Reviews

Products worth paying for — and when the free option is enough. We publish our criteria first and say how far our evidence goes for each product.

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Start with your goal

Find the right kind of help

Start with the free guidance. If a product may make that job easier, we show one relevant option and label the link clearly.

Stay safer on public Wi-Fi
For travel, cafés, hotels and shared networks.
Read travel advice See Proton VPN plans (commercial link, opens in a new tab)
Use stronger, unique passwords
For the accounts that matter most to you.
Check a password See Proton Pass plans (commercial link, opens in a new tab)
Keep a second copy of photos
For memories and files you cannot easily replace.
Read backup advice See pCloud plans (commercial link, opens in a new tab)
Reduce tracking and data sharing
For a quieter, more private day online.
Read privacy advice See AdGuard plans (commercial link, opens in a new tab)

Compare by type

One page for each kind of product, with the free option first and the guides to read before you pay.

Password managers compared
A password manager remembers a different strong password for each account, so you don’t have to.
Free and paid VPNs compared
A VPN is useful if you often use public Wi-Fi or travel a lot. Most people don’t need one at home or on mobile data.
Cloud backup and storage compared
A second copy of your photos and files, kept somewhere other than your phone or computer.
- How to back up your phone and computer
- The best way to back up family photos

VPNs

VPNs compared
Product	Price	Devices	Key features	Best for	Partner plans
AdGuard VPNResearch-basedProvider specifications · checked 18 October 2026	See current plans; check the full term and renewal price	Free: 2 devices; paid: 10	Free plan starts with 3 GB per month; speed is reduced after the allowance Paid plan removes the data and speed limits	Public Wi-Fi at cafés, stations and hotels	See AdGuard VPN plans (opens in a new tab)
hide.me VPNResearch-basedProvider specifications · checked 18 October 2026	See current plans; check the full term and renewal price	Free: 1 connection; Premium: 10	Free plan has unlimited data with restricted speeds Premium adds streaming support and more server locations	Public Wi-Fi and travel	See hide.me VPN plans (opens in a new tab)
NordVPNResearch-basedProvider specifications · checked 18 October 2026	See current plans; check the full term and renewal price	Up to 10 simultaneous connections	Apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS One subscription covers up to 10 devices at once	Using public Wi-Fi at home and abroad	See NordVPN plans (opens in a new tab)
Proton VPNResearch-basedProvider specifications · checked 18 October 2026	See current plans; check the full term and renewal price	Free: 1 device; VPN Plus: 10	Free plan available without a card Free plan uses randomly selected server countries VPN Plus adds server choice and streaming support	Public Wi-Fi and travel, from a privacy-focused company	See Proton VPN plans (opens in a new tab)
PureVPNResearch-basedProvider specifications · checked 18 October 2026	See current plans; check the full term and renewal price	Up to 10 simultaneous connections	One account can connect up to 10 devices at the same time	Public Wi-Fi and travel	See PureVPN plans (opens in a new tab)

Password managers

Password managers compared
Product	Price	Devices	Key features	Best for	Partner plans
NordPassResearch-based	See current plans; check the full term and renewal price	Not yet checked	Not yet checked	Giving every account its own strong password	See NordPass plans (opens in a new tab)
Proton PassResearch-based	See current plans; check the full term and renewal price	Not yet checked	Not yet checked	Giving every account its own strong password	See Proton Pass plans (opens in a new tab)

Cloud storage

Cloud storage compared
Product	Price	Devices	Key features	Best for	Partner plans
pCloudResearch-based	See current plans; check the full term and renewal price	Not yet checked	Not yet checked	Backing up photos and files from phones and computers	See pCloud plans (opens in a new tab)
Proton DriveResearch-based	See current plans; check the full term and renewal price	Not yet checked	Not yet checked	Keeping photos and files backed up privately	See Proton Drive plans (opens in a new tab)

Cloud backup

Cloud backup compared
Product	Price	Devices	Key features	Best for	Partner plans
IDriveResearch-based	See current plans; check the full term and renewal price	Not yet checked	Not yet checked	Keeping a second copy of files and photos off your devices	See IDrive plans (opens in a new tab)

Privacy tools

Privacy tools compared
Product	Price	Devices	Key features	Best for	Partner plans
AdGuardResearch-based	See current plans; check the full term and renewal price	Not yet checked	Not yet checked	Cutting ads, trackers and some malicious sites on every device	See AdGuard plans (opens in a new tab)

Security keys

Security keys compared
Product	Price	Devices	Key features	Best for	Partner plans
YubiKey 5CiResearch-basedProvider specifications · checked 22 September 2026	See current plans; check the full term and renewal price	USB-C and Lightning connectors (no NFC); works with Windows, macOS, ChromeOS and Linux	FIDO2 and FIDO U2F security key No batteries or network connection needed	The strongest protection for your most important accounts	View on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

External drives

External drives compared
Product	Price	Devices	Key features	Best for	Partner plans
Samsung T7 ShieldResearch-basedProvider specifications · checked 22 September 2026	See current plans; check the full term and renewal price	USB 3.2 Gen 2; 1TB, 2TB and 4TB versions	IP65 dust and water resistance Portable solid-state drive	A second copy of your photos that is not in the cloud	View on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

Reviews

Find the right kind of help

Stay safer on public Wi-Fi

Use stronger, unique passwords

Keep a second copy of photos

Reduce tracking and data sharing