9 Best Free VPN Services in 2024

Free VPNs feature a limited data allowance, slow speeds, limited server networks, and limited features, and they often have a small number of simultaneous connections. So, make sure to go into this process by being aware of what to expect.

Running a VPN is costly due to high maintenance expenses. Instead of charging their users, free VPN services rely on alternative revenue channels. Most of them collect and sell your data. Also, many inject ads as you browse the Web, and some even serve malware. One thing is clear - they don't protect your privacy. In fact, they can endanger it.

In other words, free VPNs go against the primary purpose of a VPN service - to hide your data and safeguard your privacy. That's why we recommend going for a VPN free trial instead, which is an excellent way to get premium features for a limited time without any risk.

In this article, we'll talk about the best free VPNs. We'll also list some alternatives in the form of the best VPN services that offer free trials. Then, we'll explain what to expect from a free VPN, how to choose the best one, their limitations and dangers, whether it's a clever idea to use a free option or not, the differences between premium and free providers, and we'll finish with a round of FAQs.

How to Get a Free VPN Trial

Once you find a suitable provider, the first step is to sign up. Then, you'll download its application, log in, and initialize a VPN session. These are the steps you need to follow:

1. Subscribe to a VPN-free trial (we recommend NordVPN’s 30-day risk-free trial).
2. Download and install the VPN app on your device.
3. Open the VPN app and log into your account. 
4. Connect to a VPN server that suits your needs best. 
5. Now, you can browse the Internet from another virtual location risk-free.

Our strong recommendation is to pick NordVPN's trial because it offers countless benefits over any free counterpart. For example, you get ultra-fast speeds, safe-to-use applications for any device, high-end privacy features, the ability to unblock any site, as well as anti-tracking and anti-malware features.

3 Best VPN Free Trials to Try Today

Going for a paid VPN that offers a free trial is the best decision you can make. Unlike free providers, paid ones won't limit your online experience or endanger your privacy. Thanks to their month-long free trials, you can experience how a capable VPN should work without risking your cash. That said, these are your best options right now:

1. NordVPN - Our Best-Rated Free VPN Trial in 2024
2. Surfshark - User-Friendly VPN Trial with Tons of Server Locations
3. ExpressVPN - Advanced Free Trial VPN with Privacy-First Features

1. NordVPN - Our Best-Rated Free VPN Trial in 2024

NordVPN delivers the best possible VPN experience available right now. It features 6,400+ servers in 111 countries, high-end protocols (OpenVPN, NordLynx, IKEv2/IPsec), advanced encryption (ChaCha20, AES-256), and a verified no-logs policy. You get apps for any device imaginable, 10 simultaneous connections, a 30-day money-back policy, as well as 24/7 live chat support.

2. Surfshark - User-Friendly VPN Trial with Tons of Server Locations

Surfshark is a long-standing and highly reputable VPN with 3,200+ speedy servers in 100 countries. It's powered by OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2/IPsec, paired with AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryption. You get unlimited simultaneous connections, making Surfshark great for large households. Plus, there's a no-logs policy, 24/7 customer support, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

3. ExpressVPN - Advanced Free Trial VPN with Privacy-First Features

ExpressVPN is a privacy-first provider powered by Lightway, OpenVPN, and IKEv2/IPsec. It also uses AES-256 and WolfSSL encryption. ExpressVPN offers thousands of servers in 105 countries, obfuscated servers, and a strict no-logs policy. It also offers 8 simultaneous connections and 24/7 live chat customer support, and all its plans feature a 30-day money-back policy.

Almost all of today's popular VPN services allow you to try them for free. Most of them have 30-day money-back policies, while some extend that to 45 days. To check more options, visit our central guide to the best VPN free trials.

The Best Free VPN Services in 2024

First and foremost, you need to base your search on specific criteria, which will allow you to navigate away from unusable and potentially dangerous free VPNs. That said, you'll want a VPN that offers a 100% free plan without any gimmicks. It should offer unlimited or generous data allowance, and there should be support for every major operating system.

Next, you'll want solid VPN protocols, proven encryption, and a no-logs policy. Of course, you'll also want a sizable server network with as many locations as possible. Next, your chosen VPN should bypass any geo-restriction, as well as provide speedy and fluid performance. Don't forget about a kill switch, either, as your VPN should be capable enough to prevent accidental data leaks.

Make sure you get enough simultaneous connections as well. Pay attention to the price in case you decide to become a paying user at some point. Lastly, there should be a generous money-back policy, which will protect your purchase and allow you to try the VPN before committing. And, of course, there should be 24/7 live chat customer support.

Our team of experts reviewed 53 VPN providers hands-on, and these are the 6 best free VPNs that we recommend in 2024:

1. Proton VPN - Best Free VPN Provider with Unlimited Data

Proton VPN is our #1 recommendation at the moment, coming from Switzerland and featuring a free tier with some limitations. That said, it’s interesting to note that Proton VPN doesn’t impose bandwidth limitations, which is extremely rare to find in the world of zero-cost providers. Also, it provides apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and even streaming devices.

In terms of security, Proton VPN is among the safest providers. You get a range of protocols led by OpenVPN and WireGuard, paired with high-end encryption, such as AES-256 and ChaCha20. This is an audited no-logs VPN. However, there are some downsides here, as this VPN has servers in 5 countries only - the US, the Netherlands, Japan, Romania, and Poland.

Even though you can unblock a range of sites with Proton VPN, it's not a recommended option for streaming (applicable to its free tier only). That's because its servers are mostly overcrowded, which means you can't expect the fastest performance. What you can expect, though, is total privacy protection, as you get data leak protection, a kill switch, as well as ad blocking.

Also, Proton VPN gives you a single connection only. You can mitigate that by switching to a paid plan, whose price comes down to $4.49/month for Proton's 2-year plan. It's also backed by a 30-day money-back policy, so you have nothing to lose. Finally, we have to mention that Proton VPN doesn't offer live chat support, but you'll find support tickets, email support, plenty of tutorials, and more.

Learn more about this provider by reading our Proton VPN review.

2. Windscribe - Fast-Performing Free VPN for Media Streaming

Windscribe is a popular provider with a compelling offer that has its upsides and downsides. Speaking of its downsides, you'll end up with a limited data allowance. More precisely, you get 10GB of monthly data if you sign up with a valid email address. If you want to go fully anonymous, you’ll only get 2GB of data. On the plus side, Windscribe offers apps for any device imaginable.

Even as a free user, this Canada-based VPN will give you a whole range of protocols, the safest of which are OpenVPN and WireGuard, which come paired with AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryption. You'll be also happy to hear that Windscribe has a no-logs policy, but it hasn't been audited. However, you will get access to servers in 11 countries, including the US, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, and more.

We have to note that Windscribe performs quite well, as its free servers don't get overcrowded often. That means you can use it to unblock sites and even streaming apps. Also, rest assured that your data is safe from leaks due to Windscribe's advanced firewall that acts as a kill switch and removes ads as well. There are also tons of high-end features, but most of those are limited due to the free plan's nature.

Another perk is that Windscribe gives you unlimited simultaneous connections. Of course, to take full advantage of that, you'll need unlimited bandwidth, which you can get for $5.75/month for the VPN's annual plan. However, if you decide to upgrade, know that your refund request will be limited by a period of 3 days and 10 GB of data. There's also no 24/7 live chat support, but email support is there.

To see what else you can expect, take a look at our Windscribe review.

3. Hide.me VPN - Robust Free VPN Service for Beginners

Hide.me is a reputable VPN that has recently improved its offer. Unlike before, this VPN now offers unlimited bandwidth. That means you can leave it running 24/7 without being worried whether it'll stop working at some point. Also, we're happy to note that Hide.Me offers apps for practically any currently popular device.

Also, this Malaysia-based used to support OpenVPN only but now offers WireGuard to its free users as well. In terms of encryption, count on AES-256 and ChaCha20. There's also a no-logs policy, which has been audited once before. Aside from that, Hide.Me will give you access to servers in 7 countries - Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the UK, and the US.

Hide.Me can also unblock plenty of sites and could be a good option for streaming as well, if you manage to bypass overcrowded servers. That said, Hide.me does come with somewhat unpredictable speeds but could be relatively fast if you pick a not-as-popular location. On the plus side, it offers a kill switch and comes with complete data leak protection. Ad-blocking is reserved for paying users, sadly.

As a free user, you'll be limited to a single connection only. The only way to go around that limitation is to pay for the VPN, which starts at $3.00/month for its 15-month plan. We'll also add that Hide.Me offers a generous 30-day money-back policy, in addition to 24/7 live chat support.

Our hands-on Hide.me review reveals additional information about this provider.

4. Hotspot Shield - Free VPN Software for Any Device

Hotspot Shield is a great option for those looking to get a US IP address. Its biggest limitation is that you get only 500MB per day, which means you can use this VPN with no payment for a limited time. On the plus side, this US/Switzerland-based VPN offers incredibly designed applications for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and plenty more devices.

Unlike most other VPN providers, this uses its own (proprietary) protocol. It's called Hydra, and it's known for its performance and security. Like other private options, this one uses AES-256 encryption. Hotspot Shield also features a no-logs policy. So, you'll end up with a secure tunnel, but keep in mind you'll get a single location only - in the US.

While the premium version of Hotspot Shield is great for unblocking sites and streaming, the free version is not designed for bypassing geo-blocks. For example, accessing Hulu or Netflix will prompt Hotspot Shield to show you a paywall. That said, this is a good option to use for privacy, as it comes with all the necessary data leak protections, and there's a kill switch as well. What is lacks is ad blocking.

The free version of Hotspot Shield supports a single connection only. To gain access to everything it offers, you'll need to pay $2.99/month for its 3-year plan. Another plus is that Hotspot Shield comes with a 45-day money-back policy. In terms of support, live chat is available for premium users. As a free user, you can submit a support ticket.

Want to know what else to expect? Visit our Hotspot Shield review.

5. TunnelBear - Completely Free VPN with Premium Features

TunnelBear is a reliable VPN that differentiates its free and paid products by way of data cap and not by cutting certain features out. So, the only real sacrifice is the 500MB per month cap (you can get 1GB for tweeting about this VPN service). You won't find any limitations regarding Tunnel's availability, as it works on computers, phones, and tablets.

You'll get to choose from 3 protocols: WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2, all of which are paired with high-end encryption. This VPN is based in Canada and also features a no-logs policy and is one of the VPNs to go through regular independent audits. As a free user, you get access to its entire server network, which includes 5,000+ servers in 45+ countries.

As such, it's obvious that bypassing geo-blocks is possible. The same applies to media streaming, as it can unblock platforms like Peacock, Pluto TV, Sling TV, and similar. It's also a valid option for privacy and data security, as it's capable of creating a leak-free data tunnel. TunnelBear also comes with a kill switch, so you're safe no matter what happens to your VPN connection. That said, you won't get ad blocking.

You can also count on unmetered connections (unlimited simultaneous connections). To get more out of this VPN, you can switch to its premium plan for $4.17/month (2-year plan). Sadly, TunnelBear comes without a money-back policy (refunds are handled on a per-case basis). Also, there's no live chat support - you get installation guides, FAQs, and support tickets.

Your next destination should be our TunnelBear review if you wish to know more.

6. Speedify - Free VPN That Prioritizes Mobile Users

Speedify is a unique digital service that works as a mobile-first solution. That said, many things about it have changed in the meantime, including Speedy's monthly data allowance. Right now, you get 2GB of data per month. However, you can also get apps for Android and iOS, as well as Windows, macOS, and Linux.

This US-based VPN uses the OpenVPN protocol, shifting between TCP and UDP variants. However, it's designed to combine mobile and regular connections, so it's sticking to a custom protocol. Also, it uses AES-256 encryption and features a no-logs policy (but hasn't been yet audited). You also get access to its entire server network, covering 35+ countries in total.

We have to note that Speedify can bypass some geo-blocks. However, it's really not a good option for streaming or accessing foreign content libraries. That's also because Speedify can be quite slow at times, which is something to keep in mind. It can be used for privacy, though, as it features a range of data leak protections, and there's also a handy kill switch. Unfortunately, there's no ad blocking.

With Speedify, you get 5 simultaneous connections. To get more features and unblock everything, you'll need to pay $4.99/month for Speedify's 3-year plan. That plan comes with a 30-day money-back policy, so there are no risks involved. Finally, we're happy to report that live chat support is there, in addition to plenty of other support resources.

Here's our Speedify review if you need more information.

Comparison of the Best Free VPNs

How Did We Test the Best Free VPNs in 2024?

We try to be as transparent as in how we review VPNs, as can be seen in our published reviews. That means we buy VPN subscriptions ourselves and then check each VPN's background, features, server infrastructure, performance, and more - as explained below:

• Getting a VPN Subscription: The first step is to sign up, and we make sure to use a free plan even if a premium plan is present, which allows us to see each VPN's limitations and benefits.
• Researching the Background, Jurisdiction, and Reputation: We do our research regarding each VPN's reputation and background info, collecting key facts along the way.
• Checking the Compatibility: Our tests are done on various desktop and mobile operating systems, which allows us to check each VPN's compatibility.
• Reviewing the Setup Process: This step is crucial to ensure that you don't end up with bundled software. Instead, you'll want an easy and fast setup process.
• Checking the Features: In this stage, we note every feature each VPN offers. Then, we test those features and explain how well they work.
• Examining the Server Network: Each of our reviews notes the number and type of servers each VPN offers, as well as whether those are physical or virtual servers.
• Performance Testing: We test our baseline connection first, and then we connect to nearby and remote servers to see how each VPN works.
• Engaging with Customer Support: Lastly, we also contact customer support and note how helpful and timely they are.

How to Select the Best Free VPN in 2024?

Your goal should be to find a provider with a generous data allowance, high-end privacy, plenty of servers, and the ability to unblock content. Here's everything you need to keep in mind:

• Ensure You Get a Free Plan - You'll want a VPN that offers a 100% free tier without any gimmicks like asking for your personal or payment information (except for free trials, of course).
• Check for Data Limitations - Make sure you get plenty of daily or monthly data based on what you plan to do online. If you plan to stream, for example, you really need a lot of bandwidth.
• Pay Attention to Security & Privacy - You'll want strong protocols, a kill switch, ad-blocking, and a no-policy with jurisdiction outside the 5 Eyes, 9 Eyes, and 14 Eyes Alliances.
• See How Many Servers You'll Get - You'll want plenty of servers overall, both nearby and remote ones. Also, having obfuscated servers is a great way to hide your VPN traffic.
• Pick a VPN That Unblocks Restricted Content - Your chosen VPN should give you the ability to bypass censorship and defeat geo-blocks.
• Make Sure You Get Fast Speeds - Most VPN will slow you down, and that's especially true in terms of free providers. So, try to find one that doesn't cap its performance for its free users.
• Check Device/Platform Support - Our strong recommendation is to pick a VPN that offers native software across the board. Avoid VPNs that ask you to configure connections manually.
• Go for Multiple Simultaneous Connections - Think about how many devices you want to protect at the same time, and then find a VPN that can meet that requirement.
• Be Aware of the Pricing - Yes, we're talking about free options here. However, it's wise to know the price of a VPN if you decide to unlock all features and become a paying user.
• Rely on Money-Back Guarantees - Speaking of becoming a paying user, money-back guarantees will give you plenty of time to change your mind (up to 30 days in most cases).
• Research Customer Support - Ensure you get a VPN with reliable customer support. Top-rated VPNs typically offer 24/7 live chat support, allowing you to resolve any issues in no time.

Is It Really a Good Idea to Use a Free VPN?

No, it's not a good idea to use a free VPN. That's because most of them aren't designed to safeguard your privacy. On top of that, they all come with all kinds of limitations.

In the past, we've seen many dangerous situations surrounding VPNs. For example, there was Hola VPN - a still very popular VPN. Not too long ago, it was discovered that Hola was exploiting its users by using them as exit nodes for obscure platforms. Also, there were reports of free VPNs for Android leaking DNS data, exposing sensitive information online.

We've also seen numerous malware campaigns disguised as seemingly functional VPNs. If you want an example, we have Pirate Chick VPN spreading AZORult malware. What was advertised as a free VPN turned out to be a propagator for a dangerous type of malware, stealing sensitive user information.

What Are the Limitations of a Free VPN?

Most free VPNs come with limited bandwidth, small server networks, and restricted performance, and they usually can't bypass geo-blocks. Here's more information:

• Limited Bandwidth - Free VPNs rarely bring unlimited bandwidth. They typically come with monthly or daily data allowances, which range from 500MB/day to 10GB/month.
• Restricted Server Network - While premium VPNs typically cover 100+ countries, free VPNs most often offer a handful of countries only. Their servers are usually overcrowded.
• Few Supported Devices - While most free VPNs do support Windows, macOS, and Linux, don't expect support for streaming devices or routers.
• Few Simultaneous Connections - In most cases, you'll get a single connection only. And keep in mind that even if you get unlimited connections, you still have bandwidth limitations.
• Slow Speed & Limited Performance - Some free VPNs cap their performance as a way to reduce their costs, while others are slow because their servers are overcrowded.
• Limited Features - Don't expect anything overly advanced from a VPN, such as advanced anti-tracking tools or features that help you get rid of ads or malware.
• Cannot Geo-Block Everything - While premium VPNs can give you access to Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, and (HBO) Max, very few free VPNs have those same capabilities.
• No 24/7 Customer Support - Since there won't be 24/7 live chat support, you'll be left on your own to resolve technical issues.

Are Free VPNs Safe?

No, free VPNs are not safe. You might find one or two with a somewhat satisfactory level of encryption, but that’s it. There's no such thing as a free provider that can guarantee the safety of your data.

The biggest reason why these types of VPNs aren’t safe is that most of them sell their users’ data to third parties. More precisely, they collect your Web browsing information, which is then shared with advertising agencies.

In addition, they can inject your device with ransomware. This compromises your device(s) and allows your data to be extracted. Those VPNs usually don’t have any form of encryption, leaving you vulnerable online, which is just one of the reasons why free VPNs are unsafe.

What Are the Dangers of Using Free VPNs?

In this article, we're talking about software tools that directly impact your privacy. That said, here are the most common dangers and downsides to using free VPNs.

• They Can't Keep You Safe Online: Expect to encounter a limited selection of VPN protocols coupled with less secure levels of encryption. It takes a lot of money to build a secure VPN app backed by secure infrastructure - which is why free VPNs are not a match for paid VPNs.
• Your Sensitive Information Could Be Exposed: These applications generate their revenue by either showing you ads or collecting your private data. It's no secret that they come with trackers. In the end, your data will end up in the hands of a "partner company."
• They Can Be Easily Breached: As a way to cut costs, they often use questionable data centers whose servers don't have the required data safety systems in place. As such, they can be easily breached, which means that someone might steal your sensitive info.
• You'll Be Tracked Online: To be able to collect your sensitive information, free VPNs use trackers that follow your every move on the Web. Even worse, they can collect and intercept all kinds of information about your device.
• Aggressive Online Ads May Appear: Another way to generate revenue is to inject ads as you browse the Web. That said, you might start to see loads of ads that can ruin your Web browsing experience.
• You'll Deal with Crippling Data Caps: The only free VPN to come without a data cap is Proton VPN. However, even in the case of this VPN, you'll face limited performance. There's no such thing as a free and unlimited VPN service. And if you find one promising just that, it's a scam.
• Your Web Speed Will Be Slower: Even the most reputable paid VPNs will slow your Internet connection down up to a certain point. However, this is more noticeable in free VPNs, which can be used only for quick Web browsing sessions.
• You Won't Get to Unblock Streaming Platforms: If you're looking for a VPN to stream Netflix, Hulu, Disney Plus, or some other platform - know that free VPNs won't help you. They come with data caps and performance limitations, making media streaming an impossible task.
• Malware Could Become a Real Issue: We've seen free VPNs that started out as legitimate VPN services only to turn to malicious practices overnight. For example, a malicious update can turn it into tracking software that steals your data.
• You'll Get Outdated VPN Software: Since they're not updated often, they tend to have all kinds of vulnerabilities. Those can be used by malicious actors to target your device.

Are There Any VPNs That Are Completely Free?

Yes, there are plenty of free VPNs on the market, but very few of them are good enough for everyday use. That's because most of them have limited bandwidth, which means you can use them for a limited time.

Practically all free providers are limited in some way. For example, those with unlimited bandwidth usually offer relatively slow speeds, and those offering fast speeds are typically limited in the number of server locations they have. Plus, free VPNs tend to offer low-end protocols, meaning they can't guarantee the safety and privacy of your sensitive data.

Keep in mind that free-of-charge options are quite popular, allowing threat actors to take advantage of that. For example, you could end up with bundled software or malware, so you need to be very careful about what you download and use on your device.

We have a range of helpful guides on the best free providers for certain activities and digital services to help you get started. To learn more, here are our recommendations on the best free VPNs for torrenting, gaming, Netflix, ITVX, BBC iPlayer, Warzone, and Valorant.

What's the Difference Between Free and Paid VPNs?

Even though they might appear the same on the outside, there are substantial differences between free and paid VPNs. These differences run wide and deep, and they directly affect your online privacy and security.

As the table above shows, free VPNs come with numerous limitations. That said, you can use a free provider, but only for quick Web browsing sessions. If you're serious about protecting yourself online, using a paid VPN service is the only way to go, as our free VPN vs. paid VPN comparison explains.

If you're considering a paid VPN, allow us to give you a recommendation. After testing more than sixty VPNs, our team believes that NordVPN is the best VPN available. Here's how to get NordVPN's free trial, backed by this VPN's 30-day money-back policy.

Do Free VPNs Provide Unlimited Bandwidth?

No, most free VPNs don’t provide unlimited bandwidth. On the contrary, they typically have low daily data caps that can dip to 300MB, which isn’t enough to do much of anything. Some free VPN providers offer higher daily bandwidth limits (up to 10GB), but they are few and far between. Here's a brief overview:

VPN Provider	Available Bandwidth
Proton VPN	Unlimited bandwidth.
Windscribe	From 2GB to 10 GB per month.
Hide.Me VPN	Unlimited bandwidth.
Hotspot Shield VPN	500MB per day.
TunnelBear	500MB per month.
Speedify	2GB per month.

Providing unlimited bandwidth is a tough feat for free VPNs because they lack the resources to support it. They’d need recurring income in addition to what they make on their paid plans. In the long run, providing free unlimited bandwidth is unsustainable.

Are There Any Free VPNs That You Should Definitely Avoid?

The majority of free providers aren't safe to use, and we recommend avoiding them. However, some of them are very problematic, affecting your online privacy and security.

That said, we wanted to draw your attention to several VPN providers, which we believe should be avoided at all costs. Take a look at the table below.

You should also know that many free-of-charge VPNs are nothing but scams. We've seen that happen many times before, with fake VPN websites spreading malware (while being marketed as free VPNs, of course). This is something you need to keep in mind, even with premium VPNs. For example, there was a fake NordVPN website injecting banking Trojans.

Lastly, we'd like to provide a couple of resources to help you avoid the pitfalls of free VPNs. First of all, beware of the most common VPN scams designed to extract your personal data. And also, you'll want to know how to avoid fake VPNs.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, we understand that free VPNs might sound enticing. However, as explained in this article, most of them are barely usable, and some can even expose or collect your sensitive data. That's why we focused on the most reputable zero-cost providers, but even those will limit your bandwidth and speed and give you just a handful of servers.

That said, we strongly recommend considering a free VPN trial, which is an excellent way to experience how a capable VPN should work. For example, you can take advantage of NordVPN's risk-free trial on all its supported devices. It delivers a huge server network, high-end performance, strong privacy, and the ability to unblock any website, among other things.

If your mind is set on using a free option, you can give Proton VPN a try. You will get unlimited bandwidth, but you'll also experience relatively slow speeds and a limited selection of servers. More importantly, this free VPN won't take advantage of or misuse your sensitive information.

You've reached the end of our guide. If you have any questions for us, let us know via the comments section below. Thank you for reading!