About Top5 VPN
Independent VPN reviews & rankings
Top5 VPN exists to cut through the noise. The market for VPNs is crowded and confusing, and most "best of" lists are just paid placements dressed up as recommendations. We do it differently.
Our team independently researches, tests, and scores every option against a consistent set of criteria. We read the fine print, analyze thousands of real customer reviews, and update our rankings as the market changes — so you can make a confident decision in minutes instead of hours.
Editorial Independence
Our rankings are never for sale. Affiliate partnerships fund our work but never determine who places where.
Hands-On Testing
We evaluate every VPN against the same criteria so comparisons are fair and repeatable.
Transparency
We clearly disclose affiliate relationships and explain exactly how we reach our conclusions.
Reader First
We analyze thousands of real user reviews alongside our own testing to reflect actual experiences.
Our Editorial Standards
- We score every VPN against the same five criteria — no exceptions.
- Rankings are editorial and cannot be purchased; providers cannot pay for placement.
- We prioritize VPNs with independently audited no-logs policies.
- We run our own real-world speed and streaming tests before ranking.
- We disclose affiliate relationships clearly and revisit rankings as the market changes.
- We update rankings as providers change pricing, policies, and performance.
Alex Carter
Lead VPN Analyst & Editor
Alex leads VPN testing and editorial at Top5 VPN. He and the team benchmark every provider on the same criteria — real-world speed, audited privacy, streaming, and value — so the rankings stay consistent and independent.
How We Rank
Every VPN is scored against the same criteria, so our rankings stay consistent and fair.
Speed
We measure real-world download, upload, and latency across nearby and distant servers. A VPN you'll actually keep on has to be fast.
Privacy & No-Logs
Jurisdiction, a strict no-logs policy, and — crucially — independent audits that verify it. Privacy claims must be proven, not promised.
Streaming & Unblocking
How reliably each VPN unblocks Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer and more, from multiple regions, without constant errors.
Servers & Apps
Server count and spread, plus the quality of the apps across Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and routers.
Price & Value
What you pay over the full term, how many devices you can connect, and the strength of the money-back guarantee.