All VPNs are virtual private networks that are supposed to encrypt your online data, protect you, and give you some privacy online. However, not all of them do that. For example, some keep your data.
With so many VPNs out there, it’s getting harder and more challenging to find one suited for your needs and ensure it does what it is supposed to. There are several differences between a free VPN and a paid/premium VPN. Let’s see what they are!
What is a Good VPN?
Some of the best VPNs can make you completely private on the web, protect you from cyber threats, and more. Here is what you should look for in a good VPN:
Private Online Data
The best VPNs don’t keep any logs at all. With a premium VPN, your session data will disappear. Yet, some top VPN providers keep partial connection logs, but they don’t track your activity or share your data.
Network Security
Good VPNs provide end-to-end AES 256-bit encryption, better variants, tunneling protocols, and OpenVPN. Paid VPNs can’t operate without subscribers, and they will lose their business. This means that they can’t afford security failures.
There are other top-notch security factors that good VPNs use, such as split tunneling, double VPN, kill switches, DNS, and IPv6 leak protection.
No Bandwidth or Speed Limits
Good VPNs don’t impose bandwidth or speed limits. You can thus use your VPN even when playing online, streaming, or P2P activities.
Various Server Locations
A paid VPN usually has various server locations that you can choose from, penetrating even the Great Firewall of China. You can even access restricted content on your Netflix account with these VPNs.
Many Other Features & Great Experience
Apart from worldwide content access, security, and privacy, you will receive other stuff with a paid VPN. Different offers include dedicated IPs, P2P servers, built-in malware, ad blockers, etc. In some cases, you can use one VPN subscription on multiple devices at once.
What is a Bad VPN?
Bad VPNs are usually free, and because of this, they have no obligation to provide a good experience for their clients. It’s difficult to find free VPNs that actually work. Here are some things that free VPNs unfortunately do:
Track or Sell Your Personal/Browsing Data
Free VPNs are unsafe, and they can share your session data with advertisers and spam you with ads. Since third parties access your private information and collect your data, you don’t have online privacy, which is the opposite of what a trustworthy VPN should provide.
Other Users Access Your Account
Many free VPNs operate as P2P networks, sending your data through another user’s device while routing other users’ traffic through yours. This means that your PC will have a high risk of getting malware or facing DNS attacks.
Weak Cybersecurity
Free VPNs have weak cybersecurity because they can’t invest in network infrastructure. The weak and unreliable encryption provided by free VPNs is easily crackable.
Constant Ads
A bad VPN will harass you with constant ads because selling your data is the only way these free VPNs can make some money. Some ads might even contain viruses or malware, perhaps unintentionally, but just one click can end in disaster.
Slow PC
Using a terrible VPN will slow down your PC, especially when you try to stream online videos, play games, or download files. Since free VPNs have small networks, they will inevitably slow your web browsing.
Limited Features
Bad VPNs have limited features even if they don’t collect your data and reduce the number of ads thrown your way. However, you will still face slow internet speeds, and you won’t be able to access restricted content as with a premium VPN. You might download that free VPN to try and browse some new movies on Netflix, but that, unfortunately, won’t happen.
How to Spot the Differences Between a Good and Bad VPN?
The first sign to spot a good VPN is if it’s free or not. Paid VPNs don’t bombard you with ads, slow your internet speed, or sell your data. Free VPNs do not have the financial power to sustain themselves unless they resort to selling your data or other methods.
A bad VPN doesn’t have many features compared to a good one. It will have poor uploading or downloading speeds and limited server locations. The main thing that keeps them in business is their subscribers, so they can’t risk that.
A good VPN is fast, has numerous server locations, and has additional security features. Apart from this, it will also have many good reviews online. To find out the best VPN for you, simply read through the reviews, check their features, and read their privacy policies. Enjoy your newfound freedom online!