Some of the best bargains you’ll get these days will be on tech products — whether it’s phones, cheap Internet, and VPNs, or even laptops and gaming systems that once might have required a serious cost-benefit analysis to even consider purchasing. These products are now a staple of our lives, and this means great things for you in terms of both variety and pricing. The rise of the popularity of VPNs is not just due to this, but also because of a growing need for security by all categories of users. Cybersecurity experts recommend setting up a VPN as the first step in securing your data and privacy. Their widespread use also leads us to flexible and affordable deals; even a lifetime VPN subscription that gives you unlimited data and peace of mind in exchange for a one-time payment.
What is a VPN?
A VPN is simply a “virtual private network.” It bypasses your Internet service provider’s servers (which can be tracked and connected to your location) in exchange for a secure server and an ability to access the Internet from any virtual location. This protects your identity from governments, trackers, and anyone that has an interest in your data, financial transactions, and browsing activity for any reason. It also frees you from “geo-blocking” where certain content or websites might not be available in your region. A VPN liberates you from all this and much more on both your computer as it stops your data being sold for profit, identity theft and hacking. Everyone is exposed to these risks at all times, and a VPN is your only sure-fire bet against any of it. Several services offer you a lifetime VPN subscription, so let’s go ahead and take a look at whether the idea of pay once and keep it forever is worth it or not.
A VPN for your lifetime
A good VPN can run around at around $50 a year if you purchase a renewable model. This allows you to pay from month to month (or annually), but it racks up a bigger cost over a longer period if you add it up. A lot of services are charging their customers in this way — the “fee” that is marketed to you is a lower number, but the cash that you pay them in total is a much bigger amount than the minimum that you could be paying.
A lifetime subscription bypasses all this trickery and gets you what you want, simple and straightforward. If you’ve found the VPN that works for you, ticks all the boxes, and, you believe, is here to stay, why wouldn’t you want to pay less for the same service and never have to worry about downgrading?
Is the commitment worth it?
After only a few years, the average cost of a lifetime VPN subscription will be far less than what you’d pay if you renewed a service every year. It sounds too good to be true… but it might just be. Like the downside of a free VPN (more on that below), the same rule-of-thumb applies here. A lot of third-party providers claim to sell discounts and coupons for VPN services. It’s like the difference between an established bank and a loan shark. One might promise more flexibility and a lower rate, but your legal rights are next to nonexistent and the very purpose of a VPN — security — is compromised. And then, of course, there’s the potential that the company might go out of business. At this point, the death of the company may very well mean the death of your lifetime VPN, too.
Are there any free options?
Clearly, VPNs now come in a wide range of options, depending on your data needs and your budget. Protecting yourself online has, in fact, never been more affordable — yes, even free. The catch with a free service, however, is that they still need to make money. A VPN service that bills itself as free may throttle your connection and drain your data, fast. This will force you to rely on the VPN, which will then encourage you to update to a paid option anyway just to enjoy a normal speed connection.
Some of them may even confuse your Internet settings permanently, what with the scarier prospect of your free VPN service being a scam altogether. Always go for the bigger and more reputable brands backed up by publishers such as CNET, Engadget, Lifehacker, and the likes.
Lifetime VPN: Live long and prosper
Thus, it pays to pay for your VPN. Every provider worth their salt offers a wide range of paying options, deals, and more exclusive features for more money. Premium services even include special servers for torrenting, gaming, and extra security features for citizens of dictatorships and censor-happy governments. A lifetime subscription entitles you to all this plus a complete vanishing of your worries when it comes to making payments. It’s like paying for an online bodyguard and arming yourself and your Internet with a fort.
Featured image: Shutterstock
