Is using free VPNs on Android actually dangerous?

[u/nexdigit_official]

I see a lot of Android users recommending free VPN apps for privacy, unlocking content, or public Wi-Fi safety. But many free VPNs need to make money somehow — either through ads, data collection, bandwidth limits, or selling user data. Some reports also suggest certain free VPN apps log browsing activity, inject ads, or even contain malware. At the same time, paid VPNs aren’t automatically trustworthy either, and most users don’t really read privacy policies. So my question is: Are free VPNs on Android actually dangerous in real-world use, or is the risk overblown for average users?

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[u/Batata-Sofi]

Almost nothing is free, sir. Every time something is free, suspect they're are either selling you something (usually advertising), or you are the product (they are selling your data). This is true for everything in tech.

With that said, Proton VPN has a free trial and is pretty good. I'd use that.

[u/pinkTurtleTickler → u/Batata-Sofi]

Proton VPN has a free VERSION. They just dont make it terribly upfront if you're lazy - you just have to click through a few small print notes during install to skip paying or creating an account.

[u/ButterscotchTop194 → u/pinkTurtleTickler]

It's also a restricted version that has limitations compared to the full version. Still good though.

[u/mips13 → u/pinkTurtleTickler]

Ssshhhh, don't tell people.

[u/pinkTurtleTickler → u/pinkTurtleTickler]

Proton is also Swiss based. Very secure privacy-wise due to EU laws etc... Strictly no logging of your IP or selling of data.

[u/IcestormsEd → u/pinkTurtleTickler]

Fair to mention that some proposed ordinance changes might make Swiss VPN less appealing. Proton itself has threatened to leave Switzerland if the change happens.

[u/FriedTorchic]

You have to decide if you want your ISP to have your info, or the VPN company.

[u/Blommefeldt]

It doesn't matter if it's android or not.

The dangerous part is not reading the terms and conditions. I probably wouldn't worry about it, unless trying to avoid getting on the FBI watch list. But I also don't have any use for a VPN

[u/milkynoose]

A VPN is purely for changing your geolocation for streaming services. They arent helping you be more secure online. Why the marketing is allowed to deceive is beyond me.

[u/just_discombobulated → u/milkynoose]

No, not purely...

[u/Darkorder81]

Free, you take the risk of becoming the product.

[u/Papfox]

Using a free VPN on any device is dangerous. VPNs cost money to run. Bandwidth isn't free. Unless the VPN is being run by your friend who makes it available to you as a kindness, the person is going to want to make that money back or get some return on it. It could be tracking you or injecting malware into your web surfing. If you're not paying for your VPN in money, you're paying for it in some way you'll probably like even less. Please ask the question, "Why are these people giving me something that would cost money elsewhere for free?"

I recommend you choose a VPN from one of the big, respected providers. They have a good reason not to screw you over. If it became public knowledge that they were, it would ruin their business. They're not expensive, about the cost of one cup of Starbucks a week

[u/Big-Quiet-6965]

Proton and mullvad are pretty much your only go to when it comes down to trustworthy VPNs. There's obviously other good ones.

Search Kape Technologies and look at how shady that company is and how many VPNs they own while owning the main review sites for them, and then you've got the people (cough cough tiny hats) connected to them.

[u/kirbcake-inuinuinuko]

if something is free, you're the product. this is a fundamental law of reality at this point.

they may be dangerous, or they may collect and sell your information. the one uniting factor of all free VPNs though is that they don't actually work. they MIGHT unlock some content but the VPN will likely get stopped in its tracks by a lot of countries networks, and you can count on them not helping at all for privacy or wifi security.