Free VPN: What Are They Really Worth?
Free VPNs are attractive because of their zero price tag, but the real cost is often paid with your personal data. Many free services fund their infrastructure by collecting and reselling their users' browsing habits to advertising networks.
Risks to Be Aware Of
Several independent studies have shown that a significant share of free VPNs share browsing data with third parties.
Bandwidth is often throttled to 10–20 Mbps, which significantly hampers daily use.
Often limited to 500 MB – 2 GB per month, insufficient for regular use.
Some free VPN apps bundle intrusive ads, or even spyware.
Unlike serious paid services, most free VPNs publish no verifiable audit of their privacy policy.
Free VPN vs Paid VPN: Comparison
| Criteria | Free VPN | PureVPN (€2.14/month) |
|---|---|---|
| Measured speed | ❌ 10–20 Mbps | ✅ 450 Mbps |
| Data quota | ❌ 500 MB – 2 GB | ✅ Unlimited |
| Privacy policy | ❌ Rarely audited | ✅ No-Log certified by KPMG |
| Customer support | ❌ Often absent | ✅ 24/7 via chat |
| Number of countries | ❌ 3–10 countries | ✅ 78 countries |
| Money-back guarantee | ❌ No | ✅ 31 days |
More Trustworthy Free Alternatives
If you still want to try a free VPN, some options limit the risks better than others:
- ProtonVPN Free: no data quota, but a choice of only 3 countries and reduced speed.
- Windscribe Free: 10 GB/month, 10 countries available.
- PureVPN: paid, but with a 31-day money-back guarantee, which lets you test it without real financial commitment.
Our Recommendation
For under €2.14/month, a paid VPN with an independent audit offers noticeably better protection than most free solutions. PureVPN's 31-day guarantee lets you test it and get a full refund if you're not satisfied.
31-day money-back guarantee — test risk-free.
Discover PureVPN — €2.14/month