How we compare VPNs

Last updated 2026-06-18.

Most VPN "top 10" lists rank on commission and unverifiable speed claims. We're transparent about exactly what our comparison is — and what it isn't.

What our comparison is based on

Every figure on TunnelScore — jurisdiction, no-logs audit status, server counts, device limits, intro and renewal prices, refund windows — comes from each provider's own published pages and audit reports, and is dated. We record source URLs and a last verified date (currently 2026-06-18) and re-check on a schedule. VPN deals are introductory and renew higher, so we always show the renewal terms, and we tell you to confirm the live price before buying.

What it is not

We do not publish synthetic speed tests, leak tests or "we used it for a month" narratives. Plenty of sites claim hands-on testing without evidence; we'd rather be honest that our edge is rigorous, sourced specification and privacy analysis — not invented numbers. Where independent performance or audit data exists, we point you to the primary source.

How the recommender scores VPNs

Our selector turns your inputs (use case, devices, budget) into a ranking, combining the verified entry price with transparent editorial scores we assign from published specs:

Privacy — jurisdiction, independent no-logs audit, and ownership transparency.
Streaming — provider-stated unblocking and obfuscation support.
Torrenting — P2P support, port forwarding and privacy posture.
Travel / China — obfuscation and reliability on restrictive networks.
Value — entry price, device count and what's included.

These capability scores are judgements, not lab measurements — which is why we publish them here. Budget and device fit use the real dataset numbers. The result is deterministic: the same inputs always produce the same ranking.

How we stay independent

TunnelScore earns affiliate commissions from some VPNs (see our affiliate disclosure). Commissions never influence scores or rankings, which are set by the criteria above. We include providers that pay us nothing where relevant, and we say plainly who each VPN is wrong for.

Our sources

The dataset behind this site draws on official provider pages and audit reports, including: