Our Methodology

How We Test

Every product on SecureSetups is purchased and tested by our team. We never accept payment for rankings, and our full methodology is public.

Independent

We buy every product we review

Transparent

Full methodology published here

Expert team

CISSP-certified reviewers

VPN Testing

  • Speed tests on WireGuard, OpenVPN, and proprietary protocols across 5 server locations
  • DNS leak, WebRTC leak, and IPv6 leak detection
  • Streaming service access verification (Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer)
  • Kill switch reliability under simulated connection drops
  • No-logs policy verification via audit report review
  • Usability scoring across Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android apps

Password Manager Testing

  • Encryption standard verification (AES-256, zero-knowledge architecture)
  • Autofill accuracy across Chrome, Firefox, and Safari
  • Import/export compatibility with major browsers and competitors
  • Family sharing and emergency access feature evaluation
  • Breach monitoring (Watchtower/HIBP integration) accuracy
  • Mobile app biometric unlock and offline access testing

Antivirus Testing

  • Real-world malware sample detection (100+ samples per product)
  • System performance impact measurement (CPU, RAM, boot time)
  • False positive rate on clean software
  • Ransomware rollback and remediation capability
  • Phishing site blocking effectiveness
  • UI/UX evaluation for non-technical users

Scoring System

Products are scored 1–10 across weighted categories: Security (35%), Performance (25%), Features (20%), Usability (10%), and Value (10%). A score of 9+ indicates best-in-class. We re-test products every 6 months or after major updates.

Questions about our process? Contact our editorial team.