Free VPNs Can Be Worth Using, but Business Model and Privacy Practices Carry Risks

A VPN routes a user's internet connection through a VPN server before sending traffic to websites and online services. The app encrypts the connection between the device and the server, and sites generally see the server's public IP address rather than the user's normal one. That can reduce what an internet provider or Wi-Fi operator learns about the destinations a user connects to. The setup lets a user change virtual location, but it does not make the user anonymous: websites can still recognize people through logged-in accounts, cookies, GPS data and other identifiers. Using a VPN also places the VPN company in a trusted position, because it reduces what one part of the network, the ISP, can see by routing the connection through another.

Free VPN plans often come with obvious compromises, according to the report. Traffic through another server can add latency or reduce speeds, and free offerings may impose speed caps. Free plans may offer fewer server locations or data limits. Some websites, streaming services and workplace systems block VPN connections, which can be more of a problem when free users have fewer server options. Privacy practices are harder to judge from the app itself. The Federal Trade Commission has warned that a VPN app gets access to internet traffic as it passes through the service, and some free apps make money through advertising or by sharing information with third parties. Hiding some connection information from an ISP does not help much if the VPN provider handles that information in harmful ways.

The NDSS study examined Android VPN apps only, so the figures cannot be directly applied to VPNs on every platform, Engadget noted. Still, the findings show that an app displaying "connected" does not guarantee the connection is being handled securely. In some cases the problem starts before a VPN connection exists: there have been many cases of malware posing as free VPN tools. A VPN also does not replace antivirus or other malware protection, because the tools do different jobs. A VPN protects the connection between a device and its server, but it does not stop malicious software from running on a computer or prevent someone from entering a password on a phishing site.

To evaluate a free VPN, the report recommended starting with its business model. A limited free tier attached to a paid subscription service has an obvious source of funding; the company can restrict the free plan and use it to attract customers without the free version having to generate all revenue. Engadget's selection of the best free VPNs for 2026 all came from providers that also sell subscriptions, which the report described as a useful signal rather than proof that every freemium VPN is trustworthy. Users should also check whether the provider gives enough information to verify its claims. Ownership should be clear, and the privacy policy should spell out what data is collected and how it is used. A recent public security audit carries more weight than simply putting "no logs" on a product page. The Electronic Frontier Foundation's VPN guidance similarly recommends examining data-collection practices, ownership and independent audits instead of relying on marketing claims alone.

The provider should also explain how it secures the connection. Established protocols such as WireGuard and OpenVPN are widely used, while a provider that will not identify its underlying technology gives users less to evaluate. A kill switch can help too: if the VPN connection drops, it blocks internet traffic. The report said free VPNs backed by paying subscribers are easier to evaluate than unlimited VPNs that will not explain how they make money.

Editor's Summary

Free VPNs can be useful for some users, but the report says their risks depend on how they are funded and how they handle data. A 2026 study of 281 Android VPN apps found traffic leaks, unencrypted data and ad ID tracking in a minority of apps tested. Users are advised to check ownership, privacy policies, audits, protocols and kill-switch features before trusting a free VPN.