VPN Buying Guide: Features That Actually Matter

By Thomas Løvaslokøy · Published June 1, 2026

Once you have understood that a VPN is about trust and privacy, the next question is which features genuinely matter and which are marketing filler. The feature list on a VPN site is long on purpose; only a handful of items should actually drive your choice.

The essentials are few. A modern protocol (WireGuard or equivalent) for speed and security; a reliable kill switch that blocks traffic if the VPN drops, so you are never silently exposed; enough simultaneous device connections for your household; and apps for every platform you use. Server count matters less than people think — what matters is having fast servers where you actually need them. Providers like WiTopia and PureVPN compete on exactly these practical features, so compare them on protocol, kill switch and device limits rather than on raw server numbers.

The gimmicks to discount: enormous server counts, vague "optimised" servers, and bundled "extras" you will never configure. Pay for reliability and the core features, not the longest list.

Price strategy is its own skill. VPN pricing is built around long multi-year commitments at steep discounts that renew at much higher rates — note the renewal price, not just the intro price. This is the same scepticism we apply across the site, from choosing the best VPN to evaluating cheap software keys. And remember a VPN is only one layer alongside antivirus.

Buy on protocol, kill switch and device count — and always check the renewal price. General guidance, not advice for a specific threat model.