Is a VPN Worth It? – Weighing PROS & CONS of VPN Services (+ Tips on Saving Money!)

Right off the bat, we’ll tell you that VPNs are definitely worth it. Every dollar you spend on a VPN service goes toward protecting your privacy – and trust us, that’s an expense that pays off. Of course, TechNadu’s team is here to elaborate on whether a VPN is worth it, so make sure to read this article very carefully, as we’ll share plenty of tips and tricks along the way.

We also need to tell you that we've tested more than 60 VPNs so far. However, since we cover VPNs on a daily basis (and have been doing so for years now), we know everything about their benefits and downsides. So, let's help you weigh their pros and cons and help you realize what to expect realistically. Keep on reading to learn more!

Why Should You Use a VPN? 

You should use a VPN if you want to protect your digital privacy, bypass Internet censorship, and get more content on the Web. A deeper explanation follows below.

1. To Protect Your Digital Privacy

It’s no secret that as soon as we connect to the Web, we start giving (sending) our personal data to various software and hardware companies. If you check what Google collects about you, we’re sure you’ll think twice before using this Web search engine or any of its related services. Of course, Google isn’t the only one to blame.

This is precisely where VPN services come into play. Many will tell you that VPNs boost your security and privacy online, which is true. However, if you dive into what a VPN protects you from, you’ll see that you’ll be safe from online tracking, various types of data logging, ISP snooping, and more. VPNs can also protect you from certain types of hacking attempts.

If you want to dive into the specifics, make sure to read about how VPNs work. That’s where you’ll learn that they set up a tunnel for your data, preventing anyone from seeing what you do online. To expand your knowledge, check our guide to VPN protocols and VPN encryption.

2. To Bypass Internet Censorship

You might think that Internet censorship isn't something to be concerned about. However, in that case, you probably come from a country that doesn't invade your privacy. Still, that can change overnight, as even some liberal countries have recently upped their censorship efforts.

At the moment, Internet censorship is rampant in countries such as Turkey, China, Venezuela, South Africa, Egypt, and elsewhere. In those countries, using a VPN is the only way to gain information from the outside world, which makes VPNs not useful – but essential. 

To learn more, make sure to check where are VPNs illegal. And then, you’ll want to know more about whether using a VPN is safe and legal (and the answer is – yes, but not everywhere).

3. To Get More Out of the Internet

You might not be aware that your ISP is tricking you. That’s because ISPs can selectively slow your Web connection down during certain online activities, such as media streaming (more often than not). So, if you’ve been experiencing long buffering periods when watching movies, your ISP could be the one to blame. And, of course, a VPN is here to help.

Then, we’ll mention that many websites and digital services work in certain countries only. That means that geo-restrictions exist, preventing you from accessing certain types of content. Media streaming services as an excellent example of that. 

If you use a VPN for media streaming, you’ll unlock more movies on Netflix. You can also access Hulu, Disney Plus, or HBO Max outside the US (among many other streaming services). And if you use a VPN for gaming, you’ll get access to new games before anyone else. 

Why You Shouldn’t Use a VPN? 

There are many reasons why you should use a VPN. However, there are also reasons why you shouldn’t, as elaborated just below.

1. VPN Are Powerful – But They’re No Silver Bullet

As explained above, VPNs come with plenty of promises in terms of your privacy. In fact, they're the most effective measure you have against data logging. Still, know that no technology keeps you 100% anonymous on the Web. 

That's because you're forced to hand over some of your data, in many cases. For example, if you use Gmail or Google Maps, you must be logged in to your Google account. So, having an active session will always result in third parties reading your data. 

Of course, it does matter whether you use a VPN or not. Even though VPNs won’t keep you 100% anonymous, they will prevent the majority of online trackers from working. Some VPNs even offer specialized anti-tracking systems that work on mobile devices as well.

2. Some VPNs Can Engager Your Privacy

Once you start using a VPN, know that your incoming and outgoing data will end up on your VPN’s servers. So, unless you do your research right, you might end up using a malicious VPN. In that case, your VPN will be the one taking advantage of your trust and privacy.

For the most part, you should avoid using free-of-charge VPNs. The majority of those leak your data, exposing your privacy. Also, many free VPNs log your data or inject code that results in an abundance of ads as you browse the Web. 

With that said, know that free VPNs aren’t safe to use. The same can be said for lesser-known premium VPNs, as many of them feature questionable privacy policies. So, make sure to be very picky when choosing a VPN service. 

How Much Do VPNs Cost? 

On average, VPN services are priced from $10.00 to $13.00 per month – if you want to pay on a monthly basis. However, their prices go down for long-term plans. 

Pretty much every reputable VPN offers steep discounts on long-term plans, which can range from 1 up to 5 years. That means that you’ll need to pay from around $60 to around $100 for your subscription, bringing the price down to $3.00 to $4.00 per month. You can learn more in our guide that explains how much VPNs cost.

With that said, a good VPN doesn’t really have to cost a lot. If you’re on a limited budget, make sure to check our list of the best cheap VPNs. You can also check the latest VPN deals. 

Are VPNs Worth the Money? 

Yes, we firmly believe that VPNs are worth the money. They don't require you to spend a lot while bringing a highly usable and practical set of benefits.

Still, remember that it's crucial to pick a VPN aligned with all your needs. There are plenty of options out there, so the competition is rough. Some VPNs can specialize in certain online activities, so it pays off to focus your attention on their feature sets. 

Before you set out to buy a VPN, read our in-depth VPN buyer’s guide. And if you want our hands-on recommendations, you’ll find them just below.

Which VPN Deserves Your Money? 

At the moment, TechNadu’s team believes that ExpressVPN is the best VPN that deserves your money – and we don’t have a single doubt about that. 

After testing more than 60 VPNs, ExpressVPN turned out to have the highest score. It’s easy to use, works on any device out there while being suitable for securing the Web, streaming, gaming, and even torrenting. To learn more, here’s our ExpressVPN review.

Among other reputable VPNs, you’ll find that we often recommend NordVPN, CyberGhost VPN, and Surfshark– all of which are excellent options. You can learn more about those in our guide to the best VPNs available right now.

So, is a VPN worth it? Well, you can bet it is – but make sure to pick a VPN that won’t let you down. With that said, if you have any questions for us, let us know via the comments section below. And finally, thanks for reading!