Article
Best Free VPN Services in 2026 - Top 10 Free VPNs Compared
Looking for a free VPN? We tested the top free VPN services to find which offer the best privacy, speed, and data allowances without breaking the bank.
Free VPNs offer an affordable way to protect your privacy, secure public WiFi connections, and access geo-restricted content—but they come with significant limitations compared to premium services.
We tested over 20 free VPN services to find which ones offer genuine value without compromising your security. Here are the 10 best free VPNs that actually work in 2026, along with their data limits, features, and restrictions.
Quick Comparison
| VPN | Data Limit | Servers | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Proton VPN Free | Unlimited | 10 countries | ★4.8/5 |
| 2. PrivadoVPN Free | 10GB/month | 10 countries | ★4.6/5 |
| 3. Windscribe Free | 10GB/month (with email) | 10 countries | ★4.5/5 |
| 4. TunnelBear Free | 2GB/month | 47 countries | ★4.3/5 |
| 5. Hotspot Shield Free | 500MB/day (~15.5GB/month) | USA only | ★4.2/5 |
| 6. Atlas VPN Free | 10GB/month | 3 locations | ★4.1/5 |
| 7. hide.me Free | 10GB/month | 8 locations | ★4/5 |
| 8. Speedify Free | 2GB/month | Multiple locations | ★3.9/5 |
| 9. Avira Phantom VPN Free | 500MB/month | Auto-select only | ★3.8/5 |
| 10. Kaspersky VPN Secure Connection Free | 200MB/day (~6GB/month) | Auto-select only | ★3.7/5 |
Our Top Picks in Detail
Proton VPN Free
Proton VPN Free is the gold standard for free VPNs, offering unlimited data usage with no ads or logging. Created by the team behind ProtonMail, it provides Swiss-based privacy protection with AES-256 encryption and access to servers in 10 countries, though you can't manually choose which server to connect to.
Pros
- ✓Truly unlimited data usage
- ✓No ads or activity logging
- ✓Swiss privacy jurisdiction
- ✓Strong encryption (AES-256)
- ✓Built-in kill switch included
Cons
- ✗Limited to 1 device simultaneously
- ✗No server selection (auto-connect)
- ✗Medium speed tier only
PrivadoVPN Free
PrivadoVPN Free excels at unblocking streaming services, successfully accessing Netflix, Disney Plus, BBC iPlayer, and more during testing. With 10GB monthly data, unlimited devices, and WireGuard support, it's perfect for occasional streaming—though speeds drop to 1 Mbps once you exceed the cap.
Pros
- ✓Unblocks Netflix, Disney+, and more
- ✓Unlimited device connections
- ✓WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 support
- ✓256-bit AES encryption
- ✓Kill switch protection
Cons
- ✗Only 10GB monthly data allowance
- ✗Speed limited to 1 Mbps after cap
- ✗Chrome extension now paywalled
Windscribe Free
Windscribe Free impressed us with its fast speeds and built-in R.O.B.E.R.T. ad blocker. You get 10GB monthly data after email verification (only 2GB without), access to the same premium servers as paid users, and can connect unlimited devices. Recent changes have impacted US Netflix access, but other streaming services still work.
Pros
- ✓Fast speeds for free tier
- ✓R.O.B.E.R.T. ad/malware blocker
- ✓Unlimited device connections
- ✓Build-a-plan pricing flexibility
- ✓Same servers as paid users
Cons
- ✗10GB monthly limit (2GB without email)
- ✗Lost US Netflix access recently
- ✗No live chat support
TunnelBear Free
TunnelBear Free offers the most extensive server network of any free VPN with 47 countries available, plus the same features as the premium version. The beginner-friendly interface and successful streaming unblocking make it appealing, but the 2GB monthly limit severely restricts usage.
Pros
- ✓Largest free server network (47 countries)
- ✓Identical features to premium version
- ✓User-friendly interface for beginners
- ✓Works with major streaming services
- ✓WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 support
Cons
- ✗Very limited 2GB monthly data
- ✗Separate account needed per device
- ✗Insufficient for regular streaming
Hotspot Shield Free
Hotspot Shield Free provides 500MB of data every 24 hours, totaling about 15.5GB monthly—more than most competitors. The proprietary Hydra Protocol optimizes performance for gaming and browsing, though mobile users must watch video ads, and streaming services are blocked on the free tier.
Pros
- ✓15.5GB total monthly data
- ✓Daily data refresh system
- ✓Hydra Protocol for gaming
- ✓Military-grade encryption
- ✓Good for daily browsing
Cons
- ✗Video ads on mobile version
- ✗No streaming support
- ✗USA server location only
Atlas VPN Free
Atlas VPN Free offers 10GB monthly data with unlimited device connections and some unique features like data breach monitoring. While limited to just 3 server locations, it provides a solid entry point and serves as a good trial for the affordable premium version.
Pros
- ✓Unlimited device connections
- ✓Data breach monitoring included
- ✓SafeSwap rotating IPs available
- ✓No logging policy
- ✓Free trial of premium features
Cons
- ✗Only 3 server locations on free tier
- ✗10GB monthly data cap
- ✗Newer company with less track record
hide.me Free
hide.me Free prioritizes privacy with a verified no-logs policy, Malaysian jurisdiction, and advanced features like split tunneling and Stealth Guard kill switch. The 10GB monthly limit and single device restriction keep it from ranking higher, but it's excellent for privacy-conscious users.
Pros
- ✓Strong no-logs policy
- ✓Split tunneling included
- ✓Stealth Guard (kill switch)
- ✓WireGuard and OpenVPN support
- ✓Based in Malaysia (privacy-friendly)
Cons
- ✗Limited to 1 device
- ✗8 server locations only
- ✗10GB monthly restriction
Speedify Free
Speedify Free stands out with its unique channel bonding technology that combines multiple internet connections (WiFi + cellular) for improved reliability and speed. The 2GB monthly limit is restrictive, but if connection stability matters more than privacy, Speedify delivers a unique solution.
Pros
- ✓Channel bonding technology
- ✓Combines WiFi and cellular data
- ✓Automatic failover protection
- ✓Improves connection stability
- ✓Unique use case for reliability
Cons
- ✗Only 2GB monthly data
- ✗Not focused on privacy
- ✗Limited streaming capability
Avira Phantom VPN Free
Avira Phantom VPN Free offers the simplest experience with no registration required, but the 500MB monthly limit makes it suitable only for occasional, light browsing. It's from the trusted Avira antivirus company and provides solid encryption, but the severe data restriction limits practical use.
Pros
- ✓No registration required
- ✓Simple one-click connection
- ✓From trusted antivirus company
- ✓AES-256 encryption
- ✓Easy to use interface
Cons
- ✗Very limited 500MB monthly data
- ✗No server location choice
- ✗Insufficient for most use cases
Kaspersky VPN Secure Connection Free
Kaspersky VPN Secure Connection Free works best as an add-on to Kaspersky's antivirus products, offering 200MB daily data refresh for about 6GB monthly. While this comes from a trusted security company, the daily limit and lack of server selection make it suitable only for basic protection while browsing.
Pros
- ✓Integrates with Kaspersky antivirus
- ✓Daily data refresh (200MB)
- ✓From established security company
- ✓No activity logging
- ✓Automatic server selection
Cons
- ✗Only 200MB daily (6GB monthly)
- ✗No server location choice
- ✗Limited to 1 device
Understanding Free VPN Limitations
Free VPNs must monetize somehow. Here’s what to expect:
Data Caps
Nearly all free VPNs impose monthly or daily data limits:
- 2GB/month: Basic email and light browsing only
- 10GB/month: Good for occasional streaming or regular browsing
- Unlimited: Extremely rare (only Proton VPN offers this)
Speed Restrictions
Free tiers typically limit bandwidth or prioritize paid users:
- Slower connection speeds during peak hours
- Bandwidth throttling after reaching data caps
- Medium-speed tiers instead of maximum performance
Server Access
Free plans restrict server availability:
- Fewer server locations (3-10 vs 50+ for paid)
- No manual server selection on some services
- Congested servers due to overcrowding
Feature Limitations
Premium features require upgrading:
- No specialized streaming or P2P servers
- Limited protocol options
- Reduced or no customer support
- No advanced features like split tunneling
Privacy Considerations
Some free VPNs compromise privacy:
- Displaying ads to monetize service
- Logging more data than paid versions
- Selling anonymized usage data to third parties
How We Test Free VPNs
Our testing methodology evaluates free VPNs on multiple criteria:
Data Allowance Testing
We verify actual data limits:
- Testing daily and monthly caps
- Checking rollover policies
- Monitoring what happens after exceeding limits
- Confirming unlimited claims
Speed Performance
We measure real-world performance:
- Download and upload speeds across servers
- Latency for gaming and video calls
- Speed consistency over time
- Comparison to paid tier speeds
Streaming Capability
We test against major platforms:
- Netflix (multiple regions)
- Disney+, HBO Max, Amazon Prime
- BBC iPlayer, Hulu
- Success rate over multiple tests
Privacy Analysis
We investigate security practices:
- Privacy policy examination
- Logging claims verification
- DNS leak testing
- Kill switch effectiveness
- Jurisdiction considerations
Usability Evaluation
We assess the user experience:
- App interface and ease of use
- Connection reliability
- Ad frequency and intrusiveness
- Customer support availability
When to Choose Free vs. Paid VPN
Free VPNs Are Good For:
- Occasional public WiFi protection at coffee shops
- Light browsing with basic privacy needs
- Testing VPN functionality before buying
- Temporary use during travel
- Budget-conscious users with minimal requirements
Paid VPNs Are Better For:
- Regular streaming of geo-restricted content
- Daily VPN usage for work or privacy
- Torrenting and P2P file sharing
- Maximum speed and performance
- Protecting multiple devices simultaneously
- Advanced security features and 24/7 support
Free VPN Security Tips
If using a free VPN, follow these safety practices:
Choose Reputable Providers
- Stick to established companies with transparent policies
- Avoid unknown VPNs with suspicious permissions
- Check independent reviews and testing results
- Verify the company’s jurisdiction and ownership
Review Privacy Policies
- Understand what data is collected
- Check if data is sold to third parties
- Verify no-logging claims
- Look for independent audits
Monitor Your Data Usage
- Track your data consumption
- Set up alerts before hitting caps
- Understand throttling policies
- Plan usage for important tasks
Use as Temporary Solution
- Consider free VPNs as trials or temporary measures
- Upgrade to paid service for regular use
- Don’t rely on free VPNs for sensitive activities
Frequently Asked Questions
Are free VPNs safe to use?
Reputable free VPNs like Proton VPN, PrivadoVPN, and Windscribe are safe and use strong encryption. However, many lesser-known free VPNs collect and sell user data, inject ads, or contain malware. Always research providers thoroughly and stick to well-established services with transparent privacy policies.
What’s the catch with free VPNs?
Free VPNs typically have data caps (2-10GB monthly), speed limitations, fewer server locations, and reduced features compared to paid versions. They monetize through premium upgrades, displaying ads, or offering limited functionality to encourage paid subscriptions. Proton VPN is the exception with truly unlimited data.
Can I use a free VPN for Netflix?
Some free VPNs work with Netflix, but most don’t. PrivadoVPN Free and TunnelBear successfully unblock Netflix in testing, but data caps (10GB and 2GB respectively) limit how much you can watch. Proton VPN works with US Netflix only. For reliable streaming, paid VPNs perform better.
Do free VPNs slow down my internet?
Yes, all VPNs add some overhead due to encryption and routing. Free VPNs often have more speed impact due to overcrowded servers, bandwidth throttling, and intentionally limited speeds to encourage upgrades. Expect 20-50% speed reduction on free tiers versus 10-20% on premium services.
What’s the best completely free VPN?
Proton VPN Free is the best completely free VPN, offering unlimited data usage, strong encryption, no ads, and a strict no-logging policy. While limited to medium speeds and one device, it’s the only free VPN that doesn’t restrict data usage, making it suitable for regular browsing and privacy protection.
Can I use a free VPN for torrenting?
Most free VPNs prohibit torrenting or don’t provide adequate protection for P2P file sharing. Data caps make downloading large files impractical, and free tiers often lack port forwarding or P2P-optimized servers. For safe torrenting, use a paid VPN with unlimited data and P2P support.
How much data does streaming use on a VPN?
Video streaming consumes significant data: SD quality uses about 1GB/hour, HD uses 3GB/hour, and 4K uses 7GB/hour. With most free VPNs offering 2-10GB monthly limits, you can watch 2-3 hours of HD content before hitting the cap. Only Proton VPN’s unlimited data supports regular streaming.
Will a free VPN protect me on public WiFi?
Yes, reputable free VPNs like Proton VPN, PrivadoVPN, and Windscribe provide adequate encryption to protect your data on public WiFi at coffee shops, airports, and hotels. Even limited data is usually sufficient for checking email or browsing during a cafe visit, making free VPNs practical for occasional public WiFi protection.