4 things you need to know when choosing the best Black Friday VPN deal

On November 25, 2024By Pranco

The time of year shoppers most look forward to is just a stone’s throw away, and you might have an eye on the best VPNs this time. From improving your online privacy and security to easily bypassing geo-restrictions, VPNs are versatile tools that anyone can use.

Thanks to the best Black Friday VPN dealsyou can now buy one of these premium apps for a fraction of the price. However, not every VPN deal is right for you – or worth your money. Keep reading as I show you the most important things to consider when making your choice.

1. VPNs are not equal

Of course, the main purpose of any VPN is to make your digital life more secure and simpler. A virtual private network (VPN) is security software that encrypts your Internet connection to prevent third-party snooping and reduce online tracking.

A VPN also spoofs your real IP address, allowing you to access otherwise geo-blocked content – whether that’s a foreign streaming library (like Netflix US) or a censored application – wherever you are in the world.

Still, not all VPNs offer the same level of protection and performance. This is why experts at TechRadar regularly review numerous services to determine how well they deliver on their promises.

To start, I recommend using our latest VPN rankings to see which providers are leading the way. A strict privacy policy without log files, strong encryption protocols (like WireGuard and OpenVPN), a global server network, and reliable connection speeds are all must-haves for your next VPN.

2. Think about your needs

While most VPNs have everything you need to support your daily browsing, some services are lacking in certain areas. So it’s important to consider why you need a VPN in the first place and make sure any provider you’re considering meets all the right requirements.

For example, if privacy and security are your main concern, then recommend choosing a reliable one VPN without log packed with extra security features, such as a built-in ad blocker to reduce online tracking, a kill switch that ensures that if your VPN connection is lost, your data will not be visible, protection against malware and more.

Looking for the best streaming VPN? Performance is crucial here. Your service should have a good track record of unblocking content from global streaming platforms while having a generous international server network and fast speeds. Add reliably VPN obfuscation technology on the list if you need to beat strict online censorship.

The service’s device limit, that is, the maximum number of connected devices you can use with one subscription, is also an important feature to consider, especially if you want to protect your family or household. This can even vary greatly, for example with Surf shark or Private Internet Access (PIA) even offers unlimited connections.

3. Some VPNs are much more than a VPN

Digital threats are unfortunately becoming increasingly diversified, meaning that overall digital protection has never been more important. This is why subscribing to one of the best VPN providers on the market more often than not means you get a lot more than just now a VPN service.

To take NordVPNFor example. When you subscribe, not only do you get the premium VPN service packed with all the goods you’d expect from an industry leader (and a few extras), but you also have access to reliable password manager and tracker blocker tools. The same goes for ExpressVPN, Proton VPNand a few others.

If you are also looking Identity theft protection this Black Friday you’ll be happy to know that ExpressVPN just launched a new two-year plan including the Identity Defender service – and it’s a holiday bargain.

VPN illustration

(Image credit: Getty Images)

4. Price isn’t everything

I know, Black Friday is about getting things cheaper, right? However, the smallest prices are not always the best choice, even during sales season.

I recommend looking at the Black Friday VPN deals (and all the other discounts for that matter) and thinking about the value for money one service offers compared to the other.

You also don’t have to worry about your choice being the wrong choice. Most VPNs come with a money-back guarantee period, so you can try it out risk-free first and decide later.