What’s the Best Free VPN?
If you’re in the market for a VPN, you may be wondering if there are any good free VPNs available. After all, who doesn’t love free stuff? While there are some free VPN services out there, they often come with risks and drawbacks that make them a poor choice for anyone serious about online privacy and security.
In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most popular free VPNs on the market, and we’ll also recommend you the Best Free VPN on the market in 2023.
Why Free VPNs Are a Bad Idea
Before we dive into the specific free VPN services on the market, let’s first take a look at why free VPNs are generally a bad idea.
- Free VPNs often sell your data.
One of the primary ways that free VPN services make money is by selling user data to third-party advertisers. This means that the very thing you’re trying to protect—your online activity—is being collected and sold to the highest bidder. If you’re using a free VPN, it’s likely that your browsing history, search queries, and other sensitive data are being monitored and recorded. - Free VPNs can be slow and unreliable.
Because free VPNs are often overloaded with users, their servers can become overcrowded and slow. This can lead to frustratingly slow internet speeds and frequent disconnections, making it difficult to use the internet smoothly. - Free VPNs may not be secure.
Many free VPNs don’t use the same level of security protocols as paid VPN services, which can leave your online activity vulnerable to hackers and other malicious actors.
7 Best Free VPN Services on the Market
Now that we’ve looked at some of the reasons why free VPNs can be problematic, let’s take a closer look at five of the best free VPN services on the market today.
1. ProtonVPN
ProtonVPN is a popular free VPN service that is known for its strong security features. It uses AES-256 encryption, which is the same encryption used by the U.S. government to protect classified information. ProtonVPN also has a strict no-logging policy, which means that your online activity isn’t being recorded or monitored.
However, there are some drawbacks to ProtonVPN’s free service. The free plan only allows for one device connection at a time, and it also limits your speeds.
Pros:
- Strong security features, including AES-256 encryption and a no-logging policy
- User-friendly apps for all major platforms
- Built by the same team behind ProtonMail, a well-known secure email provider
- Free plan includes access to servers in three countries and unlimited data
Cons:
- Limited server network compared to some other free VPNs
- Free plan only allows access to servers in three countries
- Speeds can be slow, particularly on the free plan
2. TunnelBear
TunnelBear is another popular free VPN service that is known for its ease of use and cute bear-themed branding. Like ProtonVPN, TunnelBear uses strong encryption to protect your online activity.
However, TunnelBear’s free plan is limited to 500MB of data per month, which is not enough for most users. If you want to use TunnelBear for more than just occasional browsing, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan.
Pros:
- User-friendly apps for all major platforms
- Strong security features, including AES-256 encryption and a kill switch
- No-logging policy and based in Canada, which has strong privacy laws
- Free plan includes 500MB of data per month, which can be increased by tweeting about the service
Cons:
- Limited data allowance on the free plan
- Only allows access to servers in 22 countries
- Speeds can be slow, particularly on the free plan
3. Windscribe
Windscribe is a free VPN service that offers 10GB of data per month, which is more generous than most other free VPN services. It also has a strong no-logging policy and uses strong encryption to protect your online activity.
However, Windscribe’s free plan is limited to just 10 server locations, which means you may not be able to access content that is restricted in certain countries.
Pros:
- Generous data allowance of 10GB per month on the free plan
- User-friendly apps for all major platforms
- Strong security features, including AES-256 encryption and a kill switch
- Built-in ad and tracker blocking
- Has a no-logging policy and is based in Canada, which has strong privacy laws
Cons:
- Limited server network compared to some other free VPNs
- Free plan only allows access to servers in 10 countries
- Some users have reported slow speeds and connection issues
4. Hotspot Shield
Hotspot Shield is a popular VPN service that offers both a free and paid version. The free plan allows for unlimited data, but it also comes with a lot of ads.
Additionally, Hotspot Shield has been criticized in the past for logging user data and selling it to third-party advertisers. While the company claims to have improved its privacy practices, some users may still be wary of using the service
Pros:
- Fast speeds and reliable performance
- Large server network with locations in over 80 countries
- User-friendly apps for all major platforms
- Ad and malware blocking features built-in
- Free version includes access to US servers and 500MB of data per day
Cons:
- Free version is limited in terms of server access and data allowance
- Privacy policy is somewhat vague and doesn’t provide much detail about data collection practices
- Has faced criticism in the past for logging user data and sharing it with third parties
5. Hide.me
Hide.me is a free VPN service with servers in five locations around the world: the US, Canada, the Netherlands, Germany, and Singapore. The service has a strict no-logs policy and offers 10GB of data per month, which is enough for light browsing, but not for streaming or heavy downloads. Hide.me has apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, as well as browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. The free version is limited to three simultaneous connections, and you may experience slower speeds during peak hours.
Pros:
- 10GB of free data per month
- Strong security features
- No-logs policy
Cons:
- Limited to five server locations
- Slower speeds during peak hours
- Only three simultaneous connections
6. TunnelBear
TunnelBear is a free VPN service with servers in over 23 countries around the world. The service offers 500MB of free data per month, which can be increased to 1GB if you tweet about the service. TunnelBear has a strict no-logs policy and offers strong encryption and security features. The service has apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, as well as browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Opera. The free version is limited to one device connection, and you may experience slower speeds during peak hours.
Pros:
- 500MB of free data per month (can be increased to 1GB)
- Strong security features
- No-logs policy
Cons:
- Limited to one device connection
- Slower speeds during peak hours
- Limited server locations
7. AtlasVPN
Atlas VPN (Read our review) is a relatively new VPN service that has quickly gained popularity among users. While the free version of the VPN is limited, it still offers a lot of useful features. Atlas VPN is available on multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. The VPN uses advanced encryption protocols and provides users with a high level of security.
Pros:
- Offers a free version with 500MB of data per day
- Provides advanced encryption protocols
- Allows unlimited simultaneous connections
- Does not log user data
- Offers fast and reliable speeds
Cons:
- Limited free version
- No live chat support
- Fewer server locations compared to other VPN services
Conclusion
Overall, while all of these free VPNs have their strengths and weaknesses, we recommend AtlasVPN as the best option for users looking for a reliable and secure free VPN. Its generous data allowance, strong security features, and fast speeds make it a standout choice in a crowded field. However, it’s important to keep in mind that free VPNs are often less secure and less reliable than paid options, and we encourage users to consider investing in a reputable paid VPN service like AtlasVPN for the best possible online privacy and security.
We are able to offer you a exclusive discount for Atlas VPN (New users only)