Privacy and an open internet are increasingly hard to come by in the modern world. Countries across the globe have begun censoring websites and selling user data, making the simple act of checking e-mail or streaming a movie a dangerous practice. Even the Indian government has started placing bans on websites in an attempt to control its citizens.

The internet wants to be free, and people aren’t sitting idly by as their access is restricted and controlled. One of the most powerful tools for winning back privacy and freedom online are virtual private networks, simple services that encrypt data and mask a user’s location so they can access the web like a citizen of the world.

VPNs come with a variety of benefits, including encryption for all data leaving your computer and location variability through a network of servers. Your personal data will be locked down and stripped of identifying information, allowing you to bypass censorship firewalls or stream videos from Netflix and YouTube that normally aren’t available in your country. VPNs are the perfect tool to take back your privacy, and best of all, they’re inexpensive and extremely easy to use.

Evaluating the Best VPNs

Finding the right VPN to meet your needs can take some research. There are a lot of factors to take into consideration, including encryption, privacy practices, server distribution, length of subscription, and so on. To make sure you get the best value for your money, we used the following criteria to evaluate our featured VPNs. Each delivers fantastic performance for customers in India and around the world.

  • Logging policy – A VPN is only as good as its privacy policy. All of your data passes through a VPN’s servers and can be stored for an indefinite period of time. If a government agency demands the VPN turn over data, they usually have to comply, which compromises your security. However, if no logs are kept, there’s no data to share. All of the VPNs below have a strict zero-logging policy that keeps your information safe.
  • Kill switches and DNS leak protection – When your VPN software is connecting to the network, you’re vulnerable to IP address leaks. It only takes a moment for your home connection to sneak through, exposing your identity without your knowledge. To combat this, VPN providers build their software with smart lockdown features that prevent any kind of leak from occurring.
  • File and traffic restrictions – Some VPN providers disallow things like P2P traffic or torrent files and cap bandwidth after a certain threshold. There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to download something only to discover your VPN forbids it.  All of the providers featured below are restriction-free, allowing you to download anything you want without exception.
  • Speed – VPNs are notoriously slow. The encryption overhead adds a lot of data to each packet, and the extra distance that must be traveled to reach foreign servers adds to the latency. To keep your internet as fast as possible, we’ve made sure the VPNs below keep speed as a high priority.
  • Server distribution – Having a big network is a huge advantage for a VPN. The more servers there are, the more options you have to establish a virtual location, and the better your chances of finding a fast connection.
  • Price – VPNs exist in a competitive market, which helps drive prices down for consumers. Some services charge more than others, however, which can be something of a shock. We kept an eye on the price of the VPNs below to make sure you’re getting the best deals possible for private, open access to the internet.

NordVPN

NordVPN is a fast, friendly, and surprisingly secure VPN provider. The service encrypts all data that passes through its network twice, wrapping everything in 2048-bit SSL encryption that even the toughest computer can’t break. NordVPN also has a fantastic zero-logging policy, a huge, ever-expanding network of 951 servers in 57 countries, unlimited bandwidth, kill switch and DNS leak features, and absolutely no file or traffic limitations. NordVPN also keeps an up to date guide on how to access Netflix in case the service starts blocking you.

Another one of NordVPN’s special features is server specialization. Because the company runs such a massive network, it has the ability to task individual servers to certain jobs, making them far more efficient with specific things. If you’re downloading a torrent or using a P2P network, for example, it’s likely your data will get funneled through one of these servers so it can be handled with greater speed.

NordVPN has several basic plans that offer discounts based on how long you subscribe. Short term sign-ups are the most expensive, but if you go for a full year you’ll save as much as 52% off the standard price, one of the biggest standard discounts in the VPN marketplace. There’s also a 30 money back guarantee, just in case you aren’t satisfied with the service.

DISCOUNT: Sign up for a 2-year contract with NordVPN and get an incredible 72% discount, just $3.29 a month and take advantage of the 30 day money-back guarantee.

PureVPN

PureVPN is straightforward way to gain private, unrestricted access to the internet. It starts with a network of 750 servers in 141 different countries, covering just about every corner of the globe. You can switch between these servers as often as you like, all while enjoying a zero-logging policy, unlimited bandwidth, DNS leak protection, and a quick kill switch to make sure your data and your IP stays safe.

Device connectability is one of PureVPN’s strongest features. The service begins with a simultaneous connection limit of five, which is two more than most providers on the market. The new Virtual Router feature also allows you to turn your Windows computer into a hotspot that supports up to ten devices, plenty for you and your entire family to surf the web anonymously.

PureVPN offers three basic plans with discounts applied for longer subscriptions. The standard plan lasts for a single month, but if you sign up for a year you’ll save over 50% off the base price and get an extra year for free. All plans come with every PureVPN feature listed above, so you don’t have to worry about missing out.

READER DEAL: Sign-up on PureVPN today to take advantage of an amazing 73% discount on a two-year plan, only $2.95 per month! 

ExpressVPN

One of the top providers in the VPN market is ExpressVPN, known for their intense focus on speed. The company has a network of over 145 servers in 94 different countries, each configured for fast connections no matter where you’re located. The ExpressVPN software also includes a built-in speed test so you can verify how fast your connection really is. Need something faster? Simply try a new server, run the test, and evaluate.

ExpressVPN doesn’t drop any of its privacy features in favor of speed. DNS leak protection, a kill switch for both desktop and Android devices, and a zero-logging policy helps keep users safe, even if they’re in a country that has enacted censorship barriers. There’s also no restriction on file types or bandwidth, making it a great choice for streaming videos from Netflix or Hulu, especially since the service is rarely blocked by those providers.

ExpressVPN divides its plans into three categories, each offering the full range of the service’s features. Sign up for one month to try things out, or subscribe for a full year and get a 35% discount. All plans are backed by a 30 day money back guarantee.

TRY IT FREE: Sign up for a yearly plan with ExpressVPN and get 12 months plus 3 months FREE, totaling just $6.67 per month! Try them absolutely RISK FREE with a 30-day money-back guarantee, no questions asked!

VyprVPN

If privacy is your top concern, VyprVPN is the way to go. The company sets itself apart by owning and operating its entire network of 700 servers in 70 different locations, giving them complete control over hardware, software, and configurations. Outside companies never have access to VyperVPN’s servers, which gives them the ability to customize performance for increased speed without sacrificing security. This, along with a strong no-logging policy, unlimited bandwidth, DNS leak and kill switch protection, and no file type restrictions makes it a fantastic choice for a VPN for India.

One of the unique features of VyprVPN is the company’s very own Chameleon technology. If VPN blocking or throttling is an issue with your internet service provider, Chameleon can help sidestep that without an issue. It’s also one of the few services that makes an extra effort to keep access to Netflix consistent, and it keeps availability open in restrictive locations such as China and Turkey.

VyprVPN structures its plans a little differently than other VPNs. It starts with two main options: standard and premium. Standard includes most of the features listed above, but premium includes extra simultaneous device connections as well as the Chameleon technology. Both are extremely affordable and offer discounts for longer subscriptions, as well. If you’re looking for something even less expensive and don’t mind a data cap, sign up through one of VyprVPN’s apps for an even better price. Another bonus to this structure is a three day free trial, allowing you to try the service out before spending any money.

DEAL: There’s a 3 day free trial available here followed by 50% off your first month.

IPVanish

IPVanish promises three simple things: lightning fast speeds, maximum security, and zero logs. These form the basis of the company’s strong VPN offerings that work well for customers in India and across the world. The IPVanish network covers 750 servers in 60 different countries, providing an amazing range of IPs you can use for privacy and content accessibility purposes. All are secured with 256-bit AES encryption and a zero-logging policy, along with kill switch and DNS leak protection for great privacy from your local device.

IPVanish doesn’t cut out core features in favor of speed or security. You’ll get unrestricted access to the internet with unlimited bandwidth and no blocking for P2P or torrent traffic, unlimited server switching, access to censored sites and apps, and can connect up to five devices, which is two more than the industry standard.

IPVanish has three base plans that offer discounts for longer subscriptions. The core plan starts with monthly payments at the standard rate, while the year long sign-up offers a healthy 46% discount. Each includes all of IPVanish’s features listed above.

EXCLUSIVE for Addictive Tips readers: Get a 60% discount when you sign up for 12 months of IPVanish at just $4.87 per month! 

Benefits of Using a VPN

Signing up for a VPN delivers a lot of amazing benefits. They offer an increased level of privacy, online security, and digital anonymity by default, but you also get the added ability to change your virtual location, which is a cornerstone of a free and open internet. Some of these features are essential in the modern world, but others are just nice to have. Either way, VPNs deliver a lot of value for the price, no matter which service you use.

  1. Watch videos from other regions – The best non-privacy related benefit of using a VPN is being able to access streaming content from outside your home country. Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, YouTube, and other streaming services are forced to restrict which movies and TV shows can be watched in different countries. With a VPN active, you can change your virtual location with just a few clicks, letting you watch content previously unavailable in your area.
  2. Encrypt data for privacy – Normally, data sent through the internet is passed in a raw format, meaning anyone with the right tools can download and view it. With a VPN’s encryption, however, all of your information will be sent in a scrambled form, readable only by yourself and the VPN that encrypted it in the first place.
  3. Hide your IP address – IP addresses can be used to identify a person’s location, even trace them back to their home. When you’re using a VPN, however, you’re assigned an IP address associated with the VPN network, not your current location. This lets you surf the web with a much higher level of anonymity.
  4. Access censored websites – Censorship is a growing problem in the world, especially when it comes to governments and businesses. Restricting access to certain websites is an increasingly common practice in a number of countries, including China, Turkey, and India. A VPN is a simple way to step around those blocks. If you can’t reach Google, Facebook, or any other site due to censorship, simply change your location through a VPN and try again.
  5. Stop surveillance and tracking – A great side effect of a VPN’s encryption and non-local IP addresses is that it makes it much more difficult for governments or third parties to track your online activity. Surveillance efforts will also be rendered nearly useless.

The Limitations of a VPN

VPNs are extremely useful at home and while traveling, but they won’t solve all of your online privacy or security issues. To keep your data safe, you’ll still need to follow common sense practices. You’ll also need to adapt to a few limitations VPNs can’t quite get around. Small prices to pay for the privacy and security they offer.

  • VPNs tend to be slow – Most VPN services will be slower than your standard internet connection. This has a lot to do with the encryption used to scramble each packet of data as well as the extra distance information must travel to and from servers around the world. Expect a 10-25% loss in overall speed, less with VPN services that work hard to keep their speed scores high.
  • VPNs won’t protect you from malware – Malware and viruses pass through most VPNs like they don’t even exist. Using a firewall and virus scanner are still recommended if you have a VPN active.
  • Devices aren’t automatically protected – You can’t just run a VPN program on your desktop and expect all of your devices to benefit. Each phone, tablet, laptop, gaming console, and device that goes online needs to run the VPN’s software to use the encryption and IP hiding. There are workarounds to this, however, including installing VPN software on your router.
  • Device connectability – You can’t connect all of your devices to a VPN at the same time. Most services limited the simultaneous connections to three or five, which means a computer, a tablet, a smartphone, and that’s it. Everyone who access your Wi-Fi is subjected to this limit, which can make it difficult for families to use VPNs together.

Free VPNs Aren’t Private, Reliable, or Secure

There’s a big temptation to use free VPN services advertised on websites, on mobile marketplaces, and in browser extension sites. Free VPNs are just about everywhere, and each one promises free, fast, and unlimited service. The unfortunate reality is that these VPNs can harm your privacy more than they protect it. You may gain the ability to switch IPs or hide data from your ISP, but you can never be sure what’s happening to your data once it leaves your computer.

Any business that operates a virtual private network has to make money to stay alive. Servers need maintenance, workers need to be paid, software must be upgraded, etc. If customers don’t provide this income, the free VPN provider has to make it up somewhere else. This usually comes in the form of ads injected into your browser, or by selling the data they collect from users.

They may seem like a convenient alternative to a paid service, but free VPNs should be avoided at all costs. The risks just aren’t worth it.

How to Get Coupons and Discounts for VPNs

The virtual private network marketplace is highly competitive. Hundreds of services are scattered throughout the world, each trying to get your attention and offer the best features for the most attractive price. This keeps the costs surprisingly low for customers across the globe, and it also means some amazing coupons and discounts can be obtained if you know where and when to look.

Follow on social media – Most VPNs have a social media presence on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc. Whenever the company runs a promotion, this is where they’ll announce it. Find a few VPNs you’re interested in and follow their social media accounts for the best deals around.

Disable adblockers – A few VPN providers advertise their discounts in the form of pop-up windows and sidebar banners. If you have an adblocker enabled, it may remove these offers. Try temporarily disabling them and refreshing the plans page.

Check the website – As funny as it sounds, sometimes the easiest way to get a discount is to look for a link on the website. Some VPN providers have a discounts section linked from the bottom of their home page. Either use the search function or scroll to the footer to see if anything exists. IPVanish is one such VPN that does this, and the effort will give you as much as 25% off.

Wait for a holiday – VPNs and many other tech companies like to offer sales on local holidays as well as special events such as Cyber Monday. If you don’t need your VPN right away, wait for one of these holidays, then check your favorite provider and see if a deal pops up.

Read Best VPN for India: 5 Top Choices in 2018 by Geoffrey Walters on AddictiveTips - Tech tips to make you smarter



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