If you want to stay protected online but would prefer not to pay, choosing the right virtual private network (VPN) service from the start is crucial. At a time when age verification and online censorship are escalating, these services are accessible, easy-to-use tools for preserving your right to privacy. However, little in life is free — and this applies to software and networks, which require power and resources to operate.
If a VPN is advertised as “free,” this often means that it is either a scam, ad-supported, or your data is sold in place of payment, which negates the point of using a VPN in the first place. You should always approach “free” services with caution, unless it is backed by paying subscribers. These are rare, but if you’re looking for a trustworthy VPN that offers long-term security and privacy protections, you have options.
In ZDNET’s latest update, we refreshed our top and alternative picks and focused on updating with the latest news in the VPN space. We have also removed TunnelBear as a top pick due to its recent restrictions on server choice for free account holders, plus its stringent 2GB data cap. Together, we can’t recommend it as a useful, free VPN anymore.
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What is the best VPN for free right now?
My pick for the best free VPN is Proton VPN. The service, developed by the team behind the encrypted ProtonMail service, is supported by paying subscribers. The number of device and server connections is limited, as you should expect from a free account, but it’s still a top-tier VPN with a security focus. If you’re interested in an upgrade, Proton’s paid plans start at $3 per month.
Also: The best cheap VPNs: Expert tested and reviewed
I extensively tested every major VPN on the market, including free offerings. I also recommend other trustworthy, free VPN services listed below. Alternatively, if you’re interested in trying out a paid VPN, consider one of my picks for the best VPNs with free trials or my top picks for the best VPNs of 2026.
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The best free VPNs of 2026
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My top pick for free VPNs in 2026 is Proton VPN. Despite its limitations, it will suit many users who do not want to pay or are looking for a way to avoid the latest censorship trend: online age verification checks.
Why we like it: The free version of Proton VPN offers many useful features that are paid for through other services and VPN subscribers. This is important when it comes to free VPN services, as it provides a measure of security and data protection that some shady services do not.
Robust online protection features like AES 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, leak protection, and a no-logs policy help hide your identity and digital footprint, regardless of whether you pay for this service. Proton VPN doesn’t sell your information or monetize its free apps with ads, allowing you to browse without distractions.
It doesn’t cap bandwidth, so you can use it year-round without worrying about exceeding monthly data limits. Proton VPN’s free tier also doesn’t throttle your speed, but server selection is limited. This means you might not experience the network’s true speed during peak hours.
During my frequent tests, I found Proton VPN’s connection and server speeds were always reasonable. While it doesn’t often match top competitors, especially on the free tier, it’s still a great option. It’s also suitable for bypassing UK age verification blocks imposed on websites.
Review: Proton VPN
Who it’s for: Anyone who wants a free VPN and won’t mind server and device restrictions.
Over the past year, Proton VPN has expanded its free server options. Free servers are now available in 10 locations including the United States, Romania, Mexico, the Netherlands, Singapore, and Japan. However, you can’t manually choose and connect to a server. The VPN automatically selects one for you, but you can then click “Change Server” to be assigned a different server location.
Proton VPN recently improved its NetShield phishing domain-blocking capabilities and revamped its Android and iOS apps to reduce power consumption. The latest product roadmap indicates that ProtonVPN is planning to roll out a new and improved VPN architecture as well.
Who should look elsewhere: A drawback is that you can only use one device with your free account. So, if you need a VPN for your PC, smartphone, and TV, for example, you should look elsewhere.
Alternatively, premium plans unlock 10 simultaneous connections and start at $3 per month on a two-year subscription. There is also a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Proton Free VPN features: Open-source | Simultaneous connections: One to 10, depending on the plan | Countries: 10 (127 paid) | Logging: No-logs policy | Security audits | Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Android TV, Fire TV, Kodi, and routers | VPN accelerator | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Trial: Free option | Trustpilot rating: 2.1 | Google Play rating: 4.7 | App Store rating: 4.6
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Windscribe is another great free VPN choice because, like Proton VPN, you can do a lot with the app without paying for it.
Why we like it: You can access free servers in 10 countries, allowing you to change locations. The free servers also support streaming across multiple popular platforms. You can use Windscribe on various devices, including Amazon Fire TV and browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge.
There are many customizable settings, including an ad blocker, split tunneling, and a firewall to prevent data leaks.
Review: Windscribe VPN
In Windscribe news, Dutch authorities seized a company-owned server, allegedly without a warrant. Law enforcement said they would return it after they “fully analyze it.” Windscribe hit back, noting that as it was a RAM-based server, all they would find is “a stock Ubuntu install.”
An interesting feature that Windscribe recently introduced is custom icons, so you can disguise your VPN as a clock or calculator, for example, on your mobile device.
Who it’s for: You can connect unlimited devices, but free users have a monthly data cap of 10GB. This drops to 2GB per month for users who are not signed up with an email address.
This is enough for occasional use while browsing online, but it won’t be suitable if you frequently stream movies and television shows, or if you want to torrent content.
Windscribe also allows you to build a plan, starting at just $1 per location per month, if you want a VPN for specific countries. Alternatively, a subscription starts at $5.75 per month on an annual contract or $9 per month on a monthly term.
Who should look elsewhere: A downside is that this free VPN’s user interface could use improvement, which may cause some users a bit of a headache. If a user-friendly UI is at the top of your list, look elsewhere.
Windscribe Free VPN features: Simultaneous connections: Unlimited | Countries: 10 (69, paid) | Logging: No-logs policy | Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Fire TV, browsers | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Trial: Free option | Trustpilot rating: 4.7 | Google Play rating: 4.7 | App Store rating: 4.6 | Customer service: Only with a paid subscription | Data limit: None | Speed limit: None
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Unlike many services that require a premium account for streaming, PrivadoVPN lets you watch content with the free tier.
Why we like it: You can access servers in 12 countries, including the U.S., Canada, and the U.K., but you won’t have access to the full 49-country network unless you’re a paying subscriber.
Free users have access to servers in the paid server fleet, meaning they receive the same high-end protection online. PrivadoVPN also supports safe torrenting and file sharing on free servers. I found torrenting worked well, and recent tests revealed speeds better than I expected from a free VPN.
Who it’s for: Anyone who wants to stream content online for free with some protection and a fair range of server locations.
Considering its low price, I also found this VPN to provide excellent value for money during testing. Subscriptions are very affordable, starting from just $1.11 per month with three months free.
Who should look elsewhere: This VPN is easy to install on many devices, including Android TV and streaming media players like the Amazon Fire TV Stick, as long as it is not running on the new VegaOS operating system. Choose wisely, as you’re limited on bandwidth.
You only receive 10GB of free data per month. If this isn’t enough, it might be better for you to opt for a free trial of a paid service instead.
Privado free VPN features: Simultaneous connections: Unlimited | Countries: 49 (12/13 on a free plan) | Logging: No-logs policy | Platforms: Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, Android TV, Fire TV | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Trial: Free option | Trustpilot rating: 3.3 | Google Play rating: 3.4 | App Store rating: 4.1 | Customer service: Email, online FAQ | Data limit: 10GB monthly | Speed limit: No
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Users can connect to Hotspot Shield’s proprietary protocol to enjoy reliable, rapid speeds, and for free.
Why we like it: The HotSpot Shield Hydra protocol has a reputation for fast service like NordVPN’s NordLynx and ExpressVPN’s Lightway. Hydra handles connections up to 1Gbps and works on iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows.
Were it not for the limited U.S. free server locations — one virtual “automatic” location — Hotspot Shield Basic could have easily made our fastest VPN shortlist. It’s speedy, but connection speeds may be affected by server limitations, and you won’t have access to servers optimized for streaming purposes.
During testing, I found the connection to the one virtual location you have is almost instantaneous and remains stable throughout.
You can use split tunneling to exclude some apps and websites from VPN traffic routing for optimal connections. This also helps you conserve bandwidth since you only get 500MB daily — amounting to 15GB per month. Unfortunately, you can’t carry over any leftover bandwidth. However, you can bypass daily limits by watching ads.
Who it’s for: Someone who wants to use a free, fast VPN for casual browsing, or those who want to take advantage of the firm’s long 45-day money-back guarantee.
The ad-free premium upgrade plan costs $8 per month and offers server selection across over 80 countries. It should also be noted that Hotspot Shield is now part of Aura.
Who should look elsewhere: Though Hotspot Shield Basic offers high-end encryption, the app is ad-supported. If the idea of adverts puts you off, try an alternative like Proton VPN.
Hotspot Shield free VPN features: Simultaneous connections: 1 | Countries: 1 | Logging: No-logs policy | Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Fire TV, browsers | Money-back guarantee: 45 days | Trial: Free option, 7 days | Trustpilot rating: 3.5 | Google Play rating: 4.4 | App Store rating: 4.6 | Customer service: Paid subscribers only, online FAQ | Data limit: 500MB/day | Speed limit: Yes
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Hide.me is a minimalist VPN service that could suit beginners who want to explore what a VPN can offer and how easy it is to integrate into their daily lives.
Why we like it: Like Proton VPN, Hide.me offers unlimited bandwidth on its free plan, so you can browse, stream, and download content without limits.
You can connect to eight server locations — more than many other trustworthy, free VPN providers. You can connect to Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the UK, the U.S., or a “best location” option selected automatically for you.
The interface could use a makeover, but it is easy to use and set up without much user input. However, during testing, I found its speeds were quite low. I also noticed the difference while watching YouTube videos and streaming.
The service’s ad and tracker blocker minimizes annoying third-party intrusions. To maintain a high level of online privacy, there is also a no-logs policy. In a new partnership, Hide.me teamed up with Freifon, a smartphone developer focused on privacy and user security, resulting in the development of a privacy-focused phone.
Who it’s for: The free plan allows only one simultaneous connection per account. If that’s all you need and you are new to VPNs, try it out.
If you find you like this VPN and want full access, premium subscriptions start at $2.69 per month, plus two months free on a 28-month plan.
Who should look elsewhere: Experienced VPN users might find that another of my more advanced alternatives will be a better option, especially if you want to dive deeply into configuration and settings.
Hide.me free VPN features: Simultaneous connections: 10, 1 on a free plan | Countries: 89 (7 on a free plan) | Logging: No-logs policy | Platforms: Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, Fire TV, Chrome, Firefox, routers | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Trial: Free option | Trustpilot rating: 4.4 | Google Play rating: 4.4 | App Store rating: 4.5 | Customer service: 24/7 | Data limit: Unlimited | Speed limit: No
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Best premium VPNs you can try for free
The most popular VPN services rarely have freemium options, but some offer free trials and money-back guarantees. These allow you to test all premium VPN features risk-free for a limited time, typically up to 30 or 45 days. Keep in mind that you will likely need to provide your payment card details before you can use a VPN’s money-back guarantee service.
Here are my top picks with free trials or money-back guarantee options.
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Surfshark offers a seven-day free trial for Mac device users, alongside Android and iOS devices. You can access the free trial via the App Store for macOS and iOS, or the Google Play Store for Android devices.
A 30-day money-back guarantee is also available for risk-free testing.
When using the Surfshark app for free, you can access servers in 100 countries and all other paid features, including the NoBorders tool. This works on network firewalls blocking VPN traffic.
It’s only $2 per month for the two-year starter package, which includes three months of free access, but short-term plans are more expensive.
Review: Surfshark VPN
Surfshark features: Simultaneous connections: Unlimited | Ad blocker | Two-factor authentication | Kill switch: Yes | Countries: 100 | Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Fire TV, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, tvOS, and routers | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Trial: Seven days on Android, iOS, and macOS | Trustpilot rating: 4.3 | Google Play rating: 4.6 | App Store rating: 4.7
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NordVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee to all users, including iOS and Android. It remains our best VPN for iPhone, but the free trial is only available to Android users. The free trial lasts seven days and is only available if you sign up through the Google Play Store.
Review: NordVPN
With servers in more than 120 countries, secure features, and fast speeds globally, you can experience the best streaming and online gaming performance at no cost. There are also specialty servers, like Double VPN, for secure peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing.
Subscriptions start at $3.39 per month. NordVPN is also one of ZDNET’s picks for our favorite VPNs of 2026.
Also: Best mobile VPN in 2026
NordVPN features: Simultaneous connections: 10 | Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Android TV, Fire TV, tvOS, and routers | Countries: 126 | Kill switch: Yes | Logging: Email address and billing information only | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Trial: Seven days on Android | Trustpilot rating: 4.1 | Google Play rating: 4.6 | App Store rating: 4.7
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Unlike NordVPN, CyberGhost prioritizes iPhone users, offering a 7-day free trial without a credit card or subscription. Android and Windows/macOS devices can access only three-day and 24-hour free trials, respectively.
CyberGhost’s 45-day money-back guarantee is the most generous among VPN providers, allowing you to test the service and claim a refund.
As recommended in ZDNET’s CyberGhost review, it’s one of the best choices for streaming, thanks to its optimized servers that are available for multiple platforms worldwide. The app can be used even on PlayStation and Xbox consoles via the Smart DNS feature or a direct router setup.
It costs $2.19 per month for the most affordable two-year plan with two months of free access. You can also opt for a six-month subscription or a plan on a month-to-month basis.
CyberGhost VPN features: Simultaneous connections: 7 | Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Android TV, Fire TV, NAS routers | Countries: 100+ | Kill switch: Yes | Logging: Payment information only | Money-back guarantee: 45 days | Trial: 24 hours on macOS and Windows; three days on Android, seven days on iOS | Trustpilot rating: 4.0 | Google Play rating: 4.2 | App Store rating: 4.2
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Typically, using free VPNs is discouraged because they can compromise your online safety and privacy.
Some “free” VPNs are in no way actually free — they obtain payment in ways other than cash. There are free VPNs that secretly collect your data and auction it to the highest bidder, for example, defeating the purpose of a VPN as a privacy tool.
Adverts are another problem. They’re annoying and could indicate that your data is being used to profile you.
Some free VPNs are malware apps in disguise, and we’ve encountered supposedly “free” versions of legitimate VPNs that have slipped through vetting on official app stores and software repositories. These may contain viruses, spyware, or keyloggers designed to steal your information.
So, if you’re on the hunt for a free VPN and you see a familiar logo in an official app store or an extensions repository — for example, in the Google Chrome Web Store — make sure you are downloading legitimate software.
These and many more hidden risks of free VPNs prompted me to explore secure options you can use to bolster your online privacy. The free VPNs on my list have passed safety tests and garnered positive testimonials from millions of users. They’re not flawless and they tend to be restricted, but you don’t have to watch your back much while using them.
Accessing a VPN free trial depends on the provider. It’s important to check the company’s website for clear instructions on accessing its free trial or plan.
Some VPNs require you to sign up and provide your billing information, while others offer a free service that doesn’t collect any personal data beyond an email address.
VPNs that offer free trials via a 30- or 45-day money-back guarantee will charge you upfront, expecting that you’ll request a refund if you change your mind. You will need to pay for a plan, then contact customer service and retention to request deletion of your account and a refund before your time runs out — a process we all know can be a pain to go through.
Mobile trials are not the same as PC and desktop trials. You’ll need to visit Google Play or Apple’s App Store to access them, and most of the time, you will be given up to a week of free access before being asked to sign up and pay for a plan.
Best free VPN | Free bandwidth | Free server locations / countries | Lowest starting price |
Proton VPN | Unlimited | 10 | $3 |
Windscribe | 10GB/month | 10 | $1 – $5.75 |
Privado VPN | 10GB/month | 10-13 | $1.11 |
Hotspot Shield Basic | 15GB/month | 1 | $8 |
Hide.me | Unlimited | 8 | $2.69 |
Choose this free VPN… | If you want… |
Proton VPN | The best free VPN. Proton VPN protects your privacy by providing exactly the same security protections as paid subscribers. You’ll be missing out on additional advanced features and your server selection is limited, but this is still one of the best free and trustworthy VPNs available. |
Windscribe | A free VPN with many server locations and as many simultaneous connections as you like. Bandwidth is limited but generous, and custom paid plans starting at only $1 are also available, making this VPN another of my top choices. |
Privado VPN | A free VPN with ample servers available for streaming and accessing geo-locked content. This is a great option for streaming and safe torrenting but take note of the monthly bandwidth limits. You may use up your free allowance sooner than you think. |
Hotspot Shield Basic | A free VPN with fast connections in the U.S. and compatibility with popular operating systems and platforms. Customer support and server locations are restricted on the free plan. This option is ad-supported, but Hotspot Shield still offers a quality free VPN service. |
Hide.me | A free VPN with unlimited data transfers. While you don’t need to sign up for a subscription, the app is basic. You are restricted to one device connection and a small selection of servers in a handful of countries. |
If you’re set on using a free VPN, check for these essential features and be aware of some of the disadvantages of free services.
- Truly free without a catch: Some free VPN services aren’t what they claim to be. You can easily consent to a free app that collects and shares your private data with other entities, like marketers. You should carefully scrutinize your provider’s policy and only choose transparent services.
- Safety: Even on free apps, the encryption should be AES 256-bit, as it helps mitigate online risks like hacking. Also, look for other features like secure protocols, a kill switch, and domain name service (DNS) leak protection.
- Intended use: Consider what you want to use a VPN for. A free VPN might be fine for casual browsing, for example, but is unlikely to work well for resource-heavy applications. For example, you won’t find a free VPN that is a great match for torrenting, and free servers optimized for streaming are rare.
- Speed and bandwidth: A free VPN will likely come with speed restrictions, meaning you might need to accept lower speeds as a trade-off. Even if a VPN provider says there are no speed caps, if servers are limited, the heavier load will likely reduce the speeds you can reach.
- Server selection: Decent coverage should offer you connections in multiple locations. However, many free VPNs will impose limits on your access to the server network.
- Streaming, torrenting, gaming: If you want to use a VPN for any of these, free options are likely unsuitable. You may need to opt for a paid subscription or trial instead.
The free and paid VPN providers we recommend have been vetted and reviewed by members of our ZDNET team. I’ve been reviewing VPNs for years, have spoken with their management and their users, and developed a generally favorable impression if I’ve included specific services on this list.
ZDNET tests VPN services from multiple locations, but we can’t test from all locations. Every home, community, local internet service provider (ISP), and nation has a different infrastructure. Once you choose a VPN, it’s essential that you test for all your likely usage patterns and then decide whether to keep the service or request a money-back guarantee refund.
I analyzed the best free VPNs of 2026 below using the following criteria:
- Performance: My recommended VPNs must meet a minimum performance standard. After all, there’s no point in using a VPN if your connection continually drops or lags.
- Simultaneous connections: Many VPNs limit the number of devices you can connect to a service simultaneously. If you have a phone, tablet, laptop, desktop, or smart TV you want to connect to a VPN, you need a paid service that allows at least five or six simultaneous connections. When it comes to free services, though, there needs to be at least one.
- Security: There’s no point in using a VPN unless its security protocols and encryption levels are up to scratch. I also ensured the development team behind each recommended VPN cares about making security improvements and patching reported bugs. It’s important that our free VPN recommendations are not known for selling user data.
- Kill switch: A kill switch prevents an unprotected connection from your device to an online service from forming. It is an important feature for a VPN, as it protects you by preventing a return to a default, unencrypted Wi-Fi connection should your internet connection unexpectedly drop.
- Platforms: What systems and devices can you run the VPN on? My VPN recommendations have to offer easy-to-use and intuitive apps suitable for various hardware.
- Countries and servers: In how many different countries does the VPN have servers? This can include physical and virtual servers, and whether there are enough to provide variety. Expect fewer options with free plans.
Support: As with any subscription software, you may encounter problems with installing apps, using the service, renewing, or canceling. I have listed VPNs with an available support team, although support may be limited on free plans.
For a more extensive breakdown, check out our comprehensive VPN testing methodology page.
Latest news in the VPN industry
- Australians are turning to VPNs as online age restrictions come into effect in the country.
- Iranians are reportedly being threatened with legal action for using VPNs to bypass censorship blocks.
- In a peculiar move, Dutch authorities seized a RAM-based server belonging to Windscribe, allegedly without a warrant.
- The UK’s new age verification checks are under fire as a potential privacy nightmare. In turn, VPN downloads skyrocketed.
- Mozilla expanded its VPN to all major Linux distributions, granting access beyond Debian-based systems.
Latest updates on our recommended VPNs
- ExpressVPN adopted the Model Context Protocol (MCP) to create a local bridge that allows AI coding assistants to manage network routing without ever opening a remote connection.
- Surfshark’s upgraded website security settings now allow you to check search results before you click on them.
- NordVPN rolled out call protection features for Android users.
- A new Mullvad security audit provided recommendations for the improvement of the firm’s WireGuard implementation, GotaTun, of which fixes have been made generally available.
Avoid free VPNs that don’t provide basic security or have a negative privacy reputation. Here are some of the services users have reported experiencing major issues with:
- Hola VPN: This VPN works by randomly assigning your device’s IP address to other users on the peer-to-peer (P2P) network. The IP might be used for criminal activities and traced back to you.
- Hoxx VPN: The encryption isn’t secure, and the VPN collects more user data than necessary for tracking.
- Urban VPN: Though offering lots of free features, including unlimited bandwidth and device connections, the app collects and stores your identifiable information, like your IP address. This isn’t safe, given that it’s also based in the U.S. and can be legally forced to hand over your information.
- Tuxler VPN: Just like Hola, Tuxler offers a residential IP address pool, whereby users are assigned IP addresses of other users in the locations they want to connect. While this model seems to work, concerns have been raised about the VPN’s lack of transparency when it comes to the logging policy.
Nothing in life is truly free, including online services. Our social networks and email accounts collect our data and serve targeted ads, and our information can be collected and sold to marketers and third parties.
When it comes to free VPNs, this is usually the case: user data is collected and sold, which means there is little point in using one, as these practices don’t protect your privacy.
Unless free VPN accounts are backed by paying subscribers, you should steer clear of them — especially if there’s no privacy policy or transparency surrounding how user data is handled.
At the moment, we do not recommend any free VPN solution for use in China. Instead, although it is expensive, Astrill VPN is considered one of the best VPN choices, with customers reporting high success rates.
China has imposed restrictions on many providers, and even premium VPNs might not work correctly. Also, you should download the VPN app before arriving in the country, as you might have trouble accessing the website once you’re there.
Windscribe, CyberGhost, TunnelBear, Proton VPN, and other services have Chrome extensions. All of the VPNs on our free list also offer extensions for other browsers, such as Firefox, Safari, and Microsoft Edge.
When installed on a browser, a VPN masks your IP address, secures your online activities, and enables you to access content on the go without the need for a native app on your device. However, you should carefully check the features supported by free VPN extensions, as some don’t provide encryption or any server choice.
Some VPN providers double as proxy services such as Hide.me, Turbo VPN, HMA, and VPN Proxy Master. You can also use exclusive proxy services like ProxyScrape, FreeProxy, and Oxylabs. Keep in mind that while proxies can give you IP addresses to different locations, they do not encrypt your traffic like VPNs. This means websites, ISPs, and Wi-Fi owners can still monitor your activities.
Also: Proxy vs VPN: What’s the difference? | The best proxy server services: Expert recommended
A free VPN or free trial can be enough to get you started in the VPN world. You can use them to learn the basics, explore how servers and country selections work, and experiment with different protocols. However, the majority of free VPNs we recommend are backed by paid subscribers to ensure they are as secure as possible, so they will come with restrictions.
For example, you will be limited in the number of device connections you can have, your speed, or your server selections. You’ll find that a free VPN may be enough for some basic browsing tasks, but it may not be suitable for bandwidth-intensive activities like streaming or gaming.
No software or online service, including VPNs — paid or otherwise — is fully protected from cybercriminal activity. Vulnerabilities in code, accidentally introduced during updates, or zero-day bugs may be discovered, exploited, or cause user data leaks. Your best bet is to choose a trustworthy VPN provider with a proven and transparent approach to audits and security updates.
Latest updates
- March 2026: In ZDNET’s March update, we refreshed our top and alternative picks, and we focused on updates concerning the latest news in the VPN space. We have also removed TunnelBear as a top pick due to its recent restrictions on server choice for free account holders, plus its stringent 2GB data cap. Together, we can’t recommend it as a useful, free VPN anymore.
- February 2026: In ZDNET’s February update, we thoroughly reviewed and refreshed our guide on the top free VPN services for 2026.
- August 2025: In ZDNET’s August update, we conducted editorial changes, updated our top picks, and included some of the latest news in the VPN space, including how the UK’s new age verification systems are causing VPN downloads to spiral. We also moved Privado VPN up our recommendations list.
- July 2025: In ZDNET’s July update, we performed substantial copy updates and noted new price changes and deals.
Alternative VPNs to consider
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If you want to try out an excellent VPN with some of the best speeds on the market, take advantage of ExpressVPN’s 30-day money-back guarantee. Prices start at $2.44 per month on a two-year contract, with four months free. There is a free sister service, EventVPN, but I can’t recommend it right now because I don’t find it user-friendly.
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Consider Private Internet Access (PIA) if you want a cheap subscription with unlimited device connections. Plans start at $2.03 per month on a three-year subscription with three months of access thrown in for free. While it’s not free, it is very affordable over the long term.
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Starting at $2.19 per month, IPVanish is another great alternative, especially if you want a beginner-friendly VPN to learn the ropes. Its speeds are average, but it has a strong server network spanning over 113 countries. While not free, there is a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Note: IPVanish is owned by Ziff Davis, ZDNET’s parent company. For more information, see our Editorial Guidelines.
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We hope that you’ve found a few free VPNs that pique your interest. You can also explore our top picks for the best VPNs on the market, as well as our selections for travel and streaming purposes.
Source: www.zdnet.com
