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Most free VPNs aren't worth your time, so we devoted our time to make sure these are.
Last Updated: December 12, 2024
Table of Contents:
Investing in a paid virtual private network (VPN) subscription is a great way to protect your privacy or access restricted content, but not everyone wants to pay. With the popularity of VPNs increasing every year, more and more providers are offering free VPN services.
Keep in mind, though, that some free VPNs may be scams while others may have feature limitations. They may also contain malware or offer very few servers.
But that doesn’t mean there are no decent free VPNs that can work for some users. If you want to keep yourself protected while traveling, unblock geo-restricted content, and maximize your digital security with a free VPN, this review will help you compare the best free VPN providers.
We’ll discuss many great free VPN options in this review, but they’re not the best picks for everyone. Before you decide to use a free VPN, you should be aware of the potential shortcomings.
Due to limited resources and revenue, many free VPNs impose limitations on users. Most free VPNs are limited in multiple or all of the following ways:
For one or all of the reasons above, most people considering a free VPN for the first time quickly realize the vast majority of free VPNs simply won’t suit their needs.
Limitations aren’t the only concern. Many free VPNs engage in practices that compromise users’ privacy and security:
In this article, we’ll discuss these shortcomings and vulnerabilities as they relate to the best free VPNs. Of course, we’ll also cover the positive sides of the best free VPNs so you can decide if any of them will work for you.
As I mentioned, free VPNs can never be as safe or reliable as paid VPNs. While paid VPNs cost you money, free VPNs cost you the very things you intend to protect—your privacy, security, and freedom. So while you may be hesitant to spend your hard-earned money on a VPN subscription, paying for a proper VPN will provide the best value for you.
Besides, paid VPNs can be as cheap as $2 each month. And the best paid VPNs all offer verified money-back guarantees, so you can test them for weeks or even a month and get a refund if it’s not worthwhile.
I want to briefly mention our favorite three VPNs overall so you can compare their features to those of free VPNs. You may also want to give one of these premium VPNs a try so you can witness a stellar VPN experience firsthand.
ExpressVPN is our top premium pick. It’s one of the fastest VPNs around the world, especially with its proprietary VPN protocol called Lightway. Its servers are available across 160 locations in 94 countries.
It has strong core features that provide all the privacy and security most people need, like military-grade encryption and data leak protection.
It’s easy to use on every popular device and takes only two minutes to set up. It also has browser extensions. If you do encounter any problems, there’s 24/7 live customer support.
One of the least expensive VPNs is Private Internet Access, or PIA. The longest-term plan is about $2 per month. But that price doesn’t mean it compromises on its service.
PIA offers all the expected features, including military-grade encryption and data leak protection. It even has a rare feature that lets you route your traffic through two VPN servers for extra protection. Its servers span 84 countries and all 50 US states.
PIA supports all popular devices, with its Chrome extension standing out for cookie-blocking and other privacy tools. Its app is easy to use but offers highly customizable features for advanced users. There’s 24/7 live support.
CyberGhost is another fantastic VPN coming in at just over $2 per month on its longest plan. Its server network covers 91 countries. More interestingly, it offers specialty servers optimized for gaming, torrenting, and streaming.
The service is easy to use even though it’s packed with features. Like the other premium VPNs, it offers military-grade encryption and data leak protection. CyberGhost has apps for all popular devices and offers 24/7 live support.
If you’re just looking for a VPN to feel a bit more secure on your device or to connect to one or two popular locations, the best free VPNs can be decent options.
I advise sticking to the carefully curated list below. There are so many free VPNs out there, and, as we’ve mentioned, plenty of them make false promises to the detriment of their users.
For those interested in more intensive activities like streaming, downloading, or gaming on your VPN, I’ll explain how each of the best free VPNs can or can’t serve you.
Here are the best free VPN services.
Data limit: Unlimited
Support: Knowledge base, email
Countries: 3
Maximum connections: 1
Price: Forever free, with optional premium plans
While most other free VPNs limit data usage, you can use Proton VPN’s free version as much as you like. Still, Proton VPN does deprioritize speeds during peak times, which means that things could be moving slower during the evening or over weekends. Its website openly advertises the speed of its free VPN as being medium, while paid subscriptions come with high speeds.
Proton VPN offers features like DNS leak protection and split tunneling. It’s based in Switzerland and is not obligated to save any user logs, which allows it to ensure that your browsing history stays private. Its history of good privacy and security addresses many of the concerns associated with free services.
One of the limitations of Proton VPN is that you only get access to three locations: the US, the Netherlands, and Japan.
Proton VPN works as a Netflix VPN but only for streaming Netflix Original content. It doesn’t work for accessing UK content like BBC iPlayer since there are no free servers there.
Unfortunately, Proton VPN doesn’t have P2P support.
You can only use Proton VPN for free on one device at a time. That said, you could theoretically register multiple free accounts with different email addresses.
Data limit: 500MB per day
Support: Knowledge base
Countries: 1
Maximum connections: 1
Price: Forever free, with optional premium plans
Hotspot Shield offers both a paid and free version. The free version allows about 15 GB of data per month, which is pretty generous. If you go for the Premium version, this restriction doesn’t apply. Hotspot Shield VPN refreshes data allowance every 24 hours, and unused data from the previous day (up to 500 MB) doesn’t carry over.
On the free plan, you’re limited to one server location, the United States. On the other hand, the Premium plan offers servers across over 70 countries.
Hotspot Shield works with Windows, Mac, Android, Linux, and iOS, but only allows one active connection with the free plan. Still, it’s easy enough to switch between devices. Establishing a connection usually takes less than five seconds. Plus, you can install the VPN on your router to protect other devices, including TVs and gaming consoles. Extensions are available for Chrome and Firefox.
A lack of streaming support is a serious downside of the free Hotspot Shield plan. If Netflix access is important to you, look into other free VPNs or consider upgrading to the Premium plan.
A big privacy issue is that Hotspot Shield’s free plan doesn’t include a kill switch, unlike its paid version. It means that your traffic may not be protected if the connection drops.
Both Hotspot Shield desktop and mobile apps are easy to use. However, there is no email or live chat support for free plan users. You are left to figure things out on your own, with the only resource available being the FAQs. Furthermore, Hotspot Shield displays sponsors’ ads in mobile apps.
Data limit: 2 GB per month
Support: Knowledge base, email
Countries: 47+
Maximum connections: Unlimited
Price: Forever free, with optional premium plans
The biggest downside of TunnelBear’s free version is the 2 GB monthly data cap. That’s enough to occasionally log into a public Wi-Fi network, but not for active daily use. Even though you can access the same streaming services as with the paid plan, the data cap won’t let you enjoy the content frequently.
TunnelBear is available for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. The VPN also has extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge browsers. Unlike top-rated VPNs like ExpressVPN, TunnelBear doesn’t work with routers and other device types.
TunnelBear doesn’t limit the server location selection for free users. You can tunnel to and from over 47 countries. If you’re unsure which country to pick, use the auto-connect feature for fastest speeds.
The paid version of TunnelBear offers live chat support, but free plan users can only contact customer service via email. Nevertheless, the app’s interface is clear, fun, and easy to use. The TunnelBear app interface is unique and recognizable, while the installation process is quick and simple.
Since TunnelBear was acquired by McAfee in 2018, many changes were made regarding the privacy policy. Even less data is now collected, which is great news for a free VPN. There is no need to provide your name when signing up, and TunnelBear doesn’t keep a record of your connections.
Data limit: 10 GB per month
Support: Knowledge base, email
Countries: 10
Maximum connections: 1
Price: Forever free, with optional premium plans
PrivadoVPN’s free plan has a generous data limit of 10 GB per month. If you reach the cap, there is an option to get unlimited data via the so-called emergency server. However, you’ll be limited to one server location and 1 Mbps speed.
PrivadoVPN offers 12 locations across 10 countries: the UK, the US, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Mexico, the Netherlands, and Switzerland.
Unlike other free VPN services, PrivadoVPN offers both free and paid plan users access to streaming servers. It unblocks US Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, and BBC iPlayer. Given the high data cap, this free VPN is an excellent choice for streaming.
PrivadoVPN has apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Android TV, and FireStick. The VPN is also compatible with select routers, so you can protect other devices, such as consoles. However, you can only use the free version on one device at a time.
PrivadoVPN is based in Switzerland with no strict data retention policies. It has a strict no-logs policy, so none of your data is stored. Additionally, it offers a kill switch to prevent data leaks in the event of connection drops.
The software is easy to use on both computers and mobile devices. Connecting to a server is straightforward, while the most important features are laid out nicely in one tab. The home screen shows the remaining monthly data.
Data limit: 10 GB per month
Support: Knowledge base, email
Countries: 11
Maximum connections: Unlimited
Price: Forever free, with optional premium plans
Windscribe provides free users with 14 server locations in 11 countries. That’s generous compared to Proton VPN and Hotspot Shield. Furthermore, all Windscribe servers are fast and support Netflix and BBC iPlayer streaming.
Windscribe doesn’t store connection logs, IP stamps, or your browsing history. It retains your username, but once your session ends, all data is erased within minutes. Plus, the Windscribe free plan has a built-in ad blocker and malware scanner.
Windscribe apps have a somewhat cramped and complicated interface. Still, it’s easy enough to navigate if you read the guides. Also, neither the paid nor free version of Windscribe offers 24/7 live chat support.
Windscribe works with Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android devices. It also has browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Opera, and even a dedicated Amazon Fire TV app.
Most free plans restrict you to one active connection, but that’s not the case here. Windscribe offers unlimited connections, so you can protect as many devices as you need.
The free plan is limited to 10 GB of data per month with a verified email address. Fortunately, there are ways to score more data other than upgrading your plan, like referring a friend or tweeting about the Windscribe service.
Data limit: 10 GB per month
Support: Live chat, knowledge base
Countries: 8
Maximum connections: 1
Price: Forever free, with optional premium plans
Those who like to tailor their VPN experience will appreciate Hide.me, since its free plan comes with an array of features. It offers a kill switch, a customizable server list, a Stealth Guard, custom DNS, several protocols, split tunneling, and more.
However, free users can’t connect via WireGuard, which is the fastest tunneling protocol currently available.
With full P2P support and a 10 GB data cap, Hide.me is an excellent free VPN for torrenting. Hide.me doesn’t restrict access to streaming services either.
Despite the high data cap and top-notch functionality, the Hide.me free version has its downsides. You can only connect one device at a time, and the server selection is limited to 8 countries.
Data limit: 5 GB per month
Support: Knowledge base, email
Countries: 2
Maximum connections: Unlimited
Price: Forever free, with optional premium plans
The Atlas VPN free version has a decent monthly data limit of 5 GB. It won’t let you binge-watch video content daily, but you can still enjoy Netflix and Amazon Prime Video occasionally.
You don’t have to create an account if you are on the free plan. For this reason, Atlas VPN can be used on unlimited devices simultaneously.
Only three server locations are available with the free plan: the Netherlands, Los Angeles, and New York. Both US locations are optimized for better streaming speeds.
Atlas VPN implements AES 256-bit encryption and offers WireGuard and IPSec/IKEv2 tunneling protocols. That’s not much compared to popular VPNs like ExpressVPN and CyberGhost. Despite its no-logs privacy policy, Atlas VPN is based in the US, a member of the Five Eyes Alliance.
Atlas VPN apps only cover the basics, but what you get works well. Dedicated apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. The VPN doesn’t work on routers, and Linux users must upgrade to the paid plan.
The best free VPN apps can provide many of the same features that you get with paid ones. They can hide your location and encrypt all transmitted data. However, usually, you have to sacrifice the number of devices you can connect at a time, server selection, or connection speeds. In other words, a free service comes with limitations.
Free VPN services are best suited for occasional use – for example, when traveling or in a café. If you’re looking for a streaming, torrenting, or gaming VPN, even the best free apps may not do the job. Most of them have a low data allowance that you will purge in no time. For example, with 500MB of data, you may watch about one episode of your favorite show on Netflix. With some free VPNs, you might not even access the service.
Also, free VPNs often have slow connection speeds. That’s a no-go for online gamers and torrenters. These activities require high speeds, which only paid VPNs can provide.
The primary purpose of any VPN is to protect your privacy online. Unfortunately, not all free VPNs provide sufficient protection, and some might even compromise your security.
That said, make sure a VPN doesn’t store your internet activity and personally identifiable information. Privacy statements may hide significant details about how the company operates.
Look for a VPN that erases all your data after the session ends. Ideally, the VPN should regularly pass =independent privacy audits and be headquartered in a privacy-respectful country.
Not all free VPNs are safe. It’s always better to get a free version of a legitimate paid VPN rather than a fully free VPN. If a VPN app doesn’t have a paid option, you might wonder where a company gets its money. It’s not rare that free VPNs collect user data and sell it to third parties for a profit.
Research in 2020 suggested that around 40% of the free VPNs available on the Google Play Store did not protect their users’ privacy adequately. If you want the most secure service, there’s no other option than to pay for one.
Furthermore, even trustworthy free VPNs have some limitations. They might offer few server locations, limited security features, poor speeds, or a low data cap. That’s why free VPNs are best suited for testing the core functionality.
Premium apps like ExpressVPN, PIA, and CyberGhost are a better idea, given that they offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. With these providers, you get fast speeds, unlimited data, 24/7 customer support, and excellent security features with no risks.
Yes, many VPN providers offer forever-free services. However, ensure that the VPN is trustworthy. Note that free apps usually have limitations in terms of speeds, server locations, or security features. Most free VPNs have a data cap, which makes them unsuitable for daily use or data-demanding activities like streaming or torrenting.
The answer depends on your needs. For example, Hotspot Shield offers 500 MB per day (up to 15 GB per month) but only offers one server location. TunnelBear, on the other hand, offers numerous server locations but only 2 GB of monthly data. Any legitimate and trustworthy free VPN that accomplishes your goal is a good one.
Kind of. Many free VPNs have zero-logs policies, decent speeds, great security features, and sufficient data allowances. However, all free apps have some limitations. We advise testing several free VPN apps to find one that suits your needs.
Since you don't pay anything, free VPNs are technically worth it. But you should be careful not to trade your privacy for a free service. Many free VPNs collect and sell user data to third parties, and some may plant malware on your device. Even legitimate free apps have drawbacks like speed or data limits, so we always recommend paid services.
Some free VPNs, like PrivadoVPN, work with Netflix. However, free apps tend to be unreliable in bypassing geo-restrictions. Netflix constantly blocks VPN server IP addresses, so free services may not bother keeping up with the necessary updates. If you're looking for a streaming VPN, consider paid apps like ExpressVPN or PIA.
No free VPN can be trusted in bypassing the Great Firewall of China. Even paid VPNs often fail to unblock Western websites and streaming services from the region. Our experience shows that ExpressVPN is the best VPN for China, as it has obfuscated servers and excellent speeds.
Yes. The primary purpose of any VPN is to hide your IP address. Regardless of limitations like a data cap or lack of streaming support, any free VPN will mask your real location. A free VPN also encrypts your web traffic. Paid VPNs serve the same purpose but have fewer limitations or extra security features.
Yes, for example, PrivadoVPN or Windscribe. If your preferred VPN doesn't have a dedicated FireStick app, check whether it works with routers. A router VPN covers your entire home network, protecting all devices, including the FireStick.
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