🛡️ VPN & Online Privacy
8 分で読める
How to Evaluate a Commercial VPN Provider
Learn the key criteria for evaluating VPN providers, from security audits and logging policies to speed, server network, and pricing.
Why Evaluating VPNs Is Hard
The VPN market is flooded with providers making similar claims: "fastest," "most secure," "zero logs." Affiliate marketing dominates VPN review sites, making it difficult to find unbiased information. This guide provides a systematic framework for evaluating any VPN provider.
Security and Privacy Checklist
Logging Policy
- Does the provider publish a detailed privacy policy (not just a marketing page)?
- Has the no-logs claim been verified by an independent auditor (Deloitte, PwC, Cure53, etc.)?
- Has the provider been tested in court? Did they have data to hand over?
Encryption and Protocols
| Criterion | Good | Red Flag |
|---|---|---|
| Protocol options | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 | Only PPTP or proprietary |
| Encryption | AES-256 or ChaCha20 | Weak ciphers, unclear specs |
| Perfect forward secrecy | Yes | No or unclear |
| Open-source clients | Yes | Closed-source only |
Infrastructure
- RAM-only servers -- Data is erased on reboot, preventing seizure of historical data.
- Owned vs rented servers -- Providers that own their hardware have more control over physical security.
- Multi-hop option -- Available for users who need extra privacy.
Performance Evaluation
Speed Testing Methodology
- Test without VPN to establish baseline speed.
- Connect to 3 nearby servers and run speed tests on each.
- Connect to 3 distant servers (different continent) and test.
- Compare download speed, upload speed, and latency.
# Command-line speed test
speedtest-cli --simple
# Or use specific servers
speedtest-cli --server 12345
Server Network
- Total server count matters less than geographic distribution and server quality.
- Check if the provider uses virtual locations (IP says London, but server is actually in New York).
- Look for servers near your physical location and near the content you access.
Business Model and Trust
- Who owns the company? Some VPNs are owned by larger corporations with different privacy priorities.
- Revenue model -- Subscription-only is the healthiest. Be wary of free tiers with no clear monetization.
- Transparency reports -- Does the provider publish how many government requests they receive?
- Bug bounty program -- Indicates the company takes security seriously.
Pricing and Value
| Tier | Monthly Price | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $2-4/month | Basic features, may lack advanced options |
| Mid-range | $5-8/month | Good balance of features and performance |
| Premium | $9-13/month | Best server network, fastest speeds, advanced features |
Most providers offer significant discounts for annual or multi-year plans. Avoid paying monthly if you plan to use the service long-term.
Red Flags to Avoid
- "Lifetime" subscriptions -- Unsustainable business model.
- No clear company information -- Anonymous operators cannot be held accountable.
- Excessive marketing claims -- "Military-grade encryption" and "100% anonymous" are marketing buzzwords.
- Only available as a mobile app -- Legitimate providers support multiple platforms.