Can't access apps abroad? Use a VPN comparison tool

Choosing the right VPN can feel overwhelming: promises of speed, privacy policies full of legalese, and marketing that blurs real differences. If you need to access a geo-limited app or service — for example Google’s experimental marketing tool Pomelli, currently available only in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand — a VPN can help. But not all VPNs are equal for streaming, work tools, or privacy-sensitive tasks. This guide shows how to use a VPN comparison tool to make an informed choice fast, with practical steps and South Africa–focused tips.

Why use a VPN comparison tool?

• Side-by-side metrics: a comparison tool collects performance, privacy, server coverage and price so you can compare providers in one view.
• Real-world tests: good tools include speed tests, region unblock success rates, and real-device app compatibility.
• Time-saver: instead of testing five apps manually, you get curated results and actionable recommendations.

Key decision factors a comparison tool should surface

1. Speed and latency

   • Look for recent speed-test data from servers near your target region (e.g., Johannesburg servers for local use, or Melbourne/New Zealand servers if you want Pomelli access).
   • For live video calls or streaming sports, latency matters: tools that report median and 95th-percentile latency are more useful than single-sample speeds.

2. Geo-unblocking and reliability

   • Not all VPNs reliably reach every geo-locked service. A solid comparison tool tracks success rates for services (Netflix, Amazon Prime, regional apps, and new rolls like Pomelli availability).
   • Note legal and policy changes: court orders or provider blocks can alter unblock reliability overnight. Recent European rulings ordered some major VPNs to block illicit IPTV sites, showing how legal pressure can change capabilities quickly (see the French cases reported by lesnumeriques).

3. Privacy and logging

   • Check jurisdiction and audited no-logs claims. The tool should flag providers with independent audits and transparent breach history.
   • Watch for legacy protocols or deprecated configs. Providers like Proton have warned about old OpenVPN configs that must be renewed — a comparison tool that notes protocol lifecycle helps avoid setup pitfalls.

4. Security features

   • WireGuard, OpenVPN, and proprietary protocols each have trade-offs. Tools should show which protocols are supported, and whether the provider enforces modern, secure defaults.
   • Extra features to weigh: kill switch, split tunneling, multi-hop, RAM-only servers.

5. Server network and locations

   • A broad server footprint increases the chance of finding a fast, uncrowded node in your target country.
   • For accessing region-limited betas (Pomelli), confirm the tool lists servers in the necessary countries (US, CA, AU, NZ).

6. Device support and ease of use

   • Does the provider offer apps for macOS, Windows, iOS, Android and routers? A comparison tool should list native clients and manual-setup guides.

7. Price, trials and refunds

   • Compare subscription tiers, simultaneous connections, and money-back guarantees. Seasonal deals matter — CyberGhost deals are often heavily discounted during sales windows, which a good comparison tracker will highlight.

How to use a VPN comparison tool step by step

1. Define your primary goals

   • Example: Access Pomelli (geo-restricted to US/CA/AU/NZ) and keep personal browsing private while maintaining fast upload speeds for uploads and video calls.

2. Filter by region coverage and unblock success

   • Use filters to show only VPNs with servers in required countries and documented success with similar services.

3. Compare performance metrics

   • Sort by median download speed for the closest server cluster and check latency numbers. If possible, view test dates — recent tests matter.

4. Inspect privacy and audit status

   • Prefer providers with third-party audits and clear no-logs statements. The comparison tool should highlight audit dates and links to audit reports.

5. Check protocol support and ease of setup

   • If you rely on older OpenVPN configs, confirm the provider supports renewed, up-to-date configuration files — or choose one with modern, secure defaults like WireGuard plus fallbacks.

6. Validate device compatibility

   • Ensure the VPN has an app for each device you use. If you plan to run the VPN on a home router for all devices, confirm router firmware support.

7. Evaluate price vs. features

   • Use the tool to compare the total monthly cost after discounts and the refund policy. Short-term trials can be useful to test real-world unblock performance.

Testing tips once you pick a candidate

• Run multiple speed tests: local server, target-country server, and a long-distance server. Use the tool’s historical data to anticipate peak vs off-peak performance.
• Test the exact app or website you need to reach. For Pomelli, test access to the signup or beta pages while connected to a server in one of the allowed countries.
• Test for DNS and WebRTC leaks. Many comparison tools include leak checks, or you can run independent tests.
• Try different protocols if speeds or unblocks fail — some providers unblock services on WireGuard but not on legacy OpenVPN configs.

South Africa-specific considerations

• Local ISP performance: South African ISPs can throttle international links during congestion. Prioritize VPNs that report strong routing and local peering, which comparison tools sometimes list.
• Local servers: If you need low-latency access to local services, ensure the VPN has Johannesburg or Cape Town nodes. If the goal is international unblock, check stability to the target countries.
• Price sensitivity: Deals and longer-term plans reduce monthly costs. A comparison tool that highlights verified coupon codes and refund windows is helpful.

Real risks and limitations to watch for

• Legal or provider actions: Court rulings can force VPNs to block certain traffic. Recent coverage shows courts can require VPNs to block access to pirate IPTV platforms in some countries. That may reduce a VPN’s usefulness for accessing some services.
• Outdated configs and deprecation: Some providers are deprecating older OpenVPN files; Proton has warned users to renew older configs. A comparison tool that lists supported protocol versions is valuable.
• False marketing: Not every “no logs” claim is audited. Prefer options that show independent audit links.

Selecting a tool: what good ones do well

• Aggregate fresh test data from diverse locations and devices.
• Include audits and privacy scorecards, not just marketing claims.
• Offer user reviews tied to specific features (e.g., streaming, torrenting, customer support).
• Show deal histories and refund success stories.
• Allow saving shortlists and exporting comparisons.

A short example workflow

1. Open the comparison tool and set country filters: “United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand”.
2. Filter for servers in those countries + “unblocks streaming” and “no logs audit”.
3. Sort by “median unblock success” and “user-rated reliability”.
4. Pick two providers, sign up with the shortest refundable plan, and test Pomelli access and speeds.
5. If the first provider fails, switch to the second without committing long term.

When to avoid VPNs

• If a provider refuses to publish an audit or has a history of handing over logs without transparency.
• If server locations or speed tests are outdated in the comparison tool — stale data misleads decisions.
• If the provider has limited device support for your primary gadgets.

How to interpret comparison tool metrics (brief cheat sheet)

• Median speed: typical user experience.
• 95th percentile latency: stability under load.
• Success rate: percentage of tests that unblocked a given service.
• Audit date: how recent the provider verified its privacy claim.

Using a VPN responsibly

• Respect terms of service and local laws. VPNs can help with privacy and legitimate access to geo-restricted betas (like Pomelli), but they aren’t a tool to break laws.
• Keep software updated and use the provider’s latest config files.

Conclusion A well-designed VPN comparison tool removes guesswork: it surfaces speed, unblock reliability, privacy posture and device support so you can make a focused choice. For South African users who need to access region-limited services (for instance to test Pomelli’s beta in one of the supported countries), filter by server presence and recent unblock success, check audits and current protocol support, then trial-proof a short refundable plan. With the right tool and a short testing routine, you can be confident you’ve chosen a VPN fit for purpose — fast, private and reliable.

📚 Further reading

Here are three recent reports that add context about VPN reliability, protocol updates and seasonal pricing.

🔸 “IPTV: VPNs ordered to block pirate streaming in France”
🗞️ Source: lesnumeriques – 📅 2026-01-21
🔗 Read the article

🔸 “Proton warns users to stop using old OpenVPN config files”
🗞️ Source: clubic – 📅 2026-01-21
🔗 Read the article

🔸 “Winter deals 2026: CyberGhost at €2.03/month”
🗞️ Source: lesnumeriques – 📅 2026-01-21
🔗 Read the article

📌 Disclaimer

This post blends publicly available reporting with some AI assistance.
It’s for information and discussion only — not all details are officially verified.
If you spot an error or need an update, contact us and we’ll correct it.