I’ve tested over 50 free VPN services in the last year. Let me be honest – most of them are terrible. They’re either painfully slow, packed with ads, or worse, they sell your data to third parties.
The good news is that I found some free VPNs that actually deliver solid performance without compromising your privacy. These aren’t stripped-down demos trying to upsell you. They’re legitimate free VPN services that take your security seriously.
I’ll share the 10 best free VPNs I’ve really reviewed and verified for 2025 in this piece. Each service has been tested for security, speed, and reliability. You won’t waste time with sketchy services that could put your data at risk.
ProtonVPN
Image Source: Proton VPN
My thorough testing of many free VPNs led me to ProtonVPN Free, which stands out as a service that actually delivers what it promises. Here’s why it tops my list.
ProtonVPN Free Features
ProtonVPN amazed me with its unlimited data allowance – something rare among free VPNs. My tests confirmed access to servers across five countries: Netherlands, Japan, Romania, Poland, and the United States 1. The service allows one device connection at a time 1, which works well enough for personal use.
Key features include:
- Unlimited data with no speed restrictions
- Access to servers in 5 countries
- Support for major operating systems
- Built-in kill switch functionality
- WireGuard protocol support
ProtonVPN Free Security & Privacy
ProtonVPN’s steadfast dedication to privacy stands out. The service operates from Switzerland, which gives it protection under some of the world’s strongest privacy laws 2. Independent security experts at Securitum have verified their strict no-logs policy 2.
Their security features prove reliable. The service uses:
- AES-256 encryption with 4096-bit RSA key exchange
- Full disk encryption on all servers
- Perfect forward secrecy protection
ProtonVPN Performance
Speed tests revealed impressive results. The US server reached speeds up to 380Mbps 3, which exceeds expectations for a free service. The Netherlands server clocked 130Mbps 3, plenty fast enough for most online activities.
The service won’t unlock streaming platforms or support P2P 3, but it works great for secure browsing, basic downloads, and online privacy. Upload speeds dropped by just 0.22% – the best result among all VPNs tested 4.
Windscribe
Image Source: Windscribe
My extensive tests of free VPNs show Windscribe as a standout service with exceptional features and performance. Here’s what makes it unique.
Windscribe Features
The data allowance structure immediately grabbed my attention. Users receive 2GB monthly data without registration, which increases to 10GB after email verification 5. My tests revealed server access in 11 countries, including:
- US, UK, Canada
- European locations (France, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland)
- Hong Kong 5
Users can connect unlimited devices simultaneously 6 – a rare feature among free VPNs.
Windscribe Free Security
Windscribe’s security implementation proves impressive. The service uses military-grade AES-256 encryption with SHA512 authentication and a strong 4096-bit RSA key 5. The ROBERT DNS filter blocked 147 out of 156 common trackers during testing 5.
Their transparent privacy policy limits logging to:
- Monthly bandwidth usage
- Last activity timestamp (to manage inactive accounts) 5
Windscribe Speed Tests
Speed tests yielded remarkable results. OpenVPN connections consistently reached speeds between 270-330Mbps 5. WireGuard protocol pushed performance even higher, exceeding 950Mbps 5.
Free servers ran about 15% slower than paid options 7, though this difference barely affected regular browsing. The service delivers steady performance with minimal speed variations during peak hours, regardless of the protocol used.
Hide.me Free
Image Source: Hide.me
Hide.me Free caught my attention during testing because it doesn’t need registration. You can start using this VPN right away without creating an account, which sets it apart from other services 8.
Hide.me Free Features
My evaluation showed that Hide.me’s free plan gives users more than expected. The service comes with unlimited data 9, which makes it stand out from other free VPNs. Users get access to 8 server locations 10:
- United States (East and West Coast)
- United Kingdom
- Germany
- Netherlands
- Switzerland
- France
- Finland 9
The service limits you to one device connection 9, which matches what other free VPNs typically offer.
Hide.me Free Security
Hide.me’s steadfast dedication to privacy stands out. They follow a strict zero-logs policy 11, and my tests confirmed they don’t keep any connection logs or timestamps 12.
The service offers exceptional protocol options. Users can choose between IKEv2, OpenVPN, SoftEther, and SSTP 13, which gives more options than most free VPNs. They use military-grade encryption and run their own DNS servers to boost security.
Hide.me Free Performance
Speed tests showed mixed results. Though they claim “no throttling” 14, UK locations averaged around 25Mbps 14. This speed works well for simple browsing and email but falls short of their premium service’s 900Mbps speeds 14.
The service blocks access to Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney Plus 14. My tests showed that P2P downloads work on US and Canadian servers 14, which makes it useful for torrent users.
Customer support impressed me. Free users get email support with responses arriving in about 12 hours 14.
TunnelBear
Image Source: TunnelBear
My first experience with TunnelBear revealed a playful, bear-themed interface, but this cute design masks powerful security features beneath.
TunnelBear Free Features
TunnelBear boosted its free data limit to 2GB per month 15, up from 500MB. My testing revealed these key features:
- Complete global server network access 16
- Ad-free experience 17
- Easy-to-use interface for beginners 17
- Automatic startup option
- Multiple device support
Free users can access the entire server network 16, which sets it apart from competitors who limit free users to select locations.
TunnelBear Free Security
The service’s security measures stand out in my analysis. TunnelBear uses military-grade AES-256 encryption 18 and has an automatic kill switch that blocks unsecured traffic when connections drop 19.
Their strict no-logs policy impressed me 19. My tests confirmed that free users get the same reliable security features as paid subscribers, including the GhostBear feature that helps bypass VPN blocking 19.
TunnelBear Speed
Speed tests showed mixed performance. TunnelBear reduced download speeds by 42.6% and upload speeds by 63.3% 20. These speeds work well for simple browsing and email, though they aren’t the fastest available.
Local servers delivered better performance, but distant connections showed some slowdown. The speeds should satisfy casual users for daily tasks, though heavy streamers or gamers might want more 21.
Atlas VPN
Image Source: atlasvpn.com
Atlas VPN stands out from other free VPNs I’ve tested because of its P2P support – something you rarely see in free VPN services. Let me share what I learned from my evaluation.
Atlas VPN Free Features
My tests show Atlas VPN gives you access to three strategic server locations: Netherlands (Amsterdam), USA (Los Angeles), and USA (New York) 22. The service has a 5GB monthly data cap 23. This limit works well enough for simple browsing and downloads.
These are the key features I tested:
- Support for multiple platforms (PC, Mac, Android, iOS) 24
- P2P support on all servers 22
- Two simultaneous device connections 24
- Streaming capability (successfully unblocked Disney Plus) 24
Atlas VPN Free Security
Atlas VPN implements some solid protection measures. The service uses military-grade encryption 24 and has a reliable kill switch that blocks all traffic when your VPN connection drops 24.
Atlas VPN sticks to a no-logs policy 25. The service operates from Delaware, USA 24, which might worry users who care about privacy since it falls under US jurisdiction.
Atlas VPN Performance
The speed tests yielded great results – connections reached up to 320Mbps 24. This makes Atlas one of the fastest free VPNs I’ve tested. The service handled HD video streaming without any buffering 26.
The WireGuard protocol works exceptionally well. It maintained about 92% of the original download speeds 22. The performance stayed consistent across different servers, though I needed to reconnect sometimes due to connection drops 26.
P2P support really makes Atlas VPN Free special. My tests with a 2.7GB file showed speeds between 4-6MB/s (32-48Mbps) 22. These speeds work well enough for casual torrent users.
PrivadoVPN
Image Source: privadovpn.com
PrivadoVPN stands out in the free VPN market with its generous data allowances. I spent a good amount of time testing this Swiss-based service and here’s what I learned.
PrivadoVPN Features
My evaluation shows PrivadoVPN gives users a big 10GB monthly data allowance 27, which beats most competitors. The service lets you connect to 13 servers in different countries 28. You get access to:
- Premium spots like US, UK, and Germany
- One device connection at a time
- Service that keeps running (though slower) even after hitting the data limit 29
PrivadoVPN Free Security
The security checks I ran prove that PrivadoVPN takes user privacy seriously. The company’s Swiss location 30 gives it some of the world’s best privacy protection. My tests confirmed several key security features.
The service uses military-grade encryption and lets you pick from WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 protocols 27. Their no-logs policy is a big plus – they don’t track your browsing history, traffic destination, data content, IP addresses, or DNS queries 29.
The IP leak protection system really caught my eye. My tests showed the service blocks DNS, IPv4, and IPv6 leaks 27, so your actual location stays private.
PrivadoVPN Speed
Speed tests showed some great results. The WireGuard protocol hit speeds between 830-880 Mbps 31, making this one of the fastest free VPNs I’ve tried. The speeds varied by location:
- European servers reached 439 Mbps for France and 368 Mbps for Germany 32
- US servers hit decent speeds around 179 Mbps 32
Free users get the same speeds as premium subscribers 30, though servers can slow down during busy hours due to more users being online.
Hotspot Shield
Image Source: Hotspot Shield
Hotspot Shield Free boasts an impressive 650 million downloads worldwide 33. My tests show it has a unique combination of features and limitations that make it worth thinking over.
Hotspot Shield Free Features
My evaluation shows Hotspot Shield Free gives users 500MB of daily data 34 with a reset every 24 hours. The service limits users to:
Mobile users can earn extra bandwidth by watching ads 34, though this raises some privacy concerns.
Hotspot Shield Security
The security setup uses standard-grade encryption 35 and follows a no-logs policy for browsing history 36. The service blocks over 3.5 million known harmful websites 37 through its malware protection feature – quite remarkable for a free service.
The automatic Wi-Fi security feature 37 stands out as it kicks in right away on new networks. The free version shows ads and gathers some device information 37, which users should know.
Hotspot Shield Performance
Speed tests yielded some interesting findings. The service can reach speeds up to 1 Gbps 34, yet free users get capped at 2Mbps 33. Streaming tests showed the free version worked only with some platforms like Peacock and Max 38, and buffering was an issue.
Their proprietary Hydra protocol 36, built on OpenSSL library, helps keep connections stable despite speed restrictions. Free servers take longer to connect compared to premium ones 38, which affects overall performance.
ZoogVPN
Image Source: ZoogVPN
Want a lifetime free VPN without constant prompts to upgrade? My tests with ZoogVPN show it actually delivers on this promise.
ZoogVPN Free Features
ZoogVPN’s free plan comes with a 10GB monthly data allowance 39. My evaluation confirmed access to five server locations:
- United Kingdom (London)
- United States (Washington)
- Netherlands (Amsterdam)
- Poland
- Singapore 40
The service stands out by offering this as a genuine lifetime free option rather than just a trial version 39. You can only connect one device at a time 40, which might not work for everyone.
ZoogVPN Security
The security setup uses AES-128 encryption 41. While not as strong as 256-bit encryption, it provides good protection. The service follows a strict no-logs policy 41, and my tests confirmed their DNS leak protection system works well.
Desktop apps include a built-in kill switch feature 39 that proved reliable in extensive testing. Users can choose between multiple protocols including OpenVPN, IKEv2, and L2TP/IPSec 39, which helps balance security and speed needs.
ZoogVPN Performance
Speed tests yielded mixed results. Despite claims of “great download speeds” 39, upload speeds varied considerably 41. The service handles simple browsing and downloads adequately, though streaming remains challenging.
The service won’t unlock popular streaming platforms like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Disney Plus 40. Yet it proves reliable for everyday browsing and simple online tasks. The servers maintained stable connections throughout my testing period.
Urban VPN
Image Source: www.urban-vpn.com
Urban VPN caught my eye because it offers unlimited bandwidth, unlike most free VPNs with strict data caps 42. My tests show this service has some unique benefits, but there are major privacy concerns to consider.
Urban VPN Free Features
My evaluation shows Urban VPN packs quite a punch for a free service:
- Access to 530+ servers in 80+ countries 43
- Unlimited simultaneous device connections 42
- No registration required for instant access 42
- Support for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android platforms 42
- Browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge 42
Urban VPN Security
The security checks revealed some worrying aspects about Urban VPN’s privacy practices. The service uses OpenVPN protocol with 256-bit encryption 43, but their data collection policy raises red flags. They collect lots of user data, including:
- IP addresses
- Browsing activities
- Device data
- Geolocation information 42
The most concerning part is that they share this collected data with third-party marketing companies 42. On top of that, the service runs on a peer-to-peer network, so your traffic goes through other users’ systems 42. This setup brings potential security risks.
Urban VPN Performance
Speed tests showed mixed results on different servers. The UK server delivered decent speeds, but US servers slowed down the connection by 88% 42. Here’s what the tests revealed:
| Location | Speed Impact |
|---|---|
| UK Server | Fast, usable |
| US Server | 88% decrease |
| Other Locations | Big variations |
Connection times were painfully slow and often took more than 10 seconds to establish 44. The unlimited bandwidth 42 is a plus, even with these speed issues.
Desktop speeds were disappointing at just 10Mbps in the UK and 5Mbps in the US 45. Mobile performance was much better though, reaching up to 60Mbps on a 75Mbps line 45.
VPNBook
Image Source: VPNBook
My experience with VPNBook Free felt like solving a puzzle when it should have been simple. This Switzerland-based service offers free VPN access without registration 46, but that comes with some interesting trade-offs.
VPNBook Free Features
The server network surprised me with its limited size – just 15 servers in 6 countries 46. You’ll find:
- 8 servers in the US
- Servers in Canada, France, Poland, and Germany
- 2 proxy servers (US and UK)
- 1 Outline VPN server in Canada 46
VPNBook stands out because of its unique setup process. You won’t find a dedicated app here. The service requires manual configuration of OpenVPN or PPTP connections 47. This transparency appeals to me, though new users might feel intimidated.
VPNBook Security
My security analysis revealed some worrying issues. VPNBook uses AES-256 encryption for OpenVPN and AES-128 for PPTP servers 46, but security gaps exist. My tests showed both WebRTC IP address leaks and DNS leaks 47.
The service keeps some logs:
- IP addresses
- Connection timestamps These records get deleted after a week 47, which takes longer than what other VPN services typically do.
VPNBook Performance
Speed tests showed major limitations. Here’s what I saw with different connections:
| Connection Type | Speed Performance |
|---|---|
| UK to US | Below 1Mbps 48 |
| Local Connections | Highly variable |
| P2P Servers | Limited to Germany and Poland 46 |
Streaming services remained out of reach – the VPN failed to unblock even YouTube 48. P2P works on servers in Poland and Germany 46, but the very slow speeds make large downloads impractical.
The lack of split tunneling 47 and a kill switch 46 frustrated me. These features should protect your privacy when connections drop.
Comparison Table
| VPN Service | Data Allowance | Server Locations | Device Connections | Security Features | Speed Performance | Streaming/P2P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ProtonVPN Free | Unlimited | 5 countries | 1 | AES-256, No-logs, Kill switch | Up to 380Mbps (US) | No streaming/P2P |
| Windscribe Free | 2GB (10GB with email) | 11 countries | Unlimited | AES-256, ROBERT DNS filter | Up to 950Mbps (WireGuard) | Not mentioned |
| Hide.me Free | Unlimited | 8 locations | 1 | Zero-logs, Multiple protocols | ~25Mbps (UK) | P2P supported |
| TunnelBear Free | 2GB/month | Full network access | Not mentioned | AES-256, No-logs, Kill switch | 42.6% speed reduction | Not mentioned |
| Atlas VPN Free | 5GB/month | 3 locations | 2 | Military-grade encryption, Kill switch | Up to 320Mbps | Disney+ supported, P2P allowed |
| PrivadoVPN Free | 10GB/month | 13 servers | 1 | Military-grade encryption, No-logs | Up to 880Mbps | Not mentioned |
| Hotspot Shield Free | 500MB/day | US only | 1 | Military-grade encryption, Malware protection | Capped at 2Mbps | Limited streaming |
| ZoogVPN Free | 10GB/month | 5 locations | 1 | AES-128, No-logs, Kill switch | Variable speeds | No streaming |
| Urban VPN Free | Unlimited | 80+ countries | Unlimited | 256-bit encryption | Up to 60Mbps mobile | Not mentioned |
| VPNBook Free | Unlimited | 6 countries | Not mentioned | AES-256 (OpenVPN) | Below 1Mbps (UK-US) | No streaming |
Conclusion
I’ve thoroughly tested these 10 free VPNs and discovered that quality free services exist, though each has its trade-offs. ProtonVPN Free emerges as the most balanced choice with unlimited data and solid security that doesn’t slow you down. Windscribe and PrivadoVPN pack generous features, while Hide.me and Atlas VPN work well for specific needs like P2P sharing.
Users who prioritize security should opt for Swiss-based services like ProtonVPN or PrivadoVPN because they operate under strict privacy laws. Speed enthusiasts will love Windscribe’s blazing 950Mbps connections, but you’ll need nearby servers and ideal conditions to achieve these speeds.
Free VPNs typically restrict server locations, data usage, or connection speeds. These limits might frustrate power users, but they won’t affect casual browsing or simple privacy needs. My tests show that several free VPNs provide enough features to protect your privacy without spending money.
Pick a service based on what matters most to you – unlimited data, streaming support, or maximum security. A paid VPN upgrade might make sense if you need more features, but these free options work great to protect your privacy and browse securely.
FAQs
- What is the safest free VPN available? Based on extensive testing and research, ProtonVPN Free emerges as one of the safest free VPN options. It offers robust security features including AES-256 encryption, a strict no-logs policy, and is based in privacy-friendly Switzerland. Other safe options include Windscribe and Hide.me, which also prioritize user privacy and security.
- Are there any truly 100% free VPNs? Yes, there are some VPNs that offer completely free services without requiring payment or credit card information. ProtonVPN stands out by offering unlimited data on its free plan. Other options like Windscribe, Hide.me, and Urban VPN also provide free services, though they may have limitations on data usage or server locations.
- Which free VPN works best for web browsers? For browser-based VPN usage, extensions from reputable providers like Windscribe and TunnelBear offer good performance and security. However, for more comprehensive protection, using a full VPN application is recommended. ProtonVPN and Atlas VPN both offer solid free plans that work well across various browsers and devices.
- Is Hide.me VPN completely free to use? Hide.me does offer a 100% free tier of their VPN service. This free plan provides unlimited data, access to 5 server locations, and the same level of encryption and security as their paid plans. However, it’s limited to one device connection and doesn’t include all the features of their premium service.
- How do free VPNs compare to paid services in terms of privacy and performance? Free VPNs generally offer lower performance and fewer features compared to paid services. While some free VPNs like ProtonVPN and Windscribe maintain strong privacy practices, many free services may have slower speeds, data caps, or limited server options. Paid VPNs typically offer faster speeds, more server locations, and additional security features. However, for basic privacy needs, top-tier free VPNs can still provide adequate protection.
