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ABOUT VPN TIER LISTS

[THE_STORY_BEHIND_THE_RANKINGS]

Why We Built This

The VPN industry is flooded with biased reviews, fake comparisons, and affiliate-driven recommendations. We got tired of seeing the same VPNs promoted everywhere, regardless of their actual quality or value.

That's why we created VPN Tier Lists – a platform that offers TWO independent ranking systems:

Tom's Expert Rankings

Based on rigorous testing, technical analysis, and years of VPN expertise. Tom evaluates each VPN across multiple criteria including speed, security, privacy policies, and real-world performance.

Community Rankings

Powered by real user reviews and experiences. The community ranking reflects what actual VPN users think, creating a democratic tier list based on collective experiences.

By providing both perspectives, we give you the complete picture – expert analysis AND community consensus.

Our Mission

Transparency First

All our ranking criteria are public. Tom's scoring spreadsheet is openly accessible, and community reviews are verified and transparent.

Merit-Based Rankings

Rankings are determined solely by performance metrics and user reviews. Our funding model is completely separate from our ranking methodology.

Community Driven

Your voice matters. Through reviews, forum discussions, and feedback, you help shape the community rankings and improve the platform.

How We're Funded - 100% Transparency

100% Funded by Affiliate Links

This site is 100% funded through affiliate commissions. When you click on a VPN link and make a purchase, we receive a commission. This is how we keep the lights on, pay for hosting, and maintain the platform.

You always have the choice to click or not click. We're completely transparent about this funding model.

What We DON'T Do

NO Sponsored Placements: VPNs cannot pay us for better rankings or tier placement.
NO Sponsored Buyouts: We don't accept money to write positive reviews or remove negative ones.
NO Undisclosed Partnerships: Every affiliate relationship is clearly marked with link icons.
NO VPN Investments: We have ZERO equity, investments, or financial ties to any VPN company.

Why This Matters

The VPN review industry is plagued by conflicts of interest:

  • • Many "review" sites are secretly owned by VPN companies
  • • Others accept massive payments for top placements
  • • Some have undisclosed equity stakes in the VPNs they "review"
  • • Most hide their funding sources and partnerships

We believe affiliate funding is the most honest method when done transparently. You see exactly how we make money, and you choose whether to support us or not.

Bottom Line: Our rankings are based on merit, not money.

Affiliate links fund the site, but they don't influence the rankings. Period.

What Makes Us Different

No fake "Best VPN 2024" lists
No paid placements or sponsored reviews
No cherry-picked testing results
Real testing data publicly available
Verified user reviews with gamification
Active community forum for discussions

Support Independent Reviews

If you find our rankings helpful, consider using our affiliate links. It costs you nothing extra but helps keep this platform independent and ad-free.

Join the Movement

Help us build the most honest VPN resource on the internet. Share your experiences, write reviews, and be part of a community that values truth over commissions.

Write a ReviewJoin the Forum

The 93.5-Point Scoring System

Developed by Tom Spark over 5+ years of VPN testing, our scoring system evaluates VPNs across 9 critical categories. Each category is weighted based on its importance to real-world usage.

Pricing & Value

10 points

Fair pricing relative to features offered

  • • Monthly vs annual pricing comparison
  • • Hidden fees and renewal rates
  • • Money-back guarantee terms
  • • Available payment methods (including crypto)

App Features & Usability

20.25 points

Essential features and ease of use

  • • Kill switch reliability
  • • Split tunneling functionality
  • • Protocol options (WireGuard, OpenVPN)
  • • Multi-device support
  • • Ad/malware blocking

Speed & Server Network

15 points

Performance and global coverage

  • • Speed tests from 5 global locations
  • • Server count and distribution
  • • Server ownership (rented vs owned)
  • • Peak time performance

Privacy & Security

16 points

The most critical category

  • • Logging policy verification
  • • Jurisdiction analysis
  • • Security audit results
  • • Encryption standards
  • • DNS/IPv6 leak protection

Customer Support

10 points

Streaming Performance

10 points

Company Ethics

7.5 points

GUI Quality

10 points

Technical Extras

2.75 points

Total: 93.5 Points

A comprehensive scoring system that covers every aspect of VPN performance

Our Testing Process

1

Anonymous Purchase

We purchase each VPN anonymously using cryptocurrency when possible to experience the real customer journey.

2

30-Day Testing Period

Each VPN is tested for a minimum of 30 days across multiple devices, locations, and use cases.

3

Technical Analysis

Deep dive into protocols, encryption, DNS handling, and potential vulnerabilities using professional tools.

4

Real-World Usage

Testing streaming services, torrenting, gaming, and general browsing to evaluate practical performance.

Meet the Expert Reviewer

TS

Tom Spark

[LEAD_VPN_REVIEWER]

With over 5 years of experience testing VPNs and a background in network security, Tom has reviewed 50+ VPN services and developed the comprehensive 93.5-point scoring system used on this site.

Network Security Certified5+ Years VPN Testing50+ VPNs Reviewed

Built with by the VPN Tier Lists team

Open to feedback and contributions