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Using one of the best 100% free VPNs lets you browse the web safely without spending a single penny. Although you won’t get access to premium features such as Netflix unblocking with a free VPN, you can still protect your data and information. Check out our list of the best 100% free VPNs below.
Best 100% Free VPN
- VPNBook – Best Overall 100% Free VPN
- Urban VPN – Best for Unlimited Devices
- Opera VPN – Best for Browser-based Internet Use
- ProtonVPN – Best for Unlimited Data Usage
- PrivadoVPN – Best Free VPN for Unlimited Speeds
- Windscribe – Best Free VPN for Server Locations
- Hide.me – Best Free VPN for Privacy
- AtlasVPN – Best Free VPN for Torrenting
- ZoogVPN – Best Free VPN for Friend Referral Rewards
- Hotspot Shield – Best Free VPN for Daily Internet Usage
VPN Provider
Data Usage Limit
Speed Cap
Server Locations
Device Limit
Operating System
Price for Paid Version
Unlimited
No
Servers in 80 countries
Unlimited
Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Edge
None
Unlimited
Medium Limit
147 servers in 3 countries
1
Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux
$3.29 to $30.00 per month
10 GB every 30 days
No
Servers in 12 cities
1
Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux
$4.99 to $7.99 per month
10 GB per month
No
Servers in 10 countries
1
Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux
$1.00 to $9.00 per month
10 GB per month
No
Servers in 5 locations
1
Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux
$2.59 to $9.95 per month
10 GB per month
No
Servers in 3 locations
Unlimited devices
Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux
$1.99 to $10.99 per month
10 GB per month
No
Servers in 5 locations
1
Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux
$1.87 to $9.99 per month
500 MB per day
Up to 2 Mbps
Server in 1 location
1
Windows, Mac, iOS, Android,
$7.99 to $19.99 per month
VPNBook: Best Overall 100% Free VPN
VPNBook is a simple, no-frills VPN based out of Switzerland with its lack of rules on data retention. You can also rest assured that the government isn’t watching your every move, either.
You can use VPNBook on most devices, with setups for Windows, Mac OS, and Linux computers. Smartphone users will find protection for iOS and Android as well. The VPN limits you to five devices per account.
VPNBook’s website can be confusing for anyone who doesn’t consider themselves computer savvy. There are some annoying pop-ups to deal with from time to time, a common side effect of a free service.
The download page has both a client and certificate bundles you’ll need to pick up in order to start using the software. It clearly lays out what each bundle is best for; you just pick the one you need.
There’s no cap on the amount of data you consume while using VPNBook. Whether you’re streaming 100 gigs of data or just browsing the web, VPN has you covered. The platform doesn’t slow down speeds after a certain threshold, either.
Security with VPNBook is top-notch, offering the best encryption techniques you keep you safe. It utilizes AES-256 and AES-128 among other popular protocols, claiming it would take a supercomputer 1000 years to crack.
You’ll only have 11 servers to choose from, which span a handful of European countries, the United States, and Canada. There isn’t a way to access content from Asia or Australia while using BookVPN.
The service is 100% free to use, without any paid option to speak of. You can access all features right out of the gate, but BookVPN does look for donations to purchase additional servers and other features.
Why we chose it: BookVPN’s completely free service incorporates simplicity, fast speeds, and some of the best security features you’ll find anywhere.
- Simple setup and use
- Unlimited data
- Robust security and privacy
- Confusing website
- No frills service
- Small network of servers
Urban VPN: Best for Unlimited Devices
Urban VPN advertises itself as the only 100% FREE, 100% fast & 100% anonymous VPN in the world. There are thousands of servers to pick from in over 80 countries, allowing you to access the content you want or remain anonymous while on the internet.
You can connect an unlimited number of devices through a single account and never have to worry about a slowdown or cutoff. What’s more, there’s no limit to the amount of data you can use while on Urban VPN.
The software is easy to set up, requiring account creation and a download from the website. It’s possible to use Urban VPN through Windows, Mac, iOS, or Android devices. There are special extensions for Firefox, Edge, and Chrome for added protection while browsing.
If Urban VPN has impressive security protocols, it doesn’t share that information. The VPN vows to keep you anonymous and secure but isn’t clear about how it accomplishes that. There’s no record of which encryption the software uses to keep your data safe.
Speeds can drop some when you connect to a VPN close to home, but there’s a considerable drop when you access a far-away server. Downloads can take forever to complete, and you can forget about watching that streaming service from a distant country.
Why we chose it: Urban VPN is one of the few services with an abundance of server locations that you can connect an unlimited number of devices to.
- Unlimited devices
- Unlimited data
- Easy to set up
- Far away servers cause a significant speed drop
- Unclear security protocols
- No tech support team
Opera VPN: Best for Browser-based Internet Use
Opera is a unique VPN that fuses directly with the company’s browser. The VPN is a separate add-on, so even current Opera users will need to download it to stay protected.
Server locations are somewhat vague, and connection to the VPN only tells you that you’re tunneling through somewhere in the Americas, Europe, or Asia. There’s some ambiguity here, and the region you choose isn’t even always the one Opera VPN connects you to.
No matter where your server location ends up, you’ll have an unlimited amount of data to work with without limits or speed caps. Since the VPN works through a browser, it does function a bit differently. It’s possible to browse and download entirely anonymously, as there’s no requirement to sign in.
You will have strong security features when surfing the web through Opera VPN, as the network has AES-256 encryption. This is a massive boon to other free VPNs that don’t offer this level of protection.
Of course, this means you will have to use Opera’s browser to take advantage of the VPN. If you’re not a fan of Opera, the VPN does not work with any other type of software.
Downloading both Opera and the VPN are a breeze, but each one is a separate download. Once installed, the VPN links directly up to the browser so you don’t have to have a bunch of software running in the background.
Another shortcoming is the lack of Apple support. Opera doesn’t run on Mac computers or iOS devices, so those users will have to look elsewhere for protection.
Why we chose it: If you’re streaming or downloading primarily through a browser, Opera VPN packs a punch with robust security features and unlimited data transfer.
- Works directly with the Opera browser
- Unlimited data
- Has AES-256 encryption
- No iOS apps
- Requires installing the Opera browser
- Vague server locations
ProtonVPN stands out because it’s the only 100% free VPN with no data limits. This means you’re free to use ProtonVPN as long as you want. However, the free version comes with a slight speed limit compared to ProtonVPN’s paid plans. Along with unrestricted data usage, ProtonVPN works with Windows, Android, iOS, Mac, Android TV, Chromebook, Linux, and certain routers.
ProtonVPN’s free plan offers bank-standard AES 256-bit encryption and an automatic kill switch. These are features used in the top paid VPNs, so it’s incredible that ProtonVPN offers them for free. ProtonVPN also uses OpenVPN, which is the safest security protocol in the VPN sector.
While ProtonVPN excels in its security features, you only get access to three free server locations. This can be troublesome if you’re traveling for work or located far away from all of the free servers.
However, the fact remains that ProtonVPN is the best 100% free VPN in 2023. Since ProtonVPN doesn’t have a data limit, you can leave it on all the time. Best of all, there aren’t any advertisements in ProtonVPN’s free plan.
ProtonVPN is also one of the best VPNs for PC because of its outstanding Windows app. The app has a beautiful interface and is very simple to learn and use.
Why we chose it: ProtonVPN is the best 100% free VPN because it offers industry-standard security protocols and unlimited data usage.
- Unlimited data allowance
- Excellent privacy
- Outstanding desktop app
- No P2P features
- No Secure Core
- Torrenting not allowed
Pricing:
When you’re ready to upgrade to a paid plan, ProtonVPN offers three different packages:
- Basic: Annual Plan ($4/month), Monthly Plan ($5/month)
- Plus: Annual Plan ($8/month), Monthly Plan ($10/month)
- Visionary: Annual Plan ($24/month), Monthly Plan ($30/month)
PrivadoVPN is one of the best 100% free VPNs because it offers unlimited internet speeds. Unlike ProtonVPN, which has a speed cap, PrivadoVPN does not have any speed restrictions on its free plan. There are also many servers to choose from with PrivadoVPN’s free plan, including Chicago, New York, Miami, Frankfurt, Paris, London, Amsterdam, and many more.
PrivadoVPN rivals ProtonVPN as the best 100% free VPN. Although PrivadoVPN offers similar security features to ProtonVPN, it has a data limit of 10 GB per month. If you’re a heavy internet user, you can deplete 10 GB in a single day.
For this reason, PrivadoVPN is the second-best 100% free VPN on today’s list. PrivadoVPN is a capable mobile VPN because of its impressive Android and iOS apps. With PrivadoVPN’s free mobile app, you can quickly secure your smartphone’s internet connection with the touch of a few buttons.
Both the desktop and mobile apps are user-friendly and load quickly. If you want to learn how to use a VPN, PrivadoVPN is the most beginner-friendly free VPN available. On the app’s dashboard, you can sort your server list in a number of unique ways, such as latency and alphabetized. Furthermore, the app explains what the kill switch and auto-connect features do.
Overall, PrivadoVPN is worth a try if you’re interested in great security and privacy features, unlimited speeds, and a moderate server selection.
Why we chose it: PrivadoVPN is the best 100% free VPN for unlimited download and upload speeds. Even if you go over the 10 GB monthly data limit, you can still use PrivadoVPN with 1 Mbps speeds.
- 10 GB of data per month
- Wide server selection
- No speed limits
- No servers in Africa or Asia
- No split tunneling
- Support could be improved
Pricing:
PrivadoVPN offers a paid plan, where you can either pay monthly or annually:
- 1 Month: $7.99 per month
- 12 Months: $4.99 per month
Windscribe offers a unique free VPN plan because you can complete tasks to upgrade your monthly data limit. When you first join Windscribe, you are given 2 GB of data usage per month. Once you add and confirm your email address, you are automatically upgraded to the 10 GB monthly plan. You can add more GB to your free monthly plan by tweeting and referring friends.
Although Windscribe offers some gentle nudges to entice you to sign up for a paid plan, they aren’t too intrusive or annoying. For this reason, Windscribe’s free VPN plan is the best 100% free VPN for server selection and unlimited simultaneous connections. This means you can sign in to the same Windscribe account on many devices.
Windscribe is unique because its free plan comes with extra features such as malware, tracker, and ad blocking tools. It also includes port forwarding and split-tunneling. These features don’t usually come with free VPN plans, so it’s important to take advantage of them if you need them.
The main difference between Windscribe and the best 100% free VPNs is Windscribe’s inconsistent speeds. While PrivadoVPN offers a stable connection that’s fast, Windscribe’s speeds vary greatly.
Furthermore, users have had success unlocking geo-blocked content from streaming platforms like Netflix with Windscribe’s free plan.
With VPN usage soaring due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Windscribe offers an excellent free VPN service for individuals who work at home.
Why we chose it: Windscribe is the best 100% free VPN for server locations because you get access to 10 countries. Furthermore, Windscribe servers are extremely fast, and there isn’t a speed cap on your internet usage. Read our in-depth review on Windscribe to learn more about its features.
- 10 server locations
- 10 GB of data per month
- No speed limits
- No human live chat support
- Inconsistent speeds
- Starts at 2 GB of data per month without email
Pricing:
Windscribe carries two pricing plans and a custom plan option:
- Monthly Plan: $9 per month
- Yearly Plan: $4.08 per month
- Build a Plan: Inquire for pricing
Hide.me is a well-known provider in the growing VPN industry because of its fantastic free and paid subscription options. With Hide.me’s free VPN plan, you get access to servers in 10 different countries. This offers you a chance to connect to a server that’s close to your home, allowing fast internet speeds when you’re using Hide.em.
Hide.me is a highly-secure free VPN with a monthly data cap of 10 GB. It’s one of the fastest free VPNs when you connect to a server in your country. Furthermore, Hide.me allows P2P traffic on most of the free servers. Hide.me offers free servers in the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, and Germany.
In terms of security protocols, Hide.me offers IKEv2, OpenVPN, and Wireguard. We are also able to unblock some streaming platforms like Netflix and Disney+ with Hide.me.
As long as you’re connected to a server near your home, you’ll notice consistent download speeds and a stable connection. If you’re confused about what is a VPN, Hide.me is extremely beginner-friendly. The app will guide you through exactly what a VPN is and how to use the program properly.
Why we chose it: Hide.me is the best free VPN for privacy because it offers a clear zero-logs policy. This means Hide.me doesn’t store any information regarding your internet usage.
- Strong privacy features
- No ads or speed limits
- User-friendly custom apps
- Limited to one device
- Only 5 server locations
- Slow long-distance speeds
Pricing:
Hide.me provides three unique pricing plans depending on the length of your subscription:
- 1 Month: $9.95 per month
- 1 Year: $4.99 per month
- 2 Years: $2.59 per month
AtlasVPN offers extremely fast download speeds if you’re connected to a nearby server. Furthermore, AtlasVPN allows torrenting and other types of P2P traffic on each of its free servers. This means that you can use AtlasVPN to download large torrent files quickly. However, you only get access to 10 GB of data per month on the free plan.
AtlasVPN is an excellent VPN for torrenting because it allows P2P traffic on every one of its servers. This means you get access to high download speeds when downloading a torrent using AtlasVPN. Since there aren’t any connection speed limits, AtlasVPN offers the best free way to safely download torrent files.
This VPN provider doesn’t slack in the security department either. AtlasVPN uses the same AES-256 military-grade encryption seen on most of the best 100% free VPNs on this list. It also doesn’t collect, store, or sell your data.
Cybercrime is a prevalent problem a free VPN service like AtlasVPN protects you from data breaches and other online vulnerabilities.
Why we chose it: AtlasVPN is the best 100% free VPN for torrenting because it offers P2P support for its free and premium subscription plans.
- Good for torrenting
- Private logging policy
- Fast download speeds
- Doesn’t unblock streaming services
- Small server selection
- No live chat
Pricing:
AtlasVPN carries three unique pricing terms when you’re ready to upgrade:
- 1 Month: $10.99 per month
- 1 Year: $3.29 per month
- 3 Years: $1.99 per month
ZoogVPN offers one of the most unique 100% free VPN plans available because of its referral program. If you refer a friend and they purchase a subscription, you receive 15 days of ZoogVPN’s premium plan for free. Once you reach a certain checkpoint, you receive additional Premium time. For example, three successful referrals grant 55 days of Premium total.
ZoogVPN is a new VPN provider that offers affordable longterm plans as well as a free plan. With ZoogVPN’s free plan, you get access to fast VPN speeds without any ads or data logging. You can also download the VPN right away without providing your credit card information.
The free servers are located in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, the United States, Singapore, and Poland. If you live in one of these countries, ZoogVPN offers an excellent way to get free 10 GB of VPN bandwidth per month.
Why we chose it: ZoogVPN is the best 100% free VPN for friend referral rewards because you can get access to the Premium plan through successful referrals.
- Allows torrenting
- Offers a VPN killswitch
- Ability to receive up to 50 GB of data per month
- Uses 128-bit encryption instead of AES 256-bit
- Small server selection
- Doesn’t unblock streaming services
Pricing:
ZoogVPN offers inexpensive pricing packages if you subscribe for a long period:
- 1 Month: $9.99 per month
- 1 Year: $2.99 per month
- 2 Years: $1.87 per month
Hotspot Shield is a unique free VPN because it features daily data usage limit rather than a monthly one. This means that each day, you receive 500 MB of data usage through Hotspot Sheild. Over a monthlong period, this adds up to 15 GB of data, which is 50% higher than most plans offering a 10 GB monthly data limit.
Although Hotspot Shield offers the second most data with 15 GB per month, it’s still only the seventh-best 100% free VPN. This is because Hotspot Shield’s free plan offers access to a single location in the United States. If you live outside of the United States, your connection to the server will be unstable and inconsistent.
With the 500 MB daily limit, Hotspot Shield is a great VPN solution for those who want to casually browse the web safely and securely.
Why we chose it: Hotspot Shield is the best 100% free VPN for individuals who need daily VPN access. Hotspot Shield’s free VPN plan comes with a 500 MB daily limit, perfect for the average internet user.
- Data allowance resets daily
- Good for casual browsing
- Easy to use
- Only one server
- Low data allowance
- 2 Mbps speed limit
Pricing:
If you want to upgrade your free plan, Hotspot Shield offers a two paid plans that include a 45-day free trial:
- Premium: Annual Plan ($7.99 per month), Monthly Plan ($12.99 per month)
- Premium Family – Annual Plan ($11.99 per month), Monthly Plan ($19.99 per month)
Methodology for the Best 100% Free VPN
Our top priority for choosing the best 100% free VPN was to choose actually free VPNs. This means there aren’t any hidden or direct subscription costs, and you don’t need to enter your credit card information to use the free VPN. This means that VPNs with free trials were also excluded from this list.
- Encryption and Security: Since the primary purpose of a VPN is to protect your data, encryption, and security features are vital. The best 100% free VPNs should offer industry-standard encryption, a VPN killswitch, and IP/DNS leak protection. Most of the free VPNs on this list offer AES 256-bit encryption, which is the industry standard.
- Data Limits: Data limits are the most common drawback of using a free VPN. Data limits restrict how much data you can use on the VPN. For example, a data limit of 10 GB per month means that you can’t keep using the VPN once you reach the 10 GB limit for the month. The best 100% free VPNs offer at least 10 GB of data per month.
- Speed Caps: Similar to data limits, speed caps restrict your download and upload speeds while using the VPN. Some free VPNs heavily limit your speed, while others don’t limit it at all. This is why we chose free VPNs that offer similar speeds to their paid counterparts.
- Server locations: A more extensive server database on your 100% free VPN allows you to access faster connection speeds and more streaming content. Luckily, a few free VPNs offer a global server reach. However, there are also a few VPNs with a limited selection of servers.
- Logging Policy: It’s essential to use a VPN that respects your privacy. Some VPNs collect records of your online activity into a log. These VPNs should be avoided because they may sell your data or share it with others. The VPNs included on our list operate with a strict no-logs policy, keeping your privacy safe.
- Device Limits: We live in a day and age where everyone has multiple devices for internet access. Even someone living alone can have a phone, tablet, PC, and smart TV all connected to the internet at the same time. The best free VPNs allow each of these machines to pass through the virtual network without restriction or slowdown.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Best 100% Free VPNs
Below are the most popular questions about the best 100% free VPNs.
Bottom Line on the Best 100% Free VPNs
The best 100% free VPNs are essential for individuals looking to protect their data and personal information for $0. While each free VPN offers a paid plan, the free plan provides more than enough capacity to browse the internet safely.
Noah is an American copywriter on a mission to help clarify the nuances of the business world through unique insights stemming from backgrounds in both engineering and the medical field. When not working, you’ll likely find him running or traveling.
