Most of us know the basics of what a Virtual Private Network (VPN) does. It keeps your browsing history private, secures your data on shady airport Wi-Fi, and helps you watch shows that aren’t available in your country. While those are fantastic features, they are really just the tip of the iceberg.
If you have a VPN app sitting on your phone right now, you might be underutilizing it. Beyond basic security, that little tool is a gateway to saving money, finding better deals, and even expanding your social circle. Here are five creative ways to get more out of your mobile VPN.
1. Finding Cheaper Flights and Hotels
We all know that travel sites use dynamic pricing, but you might not realize just how much your location influences the price tag you see. Airlines and booking platforms often adjust their rates based on the average income of the country you are browsing from. This is where your VPN becomes a serious money-saver.
Instead of booking from your actual location, try hopping around virtually. This approach can also be useful when comparing prices for an upcoming device across different regions, as pricing often varies by location. If you connect to a server in a country with a lower cost of living (places like India, Mexico, or parts of Eastern Europe) you can often trick the algorithm into offering you a significantly lower fare for the exact same flight.
2. Unlocking Better Deals on Digital Goods
Just like airline tickets, digital products often have regional pricing. This applies to everything from video games and software subscriptions to streaming services. A game that costs $60 in the United States might cost significantly less in other parts of the world.
Before you hit “buy” on your next subscription or app download, do a quick check. Connect to a few different server locations to see if the price changes. It takes only a few seconds and could keep extra cash in your pocket.
3. Expanding Your Dating Pool
Dating apps usually rely on your phone’s GPS to show you potential matches nearby. But what if you are planning a move to a new city or just want to meet people from different cultures before you travel? A VPN can help you virtually teleport to a new location.
For example, you can use a VPN to change location on Hinge and, as the VPN experts at Cybernews explain, this simple trick allows you to swipe on profiles in your future destination without leaving your couch. It is a great way to line up dates or make friends before you even pack your bags.
4. Speeding Up Your Connection (Sometimes)
This sounds counterintuitive because adding encryption usually slows things down slightly. However, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) sometimes “throttle” specific types of traffic. If they detect you are gaming or streaming high-definition video during peak hours, they might intentionally slow your connection.
Because a VPN hides what you are doing, your ISP cannot see that you are gaming or streaming. They simply see encrypted data. This prevents them from selectively throttling your speed, potentially giving you a smoother experience during busy times.
5. Accessing Your Home Banking While Traveling
Banks are incredibly sensitive to unusual activity. If you log into your bank account from a beach in Thailand when you live in Chicago, your bank’s fraud detection system might freeze your account to protect you.
To avoid the headache of calling customer service to unlock your cards, simply connect your VPN to a server in your home city before logging in. This makes it look like you are accessing your account from a familiar location, keeping your transactions smooth and worry-free.
Your mobile VPN is a versatile digital Swiss Army knife capable of much more than just basic privacy protection. By experimenting with these creative strategies, you can transform a simple security app into a powerful tool for saving money and enhancing your daily digital life.
