15 Best Free VPN Services to Protect Your Online Privacy
According to Google, people are spending an average of 2 hours and 25 minutes a day on the internet. Browsing and accessing several sites, making them vulnerable to cyber thefts and hackers, and most of them do not have protection against it.
VPNs are generally not expensive, but they can still add to your annual expenses. But thankfully, there are some VPNs out there that you can use for free. Whether you want to try it out before buying/subscribing or merely using it without paying, here’s a list of free VPN providers you might want to check out.
In Our List:
| VPN Service | Platforms | Bandwidth Limit |
|---|---|---|
| PrivadoVPN | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | 10 GB/month |
| ProtonVPN | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | Unlimited |
| Windscribe | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Opera | 10 GB/month |
| AtlasVPN | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | Unlimited |
| Hotspot Shield | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | 500 MB/day |
| TunnelBear | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | 500 MB/month |
| Hide.me | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | 10 GB/month |
| Psiphon | Windows, Android, iOS | Unlimited |
| FinchVPN | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | 3 GB/month |
| Zenmate | Chrome, Firefox, Edge (browser extension) | Unlimited |
| SecurityKISS | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, routers | 300 MB/day |
| Hideman | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | 4 hours/week |
| Speedify | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux | 2 GB/month |
| Kaspersky VPN | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | 200 MB/day |
| Datho VPN | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux | Unlimited |
| Avira Phantom VPN | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | 500 MB/month |
1. PrivadoVPN
Pros
- Safe and secure.
- No-logs policy.
- It has a kill switch.
Cons
- Limited servers.
- Limited to 10 GB data usage per month.
PrivadoVPN, like other VPNs, helps users to keep their anonymity and bypass censorship for unregulated access to all the contents that they seek.
Regarding security, they are generous because they give the same level of security for both free and premium versions like IP masking, point-to-point encryption, and so on. But of course, the free version has its limits because it only has 12 global servers for the free version.
PrivadoVPN is available on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. You can also get their service on other devices by following their step-by-step instructions.
2. ProtonVPN
Pros
- No-logs policy.
- Safe and secure connection.
- Unlimited data usage.
- Available for desktops and mobile devices (Android and iOS).
Cons
- Lower Internet speed for free users.
- VPN connection is limited to one device.
- Server locations are limited to three countries (Japan, US, and the Netherlands).
Some VPNs offer free services but what most users don’t know is that they sell your information to advertising companies to profit off of your device. ProtonVPN doesn’t do that, while they do have a paid version of their service, there’s no catch for free users, your browsing experience will be safe and worry-free.
Moreover, ProtonVPN has no cap limit on your data usage compared to most VPNs out there that have a daily or monthly data usage limit. But it’s not all positive, here are the pros and cons of ProtonVPN.
3. Windscribe
Pros
- Safe and secure connection.
- Up to 10 server locations.
- Blocks ads and malware with the browser extension.
- Available for desktops and mobile devices (Android and iOS).
- Has a built-in firewall for desktop.
Cons
- Limited to 10 GB data usage per month.
- Logs data about the amount of data we’ve used and the times of our connections.
Another popular VPN that helps protect your privacy, grants access to blocked content in your country, and can even block ads. It is available as an application and has a web browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, and Opera.
Windscribe gives you a 10 GB data allowance per month, which isn’t much if you’d think about it, but you have the option to use it only when browsing while doing other stuff online like video calls without consuming your monthly data allowance. They also offer additional data allowance through referrals, tweets about Windscribe, and simply visiting their official Subreddit.
4. AtlasVPN
Pros
- Free version has many features.
- No-logs policy for user privacy.
- High-speed streaming through streaming-optimized servers.
Cons
- No browser extension.
- Small server network and only based in US.
- Certain features are missing in the desktop version.
Atlas VPN lets you browse the internet without the risk of threats and privacy concerns. It routes your traffic through an encrypted tunnel and masks your IP address so you can easily bypass geo-restrictions.
To uphold user privacy, Atlas VPN follows a strict no-logs policy so none of your online activity is tracked by the VPN or anyone else. Moreover, it supports many popular streaming services and offers high-speed streaming through streaming-optimized servers.
5. Hotspot Shield
Pros
- No-logs policy.
- 500 MB of data usage per day.
- Available for desktops and mobile devices (Android and iOS).
Cons
- Limited to US-based servers.
- VPN connection is limited to one device.
- 2 Mbps speed limit.
This VPN also has a strict “no logs” policy. This means that your personal information is not recorded or collected by their system. They also use military-grade protection, so rest assured that you will remain anonymous and protected from viruses, and cyber-attacks.
The free version of this VPN gives you an allowance of 500 MB of data per day, which is quite generous compared to other free VPNs. Here are the pros and cons.
6. TunnelBear
Pros
- No-logs policy.
- VPN connection is up to 5 devices simultaneously.
- Over 20 server locations.
- Available for desktops and mobile devices (Android and iOS).
Cons
- Limited to 500 MB data usage per month.
- Doesn’t work with Netflix.
Similar to other VPNs, TunnerBear encrypts your device’s incoming and outgoing data, protecting your online privacy and allowing you to access global content that isn’t available in your county. TunnelBear also took a different approach by providing easy-to-use features helping users to access and switch between servers with ease. Pros and cons of using TunnelBear are:
7. Hide.me
Pros
- No-logs policy.
- No ads.
- Good internet speed.
Cons
- VPN connection is limited to one device.
- Limited to 10 GB data usage per month.
- Only 5 available servers for free users.
This is one of the best free VPNs out there today; although there will be limits for free users, the overall service that it can provide without you paying a penny is really good. They stated that the free service that they offer is their way of reinstating that Internet Privacy is a basic human right and that they don’t compromise the logs and security features for free users. Instead, they give additional benefits to their premium users.
8. Psiphon
Pros
- Available for Windows, iOS, and Android devices.
- Unlimited Data usage.
- Over 20 server locations.
- AD free and no unwanted app permissions.
Cons
- 2 Mbps speed average.
- Not available for macOS, Linux, or routers.
- Doesn’t work with Netflix.
- No VPN kill switch.
- Not a privacy protection tool.
It is a circumvention tool that makes use of VPN, SSH, and HTTP Proxy technology, allowing you to bypass securities and restrictions to gain access to videos and other contents currently blocked or censored in your campus, corporation, or country. Browse freely using public wifi without any worries and give you the freedom that you deserve.
This VPN is not a privacy tool, though, and they are transparent about it, stating that it should not be considered an online security tool.
9. FinchVPN
Pros
- It has anti-DPI (Can bypass Securities that blocks VPN).
- Available for desktops and mobile devices (Android and iOS).
Cons
- Doesn’t work with Netflix.
- Limited to 3 GB data usage per month.
- It saves the records and connection logs of the user.
- VPN connection is limited to one device.
This VPN also has a free version that you can make use of. It allows you to use unsecured public WiFi with no worries, encrypts all your information to protect your private information, and unblocks all contents that are unavailable in your region, area, or country. Like other VPNs, it can also improve your connection speed when surfing or browsing.
10. Zenmate
Pros
- No-logs policy.
- Can work with Netflix.
- It has a kill switch.
Cons
- Only free as a browser extension.
- Unreliable streaming servers.
- 2 Mbps speed limit.
Zenmate is a premium VPN that offers a free VPN browser extension that is available for Chrome, Firefox, and edge. You would have to buy the premium version to use it on mobile. It uses strong encryption that hides your real IP address and it grants you access to restricted websites and contents. It even works with Netflix and supports torrenting.
11. SecurityKISS
Pros
- No-logs policy.
- No ads.
- Supports multiple OS including Linux and routers.
Cons
- Limited to 300 MB data usage per day.
- Only 4 available servers for free users.
- Slow internet speed.
This is another top-notch free VPN that values user privacy. They have stated that they do not store any log data and they also provide an Ad-free environment, thus securing your personal data from advertisers and hackers. The SecurityKISS VPN also supports multiple operating systems, including Linux and routers.
Despite its limitations, SecurityKISS remains one of the top free VPNs out there.
12. Hideman
Pros
- No-logs policy.
- No ads.
- Available for desktops and mobile devices (Android and iOS).
Cons
- Limited to 4 hours of usage per week.
- Only 5 available servers for free users.
- Slow internet speed.
Hideman VPN is another good option if you’re looking for a free VPN provider. They provide a secure connection and hide your identity while browsing the internet. They have a free version that has limitations such as speed, server locations, and usage time.
Hideman VPN is available for desktops and mobile devices (Android and iOS).
13. Speedify
Pros
- Channel bonding for faster speeds.
- No-logs policy.
- Supports Linux.
Cons
- Limited to 2 GB data usage per month.
- VPN connection is limited to one device.
- Limited features in the free version.
Speedify stands out with its channel bonding technology, which combines multiple internet connections (like Wi-Fi and cellular) for increased speed and reliability. While the free plan has data limits, it offers a good glimpse into its performance-enhancing features.
It maintains a no-logs policy and provides robust encryption, ensuring your online activities remain private. Speedify is available across a wide range of platforms, including Linux.
14. Kaspersky VPN
Pros
- Backed by a reputable security company.
- Kill switch feature included.
- Simple and easy-to-use interface.
Cons
- Limited to 200 MB data usage per day.
- No server selection in the free version (connects automatically).
- Some logging (connection timestamps, data volume).
From the well-known cybersecurity company, Kaspersky VPN Secure Connection offers a free tier focused on basic security. It encrypts your connection, especially useful on public Wi-Fi, and includes a kill switch to prevent data leaks if the VPN drops.
The free version has a daily data cap and doesn’t allow you to choose your server location, but it’s a solid choice for occasional, security-focused usage.
15. Datho VPN
Pros
- Truly unlimited data usage.
- No registration required.
- Wide platform support including Linux.
Cons
- Relatively unknown provider, privacy policy less scrutinized.
- Speeds can be inconsistent.
- Limited server selection.
Datho VPN claims to offer a completely free VPN service with unlimited data and no need for registration. It aims to provide simple, accessible online privacy for everyone.
While the promise of unlimited free usage is appealing, as a lesser-known provider, users should carefully review its privacy policy and be aware that performance might vary.
16. Avira Phantom VPN
Pros
- From a trusted security brand.
- Easy to use.
- Includes kill switch (Pro feature, but free offers basic protection).
Cons
- Very limited data: 500 MB/month (1GB if registered).
- No server choice in free version.
- Basic features compared to competitors.
Avira Phantom VPN is another offering from a well-established security software company. The free version provides basic VPN protection with a strong emphasis on ease of use.
The data cap is quite restrictive, making it suitable only for very light browsing or securing connections occasionally on public networks. Registration doubles the data allowance, but it remains low.