I think it’s pretty clear that a Virtual Private Network is turning to the number one software in the world today. Especially since the many restrictions, online censorships, geo-blocks, online monitoring, and cybercrimes that prevail. However, if you’re new to the VPN world, you should know that a VPN is much more than meets the eye and it all depends on how you choose one.
In this guide, I’ll be weighing out the perks and disadvantages of a free VPN in comparison to an affordable one, and how you can choose the best one according to your budget.
So…
Is a free VPN service better than an affordable one?
Technically speaking, no, it’s not.
Okay, let’s first talk about a free VPN. Well, for starters, it’s not as free as you think! A free service may boast the best speeds, server coverage, encryption etc. but let’s get facts straight. There’s no free VPN that offers great services for nothing. How will they run the business or make updates to their software to keep up that great service? When you use a free VPN, this leaves open opportunities for hackers to attack your system.
On the other hand, a premium yet affordable VPN offers military-grade encryption, great speeds, wide server coverage, multiple device compatibility and more. However, not every premium VPN is reliable. You need to scout for the best providers and then look for one that’s affordable.
In general, an affordable VPN does trump a free one, mainly in terms of security and well overall performance. So, if you’re trying to get the best performance, there are many cheap VPN services that offer great discounts, protection and free trials for you to test the app out.
Now that we know that an affordable VPN is better than a cheap one, let’s move on to how you can choose the best one.
How to choose the best affordable VPN
Just because you’re choosing a VPN according to your budget, doesn’t mean you ignore the other factors that make the VPN great. Here’s how you choose an affordable VPN with the best performance:
- Firstly, look for an affordable provider that’s offering the best VPN discounts. Usually, the best VPN package is usually the yearly or biennial plan to get your money’s worth.
- Along with an affordable price, get one that offers a free trial and refund period. This allows you to test the overall competence of the VPN.
- Strong security features like military-grade encryption, a Kill Switch, Ad-blocker and Split-tunneling is something is free VPN doesn’t offer. The premium provider you go with must offer features like this.
- Look for one that offers multiple device connections and one that’s also offers apps for popular devices.
- A no-logs policy is a crucial part of the reliability of a VPN. It shows users that they don’t log or store any user data.
- Users look for VPN services to access both local and international content depending on where they’re located. Go for a VPN that offers features that’ll get you past geo-restrictions, censorship and online surveillance.
To conclude
In actuality, there are on a tiny portion of free VPN services that are reliable. However, again, they offer very limited features, and server coverage. So, instead of wasting time on a free VPN, directly invest in an affordable one. You can always ask for a refund if the service isn’t up to your liking.
