These Are the 5 Features I Always Check Before Signing Up for a Free VPN

Whether you intend to bypass geo-restrictions on streaming platforms or protect your online privacy, a good VPN is all you need. That said, not all VPNs are created equal, and that’s especially true for free services. And truth be told, unless you’re careful, a free VPN can do more harm than good. That’s why I recommend checking these features before signing up for any free VPN.

1 Number of Servers

The best VPN services will advertise the number of servers they offer front and center. While it might seem like a marketing ploy to get you to sign up for their service, the fact is that this is an important metric to consider before you sign up for any VPN.

In the case of free services, you’ll find that they don’t offer access to as many servers as paid VPNs. A limited number of servers can be a problem, though, because this means more users are funneled through the same few servers, which can lead to unstable connections and slower speeds. While you’re unlikely to find any free VPN service that offers hundreds of servers like a paid provider would, I recommend picking the one that offers the highest number of servers.

2 Automatic Kill Switch

Say, you’re traveling abroad and need to log into your bank account to transfer funds. You’re in a coffee shop and decide to use public Wi-Fi, assuming your VPN will keep your details safe. Unfortunately, as soon as you log into your account, the VPN drops. You’re now connected to the Wi-Fi, but without the protection of a VPN. In such a scenario, a hacker monitoring the network could easily intercept your details.

If you want to keep this from happening to you, look for a free VPN provider that offers an automatic kill switch. This feature cuts off your internet access if your VPN connection drops for whatever reason. This, in turn, prevents unauthorized parties from gaining access to your data.

3 Log-Keeping Policy

Using a VPN means your ISP, as well as any other third parties, can’t track your browsing history. But your VPN provider can, and that’s why it’s important to check the company’s privacy policy, and the no-log policy, in particular, before you sign up for any free service.

A no-log VPN doesn’t collect or store any traffic that passes through its network. The only issue is that you, as a user, have no way to verify if a VPN provider’s claims are genuine. That’s why I’ve always relied on external, independent audits and third-party reviews to confirm a provider’s data retention claims. With free VPNs, this becomes all the more important because these services may be looking to monetize your data by selling to advertisers or other third parties.

4 Streaming Limitations

While free VPNs might still offer you a secure connection for browsing, one area they fall short in is unblocking streaming content. If you’re looking for a free VPN service solely to access geo-restricted streaming content, be sure to check the VPN provider’s claims and user reviews to know if the service is actually able to bypass those restrictions effectively.

5 Pop-up Ads

It’s not uncommon for free VPNs to show ads. These services need to make money, after all. That said, some free services go overboard with their ads, displaying them throughout their interfaces. Some even go as far as injecting ads into your browser.

Given this, I recommend trying out a few free VPN services to checkhow prevalent the ads are. If the ads are too intrusive, move on to a different service. So far, I’ve found that Proton VPN is the best for keeping your browsing experience ad-free. The only downside is that you have limited servers to choose from.

Considering these factors should help you make an informed decision when choosing a VPN provider. While free options can be useful, always prioritize your safety when picking a service.