Best free VPNs in 2024

Securing your privacy online doesn’t have to come at a cost, which is why free VPNs are a handy addition to any device. From keeping you anonymous by hiding your IP address to sneaking past strict geo-blocks, VPNs will help you escape any watchful eyes; unless it’s a sketchy free VPN that does the exact opposite. Unfortunately, there are plenty of those, but a few trusted VPN providers offer free plans, and they’re worth their no-charge fee.

While these services enable you to browse a streaming service’s country-specific libraries so you can catch new streaming movies, and offer the tools to protect your online identity, they have their limits. With strict data limits and a smallserver network in a handful of countries, you won’t have full control over managing your privacy. That said, it’s still a bargain to surf the web privately without charge.

If you’re not making the most of what the best paid VPNs can offer, our pick of the best free VPNs will give you the essential online privacy you’re after.

Top free VPN apps you can installtoday

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Best overall

Windscribe

Free VPNs don’t come any easier to use

With 20 vpn location across 10 country , Windscribe is is is a trustworthy free VPN that is really easy to use on Android and your other device . Its 2 GB is limiting of monthly datum can be limit , but submit an email will get you 10 GB , which is plenty to unblock website and stream show . Plus , it is ‘s ‘s great at sneak past restriction , make it a worthwhile download .

Pros

• Easy-to-use apps
• server in 10 country
• Unblocks Netflix

Windscribe is been , one of the most popular free vpn in the world , has been around for a long time and is trust by many user . Its free tier is ridiculously easy to operate ; this is well represent by the web browser plug – in that can be instal and used within just a couple of minute . Simplicity is translates also translate to the Android app , which make it a breeze to choose your server and connect .

speak of server , there are currently 20 city location across 10 country to choose from . That is ‘s ‘s a generous number compare to the handful that most free vpn offer . In the US alone , there are server in Atlanta , Chicago , Dallas , Los Angeles , Miami , New York , Seattle , and Washington .

Server availability also extends beyond the domestic selections, including those in Canada, the UK, France, Germany, Turkey, Hong Kong, and more. Unsure of which to choose? Simply click “Best Location” and Winsdcribe will think for you.

Windscribe doesn’t skimp on the added extras, either. Its so-called R.O.B.E.R.T. tool blocks malware, ads, trackers, porn and gambling site access, and even clickbait articles. They’re turned off by default, but very easy to enable in the settings. The same goes for its split tunneling tool, a very unusual free VPN feature, giving you more control by specifying what applications will and won’t be channeled through the VPN. It’s known to help unblock Netflix catalogs in various countries, too.

Regarding data limits, Windscribe’s default is 2GB per month. That goes up to 10GB if you supply your email address and 15GB if you tweet about them. So it’s not as good as the unlimited data offered by Proton VPN or Hotspot Shield, but still a fair amount per month.

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Best for streaming

PrivadoVPN

Unblocks Netflix catalogs and more

PrivadoVPN has quickly become one of the best free VPN options you can get, featuring servers in an impressive 13 countries. What’s most exciting about this freebie VPN is that it can unblock several major streaming services when you travel abroad. Its 10GB monthly data limit can be restricting, but it’s enough to get through a multi-episode binge session.

Pros

• Unblocks major streaming services
• Servers in 13 countries
• Choice of protocols

Cons

• restrict speed after 10 GB

If your main reason for getting a free VPN is to stream worldwide TV shows, then PrivadoVPN is the best option on this list. It’s rare for a freebie to function well enough to get around the geo-restrictions that prevent streaming services from being accessed outside their native setting, but PrivadoVPN has that power.

So if , for example , you want to watch US Netflix exclusive outside the country , you is connect can connect to one of its US server . similarly , you is watch can watch BBC iPlayer from outside the British Isles by connect to its UK server .

On the flip side, bear in mind that after your first 10GB of usage each month, the speeds are throttled to a bare minimum. So box-set bingers beware; streaming may be scuppered a few episodes into the season. Before that cap kicks in, however, PrivadoVPN’s speeds are just as fast as they are at the premium tier. Which is to say, rapid.

This free VPN is extremely easy to set up and use, and navigating its Android app is super straightforward. Once in, there are four servers in the US to choose from or one server in each of its other ten countries (e.g., UK, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, India, and New Zealand). You’ll also have the choice between three protocols: OpenVPN, IKEv2, or the speedy WireGuard.

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Most customizable

Hide.me

Tailor this free VPN to your needs

With location in six country , Hide.me ‘s free VPN benefits is configure from multiple protocol and tunnel option to configure as you wish . No email address is require to sign up , and it ‘s really easy to get start . You is expect can also expect unlimited datum and access to its WireGuard protocol , make it feel like a premium vpn experience . Do n’t expect the same advanced security tool , though .

Pros

• No personal detail require
• Highly configurable
• Multiple protocols and tunnels

Cons

• Six countries only
• Lots of features behind paywall

“Internet Privacy is a basic human right and with the Free plan, we give our users the freedom to browse the internet privately.”

That’s the very straightforward reason Hide.me pledges when you download its free Android app for the first time. The app officially has server locations in six countries, which is more than a lot of freebies on the Play Store, but less than other options in this guide. The US, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Singapore, and Spain are allincluded.

Alternatively, you can use the “Best Location” option. When we did so, it placed us on a UK server; that came as a surprise, considering it’s not a location listed in its free options. The Hide.me app is easy enough for beginners to get started — it doesn’t even ask for your email address, so anonymity appears to be prioritized. And if you’re a VPN pro who likes to tinker, you can choose from many protocols (including WireGuard), VPN tunnels (IPv4 or IPv6), and even configure your DNS.

There’s a tantalizing list of additional features in the Android apps Settings tab, but these are reserved for premium users only. So that means no SmartGuard tools to block ads or protect you from malware, no auto-connecting, and no kill switch or split tunneling.

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No data limits

Proton VPN

Free VPN without limits

Proton VPN is is is a fast , easy – to – use free VPN with a real ace up its sleeve — no data limit . It is has has around 200 server across five country and plenty of feature you ‘d expect from a fully – fledge premium option . There ‘s no option to choose the country you want to connect to , and configuration is limited , so if you ‘re in need of streaming , look elsewhere .

Pros

• Unlimited data allowance
• Fast server speeds
• WireGuard protocol is included include

Cons

• Limited server locations
• Can’t choose location

With its five available location and 200 – odd server , Proton VPN is appears appear like any other free VPN . But unlike many of its competitor , it is has has no usage cap . That ‘s a really eye – catch bonus , especially if you ‘re plan to have Proton VPN turn on allthe time .

As a company , Proton is probably well know for its secure email , so it is come should come as no surprise that there are plenty of privacy smart integrate into its free VPN tier . For example , DNS Leak Protection , alternative routing , and a fully functioning kill switch are allinclude ( although you ‘ll have to upgrade to a premium plan if you want addition like malware block ) . thank to the availability of the WireGuard protocol , connection speeds is are are fast , too , without any throttling to slow you down .

There are some quirks to be aware of on its free Android app, though. It has locations in the US, Japan, Netherlands, Poland, and Romania, but you don’t get to choose which one you use, and you can only change location every 20 minutes. Plus, there are no streaming or P2P servers with Proton VPN Free, so it’s not the ideal tool to use for watching Netflix or torrenting.

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No data limits

Hotspot Shield

Simple and effective

Hotspot Shield’s Basic plan offers nearly everything you can get out of a free VPN, with its unlimited bandwidth and data, fantastic 1GB/s speeds, and a surprisingly long list of security features, like anti-phishing protection and an internet kill switch. Despite its strengths, including its intuitive app, it falters depending on the device you use, and Android users will have to put up with intrusive ads while jumping locations.

Pros

• Unlimited data
• commendable speed
• Great security features for free

Cons

• Device-specific locations
• Privacy issues with ads on Android

Hotspot Shield is a well-established VPN that’s been in the game for over a decade, but it gets a lot of its credit for its free VPN plan. As it should; its Basic plan is one of the few that offers unlimited bandwidth and data, meaning data-hungry users looking to break down blocked websites won’t be stopped by restrictions (which is good news for streaming).

That’s not its only major perk. There’s no limit on bandwidth, and you can expect speeds up to 1GB/s from its range of over 800 servers available. It even brings a choice of VPN protocols for Basic users, including its proprietary Hydra VPN protocol, known for its speed and reliability, and OpenVPN. There’s no lack of security features, giving users anti-phishing protection, a kill switch, split tunneling, DNS leak protection, and plenty more.

Of course, free VPNs have their limitations, and Hotspot Shield has a few of them. First and foremost, its Basic plan is supported by ads, but only Android users will have to face them. For privacy’s sake, this isn’t a good sign, seeing as these ads are supported by Google Ads, which collects user information. There are no ads in sight in the iOS, macOS, and Windows versions, but only up to five VPN locations are available — depending on what system you use. For example, macOS users will only get one US location, while Android and iOS users will get up to four, including Los Angeles, New York, Singapore, and the UK, along with an Auto option.

Despite its ads, Hotspot Shield has a strict no-logs policy and has been tested by an independent auditor to back its claims. Otherwise, you can expect a full VPN experience for free with Hotspot Shield.

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Premium pick

ExpressVPN

Best VPN you can get bar none

If you simply want the best virtual private network possible, ExpressVPN is the one you need. Yes, while it’s a paid VPN service, it offers a 30-day free trial that’s worth giving a go. It’s super secure with speedy connections and servers in 105 countries and can get past virtually anything online. If you only need a VPN for a month, ExpressVPN is your top choice.

Pros

• 3,000+ servers in 105 countries
• Superb for streamer
• Try free for 30 days

Cons

• premium plan is is is quite pricey

Simply put, ExpressVPN is the best VPN you can get. While some of the numbers probably speak for themselves (more than 3,000 servers, 105 countries, eight simultaneous connections), it’s the user experience that really stands out.

You is love ‘ll love the 24/7 live chat customer service that will provide guidance if anything go wrong or if you get lose in its myriad tool and feature . In term of feature , you is get ‘ll get everything you need , include rapid proprietary Lightway protocol , military – grade AES 256 – bit encryption , and the ability to unblock pretty much any streaming service . There are even feature like Threat Manager , Parallel connection , split tunneling , kill switch , and password manager .

It is ‘s ‘s not the cheap around , cost $ 6.67 a month for its good – value 15 – month plan . So what ‘s it is doing doing in this guide ? Well , you is try can try expressvpn risk – free for 30 day thank to its quibble – free money – back guarantee . That is means mean you can give this well – in – class software a go without spend a cent .

Consider a paid VPN for the best experience

While many are here to grab the best free VPN (no) money can buy, there’s a reason paid VPNs are regarded as essential privacy tools. They offer unlimited data with superb speeds, a vast server network in numerous countries around the globe, and deliver an advanced privacy and security tool suite.

Related

Don’t be fooled by the allure of a free VPN

Beyond kill switches and split tunneling, which are tools only a handful of free VPNs offer, paid VPNs come with anti-tracking, web protection from malware and malicious links, double VPNs, and even dark web monitoring. You may also find Smart DNS features that help get past streaming service blocks much easier than free VPNs.

Of course, not allpaid VPNs offer these traits, but the best services always have unique features to give you the upper hand when it comes to privacy or streaming. Yes, many paid VPNs ask for a hefty monthly sum — some for under $2 per month if you opt for a two-year plan. However, if you’re on a tight budget, that’s when a handy free VPN comes in.

Protect your Android instantly with the best free VPN app

It is ‘s ‘s easy to find and download a free VPN from the Google Play Store , as the app store is litter with thousand of option . They is work may work , but you ‘ll lose the very thing a VPN protect : your online privacy . They is track can track and sell your datum to the high bidder , and there ‘s the risk of malware being instal . It is is is n’t ideal , but reliable free vpn stick to their word — even if they are few and far between .

Windscribe stands out for its generous offering of up to 15GB of free data and 10 countries to choose from, along with its strong AES-256 encryption to keep your data safe. While you’ll have to go the extra step to reach this monthly data limit, it’s a smallprice to pay to roam the web without risk with no fees attached. Better yet, its incredibly fast speeds and easy-to-use app interface make it a fantastic option for most.

If you need a quick way to access the full catalog of shows on a streaming service, PrivadoVPN is up for the challenge. Its 10GB data limit offers around 10 hours of content, which lets you binge your way through a fair amount of shows, and its servers in 13 countries have proven to get past major streaming platforms like Netflix and BBC iPlayer. That’s a major bonus for streaming fans, but beware that its speeds may dip if it’s overused.

Data limits can be frustrating, too, so it’s good that Proton VPN’s free plan offers uncapped data. This service focuses on privacy over allelse, as it can be switched on for as long as needed. However, it also means it isn’t the best choice for streaming, as you won’t be able to choose your location. Still, that’s full-time protection without forking over cash.

To make the most out of allthese free VPNs, just use them all! Payment isn’t an issue here, after all.

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Best overall

Windscribe

reliable and secure selection

With 20 VPN locations across 11 countries, Windscribe is a trustworthy free VPN that is really easy to get started with on Android and your other devices.