We’re all influenced by prices. If a dress costs fifty bucks, most people probably won’t look at it. However, if it costs fifty but is on sale for a few hundred, there would be a stampede of people trying to get it. We all want a good deal, but is it worth it?
People always say that the latter tastes better when presented with two types of wine, one cheap and one expensive. This means that quality is subjective, and pricing is just a way to manipulate our brains. But is that fact true about VPNs?
Free vs. Paid
Before we get into the discussion between cheap and fair-price VPNs, we need to cover the basics. Why should you pay for something that you can get for free?
Well, the number one rule in business is that nothing is free. A prime example is social media. You’re browsing different platforms for nothing, but the hidden secret is that they’re making money from you by showing several ads per minute.
When it comes to a virtual private network, the main service it offers is online anonymity. Free VPNs usually come with a catch: keeping traffic logs and selling that information to internet service providers or companies that want your data. Unless the service you’re using explicitly states that it has a no-logs policy, you’re just slowing down your browsing speed for nothing. And yes, free services influence your internet speed because they don’t have enough servers to support the demand.
In data collection, they can get DNS queries, your browsing history, your IP address (your real one and the one that gets created), and the number of times you’ve logged in and out. Whenever something gets offered to you for free, you should always think of the way you’re paying for it.
Cheap vs. Fair Price
Now, let’s get into the specifics between low and fair prices. Let’s say that you’re getting a new phone, and you’re presented with two options. One’s a well-known brand with proven authority and dominance in the market and has been around for years. The second is a new brand that you’ve never heard of before, but it costs ten times less. Which one are you going for?
Since you’re using your phone on an hourly basis, it’s more than likely that you’ll go with the first option, even though it’s more expensive.
Regarding VPNs, you should approach the matter with the same intent. At the end of the day, it’s about your online security, and you wouldn’t want your information to leak into a hacker’s hands.
Cheap services are usually focused on one aspect. They could have a no-logging policy, but they won’t scan the network for malware. The opposite scenario is prominent too. Some VPNs are incredible when it comes to network security, but they keep logs or don’t care about the privacy aspect.
In this case, you’re getting exactly what you’re paying for – half of the service.
What should you be looking for?
To start, you should check whether the service you want can support all of your devices. A VPN for PC should also work on your mobile device and tablet. Interoperability is crucial here because you might have a range of devices with macOS, iOS, Android, or Windows.
Additionally, you’d want all of your devices to be protected at all times. Most providers have a limit to 6 devices on a basic plan, but there’s a way to increase that number. Installing the software on a router solves the problem, and you can connect as many devices as you want since the router counts as only one.
A kill switch is essential when making a decision. This tool automatically breaks off your internet connection the moment your VPN stops working. You’ll be protected at all times, even when the software stops working for some reason.
Finally, there are malware and ad-blocking features. Businesses are always trying to one-up their competitors, which is why consumers are getting more than they paid for! Fair-price VPNs include malware and ad protection to ensure nothing threatens your online security.
