Best Free VPN Services That Won’t Sell Your Data – Best VPNs for Every Need

We all need to protect ourselves online — but we all want to save money too. Is it possible to protect yourself from malware and cyber threats (and unblock your favorite streaming sites) without spending a dime?

We reviewed some of the safest and most popular free VPN providers to find out what they’re really offering in terms of connection speeds, server locations, and other features.

Quick Guide To Choosing a Free VPN

Choosing the best free VPN service isn’t easy. With so many available, it can be hard to find one that won’t harm you or your computer system.

Instead of downloading the first one you come across, which could sell your data, install malware, or throttle your bandwidth, you should ensure it’s a reputable provider with a trustworthy reputation.

When selecting a free VPN, there are a number of factors you should consider: encryption, logging policy, and data harvesting.

In a hurry? If you want the best VPN for privacy, security, or speed, here are our editor’s picks for the best VPNs overall — each with a 30-day money-back guarantee. So, although they might not be free, you’re free to try them for an entire month, on us.

Click through now to get our best discount on your subscription:

ExpressVPN: A global leader among VPNs, ExpressVPN offers one-click ease with high-speed servers in 94 countries — and it also unblocks Netflix. Get 3 months free when you purchase a 12-month subscription.

NordVPN: Compatible with many streaming services, featuring malware prevention and ad blocking. Get up to 66% off NordVPN’s 2-year plan with our special offer.

Surfshark: Award-winning VPN for unlimited devices, featuring worldwide connections with 10 GBit servers in 100 countries. Get 82% off your Surshark subscription price plus 2 extra months free.

What To Look For

While most services are likely to offer a vast array, there are two key factors you should pay attention to first:

Strong Encryption

Whether you’re scouting for servers in the Netherlands, Germany, Japan, or anywhere else, strong encryption is vital to protect yourself online.

When choosing a free VPN provider, you should absolutely check whether they use strong encryption, such as AES-256, and that they offer a variety of VPN protocols to suit your needs.

A No-Logs Policy

There’s no point hiding your online activity from third parties if all of your information is logged by your VPN provider and stored in their servers (or worse, sold on).

To ensure your privacy, make sure any free VPN provider has a verified no-logs policy. This means they won’t store any identifiable information about you on their servers.

However, there are also some caveats to keep in mind when selecting a free VPN provider:

What To Avoid

While looking for everything you want in a good VPN, you should also make sure a service doesn’t include anything you don’t want. For example:

Data Harvesting

Unfortunately, services that have been acting as free VPNs have recently been outed for logging or harvesting customer data and then selling it to third parties.

It’s worth doing your research on a company before downloading its free VPN option.

The Best Free VPNs for Use in 2023

Due to the problems associated with free services, such as download restrictions, limited server locations, and the possibility of data logging, we don’t recommend using a free VPN.

Instead, we strongly recommend you buy a trustworthy VPN like ExpressVPN, our editor’s pick. It’s one of the fastest VPNs available, offering strong security features, servers in 94 countries, dedicated 24/7 customer support, and enhanced features that you can’t get from a free VPN.

That said, if you can’t afford a paid VPN at the moment – even one with a money-back guarantee – we’ve compiled a list of the best options for those who need a free VPN for a short period of time.

Pros	Cons
No-logs policy	Limited server locations for free users
AES-256 encryption	No P2P access on the free plan
No monthly data usage limit
No ads

Developed by highly experienced scientists, engineers, and developers from CERN and MIT, Proton VPN uses AES-256 encryption while offering IKEv2/IPSec, OpenVPN, and WireGuard protocols.

The free version is subsidized by its paid plans and includes its kill switch and VPN Accelerator features.

With excellent security and privacy features, leak-free connections, and a no-logs policy, Proton VPN is one of the best free VPNs around, providing superior anonymity and protection free of charge.

No Logging Policy

Based in Switzerland, a country with strict privacy laws, Proton VPN only logs the user’s name, email address, IP address, timestamp, and billing information. No browsing history is kept, even on the free plan.

No Data Caps

One of the best features of the free Proton VPN is there is no data cap or speed limit. The only catch is you can access just three servers, in Japan, the US, and the Netherlands.

However, you can still watch videos, download files, and browse the web safely and securely without any fear of getting hacked while using public Wi-Fi or your home internet connection.

Unfortunately, the free VPN plan doesn’t allow users to access P2P sites. While this shouldn’t be a problem if you’re using an iPhone or Android device, if you try to visit one of these sites, Proton VPN will automatically log you out.

No Ads

Unlike many other free VPN services, Proton VPN has no advertisements, even for free users. It believes online privacy is a fundamental human right, and subsidizes its free plan through its paid plans.

Sign Up Now for ProtonVPN

Read our full ProtonVPN review

Pros	Cons
No-logs policy	Only one simultaneous connection
AES-256 encryption	Limited to 8 locations on the free plan
No speed throttling	Data usage limited to 10GB/mo
P2P available for free users

Hide.me VPN’s free plan lets users access 8 server locations with a monthly data usage limit of 10GB per month and unlimited bandwidth. It uses AES 256 encryption and supports protocols IKEv2/IPsec, SoftEther, SSTP, OpenVPN, and WireGuard.

No Logging Policy

Hide.me VPN includes a strict no-logging policy and doesn’t store or sell any sensitive information.

It doesn’t have any ads or trackers either, so you can use the free plan without any interruptions.

24/7 Customer Support

Many VPN providers with free plans prioritize their paying customers when it comes to customer support. However, Hide.me VPN offers 24/7 for all its users, whether they’re on the paid or free plan.

P2P Support

Hide.me VPN supports torrenting and P2P file sharing on all 8 of its free server locations. If you download files online regularly, hide.me VPN will protect your IP address, encrypt your connection, and prevent potential bandwidth throttling.

However, users on the free plan are limited to a 10GB usage per month, which can be reached quickly if downloading large files.

Sign Up Now for Hide.me VPN

Read our full Hide.me VPN review

Pros	Cons
Free with no ads or speed limits	Free users can connect to servers in only 2 countries
No-logs policy	Company registered in a Five-Eyes Alliance country
Unlimited number of simultaneous devices	5GB data cap
Streaming-optimized servers

AtlasVPN offers military-grade encryption options AES-256 and ChaCha20, with IKEv2 and WireGuard VPN protocols.

It also provides 24-7 support for both free and paid users through email (paid users can also use live chat).

No Ads Or Speed Limits

AtlasVPN’s free version offers no adverts or speed limitations. The company also claims to have a no-logs policy on both its free and paid versions.

However, it should be noted that AtlasVPN is registered in the US, which is a Five-Eyes Alliance member (meaning it shares information on its citizens with other authorities within the Alliance).

Unlimited Simultaneous Connections

AtlasVPN lets all users connect an unlimited number of devices at any one time, whether they’re using the paid or free plan.

However, the free plan is restricted to 5GB of data per month, which is per account and not per device.

Optimized Servers

AtlasVPN’s servers are streaming optimized, and also one of the few free VPN providers to offer P2p support.

The company has more than 1,000 servers in 42 countries, which is a reasonable amount despite not being as many as paid providers such as ExpressVPN.

It should be noted that free users can only access servers in 3 locations (1 in the Netherlands, and 2 in the US).

 

Sign Up Now for Atlas VPN

Read our full Atlas VPN review

Pros	Cons
12 country locations	No 24-7 support option
No-logs policy	Limited to 10GB data per month
Unlimited simultaneous devices
Ad blocker

Spanish for private, this zero-log VPN is relatively new, but its free version comes with many of the same features as the paid options. This includes industry-standard 256-bit encryption with IKEv2, OpenVPN, and WireGuard protocols.

In addition, PrivadoVPN provides DNS and IP leak protection, a kill switch, and a no-logs policy for all users.

It will also work on almost any device in your home, with a free app for most platforms.

12 Server Locations

PrivadoVPN lets its free users connect to servers in 12 different countries.

While this is still fewer than the 48 countries available to its paid plan users, it’s more choice than almost every other free VPN provider.

Server Infrastructure

PrivadoVPN’s free accounts use the same infrastructure as the premium ones, not just free servers like many others. This means VPN connection reliability and speed are the same as those experienced by paid plan users, and PrivadoVPN lets free users watch video and audio securely.

However, users on the free plan are limited to 10GB usage every 30 days, which can be reached quickly when streaming video and audio content.

 

In many cases, Privado VPN uses physical servers instead of virtual ones. Physical servers don’t experience the same type of slowdowns from overcrowding on virtual ones, but it means you’ll want to choose a server relatively close to your actual location in order to provide the best speeds.

Unlimited Simultaneous Connections

PrivadoVPN offers all users an unlimited number of simultaneous connections, so even free plan users can use multiple devices with the VPN at once.

Again, however, the free plan is restricted to 10GB of data every 30 days, which is per account and not per device.

Sign Up Now for Privado VPN

Read our full Privado VPN review

Why Use a Free VPN?

The most obvious reason to use a free VPN is the cost. A reputable free VPN service will provide online privacy and protection without its user having to pay a cent.

However, choosing a VPN can be a difficult task, and that is especially true when it comes to selecting a free VPN provider. The free VPN market is a murky one and many so-called free VPN providers are merely harvesting your data to sell on to the highest bidder.

Here are some of the features you should consider when choosing a free VPN provider:

Number of Servers

Try to choose a service that allows you to connect to servers or countries around the world.

This is particularly important if you plan on using your free VPN to unblock content from streaming sites such as Amazon Prime, Hulu, Netflix, BBC iPlayer, or Disney+, as you’ll require a server in a location where the content is available.

More available servers also mean you’re less likely to experience slow speeds from congestion or the server being very far away.

Encryption Protocols

One of the main reasons people use a free VPN service is to remain anonymous and protect their personal information.

To ensure this, you’ll need a provider that utilizes the most up-to-date encryption, such as AES-256, and protocols including IKEv2, OpenVPN, or the newer WireGuard.

This will give you peace of mind knowing your data and details are well protected.

Logging Policy

Not only do you need to protect your personal information from unauthorized parties, such as your ISP, but you also need to ensure your free VPN service isn’t collecting it either.

Read through the provider’s terms and conditions to ensure your browsing history or sensitive details won’t be stored on the VPN’s servers or records.

To provide a free service and remain in business, some free VPN services will also sell your information to advertisers.

If you’re not sure, get in touch with a provider’s customer support to get explicit confirmation on their no-log policy.

Data Limits

One of the downsides of free VPNs is that they often come with a monthly data limit.

This can range from megabytes to a few gigabytes, which then refresh each month.

And, while there are a few that offer unlimited data usage, there might be a catch. It’s best to determine what you plan to use your VPN for, and then work out if the data limit is enough.

Network Speeds

If you’re using free VPNs to browse online safely, then you might not need to concern yourself with network speeds.

However, if you want to stream high-definition videos or download torrent files, then you’re going to want a service that can deliver. Many free VPNs will throttle the bandwidth compared to their paid options, so make sure this isn’t a restriction before you activate your service.

Concerns About Free VPNs

These days, a VPN is vital for safety and privacy online. Since a VPN works by encrypting your data and tunneling it through one of the VPN servers, you must be careful when selecting a free VPN provider.

Avoid any providers that are known to be harvesting or selling user data, as well as those that plague you with adverts while you are trying to use the internet.

Why Use a Paid VPN Instead of a Free VPN?

While we’ve provided a list of the best free VPNs above, there’s no match for a premium VPN service.

Whether it’s to be certain your data is safe, to avoid usage caps, to access more servers and locations, or because you need extra features such as ad-blockers or split-tunneling, it’s usually worth paying out a few dollars each month for a reputable premium VPN.

Here are some of our top picks of paid VPN providers you might want to consider:

ExpressVPN

Rank:	1	Max devices:	5
Servers:	3,000	24/7 support:	✅
Speed:	10Gbps	Free trial:	❌
Countries:	94	Money-back guarantee:	✅
Encryption Type:	OpenVPN, IKEv2, Lightway	Apps & devices:	Win, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, Router, Smart TV
Jurisdiction:	British Virgin Islands

Our Deal: $6.67 per month for 12 months + 3 months FREE

Best & Worst:

• RAM-only servers with TrustedServer technology, capable of 10Gbps connection speeds in more than 90 countries.
• No dedicated IP option is available.

Pros	Cons
+ Impeccable history and reputation, with verified no-log policy	– Premium price
+ Fast server speeds, great for P2P and gaming	– Limited port forwarding
+ 94 countries / 3,000+ servers	– No dedicated IP
+ 30-day money-back guarantee
+ Works in China

ExpressVPN is a well-established service that’s been operating for more than a decade.

Labeling itself as the “#1 trusted leader in VPN”, with high-speed, ultra-secure servers, it stands out for its speed, privacy, and unblocking capabilities, and is generally regarded as one of the highest-quality VPNs overall.

Privacy

ExpressVPN’s privacy policy states it does not log any traffic or session data and does not store connection time stamps, used bandwidth, or IP addresses. Registered in the British Virgin Islands, it has no legal obligation to keep data for a certain period of time.

ExpressVPN regularly invites third-party auditors to test and confirm these claims, the most recent of which was at the end of 2022.

In 2017, the Turkish Government seized an ExpressVPN server, but it held no useful information for the authorities, verifying ExpressVPN’s no-log policy.

To pay for your subscription, you can use a credit card or PayPal, but the service also accepts Bitcoin and various other payment methods that are anonymous or more difficult to track.

Servers

With more than 3,000 servers across 94 countries, ExpressVPN offers a fast connection from pretty much anywhere. It’s one of the few providers that offers locations in every continent except for Antarctica.

The main benefits of this include higher speeds, a wide range of server locations for bypassing specific geo-restrictions, and compatibility with both desktop and mobile devices.

Works for all popular streaming services

Many streaming services actively block VPN services, particularly Netflix which is well-known for geo-restricting its content. But ExpressVPN is one of the few providers that we’ve been able to access and unblock Netflix with while using, even when outside of the US.

Sign Up Now for ExpressVPN
30-day money-back guarantee

Read our full ExpressVPN review

Pros	Cons
+ NordLynx protocol	– 6 simultaneous connections instead of unlimited
+ Secure and no-log policy
+ 5,000+ servers in 60+ countries
+ Works with nearly every Netflix server
+ Low-cost pricing

With a host of features, fast speeds, and a proven reputation, NordVPN is a relatively inexpensive service, considering other market offerings.

Privacy

If you’re looking for a VPN company that respects your privacy, that’s NordVPN. Based in Panama (known for its privacy and tax haven for many offshore companies), it has a strict no-logs policy that’s been independently verified multiple times.

NordVPN also operates on diskless servers, meaning no user data or information is written to the hard drive. The service also offers servers with obfuscation and double VPN features.

Speed

NordVPN claims to be the fastest VPN on the planet. An independent, third-party security institute, AV-TEST, ran tests on the most popular premium VPN services and found NordVPN to be almost twice as fast as the next provider.

Its fast speeds are made possible by NordVPN’s revolutionary NordLynx protocol and wide global network of almost 6,000 servers capable of 10Gbps, meaning you should be able to do any data-heavy activity, such as streaming, without any disruptions.

Huge Number of Features

NordVPN comes with a huge number of additional features – more than almost all other premium VPN providers. This includes two kinds of kill switch, split-tunneling, mesh net, in-built leak tests, private DNS, Threat Protection, and Passport Manager.

The Threat Protection feature is particularly impressive. It provides an extra layer of security by filtering harmful content before it reaches your device, scanning files for malware while you’re downloading them, and blocks ads, trackers, and malware URLs to prevent any malicious threats. Most VPN services charge extra for these kinds of anti-virus features, but NordVPN includes Threat Protection with all its plans.

Sign Up Now for NordVPN

Read our full NordVPN review.

Pros	Cons
+ Unlimited devices with one account	– Relatively new provider
+ Fast speeds	– Not all features available on all devices
+ No logging or DNS leaks
+ Low pricing
+ 30-day money-back guarantee

Surfshark is a relatively new company, offering a large number of features at a low price. The app is highly secure and can be used on an unlimited number of devices simultaneously, whereas most existing providers cap this number below 10.

Low Costs

Surfshark is currently the best VPN service for those on a budget. Depending on the length of plan you choose, it can cost as little as a couple of dollars a month, making it one of the best value VPNs on the market.

And, compared to other low-cost VPN providers, Surfshark maintains a high level of privacy and security standards, with a strict no-log policy that’s been independently verified.

On top of that, Surfshark is one of the only premium VPNs to offer a free trial as well as a 30-day money-back guarantee – so you can try it out before committing any money.

Unlimited Simultaneous Connections

Unlike other services, which limit the number of devices you can use with their VPN at any one time, Surfshark lets its users connect an unlimited number simultaneously, with just one account. This makes it perfect for large families.

Huge Number of Additional Features

Despite its low price point, Surfshark comes with all the standard features you’d expect from a premium VPN service, plus many, many more.

These include Clean Web 2.0 (Surfshark’s ad and tracker blocker), kill switch, split-tunneling, camouflage mode, NoBorders, IP rotator, pause VPN, and obfuscated and multi-hop servers.

Sign Up Now for Surfshark

Read our full Surfshark review.

How To Get Started Using a Free VPN

Thankfully, it’s easy to set up our top free VPN pick. Here are step-by-step instructions for how to set up ProtonVPN:

1. Visit the ProtonVPN website.
2. Click the “Download Proton VPN” button to download the installation file.
3. Once the file has been downloaded, double-click it to start the installation process.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions.
5. Once the installation is complete, launch the Proton VPN app.
6. Log in to your Proton VPN account or create a new one if you don’t have an account yet.
7. Choose a server location and click “Connect” to start using Proton VPN.

However, if you’d to invest in your online security by signing up for ExpressVPN for 30-days risk-free then simply follow the steps below:

1. Visit the ExpressVPN website and get your hands on our exclusive offer
2. Choose a subscription plan and make the payment.
3. Download the ExpressVPN app for your device from the website.
4. Install the app and log in with your ExpressVPN account credentials.
5. Connect to a server location of your choice.
6. Verify that you are connected to the VPN by checking your IP address.

Our Methodology

Did you know there are over 50 VPN services on the market today? That’s a lot of research to do to find out which one is the best free VPN for you. However, it doesn’t have to sit all on your shoulders. We complete extensive and thorough reviews of every product.

We don’t get any unique downloads from providers either. We use the products that are available for the general public to download and put them through their paces to ensure it’s going to meet your expectations. Here are some examples of what we look for when choosing the best free VPNs.

Privacy

Our privacy review starts by researching the company itself. We take a look at their court history and where the head office is located. We’ll even dig deeper into how payments are processed and anything else we can find on business practices. Our team also combs through the privacy policy and analyzes every syllable to make sure the company isn’t going to be logging your information while you’re browsing.

Next, we’ll perform some DNS leak tests to ensure the free VPN hides all details.

Speed

We run multiple speed tests when trialing a free VPN. After establishing a baseline result, we’ll start connecting to numerous servers in countries around the world. Then we’ll take note of download and upload speeds and compare them to the baseline result.

User Experience

Running a free VPN shouldn’t require you to earn an IT degree. While we know our way around VPN products, we grade based on simplicity. The easier it is to connect to a server of your choice, the better. This experience should be identical no matter what device you’re installing your VPN on. For example, it should be just as seamless on an iPhone as it is on a laptop.

Wrapping Up

They say nothing in life is free. But this isn’t true when it comes to VPNs, and in the cybersecurity world, you certainly get what you pay for.

While there are free VPN services that offer security, no-logging policies, and lots of other good features, can you really afford to trust a free provider with your online security?

Ultimately, if your online privacy is important to you in the long term then you will do best by paying for a paid VPN provider such as ExpressVPN as you will benefit from their premium services, larger number of servers, and generally better quality experience.