5 reasons to avoid free VPNs despite their affordability
VPN has now become not just an application for bypassing blocks, but also a must-have in everyday life. VPNs encrypt your Internet traffic and route it through a secure server, ensuring that your online activity is hidden from prying eyes and protected from hackers and scammers. There are a variety of both paid and free options on the market now, and while free VPNs may seem like an attractive option, they come with several limitations and security risks that can compromise your online safety. In this article, we will look at why you should avoid free VPNs and it is better to pay a couple of bucks a month so as not to worry about information leaks and connection speed.
Reason 1 to avoid free VPNs: limited features
Free VPNs often offer only a small, limited set of features compared to their paid services. They generally impose limits on the amount of data transferred, limit the number of available servers to connect to, and provide slower connection speeds. For example, free VPNs can only transfer a few hundred megabytes of data per day, while paid VPNs often offer unlimited data usage. Also, a paid VPN can provide access to thousands of servers located in different countries, while a free VPN can only provide access to a few servers, which also affects performance and the ability to bypass geo-blocking. Additionally, free VPNs often have more users, resulting in slower connection speeds, which can affect your online activities such as streaming and gaming.
One popular paid service is NordVPN, which offers a full range of features to ensure a smooth browsing experience. With unlimited data usage, access to over 6,000 servers in over 111 countries, and blistering connection speeds, users can enjoy unlimited internet access. NordVPN goes above and beyond with additional features like anti-malware protection, ad tracking and blocking, cross-platform password management with NordPass, a data leak scanner, and 2TB cloud storage with NordLocker. NordLocker’s next-generation file encryption provides an additional layer of security, ensuring that sensitive documents and files remain safe from unauthorized access. With these features, NordVPN offers a comprehensive all-in-one solution for online security and privacy, making it a great choice for users who want to enjoy a secure and fast VPN service without compromising on features and security.
We have a full review of Nord VPN! You can read about its additional functions or get a discount using our “Open account” button ↓
Reason 2 to avoid free VPNs: security concerns
Online security and confidentiality, which are ensured by the protocols and encryption algorithms of VPN services, as well as the no-logs policy, are crucial when choosing a reliable provider. While free VPNs may seem like a fairly secure and tempting option due to their free nature, they often come with serious security issues. Many free VPNs do not pay enough attention to security and cannot provide the same level of protection as paid services. Most often, they do not undergo any audits and may even log your online activity, sell your data to third parties, or distribute malware, putting your sensitive information at risk.
Paid VPN services like Surfshark VPN offer strong security features to ensure your online activity is private and secure. Surfshark VPN uses strong 256-bit encryption and the latest WireGuard tunneling protocol, and supports powerful protocols such as OpenVPN and IKEv2. The service also offers a strict no-logs policy, which means your online activity is never recorded or shared with third parties. In addition, Surfshark VPN offers additional security features such as a built-in ad blocker, malware scanner, and MultiHop, which allows users to connect to multiple VPN servers for added security. With Surfshark VPN, you can surf the Internet with peace of mind knowing that your online activity is protected and your data is safe.
NOTE: The best Surfshark VPN deal is as low as $2.29 per month within a 2-year tariff plan + 2 months for free.
Reason 3 to avoid free VPNs: advertisements and pop-ups
Free VPNs often use advertising to generate revenue. As a result, users may be bombarded with annoying pop-ups and ads that interrupt their browsing experience. This can be frustrating and even expose you to additional security risks if the ads are malicious or lead to phishing websites.
In contrast, paid VPN services like ProtonVPN offer an ad blocker feature that prevents ads and pop-ups from appearing on your screen, further enhancing your browsing experience. This feature ensures that you won’t be interrupted by annoying ads or accidentally clicking on malicious ads that could harm your device or compromise your privacy.
In addition to its ad blocker, ProtonVPN also offers a strict no-logs policy, ensuring that your online activity remains private and confidential. This means that ProtonVPN does not collect any data about your online activity, so you don’t have to worry about your personal information being sold to third parties.
Find more about Proton ↓
Reason 4 to avoid free VPNs: slow connection speeds and unreliable performance
Free VPNs usually have slower connection speeds due to the large number of users limited resources and several servers. This can lead to buffering, lags, and increased loading times, which can be annoying when trading Forex, streaming, gaming, or downloading large files.
Instead, paid VPNs like PureVPN offer reliable performance with consistent connectivity, ensuring that users can access the internet without any interruptions. PureVPN has a vast network of 6000+ servers in over 65 countries in Europe, North America, Asia, South America, Africa, and Oceania, allowing users to bypass geo-restrictions and access content from anywhere in the world. Moreover, PureVPN offers features like split tunneling, which allows users to route some of their internet traffic through the VPN while keeping other traffic local, and an internet kill switch, which automatically cuts off internet access if the VPN connection is lost. These features help to ensure a reliable and secure online experience for PureVPN users.
Reason 5 to avoid free VPNs: a low-level customer support
Free VPNs typically do not offer the same level of customer support as paid services. This means that if you encounter any issues, you may not be able to get the help you need to resolve them.
Yet, subscription-based VPN services like ExpressVPN offer 24/7 customer support through various channels, including live chat, email, and phone. ExpressVPN has a team of experts who can help users with any issues they may encounter, such as troubleshooting connectivity problems or assisting with setup and installation. Additionally, ExpressVPN provides an extensive knowledge base and a range of user guides and tutorials to help users get the most out of their VPN service. With ExpressVPN, users can rest assured that they will have access to top-notch customer support whenever they need it, ensuring a hassle-free and seamless VPN experience.
Pro tip: Choose the Best VPNs based on real user reviews or use a reliable source Trustpilot.
Top VPNs that provide excellent value for your money
Paid VPN services offer a full range of features and benefits, including unlimited data usage, access to a large number of servers in different countries, advanced security features, reliable performance and excellent customer support. They provide higher levels of security and privacy protection than free VPNs, which may have security issues, limited features, and slower connection speeds. Subscription-based VPNs also offer additional features such as malware protection, ad blocking, password management, data leakage monitoring, and cloud storage, making them an all-in-one solution for online security and privacy. Overall, the benefits of using a paid VPN outweigh the cost of a couple of bucks a month. Our TopForex.trade team recommends several reliable VPNs that are worth the investment.
NordVPN vs free options
NordVPN is a top-rated VPN service that offers a comprehensive set of features for online security and privacy. It has over 6000 servers in more than 111 countries, unlimited data usage, and lightning-fast connection speeds. NordVPN also provides advanced security features like double VPN encryption, automatic kill switch, and CyberSec. Additionally, it offers excellent customer support and advanced features such as malware protection, tracker and ad-blocker, cross-platform password management, and 1TB cloud storage. All in all, NordVPN is a one-stop solution for online security and privacy for a couple of bucks a month.
The best price: From $4.69 per month.
Surfshark VPN vs free VPNs
Surfshark VPN is a reliable VPN service that offers top-notch security features and a user-friendly interface, all at an affordable price. With Surfshark, users can enjoy unlimited simultaneous connections, which is a rare feature among VPNs. It also provides access to over 3200 servers in 90 countries, ensuring fast and reliable performance. Surfshark’s CleanWeb feature blocks ads, trackers, and malware, enhancing the user’s browsing experience. Besides, Surfshark has a strict no-logs policy and uses top-of-the-line encryption to ensure the privacy and security of its users. In general, Surfshark VPN offers great value for its price and is worth considering.
Price: The best deal is as low as $2.89 per month within a 2-year tariff plan + 2 months for free.
ProtonVPN vs free limited providers
ProtonVPN is a VPN service that places a strong emphasis on security and privacy, with a no-logging policy and robust encryption. It also provides an ad-blocking feature to enhance your browsing experience. ProtonVPN boasts a user-friendly interface and reliable speeds, which makes it ideal for Forex trading, streaming, and torrenting. Besides, it offers a free version of its service, allowing users to try it out before upgrading to a paid plan. In general, ProtonVPN is a fantastic combination of security, performance, and value, making it a top pick among VPN users.
Price: The best deal is as low as $4.99 per month within a 2-year tariff plan.
PureVPN cheapest VPN
PureVPN is a feature-rich VPN service with a wide range of server locations and a no-logging policy. It also has excellent customer support and is a great choice for different online activities, with fast speeds and unlimited bandwidth. It also offers additional features such as split tunneling and a kill switch. PureVPN’s affordable pricing plans make it a great value for its users, and its commitment to privacy and security makes it a reliable choice for protecting your online activities.
Price: The best deal is as low as $2.11 per month within a 2-year tariff plan + 3 months free.
ExpressVPN vs free VPNs
ExpressVPN is a top-rated VPN service that provides excellent security and privacy protection. It has a large network of servers located in multiple countries, which allows for fast and stable connections. ExpressVPN is also known for its ability to bypass geo-restrictions, making it a great choice for accessing content that is not available in your region. Despite offering premium features, ExpressVPN is available at an affordable price.
Price: The best deal is as low as $6.67 per month within a 1-year tariff plan.
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