The Best Free VPN Alternatives 2026

The best free VPNs are Proton VPN, PrivadoVPN, TunnelBear, and Windscribe. Proton VPN is our top choice for unlimited data, PrivadoVPN is a strong option for occasional streaming, and Windscribe stands out for protecting multiple devices.

Finding a free VPN you can actually trust is harder than it sounds. Most free options come with serious trade-offs, like data caps, slow speeds, or worse, privacy practices that defeat the purpose of using a VPN in the first place.

After testing dozens of options, we've identified the free VPNs worth your time. Each of our top free picks is a legitimate free tier backed by a trustworthy paid service, so you're not trading your privacy for a free connection.

The best free VPN alternatives 2026

Proton VPN leads our free VPN recommendations thanks to unlimited data and strong privacy protections. But the other picks have their own advantages. PrivadoVPN offers more control over free server locations and better streaming support, Windscribe allows unlimited device connections, and TunnelBear keeps things simple for occasional use.

Compare the best free VPNs

All four VPNs offer permanently free plans, but their restrictions differ. Proton VPN is the only option here without a monthly data limit, while PrivadoVPN and Windscribe let you choose from more free server countries. Compare their data allowances, locations, device support, and streaming capabilities below to see which trade-offs work for you.

VPN
Best for	Unlimited data	Streaming	Beginners	Multiple devices
Permanently free plan
Monthly data allowance	Unlimited	10 GB at full speed; reduced speeds afterward	2 GB	2 GB without email; 10 GB with verified email
Free server locations	10 countries: Canada, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Singapore, Switzerland, and United States	Countries include Argentina, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Mexico, Netherlands, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and United States	Automatic connection; country selection requires a paid plan	10 countries: Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and United States
Can you choose your country?	No; automatic assignment and random server changes	Yes, from available free locations	No	Yes, from 10 free countries
Device support	1 simultaneous VPN connection	Apps for unlimited devices; simultaneous free connections not specified	Available on multiple devices; paid plan unlocks unlimited devices	Unlimited simultaneous connections
Streaming support	Limited; not guaranteed on free servers	Works with some popular services	Limited by 2 GB data allowance	Some services work
Starting paid price	$2.99–$9.99/mo	$1.11–$10.99/mo	$3.33-$9.99/mo	$1.00–$9.00/mo
Learn more	Get Proton VPN Read Proton VPN Review	Get PrivadoVPN Read PrivadoVPN Review	Get TunnelBear Read TunnelBear Review	Get Windscribe Read Windscribe Review

Proton VPN: Best for unlimited data

What we liked

Proton VPN is one of the best VPNs on the market, so we love that it offers a free service as well. Proton's free VPN has no monthly data cap or fixed speed limit, although performance can vary with server demand. You'll also still get security features like a kill switch.

Proton is a provider dedicated to privacy, and this extends to its free version. Its strict no-logs policy, which has been independently audited and tested in court, extends to Proton Free. Plus, it offers open-source apps so anyone can review and verify that it's secure. We also found it to be the best free VPN for iPhone.

What we didn't like

Proton Free lacks many of the features that make Proton Premium so great. You won't get access to servers optimized for streaming or torrenting, and the VPN Accelerator feature is reserved for paid plans. Also, the 24/7 live chat is limited to paid subscribers.

Free users can connect to servers in 10 countries, but Proton automatically chooses the fastest available server. You can request a different server, although the new location is randomly assigned and a cooldown period applies. This makes Proton less useful if you need an IP address from a particular country.

Data cap	Unlimited
Speed cap	No fixed speed limit
Simultaneous connections	1
Free server locations	10 countries: Canada, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Singapore, Switzerland, and United States (automatically assigned)
Headquarters	Switzerland
No-logs policy	Independently audited no-logs policy
Encryption	AES-256 or ChaCha20, depending on protocol
Details	Get Proton VPN Read Proton VPN Review

Test results

Star rating summary

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PrivadoVPN: Best free plan for streaming

PrivadoVPN is a better fit than Proton Free if you want to choose your VPN location or occasionally stream through your connection. The trade-off is its 10 GB monthly full-speed allowance, compared with Proton's unlimited free data.

What we liked

PrivadoVPN is a VPN based in Switzerland. It offers a fairly generous free tier, along with some reasonably priced premium plans. The servers and your connection are fully encrypted, and the company says it keeps no logs of your browsing activity or traffic.

If you want to watch Netflix with a VPN, you're in luck. PrivadoVPN's free plan can work with Netflix and other popular streaming services, so you may be able to watch content that isn't available in your location. However, streaming access can change as services block VPN connections.

The free plan gives you 10 GB of full-speed data every month, with reduced speeds after you use that allowance. Its available free server countries include Argentina, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Mexico, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

What we didn't like

PrivadoVPN's biggest downside is its monthly high-speed data allowance. While you can continue using the free service at reduced speeds after reaching 10 GB, streaming and large downloads become less practical. Proton VPN is a better option if you want to browse regularly without worrying about a monthly allowance.

PrivadoVPN lets you install its free apps on multiple devices, but its marketing materials don't clearly establish how many simultaneous VPN connections the free tier supports. The company advertises up to 10 simultaneous connections for its premium plans.

Data cap	10 GB/mo at full speed; reduced speeds afterward
Speed cap	No fixed speed cap within the 10 GB allowance
Device support	Free apps available for unlimited devices; simultaneous free connections not specified
Free server locations	Argentina, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Mexico, Netherlands, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and United States
Headquarters	Switzerland
No-logs policy	Provider states it does not log browsing activity
Encryption	AES-256
Details	Get PrivadoVPN Read PrivadoVPN Review

Test results

Star rating summary

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TunnelBear: Best for beginners

TunnelBear is easier to approach than Proton VPN if you want a simple app without many technical settings. But its 2 GB monthly allowance is much smaller than Proton's unlimited data, making it better for occasional use.

What we liked

TunnelBear is a Canadian VPN that's all about simplicity. The idea behind this VPN is to get you browsing securely and privately with as little hassle as possible.

To that end, it hides many of the more advanced features and technical settings that most VPNs pride themselves on. The features it offers are packaged in a way that makes them easy to understand.

The result is an easy-to-use service that works very well. TunnelBear also publishes regular independent security audits, which adds reassurance for users who want a trustworthy free VPN without a complicated setup.

What we didn't like

Unfortunately, the free version of TunnelBear has a major issue: a 2 GB monthly data limit. This means it's effectively limited to occasional use and emergencies, especially if you want to stream videos or download large files.

Country selection is also reserved for paid subscribers. Unlike Windscribe and PrivadoVPN, TunnelBear Free doesn't let you choose from a published list of free server countries. If choosing a specific location matters to you, one of those services will be a better fit.

Data cap	2 GB/mo
Speed cap	No advertised fixed speed cap
Device support	Available on multiple devices; unlimited devices advertised with paid plan
Free server locations	Automatic connection; country selection requires a paid plan
Headquarters	Canada
No-logs policy	No-logs policy
Encryption	AES-256
Details	Get TunnelBear Read TunnelBear Review

Test results

Star rating summary

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Windscribe: Best free for multiple devices

Windscribe is more flexible than Proton Free if you want to protect several devices at once or choose a specific free server country. Proton is still better for unlimited browsing, since Windscribe's free plan has a monthly data allowance.

What we liked

Windscribe offers a solid free VPN. You get 2 GB of monthly data without providing an email address, or 10 GB after verifying one. Free users can choose servers in Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Windscribe is also one of the few free VPNs on this list that offers unlimited simultaneous connections, so you can seamlessly transition from phone to laptop to tablet without a hiccup. Its free plan also includes R.O.B.E.R.T. ad, tracker, and malicious-domain blocking.

Windscribe's performance, though not as fast as some of the other VPNs here, is more than adequate, and it doesn't impose a fixed speed cap. Those speeds are especially useful for streaming, since Windscribe can work with Netflix and other streaming services.

What we didn't like

The main downside of Windscribe is complexity. Although the apps offer a number of features and configuration options, this can make them tough to use for the less tech-savvy among us. If you can deal with that, though, Windscribe is a fine choice.

You'll also need to watch your monthly data usage. Even with a verified email address, the standard free allowance is 10 GB, which can disappear quickly if you regularly stream videos or download large files.

Data cap	2 GB/mo without email; 10 GB/mo with verified email
Speed cap	No fixed speed limits
Simultaneous connections	Unlimited
Free server locations	10 countries: Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and United States
Headquarters	Canada
No-logs policy	No identifying activity logs; retains account data and bandwidth usage needed to operate the service
Encryption	AES-256
Details	Get Windscribe Read Windscribe Review

Test results

Star rating summary

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Best premium VPN free trials

You can't keep a premium VPN subscription completely free, but several providers offer short free trials or money-back guarantees. These let you test premium features, such as unrestricted server selection, unlimited data, and stronger streaming support, before committing to a subscription.

Unlike the four free VPNs recommended above, these trials are temporary. Some require payment details upfront, and a money-back guarantee generally means paying first and requesting a refund within the eligible period.

VPN	Free trial	Money-back guarantee	Learn more
	7 days for Android	30 days	Get NordVPN Read NordVPN Review
	7 days for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS; up to 3 trial devices	30 days	Get Surfshark Read Surfshark Review
	7 days for Android and iOS	30 days	Get ExpressVPN Read ExpressVPN Review
	3 days for Android, 7 days for iOS, and 24 hours for Windows and macOS	30 days	Get CyberGhost Read CyberGhost Review

What to look for in a free VPN

There are a few key features and specs to watch for when choosing any VPN — but especially a free one. Here are some key considerations when selecting a free VPN:

• No-logs policy: Most people use a VPN to protect their privacy. To this end, you should review the logging policy of any VPN you use, free or not, to see what it keeps and what it doesn't. Ideally, you want a provider that masks your IP address and doesn't record your browsing activity. Independent audits can provide additional reassurance.
• Data and speed limits: Many of the trustworthy free VPN options are limited versions of paid services. This often means data usage and speed are limited. Make sure your choice offers enough data to meet your needs. Proton VPN has no monthly data limit, while PrivadoVPN and Windscribe provide 10 GB of full-speed or standard free data under their respective plan conditions.
• User reviews: It's always a smart idea to pay attention to user reviews — especially when the product or service deals so heavily with something as sensitive as your privacy. User reviews can expose issues that may not be readily apparent.
• Number and location of servers: A VPN is only as good as its servers. The location, in particular, can have a big impact on speed, latency, and privacy. Check whether free users can choose a specific country or whether the VPN automatically assigns a server.
• Business model: VPNs are operated by companies, and those companies need to make money to stay in business. The old saying applies here: if you're not the customer, you're the product. Ensure that your chosen provider has a way to make money without selling your data. Examples include premium VPN plans.
• Encryption: Make sure any VPN you use relies on strong encryption, such as AES-256 or ChaCha20, and supports a secure VPN protocol like WireGuard, OpenVPN, or IKEv2.

Are free VPNs safe?

They can be, but it depends on the provider. VPNs require a lot of infrastructure and can be expensive services to maintain. For this reason, many trustworthy free options are limited versions of paid VPN services, with premium subscribers helping fund the free tier.

If you find a completely free VPN that has no obvious way to make money, it's worth looking more closely at its privacy practices. Some free VPNs may collect more information than you expect. There are several risks to consider:

• VPNs can potentially see information about your connections, so it's important to choose a provider with transparent logging practices and strong security measures.
• Some free VPNs have been found to collect or sell user data, inject advertising, or include malicious software.
• Some VPNs, particularly free ones, are not clear about their ownership or how they handle customer information.
• A VPN doesn't make your online activity invisible to websites and services you're signed into. For example, if you log into Google when performing a search, it can still be recorded in your Google search history.

Free VPN apps also tend to come with limitations, such as restricted data allowances, fewer server locations, or missing features like split tunneling. Others may have slower connections during busy periods or lack servers optimized for torrenting and streaming services like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video.

That doesn't mean you have to pay for a VPN to get worthwhile protection. Proton VPN, PrivadoVPN, TunnelBear, and Windscribe all offer free plans from established providers. The important thing is understanding what each plan includes and choosing one that fits how you use the internet.

Free VPNs to avoid

We've said it several times now, but it bears repeating: not all free VPNs are trustworthy! These in particular have reputations as insecure, shady, or outright malicious:

• Hola: Hola keeps a lot of data and has a poor reputation for privacy and security.
• Hoxx VPN: Hoxx VPN has poor security, sketchy logging practices, and slow speeds.
• SuperVPN: SuperVPN has a reputation for poor privacy practices and a lack of transparency, particularly around who owns it.
• Turbo VPN: Turbo VPN has a poor reputation for security, which we confirmed during testing. And, despite its name, it is very slow.
• Betternet VPN: Our testing showed that Betternet fails to live up to its promise, with slow speeds and a lack of basic privacy and security features.
• Psiphon: Psiphon performs well but logs way too much data for an app that's meant to protect your privacy.
• WhoX VPN: During our testing, the VPN app was flagged as malware on macOS and Windows. We tested the Chrome extension and found that the VPN drastically slowed our computer, leaked our data, and prevented Netflix from working.

Bottom line: The best free VPN alternatives

VPNs are excellent privacy tools, but they can be expensive, and the free options out there can be… well, anything but private.

Fortunately, there are some trustworthy options for those who want a free, secure VPN. Proton VPN is our top recommendation because it provides unlimited data, strong privacy protections, and no fixed speed cap. It's a good choice for everyday browsing, especially if you don't need to select a specific server country.

If you want to stream occasionally, PrivadoVPN offers more control over server locations, although its 10 GB full-speed allowance limits how much you can watch. Windscribe is a better fit if you want unlimited device connections, while TunnelBear is a simple option for occasional browsing with its 2 GB monthly allowance.

VPNs also let you remove some paywall blocks on news sites that limit articles by IP address. We've explained this and more tips on how to bypass paywalls for free.

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