How We Test & Review VPN Services

All 55 VPNs on our website have been thoroughly tested using our extensive and fair testing program, ensuring consistency and comparability of our results. We’ve designed this system to make sure we only recommend the very best VPN services.

We selected these 55 VPNs after analyzing mobile app store data to identify the most popular VPNs, and by considering those frequently referred to by other industry experts.

Our VPN testing process is fully transparent. Each VPN review includes its rating in every category. Our findings are also reproducible; by following our testing process, you can replicate our findings yourself.

1. Fully Independent

At Top10VPN.com we pride ourselves on genuine, 100% editorial independence. What does that mean?

2. Expert Reviewers

Our VPN reviews and guides are all written by our on-staff VPN experts, who have years of experience and in-depth knowledge of the VPN industry.

We also have an in-house team of product review experts, including engineers, data analysts, and web censorship specialists, who gather data and assist with content production. The reviews and advice you see on the website are the result of their combined efforts.

3. Original Research

Unlike many other VPN review websites, we conduct our own testing and research to evaluate a VPN’s performance. Our reviews are the result of extensive hands-on testing and analysis using a range of primary and third-party tools.

For example, we use our custom-built VPN kill switch testing tool to stress test every VPN’s kill switch. Our findings from this research have been adopted by many VPNs, including PrivateVPN, to enhance their product security.

You can find more information on our VPN testing methodology in the dedicated section of this page.

4. Up-to-Date Information

A VPN’s performance can vary significantly over time. For example, even if it unblocks US Netflix one week, it may not work the following week. Additionally, VPN services are constantly adding new features to respond to new security threats.

To ensure our VPN reviews remain accurate and relevant, our team is continually retesting VPN services and updating our content. Every VPN review we publish is updated on a weekly basis for the rest of its lifespan. An initial review may involve upwards of 40 hours of testing, but we spend many more hours each month updating it.

Our VPN experts are intimately familiar with every VPN reviewed on the website. They are constantly retesting VPN speeds, checking if they can still unblock streaming services, updating key information and pricing plans, and dozens of other data points.

5. Consistent Testing Environment

To ensure that our VPN reviews are both fair and directly comparable, we conduct all of our tests in a consistent environment. This means that every VPN is tested hands-on from New York using standardized hardware, running the latest OS release.

Additionally, every VPN is tested in an independent virtual machine to prevent interaction with other installed software and limit the potential for inaccurate results. This approach improves the consistency and comparability of our test results.

Using this standardized collection of devices allows us to control for any variables relating to the performance of the device being used. Instead, any performance differences we record can be attributed solely to the VPN.

We use two categories of ratings for VPN services: overall ratings and use case ratings.

Overall ratings evaluate a VPN service based on a standardized set of criteria that’s applicable to all users. While use case ratings are tailored evaluations for specific requirements, such as a particular device or region.

Overall Ratings

We also rate every VPN for its Price & Value for Money, but this does not factor into the final overall rating. We believe that price is entirely subjective – what is expensive for one user is affordable for another. The subcategory rating is simply there so that you can compare VPNs.

In the sections below we describe in detail how we rigorously test VPN services in each of our nine testing categories. We’ll also provide information on how our research findings are converted into a numerical rating out of 10.

1. Privacy & Logging Policy (20% of Overall Rating)

A VPN’s logging policy is one of its most important attributes. If too much of your data is logged then you could be exposed if a hacker or court gains access to your VPN’s servers.

How We Test

We read every word of a logging policy to fully understand exactly what each VPN logs, where it’s stored, and how long for.

Each data point is listed and sorted into a category for how long it’s retained, ranging from just the session duration to indefinitely.

Then, we note the VPN’s jurisdiction, any past controversies, and whether it has any features that help maintain a user’s privacy. The most important of these is diskless servers, as they do not store data of any sort beyond the duration of the VPN session.

To maintain consistency, we have multiple testers independently examine the policy to minimize the possibility of human error.

How We Rate

We use a custom-built calculator to provide accurate and objective ratings.

Every logging policy begins with a 10/10 rating. As we enter the logged data into the calculator, it automatically subtracts points depending on the severity of the issue. For example, account information that cannot be linked to online activity results in a deduction of only 0.1 points.

However, connection timestamps or total bandwidth consumed are considered more serious and will detract 0.5 points. The worst types of logs, such as indefinitely retaining DNS requests or your true IP address, will instantly drop the rating by 9.9.

2. Speed (20% of Overall Rating)

A VPN’s speed is a measurement of how quickly it can download and upload data to and from the internet. A fast VPN allows you to access web pages and stream videos more quickly and without interruption.

How We Test

We measure a VPN’s speeds using a proprietary speed test tool. We don’t use any third party tools, as these can produce inaccurate results.

Using our 100Mbps connection, we record the speed when connected to VPN servers in eight countries across five continents. These servers are located in: West and East Coast US, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Japan, South Africa, and the UK.

We manually perform these tests three times a week for a month, totaling 12 results per server location. We then calculate the average speed to reduce the impact of any anomalous results.

How We Rate

The rating for this is based entirely on the data we collect. We input the raw speed figures into our custom-built calculator, which automatically calculates an overall speed rating out of 10.

Download speed has a higher weighting as it impacts the vast majority of web activity, like streaming video. We also give higher importance to local connections, as they are used most often.

For each location, a VPN starts with a speed rating of zero and we award points based on its performance.

For example, a VPN can earn the maximum of 40 points for its local server speed if its speed is above 95Mbps, 36 points between 94-90Mbps, 32 points between 89-85Mbps, and so on. A VPN won’t get any points for this location if its speed is below 25Mbps.

3. Security & Technical Features (15% of Overall Rating)

One of a VPN’s primary functions is to provide an encrypted connection that prevents unauthorized monitoring of your network activity. Insufficient security measures could expose you to various risks, including data breaches and man-in-the-middle attacks.

How We Test

We use the following tools to assess the security and technical features of a VPN:

How We Rate

We have a checklist of essential features that significantly affect a VPN’s rating in this category. The most critical is the availability of OpenVPN or WireGuard protocols and an option of either AES-256 or ChaCha20 encryption.

Based on our test findings, we award significant points to VPNs that successfully encrypt all web traffic as proven by Wireshark, prevent IP leaks during connection drops, and block malicious URLs from loading in our ad and tracker blocker test.

In addition to these, we evaluate a range of other technical features, including dedicated IP addresses, multi-hop servers, split tunneling, and Tor over VPN.

4. Streaming (15% of Overall Rating)

Streaming performance measures the ability of a VPN to consistently access geo-blocked content platforms, such as Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Hulu.

How We Test

To test streaming performance, we simply connect to a VPN server in the necessary region and attempt to watch content. We ensure that the video loads properly, the audio and video are in sync, and there is no interruption before qualifying it as a successful result.

We have paid subscriptions to 20 popular streaming services from around the world.

We follow a set schedule where each VPN is tested weekly with the most popular services, like US Netflix and BBC iPlayer, whereas less popular services are tested once a month.

We use this data to track each VPN’s percentage success rate over the last three and 12 months. This gives us a measurement of how reliable the VPN is with each particular streaming service.

Here is a list of all the streaming services we regularly test:

1. Channel 4
2. Prime Video
3. BBC iPlayer
4. Disney+
5. HBO Max
6. Hotstar
7. Hulu
8. ITVX
9. Netflix

How We Rate

Our scoring system allows our testers to evaluate the VPN’s performance using qualitative metrics, such as video quality, load time, and buffering, and award points within a range.

5. Ease of Use (10% of Overall Rating)

Ease of use is a measurement of how simple, user-friendly, and intuitive the experience of using a VPN’s software is.

How We Test

All of the testing for ease of use is conducted while using the VPN in everyday contexts. Given the nature of the metric, we do not perform a specific test to measure its performance.

During our 40+ hours of initial testing, we document various intangibles that affect the overall user experience, including how the VPN feels to use, how easy it is to navigate, server sorting options, and the clarity of labels.

With this rating, we capture how enjoyable it is to use the VPN across multiple platforms, including desktop, mobile, streaming devices, and routers.

How We Rate

Unlike every other category, ease of use does not rely on a data-based calculator. The scoring methodology is primarily qualitative, based on our testers’ hands-on experience and judgment of the product. However, to minimize the risk of bias, multiple testers are used.

We incorporate some measurable metrics, too, including setup time, number of clicks required for common tasks, and number of CAPTCHAs encountered while web browsing. We also reward VPNs that provide a helpful onboarding experience.

To gain substantial points, the VPN will have to be extremely intuitive to use across a broad range of platforms. Having an app for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android is the bare minimum – there should also be apps for Linux, Fire TV, or router.

To score low in this category, we’d have to have difficulty installing or signing up to the service, struggle to work the app in day-to-day use, or encounter regular bugs.

6. Torrenting (5% of Overall Rating)

In our torrenting tests, we measure the ability of a VPN to securely and reliably hide your P2P file-sharing activity from your ISP and other third parties, while providing quick download speeds.

How We Test

To assess a VPN’s torrenting ability, we conduct a controlled test. Using our fixed 10MiB/s internet connection and a Windows virtual machine, we download a 1GB torrent file from a private torrent tracker while connected to the nearest VPN server.

We use qBittorrent as our torrenting client, and we download our own custom-made 1GB test file from a fixed-speed host to keep our results consistent.

How We Rate

To evaluate a VPN’s torrenting performance, we use a purely mathematical equation that takes into account five key criteria.

7. Server Locations (5% of Overall Rating)

Server locations judges the availability and diversity of IP address locations provided by the VPN. Being able to connect to more countries directly influences your ability to access region-specific content and to maintain fast connection speeds.

How We Test

To test a VPN’s server network, we examine the server list on its website and within its apps. Then, we document how many total servers it has, how many countries you can connect to, and how many city-level locations it offers.

All this data is compiled into a table separated by continents, giving us a view of how well distributed the servers are around the world.

How We Rate

Our server location rating methodology is based on quantifiable metrics, such as the number of countries and total count of servers.

However, we maintain a small level of flexibility within each scoring range to incorporate qualitative factors based on the personal judgment of our team. These include the relative popularity of the locations, and the balance between physical and virtual server locations.

8. Customer Support (5% of Overall Rating)

Given the advanced and technical nature of many VPN features, it’s important to have access to helpful and responsive customer support. Our customer support rating indicates how likely a VPN can provide adequate assistance when you need it.

How We Test

To test a VPN’s customer support, we directly contact its support team through all communication channels and measure the accuracy of the responses.

When available, we initiate live chat sessions with real human agents. We measure the speed of their response, their ability to understand and address our request, and the overall accuracy of their responses.

Similarly, to test its email or telephone support, we send real support requests. We analyze the clarity and simplicity of the responses received and follow the exact instructions to rate its accuracy.

Finally, we manually examine the availability and quality of online resources, like FAQs and instructional documents. We use a standardized set of five common user queries, including tasks like VPN router setup, to evaluate the accuracy and simplicity of the information provided.

How We Rate

Our methodology for evaluating a VPN’s customer support is based mainly on measurable qualities, like time-to-respond, accuracy, and availability of resources.

We also allow some flexibility in each category to capture qualitative metrics in our rating, such as how punctual and knowledgeable the support agents are.

9. Bypassing Censorship (5% of Overall Rating)

Bypassing censorship assesses how well a VPN can access blocked websites or apps, such as YouTube in China.

How We Test

We test each VPN’s censorship tools by manually testing it in China. All the information we use is derived from our first-hand test results, with no reliance on any third-party information.

To conduct this test, we connect to a Windows 10 PC installed on a server in Shanghai. Then, we connect to a VPN server and record whether we can access a standardized list of blocked websites: YouTube, Instagram, and Wikipedia.

We monitor the success rate of each VPN over the past three and 12 months to record any fluctuations in its ability to bypass state censorship in China. Each VPN is tested weekly, giving us a precise reliability score.

How We Rate

Our scoring system is based on quantifiable data points and presents a comprehensive picture of a VPN’s capacity to circumvent internet censorship. A VPN’s success rate in China takes up the vast majority of the scoring as it’s the main purpose of this category.

However, it is not the only variable taken into account. For instance, we factor in average speed as internet censorship often uses bandwidth throttling, which can lead to server timeouts and error messages. As a result, a VPN’s connection speeds play an important role in its overall usability for bypassing censorship.

Use Case Ratings

When you are looking for the most suitable VPN for a specific purpose, device, or region, our experts create a bespoke testing and rating methodology just for that page.

We consider the most important decision-making factors specifically for that purpose, and assign them a weighting depending on their importance. These subcategory ratings combine to create a unique use case rating for that specific purpose.

In scenarios where use case ratings are applied, we explain the testing and scoring methodology directly on the page.