Which product is the best for VPN?

[phenomlab]

@JAC huge discount there. I looked at this, and it’s tempting, but I’m also basing decisions around the renewal cost too. Another potential show stopper for me is the VPN being closed source. Believe it or not, open source VPN code allows the product to be fully audited meaning that the trust level increases as those using the product have the assurance that the product behaves exactly as described and isn’t doing anything nefarious with your data under the hood.

I don’t see any evidence of Cyber Ghost being open source and that worries me somewhat. The heavily discounted price is very appealing though, but on par with Private Internet Access which is open source.

This is interesting. Having checked, Private Internet Access claim to offer a three year deal

However, when you get to the checkout, that drops to two years

As far as see, the Boxcryptor product comes with the other packages also, so I don’t think that’s the “third year”. Hmm - perhaps not. Needs some clarification I think.

The Cyber Ghost deal is time limited with less then there hours remaining before it expires.

[JAC]

@phenomlab said in Which product is the best for VPN?:

@JAC huge discount there. I looked at this, and it’s tempting, but I’m also basing decisions around the renewal cost too. Another potential show stopper for me is the VPN being closed source. Believe it or not, open source VPN code allows the product to be fully audited meaning that the trust level increases as those using the product have the assurance that the product behaves exactly as described and isn’t doing anything nefarious with your data under the hood.

I don’t see any evidence of Cyber Ghost being open source and that worries me somewhat. The heavily discounted price is very appealing though, but on par with Private Internet Access which is open source.

This is interesting. Having checked, Private Internet Access claim to offer a three year deal

However, when you get to the checkout, that drops to two years

As far as see, the Boxcryptor product comes with the other packages also, so I don’t think that’s the “third year”. Hmm - perhaps not. Needs some clarification I think.

The Cyber Ghost deal is time limited with less then there hours remaining before it expires.

Great summary there Mark.

I’ve weighted everything up, looked at many different reviews and the one thing that appears to let IPA & Cyberghost is speeds.

There’s various results out there but none of them stack up against the top two or 3 in Nord, Express VPN & Surfshark and that’s probably why they are throwing long deals around at cheap prices.

An interesting thing just like with Surfshark, the Nord app still appears to say it’s connected even though there was no internet connection as I’d turned the WiFi off purposely to test.

Express VPN does show if it’s not connected straight away and appears to run on their own protocol called ‘Lightway’ instead of the ‘Wireguard’ protocol that all the other companies use, so that may have something to with it.

https://www.expressvpn.com/lightway

For now I will stick with Express VPN, I can say I have never had a problem with them at all, it has always been reliable.

I do need a new VPN as I’m out of licences for Express VPN, and whilst I do still have Nord for another year or so it doesn’t give me the same performance.

For example Express VPN is set to auto connect and does it perfectly, I’ve previously had Nord VPN set to auto connect when I didn’t have Express VPN (so it’s not like the two apps we’re clashing) and it let me down and you wouldn’t be connected despite the option being turned on.

Little things like that are so simple but it does make a great difference to be able to rely on something instead of thinking is it even working.

This is no an Express VPN appreciation post but more stating that it does everything right, for me anyway.

[phenomlab]

@JAC said in Which product is the best for VPN?:

For example Express VPN is set to auto connect and does it perfectly, I’ve previously had Nord VPN set to auto connect when I didn’t have Express VPN (so it’s not like the two apps we’re clashing) and it let me down and you wouldn’t be connected despite the option being turned on.

I too have experienced this exact same issue. Or, it says it’s connected, but then I have no internet access at all unless I pause or disconnect the VPN completely.

[phenomlab]

@JAC said in Which product is the best for VPN?:

This is no an Express VPN appreciation post but more stating that it does everything right, for me anyway.

A great synopsis mate. And very useful.

Thanks

[phenomlab]

@JAC well, this is interesting. A “limited time” deal that appears to have extended itself by 21 hours…

I’m guessing they just keep repeating the same “limited deal”. Something pretty fishy about that.

[phenomlab]

On checking this morning, it would appear that Private Internet Access have rectified the “3 year deal” so it reflects reality

[phenomlab]

Some good information here around Cyber Ghost
https://www.security.org/vpn/cyberghost/#:~:text=How much is CyberGhost VPN,two-year subscription period expires.

And this from the FAQ

Based on the last highlighted section, it appears that Cyberghost do truly respect privacy and full anonimity.

The only thing I’m not keen on in relation to this offering is that it’s closed source in terms of code. And that view is clearly justified here

https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/cyberghost-vpn-review-competitive-features-but-its-parent-company-gives-me-the-creeps/#:~:text=While CyberGhost was given a,any independent audits since 2012

And lastly (there are several other points, but I don’t want this to look like I’m singling out CyberGhost)

That’s enough for me to look elsewhere. Sure, things change, but words like “shady” cut deep into any security organization, and that image is difficult to shake once the rumor spreads. What makes this so much worse is the clear evidence of traffic leak (in the sense that it can be seen by an internet provider) - this isn’t how a real VPN operates.

My verdict ? Avoid this one.

[phenomlab]

And now removing Private Internet Access from the list, because they are based in the US

Not that I or anyone else (I hope) reading these reviews is going to be conducting anything illegal, or partaking in other nefarious activity - but wants true anonymity and privacy, but the entire purpose of a VPN is to remain truly anonymous, and not be subjected to 5-eyes (for example)

https://restoreprivacy.com/5-eyes-9-eyes-14-eyes/

So, because of this, Private Internet Access…
https://c.tenor.com/Y5oY3MPNbM0AAAAC/simon-cowell-thats-a-no.gif

[JAC]

@phenomlab said in Which product is the best for VPN?:

@JAC well, this is interesting. A “limited time” deal that appears to have extended itself by 21 hours…

I’m guessing they just keep repeating the same “limited deal”. Something pretty fishy about that.

Absolutely mate yes, they’ll keep running these all the time trying to grab your attention but in all honesty mate in realistic terms if they offered a very good VPN or a top 3 VPN then they wouldn’t be selling it that cheap. I understand they need to sell it cheap to grab your attention but it just doesn’t cut if for me.

I’d rather pay the £81 per year for Express VPN until I find something that beats it that’ll do for me .

[phenomlab]

@JAC And I’m inclined to do the same with NordVPN

[JAC]

@phenomlab said in Which product is the best for VPN?:

And now removing Private Internet Access from the list, because they are based in the US

Not that I or anyone else (I hope) reading these reviews is going to be conducting anything illegal, or partaking in other nefarious activity - but wants true anonymity and privacy, but the entire purpose of a VPN is to remain truly anonymous, and not be subjected to 5-eyes (for example)

https://restoreprivacy.com/5-eyes-9-eyes-14-eyes/

So, because of this, Private Internet Access…
https://c.tenor.com/Y5oY3MPNbM0AAAAC/simon-cowell-thats-a-no.gif

Absolutely yes, definitely take that off the list.

[JAC]

@phenomlab said in Which product is the best for VPN?:

@JAC And I’m inclined to do the same with NordVPN

For me this is what it’s all about, if you know something works for you and you like it then it’s worth sticking with it.

I’d certainly give Express VPN a go mate if you are still looking at others.

[phenomlab]

@JAC Yes, am still comparing two (final) two - NordVPN, and ExpressVPN

[phenomlab]

I’ve opted to renew NordVPN for another 2 years. Bottom line is that it’s the best out there (for my needs), and certainly one of the very few that has actually had an independent audit to confirm that they have a no logging policy in place.

[JAC]

@phenomlab said in Which product is the best for VPN?:

I’ve opted to renew NordVPN for another 2 years. Bottom line is that it’s the best out there (for my needs), and certainly one of the very few that has actually had an independent audit to confirm that they have a no logging policy in place.

Great to hear mate, it’s absolutely the best ranked so it’s a wise choice. .

[JAC]

@JAC said in Which product is the best for VPN?:

@phenomlab said in Which product is the best for VPN?:

I’ve opted to renew NordVPN for another 2 years. Bottom line is that it’s the best out there (for my needs), and certainly one of the very few that has actually had an independent audit to confirm that they have a no logging policy in place.

Great to hear mate, it’s absolutely the best ranked so it’s a wise choice. .

Just out of interest how much was that mate for the two years? I presume because you’ve stuck with them they’ve given you a good deal?

[phenomlab]

@JAC Not really. Turned out to be over £70 by the time VAT was added, but it doesn’t expire until November 2024, so I’m happy with that. Makes the overall deal as below

Essentially, £1.48 per month so a bargain in the sense that I don’t need to worry about it for another 2 years !

[JAC]

@phenomlab said in Which product is the best for VPN?:

@JAC Not really. Turned out to be over £70 by the time VAT was added, but it doesn’t expire until November 2024, so I’m happy with that. Makes the overall deal as below

Essentially, £1.48 per month so a bargain in the sense that I don’t need to worry about it for another 2 years !

Looks like an absolute bargain matey .

[phenomlab]

@JAC Absolutely.

[phenomlab]

Anyone following this thread and on a budget, Windscribe offers a completely free VPN client. If course there are limitations, but it’s functional for the most part
https://windscribe.com/features/use-for-free