Are VPNs a Good Option for 4G and 5G Connections in 2024?

A virtual private network (VPN) is the best way to protect yourself from cybercriminals and hackers while using cellular data, since all of your mobile data is channeled through an encrypted tunnel, making it indecipherable.

It’s also a great way to unblock geo-restricted sites so you can access all of your financial, work, and entertainment back home, even while traveling abroad.

Not many people know, however, whether VPNs are good for 4g and 5g connections.

The downside to using a VPN is that it will increase your cellular data usage, which can put you over your data limits and slow your connection; but there are ways users can minimize the amount of data used by VPNs.

The important thing to realize is that the benefits of using a VPN make the increased cellular data usage pretty insignificant.

This article will show you not only the best VPNs for cellular data but will also give you some tips to keep your usage as low as possible!

Should I Use a Virtual Private Network on 4G or 5G?

When you are using a cellular network you are just as vulnerable to online threats as you are when connected to a wireless network.

The best way to keep your cellular data safe is with a 4G and 5G VPN.

A VPN is also the best way to access geo-restricted sites that aren’t available in your location.

Does a 4G/5G VPN Use a Lot of Data?

Using a VPN does increase your cellular data usage by 5-15%.

That’s because the process of encryption requires a certain amount of overhead, and that uses up data.

There are things you can do to minimize cellular data usage and protect yourself from going over your data limits on your cellular network, which you will find in the next section of this article.

How to Reduce VPN Data Usage

Here are some of the best ways to reduce VPN data usage:

Select the right VPN protocol

VPNs use different protocols that determine how your data is routed through your VPN tunnel, and most providers offer a few from which to choose, so you just need to select the most efficient of the protocols offered.

WireGuard is the fastest VPN protocol due to its more streamlined code.

ExpressVPN has its own version of WireGuard, called Lightway, as a lighter and more protected alternative to WireGuard.

NordVPN offers NordLynx as a lightweight and fast WireGuard alternative.

IKEv2 is a fast and secure VPN protocol that supports high-level, military-grade encryption technology.

Avoid OpenVPN, which provides the highest level of encryption and security, but at the expense of speed and efficiency.

Turn Off Your VPN When You Don‘t Need It

Keeping your VPN on all the time will increase your mobile data usage, so save your VPN for accessing geo-restricted content, or to keep your connection safe and secure when engaging in sensitive work or financial transactions.

Take Advantage of Split Tunneling

If your VPN provider offers split tunneling, it’s a great tool to lower your cellular data usage.

Split tunneling allows you to select which apps you want to be routed through your encrypted VPN tunnel, and which traffic can stay on your regular ISP.

With split tunneling, you can save the extra cellular data used for encryption for when you need it.

Connect to a Local Server

The farther your data has to travel, the more data it consumes.

A closer server means a faster connection that consumes less data, so when you choose a server to which to connect, choose the one closest to your current location that will still get the job done.

Enable Data Compression

Data compression is usually the default setting on VPNs.

This feature works by removing unnecessary bits of information from texts, photos, and videos so it requires less data.

Check the VPN’s settings to be sure the feature is enabled on your app.

Risks Associated with Mobile Data Usage without a VPN Provider

These are the most common risks associated with mobile data use without a VPN:

Cyber Attacks

Using a 4G or 5G network doesn’t protect you from cybercriminals, hackers, and online snoopers.

You get the best protection by using a VPN that protects your data from prying eyes by sending it through an encrypted tunnel through a remote server.

Malware

Many VPNs offer malware protection that will keep your mobile device virus free.

Check to see if the VPN provider you choose offers this feature, and then enable it so you can stay safe from all of the malware out there.

Unsecured Financials

Online banking has become the norm. It’s an easy way to pay bills, transfer funds, and manage accounts, but you want to make sure that your financials don’t get into the wrong hands!

The best way to protect yourself is to encrypt your data using a VPN.

Data Monitoring

A cellular network acts just like an ISP, meaning it has access to all of your online activities, including your browsing history and location any time you access the Internet.

If you live in a country that is part of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance, such as the United States, that means all of your activities can be monitored and shared by the government in the interest of national security.

You can keep all of your activities private and protected with a quality VPN.

3 Best VPNs for 4G and 5G Connections

Here is a closer look at the top VPNs:

1. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is the premiere VPN for getting connected to the Internet safely and securely. The strict no-logS policy will ensure your online activities are completely private, and the military-grade encryption and leak protection will keep your data safe from online threats.

There are over 3,000 servers available in over 94 countries in the ExpressVPN network, so you can easily find an IP address close to your location, keeping your cellular data usage down and your connection speed fast. It also allows you to access geo-restricted websites worldwide and ExpressVPN is one of the best VPN providers when it comes to geo-spoofing your location.

You can have up to 5 connections going at the same time on ExpressVPN apps, and it’s compatible with mobile devices, including Android and iOS.

If you need any help using ExpressVPN or keeping your data low and your speed up, the 24/7 live-chat support team is ready to offer its services to help you. You have a full month to try ExpressVPN, and if it isn’t working out for you, just cancel your service within the first 30 days and you will get all of your money back.

2. NordVPN

You can count on this premium VPN to keep your mobile data safe. NordVPN has a verified no-logs policy and features military-grade encryption, leak protection, double VPN, and malware protection.

With 5,100 servers in over 60 countries around the world, it’s easy to find a connection close to you, which is a great way to limit the amount of cellular data and keep your speed up. It also means you can access geo-restricted content worldwide just by selecting an IP address in the county that has the website you are seeking, and you can count on NordVPN’s geo-spoofing capabilities to get you onto the site.

NordVPN apps are compatible with most mobile devices, including Android and iOS, and you can have up to 6 connections going at the same time.

Take advantage of all of the great features and services available on NordVPN by reaching out to the 24/7 live-chat support for help, and if you aren’t totally happy with NordVPN, you can cancel within the first 30 days and get a full refund.

3.  Surfshark

This budget VPN doesn’t skimp when it comes to keeping your mobile data safe! It has first-rate encryption and leak protection, a strict no-logs policy, a double VPN, and more!

Surfshark has a huge network of servers all over the world, including over 3,200 in more than 100 countries, so it’s easy to find a VPN server in the location you want, whether you want a connection close to where you are to minimize your cellular data use or if you want to get onto a geo-restricted site on your device. Surfshark’s services have a great track record for getting past strong geo-blocks!

Surshark allows for unlimited simultaneous connections and works with just about any mobile or home device.

If you have any issues with your mobile data while using Surfshark, reach out to the 24/7 live-chat support for assistance. You have a month to try Surshark, during which you can cancel and get your money back!

Can I Use a Free VPN on a Mobile Connection?

A free VPN will work on a 4G or 5G mobile network, but it has its drawbacks.

No-cost VPNs rarely have the privacy and security features needed to keep you safe online.

Many of the no-cost VPN providers earn their profit by selling your browsing history to the highest bidder, which makes you extra vulnerable to hackers and phishing attempts.

In addition, often the no-cost providers make a profit through pop-up ads, which use up a lot of cellular data, something you want to avoid.

Does a VPN Encrypt Cellular Data?

Absolutely! A VPN will encrypt your Internet traffic whether you are an ISP, publWi-Fi Fi, a wireless network, or a cellular network, keeping your Internet connection and online activities protected.

FAQs

Conclusion

A virtual private network is the best way to protect yourself from cybercriminals on the Internet and a reliable way to access geo-restricted content on websites whether you are connecting via public Wi-Fi or a cellular network. While using a VPN uses up more cellular data than an unsecured connection, its benefits far outweigh the negatives.

Users can minimize cellular data use while online by choosing the VPN server closest to them when setting up their connection, using split tunneling, enabling data compression, and only using their VPN connection when they need it.