VPN services implement various features that affect security, privacy, functionality, and user experience. Features range from essential security controls such as kill switches and leak protection to convenience features like automatic connections and protocol selection. Understanding how features work and what they provide helps users evaluate VPN implementations and select services that meet specific requirements. Feature availability, implementation quality, and configuration options vary significantly between VPN providers.
Security Features
Kill Switch
A kill switch blocks network traffic when VPN connections fail or drop unexpectedly. See VPN kill switch for detailed information. Without kill switches, brief VPN disconnections can expose real IP addresses and allow unencrypted traffic transmission. Kill switches monitor VPN connection status and can block all traffic or specific applications when connections are not active. Implementation varies:
- Application-Level Kill Switch: Blocks specific applications when VPN disconnects, allowing other applications to continue using network connections
- System-Level Kill Switch: Blocks all internet traffic system-wide when VPN connections fail, providing more comprehensive protection
Kill switches are particularly important for privacy-sensitive activities, P2P file sharing, and situations where IP exposure must be prevented.
DNS Leak Protection
DNS leak protection ensures that DNS queries are routed through VPN tunnels rather than using default DNS servers provided by internet service providers. Without protection, DNS queries may bypass VPN tunnels, revealing which domains users access even when web traffic is encrypted. VPNs should operate their own DNS servers and route all DNS queries through encrypted tunnels. Users can test for DNS leaks using online tools that verify DNS query routing and identify potential leaks.
IPv6 Leak Protection
Some VPN implementations only protect IPv4 traffic, leaving IPv6 traffic exposed. IPv6 leak protection ensures that IPv6 traffic is either tunneled through VPN connections or blocked entirely to prevent exposure. As IPv6 adoption increases, IPv6 leak protection becomes more important for comprehensive security. Users should verify that VPN implementations handle IPv6 appropriately for their network environments.
Encryption Implementation
Encryption protects VPN traffic from interception and observation. Strong encryption implementations are essential for security:
- AES-256: Advanced Encryption Standard with 256-bit keys is widely used and considered secure against current computational threats
- ChaCha20: Stream cipher that provides equivalent security, often used in mobile implementations due to performance characteristics on mobile processors
Encryption strength depends on algorithm selection, key sizes, and implementation quality. Outdated or weak encryption such as PPTP should be avoided, as it is vulnerable to attacks.
Connection Features
Split Tunneling
Split tunneling allows users to route some traffic through VPN connections while other traffic uses direct internet connections. Users can configure which applications or network traffic should use VPNs and which should bypass VPNs. This enables selective VPN usage: applications that need VPN protection can use VPN tunnels, while applications that need direct connections or faster speeds can bypass VPNs. Split tunneling provides flexibility but requires careful configuration to ensure appropriate traffic is protected. Use cases include routing sensitive browsing through VPNs while streaming uses direct connections, accessing local network devices while VPN is active, or using applications that require local IP addresses.
Automatic Connection
Automatic connection features activate VPNs under specified conditions without manual intervention. Common triggers include:
- Device startup, automatically connecting VPNs when devices boot
- Untrusted network detection, activating VPNs when connecting to new or untrusted Wi-Fi networks
- Application-based triggers, connecting VPNs when specific applications launch
Automatic connections help ensure consistent VPN protection without requiring users to manually enable VPNs for each session. This is particularly useful for maintaining protection on mobile devices or when frequently switching networks.
Protocol Selection
VPNs may support multiple protocols, allowing users to select protocols based on requirements:
- WireGuard: Modern protocol designed for simplicity and performance, using state-of-the-art cryptography. Offers high performance with strong security
- OpenVPN: Open source protocol with proven security track record, highly configurable, and widely supported. Can be more resource-intensive than newer protocols
- IKEv2/IPSec: Suited for mobile devices, handles network changes efficiently, provides good security
- L2TP/IPSec: Older protocol that remains reliable as a fallback option, though less efficient than modern protocols
Having multiple protocol options provides flexibility for different network environments and use cases. Some networks may block specific VPN protocols, making protocol selection important for connectivity.
Privacy Features
No-Logs Policy
A no-logs policy means VPN providers commit to not recording, storing, or retaining information about user activities. This typically includes browsing history, connection timestamps, original IP addresses, data transmitted, and connection metadata. See no-logs policy for detailed information. If providers do not log data, they cannot share, sell, or disclose it even if legally compelled. Users should look for independently audited no-logs claims rather than relying solely on provider statements.
RAM-Only Servers
Some VPN providers operate servers that store data only in RAM (volatile memory) rather than on persistent storage devices. RAM-only servers mean that data cannot persist after power loss or server restarts, as RAM contents are cleared when servers reboot. This architecture makes long-term data storage difficult or impossible, providing additional assurance that logging does not occur. However, RAM-only architecture does not guarantee no-logs policies, as data could still be logged before being cleared, and implementation details vary between providers.
Multi-Hop Connections
Multi-hop (also called double VPN or cascading) routes traffic through multiple VPN servers in sequence rather than a single server. Traffic is encrypted multiple times: first between the user and the first server, then between the first server and the second server, and finally between the second server and the destination. This provides additional encryption layers and makes traffic analysis more difficult, as no single server has complete visibility into both the source and destination. However, multi-hop connections typically reduce performance due to additional routing and encryption overhead, and may not provide significantly better security for most users compared to properly configured single-hop connections.
Traffic Obfuscation
Traffic obfuscation (also called stealth mode) disguises VPN traffic to appear as regular HTTPS traffic, making it more difficult to detect and block VPN usage. Obfuscation techniques modify packet headers, timing, or other characteristics to avoid VPN detection mechanisms. This is useful in environments where VPNs are blocked or restricted, such as certain countries with internet censorship, corporate networks that block VPN traffic, or networks that throttle VPN connections. Obfuscation can help bypass restrictions, though effectiveness varies and some detection systems may still identify obfuscated VPN traffic.
Server Features
Specialty Servers
Some VPNs operate servers optimized for specific purposes:
- Streaming Servers: Servers configured to bypass geographic restrictions and VPN detection mechanisms used by streaming services
- P2P Servers: Servers that allow and are optimized for peer-to-peer file sharing traffic
- Gaming Servers: Servers optimized for low latency to support online gaming requirements
- Obfuscated Servers: Servers that implement traffic obfuscation to avoid detection and blocking
Specialty servers may provide better performance or functionality for specific use cases, though availability and effectiveness vary between providers.
Port Forwarding
Port forwarding allows incoming connections to devices through VPN servers. When port forwarding is enabled, VPN servers forward incoming connections on specified ports to user devices, enabling devices behind VPNs to accept incoming connections. This can improve P2P file sharing performance by enabling better peer connectivity, allows hosting game servers through VPNs, and enables running servers that require incoming connections. Port forwarding can have security implications, as it exposes devices to incoming connections from the internet.
Dedicated IP Addresses
Some VPNs offer dedicated IP addresses that are assigned exclusively to individual users rather than shared among multiple users. Dedicated IPs can reduce the likelihood of being blocked by services that flag shared VPN IP addresses, may result in fewer CAPTCHA challenges, and can be useful for business applications. However, dedicated IPs are more identifiable than shared IPs, as traffic from a dedicated IP can be attributed to a single user rather than mixed with traffic from other users. This reduces some privacy benefits of VPN usage.
User Experience Features
Simultaneous Connections
VPN subscriptions typically allow a specified number of simultaneous connections, meaning multiple devices can use the VPN service at the same time under one account. Connection limits range from 5 to unlimited depending on providers. Users should consider how many devices they need to protect simultaneously, including personal devices (smartphones, laptops, tablets), family members' devices, smart TVs, streaming devices, and other network-connected devices. Connection limits affect the value and usability of VPN subscriptions for users with multiple devices.
Application Interface
VPN applications vary in user interface design and usability features. Interface characteristics that may be relevant include:
- One-click connection interfaces that simplify VPN activation
- Server selection interfaces that help users choose appropriate servers
- Connection status indicators that clearly show VPN connection state
- Settings access that allows users to configure VPN options
- Speed testing features integrated into applications
Interface quality affects usability and can make VPNs easier or more difficult to use effectively.
Browser Extensions
VPN browser extensions provide VPN functionality specifically for web browsers. Extensions are typically lighter-weight than full VPN applications and can be quickly enabled or disabled. However, browser extensions only protect browser traffic and do not protect traffic from other applications on devices. Extensions may be useful for quick browser protection or when full VPN installation is not desired, but they provide less comprehensive protection than system-wide VPN applications.
Router Integration
Some VPNs support router configuration, allowing VPNs to be installed directly on routers. Router-based VPNs protect all devices connected to routers automatically, without requiring VPN applications on individual devices. This is useful for protecting devices that do not support VPN applications, protecting entire households with a single VPN connection, and securing smart home devices. Router configuration requires technical expertise and router compatibility, and may affect network performance.
Additional Features
DNS-Level Blocking
Some VPNs include DNS-level blocking features that filter advertisements, tracking scripts, and known malicious domains. DNS blocking operates by intercepting DNS queries and blocking requests to domains on blocklists before connections are established. This provides network-wide protection that affects all devices using VPN DNS servers, not just web browsers. DNS blocking can reduce advertising, prevent connections to malicious domains, and block tracking at the network level. However, DNS blocking may sometimes block legitimate content or require whitelist management.
Threat Protection
Some VPNs include threat protection features that scan downloads or web traffic for malicious content before it reaches user devices. Threat protection may analyze files, URLs, or network traffic to identify malware, phishing attempts, or other security threats. This can provide additional security beyond VPN encryption, though threat protection capabilities and effectiveness vary significantly between providers. Threat protection features may introduce performance overhead and privacy considerations depending on implementation.
Breach Monitoring
Some VPNs include features that monitor data breach databases and alert users if their email addresses or other information appear in known data breaches. Breach monitoring compares user-provided information against databases of credentials and personal information exposed in data breaches, providing notifications when matches are found. This helps users identify compromised accounts and take action such as changing passwords. Breach monitoring is typically an additional feature rather than core VPN functionality.
Feature Evaluation Considerations
When evaluating VPN features, consider:
- Whether features are necessary for specific use cases or threat models
- How features are implemented and whether implementations are effective
- Whether additional features introduce complexity, performance overhead, or privacy concerns
- How feature availability and quality compare between providers
- Whether features align with stated security and privacy goals
Not all features are necessary for all users, and feature evaluation should consider specific requirements and use cases rather than assuming more features are always better.