In the age of internet restrictions, web filtering, hacking and loss of privacy; A VPN service is important for online safety and security.
Virtual Private Networks, or VPNs , are secure networks that provide security and privacy to the user while they browse online. They ensure that data sent and received between your device and the service provider is encrypted. The best VPN service also prevents DNS leaks and don’t log any user / internet activities.
Then there is the 5/9/14 countries that monitor their citizens online and share personal data with their partners. So several things combined, we know that our digital life is not safe from prying eyes.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the best VPN providers available for Pakistan, including relianble free VPN services.
How VPN Services Protect Your Information Online
Let’s first talk about the 5/9/14 countries.
The Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, and Fourteen Eyes are intelligence alliances who monitor and share internet users’ activity and data to protect national security. Now while this started between USA and UK, few more countries have joined in, including Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Denmark, France, the Netherlands, Norway, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Sweden, and Spain.
So, when it comes to your online security, VPN services are your best ally.
Uses of a VPN Service
- Enhanced Online Privacy: VPNs protect your online privacy by encrypting your internet traffic and masking your IP address. This ensures that your online activities, including browsing history and downloads, remain private, even from your Internet Service Provider (ISP).
- Security on Public Wi-Fi Networks: When connecting to public Wi-Fi networks, VPNs create a secure and encrypted connection, protecting your data from potential threats and ensuring that your online activity remains private.
- Accessing Restricted Content: VPNs allow users in Pakistan to bypass geo-restrictions imposed by content providers or the government. By connecting to servers in different countries, you can access region-specific content, including streaming services like Netflix US, BBC iPlayer, PTV Sports, and more.
- Unblock Social Media Platforms and Websites: In Pakistan, where certain social media platforms and websites may be blocked, VPNs allow you to bypass these restrictions and access them freely.
A VPN service is also useful if you are purchasing items from the USA and are afraid that the store will pick your location from your IP and not allow you to checkout.
Online Safety Features to Consider in a VPN Service
There are many VPN services but what you need to look for is a handful of things only. Reliable and trustworthy VPN services offer the following protections for your online information:
Encryption: VPNs encrypt your internet traffic, making it unreadable to third parties. This safeguard prevents unauthorized access to your sensitive data, such as passwords, financial information, and browsing history. Opt for VPNs that offer robust encryption, such as AES-256, and support secure protocols like OpenVPN. Additional security features like DNS leak protection and a kill switch add further layers of protection.
IP Address Masking: VPNs hide your real IP address and replace it with one from their server network. This masking ensures that your online activities remain anonymous and your true identity is protected.
No Log Policy: Make sure VPN states that they don’t log user activity. Choose VPN providers with strict no-logs policies to ensure that your online activities are not tracked or recorded. This enhances your privacy and ensures that your data remains confidential.
Threat Protection / Malware and Ad Blocking: VPN services provide an additional layer of security by protecting your connection against threats such as malware, hackers, and phishing attempts. Check if your desired service provides additional security against malware, ads and tracking.
Double Check Jurisdiction of VPN: Choose a VPN operating outside the reach of intelligence-sharing partner countries we mentioned above.
Always Research Privacy Violations. You should check out a VPN’s privacy policy to know what data they collect and for what.
Server Location: The more locations the better and there shouldn’t be any restrictions on browsing.
Simultaneous Connections: If you can, then this is great to have multiple connections at the same time especially if you have number of devices and plan to share your account with family members.
Smartphone Apps: Look for VPN services with user-friendly interfaces and intuitive mobile apps across various devices and platforms. This makes it easier for you to set up and use the VPN efficiently.
Best VPN for Pakistan Users
Here are some tried and tested VPN services for users in Pakistan, these range from free to paid. All these services adhere to security and privacy features we’ve gone into details above. Where they differ, we’ve made a note of it.
Surfshark VPN
Surfshark is a highly regarded VPN service that offers a range of features to ensure online privacy and online security. It got a user-friendly interface and impressive features.
One of the standout features of Surfshark is its unlimited connected device policy. Unlike many other VPN provider, Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous connections under a single account. This makes it an excellent choice for individuals or families with multiple devices.
Surfshark also boasts a strict no-logs policy, which means that it does not keep any records of your online activities. This commitment to privacy ensures that your browsing history, connection timestamp, IP address, and other sensitive data remain private and secure.
In addition to its privacy features, Surfshark offers advanced security measures such as AES-256 encryption, which provides robust protection for your data. It also includes features like a kill switch, which automatically disconnects your internet connection if the VPN connection drops, preventing any potential data leaks.
Surfshark has a vast network of servers spread across numerous countries, allowing users to access geo-restricted content and bypass censorship. These servers provide fast and secure connection, ensuring a smooth browsing experience.
If you don’t have an antivirus, Surfshark has that area covered for you too! There won’t be any malware issues on your devices if you have Surfshark as your personal VPN provider.
Payment plans are fairly straight forward, and you can pay with a credit card, PayPal, Sofort, Google Pay, Amazon Pay & Crypto. With a 30-day money back guarantee, this VPN provider is a great choice.
Proton VPN
Proton VPN is the best VPN if you are looking for a free VPN.
Developed by the team behind ProtonMail, it offers a range of features like strong emphasis on secure access. Based out of Switzerland, a country known for its robust privacy laws, and operates under Swiss jurisdiction, Proton VPN ensures that your data is safe from intrusive surveillance.
The service offers IP masking, DNS leak protection, has an integrated ad-blocker, a strict no-logs policy, and an added VPN accelerator feature, which helps to optimize your connection speed and reduce latency, providing a smooth and fast browsing experience.
ProtonVPN provides a free plan with no data limits, no artificial speed limits, and no compromises on your privacy and security. The only limitation is on the countries available on the free plan.
The service covers 65+ countries, offers upto 10 simultaneous connections, ad blocker and malware protection, double hop, P2P and high speed streaming support.
You can buy their plan using Visa, Mastercard, American Express, PayPal, or Proton credits. Once you’ve created an account, you can purchase Proton credits using cash, bank transfers, or Bitcoin. Depending on the plan you choose, you can renew the service for the same length you signed up for
Atlas VPN
Although relatively new, Atlas VPN offers a secure and straightforward VPN service. They also provide a free plan with unlimited connections and streaming support. The only restriction is on the locations available.
Unfotunately, despite being owned by Nord Security i.e. the parent company of NordVPN, they are registered in USA, so beware. Despite their strict no-logs policy, they are bound by the laws of the country they are registered in.
Warning aside, it is a user-friendly VPN service that prioritizes online privacy and online security. It offers a range of features to protect your digital presence and ensure a seamless browsing experience.
Atlas VPN utilizes a robust internet protocol security encryption like AES-256, ChaCha20, and IPSec VPN IKEv2, along with WireGuard. This way its VPN technology can protect your data from cybercriminals and provide network security, ensuring secure connection. To further enhance security, it includes malware blocking, which helps protect your device from malicious websites and online threats.
One of the standout features of Atlas VPN is its unlimited device connections. With a single subscription, you can use an unlimited number of devices. It has an ad-blocker feature, which enhances your browsing experience by blocking intrusive ads and trackers.
Atlas VPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, and while there are only paid plans, you can buy using credit card, PayPal, GPay and Crypto.
NordVPN
One of the most popular VPN services worldwide and ranked the best VPN of 2021 by many popular publications, NordVPN has over 5700 servers in 60 countries and offers all plans on 30-day money back guarantee.
It is by far the fastest VPN provider for online streaming and the best choice for iPhone users. It and boasts many security features through their VPN app such as double VPN, CyberSec, and Onion over VPN, to enhance users’ online security and privacy. They have a strict no logs policy and offer plenty of encryption options to choose from. NordLynx is their own VPN protocol of choice that is built on WireGuard. In addition to NordLynx, NordVPN supports OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPSec protocols.
All NordVPN plans come with Malware protection and if you’re on a Windows or Mac machine, you get the full benefits of their Threat Protection service. Dark web monitor and Meshnet are two other unique features of this service. Dark web monitor ensures your private information does not surface on the dark web without your knowledge. Meshnet allows users to setup their own unqiue private network to share files, work, game, etc.
Split tunneling, Private DNS, Kill switch and double VPN are some other popular features that NordVPN apps posses.
You can pay via all major cards, PayPal and cryptocurrencies. You can also use this service on the go via their iOS and Android apps.
Nord VPN offers extra 3 months FREE on a 2 year plan. Get the deal today.
ExpressVPN
Known to be one of the fastest VPN services, Express VPN is also the most expensive on the list but it is worth every cent. Express VPN provides people with unlimited access to the internet, including websites and apps. It has its own secured DNS which prevents the leakage of sensitive data. With a 30 day money back guarantee, Express VPN provides its customers with a hassle free service.
Currently, the only limitations to the service is its 5 simulataneuos device connections and an initial signup duration of 15 months instead of 2+ years.
You can watch Netflix, Amazon, prime and much more with Express VPN. Their setup and software are very straightforward and painless to use. It bypasses the country restrictions very well and safeguards privacy to a much greater extent.
ExpressVPN accepts payment via VISA, Mastercard, and American Express. They have dedicated apps for iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV and plent of other devices.
Windscribe
If you are on a budget and a light user, Windscribe is the answer you are looking for. For a free plan offering 10GB of data per month, 10 locations to pick from and unlimited connections, you will be hard-pressed to find a more suitable free service.
Windscribe has paid plans that start from $9/mo or you can choose an annual plan for $69/yr. The most intriguing plan is where you can configure the locations yourself. This ‘build a plan’ is set for $1/location/mo and is extremely handy if you’re a low end user who needs access to specific locations only. For instance, if you’re a Swedish expat and wish to access Sweden’s banking services from another country, why not pay $1 and get access to Stockholm only?
To purchase, simply use Bitcoin or PayPal or any major credit card. If you are into free account only, simply tweet about it to get additional 5GB of data on top of the free 10GB.
Get Windscribe for iOS and Android devices to get started.
For users in Pakistan seeking secure and unrestricted access to online content, all the above are great choices. These VPN use strong security measures, global server locations, and user-friendly interfaces. Whether you need to access geo-restricted content, protect your online privacy, or secure your connection on public Wi-Fi, these VPNs offer reliable solutions. Consider your specific requirements and preferences to select the best VPN service that suits your needs in Pakistan.
We’ll be updating this feature again soon and welcome all feedback regarding these services.
Additionally, if you have used a VPN service which you think should be listed here because of their speed, security, no log policy and usage etc, let us know in the comments below. We’ll take a look and after vetting them, will add to this list.
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Additional Contribution by:
Excellent article!!
Thank you 🙂