Evaluation Methods for VPNs
VPNs, or virtual private networks, have become very common. Below, we explain the process we follow to evaluate each service in our guides and reviews.
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have become ubiquitous today. If you've browsed YouTube, you've likely encountered numerous ads promoting these tools. But what exactly is a VPN? In simple terms, a VPN hides your IP address and the identity of your device by routing your traffic through a remote server. This means that online sites and services will see a different IP address than yours, and your Internet Service Provider will only be able to detect that you're connected to a VPN server, without knowing which sites you visit. This functionality is crucial for keeping your information private and secure, especially when using insecure networks like public WiFi, where it can't be guaranteed what data is being tracked.
In addition to enhancing privacy, another common feature of VPNs is their ability to bypass geographic restrictions imposed by some platforms. By connecting to a server in another country, you can access content like Netflix series from other regions or watch exclusive programs on services like BBC iPlayer. Even in Europe, this can allow you to access sites that are blocked by the continent's strict data protection regulations. Historically, VPNs have also been used to overcome political firewalls that limit access in certain areas.
With a wide variety of claims about military-grade encryption, digital invisibility, and fast speeds, it can be complicated to discern what is true and what is merely advertising. For this reason, VPN services began to be evaluated in 2023, taking into account aspects such as security, speed, latency, usage limits, and price. Although no further extensive testing is expected until 2025, the guide to the best VPNs will continue to be updated.
The evaluation process starts with a background check, where the privacy policy, transparency reports, and security audits are analyzed, in addition to investigating the incident history of each company's security. Once these aspects are reviewed, the ease of setting up the VPN is assessed, considering how many platforms it can operate on and how intuitive the process is to start using it.
Usage limits are another crucial element that is investigated. Although many providers promise compatibility with all devices, there are often hidden conditions in the terms of service that need to be examined, such as the number of devices that can be connected simultaneously or fair use restrictions.
To measure speed and latency, tests are conducted before connecting to the VPN, and results are evaluated after the connection using different tools, so that speed differences are recorded. Regarding geoblocking tests, the VPN's ability to access restricted content from various locations, like Canada or the UK, is assessed.
Finally, potential leaks are checked, such as DNS and WebRTC leaks, which could expose the user's personal IP. Publicly available tools are used to ensure that the VPN fulfills its function of protecting the user's privacy.
