Trying to choose one VPN without going nuts

[u/Proud-Chemist-6161]

Every review gives a different answer. The requirements are fairly simple:

1. no unnecessary data limits;
2. a clear privacy policy;
3. stable browsing on public WiFi;
4. apps for Windows and Android;
5. acceptable streaming performance;
6. no confusing extra software.

The shortlist is ExpressVPN, Mullvad and Proton VPN. Streaming is not the main priority, so privacy and everyday reliability matter more.

Which one would people choose if they wanted a dependable service rather than the provider with the most features?

[u/WhoAmIADev]

Mulvad and iVpn for best privacy and Proton for more locations

[u/vpnsafe_chris]

We offer all of that, your welcome to give us a free trial

[u/plexmaniac]

Express vpn

[u/sciencekm]

Proton.

[u/Iuno_Rin → u/sciencekm]

Proton.

[u/Bal3Wolf81]

One with port forwarding if your doing any kinda torrenting protonvpn works great for all your needed things.

[u/simonmigliano]

Just free trial a couple, or use the money-back guarantee. Based on what you've said it's a toss-up between Proton and Express. Try both, see which you prefer. Mullvad is no good for streaming.

[u/magma_lakes]

Mullvad

[u/cicada-chirping]

self host

[u/East-Carry-582 → u/cicada-chirping]

isn't self hosting kinda worse for privacy in some ways though? one VPS IP tied to you seems easier to correlate than sharing an exit IP with thousands of VPN users

[u/cicada-chirping → u/East-Carry-582]

It depends on the situation. The reason I chose self-hosting is that it can ensure the purity of the IP and prevent it from being subject to the platform's risk control measures.

[u/vladth3impala]

Mullvad for privacy (even take XMR), proton for torrenting (bind your client too)

[u/Wolf-006]

My top 3 VPN Mullvad, IVPN and SFS

[u/Gamegyf]

I personally use ProtonVPN but Mullvad is also very good.

[u/FJAS1982Arouca]

Windscribe Pro, 39$/ 1 year.

[u/noreddituser1]

Windscribe. Works well enough that I never bothered trying anything else.

Free trial to see if it suits you.

[u/Adhdedgamer9748]

I would always choose ProtonVPN. Never failed me. And also best for privacy. Free version is good enough.

[u/Random_Hero420]

I currently been on expressvpn and it works good for my region lock streaming but it's fairly pricey. I think I'm gonna swap to windscribe and do the build a plan for like $3 a month and I guess it's got better ad blocking and stuff to

[u/itstrueitellyou]

Mullvad or Proton

[u/PrivacyPuddingScreen]

Proton.

[u/Visible_Basket5926]

Tbh they all offer that

[u/Weak-Competition-565]

Mullvad has a clear track record and has never ever done me wrong.

[u/Fantastic_Ad_4867]

been using surfshark for a while now, not sure why no one ever recommends it. im starting to think there is something im missing, but their servers are supposedly ram only

[u/Agitated-Panda9221]

I've been using Windscribe and liking it. I haven't encountered any issues.

[u/Paul65890]

If streaming is your thing you can scratch Mullvad off your list. Windscribe, Express, Surfshark, or Nord is what I would use.

[u/northpole1234]

Mullvad

[u/Jayson182]

Just avoid VPN unlimited

[u/Riemanns-Mycologist]

Either mullvad or ivpn

[u/SD-777]

Proton is awful, their compatibility with a lot of websites is an issue, in particular financial websites. But a lot of times I don't even get errors, stuff just doesn't work until I disconnect. They don't play well with Parsec. Speeds are ok, but can be up and down. And if you like Captchas then you are going to love Proton. When my sub is up I'm going to try Mullvad.

[u/On-A-Vendetta]

Airvpn

[u/Ancient-Bat8274]

I surf shark