What You Need to Know (Read This First)

This is a bad idea. Free VPN services have become notorious for making money off their users in a variety of insidious ways. Before we get into how and why this is happening, let’s start with a basic question: what is a free VPN?

A free VPN is a service that gives you access to a VPN server network, along with the necessary software, without having to pay anything.

Of course, nothing is truly free, since hosting a network of VPN servers incurs monthly expenses, along with app development and support. Given the high recurring costs of running a VPN service, why are there so many free VPNs?

The truth is that these free VPN services are actually cashing in on their user base – usually by collecting user data and then selling it to the highest bidder. When you route your traffic through a free VPN app on your device, the VPN can easily collect your online activity and sell this to third parties and advertising networks.

In short, many free VPN services have been proven to be both dangerous and invasive.

Fortunately, for those wanting to test out a VPN risk-free, there are free trial VPN services that offer a limited amount of free bandwidth or a risk-free trial period.

Types of free VPN services

Free VPN services can be broken down into two distinct categories: unlimited free VPNs and freemium VPNs.

Unlimited free VPNs

These VPNs give you unlimited access to the free VPN server network. Extensive testing and research have generally found this category to be dangerous (read malicious) and should be avoided. We’ll examine the dangers of unlimited free VPNs further below and the alarming statistics.

Who pays? The VPN service in this case is usually monetizing the user in some way. This is mostly done by collecting user data and selling it to third parties. So basically, you are still paying for the free VPN with your private data, which is being sold for profit.

Freemium VPNs

These VPNs are basically giving you a small “free sample” in the hopes that you upgrade to a paid VPN account. This generally means that the VPN will offer a limited amount of bandwidth over a given period of time. This is often the case with VPNs that offer a free trial.

Who pays? With freemium VPNs, the paying VPN customers will be left covering the costs for all the free VPN users. This is a drawback if you are a paying customer, since you will be footing the bill for all the free-riders and sharing network resources that you pay for. Additionally, the server network, speeds, and support staff may also be put under strain by the free users.

As you can see above, there are problems with both of the free VPN business models.

Now we’ll examine seven different reasons why free VPN services are dangerous and should be avoided.

1. Free VPN malware

“Over 38% of [free VPN apps] contain some malware presence…” —CSIRO study

Malware can come in many different forms – but at the end of the day, it’s all about making money off you and your data. Malware hidden inside VPNs can steal your data, which can then be used to:

• hit you with targeted ads and spam emails
• hijack your online accounts
• collect your data (for sale to third parties)
• steal your money (via bank and credit card details)
• steal your digital goods or products
• lock or encrypt your devices in exchange for a payout (ransomware)

The number of free VPNs containing malware is truly frightening. The CSIRO study found that 38% of free Android VPNs contain malware. Even worse, many of the most dangerous free VPNs are highly rated and are being used right now by millions of people.

Here is one such example I found with VPN Master.

This free VPN app is called “VPN Master – Free VPN Proxy” and is officially listed in the Google Play store. Notice that it has a high rating (4.5) and about 100,000 downloads.

Unfortunately, the “VPN Master – Free VPN Proxy” app had eight positive hits for malware.

Below are the test results from VirusTotal when I uploaded the APK file for analysis:

Note: The ratings you see in the Google Play and Apple stores are basically worthless. This is a clear example of a malicious, dangerous, and invasive app that is highly-rated and used by many people.

2. Free VPN tracking

“We identified the presence of at least one tracking library in 75% of the free VPN apps claiming to protect users’ privacy.” —CSIRO study

Just like with malware, hidden tracking aims to collect your private data.

The CSIRO study analyzed 283 VPNs and found that 75% of free VPN apps contained tracking embedded in the source code. These tracking libraries are a way for free VPNs to collect user data, which can be valuable for advertising and analytics.

Let’s take a quick look at just one example with Betternet, a free VPN service based in Canada. The CSIRO study found that Betternet’s free VPN app for Android contained 14 different tracking libraries. It was also found to have a high malware presence.

This is ironic given that Betternet markets its free VPN as a “security and privacy” solution.

This is especially alarming when you consider that there are millions of free VPN users who are trusting these malicious apps with their privacy and security.

These VPNs are spyware masquerading as privacy and security solutions.

3. Third party access to your data

Once your data is collected by the free VPN, it can then be sold or transferred to third parties, for profit. (This is a common business model in the tech industry, including with free browser extensions.)

Let’s examine how some of the largest free VPN providers explicitly state how your data is collected and shared with third parties.

Opera free VPN (in browser)

Opera is a very popular browser, now owned by a Chinese consortium, that offers a “free, unlimited VPN service” directly through the browser. If you take a close look, however, you see that this is just another free VPN ploy to collect and share user data.

Here’s a section of Opera’s privacy policy, which reveals that the free VPN is merely a data collection tool:

Now we’ll take a look at a few more popular free VPNs and how they give third parties access to your data:

Tuxler (free VPN)

From their privacy policy:

We also share technical data that we collect about your browsing habits and your device (such as data relating to our cookies, tracking pixels and similar technologies) with other advertising companies in the digital advertising ecosystem. This enables them and us to better target ads to you.

GO VPN (free VPN)

GO VPN is owned by a Chinese data collection company called TalkingData. The GO VPN app in the Google Play store links to TalkingData’s privacy policy, where we learn how the VPN is used:

We also cooperate with a third party in various ways to utilize the data collected processed and handled through TalkingData DMP, which include but not limited to cooperate with advertiser, advertising alliance or advertise agency to optimize advertisement launch and improve marketing effect.

Offering free products that collect your data is becoming a very popular business model – just ask Facebook or Google.

And speaking of Facebook, they are also cashing in on the free VPN scam. Facebook was caught collecting user data through a free VPN app called Onavo Protect. According to some reports, this free VPN has been downloaded by 24 million users and collects data on people’s apps and online browsing habits.

4. Stolen bandwidth

Some businesses are also using free VPNs to steal user bandwidth and reselling it to third parties.

One example of this is Hola VPN service. Hola was found to be stealing user bandwidth and then fraudulently reselling it through its sister company Luminati – see this article for more information.

Here you can see the Hola free VPN website at the top of the graphic below. Directly under the red line is the Luminati site, which sells bandwidth for a “business proxy network”.

This put Hola’s free VPN users at risk while other people used their bandwidth for their own activities (similar to a P2P network).

Reading through Hola VPN’s privacy policy we find:

• Hola may share user data with third parties… “for additional purposes, including marketing, research, and analytics purposes.”
• “We may share your email address (if we have collected it) with our marketing partners and we may use it ourselves for the purpose of providing you news and marketing offers.”

Their Terms of Service also explicitly state how “you may be a peer on the Luminati network.”

Giving third parties access to your bandwidth comes with many serious risks.

5. Browser hijacking

Another way that free VPN services can make money off their users is through browser hijacking. This is when the VPN hijacks and redirects your browser to partnership websites without your permission.

Let’s take a closer look at one such example with Hotspot Shield VPN – one of the most popular free VPNs with millions of users.

Hotspot Shield was found to be redirecting HTTP requests to e-commerce sites, such as Alibaba and eBay, through its partner networks. The partner networks in this example were Conversant Media and Viglink – two online advertising companies.

From the CSIRO study we learn more about Hotspot Shield:

We identified two free VPN apps (VPN Services Hotspot Shield by AnchorFree and WiFi Protector VPN) actively injecting JavaScript codes using iframes for advertising and tracking purposes. Both apps claim to safeguard user privacy and to provide security and anonymization. However, in the case of AnchorFree [Hotspot Shield], they also provide advertising services. Our static analysis of both apps’ source code revealed that they actively use more than 5 different third-party tracking libraries.

In 2017 Hotspot Shield was formally cited in a report filed before the Federal Trade Commission for egregious privacy violations.

6. Free VPN data leaks

A good VPN should secure and encrypt all of the traffic between your device and the VPN server.

Unfortunately, in testing numerous VPN services (both free and paid), I have found that many VPNs leak data, thereby leaving the user exposed. These leaks can come in the form of IP address leaks and DNS leaks – a common problem with free VPNs.

Here is an example I found when testing Betternet’s free VPN for Windows:

In addition to the IPv4 leaks, I also identified IPv6 leaks and DNS leaks with the Betternet free VPN for Windows app.

In testing over 280 different free VPNs, the CSIRO study found:

• 84% of free VPNs expose the user’s real, globally-unique IPv6 address
• 66% of free VPNs leak DNS requests, thereby exposing the user’s browsing history and location

These leaks essentially render the free VPN useless.

7. Free VPN fraud

Using a free VPN may put you in a dangerous position, simply due to the tracking, malware, and data sharing with third parties. As we have seen with Betternet, some VPNs give third parties direct access to user data and then relinquish all responsibility if something bad happens, such as identity theft or financial fraud.

Below is an example I found with Hotspot Shield, a VPN that grants third parties access to user data, as they clearly explain in their Privacy Policy. (Note: this case appears to involve the paid version of Hotspot Shield, but it nonetheless illustrates the risks of third-party data sharing – a common theme with free VPNs.)

The business model of free VPN services makes them inherently risky.

Now that we have covered the seven hidden dangers of free VPN services, let’s take a look at some other alternatives.

What is the best free VPN?

Given all the risks and dangers of free VPNs, I’m not going to recommend or name any as the best free VPN. That being said, recall from above, there are basically two types of free VPNs:

1. Unlimited free VPNs – These generally monetize the user in some way and have been found to be quite dangerous, even if they are highly rated and recommended on various websites. The vast majority leak the user’s IP address, collect and share data with third parties, and many are also infected with malware and tracking libraries. (I’d recommend avoiding all unlimited free VPNs.)
2. Freemium VPNs – These free VPN services basically use the “free sample” business model in the form of either a limited amount of free data or a risk-free trial.

If you are intent on trying out a free VPN, then I would recommend the second category – the freemium VPNs.

There are three different freemium VPNs I’ve tested that offer a limited amount of free data and appear to be reputable:

• TunnelBear – TunnelBear is a VPN service based in Canada that offers 500 MB of free data, which will not last very long. Paid plans start at $5.00/month. I upgraded to the paid plan and tested out TunnelBear’s apps and speeds throughout their server network. Unfortunately, TunnelBear did not perform very well and it did not earn a recommendation.
• Trust.Zone – Trust.Zone is a VPN service based in Seychelles and offers a 3 GB / 3 day free trial, whichever limit is reached first. Paid plans start at $3.33 per month. I found Trust.Zone to do alright in testing, but they only offer a dedicated VPN app for Windows, which is a drawback.
• Windscribe – Windscribe is a Canadian VPN service that offers 10 GB of data for the free VPN, with paid plans starting at $4.08/month. It is a decent VPN but it also has speed and reliability issues I noticed when testing various Windscribe servers.

But even among these, there are still a few problems that must be pointed out:

1. Limited free trial – You will quickly burn through either the free data or come to the end of the trial day period. Usually this does not give you enough time to adequately test the service to see if it’s a good fit for your needs.
2. No refunds – If you use the free trial and then purchase a subscription, you will not get any refund, which can be a headache if the VPN gives you problems after the trial has expired.
3. Free riders – Paying customers subsidize all the “free” users. If you are a paying customer, then your subscription costs are also helping to pay for the resources and bandwidth used up by the free VPN users (the free riders).

It is for this reason that I recommend going with a risk-free VPN trial instead.

Risk-free VPN trial

At the end of the day, if you want a safe, secure, and fast VPN service, you will need to pay for it.

Even with the free trial VPN services, you will quickly burn through the free data, which forces you to stop using a VPN or pay for the service. In other words, you still end up at the same point: using a paid VPN service.

With that in mind, the best option, in my opinion, is to go with a VPN that offers a long, risk-free trial period, thereby allowing you to cancel your service and get a refund if you find the VPN does not meet your needs.

Below are the top two VPNs that offer a 30 day risk-free trial. With this option you pay up front for your subscription, but if you find any issues or concerns within the first 30 days, simply cancel for a full 100% refund.

1. ExpressVPN – ExpressVPN is currently the best VPN I’ve tested in terms of all-around performance (speed, reliability, and security). They are currently offering a three months free coupon.
2. NordVPN – NordVPN is also a good option, and it is quite cheap with the 75% discount.

There are also other VPNs with a free trial you may want to consider.

Conclusion on free VPN services

Unfortunately, the free VPN scam does not show any signs of letting up. More people are turning to VPN services for more privacy and security, as well as unblocking content and accessing services such as Netflix. With these trends, VPN usage will continue to grow.

While there is a growing awareness about the risks of free VPNs, the Google Play and Apple stores are still loaded with hundreds of malicious and invasive free VPN apps – many of which have excellent ratings from naive users.

So what do you do if you need a VPN but are short on money?

Well, there are some great cheap VPN services available that are very affordable.

Final Disclaimer and Instructions from NetTodays

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A VPN is a service that both encrypts your data and hides your IP address by bouncing your network activity through a secure chain to another server miles away. This obscures your online identity, even on public Wi-Fi networks, so you can browse the internet safely, securely, and anonymously.

NetTodays gives you answers to all questions which are in your mind about VPN.

NetTodays also suggest continually utilizing Best VPN when you are using a newer Wi-Fi Network. Here is a decent dependable guideline: If you’re away from the workplace or home, and you’re utilizing another person’s Wi-Fi (even that of a relative or a companion, since you can’t be sure whether they’ve been compromised), utilize a VPN. It’s especially significant in case you’re getting to help that has specifically distinguishing data. Keep in mind, a great deal goes on in the background, and you never truly know whether at least one of your applications is verifying behind the scenes and putting your data in danger.

At the end of the day, however, you typically get what you pay for – a rule that often to VPNs and most everything else.

Last updated on September 6, 2021.