The best free VPNs of 2025: Secure, safe, and tested solutions
Virtual private network (VPN) services cost money to run, so you should always approach supposedly "free" services with caution. In the VPN world, free usually means that providers will give you a connection but make money from you in other ways, such as through selling your data or by displaying adverts.
You can test the best VPNs with a free trial or a money-back guarantee, usually granting you up to 30 days of free service. If you want a free VPN for the long term, we can recommend some secure options, typically backed by paying subscribers.
What is the best VPN for free right now?
I've extensively tested every major VPN on the market, including free offerings. My pick for the best free VPN is Proton VPN. The service, developed by the team behind the encrypted ProtonMail service, is supported by paying subscribers. The number of device and server connections is limited, but it's still a top-tier VPN that can help you maintain a high level of online privacy. If you're interested in a paid upgrade, Proton's paid plans start at $3.59/month.
Alternatively, I can also confidently recommend Windscribe and Hotspot Shield's free accounts.
Also: Best VPNs for businesses
There are other trustworthy options I recommend, as listed below. Alternatively, if you're interested in trying out a paid VPN, consider one of my picks for the best VPNs with free trials.
Sort by All Countries and servers Usability Speed and performance Security PriceThe best free VPNs of 2025
Show less View now at Proton VPNMy top pick for free VPNs available in 2025 is Proton VPN, which, despite its limits, will suit many users who do not want to subscribe.
Why we like it: The free version of Proton VPN offers many useful features that are paid for through other services and VPN subscribers.
It doesn't cap bandwidth, so you can use it year-round without worrying about exceeding monthly data limits. Proton VPN's free tier also doesn't restrict your speed, but server selections are limited, so you might not experience the true speed of the network due to heavy loads.
During my frequent tests, I've found that Proton VPN's connection and server speeds are always reasonable. While it doesn't often match top-tier competitors, it's still a great option.
Review: Proton VPN
Robust online protection features like AES 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, leak protection, and a no-logs policy help hide your identity and digital footprint, regardless of whether you pay for this service. Also, Proton VPN doesn't sell your information or monetize its free apps with ads, allowing you to browse without distractions.
Who it's for: Anyone who wants a free VPN and won't mind server and device restrictions.
Free servers are available in five locations: the United States, Romania, Poland, the Netherlands, and Japan. However, you can't manually choose and connect to a server. The VPN automatically selects one for you, but you can click "Change Server" to be assigned a different server location.
Who should look elsewhere: A drawback is that you can only use one device with your free account. So, if you need a VPN for your PC, smartphone, and TV, for example, you should look elsewhere.
Alternatively, premium plans unlock 10 simultaneous connections and start at $3.59 per month on a two-year subscription. There is also a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Proton Free VPN features: Open-source | Simultaneous connections: One free, up to 10, depending on the plan | Countries: Five (117 paid) | Logging: No-logs policy | Security audits | Platforms: Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Android TV, Fire TV, Kodi, and routers | VPN accelerator | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Trial: Free option | Trustpilot rating: 2.1 | Google Play rating: 4.6 | App Store rating: 4.6 | Customer service: Only with a paid subscription | Data limit: None | Speed limit: None
Pros
- Free
- Unlimited bandwidth
- No ads
- Solid protection
- Reliable connections
- Only one device connection
- Limited servers
Proton VPN
Best free VPN overall
3.5 / 5 ScoreMy top pick for free VPNs available in 2025 is Proton VPN, which, despite its limits, will suit many users who do not want to subscribe.
Why we like it: The free version of Proton VPN offers many useful features that are paid for through other services and VPN subscribers.
It doesn't cap bandwidth, so you can use it year-round without worrying about exceeding monthly data limits. Proton VPN's free tier also doesn't restrict your speed, but server selections are limited, so you might not experience the true speed of the network due to heavy loads.
During my frequent tests, I've found that Proton VPN's connection and server speeds are always reasonable. While it doesn't often match top-tier competitors, it's still a great option.
Review: Proton VPN
Robust online protection features like AES 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, leak protection, and a no-logs policy help hide your identity and digital footprint, regardless of whether you pay for this service. Also, Proton VPN doesn't sell your information or monetize its free apps with ads, allowing you to browse without distractions.
Who it's for: Anyone who wants a free VPN and won't mind server and device restrictions.
Free servers are available in five locations: the United States, Romania, Poland, the Netherlands, and Japan. However, you can't manually choose and connect to a server. The VPN automatically selects one for you, but you can click "Change Server" to be assigned a different server location.
Who should look elsewhere: A drawback is that you can only use one device with your free account. So, if you need a VPN for your PC, smartphone, and TV, for example, you should look elsewhere.
Alternatively, premium plans unlock 10 simultaneous connections and start at $3.59 per month on a two-year subscription. There is also a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Proton Free VPN features: Open-source | Simultaneous connections: One free, up to 10, depending on the plan | Countries: Five (117 paid) | Logging: No-logs policy | Security audits | Platforms: Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Android TV, Fire TV, Kodi, and routers | VPN accelerator | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Trial: Free option | Trustpilot rating: 2.1 | Google Play rating: 4.6 | App Store rating: 4.6 | Customer service: Only with a paid subscription | Data limit: None | Speed limit: None
Windscribe is another great free VPN choice because, like Proton VPN, you can do a lot with the app.
Why we like it: There are many customizable settings, including an ad-block feature, split tunneling, and a firewall to prevent leaks.
You can access free servers in 10 countries, allowing you to change locations. The free servers also support streaming across multiple popular platforms. You can use Windscribe on various devices, including Amazon Fire TV and browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge.
Review: Windscribe VPN
Recently, Windscribe's static IP servers received an upgrade. In the same breath, the company has warned seeders of torrent files that this doesn't count as personal use, and you may be at risk of a permanent ban.
Who it's for: You can connect unlimited devices, but free users have a maximum data usage of 10GB per month. This drops to 2GB per month for users not signed up with an email address. This is plenty for occasional use while browsing online, but it won't be suitable if you frequently stream movies and television shows or you want to torrent files.
Having said that, Windscribe also allows you to build a plan, starting at just $1 per location per month, if you want a VPN for specific countries. Alternatively, a subscription starts at $5.75 per month on an annual plan or $9 per month on a monthly plan.
Who should look elsewhere: A downside of this free VPN is that the user interface could use improvement, which may cause some users a bit of a headache to use. So if a user-friendly UI is at the top of your list, look elsewhere.
Windscribe Free VPN features: Simultaneous connections: Unlimited | Countries: 10 | Logging: No-logs policy | Platforms: Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Fire TV, browsers | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Trial: Free option | Trustpilot rating: 4.7 | Google Play rating: 4.6 | App Store rating: 4.6 | Customer service: Online form, online FAQ only | Data limit: 2GB/10GB monthly | Speed limit: No
Pros
- A fair number of free servers
- Unlimited connections
- Browser extension available
- Custom plans
- Limited bandwidth
Windscribe is another great free VPN choice because, like Proton VPN, you can do a lot with the app.
Why we like it: There are many customizable settings, including an ad-block feature, split tunneling, and a firewall to prevent leaks.
You can access free servers in 10 countries, allowing you to change locations. The free servers also support streaming across multiple popular platforms. You can use Windscribe on various devices, including Amazon Fire TV and browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge.
Review: Windscribe VPN
Recently, Windscribe's static IP servers received an upgrade. In the same breath, the company has warned seeders of torrent files that this doesn't count as personal use, and you may be at risk of a permanent ban.
Who it's for: You can connect unlimited devices, but free users have a maximum data usage of 10GB per month. This drops to 2GB per month for users not signed up with an email address. This is plenty for occasional use while browsing online, but it won't be suitable if you frequently stream movies and television shows or you want to torrent files.
Having said that, Windscribe also allows you to build a plan, starting at just $1 per location per month, if you want a VPN for specific countries. Alternatively, a subscription starts at $5.75 per month on an annual plan or $9 per month on a monthly plan.
Who should look elsewhere: A downside of this free VPN is that the user interface could use improvement, which may cause some users a bit of a headache to use. So if a user-friendly UI is at the top of your list, look elsewhere.
Windscribe Free VPN features: Simultaneous connections: Unlimited | Countries: 10 | Logging: No-logs policy | Platforms: Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Fire TV, browsers | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Trial: Free option | Trustpilot rating: 4.7 | Google Play rating: 4.6 | App Store rating: 4.6 | Customer service: Online form, online FAQ only | Data limit: 2GB/10GB monthly | Speed limit: No
Read MoreFree users can connect to Hotspot Shield's proprietary protocol to take advantage of decent speeds.
Why we like it: The HotSpot Shield Hydra protocol has a reputation for fast service like NordVPN's NordLynx and ExpressVPN's Lightway. Hydra can handle connections up to 1 Gbps and works on iOS, Android, MacOS, and Windows.
Were it not for the limited free server locations -- one virtual 'automatic' location -- Hotspot Shield Basic could have easily made our fastest VPN shortlist. Though it's fast, connection speeds may be affected due to server limitations, and you won't have access to servers optimized for streaming purposes.
During testing, I found that the connection to the one virtual location you have is almost instantaneous and remained stable throughout.
You can use the split tunneling feature to exclude some apps and websites from routing traffic on the VPN for optimal connections. This also helps you conserve bandwidth since you only get 500MB daily -- amounting to 15GB per month -- and you can't carry over any leftover bandwidth. However, you can bypass daily limits by watching ads.
Who it's for: Someone who wants to use a free, fast VPN for casual browsing.
The ad-free premium upgrade plan is priced at $7.99 per month and comes with a server selection of over 80 countries. It should also be noted that Hotspot Shield is now part of Aura.
Who should look elsewhere: Though Hotspot Shield Basic offers high-end encryption, the app is ad-supported. If the idea of adverts puts you off, try an alternative like Proton VPN.
Hotspot Shield free VPN features: Simultaneous connections: One (10, paid) | Countries: One (80+, paid) | Logging: No-logs policy | Platforms: Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Fire TV, browsers | Money-back guarantee: 45 days | Trial: Free option | Trustpilot rating: 4.1 | Google Play rating: 4.4 | App Store rating: 4.6 | Customer service: Paid subscribers only, online FAQ | Data limit: 500MB/day or unlimited | Speed limit: No
Pros
- Proprietary Hydra protocol
- Multi-platform support
- Strong encryption
- Rapid speeds
- Ads
- Limited customer support on free plans
Free users can connect to Hotspot Shield's proprietary protocol to take advantage of decent speeds.
Why we like it: The HotSpot Shield Hydra protocol has a reputation for fast service like NordVPN's NordLynx and ExpressVPN's Lightway. Hydra can handle connections up to 1 Gbps and works on iOS, Android, MacOS, and Windows.
Were it not for the limited free server locations -- one virtual 'automatic' location -- Hotspot Shield Basic could have easily made our fastest VPN shortlist. Though it's fast, connection speeds may be affected due to server limitations, and you won't have access to servers optimized for streaming purposes.
During testing, I found that the connection to the one virtual location you have is almost instantaneous and remained stable throughout.
You can use the split tunneling feature to exclude some apps and websites from routing traffic on the VPN for optimal connections. This also helps you conserve bandwidth since you only get 500MB daily -- amounting to 15GB per month -- and you can't carry over any leftover bandwidth. However, you can bypass daily limits by watching ads.
Who it's for: Someone who wants to use a free, fast VPN for casual browsing.
The ad-free premium upgrade plan is priced at $7.99 per month and comes with a server selection of over 80 countries. It should also be noted that Hotspot Shield is now part of Aura.
Who should look elsewhere: Though Hotspot Shield Basic offers high-end encryption, the app is ad-supported. If the idea of adverts puts you off, try an alternative like Proton VPN.
Hotspot Shield free VPN features: Simultaneous connections: One (10, paid) | Countries: One (80+, paid) | Logging: No-logs policy | Platforms: Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Fire TV, browsers | Money-back guarantee: 45 days | Trial: Free option | Trustpilot rating: 4.1 | Google Play rating: 4.4 | App Store rating: 4.6 | Customer service: Paid subscribers only, online FAQ | Data limit: 500MB/day or unlimited | Speed limit: No
If you want a secure, free VPN with a high server location count, check out TunnelBear.
Why we like it: You can use all TunnelBear servers in more than 40 countries for free.
That's more generous than many of our top free VPN contenders. If you want to change your IP address to almost anywhere, TunnelBear should be your choice.
Review: TunnelBear VPN
During testing, I could quickly connect to servers in countries including the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Singapore, and across Europe without any problems or reliability issues. It was quite fast, which I appreciated while testing out the free plan.
Thanks to its user-friendly and interactive interface, learning how to use TunnelBear is easy, even if it's your first time with VPNs. You can also connect as many devices as you want on the free account, and it has native apps for PC, mobile devices, and browsers.
Who it's for: The only significant limitation of the free VPN plan is the 2GB monthly bandwidth cap, which diminishes TunnelBear's usefulness for regular content streaming and makes it best suited for occasional users.
Who should look elsewhere: 2GB is not a lot of bandwidth to play with, and so if you plan to stream or use your VPN daily, this option isn't right for you -- consider Proton VPN or another one of my recommended VPNs, instead.
You could also subscribe to TunnelBear for $3.33 per month to access more features, like unlimited bandwidth and full access to the VPN's server network.
TunnelBear Free VPN features: Simultaneous connections: Unlimited | Countries: 40+ | Logging: No-logs policy | Platforms: Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Fire TV, browsers | Money-back guarantee: No, case-by-case basis | Trial: Free option | Trustpilot rating: 3.5 | Google Play rating: 3.8 | App Store rating: 4.7 | Customer service: Paid only | Data limit: 2GB monthly | Speed limit: No
Pros
- Many server locations
- Interactive user interface
- Unlimited connections
- No credit card required
- Only 2GB per month
- No money-back guarantee
If you want a secure, free VPN with a high server location count, check out TunnelBear.
Why we like it: You can use all TunnelBear servers in more than 40 countries for free.
That's more generous than many of our top free VPN contenders. If you want to change your IP address to almost anywhere, TunnelBear should be your choice.
Review: TunnelBear VPN
During testing, I could quickly connect to servers in countries including the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Singapore, and across Europe without any problems or reliability issues. It was quite fast, which I appreciated while testing out the free plan.
Thanks to its user-friendly and interactive interface, learning how to use TunnelBear is easy, even if it's your first time with VPNs. You can also connect as many devices as you want on the free account, and it has native apps for PC, mobile devices, and browsers.
Who it's for: The only significant limitation of the free VPN plan is the 2GB monthly bandwidth cap, which diminishes TunnelBear's usefulness for regular content streaming and makes it best suited for occasional users.
Who should look elsewhere: 2GB is not a lot of bandwidth to play with, and so if you plan to stream or use your VPN daily, this option isn't right for you -- consider Proton VPN or another one of my recommended VPNs, instead.
You could also subscribe to TunnelBear for $3.33 per month to access more features, like unlimited bandwidth and full access to the VPN's server network.
TunnelBear Free VPN features: Simultaneous connections: Unlimited | Countries: 40+ | Logging: No-logs policy | Platforms: Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Fire TV, browsers | Money-back guarantee: No, case-by-case basis | Trial: Free option | Trustpilot rating: 3.5 | Google Play rating: 3.8 | App Store rating: 4.7 | Customer service: Paid only | Data limit: 2GB monthly | Speed limit: No
Unlike many services that only support streaming with a premium account, PrivadoVPN allows you to watch content online with the free tier plan.
Why we like it: You can access servers in 13 countries, including the US, Canada, and the UK -- for example, for watching BBC iPlayer -- but you won't have access to the complete 49-country network unless you're a paying subscriber.
Free users have access to servers that are part of the paid server fleet, meaning they have the same high-end protection online. PrivadoVPN also supports safe torrenting and file sharing on free servers.
Who it's for: Considering its low price, I found this VPN to provide excellent value for money during testing. However, its speeds and reliability make it best suited for casual use.
Subscriptions are very affordable, starting from just $1.11 per month with three months free.
Who should look elsewhere: This VPN is easy to install on devices, including Android TV and streaming media players like Fire TV Stick -- but choose wisely, as you're only given one free device connection. You also only receive 10GB of free data per month. If one connection isn't enough, it might be better for you to opt for a free trial of a paid service instead.
Privado free VPN features: Simultaneous connections: One (Unlimited, paid) | Countries: 12-13 (49, paid) | Logging: No-logs policy | Platforms: Windows, Android, iOS, MacOS, Android TV, Fire TV | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Trial: Free option | Trustpilot rating: 3.8 | Google Play rating: 3.5 | App Store rating: 4 | Customer service: Email, online FAQ | Data limit: 10GB/month | Speed limit: No
Pros
- Many server locations
- Streaming support
- Peer-to-peer (P2P) support
- Affordable
- Only one connection
- Bare user interface
Unlike many services that only support streaming with a premium account, PrivadoVPN allows you to watch content online with the free tier plan.
Why we like it: You can access servers in 13 countries, including the US, Canada, and the UK -- for example, for watching BBC iPlayer -- but you won't have access to the complete 49-country network unless you're a paying subscriber.
Free users have access to servers that are part of the paid server fleet, meaning they have the same high-end protection online. PrivadoVPN also supports safe torrenting and file sharing on free servers.
Who it's for: Considering its low price, I found this VPN to provide excellent value for money during testing. However, its speeds and reliability make it best suited for casual use.
Subscriptions are very affordable, starting from just $1.11 per month with three months free.
Who should look elsewhere: This VPN is easy to install on devices, including Android TV and streaming media players like Fire TV Stick -- but choose wisely, as you're only given one free device connection. You also only receive 10GB of free data per month. If one connection isn't enough, it might be better for you to opt for a free trial of a paid service instead.
Privado free VPN features: Simultaneous connections: One (Unlimited, paid) | Countries: 12-13 (49, paid) | Logging: No-logs policy | Platforms: Windows, Android, iOS, MacOS, Android TV, Fire TV | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Trial: Free option | Trustpilot rating: 3.8 | Google Play rating: 3.5 | App Store rating: 4 | Customer service: Email, online FAQ | Data limit: 10GB/month | Speed limit: No
Read MoreHide.me is a minimalist, basic service that could suit beginners who need a VPN.
Why we like it: Hide.me, like Proton VPN, offers unlimited bandwidth on the free plan, so you can browse, stream, and download content without limitations.
You can connect to eight server locations -- more than Proton VPN and other top free VPN providers. You can connect to Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the UK, the US, or a "best location" option selected automatically for you.
It has a minimalistic interface that I feel needs a makeover, but it is very easy to use and set up without much user input.
It has an ad- and tracker-blocker, minimizing annoyances and third-party intrusion. To maintain a high level of online privacy, there is also a no-logs policy.
Who it's for: The free plan allows only one simultaneous connection per account, but if that's all you will need and you're not too familiar with VPNs, try it out.
If you find you like this VPN and want full access, premium subscriptions start at $2.69/month plus two months free on a 26-month plan.
Who should look elsewhere: If you have some experience with VPNs, you might find another of our more advanced alternatives will be a better option.
Hide.me free VPN features: Simultaneous connections: One (10, paid) | Countries: Eight (91, paid) | Logging: No-logs policy | Platforms: Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, Fire TV, Chrome, Firefox, routers | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Trial: Free option | Trustpilot rating: 4.5 | Google Play rating: 4.4 | App Store rating: 4.5 | Customer service: 24/7 | Data limit: Unlimited | Speed limit: No
Pros
- Unlimited bandwidth
- No speed-throttling
- Customer support
- Customizable
- Only one free device
- Basic app
Hide.me is a minimalist, basic service that could suit beginners who need a VPN.
Why we like it: Hide.me, like Proton VPN, offers unlimited bandwidth on the free plan, so you can browse, stream, and download content without limitations.
You can connect to eight server locations -- more than Proton VPN and other top free VPN providers. You can connect to Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the UK, the US, or a "best location" option selected automatically for you.
It has a minimalistic interface that I feel needs a makeover, but it is very easy to use and set up without much user input.
It has an ad- and tracker-blocker, minimizing annoyances and third-party intrusion. To maintain a high level of online privacy, there is also a no-logs policy.
Who it's for: The free plan allows only one simultaneous connection per account, but if that's all you will need and you're not too familiar with VPNs, try it out.
If you find you like this VPN and want full access, premium subscriptions start at $2.69/month plus two months free on a 26-month plan.
Who should look elsewhere: If you have some experience with VPNs, you might find another of our more advanced alternatives will be a better option.
Hide.me free VPN features: Simultaneous connections: One (10, paid) | Countries: Eight (91, paid) | Logging: No-logs policy | Platforms: Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, Fire TV, Chrome, Firefox, routers | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Trial: Free option | Trustpilot rating: 4.5 | Google Play rating: 4.4 | App Store rating: 4.5 | Customer service: 24/7 | Data limit: Unlimited | Speed limit: No
Best premium VPNs you can try for free
The most popular VPN services barely have freemiums, but some offer free trials and money-back guarantees. These allow you to test all premium VPN features risk-free for a limited time. Here are our best picks with free trial opportunities.
Show less View now at NordVPNNordVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee to all users, including iOS and Android. It remains our best VPN for iPhone, but the free trial is only available to Android users. The free trial runs for seven days and is only accessible if you sign up through the Google Play Store.
Review: NordVPN
With servers in more than 110 countr
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