Choosing the Right VPN for your Device

We know that a VPN is the only way to really stay safe and private when downloading or making financial transactions on the web, and to have free access to any desired content from any location. But what is the best VPN service for a particular device? There is a lot of information to digest if you really want to get into it, but basically its about your operating system and the security and speed you want.

VPN Protocols

Desktops can use any of the common protocols, but mobile VPNs generally use PPTP and L2TP.Some also offer OpenVPN with SSL encryption, like ExpressVPN and VyperVPN. If you own a newer smartphone, you should have no compatibility issues with IPSec and OpenVPN. OpenVPN is so far the most secure, but L2TP with IPSec is also pretty tight. PPTP has vulnerabilities, but is secure enough for most uses. SSL offers very high level protection against malware and spyware to cover for any deficiencies in your antivirus software.

Compatibility

Most VPNs are compatible with Windows, OD X and iOS, but only some work well on Linux and Android devices. Examples are IPVanish and HideMyAss. PPTP and L2TP are built in on most operating systems, so these are the easiest choices. If you are security conscious, IPSec and OpenVPN are your best bet, but you may have to jailbreak older mobile devices to get them to work.

Data Encryption

Depending on your security needs and your connection speed, you can choose between 128-bit and 256-bit encryption.128-bit is fine for most personal needs, but the additional security of 256-bit encryption can be helpful for business uses. The downside of 256-bit encryption is that it can slow the process down considerably. If you are worried about processing load, choose a lightweight VPN. This can be good for older devices as well that do not have as much processing capacity. A VPN that has 128-bit with SSL is a good balance for speed and security all around.

Single and Multiple Devices

A final consideration is how many devices you have that you want to use a VPN on, and if you want to use these simultaneously. Some services offer VPNs that can be used on any device for the same price, while others are mobile or desktop specific. Some software will allow you to use the VPN on several devices at the same time while others can be run on only one at a time. We hope that this provides sufficient information for you to narrow down your choices to the best VPN provider who has just what you need for your device and browsing concerns. Check out our list of Top 10 VPN Service Providers to see the features.