Benefits of a VPN: Pros and cons of a VPN

What are the benefits of using a VPN?

The meaning of “VPN” is “virtual private network.” Out of many VPN use cases, the most important are ensuring your online privacy and safety online. However, it can also help you access your home content when abroad or even avoid price discrimination.

1. Secure your IP and browsing activity from your ISP and hackers

One of the main VPN uses is VPN encryption — it’s a process that scrambles data into an incomprehensible mass of randomized code, securing your IP and browsing data from snoopers. When you enable a VPN client on your device, all the data that flows between that device and the VPN server is encrypted. Even if a hacker intercepted your data while in transit, all they’d see would be this meaningless code. The encrypted data is decrypted by the VPN client on your device. By routing your web traffic through a VPN server, a VPN also changes your original IP address. This way, a VPN hides your information from your ISP and online snoopers. Hiding your real IP address can also limit the threat of cyber harassment, such as doxxing.

2. Connect safely to public Wi-Fi

A VPN encrypts your connection on public Wi-Fi networks, making it much harder for hackers to intercept your passwords, banking details, and other sensitive data. Public Wi-Fi routers are often unsecured, which allows hackers to spy on internet users connected to the network. Some cybercriminals may even set up their own hotspots in hopes that people will use them to get online, exposing their data in the process. If you use a VPN while on public Wi-Fi, for example, when working remotely, all your browsing traffic will be protected by powerful encryption even if it’s passing through a potentially unsafe public Wi-Fi router. You’ll reap the same VPN benefit when using a VPN on your phone, not just your laptop. Online users seem to be fully aware of that, too, since 53% of Americans who use public Wi-Fi use a VPN to protect themselves online.

3. Browse from home while you’re abroad

Whether it’s leisure or business, a VPN can help you access your paid subscribed home content while traveling. When abroad, you may struggle to access the sites and services you normally use at home. Online banking sites may block you if you connect from an unusual location, while social media apps may force you to go through extensive security measures every time you try to log in. Use a VPN to connect to a server in your home country. Ours is probably the best VPN to use to avoid the hassle and just browse as if you never left your homeland.

IMPORTANT: Please note that using NordVPN for any illegal activities is strictly prohibited and violates our terms of service.

4. Avoid price discrimination

Since some online prices vary by region, a VPN might help you avoid price discrimination and save some money. Sometimes the same product, bought through the same e-commerce site, may cost less in some countries than in others. To get the best pricing options, you can change your IP address with a VPN service and access the lower prices available in other locations. From getting cheaper accommodation to buying more affordable plane tickets with a VPN, a VPN opens up more opportunities to save money and find great deals.

5. Shop online more safely

While a VPN won’t secure your transactions, it can make your data transmission safer, ensuring more privacy when shopping online. When buying goods online, you typically have to give websites your card details and other sensitive data. Most of these websites already have their own encryption built into their payment systems, but to be on the safe side, you can use a VPN to ensure that all the data coming to and from your device is encrypted. Even if you’re using unsafe Wi-Fi, you’ll still be able to shop more securely with a VPN.

6. Prevent bandwidth throttling and DDoS attacks

If your internet service provider (ISP) notices you engaging in an online activity that uses a lot of bandwidth — downloading large files, using streaming services, or P2P file sharing — it might reduce your speeds. This bandwidth throttling prevents you from using too much of the ISP’s network capacity (even if you’re paying for a high-speed internet connection).

Online gaming is exactly the kind of bandwidth-heavy activity that can cause your ISP to throttle your speeds. However, when you use a VPN for gaming, your internet traffic is encrypted, so your ISP can’t assess what you’re doing and is less likely to throttle your data as a result.

A VPN can also absorb distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks. These attacks involve flooding a network with artificially inflated traffic to force legitimate users offline. Because your real IP address is changed to the VPN server’s IP, DDoS attacks would target the VPN server rather than your device. The server is equipped to absorb or mitigate such attacks, though in some cases you may need to switch to a different VPN server. 

7. Protection in regions with low internet freedom

A VPN can be a lifesaver for journalists and activists in some authoritarian or dangerous regions. By using a VPN service, they can still get online, communicate with their peers, and access websites or services that are blocked or restricted without exposing themselves to government agencies, law enforcement agents, or organized criminals in areas with low internet freedom. That’s why NordVPN offers VPN accounts for journalists and nonprofit organizations.

8. Extra security features

If you invest in a premium VPN service, you can also benefit from additional VPN security and privacy features that come bundled with it. For example, NordVPN’s Plus plan includes the next-gen antivirus, which significantly improves your online privacy by:

• Scanning the URLs of websites you are about to visit and blocking access if the website is potentially fake or malware ridden.
• Blocking ads so you don’t get distracted while browsing or fall for a malvertising campaign.
• Blocking trackers so you can browse without being followed around by services, keeping third parties from gathering data on your online habits.
• Preventing virus infections by scanning the files during download and removing them if it identifies them as malicious.

We always recommend using a paid VPN instead of a free VPN, not only for these extra features but also because free VPN services might lack stability, speed, and privacy.

VPN cons: Does it have any disadvantages?

Although a VPN should be the cornerstone of your cybersecurity, it won’t solve all your browsing security problems. Therefore, it’s important to understand what VPN risks you might have to deal with. The main disadvantages of using a VPN are a potential drop in connection speed, the risk of insecure providers, subscription costs, legal restrictions in some countries, occasional device incompatibility, and the fact that a VPN cannot protect you from voluntary data collection. Below you can read more about each one, along with practical ways to reduce their impact.

Slower connection

The encryption process and routing your traffic through remote servers can slow down your internet connection. That could pose a problem to those who have a limited mobile or broadband plan or slower internet in general. However, premium VPN services usually have fast protocols and a powerful infrastructure that make the speed drop barely noticeable. 

NordVPN has an exceptional advantage here because it scored excellently in recent speed tests performed by AV-TEST. Its lightweight NordLynx protocol is living proof that speed and safety are compatible. You can also minimize slow connections by connecting to a geographically nearby server or using split tunneling to route only sensitive traffic through the VPN.

Some VPNs are insecure

VPN security is the most important aspect of the service. Secure VPNs use strong encryption protocols and don’t track or sell your browsing data. However, some free VPNs might be unsafe and do more harm than good.

If a VPN service is free, it likely monetizes its operations by collecting your data and selling it to third parties or flooding you with ads. Free VPNs also tend to have a smaller server infrastructure, which results in congested servers and, consequently, slower speeds. Besides, they may have more security holes and weak encryption algorithms — the perfect recipe for data leaks. 

To stay protected, it’s best to choose a provider with a verified no-logs policy (ideally one confirmed by an independent audit), and make sure it uses current encryption standards. If you’d like to learn more, you can also take a look at our guide on whether, in general, a VPN is safe.

Subscription costs

A good VPN will cost you, but the price will only be a few bucks per month, which isn’t much compared to the safety it provides and often comes out to less than a cup of coffee per month. Besides, many of a VPN’s advantages may end up saving you money. You can also keep the costs down by opting for a longer subscription term, which typically lowers the monthly rate, and take advantage of a money-back guarantee to test the service before committing.

VPNs are banned in certain countries

In certain countries, VPNs are banned, or at least heavily restricted, and need to comply with government logging requests. However, they are legal and widely used in the majority of the world. But even if VPNs are legal where you live, you should double-check local laws when traveling abroad to ensure you know what you are and aren’t allowed to do. In addition, some websites and services (for example, banks and streaming platforms) might block VPN IPs, too.

So check local laws before traveling and consider providers that offer obfuscated servers for restrictive regions.

Incompatible with certain devices

While most popular devices and operating systems are completely compatible with VPNs, certain apps and corporate networks may malfunction or refuse to connect if a VPN is active, sometimes requiring you to disconnect.

Smart home devices pose troubles when connecting to a VPN, too. For example, you won’t be able to install a VPN on certain TVs and gaming consoles. However, that’s not a major problem because you can simply configure your home router to send and receive data through a VPN. As a result, any device connected to your home network — including smart TVs, consoles, and any other device connected to the router — will be protected.

A VPN does not protect you from voluntary data collection

VPNs will not protect you from voluntarily giving your data to Google, Facebook, or other data collectors. In many of these cases, we give our data away ourselves just by using these services — or at least let them get a foot in the door.

Similarly, a VPN will not protect you from unsafe online behavior — you have to use common sense when it comes to safety. However, if you’ve already overshared with online service providers, you can use a personal data removal service that will contact data brokers and people search sites on your behalf and request that they remove your personal information from their databases. You can reduce the voluntary exposure by reviewing the privacy settings on your accounts, limiting the permissions you grant to apps and services, and only sharing the information that is strictly necessary.

Overview: VPN pros and cons

For a quick overview of all VPN advantages and disadvantages, take a look at the table we’ve compiled:

Who benefits most from a VPN?

While a VPN is useful for almost anyone who goes online, frequent travelers, remote workers, privacy-conscious everyday users, and gamers are among those who a VPN benefits the most. So if you’ve ever wondered whether you need a VPN, the list below might help you answer that question.

• Frequent travelers. Travelers rely on a VPN for secure connection on hotel and airport Wi-Fi, where public networks are easy targets for attackers. Using a VPN for travel also grants secure access to home banking and subscribed streaming services while abroad, keeping data protected on unfamiliar networks. 
• Remote workers. Remote workers use a VPN to gain encrypted access to company systems from home or co-working spaces. A VPN for remote workers is also a barrier that protects sensitive business communications on shared networks, where confidential information could otherwise be exposed. 
• Privacy-conscious everyday users. Cybersecurity-savvy everyday users benefit from a VPN by stopping ISP tracking and advertiser profiling during routine browsing. Over time, this helps reduce their overall digital footprint.
• Gamers. Gamers turn to a VPN to prevent DDoS attacks and optimize the data routing to the server (connecting to the VPN server that’s closer to the game server may stabilize ping).

Benefits of a VPN for business

VPN services are just as useful for businesses as they are for individual users. Here are a few ways in which a VPN can help businesses of all sizes:

• Endpoint security. Every employee device, or endpoint, is a potential entryway for hackers trying to get into a company’s networks. With many people working remotely, the risks of unsecured devices being used to steal data and distribute ransomware have never been greater. If all company devices are installed with a VPN client, however, they will all send and receive data through encrypted tunnels, lowering the risks of a breach.
• Scalability. As a business grows, it’s essential that its security measures keep pace and scale to meet the security risks larger organizations face. The great thing about a VPN is the ease with which it scales. If a hundred new employees are hired, they just need to download the VPN client to their device, which is a quick and easy process, and they can enjoy the same level of security and privacy as everyone else within the company.
• Reduced maintenance costs. If you use a third-party VPN provider for businesses (for example, NordLayer), you don’t have to worry about the upkeep costs and maintenance for servers and network infrastructure. That is all handled by dedicated VPN providers, so you and your team can focus on your work. If you’re interested in a VPN for business, check out the difference between NordLayer and NordVPN.

Every provider offers different VPN benefits for businesses, so it’s important to talk to a potential provider to ascertain exactly what it can offer your business.

Once you’ve picked a provider, you can set up a VPN in under five minutes — our step-by-step guide walks through every platform.