VPNs have become very popular in recent years. This is because they have proven to be handy tools when it comes to privacy and security, especially considering today’s rampant surveillance and security threats.

Apart from privacy and security, VPNs also help users access blocked content, circumvent censorship, evade ISP throttling, among other uses.

However, when it comes to choosing a VPN, it’s not always clear whether you should go for a free option or shell out a few bucks for a premium service.

All these are viable options, but then deciding which one to use isn’t just about the money. You can go a free VPN and enjoy some functionalities, or go for one of the best-paid VPNs (like these) and get the most out of a VPN.

Choosing Between a Free & Paid VPN

Choosing between these two generally comes down to one question: what do you want a VPN for? This is because a ‘free’ VPN offers some basic functionalities, but then this comes at a cost – Ever heard of TAANSFAAL? A premium VPN, on the other hand, offers more functionalities but for a subscription.

Privacy & Security

If you want a VPN for privacy and security, then you should steer away from free VPNs. This is because such VPNs usually collect data, which in today’s world is a huge asset. They may then end up selling this data for a profit. After all, they have server bills to pay.

On the part of security, some free VPNs do not even encrypt your data, and most of those that do usually use lightweight encryption techniques. This is meant to boost performance since the service provider is limited in terms of resources.

Accessing Blocked Content

If your ISP, school, or organization has blocked you from accessing certain websites, a free VPN can help you overcome these restrictions. This is because it will change the server that you use to access the internet, restoring your freedom.

However, a free VPN won’t be very helpful in a country where the government censors content. To circumvent censorship in a country that blocks VPNs, you will need a premium VPN with obfuscation capabilities.

Streaming Services

Unblocking content on streaming services is one of the most popular uses of VPNs today. For this task, you will need a premium VPN. This is because streaming services block VPNs and no free VPN can be able to keep up with the rate of IP blocking used by Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and other services.

However, you will also need to choose your paid VPN well as some like ExpressVPN is better at this than others.

Torrenting & Downloading

If you use unofficial streaming services like Kodi or you like torrenting and download content, you need a paid VPN. This is because you will need to maximize your privacy so that your ISP can’t see what you are doing online.

You will also need a VPN that doesn’t limit your speeds and bandwidth, something that free VPNs can’t offer.

Wrap up

Choosing between a free and paid VPN requires that you evaluate what you need your VPN for. From there, you will have a clear picture of the service you need. However, even if you decide to go for a premium VPN, make sure that you analyze the options carefully and choose the best fit for your needs. This will help you get the best value for your money.