3 Best VPN Services in 2020: ExpressVPN vs SurfShark vs NordVPN

Posted by Jack on April 3, 2020 in Uncategorized, VPN Services

If you are on the internet, you are very much vulnerable to security attacks, hackers, and threats no matter what. The Internet is filled with all sorts of people, and to make sure you are safe on the internet and your information remains with you only, you need to take specific steps. A very prominent step in one of them is getting a reliable VPN service.

What is a VPN?

A VPN or a Virtual Private Network is an encrypted connection built over the internet from a device to an entire network. In simple terms, VPN adds an extra layer of security via encryption to an insecure or less secure public network. This means that your web browsing and surfing experience is more secure and safe.

Just saying “an extra layer of security” is only a fraction of what VPN is capable of. If you are a frequent user of a public network like a coffee shop or a co-working space, a reliable VPN service can protect you from many security problems and data leaking possibilities. On top of this, since a VPN is a private network hosted elsewhere, it can also help you in the viewing country, or area restricted content quickly.

How Does VPN Work?

When you browse the internet, a query is generated and sent to the resources you are requesting. This query travels through numerous servers, physically spread over the world. The thing with these servers is that you cannot rely on them when it comes to security and protection of your data. If somebody wants to hack into what you are entering, they can tap into your network and gain access to all your data. Hackers and even government can easily tap into what you are sending and receiving and can easily exploit that data to harm you or your business. A VPN creates a private network that works as a middleman and acts as a point to point network connection between you and the VPN server. When a Virtual Private Network is in place, your search request is encrypted and then gets sent to the VPN server. Then the VPN server requests the data from the source website or address and encrypts it before sending it back to your device. This way, your internet connection remains secure and far away from hackers, malware, your internet service provider, and even the government.

Why WordPress Users Require a VPN service?

So, we now know what VPNs are used for and how they can help you in maintaining a secure network over the internet. Let’s take a look at why you need a VPN service. Why don’t we look at this with the help of an example? Let’s say you are working on your website or your client’s website from a coffee shop and minding your own business. Since you are on a public network like a coffee shop, you are vulnerable to attacks and data breaches since literally anybody can get access to the wifi network quickly. I mean, how hard it is to ask the barista for the wifi password?

Once a hacker gets the wifi access, they can tap into what you are sending and requesting from your system. For example, you enter the details of your WordPress admin dashboard, your details and credentials can be stolen. If you are accessing through an HTTPS, you are much more secure. This is because the traffic is already encrypted, but this is not always the case. For example, if you are working on a client website without SSL certification, your only reliable way to deal with this is by using a virtual private network or VPN.So, if you, too, are a WordPress user, you can log into any website and from any network, private or public, without worrying about data theft or any hacking attack. With a VPN, you can also boost the security for your website. For example, if you have a VPN service that comes with a dedicated IP Address, you can create a VPN with static IP, that way, you will be able to safely access your website no matter where you are in the world. You can restrict some sensitive parts of your website to only accessible from a specific IP address with this, making your data more secure.

How to Choose the Best VPN as a WordPress User?

There are quite a few good VPNs out there, and if you are going to buy one of those, you need to make sure that you know the things you should be looking for. If you are not aware of what VPNs are, I would strongly recommend that you go through these points before making a purchase. If you do not want to do that, you can go through our list of top 3 VPNs for WordPress users and can choose the one you like. But before we get there, let’s discuss what features make a VPN service worth going for.

Here are the things that you must look at before selecting a VPN service.

Easy Setting Up

Nothing is worth going after if it only complicates things, and this applies to VPN service providers as well. You need to go with a provider, which makes your jobs more effortless and secure. Ideally, you can select a provider with an easy setup and getting started guide and can be set up without any technical assistance requirement.

Performance & Bandwidth

You do not want a slow bandwidth VPN. It can be pretty annoying in your daily usage and can kill your productivity as well. If the VPNs do not have the infrastructure to support faster connections, it will reflect in your daily productivity. This is something you do not want.

Dedicated IP

Not all, but some VPNs allow you to pay a little more, and for that extra amount, you get a dedicated IP address. This address can be beneficial if you want to restrict some parts of your website. Parts like super admin controls, or any other sensitive side of your website which you do not want to be accessible from anywhere in the world. For such scenarios, a dedicated IP address is perfect.

Servers and Physical Locations

The more servers the VPN provider has, the more options you get to choose from. Having more servers will allow you to get access to content which is locked based on the geographical locations, and you always get the option to jump from a slower location server to a faster one.

Data Security and Privacy

After all, you are doing this to add an extra layer of security. Why leave this out now? You need to make sure that your VPN service provider comes with the best layer of added security to protect you from any potential issues and attacks.

Price

Last but not the least cared about. Do not directly go ahead with the cheapest option out there but see and compare the features and return you get for the price you pay. Also, you can take a look at the prices for more extended periods. You will see a significant difference in the price you pay for monthly plans vs. the price you pay for the yearly rates. With these things to keep in mind, you can now take a look at the top 3 VPNs for WordPress users out there. You should do an individual check and see if the VPN clears the requirement or not. Let’s have a look at the top 3 VPNs for WordPress.

Top 3 VPN Services for WordPress Users

Here are the top three WordPress VPN services that you can go with. All these services are excellent, and you can choose any of these VPNs, and you will get one of the best deals out there.

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is a very popular option when it comes to VPN service. Moreover, ExpressVPN has a strong network of servers with over 145 locations in 94 countries. Not just standard encryption, they offer industry level encryption. It is super useful in keeping your identity secure and protecting you from any targeted malicious attack. Coming to ease of use, it comes with a fleet of apps compatible with all platforms and devices. While the download and surfing speed is awe-inspiring with ExpressVPN, the user-friendly apps make up most of the USP of the VPN service provider. Even If you have no experience with VPNs, ExpressVPN is one of the best services you can get. Any beginner with minimal knowledge with a VPN will be able to set it up quickly.

Key features of ExpressVPN:

Ease of Connectivity

So far, one of the best features of ExpressVPN is that it is super easy to get started. No matter what device or platform you are using, ExpressVPN will have a solution for that. ExpressVPN comes with a dedicated app for almost every device.

macOS
Windows
iOS
Linux
Android

On top of these platforms, if you are surfing the internet and looking for encryption help on your browser, they have extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and even Safari. Other than WordPress usage, if you want to stream Netflix from another or wish to join a server in another country using PlayStation, you can do that too with ExpressVPN. You can connect to AppleTV, Fire TV, Smart TV, Playstation, and loads of other devices. If you can configure the router yourself, great! But if you do not know how to configure your router, ExpressVPN sells pre-configured routers that require no setup.

Server Locations

The ExpressVPN is spread over 160 locations in 94 countries with unlimited server switches and speed. This makes it possible for you to connect from anywhere in the world.

Privacy

ExpressVPN is equipped with top-notch privacy protection practices, which is sure to protect you from any malicious attack. The service comes with hacking and surveillance protection with 256-bit AES encryption, kill switch, DNS/IPv6leak protection, and split tunneling.

Pricing

ExpressVPN allows you to use the VPN on three servers simultaneously with a single subscription. Regarding plans, they range depending on the duration of the billing. Here are the details of the three plans: For the monthly billing, price is $12.95 per month. For six months plan, the price comes to $9.99 per month. And, for the yearly plan, the monthly cost comes down to $6.67 per month, with a total of 99.95 billed annually. You also get a bonus of 3 months with the yearly plan.

Go To ExpressVPN

SurfShark VPN

While other companies listed here are considered the big players, and someone might say they are a popular option. But other reliable and stable VPNs are entering the market recently. And SurfShark VPN is one of those emerging companies.SurfShark is a trustworthy VPN company with secure infrastructure and fast servers. While it might have fewer servers and locations, it does have some unique features that set it apart from others.SurfShark offers the best plans and pricing options that will fit even the tightest budgets. This feature does make SurfShark one of the most affordable VPN services out there.

Features of SurfShark VPN:

Reliable Security

SafeShark does a great job of keeping your data and information secure, so it does not land in the wrong hands. With the encryption techniques and protocols (OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPsec) being used are the best in the industry.

Anonymity

SurfShark can easily cloak your IP address and redirect it through a secure VPN tunnel. This allows you to stay anonymous no matter what you do online. Also, like other VPNs, SurfShark comes with a kill switch, as well.

Privacy First policy

SurfShark is based in the British Virgin Islands, as well. This helps SurfShark in keeping away from strict data retention laws. With the no-logs policy, SurfShark does not have anything to give up, which is a big plus in case the government ever requests the logs in the jurisdiction they are in.

Unlimited Devices

You can connect with as many devices you want with SurfShark. Since you can connect all your devices like computers, mobiles, TVs, routers, tablets, etc. with SurfShark, it makes it possible for you to browse privately entirely.

Other Notable Features:

Whitelist

With the split tunneling feature, you will be able to create separate tunnels. This makes it possible for you to whitelist websites that go through the natural passageways and a different tunnel to direct all the other traffic through the encrypted passageway.

MultiHop

MultiHop makes it possible for you to connect from different countries at once, making it possible for you to take your ID protection and footprint masking to a different level.

Camouflage Mode

Camouflage mode adds an additional mask on your encryption, which assures that even your ISP can’t tell if you are using a VPN.

Pricing

The price of SurfShark starts at $1.99 per month if you go for the two-year plan, and for the 12-month plan, it costs $5.99 per month. If you want a single month plan, you can get it for 11.95 per month.

Go To SurfShark VPN

NordVPN

Another very popular option is the VPN industry is NordVPN, with more than 5000 servers located in over 62 countries. This VPN service comes with a suite of easy to use apps as well, which makes it super easy to get started.NordVPN allows you to connect with up to six devices and on different server locations simultaneously.

Features of NordVPN

Let’s take a look at the notable features of NordVPN:

Privacy and Security

NordVPN is equipped with almost everything you’ll need to make your WordPress website sessions secure. You get the DNS leak protection, No logs policy, AES- 256 encryption. And even the Kill switch functionality to assure that your connection is always secure.

Server Locations

As mentioned earlier, NordVPN has more than 5000 servers spread in over 60 countries. This does add up to the features of a VPN as you can connect from various locations if required.

Ease of Connectivity

Like other popular VPN providers, NordVPN has dedicated apps connectivity. Connectivity with windows, iOS, macOS, Android, Linux, and they also have browser extensions for Chrome and FireFox.

Pricing and Plans

When it comes to pricing, NordVPN does have outstanding offers. If you are planning for a long term investment like a 3-year plan, you can get NordVPN for a great price of just $3.49 per month. The two-year plans come at $4.99 per month. If you want a yearly plan, you can get it for $6.99. If you’re going to try out NordVPN for a single month, you can get it for $11.95 per month.

Go To NordVPN

Winding Up – What is the VPN of your choice?

The VPNs listed above are the best in the industry. You can choose from any of the 3 VPNs, and you will do just fine. If you have specific requirements, so make sure to check them before purchasing the VPN of your choice.

Namecheap vs Godaddy – Reviews and Comparison

Posted by Jack on April 1, 2020 in Uncategorized0 Comment

Within the past 5 years, the number of domain registrars and website hosting companies have grown exponentially. As a result of this explosive growth, it can be challenging to select a domain registrar among the many companies that provide domain registry services.

Some registrars specialize in selling domain names. While others sell additional features such as web hosting, security, email marketing solutions and cloud services. With some domain registrars, the list of services they offer are endless.

Two of the most well known domain registrars are Namecheap and GoDaddy. Before we take a look at the features of each of these services, let’s explore some features that you should look for in a great domain registrar.

How to Select a Reliable Domain Registrar

When you are researching domain registrars, you must remember that each registrar has access to the same domain names and URLs. This means that no company can provide you with better URL names than other companies.

Here are a few questions you should ask yourself before you select a domain registrar. What features are being offered with the domain registry package? Is the price competitive with other domain registrars? If not, what features are being offered to compensate for the price difference? Has the company created processes that make it easy for you to manage your services without assistance?

This is a list of things you should pay attention to as you conduct your research.

Additional or hidden fees associated with transferring your domain name
History and reputation of providing quality services
Reasonably-priced services
Accredited by the Internet Corporation for Assigned of Names and Numbers(ICANN)
Easy domain transfer and forwarding services
24/7 customer support
Private WhoIs registration
Manual and automatic renewal features

There are plenty of domain registrars that come and go. It is important to pay close attention to the terms and conditions of your service provider.

When you visit your prospective domain registrar’s websites, you should stay focused on your immediate needs. With all of the services that are provided, it can be easy for you to get distracted by the numerous specials and offerings on the website.

Competitive pricing should be a factor as you select your domain registrar, but it should not be the only factor. Make your final decision by considering all of the features that were mentioned earlier in this review.

Many experts recommend that customers use a different domain registrar and website hosting service. If you decide to change to another website hosting service, having your domain name with the same registrar can complicate the matter. You should ask the customer representative of your prospective domain registrars if switching your domain registry to another website host will cause any disruptions.

Namecheap vs GoDaddy – Which Domain Registrar is the Best?

If you have been contemplating whether to subscribe to Namecheap or GoDaddy, this review will help you sort out the details associated with each domain registrar. Our primary goal is to help you make an informed decision after you read this comparison of Namecheap and GoDaddy.

Namecheap

As a leading domain registrar that is accredited by ICANN, Namecheap has developed a strong market share since it was founded in 2000. Namecheap has provided over 4 million domain names to customers throughout the world. Although Namecheap’s core business is domain registry services, it provides additional services including web hosting, email hosting, security and cloud-based services.

Godaddy

In terms of size and market domination, GoDaddy is the largest domain registrar. In fact, GoDaddy has over 30 percent of the domain registry market share.

This company has provided more than 59 million domain names registered throughout the world. GoDaddy provides a wide array of services including email aliases, online marketing tools, search engine optimization, privacy protection and sub domains.

Price

Both Namecheap and GoDaddy offer various advertisement promotion codes that are available on several websites on the internet. Since both sites offer so many services to customers, it would be difficult to compare the prices of each service. For the purposes of this review, we will compare the prices of a 1-year renewal rate for domain names of each site.

Namecheap

$10.69 each year to purchase a .com domain
and $8.88 + ICANN fee, for new domain name registrations.

GoDaddy

$11.99 each year to purchase a .com domain

Namecheap and GoDaddy offer various prices on .net, .org, .info, .co, .biz .io and .us domains. On both sites, you can receive additional discounts if you pay in full for service for multiple years. GoDaddy and Namecheap allow you to register your domain name for up to 10 years. There are also several Godaddy alternatives.

Overall, prices are cheaper on Namecheap + they offer you Privacy Protection for FREE, where as on GoDaddy this is a premium addon.

Namecheap and GoDaddy – Pros and Cons

When you are looking for a domain registry service, you must keep in mind that the perfect domain registrar does not exist. Every domain registrar has good and bad aspects.

With that said, there are pros and cons associated with Namecheap and GoDaddy.

Pros – Namecheap

Good service and security features
ICANN Accreditation
Domains are simple to transfer
Minimal upsell tactics
Knowledgeable help desk
24/7 customer support via help desk
Competitive price points for all services

Cons – Namecheap

Some new domain extensions can be very expensive.
Customer support needs improving

Pros – GoDaddy

Large, trusted brand in the domain name registry industry
Easy to purchase and select a domain name
Website seems easy to navigate and understand the offerings
24/7 customer support
A wide range of services with GoDaddyPro
Customer support representatives are helpful and knowledgeable
Accredited ICANN

Cons – GoDaddy

Check-out process can cause confusion
Domain manager is not integrated into same window as other features
Difficult domain transfer process
Too many instances of upsell
Long customer support wait times
Due to promotions and upsell tactics, there are a lot of pop-up specials on the screen. This can be annoying when you are trying to navigate quickly around the site.

As you compare Namecheap and GoDaddy, be mindful that GoDaddy is a larger company. There some problems that large companies experience. For example, GoDaddy may not have as many personal touches as Namecheap.

Namecheap is a smaller company. As a result, it can provide more personalized attention and services for its customers.

Overall User Experience

Your time is limited. So your domain registrar should provide an easy-to-navigate user experience for you. Managing your domain name should not consume a large amount of your time during the day. This section of the review will explore the overall user experience including point of purchase, use and navigation.

Namecheap
The overall check-out process for this domain registrar is quick and seamless. The process is straightforward, and there are not a lot of upselling tactics to disrupt your experience.

Namecheap provides a good search engine for domain name suggestions. When you enter this site, you will notice that Namecheap does not have all of the bells and whistles like its larger competitor. Namecheap offers a quick live chat feature, but it lacks telephone support services.

GoDaddy
The GoDaddy website experience is lively and colorful. At first glance, you can the company has a lot of offerings. However, the hustle and bustle associated with this website can be confusing.

First of all, GoDaddy is the epicenter of upsells. With each click of your mouse, you will be bombarded with an advertisement for a different special. If you want to get a domain name quick, fast and in a hurry, the constant upsells can stall your progress.

GoDaddy offers both telephone and live chat support options. This feature is good for you if you need a solution to a problem that you cannot figure out on your own.

GoDaddy offers a domain management feature. However, the domain manager opens in another window. This feature makes the user experience feel segmented and disjointed.

DNS Management Interface

The DNS management window is the sections that enables you to make changes. Unless you have a technology manager, you will be making all of your DNS changes manually. You may have to reroute your DNS to your web host, configure sub domains and set up emails related to your domain. The DNS management interface needs to be user-friendly.

Namecheap’s DNS Management Interface
Namecheap offers a streamlined DNS management interface. It is free from clutter and unnecessary upsell offers. Namecheap’s layout is straightforward. It is constructed in a way that minimizes the time it takes for you to quickly make changes and leave the site.

GoDaddy’s DNS Management Interface
GoDaddy has a more cluttered DNS management interface. There are additional features on the management interface that do not add value to the customer experience.

For example, you may notice features on your DNS management interface that you did not purchase. This part of the site features extra settings for GoDaddy’s upsell subscriptions. These features get in the way of functionality and make the user experience burdensome.

Domain Name Extras

It is not uncommon for domain registrars to provide extra services that are included in the price of your subscription price. After all, there is so much competition that they need to do make an extra effort to differentiate their services from the other companies in the domain registry industry.

Namecheap Extras

100 percent free email forwarding services
Reliable DNS (no history of company being hacked)
WhoIs privacy feature is bundled
Namecheap charges $3 for photo storage and limited hosting package
Free custom name servers

GoDaddy Extras

GoDaddy charges an additional fee for custom name servers
GoDaddy provides a limited hosted package and photo storage for free for 1 year
GoDaddy charges an additional fee for WHOIS guard
GoDaddy offers email as an upsell package
GoDaddy offers a reliable DNS, but the site has been hacked

Namecheap and GoDaddy Upsell Tactics

The internet has evolved so much during the past 20 years that it is hardly recognizable. As technology improves, the need for specialized services grow.

As a result of the internet’s continuous growth, it is not unusual for both Namecheap and GoDaddy to provide customers with the opportunity to take advantage of other offers. This tactic is actually a valuable service for customers, and a lucrative marketing opportunity for domain registrars.

When it comes to using upsell tactics, the GoDaddy website seems to be aggressive and pushy. It seems as if the annoying upsells advertisements do not give you time to make a conscious decision about whether you need to purchase the additional service. If you do not like pushy marketing strategies, visiting the GoDaddy website can frustrate you.

In terms of upsells, Namecheap and GoDaddy offer some of the same packages for hosting and storage. Some of the most common upsells for each of the domain registrars include SSL certificates.

Company Values

If you are like most people, you like to support companies that have admirable company values. When you support any company, you are providing them with the means to further their messages and position in the marketplace.

Namecheap publicly opposes the Stop Internet Piracy Act (SOPA). The purpose of this legislation was to limit the freedom of internet users. Namecheap believes that every person should have the right to use the internet as they desire in a responsible manner without legislative restraints.

GoDaddy actively supports the SOPA legislation. They also support marketing practices that attempt to lock their customers into extended agreements. Another practice they have is using sexual exploitation to market their services.

Although many of these practices may not offend you, it is good to be aware of the values of each of the companies.

Namecheap vs. GoDaddy – Conclusion

The purpose of this review is to provide you with enough information to help you select a domain registrar that meets your needs. Our goal for this review is to tell you whether Namecheap or GoDaddy is the best domain registrar, in our opinion.

Our opinion is that NameCheap is the the best.

Namecheap and GoDaddy are both good domain registrars in their own right. Both of the registrars provide domain names at reasonable prices. They have solid security features, flexible domain management services, around the clock customer support and dynamic DNS performance. Another positive feature associated with Namecheap and GoDaddy is they provide freebies when you get services.

If you like domain registrars that offer a few services, provide a user-friendly interface and minimizes upsell tactics, Namecheap might be a clear choice for you.