---
title: "How We Test VPNs — Our Methodology | vpnrank.io"
description: "The exact methodology behind every VPNRank score: speed benchmarks, leak testing, streaming verification, in-country access checks, and our scoring rubric."
url: https://vpnrank.io/how-we-test
language: en
---

# How We Test VPNs

The methodology behind every score and ranking on vpnrank.io.

## The basics

-   We purchase our own subscription to every VPN we evaluate.
-   All VPNs are tested against the same checklist, on the same hardware, in the same period.
-   Scores are updated when providers ship significant changes — new protocols, pricing changes, audit results, infrastructure moves.
-   We disclose affiliate relationships on every page; commissions never feed into the rubric.

## Speed benchmarks

Our reference benchmark runs on a wired 1 Gbps fiber connection (US East). For each VPN we measure download, upload, and latency across that provider's recommended protocol (WireGuard-family protocols like NordLynx and Lightway where available, OpenVPN as fallback), connecting to nearby and long-haul servers. Each figure we publish is the average of multiple runs at different times of day, not a single best case.

Speed numbers quoted on comparison pages refer to this reference benchmark unless a page explicitly says otherwise. Long-distance routes (for example, connecting back to a home-country server from Asia) are slower than the reference figures — we flag expected retention ranges on the relevant travel guides.

## Privacy & security checks

-   **Leak testing:** DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leak checks on every platform app, including reconnection and network-switch scenarios.
-   **Kill switch:** we cut the VPN connection mid-transfer and verify no packets escape unencrypted.
-   **Encryption & protocols:** we verify advertised cipher suites and protocol implementations.
-   **Audits & jurisdiction:** we track independent no-logs audits (KPMG, PwC, Deloitte) and weigh provider jurisdiction.

## Streaming & access verification

We verify whether each VPN can reliably access major streaming platforms from the relevant server regions, re-checking periodically because platforms update their VPN detection continuously. A pass means video plays reliably — not just that the page loads.

For country-specific guides, access checks are run from in-country vantage points — a mix of remote probes and local contributors — rather than from a single lab. Conditions in restrictive markets change quickly; where our information has a meaningful chance of being stale, the page says so.

## The scoring rubric

Each VPN's overall score weighs:

-   **Speed (25%):** reference benchmark results and consistency.
-   **Privacy & security (30%):** audits, jurisdiction, leak tests, kill switch, encryption.
-   **Reliability & access (20%):** connection stability and streaming/access verification.
-   **Apps & usability (15%):** platform coverage, app quality, support.
-   **Value (10%):** pricing against the feature set, guarantee terms.

## Limitations — read this

No VPN review site tests everything continuously, and we would rather be upfront about it. Our speed figures are point-in-time measurements from defined locations, not guarantees of what you will see on your connection. Streaming access can change between our re-checks. Network conditions inside restrictive countries vary by city, ISP, and week.

If you find a claim on this site that does not match your experience, tell us at [hello@vpnrank.io](mailto:hello@vpnrank.io) — verified corrections ship fast.

## Who runs these tests

Testing is led by [Martín Rossi](https://vpnrank.io/authors/martin-rossi) (Editor-in-Chief & Lead VPN Tester), with [Diego Pereyra](https://vpnrank.io/authors/diego-pereyra) on security and protocols, [Sofía Giménez](https://vpnrank.io/authors/sofia-gimenez) on privacy and no-logs audits, and [Lucía Fernández](https://vpnrank.io/authors/lucia-fernandez) on streaming and unblocking. Meet the [full team](https://vpnrank.io/authors) and see how we are funded on the [About page](https://vpnrank.io/about).

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