You can hardly browse the web these days without being sold all the benefits of the many VPNs out there but is there really a difference between VPNs or are their marketing tactics the only thing that makes them different from each other?
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Are All VPNs The Same?
Most reputable and well-known VPNs are practically the same and essentially offer the same service:
They allow you to access geo-blocked content and protect your data and identity by way of routing your traffic through a secure tunnel and masking your IP address, however, some VPNs offer more features than others; such as allowing you to connect additional devices or allowing you to connect to more servers in more geographical locations, but these differences in features do not change the core functionality of mainstream VPNs enough to make them different from one another.
Top-rated VPNs like ExpressVPN, NordVPN, PtotonVPN, etc., will come with all of the essential features you’d expect to get the most from your VPN.
These features include kill switches, DNS leak protection, multiple device support, strong encryption, secure servers, and excellent customer support.
The differences you do find among the top VPN services are small enough to be able to say that almost all well-known VPNs that you hear about are practically the same, apart from pricing and a few bells and whistles that may temp you one way or the other.
However, when it comes to some lesser-known and untrustworthy VPN services you soon see that there are big differences between those VPNs and the reputable ones.
Some deceitful VPNs employ all sorts of shady tactics only to relieve you of your money.
Some VPN companies set up overnight with the goal of relieving as many people of their money as possible before quickly going out of business again.
They only want that initial payment from you, which will most likely be deposited into a foreign bank account snd then they’ll provide you with few or none of the serviced they promised.
Other unscrupulous VPN services may set up shop with the intention of sticking around a bit longer.
Some providers will allow you to download and use their software for free, however, they tend to include third-party spam toolbars and other potentially unwanted programs that most people would probably pay to avoid.
They may also collect and sell your data to third-party advertisers, or even mine cryptocurrency using your computer’s resources.
So you could say that the top, most reputable VPNs are virtually all the same (apart from pricing and minor features) but there are major differences between lesser-known, untrustworthy VPNs and trustworthy ones.
Related Article: Are Two VPNs Better Than One – Or Are You Wasting Your Time And Money? (Answered)
What Can I Do To Ensure The VPN Service I Am Considering Is Trustworthy?
To ensure you end up with a VPN service you can trust, you’ll want to compare reviews and features online and use free trials to try some out.
Check Reviews (But Be Wary)
Comparing reviews is a good way to find out what other people are saying about the service rather than just relying on their marketing materials.
When researching reviews, look for ones with lots of detail, both good and bad.
Detail will allow you to weigh up all of the pros and cons of each VPN so that you can choose one based on how you’re going to use your VPN and what you want from it.
Try to spot honest reviews that come from people who aren’t trying to sell their services or products.
The more detail a review has, the more likely it is that it’s genuine as phonies usually only state the positives of a service rather than the negatives too.
Be aware that some VPN review sites are heavily influenced by or sometimes even owned by the VPN providers themselves.
Consider The Features You Need
You can expect about 60% of reviews to be fake so comparing all of the features will be important before you decide.
For example, if you travel a lot then a VPN that offers servers in lots of different locations will be a big plus.
However, if you just want to stream local content then it won’t matter as much.
And if you have many family members that will be connecting lots of devices to your VPN then perhaps consider a service that offers five or more simultaneous connections.
You can also try out the VPNmentor comparison tool to quickly compare features among the top VPNs.
Beware Of Free And Unknown VPNs
Free VPNs are never truly free and those companies are still in it to make money.
But instead of exchanging a quality service for money, some free VPNs will just collect and sell your data or spam you to oblivion with advertising.
If a VPN appears to have been set up overnight and you can find very few reviews on it you can take it that the reviews are all fake and you should steer clear.
In conclusion, there are many VPNs out there and while the big ones are all practically the same, you’ll still want to shop around to make sure you’re getting the features you want and pricing you’re happy with.
Beware of free and unknown VPNs, and also look at the features on offer so you know what you’ll get for your money.
