Free VPN vs Paid VPN: Is Free VPN Worth It? You can get a VPN for free. Yes, you can enjoy a VPN service without paying a dime, and you’ll be surprised by the many VPN services that offer all the benefits of a paid service at no cost.
Paid VPN vs. Free VPN: Is Free Worth It?
But if you want to know the truth, there is no such thing as a free lunch. And when it comes to free VPNs, it’s funny that someone would think about a security service that could put your privacy at risk more than not using a VPN at all.
So, if a free VPN service can protect your online privacy, keep reading to find out why we strongly advise against it and why a paid VPN like ExpressVPN is a better choice.
Free VPNs
You’ve seen a lot of ads for free VPN services online that promise to keep your connection safe every time you use them. The truth is that a business that gives VPN for free is still a business. And for a company to stay open, it must earn enough money to keep going.
How can a free VPN service keep up an extensive network of servers, hire the right op-sec (security) employees, and still earn a profit without charging you a subscription fee?
Free VPNs typically make money by selling data about your online activities to ad agencies, marketing firms, consumer study groups, and other companies that collect data about online consumers. Others collect your personal information and then sell it to third parties for a fee. These companies act as “data brokerages.”
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If you don’t think this is scary enough, think about having someone keep track of your financial transactions, online purchases, credit card information, and any other personal data you want to keep away from strangers.
There’s also the chance that you’ll be constantly bothered by more annoying and intrusive ads than what you usually see. This is generally because free VPN companies add more ads than you typically see when you browse.
In other words, you let the free VPN service profit from your online activities and still leave your devices open to viruses that can damage your files.
Disadvantages of a Free VPN
Why should you not use a free VPN?
1. Free VPNs do not offer stable connections and fast speeds.
If you’ve never used a free VPN, you might be surprised how much it can slow down your connection speed. In their ads, they would say that you would get at least 60 Mbps speed, but you would get much less than that. And if you’re surprised by how fast it goes for the first few minutes, wait until it drops suddenly and stays low. Likewise, only expect to watch a YouTube movie after waiting for it to load.
2. Most Free VPNs have limited data allowance.
Yes, it’s free, but most free VPNs have a cap on how much data you can use. Some only give you 500 MB per month, while others give you more or less. And if a free VPN service says you can use it as much as you want, wait until you get fed up with how slow it is.
3. Free VPNs do not have enhanced security features.
Security tools are expensive and a minor concern of free VPN companies because their main goal is to make a profit at the lowest cost possible. So don’t expect them to say “best-in-class encryption” soon. In addition, your connection is shared with others using the same server, which should be enough to concern you.
4. Free VPNs cannot unblock streaming services.
If you want to get around geo-restricted streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+, don’t expect to watch your favorite shows available in your local library using a free VPN. With so few servers, accessing any blocked sites is impossible.
5. Free VPNs don’t ensure your privacy.
As was said above, your data is sold to third-party groups. Free VPN companies can track what you do online because they put a source code into the system. This means that every click, every site you view, and every piece of information you enter or download is recorded.
Paid VPNs
A paid VPN like ExpressVPN has more bandwidth and a higher level of security than a free VPN. This makes sure that hackers can’t get into your connection. You can also be sure that your links will be fast and stable with the tiny drop in speed.
Furthermore, annoying ads and pop-up messages that could lead to dangerous websites are free from interfering with your online experience.
And since paid VPN providers earn money from subscribers, it would be wise to refrain from risking their image by selling your data to other paid companies.
Advantages of Paid VPN
Here are some benefits of using a VPN with a good reputation, such as ExpressVPN.
1. Highly stable and super-fast connection
Any VPN will slow down your connection, but the better-paid VPNs won’t slow it down as much as the free ones do.
2. Better security features
Using the AES algorithm, you only get AES-256-bit encryption to change data from understandable to unreadable. In addition, it is the most complicated math, making it hard to break with raw force.
3. Huge number of servers across different countries and cities
Use the fact that more server sites are in different parts of the world. From North America to Asia, you will always have things to do. You can change your IP address to one from just about any place on Earth.
4. Can bypass geo-restricted streaming services and websites
Get around censorship in countries that don’t allow certain shows, media, or content. For example, if you are traveling abroad and find that your streaming service only lets you watch local content, turn on your VPN and choose a server from a country that does not block the content you want to watch.
5. Protects your privacy
A real paid VPN service won’t keep logs of what you do online. This will ensure that your meetings are private and that you stay anonymous whenever you use the service.
6. Excellent customer service
Paid VPN services provide 24/7 customer service for any troubles or problems you may have. This can be done through live chat, email, or by phone.
7. Multiple device use
Paid VPNs allow you to use the same account on various devices. If you live with family or friends, you can sign up for a single plan and enjoy the service using various devices.
Free VPN vs. Paid VPN
So, now that you know about these things, which VPN is best for you? Here is a quick review and a few more things you can use to decide between a free VPN and paid VPN.
| Feature | Free VPN | Paid VPN |
| Speed | Very slow; frequently drops off |
Fast |
| Bandwidth | Limited | Unlimited |
| Encryption | None | 256-bit AES |
| Keeps logs | Yes | No |
| Total Servers | Limited | Many |
| Https Browsing | No | Yes for safer browsing |
| Ads | Many | None |
| Privacy | None | Guaranteed |
| Kill Switch | None | Yes to prevent data leaks when you are suddenly cut off |
| Bypass geo-restrictions |
No | Yes |
| Throttling | Yes | No; not even your ISP can detect your activity |
| Customer Support | None | 24/7 live chat, phone support or email |
The table above shows why you should go with a paid VPN.
But keep in mind that it shouldn’t be just any VPN. It would help if you looked into the features they offer and compare them to what other services have to offer.
Ready to use a paid VPN? Try ExpressVPN!
Choose your ExpressVPN plan today to start making every time you browse the web safe and sound. Then, with privacy and security, use the Internet to your advantage!