There are a variety of cases where you might want out of your current VPN. Maybe you’re switching providers, or perhaps you’ve run out of simultaneous connections and you need a VPN to run on your router. Luckiy, the best VPNs are as easily uninstalled as they are downloaded.
There are two methods of taking a step back from a Virtual Private Network. If you’re still keeping your subscription but just ditching a device, then you’ll just be wanting to log out and uninstall the app. On the other hand, if you’re hoping to completely terminate your VPN subscription, then you’ll need to manually do this before you uninstall.
If you're getting rid of a VPN for good, with no thought of replacing it, we'd strongly urge you to reconsider and re-evaluate the benefits of a VPN.
Signing out of a device
All VPN providers have their own application, each with a different interface. These simple steps should roughly apply to all of them.
• Open your VPN app, head to either account settings, or profile.
• Here, you should easily be able to locate a button for logging out or signing out.
• Click this, and you’re out.
Now you’re singed out we can only assume you’ll want to free up some storage on your device, you’ll want to uninstall the VPN app completely.
The method of doing this will depend on your device. If you have an application manager, you can head there, find the app and uninstall it from your device. If you’re using a device like a smartphone and your apps sit on the home interface, you’ll usually be able to click and hold, then the option to delete the app will appear.
Deleting your account
Before you uninstall your VPN, you'll want to end your subscription and delete your account. This is a very similar process to the above. Again, you’ll be operating directly through your Virtual Private Network’s app.
Head to your account settings, there should be an option for delete account. For obvious reasons, providers don’t want you to delete your account and lose a customer. Because of this, the delete account button might be tucked away somewhere difficult to find. Don’t panic if you don’t find it right away, it’ll be there.
In cases where you have a direct debit set up with the VPN provider, we’d advice checking with your bank to make sure this has been cancelled. For some VPN cancellation processes, this will be pivotal to cancelling a subscription.
An alternative
Here at What's the Best we understand that VPNs might not be for everyone, or not everyone may be in the position to commit to a premium provider. If you fall into this bracket, perhaps hold off turning your back on Virtual Private Networks altogether.
The best free VPNs are a brilliant alternative to paying the full subsciption fee of a premium provider. You still get the privacy protection your devices deserve, they just skip some of the extra trimmings.
In the same breath, you might have previously chosen a pricier VPN without even knowing. Even some of the market-leading brands offer some great deals. The best cheap VPN deals are definitely worth a look, make big savings on some big VPNs.
Jack Barrell is the Commercial Content Writer for VPNs. He's hands-on when it comes to producing best-of articles, how-to guides, and product reviews for Virtual Private Networks. On his off-days, Jack can be found in the gym, at the movies, or flicking through a car mag.