The best VPNs are now all equipped with the key security features you'd come to expect. Kill switches, multi-hop servers, and obfuscation capabilities are no longer a unique selling point for providers. In fact, many are now creating their own, unique privacy solutions to tempt you in.
These vary from new digital identities to secure file sharing solutions, but often, these features go completely unused or unnoticed. I've personally tested all of these features and absolutely love them, which is why it baffles me that they're aren't talked about more.
One-click customizability
Proton VPN's Profiles is a simple enough concept; you create and save a list of settings that you can turn on with one click. This means you can have one setup specifically for casual streaming, another for low-latency gaming, and so on.
While several smaller providers offer something similar, Proton takes it a step further with the option to customize everything from your NAT type to DNS settings.
What’s more, it can be set up to automatically launch specific websites or apps when you connect. This means your streaming profile doesn't just secure your connection, it'll also load up Netflix.
For me, what really elevates Profiles is its simplicity. Despite the advanced customizability, everything is clearly explained for beginners and you can access your setups from anywhere – even using Proton's mobile widgets.
An entire new persona
For the best cheap VPN, Surfshark never ceases to surprise me with the sheer number of features it offers for the price. That said, one stands head and shoulders above the rest
Alternate ID is unique. It creates a whole new digital persona for you, including a new name, age, address, and email address. These personas can be used to securely sign up for websites, newsletters, and more, without putting your actual data at risk.
I spent a week using an Alternative ID earlier this year, and its only major drawback is that it's only properly optimized only for the US at the moment (where you can add an alternative phone number).
Limitless sharing
Finally, there's Meshnet. NordVPN tried to kill off this feature earlier in 2025, supposedly due to lack of popularity. But its loyal users banded together, and NordVPN ultimately reversed the decision.
Meshnet allows you to create a secure Local Access Network (LAN) between up to 60 devices. The devices can be anything from your mobile phone or laptop to a media center, regardless of where they are physically located.
Once added, you can access any device remotely, share files between them, and even game on them as if you were sitting in the same room.
Over the past year, I’ve almost exclusively switched to using Meshnet for file transfers. From experience, it’s one of the fastest file transfer systems I’ve found, plus the additional security benefits. What's more, it’s easily accessible on any NordVPN app, and took me seconds to set up, despite its underlying complexities.
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