A single click on a "Free Download" link can lead to the encryption of all personal files, followed by an extortion demand. The Ethical and Functional Argument

Ethically, supporting the developers ensures the service stays alive. Maintaining a global network of high-speed servers is expensive. By bypassing the subscription, users undermine the financial stability of the tools that protect digital activists and journalists worldwide. Conclusion

Software cracks are rarely altruistic. Developers who spend time bypassing sophisticated DRM (Digital Rights Management) usually include "gifts" in their files. These often take the form of:

These track your browsing habits—the exact thing a VPN is supposed to prevent—and sell that data to third parties.