The Best Free VPN Services of 2025
Our experts have tested and reviewed dozens of free VPN services to bring you the most secure, reliable, and feature-rich options available today. Below you'll find our top recommendations that offer the best balance of security, speed, and accessibility without any cost.
ProtonVPN Free
- Unlimited data usage
- Servers in 3 countries
- Strong security (AES-256 encryption)
- No logs policy
- Medium speeds
Pros
- No data limits
- Based in privacy-friendly Switzerland
- Open-source apps
- Built-in ad blocker
Cons
- Limited to 3 server locations
- One device connection only
- Medium speeds on free plan
Windscribe Free
- 10GB monthly data
- Servers in 10 countries
- Strong security features
- Ad blocker included
- Fast speeds
Pros
- Generous 10GB data allowance
- Wide server selection
- Built-in firewall (R.O.B.E.R.T)
- Supports P2P on some servers
Cons
- Limited monthly data
- Some streaming services blocked
- Based in Canada (Five Eyes)
Hide.me Free
- 10GB monthly data
- Servers in 5 countries
- No logs policy
- WireGuard protocol
- Fast speeds
Pros
- Based in privacy-friendly Malaysia
- Independently audited
- Advanced security features
- No registration required
Cons
- Limited monthly data
- One device connection only
- No streaming support on free plan
Free VPN Comparison Table
Compare the key features of our top-rated free VPN services to find the one that best suits your needs.
| VPN Service | Data Limit | Server Locations | Speed | Streaming | Torrenting | Simultaneous Devices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ProtonVPN | Unlimited | 3 countries | Medium | 1 | ||
| Windscribe | 10GB/month | 10 countries | Fast | Limited | Unlimited | |
| Hide.me | 10GB/month | 5 countries | Fast | 1 | ||
| Hotspot Shield | 500MB/day | 1 country (US) | Very Fast | 1 | ||
| TunnelBear | 500MB/month | 49+ countries | Medium | 5 | ||
| ZoogVPN | 10GB/month | 3 countries | Medium | 1 |
Speed Test Results
We tested each free VPN service on a 100 Mbps connection to measure their impact on download and upload speeds.
Speed is a critical factor when choosing a VPN, even a free one. Our tests show that Hotspot Shield offers the fastest speeds among free VPNs, followed closely by Windscribe and Hide.me. ProtonVPN provides moderate speeds that are still suitable for browsing and standard definition streaming.
Key Findings:
- Hotspot Shield's Hydra protocol delivers impressive speeds but comes with a strict data cap
- Windscribe maintains good speeds across most server locations
- ProtonVPN speeds are sufficient for everyday browsing despite being throttled compared to premium
- TunnelBear and ZoogVPN show significant speed reductions during peak hours
Free vs. Premium VPN Speeds
Free VPN Limitations
- Speed throttling on most free services
- Limited server options (often congested)
- Lower priority during peak hours
- Restricted protocols (often older, slower ones)
- Data caps affect continuous usage
Premium VPN Advantages
- Full, unthrottled speeds
- Optimized server networks
- Advanced protocols (WireGuard, NordLynx, Lightway)
- Unlimited data for streaming and downloads
- Dedicated servers for specific activities
Security & Privacy Features
Security is paramount when choosing a VPN. Here's how our top free VPN picks compare in terms of encryption, protocols, and privacy features.
Encryption Standards
Best Free VPNs for Specific Uses
Different activities require different VPN capabilities. Here are our recommendations for specific use cases.
General Browsing
Best Choice: ProtonVPN
For everyday browsing with basic privacy protection, ProtonVPN's unlimited data makes it ideal. You won't have to worry about hitting data caps while reading news, checking email, or browsing social media.
Public Wi-Fi Security
Best Choice: Hide.me
Hide.me's strong encryption and strict no-logs policy make it perfect for securing connections on public Wi-Fi. Its fast speeds ensure your browsing experience isn't compromised while staying protected.
Occasional Downloads
Best Choice: Windscribe
With 10GB of monthly data and support for P2P on some servers, Windscribe is the best free option for occasional downloads. Its good speeds ensure you can download files efficiently within the data limit.
Maximum Privacy
Best Choice: ProtonVPN
Based in privacy-friendly Switzerland with a proven no-logs policy and open-source apps, ProtonVPN offers the strongest privacy guarantees among free VPNs. Its Secure Core architecture provides additional protection against network-based attacks.
Free vs. Premium VPNs: What's the Difference?
While free VPNs can provide basic protection, premium services offer significant advantages. Here's what you're missing with free options.
| Feature | Free VPNs | Premium VPNs |
|---|---|---|
| Data Limits | Usually capped (except ProtonVPN) | Unlimited |
| Server Locations | Limited (3-10 countries) | Extensive (60+ countries) |
| Speed | Often throttled | Full speed, optimized networks |
| Streaming Support | Limited or none | Dedicated streaming servers |
| Simultaneous Connections | Usually 1 (Windscribe excepted) | 5-10 devices |
| Advanced Features | Basic protection only | Split tunneling, double VPN, etc. |
| Customer Support | Limited, often email only | 24/7 live chat, priority support |
| Ads | Some show ads | No ads |
Affordable Premium Alternatives
If you find free VPNs too limiting, these premium options offer excellent value:
ProtonVPN Plus
From $4.99/month
Unlock all 1700+ servers in 60+ countries, plus streaming and P2P support with high speeds.
Windscribe Pro
From $4.08/month
Unlimited data with access to all 100+ locations and advanced R.O.B.E.R.T features.
Hide.me Premium
From $4.99/month
Unlimited data, 10 simultaneous connections, and access to 2000+ servers in 75+ locations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are free VPNs safe to use?
Not all free VPNs are safe. Many free VPN services, especially those not listed in our recommendations, have been found to collect and sell user data, contain malware, or have serious security vulnerabilities. The free VPNs we recommend are from established companies with transparent privacy policies and business models.
For maximum safety, stick to reputable providers like ProtonVPN, Windscribe, and Hide.me, which offer free tiers of their premium services rather than completely free VPNs with questionable funding sources.
Can I stream Netflix with a free VPN?
Most free VPNs cannot reliably access Netflix and other streaming platforms. Netflix and similar services actively block VPN connections, and free VPN servers are usually the first to be identified and blocked.
Additionally, streaming requires significant bandwidth, which is problematic with the data caps imposed by most free VPNs. For reliable streaming access, a premium VPN service is recommended.
What are the limitations of free VPNs?
Free VPNs typically come with several limitations:
- Data caps (usually 500MB to 10GB per month)
- Reduced speeds compared to premium services
- Limited server locations (fewer countries to choose from)
- Restricted features (no streaming, limited protocol options)
- Fewer simultaneous connections (usually just one device)
- Less reliable customer support
- Potential privacy concerns with less reputable providers
These limitations exist because providing VPN service costs money, and free providers need to either limit their service or monetize users in other ways.
How do free VPN services make money?
Free VPN services use various business models to sustain their operations:
- Freemium model: Offering limited free services to upsell premium subscriptions (ProtonVPN, Windscribe, Hide.me)
- Advertising: Displaying ads within the app or browser extension
- Data collection: Some less reputable services collect and sell user data or browsing habits (avoid these)
- Bandwidth sharing: Some free VPNs use your device as an exit node for other users
The most trustworthy free VPNs use the freemium model, where the free tier serves as a limited demonstration of their paid service.
Can I torrent with a free VPN?
While some free VPNs technically allow P2P traffic, torrenting with a free VPN is generally not recommended for several reasons:
- Data caps will quickly be exhausted with large downloads
- Many free VPNs block P2P traffic on their servers
- Slower speeds make torrenting impractical
- Some free VPNs may leak your IP address during extended connections
If you need a VPN primarily for torrenting, consider a premium service with dedicated P2P servers and unlimited bandwidth.
Conclusion
Free VPNs can provide basic privacy and security protection for casual users, but they all come with significant limitations compared to premium services. After extensive testing, we've found that ProtonVPN Free offers the best overall experience thanks to its unlimited data, strong security focus, and transparent privacy practices.
For users who need more server options and can work within a data cap, Windscribe provides an excellent alternative with its generous 10GB allowance and wider server selection. Hide.me rounds out our top three with its strong focus on privacy and security.
When choosing a free VPN, always prioritize providers with transparent business models and clear privacy policies. Avoid completely free VPNs with no premium option, as these often monetize through data collection or advertising.
Remember that all free VPNs have limitations by design. If you find yourself regularly bumping against these restrictions, consider investing in an affordable premium VPN service for a more complete and reliable experience.