Are Free VPNs Safe? 5 Risks You Need to Know!

VPNs effectively improve the security of online activities and protect your privacy by hiding your IP address and encrypting traffic.

Many VPNs are in the Google Store, including “free VPNs.” Doesn’t a free VPN sound good? You will enjoy the functions of a VPN without having to purchase a package. But are free VPNs safe?

This article will introduce 5 risks of free VPNs, including viruses, many ads, and slowing down your speed. We will also tell you how to choose a good VPN at a lower price.

What Is a Free VPN?

Free VPN means a VPN service that you can use it without paying. Its primary function is to encrypt your network connection, hide your IP address, help protect your online privacy, bypass geo-restrictions, or access restricted content.

On the surface, free and paid VPNs have similar functions, but their business models differ entirely. Free VPNs often rely on ad revenue or other means to stay afloat, which can come with risks.

5 Risks of Free VPN

1. Free VPNs Contain Malware/Trojans

The first risk of free VPNs is that they may contain many viruses. Studies show that more than half of free VPNs are hiding places for malware.
Not only will they spy on your personal information, but they may also install hidden viruses or Trojans on your device. This will slow down your Internet speed and even affect your work and life.

2. Leaks Your IP Address

Up to 80% of free VPNs leak your information to advertisers, including browsing history, search habits, IP address, and location information.

Worse, when you use a free VPN for sensitive operations, such as online banking transactions, all your information may be at risk. This is not only a privacy leak but also a security risk.

3. Ad Overload in Free VPN

If you’ve used a free VPN, you’ve probably seen a lot of pop-up ads. Those seemingly harmless ads are the secret to how free VPNs make money.
These ads monitor your actions in the background, record your browsing habits, and then use this information to serve you more exclusive ads. This not only wastes your time but also violates your privacy.

4. Slow Down Internet Speed

Do you notice that your internet speed slows when using a free VPN? Yes, free VPNs slow down internet speed.

Because free VPNs only provide limited server resources. You and hundreds of other users compete for limited bandwidth on an overloaded server. Moreover, some free VPNs deliberately limit your internet speed to test your patience and get you to upgrade to their paid plans.

5. Can’t Unblocking Streaming

Many people choose VPNs to access streaming content at will, such as the latest episodes on Netflix or exclusive movies on Hulu. But the reality is that free VPNs can’t do that.

First, free VPN servers are blacklisted by streaming media because they are abused. Once the server is blocked, those streaming platforms you want cannot unblock. To bypass the restrictions of platforms such as Netflix, you need substantial resources and technical support, which free VPNs cannot provide.

Therefore, if you want a smooth streaming experience, investing in a high-quality paid VPN is a wiser choice.

A Free VPN is Risky, Paid VPN is Better!

Among the many VPNs, we don’t only have free VPNs to choose from. Instead of saving a little money to take security risks, it is better to consider a safe and stable paid VPN.

The prices of many paid VPNs are not as expensive as you think. Maybe you can get a better network experience for just the price of a cup of coffee. The following table tells you the difference between free and paid VPN:

Free VPNs have limited data usage, unstable speeds, weak security measures, lack of advanced features, limited server selection, and weak privacy protection capabilities. This goes against the original purpose of using a VPN.

In contrast, paid VPNs provide better services in every aspect: unlimited data, faster network speeds, stronger encryption protocols, a wide range of servers, and so on.

In the long run, it is worth investing in a good paid VPN to lay a solid foundation for your network security and privacy protection.

So, how do you choose the best VPN? If you don’t want to spend much time searching, let me introduce you to several free VPN alternatives.

Best Alternatives to Free VPN

Here are some of the best paid VPNs, with prices ranging from $5-15/month. Most offer free VPN trials and 30-day unconditional refunds, so you can enjoy high-quality services without spending more money.

LightningX VPN

As a rising star in VPN in recent years, LightningX VPN has won users’ trust with its super fast speed, powerful unblocking ability, and secure encryption technology.

• Provide dedicated servers, which will hardly reduce the original network speed.
• 2000+ servers in 50+ countries, including the United States, Japan, Australia, etc.
• The unblocking ability is powerful, supporting unblocking platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Telegram, ChatGPT, etc.
• Use virtual IP technology and the latest Sing-Box kernel and TLS IN TLS encryption protocol to ensure user privacy and security.
• Unlimited speed and bandwidth, support 3 devices at the same time.
• 7-day free trial, 30-day unconditional refund, only $5.99 per month, and the annual fee is cheaper (buy one year and get one year free).

ProtonVPN

As a well-known VPN, ProtonVPN is still stable. It is located in Switzerland, has independent review certification, and promises not to keep user records. It provides 5000+ servers, ad blocking, and other features. It supports 10 devices that can connect at the same time. However, the monthly fee is higher than LightningX VPN, which costs $9.99 monthly.

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN uses features such as AES-256-bit encryption, a no-logging policy, and a network lock (kill switch) to ensure your online experience is safe. It has more than 3000 servers worldwide, and you can use it to unblock various streaming platforms. It supports various devices and operating systems, including Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, etc., and can be used on 8 devices simultaneously. The monthly fee is the most expensive of the three VPNs, at $12.95.

FAQ about Free VPN

1. Can You Get Caught Using a Free VPN?

Using a VPN may raise concerns about getting caught, especially in countries with strict Internet regulations. Using a free VPN may lead to security issues, such as exposing your IP address and leaking personal information.

Therefore, it is recommended that you use a reputable no-log VPN and take additional privacy measures to greatly reduce the possibility of being caught.

2. Is a free VPN safe on iPhone?

No. Even though the iPhone has strong malware protection, a free VPN that collects data is dangerous on any device.