How we score VPNs
Every ranking on this site comes from one formula applied to one dataset. There are no editorial bonuses and no paid placements. If a number in the data changes, the ranking changes with it, and you can check the arithmetic on any review.
The formula
Six criteria, weighted
Each criterion is scored 0–10 from the data. The overall score is the weighted average, rounded to one decimal.
25%
Privacy & trust
No-logs policy, independent audit and its age, open-source apps, jurisdiction outside the 14 Eyes, breach history.
- No-logs policy: 3 points (minimal logs: 1.5)
- Independent audit: 3 points if within a year, 2.5 within two, 1.5 if older
- Open-source apps: 1.5
- Jurisdiction outside the 14 Eyes: 1.5
- No known data breach: 1
20%
Speed
Average speed loss on our dataset’s most recent test. 0% loss scores 10; 50% or worse scores 0.
- 10 × (1 − speed loss ÷ 50%)
- Providers without a recorded test score a neutral 5
20%
Value
Lowest per-month price on the longest plan, simultaneous devices, and money-back window.
- 60%: lowest per-month price. $2 or less scores 10, $7 or more scores 0
- 25%: simultaneous devices (10 or unlimited scores 10)
- 15%: money-back window, plus 2 points for a free trial
15%
Security features
Kill switch, DNS and IP leak protection, WireGuard, split tunneling, obfuscation, multi-hop, threat blocking, port forwarding.
- Share of nine features present: kill switch, DNS leak protection, IP leak protection, WireGuard, split tunneling, obfuscation, multi-hop, threat or ad blocking, port forwarding
10%
Streaming
Share of the 11 major services we track that the provider unblocks, plus dedicated streaming servers.
- Services unblocked out of the 11 we track, scaled to 8.5 points
- Dedicated streaming servers: 1.5
10%
Apps & support
Platforms with native apps (including TVs and routers) and 24/7 live chat.
- 70%: native apps across 10 platform types
- 30%: live chat (24/7 scores 10, limited hours 6)
Best-for lists
Same data, different weights
A torrenting list should care about kill switches more than Netflix. Each list re-weights the six criteria, and some add a pass/fail requirement.
| List | Privacy & trust | Speed | Value | Security features | Streaming | Apps & support | Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 25% | 20% | 20% | 15% | 10% | 10% | None |
| Streaming | 5% | 30% | 10% | 5% | 30% | 20% | None |
| Torrenting | 30% | 25% | 15% | 30% | — | — | Allows P2P traffic |
| Privacy | 55% | 5% | 10% | 30% | — | — | None |
| Gaming | 5% | 50% | 15% | 10% | — | 20% | None |
| Travel | 20% | 15% | 5% | 30% | 10% | 20% | Has obfuscated servers |
| Families | 10% | 5% | 40% | 15% | — | 30% | None |
| Cheapest | 15% | 15% | 60% | 10% | — | — | No-logs policy and 30-day refund |
| Beginners | 15% | 15% | 20% | 10% | — | 40% | None |
Inputs
Where the data comes from
- Prices and refund terms
- Read from each provider’s public pricing page in US dollars, before tax. Every price carries the date it was checked. Renewal prices are only shown once verified; until then we say so instead of estimating.
- Speed
- Average speed loss and added latency as recorded in our dataset, with the test date shown on each review. Speed varies with your connection, location and server, so treat it as a comparison between providers rather than a promise.
- Privacy and audits
- Logging policies, audit firm and year, jurisdiction and open-source status come from the provider’s published policies and audit reports.
- Features, apps and streaming
- Feature and platform support from the provider’s apps and documentation. Streaming results carry their last-tested date, because services block VPN addresses all the time.
Current dataset: 5 providers, most recent update November 5, 2025. Each review lists its own check dates.
Funding
How we make money
Some links to providers are affiliate links. If you buy through one, the provider pays us a commission. You pay the same price, and we never show ads.
Commissions do not enter the formula. The score code has no per-provider adjustments, the matcher uses the same weights, and every provider is held to the same rules whether or not we have an affiliate relationship with it.
Spotted a wrong price or an outdated fact? Prices change often. We re-check the dataset regularly and update the date on every number we change.