free VPN options, examine their strengths and weaknesses, and explore when (or if) it would be appropriate to use each option. In this article, we look at commercial VPN tunnels vs. However, while such options have their uses, they invariably come with serious limitations compared to commercial VPN services. There are non-traditional options available, including running your own personal VPN server and participating in a community peer-to-peer VPN network such as VPNGate. This means no one, no matter how philanthropic they might be, can run a traditional VPN service without a viable business model. To stand out in today’s crowded VPN marketspace, providers must hire talented developers to build high-quality software with advanced features, creative designers to make their software easy and intuitive to use, and website designers and marketing specialists to promote their product. Even the most basic service must purchase or rent servers, pay qualified staff to configure and maintain them, and employ and train knowledgeable support staff.