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Downloading a free VPN without pulling out your credit card sounds pretty appealing. A VPN service is too often celebrated as a means of improving security and anonymity online while also giving tech enthusiasts a chance to defeat oppressive censorship and unblock geo-restricted sites.

But are free VPN services safe enough for your digital privacy? Well, I’m always a bit skeptical of ‘free’ products and services – VPNs aren’t an exception. Most free VPNs come with noteworthy drawbacks – a tiny server count, limited data bandwidth, and slow speeds rendering them almost unusable for unblocking streaming sites like Netflix, torrenting, and P2P sharing.

And it goes beyond that, with the vast majority of free VPN apps functioning poorly, bombarding you with intrusive ads and even some providers selling your data to third parties so as to stay afloat.

Having noted that, it’s worth exercising some caution. Be careful with free VPN services if you don’t want your privacy to get compromised now and then.

I went into these reviews with high hopes. To set things straight, I meticulously ran several VPNs through extensive testing and analyzed all aspects of each service to see which will keep your day-to-day online life anonymous without spending a single penny.

After testing, I can state that free VPNs aren’t impressive in terms of security, performance, and usability. However, if your motive for using a VPN is just securing your laptop or mobile when connected to public Wi-Fi networks from time to time, a top freemium VPN like TunnelBear can impress.

You can get around this by getting a VPN subscription. Premium paid VPNs can unlock all these features and don’t limit you. They add additional sweeteners unavailable at the free version so that you stream and browse the internet as much as you want.

Luckily, you can take advantage of its money-back guarantees and time-limited trials to your advantage. CyberGhost is a world-class VPN you can download today. The provider allows you to try it out risk-free for 45 days. If you’re not satisfied, you can request a full refund.

In A Hurry? Here Are Our Top Recommendations for 2024

  • CyberGhost: World-class VPN with optimized servers for streaming and a generous 45- day money-back guarantee.
  • NordVPN: You can try its impressive security features plus lightning-fast speeds risk-free for 30 days.
  • IPVanish: Offers a 30-day money-back guarantee with a no-questions-asked.
  • Surfshark – Budget-friendly VPN for streaming Netflix abroad.
  • TunnelBear: Reliable and free but limited to 500MB of traffic each month.
  • Hotspot Shield: Has a free version but limited to just US servers and a 500MB data cap per day.
  • Hide.me: Give users 10GB data bandwidth each month to play with, except that it’s limited to one device.
  • Windscribe: User friendly but a standard 2GB data per month isn’t much for watching long video
Get CyberGhost Free for 45 Days

Before we knuckle down to our list of free VPNs, it’s worth noting that trusting your online privacy to any VPN provider can be overwhelming, primarily in today’s digital sphere.

Everyone from hackers, governments, ISPs, and advertisers seem to keep tabs on your online movements. That’s where an effective VPN comes in handy.

A high-end VPN is a worthwhile investment. It employs a strict no-logging policy, industrial-grade encryption, bypasses geo-blocked content on streaming sites, and fast speeds, amongst others.

Even so, that doesn’t change the fact that premium VPN services aren’t for everybody. You can settle for a well-recognized freemium VPN. If privacy matters to you, just go for a VPN subscription.

  • Proven 45-day no questions asked money-back guarantee
  • Unlimited data cap and impressive speeds to stream HD-quality content
  • Has optimized servers for streaming, gaming, torrenting
  • Zero-logs policy, AES-256-bit encryption, and a kill switch
  • Compatible with Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and more

Folks at CyberGhost are vocally proud of their sterling security feature offering, just for less money. Why shouldn’t they be? While it’s not completely free upfront, you can enjoy the most intuitive features, cancel the plan and ask for a full refund. Thanks for a 45-day money-back guarantee backing, which is the lengthiest refund policy you’ll ever find.

CyberGhost has no monthly data limits. This kind of offer is rare for a free VPN. You can use as much data as you wish for endless browsing while at home or overseas. I’ve tested it myself on my devices and was impressed with the overall performance.

Watch Netflix with CyberGhost

Set your location to anywhere. Just choose the fastest server from over 6600 servers across 91 countries and be virtually there. All of its servers are remarkably fast with a minimum of fuss.

During my tests, I discovered that CyberGhost has a dozen optimized servers for streaming that allowed me to unblock Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+. You can stream Ultra HD videos without any interruptions.

I could flawlessly download torrents on Popcorn Time and game online with zero lags when connected to its dedicated servers. Neither of these free VPNs can offer anything close to this. I recommend using optimized servers because they’re faster than regular servers. They help mitigate speed slowdowns if your internet connection is crippling.

Speed-wise, CyberGhost earns high scores. Its servers won’t throttle your internet speeds in any way. Reliable speed is of utmost importance as far as secure browsing goes, and that’s what this VPN has to offer.

In my speed tests, I connected to several servers in the UK, US, Canada, and more. Speeds were fast and consistent, while the VPN apps weren’t plagued with connection errors, bugs, and buffering. The VPN gave me average speeds of up to 5.39 Mbps and a low ping rate of 64 ms.

Cyberghost Speed Test

The speed performance seems to have gotten better the more I connected to local servers. And just like other VPNs, the speed becomes better with short-distance servers than faraway servers. If your main aim is to unblock streaming platforms, CyberGhost has got you covered.

It has top-tier security features, so you rest assured of anonymity online. A 256-bit tamper-proof encryption algorithm conceals your online activities from the prying eyes of hackers, governments, and your ISPs. Aside from encryption, there’s an integrated kill switch that shuts down your internet connections in case the VPN fails.

As a reputable VPN, CyberGhost offers IP, DNS, and WebRTC leak protection. It conceals your IP addresses, ensuring your real identity isn’t exposed to unauthorized persons. Since the VPN service uses RAM-based servers, no data is stored – all user data is wiped any time the VPN is rebooted.

CyberGhost is created with privacy in mind. It provides a strict zero-logging policy that’s reassuring. It doesn’t record your browsing history, IP addresses, accessed websites, VPN server connections, session duration and bandwidth usage.

More also is the fact that the company’s roots are in Romania. Users can browse the web freely without being monitored as the country is outside the 5/9/14 Eyes alliance. The country doesn’t have data retention laws. Meaning no one can hand over your data to various agencies and governments from other countries.

Another standout feature is its compatibility with operating systems and devices. CyberGhost has apps for Windows, Apple devices, Mac, Android, and so much more. It also works with Android TV, Kodi, and Smart TV. All apps are easy to use for less tech-savvy users.

  • 30-day money-back guarantee
  • Unblocks lots of content on censored sites and apps
  • Stable and fast connection anywhere
  • Solid security tools – Multi-grade encryption, a kill switch and no logs policy
  • Apps for Windows, iOS, Android, macOS, Linux and even Android TV

With NordVPN, expect decent privacy, speed performance, and ease of use, balanced out against a low price point! You have a chance to test out all of NordVPN’s features risk-free for up to 30 days before committing to a plan.

The internet isn’t a safe space, as you may think. Just a few careless clicks on a pretty pop-up or mysterious attachment and your computer is infected with malware. I was entirely impressed by NordVPN’s security setup – an AES 256-bit encryption prevents ISP speed throttling.

Even if you spend a few minutes using public Wi-Fi hotspots at the airports or local café, cyber terrorists won’t get access to your credentials. Encryption combines well with Onion Over VPN, a special feature of NordVPN to offer extra security.

Uniquely, the VPN comes with a CyberSec feature. Turn it on to banish annoying ads, unsafe connections, phasing scams, and malicious websites known for malware hosting. It also lets you stay away from DDoS attacks, which are common in online gaming.

Theft of user data can occur when browsing. To counteract this issue, NordVPN provides a customizable kill switch to protect your data non-stop. It works by disconnecting your devices from the internet when you lose your VPN connection.

NordVPN kill switch

If you’re prioritizing privacy, Nord has to be your top choice. I was delighted to see how the company is committed to executing its no-logs claim. The policy states,we don’t track, store or share user data”. Keeping logs of your browsing activities is none of their business!

You’ll enjoy peace of mind knowing none of your connection logs are collected. NordVPN is headquartered in Panama. Seeing the country has no mandatory data retention laws sounds great for pro-privacy internet users.

Even if you’re traveling to more restrictive territories, NordVPN won’t impede your internet freedom. It offers over 5200 secure servers spread nicely around 60 countries. Connect to your best servers and enjoy watching on-demand content from anywhere.

NordVPN servers

No server count limits! No borders! Obfuscated servers allow you to bypass heavily restricted environments. They can break China’s ‘Great Firewall’, ranking among the best VPN for geo-blocking.

NordVPN is already making big waves as a streamer’s dream. When I put some servers through rounds of streaming tests, NordVPN consistently impressed me. I unblocked popular streaming platforms – including geo-restricted content on Netflix, HBO, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and more.

Speaking of speed, NordVPN is super-fast. The service servers can confidently handle bandwidth-intensive activities such as torrenting, P2P file-sharing, gaming, and VoIP calls. It maneuvered when I tried to stream on US Netflix.

An average speed of 90MBps was enough to stream HD videos without buffering. NordLynx is another excellent property built around WireGuard. This new protocol is a worthwhile addition as it lets you experience speed benefits without needing to sacrifice privacy.

I usually call it the ‘newcomer’s favorite’ A VPN can be daunting, especially if you’re a first-timer. Fortunately, NordVPN apps are designed to be intuitive. A bright landing screen (map) makes picking the server from the list super easy. You can even spare a ton of stress by saving your best servers on the list of Favorites’ for quick access next time.

They’re all spacious, easy to use, and work well with Android, iOS devices, and smart TVs. There are clients for Mac and Windows, too. The iOS interface is easy to navigate.

User-friendliness is another crucial selling asset of NordVPN. You can hold up to 6 devices –all connected at the same with just one subscription. If you want more connections, install the VPN to your router.

Again if you run into trouble, you can hit NordVPN up via 24/7 live chat, email or other social media. I should point out that users don’t have to wait for ages for a reply.

  • 30-day money-back guarantee
  • Privacy-focused VPN
  • Unlimited device connections
  • Good speeds from ultrafast streaming

IPVanish has been a mainstay in our best VPNs chart for a long time now. The VPN service has been making enormous strides of late with its cutting-edge security technologies to keep your online footprint safe. So, it’s easier to see why I recommend you make better use of the 30-day money-back guarantee IPVanish offers for you.

Masterminds behind IPVanish claim to have developed a privacy-focused VPN that hardly collects users’ data. No one gets to see what content you’re creating, your searches, or the person you’re communicating with. I appreciate seeing NordVPN honoring what it says on its zero-logging policy.

IPVanish settings

I’ve seen IPVanish defending its strict no-logging status in a court of law on at least one occasion. Although the company made its home in the US, it promises to keep your personal information hidden.

In addition to solid privacy, the VPN service boasts the same highest quality encryption that most high-end VPNs shout about. The 256-bit encryption keeps your real identity hidden when browsing.

An automatic kill switch setup cuts your device from internet connection when you lose VPN connection. At the same time, DNS leak protection shields your IP address from being exposed to people with malicious intent. Your data is yours only!

Notably, the encryption combines with various security protocols, including OpenVPN to strengthen security online. Another effective option is IKEv2. IPVanish won praise in my testing for having easy-to-use apps. You get native apps for Windows, Android, Mac, and iOS with desktop and Windows smartly designed.

Performance was welcoming on my speed testing, too. I tested over 10 servers to see how fast IPVanish ranks against the competition. Speeds were lightning fast when I connected to servers close to my home country. I got at least a download speed of 50 Mbps.

ipvanish servers

Incredible speeds, privacy, and security are all that a VPN requires to beat geo-restricted streaming sites. I never had issues during streaming, live feeds, and video chats. In fact, I bypassed throttling to watch HD videos on Netflix with just one click. How cool is that?

Alongside torrenting and peer-to-peer permissions, one more feature that separates IPVanish from other rivals is its unlimited device connections under a single subscription. Whether you want to stream on all your devices simultaneously, the VPN will get the job done.

IPVanish is worth your hard-earned money with a myriad of servers and server locations. I mean 1300+ anonymous VPN servers to choose from. They’re quick with no bandwidth limitations. Connect to your favorite sites without the risk of blocks.

The VPN’s map is extremely detailed yet easy to read. But the company has been able to do a better job balancing readability and clarity. I’m happy that the details keep on refreshing as IPVanish continues to upgrade its features.

Considering its excellent customizability, it’s not easy to believe how cheap IPVanish is. Keep in mind that yearly and above subscriptions have huge discounts. Finally, its customer support deserves appreciation.

  • 30-day money-back guarantee
  • Great WireGuard speeds for streaming Netflix and other streaming sites
  • Compatible with Android, Windows, Mac, iOS, Linux, Android TV, and more
  • Unlimited simultaneous connections

Launched in 2018, Surfshark presents a reliable way to securely stream your favorite content. There’s no error or trial here because you can exclusively unblock a handful of Netflix libraries alongside intermittent access to other popular streaming platforms such as BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and more risk-free for 7 days on iOS, macOS, and Android.

Surfshark delivered excellent results when I tested its ability to unblock geo-blocked sites. When I ran 7 servers through rounds of streaming tests, I had no issues unblocking Netflix, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, Disney+, and Hulu. Surfshark also penetrated Amazon Prime Video’s notoriously geo-restrictions in 3 server locations I tested.

HBO Max works with surfshark

All 4 US servers worked with Netflix. I could even stream Netflix US, Canada, Japan while connected to UK Surfshark servers. This is a bit strange because I’m used to servers going down from time to time with other VPNs.

Surfshark maintains good speeds with no slowdowns. It consistently delivered top speeds with the new WireGuard technology, an average of 122.31 Mbps in my speed tests. These pleasing results were a key consideration when watching videos on Netflix. Practically, it didn’t take long for videos to load. Neither did I experience buffering issues.

The newcomer is climbing very fast in the VPN rankings. Having increased 3200+ server networks lately, users have gotten an extensive choice of servers to play with. The entire network will not only allow you to enjoy global coverage but is P2P-friendly as well. I was able to torrent successfully using Surfshark servers.

Beyond streaming, Surfshark respects user security courtesy of super-strong encryption. The AES 256-bits encryption is virtually uncrackable. The feature ensures improved protection and anonymity in your browsing activities. Your actual location remains masked all the time, of which hackers, ISPs, and third parties need millions of years to break.

Another plus is the RAM-only servers. Unlike other VPNs, Surfshark 100% diskless servers automatically wipe out your session data when you disconnect your VPN. This prevents data breaches from scammers from snoopers.

A kill switch adds a layer of security to your browsing experience. It keeps your online traffic hidden even if the VPN drops unexpectedly, just as it did during my tests. The feature automatically disconnected my internet connection until the VPN was restored.

Plus, you have multiple security protocols to choose from, including the new WireGuard protocol. For privacy without sacrificing speed, WireGuard is unquestionable. I got incredible speeds with it than both OpenVPN and IKEv2, but you can opt for them for basic use.

No DNS, IP, or WebRTC leaks were detected during my leak tests. My IP address stayed hidden. You’ll be impressed that SurfShark comes with native apps for Windows, Android, iOS, Mac, Linux, and devices like Android TV, Apple TV, and more. All apps are easy to use.

SurfShark has a zero-logging policy. The service recently underwent a security audit – a process conducted by reputable PricewaterhouseCoopers auditors. You rest assured that your private data won’t be monitored, collected, or shared or face the wrath of surveillance agencies.

All told, you get all these offers at a cheap price. A 30-day money-back guarantee also covers you.

  • Simple to use
  • Offers free 500MB each month
  • Lacks WireGuard speeds

TunnelBear offers a seriously free plan, especially after the US Cybersecurity giant McAfee took over its ownership. Even though there are paid-for subscriptions, at least a free version of TunnelBear doesn’t limit its users on available servers. You access server connections in 47 countries.

Tunnealbear servers

It imposes data bandwidth restrictions, limiting you to a mere 500MB of traffic every month. While this tiny amount helps you get a feel of the VPN service, it’s not good enough to allow you to watch long videos.

But you can scoop an extra 1 GB of data by promoting tweets of the TunnelBear VPN service. I streamed a movie on US Netflix only to be alerted that it would block the connections before the movie ended. So I was forced to upgrade to a premium plan before the day was over.

On a positive note, TunnelBear won’t let you down in online privacy and security. It deploys industrial-level encryption (256-bits) to mask your online activities. You can choose the OpenVPN protocol on all apps. The IKEv2 protocol is only compatible with iOS and Windows clients.

Better still, the service tuned up to its no-logs policy lately. I noted that TunnelBear only does minimal logging. It collects your connection timestamps, email, or session information. Such an action might be of concern to privacy fanatics out there.

There’s plenty to admire, though. TunnelBear is one of few VPNs that undergoes a third-party security audit. The audit takes place every year. We expect the company to release the audit this year and more of this in the future.

It’s important to mention VigilantBear in TunnelBear. It’s basic leak protection that acts as a kill switch to halt your internet traffic until the VPN connection is restored.

tunnelbear vigilant bear

Most of us like it when a VPN is easy to use. TunnelBear has a cute design – all available apps for Windows, Android, Mac, and iOS offer a great user experience. If you’re unfamiliar with VPNs, look no further.

Speed results were not great. Slow speed is a major drawback with any VPN. When I connected to 4 different servers worldwide, the VPN delivered slow download speeds and high ping rates that derailed my streaming experience.

An average speed of 23 Mbps in the US servers isn’t great for streaming HD videos. I noted random connection issues on the Windows client. As a result, I got this error message “Your bear is having difficulty loading US Netflix videos”.

At the time of this review, there’s no WireGuard support with TunnelBear. WireGuard is an advanced protocol that boosts the speed connections along with first-class security over legacy protocols.

I read through TunnelBear terms of service, and the provider offers no refunds with its premium package. The money paid is only returned on a case-by-case basis, as the company offers a free version for trial purposes. Why would you risk it? You’ll get better performance when you use an unlimited VPN CyberGhost or NordVPN and take advantage of the money-back guarantees.

  • Standard 500MB per day
  • Speeds aren’t consistent
  • Easy to install, use and navigate

Another serious contender of the best freemium VPNs is here with us. Hotspot Shield free version is a joy to use but comes with limitations. Free users are restricted to only 500MB per day. Don’t worry if you’re short on cash because this data is sensible for very light use – probably downloading short TV series.

That’s generous compared to what TunnelBear’s free version offers. Hotspot Shield’s generosity ends right there. Free subscribers can only access US servers, meaning you can’t jump from a poor-performing server to a better one. Don’t be surprised that the same version gives just one simultaneous connection. You shouldn’t expect more than that.

Another blow to the VPN is its unusual speed limit to just 2MBs for mobile free users. The VPN provider also monetizes Android apps to generate income. So, you’ll have to deal with annoying ads.

I tested its paid version and found there are no data limits. I got full access to Hotspot Shield servers from anywhere plus five simultaneous connections. During testing, the top-tier (Premium Family plan) increased my device connections to 25 on a single subscription.

Unlike other VPNs, Hotspot Shield prefers to use Catapult Hydra protocol’s – an in-house protocol, which boosts speeds without compromising user security. Key features that secure your data are; multi-grade encryption, a kill switch, and leak protection. A kill switch is only available for Windows users.

Hotspot Shield clearly states to keep no logs. But after skimming through their privacy policy, the provider does minimal logging on the free version. It may collect device types, device identifiers, OS versions, browser types, wireless carriers and more.

This alone made me nervous. The fact that Hotspot Shield is based in the US, a member of 14-eyes, is another worry. All this information is enough to track your identity. Frankly speaking, this is exactly the opposite of what privacy-conscious users expect.

What’s more? The app’s interface is simple to understand. While it’s compatible with major devices, you’ll get native apps for Windows, iPhones, Android and Smart TVs. All apps are user-friendly. A “Quick Connect” feature simplifies work for you.

During testing, I unblocked Netflix libraries, Hulu, and Disney+. But I was blocked when I tried to access BBC iPlayer. I can report there are excellent speeds. Not all servers I connected delivered fast connections, though.

I’m happy with Hotspot Shield’s customer support, even for non-paying users. You can raise any concern through live chat, which is responsive and helpful.

  • No monthly data limits!
  • Speed throttling
  • Surprisingly privacy feature set

ProtonVPN squeezes itself as the best service in our competitive shortlist of free VPNs. One standout feature that makes ProtonVPN a high-flying choice is its unlimited data allowance. You don’t have to pay a single cent to get this offer.

It would be unfair of me not to mention its zero data limits as the headline selling point. In simple words, you can get ProtonVPN for free and enjoy as much data as you like every month.

A free version offers you access to servers in three countries – the US, the Netherlands and Japan. The servers are well-distributed around these locations for easy access. You’ll get clients for Mac and Windows, and of course, apps for iPhone and Android.

On desktop, I liked the option to toggle on auto-connect when I rebooted my desktop computer. It’s easy to download these apps. Beginners and professionals alike find it easy to navigate through the VPN without any issues.

Other extra features for freebies are here for you, as well. Talk of DNS protection, a kill switch and split tunneling. As per ProtonVPN’s no-logs policy, it doesn’t log user activity. Your data is protected by Swiss privacy laws where the company operates from.

Like me, internet users want to know more things on the internet. It’s my belief that there are enough reasons to incentivize upgrading to its Plus Tier plan. You’ll indeed gain access to more advanced features, 61 more server locations, and 10 simultaneous connections.

A paid-for plan allows you to share files with your friends securely. Users also benefit from secure streaming from anywhere in the world. And for swift browsing speeds, 10 Gbit servers will impress.

Finally, its customer support is top-notch. You can try ProtonVPN to see whether the service is right for you.

  • 10GB of free data every month
  • Free plan supports 1 device connection
  • Military-grade encryption

Surprisingly better than many others, hide.me offers both free and paid VPN plans, with the former limiting you to 10GB per month. This data cap allowance can be perfect for bandwidth light activities like listening to short music.

There are two more limits: the provider limits you to 5 server locations (including servers in the US and Canada) in preference to over 50 locations you get in a paid plan. Besides, free subscribers are allowed to connect to one device only.

Good news is that hide.me doesn’t throttle the speed of free subscribers. It further promises to not track, monitor or share your connection logs. You’ll browse free, knowing your data is safe from third parties. After all, it doesn’t store user data, so no data to pass on.

Its servers gave impressive speeds in my testing. Note that speed performance depends on the distance of servers – nearby servers perform better than faraway servers. I stream sports – only a few lag cases when the video is starting.

Many nifty features like multi-grade encryption, bolt-fast proxy, IP leak protection, and multihop are available on paid and free versions.

You get zero pop-ups when browsing. There are no ads here, either, and it supports P2P file sharing on all 5 locations. Hide.me has native apps from Android, Mac, Windows PC and iOS. All these apps are hassle-free and easy to use.

Why hide.me? You’re hiding your online life behind a free VPN that maintains your privacy. There’s no selling of data behind your back, too. 99 percent uptime connection is another bonus feature.

On a negative note, hide.me needs to improve on its customer support. Its live chat is slow. And the articles on the website aren’t as informative and thorough as other VPNs we’ve seen.

Overall, it’s more than a free VPN.

  • 2GB monthly allowance
  • Good looking apps

We wrap up our list of free VPN providers with Windscribe. You get a standard 2GB per month – not so much for streaming high quality videos on the most popular streaming sites.

To be fair, though, Windscribe free is committed to protecting your privacy. It doesn’t store IP stamps, connection logs, or visited sites.

Mostly it’s a basic VPN packed with good looking apps. There’s Windscribe apps for your phone – Android, iPhones and blackberry.

It offers apps for Windows, Mac and Linux. You can also install it as an extension on one of your super-useful browsers – chrome, firefox, MS Edge or Opera. This is the smartest choice because you can pin it on your extensions list for full access.

A free version of Windscribe lets you select from 11 server locations, including eight cities in the US, the UK, Canada, Germany, Turkey, and Hong Kong. You’ll jump around best-performing servers in no time.

We don’t expect free VPNs to bypass censored sites, apps, and streaming platforms. Windscribe went beyond this during my Netflix VPN testing. I got full access to my favorite content in the UK. The speed is, however, less consistent if you’re looking for heavy-duty streaming.

For a free version, you won’t binge on massive content. But you can listen to hot music while you commute. There are minor complaints from users. Did we mention it’s free? Yes, we don’t expect less than that.

Are Free VPNs Safe?

Not really. 99 percent of free VPNs aren’t trustworthy. They can leak your personal information. At worst, malicious actors can infect your device with malware, spyware, and ransomware, thus stealing your data.

We’ve seen hackers posting users’ private information on the dark web and ask for ransom. Others can sell your data to third parties like advertisers to cover their costs and make a profit off user data.

Most free services don’t update their VPN networks, leaving everything up for grabs. Go for well-recognized VPNs like CyberGhost.

Try CyberGhost for Free

When is it OK to Use a Free VPN?

If you need a VPN for the short term, the safest option is to take advantage of a free trial or money-back guarantee.

If you just need to go anonymous for web browsing and you’re not online too often, you can use a freemium VPN, like TunnelBear or Hotspot Shield, since the companies are trustworthy.

Why a Free VPN isn't Good for Streaming or Torrenting

Free VPNs are a complete waste of time. When testing, I found that popular streaming sites including Netflix, BBC iPlayer and Amazon Video are very tough to unblock with free VPNs.

You can’t even download torrents. Why is this? Free VPNs:

  • Limit amount of data
  • Speed throttling is common
  • Lacks global server coverage
  • Limited support

Speed throttling, limited data, and bandwidth make free VPNs practically useless for either streaming HD content or torrenting.

Almost all premium VPNs have a money-back guarantee. You can make use of it to satisfy your online needs.

Do Free VPNs Work With Netflix?

Not reliably. Freemium plans are limited in data and usually don’t bypass Netflix proxy server error. They can’t break Netflix libraries on a global scale.

What is a "Freemium" VPN?

A Freemium is simply a sample of a paid service. Most reputable VPN providers offer it to let users test out the free version but with some restrictions. The main aim is to promote their paid plan.

A freemium VPN is best for browsing around the web, online banking and checking emails. It offers;

  • Basic privacy
  • Good security
  • Wide coverage (server count)

What is a "Freemium" VPN?

A Freemium is simply a sample of a paid service. Most reputable VPN providers offer it to let users test out the free version but with some restrictions. The main aim is to promote their paid plan.

A freemium VPN is best for browsing around the web, online banking and checking emails. It offers;

  • Basic privacy
  • Good security
  • Wide coverage (server count)

7 Free VPNs You Should Never Download

Despite the fact that we love free things, avoid these free VPN services like the plague. All these VPN services have weak security features. They include:

  1. EasyVPN – Bombards your device with unwanted ads.
  2. Hola – It’s squarely in the category of fake VPNs that leak users’ IP addresses. So, someone can use your identity without your consent to commit fraud.
  3. CrossVPN – Highly infected with malware and viruses, leaving you vulnerable.
  4. OKVPN – Has weak privacy features. You can’t unblock any streaming sites and/or apps as they claim.
  5. Hoxx VPN – It’s not a real VPN. It’s a proxy that keeps your connection logs to sell to advertisers.
  6. SuperVPN – Sells your bandwidth to generate money.
  7. Onavo VPN – Collects your internet traffic data. That’s an invasion of privacy

Tips on How to Choose a Safe Free VPN

There are a number of things to put into consideration when evaluating free VPNs. These are the criteria I used to rank the above VPNs.

  • Privacy policy

Find out whether the VPN is great on the privacy front. The one you identify should never log your data, save your connection logs or share your online activities to governments, agencies and other spying eyes.

  • Strong security

Consider checking out key security features. A reliable free VPN comes with AES-256-bit encryption, a kill switch, leak protection and IP/DNS leak protection. Look for at least effective tunneling protocols like OpenVPN, WireGuard and IKEv2.

  • Restrictions  

Most free VPNs have restrictions. This may include unlimited data bandwidth, tiny server count, speed throttling, less access to streaming and torrenting sites. Others lack great support due to inadequate resources and funds.

  • Business model

Many companies aim to make profits, free VPNs included. They serve you with ads or secretly collect, share and sell your data for your expense.

CyberGhostNordVPNIPVanishTunnelBearHotspot ShieldProtonVPNHide.meWindscribe
Data Limits`UnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited500Mb15GBUnlimited10GB2GB
Encryption256-bit256-bit256-bit256-bit256-bit256-bit256-bit256-bit
Server Locations9160752015511
Spreed ThrottlingNoNoNoYesYesNoYesYes
Simultaneous Connection76Unlimited15111

These are the best VPBs in 2021

Rank

Provider

User Rating

Our Score

Visit Website

1.

CyberGhost Review: Optimized Servers but Is It Still Secure in 2024?

9.9

2.

NordVPN Review: Great Speeds and Fast Download – But is it Secure?

9.8

3.

IPVanish Review: Budget Friendly VPN, but Is It Any Good?

9.7

The Bottom Line

Free VPNs should be regarded as a last resort. Almost 90 percent impose restrictions –  like data limits, limited server locations, weak security features, and slow speeds. At the moment, TunnelBear is presumably the best.

You can get a premium VPN for free. I should point out that the most familiar VPNs allow you to test out their services risk-free. CyberGhost VPN extends its money-back guarantee period all the way to 45 days.

NordVPN offers a 30-day money-back period. You’ll have to pay upfront for it, but you can cancel the plan and claim a full refund with no question asked.