Disadvantages of a VPN: Should You Use a VPN in 2024? (2024)

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 111 countries.

Here are just a few reasons why we think NordVPN is the best:

• Vast server network of over 6200+ 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 $ 2.49 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 ($ 8.32 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:

1. Create an account on the NordVPN website.
2. Download the VPN software.

   

3. Install the VPN software.
4. Log into your account once the software has been installed and opened.

   

5. Choose your preferred VPN server.

   

6. 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:

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?

Chris BluvshteinAuthor

Senior Journalist

Chris is a tech journalist with many years’ experience covering online privacy and cybersecurity. He’s also a published author and works as a Product Manager for some of the most innovative software development companies.

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