When it comes to choosing a VPN client, users have different approaches. Some believe that the idea of security, data protection, and anonymity for free is too good to be true. While others simply apply the logic of why pay for something when you can get it for free! This divides users into two sections, and the debate of which is better, VPNs, Free or Paid, is ongoing for thousands of users.
Furthermore, the growing popularity of VPNs has driven a lot of attention to spoofing IP addresses for a safer online experience. This increasing competition opened doors for hundreds of free VPN clients and to some burning questions like –
Is using a free VPN safe? If yes, why are there paid VPNs? If there is a difference, then what is it? How different are free and paid VPNs?
Most importantly, is a free VPN worth it, or is it just another scam designed to lure in users?
By creating a complete contrast between free and paid VPN clients, this post focuses on answering these questions. Also, we will identify the risks involved in using a free client and if they are worth the price.
To start the discussion, let’s examine why paid VPNs are worth the price.
Paid VPNs – Merits & Demerits of Paying
Using a virtual private network is something that every expert recommends. That is because the internet is not the same safe space as it used to be. Gone are the days when you could simply give away your preferences and information without worrying about spam emails and pop-ups.
Today, one must create a solid security shield to protect their personal information. Paid VPNs are a sure shot to anonymity, which means you can disguise yourself online and access the internet the way it was intended, securely and freely.
Merits of Using a Paid VPN
When you opt for a paid VPN service, there is a lot you can expect from the VPN client. For instance, if you have a paid membership of Systweak VPN, you are eligible for the following benefits –
- Multiple High-Speed Servers from across the globe.
- Highly secured experience with 256-Bit military-grade encryption.
- Secure VPN Tunneling for advanced security.
- IP address spoofing that gives impeccable anonymity.
- No dip in the internet speed while using a different server.
- Kill Switch functionality for network drops and internet failure.
- No data logging to keep your privacy intact.
- VPN client customer support for instant assistance.
How To Use Systweak VPN In Windows PC
This list of features can go on and on, and paying for them is worth every penny.
The idea behind opting for a VPN is to enhance security, and when you have a paid VPN, you are confident about the services. With a paid VPN, you can easily bypass geographical restrictions and unlock your desired content from anywhere.
You can easily avoid internet issues like congestion and ISP throttling by using a paid server, as the number of users on a paid server is significantly low.
However, nothing in this world is perfect. And the same goes for paid VPNs too. There are some limitations to what you can have while paying for a VPN.
Demerits of Using a Paid VPN
While the features appeal to a customer, the price of these services has always been a concern. For a business or a startup, paying for a VPN is an investment. However, the price of a VPN is troubling for individuals looking for ways to enhance their security.
With reputed VPN client settings at significantly higher prices, the free alternatives (with fewer features) are making room for themselves.
Another issue users face while using a paid VPN: is the lack of assurance about data logging policies.
A trusted VPN that promises no data log is fine to use. However, data logs are created, and you can not just skip logging the data. Every move you make online is recorded somewhere. To overcome this, you need to use a reliable VPN client.
Free VPNs – The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly
Let’s get it straight, the only thing good about a free VPN client is that it is free and might work for you in the shorter run. For instance, if you aim to unlock a website once, you can download the client, get the job done, and uninstall it immediately.
A free VPN can also help you spoof your IP address and surf the internet anonymously. But security and privacy are compromised. That is because, even for the free service providers, there has to be a stream of income to keep up the services. Unfortunately, in the case of free VPNs, your data is their ultimate leverage.
Your browsing data is logged and shared with the highest bidder to manipulate the advertisements shown to you. Not to mention, the speed of servers for these free servers is slow. If you are an online gamer or streamer, this may not be your solution.
You can refer to our detailed post on why using a free VPN is a terrible idea to get a clearer picture of its limitations.
Free Vs Paid VPN – An Overview of Comparison
| Usability Factor | Free VPN | Paid VPN |
| Security | Limited security measures with basic to no encryption | Dedicated military-grade encryption protocols along with killswitch and VPN Tunneling. |
| Speed | Poor internet speed due to server congestion and too many users. | Smooth surfing experience with better speeds and high-quality servers. |
| Servers | The limited number of free servers that are not so secure. | Numerous options of servers are spread across the globe to help users with access. |
| IP Address Spoofing | Available in Free VPNs but might drop when the connection is slow. | Available and fully functional irrespective of the internet speed. |
| Data Logging & Privacy | Questionable policies considering they sell data to higher bidders and have Ad space for sponsors. | Privacy is taken care of. Data logging policies suggest that the logs are cleared weekly or every fortnight. |
Verdict – Free VPNs Know the Job, Paid VPNs Get it Done Securely
You can use a free VPN if you are looking for a way to access a blocked website without considering your security or respecting your privacy. However, if you want a long-term reliable way to create a privacy shield around your online surfing, paid VPNs are the way to go.
We recommend you go for Systweak VPN as it is easy to use and has all the features you may require. Download the client today to experience it yourself.
With that being said, we have reached the end of this post. This comparison of free VS paid VPNs gives you insights into what is better for you and helps you decide.
Good luck!
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