I’m a total noob about VPNs, but I’d like to beat my service provider’s data throttling. I need to do a lot of downloading and uploading of large files, and am running into my deadline, but I don’t have any disposable income to put into a paid VPN. Do Y’all have suggestions?

For people telling me to pay for one; if I had the money I would have just done that and wouldn’t have needed to ask. But as it stands, I can barely make enough money to feed myself, it’s pretty hard to justify the cost of a decent VPN (even if it seems cheap to you). I don’t really care about privacy or companies selling my data, I just want to upload what needs to be uploaded in a timely manner, as it’s already taken three days of shit internet, and it’s still 22% done.

    • Zerush@lemmy.ml
      8·
      3 years ago

      Proton isn’t the fastest in the free version, but enough for streaming (>35 Mbs), but yes, you are right with this 👍

  • soronixa@lemmy.ml
    131·
    3 years ago

    While most free VPNs are scam, ProtonVPN is recommended by proivacytools.io and is available on F-Droid. But if you can, support them by paying for their services. Oh, and the free version doesn’t work for torrenting, for obvious reasons.

  • Echedenyan@lemmy.ml
    10·
    3 years ago

    https://backplanedns.org OpenVPN based ones and the Riseup one.

    Even if you cannot maintain yourself giving money in a continues sense. I recommend you to donate whenever you can. Even if you must avoid getting sweets or a pizza for a day for it.

      • Echedenyan@lemmy.ml
        1·
        3 years ago

        You can use both on both platforms too. I mean, OpenVPN ones on GNU/Linux and Riseup on MS Windows.

    • Seabourne_Plays@lemmy.mlOP
      12·
      3 years ago

      This is one of few answers that’s actually helpful, thank you.

      I couldn’t quite understand the site you provided though, I couldn’t find a download link. That could just be me being blind, I’ve decided to go with Windscribe because I’ve used it before, but I’d much rather use something else.

        • Echedenyan@lemmy.ml
          2·
          3 years ago

          Thank you for pointing.

          I want address them to the possibility of the GUI integrations in NetworkManager in KDE and GNOME if he used GNU/Linux as well as configure the CLI client to start with a config file or the OpenVPN client in other OS.

      • Echedenyan@lemmy.ml
        1·
        3 years ago

        The first is knowing your operating system to adapt a little tutorial.

        BackplaneDNS needs OpenVPN client and Riseup VPN has its own one I will link in a little.

  • Qgpkje4rY5s@lemmy.ml
    81·
    3 years ago

    ProtonVPN (Free plan) is in my opinion the only true free VPN out there. It’s owned by the reputable company of Protonmail. The free plan is paid for by paid subscribers (not your data), they keep no logs and impose no bandwidth limits. There are of course a few limitations such as slower speeds, no P2P activities, no geo unblocking. Overall, it’s a great service for being truly free.

  • Zerush@lemmy.ml
    62·
    3 years ago

    Only know 2 free VPN reliable, no logs and no tracking, but all free VPN are limited, some tracks and sell user data, some other has limited bandwith and server. Proton VPN, swiss made by CERN cuientifics, strong encryptation military level, no logs, no ads and no tracking, no limits in data volumen, but only servers in three countrys and only in one PC ore Mobile. Windscribe, good privacy and no logs, some more servers but 10 Gb datalimit/month

    Both good for occasional use, but for permanent uso don’t exist aternative to paid VPN.

  • QuentinCallaghanA
    42·
    3 years ago

    Free VPNs are suspicious and they might shamelessly use user data, just get a paid VPN.

  • Dessalines@lemmy.ml
    65·
    3 years ago

    I wouldnt trust any free one. The good ones are less than 5 dollars a month. if you’re paying for internet already, its not much more to pay for privacy.

    • Echedenyan@lemmy.ml
      1·
      3 years ago

      That is pretty weird. In my case my family is the one paying but even when they want to see more films in the TV they don’t pay for Netflix or similar which can be easily put :) (I would not accept it an would try replacements but it is an example).

      My economy is measured at all.

    • freezingshowpiece@lemmy.ml
      8·
      3 years ago

      Maybe OP means that their ISP is throttling certain websites like netflix or youtube.

      AFAIK If you use a vpn your ISP would no longer be able to see what domains you are connecting to and hence not be able to throttle based on what site you are visiting

      • Seabourne_Plays@lemmy.mlOP
        1·
        3 years ago

        I dunno the proper terms, like I said I’m a bit of a noob about VPNs, but my speeds are definitely lower than they used to be, and they definitely have been getting slower. I’ve been told a VPN could help with that, but idk which one does that the best at my price point. (and yes, I understood before making the post that free VPNs aren’t great nor private)

  • EXiLExJD@lemmy.ml
    24·
    3 years ago

    I recommend paying for a decent VPN - If the product is free it means YOU are the product. A VPN isn’t that expensive for a yearly subscription (I’m paying $40US a year), and you can even pay monthly. I use PIA which is only ~$2.70 a month and most VPN’s are under $5 a month.

      • Seabourne_Plays@lemmy.mlOP
        41·
        3 years ago

        I’m from the US, but I’ve worked in freelance for most of my adult career - and have been out of work since shortly before the pandemic hit, my income is pitiful and far below minimum wage. I simply can’t afford $5 a month, unless I start surviving on bread and water alone.

      • Echedenyan@lemmy.ml
        21·
        3 years ago

        First class citizen* is more generic for every country.

        You could find people in poor countries saying they can afford it and generalize that other can too (being a lie but destroying your point) and similar in rich countries with poor people.