Free VPN providers might tempt you, but in the case of authoritarian regimes, it’s best to get a VPN you can trust to keep you safe — and free VPNs are not known to do that. They rarely have a zero-logs policy, and their server network, encryption algorithms, and speeds are usually poor. A free VPN is also unlikely to offer additional security and privacy features. So if you want to stay safe, avoid censorship, and be quiet about it, choose a reputable paid VPN provider.