Which VPN to choose today?

[carlo996]

Looking to use Sky and various other things whilst in Europe and other places.

Nord seems to come up a lot also Surfshark. Much of a muchness or something deeper to consider?

[PF62]

carlo996 said:

or something deeper to consider?

A Raspberry Pi running a WireGuard VPN through PiVPN.

A one-off cost to buy the Pi, and when using the VPN there no issue that the broadcaster has sussed that the commercial VPN IP address is a VPN and blocked it as the IP address is just your home's so it seems to them you are at home.

And whilst you are at it you can put PiHole on the Pi as well to remove all the adverts when browsing the web or streaming TV, either whilst at home or whilst using the VPN.

[Fore Left]

I've always found this site better than most for VPN reviews. They're also quite upfront where they receive commission for click-throughs

https://restoreprivacy.com/vpn/best/

[eeLee]

you should separate geo-restricted services from others - Netflix for example works everywhere and will give you content from your current location. This means things come and go from the library.

If you're able to run a linux host then PiVPN is a good option because it will beat the geo-blocks (Netflix is very good as this).

I actually use a blend of PiVPN (not on a Pi) plus a SmartDNS service.

[dapprman]

If you're looking at a commercial package be aware Sky are very active at identifying the servers and blocking them, as I found out when trying to watch a F1 race while in France.

[Griffith4ever]

I've used nord in the past and express last month for Iplayer, 5 live etc. Sometimes you have to try different UK servers but it takes seconds. I also had to change my tablet clock to UK time when I was in Thailand for some streaming players to work.

[superpp]

If this purely for watching geo locked TV, get a SmartDNS instead.
I use getflix, it's a much better solution than VPN.

[carlo996]

superpp said:

If this purely for watching geo locked TV, get a SmartDNS instead.
I use getflix, it's a much better solution than VPN.

Sounds good, never used one, will this also work with Sky content?

[durbster]

PF62 said:

carlo996 said:

or something deeper to consider?

A Raspberry Pi running a WireGuard VPN through PiVPN.

A one-off cost to buy the Pi, and when using the VPN there no issue that the broadcaster has sussed that the commercial VPN IP address is a VPN and blocked it as the IP address is just your home's so it seems to them you are at home.

And whilst you are at it you can put PiHole on the Pi as well to remove all the adverts when browsing the web or streaming TV, either whilst at home or whilst using the VPN.

Surely a VPN is most useful when you're away from your nice, secure home wifi. I presume people aren't taking their Pis into Costa or on holiday with them.

I use Proton's VPN but it's not free. It comes with their paid email service.

[Harpoon]

durbster said:

Surely a VPN is most useful when you're away from your nice, secure home wifi. I presume people aren't taking their Pis into Costa or on holiday with them.

I use Proton's VPN but it's not free. It comes with their paid email service.

You missed the point I think - you VPN back to your home from overseas, tunnel all traffic from your laptop / tablet / whatever through the VPN and then straight back out via your domestic ISP. I don't use a Pi but have used this method for years.

[Griffith4ever]

Just thought that's a great idea! Then realised I only have about 2.5mb upstream :-(

[extraT]

ExpressVPN has been my go to for years. Renewal due soon, so following this. At the last renewal they wouldn’t give me an incentive to stay so I spoke (wrote) to their live chats told them I was happy and WANT to stay. They said the best they could offer me was 12+2 months free (or whatever) the same as a new subscription. I took that. If there are better deals to be had, I’m also all ears.

[durbster]

Harpoon said:

durbster said:

Surely a VPN is most useful when you're away from your nice, secure home wifi. I presume people aren't taking their Pis into Costa or on holiday with them.

I use Proton's VPN but it's not free. It comes with their paid email service.

You missed the point I think - you VPN back to your home from overseas, tunnel all traffic from your laptop / tablet / whatever through the VPN and then straight back out via your domestic ISP. I don't use a Pi but have used this method for years.

Ah, of course. That makes more sense then, if your connection is up to it (sorry Griffith4ever ).

[119]

Didn't realise promoting illegal activity was ignored on PH.

[extraT]

What (do you think) is illegal about a VPN…?

[Griffith4ever]

extraT said:

What (do you think) is illegal about a VPN…?

I actually can't believe someone is actually trying to troll this thread. Must be a quiet day.

[119]

Griffith4ever said:

extraT said:

What (do you think) is illegal about a VPN…?

I actually can't believe someone is actually trying to troll this thread. Must be a quiet day.

Nope, just not a technical geek and i always just assumed VPN's were used to hide nefarious activity.

[Ham_and_Jam]

[redacted]

[119]

[redacted]

[Cardiff_Exile]

I use Surfshark and works while travelling, hearing good things about mullvad of late and when my subscription expires may switch