New to VPNs? Start with What is a VPN? Both free and paid apps encrypt your traffic and mask your IP, but the experience and risk profile differ a lot.

How free VPNs keep the lights on

• Data caps & throttling — typically 500 MB to 10 GB per month, slower at peak times.
• Fewer locations — a handful of regions that get congested quickly.
• Ads & sponsorships — sometimes injected in apps or on non-HTTPS pages.
• Telemetry — usage metadata for analytics/monetisation.

None of this is automatically “bad”, but vague privacy policies and outdated ciphers are red flags. For details, see our Free VPN guide and a list of pitfalls in VPN disadvantages.

What paying buys you

• Consistent speed with no bandwidth caps;
• Global coverage across dozens of countries to avoid congestion;
• Security features like a dependable kill switch, split tunnelling and DNS/IPv6 leak protection;
• Streaming reliability via rotating IPs and optimised servers;
• 24/7 support and independent audits.

Reputable choices include NordVPN and Surfshark — both offer fast WireGuard-based protocols and audited no-logs policies.

Privacy & security differences

Many free providers log connection details (timestamps, device IDs, sometimes domains). Some inject scripts or ads into non-HTTPS traffic, and a few rely on outdated ciphers. Paid services have the budget and incentive to do it properly: modern encryption, transparent ownership and third-party audits.

Speed, stability and everyday use

Congestion is the free VPN’s Achilles’ heel. Expect buffering at peak times and random disconnects on public Wi-Fi. If you work remotely, game online or rely on video calls, the time saved with a paid VPN is obvious. Tighten your home setup with our Wi-Fi security checklist.

Streaming & geo-blocks

Streaming platforms actively block well-known VPN ranges. Free IPs are first to be flagged. Paid providers rotate addresses and maintain optimised servers, dramatically improving success rates. Learn how detection works in VPN & geo-blocks.

When a free VPN is fine

• Short sessions on café/hotel/airport Wi-Fi;
• Testing the interface before committing;
• Light browsing where speed/uptime aren’t critical.

If privacy or reliability matters, a low-cost long-term plan from a reputable provider costs pennies per day and saves hassle. See also: best free VPNs (UK).

Video: Free vs Paid VPN explained

FAQ

Are free VPNs safe?
Some are okay for light use if they’re transparent and up-to-date. Avoid vague privacy policies.

Is a paid VPN worth it?
Yes — for privacy, speed and streaming reliability, the difference is huge.

Which paid VPN should I choose?
NordVPN and Surfshark are strong UK-friendly picks with audited no-logs policies.

Bottom line

Free VPNs are handy in a pinch. For anything mission-critical — remote work, banking, 4K streaming — a trusted paid VPN is the sensible choice: fewer limits, stronger privacy, better performance and real support.