Is a VPN Worth It? An Honest Breakdown
24 Jun 2026 · 3 min read · Comments
VPN ads are everywhere — on YouTube, podcasts, every tech site. Most of them oversell what a VPN actually does. Here's an honest look at when a VPN genuinely helps, and when it doesn't.
What a VPN Actually Does
- A VPN (Virtual Private Network) routes your internet traffic through a server run by the VPN company, then out to the internet. This has two effects:
- Websites you visit see the VPN server's IP address, not yours. So your location and identity are hidden from those sites.
- Your internet provider (ISP) can see you're connected to a VPN, but cannot see which sites you're visiting.
💻
You
→
🔒
VPN Server
Encrypted tunnel
→
🌐
Website
Sees VPN's IP
Your ISP sees: encrypted traffic to VPN. Nothing more.
When a VPN Genuinely Helps
- Public Wi-Fi. Coffee shops, airports, and hotels run open networks where other users can sometimes intercept unencrypted traffic. A VPN prevents this. This is the single most compelling everyday use case.
- Stopping your ISP from selling your browsing data. ISPs in many countries are legally allowed to log and sell your browsing history. A VPN stops this, though you're now trusting the VPN company instead.
- Accessing geo-restricted content. Netflix libraries, BBC iPlayer, sports streams. A VPN lets you appear to be in a different country.
When a VPN Does NOT Help
- Hiding from Google or Facebook. You're logged into these services. They know exactly who you are regardless of your IP address. A VPN does nothing here.
- Complete anonymity. You can still be tracked via browser fingerprinting, cookies, and account logins. A VPN masks your IP — that's all.
- Security on its own. A VPN doesn't protect you from phishing, malware, or weak passwords. It's not a replacement for good security habits.
WORTH IT?
Public Wi-Fi user
Yes ✓
Avoiding ISP tracking
Yes ✓
Streaming geo-restricted content
Sometimes
Hiding from Google / Facebook
No ✗
Which VPN to Use
- Mullvad: the most privacy-focused option. Accepts cash payment, requires no email to sign up, has a strict no-logs policy that has been independently audited. €5/month.
- ProtonVPN: based in Switzerland (strong privacy laws), open-source, audited, has a free tier. Excellent choice for most people.
- Avoid free VPNs unless they're from a trusted provider like Proton. Free VPN companies often make money by logging and selling your data, the exact opposite of why you'd use a VPN.
If you regularly use public Wi-Fi, a VPN is worth the $5–10/month. If you mostly browse from home on a trusted network, the benefit is smaller — but the ISP tracking protection alone is reason enough for many people.
"A good banner has no fixed form and has no inherent meaning."
Austin, TX · https://sams.blog/weekly
✓