The Top Free VPNs of 2023

Virtual private networks (VPNs) are useful for enhancing online security and accessing restricted websites. Although most VPNs require payment, there are several reliable VPN services that offer free plans for users to benefit from. This article for Cybersecurity Awareness Week is presented in partnership with Incogni.

Windscribe

Best Free VPN for Netflix Windscribe

Hide.me

Best Free VPN for Browsers Hide.me

Proton VPN

Best Free VPN for Privacy Proton VPN

PrivadoVPN

Best Free VPN with Lots of Servers PrivadoVPN

What to Look For in a Free VPN in 2023

When selecting a free VPN, it's important to be cautious and informed. The majority of free VPNs available online, whether obtained through app stores, web searches, or advertisements, cannot be trusted. These services not only fail to adequately safeguard your privacy, but they also often engage in the unethical practice of selling your personal data. Utilizing a free VPN without prior research can actually be more detrimental than not using a VPN at all.

Fortunately, not all free VPNs are like this. Many reputable paid VPN services also provide free plans for you to utilize. Unlike free trials, these free plans have no time limitations, allowing you to use them for as long as desired. However, it's essential to understand that despite lacking time restrictions, these free VPN options are more akin to samples rather than full packages. They are primarily designed for you to test a service before deciding to upgrade to a paid subscription.

For instance, the top-rated free VPNs we recommend only grant access to a limited number of servers, and the available locations for connection are restricted. Additionally, most of them impose bandwidth limitations, restricting your monthly data usage before prompting you to upgrade to a paid subscription. While this restriction can be frustrating, it is expected because these tiers serve as trials without time boundaries.

Smart operators have the option to use multiple accounts to maintain privacy while browsing, although this can be somewhat cumbersome to manage. If you are interested in having more VPN bandwidth and additional features without wanting to spend the higher prices typically associated with premium VPNs, take a look at our comprehensive guide on affordable VPNs.

Best Free VPN for Netflix: Windscribe

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Windscribe

Windscribe is our top choice for a free VPN. It offers a fantastic free plan as a way to try out the service before upgrading to a paid subscription. There are three main reasons why we love Windscribe—it is fast, user-friendly, and most importantly, it can bypass Netflix's regional restrictions even on its free plan.

Unlike the other free VPNs on this list, Windscribe goes above and beyond by ensuring access to various streaming services. During our review of Windscribe's free servers, we were pleasantly surprised to find that several of them successfully connected to Netflix without any problems.

Windscribe accomplishes the task of accessing Netflix effectively. Through my testing of approximately 10 servers in the United States, United Kingdom, and a few European nations, eight servers successfully accessed Netflix without encountering any problems. This is a commendable achievement. Additionally, Windscribe consistently maintained satisfactory speeds, making it a reliable VPN for Netflix. If you desire to watch a specific show that is not available in your local Netflix library, Windscribe is your solution for locating and enjoying it.

Windscribe is an excellent option for a free VPN. With a monthly cap of 10GB for users who provide their email address, it offers more data compared to other choices on this list. Unlike most VPNs that require creating an account, Windscribe only asks for an email address. Additionally, it provides fast servers, access to Netflix, and a user-friendly interface. If you're in need of a free VPN, Windscribe should be your top choice.

Windscribe is the ultimate solution for accessing Netflix with a score of 7 out of 10. This top-notch free VPN not only provides impressive speeds but also grants you access to streaming servers, all without costing you a penny.

Windscribe

Best Free VPN for Browsers: Hide.me

Hide.me

Hide.me is a fantastic free VPN that provides a generous 10GB of data, similar to Windscribe. This VPN service boasts a user-friendly interface, particularly with its browser extension. With eight servers located worldwide, the free tier ensures seamless connection and VPN usage.

Although VPN browser extensions may have their limitations, Hide.me's extension is highly impressive. Its simplicity allows for effortless usage, enabling users to swiftly connect and disconnect without accessing the main interface. Additionally, everything is clearly labeled, eliminating any confusion about the various features.

As mentioned in our review of Hide.me, the VPN has a rating of 7/10 and does come with some issues.

For instance, the speed I experienced on the free German server was only 10Mbps. However, this is understandable as free servers tend to have a higher load, which is the primary cause of VPN slowdowns.

Hide.me is a solid option despite its biggest downside: slow servers with speeds that are only about 10 percent of your base speed. However, it offers a generous free tier of 10GB for browsing, making it the only other entry that doesn't require creating an account to get started.

Best Free VPN for Browsers7 / 10Hide.me is a dependable free VPN that has a great extension for most browsers and a generous allowance of monthly bandwidth.

Hide.me

Best Free VPN for Privacy: Proton VPN

ProtonVPN

Following in line is Proton VPN, an excellent choice for those seeking enhanced privacy. Our in-depth Proton VPN review delves into its capabilities. Alongside their transparency regarding data requests and privacy, the company firmly adheres to a strict no-logs policy:

Regardless of where a VPN is located, if it retains logs, it will not be beneficial. Proton VPN stands out as a reliable option since it guarantees a no-logs policy, ensuring the eradication of your online activity records. While its privacy policy provides further information, my overall impression of Proton is positive.

Moreover, Proton VPN is the sole provider on this list that does not impose limitations on its free users. In its pursuit of greater internet freedom, the company allows unlimited usage for anyone who wishes to avail of its services.

While Proton VPN is excellent, it is worth noting that its servers often experience overload, resulting in a decrease in VPN speed. The free servers can be frustratingly slow, and some may even be unusable during peak hours. This is unfortunate considering that the paid servers are significantly faster. However, it is inevitable when there is a high demand for the free servers.

Nevertheless, if you require a free VPN that offers unlimited usage and has a strong reputation for privacy, Proton VPN is a service worth considering. Free users have access to the special Stealth protocol, which helps avoid detection by surveillance services. Additionally, it provides a convenient way to familiarize yourself with the service before committing to a subscription, as no credit card is required for the trial period.

Proton VPN

Proton VPN, known for its emphasis on privacy and security, is widely recognized as one of the best free VPN options. The free plan offered by Proton VPN provides the same level of privacy and security, although the connection speeds may be somewhat slower.

Proton VPN

Best Free VPN with Lots of Servers: PrivadoVPN

PrivadoVPN

For a wide selection of free servers, PrivadoVPN is the top choice. With 12 servers available globally and 10GB of bandwidth, their free tier is quite impressive. To put it into perspective, Windscribe offers the same amount of bandwidth but only has ten servers. In our PrivadoVPN review, we give them a special mention:

PrivadoVPN's free plan is the real deal – simply sign up and you're ready to start. It grants you up to 10GB of monthly bandwidth and unlimited access to their 12 servers located across North and South America, as well as Europe. This extensive coverage ensures a great user experience.

Quantity is not always superior to quality. The free service may come with speed problems and limited features, which can greatly hinder your VPN experience.

Furthermore, PrivadoVPN requires some default settings adjustment to guarantee your browsing safety, unlike the other services mentioned. The VPN kill switch, typically enabled by default in most VPN services, is disabled in PrivadoVPN. Additionally, the service automatically assigns you to a VPN protocol, but it should be noted that some of these protocols are not as secure as other available options.

Still, having access to 10GB of secure browsing at no cost is quite impressive, particularly if you have already exhausted your usage limits with Windscribe and Hide.me.

PrivadoVPN

Best Free VPN with Lots of Servers6 / 10PrivadoVPN isn't a great VPN, but its free plan comes with a generous allowance of 10GB of bandwidth and a massive 12 servers worldwide.

PrivadoVPN

FAQ

What does VPN stand for?

Are free VPNs safe?

A virtual private network (VPN) is a technology that reroutes your internet traffic through a secure tunnel. By doing so, it ensures that your internet service provider and network operator cannot monitor your online activities. Additionally, a VPN masks your IP address from online services, enabling you to access content that may be restricted based on your geographic location. Moreover, it safeguards your browsing activities and prevents websites from linking them to your real IP address.

Many free VPNs are not trustworthy and will sell your data instead of protect it. Most trustworthy free VPNs are free tiers of services with paid tiers.

Do free VPNs work?

If you opt for a reliable free VPN, it will typically perform just as effectively as a paid VPN, although there may be certain limitations like a restricted number of servers and data usage caps. Additionally, certain free servers can experience slower speeds due to being overloaded.

Why should I use a VPN?

VPNs are highly effective tools for safeguarding your online privacy and disguising your actual location. This is particularly beneficial for individuals engaged in torrenting activities and those concerned about being monitored.

How do I set up my VPN?

Most VPNs can be installed with a single click. It will then take a click to connect, and you're done. You can use the VPN's app to configure any other settings.