Rank 1
Proton VPN
The best-documented security stack of the four, and the only one you can test properly without paying.
Against it: Refunds are prorated against usage, not returned in full.
- Excellentfrom $4.49/mo5 audits
4 providers · Updated August 13, 2026
Every review, on one rubric
Which VPNs does KotoVPN review?
KotoVPN reviews four providers: Proton VPN (90.0/100), NordVPN (84.0), PureVPN (70.0) and FastestVPN (55.0). Each is scored on the same seven weighted criteria from sourced facts, and we earn commission from all four — which is why the scoring method is published rather than asserted.
Four providers, scored against the same seven criteria from the same sourced dataset. The verdict line under each one is the single sentence we would say if you asked in person.
| # | Provider | Score | From | Jurisdiction | Latest audit | Devices | Visit provider |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proton VPN | 90.0 | $4.49 | Switzerland | Securitum 2026 | 10 | Visit Proton VPN |
| 2 | NordVPN | 84.0 | $3.39 | Panama | Deloitte 2025 | 10 | Visit NordVPN |
| 3 | PureVPN | 70.0 | $2.15 | British Virgin Islands | KPMG 2023 | 10 | Visit PureVPN |
| 4 | FastestVPN | 55.0 | $0.83 | Cayman Islands | Altius IT 2023 | 10 | Visit FastestVPN |
Where each one is strongest and weakest
The same seven criteria, side by side. A total hides which half of the score a provider earned, and that is usually the part that decides whether it suits you.
| Criterion | Proton VPN | NordVPN | PureVPN | FastestVPN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independent audit (20%) | 10/10 | 9/10 | 7/10 | 3/10 |
| Jurisdiction and ownership (15%) | 9/10 | 9/10 | 6/10 | 7/10 |
| Protocol and crypto stack (15%) | 9/10 | 8/10 | 9/10 | 8/10 |
| Leak protection (15%) | 9/10 | 9/10 | 7/10 | 5/10 |
| Transparency (15%) | 9/10 | 6/10 | 4/10 | 2/10 |
| Price and refund terms (10%) | 7/10 | 8/10 | 9/10 | 9/10 |
| Platform coverage (10%) | 9/10 | 10/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 |
| Total | 90.0 | 84.0 | 70.0 | 55.0 |
The reviews
90.0
Rank 2
NordVPN
The most complete all-round package here, provided you accept closed-source clients and a renewal price above the introductory rate.
Against it: Client applications are closed source and cannot be independently inspected.
- Strongfrom $3.39/mo6 audits
Rank 3
PureVPN
Cheap, broadly capable, and carrying a 2017 logging incident that no later audit erases.
Against it: Supplied user connection logs to the FBI in a 2017 case while advertising a no-logs policy.
- Adequatefrom $2.15/mo3 audits
Rank 4
FastestVPN
Priced below everything else here and documented below everything else here. Those two facts are related.
Against it: One audit, from January 2023, never repeated — the other three have all been re-audited since.
- Weakfrom $0.83/mo1 audit
Questions
- Which VPNs does KotoVPN review?
- KotoVPN reviews four providers: Proton VPN (90.0/100), NordVPN (84.0), PureVPN (70.0) and FastestVPN (55.0). Each is scored on the same seven weighted criteria from sourced facts, and we earn commission from all four — which is why the scoring method is published rather than asserted.
- What is in every review?
- A rubric total with the full seven-criterion breakdown, an evidence table where every fact links to its source and carries the date it was checked, a pricing table, a stated list of limitations, and a "do not buy this if" line. Reviews also state whether we have run our own lab measurements, and currently none have been run.
- How often are reviews updated?
- Pricing is re-checked at least quarterly and after any announced price change. Audit status is re-checked at least twice a year. Ownership and jurisdiction are re-checked on any acquisition report. Every page shows the date its underlying facts were last checked.