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9 Best Free VPN Services in 2024

Last updated August 12, 2024
Written by:
Novak Bozovic
Novak Bozovic
Senior VPN Editor
Why You Can Trust TechNadu
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Test Process
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Our experts have reviewed 53 VPN providers, which were put through extensive rounds of testing. To learn more about that process, here’s how we review VPNs, where we explain our criteria and our policy of being fully transparent.

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.

Quick Summary: Best-Rated Free VPNs

  1. ProtonVPN - The best free VPN overall in 2024. It features high-end privacy and unlimited bandwidth but also comes with limited performance and few servers.
  2. Windscribe - A reliable free option for occasional streaming. Expect fast speeds and a nice number of servers, but you'll also find heavy bandwidth limitations.
  3. Hide.me VPN - This privacy-first VPN can protect your data without any caps. It's safe to use and doesn't feature ads, but it's not the fastest option available.
  4. Hotspot Shield - An incredibly polished VPN for any device with military-grade encryption. You get to connect 1 device only, and there's no unlimited data.
  5. TunnelBear - A free VPN with access to servers in 50+ countries. However, you'll be limited to 500MB per month, so it's good for occasional use only.
  6. Speedify - An innovative free-of-charge VPN that prioritizes mobile devices. It can bind Wi-Fi and mobile data up to 2GB per month.

Why You Can Trust TechNadu: Our experts have reviewed 53 VPN providers, which were put through extensive rounds of testing. To learn more about that process, here's how we review VPNs, where we explain our criteria and our policy of being fully transparent.

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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

  • Unlimited data and bandwidth.
  • Proven no-logs policy.
  • Works on any device.
  • Unblocks most websites.
  • 30-day money-back policy.
  • Servers in 5 countries.
  • Limited performance.
  • Single connection only.

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

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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.

  • Servers in 11 countries.
  • Usually performs well.
  • No security compromises.
  • Useful for unblocking websites.
  • Works on any device.
  • Limited data allowance.
  • No live chat support.
  • Limited refund period.

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

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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.

  • Unlimited data and bandwidth.
  • Wide device/platform support.
  • Audited no-logs policy.
  • 30-day money-back guarantee.
  • 24/7 live chat support.
  • Performance can fluctuate.
  • Single connection only.

4. Hotspot Shield - Free VPN Software for Any Device

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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.

  • Attractively designed apps.
  • Works on practically any device.
  • Fast and stable performance.
  • Suitable for privacy protection.
  • 45-day money-back policy.
  • Limited daily bandwidth.
  • No live chat support.

5. TunnelBear - Completely Free VPN with Premium Features

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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.

  • Access to 5,000+ servers.
  • Suitable for bypassing geo-blocks.
  • Unmeted connections.
  • Audited no-logs policy.
  • Really simple to use.
  • 500MB of data per month.
  • No live chat support.
  • No money-back guarantees.

6. Speedify - Free VPN That Prioritizes Mobile Users

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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.

  • Reliable mobile-first VPN.
  • Suitable for privacy protection.
  • 5 simultaneous connections.
  • 30-day money-back policy.
  • 24/7 live chat support.
  • 2GB of data/month.
  • Can be quite slow at times.
  • Hasn't been audited.

Comparison of the Best Free VPNs

Bandwidth Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited 10GB/month Unlimited 500MB/day 500MB/month 2GB/monthnAbility to Unblock Content
Servers 6,600+ in 111 countries 3,200+ in 100 countries Undisclosed servers in 105 countries 8,700+ servers in 112 countries Undisclosed servers in 69 countries 2,600+ in 91+ locations 1,800+ in 80+ countries 5,000+ in 47 countries Undisclosed server info in 36 countries
Protocols NordLynx, IKEv2/IPsec, OpenVPN WireGuard, IKEv2, OpenVPN OpenVPN, Lightway, IKEv2 WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, Stealth WireGuard, OpenVPN (UDP, TCP), IKEv2, Stealth, and WStunnel OpenVPN, IKEv2, SSTP, WireGuard, and SoftEther Hydra, IPSec, and WireGuard OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard TCP Multiple, TCP, UDP, HTTPS transport modes
Features Kill Switch, split tunneling, Private DNS, Threat Protection Pro, Dark Web Monitor, Meshnet, dedicated IPs, and plenty more Kill switch, split tunneling, private DNS, Dedicated IPs, CleanWeb, Alternative ID, Bypasser, Camouflage Mode, and more Kill switch, split tunneling, private DNS, dedicated IPs, anti-tracking, ad blocker, threat manager, parental controls, and more Kill switch, DNS leak protection, split tunneling, Stealth (obfuscation), NetShield, Smart Routing, Tor over VPN, Secure Core servers, port forwarding, and more DNS/IPv6 leak protection, kill switch, split tunneling, full R.O.B.E.R.T. control, static IPs, port forwarding, and more Custom DNS functionality, split tunneling, kill switch, port forwarding, Multihop, StealthGuard, SmartGuard, Bolt “Fast Proxy”, and more Advanced encryption, DNS leak protection, kill switch, split tunneling, Tor over VPN, anti-phishing protection, and more DNS and IPv6 leak protection, high-end encryption, kill switch, split tunneling, obfuscation, TCP Override, and ad blocker Secure encryption, Channel bonding technology, kill switch, Bypass, optimized live streaming and video conferencing, Jumbo MTU, unlimited bandwidth, and more
Jurisdiction Panama Netherlands British Virgin Islands Switzerland Canada (5 Eyes Alliance) Malaysia USA & Switzerland Canada United States
Logging No logs (independently audited) No logs (independently audited) No logs (independently audited) No logs (independently audited) Collects anonymized data No logs Collects anonymized data No logs (independently audited) Keeps logs
Supported Devices Windows (including ARM-based devices), macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, routers, browsers, Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, and more Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, routers, and more Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, routers, and more Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, ChromeOS, routers Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Fire TV, and Android TV Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, routers, Web browsers, and more Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Android TVs, routers, gaming consoles, and more Windows, macOS, Linux (limited support), iOS, Android, and browsers Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android
Simultaneous Connections 10 Unlimited 8 10 Unlimited 10 10 Unlimited 5
Performance Ultra-fast Ultra-fast Ultra-fast Ultra-fast Medium Medium Medium Medium Low
Supports Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Max, BBC iPlayer, torrenting, gaming, and more Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Max, Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, torrenting, gaming, and more Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Max, Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Torrenting, gaming, and more Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, Max, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and more Torrenting, gaming, Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and more Torrenting, gaming, Netflix US, Max, Paramount+, Channel 4, and more Torrenting, gaming, and streaming (Netflix, Max, YouTube, and more) Gaming (limited), Discovery+, Pluto TV, ITVX, and more Streaming and torrenting (limited)
Customer Support Email, 24/7 live chat, tutorials, and FAQs Email, 24/7 live chat, knowledge base, and FAQs 24/7 live chat, email support, and more Live chat, email, knowledge base, support tickets, Proton VPN community, FAQs, installation guides, and more Chatbot, FAQ, email support, and more Support tickets, 24/7 live chat, knowledge base, and community 24/7 live chat, email, and knowledge base Installation & troubleshooting guides, FAQ, support tickets, and active blog Email, knowledge base, FAQ, and social media
Money-Back Guarantee 30 days 30 days 30 days 30 days 7 days 30 days 45 days N/A 30 days
Price From $2.99/month $1.99/mo $4.99/mo From $2.99/month $3.00/mo From $2.29/month From $2.99/month From $4.17/month From $4.99/month
Score 9.6 out of 10 9.4 out of 10 9.5 out of 10 9.3 out of 10 8.2 out of 10 8.5 out of 10 7.6 out of 10 6.8 out of 10 5.3 out of 10
Rating

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:

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:

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:

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.

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.

Free VPN vs. Paid VPN - Comparison
Free VPNs Paid VPNs
VPN Protocols WEAK STRONG
Encryption WEAK/LIMITED STRONG
Data Cap YES NO (UNLIMITED)
Number of VPN Servers LIMITED THOUSANDS
Connection Speed LIMITED UNLIMITED
Technical Support LIMITED UNLIMITED & TIMELY
Security Guarantees NO YES
Data Logging Policy VARIES NO-LOGS POLICIES
Torrenting (P2P) Support NO YES
Media Streaming Support NO YES

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.

Free VPNs You Should Avoid
Hola VPN A P2P network, basically. Endangers your privacy and safety.
MySafeVPN A well-known VPN scam. Not really a VPN service.
CrossVPN A malware-infected VPN that could damage your device.
EasyVPN Intercepts your Web traffic to serve ads in other apps.
Phisphon VPN Forwards your data to marketing-related partners.
Inter VPN A fake VPN serving password-stealing Trojans.
Pirate Chick VPN A fake VPN designed to serve AZORult malware.
Hoxx VPN Not a VPN service. This is a proxy instead.
Onavo Protect Facebook-owned spyware. Doesn't protect your data.
Touch VPN Collects and shares your private data.
Archie VPN Proven to contain malware.
SuperVPN Contains malware. Collects your personal data.
EarthVPN This is a broken VPN service, no longer operational.

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.

FAQ

Are Free VPNs Legal?

Yes, free VPNs are legal. However, we don’t recommend them due to their limited capabilities and potentially dangerous logging practices. Instead, sign up for a premium VPN that offers a free trial period, such as NordVPN.

Do Free VPNs Work?

Yes, free VPNs do work - but in a limited way. Most of them can encrypt and hide your online data, but they often use less reliable protocols and can be quite slow.

Are There Any Benefits to Free VPNs?

If you have correct expectations, free VPNs can help you protect your most sensitive Web activities. However, you need to know exactly what to expect and adjust your expectations accordingly.

Is a Free VPN Worth Getting?

No, a free VPN is not worth getting overall. Most of them come with low data caps and no security features. Some might sell your data to third parties as compensation for providing a free service. We recommend taking advantage of a free trial of a premium VPN, like NordVPN.

How Do Free VPNs Earn Money?

Some free VPN providers insert ads into the websites you visit. Also, most of them collect and sell your data to marketing agencies, which means they don't respect your privacy.

What’s the Best Free VPN Service?

The best completely free VPN service is Proton VPN. It offers unlimited bandwidth, which no other free VPN brings. However, its speed and overall performance are limited.

What’s the Best Free VPN for Torrenting?

A small number of free VPNs support torrenting. Those are Windscribe, Hotspot Shield VPN, and Hide.me VPN.

What's the Best Free VPN for Gaming?

The best free VPN for gaming is Proton VPN. However, it offers a small server network, so you'll have a hard time keeping your ping low.

What's the Best Free VPN for Streaming?

Streaming requires a lot of bandwidth and really fast performance. None of that is what free VPNs offer - so you have no other option than to use a paid VPN. If you'd like to review your best options, check our guide to the best VPN for streaming.

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!



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