VPNs for beginners: Are VPNs safe? (updated 2024)

VPNs are more popular than ever, but they’re not equal – some fail to keep you anonymous while you browse the web and slow down your connection. If you want to learn more about VPN best practice, our guide can help.

Below, we explain how you can download and install a VPN today without compromising your personal data.

Why you can trust GadgetMouse: Our content is written by a team of humans and we refuse to use AI. Plus, we own (and use) every VPN that we write about. For more details, see our editorial policy.

Are VPNs safe?

At a glance: VPNs are safe if you do your research and pick a provider that doesn’t share your personal data.

VPNs can certainly be considered safe if you choose a reputable, trustworthy provider. As VPNs encrypt your internet traffic, you’ll be protected from potential eavesdroppers and remain private online.

The best VPN providers we’ve seen are focused on protecting the privacy of their users and maintaining a no-logs policy, meaning they don’t store or monitor your online activities. Generally speaking, we’ve found that paid-for VPNs outperform free alternatives.

Once you’ve decided to try a particular VPN, make sure you keep it updated with the latest security patches – head into device settings to get the job done. We also suggest that you read the terms of service to understand what data the company collects. With VPNs, it pays to do your research.

If you’re looking for an overview of the technology, check in with our guide: What is a VPN?

Are free VPNs any good?

Some VPNs are absolutely fine to use, but we’ve found that the experience is infinitely better if you go with a paid-for alternative. Here are the main reasons why that’s the case:

1. Some free VPNs aren’t safe. Free might sell your data for money since they do not charge a regular, monthly fee.

2. Free VPNs can be slow. Connecting to a VPN server might take a long time and your connection could drop without warning.

3. You might not get many servers. Top, paid-for VPNs have servers all over the world, letting you access websites and apps. On the other hand, free VPNs often provide coverage for a very limited number of countries.

If you want to learn more about VPNs, see are advice: Do I need a VPN?

Best VPN for beginners

Bad VPNs don’t maintain a strong, secure connection. Trust us, we’ve tried loads of them and some are completely useless and not worth the price tag.

Having a trusted VPN installed on your computer, smartphone or tablet means you can unlock the internet without experiencing a super slow connection. We’ve rounded up our recommended VPNs below.

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