That’s pretty much every “free” thing on the internet, really.
Potofgreedneedsnerf
OP remember this:
If the product is free, then you are the product.
offlinesir
Except for a few gems such as proton vpn (Which doesn’t even require an account on mobile!). But I always cringe when I see someone open their vpn app and see an ad just to turn it off.
Party-Cake5173
Sometimes even paid products you pay with your data. Perfect example is Windows. It’s commercial product with a hefty price tag, yet it still continues to finance with sponsored apps, ads and user data.
That_Rogue_Scholar
I think it depends on the VPN. A VPN service with no paid version and no other easily identifiable income stream to maintain a network? Sketchy as heck. But something like Proton VPN which has not only a paid version of the VPN with legitimate upgrades, as well other products (like Proton Mail) which also have paid versions and even enterprise solutions seems a lot more legit.
Also, depending on the VPN there are different things to look for. For example, end-to-end encryption makes it such that it’s really difficult (though not impossible, nothing is “impossible” with computers) for companies to still have your data. This is why things like Signal for communication or Bitwarden as a password manager or Tutamail as an email service are considered a little more secure. They don’t keep backdoors (not that they tell you at least).
And ultimately, the question is who you’re going to trust. If you don’t trust anybody then you have to do it all yourself, and more power to you if you do. But with VPN’s my personal take is that I’d rather trust a VPN service that has a monetary incentive to protect my data than an ISP who has proved time and again that they want to sell my data.
NotRandomseer
Proton works fine , and you can just use cloudflare warp if you’re just trying to bypass a rate limit
keksivaras
you should know that in 2025 nothing is free. at minimum, you’re the product. and something like a VPN that you’re using to stream all your data through, is very valuable. I wouldn’t be surprised if free VPN providers make more money than paid ones
TheOGUncleBadTouch
aaaand thats why i have a vpn router
granted im the one who has to configure it
WeakDiaphragm
Bright VPN confidently discloses that they use your PC’s resources when you’re not using your PC. Like bro, that’s what mine bot viruses do. You’re literally a virus.
creamcolouredDog
Proton VPN has a free tier, but it’s very limited in the amount of available servers and regions, and lacking a lot of features like port forwarding for P2P, which enticed me to subscribe. Mullvad also seems very reliable and trustworthy.
Every other VPN service is either flawed or shady, and in my opinion it includes popular Youtube sponsors like NordVPN, Private Internet Access and ExpressVPN (the latter two owned by a single company).
t4thfavor
Even the ones you pay for with actual money…
ClownInTheMachine
You’re still the product, even if you pay for them.
El_RoviSoft
just rent server for 10$ per month and install ngnix + 3x-ui
coffeejn
I assume it’s either their own ads or something like Honey extension.
Mortarious
It’s the same with everything else, even paid services. Don’t kid yourself.
People just like to think they are more knowledgeable saying stuff like this.
My personal view which you can’t change is that everything you ever did or will do on the internet is compromised. It just depends on if the people/agencies with access and ability care enough/have reason to do so.
For example looking up fucked up porn probably not gonna get the top intelligence agency in your country involved as much. But look up how to make explosives or your search results pattern is suspicious enough to make it look like you are tracking or attempting to assassinate your head of state. And you can expect more heat going your way.
Chinjurickie
So many people stole my data what do i care about one actually useful thing more?
SilverChocolate34
I only use them for Bilibili there is a bunch of free anime on the site so I use it from time to time.
deadaspool
ok, so what’s the price here?
ApprehensiveAd6476
I can pay with nature too.
Fun_Bottle_5308
Yup, thats why I moved to limited data for free plan like tunnelbear and windscribe, well mostly because I dont need vpn that much (only for payment process)
Present_Elevator_489
I get Surfshark for $30 every 3 years. Literally no excuse in not having a decent vpn
erebuxy
Actual free VPN is the scariest thing ever
MittchelDraco
Gullible idiots believing most paid vpn providiers won’t snitch on you “coz this dude paid”
db186
I was able to score a ‘free’ 60gb/mo. Windscribe account. It’s *meh* but it works for what I need it. I’m always closely watching for potential data breaks or whistleblowers about selling information.
JimFknLahey
yes are we fucking stupid? they make money off of you somehow .. likely by spying on you 😀
TheLeemurrrrr
Hot take: People who worry about your data being sold are kinda silly. It’s too late to worry about it, plus I would rather have custom-made ads for me than a random one if I had to choose between the 2.
BrokenDusk
I am afraid to ask but … how do you pay… ass or grass?
I-LOVE-TURTLES666
So what’s the consensus on the best paid vpn?
LordBaconXXXXX
Generally speaking, most VPN providers are just very sketchy. With some notable exceptions, namely Proton and Mullvad.
From data collecting to “we don’t collect data, just trust me, bro, pinky promise” to weird ads and sponsor that basically lie to try to convince regular users that they ABSOLUTELY need a VPN when in fact, 99.9% of users don’t need one (yes, including people in this sub)
Awkward-Candle4992
I haven’t used it in a while, but back in the day, tor was good. Has that changed?
33 Comments
That’s pretty much every “free” thing on the internet, really.
OP remember this:
If the product is free, then you are the product.
Except for a few gems such as proton vpn (Which doesn’t even require an account on mobile!). But I always cringe when I see someone open their vpn app and see an ad just to turn it off.
Sometimes even paid products you pay with your data. Perfect example is Windows. It’s commercial product with a hefty price tag, yet it still continues to finance with sponsored apps, ads and user data.
I think it depends on the VPN. A VPN service with no paid version and no other easily identifiable income stream to maintain a network? Sketchy as heck. But something like Proton VPN which has not only a paid version of the VPN with legitimate upgrades, as well other products (like Proton Mail) which also have paid versions and even enterprise solutions seems a lot more legit.
Also, depending on the VPN there are different things to look for. For example, end-to-end encryption makes it such that it’s really difficult (though not impossible, nothing is “impossible” with computers) for companies to still have your data. This is why things like Signal for communication or Bitwarden as a password manager or Tutamail as an email service are considered a little more secure. They don’t keep backdoors (not that they tell you at least).
And ultimately, the question is who you’re going to trust. If you don’t trust anybody then you have to do it all yourself, and more power to you if you do. But with VPN’s my personal take is that I’d rather trust a VPN service that has a monetary incentive to protect my data than an ISP who has proved time and again that they want to sell my data.
Proton works fine , and you can just use cloudflare warp if you’re just trying to bypass a rate limit
you should know that in 2025 nothing is free. at minimum, you’re the product. and something like a VPN that you’re using to stream all your data through, is very valuable. I wouldn’t be surprised if free VPN providers make more money than paid ones
aaaand thats why i have a vpn router
granted im the one who has to configure it
Bright VPN confidently discloses that they use your PC’s resources when you’re not using your PC. Like bro, that’s what mine bot viruses do. You’re literally a virus.
Proton VPN has a free tier, but it’s very limited in the amount of available servers and regions, and lacking a lot of features like port forwarding for P2P, which enticed me to subscribe. Mullvad also seems very reliable and trustworthy.
Every other VPN service is either flawed or shady, and in my opinion it includes popular Youtube sponsors like NordVPN, Private Internet Access and ExpressVPN (the latter two owned by a single company).
Even the ones you pay for with actual money…
You’re still the product, even if you pay for them.
just rent server for 10$ per month and install ngnix + 3x-ui
I assume it’s either their own ads or something like Honey extension.
It’s the same with everything else, even paid services. Don’t kid yourself.
People just like to think they are more knowledgeable saying stuff like this.
My personal view which you can’t change is that everything you ever did or will do on the internet is compromised. It just depends on if the people/agencies with access and ability care enough/have reason to do so.
For example looking up fucked up porn probably not gonna get the top intelligence agency in your country involved as much. But look up how to make explosives or your search results pattern is suspicious enough to make it look like you are tracking or attempting to assassinate your head of state. And you can expect more heat going your way.
So many people stole my data what do i care about one actually useful thing more?
I only use them for Bilibili there is a bunch of free anime on the site so I use it from time to time.
ok, so what’s the price here?
I can pay with nature too.
Yup, thats why I moved to limited data for free plan like tunnelbear and windscribe, well mostly because I dont need vpn that much (only for payment process)
I get Surfshark for $30 every 3 years. Literally no excuse in not having a decent vpn
Actual free VPN is the scariest thing ever
Gullible idiots believing most paid vpn providiers won’t snitch on you “coz this dude paid”
I was able to score a ‘free’ 60gb/mo. Windscribe account. It’s *meh* but it works for what I need it. I’m always closely watching for potential data breaks or whistleblowers about selling information.
yes are we fucking stupid? they make money off of you somehow .. likely by spying on you 😀
Hot take: People who worry about your data being sold are kinda silly. It’s too late to worry about it, plus I would rather have custom-made ads for me than a random one if I had to choose between the 2.
I am afraid to ask but … how do you pay… ass or grass?
So what’s the consensus on the best paid vpn?
Generally speaking, most VPN providers are just very sketchy. With some notable exceptions, namely Proton and Mullvad.
From data collecting to “we don’t collect data, just trust me, bro, pinky promise” to weird ads and sponsor that basically lie to try to convince regular users that they ABSOLUTELY need a VPN when in fact, 99.9% of users don’t need one (yes, including people in this sub)
I haven’t used it in a while, but back in the day, tor was good. Has that changed?
It’s free because the price is you.
https://preview.redd.it/ko5fkfykknff1.jpeg?width=736&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f7e502be61eb8c945818557bcf37e308c6d22227
All they are getting is what porn I watch