Are you confused about choosing a free and paid VPN? want to compare Free VPN vs. Paid VPN? Then this article is the perfect choice for you. Read this article completely to get out of your confusion.
A virtual private network (VPN) acts as a protective cover on the Internet. It secures data through rerouting and also helps maintain anonymity. Plus, it also benefits users in many other ways. Whether you consider the advantages of a free VPN or a paid one, both have a long list of benefits.
That said, free and paid VPNs vary from one another in many ways. Read on to know the differences between them in detail.
Free VPN Vs. Paid VPN: Pros & Cons Based On Feature-Wise Comparison
When thinking about using any service, especially a VPN, the free version seems to be the best option. The reason for it is that you can use it without a fee. With that said, the common perception is that a paid service ought to be the best. So, let’s see which one constitutes a better choice between free and paid versions of VPNs by running a comparison between them based on their features.
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1. Operational Cost
When deciding between the different versions of a product, its operational cost is the first thing that comes to a user’s mind. The same rule is also applicable when it comes to choosing a VPN.
Despite being free of cost, many free VPNs offer impressive features. But to use them, you may need to run ads or allow them to use your browsing history data. Also, free versions of VPNs have some limitations. Because it is free of cost, you do not have a choice but to remain content with what you get.
Regardless of the option you choose, do not forget to keep in mind the checklist for choosing a free VPN for an informed choice.
On the other hand, you can expect an additional and full set of features with the paid version of VPNs. But all paid versions of virtual private networks are not the same. As a user, the onus is on you to choose the right option based on your needs. You can do so by comparing the features of several paid VPNs. This way, you can come up with a choice that can address your needs.
2. Security
Currently, users can access high-quality encryption options with paid VPNs. These include IPsec with Layer 2 Tunnel Protocol (L2TP), Open VPN UDP, and TCP. Most users can sail through security challenges at present with the help of these advanced technologies.
Free VPNs also provide security features, but they are not as superior as paid ones.
Security standards have been improving ever since the inception of VPNs. They have gone up several notches over the last few years. At present, most users consider 256-bit data encryption as the benchmark for security standards. You get this level of security only with paid VPNs. You can anticipate 128-bit encryption with free VPNs, which may not be good enough to overcome modern security challenges.
Being careful is necessary at the time of choosing a VPN based on its security features. It becomes all the more important in the case of free VPNs. You would be better off with the one that defines its security protocol. Avoid using those that solely rely on point-to-point tunneling protocol (PPTP).
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3. Quality
Freemium VPNs often show up limitations in terms of quality. While your definition of quality may differ from other users, you can conclude in this regard by considering the overall features of a VPN.
Free VPNs either rely on ads or the sale of the data concerning the browsing history of users. It is necessary for the providers of free VPN services as it allows them to generate revenue to meet operational costs. This means you may not get data anonymity with free VPNs. Fortunately, though, some free VPNs like Urban VPN secure the privacy of users with privacy features.
The generation of revenue helps meet the operational costs of providers that offer their virtual private network services free of cost to meet.
It is no wonder that paid VPNs fare better than those that do not charge any fee from users. Plus, unlike the latter, the former operates with a lesser possibility of a meltdown or an outage. Such VPNs automatically disable the Internet connection during an outage.
Besides, paid VPNs also have reliable customer service to address technical and subscription issues.
4. Privacy
Unfortunately, apart from select choices like Urban VPN, most free VPNs come with compromised privacy features. This is because the majority of such providers log the data linked with the browsing history of users. With this form of data stored in their databases, the providers of free VPN services can use it for marketing purposes.
Paid VPNs, especially the ones that state the logging policy, do not show up this issue. Do not forget to verify this feature personally to be doubly sure about it.
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5. Streaming And Gaming
Streaming is an important feature for those who love entertainment. It also allows users to watch channels from another location. VPNs hide the actual IP address of a user’s device by displaying the IP address linked with their virtual servers. This way, a virtual private network provides a user with an invaluable streaming experience.
Gamers also look for the best gaming VPN to access games by overcoming the geo-restrictions.
Paid VPNs provide more servers and possess the technology to overcome detection compared to the free versions of VPNs.
Final Thoughts
From the above, it stands out that paid VPNs comfortably lead the race against those available free of cost. The only advantage of the latter is that it does not charge a fee from a user. If you wish to use a free VPN, you can significantly minimize the limitations by choosing a tried and tested option such as Urban VPN.
I hope this tutorial helped you to know about the Free VPN Vs Paid VPN – Pros and Cons You need to know. If you want to say anything, let us know through the comment sections. If you like this article, please share it and follow WhatVwant on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube for more Technical tips.
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Free VPN Vs. Paid VPN – Pros and Cons You need to know – FAQs
Is a free VPN is better than no VPN?
If you really want better protection online, avoid free VPN. While you might save a few dollars each month, the risk to your privacy and data is not worth it.
How does a free VPN make money?
They track all your online habits in some way. Free VPNs make money from you by permitting advertisers to insert these little trackers that collect information about your browsing history.
Can VPN be hacked?
VPNs can be hacked, but it’s hard to do so. Furthermore, the chances of being hacked without a VPN are significantly greater than being hacked with one.
Does a VPN make your Internet slower?
A VPN can slow down your Internet, but the difference in speed can be minimal and the benefits may outweigh a slight speed loss. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) can stop others from snooping on or tampering with your Internet traffic.
Can VPN really hide your IP address?
A VPN can hide your online identity by masking your IP address. It encrypts your location and the data you send and receive, helping protect your personally identifiable information (PII).