There are many benefits of using a VPN to connect to the internet. Thesenetworks, better known by the acronym VPN, hide your IP address and boost yourprivacy while browsing. They may also help you access online content that isrestricted in your region. But there's one thing VPNs can't do: They can't helpyou avoid pushing past the limit on your data plan.
The reason? Using a VPNwill count against the data limits on your smartphones or tablets. That'sbecause the data that you access through these devices must first travelthrough the servers of your internet service provider or mobile provider beforeit reaches the server of your VPN provider.
This doesn't mean,though, that you shouldn't invest in a VPN. Those other benefits of relying onVPNs far outweigh the disappointment that such a network still counts againstyour data plan's caps.
What is a VPN, and why shouldyou use it?
A VPN is an importanttool if you want privacy while online, especially if you are logging on from apublic space such as your local library, an airport, hotel lobby, or coffeeshop.
You'll first have tosign up with a VPN provider. Once you do, you'll log onto that provider'sservice before connecting to the internet. If you do this, your IP address willbe hidden from hackers, businesses, government agencies, or other snoops. VPNsalso encrypt the data you send and receive, scrambling it so that these same snoopscan't see the sites you visit, files you download, messages you post, or videosyou watch.
Most VPN providerscharge for their services. This price is worth it, though, for that increase inprivacy while surfing the web.
Do VPNs use data?
If you regularly accessthe internet from your phone or a tablet, you probably rely on a data plan, atleast some of the time, to visit sites, watch movies, and send email. It's notsurprising, then, that you want to use as little data as possible. Most dataplans still come with caps. Going over these caps can cost you extra fees orslow your online speed to a crawl.
Unfortunately, using aVPN to get online doesn't mean you can forget about data caps. Browsing the internet,listening to music, downloading videos, and streaming movies will still countagainst any data limits set by your providers, whether you're using a VPN ornot.
And here's a negative:You'll use slightly more data with a VPN because this service encrypts yourdata. That's an important privacy feature. But it does mean that using a VPNwill grow the amount of data you consume by anywhere from 5 percent to 15 percent, according to some estimates.
The data benefits of a VPN
Using a VPN does comewith one positive related to data usage. Because your internet service provider— or ISP — can't see what you're doing online, it also can't use datathrottling to slow down your online speeds.
If you’re a particularlyheavy internet user who spends hours downloading videos or playing onlinegames, your ISP might decide to throttle your data. Basically, this will slowyour online speeds, which can make your online session a frustrating one. Theymight do this as a way to persuade you to purchase a pricier internet plan that doesn’t come with these slowdowns.
But if you're connectedto the internet through a VPN, your ISP won't know and won’t see your IPaddress and won’t recognize you as a heavy user. This means it won’tnecessarily think to throttle your data and slow your online speed.
What VPN protocolsconsume the least data?
There are different VPNprotocols that you can use to make a connection to the internet through a VPNprovider. These protocols all use differing amounts of data. It doesn't makesense, though, to simply turn to the protocol type that uses the least amountof data. That type could be less secure and could compromise your privacy whileyou are online.
Here's a quick list ofthe different protocol types and how much data they use:
128-bit PPTP: This protocol uses the least amount of data.However, it also provides the lowest level of security and privacy. For thisreason, it’s not recommended that you connect to the internet with this VPNprotocol.
128-bit L2TP/IPSec: This protocol also consumes a lower amount of data.Again, though, the security it provides isn’t as strong as other protocols.
128-bit OpenVPN: This protocol is another example of one that has lowdata use but also provides just a moderate level of security.
128-bit Stealth OpenVPN: This type of protocol uses a higher amount of datathan do the previous three options on this list. Unfortunately, it also onlyoffers a moderate level of security.
256-bit L2TP/IPSec: Here’s a better alternative. This protocol uses amoderate amount of data and provides excellent security.
256-bit OpenVPN: Another strong option, this protocol providesexcellent security while using only a moderate amount of data.
256-bit Stealth OpenVPN: Another protocol that provides top-level securityand privacy, this option does, though, consume a higher amount of data than dothe other choices in this list.
It is important to takesteps to conserve your data, especially when data plans can be expensive. The onlineprivacy benefits that come with a VPN, though, are well worth the slight boostin data usage. The data encryption that VPNs provide might count against yourdata caps, but it also prevents snoops from spying on your online activity.
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- Dan Rafter
- Freelance writer
Dan Rafter is a freelance writer who covers tech, finance, and real estate. His work has appeared in the Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, and Fox Business.
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