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VPNs can be confusing on their own, but using two of them can get even more complex quickly. Still, people try, typically to protect their privacy. But the practice does have its downsides to consider, including cost and speed.

Using two VPNs typically comes in two forms: The first form is as a feature from one VPN service provider, where that company routes your traffic through different parts of its network, a practice also called multi-hopping. The second form is rigging two VPN services together, routing your internet traffic through one VPN provider and then a second, separate provider. This practice, also called VPN chaining, typically requires you have access to subscriptions from two different VPN providers.

Because VPN multi-hopping is typically powered by one provider, it's cheaper (one subscription), and easier to do. It's also a clever way to use a VPN to safeguard your privacy.…