How to choose a VPN: what to check before you buy
There are hundreds of VPN services, and every website promises “fast and reliable”. To avoid a mistake, check a few concrete things — most of them are visible before you pay.
Checklist
- Locations. Are there servers in countries near you — latency depends on distance.
- Real speed. It is a good sign when a service publishes measurements, not just promises.
- Limits. Is traffic capped, is there a time or speed limit on cheap plans.
- Devices. Are there apps for all your systems — phone, computer, TV — and how many devices a subscription covers.
- Free trial. Can you try it for free and without a card to check how it works on your network.
- Payment. Convenient payment methods and clear prices without hidden renewals.
- Support. How fast they answer and how to reach them.
- Transparency. Are the operating company, terms of use and privacy policy published: which data is kept and for how long.
Be careful with free VPNs
Running servers costs money. If a service is free, it earns differently: with ads, speed limits or users' data. Before installing a free app, check who the developer is and what the privacy policy says.
How Yak VPN meets this list
- Servers in Germany, the Netherlands, Finland, Estonia, Poland and the USA; “Auto” picks the fastest one.
- Speed and ping are measured every 3 hours and published on the website.
- Unlimited traffic and time, no ads.
- Android and Android TV, Windows, Linux, iPhone, iPad and Mac; one subscription — up to 10 devices on the Big Yak plan.
- 3 days free with no card; pay by card, SBP, Telegram Stars or crypto.
- 24/7 support in Telegram; the operator, terms and privacy policy are on the website.