VPNs encrypt your Internet traffic, allow you to browse websites anonymously, and mask your location so you can access region-restricted content. While there are some VPNs that are completely free, these typically make money by selling your data to third parties and provide weaker encryption that could leave you exposed. However, some paid VPNs also offer free plans, which provide many of the same features and protections as the premium version, but with slower speeds and fewer server options.
Is it enough to have a free VPN? Are paid VPNs worth it? The answer, of course, depends on the VPN itself and what you plan to use it for. This article compares free VPNs to paid VPNs in general before outlining some of the best options and features available in each category.
To learn more about what VPNs are and how they are used, read What is a VPN? Definition, how it works and more.
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Pulseway
Employees by company size
Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1000-4999), Business (5000+)
Any size of company
Any size of company
Characteristics
Activity monitoring, antivirus, dashboard and more
Free VPNs vs Paid VPNs: Comparison
| Common Features | free VPNs | paid VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly bandwidth limit | Often limited | Unlimited |
| Supported devices | 1 per account | 5 or more |
| Server options | Limited | World servers |
| Speed | Subject to limitation and latency | Faster and more reliable |
Free VPNs: Featured Features
The following three providers offer legitimate VPN services with both free and paid plans. These featured features are available for free users.
- Tunnel Bear: If your VPN connection drops for any reason, TunnelBear blocks all unsecured traffic until you reconnect securely.
- ProtonVPN: Connect to the Tor anonymity network via VPN and visit .onion sites from your regular browser.
- Hide Me VPN: Free users get unlimited data with restricted speeds.
While many free VPNs, including TunnelBear, limit your monthly bandwidth, both ProtonVPN and Hide.me VPN offer unlimited bandwidth. TunnelBear and ProtonVPN offer more free security features than Hide.me VPN, but all three protect your privacy by not collecting (or selling) any logs of your connection sessions.
Paid VPN: Featured Features
These paid VPN apps offer additional features, especially for premium users.
- NordVPN: Dark Web Monitoring alerts you if your personal information is for sale on the dark web.
- Surfer shark: Dynamic multi-hop allows you to connect through two VPN servers for an extra layer of security.
- Express VPN: Includes a password manager that stores and automatically fills credentials for secure and convenient access.
These premium VPN services offer unlimited bandwidth with no speed caps on multiple devices. They provide a larger pool of servers to connect to in more locations, spreading the load to improve performance. Additionally, all of these VPNs come with additional threat protection to block malware, trackers, and ads.
Need help getting started with your new VPN? Read our guide How to use a VPN: 4 easy steps to get started.
Pros and cons of free VPN
Advantages of free VPNs
- Anyone can download and use them without a credit card.
- You can try different providers and features risk-free.
- Improved Internet security and privacy.
Cons of free VPNs
- They often come with bandwidth or speed limits.
- Limited server options that can increase latency.
- Some features are locked behind a paywall.
Pros and cons of a paid VPN
Advantages of paid VPNs
- Unlimited bandwidth and faster speeds.
- More server options to access regional content and avoid latency.
- Includes additional security and privacy features.
Cons of paid VPNs
- Requires a monthly or annual fee.
- Not all paid plans offer the same features.
Learn more about the different types of VPNs by reading 4 Different Types of VPNs and When to Use Them.
Should your organization use a free or paid VPN?
As an organization, you should avoid any VPN service that is completely free because it will likely sell your data. However, free versions of premium VPNs are usually safe to use. When looking at free and paid VPNs, it's important to choose one that doesn't collect or save any logs of your connection session, because these logs could be sold to third parties or, in extreme cases, turned over to authorities.
Some free VPNs have bandwidth limits (often around 2GB per month) that limit your activity. However, the free versions of ProtonVPN and Hide.me VPN offer unlimited monthly bandwidth, but with restricted speeds. You'll have fewer server options with a free VPN, which means the load on each server will be higher and could cause latency. Additionally, you may not be able to access content in the specific region you are searching for.
Paid VPNs typically offer unlimited bandwidth with higher speed limits. You'll also have access to a larger selection of servers so you can access all the streaming content you want with lower latency. Many paid VPNs also have additional features for premium users, such as threat protection services, dedicated IP addresses, and ad blockers.
Free versions of premium VPNs are typically safe to use and typically provide enough bandwidth and functionality for home users. Paid VPNs provide better speed and performance, as well as additional security features that make them valuable for both privacy-conscious individuals and organizations.
For more help choosing the right VPN for your organization, read about the best VPNs for SMBs or the best VPNs for businesses.
