Best Free VPN in 2026: Safe Options That Actually Work

Free VPNs have a reputation problem—and they’ve earned it. Many harvest your data and sell it to advertisers. Some inject ads into your browsing. A few are outright malware. The old saying holds: if you’re not paying for the product, you are the product.

But not all free VPNs operate this way. A handful of legitimate services offer free tiers as a gateway to their paid plans, giving you real privacy protection without hidden costs. We tested 15 free VPN options to find the ones that actually protect your privacy instead of exploiting it.

Here are the free VPNs worth your time—and a warning about the ones you should avoid at all costs.

Quick Comparison: Best Free VPNs in 2026

VPN	Data Limit	Server Locations	Devices	Best For
ProtonVPN Free	Unlimited	5 countries	1	Overall best free option
Windscribe Free	10GB/month	11 countries	Unlimited	Flexibility and features
hide.me Free	Unlimited	8 locations	1	No registration required
PrivadoVPN Free	10GB/month	12 cities	1	Streaming access
TunnelBear Free	2GB/month	47+ countries	5	Testing before buying

Best Free VPNs: Detailed Reviews

1. ProtonVPN Free — Best Overall Free VPN

ProtonVPN stands alone among free VPNs: unlimited data with no catches. Most free services cap you at 500MB to 10GB monthly. ProtonVPN lets you use it all day, every day, without ever hitting a wall.

The service comes from the team behind ProtonMail, the encrypted email service created by CERN researchers after the Snowden revelations. Privacy is the company’s core mission, not a marketing angle. The free tier uses the same no-logs infrastructure as the paid plans—verified by independent audits from Securitum.

What you get:

• Unlimited bandwidth and data
• Servers in 5 countries (US, Netherlands, Japan, Romania, Poland)
• AES-256 encryption and secure protocols
• Open-source apps anyone can inspect
• No ads, no tracking, no selling your data

What you don’t get:

• You can’t choose specific servers—the app auto-connects to the least crowded option
• Streaming services may not work (no Netflix/Disney+ guarantee)
• Features like NetShield (ad blocker) and Secure Core require paid plans
• Speed is capped compared to Plus servers due to high user load

In our speed tests, ProtonVPN Free averaged 335 Mbps on nearby servers—impressive for a free service, though the paid tier reaches over 950 Mbps. For browsing, email, and basic video calls, the free speeds are perfectly adequate.

The bottom line: ProtonVPN Free is the only free VPN we’d recommend for daily use. The unlimited data and verified privacy make it genuinely useful rather than just a demo.

2. Windscribe Free — Best for Features and Flexibility

Windscribe takes a different approach: generous features with a data cap instead of unlimited data with limited features. You get 10GB monthly (15GB if you tweet about them), access to 11 countries, and—unusually for a free VPN—unlimited simultaneous device connections.

The R.O.B.E.R.T. feature deserves special mention. It’s a customizable blocker that stops ads, trackers, malware, and even specific content categories at the VPN level. Free users get 3 custom rules (paid users get 1,000), but even the basic blocking works across all your devices without browser extensions.

What sets Windscribe apart:

• Same privacy protections as paid users—no second-class treatment
• Split tunneling lets you route only specific apps through the VPN
• Updated to post-quantum encryption in October 2026
• Built-in firewall prevents all leaks including DNS and IPv6
• Works on every platform including Linux and routers

The limitations:

• 10GB sounds like a lot until you stream video—one HD movie uses 3-4GB
• You can’t access “Windflix” servers optimized for streaming services
• Speeds vary depending on server load

Windscribe is transparent about its business model: the free tier exists to convert users to paid subscriptions. Your data isn’t the product—their premium service is. The company publishes a transparency report and maintains a strict no-logs policy.

The bottom line: Windscribe Free works best as a secondary VPN or for light monthly use. The unlimited device connections make it valuable for protecting your whole household’s phones, even with the data cap.

3. hide.me Free — Best for Anonymous Access

hide.me offers something rare: anonymous access with no registration. Download the app, connect, and you’re protected. No email, no account, no personal information required.

The service recently removed its data cap entirely—you now get unlimited data on the free tier. The catch is speed: free servers are throttled, with our tests showing speeds around 1 Mbps. That’s enough for basic browsing and messaging but rules out streaming or large downloads.

The privacy story: hide.me operates from Malaysia, outside the Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, and Fourteen Eyes surveillance alliances. The company’s no-logs policy has been independently audited by Securitum. They don’t show ads or monetize your data in any way.

What works:

• Eight server locations including US, UK, Germany, Netherlands
• Full security features including kill switch and leak protection
• Support for WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 protocols
• Automatically renews monthly—no need to sign up again

What doesn’t:

• The 1 Mbps speed cap makes it impractical for video
• No streaming servers or optimization
• Single device connection per account
• Free servers often congested

The bottom line: hide.me Free is best for occasional privacy needs—accessing blocked content, protecting yourself on public WiFi, or browsing without tracking. The speed cap makes it a poor daily driver, but the no-registration policy is genuinely useful when you need quick, anonymous protection.

4. PrivadoVPN Free — Best for Occasional Streaming

PrivadoVPN is a newer player that offers something most free VPNs don’t: streaming that actually works. During our testing, the free tier successfully accessed Netflix US content—a rarity among free services.

What you get:

• 10GB monthly without speed throttling
• Servers in 12 cities worldwide
• Zero-logs policy under Swiss jurisdiction
• Works with Netflix and some other streaming platforms

The reality check: 10GB per month means roughly 3-4 hours of HD streaming or 10+ hours of SD. You’re not replacing Netflix with this, but you can catch up on a show or two while traveling.

The company is based in Switzerland, offering strong privacy protections. However, PrivadoVPN lacks the track record of established providers like ProtonVPN or Windscribe. They haven’t published independent audits of their infrastructure.

The bottom line: PrivadoVPN Free works best for occasional streaming needs—watching geo-blocked content during short trips or accessing specific shows unavailable in your region. The 10GB cap limits you to light use.

5. TunnelBear Free — Best for VPN Beginners

TunnelBear wraps VPN technology in the friendliest interface we’ve seen. Bear-themed animations guide you through connection, and the whole experience is designed for people who’ve never used a VPN before.

The problem: 2GB per month is almost nothing. That’s about 30 minutes of HD video or a few hours of browsing with images. TunnelBear Free works more as a trial than a practical free VPN.

What makes it notable:

• Servers in 47+ countries—far more than other free VPNs
• 5 device connections on the free tier
• Annual independent security audits by Cure53
• GhostBear mode helps bypass VPN blocks

The concern: TunnelBear was acquired by McAfee in 2018, placing it under US jurisdiction. While the company maintains its no-logs policy has survived the acquisition, privacy purists may prefer Swiss or Panamanian alternatives.

The bottom line: TunnelBear Free is essentially a demo. Use it to test if VPNs work for your needs, then either upgrade or switch to a more generous free option.

Free VPNs to Avoid

Not all free VPNs are created equal. Some are actively dangerous. Here are the services you should never install:

Hola VPN — The Worst Offender

Hola isn’t really a VPN. It’s a peer-to-peer network that routes your traffic through other users’ devices—and their traffic through yours. This means:

• Your IP address can be used for illegal activity. Other Hola users route their traffic through your connection. If they download illegal content, it traces back to you.
• No real encryption. Free users get no encryption at all. Your traffic is exposed.
• Botnet vulnerabilities. Security researchers labeled Hola a “poorly secured botnet” after discovering flaws that allowed anyone to execute programs on users’ computers.
• Extensive logging. Hola logs your IP address, browsing activity, and dozens of other data points.
• Removed from Google Play. Suspected malware led to the app’s removal from Google’s store.

In 2021, hackers breached Hola’s Chrome extension and redirected cryptocurrency users to phishing sites. The service has no place on your devices.

Other Dangerous Free VPNs

• SuperVPN, EasyVPN, OkVPN: Security researchers flagged these as malware vectors
• Psiphon: Stores location, visited sites, and connection times for 90 days; bombards users with ads
• Touch VPN: Records detailed logs of browsing activity and shares data with “Business Partners”
• Betternet: Previous versions contained tracking libraries and malware
• VPN Master/Turbo VPN: Excessive permissions, known to contain malware

Red Flags in Free VPNs

Watch for these warning signs:

• Requests for unnecessary permissions (contacts, phone, SMS)
• No clear privacy policy or vague data collection terms
• Company headquarters in China (where VPN companies must share data with authorities)
• No information about who owns or operates the service
• Promises of completely free premium features

When to Upgrade to a Paid VPN

Free VPNs work for specific use cases. But they have real limitations that paid services don’t.

You Need a Paid VPN If You Want:

Reliable streaming access. Free VPNs rarely unblock Netflix, Disney+, or BBC iPlayer consistently. Paid services like ExpressVPN and NordVPN actively maintain working servers for streaming platforms.

Fast speeds on all servers. Free tier servers get crowded. Paid subscribers get priority access and faster connections, often 3-5x the speeds of free servers.

Multiple device protection. Most free VPNs limit you to 1 device. A family or multi-device household needs the 5-10+ connections that paid plans offer.

24/7 customer support. Free tiers rarely include live chat or priority email support. When something goes wrong, you’re on your own.

Torrenting and P2P. Most free VPNs block or severely limit peer-to-peer traffic. Paid plans include dedicated P2P servers.

Consistent daily use. Data caps of 2-10GB per month don’t survive regular use. Unlimited data requires payment (except ProtonVPN).

Best Value Paid Upgrades

If you’ve tried free VPNs and hit their limits, these paid options offer the best value:

VPN	Price	Why Upgrade
Surfshark	$2.19/mo	Unlimited devices, great streaming
NordVPN	$3.59/mo	Best overall performance
ProtonVPN Plus	$4.99/mo	If you liked ProtonVPN Free
Private Internet Access	$2.19/mo	Maximum customization

How We Tested Free VPNs

Our evaluation covered 15 free VPN services over 6 weeks. We tested:

Speed performance: Using Ookla Speedtest on a 1 Gbps connection, measuring speeds across all available free servers at different times of day.

Privacy verification: DNS leak tests, WebRTC leak tests, and IPv6 leak tests using independent tools. We reviewed privacy policies, corporate structures, and available audit reports.

Practical usability: Daily use for browsing, video calls, and attempting streaming access. We tracked data usage to understand real-world limits.

Security research: Checking for reports of malware, tracking libraries, or security breaches. Reviewing independent security assessments where available.

Business model analysis: Understanding how each service makes money. If a VPN is free, someone is paying—we investigated who and how.

We did not accept payment or free premium access from any VPN provider.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are free VPNs safe to use?

Some are, most aren’t. The free VPNs from established companies with clear business models (ProtonVPN, Windscribe, hide.me) are genuinely safe. They make money by converting free users to paid subscribers, not by selling your data. Random free VPNs from unknown developers are often dangerous—they may log your activity, inject ads, or install malware.

Why do some free VPNs have unlimited data?

ProtonVPN offers unlimited data because it’s funded by paid subscribers and the broader Proton ecosystem (ProtonMail, ProtonDrive). The free tier serves as both a public service for privacy and a marketing channel. hide.me also offers unlimited data but caps speeds to encourage upgrades.

Can I use a free VPN for Netflix?

Rarely. Most free VPNs can’t bypass Netflix’s VPN detection, and those that do often lose access within days. PrivadoVPN Free sometimes works, but the 10GB monthly cap limits you to a few hours. For reliable streaming, you need a paid VPN like ExpressVPN or NordVPN.

Is ProtonVPN Free really unlimited?

Yes. ProtonVPN Free has no data caps, no time limits, and no artificial speed throttling. The limitations are server locations (5 countries), connection count (1 device), and feature access (no streaming servers or advanced features). But for bandwidth, it’s genuinely unlimited.

Why shouldn’t I use Hola VPN?

Hola routes your traffic through other users’ devices—and routes their traffic through yours. Your IP address can be used for illegal activity by other Hola users. The service also logs extensive data, has documented security vulnerabilities, and was breached by hackers in 2021. It’s one of the most dangerous “VPN” services available.

Do free VPNs sell my data?

Legitimate free VPNs from reputable companies (ProtonVPN, Windscribe, hide.me) do not sell your data. They’re funded by paid subscriptions. Shady free VPNs from unknown developers often do sell data, inject ads, or track your activity. The business model matters: if a VPN is truly free with no premium option, question how they make money.

How much data do I need in a free VPN?

It depends on usage:

• Basic browsing: 1-2GB/month
• Email and messaging: 1-2GB/month
• Video calls (Zoom/Meet): 1-2GB/hour
• SD video streaming: 1GB/hour
• HD video streaming: 3GB/hour

For anything involving video, even 10GB/month runs out quickly. ProtonVPN’s unlimited free tier is the only option for heavy users.

Can free VPNs be trusted with banking?

The reputable ones (ProtonVPN, Windscribe, hide.me) use bank-grade encryption and have verified no-logs policies. They’re safe for banking. Unknown free VPNs should never be trusted with sensitive data—they could be logging credentials or injecting code.

Final Verdict

Best free VPN overall: ProtonVPN Free. Unlimited data, verified privacy, and no hidden catches make it the only free VPN suitable for daily use. The limited server locations and single-device cap are real constraints, but the core product delivers genuine protection.

Best for multiple devices: Windscribe Free. The 10GB cap limits heavy use, but unlimited device connections let you protect your whole household’s phones and laptops.

Best for anonymous access: hide.me Free. No registration required means no personal information exchanged. Speed limits make it impractical for daily use, but it’s there when you need quick, anonymous protection.

When to upgrade: If you need streaming access, fast speeds, or protection for more than one device at a time, a paid VPN makes sense. Surfshark at $2.19/month offers unlimited devices and works with Netflix—often worth the cost after hitting free VPN limits.

Free VPNs from trustworthy providers serve a real purpose: basic privacy protection without financial commitment. Just understand their limitations, avoid the dangerous options, and upgrade when your needs outgrow what free can offer.