Best free VPN services of 2024 − the complete guide

Even the best free virtual private networks (VPNs) come with various caveats, but they can be trusted to encrypt your data effectively while offering a basic feature set. We’ll take you through our top free VPNs for 2024. 

Some of the best VPNs – and the best cheap VPNs – can mask IP addresses, encrypt online data and conceal private information, making them essential for anyone who values high levels of online security. 

VPNs can be expensive investments, which is why you may consider trying out a free VPN. Though these options may be tempting, free VPNs differ from their paid counterparts, most commonly in terms of bandwidth, features, and server availability. Some unreliable VPNs can also lack secure encryption, sell customer data to third parties, and even expose users to dangerous malware. 

On the other hand, some of the best free VPNs are an ideal short-term solution in certain circumstances, such as when you’re using public wifi. If you’re travelling abroad and want to access region-restricted content or engage with blocked online applications, such as banking apps, a reputable free VPN can provide a much-needed layer of security.

According to my research and our extensive testing of each provider, I’ve picked these services as our top best free VPNs:

1. Proton VPN: Best overall free VPN
2. PrivadoVPN: Fastest free VPN 
3. Windscribe: Best free VPN for torrenting
4. Hide.me: Best free VPN app experience
5. TunnelBear Free: Best free VPN server network
6. Hotspot Shield Free: Best free VPN for web browsing

Why we recommend using a paid VPN

I’ve gone into detail when discussing each of the top free VPNs below, but it’s worth remembering that even the best free services pale in comparison to paid providers. As such, if you’re hoping for a good deal, or would prefer to spend no money if possible, it might be better to make use of a VPN money-back guarantee.

Most reputable providers will allow the user to test the service for 30 days, thanks to a simple refund policy. This includes the likes of NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark, and many more. You will have to pay for a subscription upfront, but I’ve never had an issue with getting my money back from any of the major services.

If you like the look of Proton VPN or PrivadoVPN, both come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. This can be helpful if you’re in need of streaming support, or the full range of features on offer with a paid version of the app.

The best paid VPNs in 2024

If you need to secure your data quickly, and don’t want to jump through the many hoops that come with free VPNs, then these are our recommendations for the best paid providers on the market. They all come with a 30-day money back guarantee, so you can test them out risk-free. Thus, they can also be seen as free VPNs, as long as you remember to cancel your subscription within a 30-day period.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours reviewing and testing over 70 VPN services in terms of their speed, performance, security, privacy features, and affordability. We also detail what you should look out for when signing up for a VPN, and all the latest VPN news, so you can stay up to date and pick the best VPN for your needs. To find out more about the process, read our article on how we review VPNs.

In this instance, we’ve prioritised free VPNs that can be trusted to look after your personal data.

We’ve taken another look at the free VPN providers that make up our list, updating their stats, including server numbers and key features. We’ve also added new images, reflecting what to expect from each service as of June 2024. Additionally, we’ve added more information relating to the latest round of streaming tests for each VPN.

Data limit: Unlimited | Number of servers: 22 | Number of locations: 5 | Maximum number of connected devices: 1 | AES-256: Yes | No-log policy: Yes | Audited no-log policy: Yes | Headquarters: Switzerland

Just like the paid edition, Proton VPN Free comes with a strict no-logs policy that has been audited by a trusted third party (Securitum), so we know it’s good for its word. Its headquarters are in Switzerland, which has stringent privacy-focused data laws, so any information that is retained will be safe from prying eyes. 

On that basis alone, it’s a step ahead from a privacy perspective. It’s tough to find an audited free VPN offering unlimited bandwidth, even if there are some caveats to consider. For instance, free Proton servers are prone to slower speeds, often due to overuse. Proton VPN is brilliant at accessing streaming sites, but you won’t find support for popular platforms while connected to its free VPN servers. You’ll be assigned to one of the free server locations at random, with the option to switch again every 90 seconds.

AES-256 encryption is provided as standard by Proton VPN, and it uses OpenVPN (UDP and TCP) and WireGuard protocols.

Proton VPN Free is one of the few free VPNs to offer unlimited data, which is a huge plus. Most free VPNs limit bandwidth to a few gigabytes per month, while some will let you boost your allowance through either promoting them on your social media channels or signing up with an email address. Not so with Proton VPN Free – unlimited data really is a major advantage over its rivals.

You’ll be able to connect to free servers in the Netherlands, Japan, Romania, Poland, and the United States, rather than the 6,300+ servers and 100 countries found worldwide with the full-fat version of Proton VPN. In any case, Proton’s free VPN server speeds were highly impressive:

There are plenty of features, which are, pleasingly, unlocked for free users, such as the ability to create different profiles for different use-cases. For example, you might want to download a file via a torrent, so you can customise your connection for peer-to-peer (P2P), choose the VPN protocol and the server you want to connect to – just one of the reasons Proton is also one of our picks for the best VPNs for torrenting. 

As with every free provider listed here, it pales in comparison to the full-fat paid Proton VPN version. Regardless, Proton VPN is a viable selection for anyone in need of an audited free VPN with no bandwidth limits.

• Security and privacy – there’s no real difference between the paid and free versions of Proton VPN when factoring in for an audited no-logs policy. You will be missing out on some advanced features with the free version, but you won’t have to worry about your data being sold to third-parties. 

Score: (5/5)

• Speeds – speeds are often comparable to premium alternatives, so it’s a good result for Proton VPN’s free servers. For example, Proton VPN’s free US servers saw speeds of 279 Mbps during the latest round of testing. It’s exceptionally fast for a free VPN location.

Score: (5/5)

• Free servers – Previously, there weren’t many free Proton VPN server locations to choose from. You’ll now be able to connect to free servers found in the Netherlands, Japan, Romania, Poland, and the United States. It’s a reasonably robust selection for a free tier. 

Score: (4/5) 

• Streaming access – streaming access is a no-go, although you’ll be able to use a long list of geo-restricted services with paid servers. In comparison, the paid version of Proton VPN received full marks during my streaming tests, accessing everything from Sky Go to BBC iPlayer without breaking a sweat.

Score: (1/5)

• Caps and limitations – You won’t be able to stream with the free version of Proton VPN, but you won’t have to worry about the prospect of a data cap on the horizon. 

Score: (4/5) 

Overall score: 19/25

Read our full Proton VPN free review.

Data limit: 10GB per month | Number of servers: 12 | Number of locations: 10 | Maximum number of connected devices: 1 | AES-256: Yes | No-log policy: Yes | Audited no-log policy: No | Headquarters: Switzerland

PrivadoVPN was previously the fastest free provider during testing, so it’s worth considering if you need access to the speedy servers. It recorded 92 Mbps when connected to UK servers, so you wouldn’t know it’s a free VPN if not for the prospect of a data cap on the horizon. Meanwhile, US server speeds in excess of 224 Mbps are comparable to the best paid VPNs.

In terms of bandwidth, you’ll get 10GB of data per month with PrivadoVPN. Clearly, an unlimited amount of data would be ideal, but 10GB is decent, as long as you’re not planning to do much browsing or – especially – streaming video or music. Of course, you’re also likely to reach the free data cap more quickly due to decent connection speeds. 

PrivadoVPN Free has a no-logs policy, although it has not been audited by a third party as of yet. A lack of a no-logs audit is definitely a cause for concern in terms of privacy and security.

It offers three options for encryption: IKEv2, WireGuard, and OpenVPN (both UDP and TCP protocols). Like Proton VPN, Privado is headquartered in Switzerland, so user data is protected under Swiss law, and doesn’t come under EU (or US) jurisdiction.

Free PrivadoVPN users get access to servers in 12 cities. In comparison, paid Privado users benefit from unlimited data, faster speeds, and a range of 800+ servers found in 49 countries. 

You’ll be free to stream with all servers, and PrivadoVPN can access popular platforms like BBC iPlayer without breaking a sweat. You’ll also have access to an ad-blocker, a SOCKS5 proxy, and the ability to use the VPN with up to 10 devices at the same time. 

A capped data limit and a lack of an audit are what prevents PrivadoVPN from taking the top spot. You’ll still benefit from 13+ speedy servers, and it could be a viable solution for anyone who doesn’t use much bandwidth. If streaming is your primary reason to get a VPN, then you’ll need to invest in a premium option – and if you like the look of PrivadoVPN, its paid version gets decent marks from us too.

• Security and privacy – there are various notable security and privacy features, including sturdy AES-256 encryption, As I’ve mentioned above, a lack of an audited no-logs policy is a downside. It’s not necessarily fair to expect budget providers to pay for expensive yearly audits, but there are better options available in this respect.

Score: (3/5) 

• Speeds – speeds are decent, even if local VPN servers in the UK were somewhat slower than international locations. In any case, it’s a respectable result for a free VPN.  

Score: (4/5)

• Free servers – 13 free VPN server locations is a solid selection to pick from, including locations in the UK itself. It’s especially generous compared to some providers that only offer a couple of servers to pick from.

Score: (4/5)

• Streaming access – you’ll be able to stream with free PrivadoVPN servers, so it’s great if you’d like to test it out before committing to a paid plan. It worked well with BBC iPlayer as seen below, but struggled with the likes of ITV X.

Score: (4/5)

• Caps and limitations – the vast majority of free VPN tiers tend to limit data, while Privado is no exception. 10GB of data per month is above average for the industry, although it is likely to run out sooner rather than later. 

Score: (4/5)

Overall score: 19/25

Read our full PrivadoVPN free review.

Data limit: 2GB – 15GB per month | Number of servers: 12 | Number of locations: 11 | Maximum number of connected devices: 1 | AES-256: Yes | No-log policy: Yes | Audited no-log policy: No | Headquarters: Canada

Windscribe has a decent free VPN tier with a large data cap and streaming support as standard. You’ll find free servers in 11 countries, and you’ll be able to connect with as many devices as you like using the same freemium account. 

On the surface, 15GB of data might seem like a relatively generous allocation, but that upper end comes with conditions. You’ll get 2GB when you sign up for Windscribe Free, which you can increase to 10GB by confirming your email address. A further 5GB bump requires you to send a tweet about the service, and you’ll need at least three followers to qualify. 

In other words, it’s a hassle, especially when compared to similar freemium services. It’s also not great from a privacy point of view if you have to use social media to get a higher data allowance, but some users may find it helpful. As for the reason why, I’d assume it’s to stop users from gaming the system for endless free bandwidth. 

Performance was decent while connected to free UK VPN servers, and we recorded download speeds of 70 Mbps. It’s good enough for 4K streaming, even if the data cap means it won’t work as a long-term solution.

Windscribe’s free VPN is a fair choice, but it’s in a clear third place on this list. Its servers test well, especially for local use. However, its basic data allocation is very small (just 2GB) even if it is easily upgradable to a decent amount with email verification. On the other hand, ideally you wouldn’t need to hand over an email address that can be linked to the user, as it’s not great for anonymity. 

In terms of privacy, we would definitely recommend a VPN with an audited no-log policy, so Windscribe falls short here. Unlike the free versions of Proton and Hide.me, it’s possible to stream video content with Windscribe, but you’ll fare better with premium servers. 

As with the others, you’ll need a paid VPN account if you want to access most features – Windscribe’s premium version offers faster speeds along with servers in upwards of 69 countries. 

• Security and privacy – there’s no audit, but Windscribe is one of the few independently owned VPNs on the market, and is especially transparent. It comes with a no-logs policy, and only stores ‘when you last used Windscribe as well as the total amount of data used in a 30 day period’. 

Score: (3/5)

• Speeds – speeds are respectable, especially for free server locations dotted around the globe. Results were doubled for the latest round of speed tests for Windscribe’s paid VPN servers. 

Score: (4/5)

• Free servers – a selection of 11 free VPN server locations includes Canada, the USA, the UK, Turkey, Hong Kong, and Germany. A full list can be found here. 

Score: (4/5)

• Streaming access – you’ll be able to stream with free servers, but you’ll have an improved experience with the paid version. Regardless, it works well if you need a Netflix VPN. During my tests, it worked well with everything aside from Paramount.

Score: (4/5) 

• Caps and limitations – a data cap of 2GB is miniscule, although it can be upped to 15GB if you’re willing to jump through a few hoops. 

Score: (3/5)

Overall score: 18/25

Read our full Windscribe free VPN review.

Windscribe is a capable provider that scores well in most respects, with the main differences between the free and paid version being available bandwidth and server numbers. You’ll be able to connect with an unlimited number of devices at the same time, and there’s coverage in 134+ cities. Once again, the paid tier makes an appearance as one of our best cheap VPNs, offering the ability to put together a custom plan for a low monthly fee. 

Today’s best Windscribe deals

Windscribe 12 month £4.54 /Month

£4.54 /Month

Windscribe 1 month £7.11 /Month

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Data limit: 2GB per month | Number of servers: 5,000+ | Number of locations: 45 | Maximum number of connected devices: Unlimited | AES-256: Yes | No-log policy: Yes | Audited no-log policy: Yes | Headquarters: Canada

TunnelBear offers a free VPN service that allows up to 2GB of monthly secure browsing. If users find this restrictive, paid tiers come with unlimited bandwidth. The free version lacks additional tools, struggles with accessing streaming services and isn’t optimised for torrenting (although file sharing is supported).

However, it’s one of the most generous free versions on the market in terms of server access, with non-paying users given access to the same selection of more than 5,000 servers in 45 countries as paying customers – unlike most free VPNs, which restrict access to a smaller network. TunnelBear’s simplicity and streamlined interface make it one of the most user-friendly VPN options as a consequence.

Free servers are capable of speeds in excess of 219Mbps, although live chat support is reserved for paying customers. Once again, you’ll be limited by various restrictions that aren’t seen with the paid version of TunnelBear, but it’s handy in a pinch. All of its servers are protected by a no-logs policy that is regularly verified by the German security firm Cure53.

TunnelBear’s free VPN service allows users to access various geographical locations through a single VPN, and with its audited no-logs policy, the provider offers independently proven privacy and security. However, like most free VPN services, certain aspects of its offering, such as the data cap and the lack of an online chat service, could certainly be improved.

• Security and privacy – the service completed its seventh annual independent security audit in February 2024, and adheres to a strict no-logs policy. It’s an especially solid result for a free VPN. 

Score: (4/5)

• Speeds – local connection speeds were impressive, and put some premium VPNs to shame. It’s not quite as fast as Proton VPN, but UK to UK server speeds are quick enough to avoid the prospect of slowdown.  

Score: (4/5)

• Free servers – there’s a long list of servers to pick from with TunnelBear Free. It’s great if you just need quick access to an IP address from another country. Paid users can connect to the full range of TunnelBear servers, including coverage in specific cities in regions such as the US. 

Score: (5/5)

• Streaming access – even the paid version of TunnelBear isn’t the best choice for streaming support, so we’d look elsewhere on the list if you’re in need of a VPN for BBC iPlayer and similar platforms. 

Score: (1/5)

• Caps and limitations – 2GB of monthly data is a dismal allocation, and works out to be a fraction of the allowance seen elsewhere. This is after TunnelBear made the decision to up the limit from 500 Mbps. 

Score: (1/5)

Overall score: 15/25

Read our full TunnelBear free review.

The paid version of TunnelBear removes many of the issues seen above, namely allowing the user to access sites and services safely without the prospect of hitting a data cap which is never likely to be far from your mind as a user. Given it scores highly in most aspects, it’s worth considering if you’re in need of a basic VPN to get the job done. Of course, if you’re tempted by a paid service it’s best to check out our list of the best VPNs on the market right now.

Data limit: 10GB per month | Number of servers: 5 | Number of locations: 7 | Maximum number of connected devices: 1 | AES-256: Yes | No-log policy: Yes | Audited no-log policy: Yes | Headquarters: Malaysia

The free version of Hide.me VPN offers a selection of features that make it a good choice for basic VPN coverage. It also offers an audited no-logs policy, WireGuard support, split tunnelling, and a kill switch that automatically disconnects you from the internet if your VPN connection drops. 

You’ll find free VPN server locations in Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the UK and the US.

Hide.me can’t compete with Proton VPN’s offer of unlimited data for free users, but of the services that do have a data cap, it matches both PrivadoVPN and Windscribe, with a generous 10GB (although, Windscribe users get a permanent 5GB extra if they tweet about the company, raising its limit to 15GB. Once again, this isn’t a good idea if you don’t want your real identity to be tied to a free VPN account).

Along with unlimited data and access to its full server network, paid Hide.me subscriptions include an ad and tracker blocker (SmartGuard), as well as support for port forwarding. Paid servers are also the only way that you’ll be able to bypass any geo-restrictions, given free locations can’t be used for streaming. You can connect with up to 10 simultaneous devices, and it’s on the cheaper end of the pricing scale.

Hide.me’s free VPN service is a good all-rounder in the world of free VPNs. However, Hide.me’s free tier doesn’t support multihop connections and it lacks an ad blocker, which is a feature commonly found with many other free VPNs. Speeds were by far the slowest I recorded during testing this week.

• Security and privacy – one of the first providers to be independently audited, Hide.me claims to be a zero-logs provider. Hide.me also publishes annual transparency reports detailing the requests it receives for user data and how each is managed. Features include IPv6 support, leak protection, and more.

Score: (5/5)

• Speeds – speeds were dismal during the latest round of testing, hardly reaching 10 Mbps whether it was a UK or US server location. As such, you’re likely to notice severe slowdown while connected. In many ways, Windscribe’s unpaid tier is a throwback to a time in which excessively slow speeds were acceptable for free services. As of the present, it’s not good enough.

Score: (1/5)

• Free servers – the addition of a free UK VPN server is handy, although speeds do leave much to be desired. Further free servers are found in Finland, France, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Score: (4/5)

• Streaming access – streaming access isn’t available for free Hide.me users. 

Score: (1/5)

• Caps and limitations – with a data cap of 10GB per month, it’s not a bad result. Server speeds are more likely to be an issue, and won’t be quick enough to watch 4K UHD content. 

Score: (3/5) 

Overall score: (14/25)

Read our full Hide.me VPN free review.

The paid version of Hide.me adds support for SmartGuard, which blocks ads, trackers, and malware. There are faster speeds for Windows users, as well as access to advanced features like port forwarding, more server locations, and streaming access. Premium plans are certainly on the cheaper end of the scale, and can be found for less than £3 per month. Once again, the free version of this VPN is best served for light usage, or as a way to test it out for yourself. 

Data limit: Daily limit of 500MB | Number of servers for free account users: 160+ | Number of locations: Four | Maximum number of connected devices: One | AES-256: Yes | No-log policy: No | Audited no-log policy: No | Headquarters: US

Last, but by no means least, Hotspot Shield has a free tier that allows users to connect to VPN servers found in Los Angeles, New York, Singapore, and the UK. The paid version has over 3,200 servers to pick from, which is significantly more than most other free VPNs, although there are only a handful of free locations in total. 

In terms of data allowances, the free version of Hotspot Shield has a daily limit of 500MB, which can be increased by watching ads via the VPN app. It’s not the worst deal for free VPN coverage, but others on this list come with an ad-free experience. In my personal experience, this is a holdover from the past, when it was more acceptable to monetise free VPN users. Luckily, the landscape has changed in recent years. 

The free version of this VPN isn’t ideal for geo-unblocking, but that’s not a surprise with a handful of server locations, none of which are optimised for streaming or gaming. 

This is upped to 125+ locations when looking at the premium version. Paid users also benefit from streaming support, including access to sites like Netflix, iPlayer, Disney Plus, and Hulu. Free UK servers had average speeds of 133 Mbps during testing, but you can expect a significantly faster experience if you opt for a paid Hotspot Shield subscription instead.

• Security and privacy – lacking an audit to confirm that it’s no-logs policy is up to par, Hotspot Shield does collect some diagnostic information, although they say it’s nothing ‘that associates your account credentials or identity with your VPN session activity’. You’ll get access to features like a kill switch and split tunnelling, along with DNS and IP leak protection, the Hydra protocol, and Tor over VPN.  

Score: (3/5)

• Speeds – whether you’re using the free or paid version of Hotspot Shield, speeds will be significantly slower than the fastest VPNs in the business. However, they will still be quick enough for tasks like browsing and streaming.

Score: (3/5) 

• Free servers – a smaller selection of unpaid servers isn’t the worst result, but there are better alternatives available if you’re in need of a free VPN connection.

Score: (3/5)  

• Streaming access – the paid version of Hotspot Shield can be used to access streaming sites, but the same can’t be said for free servers. Stick with Privado if you’d like to test streaming capabilities with free server locations.

Score: (1/5)

• Caps and limitations – a daily data limit of 500MB is likely to run out quickly, and is arguably best used to test the lite version of Hotspot Shield for yourself. Then you’ll have to deal with adverts, so there are less intrusive options found elsewhere. 

Score: (2/5) 

Overall score: 12/25

Read our full Hotspot Shield Free review.

Hotspot Shield free vs paid

Hotspot Shield offers a passable free VPN tier, which should be helpful if you need a service for basic usage. However, you’re likely to hit the smaller data cap more often than not, especially as it’s a daily limit, rather than a larger monthly allowance. The premium version of Hotspot Shield has no data cap, and has streaming-optimised servers, a Gaming Mode, 24/7 customer support, and more.

Choosing a free VPN requires careful consideration because not all free VPNs are equal, and some can even be harmful. Here are several key questions to consider when choosing a free VPN:

What’s the provider’s business model? 

Running a VPN service isn’t cheap, so it’s worth considering how the provider finances itself. Many VPNs leverage their free version to attract potential customers. Once users appreciate the value of the free service, they may be more inclined to upgrade to the paid version to avoid any limitations. However, it’s essential to be aware that some free VPNs operate by selling user data or sharing logging and usage information with third parties, significantly compromising your privacy and security online. This is especially prevalent with mobile devices, due to the sheer number of unaudited VPNs available on iOS and Android.

How does a free VPN protect me? 

While most VPN providers offer applications that secure your data as you browse, it’s important to note that this only tackles part of the problem. Even with VPN protection, your device is still identifiable due to the tracking systems on most online websites. A few free VPN providers incorporate ad-blocking features to enhance your privacy and security. Ensure you don’t sign in to any services while the VPN is active if you don’t want to leave a digital trail. 

Does your provider keep user logs? 

Before choosing a free VPN, it’s crucial to determine if they maintain logs of your online activity, and this information can be found on the provider’s terms and conditions page. However, it’s worth noting that some providers intentionally make these documents lengthy and complex, often hiding essential details about their operations. Others have been known to outright lie in the past.

Ideally, you should look for free VPN online providers that prioritise user privacy by explicitly stating that they do not store logs of your internet activities, which is often verified by an independent audit. 

What do I lose by choosing a free VPN?

When opting for a free VPN service, there are certain compromises you may need to make. 

Free VPNs differ regarding available bandwidth, the number of server optimisations and locations offered, and additional features, such as ad blocking, customer support, and firewall protection. However, they typically come with numerous limitations. A paid VPN service is preferable to access unlimited bandwidth, more server locations, and improved security features. 

Can I sign up for the VPN service entirely anonymously?

The ideal scenario for maximum privacy is to find a provider that allows you to subscribe without providing an email address and accepts Bitcoin or other cryptocurrency payments. This combination ensures a higher level of anonymity during the signup process. However, most free VPNs require an email address at the very least, in an effort to stop bots and users gaming the system for unlimited free accounts.

We’ve compared the features available from numerous free VPNs, alongside the ones offered by paid versions, to identify what you can expect from your service.

It can be tough to decide whether to opt for a free or paid VPN, but thankfully there are ways to test premium VPNs for free to help you make a choice. Most premium services allow you to trial them for free for a selected period of time, via a money-back guarantee.

Some VPN free trials are truly free for a limited time, while others require paying for the service up front and then taking advantage of the money-back guarantee on offer if you decide it’s not right for you. Our top cheap VPN recommendation (Surfshark) has a completely free seven-day trial, which allows customers to have full access to all of its VPN features, but the trial is only available for iOS, Android and MacOS devices. Alternatively, NordVPN offers a free seven-day trial for Android users, while CyberGhost has a 24-hour trial available for Windows and MacOS. This is extended to three days for iOS and Android devices.

Which free VPN is fastest?

Here are the results for the latest round of free VPN speed tests:

Free VPN download and upload speeds compared

Every free VPN to make our list is tested three times per day each week, to give us average download and upload speeds which can be found below. For these tests, we’ve exclusively focused on free VPN servers, rather than paid counterparts. As you might have guessed, paid VPN servers tend to be a lot faster than free alternatives.

Free VPN download and upload speed degradation per cent compared

The majority of popular free VPNs offer a similar service. Bandwidth caps are abundant, while many free services lack an audited no-logs policy. Depending on the provider, the server locations on offer may be different, and you’ll find a smattering of core features, but each is lacking in its own way. 

The free version of Proton VPN might be missing out on streaming support and some advanced features, but it’s independently audited, and it can be used indefinitely without having to worry about any data limits. As such, it’s a clear winner if you’re in need of a free VPN that can be trusted. If you think it’s the right choice, read our guide on getting a free VPN.

However, we’d strongly recommend checking out a premium VPN such as ExpressVPN or Surfshark. The latter is our best cheap provider, and can be used for less than £1.69 per month.

We’ve compared almost every free VPN you can think of as we attempt to decide which provider is the optimal solution for the average user. In this instance, we’ve looked at a wide list of criteria as we aim to figure out which VPN is the best free option overall. Each of the following sections above has been assigned with a relevant score, including detailed explanations for results in each category. As well as using industry knowledge, external sources, and more, here’s a rundown of the specific criteria used for this review:

• Security and privacy: Even if it’s a free provider, the VPN needs to improve user privacy. There should be no leaks to speak of, and the provider should offer a range of security features, with must-haves including a kill switch and AES 256 encryption. Ideally, you won’t have to take any logging claims at face value, with third-party audits and simple privacy policies which remove any guesswork in terms of data collection and internal procedures. This isn’t always the case with some free VPNs, given they have to make money somehow. We also consider its jurisdiction, VPN ownership, and any historical issues. 
• Speeds: Performance is generally an important factor for most users, although some free VPNs are far slower than average. High speeds are necessary for many online tasks, and will have an impact during streaming, torrenting, browsing, and gaming. Our VPN speed tests are run weekly, on every popular mobile and desktop device.  
• Free servers: More servers doesn’t necessarily equate to faster speeds or additional free locations, but it shouldn’t be difficult to find out how many free servers are on offer. 
• Streaming: Streaming access isn’t necessarily a given, as some services prefer to focus on privacy and security. No two VPNs are created equally in this regard, and compatibility will differ drastically depending on the provider you’ve selected. The VPN should also allow for P2P activities across its network, and extra points will be awarded for speciality servers dedicated to these tasks. Most free services tend to hide streaming services behind paid servers.
• Caps and limitations: Does the VPN offer any notable additional features that we haven’t mentioned already, or is it a barebones service that mainly focuses on speeds, security, or streaming? The latter is more likely to be the case with free providers, so we’ve focused on any potential limitations. This usually takes the form of bandwidth limits, speed caps, fewer servers, and restricted features. 

The reviews are updated daily, reflecting any recent changes for any of the VPNs mentioned, along with the latest speed test data. Providers themselves may be added or withdrawn from the list depending on overall quality, and there should be a suitable option for any potential VPN users. 

To find out more, read our article on how we review VPNs.