VPN App or VPN Plugin? Why You Should Always Go with the VPN App

A VPN is the perfect solution in order to use the Internet privately and securely, without anyone snooping on your data(including your ISP!). There are 2 main types of VPN services available: VPN apps that run standalone (like Speedify) and VPN plugins (or VPN extensions) that run in web browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Edge, etc.

VPN plugins are generally free to use and easier to install, but on the other hand, only your web browsing activities will be private and secure.

VPN apps can be free, but usually require a subscription. And they work on all your devices.

Read below to see why a VPN app is always better than a VPN plugin.

While you may think that’s OK, you’re overlooking all the other instances when your computer or mobile device is using the Internet. Every type of app described below can hold sensitive data which you wouldn’t want to get in the hands of cyber criminals.

• email clients such as built-in ones on mobile devices, Outlook, Thunderbird, etc.
• online backup / sync tools: OneDrive, Google Drive, etc.
• social media apps on mobile devices: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Google+, etc.
• shopping apps on mobile devices: Amazon, eBay, etc.
• instant messaging apps: Skype, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, etc.

All of the above mentioned app types are not protected by VPN plugins in web browsers. Care to reconsider your choice for a VPN plugin? It may be free, but is it worth the risk of using something that can leak your private data?

On the other hand, VPN apps run as a layer of protection over all the network traffic, securing you from all online threats.

As explained more in detail in a previous article, free VPN services, be it in the form of VPN plugins or VPN apps, either compromise on functionalities or on trustworthiness in order to maintain their infrastructure running. So, they either limit the capabilities offered to you or they sell your browsing data to third parties (usually marketing companies). Guess where the “relevant” ads you see online come from…

Our advice – try to avoid free VPN services if you want to have peace of mind that nobody’s messing around with your online data. And always read the privacy policy of the VPN service, even if it’s paid!

Since there are a multitude of apps (and even your operating system) that communicates online on the Internet, it’s only normal to use a VPN app over just a VPN plugin for your browser. A VPN app encrypts and protects all your device’s Internet traffic, so you’re completely under the radar of cyber criminals. Not to mention it runs with the same subscription on your computers and mobile devices.

Now – you may be wondering what’s with the “mobile VPN” thing? Many VPN apps could inherently slow down your connection because of the way they work. A mobile VPN is a VPN that keeps you connected at all times, letting you change from one Internet connection to another while maintaining the same session and not interrupting all of your apps.

Take a look at Speedify mobile VPN and see how it can help you. Here’s a review from TechRadar as well in order to get a better idea.