Compare Instapaper and Panda VPN: Which App is the Best?
Instapaper is a simple, no-fuss app for saving and reading articles offline. It's easy to use, looks clean, and helps you keep your reading organized. | Panda VPN is a fast VPN service with 10M+ downloads and 4.5/5 rating, offering WireGuard protocol and 3,000+ servers, though it has faced significant billing issues and auto-charging complaints. | |
| Key Features A summary of the most important features offered by each app. |
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| Our Rating Prod Apps's expert review score for each app, based on hands-on testing and research. | 7.6 Winner in this category | 6.8 |
| Total users Total active users across all major browsers: Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari. | 0 | 0 |
| Total ratings Total number of user ratings received across all supported browsers. | 0 | 0 |
| Average rating Average user rating across all browsers, calculated from available store ratings. | — ⭐ | — ⭐ |
| Entry Level Price The minimum price required to start using the app. "Free" means a free tier is available. | Free | Free |
| Android User rating and stats for the app on Android browser. |  Downloads | Downloads |
| iOS User rating and stats for the app on iOS browser. |  | |
| Features Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Features' aspect of each app. | 7.5 Instapaper does what you need: save articles, read them offline, and organize with folders and tags. You can pay for extras like searching your saved stuff or adding more notes, but most people won't need that. Some things are missing or work better on iPhone than Android, and sometimes syncing is slow. But overall, it covers the basics really well. | 8.0 Panda VPN offers a comprehensive set of features that justify its premium positioning. The service includes WireGuard protocol, 3,000+ servers across 90+ countries, split-tunneling, and gaming optimization. The service also includes advanced features like streaming support and no-logs policy, making it more than just a basic VPN. What sets Panda VPN apart is its WireGuard protocol implementation and gaming-focused features. The service also includes advanced features like split-tunneling and streaming optimization, making it more than just a basic VPN. However, unlike Proton VPN, it lacks independent audits and transparency reports. However, the service lacks some advanced features found in dedicated VPN providers, such as specialized servers for specific use cases and some cutting-edge privacy features. The service also doesn't offer some advanced features like obfuscated servers or specialized streaming servers that some competitors provide. Compared to other VPNs like Proton VPN or NordVPN, Panda VPN offers good features, but the billing issues make it difficult to recommend over more reliable alternatives. The service provides good value for users who need fast VPN features. Winner in this category |
| Performance Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Performance' aspect of each app. | 7.5 Instapaper is fast and works well most of the time. We didn't have crashes, and reading is smooth. Sometimes syncing is slow or articles take a while to show up, especially on Android. But for everyday use, it's reliable. Winner in this category | 7.5 Panda VPN's performance is good when working properly, with fast WireGuard protocol speeds and reliable operation. The service offers decent connection speeds and good performance, but the billing issues and subscription management problems significantly impact usability. The service works well for basic VPN protection when connected, but many users report billing issues and the need to contact customer service. The connection stability is good, but the billing concerns make it difficult to use reliably. The service's performance is particularly good for gaming and streaming use cases, with users reporting fast speeds and good performance. The WireGuard protocol and gaming optimization ensure optimal performance for these use cases. Compared to other VPNs like Proton VPN or NordVPN, Panda VPN's performance is competitive but not exceptional. The billing issues make it difficult to justify the performance benefits over alternatives that offer similar features with more reliable billing. Winner in this category |
| Design Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Design' aspect of each app. | 8.0 We like how Instapaper looks. It's clean and simple, so you can just read without distractions. You can change the font or switch to dark mode if you want. The Android app could look a bit more modern, but it's still nice to use. Winner in this category | 7.5 Panda VPN's interface strikes a good balance between functionality and user-friendliness. The main screen provides quick access to server selection, connection controls, and key settings. The interface is clean and modern, with good attention to detail and user experience. The app's design is intuitive and well-organized, with clear navigation between different features. The connection status is clearly displayed, and the settings menu is well-structured. The interface doesn't overwhelm users with complex options while still providing access to advanced features. The interface is generally user-friendly and provides good visual feedback about connection status and app performance. The design reflects the premium positioning of the service, making it easy for users to manage their VPN connection. Compared to other VPNs like Proton VPN or NordVPN, Panda VPN's design is competitive and well-polished. The interface is functional and professional, with good attention to detail and user experience. |
| Value for Money Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Value for Money' aspect of each app. | 7.0 The free version is great—you get all the basics and no ads. The paid plan costs more now and doesn't add a lot unless you really need the extra features. If you just want to save and read, stick with the free version. If you want more, think about if it's worth it for you. Winner in this category | 4.0 Panda VPN's value proposition is severely compromised by aggressive billing practices and subscription management issues. The service offers competitive pricing compared to other premium VPNs, but the widespread billing complaints and auto-charging issues make it difficult to justify the cost. The service's pricing is competitive with other premium VPNs, and the WireGuard protocol makes it particularly attractive for users who want fast speeds. The comprehensive features and privacy protection add value beyond basic VPN functionality. However, the service's value is severely impacted by billing issues and subscription management problems. Many users report unauthorized charges and difficulty with refunds. The billing issues make it difficult to recommend over more transparent alternatives like Proton VPN or NordVPN. Compared to other VPNs like Proton VPN or NordVPN, Panda VPN offers good features but at a similar cost with significant billing risks. The billing issues make it difficult to recommend over alternatives that offer similar performance with more transparent billing practices. |
| Ease of Use Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Ease of Use' aspect of each app. | 8.0 It's really easy to get started with Instapaper. Saving and reading is simple, and you don't have to mess with a lot of settings. Sometimes it's hard to find certain features on Android, and syncing can be a bit slow, but most of the time it just works. Winner in this category | 6.5 Panda VPN is generally easy to use for basic VPN functionality, with a simple interface that requires minimal technical knowledge. The app's design is intuitive, and most users can get started quickly with the free trial. The service works well for most use cases and provides good performance when functioning properly. The service offers one-tap connection and server selection, making it accessible to users of all technical levels. The app doesn't require complex configuration, and the VPN connection process is straightforward. The service works well for most use cases and provides good performance when functioning properly. However, the service's ease of use is compromised by billing issues and subscription management problems. Many users report difficulty with cancellation and the need to contact customer service. The app can be frustrating to use due to billing concerns and subscription management issues. Compared to other VPNs like Proton VPN or NordVPN, Panda VPN's ease of use is similar but not significantly better. The billing issues can be frustrating for users who expect transparent subscription management. |
| Security & Privacy Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Security & Privacy' aspect of each app. | 7.5 Instapaper doesn't show ads or track you much, which we like. You do need an account to sync your articles, but we didn't see any big privacy problems. It's not the most private app ever, but it feels safe enough for everyday use. Winner in this category | 7.0 Panda VPN takes security and privacy seriously, with WireGuard protocol and no-logs policy. The service includes 256-bit ECC encryption and advanced features like split-tunneling. The service also includes advanced features like gaming optimization for enhanced privacy protection. The service's privacy features are comprehensive for a premium solution, with no-logs policy and WireGuard protocol. The service also includes advanced features like split-tunneling for enhanced security and privacy protection. However, Panda VPN has faced some privacy concerns in the past, particularly around its data collection practices and billing transparency. While the company has maintained its privacy commitments, some users remain concerned about the service's data practices and billing issues. Compared to other VPNs like Proton VPN or NordVPN, Panda VPN's privacy practices are solid but not exceptional. The service provides good protection for most users, but those with high privacy requirements might want to consider alternatives with more advanced privacy features. |
| Conclusion A summary of our findings and final thoughts for each app. | If you want an app that just lets you save and read articles without any hassle, Instapaper is a great pick. It's not perfect—sometimes things are a bit slow or missing on Android, and the premium plan costs more now. But for most people, the free version is more than enough. We use it all the time and think you might like it too. | Panda VPN offers fast speeds and good features, but its value proposition is severely compromised by aggressive billing practices and subscription management issues. The service provides good performance and extensive server coverage, but the widespread billing complaints and auto-charging issues make it difficult to recommend over more transparent alternatives.
For users who prioritize speed and are willing to carefully manage subscriptions, Panda VPN offers good performance when working properly. However, those seeking transparent billing or experiencing billing issues might find better value with alternatives that offer similar features with more reliable subscription management, such as NordVPN or ExpressVPN.
Ultimately, Panda VPN's billing issues and subscription management problems make it difficult to recommend despite its good performance. Users should consider alternatives that offer similar features with more transparent billing practices. For a more reliable free experience, consider Proton VPN or Thunder VPN. |
| Our Recommendation | ||
