What Goes Into Ranking the Top VPNs? Let’s Take a Look.

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If you personally took on the task of ranking the top VPNs, you probably wouldn’t know where to start. How could you? There are hundreds of VPNs…really, too many to choose from. So, reputable tech-savvy websites (dozens of them) review and rank better-known VPNs and create their own top ten lists. However, these lists of “the best VPNs” are different, confusing everyday consumers looking for guidance.

Rest assured: Any top-rated VPN will deliver the extra security, privacy, and access you want. Nonetheless, they are not alike, and that’s what VPN review websites look at.

When Ranking the Top VPNs, What Do Review Sites Look At?

Thank you, VPN reviewers—now what?

VPN review sites are extremely helpful, because they take everything into account when they take on the task of testing, reviewing, grading and ranking the top VPNs. But with so many review websites, how do you decide?

At WhatIsMyIPAddress.com, we decided to help.

So we created VPN TruRank™.

We visited the leading reviewers’ websites, studied their results, and created a composite of the top choices. Using our own formula, we found out which VPNs showed up the most on those lists and created a smarter, more accurate list of the true best VPNs.

We call it VPN TruRank™, exclusively at WhatIsMyIPAddress.com. You can see it here.

VPN reviewers may inform you, but they don’t help you choose.

So, now you know the VPN features that reviewers look at when analyzing VPN providers. But that doesn’t simplify choosing a VPN for yourself—it just tells what their analysis revealed.

Add to that this fact: VPN review lists are all different! While several providers’ names seem to be on most lists, they are often ranked differently. The rest of the top spots are vastly different, depending on what list you’re looking at.

Some tips before you check out VPN TruRank.

When you visit our VPN TruRank™ list, you should have some criteria for choosing from the list of trusted VPNs. Chances are you still won’t simply choose a VPN from the list without giving it some thought.

So, consider these points:

Think of it like choosing a restaurant from the “top restaurants” in a city you’re visiting. You’d look at the list while knowing what you tend to like, the situation, and how much you want to pay.
Unlike a VPN reviewer (and unless you’re very serious about privacy), you don’t have to wrestle with the dozen or so features that reviewers take into account. They only do that because that’s their job.
Try to come up with a few important things for you and go from there.

Here are some helpful tips to simplify choosing a VPN further.

Consider what you want to pay. Everyone is looking for a bargain. But as you know, if you pick based on low cost, you’ll get what you pay for. With VPNs, you’ll get more features from a provider if it costs slightly more.
There is almost always a “try it free” period and/or a money-back guarantee. Thus, you could “test drive” a handful of VPNs without the risk of getting a product you’re not happy with.
Explore what’s most important to you. The average internet user considering using a Virtual Private Network does it for one of three reasons. Which one are you?
- Extra security and peace of mind. (Think business executives, investors)
- A great need and concern for privacy (think journalists, activists)
- To improve digital access and get around geo-blocks (think Netflix, sports)

Rest assured: Any top-rated VPN will deliver the extra security, privacy, and access you want.

Ranking the Top VPNs FAQs

Here are some questions most people have, especially those new to the VPN world.

Is there a problem with free VPNs?
In general, if you’re using a free VPN (one that has no subscription option), you are usually giving up something. You may be exposed to ads, or your online activity may be tracked. Read more about that here.
Is a “free VPN” the same as a free-use option from a top-rated VPN?
No. When a reputable VPN offers a free-use option, it is simply a stripped-down version of its regular service, but it will still deliver an extra secure and private connection.
What is the primary function of a VPN? What does it do?
A VPN hides or masks your actual IP address on the Internet, so websites or Internet users cannot identify or track your online behavior or even your location. Read our helpful, informative, and non-technical article on VPNs.
How does it do that?
A VPN routes your internet connection through their servers and provides a different IP address while you’re online.
How does a VPN provide extra privacy, security, and access?
A VPN’s servers are designed to be more secure, even almost “hackproof,” thanks to advanced encryption. And because when you use a VPN at home, your IP address is hidden, advertisers or governments can’t locate and identify you. Finally, since some websites block user access based on geo-location, you can trick them into thinking you’re using a website in a region far from where you are.

What are some of the better-reviewed and reputable VPNs?
You’ll often find the following VPN providers on reviewers’ lists: (These are not ranked.)

CyberGhost
ExpressVPN
Hotspot Shield
IPVanish VPN
Mullvad
NordVPN
Norton
Private Internet Access
Privado VPN
Proton VPN
PureVPN
Surfshark
TotalVPN
TunnelBear
Windscribe

Are you ready to see the true top ten VPNs?

Not only will you see which VPNs appear on most of the top ten lists, but on the VPN TruRank webpage, you can also read a short, succinct review and click to visit each VPN website.

Visit VPN TruRank and take the stress out of wondering which VPNs are truly the top ranked.

VPN TruRank™

We may receive commission for purchases made through links in this post. Please read our affiliate disclosure.