The best free VPNs for cybersecurity and streaming

Take your pick without spending a penny.

By Joseph Green

July 24, 2023

The best free VPNs for cybersecurity and streaming

NordVPN

Best For Security

One of the most popular services for securing your online activities.

Pros & Cons

CyberGhost VPN

Best For Newbies

CyberGhost combines usability with unique tools and powerful features.

Pros & Cons

PureVPN

Best For Globetrotters

PureVPN is a strong option with a diverse selection of servers that should appeal to those that travel far and wide.

Pros & Cons

Surfshark

Best For Multiple Devices

Surfshark offers an unlimited number of simultaneous connections to you can securely stream on all your devices.

Pros & Cons

TunnelBear

Best For Interface

One of a small number of providers that offers a truly free VPN service.

Pros & Cons

ExpressVPN

Best For Streaming

Strong distribution of servers and a slick interface make up for higher price.

Pros & Cons

ProtonVPN

Best For Free

ProtonVPN is arguably the best free VPN out there.

Pros & Cons

How can you best protect your identity and data when you're navigating the online world? The simple answer is with a virtual private network, or VPN. That's the easy part covered, but how do you select a VPN that works for you and your lifestyle? That's a trickier question.

We know the decision process can be tough, so we've tried to help you out. Based on customer reviews, we have compared the best VPNs to help you find something that ticks all of your boxes. But first, we should talk about what these services actually offer, and why you should consider signing up.

What is a VPN?

A VPN is a connection method used to add security and privacy to private and public networks. VPNs are becoming increasingly popular as cybersecurity becomes a priority. A VPN improves online privacy because the user's IP address is replaced with one from the VPN provider. Those subscribed to a VPN can obtain an IP address from any gateway location the VPN service provides.

If this all sounds a little complicated, try thinking about a VPN as an encrypted tunnel through which all of your online traffic passes through. Nobody can see into the tunnel, and everything inside the tunnel is protected against online threats like viruses, hackers, and malware

Do you need a VPN?

Without a VPN you are basically cruising the online world naked, baring all to the world. A VPN keeps you covered up by hiding/changing your IP address, hiding your location, and encrypting your data transfers

VPNs are primarily designed to provide online security, but that's not all. Millions of people use these services to stream more content from around the world. By hiding your IP address and connecting you to a server in another location, you can trick leading streaming services into thinking that you are based in a different country. This means you can bypass content restrictions to watch all extra shows and movies from global libraries.

So the two key benefits to using a VPN are cybersecurity and streaming.

Should you use free VPNs?

The final question that's important to consider is whether you need to pay for a VPN. The answer really depends on your priorities. A free VPN is generally going to lack the most advanced features. A paid VPN will tend to offer faster connection speeds, servers in more locations, and better customer support (but not always). If anonymity is top of your list of priorities however, then a free VPN may be the better option as a free VPN provider won’t usually ask you to sign up to use its service.

It's important to carefully research the wide selection of free and paid VPNs before making any decision. Whether you need to pay for a service or go with the free option comes down to what you need from your VPN. Data limits are another stumbling block when it comes to a free service, so if this doesn’t bother you, go right ahead. If you do however need more data, more locations, and more servers from your VPN, then a paid service is the solution.

It's also worth noting that pretty much all of the best VPNs offer money-back guarantees, so if you're sneaky, you can work this system and use these services for a limited amount of time without fully committing with your cash. We don't recommend this tactic, but you can use the best VPNs for free if you cancel your subscription before the guarantee period comes to an end.

What is the best free VPN?

Before making your selection, you should think carefully about what you want from a VPN and which aspect of the service you want to prioritise. Once you've given that some thought, we recommend checking out the options we have lined up, including popular services like NordVPN, CyberGhost VPN, and ExpressVPN.

There is something for everyone and every budget in this list. All of these VPNs offer free trials or money-back guarantees, but we've also highlighted the cost of subscribing in case you're tempted to upgrade.

These are the best free VPNs in 2023.

NordVPN

Best For Security

The good

Money-back guarantee Number of servers No ads

The Bad

On the pricier side

The Bottomline

One of the most popular services on the market, due to large number of servers and high degree of privacy.

Specs

1 year plan: £5.35/month
1-year plan: £3.64/month
2 year plan: £3.05/month
2-year plan: £2.91/month
3 year plan: £2.29/month
Annual plan: $4.99/month (billed $59.88 for your first two years, then $99.48/year thereafter)
Monthly: £10.39/month
Monthly (Complete plan): $14.19/month
Monthly (Plus plan): $12.89/month
Monthly (Standard plan): $11.99/month
Monthly plan: $11.99/month
One year: £5.66/month
One-year plan: £3.99/month
Three-year plan: £2.82/month
Two years: £4.04/month
Two-year plan: £3.19/month

NordVPN is one of the most popular services for securing your online activities. NordVPN now has almost 5000 servers around the world, making it one of the largest services in the world, too.

Privacy is a major issue when it comes to VPNs, and NordVPN makes all the right noises about keeping your information private. NordVPN states that the company does not insert ads into your web traffic, and doesn’t profit from the sale of user data. On top of that, NordVPN only collects aggregated app-crash statistics and voluntary diagnostic data, meaning that the service doesn’t collect any personally identifiable information. Good news.

NordVPN is consistent across every platform on which it's offered, and includes ad blocking as an added bonus. You can also connect up to six devices at the same time.

Even if NordVPN doesn’t work out for you, they have a 30-day money-back guarantee. So you are completely covered either way. You can either be impressed with the service, and continue with your plan, or — if you don’t like what NordVPN offers — you can get out for free.

CyberGhost VPN

Best For Newbies

The good

Easy to use Good value No restrictions on browsing Generous money-back guarantee

The Bad

No free version Not as many servers as NordVPN

The Bottomline

CyberGhost could be the best option if you're new to the VPN game, and want an easy to use service with a strong set of features.

Specs

1 year plan: £4.59/month
1-year plan: £3.45/month
2 year plan: £3.09/month
2-year plan: £2.98/month
3 year plan: £2.10/month
3-year plan: £1.59/month
Jurisdiction: Romania
Kill switch: Yes
Money-back guarantee: Yes (14 days with monthly plans, 45 days with long-term plans, ); free 24-hour trial
Monthly: £10.89/month
Monthly plan: $12.99/month
Most recent external audit: 2022
Network size: Over 9,100 servers in 91 countries
One-year plan: $4.29/month (billed $51.48 every year)
Pricing: $2.11-$12.99/month
Simultaneous connections: 7
Six-month plan: £6.19/month
Split tunneling: Yes, but only for Android
Support options: Live chat, online support center
Three-year plan: £2.10/month
Three-year plan + 3 months: $2.29/month (billed $89.31 every three years)
Three-year plan + three months for free: £1.59 per month
Two-year plan: £1.92/month

CyberGhost is a VPN that combines a lot of the essentials that you want from a service. It’s available in loads of locations, it’s not restrictive, and it’s discreet. CyberGhost hosts over 4500 servers in 90 locations across over 60 different countries. This makes CyberGhost a preferred VPN for those that travel the world for business or pleasure. It doesn't place restrictions on browsing habits, so users benefit from unlimited traffic and bandwidth. CyberGhost utilises 256-AES bit encryption to protect your payment info from cyber-criminals and hide your browsing data from ISPs. So you can rest assured that your sensitive data is secure. CyberGhost is one of the leading VPNs because it is able to combine usability with unique tools and powerful features, as well as a privacy policy that protects customers. In a nutshell, it does what a VPN should, without the unnecessary frills that sometimes populate other services. There is not a free service, but CyberGhost can usually be picked up for just £2.10 a month, depending on what deal is being offered. If the price is currently too high for you, then chances are CyberGhost will offer a special discounted price soon enough. If you do take the plunge on CyberGhost, then rest assured that, just like NordVPN, you do get a 45-day money back guarantee.

PureVPN

Best For Globetrotters

The good

Strong network of servers Dedicated IP

The Bad

Not the absolute fastest

The Bottomline

Not the fastest service but a solid all-around option for those that want a VPN without any major weaknesses that would get in the way of your movie marathon

Specs

1-year plan: £4.25/month
2-year plan: 2.46/month
Monthly: £8.37/month
Monthly plan: £8.30/month
One-year: £2/month
One-year plan: £2.86/month
Two-year plan: £1.75/month

When looking for a VPN that will keep you connected to all the content that the Fire Stick potentially provides, Pure VPN ticks an awful lot of boxes.

PureVPN has a strong network of geographically diverse servers, a dedicated IP, and a strong privacy policy. So the key message is that this VPN boasts an outstanding network of international servers so you can keep watching your favourite series wherever you may be. Ideal for those that get around the globe.

It isn't all perfect. PureVPN is not the fastest VPN out there, but it is faster than most, and is definitely fast enough for most users to stay connected and enjoy the Fire Stick content buffer-free.

Overall, PureVPN is a serious option for anyone wanting to enjoy all of Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, and Netflix, without being blocked. It's one of the best VPNs thanks to its mix of competitive performance, polished design, and diverse server locations.

Surfshark

Best For Multiple Devices

The good

Unlimited number of connections User-friendly interface Cheap if you commit

The Bad

Pricey if you can't commit to a two-year deal

The Bottomline

User-friendly VPN that lets you stream on all your devices at the same time.

Specs

Monthly: £9.90/month
One month: $12.95
One year: $3.99/month
One-year plan: £3.05/month
Six-month plan: £4.75/month
Two years: $2.30/month
Two-year plan: £1.76/month
Two-year plan + three months for free: £1.64 per month

Surfshark is one of the best VPNs for streaming and large households, as you can connect an unlimited number of devices simultaneously with the same plan. Surfshark also offers a wide range of impressive features including split tunnelling and enterprise-grade infrastructure, with a 30-day money-back guarantee meaning you can access everything for free. Just don't forget to cancel your subscription if you're using this method. If you choose to commit to Surfshark, the best rates are reserved for the longest contracts. If you're willing to commit to a longer contract, the monthly rate comes down sharply.

TunnelBear

Best For Interface

The good

Free version Improved privacy Fun interface (bears)

The Bad

Data is restricted in free version

The Bottomline

Probably the best free service out there, but this version of TunnelBear does restrict users.

Specs

1 year plan: £3.92/month
1-year plan: £3.77/month
2 year plan: £3.28/month
2-year plan: £3.15/month
Monthly: £7.78/month
Monthly plan: £7.55/month
Monthly Unlimited plan: $9.99/month
One-year plan: £3.89/month
One-year Unlimited plan: $4.99/month (billed $59.88 every 12 months)
Three-year plan: £2.59/month
Three-year Unlimited plan: $3.33/month ($120 billed once)
Two-year plan: £3.41/month

TunnelBear is one of a small number of providers that offers a truly free VPN service. Before you get too excited, though, the free version of TunnelBear does restrict users to only 500MB of data per month. While it’s great to get something for nothing, it’s worth assessing whether 500MB is enough data for your online needs. You can earn more data by selling your Twitter soul and tweeting about the company, which can raise your limit to 1GB for one month. This isn’t a long-term solution, however, and you may find yourself glancing at the paid options, particularly if you find TunnelBear to be a usable service. The paid-for plan removes the restrictions associated with the free plan, such as the download limit, the numbers of available locations, and the amount of connected devices. It’s also worth noting that TunnelBear has cranked up its privacy policy, so the VPN now collects even less data on users. TunnelBear has removed the need to supply a first name to sign up, and ditched its record of a user’s number of total lifetime connections. Great news for those who prioritise anonymity.

ExpressVPN

Best For Streaming

The good

Servers in China, Russia, and Turkey Lots of servers Multi-device support Money-back guarantee

The Bad

Relatively expensive Only three simultaneous connections

The Bottomline

It might be on the pricey side, but ExpressVPN offers a selection of high-end features to keep you protected.

Specs

15 month plan: £5.24/month
15-month plan: £5.25/month
6 month plan: £7.85/month
6-month plan: £7.44/month
Annual plan: $8.32/month (billed $99.95 every 12 months)
Jurisdiction: British Virgin Islands
Kill switch: Yes ("Network Lock")
Money-back guarantee: Yes (30 days)
Monthly: £10.19/month
Monthly plan: $12.95/month
Most recent external audit: 2022
Network size: 94 countries
One-year plan: £5.05/month
One-year plan + three months for free: £5.13 per month
Pricing: $6.67-$12.95/month
Simultaneous connections: 5
Six-month plan: £7.86/month
Split tunneling: Yes
Support options: 24/7 live chat, email, online support center

ExpressVPN is relatively expensive compared to its competitors, so is it worth the extra cost? Well it has a really strong distribution of servers and a slick interface, plus it allows BitTorrent and other P2P services — so maybe, yes. ExpressVPN has over 1,000 servers in 145 locations, covering 94 countries. This list includes China, Russia, and Turkey, three countries that have notably repressive control over the internet. So that’s a pretty impressive feather in their hat. It’s not all good news, though; ExpressVPN does limit you to three simultaneous connections from different devices. Other services generally offer slightly more than this. However, three connections is probably plenty for one user. If you are using a VPN for a household, though, then another service may be better suited. ExpressVPN has all the essentials covered. This service includes multi-device support, a lot of servers, good geographic distribution, BitTorrent support, and a nice interface. It is however a little more expensive than some, at around £10 a month (or around £5 if you commit to 15 months), and it doesn't offer nearly as many simultaneous connections as cheaper alternatives. It’s a strong VPN, so the extra cost may be worthwhile. There is no free trial available, but there is a 30-day money back guarantee. So once again, you are protected against disappointment.

ProtonVPN

Best For Free

The good

Comprehensive free version Swiss privacy laws Premium security features

The Bad

Free version can't unblock streaming sites

The Bottomline

ProtonVPN offers an impressive free version backed up by a strong privacy stance, but streamers should upgrade.

Specs

Monthly: £9.87/month
One-year plan: £5.15/month
Proton VPN Free: One device, unlimited data
Proton VPN Plus (monthly): $9.99/month
Proton VPN Plus (two years): $4.99/month
Proton VPN Plus (yearly): $5.99/month
Two-year plan: £4.29/month

ProtonVPN is great when it comes to privacy because it's based in Switzerland. It is outside of both US and EU legislation as well as removed from the 5/8/14-Eyes Alliance, which means your data is safe. The only information that's stored is your login timestamp, which is overwritten every time you make a new login attempt. That's reassuring news for anyone worried about being traced. ProtonVPN is a dependable VPN even if connection speeds are not quite as fast as other top names. There's still room for typical features, such as AES-256 encryption, an automatic kill-switch, and DNS leak protection. ProtonVPN also offers a free service without a time limit. You do get other types of limitations, but it still gives you a chance to sample the service without spending a penny.