How Do You Choose a VPN App?

How Do You Choose a VPN App? Lately I keep seeing a ton of VPN apps in the Play Store and I honestly have no idea how people pick something sane out of that pile. 😅 Do you guys actually sit and read through reviews, or just trust the rating and go with whatever’s at the top? I’ve installed a few “high rated” ones that turned out super sketchy or full of ads, so now I’m a bit more paranoid and trying to figure out a smarter way to choose.