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Free VPN is often free because you are the product. Some honest free tiers exist as a trial cap. Many Android APKs and Chrome “VPNs” sell exit traffic, inject ads, or keep connection logs they swore they did not have.
The usual trap
A free app with 500 server countries and a lifetime key is not a charity. Watch for VPN permission on Android plus Accessibility or overlay rights. On desktop, a random EXE that also installs a browser helper is a no.
When a free tier is fine
Proton’s free plan is a reasonable test: capped speed or locations, clear limits, no surprise toolbar. Use it to learn the app, then pay if you need more countries or streaming. Mullvad has no free tier; that is a feature.
Who should pay
Pay if you file taxes on cafe Wi-Fi, you log into banking on travel networks, or you need a stable US/UK exit for work tools. Otherwise spend the money on a password manager and unique passwords. That prevents more account takeovers than a mystery VPN.
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