My team and I tested 100+ free VPNs and shortlisted the best ones. They’re all safe to use, but each one varies in what it offers. Some are fast and reliable for torrenting or streaming. While others come equipped with extra security features for protecting your data. But, even still, you’re always better off using a low-cost premium VPN instead. Of all the VPNs I tested, ExpressVPN is the best — It’s really safe to use and reliably unblocks all major streaming sites. On top of that, it doesn’t limit you in any way, so you can surf the web and stream as much as you want. Even though it’s not 100% free, you can test it out risk-free, as it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you’re not impressed, then getting a full refund is easy. Try ExpressVPN Risk-Free Today Try ExpressVPN Risk-Free Now
Best Free VPNs — Full Analysis (Updated March 2023)
1. ExpressVPN — Overall Best VPN With Robust Security Features and a High-Speed Global Network
ExpressVPN offers top-tier security features to keep you safe online. It has military-grade 256-bit encryption, which scrambles your data so well that it would take billions of years to crack. Moreover, it uses a 4096 bit RSA key, SHA-512 authentication, and Perfect Forward Secrecy. The latter is a system that changes the encryption key frequently, making it almost impossible to decode. It also comes with IP/DNS leak protection and an automatic kill switch (called Network Lock). This ensures that you stay protected even if the VPN unexpectedly disconnects. During testing, my Macbook went into sleep mode while ExpressVPN was connected. When I turned it back on, Network Lock immediately warned me that my internet was disabled until the VPN reconnected (it only took about 3 seconds). The VPN supports multiple protocols, including OpenVPN, IKEv2, and its own Lightway protocol. During my tests, I preferred using the Lightway protocol as it’s secure and had the fastest speeds. I was able to connect to the VPN within a second, and I could browse, stream, and torrent without interruptions. It operates under a strict no-logs policy, too. ExpressVPN has hired security companies to perform audits of its policies. The results have always been good — its no-logs claims are true. On top of that, ExpressVPN’s entire network runs on RAM-based servers that automatically erase your browsing history when the server is rebooted. You don’t have to worry about your personal data being shared because it’s simply not recorded. To further protect your privacy, you can also pay with cryptocurrencies and sign up through an “.onion” site with Tor. ExpressVPN offers unlimited bandwidth and is one of the fastest VPNs in the industry. I can always watch my favorite series in Ultra HD without buffering with this VPN. During my tests, I connected to more than 55 servers (including the US, UK, and Australia) and had an average download speed of 150 Mbps. This is only a drop of 5% from my baseline connection, and it’s 6x faster than the 25 Mbps you need for UHD. Netflix’s VPN bans are no match against ExpressVPN’s technology. Even some of the best VPNs can’t get past the blocks, but I had no issue at all — I could consistently access my US Netflix account and load shows in a few seconds. HBO Max, Disney+, Hulu, and so many other popular streaming sites were easy to access, too. You won’t get stuck on error screens or endure annoying lag while streaming. It has an extensive server network with 3,000 servers in 94 countries. The entire network supports P2P, so you’ll have no problem torrenting. Plus, each server is equipped with automatic obfuscation, which disguises your VPN traffic as normal traffic when a tough firewall is detected. This allows ExpressVPN to work in censorship-heavy countries, like the UAE and China. ExpressVPN also allows you to connect up to 5 devices simultaneously. This gives you the freedom to stream on your phone as you work on your computer while your other family members surf the web safely on their own devices. It even includes split tunneling that allows you to choose what traffic passes through the VPN. Simply select which apps will use the VPN and which you’ll access with your regular IP. I tested this by setting my US online banking app not to use the VPN connection. After connecting to a server in the UK, I could still easily access my banking app without CAPTCHA checks or being blocked. This means you’ll never have to worry about losing access to your online banking and domestic streaming sites when you connect to the VPN. Although ExpressVPN isn’t 100% free, I prefer to use this VPN because it’s way more reliable than any truly free VPN I’ve used. You can test ExpressVPN’s premium features risk-free for 30 days because it’s backed by a money-back guarantee — so, you can claim a full refund if you’re not impressed with it. I tested this policy to make sure it was legitimate and they stood by the guarantee. Over 24/7 live chat, the agent only asked me a few user satisfaction questions and quickly approved my refund. I saw the money back in my account 3 days later. Start Risk-Free with ExpressVPN
2. CyberGhost — Specialty Servers for Easy Access to Dozens of Geoblocked Streaming Sites
Not only does CyberGhost have an extensive global network, but it offers dedicated servers that make it incredibly user-friendly. You can search for servers by location, but also based on the activity you want to perform. For example, I could just type “Netflix” into the search bar and all servers optimized to access Netflix popped up. You can easily unblock over 50 other streaming services, including Hulu, SlingTV, BBC iPlayer, and many more. It also comes with dedicated servers for P2P file sharing (for Windows and Mac) and gaming (only Windows). You can find them listed separately in the left-hand sidebar. Thanks to its superfast speeds and unlimited data, you can stream in Ultra HD without buffering and download torrents without noticeable slowdowns. During my tests, I had speeds as fast as 140 Mbps, a drop of just 12% from my usual connection. CyberGhost’s speeds aren’t as fast as ExpressVPN’s, but they’re still more than enough for streaming in 4k. It didn’t even make a difference that I was thousands of miles away from the server. You can connect up to 7 devices under a single subscription. I tested its effectiveness by streaming on 2 laptops, my tablet, and smartphone using one of its US servers at the same time. I was impressed to see that all the streams were flawless, without interruptions. CyberGhost comes with impressive security features, including AES-256 encryption, IPv6 and DNS leak protection, and an automatic kill switch. I tested the kill switch while switching from a US to a UK server — in the 10 seconds it took to connect, my WiFi was down. This prevents data leaks, so your personal information and true location are always protected. Additionally, it provides its Block Content feature that stops malware-containing ads from infecting your device. And since all of its servers are RAM-based, they clear your data with each reboot. It has a solid no-logs policy, too meaning that it doesn’t keep any information about you (your browsing history, IP address, and real location are all hidden). CyberGhost also offers NoSpy servers, which are independently operated and can only be accessed by CyberGhost’s employees (so no third party can interfere). Furthermore, these servers are based in Romania, which maintains strict privacy laws and is located outside Eyes Alliances. This way, you’re sure that your online data is kept private. The only negative is it’s not completely free. But, the 45-day money-back guarantee means you can try CyberGhost risk-free — you can get a full refund easily within the guarantee period (shorter plans cost less up front, but only offer a 14-day refund guarantee). I made sure the refund policy is trustworthy by testing it myself. Using 24/7 live chat I requested my refund. The agent asked why I wanted to cancel, but didn’t push me to stay at all. My request was approved in under 5 minutes and I had all my money back 4 days later. Start FREE With CyberGhost
3. Proton VPN — One of the Only Free VPNs Without Data Caps for Unlimited Safe Browsing
Proton VPN’s free service offers unlimited data, so you can surf the web and download as much as you want. I was impressed by this since most free VPNs only offer between 500MB - 10GB per month. This means you can leave it running all the time and it won’t cut you off at a certain data cap. Its strong security features ensure you can browse the internet safely. The VPN offers powerful AES 256-bit encryption, an automatic kill switch, and IP/DNS leak protection. On top of OpenVPN and IKEv2, Proton VPN offers WireGuard, which is impressive since most free VPNs don’t (or make you upgrade to use it). WireGuard had the fastest speeds during my tests. Proton VPN has a clear zero-logging policy that is strictly enforced. All the apps are open-source and have undergone security audits. This way, Proton VPN adds an extra layer of safety and transparency to its VPN. Moreover, all you need is an email to sign up. Additionally, Proton VPN is headquartered in Switzerland, which is outside of the 5/9/14-Eyes Alliance. This means that even if it did store personal data, it could never be forced to hand it over even if a government agency asked for it. The VPN is easy to use and doesn’t have annoying ads, which helps it run smoothly — it only took 5 seconds to load and connect on my Macbook. However, my speeds were inconsistent. During my tests, I had fast rates of around 29 Mbps on local servers, but long-distance servers made my speeds drop. Proton VPN comes with only 1 device connection, which is less than ExpressVPN (it offers 5) and CyberGhost (which offers 7). Unlike most free VPNs, you can set Proton VPN up on your router to get unlimited device connections. And while you don’t have access to its superfast 10Gbit network, Secure Core (Double VPN), or Tor servers, you get other extra features like custom DNS settings and split tunneling. You get access to 100+ servers in Japan, Netherlands, and the US (although none of them support torrenting). If you’re not located close to one of these regions, you’ll probably have slower speeds. Some of these servers were also overcrowded when I used them, which slowed my connection, too. I was only able to watch Netflix Originals with Proton VPN’s US servers. However, its Netherlands and Japan servers unblocked region-specific Netflix shows. It didn’t work with Disney+, HBO Max, or any other popular streaming platform. While it’s not the best for bypassing geoblocks, I still recommend Proton VPN as it is a super safe VPN — it’s best for protecting your online privacy without worrying about data restrictions. If you ever run into any issues using Proton VPN, don’t count on a speedy response from customer support. Proton VPN doesn’t offer 24/7 live chat. However, even though it took 3 days to receive a response, customer support was informative and helpful with my questions about router setup over email. Start FREE with Proton VPN
4. Avira Phantom VPN — Free VPN with User-Friendly Apps to Protect All Your Devices
You can protect as many devices as you want with Avira Phantom VPN, but I was especially impressed with its free mobile app for Android and iOS. It offers an extensive server network, can unblock several streaming platforms, and comes with advanced security features — something that is difficult to find with free (mobile) VPNs. Unlike Avira’s desktop client where you can only connect to a server using the “Nearest Location” feature, Avira’s free mobile apps offer servers in 35+ locations (including a streaming-optimized one). When I tested its US - Streaming server, I could access Netflix US, Hulu, and Disney+ on my iPhone without hassle. All Avira Phantom VPN apps keep your online data well protected with a zero-logs policy, IKEv2 and OpenVPN protocols, and 256-bit encryption. Its mobile version offers an “auto-connect” feature, which means that the VPN automatically connects if it detects an untrusted Wi-Fi network — this is great if you often browse the web on public WiFi. Unfortunately, Avira Phantom VPN doesn’t work in countries that restrict VPN use, like China. These strong security and privacy features are also useful because its desktop and mobile apps support torrenting, so you can download files safely. When I tested out its torrenting capabilities, I had a speed of 29 Mbps, which is pretty impressive. I was able to download a 50MB (copyright-free!) file in 25 seconds using uTorrent on my MacBook. However, I was disappointed that there’s no automatic kill switch and you only get 500MB of data per month (1GB if you sign up with your email). I could only watch Netflix in HD for 20 minutes before the VPN cut me off. However, there is an option to sign up for a 7-day trial of the premium version (only on mobile), which includes unlimited data. Start FREE with Avira Phantom VPN
5. hide.me — Superfast Free VPN to Browse Without Slowdowns
I got great speeds with hide.me. I tested my speeds on all 9 free servers and never experienced a rate slower than 25 Mbps. On top of that, you get a generous 10 GB of free data every month. That gives you about 3.5 hours of HD streaming. And since hide.me’s speeds are much faster than the 5 Mbps you need for that, you won’t have to worry about any annoying buffering. Along with military-grade encryption, a kill switch, and leak protection, hide.me’s free plan also has a ton of advanced security settings and supports an impressive 5 VPN protocols, including WireGuard, OpenVPN, and SoftEther. Stealth Guard allows you to bind the VPN to your network (or just certain apps) for top security. It also comes with split tunneling, an auto-connection feature for unsecured networks, custom port selection, and Stealth Mode. Its no-logs policy is also solid, but not flawless. The VPN logs anonymized data like your total amount of data traffic, randomly generated username, and assigned IP addresses. However, this data is erased every few hours and it can’t be used to identify you. The VPN has 9 free servers – located in the US (East and West), Canada, the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Spain, and Singapore. All of them support P2P traffic, so hide.me is a great option if you want to stay safe while torrenting. Moreover, I could access the full Canada, Netherlands, and Germany Netflix libraries. However, when I connected to Netflix US, I could stream Netflix Originals only. A minor con is that you can only use hide.me’s free VPN on 1 device at a time. However, it is possible to turn your laptop into an encrypted router. All you have to do is set up hide.me on your laptop, turn on the WiFi hotspot, and connect all your devices to it. It has easy-to-follow setup guides for these devices and other operating systems on its website as well. But if you ever need assistance you can also take advantage of its 24/7 live chat support (even as a free user!). I used this service a few times during this review and the support agents were helpful and friendly. I got a response in less than 10 seconds every time. Start FREE with hide.me
6. Hotspot Shield — P2P-Friendly Free VPN for Fast and Safe Torrenting
Hotspot Shield has fast speeds for P2P file sharing. I thought that only having 1 server located in the US would affect my download speeds since I’m located 8,000 km away in Western Europe. But when I used Hotspot Shield’s Catapult Hydra protocol (which was designed to speed up long-distance connections), I had an average speed of 23 Mbps and was able to download a 100MB file in only 1 minute. It’s safe to use and comes with military-grade encryption, a kill switch, and leak protection. My tests didn’t reveal any DNS or IP leaks, so you’re well protected and no third party, including your ISP, can see your online activity. Although it offers strong security features, Hotspot Shield does keep anonymous logs of the bandwidth you consume, the duration of VPN sessions, and the device you’re using. However, since none of this data can be used to identify you, your privacy is still well protected. Its user-friendly, dedicated apps offer a one-click connection so that you can get started without a hassle. However, the free version is supported by ads, so actually using it was a bit annoying because the VPN opened web pages full of ads during my tests. I would recommend using this VPN alongside a trusted ad blocker so you don’t have to click out of pop ups constantly. Hotspot Shield is not the best option for streaming. Although I could access Netflix US (Originals only), I was blocked by a premium payment wall when I tried to access my HBO Max and Hulu accounts with the VPN enabled. However, it still works to bypass content filters and firewalls, so you can access sites that your school or workplace might block on its network. It’s also a good option if you just want to protect yourself on public WiFi. I also found that even though it offers a generous 15GB of data per month, it limits you to only 500MB per day. While this is far too little for downloading large files, it’s enough to download some music files, check your email, and browse the web safely and anonymously. Start FREE with Hotspot Shield
7. TunnelBear — Free VPN with a Large Server Network for Reliable Connections
Unlike most free VPNs that limit you to a handful of servers, TunnelBear allows free users to use its entire network. It has 2,600 servers in 47 locations, including the US, UK, India, and Australia. When I tested it on servers close to my location, I got a decent speed of 15 Mbps and could browse the web without any noticeable slowdowns. But on long-distance servers, it sometimes took 15 seconds to load pages (my speeds were 9 Mbps). Since TunnelBear has a large server network, you can get decent speeds because there will most likely be a server nearby. The free version of TunnelBear’s app is a great way to get started if you’re new to VPNs. You wouldn’t expect a VPN app to be fun to use, but with cute, animated grizzly bears and bear puns galore, using its simple app is a joyful experience. However, I was a bit disappointed with TunnelBear’s compatibility — it’s only available for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. It doesn’t offer router support (even if you upgrade), meaning that you can’t use it on any other devices. In addition, it’s a super safe choice. TunnelBear is one of the rare free VPNs that’s undergone independent audits of all of its apps. It also uses AES 256-bit encryption and IP/DNS leak protection, supports OpenVPN on all major platforms, and has an automatic kill switch. I performed leak tests on its US, UK, and France servers and never encountered any IP or DNS leaks. This means you’re well protected while using this VPN. With GhostBear Mode, you can access content in countries where networks are restricted. It is important to note, however, that it is not functional in China. If you are considering a VPN for this purpose, it is crucial to familiarize yourself with the local laws and regulations regarding the use of VPNs. TunnelBear’s 500MB data cap is extremely limiting. Even though all of its servers support torrenting you can’t download much with only 500MB of data. Moreover, although I could access several Netflix libraries (including Netflix US (Originals), FR, UK, and DE), this data limit makes TunnelBear pretty useless for streaming as well. Luckily, I was able to take advantage of a Twitter promo when I signed up and got an extra 1GB of data added on to my allowance by tweeting the company. Start FREE with TunnelBear
8. Kaspersky Secure Connection VPN — Its Free App Can Easily Access Netflix
Kaspersky Secure Connection VPN has a user-friendly app for all your devices. After the app was installed on my iPhone and Macbook, it only took 1 click to protect them and easily keep track of my (minuscule) daily data allowance of 200MB. While this data allowance makes it a poor choice for torrenting and streaming, it’s a good option for VPN beginners who want to stay safe online. This free VPN has fast speeds. During my tests, the rates remained consistently fast (about 19 Mbps) on both its local and long-distance servers. This means you can browse the web without experiencing any slowdowns. However, I did find it a bit annoying that I couldn’t choose a server myself. Your server is assigned automatically, so you don’t know which location you’re connected to until after you connect. While using Kaspersky Secure Connection, I was given servers in the US and the Netherlands. It uses AES 256-bit encryption, which is of the highest standard, but the kill switch isn’t available to free users. In addition, Kaspersky is based in Russia, where the government is known for performing heavy surveillance. That said, Kaspersky maintains a strict no-logging policy — your browsing history, IP address, and other identifiable information is never stored. This means that even if the Russian government compelled Kaspersky to overturn user data, there would be none to give. It only has 2,000 servers in 72 countries, which is pretty small. But, I did manage to access Netflix using the both automatically selected servers assigned to me. Start FREE with Kaspersky Secure Connection VPN
Quick Comparison Table: Best Free VPNs
The table below compares the features of all the free VPNs in this list. You can check the speeds, the data limit per month, and the number of simultaneous device connections of each VPN. I’ve also included the VPN’s privacy policy so you can check if the VPN logs your information. Moreover, if you want to download files, you can see here which free VPNs allow torrenting. Try ExpressVPN Risk-Free Now
Risks to Using Free VPNs: What Providers May Not Tell You
All of the free VPNs on this list have been tried and tested and I’ve read through their privacy policies to ensure they’re trustworthy and safe to use. Although they do have some limitations, there are a lot of other free VPNs that come with real dangers that could cost you in other ways. Some dangers of using free VPNs are:
Free VPNs can collect and sell your data: You should always read any VPN’s privacy policy very carefully (especially free ones) to make sure you’re actually being protected. There have been cases of free VPNs selling user data despite their privacy policies promising otherwise. Using a free VPN that sells your data completely defeats the purpose since you’re using a VPN to protect your privacy and data. Free VPNs can have weak security features and leak your info: Many free VPNs have security features that are not held to industry standards. IP and DNS leaks are common, which means that your privacy isn’t protected at all. Without strong leak protection and a kill switch, anyone can still track your browsing history. Free VPNs can come with viruses and harmful malware: A lot of free VPNs are created as ways to infect your device (not protect it), and have viruses and malware packaged into the software. In addition, free VPNs often don’t provide built-in ad blockers since they rely on advertising for revenue. This means that the chance of your device becoming infected with malware is higher with free VPNs.
It’s definitely safer to use a trusted, low-cost premium VPN because they’re held to high industry standards: they have the strongest security features, strict no-logging policies, and won’t limit your usage. They even come with money-back guarantees, encouraging you to test them risk-free for a limited period of time. If you are not impressed by the service, you can just request a full refund. Try ExpressVPN Risk-Free Today
Free vs Paid VPNs: Which Is Best for You?
Here’s a quick overview of the major differences between paid and free VPNs, so that you can make an informed decision between the two:
Cost. Of course, a free VPN’s main benefit is that it doesn’t cost anything. While the best paid VPNs offer a money-back guarantee, which allows you to pursue a full refund if you’re not satisfied, you would still need to make an initial payment to try the service. Speed. The difference in speed between a paid VPN and a free VPN tends to be huge. For example, I got an average speed of 150 Mbps with ExpressVPN, while Proton VPN — the fastest free VPN I tested — only got 29 Mbps. To make things clear, ExpressVPN only slowed my connection by about 5%, while free VPNs slowed it by around 80% to 90%. If you have a poor baseline connection, you may find it difficult to get a usable speed with a free VPN. Data allowance. Free VPNs also tend to cap your data usage. As an example, Avira Phantom VPN’s free version caps you to 500MB of data per month, or 1GB if you sign up with your email address. With such tight limitations, you’ll be unable to stream or torrent much content before hitting the cap. Paid VPNs generally offer unlimited data, allowing you to torrent and stream as much as you like. Server network. Most free VPNs feature limited server networks. You may only be able to connect to servers in a few countries, meaning you’ll be stuck to the regional content in those areas. If these countries are far from your physical location, you’re likely to experience slower speeds, too. Conversely, ExpressVPN offers 3,000 servers across 94 countries, allowing you to unblock region-locked content from across the world and achieve faster speeds. Security and privacy. The best paid VPNs offer military-grade encryption, robust DNS/IP protection, and proven no-logs policies to protect your data. While the free VPNs listed here are safe to use, many free VPNs struggle to offer the same level of security and privacy — some even purposefully log your data with the intent of sharing it with third-party advertisers. Torrenting support. Not all free VPNs support P2P connections, and those that do usually impose harsh data caps. It’s much easier to torrent with a paid VPN, as you’ll have unlimited data and much better speeds. CyberGhost even offers dedicated torrenting servers, which offer optimized P2P traffic for fast downloads. Customer support. VPN support teams tend to prioritize paying customers, rather than those on a free plan. This means you’re likely to get faster and better help with a paid VPN.
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Hola Free VPN — This isn’t a VPN, but an unsafe P2P network where other people use your personal IP address. Your internet traffic is not encrypted and your data isn’t kept private at all. Even worse, if someone uses your IP address and does something illegal, you are the one who can get in trouble since it will be traced back to you. Combined with the fact that Hola has one of the most intrusive logging policies I’ve ever read (it logs your true IP address, the websites you visit, your name, email address, and even your payment information), using Hola goes completely against the purpose of using a VPN. Psiphon — This VPN logs region codes, domain names you’ve visited, connection time stamps, and more. What I found even more alarming is that it keeps these logs for up to 90 days. Moreover, Psiphon is full of ads and shares statistics and user data with its commercial partners. Touch VPN — While popular, this VPN logs a worrying amount of your data, including timestamped browsing activity, device information, and approximate location. To make things worse, it allows its “Business Partners” to track and collect information on you while you’re connected. VPN Gate — VPN Gate is volunteer-operated, which means anyone could be running your VPN server. This is a huge privacy concern, as these server owners can easily collect and monitor your data. In addition, VPN Gate’s “Anti-Abuse Policy” states that it logs your IP address, browsing activities, and more. It also makes clear that it’s happy to share this data with any government agency that asks. LinkVPN — LinkVPN has a ton of shady stuff going on in the background. Not only does its privacy policy state that it stores your data, but affiliates of the app and government agencies also have full access. It’s also not immediately clear who created the VPN — after some digging, it seems to be a solo developer based in China who has been responsible for other privacy-violating VPNs, like SuperVPN. Other free VPNs to avoid — Betternet VPN, SuperVPN, ThunderVPN, AnonyTun, CrossVPN, sFly Network Booster, OKVPN, EasyVPN, Hoxx VPN, Archie VPN, Hat VPN, Private Pipe VPN, Tuxler VPN, GO VPN, Hexatech, Faceless.me, FinchVPN, VPN One Click, Fast Secure Payment, and TurboVPN.
Tips on How to Choose the Best Free VPN
There are a few main things you need to look out for when choosing a free VPN. During my tests, I used the following criteria to rank these top free VPNs:
Entirely risk-free — If you’re trying a VPN for free, you shouldn’t have to worry about being wrongly charged or getting stuck in a contract. Every forever free VPN on this list has been tested to ensure it won’t suddenly try to charge you, and both ExpressVPN and CyberGhost have been proven to uphold their guarantees. Military-grade security — A free VPN shouldn’t cut corners on security. You should be protected by top-of-the-line AES 256-bit encryption, IP/DNS leak protection, and an automatic kill switch or else there’s no point in using a VPN in the first place. Strict no-logs policy — Some free VPNs will happily log and share your data with advertisers, government agencies, and anyone else who asks. Avoid your identity being leaked by choosing a VPN that has a trustworthy no-logs policy. Good speeds with enough data — Free VPNs should provide enough speed and monthly data to actually be useful. The absolute best free VPNs have sufficient speed for streaming HD content with no data caps. Large server network — If your free VPN doesn’t have enough servers, you’ll run into constant performance and connection issues due to server overcrowding. Pick a free VPN that offers at least 100+ servers to ensure better reliability. Can unblock streaming sites — Many free VPNs fail to unblock streaming sites. This is due to the fact that they do not properly maintain their servers, leading to streaming sites detecting and banning the VPN’s IP addresses. All the VPNs on this list managed to unblock some of the most popular streaming platforms. Support torrenting — Not all free VPNs support P2P file sharing — your connection will be cut off if you attempt to do so. Choose a VPN that is torrent-friendly. Some, like CyberGhost, even offer torrenting-optimized servers, proxies, and other specialized features. User-friendly and responsive app — Many free VPNs bombard you with ads and have an unclear UI, which can be highly frustrating. Choose a VPN that abides by a no-ads policy and offers a simple interface, making it quick and easy to connect to the ideal server. Device compatibility — A lot of free VPNs are limited to just a few devices — if you wish to use them with less popular OS, such as Linux, or devices such as Smart TVs, you’re usually out of luck. However, there are a few free VPNs that are more versatile, such as the ones I’ve picked above.
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What is the best free VPN?
There are only a few good truly free VPNs available and I’ve listed the best ones based on my research. However, each and every one of them comes with pretty severe limitations (as all free VPNs do). Most of them have small server networks, slow speeds, and data caps. Moreover, some free VPNs are missing essential security features like a kill switch. That’s why it’s better to try out a low-cost premium VPN that comes with a money-back guarantee instead. This allows you to make use of all its premium features, including fast speeds, unlimited data, and robust security features. Moreover, you’ll be able to unblock streaming content from anywhere as most top-tier VPNs offer extensive server networks.
Which devices can I install a free VPN on?
Most free VPNs only let you connect to 1 device at a time, so keep in mind that even if it’s compatible on lots of your devices, you won’t be able to connect them all at once.
Which free VPN is best for Netflix?
Free VPNs generally can’t bypass Netflix’s rock-solid geoblocks. They simply don’t have the resources to upgrade their server networks to keep up with IP blocks Netflix enforces to reduce VPN traffic on its site. However, I was surprised that Kaspersky Secure Connection VPN did manage to access Netflix. I recommend trying out ExpressVPN because it’s the only VPN that could consistently access US and UK Netflix during my tests. It has an extensive and reliable server network that’s constantly updated. It even unlocks other streaming platforms like Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, and more. If you’re not happy with it you can always claim a full refund within 30 days.
What is the best free VPN for torrenting?
The best completely free VPN for torrenting is Hotspot Shield, since it has fast speeds and military-grade encryption. However, it does come with a data cap of 500MB per day, which means you won’t be protected if you want to download large files. A better option is ExpressVPN. It has optimized servers for torrenting, superfast speeds, and unlimited bandwidth. It’s not technically free, but you don’t have to commit to a subscription when you sign up because it offers a money-back guarantee. That means you can use all of its premium features and claim a full refund within 30 days if you’re not happy with it.
What’s the fastest free VPN?
During my tests, the fastest VPNs were ExpressVPN and CyberGhost. I never got less than 140 Mbps — several times more than what’s needed to comfortably stream in UHD. While these VPNs aren’t completely free, you can test them risk-free during their money-back guarantee period. If you aren’t satisfied, you can easily get a full refund. If you’d prefer a forever free VPN, Proton VPN and Avira Phantom VPN were the fastest. Both of them offered me download speeds over 25 Mbps, which was more than enough for HD streaming. That said, all forever free VPNs are limited in some form. For example, Proton VPN only has 3 free server locations, while Avira Phantom VPN enforces a data cap of 1GB per month.
Are free VPNs actually safe?
Unfortunately, free VPNs aren’t always 100% safe. However, the VPNs in this list are safe to use — I read all the privacy policies and none of them store any identifiable information. I performed leak tests to make sure my connection was properly hidden and they all passed the test. Many free VPNs can be dangerous for several reasons. Some free VPNs don’t offer proper encryption, while some keep logs and share that data with third parties like advertisers to make money. Unfortunately, that’s not all — I encountered free VPNs that contain malware embedded into the apps.
Should I use a free VPN with Tor?
It’s possible to use the free VPNs on this list with Tor — but it can be very slow. Since Tor already takes extra time to send your traffic through its relays, you need a high-speed VPN to make it fast enough to use. Free VPNs that limit your bandwidth and speed won’t work. For the best speeds, you should connect to a server that’s close to your physical location. This can sometimes be difficult with a free VPN because they have fewer servers, so there may not be one nearby.
Do free VPNs work in China?
There are a few free VPNs that work in China — but they’re not secure enough to use. You need tough security features to keep you safe in places with strict censorship laws (like China, Dubai, India, and Russia) and free VPNs aren’t the most secure option. The main problem is that free VPNs don’t offer obfuscation, which means the Chinese government can see that you’re using a VPN and will block your connection. You may be punished for breaking the law if you use any VPN there. (It’s always important to proceed with caution when using a VPN in countries that ban their use, so check local laws carefully before doing so.) Additionally, the free VPNs that work are very limited — you’ll run out of data in a few days and be left without any protection at all. A more reliable option would be ExpressVPN since it hides your location, activity, and VPN use. It’s not technically free, but you can try it out risk-free for 30 days. If you’re not happy, you can always ask for a refund.
What’s the best free VPN for gaming?
Sadly, I cannot recommend any forever free VPN as a good option for gaming. Even the best free VPNs have very limited server networks, which means it’s much more difficult to find a closeby low-latency server. You’ll usually encounter at least 200+ ms ping, which is completely unplayable for most games. Instead, I’d recommend trying a low-cost premium VPN risk-free. Both ExpressVPN and CyberGhost have larger and more reliable server networks than any free VPN. My tests showed a ping of around 30 ms to 50 ms with both VPNs, allowing me to game competitively. These VPNs also offer a money-back guarantee, so you can get a full refund if you’re not completely satisfied. Try ExpressVPN Risk-Free Today
The Bottom Line
While some free VPNs can keep you safe online, even the safest ones can’t compete with low-cost premium VPNs. A premium service offers the best security, as well as streaming and torrenting support. And, unlike most free VPNs, it’s standard to get unlimited data and bandwidth. You’ll be able to access more servers and enjoy faster connections. The good news is, most premium VPNs offer free trials and money-back guarantees, so you can make sure the service you choose is right for you without making a commitment. My top recommendation is ExpressVPN because it’s superfast, secure, and it can unblock tons of streaming services, including Netflix US. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can test it out completely risk-free. All you have to do is claim a full refund if you’re not impressed.
The best VPNs you can try risk-free with money-back guarantees are…
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