The first question when choosing an internet protection tool - to pay or not. Free solutions attract with obvious savings, but this savings is deceptive.
Where the Money Comes From
Any service requires resources: rented servers, developer salaries, technical support. If the user doesn’t pay directly - they pay with something else.
Advertising Model
The app shows banners, pop-ups, push notifications. Each click brings pennies to the owner. To pay for a server, millions of impressions are needed.
Profile Trading
A more profitable path - collecting information about online behavior. What sites you visit, how much time you spend, what you buy. This data is purchased by advertising networks and analytics companies.
Limitations as Motivation
The trimmed version exists for one purpose - to show that the full product is more convenient. Traffic limit runs out at the wrong moment, speed drops in the evening, servers are unavailable.
Typical Limitations
Free versions are intentionally inconvenient.
Data volume. Usually a few gigabytes per month. Enough for a couple hours of high-definition video.
Connection speed. Artificial throttling to a few megabits. Pages load with delay, video buffers.
Server choice. Three to five locations instead of dozens. The country you need may be absent.
Simultaneous connections. One or two devices. Phone and laptop - already too many.
Functionality. Torrents disabled, streaming platforms may not work.
Privacy Risks
The paradox: a privacy protection tool can violate it.
Many free apps embed their own elements into traffic - trackers, advertising scripts. Some contain components that antivirus programs flag as unwanted.
Data retention policies at free services are usually vague. Privacy statements are written ambiguously, actual practices unknown.
What a Subscription Gives
Protection Without Compromise
Paid services use modern encryption protocols. Connection is protected, DNS leaks are excluded, when connection drops traffic is blocked automatically.
Stable Speed
Physical servers with wide channels. Performance loss is minimal - usually within ten to fifteen percent of your ISP plan.
Geographic Choice
Dozens and hundreds of points worldwide. There’s always a nearest server for speed or a specific country for regional content access.
No Limits
Unlimited data volume, multiple devices simultaneously, no artificial barriers.
Human Support
Real people answer questions and help set up connections. Not automatic replies after a week.
Usage Scenarios
When Free Is Enough
- One-time task every few months
- Speed and stability not critical
- Not working with sensitive information
- Tolerant of ads and limitations
When You Need a Subscription
- Regular use
- Work, finances, personal correspondence
- Video watching and streaming
- Multiple devices in the family
- Gaming with low ping
Saving on Subscription
Paying full monthly price - not necessary.
Long period. Annual payment costs two to three times less than monthly.
Trial access. Many offer a free trial week or month without obligation.
Refund. If the product didn’t fit - money can be returned within a certain period.
Seasonal discounts. Big sales happen several times a year.
Questions Answered
Can free services be trusted? Depends on the specific product. Free versions of paid services are usually safe but limited. Completely free ones - often monetize user data.
Why is free connection slower? Fewer servers for more users plus artificial restrictions to stimulate switching to paid version.
Are subscription costs justified? With regular use - yes. The cost of a cup of coffee per month for protecting all traffic and comfortable speed.
Summary
Free options suit occasional tasks without quality requirements. For everyday use, a paid subscription is a reasonable investment in privacy and convenience.
Tainet provides all the advantages of a professional service: current protocols, servers on physical hardware, transparent privacy policy.
