Looking for a cracked VPN? Chill a minute and think about the risks.
I know premium VPNs can seem expensive, and cheap VPNs mostly suck.
But do you really want to download a broken piece of software that will have access to everything you do online? A piece of software that’s been broken by hackers who like to play with malware, viruses, and spyware – all of which they can easily slip into your device courtesy of the cracked VPN you’ve chosen to install.
C’mon.
Instead, I’ll quickly break down all the reasons you should avoid cracked VPNs, and offer some alternatives. If you’re in a rush, check out our top free VPNs and the best cheap VPNs. They’ll keep you safe without spending too much on a subscription.
What is a cracked VPN?
A cracked VPN is a pirated version of a legitimate VPN. Hackers modify these VPNs to remove licensing restrictions, allowing free access to premium features. These cracked VPNs, often hiding malicious code within, are distributed through unreliable websites and social media.
While the promise of free access to premium features might seem appealing, cracked VPNs come with a hefty price tag – your security and privacy.
Are cracked VPNs safe?
The answer is a resounding no.
Unlike reputable premium VPNs that prioritize user protection and undergo strict, independent audits, cracked VPNs operate with no transparency or oversight. This leaves you exposed to several dangers:
- Hidden malware: Cracked VPNs are often packed with malware and spyware. Hackers embed these viruses to steal your data, damage your device, track your activities, and then use all this to attack or blackmail you.
- Unreliable performance: Cracked VPNs are, by definition, broken software. You’ll experience slow speeds, constant buffering, dropped connections, and other issues that make using a VPN pointless.
- Unsecured connections: Cracked VPNs lack proper encryption and similar protections, or use outdated versions with vulnerabilities. Your data is exposed to anyone monitoring network traffic, compromising your privacy.
- Privacy leaks: Cracked VPNs often lack the security infrastructure and no-logs policies of legitimate services. This exposes your IP address, location, and browsing activity, and could lead to targeted ads, identity theft, or even legal issues.
- Legal implications: Downloading and using cracked software is illegal in most jurisdictions. By using a cracked VPN, you're jeopardizing your online security and could also face legal action.
Why else should I avoid cracked VPN apps?
Yes, there’s more!
Beyond the immediate security risks, there are compelling reasons to steer clear of cracked VPNs.
- Lack of customer support: Reputable VPNs offer customer support to troubleshoot any problems you encounter. Cracked VPNs leave you on your own – if something goes wrong, you're out of luck.
- Limited features and functionality: Cracked VPNs often lack the features you rely on for a secure experience. Features like advanced encryption protocols and split tunneling for selective traffic routing, kill-switches to automatically disconnect if the VPN drops and robust leak protection might be missing entirely. This exposes your online activity and data.
- Uncertain updates and unforeseen vulnerabilities: Legitimate VPNs release regular updates to fix vulnerabilities and improve performance. Cracked VPNs rarely receive updates, exposing you to known and potentially unknown security issues.
Top alternatives to cracked VPNs
So, now we get to the part you knew was coming – I’m going to recommend some cracked VPN alternatives.
If you’re still unconvinced it’s worth paying $2-3 per month for a premium VPN, stick to a free VPN instead. But if you value a good experience, safe connections, access to the top streamers, and super-fast speeds… keep reading.
ExpressVPN is the #1 VPN globally, for its unrivaled speed, security, and reliability. While more expensive than most, it’s worth every penny. Me and my global team of VPN nuts (sorry, experts) comprehensively test ExpressVPN across five continents every month. We look at speed, reliability, security, and access to content – and bombard their support with pointlessly complicated questions. And every time, ExpressVPN delivers top marks! Let’s start with ExpressVPN's security features. Its automatic kill-switch ensures data protection by instantly disconnecting your internet if the VPN connection is lost. It also employs industry-best encryption protocols, such as 4,096-bit RSA keys, SHA256 authentication, and 256-bit AES encryption, enhancing data privacy and security. The DNS and IP leak protections worked flawlessly during our evaluation. While ExpressVPN offers exceptional value, its premium pricing may only suit some budgets. If that’s you, check out Surfshark below. Read our full ExpressVPN review to learn more and compare it with cheaper alternatives. Or… skip all that and download ExpressVPN. It offers a 30-day money-back guarantee (no questions asked!), so there’s zero risk to trying it out. Surfshark is the best budget VPN, offering comprehensive privacy features and reliable connections at a more affordable rate. Despite its low cost, Surfshark maintains high-quality standards, ensuring robust online security to thwart potential hacker threats. It goes beyond VPN basics, integrating additional security tools uncommon among leading competitors. These include ad blockers, anti-tracking features, an "IP Address Rotator," malware protection, and a strict "no-logs policy." These features enable you to change your online location and enhance privacy, effectively shielding against various internet risks. In our tests, Surfshark's extensive global server network, which spans over 3,000 servers across 100+ countries, consistently delivered swift and secure internet connections, bypassing geo-restrictions and granting access to premium content while safeguarding online activities from various locations worldwide. With unlimited device connections and user-friendly apps, Surfshark proves ideal for securing entire households. Plus, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee for added peace of mind. Need more convincing? Read our Surfshark review. NordVPN is a fast and reliable VPN boasting industry-leading security features to safeguard your online data and activities. With a vast network of over 6,200 servers spread across more than more than 100 countries, NordVPN ensures enhanced online security, shielding users from potential hacker threats regardless of their location. NordVPN offers a comprehensive suite of security features and tools meticulously crafted to prioritize user safety. Its proprietary VPN protocol, NordLynx, balances cutting-edge security measures and optimized code for enhanced speed. Additionally, NordVPN provides a cybersecurity suite known as Threat Protection, which effectively blocks ads, malware, and other online nuisances, fostering a secure online browsing experience. To learn how all these complicated features keep you safe online, read our full review of NordVPN. NordVPN boasts user-friendly interfaces and broad compatibility with various devices, including iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, smart TVs, gaming consoles, and select routers. Furthermore, its round-the-clock live chat support ensures prompt assistance in case of any queries or concerns. New NordVPN subscribers enjoy a 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans. CyberGhost is the most beginner-friendly VPN on the list. It provides swift connections suitable for streaming, torrenting, and various online activities. With an extensive network of over 9,500 servers across more than 90 countries, CyberGhost offers an affordable and dependable VPN solution. Leveraging cutting-edge VPN technologies, including WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 protocols, CyberGhost ensures fast, stable, and secure connections capable of streaming HD content globally. In our recent evaluations, CyberGhost maintained average speeds of 6 Mbps. Although its performance may be disappointing in VPN-restricted regions like China or the UAE, CyberGhost provides speedy connections elsewhere. Its user-friendly interface makes it particularly well-suited for beginners, and it allows installation on up to seven devices with preconfigured settings from the outset, facilitating family sharing. Read our full CyberGhost review to see how these preconfigured settings work IRL. Finally, backed by a 45-day money-back guarantee, you can confidently test CyberGhost's apps firsthand. IPVanish is a reliable VPN offering user-friendly apps for unlimited devices, swift speeds, robust security measures, and airtight privacy protection. In addition to conducting standard speed tests, we thoroughly assessed IPVanish's security and privacy features across various devices, including Windows PC, iPhone, and Android. Impressively, it passed all our tests with flying colors on every device. Its military-grade encryption, leak protections, and kill-switches performed flawlessly, instilling a strong sense of security among our team members while the VPN was active. During our evaluation against popular streaming platforms, IPVanish successfully accessed most sites, including Netflix. However, it faced challenges accessing Amazon Prime Video and other prominent platforms (see more in our full IPVanish review). Consider this if you intend to stream extensively. Nonetheless, IPVanish stands out as one of the best options for torrenting. Based in the USA – a founding member of the secretive Five Eyes global surveillance alliance – IPVanish assures users of its no-logs policy and other privacy rules. These have been proven as legit in court cases. However, it's worth noting that other, better, VPNs on this list are situated in more privacy-friendly locations, like ExpressVPN (British Virgin Islands) and NordVPN (Panama). Try IPVanish risk-free with its 30-day money-back guarantee. 1. ExpressVPN
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Methodology: how we tested the best alternatives to cracked VPNs
We use strict criteria to test every VPN we recommend – and the ones we don’t!
When trying to convince you against a cracked version of ExpressVPN, NordVPN, or another popular provider, we focus on value, performance, and how many devices they protect. But that’s not all we looked at.
Here’s a quick rundown of the complete process:
- Server network: We sampled each VPN’s global network, connecting to servers on every continent (okay, except Antarctica).
- Connection speeds: We’ve only recommended VPNs that don’t noticeably impact your download, streaming, or browsing speeds.
- Access to content: The top VPNs guarantee access to Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, regional YouTube content, and anything else you can think of.
- Security: We tested the encryption standards, leak protections, kill-switches, and other tools offered by each VPN to ensure they worked against every threat (including spyware).
- Privacy: Our favorite VPNs are based in privacy-friendly places like Panama and the British Virgin Islands, follow strict no-logs policies, and regularly wipe their servers.
- Value: Premium VPNs cost less than one coffee a month, so you don’t have to worry about breaking into your savings to sign up.
- Ease of use: While VPNs are complex behind the scenes, the apps should be simple enough for kids to use. We don’t recommend VPNs with badly designed apps or interfaces.
- Customer support: Look for 24/7 live chat support (with human agents), comprehensive product guides, and lively user communities in any VPN you consider.
Look at our complete VPN review process to see the full list and use it to guide you when choosing a VPN.
Free VPN vs cracked VPN: Which is better?
In theory, a free VPN should be better than a cracked VPN. At least you’re not using deliberately broken and hacked software.
Sadly, free VPNs are often as dangerous. Because they don’t charge a subscription fee, most free VPNs use shadier tactics to make money from you. We’ve seen some really crazy tactics over the years, but the most common can be grouped into the following:
- Limited servers: You can only access servers in two to three countries, and they quickly get crowded with other free users.
- Slow speeds: Free VPNs either can’t deliver fast connections or throttle you, so you eventually upgrade to a paid plan.
- Loads of ads: Intrusive, annoying ads are embedded onto your server, and could be loaded with malware.
- Selling your data: Your privacy will be compromised, as free VPNs sell your browsing activity and personal data to the highest bidder – brokers, advertisers, and hackers.
- Hosting malware and hackers: Many free VPNs have been caught opening their networks to hackers for a fee, giving direct access to their users.
Plenty of cheap VPNs offer fantastic experiences, airtight security, and fast speeds. Surfshark is our favorite, and you don’t need a cracked version to save money on a subscription.
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Conclusion
Using cracked VPNs poses significant security risks, endangering your online safety and privacy.
Opting for a legitimate VPN provides lasting benefits. It guarantees encryption and anonymity for online activities, empowering you to navigate the digital realm confidently.
It's essential to prioritize a secure online experience, as the dangers of cracked VPNs are not worth the risk. Instead, consider reputable VPNs to safeguard your online journey effectively.