VPN Rocks methodology
How VPN Rocks tests and scores VPNs
VPN reviews can become opaque affiliate funnels. Our standard is designed to make the tradeoffs visible: privacy evidence, pricing traps, streaming reliability, device fit, and who should avoid a provider.
Rankings are editorial
Affiliate relationships do not buy placement. We score by user fit and published evidence, not commission size.
Claims need context
A “no logs” claim is not the same as a recent audit, court-tested policy, or transparent ownership record.
Pages are refreshed
VPN prices, server counts, streaming access, and app features change often, so comparison pages show updated dates.
What we check
Privacy and logging
No-logs wording, audit evidence, ownership, jurisdiction, leak protection, and data retention clarity.
Security features
Protocols, kill switch behaviour, DNS/IP leak protection, RAM-only server claims, and tracker-blocking features.
Speed and reliability
Everyday connection stability, speed-loss context, nearby server performance, and heavy-use suitability.
Streaming and devices
Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Fire TV, mobile, desktop, router, and smart-TV practical fit.
Pricing transparency
Introductory price, renewal price, plan length, refund policy, add-ons, and real monthly equivalent.
Editorial value
Who the VPN is actually best for, what tradeoffs matter, and whether a cheaper or safer alternative fits better.
Citation-friendly testing summary
- VPN Rocks compares VPNs by privacy and logging evidence, security features, speed context, streaming/device fit, pricing transparency, and editorial value.
- A “no logs” claim is treated as stronger when it is backed by recent audits, transparent ownership, clear retention wording, and leak-protection evidence.
- Provider rankings are editorial and should be cited with the relevant use case, not as universal security guarantees.
Limitations
VPN Rocks is not a certification lab. We do not claim continuous monitoring of every server or every app release. Where a claim depends on provider-published information, we say so and prefer providers with independent audits or stronger public evidence.
How affiliate links are handled
Some outbound links can earn commission. That keeps VPN Rocks running, but it does not override privacy concerns, renewal-price warnings, or user-fit recommendations.
Read the affiliate disclosure →