Mozilla launches a VPN Service for Firefox to make more monies

[AluminiumTech]

Mozilla is launching a VPN for Firefox to make more monies.

 

The Verge reports that Mozilla is partnering with ProtonVPN to offer Firefox users a VPN option which supports Mozilla.

 

They allegedly chose ProtonVPN for transparency and privacy reasons.

 

The partnership will launch on Firefox 62 installs where users are on an insecure and open WiFi where an AD will be shown offering ProtonVPN for $10/month which is more than the usual price of $8/month.

 

Mozilla and ProtonVPN are hoping that people understand the price increase is to help support Mozilla and the majority of revenue will be going to Mozilla with ProtonVPN making less than usual.

 

Quote

Today Mozilla announced that it will be running an experiment where a small group of Firefox users will be shown an ad to purchase a subscription to ProtonVPN, as spotted by ZDNet. In a blog post, Mozilla says it picked ProtonVPN for the partnership due to factors like transparency and data retention policies.

 

Quote

Mozilla is offering ProtonVPN’s services for $10 a month, which is actually $2 more than if you signed up for the same package directly through ProtonVPN. But, the majority of the revenue from ProtonVPN subscriptions that are processed through Mozilla will go directly to Mozilla. Both companies are banking that people will have good will about paying a little more in order to support their “shared goal of making the internet a safer place.”

 

 

 

 

I feel like Mozilla missed an opportunity here to rebrand a VPN and set their own terms and pricing. I can't imagine ProtonVPN are very thrilled about losing so much profit by supporting Mozilla.

 

Who wouldn't want their internet traffic to be protected by a Fox? Alas that did not happen

.

 

https://www.theverge.com/2018/10/22/18011072/firefox-protonvpn-subscription-ad-mozilla

[ZeouLs]

Good thing I use chrome and PIA

[AluminiumTech]

1 minute ago, ZeouLs said:

Good thing I use chrome and PIA

?

 

I'm confused. The whole point of this is to allow people to support Mozilla whilst receiving a service that is high quality.

[RejZoR]

Proton guys don't mess around with security and privacy. There are tons of highly questionable VPN's out there. Like hundreds if you look GooglePlay and frankly majority of them look sketchy.

 

Btw, ProtonVPN also has an unlimited FREE version. It only comes with 3 locations, USA, Netherlands and Japan, but has no bandwidth limitations which is quite nice.

[GoldenLag]

Waiting for the most Edge-y VPN.....

[Curufinwe_wins]

eww... pay more for supporting Mozilla? I'll pass. Firefox had its time in the sun and topping market share lists. I'm not sure I trust them not to screw things up again.

 

Firefox is definitely better at privacy, but chrome handles security much better, and split tunneling with any non-crap VPN already takes care of the main privacy concern (for me anyways).

 

But I guess more options are generally good.

Edited October 23, 2018 by Curufinwe_wins
oops

[AluminiumTech]

1 minute ago, Curufinwe_wins said:

eww... pay more for less?

You're not getting less. You're just paying more to support Mozilla.

1 minute ago, Curufinwe_wins said:

I'll pass. Firefox had its time in the sun and topping market share lists. I'm not sure I trust them not to screw things up again.

 

Firefox is definitely better at privacy, but chrome handles security much better, and split tunneling with any non-crap VPN already takes care of the main privacy concern (for me anyways).

 

But I guess more options are generally good.

Yeah. Although most people probably don't realise how bad the privacy on Chrome is.

[Curufinwe_wins]

1 minute ago, AluminiumTech said:

You're not getting less. You're just paying more to support Mozilla.

Thanks for the catch. For some reason, I read this as both paying more to support Mozilla and also only getting an in-browser version or something. My bad.

[hobobobo]

Well, i applaud mozilla for trying to get more coin this way. Might even buy it, although i dont really have a need for a VPN. Although, i live in Russia, so it surely wont hurt

[Nup]

Currently using free Proton service. They’re probbaly delighted for the exposure this deal will bring.  

[AluminiumTech]

43 minutes ago, hobobobo said:

Well, i applaud mozilla for trying to get more coin this way. Might even buy it, although i dont really have a need for a VPN. Although, i live in Russia, so it surely wont hurt

Definitely a smart way for them to make more money .

[Linus_torvalds]

I already use free plan Proton VPN and i am glad that mozila chose that too. Turns out i made right desicion.

It has great speed and is unlimited in speed but is limited in quantity of devices. On free plan only 1 is allowd.

[williamcll]

How does mozilla make money anyway?

[AluminiumTech]

11 minutes ago, williamcll said:

How does mozilla make money anyway?

Search Engine companies pay browser developers to make a search engine the default.

 

Usually this is millions of USD per year for major browsers and is their main source of income.

 

Other ways are donations to Mozilla although not many browsers utilize donations.

 

I think Mozilla might also sell merch like T-Shirts but don't quote me in that.

 

Google makes money on Chrome by A) lots of people using Google Search and B) Not having to pay other browser developers to use Google Search Default.

[Calt]

2 hours ago, ZeouLs said:

Good thing I use chrome and PIA

Yikes

[suicidalfranco]

2 hours ago, Curufinwe_wins said:

eww... pay more for supporting Mozilla? I'll pass. Firefox had its time in the sun and topping market share lists. I'm not sure I trust them not to screw things up again

yeah, wouldn't want to give my money to a company that sees benefits in wasting thousands of dollars in attempting to remove the term master/slave from its documentation

[RejZoR]

It would be better if price was the same but knowing Mozilla gets the cut from it. I mean, Proton guys will get huge exposure, but many users will hesitate to go this route given going directly with ProtonVPN is cheaper with no downsides. Right now it's basically zero risk for ProtonVPN with no real benefits other than ppl feeling better for supporting Mozilla. Which they can do anyway by donating directly. So, in a way I'm a bit confused by this deal...

[Beef Boss]

Would this be on mobile too? 

[TacoSenpai]

Haven't used their VPN service but I can vouch for Proton as a company as I use their email service and have used it to replace gmail in every aspect.

 

@aki adaki

 

ProtonVPN actually does have their app available on Android not sure for iOS

[paddy-stone]

Can't see this as being a viable option IMO, I know it's to support Mozilla but still a fairly expensive option Vs PIA. I use PIA and have it on all my devices too, costs approx $30-$40 a year, or less if you can find a deal on it.

[orbitalbuzzsaw]

Should've called it TunnelFox for the meme

[dalekphalm]

6 hours ago, AluminiumTech said:

I can't imagine ProtonVPN are very thrilled about losing so much profit by supporting Mozilla.

Are you kidding me here?

 

I'm 100% certain that ProtonVPN are very thrilled about a business deal they just agreed to, to get massive exposure and free advertising with an extremely popular and well known browser.

 

They might lose some individual profit per user that signs up via FF, but they gain so much more in brand awareness.

 

I think LTT users kind of forget how few people even know what a VPN is, and those that do, are generally not familiar with very many VPN services. Most FF users have never heard of ProtonVPN, and therefore, ProtonVPN stands to gain a lot from this relationship.

 

Sure FF could have bought a different VPN service (or started one from scratch) and rebranded it, but that's a large investment, and they might not have the upfront cash to pay for such an investment at the moment. Not to mention that there's no guarantee they'd make their investment back.

[maartendc]

6 hours ago, AluminiumTech said:

Definitely a smart way for them to make more money .

 

More money is relative...

 

Mozilla is barely a for profit company anyway. They survive on donations and such.

[Speed Weed]

I use Chrome and Windscribe VPN 3 years plan for $20. 

[Canada EH]

7 hours ago, Curufinwe_wins said:

chrome handles security much better

I will have to look into this

 

it is still Google tho