Editorial process

VPNBrains strives to blend research and insight into a comprehensive and well-rounded assessment in all of our VPN reviews. This mission is supported by a team of experts, reviewers, and writers committed to providing the most up-to-date and accurate information on VPNs, without exception. 

Each review covers multiple features relevant to today’s VPN users, including security, privacy, speed, compatibility, reliability, features, price, customer support, and user-friendliness. In doing so, we hope to support our readers in making informed decisions about their VPN options. 

Our researchers, testers, and writers are respected professionals in the fields of technology, cybersecurity, and technical writing. The entire team works together to ensure our reviews are comprehensive, informative, accurate, and unbiased. 

We make sure that our readers are provided with broad knowledge of every VPN from a variety of sources by incorporating consumer reviews and outside independent testing facilities in conjunction with our own testing. If you want to learn more about why VPNBrains is a trusted source when it comes to VPNs, keep reading! 

Our commitment to you

At VPNBrains, we are committed to providing you with the latest evidence-based information on the performance, security, privacy, and features of every VPN we review. Our product testing covers a range of topics related to VPN usage, including privacy, security, speed, compatibility, reliability, price, and ease of use. We also include practical information on common consumer uses for VPNs including the VPN’s effectiveness for streaming, gaming, torrenting, and accessing global content. 

We do not receive any payment for our reviews, ensuring the subjectivity of our assessments. For the sake of transparency, we acknowledge that we have affiliate links in our articles for which we receive a small commission, which is used to support our work. We do not allow this to sway the objectivity of our research, and we stand by all of our recommendations. 

All of our researchers, testers, and writers are experienced professionals dedicated to providing accurate, unbiased, and practical advice so you can make informed decisions on the best VPN for your unique needs. 

Why rely on our reviews?

At VPNBrains, we provide research-based, up-to-date information that is both practical and relevant to VPN users. While we tailor our methodology to the feature we assess, all recommendations are based on the following criteria:

• Professionalism. We rely on a team of experienced experts in the fields of cybersecurity, technology, VPN testing, and technical writing as a resource for our reviews to ensure the information you receive is accurate and communicated in a clear, easy-to-understand manner.
• Evidence based. The information provided in our reviews is based on empirical evidence acquired through comprehensive testing of the VPN’s security, privacy, software, and features. Any outside sources of information that we rely on to provide you with broad, unbiased coverage are vetted and respected testing facilities and experts in the field. 
• Scientific. All testing follows the industry standard for empirical and evidence-based protocols, and all information is sourced from the leading experts in the field of technology, cybersecurity, and VPN testing.
• Comprehensive. We thoroughly investigate each VPN in multiple areas including security, privacy, speed, features, compatibility, pricing, streaming, torrenting, and performance. We include both in-house and trusted outside testing facilities. 
• Current. We make sure our reviews are up-to-date and responsive to reader feedback so our articles include all of the latest information in the rapidly evolving world of technology. 
• Relevant. We cover real-world topics that are important to VPN users so our readers can make informed decisions based on their personal needs, from security and privacy to pricing and ease of use. 
• Consistent. We apply the same testing standards and criteria to every VPN so our readers can count on VPNBrains as a reliable source for informed decisions in every article. 

Our product rating system

We rank each VPN on a scale of one to five. This allows consumers to make a quick comparison between different VPN providers which can assist in determining the best VPN option available. The higher the rating the better the VPN performed on testing criteria. Here’s what to expect from a VPN based on our rating system.

• 5 stars. The highest level of recommendation. This product is a strong performer with only minor areas in need of improvement.
• 4 stars. A strong-performing VPN with a few features that would benefit from improvement for optimal service. 
• 3 stars. A VPN with deficits that may impact the performance or the security of the product. Use with caution. 
• 2 stars. A VPN with deficits that are likely to negatively impact the security and performance of the product. Not recommended. 
• 1 star. A VPN with concerning deficits that significantly impact the security and performance of the product. It is best to avoid this VPN service.  

Our evaluation methodology

We use scientific, empirical methodology for testing and evaluating VPNs in all of our reviews. Our research is designed to provide unbiased, relevant, reliable, and current information on the VPN service being assessed. All testing is completed on multiple operating systems, including Windows, Android, macOS, iOS, and Linux, to identify any differences in features and performance in the following areas:

• Security. We evaluate each VPN for its security features, including encryption ciphers, authentication processes, tunneling protocols, kill switches, DNS & IP leak protection, and more. We compare the security software that the VPN offers to the industry standards for safety and reliability through careful review and rigorous testing. 
• Privacy. We review the VPN company’s privacy policy and terms of service and verify its effectiveness by investigating its past performance when subpoenaed by the courts or government agencies. We take into account independent audits, bug bounty programs, and privacy breaches. We include information on the VPN’s jurisdiction and the relevant privacy laws in that country.
• Features. We test the effectiveness of the VPN’s essential features, including speed, leak protection, and encryption. We also evaluate any additional features that the VPN provides, such as password managers, ad blockers, malware protection, split tunneling, and more. 
• Reviews. We look at user reviews on multiple platforms to see how satisfied real-world customers are with the product. In addition, we check on the VPN company’s responsiveness to any customer complaints or reported software deficits on various sites including their bug-bounty program. 
• Customer service. We ask the VPN’s customer support team questions so we can provide information on their timeliness, professionalism, and knowledge. We also verify that they offer and stand by a money-back guarantee so you won’t get stuck in a long plan with a VPN you aren’t happy with. 
• Usage. We try out the VPN apps for different devices to compare features, design, ease of use, and customizability across various operating systems, including Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, and Linux. 

VPNBrains research team 

At VPNBrains, our research team is committed to providing readers with the expert advice needed to make informed decisions on the best VPN for their home or office needs. The team includes experienced researchers and writers in the fields of cybersecurity, technology, VPN testing, and technical writing. 

All of our experts work together and conduct ongoing testing and research to provide cutting-edge and practical advice to our readers. Team members collaborate with each other to ensure that the information we pass on is thorough, accurate, and relevant. 

How we test VPNs

https://www.vpnbrains.com/editorial-process/how-we-test-vpns