4 reasons I got rid of my VPN subscription

• VPNs are inherently terrible for online gaming
• They can wreak havoc with some apps and websites
• They’re not a magic bullet for security
• I’m already overspending on subscriptions

Usually, people are trying to persuade you of the utility of a VPN (virtual private network). Often this is in the form of advertising — I can’t count how many podcasts and YouTube videos have tried to sell me on one. But since there are legitimate, sometimes even critical reasons you might want to sign up, it’s not hard to find articles on sites like Pocket-lint extolling their virtues.

I’ve used VPNs in the past, mainly for the sake of researching tech products in other countries. More recently, though, I’ve decided that I’d rather do research the hard way than put up with the drawbacks of VPNs, at least for now. Anyone should certainly consider these points before they decide to sign up for a plan.

VPNs are inherently terrible for online gaming

And some other activities, too

If you’re not familiar with how VPNs work, the most fundamental aspect is that they route your internet traffic through one or more remote servers. This is useful for things like creating a secure tunnel, or making it look like you’re connecting from a different country. If you’re an American trying to access video from, say, Canada or the UK, the reason services are fooled is that the last hop is from a foreign server.

By definition, though, this increases lag, much in the same way that it takes longer to drive somewhere if you take the backroads. Lag isn’t a big deal if you’re watching video, listening to music, or downloading an app — but in an online shooter, even an extra 50 milliseconds can spell the difference between landing a headshot or taking one. In less violent games, that might mean missing a jump or turn.

By definition, intermediary servers increase lag, much in the same way that it takes longer to drive somewhere if you take the backroads.

Simply put, there’s no choice but to dodge VPNs if you’re about to play an online action game. You can, of course, temporarily disable a VPN connection, but if you play games regularly, that quickly becomes a hassle.

It’s not just games that can suffer from lag, either. A video or voice call may have a slight delay, making conversations a little more awkward. The cursor in a remote desktop client might be harder to control. Anything requiring real-time response is at risk, ultimately.

They can wreak havoc with some apps and websites

Location shifting can backfire

VPNs are useful for journalists like myself because websites will default to different prices and even product listings depending on your IP address. There may be a button to switch regions, but not always, and some companies will actually force you to view local prices anyway, like Google or Valve. That prevents shopping mistakes, but it’s maddening for research.

There can be many motivations for location-shifting. What VPN operators don’t tell you, though, is that some apps and websites may actually block you from connecting with a VPN, such as your bank. In more extreme circumstances, you might be locked out of an account over concerns of identity theft. If someone normally signs in to their Apple or Facebook account from Seatlle, but suddenly appears to be connecting from Bangkok, it’s natural to suspect their account has been hacked. There’s a chance you’ll never run into these issues — but if you do, it can be far more aggravating than extra game lag.

In more extreme circumstances, you might be locked out of an account over concerns of identity theft.

A content category I want to single out here is streaming video. Services like Hulu and YouTube TV are so concerned with licensing and advertising that VPN providers are locked in a constant arms race to give users access. Some VPNs can’t work around this at all, so if you’re hoping to watch Alien: Earth on that trip to Vancouver, you’ll need to do some comparisons before picking a provider.

They’re not a magic bullet for security

Just another weapon in the arsenal

In ads, VPNs are often depicted as privacy tools first and foremost. They do have value in that respect — corporations and hackers are going to find it hard or impossible to detect your real IP, and VPNs typically promise extra security measures on top of this, such as ad blocking, enhanced encryption, and alerts about malware and phishing sites.

Some VPNs are more secure than others, however, and even the better ones may occasionally find themselves targeted by attackers looking to exploit vulnerabilities and snoop on you. It’s incumbent on both you and VPNs to keep software updated. You’ll still want to run local antivirus tools like Windows Security, and turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) whenever it’s available for your online accounts.

Frequently, you’re not really gaining much from using a VPN that you wouldn’t be able to manage on your own.

In some cases, the VPNs themselves may pose a threat. Free ones may make a profit by selling user data to advertisers and brokers — be sure any service you sign up for has a strict no-logs policy. In countries with authoritarian governments, any VPNs that are officially sanctioned are going to be subject to sharing your data on-demand.

Frequently, you’re not really gaining much from using a VPN that you wouldn’t be able to manage on your own. Personally, I find that the combination of 2FA, Windows Security, and Chrome’s phishing warnings keep me safe enough, as long as I also apply skeptical thinking to emails, phone calls, and texts. Third-party extensions like Privacy Badger can help defeat unwanted tracking.

I’m already overspending on subscriptions

Safety shouldn’t be tied to a monthly fee

Arguably, the shift towards subscriptions has been one of the worst developments in the tech industry. Yes, it can make businesses more sustainable, and help customers pay for products they might otherwise be unable to afford, from flagship smartphones to Onewheels. But this can also result in death by a thousand cuts, and feeling like major aspects of your life are being held hostage. If I stopped paying for iCloud+, for example, I’d have to scramble for another way of backing up photos and videos. It would be less problematic if I dropped Spotify Premium, but given that I listen to music all day every workday, I dread the amount of ads I’d have to cope with.

Unfortunately, beyond trial and discount periods, it’s easy to find yourself spending as much on a VPN subscription as you would for a platform like Netflix or HBO Max.

Any VPN worth using probably comes with a monthly or annual fee, as I hinted in the last section. And unfortunately, beyond trial and discount periods, it’s easy to find yourself spending as much on a VPN subscription as you would for a platform like Netflix or HBO Max. I can’t justify that, not when the primary advantages would be IP masking, occasional research, and crossing my fingers that I can access media that isn’t licensed where I live.

Given the free security measures available, I feel better keeping the money in my wallet. I’d recommend that anyone considering a VPN take a hard look at their own needs before shelling out.