Last Updated on March 2, 2022 by Justin Su
Without a doubt, VPNs become part of every internet surfer. Nowadays mostly everyone is aware of VPNs and they know how it works, but do you know how do VPNs make money from their service? and how much do they earn?
In this article, we are going to learn how do VPN companies make money and how does each top VPN performs in revenue form.
This is an informative article, hence it will include numbers that can get changed later in official, like a number of users.
Also Read: Atlas VPN Comes WIth SafeSwap Feature
Also Read: 10 Best Affiliate Programs For VPN Affiliate
How Do VPNs Make Money (Paid VPNs)
Let’s start with how do Paid VPN companies make money. There is not only one method to make money for paid platforms there are multiple methods to make money.
Different Plans
The main method to make money from VPNs for paid VPNs is their different plans. You may be seen VPN providers do offer many types of plans, from low-cost to high-cost plans.
So users with low budgets can also enjoy their service. They can’t survive for long if they start providing their services for free. It requires maintenance of their services and some services are really costly.
If they stop charging you then they will compromise with your security which most Free VPN Service providers do.
Sell Your Data
It happens rarely with paid VPNs but still, there are VPN providers who use such methods to generate extra income. It doesn’t matter which VPN you are using, at the end you are sharing your data with them for sure.
They keep this data with themselves and sell them when they get offers. Even though selling data of users is illegal still scammers try every possible way to sell your data to a third party.
Uses Your Computer As Botnet or Exit Node
Something problems can get created with you even when you don’t know about it. VPNs are used as online tools but they can create real-world problems for you.
Botnet or Exit Node can put in a big problem if it is really used by VPNs, most paid VPNs tries to avoid this but free VPNs are largely using it.
If your provider is using your computer to provide Exit Nodes then you may fall into a law book. This tactic is used by both Free & Paid providers.
In simple what providers do is one IP to enter and another to exit. Here if your computer is used as Exit Node then data can get saved in your device. Suppose someone used to do an illegal thing online and your device is used in that then all browsing history will get saved in your device.
How Do Free VPN Services Make Money
There are many free VPN service providers but the question is how do free VPN apps make money?
If you are using free VPNs then I would suggest getting in paid VPNs as they are more safe and fast. Free providers can put you in big problems. While they offer their service for free they choose other possible methods to make money online.
Advertising, Lots of Advertising
If you have used free VPN service providers then I can bet you got irritated with those ads. They just keep coming like hell. You can’t stop them unless you are ready to pay.
Free providers do use ad networks like Admob to advertise on their app and not only that they do also put banners on each page and video ads on every click.
Suppose you open a free app then you have to see video ads of 5 to 20 seconds or banner ads, once you enter you have to click on connect button but once you click on that button then you have to see ads again.
And not only that when you try to disconnect VPN you will find ads there too.
Creates Botnets or Exit Nodes
As above said Exit Nodes are created by both free and paid providers but mostly this tactic is used by free providers. Move your cursor above to check how Botnet works.
Sells Your Bandwidth
Free VPNs make money by selling your Bandwidth as well.
Literally, free VPN service providers exploit their users at any cost. Free providers do also paid plans and they do have paid members as well. What they do is take from you to give paid members.
If providers do offer both free and paid plans on their app then you should check if they are not selling or transferring your bandwidth.
Provides to put a limitation on free users from their processing power which they used to give paid members. It means they are selling it to paid users.
You can’t stop this unless you choose to use paid VPN providers.
Sell Your Data & Email
There are more chances that paid plans will not use these methods as it can damage their reputation but this is not happening with free providers.
Without any doubt, free providers do keep your all data like Email, IP, Browsing History, and others. If you are using free VPN service providers you should aware that your data are going to share with third-party companies.
How Much Each VPN Company Earns
Different companies are making different incomes. Following are the companies with their recent income reports.
- $6.68 Million income generated by PureVPN.
- ExpressVPN generated revenue of $279.
- NordVPN revenue was $19 million.
- $5 million revenue generated by SurfShark
Should I Use Free VPN Service Providers?
If you don’t do private surfing then it is highly suggested not to use free VPNs. Free VPNs do have the power to check your history and data.
Free VPNs come with many limitations they have limitations like limited time to use the network, lots of ads, use to sell your data, and much more.
