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Best-free-vpns

Looking for the best free VPN provider is a difficult task. That’s because you need to test hundreds of VPNs to find the right option for yourself. And even when you find your top pick, there are certain limitations attached to it that you need to consider, as compared to paid VPN services.

There are so many free VPNs out there for both desktops and mobile. However, it’s worth exercising caution as free VPNs lack in terms of security, privacy, and performance. So, once you’ve chosen the free VPN you like, ensure that you know all about the locations, data, and feature restrictions you’d be subjected to.

For this guide, we tested over 150+ VPNs and brought you the 7 really best free VPNs that are secure and trustworthy. However, while most of these VPNs won’t unblock streaming platforms or support torrenting, they can be used to keep yourself secure on public Wi-Fi networks and browsing. Let’s look at the list below.


Worth Considering: 30-Day Free Trial of a Premium VPN

Due to all the risks and disadvantages of using free VPNs, we strongly advise you to opt for a premium VPN service. Amongst all the ones present in the industry, the one we highly recommend is ExpressVPNWhile it offers a paid subscription, it also comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee for users to test out all the premium features of this VPN for 30 days.

During this period, you can access geo-restricted content, torrent, and play geoblocked games from anywhere in the world using its fast speeds and unlimited bandwidth. You can read our ExpressVPN Review to learn more about this VPN service.

  • 3,000+ Servers in 94 Countries
  • Hard disk free infrastructure (RAM only)
  • 256-bit Military-Grade Encryption
  • Excellent unblocking capability for Netflix, Hulu & more
  • 5 Multi Logins
  • Zero-knowledge DNS
Excellent - 4.6
Based on 100 reviews


7 Best Free VPN Services of 2023 – Quick Overview

Here’s a brief overview of the best free VPN services in 2023:

  1. Windscribe — The Best Free VPN Service. Offers 10 GB/month with robust security, a generous data cap, and unlimited simultaneous connections. Offers 10 server locations.
  2. Proton VPNFree VPN with Unlimited Bandwidth. Offers unlimited bandwidth without paying a penny. Supports 1 device per account. Comes with only 3 servers present in the US, Netherlands, and Japan.
  3. Hotspot ShieldGreat Free VPN for Torrenting. Offers 500 MB/ day of free data with access to only 1 server location (i.e., US).
  4. TunnelBearUser-friendly Free VPN. Comes with 500 MB/ month of free data and support for 5 simultaneous connections. Offers access to 49 server locations.
  5. Hide.meSecure Free VPN. Offers 10 GB/ month of free data and 5 server locations. Allows a single connection on one account.
  6. Atlas VPN — Free VPN with Fast Speeds. Offers unlimited data/month along with servers in 3 locations. Offers unlimited simultaneous connections per account.
  7. Betternet — Reliable Free VPN for Users. Provides users with a daily limit of 500 MB and 1 US server on the free plan. Allows users to connect just one device per plan.

How We Tested These Free VPNs | FAQs 


The Best Free VPN Services [In-Depth Analysis]

After testing 150+ free VPNs on various factors like data allowance, speed, server access, and security, we bring you the top 7 free VPNs in 2023 that are safe to use. Here is a detailed analysis of these free providers:

1. Windscribe – The Best Free VPN Service

Windscribe

Key Features:

  • Servers in 10 locations
  • Unlimited simultaneous connections
  • 10 GB data per month
  • AES-256-bit military-grade encryption
  • 24/7 live chat support

Windscribe is the absolute best free VPN service with no hidden charges or shady schemes. That’s because of multiple servers, powerful features, and user-friendly apps.

To start, its free version offers 10 GB of data per month. To receive the 10 GB of data, you must register with an email address. Otherwise, you will only receive 2 GB of monthly bandwidth. Additionally, you can also receive 5 GB extra bandwidth by just tweeting about Windscribe. Now that’s cool, right?

As for servers, Windscribe offers servers in 10 locations on its free version. These servers can be used for multiple activities, including browsing, streaming, and torrenting. According to our tests, almost all the major streaming services are accessible with this provider, including ITV, Hulu, YouTube, and Amazon Prime. That means you can watch Love Island UK Season 9 in US with ease.

In fact, Windscribe is also among the best free VPNs for Netflix. Moreover, it supports torrenting on its free servers and keeps no logs of user activities, making the Windscribe torrenting combo absolutely great!

Woh Killed Sara Windscribe

We could enjoy US Netflix for 2-3 hours with Windscribe’s Atlanta – Mountain server.

Regarding speeds, Windscribe is faster than all the VPNs on our list. When we tested Windscribe’s speeds on our 100 Mbps connection, we got a download speed of 65.21 Mbps and an upload speed of 34.75 Mbps.

windscribe-speed-test

With these speeds, we faced no buffering throughout streaming.

The provider offers many security features on its free version, including the Internet Kill Switch, Ad-blocker, and even MultiHop, allowing you to connect through more than one VPN server. Windscribe also offers protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks.

Even though its headquarter is based in Canada, the provider offers military-grade AES-256-bit encryption and a zero-log policy for utmost security and privacy. It also features a “Stealth protocol” that obfuscates your VPN traffic and makes it look like normal HTTPS traffic. This cool feature allows the VPN to work in countries with high internet restrictions, like China.

Even on a free plan, the VPN offers unlimited simultaneous connections to users. Its compatibility with mobile devices makes it the best free VPN for Android and iOS. Moreover, Windscribe works great with FireStick, which means Windscribe also turns out be the best free VPN for firestick, Moreover it is also compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux as well.

In case you face any difficulties, you can always talk to Windscribe’s live chatbot ‘Garry‘ or submit a request. For more information, check out our Windscribe VPN review.

Pros
  • 10 GB data per month
  • AES 256-bit encryption
  • Unblocks US Netflix
  • Offers a Stealth protocol
  • Supports torrenting

Cons
  • Based in Canada (member of the 5 eyes)
  • No unlimited bandwidth
  • Doesn’t offer WireGuard on the free plan


2. Proton VPN – Free VPN with Unlimited Bandwidth

protonvpn

Key Features:

  • Servers in 3 locations
  • Single device connection
  • Unlimited bandwidth
  • AES-256-bit military-grade encryption
  • Support tab available for guides

Proton VPN is the most popular free VPN with unlimited bandwidth. This is amazing as most free VPNs offer 500 MB to 10 GB of data at max. With the benefit of unlimited data, you can download and stream as much as you want.

All Proton VPN free users can connect to servers in three countries (Japan, the US, and the Netherlands). While testing, it did not work with Netflix, but we could unblock other platforms like YouTube, Spotify, and a few local websites. Moreover, please note that these servers are not P2P-friendly, so you cannot download torrents on Proton VPN’s free version.

proton-vpn-servers-and-interface

It only took us a minute to connect to Proton VPN’s server.

In our Proton VPN speed test, the VPN was quite speedy. On our connection of 100 Mbps, the VPN delivered a download speed of 65.12 Mbps and an upload speed of 59.32 Mbps.

protonvpn-speed-test

These speeds allowed us to browse and stream without buffering.

ProtonVPN’s power lies in complete security, offering you military-grade 256-bit encryption, split tunneling, and OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols. There is also an automatic kill switch that keeps you protected at all times. Another great thing about Proton VPN is that it’s based in Switzerland, which does not belong to the 14-Eyes Alliance. This means that the VPN doesn’t collect any logs.

Most of ProtonVPN’s features are saved for paid users. Only those who subscribe to premium subscriptions can enjoy P2P file sharing, NetShield, Secure Core VPN, Tor over VPN, and the possibility to access geo-blocked streaming services.

If you create a free ProtonVPN account, you can only use it on one device simultaneously. However, its service is great for all. It offers apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android. Thanks to its user-friendly iOS app, you can call it the best free VPN for iPhone/iPad.

If you run into any obstacles while using the app, you can fill in the support form or explore the self-help section of ProtonVPN. Unfortunately, there’s no live chat support, even for paid users.

You can learn more about this service in our Proton VPN review.

Pros
  • Unlimited bandwidth
  • AES 256-bit encryption
  • OpenVPN protocol offered
  • Allows torrenting

Cons
  • One simultaneous connection supported
  • Servers in only 3 locations


3. Hotspot Shield –  Best Free VPN for Torrenting 

hotspot-shield

Key Features:

  • 1 US server only
  • Single device connection
  • 500 MB data per day
  • AES-256-bit military-grade encryption
  • Email support available

Hotspot Shield is one of the best free VPNs for torrenting. That’s because it offers a distinct feature called Catapult Hydra protocol that is designed to offer fast-speed connections on P2P networks and perform various other activities.

Moreover, it only allows 500 MB of data per day which is more than what a regular free VPN offers. How? Well, if you multiply 500 MB of data per day by an entire month, you’re getting 15 GB of data per month. That’s more than what even Windscribe offers to you.

The only drawback of this VPN service is that its free version only allows you to connect to US servers. In addition, it is not a good option for streaming as it does not work with popular services like Hulu, HBO, Disney+, and more. However, as per our tests, it did unblock Netflix US after multiple tries.

hotspot-shield-unblocked-netflix-us

While it did unblock Netflix, the VPN took multiple tries to do so.

When it comes to speeds, Hotspot Shield can be called average. During testing, it delivered a download speed of 45.63 Mbps and an upload speed of 39.56 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection. It was more than enough to download torrent files. However, we did run out of daily data very quickly.

hotspot-shield-speed-test-on-us-server

These speeds were reliable for slow torrenting.

Hotspot Shield is safe to use as it offers 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and multiple security protocols. With its DNS leak protection, it makes sure no one can see your online activities, including your ISP.

Moreover, although Hotspot Shield’s headquarters are located in the US, it still supports a zero-log policy for its users. But, upon further investigation, we found out the Hotspot Shield does log some user data like timestamps, the device you are using, and bandwidth consumed. However, none of this data can be used to identify you online.

The VPN service’s app is compatible with most operating systems and devices. The sleek and easy-to-use app interface makes it easy to get started on macOS, Windows, Android, and iOS devices. Moreover, you only get 1 device connection, so you can connect just a single device simultaneously to the VPN.

Another downside is that the free version of Hotspot Shield is supported by ads. Even during testing, we encountered a lot of ads while browsing. If you want to use Hotspot Shield, we recommend getting an ad-blocker so you don’t experience constant pop-up ads.

For more information, check out the Hotspot Shield review.

Pros
  • Catapult Hydra protocol offered
  • Supports P2P connections
  • Kill switch, DNS leak protection

Cons
  • Only 1 server on the free plan
  • Unreliable for streaming
  • Low amount of data


4. TunnelBear – User-friendly Free VPN

tunnelbear

Key Features:

  • Servers in 49 countries
  • 5 simultaneous connections
  • 500 MB data per month
  • AES-256-bit military-grade encryption
  • Email support available

TunnelBear is one of the most user-friendly free VPN services that offer easy-to-use apps best for beginners. It features a cute, animated bear that guides you through the app, making the interface very pleasing.

The free version of TunnelBear only allows 500 MB per month of data which is very little for streaming and other data-intensive tasks. If you tweet about TunnelBear or refer them to a friend, you can receive 1 GB of additional bandwidth for free.

It is one of the most reliable free VPN services with a lot of servers as compared to other VPNs on this list. It offers multiple servers in 49 countries, more than what most other providers offer for free. TunnelBear is an interactive free VPN for Italy. It allows unlimited device connections at once to help you stream content on as many devices as you want in Italy. It lets you browse and stream content securely, privately, and anonymously on public Wi-Fi.

Sadly, TunnelBear does not work with popular sites like Netflix, Disney+, and more. But you can use it for browsing and general tasks.

tunnelbear-server-network

These servers are available in the US, Australia, the UK, India, and more.

As for speeds, TunnelBear appeared to be faster than Hotspot Shield and many other free VPNs. During our TunnelBear speed test, we got a decent download speed of 55.27 Mbps and an upload speed of 40.21 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection. Since TunnelBear has a large server network, you can connect to any server you want, and you will get decent speeds.

tunnelbear-speed-test

We got the following speeds on a 100 Mbps connection.

Furthermore, it offers top security and greater functionality with VigilantBear (Internet Kill Switch) and GhostBear (for dealing with connection problems). It is probably the only free VPN provider that has been audited independently. Like other providers on this list, it also uses AES 256-bit encryption and guarantees no data logging.

Although its headquarter is located in Canada, a part of Five Eye Alliance, it has proved to be quite a secure and reliable service for protecting online identity and privacy. You also get protocols like OpenVPN and WireGuard to stay secure while performing all your favorite activities.

TunnelBear offers 5 simultaneous connections to get it on various devices/OSes such as Windows, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, and Opera. Since its macOS app is pretty user-friendly, you can call it one of the best free VPN for Mac.

But, the most disappointing fact about TunnelBear is that it only offers a 500 MB per month limit. If your VPN usage requirements are met, then this limit is workable.

You can learn more about this service in our TunnelBear review.

Pros
  • Servers in 49 countries
  • Speeds are not bad at all
  • Internet kill switch offered
  • AES 256-bit encryption

Cons
  • The data limit is too low
  • Not a good option for streaming


5. Hide.Me – Secure Free VPN

hide.me

Key Features:

  • Servers in 5 locations
  • Single device connection
  • 10 GB data per month
  • AES-256-bit military-grade encryption
  • 24/7 live chat support

Hide.Me is one of the most secure free VPN services that offer 256-bit encryption along with additional features for privacy and security.

It offers 10 GB of free monthly data, which is enough to perform multiple data-intensive activities for about 4-5 hours straight. As for servers, Hide.Me provide access to 5 server locations. These servers are located in Canada, the US (East and West), Germany, and the Netherlands.

While these servers don’t work with popular streaming platforms, Hide.Me does support torrenting on its free servers. With its P2P support, you can connect to any server location and enjoy file-sharing for a limited time. When we tried unblocking streaming platforms with this VPN, we could only access Netflix Netherlands. However, we get blocked by the streaming platform within seconds.

hide-me-unblocked-netflix-netherlands

Even though we accessed it, we could not stream anything on Netflix.

When tested for speeds, Hide.Me turned out to be fast. On our connection of 100 Mbps, the VPN delivered a download speed of 57.16 Mbps and an upload speed of 48.91 Mbps.

Using these speeds, we could enjoy accessing our favorite sites easily.

This VPN has advanced features such as a Stealth Guard that offers an additional security layer, Internet Kill Switch for keeping your online activities secure, and split tunneling for using your local IP and VPN IP together.

Its headquarters is in Malaysia, and the service fully supports a zero-log policy for complete anonymity and privacy. Moreover, Hide.Me offers advanced protocols such as OpenVPN, IKEv2, SoftEther, and SSTP for free.

It can be easily configured on Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, or Linux. Moreover, Hide.Me also offers free router configuration files so you can even connect devices that don’t have native support for VPNs, like Smart TVs, gaming consoles, and more.

There are easy-to-follow setup guides available on Hide.Me’s official website, along with 24/7 live chat support. It is fast, as we got a response in less than 20 seconds.

You can learn more about this service in our Hide.Me review.

Pros
  • Supports torrenting
  • 10 GB data per month
  • OpenVPN, IKEv2, SoftEther protocols offered
  • 24/7 live chat support

Cons
  • Doesn’t work with American Netflix
  • Offers one multi-login


6. Atlas VPN – Free VPN with Fast Speeds

AtlasVPN-main-image

Key Features:

  • Servers in 3 locations
  • Unlimited simultaneous connections
  • Unlimited bandwidth
  • AES-256-bit military-grade encryption
  • Support tab available

Atlas VPN is one of the fastest free VPN services on this list. When tested, these speeds were enough for fast browsing, streaming Netflix, and downloading torrent files.

In addition, this VPN offers unlimited bandwidth to its users, as most premium VPNs do. This no-data limit benefit makes it the perfect choice for web surfing and accessing social media sites, as well as streaming or torrenting.

However, there’s a catch – you only get servers in 3 locations with this VPN, available in the Netherlands and the United States (Los Angeles and New York). Due to this, overcrowded servers may be a challenge. Unfortunately, it does not work with Netflix and other popular sites like Amazon Prime, Hulu, etc.

atlas-vpn-servers

Just connect to any one of its 3 US server locations and enjoy.

When it comes to speeds, the VPN is super-fast. In our speed test of Atlas VPN on our 100 Mbps connection, we got a download speed of 59.17 Mbps and an upload speed of 46.82 Mbps.

atlas-vpn-speed-test-results

These speeds were impressive, considering a free VPN.

The VPN is known to keep you absolutely secure on the internet. With it, you get a DNS leak protection feature and a kill switch. It even offers robust protocols, like the latest WireGuard and IKEv2, on its free plan.

It is based in the US, which might concern some users considering America’s data retention policies. But note that Atlas VPN follows a strict no-log VPN policy. This is great for your security because it means that Atlas VPN doesn’t have to share any of your information with third-party advertisers.

Since Atlas VPN offers unlimited simultaneous connections, it is currently compatible with all the major platforms, such as macOS, Windows, Android, iOS, Linux, and more.

Pros
  • Unlimited bandwidth
  • Unlimited simultaneous connections
  • Super-fast speeds

Cons
  • Doesn’t work with streaming services like Netflix


7. BetternetReliable Free VPN for Users

betternet

Key Features:

  • 1 server location only
  • 5 simultaneous connections
  • 500 MB of free data per day
  • AES-256-bit military-grade encryption
  • Help tab available for guides

Betternet is one of the most anonymous free VPN services that requires no registration. It offers 500 MB/day of data which is not enough to stream HD content or download large torrent files. With this much data, you can only stream for about 1-2 hours.

With a single available location on the free account (the US), you can’t access geo-restricted websites of other regions or countries. Moreover, it does not work with popular American streaming sites as well, such as Netflix US, Hulu, HBO Max, etc.

betternet-not-working-with-hulu

Betternet did not work with Hulu due to traffic overload on its only US server.

When it comes to speeds, Betternet was quite average. In our speed test of Betternet, the VPN delivered a download speed of 42.12 Mbps and an upload speed of 30.15 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection.

betternet-speed-test

Betternet’s speeds turned out to be quite slow.

But if we talk about security features, Betternet offers split tunneling so you can enjoy your actual IP and a VPN-enabled connection together. It also offers IPSec and OpenVPN protocol with both AES 256-bit encryption and AES 128-bit AES-CBC encryption.

The VPN keeps your IP address secure through its DNS leak protection feature and offers a Catapult Hydra, just like Hotspot Shield, for faster connections. However, please note that it lacks an Internet Kill Switch feature, which is quite a common feature in VPNs nowadays.

Betternet also keeps some logs. Its headquarters are located in Canada, which is not ideal for online security and privacy as it is a member of the 14 Eyes alliance. Moreover, it also displays quite a bit of advertisement, which we found quite annoying.

It is pretty decent in performance across popular operating systems such as macOS, Windows, Android, and iOS. But with its free subscription, you can only connect to a single device at any given moment, which is very annoying.

Also, on its free version, you cannot access customer support either. You can learn more about this service in our Betternet review.

Pros
  • 500 MB of data each day
  • AES 256-bit encryption

Cons
  • Keeps logs
  • Doesn’t unblock Netflix, Hulu, etc.
  • Offers 1 server only
  • No kill switch feature


Is Using a Free VPN Dangerous?

Yes, using a free VPN can be quite dangerous at times. Some free VPNs hijack your browser and redirect you to malicious sites without asking for your permission. This is why they are highly discouraged by most privacy-conscious users.

Following are a few factors that explain why free VPNs can be a risk to your security:

  1. Free VPNs are NOT safe: According to a study by CSIRO, more than 75% of free VPNs have at least one third-party tracker in their software. These trackers collect a lot of information that is shared with third-party advertisers. Moreover, thousands of free VPNs on iOS and Android stores have unacceptable privacy policies and are known to share data with authorities.
  2. Aggressive advertising: This is another tactic used by free VPN services to make money. However, free services go beyond annoying pop-ups and banner ads, as most free providers sneak trackers in ads. These trackers can stay on your browser and track your every move.
  3. High chance of catching malware: According to another research, 38% of free Android VPNs contain malware – despite the security and privacy features they claim to offer. What’s more concerning is that these VPNs account for millions of downloads on Google Play Store.
  4. Lack of advanced features: If you’re opting for a free VPN, then just know that it won’t offer a variety of features. With them, you won’t get split tunneling or obfuscated servers, and the DNS leak protection feature may not be as efficient as a paid VPN.
  5. Data collection: Collecting users’ browsing data and selling it to third parties is common when it comes to free VPNs. There are also various privacy breaches associated with free VPNs.

This is why paid secure VPNs are always the best option. Paid VPNs don’t collect user logs and offer top-notch security features that won’t compromise your privacy. You’ll also get access to unlimited bandwidth, which is perfect for endless streaming and torrenting. If you ask us, then we’d recommend ExpressVPN without any hesitation.

Try ExpressVPN Risk-free Today!30-day Money-back Guarantee

Side-by-Side Comparison of the Best Free VPN in 2023

Here is a quick comparison of the top free VPNs in 2023:​

VPNs ProtonVPN Windscribe TunnelBear hotspotshield hideme AtlasVPN-Logo-PNG betternet
Jurisdiction Switzerland Canada Canada USA USA USA USA
Security AES 256 Bit AES 256 Bit AES 256 Bit AES 256 Bit AES 256-bit AES 256-bit AES 256-bit
Data Usage Limit Unlimited 10 GB/mo 500 MB/mo 500 MB/mo 10 GB/mo Unlimited 500 MB/day
Server Locations 3 locations (USA, Netherlands, and Japan) 10 locations 49 locations US 5 locations (US East/West, Canada, Singapore, Netherlands) 3 locations 1 location(US)
Simultaneous connections 1 Unlimited 1 1 1 Unlimited 1
Streaming Netflix, YouTube, HBO, CBC, and More YouTube Netflix and More Youtube and HBO YouTube Youtube YouTube
Compatibility Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Fire Stick, Kodi, etc. Windows, Mac, Android, iOS Windows, Mac, Android, iOS Windows, Mac, Android, iOS Windows, Mac, Android, iOS Windows, Mac, Android, iOS Windows, Mac, Android, iOS
More Info Visit Site Visit Site Visit Site Visit Site Visit Site Visit Site Visit Site

Testing Methodology: How we Tested the Best Free VPN Services in 2023

We jotted the best free VPNs above after analyzing each one of them thoroughly based on their features, privacy policy, and customer support. After testing, we bring you the top 7 free VPNs in 2023 that were selected on the following performance criteria:

  1. Security: Most free VPNs are not secure as they log user data. So, we ensured that the free VPNs we list down encrypt online traffic using 256-bit encryption and further boosts security with a kill switch, IP leak protection, and more.
  2. Speed: We ensured that the free VPN we chose did not slow down our connection speeds by more than 30%. If your free VPN does, then we recommend you avoid it.
  3. Bandwidth limitations: We made sure to include free providers that offer a generous data allowance. This way, you can enjoy browsing your network for a longer period.
  4. Reliability: Is the VPN trustworthy and safe to use? We made sure to include VPNs that offer reliable privacy policies and are safe to use.
  5. Streaming: Most of the VPNs mentioned in this guide, like Windscribe, work with popular streaming sites like YouTube, Hulu, Netflix, and more. However, don’t expect too much, as most free VPNs cannot bypass geo-restrictions at all.
  6. Compatibility: We ensured that the VPNs we list down offer dedicated apps for all major operating systems, including Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, so you can install and start using them within minutes.
  7. Customer Support: We tested and ensured that our best free VPN services offer 24/7 customer support to its users.

Free VPN vs. Paid VPN

The only benefit of a free VPN is that it’s absolutely free. Users usually don’t expect a powerful service when they get something that doesn’t cost them a penny. But, if you pay for a VPN subscription, you can expect a wide variety of advanced features, faster speeds, stringent encryption, and 24/7 customer support.

As discussed above, free VPNs have many limitations in terms of performance and security. Let’s look at a few below:

  1. Speed: The majority of free VPNs offer extremely slow speeds because they have limited servers, and that, too, are overcrowded. Paid premium VPNs, on the other hand, offer great performance and speed as they have thousands of servers in various locations.
  2. Streaming: Most free VPNs are blocked by streaming sites like Netflix, Disney+, and more. Premium VPNs, on the other hand, constantly refresh their IPs to allow you to bypass geo-blocks.
  3. Security and privacy: If you want a VPN for anonymity and online security, paid VPNs are the way to go. That is because premium VPNs offer no-logging policies and top-of-the-line security features that free VPNs lack.
  4. Paid VPNs offer the best services: As per our experience, we haven’t encountered a single nuisance or trouble with paid VPNs, as compared to the troubles we had while using free VPN services. Neither do they lag nor buffer during any of our online activities. They were exceptional in any case, while free VPN services

Cheap VPNs

Most free VPN users hesitate to opt for a premium VPN because they believe it requires a lot of investment. However, that is not true. There are plenty of cheap VPN services available in the market that cost you below $2 per month.

What’s best is that for less than two dollars, you can get unlimited bandwidth, access to geo-blocked streaming platforms, P2P support, robust security, and much more.


Free VPNs Without Data Limits

Most reliable free VPN services come with data limits since maintaining VPN servers and connections costs money. However, bandwidth limitations permit users to get to know their VPN service without it costing the VPN much.

There is one free VPN that comes with no bandwidth restrictions – ProtonVPN. However, the speeds of this VPN can be slow as it offers only three server locations. Even though no data limit may be extremely attractive, traffic overload on these servers would slow down your speeds and ruin your experience.

A major disadvantage of data limits is that they keep you from enjoying a complete movie and TV show, as you might hit the monthly limit in a few hours. So, even if speed isn’t the problem, your experience is very short-lived.


Free VPNs Without Speed Caps

Since most free VPNs use data limits, they don’t require speed caps. This way, the speeds of these VPNs are great. A few free VPNs do not set speed caps because their speeds are already slow due to traffic overload. However, VPNs like Windscribe offer a decent number of servers, thereby delivering reliable speeds.


Free VPN Apps for your Devices

Most free VPNs offer apps for various devices and operating systems. So you can use them on your computer, smartphone, laptop, tablet, and even Smart TV. Some VPNs also offer configuration files for systems like Linux, where you have to manually configure the VPN as there are no apps.

Best Free VPN for Mobile

VPNs on smartphones are becoming widely popular because they not only help secure devices but also allow users to safely access public Wi-Fi during traveling and more. With the best free VPN for iPhone and Android devices, you can have peace of mind while using unsecured Wi-Fi.

However, not all free VPNs have apps for Android and iOS devices, and most contain trackers. But, the free VPNs mentioned above offer dedicated apps for iOS and Android smartphones available both on App Stores and their official websites.

Best Free VPN for PC and Mac Users

Most free VPNs offer dedicated apps for Windows and Mac devices. If you are using a Windows PC or MacBook, there are three ways to use a VPN:

  • Download a dedicated VPN app on your system.
  • Manually configure the VPN on Windows and Mac devices.
  • Use a VPN through browser extensions.

Some VPNs don’t offer apps and are only available as browser extensions. While such best PC VPNs are great for browsing, they only encrypt internet traffic running through your browser. Therefore, anything you do outside remains unencrypted.

We suggest using the best VPN for Windows PC and Mac that offer dedicated apps for your systems. You can either download the app from the App Store or the official website of the provider.

Best Free VPN for Tablets (iPad, Samsung Galaxy Tab, & more)

Apart from smartphones, VPNs also have apps for tablets running on iOS and Android software. It is just as easy to install a VPN on your tablet as on your phone. Most people use a VPN on their tablet to access restricted content like Netflix, HBO, and more.

As with smartphones, all free VPNs mentioned above have iOS and Android apps for different brands of tablets that you can easily download from App Stores.


How to Install a Free VPN in 2023

Follow the steps below to download and install a free VPN service:

  1. Choose a free VPN service. Our top recommendation is Windscribe.
  2. Install the VPN from the provider’s official website.
  3. Open the VPN app and connect to a server location of your choice.
  4. Browse the internet freely! 
If you don’t wish to deal with limited server locations, you can go with ExpressVPN which offers 3000+ servers in 94 countries.

FAQs – Best Free VPN Services 

Now that you know which free VPNs you can use securely, let’s check out some frequently asked questions regarding the best free VPN services.

Yes, Proton VPN is a 100% free VPN provider, offering unlimited bandwidth to users. You also get some reliable security features and servers in 3 countries with this VPN.

However, please note that you won’t be able to unblock any geo-restricted streaming service or download torrent files.

Some free VPNs may unblock Netflix, but you might struggle while doing so. Also, even if you do end up unblocking the streaming service, you’ll be subject to traffic overload, bad speeds, and proxy errors.

So, instead of a free VPN for Netflix, we suggest you opt for ExpressVPN’s 30-day money-back guarantee and enjoy accessing 11+ Netflix libraries with unlimited bandwidth and fast speeds free for 30 days straight!

Yes, free VPNs can bypass geographical restrictions, but they’re quite unreliable in doing so. Due to server overload, free VPNs might crash from time to time. Also, these VPNs might leak your actual IP address to your ISP and government while unblocking geo-blocked content, which can be dangerous.

Windscribe is the best free VPN for torrenting. This is one of the only VPNs supporting P2P connections and offering optimized servers for it.

Windscribe is the fastest free VPN service as it offers 10 server locations to choose from. This way, the possibility of server overload is low, and you get reliable speeds on the connection.

No, you should always use a premium VPN service for additional security on your Tor browser. Free VPNs are unreliable and may cause more damage than good. This is why it’s highly recommended to get a VPN like ExpressVPN for Tor.

A few free VPNs do work in China. However, they may or may not keep you secure in the country. If you’re a Chinese resident looking for a free solution or a traveler who doesn’t want to pay for a VPN for their next trip to China, then there are a few free options out there.

But, finding the one that actually keeps you secure in the country is difficult as most of them come with multiple limitations. This is why we highly recommend the best VPN for China, like ExpressVPN, for staying secure and unblocking Netflix easily.



Wrapping Up!

We have discussed the 7 best free VPN services in 2023, with Windscribe taking the lead as it offers 10 GB/month bandwidth, works with Netflix, and is compatible with major platforms.

However, all of the totally free VPNs we’ve discussed in this blog lack some features or the other. Most of them have bandwidth limitations, display loads of ads, or sell your data to third parties.

So, if the risks associated with the free VPNs are too much for you to tolerate, you can always go for a premium option like ExpressVPN, which also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee to try the VPN risk-free for a whole month.

We hope you liked our best free VPN 2023 guide. Cheers!