Imagine having an unconstrained budget. Logically, you’d pick only the best stuff without worrying about money. The whole free VPN vs paid VPN debate revolves around money-saving practices because very few people on Earth have excess money to spend.
Our instinct tells us that paying for a service is always better. Yet, somewhere in our small brains, we think that free services can be as good. Besides, free VPNs also advertise positively, offering security, privacy, speed, and everything else.
Of course, there will be stark differences between free and paid VPNs. It will be up to you whether you can “handle” them and stick to free VPNs or pay for one and enjoy the ride without a limit. This guide will hopefully clear things up and make the decision easier.
Free VPN vs. Paid VPN: A Quick Comparison
Interested in which option is better for you?
Overall, paid providers are better by far, and because they’re inexpensive at only a few dollars a month, we think they’re worth the step up from free providers.
Below is the table that highlights their important differences that will hopefully help you decide:
| Feature/Functionality | Paid VPN Services | Free VPN Services |
| No-Log Policy | ✅ | ❌ (with a few exceptions) |
| Server Locations | 50-110+ | 1-50 |
| Bandwidth Limit | ❌ | ✅ (up to 10 GB/month) |
| Double VPN/Multi-hop | ✅ | No |
| Server Speed | Up to 10 Gbps | Up to 1 Gbps |
| Obfuscation | ✅ | ❌ |
| P2P Allowance | ✅ | ❌ |
| Streaming Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| Simultaneous Connections | 5 to unlimited | ❌ (1 connection per account) |
| Ad-Blocking | ✅ | ❌ |
| In-App Ads | ❌ | ✅ (in certain VPNs) |
What Is a Free VPN? How Does It Make Money?
Let’s start with free VPNs. As the name suggests, these are services offered without a monthly fee or any upfront payment. This means you can visit the website, download the app, and use it either after registering or even without an account.
Now, there’s a follow-up question; how does this benefit the VPN provider financially?
Well, there aren’t huge benefits unless the company aims to earn some money aside. Remember; these providers operate without charging you for a subscription, and since maintaining servers and paying for employees requires money, they must resort to other direct or inconspicuous methods, such as:
- Displaying ads. This is very typical of mobile-only free providers. They’ll flood the app with ads to earn money from advertisers. Simultaneously, they ruin the experience and make their apps barely usable.
- Logging. This is the most common practice. While the most secure free VPNs aren’t logging your data, MOST of them do. They track your browsing activities, store your IP address, and use trackers to follow your every footstep. Once the information is collected, it is sold to third parties and data brokers for a juicy price.
- Advertising the paid version. Some providers use their free apps to “lure” you to go for their premium plan. For us, this is the most benign form of making money because you can see that the free plan is limited, which naturally makes you want to pay and improve the experience. In this case, the free VPN vs paid VPN debate is resolved, as paying for the service gets you a full “package” that offers everything.
Even with these methods, free providers don’t earn that much money. That’s why their apps are underwhelming. They don’t have enough money to maintain a large and quality server fleet, introduce new security features, upgrade to 10 Gbps servers, and so on.
What Is a Paid VPN? How Does It Function?
When comparing a free and paid VPN, it’s important to know how the latter functions. While the former charges you $0.00/mo and gives you everything on a silver plate, it also does some “things” in the background to still extract some revenue. Paid VPNs are different.
They charge you upfront. We’re talking about a small monthly fee that lets you use the service and enjoy all of its features. This can be a monthly plan or a long-term plan that you’ll pay upfront and use for, let’s say, 1 year, 2 years, or more. Simple enough, right?
In our VPN cost comparison, we explained that paid providers don’t have anything “covert” and are direct. You pay, you play. Since the revenue is generated directly from subscriptions, there’s no need to store logs and steal your private data to sell it to third parties.
Popular providers like NordVPN and ExpressVPN make a ton just on subscriptions. They have no benefits in betraying their loyal users and resort to data selling and tracking. As a result, they’re inherently safer, plus, they offer no bandwidth and speed limits.
Not to mention that their larger revenue allows for vast improvements. NordVPN’s server fleet recently doubled in size; from 60 to 110+ countries in just a few months. Free providers usually stay the same for years, with tiny, incremental improvements that don’t mean much.
Here are the three best paid VPNs of 2025, according to our team of cybersecurity experts:
7492 servers
118 covered countries
30 days money-back guarantee
10 simultaneous connections
9.4 /10
3000 servers
105 covered countries
30 days money-back guarantee
8 simultaneous connections
9.1 /10
27000 servers
91 covered countries
30 days money-back guarantee
Unlimited connections
9 /10
Free VPN vs. Paid VPN: Essential Differences
Now that we’ve clarified how both sides operate, it’s time to discuss their essential differences. We mentioned some of them above and you can already tell that paid providers will be better. However, let’s see just how stark the difference is between the two options.
Security Features
Security-wise, there are plenty of great free providers to pick from. Proton VPN and Hide.me are excellent examples, offering modern protocols, RAM-only servers, a no-log policy, and AES-256-bit encryption. Inspecting them closely will reveal a few discrepancies; more than a few.
For example, Proton VPN lacks its Secure Core servers, which essentially represent Multi-hop. The provider also doesn’t have the NetShield ad blocker, which would otherwise block trackers and prevent data brokers from keeping an eye on you. Hide.me is similar.
It lacks WireGuard in the free plan and doesn’t offer Multi-hop. What happens if you pay? Well, you get all of these features that truly lift the experience and make you feel a lot safer online. Take a look at the best-rated premium VPNs and you’ll see what we’re signaling.
NordVPN offers a Double VPN, Threat Protection Pro, and even a Dark Web Monitor, all of which are incredible security features. ExpressVPN comes with Advanced Protection to block ads, trackers, and porn sites. Generally speaking, security is far stronger when you pay.
Free providers can be secure and not leak your IP or expose your DNS queries. But if you need way more security because you’re a whistleblower or journalist, free services won’t cut it. Opting for a more feature-rich provider and paying a small monthly fee will do the trick.
Beware that Proton VPN and Hide.me are some of the best non-paid providers. If you decide to use much worse options, chances are you won’t even get encryption, a kill switch, split tunneling, and other basic features. For us, a basic feature is also a no-log policy.
Enjoy Ironclad Security With ExpressVPN
Privacy and Logging
Yet, most free providers don’t respect your privacy, instead, focusing on heavy logging to earn money. We understand but don’t like this practice. Logging is a key turn-off for many. Imagine using a VPN to unblock Xvideos, only to find that the provider tracks you; oops.
You thought you were safe but the VPN lurks behind you and knows you’re a porn binger. That’s only the beginning, as some free providers, like Hola VPN, store various bits of data related to your social media, original location, IP address, visited websites, and much more.
This completely exposes you to the company which you don’t have a clue about. You don’t know where your data will end up and how it will be handled because everything is so vague and strange. No such things happen with paid providers. They’re completely transparent.
NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Private Internet Access, and many others have crystal-clear no-log policies. They tell you what they don’t store on their servers and what they do; usually small tidbits of information for troubleshooting purposes – NOT your IP address, DNS requests, or bandwidth consumption. A key feature is a third-party audit!
None of the free providers have third-party security audits, which makes us wonder why…
On the other hand, paid VPNs usually have at least 2 of them related to their privacy policy, apps, security features, and more. A third-party audit means a LOT and adds to the level of trustworthiness. Simultaneously, it’s paramount to privacy, which most free VPNs lack.
Speed, Performance, and Bandwidth
Security and privacy are the two aspects where free VPNs can at least come close to paid VPNs. This one, however, makes the free VPN vs paid VPN comparison a lot more inclined towards the latter. Let’s start with speeds; are 1 Gbps servers better than 10 Gbps ones?
Not at all.
10 Gbps servers by NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and PIA are way faster than 1 Gbps servers in free VPNs, resulting in a noticeable performance boost. Speaking of performance, it’s not all about speed but stability as well. Free providers have connection issues as a result of slower, more crowded servers.
Surf at Blazing-Fast Speed With NordVPN
Since free providers usually also offer paid plans, all the speed and bandwidth are reserved for those who pay, leaving the crumbs to “freemium” users. Okay, so we mentioned bandwidth too, which, in some free providers, is unlimited – Proton VPN and Hide.me – at the cost of much slower speeds compared to their paid versions.
Most of them will limit your monthly bandwidth. Notable examples include:
- TunnelBear and Speedify with 2 GB a month
- Windscribe and PrivadoVPN with 10 GB a month
- Betternet with 500 MB a day, and so on…
Comparing free VPNs vs paid VPNs, we can see that the paid options offer no bandwidth caps. This allows for limitless browsing, gaming, streaming, torrenting, or anything else. It’s no wonder premium VPNs for gaming are often the go-to choices for privacy-conscious gamers.
Streaming and Torrenting
Fast providers leave room for bandwidth-intensive activities, some of which are torrenting and streaming. With slower speeds and bandwidth restrictions, free providers are already at a disadvantage. But that’s not all, folks. Most of them explicitly restrict this type of traffic.
Proton VPN, Hide.me, and TunnelBear are some of the most typical examples. They BLOCK P2P traffic, so when you attempt to download torrents with them, you’ll see that the download won’t start. When you disconnect, everything will work without problems.
Some free providers offer P2P abilities but they’re limited bandwidth-wise; again, not good. Streaming is one of the most popular VPN use cases. Free providers intentionally omit that, making themselves “incompatible” with Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, MAX, and others.
Use NordVPN for P2P and Streaming
Try unblocking Netflix with one and see if you have luck – spoiler alert, you won’t! On the other hand, paid VPNs are specialized in streaming, some even offering special streaming-optimized servers. As a result, they can unblock dozens of Netflix catalogs and other popular streaming portals.
We know that ExpressVPN works with Netflix but the same goes for NordVPN, Private Internet Access, Proton VPN’s paid version, etc. They also work for P2P and have dedicated torrenting servers, making all torrent activities safe, secure, fast, and unlimited.
What do these providers have in common? They’re premium, not free!
Compatibility and Simultaneous Connections
Compatibility is usually identical in a free VPN vs paid VPN comparison. However, some non-paid options are limited to either desktop or mobile platforms. You have these annoying mobile-only providers on Google Play or App Store that we’re highly against. They have one thing in common too – they’re free, not premium!
Simultaneous connections are where the main issue lies. Not a single free provider offers them, which means you can protect only ONE device at a time. Premium providers offer multiple simultaneous connections and the least you can get is five – that’s plenty.
We listed some of the paid VPNs below, along with their allowed concurrent connections:
- NordVPN – 10
- ExpressVPN – 8
- Private Internet Access – Unlimited
- Proton VPN – 10
- Surfshark – Unlimited
- Mullvad – 5
- IPVanish – Unlimited
As you can see, some even offer unlimited device protection on a single account. To be honest, everything is better than one, making paid VPNs the obvious winners.
Protect Unlimited Devices With PIA VPN
Server Locations
Before our paid VPN vs free VPN cost discussion, we’ll quickly review their server location differences. They’re vast. Proton VPN’s free version offers 5 locations, while its paid version has 111+ and over 8,600 servers. NordVPN offers 6,500+ servers in 111 countries.
ExpressVPN has over 105 countries, while PIA has more than 30,000 servers in 91 countries. Let’s go back to free providers. Hide.me offers 8 locations, PrivadoVPN has 10+, and Windscribe roughly 10. We’re looking at extreme differences in VPN location numbers.
A higher server count means multiple things;
- It’s easier to find a fast server with fewer users.
- Bypassing geo-blocks is more efficient, as you can pick from more locations.
- There’s more freedom to introduce specialty servers for streaming, P2P, dedicated IP, …
You’ll notice that our favorite VPNs for location spoofing have at least 90 countries. You can’t spoof your location properly when you can only pick from a few of them.
Free vs Paid VPN Services: Is It Worth Paying for a VPN?
So far, we compared multiple aspects of both sides, only to come closer to an expected conclusion; paid options are better. We all know that Mercedes is better than Kia but the question of whether it’s worth paying more for Mercedes is always there. Is it? You decide.
As for this specific scenario, we can confidently say IT IS.
We’re not looking at a huge price difference. Sure, one is free, but the other costs merely a few dollars a month. For example, using a NordVPN coupon from our site will drop this world’s #1 VPN price to roughly $3/mo, which is almost free when you think about it.
We can also mention Private Internet Access. Its special discount obtainable here will drop the price to about $2.2/mo, which is even lower, and is closer to that “free” status. Now, let’s take into account the differences from above. To be honest, they’re extreme in most cases.
Do you want to save a few monthly quids and use a free VPN that will tire you with its ever-present limits? Or perhaps you think it’s better to spend three dollars and get 20+ times more servers, 50% faster speeds, P2P abilities, unlimited bandwidth, and so much more?
At such affordable prices, paid VPNs wipe the floor with free VPNs even on a budget.
Which Paid VPNs to Choose? Our Recommendations for 2025
Not all paid VPNs are equal. Some are poor quality despite costing a top dollar. In the same fashion, some are pretty affordable, which is reflected in their poor security, slow speeds, and other inconveniences.
So, if you opt for a paid VPN, what are the best options?
1. NordVPN
We think NordVPN is the best overall. It offers excellent 2-year plans that start at about $3/mo. For this price, you’re getting a lot, as NordVPN is better than even the best free VPN. There’s unlimited bandwidth, over 6,500 servers, uncapped speeds, and P2P abilities.
NordVPN also works with all devices, supporting 10 concurrent connections. Adding to its overall quality is a roster of advanced security features. The Basic plan at three quids already contains a Double VPN, which is used to amplify and double your encryption.
Moving on, NordVPN has NordLynx, an in-house protocol that improves security and speed. NordVPN’s apps come with obfuscated servers to make the VPN usable in China. Another point goes to Onion over VPN servers, allowing for swift and secure dark web access.
This provider is an all-around option and quickly resolves the free VPN vs paid VPN debate. At three monthly dollars, you can watch 20+ Netflix catalogs, enjoy torrenting, have a no-log policy to back you up, and use the VPN on multiple devices at a time – what a deal!
Now, do you think it’s worth saving three bucks a month and losing almost ALL of this?
2. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is slightly pricier but expectedly amazing. It has over 3,000 servers compared to 100 or so in free providers. The fastest Lightway protocol is here, along with unmetered bandwidth, 10 Gbps RAM-only servers, and full SmartDNS access for convenient streaming.
ExpressVPN has it all. It offers simple-to-use apps that you can use on macOS, Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS. Unlike some free options, the VPN also works on streaming devices, for example, offering a VPN app usable on Firestick. We appreciate its security too.
You can expect strong 256-bit encryption and Advanced Protection for ad-blocking. One of the key features is Private DNS, which prevents our DNS queries from being leaked. ExpressVPN’s no-log policy is state-of-the-art, so expect ironclad privacy as a result.
We mentioned its higher price, but thanks to discounts, it’s not a big deal. ExpressVPN offers savings of up to 81% on its 2-year plan. It also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, making ExpressVPN effectively free for 30 days.
3. Private Internet Access
We’ll mention Private Internet Access here because it’s an insane value. For one, its 2-year plan with 2 or 4 free months (depending on the current promotion) costs a meager $2.19/mo. PIA also comes with unlimited simultaneous connections; something to admire.
At this price, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better provider. Plus, if you think a free VPN can beat this paid provider just because it’s so cheap, you’re dead wrong. PIA has Multi-hop, MACE for blocking ads, WireGuard, and even an optional antivirus to keep your PC clean.
This provider comes with a certified no-logging policy coupled with the use of RAM-only servers. As a result, it’s free of any logging. Private Internet Access has streaming servers backed by 360-degree P2P support on all of its 30,000+ servers in 91 countries.
The service comes with standard premium perks, such as unlimited bandwidth, support for all devices, and 24/7 live chat support. Like NordVPN and ExpressVPN, Private Internet Access is free for 30 days, allowing for a nice and long testing period. A great incentive.
See Price At Private Internet Access
Free VPN vs. Paid VPN: The Final Verdict
Let’s finalize this discussion after the dust has been settled. The free VPN vs paid VPN debate is over and we can safely conclude that PAID providers are way better. We knew that but now, we know that it’s worth paying for a VPN to get the most out of it.
As you saw, VPNs can cost you merely a few dollars a month, and at about $3/mo, you can get a seriously powerful VPN with strong privacy, streaming prowess, amazing performance, and much more. You’ll agree that $3/mo isn’t going to make you poor or rich for that matter.
That said, we don’t think you should skimp on your next VPN. If you hate compromises and want something you’ll enjoy for months and years to come, you know what to do.
Get NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or Private Internet Access. Forget about underwhelming free VPNs.
Frequently Asked Questions
We’ll top up our comparison by addressing a few more questions our readers often ask.
Freemium vs free VPNs, what’s the difference?
The “freemium” business model is offering a cut-down version of the paid service. For example, Proton VPN is a premium provider by default but has a free plan that cuts down speed, servers, streaming, P2P, and security. However, it’s still a paid VPN by default.
Free VPNs are usually those that are free by “default.” Such VPNs are Hola, Urban VPN, and Betterent. Their MAIN business model revolves around offering a free service and earning money on the side by storing logs and selling your data to third parties.
Such providers also offer premium plans. However, they’re usually very costly and offer little value for the money. Not to mention that logging is usually still there, so money-making via data collection and sale isn’t out of the game.
Can paid VPNs be used for free?
Yes, they can be, which we’ve addressed multiple times now. Our free trial VPN list lets you glance at the best temporary free picks. NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access have a 30-day money-back guarantee, which essentially makes them free for 30 days, with a refund.
However, all three also have a 7-day free trial without paying upfront. Logically, there’s no way to use a paid VPN for free forever.
Are there free VPNs I can use for streaming?
You can try but we can’t promise anything. One provider we tested recently is PrivadoVPN. With respectable performance and streaming prowess, this one unblocks a few Netflix catalogs and services like BBC iPlayer, Pluto TV, and a few more. There’s a catch, though!
PrivadoVPN is limited to 10 GB of monthly bandwidth. Once spent, you must wait for the bandwidth to renew, so you’re left without a VPN. This is a great “soft” push to buy the premium plan. Sort of “benign” advertising we’ve described at the start.