2026-10-11

What 'free' really costs online: a reader's guide

A free app is rarely free of cost. Attention, data or a later upgrade is the price. How to tell the models apart and what to ask before signing up.

'Free' online usually means you pay no money, not that you pay nothing. The way to find the price is to ask how the provider earns, because servers and developers are not free.

Model one is free with ads. The price is your attention and some behavioural data. That is fair if ads are clearly marked and do not block the use of the service, and it is what keeps many free sites alive.

Model two is free in exchange for data. You create an account and grant broad permissions. Ask whether the service truly needs your contacts or location, whether data is sold or shared, and read the privacy policy to find out.

Model three is free, then paid. A trial tool draws you in and later locks the feature you need. This is legitimate when stated up front and a trap when you discover the limit after uploading your files.

A rarer fourth group runs entirely inside your browser, so the file or text never reaches a server. These cost the least in privacy. You can test the claim by loading the page, going offline and checking the tool still works.

A rule of thumb before you register: can I use it without an account, what is the minimum permission that works, and how do I delete my data? If there is no quick answer, the real price is probably higher than it looks.