Our VPN research method

What our assessments are based on

We review public provider documentation, support articles, plan descriptions and published transparency material. Current content uses AI-assisted research. Each assessment links to the sources used, with a check date when the facts were checked.

We have not conducted a new comparative speed benchmark, streaming-unblocking test, leak test or security audit for this relaunch. We do not invent numerical ratings or imply that reading a provider's documentation verifies its security claims.

Questions we ask

• Which devices and operating systems have supported apps?
• Which protocols and safety controls are available on each platform?
• What does the account or subscription include, and what is an extra?
• What are the free-plan limits, billing terms and refund conditions?
• What logging or audit claims does the provider publish, and what is their scope?
• Who is likely to find the service useful, and who should look elsewhere?

Published claims have limits

An audit covers a stated scope and period; it cannot guarantee all future behavior. A published no-logs policy is not the same as our independently verifying operational practice. Where support pages conflict, we describe the uncertainty rather than choose the more attractive number.

VPN performance depends on location, network conditions, protocol and the destination service. We do not label a provider fastest or promise access to a particular streaming service without reproducible evidence.

Prices and refreshes

Promotional prices and renewal terms can change. Where a current price cannot be confidently established, we leave the exact amount out and explain what to check at checkout. Source-check dates refer to research, not personal use. Original publication dates are kept separate from revision dates.

Commercial relationships

Affiliate links may earn a commission. They do not remove limitations from an assessment. Paid placement, when offered and accepted, must be labelled. Provider submissions require review before publication and do not purchase a favorable verdict.

Corrections

Send a correction with the relevant page and source. We review factual changes and can update, withdraw or redirect coverage when a service closes or reliable information is unavailable.