Recommended VPNs

Proton VPN - 59/62

IVPN - 56/62

Windscribe - 55/62

AirVPN - 54/62

Mullvad - 53/62

NordVPN - 46/62

Note: Only the top VPNs are included in this list.

Criteria and Comparison Tables

Technology:

Protocols: Look for support of strong protocols like WireGuard & OpenVPN.
Killswitch: Should have highly configurable options (enable/disable on specific networks, on boot, etc.)
Multihop Support: Important to keep data private in case a single node is compromised.
Open-Source Clients: If the VPN provider has its own software, it should be open-source for better transparency.
IPv6 Support: The VPN should support and provide access to IPv6 addresses.
Remote Port Forwarding: This aids in creating connections for P2P file sharing or hosting services.
Own DNS Servers: VPNs that operate their own DNS servers can offer an additional layer of privacy and security, reducing reliance on third-party DNS providers and ensuring that DNS queries remain within their controlled infrastructure.

Feature	Weight (1-5)	ProtonVPN	AirVPN	Windscribe	IVPN	Mullvad	NordVPN
Protocols	5	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Killswitch	3	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Multihop Support	2	✅	❌	❌	✅	✅	✅
Open-Source Clients	2	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌
IPv6 Support	1	❌	✅	❌	✅	✅	✅
Remote Port Forwarding	3	✅	✅	✅	❌	❌	❌
Own DNS Servers	4	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Total Score	20	19	18	17	17	17	15

Security:

Encryption: Utilization of strong encryption such as OpenVPN with SHA-256 authentication, RSA-2048 or superior handshake, and AES-256-GCM or AES-256-CBC data encryption.
Forward Secrecy: Ensures that even if encryption keys are compromised, past sessions remain secure.
Security Audits: Regular, published security audits from reputable third-party firms.
Vulnerability Management: Bug-bounty programs and/or coordinated vulnerability-disclosure processes.

Feature	Weight (1-5)	ProtonVPN	NordVPN	Windscribe	Mullvad	IVPN	AirVPN
Encryption	5	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Forward Secrecy	4	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Security Audits	3	✅	✅	❌	✅	✅	❌
Vulnerability Management	3	✅	✅	✅	❌	❌	✅
Total Score	15	15	15	12	12	12	12

Privacy:

Payment Methods: Acceptance of anonymous methods like cryptocurrency or cash.
Minimal Personal Data: Providers don;t require any identifying personal data.

Feature	Weight (1-5)	ProtonVPN	Mullvad	IVPN	Windscribe	NordVPN	AirVPN
Payment Methods	5	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Minimal Personal Data	5	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Total Score	10	10	10	10	10	10	10

Policies & Terms:

Logging Policy: It’s vital to know if the VPN logs your activities and, if so, what kind and for how long. Ideally, choose a no-log VPN.
Fair Use Policy: Some VPNs might restrict certain activities or have bandwidth limits.
Refund Policy: Understand the conditions under which you can get a refund if you’re not satisfied with the service within 30 days.

Feature	Weight (1-5)	ProtonVPN	IVPN	Windscribe	Mullvad	AirVPN	NordVPN
Logging Policy	5	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Fair Use Policy	3	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌
Refund Policy	1	✅	✅	❌	❌	❌	✅
Total Score	9	9	9	8	8	8	6

Trust:

Transparent Leadership: The company’s leadership and ownership should be public-facing.
Transparency Reports: Regular and comprehensive transparency reports detailing requests for user data, etc.

Feature	Weight (1-5)	ProtonVPN	IVPN	Windscribe	Mullvad	AirVPN	NordVPN
Transparent Leadership	3	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌
Transparency Reports	2	✅	✅	✅	❌	❌	❌
Total Score	5	5	5	5	3	3	0

Marketing:

Self-Hosted Analytics: Avoids third-party trackers like Google Analytics on websites.
Responsible Language: Avoids use of alarming or misleading language in its interfaces and marketing materials.
Clear Communication: Accurate explanation of scenarios where Tor or other security measures might be more appropriate than their VPN.

Feature	Weight (1-5)	Windscribe	Mullvad	IVPN	AirVPN	ProtonVPN	NordVPN
Self-Hosted Analytics	2	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌	❌
Responsible Language	1	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌
Total Score	3	3	3	3	3	1	0

Note: No single VPN will be the best fit for everyone. It’s essential to prioritize your needs and balance them against any trade-offs to find the VPN that works best for you.

If you have any ideas on how to improve this, let me know!

List of Recommended VPNs - If you have any ideas on how to improve this, let me know