Why pay when it’s free?

When comparing free VPN vs paid VPN options, it’s important to understand both the benefits and limitations. Free VPNs are an appealing choice for those who want to stay private without paying a dime, but these services often come with limited server access and slower speeds. Sometimes, they may even expose you to privacy and security risks.

Meanwhile, paid VPNs have none of these limitations, offering improved speeds and security, support for streaming and torrenting, multiple simultaneous connections, and plenty of other worthwhile features—such as split tunneling, ad-blocking, and more.

Below, we’ll provide an easy-to-follow overview and then dive into the pros and cons of free vs. paid VPNs. We’ll also share a solid alternative to free VPNs for short-term use and explore how free providers make money in the first place before answering some FAQs.

Free VPN vs paid VPN: Quick overview

The pros and cons of free VPN vs paid VPN apps

Free and paid VPNs have their own strengths and weaknesses. Let’s explore the advantages and drawbacks of both so you can choose the best option for your needs.

Pros of free VPNs

• No upfront cost: You can hide your IP and gain a modicum of security without any financial commitment, assuming it’s a trusted provider.
• Great for short-term use or casual browsing: Free VPNs work well if you need basic privacy while browsing or want to access regionally restricted websites temporarily.

Cons of free VPNs

• Limited data and server options: Most free providers offer only a handful of servers and about 5-10 GB of monthly data, which can quickly run out.
• Slower speeds due to overcrowding: With more users sharing limited servers, free VPNs often suffer from slower connection speeds and frequent buffering.
• No streaming capabilities: Most (if not all) free VPNs can’t evade filters on streaming sites like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and others.
• Disabled torrenting on free plans: Free VPNs typically disable torrenting or limit download speeds, making them unsuitable for P2P file-sharing.
• Potential privacy risks: Many free VPNs track and store user data, which may be sold to third parties or used for targeted advertising.
• Poor security and lack of advanced features: Free services often provide lower levels of encryption, and they lack specialized servers, threat blocking, and other valuable features.
• Browser ad injections: Some free VPNs push unwanted ads into your browsing experience for a profit, which can be intrusive.
• Possible malware infections: A few apps may contain malware or have ads that redirect to malicious websites designed to steal your data.

Pros of paid VPNs

• Unlimited data and faster speeds: No data caps and quicker connections means you can stream, browse, and download without interruptions.
• More robust privacy and security features: Paid VPNs use cutting-edge encryption and extra features such as a kill switch, split tunneling, and threat blockers to keep you safe.
• Access to premium servers and streaming: Bypass geo-blocks and enjoy content from platforms like Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and more.
• Torrenting-optimized servers: Many paid VPNs offer specialized servers for torrenting, providing fast and anonymous file sharing without restrictions.
• Better device compatibility: Premium VPNs are optimized to work across various devices, including routers, stream boxes, and smart TVs.
• Plenty of simultaneous connections: Unlike free VPNs, which typically only allow you to connect with a single device at a time.

Cons of paid VPNs

• Requires a subscription: Paid VPNs charge a subscription fee, which might not be ideal for users looking for a one-time solution or only occasional use.
• It may be overkill for casual use: If you’re not much of a show/movie watcher and never use unsafe public Wi-Fi or work with sensitive data, a paid VPN may feel unnecessary.
• Not all paid VPNs deliver on promises: Some services fall short on speed, security, or reliability, so it’s important to research and choose a trustworthy paid VPN.

What’s the best free VPN alternative?

We get it; a VPN subscription is not always included in the budget. Still, there are moments when a VPN is a temporary necessity, such as:

• Avoiding internet censorship, such as Turkey blocking Discord or Brazil banning Twitter between August and October 2024.
• Accessing shows and other content from back home while traveling abroad.
• Secure your data when working with sensitive data on unsecured public Wi-Fi, such as at a hotel, café, or other public hotspots.

Fortunately, you can do all these by taking advantage of free VPN trial offerings. Enjoy fast connections, extensive worldwide server networks, and the ability to unblock most geo-restricted services in just a few clicks—all without the usual downsides of free VPNs.

How do free VPNs make money?

Free VPNs earn money through various methods, such as selling user data to third parties, showing ads, or offering limited features to encourage users to upgrade to a paid plan.

Selling your browsing and location data

Customer data is extremely valuable to ad companies. They can then create highly targeted ads based on the kind of websites you visit, where you shop, what device you use, and so on.

Free VPNs sell all this information about you to data brokers, who, in turn, pass it on to advertisers. Always verify your VPN’s logging policy to see how they handle your data. Then again, some free VPNs leaked user data online despite their no-logs claims.

Injecting ads into your browser

Free VPNs often inject ads into your browser to generate revenue. This is typically done by intercepting and modifying web traffic through their servers. Some free VPNs might use JavaScript injections or other methods to show ad content on the websites you visit. Worse, this can sometimes expose you to malware if the ads link to unsafe sources.

Since premium providers rely on subscriptions to cover their costs, they don’t have to resort to potentially dangerous monetization techniques. Using a paid VPN can even let you filter ads and malicious URLs online (see NordVPN’s Threat Protection and similar blockers).

Limiting features to get you to upgrade

Free VPNs often limit their features to nudge users toward upgrading to paid plans. Common restrictions include low monthly data caps, reduced connection speeds, no streaming support, and access to only a few servers. Some even block torrenting on free servers.

Paid plans are marketed as solutions to these frustrations, offering unlimited data, higher speeds, and access to streaming and torrenting servers. This method is less intrusive and poses fewer dangers, but it can still feel a bit pushy at times.

Free VPN vs paid VPNs FAQs

Related: Best free mobile VPNs