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userbinator | on: Mozilla to launch free built-in VPN in upcoming Firefox 149
As a Firefox user: if I want a VPN I'll use an actual VPN. Focus on making a great browser, and not all this distraction.

Also, "free": "If you're not paying for it, you're the product being sold"

nl | parent | next
> "If you're not paying for it, you're the product being sold"

This is such a un-nuanced take.

In this case Firefox's route-to-market is the product. It's a distribution channel where some people who receive the free version will upgrade.

Free tiers for products where some will pay to upgrade seems like a reasonable compromise, but it does depend on how the deal is structured.

If Mullvad pays Firefox for the free users then Firefox's incentives are aligned with its users.

If Mullvad pays per conversion then it's a different story.

Springtime | root | parent | next
I doubt Mullvad would be doing this if they weren't getting compensated given they've always said (even right now[1]) they don't offer a free tier since they don't believe it makes sense.

The other aspect is I expect it would stain the IP pool further. VPN IPs often end up on various blacklists due to abuse and introducing a wave of free users would only make it worse for paying customers.

[1] https://mullvad.net/en/pricing

> Why no free plan? "Free" services nearly always come at some cost, whether that be the time you spend watching an intro ad, the collection of your data, or by limiting the functionality of the service. We don't operate that way – at all.

darkwater | root | parent | next
"Firefox’s free VPN won’t be using Mullvad’s infra though; it’s hosted on Mozilla servers around the world (if beta testing of the feature done in late 2025 tracks)."

From OMG Ubuntu

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piperswe | parent | next
Mozilla only makes the integration between the browser and the VPN, not the VPN network itself - Mozilla VPN is white label Mullvad.
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aurareturn | parent | next

  Also, "free": "If you're not paying for it, you're the product being sold"
HN is "free" too. :)
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sunaookami | parent | next
Do you live in 2010? Whether you pay for a service or not is irrelevant to selling your data nowadays.
crummy | parent | next
> "If you're not paying for it, you're the product being sold"

This must apply to Firefox itself, right?

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gzread | parent | next
I think a VPN is a great add-on for Firefox and way for Mozilla to monetize itself, but I'm surprised it's free. Perhaps it's a free trial like Proton?
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noosphr | parent
Are you the product for Firefox too?

VPNs are no longer optional for the current internet. This is as controversial as Firefox speaking ftp.

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