Are Free VPNs Actually Good?īecause free VPNs are so limited, you're likely to experience some performance issues. TunnelBear VPN, for instance, has committed to releasing third-party audits each year, and has made good on that promise. This isn't a guarantee that a company is doing good work, since they often set the parameters of the audit. Some VPNs have also undergone extensive third-party audits to prove their trustworthiness. We rely on companies to act in good faith when we ask them questions, and for third-party researchers to ferret out the companies that don't. As part of our review process, we send questionnaires to each VPN service, seeking to put companies on the record about specific privacy issues. Unfortunately, these documents can sometimes be difficult to read, perhaps intentionally so. We highly recommend that you read the review for a free VPN before you commit. Ideally, a VPN company should say that they do not collect any logs on user activity. It's a good way to find out what, if any, information the service collects. When we review VPNs, we look over each service's privacy policy. Figuring out who is and is not on the level is especially difficult with VPNs, as much of their operation isn't visible to the outside world. Some VPNs may have unseemly, if not outright malicious, practices. Are Free VPNs Safe?įree VPNs have some historical baggage, since not all VPN providers turn out to be good actors. In short, watching streaming services like Netflix with a VPN is hard, and doing it with a free VPN is even harder. One option to get around a Netflix blockade is to purchase a static IP address, which will almost certainly require a paid VPN subscription in addition to the cost of the static IP. Free users will also have a harder time jumping to a different server looking for unblocked access or better speeds. Most free VPNs limit the servers you can use, meaning you have fewer options (if any) to spoof your location. This is particularly tricky for free VPN users. There are numerous other examples and many of them-especially Netflix-will try to block VPN use to enforce those regional streaming deals. MLB and the BBC have different streaming arrangements for different regions. Netflix isn't the only service that can be tricked. That's because Netflix has specific deals to distribute this content in different areas. Overseas, Netflix subscribers see different shows and films that don't show up within these United States. VPNs can bypass oppressive censorship by tunneling out to a VPN server beyond the control of despots, but that same ability can also be used to access streaming content that's not available in your country. You get all the servers in all the locations, and usually the service also provides more simultaneous connections. Paying for a VPN subscription typically unlocks all these features, and often adds additional sweeteners unavailable at the free level. Some restrict you to certain servers, meaning you can't jump to a better-performing server or easily spoof your location-more on this below. Some keep the number of simultaneous connections low, generally limiting them to one or two. Some services limit the amount of bandwidth you can use in a given period. That said, every VPN listed does put some restrictions on its free version. They aren't the only ones, but they are the best we've reviewed so far. The VPNs listed in the table above, however, offer totally free subscription levels. Instead, most companies offer time-limited trials or money-back guarantees. We strongly recommend also using a password manager to create unique and complex passwords for each site and service we use, enabling multi-factor authentication wherever it's available, and using antivirus software. VPNs also won't protect you against every danger stalking the web. Advertisers also have a myriad of tools at their disposal to track you online, so we recommend using a stand-alone tracker blocker. It's also possible, albeit difficult, to use complicated timing algorithms to predict when and where your data leaves the VPN server. Once your traffic exits the VPN server, it can be monitored and perhaps intercepted-especially if you're connecting to sites that aren't using HTTPS. This means that your ISP and anyone else watching won't be able to see what you're up to and will have a much harder time tracing online activity back to you.Īlthough VPNs can help improve your privacy online they do have limitations. A VPN creates an encrypted connection (often referred to as a tunnel) between your computer and a server controlled by the VPN company, and then it passes all network activity through that protected connection.
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