While VPNs are a great tool for increasing anonymity and improving security online, they do have disadvantages. Here are just some of the main disadvantages of using a VPN below:
- You may experience slower connections as a result of congested servers, especially when using free VPNs.
- Free VPNs get blocked by Netflix as they typically don’t have the technology to circumvent Netflix’s anti-VPN features.
- VPNs are illegal in some countries and could give you a false sense of impunity.
- Free VPNs may log and sell your data, including your browsing activity, to third parties.
Fortunately, choosing the right VPN will resolve most of these issues. We recommend using a trustworthy VPN with reliable connections, consistent speeds, solid unblocking measures, and airtight privacy. For this purpose, we recommend NordVPN.
For a full list of VPN disadvantages, check out the complete article below.
A virtual private network (VPN) might seem like the perfect solution to many online privacy problems. After all, a VPN encrypts your data, hides your IP address, and unblocks geographically restricted content. Why shouldn’t you use a VPN? Well, as with anything, there are some disadvantages to using a VPN.
We’ve tested 60+ VPN services for our reviews, so we know these VPN apps inside out. So, before you hit the purchase button on that VPN, let’s look at the main disadvantages of a VPN!
The 10 Main Disadvantages of VPN Use
If you use one of the best VPN services, you shouldn’t have any cause for worry. The problem lies with low-tier VPNs, which often present lots of issues.
The graph below summarizes the ten main disadvantages of using a VPN, giving some reasons why you shouldn’t use a VPN — or, more accurately, why you shouldn’t use bad VPNs.
1. Low-tier VPNs will decrease your internet speed
Because a VPN reroutes and encrypts your internet connection through a server, your VPN connection speed might drop slightly. Slow VPN speeds will result in pages taking longer to load and lagging during streaming or gaming.
In our experience, some VPNs make it virtually impossible to browse because of snail-like speeds. Fortunately, some VPNs have a barely noticeable impact on your speeds.
Enter NordVPN. It’s the fastest VPN provider on the market because it has a marginal impact on upload and download speeds. It also has a relatively low latency, which is ideal for playing online games interruption-free.
2. Low-tier VPNs can get you blocked by streaming services
There’s plenty of online content you can only access from within a specific region. This includes streaming services like Netflix. These services lock out internet users from countries where the movies and shows aren’t licensed to be streamed.
Many streaming services make use of these geo-restrictions, including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney+, and Shudder.
A VPN is the best way to try and circumvent these geo-blocks. By changing your virtual location, you can trick a streaming site into thinking you’re in a country where the movie you want to watch is available.
Unfortunately, Netflix blocks IP addresses that they detect as belonging to a VPN. This is why many free and low-tier VPNs get blocked by Netflix.
To combat this, use a VPN that has effective countermeasures against VPN blocks. Premium VPNs such as NordVPN offer dedicated IP addresses and obfuscated servers, both of which help disguise the fact that you’re using a VPN.
3. Most VPNs can’t bypass censorship and streaming blocks
When a website detects that the IP address you’re using is being shared by thousands of users, it accurately deduces that you’re using a VPN. This is how VPN servers end up being blocked.
Fortunately, there are several popular VPN features that circumvent this issue:
- Dedicated IP addresses are VPN servers whose IP addresses are exclusive to you. By subscribing to this service, you ensure that no one else can use your IP address, thereby avoiding detection.
- Obfuscated servers hide the fact that you’re using a VPN. Your traffic is made to look like regular traffic, which lets you bypass restrictions from streaming sites, your internet service provider, and your government.
- Wide server networks ensure that you can try different server locations within the same country when attempting to unblock a website or app.
For a VPN that has all these features and more, we recommend choosing NordVPN. We’ve been testing VPNs for years, and NordVPN has always unblocked any website we’ve thrown at it, including streaming services like Netflix, HBO, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video.
4. Some countries restrict or ban VPNs
Using a VPN is legal in most countries. However, some governments want complete control over what their citizens get to see on the internet. Check out this overview of which countries regulate and ban VPNs:
Since a VPN can be used to bypass government censorship, it has been made illegal in some totalitarian countries, such as North Korea, Belarus, Oman, Iraq, and Turkmenistan.
In certain countries, like China and Egypt, you can only use government-approved VPNs. The use of a VPN isn’t necessarily illegal there, but VPN use is heavily restricted.
Some quality VPN providers, such as NordVPN, have developed special “obfuscated servers,” which should still be usable in countries like China. These servers mask the fact that you’re using a VPN because they don’t show any metadata associated with VPN use.
5. Some VPNs don’t provide online security
A good VPN should offer security features, including top-notch encryption, protocols, and leak protection. Unfortunately, some VPNs fail to offer comprehensive security.
Here’s how you can spot predatory VPNs:
- They don’t offer trusted VPN protocols, such as OpenVPN or Wireguard. You should always opt for a VPN that offers either or both of these protocols.
- They’re not transparent regarding encryption, specifically which encryption methods they use. The industry standard is AES 256-bit encryption.
- They may have spyware or malware hidden away in the download file. In this case, your antivirus program should flag the VPN app as soon as you download it.
One example is TuxlerVPN, which says it offers “military-grade encryption.” This implies high security standards. However, it completely fails to explain which protocols it uses or any of its encryption characteristics.
If you need a secure VPN, choose NordVPN. It offers robust VPN protocols: OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard. OpenVPN is the best protocol for a balance of speed and security. Great alternatives are IKEv2, which is excellent for mobile devices, and WireGuard, which offers the fastest speeds.
6. Free VPNs might log and sell your data to third parties
Many free VPN services don’t care about protecting your privacy and anonymity online. Here are just a few examples:
- Hola VPN might be “free,” but it has found “creative” ways to get paid in the past. Several years ago, it was found selling users’ bandwidth to a party that launched a DDoS attack against the controversial web forum 8chan. Apart from this, Hola is known to log an enormous amount of user data.
- DoubleVPN had its servers, data, and customer logs seized as a result of an international sting in 2021. The sting was organized due to suspicion of illegal activities on the dark web. DoubleVPN’s website has since been taken down.
Some free VPNs claim to be no-logs VPNs but have been later found to actually log user data. Some even go as far as logging personally identifiable information, such as your actual IP address and your browsing activity.
We recommend going with a trusted VPN that doesn’t log data, has no history of breaching its logging policy, and has undergone several independent audits. NordVPN has consistently ranked #1 in our list of the best VPNs for your privacy.
7. You may experience connection drops with low-tier VPNs
Some poor VPNs don’t have reliable servers. As such, their servers might disconnect by themselves for no apparent reason. This was exactly our experience when reviewing Speedify VPN. Thankfully, quality VPN providers have ways to combat this issue.
Premium VPNs like NordVPN have vast server networks. This means you can usually find a server that’s not too far away from you. Secondly, an extensive server network prevents overcrowding on a single server. Both of these features increase the strength of your connection and reduce the probability of connection drops.
8. Using a VPN increases mobile data usage
VPN connections generally use up more bandwidth or data than unprotected internet connections. After all, your data traffic will no longer travel straight from your device to the website you’re visiting, or vice versa. It now has to take a detour and pass the VPN server, as well.
When you’re using a WiFi network or an ethernet connection, this increased data usage doesn’t really change anything. However, if you’re using a mobile data plan, you will burn through your data allowance more quickly.
The above could mean you’re left without any mobile data before the end of the month. Alternatively, you could face an unexpectedly high phone bill. This is something vital to keep in mind. Generally, it’s better to stick to WiFi or ethernet connections if you’re using a VPN.
9. Quality VPNs cost money
Although there are several good free VPNs you can try, you’ll still have to part with some money if you want full-featured VPNs.
Fortunately, you don’t have to break the bank to get a quality VPN. Extreme market competition has caused many VPNs to offer very affordable packages, so you have plenty of cheap subscription options.
The good news is you can try premium VPNs for free if you take advantage of their 30-day money-back guarantee. All you need to do is subscribe to any of the available plans and then file for a refund before the 30-day refund period runs out.
10. Low-tier VPNs can’t protect against malware, cookie trackers, and trojans
Most VPNs can’t protect you from malware such as Trojan horses, keyloggers, and spyware. If you want to protect your devices, you’ll have to invest in solid antivirus software. Antivirus programs have device scanning capabilities, which you need to protect your device from malicious websites.
Low-tier VPNs also can’t protect you against cookies and other trackers. Cookies are little text files that nestle themselves in your browser and contain information about you. Since they are stored by your browser, they follow you around and can show you annoying ads wherever you go.
There are premium VPNs that have features for blocking cookies, trackers, and even ads. NordVPN‘s Threat Protection feature comes free with a subscription. It defends your device by removing infected downloads, blocking intrusive ads, and stopping you from opening malicious websites.
What are the Advantages of a VPN?
Most of the disadvantages of a VPN are canceled out when you choose a fast, reliable, and trustworthy provider. And while some of the disadvantages above might give you cause for concern, the truth is that there are more pros than cons to using a VPN.
These are just some of the advantages of a good VPN:
- Access to geo-blocked content: VPNs let you spoof your location to access international Netflix catalogs or restricted YouTube videos.
- Data encryption: Your browsing activity is usually visible to your internet service provider (ISP) or your university or company’s network administrator. Using a VPN keeps your traffic hidden, so no one can see what you do.
- Freedom from bandwidth throttling: Some ISPs limit your connection speed when they see that you’ve been streaming or downloading too often. VPNs hide your online activity, so these ISPs can no longer observe you.
- Safe access to public Wi-Fi: Using public Wi-Fi without a VPN allows hackers to try and hijack your internet connection.
Essentially, VPNs are the perfect tool for increasing your personal freedom, privacy, and security online. For more information, check out this full article on the advantages of using a VPN.
The 3 Best VPNs for Security and Privacy
Many premium VPN services can ensure your privacy and security while using the internet. Based on our experience testing 60+ VPNs, here are the three best VPNs for your privacy and security:
1. NordVPN: The overall #1 best VPN
NordVPN consistently tops our tests in speed, security, privacy, and server network. We especially love its advanced security features and its vast server network in over 61 countries.
Here are just a few reasons why we think NordVPN is the best:
- Vast server network of over 6000+ servers, with multiple server locations per country, makes unblocking websites a breeze
- Threat Protection defends against malware, trackers, and cookies, a built-in feature that’s rarely seen even in premium VPNs
- Fastest server networks available today, making NordVPN the perfect VPN for streaming and gaming
- 30-day money-back guarantee ensures you can test the service out before committing to a long-term subscription
Check out our full review of NordVPN for a full list of features, or grab our limited-time discount below before the clock runs out.
2. Surfshark: The cheapest VPN for privacy
When it comes to affordability, nothing beats Surfshark. Not only does it cost just $ 1.99 per month, but it also offers unlimited simultaneous connections, so you can split the bill with family and friends.
Of course, Surfshark offers more than just a cheap price tag. Here are some of its best features:
- 3200+ servers in 100 countries, so you can set your IP address to whichever country you want
- Unblocks Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, and more, making it a great streaming VPN for the whole household
- Built-in protection against ads, trackers, and cookies, so you can browse the web with peace of mind
You can also test out the VPN yourself using the 30-day money-back guarantee by clicking the button below:
Our in-depth Surfshark review details its speed performance, customer service, and other features.
3. ExpressVPN: Privacy-oriented VPN that can unblock any website
ExpressVPN is a mainstay on all our best VPN roundups, and for good reason: it combines the best privacy features with flawless unblocking capabilities. Although it’s more expensive than other VPNs ($ 6.67 per month), it more than makes up for it with excellent customer service and user experience.
Here’s why you should give ExpressVPN a go:
- Servers in over 105 countries, so you can unblock any Netflix library you want
- Exclusive Lightway VPN protocol that promises fewer connection drops and faster connection speeds
- 24/7 live chat support to help diagnose and solve any problems with the app
Like NordVPN and Surfshark, ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee:
Want to learn more? We constantly update our ExpressVPN review for new information and updated speed tests.
How to Install a VPN for Your Privacy
If you want to download and install NordVPN, head over to its official website and follow the simple steps below to download its software:
- Create an account on the NordVPN website.
- Download the VPN software.
- Install the VPN software.
- Log into your account once the software has been installed and opened.
- Choose your preferred VPN server.
- Turn on the VPN!
Final Thoughts: VPN Pros Outweigh the Cons
Using a VPN can have its downsides, including slow speeds, connection drops, and inability to access some websites. The main disadvantage of VPN use comes with opting for low-tier VPNs.
Here’s a summarized version of VPN pros and cons:
Pros of Using a VPN:
- VPNs encrypt your data and hide your IP address, increasing your privacy and security.
- Good VPNs can bypass government censorship and access geo-restricted content.
- VPNs let you stop speed throttling from your internet service provider.
- Public WiFi networks are safer to use when connected to a VPN.
Cons of Using a VPN:
- Quality VPNs cost money.
- Low-tier VPNs can decrease your speed and get you blocked by streaming services.
- Some free VPNs don’t offer secure encryption or will sell your data to third parties.
Thankfully, by choosing a quality VPN service like NordVPN, you’re sure to avoid any of the issues outlined above. Take advantage of the 30-day money-back guarantee by clicking the button below:
Before we go, here are some other helpful articles to help you enjoy a problem-free VPN experience:
- VPN Not Working? How to Fix the 4 Most Common VPN Issues
- 9 Effective Ways to Speed Up Your Internet When Using a VPN
- What is a Cracked VPN and Is It Safe to Use?
- How to Test Your VPN for Leaks: Is Your VPN Working?
If you’re looking for more information on the drawbacks of VPN use, check out some of our most frequently asked questions below.
The internet can be a dangerous place, so you’re right to do your due diligence before downloading a VPN. Here’s a quick summary of some important disadvantages of a VPN:
- With some VPNs, your connection could be slower and you could experience connection drops.
- Certain websites block VPN users.
- Some free VPNs log and sell browsing data to third parties.
- It can be hard to verify how well a VPN encrypts and protects your data.
- VPNs are illegal in some countries.
There are lots of advantages to using a VPN. Here’s just a quick summary of a few of the benefits:
- VPNs encrypt your data, making it illegible to third parties.
- They allow you to bypass censorship and geo-restrictions.
- They increase anonymity by hiding your real IP address.
NordVPN is the best VPN provider on the market. It’s affordable, offers a huge server network and fast connections, and has great streaming content-unblocking features. Other high-quality VPN providers include Surfshark and ExpressVPN.
I want to know if a VPN will be blocked from install on my laptop with the endpoint protection (malware) I have, WebRoot. Can I use a VPN just on my iphone and ipad and not on the laptop or should it work with the software I have? I am on Windows 11. I am mostly interested in using a Roku Stream Stick internationally - the ability to use Youtube TV, Netflix and AppleTv etc while not in the US (assuming it is not in a restricted country) . . but if it can also protect me with the laptop activities I would prefer to include it as well.
Hi Sharon! WebRoot should allow your VPN to do its job just fine, so that shouldn't be an issue! If you do run into a hiccup, you can contact their 24/7 customer service so they can help you out. If you're looking for a good Roku VPN, specifically, I recommend checking out our list of the best VPNs for Roku. If you create a Roku account while in the US (or using a US VPN server), you'll then be able to watch it worldwide with a VPN (and you'll indeed also be protected online!). Good luck!
The only reason I looked into VPNs was to see if I was protected from malware etc. this piece says this is one of the few things not protected. I really fail to see what good this is without malware protection. The things they already do protect are things that don't bother me.
Hi Terry Ann,
It's true that a basic VPN connection won't completely keep you safe from malware. You'd need a dedicated antivirus for that. Luckily, the VPN market is changing, and a lot of VPNs are moving more into malware protection, too. NordVPN, for example, offers Threat Protection, which will help keep you safe from malicious websites, DDoS attacks, and some phishing. If you'd like to know more about this, you can read our NordVPN review. Beyond that, a VPN protects your data (so it's harder for hackers to use against you, for example!) and allows you more freedom on the web. Whether that is something you value, is up for you to decide, but with all the data gathering happening online, we would definitely recommend you use a VPN! If you're interested, you can get an antivirus + VPN combination, so you know you're well-protected on all fronts. We hope this helps!
Is it possible to turn off the VPN if you are being blocked from certain websites or having trouble sending emails?
You can turn the VPN on and off as you please, so that wouldn't be a problem. Also, some VPNs have the option for 'split tunneling' also known as 'whitelisting'. This option allows you to choose whether you want to connect to a site using your regular connection or the VPN's connection when using the VPN.
I am an old person and very techie-challenged! I am thinking of changing my VPN but know little about it all. I live in Panama and currently have an IPTV streaming service which I use for movies, series, and live TV, and which I now seem unable to access. The company has advised me this could be because of 'throttling' and that I should change my VPN. My concern is whether all my other programming will remain unaffected. I subscribe to a website which allows me access to British TV, I also have Apple TV, plus a Panama cable TV package. They provide our internet and I subscribe to Prime Video through them. Will all of these still be readily accessible as before if I change my VPN? Sorry if this are silly questions but I am stumbling through the 21st-century!
No worries at all, Sally! We're here to help :)
When it comes to accessing streaming services, some VPNs can make that a lot more difficult. If you use a VPN connection in the US, for example, while you want to watch a local Panama streaming service, you might not be able to access it any longer, because the service will see that you are virtually in the US. Some streaming services, like Netflix, actively block VPNs to keep users from "unblocking" content that wouldn't usually be available to them.
For you, using a VPN shouldn't keep you from accessing your regular shows and programming. There are different ways to solve the issue you're having:
1. Get a VPN that works with those particular services. For Apple TV, for example, NordVPN might provide a good solution. You can read more about VPNs that work with Apple TV here.
2. Get a VPN that allows split tunneling. This means you can have some of your internet traffic protected by your VPN, while some of your other traffic (for example through streaming services) will go through your regular connection. NordVPN actually has this option, too. If you want to read more about this, you can head to our article on split tunneling.
One last thing to keep in mind is that this does depend on the kind of device you're using. If you're on computer, the articles above will give you all the help you need. If your VPN runs through your router, you might not have as many options.
We hope this helps!
I recently installed ExpressVPN and Bitdefender for antivirus protection. Bitdefender comes with its own VPN but I did not want to enable it. After installing on iOS device I could not enable security and continue to use my ExpressVPN. It disables ExpressVPN and prompts you to use Bitdefender VPN. Is there a good option for antivirus software that works well with existing VPN across PC, Mac, iOS, and Android?
We've been using Bitdefender together with ExpressVPN without problems, maybe it has something to do with the settings on your iOS device? Perhaps it's trying to default to the Bitdefender VPN for some reason. Maybe one of our readers has the answer, or you could ask ExpressVPN's support.
Hello, I am looking at subscribing for a VPN simply for streaming occasionally foreign TV from the Uk and from France to UK TV say. So small user. Are you able to give me any advice please?
Many thanks, Mrs BP
In this case it's probably best to go for a cheaper VPN (seeing as you're not going to be a heavy user) that's also good at unblocking and streaming. We could recommend either CyberGhost or Surfshark in this case.
Hello, I noticed that you rated VPN-only providers. What about bundled providers where VPN is one of the services? In my case, specifically Bitdefender.
We haven't tested most of these bundled providers because, usually, they offer way less in terms of options and servers than VPN-only providers. On top of that, the focus of these companies (such as Bitdefender), is different from VPNs that provide privacy and unblocking. Usually, this means that they are situated in countries that are not necessarily privacy-focussed, which also poses a problem in terms of keeping logs. Their business is not privacy-related, so the services they provide that focus on privacy are not as good as the services VPN-providers provide that focus solely on privacy.
While VPNs can provide some level of privacy, if you go to a bad website, doesn't a VPN still provide a connection back to your computer for a bad actor to potentially try to do something harmful? Can/does a VPN prevent man in the middle attacks - or any other type of attack for that matter, or is a user still susceptible to everything they'd normally be exposed to with a regular browser page load?
A VPN helps against MiTM attacks to some extent because it encrypts and anonymizes the data between your device and the VPN-server. This ensures protection against attacks aimed at specific users or attacks performed by ISPs or network admins. This means that only general MiTM attacks to visitors of a specific website could work.
Slow internet connection while using VPN is one of the drawback which I have experienced myself. I think it's maybe due to using a free VPN. Correct me if I am wrong.
That could definitely be the case. Since a VPN redirects your internet traffic via an exteral server, using a VPN could slow down your connection. However, there are many good premium VPNs out there that offer stable and fast connections, anyway. Most free VPNs aren't capable of offering such services. Moreover, many free VPN services enforce speed limits or have servers that become too crowded at times, so using a free VPN could definitely slow down your internet connection significantly.
I installed VPN offered by my antivirus security system a few months ago. However I noticed I could not send any emails while VPN was switched on. I could receive emails, but just not send them. The moment I turned off VPN I could send emails again. This was so bothersome that I cancelled my VPN for a refund. Could you comment please.
Hi George,
In some cases, emailing indeed gets more difficult when you use a VPN. Certain email providers, such as Gmail, treat shared IP addresses from VPN servers differently from a 'normal' IP address. Usually, this means your emails will take longer to arrive or end up in a spam folder. It seems that your email provider is blocking your emails entirely. One way to solve this, is to get a dedicated IP address. You can read more about dedicated IP addresses in this article. A VPN provider that offers these addresses and has lots of extra features that might help you out in the future, is NordVPN. If you're considering getting a different VPN, you might want to check them out!
Hello.
Thank you for your post. In case my internet connection gets even faster after connecting to a VPN provider, will my MB or GB finish faster?
If for example i have 5 GB to use as wifi and, with normal usage, it takes me 1 week to use all, will it now finish faster in this case ?
Thank you
Good question! The only thing a VPN will do if it increases your internet speed, is make the websites you visit load faster. This means you will only go through your MBs or GBs faster if you actually visit more websites, use apps for a longer time, and so on. If you do the exact same things online with a VPN as you'd do without, you'll have used exactly as much data. The only change is that your loading times will be less.