What a VPN can and cannot do – and which one you should choose

Following last year's political unrest and resulting internet restrictions in Bangladesh, many netizens turned to Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) for digital protection. While VPNs can mask your IP address and hide your browsing activity from your Internet Service Provider (ISP), they do not make you anonymous online. Websites and advertisers can still track you through browser behavior, device fingerprints, and user accounts.

VPNs work by routing your data through remote servers and encrypting it, shielding your location and activity. However, these servers decrypt your data before forwarding it to its final destination, making them a crucial – and vulnerable – point of trust. Unlike end-to-end encryption services, a VPN provider can access your traffic.

This means that when using a VPN, you are simply shifting your trust from your ISP to the VPN provider, who may see your IP address, billing info, and potentially log your activity. Even well-known services like ProtonVPN face this limitation, despite ProtonMail offering true end-to-end encryption.

That said, VPNs can still offer meaningful protection – particularly against ISP tracking, advertisers, and public Wi-Fi hackers. In regions like the U.S., where ISPs can legally sell your data, a VPN provides a valuable layer of defense.

Mullvad: For the ultra paranoid

Mullvad VPN is a popular choice for privacy-conscious users due to its commitment to anonymity, no-logging policy, and secure jurisdiction. While it might not have the most extensive server network or feature-rich interface, its strong security protocols and user-friendly experience make it a reliable option for those prioritising privacy. 

Mullvad does not even require personal information for account creation and allows anonymous payments via cash or cryptocurrency. 

As it does not log any user activity, your browsing history remains private; even if the company were served with a warrant by a government agency, it would not be able to. Based in Sweden, Mullvad also benefits from privacy-friendly laws that protect its users from data retention requests. 

Furthermore, Mullvad offers a simple, one-price plan of $5 per month, making it an affordable option. Mullvad undergoes regular independent audits of its infrastructure and software to ensure transparency and security. It generally offers fast and reliable speeds, even with the privacy features enabled. The interface is straightforward and user-friendly, making it easy to set up and use on various platforms. 

Mullvad allows up to five simultaneous connections – but it is not as feature-rich as some other VPNs; streaming services, particularly, are quick to catch on to the fact that you are using a VPN and might log you out.

IVPN – the other Mullvad

Much like Mullpvad, IVPN is a privacy-focused VPN known for its strong security features and transparent approach. While it offers reliable speeds and a user-friendly interface, its small server network is a notable drawback. 

It offers a Mullvad-like account creation process where you do not have to give the service any personally verifiable information, but you can also opt for a regular email sign-up process. IVPN's apps are open-source, allowing for public scrutiny of their code.

IVPN is regularly audited by independent security firms, ensuring its security practices are up-to-date. It generally provides good connection speeds, though server load can sometimes impact performance.

However, compared to others, IVPN's server network is relatively small, which can limit options for some users. 

It is also on the pricier side, charging $6 for a month or $60 for a year , $100 for two years, and $140 for three years for its standard service, which supports only two devices. The IVPN Pro plan includes everything in Standard plus support for up to seven devices and multi-hop functionality, priced at $10 a month, $100 for a year, $160 for two years, and $220 for three years.

Proton VPN – Privacy respecting but still feature rich

Proton VPN stands out as a privacy-focused VPN that does not sacrifice features. It sports strong encryption, OpenVPN support, IPv6 leak protection, reliable kill switches, and two-factor authentication. 

Proton VPN avoids misleading marketing and passes all security tests. On the privacy front, Proton VPN scores high as well. It has eliminated timestamp logging, uses its own DNS servers, and is based in Switzerland, outside 14 Eyes surveillance. The service offers transparency reports, a warrant canary, anonymous payments, and open-source apps, though it requires email registration.

Speed performance is also impressive. In tests, Proton VPN delivered perfect upload/download results and near-perfect ping scores, with real-world speeds often matching or exceeding non-VPN connections.

The interface is user-friendly across all platforms, including open-source clients for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux. Features like Secure Core, kill switch, connection profiles, and NetShield (for blocking ads, trackers, and malware) enhance usability.

Pricing for the pro package goes for as cheap as $107 for a two-year subscription.

Nord VPN – Feature-rich, poor transparency

What NordVPN excels at is improving streaming and torrenting experiences, thanks to its custom NordLynx protocol, which enhances both speed and security. With over 6,200 servers in 111 countries, NordVPN provides seamless access to regional Netflix libraries and other platforms, while its dedicated servers for torrenting ensure fast and secure downloads.

Based in Panama, NordVPN benefits from strong privacy laws and has passed four independent no-logs audits, ensuring your data stays private. Threat Protection, a built-in feature, blocks malicious websites, trackers, and malware, and even removes annoying ads. However, on mobile apps and browser extensions, it offers only a lighter version that requires an active VPN connection.

NordVPN also includes Meshnet, which enables secure file sharing across up to 60 devices, making it an excellent alternative to port forwarding. The app's interface is user-friendly, with a clean dashboard that is easy to navigate. The service supports up to 10 simultaneous device connections, a recent increase from 6, and is compatible with all major platforms.

Though there are a few drawbacks, such as the lack of a GUI for Linux and a somewhat complicated router setup, NordVPN offers excellent value with long-term plans that are competitive in price. A free trial is available for Android users, but be mindful of auto-renewal settings. 

The biggest concern with Nord though is its lack of transparency in the past. In 2018, NordVPN experienced a breach – an attacker gained access to a third-party data centre in Finland. It was not until 2019 that the company uncovered the full scope of the breach. But the company waited six more months before going public with the news, costing a lot of goodwill among customers.

Surfshark VPN – Cheaper, lighter Nord VPN alternative

Surfshark is a feature-rich VPN that combines strong security (on paper), reliable streaming, and useful tools for everyday browsing – all at a competitive price. It uses the secure WireGuard protocol and includes a kill switch to prevent data leaks. Though based in the Netherlands  –  a less-than-ideal privacy jurisdiction – Surfshark compensates with a strict no-logs policy, independently audited, and RAM-only servers, ensuring no data is retained.

Its streaming capabilities are impressive. With servers in 100 countries, Surfshark easily unlocks geo-restricted content from major platforms. Streaming is fast and uninterrupted, thanks in part to features like Bypasser, which routes only selected apps through the VPN. Camouflage Mode hides VPN usage, helping bypass restrictions and preventing ISP throttling – especially useful for torrenting, which is allowed on all servers. There is also native support for smart TVs, including an Apple TV app.

Surfshark also enhances online shopping and browsing. The Alternative ID feature generates fake identities, including optional virtual phone numbers, to protect your personal information. This is now included in the basic plan. Surfshark Search offers private, unbiased search results, avoiding typical profiling from major engines. CleanWeb, its ad and tracker blocker, significantly improves browsing by eliminating ads and pop-ups.

Affordability is another strength. Surfshark's base plan is cheaper than NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or ProtonVPN, and adding Surfshark One (with antivirus and data removal tools like Incogni) still costs less than buying standalone tools. With no device limits, it is highly shareable across PC, mobile, and all major platforms. Surfshark delivers top-tier functionality at a budget-friendly price, making it a standout choice for users seeking a secure and versatile VPN.

But the problem lies with its ownership. Surfshark is owned by the same company that owns Nord VPN, and Nord has had a sketchy past in terms of transparency.