I'm looking for suggestions on a new VPN

PGHammer25 said:

While Proton costs nothing, it has a truckload of extra features. Nord is bare-bones by comparison - it also costs - not much. However- it supports Microsoft Office email addresses - which ProtonVPN does not.

Click to expand...

Actually, Proton does have a pay version as well. I hear it's much better than the free one, which is also to be expected.

And ditto what @gunrunnerjohn said.

If I had to use a free version, then I'd use Proton's. But other than that, I'd stay away from free VPNs like the plague.

ProtonVPN is the only free VPN I recommend - I have two - but only two - quibbles with it - it doesn't support Microsoft Office e-mail accounts - and it's overkill for true home use.

I've used Nord, Hotspotshield and PIA. Each for 3 yrs prepay.
Each have lots of features.
I look for tunneling, multi-device capability, no logs, speed and server counts.
I use it primarily for unsecure networks and tracking prevention.
Nothing worse than browsing on site then going to the next and getting google ads for the prior site displayed on the new.
Yes, I know VPON doesn't prevent that, but the IP changes next connection. .so.. no tracking.
VPN doesn't protect you from hacks or intrusion either, so Nord's TV ads are a little misleading!

A simple web search for "top VPN providers 2026" works great

Has anyone tried Firefox VPN yet?


I've been using the free Browsec VPN extensions for years for casual workarounds.

I use PrivadoVPN, absolutely good enough for me. I’ve also used the free version of Protonmail but it doesn’t give a free UK server option. I’ve also used paid versions of Expressvpn, NordVPN and Surfshark, all of which have been absolutely fine. Basically, it’ll always come down to price with me, if it’s a great deal, I’ll take it.

To those that make a point of rubbishing VPN’s and claiming that they’re all pretty much pointless, for those of us who travel globally frequently, they’re an absolute must when you’re relying on free hotel open WiFi or any other free WiFi options such as fast food outlets etc. I still need to do bank transfers etc whilst I’m away, so sat in a hotel in Antigua for example, I can connect to a UK server via VPN and safely top up my bank account etc using free WiFi. I’ve never had a single issue yet using a VPN.

VPN's are "you get what you pay for". Without tunnelling which a lot of the cheaper options don't offer reduces a huge useful factor (Tunnelling means you can exclude apps at choice from under VPN control e.g your LAN etc).

NordVpn etc work perfectly - With some you can get 2 or 3 year discounts which are really worth doing - get a colleague to "recommend you" -- then both YOU and THEM get discounts often quite decent.

VPN's are also really useful if you travel a lot - particularly if some apps in the country you are visiting in are either not available or restricted via "geo blocking" even though you've 100% paid for legitimate subscriptions.

Then there are those of a more "polititical" but still necessary reasons to use VPN's -- journalists / others who are working / visiting various countries where Internet is severely monitored / restricted and need to get word out to rest of the world about things happening in those countries - many at great risk to themselves too -- we should be grateful to those couragous people providing this stuff.

Note this is a technical not political forum but some issues simply shouldn't be ignored. I think we all know what occurs when journalism / news reporting becomes one sided, biased and with no checks . balances / reality validations.

Cheers
jimbo

Stigg said:

Has anyone tried Firefox VPN yet?

Free VPN now built into Firefox

Mozilla Blog: Today we’re introducing a free built-in VPN in Firefox, a new IP-protection feature designed to keep you even more private while you browse. We’re starting by offering an industry-leading 50 gigabytes of free VPN-browsing each month. Firefox has long focused on building privacy...

www.elevenforum.com

I've been using the free Browsec VPN extensions for years for casual workarounds.

VPN Service | Privacy and Security Online | Browsec VPN

Browsec VPN lets you safely access any site. Easy setup, top speed, total anonymity. Protect your online browsing with one of the best VPNs.

browsec.com

Click to expand...

FF VPN only protects traffic to/from FF. Pretty sure that Browsec VPN is the same.