VPN Comparison

After making a post about comparing VPN providers, I received a lot of requested feedback. I’ve implemented most of the ideas I received.

Providers

Notes

  • I’m human. I make mistakes. I made multiple mistakes in my last post, and there may be some here. I’ve tried my best.
  • Pricing is sometimes weird. For example, a 1 year plan for Private Internet Access is 37.19€ first year and then auto-renews annually at 46.73€. By the way, they misspelled “annually”. AirVPN has a 3 day pricing plan. For the instances when pricing is weird, I did what I felt was best on a case-by-case basis.
  • Tor is not a VPN, but there are multiple apps that allow you to use it like a VPN. They’ve released an official Tor VPN app for Android, and there is a verified Flatpak called Carburetor which you can use to use Tor like a VPN on secureblue (Linux). It’s not unreasonable to add this to the list.
  • Some projects use different licenses for different platforms. For example, NordVPN has an open source Linux client. However, to call NordVPN open source would be like calling a meat sandwich vegan because the bread is vegan.
  • The age of a VPN isn’t a good indicator of how secure it is. There could be a trustworthy VPN that’s been around for 10 years but uses insecure, outdated code, and a new VPN that’s been around for 10 days but uses up-to-date, modern code.
  • Some VPNs, like Surfshark VPN, operate in multiple countries. Legality may vary.
  • All of the VPNs claim a “no log” policy, but there’s some I trust more than others to actually uphold that.
  • Tor is special in the port forwarding category, because it depends on what you’re using port forwarding for. In some cases, Tor doesn’t need port forwarding.
  • Tor technically doesn’t have a WireGuard profile, but you could (probably?) create one.

Takeaways

  • If you don’t mind the speed cost, Tor is a really good option to protect your IP address.
  • If you’re on a budget, NymVPN, Private Internet Access, and Surfshark VPN are generally the cheapest. If you’re paying month-by-month, Mullvad VPN still can’t be beat.
  • If you want VPNs that go out of their way to collect as little information as possible, IVPN, Mullvad VPN, and NymVPN don’t require any personal information to use. And Tor, of course.

ODS file: https://files.catbox.moe/cly0o6.ods

  • Echolynx@lemmy.zipEnglish
    9·
    2 months ago

    Mullvad also ran some pretty quirky ads on our public transit. I hadn’t been that familiar with them, but it did heighten my awareness, and they seem pretty fine.

    • Ŝan • 𐑖ƨɤ@piefed.zipEnglish
      23·
      2 months ago

      I’ve been concerned about performance lately; after having been on Mullvad forever, performance dropped to “abysmal” on every server, so I tried ivpn and got much better speeds. Still, it’s a fraction of my fiber capability, wiþ VPN off. I looked at Nym, but haven’t tried it; it doesn’t seem like þroughput is a primary selling point for þem.

      If you do try it, could you report back on speed impact?

      I get 8% of my raw þroughput on Mullvad’s servers. I get 28% on ivpn. Neiþer seems like a reasonably cost for Wireguard, and should be better.

      • scytale@piefed.zipEnglish
        2·
        2 months ago

        I thought it was just my connection that was slow. Mullvad has been underperforming for me as well for the past 2 weeks. I might consider trying Nym if there’s still no improvement in the next week of so.

      • online@programming.dev
        11·
        2 months ago

        From what I understand Nymvpn uses 2-hop connection, aka your data goes through two of their servers before reaching its intended destination, versus 1-hop with most other VPNs. It’s more private, but you’ll sacrifice speed as a result of having to go through at least 2 servers. They even have a 5-hop mode, which I don’t know, probably would be slower than tor xD

        • scytale@piefed.zipEnglish
          1·
          2 months ago

          Mullvad has multi-hop as well. What isn’t clear to me yet is if Nym uses servers they do not own/rent for the decentralization they claim. Mullvad’s multi-hop goes through servers they either own or rent.

  • Chivera@lemmy.world
    1·
    2 months ago

    I got Mozilla VPN back when it launched. I got it at $4.99/month. I only use it for viewing and downloading “free” media online. Should I switch?

    • dogs0n@sh.itjust.works
      1·
      2 months ago

      Mozilla VPN is just Mullvad, so you are on a very good vpn service.

      As long as you are happy, I don’t see why you should swap.

      (Going to mullvad directly could be slightly beneficial if you want a generated account that has no direct metadata to link to you, using a card to pay would negate that benefit, but theres other options… in the end you are using a good service already)

  • dirtySourdough@lemmy.world
    24·
    2 months ago

    OP this is a big improvement from your previous post. It’s an excellent starting point for folks who are looking to start using a VPN. There’s a lot of constructive criticism in here, which is good, but might be discouraging. Just know that this is already very useful for many people.

  • null_dot@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
    30·
    2 months ago

    I’ve been using one of these since forever and it just works. Should I look at the others?

    I don’t want this to be a “I use x and its the best” type comment so I won’t say which one.

    I only use wireguard and wouldn’t touch openvpn just because it seems so complex in comparisson.

    The price is fine, the speed is fine, wireguard makes it ubiquitous, never had a problem with reliability.

    • The 8232 Project@lemmy.mlOP
      10·
      2 months ago

      If you feel one of the options offers something better than the one you currently use, you may consider switching. That’s the purpose of comparisons, after all!

  • Sadness Nexus@lemmy.ml
    13·
    2 months ago

    From what I know, the only free VPN worth using is Proton because they don’t keep logs on their free tier either.

  • bowreality@lemmy.ca
    3·
    2 months ago

    Thanks so much! I am looking for a new one because my current one is expensive and of questionable ownership haha.

  • veee@lemmy.caEnglish
    23·
    2 months ago

    I just checked how much I was paying for my Nord subscription and now I’m convinced that Proton Unlimited (discounted) is a great value. Gonna switch next year when my subscription ends. Thanks for putting this together!