Free VPN vs Paid VPN: The Hidden Costs of Free Privacy

The promise of free VPN protection is undeniably appealing. Why pay several pounds a month when you can get the same thing for nothing? Unfortunately, the reality is that most free VPNs come with hidden costs that can actually make your online privacy worse, not better.

The Appeal of Free VPNs

It is easy to understand why free VPNs attract millions of users. A quick search of the Chrome Web Store reveals hundreds of free VPN extensions, many with thousands of five-star reviews. They promise encrypted browsing, anonymous internet access, and the ability to bypass geo-restrictions — all without spending a penny.

For users who are unsure whether they even need a VPN, downloading a free option feels like a risk-free way to try the technology. And for those on tight budgets, the cost of a monthly VPN subscription can feel difficult to justify when a free alternative is just a click away.

How Free VPNs Make Money

Running a VPN service is expensive. Servers, bandwidth, staff, infrastructure, and development all cost real money. If a VPN does not charge its users, it must generate revenue through other means. Here is how most free VPNs fund their operations:

Data harvesting and selling is the most concerning practice. Numerous studies have found that free VPN providers collect detailed browsing data and sell it to advertisers, data brokers, and analytics firms. A 2024 investigation by Top10VPN found that over three-quarters of the most popular free VPN apps on Google Play engaged in some form of data sharing with third parties. The very tool supposed to protect your privacy actively undermines it.

Advertising injection is another common tactic. Free VPNs frequently insert advertisements into your browsing experience, including banner ads on websites that do not normally display them. Some inject tracking cookies or redirect your search queries through affiliate links to earn commission.

Bandwidth reselling is perhaps the most alarming model. Some free VPN providers use your device as an exit node in their network, meaning other users’ traffic is routed through your internet connection. Hola VPN famously operated this model, effectively turning its users’ devices into a botnet. If another user engages in illegal activity through your connection, your IP address appears in the logs.

Real Risks of Free VPN Services

Beyond the business model concerns, free VPNs pose concrete security risks:

  • Data logging: Many free VPNs maintain detailed logs of your browsing activity, connection times, IP addresses, and bandwidth usage. These logs can be shared with third parties or handed over to authorities upon request.
  • Malware: Research published by CSIRO found that 38 per cent of free VPN apps on Android contained some form of malware. This includes adware, trojans, and spyware that operate silently in the background.
  • Weak or no encryption: Some free VPNs use outdated encryption protocols or, in the worst cases, provide no encryption at all whilst claiming to do so.
  • Bandwidth throttling: To manage server costs, free VPNs typically impose severe speed restrictions. Streaming, video calls, and large downloads become impractical.
  • Limited server access: Free tiers usually restrict you to a handful of congested servers, resulting in slow connections and an inability to access specific regions.

When Free VPNs Are Acceptable

Not all free VPNs are created equal. A handful of reputable providers offer genuinely safe free tiers, funded by their paid subscription base rather than by exploiting free users. These are the exceptions worth considering:

Proton VPN offers the best free tier in the industry. There are no data caps, no advertisements, and no data selling. The free plan provides access to servers in five countries (including the UK) on one device, with the same no-logs policy applied to paid users. Proton VPN is funded by its paid subscribers and the broader Proton ecosystem, which includes ProtonMail and Proton Drive.

Windscribe provides 10 GB of data per month on its free plan, with access to servers in roughly 10 countries. The free tier includes the full-featured Chrome extension with ad blocking and anti-fingerprinting. Windscribe earns its revenue from paid subscribers and its Build-a-Plan model.

Both of these providers are transparent about their funding models and have independently verified no-logs policies. If you must use a free VPN, stick to these two.

What Paid VPNs Offer That Free Ones Cannot

Premium VPN subscriptions provide a fundamentally different level of service. Paid providers can invest in large server networks spanning dozens of countries, ensuring fast connections without congestion. They employ full-time security teams, undergo regular independent audits, and develop proprietary protocols optimised for speed and safety.

Features like kill switches, split tunnelling, ad blocking, malware protection, dedicated streaming servers, and customer support are standard with paid VPNs but absent from most free alternatives. Paid providers also support multiple simultaneous connections, allowing you to protect every device in your household.

Price Comparison of Top Paid VPNs for UK Users

Premium VPN protection is more affordable than many people realise, especially on long-term plans:

  • Surfshark — from £1.49/month (2-year plan) with unlimited devices
  • CyberGhost — from £1.63/month (2-year plan) with a 45-day guarantee
  • Private Internet Access — from £1.63/month (3-year plan) with open-source apps
  • ExpressVPN — from £1.74/month (2-year promotional plan)
  • NordVPN — from £2.75/month (2-year plan) with NordLynx protocol

At these prices, the cost of a premium VPN works out to roughly the price of a single coffee per month. When weighed against the risks of free alternatives, the value proposition is overwhelming.

Our Recommendation

If your budget allows it, a paid VPN is always the better choice. The combination of proper encryption, verified no-logs policies, expansive server networks, and dedicated support makes paid VPNs worthwhile for anyone who values their online privacy.

If you genuinely cannot afford a subscription right now, Proton VPN’s free tier is the safest option. It is the only free VPN we recommend without reservations for UK users.

For budget-conscious users who want premium protection, Surfshark at £1.49 per month offers the best balance of price and features. Use our VPN comparison tool to evaluate all options side by side, or visit our homepage for the full guide.