So hopefully you know what a VPN (Virtual Private Network) is, if not, let’s try to explain in layman’s terms.
VPN’s explained in simple terms.
Every time you connect to the internet your internet service provider issues you with an IP number, this number is normally the same each time and is like a postcode/zip number in computer language. And just like a Zip number, the IP number will show your exact location and who you are connecting with.
Your IP number is visible to everyone and is often used to track you to provide specific information based on your location. For example, if you visit a weather site it would show you weather based on your location, also some internet services such as Netflix, BBC iPlayer and other TV sites will have specific content which is only available to people in that region. Someone in the USA would have different content to someone in the UK.
A VPN acts like a special Hub or Service which allows you to use their IP address instead of your own so you appear to be in another location.
Think of it like getting on a number 4 bus…. You are always on the Number 4 bus and no matter where you go people will only see the number 4, they will not know where you got on the bus.
When you use a VPN, your computer connects to the VPN service, and then you can choose which country you want to appear to be in. The VPN service has a collection of IP numbers (zip codes) from different countries such as the UK, USA, France, Germany, Thailand, Etc. and whenever you visit a website it will show the IP number of the VPN selected and not your original number so the website will think you are in a different location.
This allows you to remain anonymous on the internet and access content that would only be available if you were in that country. As with anything is can also be abused. Hackers and other criminals use VPNs to hide their locations.
So why do I need a VPN?
As we mentioned before many services have specific content available to people only in that region, the biggest examples are the online TV/Movie platforms such as Netflix, BBC iPlayer, TCM Movies, Amazon Prime, HBO, etc. These will only let you watch certain content if you are in a specific country.
Another example is sites like ticket sellers, airlines, trains, etc. You will often find that prices vary depending on where you are located. Someone buying a train ticket in the UK may have access to cheaper rates than someone booking from overseas.
Internet Banking is another area where VPNs can be useful. Many banks will add extra security checks if you try to access them from overseas which can cause all sorts of headaches especially if you cannot get the mail or pass the security checks, also some of the internet banking services may be unavailable when overseas. The VPN allows you to access all the services as though you are in the same county.
Should I Use a Free VPN?
There are 1000s of VPN services available and the price range is anything from Free to $20 per month. A free VPN is OK if you do not plan to use the service very often and are only using it for basic services.
Most Free VPNs will give you a time limit per day, maybe 1 hour or less. Also, the free VPNs have adverts and pop-ups which can be annoying. Ask yourself if a VPN is free how do they keep in business? The answer is they need to generate revenue from another source, advertising, or selling your data could be the main reasons.
If you plan to use the VPN regularly and want to be sure you have a secure connection without time limits we would suggest paying for the service, after all, you get what you pay for.
Most VPNs will have a free trial so you can test before committing to a payment plan.
The top VPN’s to use in Thailand
Ok so here we go, we have tested many of the VPNs out there as well as ask many people located in Thailand which they prefer and below are the most popular ones used.
The Top VPNs in Thailand
Nord VPN
Nord VPN is one of the largest and most well-known VPNs. It offers all the services expected from a VPN service and has over 5000 Ip servers available from America & Canada, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
You can use the service on multiple devices and once connected it is a reliable uninterrupted service.
The main features include
- 5000 Servers in 50+ Countries
- Can use on Unlimited Devices
- Blocks Adverts
- Unlimited Bandwidth
- High Speeds
Pricing
Nord VPN starts at $4.92 per month if you sign up for a year or if you only need 1 month the cost would be $11.95. They offer a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try first and cancel if not happy.
Windscribe VPN
Windscribe VPN offers IP numbers from over 63 countries and 110 cities. Most of the major locations such as the USA, UK, Europe are available in the Free version but many of the other countries need the Paid version.
Again the main services include
- 3000 Servers in 63 Countries 110 Cities
- Can use on Unlimited Devices
- Blocks Adverts
- Unlimited Bandwidth
- High Speeds
Pricing
Windscribe VPN has a cool feature where you can build your own plan. This means you can choose a few countries to use and pay as low as $2.00 per month. The normal plans start at $4.08 if paid annually. They don’t have a free trial but the build a plan lets you set a budget.
Torguard VPN
Torguard VPN has a range of services and is more suitable for the heavy user of business users. They offer over 3000 servers in 50 countries and have several other services including anonymous email and proxy servers.
Main Features
- 3000 Servers in 50 Countries
- Can use on Unlimited Devices
- Blocks Adverts
- Unlimited Bandwidth
- High Speeds
Pricing
Torguard VPN does not have any free trial and prices range from $4.99 per month (Paid annually) up to $9.99 if paid monthly
Proton VPN
Proton VPN is based in Switzerland and offers over 1000 servers from 53 countries. They cover most of the main countries such as the USA, UK, Europe, etc but do not have as wide a range as some of the other VPNs.
Main Features
- 3000 Servers in 50 Countries
- Can use on Unlimited Devices
- Blocks Adverts
- Unlimited Bandwidth
- High Speeds
Pricing
Proton VPN does have a FREE plan, but this will only allow you to use IP numbers from Japan, Netherlands, or the USA if you need any other country you need a paid account.
Prices range from $4.80 (4 Euro) per month (Paid annually) for the basic plan which will give you access to IP numbers from most of the main countries.
Pure VPN
Proton VPN is based in Switzerland and offers over 1000 servers from 53 countries. They cover most of the main countries such as the USA, UK, Europe, etc but do not have as wide a range as some of the other VPNs.
Main Features
- 2000 Servers in 180 Countries
- Can use on Unlimited Devices
- Blocks Adverts
- Unlimited Bandwidth
- High Speeds
Pricing
Pure VPN has a 7-day trial and the starts at $6.49 per month. If paying annually the
Ivacy VPN
Ivacy VPN is a Singapore based company and offers a VPN for all the major TV / Movie sites. They have around 1000 servers from over 50 countries including the UK / USA / Europe and Africa etc.
They also have a trial period for under $1.00 and the annual price starts at only $2.49
Main Features
- 1000 Servers in 50+ Countries
- Can use on Unlimited Devices
- Blocks Adverts
- Unlimited Bandwidth
- High Speeds
- Special support for Netflix / Hbo / iPlayer / Hulu / Disney / Amazon Prime
Pricing
Ivacy VPN has a 7-day trial and the starts at $2.49 per month.
Monthly Cost Summary & Rating
$4.92
$2.00
$4.99
$4.80
$6.49
$3.99