Independent VPN & cybersecurity reviews. We may earn a commission when you buy through our links.

Methodology

How we test.

Every product we review goes through a hands-on test. We buy subscriptions, install the software, run it through real workflows, and measure what matters. Here is exactly how.

Our testing principles

  1. We pay. Every review starts with a real purchase using our own payment method. No comped accounts, no vendor-supplied test data.
  2. We use the product. Not just install it. We complete real workflows — sending campaigns, building funnels, connecting to networks — over a minimum of two weeks.
  3. We measure. For VPNs, that means speed tests from multiple regions, DNS leak checks, and kill-switch verification. For email platforms, it means inbox placement across Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo.
  4. We re-test. We update reviews on a recurring schedule. Vendors change pricing, ship new features, or have incidents. Our reviews reflect the current state.
  5. We disclose. Affiliate relationships are flagged with rel="sponsored". We never accept payment to soften a review.

VPN testing checklist

  • Jurisdiction and intelligence-sharing alliance exposure
  • Independent audit history (PwC, Deloitte, Cure53, etc.)
  • RAM-only servers and diskless infrastructure
  • Speed tests from 5+ regions over 7 days
  • DNS leak and WebRTC leak tests
  • Kill-switch and split-tunneling reliability
  • Streaming unblocking (Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer)
  • Support response time and quality
  • Transparency reports and warrant canaries

Email marketing testing checklist

  • Deliverability across Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo
  • Automation builder complexity ceiling
  • Template editor quality and responsive design
  • List management and segmentation
  • Integrations (Shopify, WordPress, CRMs)
  • Pricing model — per contact vs per send
  • SMS and WhatsApp capabilities
  • Reporting depth and custom date ranges

CRM testing checklist

  • Pipeline management and deal stages
  • Built-in calling and SMS
  • Email sequences and templates
  • Workflow automation triggers
  • Reporting and forecasting accuracy
  • Mobile app quality
  • Integrations with email platforms and calendars
  • Pricing transparency and per-user costs

How we score

We do not use a single star rating. Instead, every review ends with a clear "best for" recommendation: who this product is best suited to, and who should look elsewhere. This is more useful than a number because the right CRM for a 5-person sales team is not the right CRM for a 50-person sales team.

Conflicts of interest

We mark affiliate links with rel="sponsored". We use a small number of affiliate programs, and we have turned down vendors who asked for favorable coverage in exchange for higher commission rates. If a vendor gives us comped access, we disclose it in the review footer.

Update schedule

VPNs: every 6 months, or immediately after a major feature change.

Email and CRM platforms: every 6 months.

Other categories: annually, or when a new entrant warrants it.