Methodology
Updated 21 September 2026 · How we research
This page states exactly how the content on VPN Sherlock is produced, what evidence sits behind each type of claim, and — most importantly — what we do not do.
Our evidence hierarchy
Where a claim would need evidence we do not have, we say so instead of making it.
| Rank | Source | How we present it |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Published protocol specifications and RFCs | Stated as fact, because anyone can verify them |
| 2 | Vendor documentation and help centres | Explicitly attributed and dated: "ZoogVPN states…" |
| 3 | Established technical behaviour of operating systems | Stated as fact where it is uncontroversial and verifiable |
| 4 | Our own reproducible testing | Currently none. When we run tests, this page will describe the setup first |
What we do not publish
- Speed or throughput figures. We have not run a controlled measurement programme. Numbers without a documented setup, repeated runs and a date are not evidence.
- Numeric scores or ratings. A score implies a measurement behind it. Ours would be an opinion dressed as data.
- Audit verdicts. We do not assert that a provider has received an independent audit unless we can point at the report, its author and its date.
- Server counts. Vendor figures change constantly and we cannot verify them.
- Streaming availability. This changes by service, server and region, often weekly. Any fixed list would mislead.
- Product screenshots we do not hold rights to. We do not reuse images from other reviews or search results.
This site changed direction in September 2026
How we order recommendations
- Protocol breadth — how many genuinely different network conditions a provider can handle.
- Documented security features — kill switch and leak protection, as published by the vendor and labelled as such.
- Platform coverage — which devices get native support.
- Transparency — whether the provider states how its technology works rather than only what it achieves.
- Commercial terms — price, device limit and refund window.
ZoogVPN is our primary recommendation under these criteria, and is also a commercial partner. That relationship is disclosed on every page carrying an affiliate link and explained in our affiliate disclosure. It does not change the criteria above, and it is why we are explicit about what we could not verify about ZoogVPN in particular.
Commercial data
Prices, plan names, discounts, billing periods, device limits and refund terms on this site are preserved exactly as previously published and are not refreshed from vendor sources during content updates. They may therefore lag behind current offers. Always confirm terms at checkout before buying.
Corrections
If something here is wrong, we want to fix it. Technical corrections are applied to the page and the update date is changed. Where a correction changes a conclusion rather than a detail, we note what changed.