Are free VPNs actually usable long term or just temporary fixes?

I have been trying a few free VPN options recently just to see if they are actually usable beyond short-term needs, and honestly it feels like a trade-off every time. Some are surprisingly easy to use and decent for basic browsing or light streaming, but you start noticing limits pretty quickly like speed drops, fewer server options, or restrictions during peak times. Still, for casual use they seem good enough if you are not expecting premium-level performance. I am trying to figure out if anyone here actually sticks with free VPNs long term or eventually switches to paid ones after a while.