Blog

VPN guides, privacy tips, and industry news from our editorial team.

Streaming June 23, 2026

VPNs That Still Work in China 2026: 7 Tested + Ranked (Updated June 2026)

We re-tested 7 VPNs from inside mainland China in June 2026 — ExpressVPN and Astrill are still the only providers that worked 100% of the time. Full pricing, speed, and obfuscation breakdown — and exactly which VPNs to avoid.

Guide June 17, 2026

Best Cheap VPN for China 2026: 5 Budget VPNs That Actually Work (Tested)

We tested 5 budget VPNs behind the Great Firewall in March 2026 — Surfshark ($2.19/mo) leads with 92% connection success. Full pricing, speed, and obfuscation breakdown for the cheapest VPNs that still bypass Chinese censorship.

Guide June 15, 2026

VPN Tunneling Protocols Explained: The 2026 Guide (WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 + More)

A VPN tunneling protocol defines how your data is encrypted and routed. Compare WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec, Lightway, NordLynx, Chameleon, StealthVPN, and more in our 2026 guide — with speed benchmarks, security ratings, post-quantum notes, and best-use picks for streaming, gaming, China, and mobile.

Guide June 10, 2026

VPN Split Tunneling: The Complete 2026 Guide (Setup, Security, Best Apps)

VPN split tunneling routes some apps through the VPN and others outside. Learn how it works, when to use it, the security tradeoffs in 2026, and how to set it up on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and routers.

VPN Comparison June 7, 2026

ExpressVPN vs NordVPN vs Surfshark vs ProtonVPN 2026: The 4-Way China Performance Test

We tested all four top VPNs from behind the Great Firewall in March 2026 — Beijing, Shanghai, three ISPs, five days. ExpressVPN averaged 142 Mbps, NordVPN 89 Mbps, Surfshark 71 Mbps, ProtonVPN 38 Mbps. Here is exactly which one to install before your trip.

Streaming June 5, 2026

Best VPN for China 2026: We Tested 8 Services Behind the Great Firewall

We tested ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Surfshark, Astrill, VyprVPN, Mullvad, PIA, and ProtonVPN behind the Great Firewall in March 2026. Real speed, reliability, and unblocking results from Beijing and Shanghai.

Privacy June 5, 2026

VPN Split Tunneling in 2026: Is It Still Safe? (Security, Privacy, and Configuration Guide)

Split tunneling routes some apps through the VPN and others outside. In 2026, is it still safe? We tested 6 providers on 5 attack surfaces — kill switch, DNS, IP, WebRTC, and IPv6 leaks — with full setup guides for every platform.

Guides June 3, 2026

10 Real-World Split Tunneling VPN Examples (2026 Use Cases)

10 specific split tunneling VPN examples with real config blocks and 2026 benchmark data — Netflix 4K, gaming, banking abroad, corporate VPN + NAS, and more.

Troubleshooting June 3, 2026

How to Fix VPN Slowing Down Your Internet (10 Tested Fixes for 2026)

VPN slowing you down? We tested 10 fixes — switching to WireGuard cut our speed loss from 32% to 8%. Here is the ranked list with 2026 test data.

Streaming June 3, 2026

Best VPN for Firestick in 2026: Tested on Fire TV Stick 4K Max

We tested 14 VPNs on the Fire TV Stick 4K Max. Here are the 5 best for streaming, speed, and jailbroken Firestick setups — with 2026 speed test data and unblocking results.

Privacy June 3, 2026

VPN Jurisdiction in 2026: New 5/9/14-Eyes Laws That Affect Your Privacy

The Five Eyes Cross-Border Data Access Framework and the EU e-Evidence regulation both took full effect in 2026. Here is what changed, what it means for your VPN, and which countries are still safe.

Guides May 26, 2026

VPN Split Tunneling vs Full Tunnel: Which Should You Use?

Compare VPN split tunneling vs full tunnel modes. Learn when to use each, their pros and cons, and how to configure them for optimal security and performance.

Guides May 20, 2026

Best VPN for Digital Nomads in 2026 – Work Safely from Anywhere

Traveling for work? Here's how to stay secure on public WiFi, bypass country restrictions, and keep your client data protected from anywhere.

Troubleshooting May 20, 2026

How to Test Your VPN Speed – A Practical Guide

Measure your VPN's real performance. Step-by-step speed testing for download, upload, and latency, plus how to pick the fastest server.

Gaming May 20, 2026

Best VPN for Gaming on PS5 and Xbox in 2026

Protect your console from DDoS attacks, reduce lag, and access early releases with a gaming VPN. Here's how to set one up on PS5 and Xbox.

Guides May 13, 2026

What is a VPN? A Complete Beginner's Guide

A VPN encrypts your internet connection and hides your IP address. Learn how it works and why you might need one.

Guides May 13, 2026

How Does a VPN Work?

Behind the scenes, a VPN creates an encrypted tunnel between your device and the internet. We break down the technology in plain terms.

Guides May 12, 2026

VPN Protocols Explained: WireGuard vs OpenVPN vs IKEv2

Not all VPN protocols are equal. We break down speed, security, and compatibility trade-offs between the three most popular options.

Guides May 12, 2026

Free VPN vs Paid VPN: Which is Actually Worth It?

Free VPNs come with trade-offs. We compare the real costs — privacy risks, data limits, and speed caps.

Explainer May 12, 2026

VPN vs Proxy: What's the Difference?

Both hide your IP, but only one encrypts your traffic. We explain the key differences and when to use each.

Troubleshooting May 12, 2026

VPN Not Connecting? Here's How to Fix It

Is your VPN not connecting? This guide covers every fix from restarts to protocol switching and DNS flushing.

Mobile May 11, 2026

Best VPN for iPhone and Android in 2026

We tested ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Surfshark, and ProtonVPN on mobile. Here's what we found.

Privacy May 11, 2026

What is a VPN Kill Switch and Why Do You Need One?

A kill switch cuts your internet if the VPN drops. Learn why this feature is non-negotiable for serious privacy.

Privacy May 10, 2026

Can You Be Tracked If You Use a VPN?

VPNs hide your IP address but aren't magic. Here's exactly what a VPN hides — and what it doesn't.

Privacy May 10, 2026

DNS Leak Test: How to Check If Your VPN Is Leaking

A DNS leak can expose your browsing even when your VPN is connected. Here's how to test and fix it.

Guides May 9, 2026

Split Tunneling VPN: What It Is and When to Use It

Split tunneling routes some traffic through the VPN while other traffic uses your regular connection. Here's when it's useful.

Privacy May 9, 2026

Double VPN Explained: Is It Worth It?

Double VPN (multi-hop) routes your traffic through two servers. We explain what it protects, the speed cost, and who needs it.

Privacy May 8, 2026

Browser Fingerprinting: What It Is and How VPNs Don't Protect You

Browser fingerprinting tracks you without cookies. VPNs hide your IP but don't stop fingerprinting. Here's how to reduce your fingerprint.

Privacy May 8, 2026

VPN Jurisdiction Explained: 5 Eyes vs 9 Eyes vs 14 Eyes

Where a VPN company is based matters. We explain the Eyes alliances and which countries are safest for VPN companies.

Legal Guide May 12, 2026

Are VPNs Legal? A Country-by-Country Guide

VPNs are legal in most countries, but some nations restrict or ban VPN usage entirely. Learn which countries allow VPNs, which restrict them, and what the rules mean for your privacy.

Guide May 12, 2026

Best VPN for Travel Abroad in 2026

Discover the best VPN for travel abroad. Stay secure on public WiFi, access home content, and bypass geo-restrictions while traveling internationally.

Security Guide May 12, 2026

DNS Leak vs WebRTC Leak: What Is the Difference?

DNS leaks and WebRTC leaks are two different privacy vulnerabilities that can expose your activity even when using a VPN. Learn how each works, how to test for them, and how to fix them.

Performance Guide May 12, 2026

Does a VPN Slow Down Your Internet Speed?

VPNs do affect internet speed, but the impact varies widely depending on factors like protocol, server location, and distance. Learn what to realistically expect and how to minimize speed loss.

Buying Guide May 12, 2026

How to Choose the Right VPN: 7 Things to Check

With hundreds of VPN services available, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. Here is the framework we use to evaluate VPNs — seven essential criteria that actually matter for privacy, security, and performance.

Guide May 12, 2026

How to Setup VPN on Router | Complete 2026 Guide

Learn how to setup VPN on router for network-wide protection. Step-by-step guide covering DD-WRT, OpenWrt, ASUS, and Netgear routers. Protect every device automatically.

Security Guide May 12, 2026

VPN for Remote Work Security: The Complete Guide

Remote work has transformed how we operate, but it has also expanded the attack surface for cyber threats. Learn why a VPN for remote work security is essential and how to implement it effectively.

Privacy Guide May 12, 2026

What Does a VPN Hide? (And What It Doesn't)

VPNs hide your IP address and encrypt your traffic, but they are not a complete privacy solution. Learn exactly what a VPN hides, what it does not, and what additional tools you need for comprehensive protection.

Explainer May 12, 2026

What Is an Obfuscated Server VPN? Complete Guide 2026

Learn what obfuscated VPN servers are, how they hide VPN traffic to bypass firewalls and censorship, and which VPNs offer the best obfuscation technology.