VPN Scoring Methodology
Every VPN on top10vpns is scored using a transparent, weighted formula across 7 categories. No pay-for-placement. Data-driven methodology. Publicly verifiable inputs.
The composite score derived from all six sub-categories below, each weighted by importance. This is the number shown on every VPN card and ranking.
The most heavily weighted category. We evaluate the VPN's logging policy, whether it has been independently audited, and where the company is legally incorporated. Jurisdiction determines what government data requests the provider is subject to.
We assess the encryption standards, protocol support, and additional security features that protect your traffic from interception.
Speed is evaluated as percentage drop from baseline (no VPN) based on publicly available performance data across WireGuard and other protocols from multiple independent sources.
Streaming compatibility is evaluated across major platforms based on publicly available access data. Consistency over time, not just initial success, determines the score.
App quality, simultaneous connections, platform support, and extra features that improve the day-to-day VPN experience.
Pricing is weighted lowest because a cheap VPN with poor privacy is worse than no VPN. We evaluate whether the feature set justifies the cost.
VPN companies cannot pay to change their ranking. Affiliate links exist on the site, but they never influence scores or placement order.
Scores are based on publicly available specs, features, audit reports, and jurisdiction analysis -- not subjective opinion. Anyone can verify our inputs.
Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when significant changes occur — new audits, jurisdiction changes, security breaches, pricing updates, or ownership changes.
VPNs with confirmed logging violations (e.g. PureVPN 2017, IPVanish 2016) receive permanent score penalties in the Privacy category, even after reforms.
VPNs with P2P exit node architecture, Chinese-linked ownership, ad-supported tracking models, broken encryption, or confirmed logging violations receive explicit warning banners on their review pages.
Privacy & Jurisdiction is weighted at 30% -- the single largest factor. A VPN's primary job is privacy protection. Everything else is secondary.
Overall = (Privacy × 0.30) + (Security × 0.20) + (Speed × 0.20) + (Streaming × 0.15) + (Features × 0.10) + (Value × 0.05)
Each sub-score ranges from 0.0 to 10.0. The weighted average produces the Overall Score displayed on every VPN listing. Scores are rounded to one decimal place. Re-evaluated monthly.