Looking for a free VPN? Before downloading the first service you find, read this article. Free VPNs often hide serious risks to your privacy.

The business model of free VPNs

A VPN has significant infrastructure costs: servers, bandwidth, maintenance. If you're not paying directly for the service, another source of revenue is needed.

Most free VPNs generate revenue by:

  1. Selling browsing data to advertisers
  2. Injecting ads into the web pages you visit
  3. Throttling bandwidth to encourage upgrading to a paid plan
  4. Reselling your connection as a proxy for other users

Case studies: problematic free VPNs

Hola VPN

Hola VPN was singled out for reselling its free users' bandwidth, which was then used as part of a controversial commercial network.

Betternet

Betternet was found to have 14 tracking libraries embedded in its Android app — far more than the average commercial app.

SuperVPN

SuperVPN exposed the data of more than 21 million users in a massive leak in 2021.

More reliable alternatives

If you're looking for lower-cost protection, several options exist:

  1. PureVPN (31-day trial) — good value for money on a subscription
  2. Proton VPN (limited free plan) — based in Switzerland, no-log policy
  3. Windscribe (10 GB/month free) — a transparent but limited option

Our recommendation

For reliable long-term online protection, a paid VPN like PureVPN generally offers better value for money than a free plan, starting at €2.14/month on the long-term subscription.

A quality VPN isn't a luxury — it's a basic security tool in the digital age.