Google Drive is a great alternative for individuals who don’t have a word processor or any form of an office suite. It allows them to make documents, powerpoint presentations, excel documents and more without the added memory being eaten up or having to load a software on your computer. For those who do have a word processing suite, Google Drive is a great way to have collaborative documents on your computer.

For example, it is the office software that I make use of whenever I have a group presentation that needs a couple of extra hands. While it is already a great service, add-ons make it even better. Here are ten Google Drive add-ons that we love.

1. Hellofax

Despite all of the advancements in communication technology, there are still some individuals who use fax machines. While many people don’t have fax machines, Hellofax allows individuals to send faxes to and from other people through Google Drive. This is all done online; it just takes a few clicks and their fax number. Click the link above to download Hellofax.

2. UberConference

UberConference brings conference calls to Google Drive. One of the features I mentioned liking most about Google Drive is the collaborativeness of many of the word processing features. UberConference brings this collaborativeness to another level by allowing you to add voice to the conversation. You can also save conversations so that you are able to refer back to them later. Click the link above to download UberConference.

3. PandaDoc

In this era of everything being digital, there are still a couple of relevant communication elements that can be difficult to manage digitally. A great example of this issue is the signature. The act of putting pen to paper to certify your agreement to the terms of a document is something that still hasn’t gone out of style. PandaDoc allows this to be possible online. You can add your digital signature to documents in a snap. Click the link above to download PandaDoc.

4. Maps for Docs

This add-on allows individuals to add Google Maps to their documents. This can be useful when you need to show a specific location to an individual. You can toggle Maps for Docs by simply typing the address that you are looking to add to the map into the application. From there, it will spit out an image of the map that you need to add into your Google Drive document. Click the link above to download Maps for Docs.

5. DriveTunes

DriveTunes allows you to add music directly into your Google Doc. This is also useful when you need to add other audio documents as well. Drive Tunes works by allowing you to upload mp3 and m4a files into the application. From there, you are able to attach them into your document, making them playable for those who view your document. Download DriveTunes by clicking the link

6. Google Slides

Google Slides allows you to bring to your presentations to life. Through simple but stylish templates and amazing animations, you are able to spice up a presentation all in Google Drive. Google Slides is accessible anywhere and even offline. This is all possible without the need of any special software to download. Click the link above to see what Google Slides has to offer.

7. Mail2Drive

If you have ever received an email that included important information, like instructions or directions, you might have decided to make it into a word document of some type. Mail2Drive does this for you by allowing you to create word documents out of the text of emails. It is a very simple application with a minimal design. This is automatically done for all email messages. Click the link above to download the program.

8. EasyBib

One of the most annoying parts of a research paper is having to add a bibliography or other form of source citations. However, they are necessary as a way of preventing plagiarism accusations. EasyBib allows you to cite your sources the easiest way you can all in Google Docs. You can have sources cited in MLA, Chicago, and APA format. Click the link above to download EasyBib.

9. MindMeister

Bullet points are helpful when you need to concisely describe the important points of a broad idea. Being able to visualize this, especially when studying for a big test or final, is a great way to retain the information for some people. MindMeister allows you to visualize bullet point lists by making the header the main topic and each bulletpoint a root of the mind map. You can check out this amazing program by clicking the link above.

10. IFTTT

IFTTT is a website that allows individuals to connect some of their favorite websites and web applications together to get tasks done automatically and repetitively if needed. This is done by creating connections. For example, you can connect Facebook and a certain date together so that a status update is created whenever that date occurs. IFTTT also has a ton of formulas, also known as “recipes” for Google Drive. I recommend checking them out to have Google Drive work for you.

Featured photo credit: Vimeo via i.vimeocdn.com

When it comes to digital security, public Wi-Fi networks aren’t safe enough, making it much easier for hackers to access your personal data. Whether you are studying in a library or scrolling through Facebook in a coffeehouse, it is vital to have a VPN installed on your device.

VPNs work wonders when it comes to securing your internet connection. By creating an encrypted tunnel between a remote server run by the VPN service, they protect your personal data from prying eyes. There is a variety of VPNs available on the web, and we have collated a list of the best VPNs that stand out from the rest.

How to Choose a VPN

• Free trial period – Free trials allow you to try the product risk-free. The same idea technically applies to those with 30-day full refunds as well.
• Speed – You want your VPN to be just as fast as the internet speed at home. Good quality VPNs are ones where you see little difference between those speeds.
• Device connection – Of course, the more devices that can connect to VPNs, the better. It increases the customers’ coverage and the product’s value. You also want to consider compatibility since fewer VPNs may work for Mac or Windows only.
• Number of servers – The number of servers determines how much capacity a VPN can handle while you are connected. The more servers there are, the more users it can handle without running into potential disconnections or slow speeds.
• Kill switch feature – Having this feature means that your IP address isn’t exposed if the VPN disconnects for some reason. A lack of this feature is a big deal since the whole reason why you’re paying for a VPN is to hide your IP address, among other things. (Find out how to avoid getting tracked online here: Big Brother Is Watching You Online: How To Avoid Being Tracked)

Why You Should Trust Us

Our hand-picked VPNs are incredibly efficient and offer such distinctive features that grant you safe browsing. They outperform many VPNs in terms of both speed and security. Their primary aim is to provide you the utmost security, thus enabling you to surf the web safely and prevent any potential threat from causing harm.

Among the best VPNs’ many unique features include split tunneling, strict logging policies, high encryption level, and availability of international servers. We have gathered them in this article to enlighten our readers and offer the best pieces of advice before you get one. Therefore, take our word for it, and if you go for a VPN mentioned below, you’d be fully appeased.

1. NordVPN

The most popular VPN on the market these days is NordVPN, and it’s easy to see why. It has widespread coverage, offering a selection of over 5,000 servers spanning across 59 countries.^[1] Due to the high number of servers, its speed is similar to your Wi-Fi at home.

Lifehack’s CEO, Leon, has been using NordVPN for many years and wants to recommend it for its remarkable server count in different locations with no-logs policy. The VPN perfectly works with Netflix and Fire TV stick, too.

NordVPN is also compatible with Mac, Windows, and Linux. You can download the app onto Chrome, Firefox, Android, and Mac OS. Thanks to its massive coverage, it’s easy to connect multiple devices onto these servers.

In terms of pricing, while NordVPN doesn’t have a free trial period, they argue that their plans are considerably cheaper than those of their competitors. For example, a one-year plan for ExpressVPN costs $8.32 per month, but NordVPN only charges $6.99 monthly.

NordVPN has a new protocol called NordLynx that is based on WireGuard with speed benefits, though it’s still under development.^[2] If you’re looking for general quality and affordability, this is one of the best VPNs around.

Buy this VPN.

2. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is the second-best option out there for keeping your privacy while browsing the internet. Like many other VPNs here, they will encrypt your IP address, offer vast coverage, and can have multiple devices connected to their servers.

Compared to NordVPN, while the pricing point is higher, ExpressVPN’s biggest selling point is the number of countries that their connection covers. Depending on where you are in the world, this may be the only option you have. They have fewer servers — 160, to be precise — but they make up for the low server count by covering 94 countries.^[3]

Cost-wise, your best bet is to go with the yearly plan where they charge $8.32 a month. They also have one- and six-month plans.

Get this VPN.

3. Surf Shark

With regards to Surf Shark, you can connect multiple devices to its servers, and it’s compatible with Windows, Linux, and Mac. It is also available on Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, and FireTV.

Furthermore, Surf Shark can whitelist apps and sites, letting them bypass the VPN. This, along with the lines of split-tunneling, is another feature that many VPNs offer. The difference is that Surf Shark allows you to whitelist specific apps or any website, while most VPNs will whitelist all sites or none at all.

The other consideration for this app is the price. While lower-tier plans are more expensive compared to others, Surf Shark’s 24-month plan is priced at $2.69 a month, so it’s cheaper than even NordVPN’s equivalent plan!

Buy this VPN.

4. CyberGhost

Another top-reviewed VPN is CyberGhost. They’ve been around for 15 years and have fine-tuned their offers and features to stay competitive. They provide the standard package of browsing the web and logging into accounts safely and give you access to regionally blocked content.

The network also maintains security from hackers, malware, and phishing. Aside from that, you can connect multiple devices, and it’s compatible with all kinds of platforms.

What separates CyberGhost from the others is their extensive coverage. They have multiple servers, and the pricing point is still very low. It covers over 88 countries and has roughly 6200 servers for you to choose from, all while charging $2.75 for their 18-month plan.

Try this VPN.

5. IPVanish

IPVanish’s prime purpose is to give users online freedom by providing fast speeds and private connections. It’s clear that they can meet that promise as they provide many of the features that have been listed previously from their competitors.

IPVanish is a part of SugarSync now. What is that, you may ask? It’s a cloud-based service that syncs files across devices and computers for sharing, backup, and many more. What this means is that other devices can access various files and videos so long as they are connected to your specific VPN. Furthermore, it can serve as a backup plan if you get hacked or lose your device for some reason.

Check out this VPN.

6. Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access (PIA) is a remarkably generous company in many ways. Aside from the obvious features, they offer great incentives and discounts for people to try out their products. They claim to be the most trustworthy and reliable VPN around, and we believe that.

One notable thing is that PIA offers a free two-month trial. Compared to other VPNs to this point, none have provided free trials (though all come with a 30-day money-back guarantee). On top of that, small businesses can avail of their VPN at a discounted rate. There is also the fact that their pricing plans go as low as $2.69 a month for two years, and they let you pay with gift cards.

In terms of specs, PIA has over 2695 servers that cover 47 countries right now.

These particular aspects make PIA unique and one of the best VPNs to consider.

Get this VPN.

7. Hotspot Shield

Hotspot Shield is all about offering protection while you’re browsing the internet or using streaming services like Netflix. The encryption is military-grade, and its speed is ultra-fast. In truth, it is even marketed as one of the fastest VPNs.

Hotspot Shield offers a plan that only costs  $7.99 a month; however, it’s one of the few in this list to provide its services for free. Like other Freemium apps, the free version comes with limited features. That said, it gives you a much better feel for the VPN.

Also, take note that the encryption feature is still there, though the limitations in the free plan include connecting to one location in the US and having limited streaming options and speed.

Buy this VPN.

8. Norton

Norton has been on the security scene for some time, and it’s actually one of the founders of the internet security industry. It started with virus and malware protection in 1991 and has since branched off to other sectors as the industry has shifted.

As you might expect from a company that’s been around for a long time, Norton provides excellent services, and a few of their other services have gone into the VPN package. In reality, Norton is the only one thus far to offer a password manager with their VPN services. They provide 50GB of cloud storage as well.

Norton has one of the cheapest VPNs, considering you can get their deluxe plan at $49.99 per year. That comes up to roughly $4.17 a month. It might be slightly higher than other equivalent plans, but you get a lot of extra value that makes it worth the price.

Buy this VPN.

9. StrongVPN

The final VPN we want to cover is StrongVPN. Like many others, it’s great at blocking unnecessary web traffic and providing a fast and simple solution to navigating the internet without any hindrance.

StrongVPN has over 900 servers. It is available in more than 30 countries and compatible with all devices. Beyond that, the only notable selling point it has compared to others is that it also offers Sugarsync services and 250GB of storage, irrespective of your chosen plan.

As for the pricing, their year-long plan costs $5.83 a month, while their month-long one is $10.

Buy this VPN.

Bottom Line

Getting online protection is important these days, and companies recognize this.

With more hacks and breaches occurring every single day, the best VPNs can provide an excellent haven for many people who value their security and privacy.

We hope that by putting together this list, you’ll be able to find the best VPN that you can trust and enjoy using. As you can see, there are several great options with no real wrong one out there. Pick the VPN that’s best for you.

Featured photo credit: Petter Lagson via unsplash.com