Is A Free VPN Worth Using? Here's Why It Could Be Risky

Free tiers backed by paying subscribers are easier to evaluate than unlimited VPNs that won't explain how they make money.

ImageFlow/Shutterstock Add Engadget on Google: Preferred Source Google Discover The old "if it's free, you're the product" line is catchy, but it's too simple for free VPNs. Some reputable providers offer limited free plans because they hope a portion of people who try will eventually pay. Other services rely on advertising, collect more data than privacy-minded users may be comfortable with or aren't clear about how they make money. So a free VPN can be worth using, but the price tag tells you less than the provider behind it and the tradeoffs attached to the free plan.