Do you believe that cybercriminals only target large corporations? And they don’t attack individuals like us who believe they’ve nothing to hide? Think twice, be it large corporations or the average Joe scrolling memes on social media, cybercriminals can target anyone.
However, if we take strong security measures, connecting to a VPN being the most important one, then we can stay safe from cyberthreats. It’s because a VPN encrypts data sent to its secure servers and offers a safe passage to incoming and outgoing data.
That said, the irony here is that most users don’t understand the major differences between free and paid VPNs. Below, I’m going to discuss the types of VPNs and explain everything about them.
So, let’s start.
Free VPNs
If you’ve ever used a VPN (Virtual Private Network), chances are you’ve used a free one. Most people prefer free VPNs and generally believe them to be a safe option. Importantly, what attracts people the most may be the perception of top-notch data security for free.
However, this is not always true, as some free VPNs may not even have encryption in the first place. Also, while users don’t have to pay any upfront fee for using a free VPN, they may have to pay later with their data.
Since free VPNs don’t earn directly from the users, they may sell their data to third-party advertisers to get paid. Besides the frustrating ads, free VPNs may rarely spend on research and development, to take comprehensive data handling and security measures.
Most times, free VPNs use outdated security protocols and encryptions, putting user data at risk. Not to mention, they offer limited servers. Because of this, when thousands of users connect to the limited servers available, they may experience a major slowdown in their internet speed.
That said, it may not be a major problem if you’re subscribed to a high-speed internet connection.
Personally, I had a terrible experience using free VPNs with my previous service provider. However, after subscribing to fiber-optic AT&T Internet, my speeds haven’t dipped at all, and I can seamlessly go about my business without worrying about slow internet.
Here are some major pros and cons of free VPNs:
| Pros | Cons |
| There is no upfront cost of using a free VPN. | Most free VPNs may steal and sell users’ data to third-party advertisers. |
| It may be useful for less sensitive tasks. | Users may have to watch frustrating ads while using it. |
| Due to limited servers, it may slow down users’ internet speeds. |
Use Cases for Free VPNs
A free VPN may not be the best choice to secure your financial or personal data, like bank account details or social security numbers. However, if you want to access geo-restricted content and watch exclusive movies or games in your country, then a free VPN may be a good choice.
Paid VPNs
A paid VPN is one of the best security tools for people who are cautious about data stored on their devices and can afford its subscription. This is because a paid VPN follows strong security protocols and uses advanced encryptions like AES-256 to secure data.
Besides top-notch security, a paid VPN may also offer thousands of premium and high-speed servers spanning several countries. So, not only would this help you access exclusive or geo-restricted content, but also won’t impact your internet speeds.
While a free VPN may fail to offer thorough security to protect your data, you may even get free add-ons with a premium VPN. For instance, most free VPNs offer a “kill switch” that instantly disconnects your device from the internet when the VPN is disconnected accidentally.
Moreover, the paid version of NordVPN also offers ad-blocking and malware identification features that significantly enhance the VPN’s security.
Last but not least, since premium VPNs don’t rely on ad money and generate a stable income, they may frequently improve their services or invest in advanced security protocols.
Below, I’ve listed some of the major pros and cons of paid VPNs:
| Pros | Cons |
| You may not encounter any ads in a paid VPN. | Some paid VPNs may be expensive and not affordable to everyone. |
| Paid VPNs secure your data with strong security protocols and advanced encryptions. | |
| You can access thousands of high-speed servers with a premium VPN. |
Use Cases for Paid VPNs
Although I recommend a paid VPN for every online activity, it becomes an essential tool to have by your side in specific conditions. For instance, always connect your device to a paid VPN before connecting it to public WiFi.
In most cases, hackers can easily access public WiFi and infect it with malware. So, a VPN can greatly reduce the risk of your device getting infected by those viruses. Plus, whenever you access banking apps, or download or upload sensitive files, enable a paid VPN first for maximum data protection.
Free VPN vs. Paid VPN: A Quick Comparison
Before I wind up, the table below shows the major differences between free and paid VPNs:
| Free VPN | Paid VPN | |
| Cost | Free | Paid (subscription-based) |
| Servers | Fewer options | More options |
| Server Speed | Less | More |
| Ads | Yes | No |
| Add-ons | No to minimal features | Advanced features like kill switch, P2P servers, double VPN, etc. |
| Security Protocols | Mostly obsolete | Advanced |
| Reliability | Less | More |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does a paid VPN offer complete anonymity on the internet?
No, even a paid VPN can only alter your device’s IP address and assign it a secondary identity. By doing so, your device becomes unrecognizable on the web, and the bad actors may fail to pinpoint it.
Should I always connect to a VPN when accessing the internet?
Yes, it’s ideal to connect to a VPN when accessing the internet, as it will ensure data safety and security.
Is no VPN better than a free VPN?
Even though a free VPN has its drawbacks, a reliable one can offer basic to mid-level data security. So, it’s better to have a reliable free VPN than to have none at all.
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