PSA: I had to pick between a free VPN and paying for one last month
I was trying to watch a show while traveling and the hotel Wi-Fi was really slow... so I looked up a free VPN app but then read it might sell my data. I ended up paying $5 for a month of a known service and my speed was fine, but I'm still not sure if it was the right call. What would you have done in that spot?
Honestly? You're overthinking it. It was five bucks for a month of decent speed and some peace of mind. Free ones have to make money somehow, and yeah, that's often your data. Not everything needs to be a huge deal. You made a fine call.
Totally get where you're coming from, had the same panic at an airport last year. Ended up doing the same thing and just paying for a month, and @gray_walker49 is right about the peace of mind being worth it. Free stuff online always has a cost somewhere, even if you don't see it right away. For a one-time travel fix, a few bucks to actually watch your show and not worry feels like the move.