Have you seen the “IP and DNS leak protection” feature while buying a VPN? It’s there for a reason, and not present with free VPN services. As the name of today’s topic suggests, it has to do with checking a VPN. Long story short, even when hiding your IP address with a VPN, your real IP address might leak and uncover your real identity and location. Even if your real IP address stays hidden, websites and services might be able to see your real DNS server and bust you. That’s one of the reasons you should hide a VPN. But despite having all the bases covered, it’s a good idea to use the best VPN test sites to check your VPN from time to time.
What are the different VPN tests?
Different types of tests can aid your VPN experience. These tests are also crucial to determine whether a VPN is working fine or not.
IP Address Leak test
The very first test is the IP leak test. It is not only a basic test but also a golden rule, as it defines the minimum requirements regarding how the VPN should work. A VPN is mostly used to hide your IP address online. Hence, any VPNs that leak your IP are not worth your time. By doing this test, you can easily recognize whether the VPN is a scam or not. Most free VPNs, which are simply proxies, change your IP address. But they do not hide it behind encryption. And since they leak IP addresses, they are pretty unsafe for sensitive use.
DNS Leak test
DNS is like a phone book. It contains IP addresses and associated web addresses. Normally, a user enters a web address in a browser, but the computer can only read machine language. So it changes the web address into a corresponding IP address. And it uses DNS to do so. Hence, when you use a VPN, it is also important to shield your DNS data; otherwise, your IP will be exposed. A DNS leak test is what tests VPNs for it.
WebRTC Leak test
WebRTC enables real-time communication in a browser. So when you visit a website from anywhere in the world, you will always get to access data in real time without the help of additional software. Since WebRTC communicates in real-time, the actual location of the device is perceived by the website. A good VPN will mask such data to protect the user’s privacy. Hence, a WebRTC leak test determines whether the VPN can prevent such information from reaching the website in question.
VPN Speed
The last test is the speed test. No matter how secure a VPN is, if it is slow, then it is unusable. Thus, speed plays an important role in VPNs. A VPN speed test measures the speed of an internet connection with and without a VPN. Typically, a 10 to 20% drop in speed is acceptable. Anymore, and the VPN is deemed too slow.
1. IPLeak.net
IPLeak.net is perhaps the most widely used website for checking a VPN. It shows up in demonstration screenshots often and is also recommended by many VPN providers. This online tool for checking VPNs is simple yet comprehensive, and the fields fill up automatically. Besides showing your IP address and scanning for IPv4, IPv6, and DNS leaks, it also shows you a map with latitude and longitude. While scary, seeing system information such as browser, language, and your monitor resolution shows how much personal information is shown to websites and services. This time, it helps you compare it, and rest assured you’ve tricked them.
Features
- Comprehensive VPN testing tool
- Automatically fills in fields
- Displays IP address, IPv4, IPv6, and DNS leaks
- Shows map with latitude and longitude
- Reveals system information (browser, language, monitor resolution)
2. IPLeak.org
Another tool that requires absolutely no effort except opening the page is IPLeak.org. Created by VPNArea, one of the better-known VPN providers in the industry, this tool shows IPv4, IPv6, ISP name, hostname, and DNS that were detected. We also like how they include a map with your location pinned. Another thing many forget and IPLeak.org doesn’t is showing the local time detected on your device. That’s a simple fact that could prevent you from bypassing a VPN block. Clever websites and services started matching your time zone with your IP location to catch you using a VPN red-handed.
Features
- Effortless VPN testing tool
- Shows IPv4, IPv6, ISP name, hostname, and DNS
- Includes map with location
- Displays local time detected on device
3. ExpressVPN DNS Leak
Who better to help you secure your privacy online than ExpressVPN, considered to be the best VPN provider by many? We’re in the same boat, as is evident from our ExpressVPN review since they offer in-app IP/DNS leak tests on Windows and Mac. But that’s just an extension of the website we’re talking about. As you can see, unlike IPLeak.com/.org, they’ve split their tests into 3 separate security tools named IP Address Checker, DNS Leak Test, and WebRTC Leak Test. When combined, these 3 tools ensure that your real IP address, identity, and real-world location never become known to others.
Features
- In-app IP/DNS leak tests
- Three separate security tools: IP Address Checker, DNS Leak Test, WebRTC Leak Test
- Protects real IP address, identity, and location
4. DNSLeakTest
Finally, we have a test site for VPN checking that needs some effort. Don’t worry, we’re only referring to clicking on buttons to run a Standard test or an Extended test. The IP address and location will be visible from the get-go, while the former test quickly runs 6 IP/DNS queries. The latter test runs 6 rounds of 6 DNS/IP queries, takes about 10 to 30 seconds more, but exhausts any possibility of IP or DNS leaks. So, you should run the first test if you’re in a hurry and want to make sure your VPN is working. Use the second when you want to be 100% sure your activities and identity can’t be discovered, tracked, or logged.
Features
- Requires some effort to run tests
- Standard test quickly runs 6 IP/DNS queries
- Extended test exhausts IP/DNS leaks possibility
- Provides visible IP address and location
5. IPX.ac
IPX.ac service is an extension of VPN.ac, a well-known Romanian VPN provider that’s been around since 2009. Most of the tool requires no work since the detected information is sorted into an easy-to-read table. By selecting an additional option, Test for leaks & footprints, you can further verify your VPN is working as intended. Those tests include IPv6 geolocation, WebRTC and Flash leaks, battery percentage, operating system, browser, screen resolution, JavaScript, CPU information, time zone, and strength of TLS (Transport Layer Security) between you and the website.
Features
- Extension of VPN.ac provider
- Easy-to-read table with detected information
- Additional leak tests available
- Tests include geolocation, WebRTC, Flash leaks, and more
6. Test-IPv6.com
Test-IPv6.com runs a series of 15 tests as soon as you open the page. It shows detailed information about your IPv4 and IPv6 address and shows the name of your ISP if detected. We also like how they provide an IPv6 readiness score and warn you that a transition is imminent. While it doesn’t specify that a DNS was leaked, words (possibly run by your ISP) will be present if IP and DNS are in-tune, which isn’t the case if the DNS was leaking and IP wasn’t. Also, if you’re usually using IPv4, and use, for example, OpenVPN with IPv6 capabilities and pass the test, that’s a good sign.
Features
- Runs 15 tests upon opening
- Detailed information about IPv4 and IPv6 addresses
- Provides ISP name if detected
- Offers IPv6 readiness score and transition warnings
7. Tenta Browser Privacy Test
If the name sounds familiar, it’s because Tenta is a free Android browser with a built-in VPN and ad and tracker blocker. Even better, the browser doesn’t support advertising and Tenta has a strict no-log policy. With that said, the Tenta Browser Privacy Test is another security weapon in their arsenal. Not only is it thorough when it comes to scouring for information about your machine and Internet connection, but also the most beautiful VPN test site we’ve seen. And all that without a compromise in functionality or displaying ads to compensate for their hard work.
Features
- Built-in VPN and ad/tracker blocker
- Thorough machine and Internet connection information
- Beautiful design without ads
- No-log policy
8. Perfect Privacy Check IP
Perfect Privacy Check IP is a free online VPN checking website offered by an eponymous VPN provider. Similar to ExpressVPN, they’ve separated the tool into 3 tests: IP Leak, DNS Leak, and WebRTC Leak. When we used WebRTC leak, the tool also offered the 4th option. That was checking leaks within Internet Explorer/Microsoft Edge and exploits in an IPsec security protocol used by VPNs on Windows. We gladly accepted and sighed in relief when our privacy wasn’t in danger. It’s something we recommend to anyone using browsers on Windows. Do it regularly, if possible.
Features
- Three tests: IP Leak, DNS Leak, WebRTC Leak
- Offers additional tests for Internet Explorer/Microsoft Edge and IPsec security protocol
- Recommended for Windows users
9. AstrillVPN Leak Test
It surprises no one that another reputable VPN provider, AstrillVPN, also offers a leak test on their website. After all, it’s a great proof of concept of their product, and it serves as free marketing. It’s very similar to DNSLeakTest in that it has two options, a quick, Standard Test, and a slower, yet all-inclusive, Full Test. You can see IPv4, IPv6, DNS, and ISP information. It will also check for Java, Flash, and WebRTC leaks. Running the full test lasted just under 2 minutes, but it showed no additional options. It only ran a few extra rounds of searching for IP and DNS leaks.
Features
- Offers Standard Test and Full Test options
- Checks IPv4, IPv6, DNS, ISP, Java, Flash, WebRTC leaks
- Full Test takes under 2 minutes
10. DNSLeak
Calling something idiot-proof shouldn’t be taken as an insult. We’re saying this because DNSLeak is dedicated to the people who aren’t tech-savvy. It works by showing an IP address that was detected right away. After selecting a tool – IPv6 Leak Test or DNS Leak Test, you get a simple message: Your IPv6/DNS is not leaking. That’s all there is no it – no-frills or the possibility of getting confused. If you’re worried about your privacy while sending e-mails, DNSLeak also offers an Email Leak Test. They’ll generate a temporary e-mail address for you, and tell you yes or no through the same message.
Features
- User-friendly VPN testing for non-tech-savvy users
- Shows detected IP address immediately
- IPv6 Leak Test and DNS Leak Test options
- Offers Email Leak Test with temporary address
