Our VPN Review Process
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Our VPN Review Process

Team Working

A Transparent, Data-Driven Approach

At vpnHunt, our mission is to deliver reviews with complete accuracy, transparency, and independence. We help you make smarter VPN choices by providing detailed, fact-based insights tailored to your needs for security, privacy, and performance.

Expert-Led, Unbiased Reviews

Each review is crafted by our team of VPN analysts, cybersecurity professionals, and technical writers—all with hands-on experience. We uphold strict editorial standards, and we never let affiliations or outside influence affect our reviews. VPNs are tested independently, without developer involvement, ensuring authentic and unbiased results.

Expert VPN Review Team

If a VPN fails to deliver, we highlight those weaknesses. If it excels, we showcase its strengths. While we may earn from affiliate links, these commissions never influence our testing or recommendations.

How We Review VPNs — Overview

We follow a thorough, real-world testing process designed to reflect how users actually use VPNs. We buy VPNs like regular users (and test refund policies), then evaluate them across use cases like streaming, torrenting, and gaming. We also dig into technical aspects like encryption, logging policies, and device support.

Each VPN earns a score based on its performance in the categories below, with weights reflecting their importance:

  • Privacy & Security: 36%
  • Speed & Performance: 28%
  • Streaming & Torrenting: 20%
  • Ease of Use & Compatibility: 10%
  • Value for Money: 6%

These scores help you compare VPNs and find the one that fits your needs best.

Our Detailed Review Criteria & Scoring Rubric

We use a clear, structured framework to rate VPNs. This makes our reviews transparent and lets you see exactly how scores are calculated.

Privacy & Security (36%)

Security and privacy are the most critical factors in choosing a VPN. Failures here can put users at risk. We evaluate:

  • Encryption Strength: Types like AES-256, WireGuard, OpenVPN, and whether it includes Perfect Forward Secrecy.
  • Logging Policy: We review the provider’s stance on logs, including independent audits and transparency reports.
  • Leak Testing: We test for DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks.
  • Security Tools: Features like kill switch, multi-hop, obfuscation, and Tor over VPN.

Speed & Performance (28%)

We check how well VPNs handle demanding tasks like HD streaming and gaming. Tests include:

  • Download/Upload Speeds: Tested globally using multiple servers.
  • Ping & Latency: Important for real-time activities like online games.
  • Stability: We test VPNs during long sessions to ensure consistent performance.

Streaming & Torrenting (20%)

We test VPNs for unblocking access to popular platforms and reliable P2P support:

  • Streaming Access: Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and more.
  • Torrenting: Speed, privacy, and P2P-optimized servers are evaluated.

Ease of Use & Compatibility (10%)

Good performance is essential, but a VPN also needs to be simple and widely compatible:

  • Device Support: Native apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, routers, and browser extensions.
  • User Experience: How easy it is to install, navigate, and use.
  • Support Quality: Response times for live chat and email, plus help docs.

Value for Money (6%)

We determine whether the VPN offers a fair deal for its features:

  • Plans & Pricing: Monthly, yearly, and discounted plans.
  • Refund Policies: Money-back guarantees and trials.
  • Feature Set: Are the included tools worth the price?

Ongoing Re-Testing and Updates

VPNs evolve constantly. We revisit our reviews when a provider releases major updates, changes pricing, adds servers, or fixes past issues. This ensures our information stays fresh and reliable.