware that has already made it into your device.

Double VPN - Double VPN is an advanced

VPN security⁠

feature that routes your traffic through two VPN servers instead of one, encrypting your data twice.Now with Double VPN, your online activity hides behind two servers instead of one, which is known as VPN server chaining.

Onion Over VPN - Onion Over VPN is a special category of NordVPN servers that lets users access the Tor (The Onion Router) network with increased privacy and without the need for a separate Tor browser.

P2P traffic allowed on specific servers.

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ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is the fastest VPN in the world.

Based: British Virgin Islands (BVI)

Device: 5

1-sentence synopsis:

Pros

The fastest VPN in the world

3,000+ servers in over 94 countries

Industry-best security

Works with Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and many more

24/7 live chat support

Works in China and UAE

Independently audited - apps have been thoroughly reviewed by Cure53, PwC, KPMG, and others.

Cons

Premium price tag

Streaming servers aren’t labeled

Only offers five device connections

Doesn’t work with BBC iPlayer

Features:

● TrustedServer technology - ExpressVPN TrustedServer Technology is a VPN server technology that runs entirely on RAM. It eliminates the use of hard drives in its network of over 3,000 servers, spread across the world.

With TrustedServer, the entire software stack is reinstalled on every server at startup, ensuring that the operating system is effectively "reinstalled" with every single reboot, which dramatically minimizes security risks

● Built-in Speed Test - ExpressVPN has a built-in Speed Test feature for its desktop applications. This feature checks server speeds in real-time to show you which ones have the fastest download speeds and can help you make an educated decision on the server you choose

● Network Lock Kill Switch - a kill switch that kills your internet connection whenever your VPN disconnects. In this way, it protects you from all the web tracking activities until your VPN connection reestablishes.

● Zero-knowledge DNS servers - ExpressVPN runs its own private, encrypted DNS on every VPN server for added privacy and anonymity. When you use ExpressVPN, your DNS requests are handled directly by ExpressVPN, with no exposure to third parties.

● Obfuscation (Camouflage Mode) - This feature is designed to bypass internet censorship and firewalls, and prevent VPN blocking and throttling. When enabled, Camouflage Mode masks your VPN traffic as regular HTTPS encrypted traffic, making it difficult for internet service providers (ISPs), governments, and other entities to detect or block your VPN connection.

⁠

Surfshark

Based: Netherlands

Devices: unlimited

1-sentence synopsis:

Pros

Unlimited devices

Highly secure

Large global server presence

Works in the UAE and China

Access Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer

Keeps no logs whatsoever

Great prices

Cons:

Relatively small server network

Occasional slow server

Downloads can be slow

Monthly plans are expensive

Mac client isn't as fully-featured

Customer service can be frustrating

Erratic P2P behavior

Standout features

MultiHop (Double VPN) feature - Allows users to connect via two different VPN servers at the same time, making it twice as hard to track or hack your connection. Users can select both servers manually or use pre-selected servers located in different countries.

Split tunneling (Whitelister) - Allows users to exclude specific apps or websites from the VPN connection, while keeping the rest of the traffic encrypted and protected by the VPN. With Whitelister, you can create a list of apps and websites that you want to exclude from the VPN connection

CleanWeb 2.0 feature- An ad blocker and online tracking protection tool that blocks ads, trackers, and malware. CleanWeb is available as a browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, and it is also integrated into the Surfshark VPN app.

Camouflage Mode (obfuscated servers) - Camouflage Mode makes sure that even your internet provider can’t tell that you’re using a VPN. Stay private, always.

No Borders mode: Internet should be open to everyone. This mode allows you to successfully use Surfshark everywhere you are.

Other Features:

Over 3200 servers in 65 countries

Unlimited simultaneous connections

AES-256-GCM encryption

Private DNS and leak protection

Secure protocols: OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, and WireGuard

No-logs policy

Kill switch

24/7 customer support via live chat and email

Compatible with major platforms (Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS)

Browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox

Smart DNS for devices without native VPN support (e.g., game consoles, smart TVs)

P2P-friendly servers

30-day money-back guarantee

Supports streaming services (Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, etc.)

⁠

CyberGhost

Based: Bucharest, Romania.

Devices: 7

1-sentence synopsis:

Pros

Fast, streaming-optimized servers

Connect up to seven devices simultaneously

Kill switch on all apps and keeps no logs

WireGuard protocol

Apps are great for beginners

Excellent customer support

Affordable pricing

Accepts cryptocurrency payments

45-day money-back guarantee

Cons:

Doesn’t reliably work in China or UAE

No apps for routers

Parent company has a poor reputation

No obfuscation

No option to allow local networking

Limited Torrenting Support

Not the Best for Streaming

Standout features

Employs best-in-class

VPN protocols⁠

: WireGuard®, OpenVPN, and IKEv2. The lightweight WireGuard® protocol to surf the internet at full speed and rely on OpenVPN for pesky network restrictions.

IKEv2, which is based on the IP Security Architecture (IPSec) open framework, also gives you reliable, fast connections. It allows you to switch between our protocols to suit your needs.

Features:

AES 256-bit encryption

Automatic kill switch

DNS & IP leak protection

Ad blocker

No-logging policy

7 simultaneous connections

Unlimited bandwidth and traffic

Wide range of servers (over 6,900 in 90 countries)

Dedicated IP addresses

Torrenting support (on select servers)

Streaming support (Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, etc.)

User-friendly interface

24/7 customer support

Affordable pricing options with discounts for longer subscription periods

45-day money back guarantee

Apps for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS & more

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PIA

Based: USA

Devices: 10

1-sentence synopsis:

Pros

Perfect for torrenting

Zero-logs policy proven in court

10 simultaneous connections

Excellent for P2P

Large global server network

Some of the best privacy tools in the industry

Highly customizable & user friendly

Excellent customer service

30 day money-back guarantee

Recently audited

Cons

Doesn’t work in China

US-based

Apple users not so impressed

No obfuscation (stealth servers)

Not very beginner-friendly

Doesn’t unblock some major streaming services

Unverified Windows installer

Standout Features

Offers strong encryption and secure VPN protocols, including OpenVPN, WireGuard, and L2TP/IPSec.

DNS leak protection- PIA ensures that your IP address and internet activity are hidden from your internet service provider (ISP) and other third-party entities

Secure Kill Switch.- Protect the user's privacy and security by immediately disconnecting the internet connection if the VPN connection drops. This prevents the user's real IP address from being exposed and keeps their online activities private.

Advanced Split Tunneling & MultiHop - Advanced Split Tunneling allows users to specify which apps or websites can bypass the VPN tunnel. This feature gives users more control over their privacy and security by allowing them to use the VPN only for specific services or apps while keeping others outside of the VPN tunnel. Users can set custom rules for both apps and websites, and connect to their local network with the VPN still on.

The MultiHop feature allows users to route their internet traffic through multiple VPN servers in different countries. This feature adds an extra layer of security and privacy as it creates several layers of encryption, making it more difficult for anyone to trace the user's activity back to their IP address.

WireGuard Protocol: WireGuard is a modern, high-performance VPN protocol that is designed to be faster, more secure, and more efficient than traditional VPN protocols like OpenVPN and IPSec. It uses state-of-the-art cryptography and a streamlined codebase to provide a secure and private connection with minimal overhead.

Other features

Port Forwarding

Highly Customizable Settings

Offers a large server network with over 35,000 servers in 78 countries.

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PrivateVPN

Based: Sweden

Devices: 10

1-sentence synopsis:

Pros

Fast enough for HD streaming in most places

accessing Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer

Works in Mainland China

Good value plans

Beginner-friendly

Up to 10 simultaneous device connections

Easy-to-use apps

Cons

Limited support

Just 200 servers around the world

Live support isn’t available 24/7

No browser extension

Limited number of apps compared to top VPNs

Features:

Over 200 servers in 63 countries.

Supports OpenVPN, PPTP, L2TP, IKEv2, and IPSec protocols.

Military-grade 256-bit AES encryption.

Automatic kill switch and IPv6 leak protection.

Stealth VPN mode for bypassing VPN blocks.

Supports torrenting and P2P file sharing.

Compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and routers.

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Free VPNs

Hotspot Shield

Based: Redwood, USA

Devices: 1

1-sentence synopsis:

Pros

Increase your bandwidth limit by watching ads

Patented VPN protocol

Unblocks most streaming services

Good speeds

500 MB daily, 2 Mbps speed limit.

Works in China and the UAE

Industry-leading security

Easy upgrade to premium plan

Cons:

Some logging of user data, including connection logs and IP addresses.

Limited server locations compared to other VPN services.

Free version is limited and supported by ads.

May not work in highly restricted countries like China and Iran.

Features:

Military-grade encryption - Hotspot Shield VPN uses military-grade encryption to secure users' data from hackers and cyber predators. The company claims to encrypt users' connections and not log any data that could be traced back to them, thus shielding their identities and information from unauthorized access.

Ad browsing experience

Ultra fast VPN

Virtual location in the United States

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AtlasVPN

Based: United States.

Devices: unlimited devices

1-sentence synopsis:

Pros

Unlimited simultaneous devices

No ads

Unlimited speed

Works with most streaming sites

Built-in anti-malware, ad blocker, and data breach monitoring

Easy to use

Cons

Only three servers for free users.

Slower speeds than paid plans.

Data cap of 500 MB per month, which may not be enough for heavy use.

May not be able to access certain streaming services or websites.

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