Which is better, a paid VPN or a free one? This is a question that comes up again and again when someone is searching the Internet for a VPN provider. Even though there are other considerations which should be given more weight, we live in a value-driven society that is captivated by the word free. Some VPN providers have sought to capitalize on this with marketing strategies that emphasize free VPN service.
Let’s pull back the curtain and take an honest look at the two choices. Some things look good until they have a light shined on them and you can see them up close.
Free isn’t really free
To begin, many free VPN’s aren’t really VPN’s at all; they are proxy servers. There is a huge difference between the two technologies, but we’ll keep the distinction simple as it relates to the ability to protect your data and allow you to surf anonymously.
Many proxy servers, such as Hide My Ass and Hotspot Shield, are web-based. That means you just point your browser to their site and surf within their platform. The first thing you will notice when you use one is a significant reduction in speed, and when more people are using the proxy it gets slower. Slow download speeds can be very frustrating if you are trying to stream a video, make a call on Skype, or watch a local television broadcast.
Secondly, you’ll notice a lot of ads on these web-based proxy servers and guess what? Many of them will offer you a “premium” service that removes the ads for a fee. The “free” VPN is just a lure to get users to purchase the premium service, and many do because they are frustrated with the ads displayed. In addition, these proxies often sell data to various marketing companies to support their service.
As you can see, even things labeled as “free” come with a price.
Paying for VPN service
The first thing you need to know is that a paid VPN will not drain your wallet. The cost is very affordable given the benefits and advantages. You can get a whole year of our VPN service at a discounted rate, and if you choose to pay monthly the cost is still within the means of most individuals.
Here are some of the advantages of paying for your VPN account:
- Little to no reduction in speed
- Secure data transfer
- No data logging or selling information to third parties
- No ads—you use your normal browser and only use the VPN to connect
- Multiple VPN server locations
If you want real VPN power, the kind of power that puts you in control of your Internet browsing security, paying for your VPN is the only reliable option, find out more at VPN-accounts.com