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Explore the Privacy & Security Hub
VPNs, password managers & antivirus — protect yourself for less.
With 300+ VPN services available, how do you choose the right one? This guide explains everything you need to know.
VPN Buying Checklist
Essential Features (Must-Have):
- ✅ AES-256 encryption
- ✅ No-logs policy
- ✅ Kill switch
- ✅ UK servers
- ✅ Works on your devices
- ✅ Fast speeds (>100 Mbps)
- ✅ Money-back guarantee
Nice-to-Have Features:
- Split tunneling
- Ad blocker
- Multiple protocols
- Port forwarding
- Static IP option
1. Speed – How Fast Do You Need?
- Browsing: 5 Mbps
- HD Streaming: 10 Mbps
- 4K Streaming: 25 Mbps
- Gaming: 15-25 Mbps (+ low ping)
- Large downloads: 50+ Mbps
2. Security – What Encryption Do You Need?
- WireGuard/NordLynx: Fastest, modern (best)
- OpenVPN: Reliable, tested (good)
- IKEv2/IPsec: Fast, mobile-friendly (good)
- PPTP: Outdated, insecure (avoid!)
3. Privacy – No-Logs Policy Explained
- VPN doesn't record what websites you visit
- No timestamps of connections
- No IP addresses stored
- Nothing to hand over if government requests data
Red Flags: No privacy policy, vague wording like 'minimal logging', or based in 14 Eyes countries without an audit.
4. Price – How Much Should You Pay?
- Budget: £1.69-2.99/month (PIA, NordVPN, Surfshark)
- Mid-range: £3-5/month
- Premium: £5-8/month (ExpressVPN)
Always choose 2-year plans (save 60-80%). Never pay monthly. Use Black Friday deals in November for best prices.
Recommendations by Use Case
| If You Need... | Choose... | Because... |
|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | NordVPN | Speed, features, price balance |
| Fastest Speed | ExpressVPN | Consistently fastest in tests |
| Best Value | Surfshark | £1.99/month, unlimited devices |
| Privacy | ProtonVPN | Swiss, open-source, audited |
| Torrenting | PIA | Port forwarding, fast |
Red Flags – VPNs to Avoid
- ❌ Completely free (except ProtonVPN)
- ❌ Unclear ownership
- ❌ No privacy policy
- ❌ Weak encryption
- ❌ Log your activity
- ❌ Based in China or Russia
- ❌ No money-back guarantee
START TODAY
Ready to Choose?
NordVPN — best for most UK users at £2.99/month with 30-day guarantee
Try NordVPN →Sento earns a referral if you click — never affects our recommendations.
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Want more? Visit the Privacy & Security Hub
VPNs, password managers & antivirus — protect yourself for less.
Sento earns a referral if you click through our links — this never affects our recommendations. Prices and details correct at time of publication. Updated February 2026.