Top 6 Truly Free VPN Providers of May 2022

Selection of good free VPN providers
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Top 6 Truly Free VPN Providers of 2022: A Summary

Many VPN providers offer free versions of their premium apps. Although limited, they are more than enough to keep you safe and anonymous online. Some of them also allow torrenting and can even unblock Netflix US.

Take a look at our top 6 (truly) free VPNs:

  1. PrivadoVPN: Best free VPN for Windows and Mac users
  2. ProtonVPN: Best free VPN with unlimited data
  3. Hide.me: Best free VPN in terms of customer support
  4. Tunnelbear: Best free VPN if you’re looking for many server locations
  5. Windscribe: Best free VPN for fast connection speeds
  6. ZoogVPN: Best free VPN for FireTV

You don’t have to compromise your online safety and privacy to save money. These providers offer excellent protection 100% cost-free. Unfortunately, they also come with limitations, like speed caps and data limits. If you want a cheap VPN that protects you online without restricting your browsing, we recommend Surfshark.

Otherwise, we can dive deep into the top free VPNs of 2022. Read the full article below!

With a Virtual Private Network (VPN), you can use the internet more anonymously and securely by means of an encrypted connection. Most VPN providers require a monthly fee if you want to use their secure server network. However, there are some VPN providers that offer a connection for free.

In this article, you’ll learn more about free VPN services, how they work, and why you should be careful about using them. We’ll also recommend six excellent free services you can start using right away.

Be Careful with Free VPN Services

You always need to be somewhat wary of ‘free’ products and services — and VPNs are no exception. Although some free VPNs will do their job very well, not all of them will be able to compete with paid VPNs.

Many VPN services claim to be free but still take something from you, even if it isn’t money. For example, some free VPNs, such as Hola VPN, sell your data connection to other customers. Other free providers even monitor the websites you visit so they can sell this data to marketing agencies.

In other words, you might think your online life is protected by these free VPNs, but your privacy is actually being compromised even more.

Worth considering: Free trial with a premium VPN for 30 days

Free VPNs generally come with certain limitations. Premium paid VPNs, on the other hand, are more secure and offer more options, such as unlimited data, unlimited speeds, proper customer support, and access to streaming services from all over the world.

If you want to try a premium service for free, there’s a strong up-and-comer we wholeheartedly recommend: Surfshark. For less than $3 per month, you get all the advantages of a premium VPN. The free trial comes in the form of a 30-day money-back guarantee. Within those first 30 days, you can get your money back without any problems.

Surfshark
Deal:
Safe and anonymous internet for only $2.30a month
From
$2.30
9.0
  • Very user-friendly and works with Netflix and torrents
  • 30-day money-back guarantee. No questions asked!
  • Cheap with many extra options
Visit Surfshark

If you want to know how you can use the Surfshark money-back guarantee to your advantage, you can check out this Surfshark free trial guide. Or find out more about trial periods with all the biggest VPN providers.

If a free VPN is really what you are looking for, there are a few reliable options. You might run into data limits or speed caps, but the free VPN providers in the list below are generally recommendable and are completely free.

You don’t have to provide your payment information or make use of a money-back guarantee. Free really is free with these VPN providers.

Comparison Table of the Best Free VPNs of 2022

Free VPNPrivadoVPN logo

1. PrivadoVPN

ProtonVPN logo small

2. ProtonVPN

Hide.me

3. Hide.me

TunnelBear

4. TunnelBear

Windscribe Logo Icon

5. Windscribe

Zoog VPN Logo Icon

6. ZoogVPN

Speed capNoNo, but slow serversNoNoNoNo
Free data per month10 GBUnlimited10 GB500 MB2 GB 10 GB
Countries with Servers83549103
Netflix USA working?YesNoNoNoNoNo
P2P traffic allowedYesNoYesNoYesYes (Limited)
Level of encryptionAES 256-BitAES 256-BitAES 256-BitAES 256-BitAES 256-Bit128-Bit
Operating systemWindows, Mac, iOS, Android, Android TV, Fire TVWindows, Mac, iOS, Android, Android TV, Linux, ChromebookWindows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, Android TV, Fire TVWindows, Mac, iOS, AndroidWindows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, Fire TVWindows, Mac, iOS, Android, Android TV Linux, Fire TV
WebsiteVisit PrivadoVPN

Badge Editor's Choice

Visit ProtonVPNVisit Hide.meVisit TunnelBearVisit WindscribeVisit ZoogVPN

What is the Best Free VPN?

Best free VPNAfter extensive testing, we conclude that PrivadoVPN is the best free VPN service of 2022.

Other good free VPN providers are ProtonVPN, Hide.me, TunnelBear, Windscribe, and ZoogVPN, with each option having its own unique advantages and features.

Our top list of free VPNs can be summarized as follows:

  1. PrivadoVPN: Best free VPN for Windows and Mac users
  2. ProtonVPN: Best free VPN with unlimited data
  3. Hide.me: Best free VPN in terms of customer support
  4. Tunnelbear: Best free VPN if you’re looking for many server locations
  5. Windscribe: Best free VPN for fast connection speeds
  6. ZoogVPN: Best free VPN for FireTV

How did we determine our top six list?

First of all, it was important that there were no direct or hidden subscription costs. VPNs with free trials — but that automatically turn into a paid subscription — were not included in our list.

Additionally, we felt it was crucial that the VPNs we test don’t sell customer information to third parties.

When comparing various free VPN services, we also looked at encryption, data limits, speed caps, the number of simultaneous connections that are allowed, and the server locations.

Picking the best free VPN for you

Free VPNs often have a combination of different limiting factors regarding data, internet speeds, and server availability. In everyday practice, this doesn’t necessarily pose a problem. Which provider you pick is mainly a matter of personal preference.

Do you intend to use the VPN for streaming? Then it’s important to have reliable speed and a large amount of data available. Note that, when it comes to streaming, paid VPN services usually perform better because of their higher speeds and lack of data caps.

Regardless of your purpose for the VPN, you should try to find a free VPN service that has servers in your country and no speed cap. This can be difficult given the limited number of server locations most free VPNs offer, but it’s not impossible.

Below you will find some more in-depth information about the free VPNs on our top 6 list.


PrivadoVPN

1. PrivadoVPN – Best Free VPN for Windows and Mac users

PrivadoVPN is the best free VPN at this moment — a surprising newcomer with a great interface and user experience

FeaturePrivadoVPN free version performance
TorrentsAllowed
NetflixYes
Simultaneous connections1
Server locations12 locations in 8 countries
Data limit10 GB per month
Speed capNone
EncryptionAES 256-Bit
PriceCompletely free
WebsiteVisit PrivadoVPN website

PrivadoVPN promises to keep you private, and it excels at doing just that. Let us walk you through what we like and dislike about this free VPN.

Reasons to pick PrivadoVPN

Badge Editor's ChoiceThere are multiple reasons why this provider ended up at the top of the list. First of all, PrivadoVPN works with Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Android TV. PrivadoVPN also has a FireStick App so you can use this VPN on different smart TVs as well. Finally, it works with Netflix, which is uncommon (and therefore a huge plus) for a free VPN service.

With PrivadoVPN, torrenting poses absolutely no issue; we tried downloading several different torrents ourselves whilst connected to PrivadoVPN, and the process worked smoothly.

PrivadoVPN offers unlimited speeds as long as you stay within the monthly 10 GB data limit. Note that, after finishing your 10 GB of monthly data, you can still use PrivadoVPN. You’ll just be limited to one server and 1 Mbit speeds, but you’re still protected and anonymized.

Furthermore, considering it’s a free VPN, there are loads of server locations to choose from: Frankfurt, Zurich, Paris, London, Amsterdam, New York, Chicago, Washington, Miami, Los Angeles, Montreal, Mexico City, and Buenos Aires.

Lastly, PrivadoVPN Free also comes with an automatic kill switch. This is an essential security feature often found only in paid VPN services.

Does PrivadoVPN have any limitations?

There are a few limitations to keep in mind with PrivadoVPN. First of all, there is no dedicated Linux app.

Also, you can use PrivadoVPN’s free version only on one device at a time. Other than that, PrivadoVPN performed really well in our tests and has several impressive features you wouldn’t expect from a free service.

Verdict on PrivadoVPN

PrivadoVPN is, at this moment, our editor’s choice for the best free VPN. It has a beautiful app; it works intuitively; and it’s fast and user-friendly. A refreshing new player and one to keep an eye on.

Get PrivadoVPN for free


protonVPN banner

2. ProtonVPN – Best free VPN with unlimited data

ProtonVPN is the most well-known free VPN, ideal for those seeking a free VPN with unlimited data

FeatureProtonVPN free version performance
TorrentsNot allowed
NetflixNo
Simultaneous connections1
Server locations23 locations in 3 countries
Data limitNone
Speed cap“Medium speed”
EncryptionAES 256-Bit
PriceCompletely free
WebsiteVisit ProtonVPN website

ProtonVPN can justifiably be called one of the best free VPNs on the market. This popular provider from Switzerland offers user-friendly software and applications with good encryption.

Why choose the free version of ProtonVPN?

The free version of ProtonVPN has no data limits, which is unique amongst free VPN providers. It also doesn’t have any speed limits. This means you’re free to use this VPN as long as you want, for whatever you like to do online.

Another of ProtonVPN’s features is that that it functions well on all your devices. ProtonVPN works with Mac, Windows, Android, Android TV, iOS, Linux, Chromebook, and even certain routers.

Finally, ProtonVPN is a very safe provider. They are known for their focus on security and privacy, and this extends to their free service. As long as your VPN connection is activated, you’ll be protected.

Disadvantages of the free version of ProtonVPN

Although the free version of ProtonVPN doesn’t have a speed cap, it can be quite slow at times. This makes sense, considering how many people use the limited number of free ProtonVPN servers. Internet speeds can dip as the servers struggle to handle all the traffic. The ProtonVPN website also openly advertises the speed of their free VPN as “medium,” while all their paid subscriptions have “high speeds.”

Furthermore, ProtonVPN doesn’t support torrent downloads. This means you cannot download files from torrent sites when you are connected to a free ProtonVPN server. This free service also won’t be able to give you access to Netflix — you’ll have more luck unblocking foreign Netflix libraries with Proton’s premium servers.

The free version of ProtonVPN gives you access to servers in “only” three different countries: nine servers in the United States, three servers in Japan, and eleven in The Netherlands. This very limited selection of servers could be troublesome for some users.

You can use ProtonVPN for free on one device at a time. But seeing as it’s a free service you could theoretically register multiple accounts with different email addresses. This way you can protect every device you own with a separate ProtonVPN account.

Verdict on ProtonVPN

Our editorial team finds that ProtonVPN is currently one of the best free VPNs available. Aside from ProtonVPN’s free service, we have also reviewed the premium version of this provider.

Get ProtonVPN for free

hide.me logo

3. Hide.me – Best free VPN in terms of customer support

A trustworthy free VPN that allows torrents but denies access to Netflix

FeatureHide.me free version performance
TorrentsAllowed
NetflixDid not work in our tests
Simultaneous connections allowed1
Server locations5 locations
Data limit10GB per month
Speed capNone
EncryptionAES 256-Bit
PriceCompletely free
WebsiteVisit Hide.me website

Why choose the free VPN service from Hide.me?

Hide.me is a well-known name in the VPN landscape. This provider offers both paid and free subscription options. The free subscription gives you access to five servers in four countries: one in the Netherlands, Canada, and Germany, and two in the USA (East and West).

Hide.me is a zero-logs VPN. This means the provider doesn’t store any information regarding your internet activities, which is good news for the privacy-conscious. The free version of Hide.me also gives you 24/7 access to customer support.

In past years, Hide.me didn’t allow people to use the free version to download torrents. But this policy has changed, and free users can now in fact download via torrent sites. However, just keep in mind the monthly data limitations of 10GB when downloading.

There is no speed limit for free Hide.me users. Furthermore, the Hide.me app works on many operating systems, like Windows, iOS, Mac OS and Android, Linux, and Fire TV.

Operating systems that Hide.me works with

Operating systems that Hide.me works with

Disadvantages of the free version of Hide.me

Hide.me free VPN generally does not work with Netflix. We tested this ourselves in October 2021, and didn’t get to see any shows or films on Netflix. Likely, this is also the result of the recent changes in Netflix, which has decided to step up against VPN users.

Another drawback of the free version of Hide.me is that it has a data limit of 10 GB per month. If you want to stream, you will reach this data limit quite rapidly. In such cases, the free version of ProtonVPN might be a better pick. Alternatively, you could consider a cheap paid VPN option like NordVPN or Surfshark.

With Hide.me you’ll only be able to protect one device at a time. Like ProtonVPN, however, you can bypass this limitation by registering multiple accounts; one for every device you want to use Hide.me on.

Verdict on Hide.me

The free version of Hide.me will work well for most of your needs. There, however, is a data limit, which isn’t ideal for streaming or downloading.

Even though you get a lot more data than most competitors, 10 GB is still a relatively small amount. Unlike other services, though, Hide.me lets you torrent with their free VPN.

Get Hide.me for free

Tunnelbear logo

4. TunnelBear – Best free VPN if you’re looking for many server locations

TunnelBear is one of the most reliable providers offering a free VPN solution

FeatureTunnelBear free version performance
TorrentsNot allowed
NetflixDid not work in our tests
Simultaneous connections allowed5 locations
Server locations49 countries
Data limit500MB per month
Speed capNone
EncryptionAES 256-Bit
PriceCompletely free
WebsiteVisit TunnelBear website

What benefits does the free TunnelBear VPN application provide?

TunnelBear is another good option if you’re looking for a free VPN. The interface is clear, fun, and easy to use. The visual style is unique and very recognizable. The website is easy to navigate and the installation of TunnelBear software is quick and simple.

Additionally, security and encryption are up to par, and the free version of TunnelBear doesn’t cap speeds.

Even with its free version, TunnelBear allows you to choose from all of its available servers in countries like the USA, the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Japan, The Netherlands, Spain, France, Brazil, India, and Italy.

TunnelBear servers

We were able to view several different online streaming services whilst being connected to a TunnelBear server, including Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and YouTube. Netflix USA didn’t seem to work, however.

TunnelBear is available for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. Moreover, their free VPN can be used on multiple devices at the same time, just like their paid one.

This VPN provider has some limitations but is still a very good free VPN. If you want to download the free version, click “Pricing” at the top of their website, then select the free subscription.

Downsides of the free version of TunnelBear

The biggest disadvantage of using TunnelBear is the data limit, as you only get 500 MB per month. For everyday use, most people would surpass this data limit, especially when streaming videos.

You can add 1 GB of free data to this limit if you tweet about TunnelBear, — but the question is whether you’re willing to do this as a user looking for more online privacy.

The customer support is limited for free users. TunnelBear says on its website that paying customers can expect ‘priority customer support.’ This means you will be helped quickly and more efficiently in case you are facing any issue with TunnelBear.

And then there’s the issue of Tunnelbear not allowing P2P traffic on their servers, so we highly discourage torrenting via Tunnelbear’s servers.

Verdict on TunnelBear

The free version of TunnelBear is of high quality, but only suitable if you need a small amount of data. The unpaid package can suffice if you occasionally want to safely log into a public Wi-Fi network. This prevents you from falling victim to a hacker who is lurking on said public network.

Get Tunnelbear for free

Windscribe banner

5. Windscribe – Best free VPN for fast connection speeds

Decent free VPN that works with almost all operating systems and devices

FeatureWindscribe free version performance
TorrentsAllowed
NetflixDid not work in our tests
Simultaneous connections allowedUnlimited
Server locations10 countries
Data limit2GB to 10GB per month
Speed capNone
EncryptionAES 256-Bit
PriceCompletely free
WebsiteVisit Windscribe website

Why should you choose Windscribe’s free VPN?

Windscribe is one of the more well-known free VPNs we tested these past years. This service’s security measures seem of the highest level, even though news broke in July 2021 that some of their servers hadn’t been updated since 2018.

On which operating systems does Windsribe work? Well, basically, on all major operating systems. You can use Windscribe on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and even FireTV.

The free version of Windscribe has fewer options than the paid package. For free users, Windscribe provides 10 servers divided amongst different countries around the world. This is compared to the paid option, which lets you use more servers from up to 63 countries. Furthermore, the Windscribe servers are very fast.

Another advantage: you can use Windscribe on as many devices as you want. Pretty unique for a VPN that comes free of charge.

Windscribe: Limitations of this free VPN

This free VPN service has a data limit of 2 GB per month. However, if you choose to share your email address with Windscribe and verify your account, you get 10 GB a month.

Keep in mind that this is technically a payment: you pay with your email address and get more data in return. We think this is a bit odd. Likely, your email address is used for marketing purposes so that Windscribe can approach you by email and get you to upgrade to a paid subscription. Even when you manage to acquire 10 gigabytes of data, you’re likely to quickly burn through this after some days of internet use, especially when downloading or streaming.

Another downside of Windscribe is its usability. Windscribe’s software is not as easy to use as some of the other free VPN providers listed above. Most of the buttons in the software take you to your account page on their website. This is not as user-friendly as software that lets you edit certain settings from within the VPN application itself.

We were unable to get Netflix to work in combination with Windscribe. Torrents, however, were not an issue.

Verdict on Windscribe

The free VPN package of Windscribe is really solid. The speeds are great, although we do dislike the data limitations. Also, Windscribe isn’t a great pick for people who enjoy watching Netflix with their VPN.

Get Windscribe for free

Zoog banner

6. ZoogVPN – Best free VPN for FireTV

A free zero-logs VPN provider with a limited number of servers that can be used on one device at a time

FeatureZoogVPN free version performance
TorrentsAllowed
NetflixDid not work in our tests
Simultaneous connections allowed1
Server locations3 locations
Data limit10 GB to 50 GB per month
Speed capNone
Encryption128-Bit
PriceCompletely free
WebsiteVisit ZoogVPN website

Why should you choose ZoogVPN?

ZoogVPN offers users multiple encryption protocols. Free users can choose between IKEv2 and OpenVPN. Paying users have additional protocols to choose from. But for most users, OpenVPN will suffice, as this is a very suitable protocol for security and speed and is the standard among VPNs.

This VPN works on Windows, Mac, iOS, Linux, and Android devices. There’s also support for AndroidTV and FireTV.

When testing the free application of ZoogVPN, we discovered it even offers a kill switch functionality. This is a feature you can turn on and off, and it ensures that all internet traffic is interrupted whenever the secure VPN connection unexpectedly drops. The presence of a kill switch is pretty special for a free VPN and we felt that it is definitely a feature worth mentioning.

When should you avoid ZoogVPN? Some limitations of this provider

The big downside when it comes to ZoogVPN’s encryption is the 128-bit encryption instead of the AES 256-bit offered by other free VPNs. Why they would purposely choose to provide their free users with lesser encryption is lost on us.

If you have a free package with ZoogVPN, you can only use 3 servers in the entire server network. These servers are located in The Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. The free version can be used on just one device at a time. However, this is the case with most free VPN providers.

ZoogVPN has a data limit of 10 GB per month. You can add to this limit, but to do so, you’ll have to refer paying customers. Every paying customer you refer to ZoogVPN, will earn you an additional 5 GB of data, and you can earn up to 50 GB per month.

The VPN servers of ZoogVPN are quite fast, but when they are under heavier load, free users are the first to notice. When we tested ZoogVPN’s free servers in January 2022, Netflix did not seem to work.

Verdict on ZoogVPN

Even though ZoogVPN is not in the first position on our list, keep in mind that there are more than 300 free VPN options on the market. The fact that a provider is included in this list of best free VPN services means they meet a certain quality threshold. ZoogVPN does have its fair share of limitations, like every free product out there, but it remains a good choice for a free VPN.

Get ZoogVPN for free

Free VPN vs. Paid VPN

You need to be careful when using free VPN services. A study conducted a couple of years ago, which included over 300 free VPN applications, found that many free VPNs don’t protect your data properly. Access to all kinds of unnecessary sensitive information (such as your contacts, photos, and social media) is often requested. Some free providers even infect your device with spyware and other malware.

Many free VPN services are owned by Chinese companies, which might raise suspicions about their intentions and the level of safety and anonymity they actually provide. As we all make non-stop use of the internet these days, it’s worth using a good and reliable VPN service.

Paid VPN services will generally be more mindful of your privacy. They also offer a more advanced level of security, as well as many extra features.

For instance, connections tend to be much faster with paid VPNs. You’re allowed multiple simultaneous connections (to share your subscription with friends and family — or to use one account on both your laptop and your phone). You also have a higher chance of accessing free streaming services from abroad such as Netflix USA or BBC iPlayer. On top of that, you can safely download torrents without having to worry about data limits or fines.

Most of these features aren’t available with free services. What’s more, paid VPN subscriptions have become quite cheap — and they’re worth every penny. If you want to know which companies currently offer the best VPN services, have a look at our comprehensive top five best VPNs.

Cheap VPNs

There are large price differences between paid VPNs. Some premium VPN providers may shock you with their price tag, but luckily, there are several that offer very good VPN connections for low prices. Occasionally, a good cheap VPN turns out to be just as good, if not better, than a VPN with a higher monthly fee.

For just a few dollars a month, you can get a really good VPN and enjoy peace of mind regarding the safety of your internet connection and data. A good example of a great VPN that costs little is Surfshark.

Want to learn more about the different cheap VPNs out there? You can check out our article here:

Check out the best cheap VPNs

Free VPNs without Data Limits

As you’ve seen, most good free VPNs come with data limits. Free VPN users are restricted this way because maintaining VPN servers and VPN connections cost money. Data limits allow the provider to permit you to get to know their VPN service without it costing them too much money.

Nevertheless, there’s at least one free VPN without data limits: ProtonVPN. The free version of this VPN can be quite slow at times because all its free users are spread out over just three servers. When these servers get too crowded, your speed will go down. ProtonVPN hopes this makes lengthy use of its free services less attractive.

However, if slow speeds are not an issue for you (for example, if you don’t need your VPN for streaming), ProtonVPN is certainly worth considering.

A big downside to the data limits of free VPNs is that they’ll often keep you from watching an entire movie or TV show. When you are watching an online stream (e.g. on Netflix), you’ll hit the monthly data limit after about an hour or two. So, even if the speed of the connection isn’t an issue, your viewing pleasure will be short-lived.

Free VPNs Without Speed Caps

As most free VPNs already employ data limits, they don’t need to set speed caps. As a result, these VPNs are often just as fast as paid VPNs. Some free VPNs don’t actively set speed caps because their free servers are already slowed down by the large number of users.

Luckily, there are free providers that offer a relatively sizeable number of servers, such as TunnelBear and Windscribe. This means that, even though the VPN connection is free, speeds are still very decent. TunnelBear especially clearly demonstrates what a paid subscription would look like, as this VPN provider gives you access to all its servers, albeit with very limited data (500MB/month).

Free VPN For All Your Devices

Most good free VPNs offer software and apps that are compatible with common devices and operating systems. This means that such VPNs are easy to install on your computer, smartphone, tablet, and TV.

Some VPNs even offer software for lesser-used operating systems, making it possible to use a free VPN on Linux, for instance.

Best free VPN for your computer or Mac

Most free VPNs are available for Windows and Mac. There are three ways in which you could use a VPN on your computer:

  1. With a dedicated application for your operating system
  2. Through the settings of your operating system (built-in VPN support)
  3. Through a browser extension

Some VPNs are only available as a browser extension, such as for Chrome or Firefox. This means they do NOT protect your other internet traffic, including torrents and emailing. The only thing a VPN browser extension protects is the internet traffic running through your browser, such as online banking via your bank’s website.

Different operating systems require different kinds of VPN software. Linux users will often have a harder time setting up a VPN connection compared to Windows or Mac users. Setting up a VPN connection on Windows or Mac is usually just a matter of downloading and installing the provided software; Linux users often have to manually configure their VPN connection.

Free VPN for iOS and Android

VPN on mobileVPNs for smartphones are becoming more popular. Not only do we use our smartphones more and more, but we also connect them to unprotected Wi-Fi networks more often than we do with a computer. A free VPN definitely adds value for any smartphone user.

Nearly all good free VPNs offer applications for both Android and iOS. All free VPN providers we mention in our overview above offer free software for both Android and iOS. If you want to see how these VPNs perform specifically on the iPhone, check out our detailed review of the best free VPNs for the iPhone.

Free VPN for tablet

Smartphones are not the only devices running on Android and iOS: iPads and Android tablets do, too. It is just as easy to install and set up free VPN software on your tablet as it is on your phone. Using a VPN is ideal if you want to watch the American version of Netflix on your iPad, for example. Just as with smartphones, all free VPNs listed above have software for both iPads and Android tablets.

Free VPN server locations

Most free VPNs grant you access to a small sample of servers compared to their paid subscription. The exception being TunnelBear, which gives you access to their entire global network of servers.

Free VPNServer locations
PrivadoVPNThe United States, The Netherlands, Canada, Mexico, Switzerland, Germany, United Kingdom, Argentina and France
ProtonVPNThe US, The Netherlands, and Japan
Hide.meUnited States (East, West), The Netherlands, Germany, and Canada
TunnelBearAll of their global servers including the US and the UK
WindscribeUnited States, United Kingdom, The Netherlands, Canada, Hong Kong, France, Germany, Switzerland, Norway, and Romania
ZoogVPNThe US, The UK and, The Netherlands

Free VPNs you should avoid

There are also numerous free VPNs out there you should avoid. Many aim to track your data and sell it to others. Their usage harms your privacy instead of protects it.

Some free VPNs even sell your connection to other users. Usually, your bandwidth is given to premium users of the service, who in turn use your connection and IP address as their very own ‘VPN server.’

Below you’ll find an overview of some unsafe free VPNs that are relatively popular.

Free VPNWhy it’s best not to use it
HolaHola sells your bandwidth to paying users. This enables paying users to use your internet connection to access the web. As a result, your IP address could end up being connected to suspicious activities.
SuperVPNSuperVPN keeps track of your data to fulfill DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) requests. If you’re looking for a way to download anonymously, you’ll be better off with a different VPN.
Psiphon ProPsiphon Pro allows partner companies to track users. Also shares data with commercial partners, other partners, and the Psiphon Pro parent company. In other words, you’ll have a hard time staying anonymous with this VPN.
Touch VPNTouch VPN adds different types of trackers (cookies, pixel tags, web beacons) to a user’s browser and shares data with third parties.
BetternetBetternet allows advertisers, among other third parties, to track user data.
AnonyTunAnonyTun allows advertisers to place cookies and build user profiles.

These aren’t the only unsafe free VPN providers out there. Many VPNs in the App Store and on Google Play don’t have clear policies regarding data processing and privacy.

If you encounter such a VPN yourself, always be careful. Don’t assume you’ll be able to browse the internet anonymously with these VPNs. Feel free to let us know in the comments about other VPNs to avoid and help us further protect our visitors.

Conclusion: What is the Best Free VPN?

At the moment, the best all-round free VPN is PrivadoVPN. This provider is the absolute best choice when it comes to security and server network quality.

ProtonVPN is the best VPN if you’re looking for unlimited data, while Windscribe performs best when it comes to speed. TunnelBear is the most user-friendly free option.

The free VPN services recommended in this article generally support multiple platforms and operating systems. So, whether you’re looking for a free VPN for iPad, Android, or iPhone, the recommended VPN services should work for your device.

However, the moment you start using a free VPN regularly or for streaming, you will quickly run into data limits and speed caps. Similarly, you will often experience restrictions when you try to download shows and movies with a free VPN. In such cases, you’ll be much better off with a cheap paid VPN. Free VPNs are perfect for occasional use and when you only need limited data.

If you’re looking for a free VPN service, make sure to choose one of the trustworthy providers listed in this article — especially since many free VPN apps in the Play and App Store don’t work properly or are a threat to your privacy and security. Internet safety begins with a good VPN, and a bad VPN can have the opposite effect.

There are some new free VPN services on the market that we haven’t included in our top list yet. Some providers seem promising, but they can only be called “safe to use” after they have passed the test of time.

The table below contains the best free VPN providers of this moment, for specific purposes and criteria:

CriteriumBest free VPN option
SpeedWindscribe
DataProtonVPN
Server locationsTunnelBear
SafetyPrivadoVPN
Ease of usePrivadoVPN
The Best Free VPNs: Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have a question about free VPNs? Click on one of the frequently asked questions below to read the answer.

Many “free” VPNs do more harm than good and aren’t free at all. These VPN apps store and sell your personal information. In such a case, the VPN can’t actually be called free, as you pay with your data.

VPN providers that don’t do this and that offer very decent free versions include ProtonVPN, Windscribe, and TunnelBear. If you want to check out other truly free and safe VPN providers, take a look at our “Best Free VPN” article.

Because free VPNs often offer just a handful of servers, you won’t be able to watch Netflix with many of these services. Some free versions of VPNs — such as ProtonVPN and Zoog VPN — occasionally work with Netflix, but this isn’t guaranteed.

If you want unlimited access to Netflix with a VPN (to get access to American Netflix, for example), you’ll be better off with a good premium VPN.

Many free VPNs don’t do what they promise. Some won’t make you anonymous, and some will sell your private data to other companies or even install malware on your phone or computer.

If you want to use a free VPN, you should always make sure to pick a safe one. Click here for an overview of the best, safest free VPNs of this moment.

Some (free) VPNs earn their money by collecting your user data and selling it to other parties. In such cases, you may not pay money to use the VPN, but you do pay with your personal information instead.

Luckily, not all VPNs do this. ProtonVPN, for example, has a safe free version, the costs of which are covered by their premium service.

There are a number of good free VPNs that you can use safely, although they often have data or speed limits. Your personal preferences determine which one is best for you.

Do you want free protection with unlimited data? Then ProtonVPN might be a good choice.

If you’d rather have a free VPN with many server locations or high speeds, other options are a better fit. Read more about the best free VPNs here.

If you want to start using a free VPN, the most important consideration is your online security. Can the VPN be trusted? Be sure to look at the various features different free VPNs offer. Many free VPNs have a data or speed limit.

Don’t want to be bothered by these limits? Then it might be worthwhile to purchase a cheap premium VPN, such as Surfshark.

Cybersecurity analyst
David is a cybersecurity analyst and one of the founders of VPNoverview.com. Since 2014 he has been gaining international experience working with governments, NGOs, and the private sector as a cybersecurity and VPN expert and advisor.
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  1. There doesn’t seem to be a free option of Privado.vpn any longer it requires your credit card details

    • There is! If you follow the links on our website and click the orange button “Get PrivadoVPN,” you’ll be send to the pricing page. Take the option on the left (Free Plan), select it, and you’ll only have to add email address in order to create an account. No credit card details needed.

  2. PrivadoVPN editors choice??? guys please ..

    PrivadoVPN:
    – has NO Browser extension;
    – has NO Linux app;
    – has NO Anonymous payment method;

    PrivadoVPN uses cross-site tracking and logs your data.

    • When it comes to free VPNs, we indeed consider Privado a very decent option. The VPN itself has a strict “no logs” policy and works with RAM servers to ensure this. You’re correct that it currently doesn’t have a Linux app or browser extension, but its free version does allow access to Netflix and doesn’t work with speed limits. This provider isn’t our number 1 best VPN all around (currently, that would be NordVPN), but its free version is definitely worth considering, if you ask us!

  3. Misleading. Privado works with netflix but it can only open netflix originals which is also available in every region. Basically, it limits your netflix experience than allows you to watch exclusives of that region.

    • It’s true that the usual free version of Privado won’t (always) work with Netflix USA. Instead, you’ll only get to see the Netflix Originals, as you experienced. However, if you create a Privado account via the exclusive links on our site, you’ll be able to use PrivadoVPN Free to access Netflix USA anyway. A little present from us, to you 🙂

  4. I’ve just downloaded and am using PrivadoVPN now. However after checking my account in the settings menu, I found this;

    Current Plan: Freemium
    Expiration Date: 22 February 2022

    If this vpn is free, then why is there an expiration date attached to it or am I missing something?
    Thank you.

    • It does look a little odd, but there’s a good reason for this. The expiration date is there because of the data limit that comes with the free version of PrivadoVPN. Until 22 February, you’ll have 10GB of data to “spend” by using the VPN. On 22 February (or possibly the 23rd) this will be renewed and you’ll have another 10GB to use for the following 30 days. The VPN will still be free, unless you choose to upgrade to Premium.

  5. Thanks for your review on free VPN’s David Janssen.
    PrivadoVPN seems to be the right choice for me.

    Fingers crossed!

    • We’re happy to help! We hope you’ll continue to enjoy your experience with PrivadoVPN!

  6. Proton was very hard to install and use on Linux.

    I found that the free connection the first two weeks beginning worked well. But when I checked some 2 weeks later, my original internet address was NOT HIDDEN.
    So I cancelled their service as soon as possible.
    So my advice is to check regularly if the IP address is really changed…!

    • Thank you for your comment! I’m sorry to hear you found that Proton didn’t work as you wanted it to. Was the connection active when you checked? If it’s active it should hide your IP address, but, unless you’ve set the VPN so it auto-connects on startup, you will have to reconnect to a VPN server every time you start up your system.

  7. None of these VPNs are “completely free” from what I experienced. I found that ALL of them have restrictions on data and also they will not function in the free mode once the data cap is reached. If one is on the internet all day, you could reach the 10GB cap in one or two days as I did. Some that don’t have the data cap have the 30 day free trial. It may be helpful if the author defines what “completely free” means at the beginning of the article.

    • The article does state that you might run into data caps or speed limits. However, using these VPNs is free within those limits.

  8. Hi, l am from Nigeria which vpn is free in Nigeria

    • We haven’t tested these in Nigeria specifically, but, in theory, they should all work. Maybe one of our other readers has the definitive answer.

  9. I would stay away from Surfshark! I recently contracted their services, but they have a mess with their IP addresses in South America, and who knows where else. For instance, trying to connect to Chile, it will take you to Germany. Go figure. Cheap but very unreliable and misleading. Have no choice but to get my money back.

    • We’re sorry to hear your experience with Surfshark wasn’t as good as ours. Maybe one of the free VPNs suits you better? If not, you can always try CyberGhost. It’s cheaper than Surfshark, and a lot of our readers have had a positive experience with this provider.

  10. Proton saves IP info. They recently gave it to authorities upon request. (ProtonMail deletes ‘we don’t log your IP’ boast from website after French climate activist reportedly arrested)

    • So far, ProtonMail has been observed to log this IP-info. However, ProtonMail and ProtonVPN are two separate services. We have written about the data handed over by ProtonMail, but, so far, there has not been any indication that ProtonVPN has logged this data. If that changes, we will be sure to adjust our articles accordingly.

  11. Hi, I live in Iran. What vpn program do you suggest that has a good speed ??

    • We didn’t specifically test any VPNs in Iran yet, but maybe one of our readers has the answer for you.

  12. I need a free VPN with Asian servers. All the VPNs which have Asian servers like China are very slow.

    • Some free VPNs have servers in Japan. However, if you’re specifically looking for servers in China, that is going to be hard to find with trustworthy free VPNs.

  13. The free version of proton vpn DOES NOT PROVIDE PRIVACY. It clearly states that when selecting a subscription. You’re just saying what we want to hear so you can profit from your affiliation.

    • I don’t know where you get this idea from. Could you specify the exact words on the ProtonVPN website that make you conclude that the free version of ProtonVPN does not provide privacy? The free version is limited in terms of server numbers and streaming capabilities, and you don’t get multi-hop VPN. But you still get access to a couple of decent, no-logs VPN servers and there is no reason to assume your privacy is not protected.

  14. Outdated information. Hide.me isn’t free anymore.

    • Hide.me does indeed offer a paid version of their service. However, they also still have a free version, which you can find on their website. This free version doesn’t have unlimited access: it comes with a data limit, a limited server network, and less options than the paid version.

      • I don’t know about Windows or Mac, but none of their Linux options for free VPN work at hide.me – they draw you in with the “hey, try out our free VPN then if you like it you can upgrade” bait, then after you join for the free account to try it out none of the instructions (they have like 3 different ways you can go about it for Linux) problem is, NONE of them work!!! Then, when you click on the link to go to download the open VPN config files, it lists one free server, and it’s just a website address – with no config info – and how am I going to test out a VPN for all my programs using just a website? You can’t. Ah, but wait, there’s an OPTION that takes care of that – and RIGHT QUICK like. Know what it is? I’ll save you the trouble of guessing. It is to click on a link, and Upgrade to a paid account !!! TOTAL and COMPLETE rip-off !!!

        • We’re sorry to hear you’ve been having so many issues with the free version of hide.me! We contacted their support, and they let us know that their free version doesn’t allow for OpenVPN configuration – those files are only available for premium users, unfortunately. You can, however, set up IKEv2 on Linux (Ubuntu) by following these steps: IKEv2 on Linux step-by-step. Just make sure you change right=nl.hide.me to right=free-unlimited.hideservers.netenter in step 1 and use your own username in step 3. We hope this helps!

  15. The list of top best free VPN services is great. Thanks for sharing valuable information with us. I will definitely try one of them.

    • We’re glad to hear it! Good luck with your VPN!

  16. Pls do a review on Atlas VPN, I think it is a new gem in the market! You don’t even have to register for it, and it claims that it doesn’t collect any logs. It sounds a little too good to be true, so any professional insight would be appreciated!

    • We’re working on it and will likely have the review up this week! For now, however, we should warn you that, while Atlas VPN doesn’t save information on the websites you visit, it does log your IP address. In other words, while it is a very decent VPN with a free version, we wouldn’t recommend you use it if you want to be completely anonymous online.

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