TL;DR: a good option for businesses with remote or hybrid teams.

Hey everyone.

As there’s no specific subreddit for business VPN reviews, I’m posting my thoughts here because I wish I had found such a post when I was trying to choose a provider for our team. We recently tried out and ended up buying Nordlayer, which is Nord’s business VPN (NordVPN is obviously for personal use).

Context

I’m not super experienced with networking, so apologize if this review misses any technical details.

I work at a startup with about 30 people where we don’t have a dedicated cybersecurity team or a big budget for it. Our team is hybrid, and a few people work entirely remotely. Everyone has work laptops, but sometimes personal devices get used too (which is ofc not ideal).

We don’t handle super-sensitive data, but we still have stuff we’d hate to lose. If someone’s laptop got hacked on public Wi-Fi, it’d be a BIG problem for us…

So, the two main things we needed were:

1. a business VPN to secure connections, especially in public places
2. single sign-on because we use Google Workspace

Also, what was important for us:

• Ease of use
• Affordability
• Support that makes sense

Nordlayer kept coming up when I Googled, and a few people from other companies mentioned it when I asked around. It seemed worth trying since they offer a free trial. We’ve been using it for almost a year now, so I think it’s time to share some thoughts.

What I liked

• The pricing was pretty straightforward. We started with a free trial and then decided to buy it
• Our account manager was super nice! Always available and quick to respond
• The tech support was awesome, too. I needed help during setup, and they were really supportive

We went with the Lite plan (25 licenses, billed annually). We also added the Device Posture Monitoring feature, which blocks non-compliant devices like personal laptops from the network.

So here’s the breakdown:

• Lite plan for 25 licenses: $2,400/year
• Device Posture Monitoring add-on: $450/year
• Total: $2,850/year

I noticed now that on their subreddit r/nordlayer_official, they have a 10% off code: NL-RDT-10. Not sure if that’s the best deal right now, so you might want to check around.

There are higher-tier plans with features like a fixed IP address, but we didn’t need those.

What we got

Pros

• A business VPN with shared gateways. You can connect through the country you need, and your traffic is protected. This was our top priority for remote/hybrid work and for when people travel.
• Device posture security, which lets us restrict access to certain countries and block non-compliant devices (like personal laptops, phones,  tablets etc.).
• The speeds are decent. Sometimes, there’s a bit of lag during video calls, but otherwise, it’s solid.
• The app is easy to use.
• Customer support has been amazing! They reply within minutes and actually *help* solve issues, which so far were mostly setup-related questions.

Some features included in the Lite plan:

• Session duration controls that log everyone out after a set time
• Download protection that scans downloads and blocks anything malicious
• Web protection stops access to harmful websites
• MFA, SSO, auto-connect, and usage dashboards 
• Different VPN protocols, so if one fails, it switches to another automatically

Cons

• You need at least 5 users to get started
• Sometimes, the connection drops, and you have to reconnect manually
• Captchas show up more often when browsing, which is annoying

Final thoughts

For us, NordLayer has been a solid solution. It’s not perfect, but it gets the job done. It secures public connections, blocks malicious sites, and prevents access from certain devices. I’m sure it can do even more depending on what your company needs, so I’d recommend considering it as a reliable option.

I was looking for a mobile VPN particularly for video streaming and to access blocked apps like tiktok.

The most popular vpn apps on the app store were quite laggy and my video would get stuck several times in between.

Someone told me about virtual 5g express and I tested it, here's my review:

Pros:
- Very fast speed without any lag, esp. for videos on mobile (I don't know about web)
- I was able to access TikTok and other blocked apps in my region
- Once connected, you can use it for hours without interruption in between
- Their paid/premium plan is quite cheap ($1 per year)

Cons:
- It has rewarded Ads at the very beginning which unlocks your time allowed (free plan)
- Sometimes, when the app has very high demand, it says "no tunnel found" (but this is mitigated using their newer app Virtual 5G Express Plus)

Never again will I signup for VPN discounts during Black Friday, Cyber Monday or what not.

I have used several VPNs over the years but none as bad as TorGuard.

It offers a good number of country choices but is pointless as none of them connect right away. You have to try several times before you get connected to the network but even then the speeds are pathetic.

This low speed means video streaming etc is out of the question.

Now, take this with a pinch of salt but my long standing account on a forum got banned after I logged into it using their German IP. I cannot 100% say this caused it but I have strong reasons to believe this VPN is reason.

The only good thing about this VPN is the software which shuts down the browser when the connection is lost so to keep your IP from being exposed but the downside is that your browser keeps shutting down all the time because the connection is never stable!

Hey guys, luckily for me and all of us in this case, I have about 10 different VPNs for work purposes so I quickly managed to check which VPNs are still working with TikTok in the US.

Here’s my breakdown as of now:

• Windscribe - not working for me at the moment. 
• PureVPN - not working. 
• NordVPN - working with the US or Canada servers (was not working a few hours ago but they seemed to have fixed it. Discount code: FORUM.
• CyberGhost VPN - not working.
• Surfshark - working even with the US location, so you just need to turn on the VPN and should be able to access your feed. Discount code: REDDITSPECIAL. 
• Mullvad - not working, wrote to their support whether a workaround will be available soon. 
• ExpressVPN - not working but I wrote to their support so let’s hope they solve this soon.
• Private Internet Access - currently not working. 
• CyberGhost VPN - not working.
• PureVPN - not working. 
• IP Vanish - not working at the moment, 
• hide.me VPN - was not working a few hours ago, tried a few different servers again and was somewhat working. Discount code: REDDITLUK.

I signed up back in 2021 and paid on a credit card. I ended up not using it very much so when they started sending me emails telling me my card on file had expired and my account would be closed at the next billing cycle I was fine with that. The emails would keep coming in for weeks and once or twice I logged in to try and see how to delete my account but it wasn't easy and would require me to talk to customer service which I couldn't be bothered to do so I left it to die.

HOWEVER, on the day of the billing cycle reset, they took the money out of my Paypal. I never gave them my Paypal. I'd only paid on credit card. AND they billed my personal Paypal that I only use for friend and family, not the one I use for online purchases which I would have used, HAD I actually paid them.

I immediately contacted support and tried to have them tell me how they did it but support is useless (Probably just a bot) and they won't tell you anything. So I demanded a refund which they said would be processed. It still hasn't arrived a month later.

Here is an Imgur album with screenshots of everything.
https://imgur.com/a/uNV3WiN

Around Reddit, theres a handful of VPN providers that are commonly recommended by users for one reason for another. One of the most common ones is Mullvad. There's a list of reasons why Mullvad is overrated and I do not think it's better in most areas compared to the other commonly recommended VPN providers (Proton, Nord, PIA).

Mullvad is not a BAD VPN per say, but in my opinion it does not live up to the hype.

First I will mention Mullvad's strong points, and those are - Straightforward pricing (5 Euro per month for all plan lengths), strong reputation and privacy policy, ease of use, and decent speeds.

Now for the cons:

First reason, is port forwarding. PF Was the number one selling point for Mullvad for years. Torrent users want it. Mullvad was commonly recommended as the go-to torrenting VPN around Reddit because it supported this feature, and had a strong reputation and policy backing it.

Announced in May of 2023, Mullvad removed support for port forwarding, to the great disappointment of it's users, citing not much more than abuse of the feature in the statement posted on it's website.

Second reason, is the downside of the straightforward pricing plan I mentioned in the pros category. Mullvad is best used on a month to month basis, because $5 for a single month is a great price, but the problem with this is the yearly and beyond plans. Keeping that same $5 per month rate for a yearly plan is much too expensive for what Mullvad offers. I am not a Surfshark fan, but the yearly rate for that is $2.59 USD per month, a much fairer rate especially considering Surfshark's VPN service has way more to offer. (Nord: $4.59 / Express: $6.67 / Proton: $4.99 - All three of these offer more for the money.)

Third reason - Lack of many common features found with less expensive providers. This includes streaming support, which Mullvad greatly struggles with, as well as static IP addresses, no live customer service, low amount of simultaneous device connections, doesn't have apps for TVs, minimal browser extension support.

Fourth reason - Small server network. Mullvad has been around since 2009, and has a server network spanning (as of Jan 2025) 655 servers across 49 countries. For a provider with it's reputation, this is a pretty small network. By comparison, Proton VPN has a network size of 10,000 servers across 117 countries, Nord clocks in at 7,150 servers across 118 countries, CyberGhost has 11,000+ in 100 countries. Proton VPN was founded in 2017, Nord in 2012, CyberGhost in 2011. All of these services are years younger and run laps around Mullvad in an infrastructure competition. This results in frequent CAPTCHAs and blocks against Mullvad IP addresses, because there just isn't very many of them.

Mullvad is a great choice for a pay as you go, no bullshit, single purpose user. This company is about as straight of a shooter in the VPN industry as you can get. However anyone who uses their VPNs for a variety of reasons like port forwarding or streaming or even a static IP like myself, especially on several devices, Mullvad simply does not work. If you want some bloaty do it all service like Surfshark's antivirus combo plan nonsense, Mullvad isn't for you either.

If 5 bucks a month for your IP being masked sounds fair to you, by all means go for it. These are just my thoughts.

Hi,

So after finding out that ExpressVPN has a 7-day free trial I decided to give the service a brief try, mainly to evaluate how it works and also the accessibility of its Windows and iOS apps.

For everyone else here, accessibility might not be something high up when considering a VPN, but for users who are blind, like myself, this is a critical factor. A blind person should be able to use a VPN app flawlessly, without any sighted assistance, especially the most important functions like setting up and installing the app, connecting/disconnecting, changing settings, managing subscription and selecting a server location.

For the Windows app, I tested ExpressVPN on a Windows 11 Home Single Language X64 version 24H2, with the NVDA (Non Visual Desktop Access) screen reader installed.

For the iOS app, I did my testing on an iPhone 15 ProMax running iOS 18.1.1 with VoiceOver screen reader enabled.

The ExpressVPN website

Using the latest stable version of Firefox, I found that the ExpressVPN website itself is very easy for a blind person to navigate, from my experience. All the important links and buttons are properly labeled. Selecting a plan is a simple matter of activating one of the get started buttons on the VPN order page.

Filling in the necessary details is also very easy. I was able to opt out of the ExpressVPN emails and add a dedicated IP easily with NVDA, since the options to do so are standard check boxes with proper labeling. However I kept getting the "something went wrong" error, when trying to submit the order form with the correct credit/debit card information (I tried two different cards to no success). Switching to Microsoft Edge works though.

The account pannel is also very accessible with NVDA, once again with proper labels for all the important links and buttons. I was able to manage my subscription, and even cancel it, without relying on any workarrounds.

I do noticed though that the option to turn off auto-renewal is not a standard check box/toggle button that a screen reader user could activate. Visually it might've been a togglable button but for a screen reader user there is no indication of such, which could have a negative impact on usability.

The Windows app

The Windows app installs without any issue. The installer itself appeared not to be very accessible but at least the entire install process is automated.

Launching the app, I was presented with a log-in screen. Here, NVDA works relatively well. All the important text fields and buttons appear to be properly labeled, I was able to log in quite easily.

Once logged in, there are a couple of controls on the main screen, most with proper labeling for NVDA screen reader, including the all-important connect button and the choose a location button.

The server location screen opens in a separate window, and is quite easy to navigate around using NVDA. Most elements are properly labeled, including the server names, however tabbing/shift+tabbing around might be necessary if for some reason NVDA suddenly cannot read the server list.

However once I selected a server, there is no way to tell whether the selection has indeed be made, unless if I close out of the location screen and go back to the connect button, in which NVDA would announce the name of the chosen server. This is one area that I think could be improved upon, so that blind users would be able to know whether a selection has been made when in the server list screen.

The application menu itself is also accessible with NVDA, including the options dialog. But here too, I noticed one very strange behavior that could impact usability. If I, say, switch to a different options page, keep pressing the tab key eventually places me back at the very first options page, which is the general page. This is another area that I think ExpressVPN should work on as I see this could potentially be confusing for blind users. In other words, tabbing around the screen should not send a user back to the very first options page.

The tray menu is also accessible, but it does not behave in the same way as other Windows applications. Instead of using the arrow keys to navigate, users instead would have to use the tab keys to navigate the options. Thankfully these options are accessible with NVDA. It would be nice though if this could be changed so that blind users can use the standard arrow keys to navigate the tray menu of ExpressVPN.

Uninstalling the app requires a bit of a workarround, namely the use of NVDA's object navigation in order to read the labels for the two buttons on the screen, the repair button and the uninstall button. But once the uninstall button is activated, the rest of the uninstallation process do not require any user interventions.

Overall, the Windows app for Express VPN is fairly accessible for blind users reliant on screen readers. It is important to note though that I did my tests using NVDA, and so can't comment on other screen readers such as Jaws and Narrator.

The iOS app

The iOS app for ExpressVPN itself is fairly accessible. Opening the app for the first time, I was presented with a welcome screen prompting me to either buy a subscription or sign in. Both options are properly labeled.

Signing in to my account was very easy, as all the important text fields and buttons have proper VoiceOver labels.

Once logged in, I was presented with the app's home screen. There are navigation tabs along the bottom of the screen, these have proper VoiceOver labels. The main connect button, however, are not labeled but sliding my finger down slightly reveals a text that informs me to activate the button above to connect. This is something that ExpressVPN should work on improving since it can be hard for a blind user to know what that unlabeled button does.

Below the connect button there is a button that activates a server location picker. Just like the connect button, it does not have any kind of labeling for VoiceOver to read, at least normally; one needs to activate the screen recognition feature to see what the button says. Again, this is something that ExpressVPN should work on, in order to improve usability for blind users.

The server selection screen is very accessible, all the server names/locations are properly read by VoiceOver. Swiping right from the country name reveals a button that that would show all the servers in a given country, this button is also properly labeled for VoiceOver users.

The options screen is also very accessible, although I found that the protocol selection screen behaves a bit strange. It seems that all the options are strangely selected, according to what VoiceOver reads out to me, and there are some buttons/controls that do not have proper VoiceOver labels. This is also one area that ExpressVPN should improve upon in order to improve the usability of the iOS app for blind users.

Overall the iOS app for ExpressVPN is fairly accessible for blind users, though screen recognition might be required in a few instances. But from my experience it is still possible to select and connect to a desired server without sighted assistance.

Conclusion

Overall I found ExpressVPN to be quite accessible for blind users who rely on screen readers. Both the Windows and iOS apps work relatively well with screen readers, and from my tests I was able to connect to any server of my choice without sighted assistance. Managing subscription, and even canceling my subscription is also very easy and all the important links and buttons on the website are properly labeled, especially the link to cancel my subscription.

Despite this, there are things that ExpressVPN could work on in order to improve usability for blind users, such as giving every buttons and controls on their apps proper labels for screen readers, and also making sure that the option to turn off auto-renewal on the website is recognized as a togglable control by screen readers.

All in all, in terms of accessibility for blind users I would say ExpressVPN did a pretty good job. I think ExpressVPN is one of the very, very few VPN providers to have apps that are accessible for screen reader users. I tried a few others like Proton but their apps doesn't seem to be very accessible, at least from my initial impression. For providers like Surfshark, Nord, etc I couldn't test them since they do not have free trials and I don't feel comfortable paying large sums of money up front (the cost of a VPN subscription is considered to be very high for people in a developing country like Thailand BTW).

It is important to note that for this review I only tested the accessibility of ExpressVPN for blind users who are reliant on screen readers. I did not test things like streaming, bypassing strict internet censorship (Great Firewall), torrenting, etc. As someone who is blind and is thus reliant on screen readers myself, I think the accessibility of a VPN provider is perhaps the most important factor. A VPN, despite its streaming capabilities, ability to bypass strict censorship, etc would be useless to a blind person if that person needed sighted assistance to perform even the most basic tasks like connecting to a server and choosing a server to connect to.

BF is almost here, and every VPN promises "unbeatable discounts" and "incredible features". But IMHO, not every Black Friday VPN deal is worth your money.

So if you’re looking to buy a VPN, I’ve done some light digging and compared the top providers to help you decide which one is worth purchasing this year. I included coupons from that “best VPN list” that’s pinned in the sub too. So here it goes.

There’s not one “best VPN” because I believe that it always depends on your needs and budget. However, these five are strongly recommended by the Reddit community, with main reasons being:

1. NordVPN – Solid All-Rounder

NordVPN offers a great balance of speed, security, and features, making it a top choice for most users. Their Black Friday deal gives you up to 76% off, plus 4 extra months if you type in the code “REDDITOFFER”. It makes Nord a solid long-term investment.

2. Surfshark – Best for Multiple Devices

With Surfshark, you get unlimited device connections, which is perfect for families or anyone using multiple devices. The up to 87% discount, plus 4 extra months (with code “REDDITSPECIAL”), makes it one of the cheapest deals available. For the quality that it offers, I say it’s a strong option for someone with a slightly lower budget.

3. ExpressVPN – Premium Provider

ExpressVPN is known for its top-tier security. The deal isn’t the cheapest, but it is still a rather popular option.

4. Mullvad – Fixed Price Choice

Mullvad doesn’t offer discounts, but their flat €5/month ($5.26) rate remains the same. This VPN is often chosen by someone who is open to both short and long term plans, as the pricing is fixed.

5. Private Internet Access (PIA)

PIA offers great value for the price, The 82% discount makes (code 3Y4M) it an attractive choice if you’re looking for a VPN that balances features and affordability.

Which One Would I Buy?

After reviewing these Black Friday VPN deals, it’s clear that NordVPN offers the best overall package, especially with its 76% off deal and 4 extra months for free. A nice balance between price, performance, and features IMO.

However, if you’re on a tighter budget or just need a VPN for simple tasks, Surfshark maybe another go-to one, the most affordable option. Either way, you're in good hands with both of these options. 

We purchased PrivateVPN's three-year subscription back in 2021.

We used the product sporadically. It worked off and on in China and Korea. Worked decently in Canada and Europe (dropped occasionally but didn't use it often anyways).

There was no language in the invoice, receipt, or confirmation email that it was an auto-renewal service. No terms and conditions in any of them either. (The website now displays auto-renewal on the selections but I can't vouch for what it looked like in 2021. Their current invoices and emails continue to not include any language around auto renewal however)

Today we were hit with a new invoice for a one-year subscription. We contacted them within the hour and said we didn't consent/nor want to renew our subscription. (There were no reminder/follow up emails from them the past three years indicating a renewal was a thing).

They refused any refund, despite us providing copies of the emails/receipts and invoices which clearly state the end date of the services.

We've had to escalate out to our Credit card company now.

So while the VPN itself worked okay most of the time for basic web browsing. I wouldn't recommend the company as the customer service experienced with any billing issues was poor (and total lack of transparency or language around the auto-renewal in their communications from the start).

VPN is one of the best things to safeguard you online and provide you with anonymity and security on the web. It creates for use of all, but the free VPN is harmful and the paid ones are expensive. The dilemma of the expensiveness of Paid VPN and safety compromise with free VPN can resolve on this Black Friday.

But I’ll tell you to get a VPN without compromise with your privacy and security at a negligible price. On Black Friday, companies will roll out bumper discounts and you can take advantage of it.

You can get Black Friday discounts from the selected VPN company’s official site. I suggest you directly purchase from the official website as it is more authentic and reliable.

You do not have to compromise with the features because it provides all those quality and security features at a lowest price. You will get huge saving offers up to 70%-80%.

I am recommended PureVPN because i have used PureVPN coupons by using simple steps and saves lots of bucks also. You can also try money back guarantee to get satisfied with the features before make any payment for subscription. I’ve found it to be reliable with fast speeds and secure connections. Plus, the ability to use it on multiple devices at once is a huge bonus. Definitely worth considering if you’re looking for a solid VPN. Also PureVPN is offering an exclusive 5 years for Black Friday. Use the promo code bargain10 and get an additional 10% discount. It’s a limited-time offer.

My feedback since I have used all 4 of them

The cheapest I've seen and most easy to use is PureVPN:
1- PureVPN: $1.99 for 5 years (Save 85%), with an extra 3 months free
2- 2 Years: $2.19/mo
3- A 2-year subscription is also available, but the best value for your money is the 5-year deal.

How to Buy any Premium VPN?
1- Visit the VPN’s website and hit the subscribe/get now button.
2- You’ll have to create an account by providing an email and password,
3- Select a plan (you can save money by choosing the yearly package. Also, reputable VPNs have a money-back guarantee, so if you’re not happy with the service, you can get a refund)
4- Pick a payment method (it’s mostly credit/debit cards, PayPal, and some VPNs have crypto options).

Black Friday is the only event where VPN providers offer some great bargains.

In my opinion, absolutely. PureVPN is an excellent choice for anyone looking for affordability without sacrificing quality. The Black Friday deal is a rare chance to lock in substantial savings while securing a reliable VPN service for years to come.

Good luck scoring the best deals, and Happy Black Friday! 🎉

Disclaimer: This review reflects my personal experience with PureVPN and its offerings.

Hey everyone. I came across NordProtect, a new service from NordVPN which is supposed to protect your identity in ways VPNs typically don’t cover. Hence, I thought I’d stack NordProtect up against ExpressVPN’s Identity Defender, which offers a similar suite of security tools. 

I looked specifically at some of the most important features that an ID protection service should be offering (in my opinion). So here is the breakdown.

Pricing Comparison

Before I even begin, I want to talk pricing because these services come at different price points and offer unique value bundles.

Both services offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, so if you try one and it doesn’t meet your needs, you’re covered. Now, on to the feature breakdown.

Feature Comparison

The list of the features that both - NordProtect and Express Identity Defender offer - is quite extensive, so I chose to highlight and compare the ones which are key IMO.

Dark Web Monitoring

• NordProtect: NordProtect's dark web monitoring allows users to monitor a more limited set of personal information, including up to 5 email addresses, 5 phone numbers, and 1 SSN. While more focused, this selection covers essential personal identifiers, particularly for users interested in monitoring their main contact details and financial identifiers​
• ExpressVPN: ExpressVPN includes dark web monitoring as part of its Identity Defender suite, continuously scanning the hidden parts of the internet to detect if any personal data is exposed on illegal marketplaces. This feature ensures users are alerted to possible identity breaches they would otherwise never know about, enhancing proactive protection.

Both of the tools have dark web monitoring included. I find this obvious as it ensures users are alerted to possible identity breaches they would otherwise never know about, enhancing proactive protection - one of the key moments I’d be looking for in an ID protection service.

Identity Theft Protection/Monitoring/Restoration

• NordProtect: NordProtect also provides ID theft insurance up to $1 million, alongside support for identity restoration. This level of protection ensures users have financial and service support for recovery, though eligibility for restoration benefits may vary.
• ExpressVPN: ExpressVPN’s Identity Defender offers up to $1 million in ID theft insurance, reimbursing users for expenses tied to identity recovery. Additionally, it covers restoration costs, helping users get back on their feet without incurring substantial out-of-pocket expenses.

Cyber Extortion Insurance

In short, cyber extortion insurance provides financial coverage and support if a person or organization is targeted by digital extortion threats, like demands for payment to avoid releasing sensitive personal information.

• ExpressVPN: ExpressVPN does not offer extortion insurance, which may be a drawback for users looking for a comprehensive tool.
• NordProtect: NordProtect stands out with $100,000 in cyber extortion coverage, a safeguard against digital blackmail or ransom demands. Available with ‘Prime’ and ‘Ultimate’ plans.

Social Security Number (SSN) Monitoring/Protection

• NordProtect: NordProtect takes a credit file-based approach to SSN monitoring, alerting users to any changes to their name or alias. This added layer of monitoring helps users detect potential identity theft or fraudulent use before it escalates.
• ExpressVPN: ExpressVPN’s Identity Defender uses LexisNexis authentication-based SSN monitoring, which flags any suspicious use of Social Security numbers linked to the account. 

Data Removal Tool

• NordProtect: NordProtect currently does not include a data removal tool.
• ExpressVPN: The data removal tool in ExpressVPN’s Identity Defender submits removal requests to U.S.-based data brokers, a valuable feature for users concerned with privacy at a deeper level. Available only with the 2-year plan, it helps users limit where their information appears and proactively manage their online footprint.

Credit Score Monitoring

• NordProtect: NordProtect includes credit score monitoring with monthly credit score updates, credit alerts, and summaries. I could not find information on the depth of how extensive the monitoring is it’s a rather important part of the tool, so I’ll keep my eye on this.
• ExpressVPN: Lacks credit score monitoring as of right now.

Sensitive Data and Asset Monitoring

Here, I’m basically talking about security features that keep track of critical personal information and valuable assets to detect and alert users to potential threats or unauthorized activity. It can monitor anything from sensitive details like Social Security numbers and addresses to bank account information and other high-value identifiers.

• NordProtect: NordProtect provides comprehensive monitoring of personal assets, including sensitive identifiers, across a range of online sources, especially in credit files and databases used to verify identity. This monitoring tool continuously tracks high-risk data for changes or threats and alerts users when their information, such as SSN or address, may be at risk via surface web, various forums and dark web.
• ExpressVPN: ExpressVPN’s Identity Defender offers ID Alerts, which monitor sensitive personal data like Social Security numbers and address information. It also scans dark web sources to detect and alert users if their data appears on hidden websites or forums, which are common for data leaks and identity threats.

Security Alert Notifications

• NordProtect: NordProtect also sends security alerts for suspicious activity via email and the NordProtect dashboard, which helps users stay informed of identity risks.
• ExpressVPN: ExpressVPN’s ID Alerts provide real-time security notifications for detected changes to sensitive information, such as SSN or address activity. 

Bottom Line

Both NordProtect and ExpressVPN's Identity Defender do a solid job in identity protection, but NordProtect takes the edge if you're after a more comprehensive service. 

NordProtect’s credit score monitoring and cyber extortion coverage are features that ExpressVPN doesn’t offer, making it ideal for those who want added layers of protection. So, in my opinion, if you’re going all-in on digital security, NordProtect has a bit more to offer.

Hey everyone, just dropping in to talk about the Surfshark Black Friday deal, especially since I just signed up myself after some back-and-forth. Figured my experience might help if anyone else is on the fence before BF.

To get into the details, the Surfshark Black Friday offer this year is actually pretty solid:

• It’s like up to 87% off with an extra 4 months free
• The price came down to around $2.49 a month for a 2-year plan. 
• I took the Surfshark One because I took some additional features with it but you can get Surfshark itself for as low as $1.99.

Honestly, that’s probably one of the better deals I’ve seen for any VPN this year. I saw some other channels offering different pricing for Surfshark but as I bought via this link (it applies REDDITSPECIAL discount automatically), the pricing was the best I could find. I mean, I think that’s less than a coffee each month, and for something that covers my internet use across all devices.

My feedback since the purchase

1. Setup: I’ve been using it for a few days now, and the setup was pretty easy even for the 1st time users. Just downloaded it on my phone, laptop, and a couple of other devices. What’s cool about Surfshark is that it doesn’t limit how many devices you can connect at once. That’s something I looked for because I tend to bounce between my tablet, phone, and laptop, plus sometimes I share with family, and I don’t want to think about hitting a cap.
2. CleanWeb feature: One thing I really like so far is the CleanWeb feature, which is basically an ad blocker. It’s not that I mind ads generally, but some websites go overboard, and it’s just nice to have less clutter when I’m browsing. It’s also supposed to block trackers, which I haven’t tested much yet, but I figure it can’t hurt.
3. Speed: In terms of speed, which is usually my main concern with VPNs, I haven’t noticed any big issues. I’ve been able to stream and browse without any lag or buffering (knock on wood), which was a pleasant surprise. The location selection is also decent—I think it’s over 100 different places.

Overall, the Surfshark Black Friday deal might be a good option if you’re looking to try a VPN without spending a ton. I’d say give it a look before the discount ends, especially if you’ve been considering getting more privacy for streaming, browsing, or even just general internet use.

After using this VPN for 3 months now:

Their IP lists are so old that they are all (but a few in the US) blacklisted on Reddit (unless you log in), Imgur, and a number of other places. On eBay, I've so far had to reset my password twice because eBay had their IPs in a blacklist as well and automatically reset the password for security reasons.

Tthe second day of using their VPN with Amazon , my account of 10 years with 50K USD purchases (in other words, not a new account by any means) was permanently suspended and the support told me the decision is final, reason will not be provided and I can't make any new accounts. That's on Amazon for being a bunch of morons and outright banning people from their site due to using a specific VPN provider.

But guess what? Three of the prior VPN providers I had used in the last 5 years (including PIA and ProtonVPN) had NONE of these problems with any of the mentioned websites. All of this could have been avoided and I would still have access to Amazon if they ever bothered to update their damn IP addresses from time to time like everyone else.

To anyone skeptical about the Amazon ban reason: when it's a pattern, when similar issues happen with the closest Amazon competitor, when I have not returned any item and done anything else, when the timing is so perfect, it's all about probability: I don't have forensic evidence but it's the most likely explanation.

Other users complaining about some of these issues, sub members burying their head in the sand:

1. https://www.reddit.com/r/mullvadvpn/comments/1c6b97p/mullvad_ips_more_and_more_blocked/
2. https://www.reddit.com/r/mullvadvpn/comments/1cqddlm/just_me_or_is_mullvad_becoming_unusable_for_reddit/

Here's a screenshot of the Amazon login screen:

https://i.imgur.com/Ve7thx1.jpeg

Here's evidence of the eBay password reset issue when using this VPN:

https://i.imgur.com/JAzkmL7.jpeg

Here's evidence of Reddit blocking Mullvad when not signed in:

https://i.imgur.com/hcIiIMn.jpeg

Here's evidence of Imgur being inaccessible with most of the IPs [it says over capacity but that's a lie, the moment you switch to a non-blacklisted US IP, it works just fine]:

https://i.imgur.com/dVPmRVq.jpeg

I really wanted to like this VPN as it seems the most secure, is fast enough amd the company (so far) is not as shady as PIA, the VPN is actually functional on Linux desktop without dumb bugs like Proton, but It doesn't matter how great everything else with this VPN is if it gets users into such serious trouble and inconvenience.

I have bought a 1 year subscription to OVPN. During my first month I have encountered numerous issues with different websites, which I have signaled via support tickets. For instance, Github access was spotty and Reddit had their service flagged for security reasons so inaccessible unless logged in. Other websites had the same issue, either spotty access or blocked.

When I told them about this and how their service is detectable and possibly flagged, their response was "it happens". Every support ticket dragged on for days, even weeks and that made me exceed the 10 day limit they have on refunds.

When I asked them for a refund on the remaining time they said that they must abide by the law and cannot refund. So, even though their service was crap, I was with customer service for the entire month, now I can't even get some of my money back.

They also refused to outright delete my account. So my information is with them.

Avoid! They are not professional and they seem to be quite predatory. If they respected themselves, they should have acknowledged the fact that I had issues with their service, close my account as I asked and refund me the rest of the 1 year. But no. So I hope that my loss will be your gain and that you avoid their service, there are tons of other VPN services that do a great job. I am currently using ProtonVPN and I there are no issues with it.

Just noticed that NordVPN Black Friday deal is on already. I mean the BF itself is not until the end of the month but I see it as a benefit to have time to check around and compare the deals.

This time they’re offering 74% off on the 2-year plan plus an additional 3 months free. Since I was already comparing VPNs for myself and keeping an eye on their offers, there was no better price than the current one.Some key moments for anyone who’s looking into Nord too.

How NordVPN Black Friday deal stacks up

Although it’s a decent price cut,  I’ve been weighing a few different providers, like ExpressVPN and ProtonVPN, so here’s how they compare:

• NordVPN: I mean the price is very competitive… They’ve also been certified no-logs three times, servers seem quick. I’m thinking of getting Complete because they give you NordPass and 1TB Encrypted Cloud Storage.
• ExpressVPN: More expensive in general, even with their own Black Friday deal. Ofc a known brand but I feel like the higher cost and overall reputation nowadays is hard to justify when compared.
• ProtonVPN: Their Black Friday discount is okay, but the overall package feels a bit limited unless you go for their higher-priced plans.

Dropping a pricing comparison for convenience:

Although they already have a BF deal, I scrolled through Reddit for some community discounts. Succeeded in finding code “forum” for NordVPN, yet not much for other brands. So I guess it’s a friendly tip that you can make that NordVPN Black Friday deal even better than the default.

Is anyone else planning to grab this deal?

For those that don’t know, Egypt deploys the Chinese Great Firewall with Deep Packet Inspection. Their goals are 1) block every VPN possible, via both protocol blocking and DPI of suspected VPNs running on Port 443, 2) block any website that can be bad for the admin and not cause too much uproar (e.g., archive.org, archive.is, several news papers, etc.), 3) block websites like gambling, and more.

Almost all VoIP is blocked in Egypt, including Skype, WhatsApp calls, Telegram, the entire SIP Protocol used by US and EU residential VoIPs, etc. Even Discord VoIP. There are only three VoIP solutions I know that work without a VPN in Egypt: Google Voice, Slack and MS Teams.

UDP VPNs are universally blocked, as are non-obfuscated OpenVPN, PPP and IKEv2. As of mid-2023, they fully banned all but the most-obfuscated Wireguard servers, too.

Cisco AnyConnect to a corporate VPN will spin and spin and spin and usually won’t connect. This used to work for me as late as July 2023, but as of January 2024, I have had no success. What I do now is 1) connect to a VPN that works. 2) log into / connect to the Cisco AnyConnect VPN. Some internal sites will work, external websites will not. 3) Disconnect from the first VPN. Surprisingly, when AnyConnect reconnects, the login mechanism isn’t triggered, and I think this confuses the Egyptian Firewall’s DPI and the VPN reconnects successfully using your Egyptian IP.

• NordVPN: Doesn’t work (at all).
  • The website won’t load (blocked), my.nordaccount.com will load, but ISPs will monitor you.
  • The Android and iPhone apps aren’t available in Egypt app stores.
  • The Windows software is blocked from downloading. You would have to use shady thirdparties.
  • Once installed, you can’t actually log into your Nord account via the Windows or Linux apps due to the specific login URLs being blocked. You have to use another VPN or log in outside of Egypt, but don’t bother.
  • As of 2024, nothing will log in except for Obfuscated servers, via TCP, about 20% of the time, and not many servers will work.
  • Usually, the connection will only last 5 to 30 minutes and then you’ll end up with a dead connection. The DPI has detected your TCP OpenVPN connection.
• PIA: Doesn’t work. Could never get a connection. Can’t login. Blocked website.
• Torguard:
  • Everything seems to work.
  • Not even https://torguard.net/ is blocked.
  • No problems logging in via the VPN. No problems connecting.
  • With the default settings, dead-but-still-connected connections happen about every 30-45 minutes.
  • With the obfuscated servers, no problems.
  • Only works via obfuscated servers on Egyptian cellular (tested via Vodafone and Orange and We) and then excruciatingly slowly (1-2 kb/sec).
• ExpressVPN
  • Website is blocked.
  • Logging in works if you DO have your Access Key written down somewhere. If not, logging in from inside Egypt without a VPN is terribly difficult.
  • The app just works, everywhere I’ve tried it.
  • Connects to all servers and stays alive indefinitely. Can’t remember a DPI-kill once.
  • Works flawlessly on Egyptian cellular networks (tested via Vodafone and Orange and We).
  • Works extremely well via OpenWRT routers -and- especially the ExpressVPN routers, which I personally use.
  • Downside: CAPTCHA hell, especially on CloudFlare and Google (which seems to outright block most US servers). Now I switch to bing.com which doesn’t block anything.
• ProtonVPN:
  • I could login and I use Proton Mail daily.
  • I could not download the Linux or Windows apps. They both timed out when using Egyptian home internet without another VPN.
  • Because of this, I was never actually able to test it.
• Mullvad VPN:
  • The website is not blocked.
  • The app is available in app stores.
  • When you hit connect, it will spin and spin and try four to seven different servers and different types, but after less than a minute, it will connect.
  • Speeds are much, much better than ExpressVPN.
  • Google is hardly never blocked.
  • Much less CAPTCHA hell, but still exists.
  • I’ve never experienced a DPI connection kill.
  • Works on some Egyptian cellular (We).
  • Doesn’t work on most Egyptian cellular (Vodafone, Orange).
  • It is one of the few that you can register, pay for, log in, and setup 100% while in Egypt, without needing another VPN.
• Surfshark: Completely blocked. 100% of their supported protocols are completely blocked by the Firewall and DPI.

Personally, I use both ExpressVPN and Mullvad. I default to ExpressVPN and Mullvad for streaming and Google search and work-related.

I was looking for a VPN to use for a few days. Other VPNs immediately tried to get me into their 'ecosystem'. "Take our $14 subscription!", "Subscribe for 2 years!", "Give us your e-mail so we can spam you!".

Mullvad was a breath of fresh air. Within 2 minutes of finding their website I was connected to their VPN, costing $5 for 30 days. They support iDeal, and no unsubscribing was required.

Hey, VPN users. I’ve been using both Private Internet Access (PIA) and NordVPN for a while now, and I thought it would be helpful to compare them head-to-head. Here's a breakdown of all the important aspects, from pricing to security, to, hopefully, help you decide which one suits your needs better.

Table of contents

• Summary of findings
• Pros and cons of both providers
• Pricing
• Technical details (servers, protocols, speed, encryption)
• Conclusion

Summary of findings

Pros and Cons of NordVPN vs. PIA

When comparing these two VPNs, NordVPN stands out for its fast and consistent speeds, making it ideal for activities like streaming, gaming, and torrenting. Its advanced security features, including Double VPN and CyberSec, along with its Panama-based headquarters, offer strong privacy protection for those concerned about data security. 

On the other hand, Private Internet Access (PIA) offers a budget-friendly alternative with reliable encryption and a no-logs policy that has been proven in court, making it a great choice for users who want solid privacy without the extra frills. However, PIA’s inconsistent speeds and less reliable streaming capabilities might make it less appealing for power users, especially those looking for smooth international content unblocking.

Pricing

Both VPN providers offer competitive pricing, but PIA comes in as the more affordable option. However, NordVPN frequently runs major discounts, making it more accessible for users who want the extra features and performance it offers.

Private Internet Access pricing

PIA’s pricing is highly attractive for budget-conscious users. You can get a great deal, especially on their long-term plans.

• PIA coupon code: 3Y4M (85% off)

NordVPN pricing

NordVPN is slightly more expensive but is packed with features that surely justify the higher cost. On top, their longer-term plans offer better value.

• NordVPN discount code: redditoffer (87% off)

Technical Aspects

Conclusion for NordVPN vs PIA: NordVPN stood out

While Private Internet Access (PIA) is a budget-friendly option for users who need basic protection and privacy, NordVPN comes out as the clear winner. Its faster speeds, larger server network, advanced security features, and streaming reliability make it the better overall choice, especially for those who prioritize speed, privacy, and access to geo-blocked content. On top, if you take use of existing discount codes, it will cost almost the same!

My results so far are not so satisfying. Testing on appletv and firestick

IPLAYER

1. Expressvpn works but quality is very poor
2. Surfshark don't always works on live tv. If it does work quality is really good
3. CyberGhost works very good

ITVX

1. Expressvpn works but quality is not always good
2. Surfshark works but quality is sometimes poor
3. Cyberghost good quality, some rare buffer

NOWTV

1. Expressvpn perfect quality but extra channels like sport + won't work
2. Surfshark works perfectly but abruptly stops and need to restart app (both appletv and firestick)
3. CyberGhost doesn't always works, if it does work it's flawless

DISCOVERY +

1. Expressvpn quality good most of the times
2. Surfshark doesn't always work, quality not very stable
3. Cyberghost only works on pc

CHANNEL 4

Only works on appletv so no cyberghost (there's no app). Working fine with Expressvpn and Surfshark

OTHER CHANNELS STREAMING APPS

Can't find any problem with other apps

I’ve been using StarVPN’s free tier for a while, and it’s one of the better options out there. It allows access to servers in several countries, which is awesome for a free service. While there is a daily data cap, it’s more than enough for casual browsing and even streaming in small doses. The app itself is really simple to use, with an easy setup and quick connection times. If you’re looking for a basic VPN that offers decent features without paying upfront, StarVPN is a solid choice. It’s especially handy for maintaining privacy and unblocking region-locked content!

Hey everyone, just wanted to drop my two cents on Surfshark and make a Surfshark VPN review, as I've been using it for a while now. I've hopped between a bunch of VPNs in the past and here's why I think Surfshark is a solid pick. Spoiler: I’m renewing it.

The good stuff:

1. Affordable AF: straight up, Surfshark offers a really good price-to-feature ratio. It's probably the most budget-friendly premium VPN I’ve tried that still holds up on performance. Unlimited devices, tons of server locations, and smooth apps, plus it costs way less than a lot of the competition is what got me initially. Pro tip: if you're looking to save even more, check out the discount codes on r/surfshark.

2. Server locations: they’ve got a ton of servers (around 3200), and honestly, none of the places I needed were missing. Whether I’m connecting from Europe or hopping over to the US, it's all there. Plus, they’re upfront about which ones are virtual.

3. Unlimited devices: the whole "connect as many devices as you want" thing is a HUGE plus. I’ve got it running on five devices at home, and I share my account with a friend’s family - no issues at all.

4. Streaming: if you're all about Netflix, Hulu, or Disney+, Surfshark does a pretty solid job. I mostly use it on my laptop and Fire Stick, and no buffering, no issues with streaming quality. Works on all my go-to platforms, and that’s more than I can say for some other VPNs I’ve tried.

5. Solid security: multi-hop, rotating IP, kill switch, split tunneling - it’s packed with all the good stuff you’d expect. Plus, WireGuard is available on pretty much all servers, which helps keep things speedy.

The ”meh” moments:

1. Speeds: They're not terrible either - I'm usually around 155 Mbps, which is fine for me, but if you’re expecting to max out your gigabit connection, you might be left wanting more. It's not the fastest VPN on the block, but it’s reliable enough for daily browsing, streaming, and casual downloads.
2. CleanWeb: Their ad-blocking feature, CleanWeb, is okay but not perfect. It breaks some websites for me, so I just leave it off most of the time.

Verdict:

For the price you’re paying for Surfshark, you’re getting a pretty robust set of features, solid streaming support, and the freedom to connect all the devices you want. If you’re after an affordable, no-nonsense VPN that covers most of the bases, I’d say this Surfshark VPN review should make it clear that Surfshark is definitely worth trying out IMO.

Been on NordVPN and ExpressVPN for a while now, and after some testing, I thought I’d share my findings to help you decide which VPN is the right fit for your needs as they both have their pros and cons. Let’s dive into the key differences between these two popular VPN providers: NordVPN vs ExpressVPN.

Pricing

I’ll just get straight to the wallet talk. If you're looking for a short-term commitment, ExpressVPN and NordVPN are pretty much neck and neck, with ExpressVPN starting at $12.95/month and NordVPN at $12.99/month. However, you really start saving when you opt for a longer plan.

NordVPN stands out in this area, offering a 1-year plan at just $4.99/month. Their best deal, however, is the 2-year plan, which slashes the price to a mere $3.09/month. ExpressVPN, on the other hand, has its longest plan (12 months) priced at $6.67/month. So, if you're playing the long game, NordVPN offers a much better deal overall.

Plus, NordVPN often has additional promotions and discounts available - use the coupon code "savings" for extra savings. ExpressVPN, unfortunately, doesn’t offer many promotions, making it harder to get a better deal.

As you can see, NordVPN vs ExpressVPN shows clear advantages for NordVPN, especially when it comes to long-term savings.

Privacy and security

Both VPNs take your privacy seriously. If you compare NordVPN vs ExpressVPN, they both use the industry-standard AES-256 encryption and secure tunneling protocols like OpenVPN and IKEv2. Neither provider is based in a 14-Eyes Alliance country, which is great news for anyone serious about privacy.

However, there’s a slight edge for NordVPN here. They’ve undergone four external audits of their no-logs policy (PwC in 2018 & 2020, Deloitte in 2022 & 2024), whereas ExpressVPN has had two (KPMG in 2022 & 2023). 

During my own tests, neither showed any signs of DNS leaks, so you're in good hands with both. But if we’re nitpicking, NordVPN’s audit track record is a bit more robust.

Speed

Speed can make or break a VPN experience, especially if you're into streaming or gaming. In my NordVPN vs ExpressVPN tests, NordVPN edged out ExpressVPN in terms of download speed retention rates. For instance, on UK servers, NordVPN clocked an average download speed of 475 Mbit/s, while ExpressVPN lagged slightly behind at 460 Mbit/s.

Both services delivered similar results for ping and upload speeds, but if you’re all about the download speeds, NordVPN takes the win here too.

Server locations & features

Server numbers

• NordVPN: 6,400+ servers in 111 countries
• ExpressVPN: Servers in 105 countries with exact number of servers undisclosed

Common Features between NordVPN and ExpressVPN

• RAM-only servers
• Split tunneling
• Smart DNS
• Stealth VPN
• No-logs policy audited

Exclusive Features

• NordVPN:
  • Meshnet feature
  • Dedicated IP options
  • Supports WireGuard protocol
• ExpressVPN:
  • Router applet

Devices Count

• NordVPN: 10 simultaneous connections
• ExpressVPN: 8 simultaneous connections

So, if you compare ExpressVPN vs NordVPN in terms of features and flexibility, NordVPN offers more options, especially for users looking to connect more devices or use additional features like dedicated IP.

Summary

Final Thoughts

Both NordVPN and ExpressVPN are solid choices, but NordVPN clearly comes out as the winner here. With its better long-term pricing options, additional features, and excellent speed performance, it offers more value overall.

That said, if you prefer a VPN with a polished, user-friendly experience and don’t mind the higher price for a shorter commitment, ExpressVPN might still be a good choice.

That’s my take on both of these. As with anything, the best VPN choice may be different for everyone but I believe this is something that many will agree on.

Hey Reddit. I've spent around 6 years trialing everything from freebies to premium VPN offerings. In this journey, I've used services like ExpressVPN, which I dropped following the acquisition by Kape Technologies, and ProtonVPN (I’ll share a review on this one later, there’s much to say).

Yet for the past three years, my go-to has been NordVPN. So here's my honest NordVPN review - a deep dive into my experience, moving beyond the surface-level praise.

NordVPN Review: Cost Overview

Before we dive into the pricing details, it's important to note that NordVPN frequently offers discounts and promotions. So, instead of buying it for full price, be sure to use a coupon code like redditoffer (this one is taken from the Best VPN List on this subreddit) for additional savings.

Overall, NordVPN's pricing structure is straightforward, featuring three primary plans: Standard, Plus, and Ultimate. Costs vary based on the length of your subscription, with longer plans offering better savings. For instance:

• Basic: $3.09/month for 2-year, $4.99/month for 1-year, $12.99/month for 1-month plan.
• Plus: $3.99/month for 2-year, $5.99/month for 1-year, $13.99/month for 1-month plan.
• Ultimate: $5.99/month for 2-year, $7.99/month for 1-year, and $15.99/month for 1-month plan.

NordVPN Review: Key Elements

• NordVPN No-Logs Statement: The company’s commitment to security is evident. NordVPN's no-logs policy has been audited four times (2018, 2020, 2022, 2024), each time reaffirming their commitment to user privacy.
• Security Strengths: NordVPN's security framework is robust, anchored by AES-256 encryption - the standard in the industry. This level of encryption ensures that your data is virtually impenetrable. My personal extensive tests found no DNS leaks.
• NordVPN Speed Test Results: Performance is a high point with good speeds across various global servers. Even on servers located far from my physical location, I experienced minimal speed loss, which is essential for activities like streaming, gaming, and large file downloads. Basically, NordVPN delivers high performance with minimal latency.
• Ease of Use: The interface is clean and intuitive, making it easy for beginners to navigate while still offering advanced options for seasoned VPN users. Features like the Quick Connect button, which instantly connects you to the fastest server, make it user-friendly. The settings are straightforward to adjust, and the app provides helpful tips, enhancing the overall user experience.
• Global Reach: One of NordVPN's standout features is its vast server network. With over 6,400 servers spread across 111 countries, it offers a wide range of geographical options.
• Customer Support: NordVPN's customer service is exemplary. Available 24/7, the support team can be reached via live chat or email. In my interactions, I found them to be accessible, knowledgeable, and professional. They provide prompt and efficient solutions, ensuring that any issues are resolved quickly.

NordVPN Protocols

• OpenVPN: Great for all-around security.
• IKEv2/IPsec: Best suited for mobile devices.
• NordLynx (adaptation of WireGuard): The top choice overall for speed and security.

NordVPN: Pros and Cons

Concluding Thoughts

Despite the minor cons, NordVPN is still a top-tier choice for those seeking reliable, fast, and secure VPN services. The quality and range of features justify the pricing it offers.

Would I Recommend NordVPN? Yes indeed. It’s a well-rounded service that checks most boxes for VPN needs. That’s my in-depth NordVPN review, but I’m eager to hear about your experiences!

tl/dr: Wallpunch is a tool to get around internet censorship. We have completed a major update and will provide free test accounts for those interested (only iOS/Mac for now). PM me or email support@wallpunch.net.

***BACKGROUND***

One year ago we released Wallpunch, a new type of VPN for getting around internet censorship. So far the results have been promising: over the past 12 months the only downtime users have experienced has been due to bugs in the Wallpunch system itself. There have been no reported occurrences of the protocol being blocked, either locally or widespread, even during politically sensitive periods where other VPNs experienced issues. We also successfully mitigated several sustained DDOS attacks on the service.

That said, the original implementation has lots of room for improvement, including:

• It can become quite inefficient when connections have high packet loss, as is the case for users in China.
• It relies exclusively on TCP connections, missing out on the potential performance benefits of UDP.
• Most importantly, the particular circumvention strategy it uses is not easy to update in response to changing censorship conditions. The current strategy works well now, but more users will eventually draw more attention from censors, requiring increasingly frequent updates and diverse circumvention methods.

For several months now we’ve been rebuilding the protocol from the ground up to fix these issues. Specifically:

• Tunnel overhead has been reduced significantly and the algorithm for resending data on high packet loss connections is much more precise.
• Both TCP and UDP (as well as IPv6 in addition to v4) can be used when available.
• A modular approach to circumvention, similar to Tor's pluggable transports, makes it extremely easy to update strategies, and a single VPN tunnel can use any number of strategies simultaneously.

***BETA***

Now that Version 2.0 is finally complete and has been thoroughly tested in "laboratory conditions", we are looking for people to try it out in the real world. The main goals of this round of testing are:

• Fine-tune the different strategy parameters and the rules for automatically selecting the best combination of strategies.
• Find and eliminate rare bugs or bugs that only occur in unusual network environments.
• Collect general quality-of-life/usability feedback.

If you are interested shoot me a PM here or send an email to support@wallpunch.net. We have limited server bandwidth available for testers, so if there is a lot of interest we will prioritize people in countries with strict internet censorship (China, Iran, Russia etc.). Right now v2.0 is only available for iOS/Mac via TestFlight, but Android and Windows versions will be ready soon.

A few months ago, I installed Tuxler VPN to try out their Residential IP addresses. I only used it for a few days, and forgot to uninstall it on my computer.

So today, I go to look at my data usage in Windows and notice something a bit fishy, I see a little over 1000 GB of data usage in the past 30 days, and I've never used that much before, I normally only use 300-400 GB, and I see that the app I installed for Tuxler had used 800 GB!

Now, I have an app called Glasswire, and I check to see what Hosts/Domains the Tuxler app is accessing, and its a bunch of domains that I've never even been to before! They waited a few months and then secretly in the background turned my computer into a VPN server for their customers to access!

If you were thinking about getting Tuxler, or currently use it I would cancel your subscription, and avoid using Tuxler at all!

Surfshark tried to refund money to the wrong network, even though I specified the right one. As a result, I cancelled the refund and asked them to repeat the process using the correct network. It has been 25 days since then, and I am still waiting. Support says the refund is delayed.

Request number: 6084971

If Surfshark checks this Reddit: I have already written an email to miles@…, but all it does is forward messages to the general support.

Upd: received the refund on the 38th day

Hello r/vpnreviews!

Jumping in here to remind you about an exciting new opportunity – if you're passionate about cybersecurity, data security, and online privacy, check out and join the NordVPN Community Council. 

As a member of this council, you’ll have the chance to:

• Be the first to try out beta features and new products, providing invaluable feedback directly to our development team.
• Participate in exclusive Q&A sessions with senior members of NordVPN.
• Help shape the future of online privacy and security tools, making the internet a safer place for everyone.
• Receive fair compensation for your time and contributions.

Sign-up if you are either:

• Moderators of cybersecurity, technology, or privacy-focused subreddits.
• Individuals who are passionate about advancing online privacy.
• Community voices who are eager to represent anyone that is interested in cybersecurity.

Application Details:

• Apply via Google Forms [HERE].
• The application window is open until September 5th.
• Selected members will be notified through Reddit messages within 2 weeks of the deadline.

We're stepping into uncharted territory here, but we believe in joint force power. So let's do this together! 

_________________________________________

If you have any questions, feel free to send us a message via Reddit. Good luck and catch up soon!

As a moderator of r/vpnreviews, I’ve seen how challenging it can be to choose the best VPN With so many choices, finding the tool to suit your needs can be overwhelming. That’s why we wanted to highlight the comprehensive Best VPNs list, evaluating various providers across key criteria like speed, security features, pricing, and more.

• Best VPNs list - VPN comparison table in Google Sheets

This table isn’t our creation; it’s a resource put together by the members of the r/VPN community. It reflects a collective effort to simplify the decision-making process and help you find the best VPN according to Reddit.

What makes a VPN the best in 2024?

Here are some of the critical factors the table considers

1. Speed: The comparison table ranks VPNs based on their speed performance, considering both local and international servers.

2. Security and Privacy: The table highlights VPNs with strong encryption, a solid no-logs policy, and advanced security features like kill switches and DNS leak protection.

3. Ease of Use: The table compares VPNs based on the simplicity of their interfaces and the availability of apps for various devices.

4. Support & Reliability: The comparison table evaluates the availability and quality of support, including 24/7 live chat, email support, and helpful resources.

5. Value for Money**:** Pricing is an important factor, and the table provides a clear view of the cost of each VPN, including the value offered in relation to the features provided.

To help you find the best VPN for your needs, I encourage you to check out the VPN comparison table. It offers a comprehensive analysis of the leading VPN services, allowing you to compare them across various critical factors. Whether you’re looking for the fastest VPN, the most secure option, the best VPN for Mac, iPhone, PC, or Android device, or simply the best value for your money, this table will guide you to the right choice.

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Have you found a particular VPN to be especially effective? Are there features you consider essential that the table might not have covered? Let’s discuss and continue to refine this guide, making it as helpful as possible for everyone looking for the best VPN in 2024.

I got tempted into a life-time sub with this VPN. Seemed like a good deal to begin with.

But nothing seems to work. Their Windows app looks good. But it doesn't do most of the things it features. Split-tunneling doesn't work, for me. Most of the times, it says it is connected to a server, but turns out it is not.

At first, I just thought it was a buggy VPN app.

Then I installed their extensions for Chrome, Firefox and Edge. They all say I'm logged on to some server. My IP always remains the same; the one given to me by my own ISP. Their extensions do nothing.

Then I made the mistake of purchasing a dedicated IP there. That does work. But I get speeds under 1mbit. up and down. Useless.

Contacting their support only seems doable through their 'chat'. This is a complete nightmare. I'm either talking to a bots, or people who know very little about IT.

I'm om day three now, awaiting their 'solution' to my slow speed issue. I don't think I'll ever hear from them again.

I then did a search here on Reddit, for FastestVPN, and came across this thread:
https://www.reddit.com/r/FastestVPN/comments/mjwoc9/nothing_works_fastestvpn_is_a_scam/

Every positive comment is a bot...

So, naturally, now I'm thinking the whole company is a scam...
Any non-bots here with actual experience with FastestVPN?

I signed up for a NordVPN account last August for a one year subscription. They charged me $68 on August 20, 2023. I was reviewing my visa statement and noticed they charged me $219 on August 6 (2 weeks prior to my one year subscription expiring). I only had signed up for the basic service and the $219 did not include any additional features. I’m disgusted by this type of behaviour of companies trying to sneak charges past you in the hopes you don’t check your statements. This is fraud. I have cancelled my subscription. Is there another VPN service out there that someone can recommend? Please check your Visa card statements if you have a recurring NordVPN subscription.